Mrs. B.-What would you say, Henry, to a farmer who put the seed into the ground one day, and expected to reap the crop the next?

Henry.-I should say that he was very silly, Mamma; because it has got to grow up at first green like grass, and then it grows higher and higher, and then the ear comes, and then it turns yellow, and at last it is fit to be cut down.

Mrs. B.-Well, Henry, and the case is much the same with the cultivation of the human heart. It is a work of time and of patience. The heart must be prepared to know and love God, the seed of His word must be sown, it must take deep root, it must slowly "grow with our growth, and strengthen with our strength;" care must be taken to root out all the evil weeds which might choke it; it must be ripened by difficulties and trials, probably by affliction also; and the grace of God, constantly and devoutly prayed for, must ever assist His own work, and aid the fruit to come to perfection. And then, at the great day of

harvest, when it shall be gathered together, good and bad, may He, my dear children, mercifully grant, that we may be of the number of those whom He "shall gather as wheat into His garner ;"* there to enjoy for ever and ever a happiness, though far exceeding all human understanding, yet equitably proportioned to the fruit which we have produced from His seed, in this world of trial. And let us never forget that according to the seed sown, according to the opportunities given to us of improvement, will God most justly expect that the future crop shall be: that "unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required." But upon this particular subject we will take another parable to-morrow. Meantime, I hope you have understood, and will remember, what we have gone through to-day.

Mary.-Yes, Mamma, thank you, I think I quite understand it now; and I am sure I never thought, when you first read

*Luke iii. 17.

+ Luke xii. 48.

the parable, that there could be so much. hidden in it.

Henry.-Nor I, Mamma; I shall never see them sowing in the fields now without thinking of this parable.

Mrs. B.-You will do well, my dear, on all occasions, to let your thoughts turn habitually to the goodness and mercy of God, and to His commandments; and to a mind properly disposed, there is nothing which may not suggest the idea of Him, who is at all times your surest guide, and friend, and protector. And now we will close our reading for to-day. Tomorrow, if I have reason to be satisfied with you, we will begin at the same hour.

SECOND DAY.

Parable of the Talents.

Matthew xxv. 14. Luke xix. 12.

Mrs. B.—You remember, my dears, that, in the parable which we read yesterday, we settled that the seed, which fell on good ground, and brought forth fruit, some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundredfold, was designed to represent those good persons, who, to use the words of the Bible, "in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience,"* but who do not all make an equal proficiency: to carry on the same comparison, upon which part of his field do you suppose the farmer would look with the greatest pleasure and satisfaction?

*Luke viii. 15.

Henry-On the good ground of course. Mrs. B. And of the good ground, upon that which produced thirty, or sixty, or a hundred-fold ?

Henry. Upon that which produced a hundred.

Mrs. B.-Yes, my love, and so you may be sure will the heavenly Sower of the word look with love and mercy upon all who have served Him faithfully in this life; but with more approbation, the more we serve Him, and strive to "bring forth the fruit" of His word in this life. Nay, we are even assured that we have it in our power to add, by our conduct here, to the happiness even of the blessed angels in heaven.

Henry.-Oh! Mamma, you do not mean that the angels care about what is done by such a little boy as I am!

Mrs. B. My love, our knowledge, while we are in this life, of what passes in heaven, of the nature and feelings of its blessed inhabitants, must be very imperfect; but of this we are assured by Jesus