THE GOLDEN TEXT.

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. AND as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day the night cometh, when no man can work.

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?

Some said, This is he others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.

Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened ?

He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus. made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash and I went and washed, and I received sight.

Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.

They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.

And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.

Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.

Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.-JOHN ix. 1-16.

LOOK TOWARDS THE LIGHT.

THE sailor on the midnight sea, if he would guide himself across the trackless deep, must look not upon the dark troubled waves, but at the clear, blue heavens. If the sky is overcast and the stars are veiled by the clouds, he must turn to his compass; and its needle, ever true to the pole, will point to the star, though it be hidden from his vision. So we are tossed on many a billow. If we would see heaven's guiding light, we must look not on the waves of temptation that dash and break around; but above to God, should darkness and clouds gather in

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."John viii. 12.

GOD IS LIGHT.

SAID a little child to me,
"If God lives so very far

Up above the highest heaven,
Far beyond the brightest star,

"How can He be always near me,

Caring for me night and day?
Are you sure that God can hear me
When I lift my hands and pray?"

And I answered, "God has spoken
Holy words that we receive;
And He gives us many a token,

To persuade us to believe.

"Like the sun that shines around us,
Making all things bright and fair,
By the wayside, in the chamber,
God is with us everywhere.

"Trust Him, darling, when He tells you
He is near by day and night;
Distance cannot part you from Him,
Darkness hides not-' God is light.""

THE RIGHT WAY TO BEGIN.

A LITTLE girl once said, "Oh, mother, how very hard it is to do right! I don't believe I shall ever be able." "Have you really tried, my dear ? "

"Oh, yes; I try every day. When I awake, before I get up, I say to myself, I will be good all the day; I will be gentle and kind; I will obey my parents and teachers; I will not quarrel; I will always tell the truth.' But then, mother, I don't know how it is, I do so often forget. Then, when evening comes, I have to say, 'There now! what is the use of trying? I have been in a passion; I have been disobedient;' and once or twice, mother, you know, I have said what was not true."

The dear child seemed very much ashamed while saying this, so her mother looked kindly at her, and only said, "My dear, I do not think you have begun right."

The little girl looked up wonderingly; and her parent went on--" The first thing is to have a new heart; have

"No, mother, I am afraid not."

Then, my child, do so at once. Good fruit, you know, can only come from a good tree. If your heart is wrong your conduct will be wrong. You cannot make it right yourself, with all your good resolutions; but ask God, for Christ's sake, to help you. He will give you His Holy Spirit, and you will not find it any longer impossible to do right.”

I am glad to say that the child took her mother's advice. That very day she asked God, earnestly, to change her heart, and help her to do right. She brayed, she watched, she strove hard against her sins, and was able, by God's grace, to lead the life of a lovely young Christian.

"No, mother, he was kind enough," replied the boy. "Didn't you like the work?"

"It was the wages I didn't like, mother," said the boy solemnly. "My master wanted me to sin, and the wages of sin is death."-Good News.

BLESSED JESUS.

JESUS, Thou art meek and lowly;

May an infant learn of Thee?
Teach me to be wise and holy;
Let me Thy salvation see.

I have read the wondrous story
Of Thy life and painful death;
And in Calvary's cross I'll glory,

Long as I have life and breath.
Say, dear Jesus, I'm forgiven;

Let me hear Thy loving voice; Till I rise with Thee to heaven, Bid me in Thy blood rejoice. REV. H. J. BETTS.

CHRIST OUR GUEST.

WHEN one of the boys of an Orphans' Refuge had said the grace, "Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest, and bless what Thou hast provided," a little fellow looked up and said, "Do tell me why the Lord Jesus never comes. We ask Him every day to sit with us, and He never comes. I shall set Him a seat," said the little fellow; and just then there was a knock at the door. A poor boy entered, begging a night's lodging. He was made welcome; the chair stood empty for him; every child wanted him to have his plate. The stranger was quite touched by such uncommon attentions. The little one, after thinking for some time, said,

"Jesus could not come, and so He sent this poor boy in His place; is that it ?"

"Yes, dear child, that is just it. Every piece of bread and every drink of water that we give to the poor, or the sick, or the prisoners, for Jesus' sake, we give to Him. Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.'"

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