THE MARRIAGE OF THE KING'S SON.

AND Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner : my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready come unto the marriage.

But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good and the wedding was furnished with guests.

And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment :

And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.-MATTHEW xxii. 1-14.

THE GOLDEN TEXT.

"And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Luke ix. 23.

PRAYER FOR GRACE. Он, what can little hands do

To please the King of heaven? The little hands some work may try To help the poor in misery ;

Such grace to mine be given.

Oh, what can little lips do

To please the King of heaven? The little lips can praise and pray, And gentle words of kindness say;— Such grace to mine be given.

Oh, what can little eyes do

To please the King of heaven? The little eyes can upward look, Can learn to read God's holy Book ;Such grace to mine be given.

Oh, what can little hearts do

To please the King of heaven? Young hearts, if God His Spirit send, Can love and trust their Saviour, Friend;-Such grace to mine be given.

Though small is all that we can do
To please the King of heaven,
When hearts, and hands, and lips unite,
To serve the Saviour with delight,
They are most precious in His sight;-
Such grace to mine be given.

CLINGING TO JESUS.

I CARRIED my little boy, sick and weary, one night over by a back way to a neighbour's house where we were invited to take tea, and I had him climb on a chair and get on my back; then his mother threw a shawl over him, so that he was completely covered up, and I started out. The ground was covered with ice, and you may be sure I walked very carefully-I had that boy on my back, and I said to him as I walked along slowly in the darkness, "My son, are you afraid?" 'No, papa." "Why are you not afraid ?" "Because you have got me." Said I, "My precious boy, all through this dark life hold on to Jesus, and He will hold on to you. Cling to Him." He said, "Yes, papa, I'll try." I believe a little child

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BEARING THE CROSS.

ONE pleasant summer's eve, a poor deformed girl had wandered close to one of the squares in P-, seating herself beneath a tree, where she could see the fountain sending up its playful waters. She forgot for awhile her loneliness; but presently a party of young ladies came by, and one in thoughtless merriment exclaimed, “ Do look at that little wretch's back!" All turned, and with curious eyes gazed upon her. I was seated upon an opposite bench, and as they passed on, I marked the tears, as they overflowed the eyes of the sensitive child. Approaching her, I endeavoured to speak consoling

blinded with tears, she looked up to me, and said, "Thank you, ma'am, for being so kind; my Sundayschool teacher says my 'cross has been placed upon my back; but, oh! kind lady, when people look at me so proudly, and the boys call me ugly names, and the girls won't let me play with them, then I feel so bad, and cannot help crying. Do tell me, lady, will Jesus never take my cross away?" Years passed by, and once more, at my boarding-house, I met the child, now grown to womanhood. Her countenance was spiritually beautiful, but she still bore the burden of her childhood. Being together for some weeks, an intimacy sprang up between us; and one day, as we sat conversing, she alluded to our first meeting. "My misfortune," said she, "was long a source of grievous unhappiness; but, thank God, there at last came to me an answer to my oft-asked question, 'Shall I never cease to bear this cross?"" And going to her portfolio, she handed me the following lines, observing, "The last line has been my consolation:

"The tear will fall, O Father! when I see
Those curious glances fixed on me!
How long this cross, my Saviour, must I bear?
Until thine eyes can no more shed a tear.'

The flush will rise, O Father! when I hear
Those rude insulting words-the bitter jeer!
How long, O Lord, must I with trembling fear?

'Till thou these mocking words no more canst hear.'

Sad are my thoughts, O Father! well I know Ofttimes neglects are mine; for this deep woe! How long, kind Parent, must I check each sob? Until thy heart no more with pain can throb !'

Then all my life, O Father! teach me how
Beneath this galling cross to humbly bow!
Oh! shall I never cease to feel Thy rod?
'All trials cease in heaven, at home with God !''

IMPROVE YOUR TALENTS.

GOD entrusts to all

Talents few or many; None so young or small That they have not any.

Though the great and wise Have a greater number, Yet my one I prize,

And it must not slumber.

God will surely ask,

Ere I enter heaven, Have I done the task

That to me was given.

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