cause the prophets had said so; and they knew that he would be the King of the Jews, and of all people-for the prophets had said so.

At last one of David's great great great &c., grandchildren, a woman called Mary, had a son, who was the Son of God; and he was born in Bethlehem.

You have heard about this baby, my dear children, and how the Jews or Israelites crucified him. You will soon read about him in the Bible. Do you love this blessed Saviour? His Father sent him to suffer the punishment of Adam's sins, and of my sins, and of your sins, dear children, and of the Jews' sins, and of all people's sins.* Before the world was made, God told his Son to come, and die: and the Son promised that he would come. At last he came, and died, and one day he

* The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Is. liii. 6.

(The lamb) who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world. 1 Peter i. 20.

No man taketh (my life) from me; I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. John x. 18.

will come again.

When he comes again he will bring with him all those who cared for God's promise, and longed for the Saviour to come. Abel will come with Jesus, and Noah, and Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and Joseph, and Moses, and Joshua, and David, and Elijah, and Elisha, and Hezekiah, and Daniel, and a great many more. All these men lived before Jesus came down to die; but you, my dear children, live after Jesus has come. God has kept his promise-Jesus has died for your sins. Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ, and his Father? If you do, it is a sign that God has put his Spirit into your hearts. Then you too will live with Jesus in heaven, and you will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and Joseph, and Moses, and David.

The priests array'd in garments white,
Are singing psalms of sweet delight

In fair Jerusalem!

But listen to the mournful cries,
And O! behold the streaming eyes,

Of yonder aged men.

Those streaming eyes did once behold
The temple fair adorned with gold,
By glorious Solomon !

But since the day the foe rush'd in,
Those aged men have captive been,
In mighty Babylon.

Perhaps the sound of those sweet psalms, Reminds them of their parents' arms,

And of their infant years;

Perhaps the thought how Israel's crimes
Provok'd the Lord in former times,
Now fills their eyes with tears.

And though the Lord's forgiving grace
Restor❜d them to their native place,
To bless them as at first;
Perhaps they fear lest Israel may,
Provoke the Lord again to lay,
Their temple in the dust.

CHILD.

O Father, while I live below,

"Tis well my tears should sometimes flow, For sins that I have done;

For still my heart's dispos'd to pride,

And still inclin'd to turn aside,

From Thee, O Holy One.

276

THE RETURN TO JERUSALEM.

The thought of all my follies past,
Now makes my heart to cling more fast,
Around my gracious God.

In heaven no tear shall dim my smile ;
For sin shall then no more defile

My garments wash'd in blood.

A FEW PRINCIPAL QUESTIONS

FOR THE EXAMINATION

Of Children who have finished reading this Book.

1. Why was God displeased with Eli?

2. What did God tell little Samuel in the night?

3. Who took away the ark?

4. Why did the Philistines send it back to Canaan?

5. Was Eli a king, or a judge?

6. Who was the king of Israel, when Eli was judge?

7. Who was judge after Eli was dead?

8. Why did the Israelites wish for a king? 9. Whom did God choose for their king at first?

10. What disobedient thing did he do? 11. What punishment did God give him? 12. What was David before he was made king?

13. What are David's songs called?

B B