LESSON CIII. which an-guish an-swer know war-rant un-grate-ful en-gin-eer ten-der-ly "SOMEBODY'S CHILD." THERE was a great fire in one of our cities. A large part of a block of buildings was burning, and crowds had gathered to look upon the grand and awful scene. At one place the walls were almost hidden under a sheet of flame, and clouds of smoke mingled with sparks rolled high up into the sky and away with the wind, scattering all along a fiery rain. 2. At other places the fire could be seen, at first brightly lighting the rooms, and then, as the windowsashes gave way and fell in, darting out, and seeming to reach upward in tongues of flame to seize upon whatever was above it. 3. The firemen were hard at work, and the hoarse shouts of the chief engineer and his aids could be heard as the needed orders were given. But suddenly, louder than all else, there was a piercing shriek. A fireman heard the appeal of anguish that followed. It was a mother's cry. Her little child, she said, was far up in one of the highest rooms of the burning building, and she prayed that they would save it. 4. The noble-hearted fireman rushed from her to answer that appeal. Not a moment must be lost. The tall ladder was lifted to its place against the heated wall. Strong hands steadied it; and almost before its top had touched the spot where it must lean, the fireman was ascending. 5. "Whose child is it?" cried a voice from the crowd, as if it should be the treasure of more than common parents to warrant such a perilous effort as he was about making. "It is somebody's child," replied the generous man; and that was enough for him to know. 6. He hurried up the ladder. The flames and smoke met and blinded him; but was there not a life to be saved? So he held on. He reached the chamber window; he sprang in and was out of sight. But soon he appeared again with the little one in his arms. 7. Tenderly he held her; carefully he brought her down the ladder to the ground; and there, having placed her safely in the mother's arms, he sank down and yielded up his life. The effort had been too much for the noble fireman; and in saving the life of the child, he had lost his own. 8. Do you think that mother ever forgot this act, or the man who did it? Do you think she failed to tell her child the story over and over again, and always with grateful tears? And do you think the child could help loving and keeping fresh in memory all her life the man who had thus snatched her from an awful death, at such cost to himself? 9. If it would be so ungrateful in that mother and child to forget the act of this man, by which he saved one little precious life, and lost his own, is it not far more ungrateful in me to forget the shame and an guish and death on the cross of that Friend of mine, who, though he was the King of glory, died to save my soul. LESSON CIV. WORDS OF CHRIST. ND seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain and when he was set, his disciples came unto him. Α' 2. And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9. Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say you falsely, for my sake. 12. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 13. Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out, and to be trodden under the foot of men. all manner of evil against 14. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill can not be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 15. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily, I say unto you, They have their reward. 16. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 17. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do; for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them; for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him. ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye. 18. Our father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 19. For, if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but, if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 1. LESSON CV. L fore-go sol-ace ech-o LABOR. gar-ment .cher-ished ABOR, labor- honest labor Labor keeps me well and strong; 2. Labor keeps me ever merry; 3. Labor makes me greet the morning Put their golden garments on. |