at his death, Lord Montravers will have that beautiful house in the Park, and all the fine things there, for his own; but I cannot think how that can apply to us in heaven."

Mary. 'Any one who expects to come into possession of some property may be called heir to that property. And this may apply to us with regard to the kingdom of heaven; for, being the children of God, we are heirs of the kingdom of heaven, as much as any son of earthly parents is heir to his father's worldly property, with this difference, that it is not one only who is an heir, but it is every one. There is an inheritance in the kingdom of heaven for all-an inheritance that does not perish, like the possessions of earth, which are left for others in their turn to enjoy, but an inheritance after life is over, ready prepared for all true believers, and shall never be taken away. The kingdom of heaven means likewise besides the state of happiness into which we hope to enter, through the merits of our Saviour, after this life is overr-the peace and comfort of trusting faith and love which fill the hearts of sincere Christians while yet on earth. I remember a remarkable instance of this heavenly disposition in a poor old man, who lived at Hazels. He had suffered much affliction, having lost his wife, and all his children except one, just as they were of an age to be a comfort and help to him. However, that one seemed left as a companion for his declining years; for though she married, she never quitted her father's

house. She and her husband lived with him; the latter assisted the father in his trade, which was that of a carpenter, and gradually took the whole trouble of the business off his hands, as the old man became too feeble to work. They were as fond of him, as if they had both been his own children, when it pleased God to take them both away from him in one year. And now, indeed, the poor man seemed quite desolate; yet he never complained, nor said he was hardly dealt with. To crown all, the bank in which he had placed his savings, intending to leave them to his daughter at his death, failed just at the time when he most needed them as a provision for his old age. He lost all the money he had laid up, from the earnings of his honest industry and hard work of forty years, at one blow. He was left penniless. I saw him the day after the bank broke, and that was but a week since his daughter's death. He looked very sad and broken; but not a harsh word, nor the least murmur of complaint, passed his lips. He said, when talking of his poverty, My Father will not suffer me to want. Should I be obliged to leave this home, where I have lived so many years-for I can no longer pay the rent-even should I be reduced to beg my bread, or starve, there is a home for me in heaven. Wonderful is the goodness of God, who has said to us all, even the very lowest, if he be a Christian, 'I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters." I look forward to an

1 2 Cor. vi. 18.

D

The tears came into Jane's eyes, while she asked what became of the poor old man?

Mary replied: "As the person to whom his cottage belonged could not afford to let him live in it rent free, he was obliged to leave it. The Squire and Mr. Howard paid all the rent that was due, and took care of him till there was a vacancy in the almshouses, which are very comfortable, and there he ended his days. Nothing could be kinder than Squire Hartley and Mr. Howard were: they bought all his little stock of household goods when he was obliged to leave his cottage; and on entering his new abode in the alms-house, the first things he saw were his own old pieces of furniture restored to him. This pleased him far more than the acquisition of any new and handsome articles could have done. During all his trials he never complained, but was grateful for all that was done for him, and always cheerful, and trying to find out good in everything that befel him, however hard to bear. He seemed to possess the kingdom of Heaven in his heart, while yet on earth; which in fact he did, through the grace of God filling his heart and mind with heavenly thoughts and feelings."

Jane observed that he must have really felt what we constantly say in our Lord's prayer, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven."

1 1 Peter i. 4.

Bessy agreed with Jane, and added, "He must have felt too that God was really his Father. I suppose we are taught to say, 'Our Father which art in Heaven,' to distinguish Him from our earthly father."

Mary. "And to remind us that in Heaven is our home; also to impress upon us the great honour and reverence due unto God as the Almighty Creator of all things, which appears from what immediately follows, 'Hallowed be Thy name;' that is, may Thy name never be mentioned but with the deepest reverence, fear, and love, by us all."

"When we say "Thy kingdom come,' we pray for the establishing of Christ's kingdom upon earth, that all nations and people may become Christians; and we also pray that the kingdom of grace may reign within our hearts."

But," asked Bessy, "how can we know that our prayers are granted?”

Mary replied: "If our hearts go with our lips in these petitions, we shall try to make our lives and actions, our words and thoughts, agree with our prayers; and in proportion as we find ourselves growing more religious in our actions, and in the motives which influence those actions, so may we hope that God has mercifully heard our prayers through Jesus Christ. One of the surest proofs of this will be an humble spirit, always distrusting ourselves, and, as God knows what is best for us far better than we can, being always ready to submit to His will, and conform to it in all things, as we can

imagine the angels in Heaven always do. But see, we are passing the turning towards home."

Bessy. "So we are indeed. I am quite sorry our walk is done, but hope we shall have such another next Sunday afternoon; I like it much better than going that long walk to the town and back, only just to hear the band play. Do not you, Jane?" "Yes, very much better.

But tell me,

Jane. Mary, how is it you manage to remember the texts from Scripture so well?"

Mary. "By having learned them when quite a child at the Sunday-school, and often repeating them since. And I have heard them all explained both at the Sunday-school, and on Sunday afternoons in Church, when Mr. Howard catechized and instructed all the young lads and girls in his parish. All that can tell you about the Scriptures, or the Sacraments, is from what I have learned at Hazels in those opportunities of religious instruction."

I