subjection to an earthly mother, and to one who, though not His father, was set of God in a father's place? And shall not we take good heed to honour our father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise; a promise like that unto godliness, "of the life that now is, and of that which is to come?" It is not so said as though there were no promise attached to the keeping of every other commandment and judgment of the Lord; for verily, "in keeping of them there is great reward;" but fitly, most fitly, is the promise annexed to this, the first commandment; which first we are called upon to keep, even as it is the first which a little child can receive. And does it not come home to the infant in a mother's arms, while the endearing trust of the yet speechless little one is, as it were, the telling out in look and act of the reverent faith, and hope, and love implanted by God in the spirit of a baptised child? Oh, it should not be, as it too often is with the little ones of Christ, who, as they increase in age and stature, look upon and copy the evil ways of the children around them, instead of fixing their eyes upon the perfect loveliness, the holy beauty, of the Child Jesus, the Pattern given them of God!

"He is the Eternal Mirror bright,
Where angels view the Father's light;
And yet in Him the simplest swain
May read his homely lesson plain.

Early to quit his home on earth,
And claim His high celestial birth;

Alone with His true Father found
Within the temple's solemn round:
Yet in meek duty to abide

For many a year at Mary's side,
Nor heed, though restless spirits ask,

What! hath the Christ forgot His task?"

And was not Mary blessed, who kept in her heart the sayings of the Son, which, as yet, she might not understand? not this saying in the temple only, but many such-like words, as we may gather from the expression, "all these sayings," words spoken, no doubt from time to time to strengthen her for the separation, which in her weakness, she was spared a while; but henceforth she knew that it must come, and in her silent ponderings she gathered up unutterable consolations for the trial before her, while she watched that blessed One advancing through boyhood unto man's estate; increasing both in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. The recorded story of His childhood ends here; and when next we read of Him at Nazareth, the city where He had been brought up, we are not told, as in this place, of His increasing in favour with man as well as with God. As a child, indeed, He had but to learn and to obey; and in His gentleness and humbleness, His dovelike purity and peace, men could not but admire Him. But the duties of the man were other than the duties of the child; and when He stood before them as the preacher of righteousness, while yet they bare Him witness, and wondered at the gracious words that proceeded out of His mouth, they could not bear the holiness

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of His words, and, " filled with wrath," they rose up and thrust Him out of the city, and led Him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast Him down headlong. But His time to suffer death for us, a willing sacrifice, was not then; and so, in the silent almightiness of His long-suffering love, passing through the midst of them, He went His way. (St. Luke iv. 26.) And let us learn from this that it is not enough for us to have learned to look in gladness and in love upon Him in His holy childhood, but that we must be willing, as His disciples, to follow in His steps. And let us ask ourselves if we are taking Him for our teacher, and rejoicing in all the holy words of the Lord Jesus, speaking unto us now from heaven, by men whom He hath ordained? And are we thus being prepared to endure the revelation of His glory, when He shall come again to be our Judge? God grant that thus it may be with both the reader and the writer of these pages, for His dear Son's sake! Amen.

THE REMEMBERED PICTURE.

Saintly sire, and mother mild,
Guardians of the Holy Child,

In still peace abiding,

Well I ween ye walk'd in light
All too radiant for our sight,

In His presence hiding!

Yet 'neath angel-wings that cover

Nazareth's home, my thoughts would hover,
Somewhat dimly spelling,

Mindful of a pictur'd scene,
In the days of childhood seen,

Wondrous things out-telling.

There, in screen of rocky shade,
Joseph and the Mother Maid

To the Child were harkening;
While around His youthful head
Such a glorious light was shed,

All beyond seem'd darkening.

Mary at his right was kneeling,
Downcast eyes from sight concealing

Thoughts of deepening wonder;

In the shadow, suiting best

With her musings inexprest,

Taught His words to ponder.

Pictur'd as the angel found her,

Gathering close her veil around her,
With one hand extended,

As to mark her watchful mood,
Lest a dream of self intrude-

Joy with trembling blended!

Then I turn'd me from the grace

Of that meekest maiden face,

Silent calm instilling,

Unto him whose eyes uprais'd

On the youthful speaker gaz'd,

With emotion thrilling.

Childlike sire, whose faith unshrinking,
From the child instruction drinking,

Every word seem'd storing!

Heart responses, all unsaid,

In his earnest mien I read,

O'er the picture poring.

But not long mine eyes might brook
On that Blessed One to look,

In their midst discoursing,

Upward pointing, as to tell

Whence He came with us to dwell,

Love's deep lore enforcing.

Sore I wept in childish sadness

That I could not share their gladness,
From His lips receiving

Words, whose heavenly breathing still

With a joy as deep may thrill

Hearts in Him believing.

Little one, if such there be

Not too wise to weep with me,

Bliss like Mary's seeking,

Bow thy neck His yoke to bear,
For His will thyself prepare-

Thou may'st hear Him speaking.

Taught His lesson of subjection,
Blessed in His sure protection,

Nor from Him departing;

Every word of His shall be

Sweet as parents' kiss to thee,

Truest cheer imparting.

Yea, He call'd thee by thy name,
Ere thy lips a word could frame-
In His arms embrac'd thee,

And, the token of thy vow

Tracing on thine infant brow,

'Mid His own He plac'd thee.