looking up He cried, "Zaccheus, make haste and come down." Oh, how surprised Zaccheus must have been to hear himself called by name! He had no idea that Jesus would see him, much less that He would speak to him as if He knew him. But more than this, the Saviour told him

He meant to stay at his house. this joy for poor Zaccheus ?

Was not

He came

down with all haste, and received Jesus joyfully. And now you will see what a change took place in the heart of Zaccheus. You will see this, by the change in his conduct. Before that time he had been like other Publicans, who got all they could from the people in many unjust ways. But now he was quite changed. Instead of setting his heart on getting as much money as ever he could, he said he was willing to give half his goods to the poor, and if he had done wrong to any man, he would restore him four times as much.

Dear children, you may be sure that

when the grace of God comes into the heart, it will soon be seen by a change of life. Learn a little text on this subject: " If any man be in Christ he is a new creature." (2 Cor. v. 17.)

Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. As He drew near it the people who were with Him seemed to think He was going to reign there as a king. This was the great mistake the Jews made about Jesus. They thought that when the promised Saviour came, He would come in grandeur, and be a king.

Jesus taught them, by a parable, what a mistake they had made. He said, “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return." This was to teach them that He would one day reign, though not then. Before the nobleman went away, he called his ten servants, and gave them ten pounds. He told them to make a good use of their money until he came again. when he had received the

After a time,

kingdom, he

returned. Then those servants were called to give an account of the way in which they had used the money. The first came saying, "Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds." "Well done, thou good servant, said the Lord, "because thou hast been faithful over a very little, thou shalt rule over ten cities." Then came the second saying, "Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds." His Lord told him he should rule over five cities. At last came an idle servant, who had done nothing with his Lord's money. He had hid it in a napkin, without trying to make any use of it. His lord commanded that the pound should be taken away from the slothful servant, and given to the one who had ten pounds. In another parable, which is very like this (Matt. xxv.), we are told that the unprofitable servant was to be cast into outer darkness, where was weeping and gnashing of teeth.

We must learn from this, dear children, that God expects us to make a good use of the talents He gives us. Perhaps you think that as you are so young, you have no talents yet; but indeed you have. Try and think. What are you now doing? You are listening while God's Word is explained to you. This very learning, then, is a talent. Are you making a good use of it? I could tell you of other talents which God has given you. Some of us have more than others. Our health, our money, our time, our knowledge, are all talents, which we must use in God's service and for His glory.

CHAPTER XXIV.

JESUS AT JERUSALEM FOR THE LAST TIME.

A FEW days before the passover Jesus went to Bethany, where Martha and Mary lived. Simon the leper made him a supper. Martha served, and Lazarus was at table with Him. But where was Mary? She had not forgotten to find out a way of showing her love to her Lord. She brought an alabaster box of ointment, very precious. Some she poured on his head, with the rest she anointed his feet. The smell of the ointment was so powerful that the whole house was full of it. This ointment cost a great deal of money, but Mary thought nothing too much to spend on her Saviour. One of the disciples (Judas) did not think He asked why such a waste had been

So.