you must talk to your parents, and make up your mind about it.'

'Oh ! ma'am, I am sure they will want me to go, and I should like it so much, only I don't like to leave you. Who would teach me on Sundays?"

"Perhaps the clergyman will, Fred; the lady said you should still be instructed. It will be a trial to leave your home, I am sure, but you must be brave about it; and remember what a help it will be to your mother; and you wished, Fred, you know, to help her.'

'Oh, yes! that will be very nice,' he said; 'I will think of that; but nobody will teach me like you,' and again his eyes filled with tears.

Poor Miss Walton had hard work to prevent herself from following his example, for she had no idea Fred's affection was so strong, and she felt, when she seemed likely soon to lose him, more than ever drawn to him. However, she tried to answer him cheerfully, 'You will find kind friends, if you are a good boy, I am sure,' she said; 'I hear that Mr Dale, the clergyman, is a very kind man, and particularly fond of his choir-boys; and Mrs Woodville, the lady who has inquired about you, always likes to have a boy who can sing, for she takes great interest in the choir too. I have no doubt, Fred, you will be very happy.'

Talking in this way diverted Fred's thoughts from the pain of parting, and at length, when he left Miss Walton, it was with happy anticipations about his future life, and with a promise from Miss Walton that she would let him know as soon as ever she heard again.

When they met in the school on Sunday morning, Fred ventured to ask if Miss Walton had heard, but all she could tell him was, that she expected Mrs Woodville next day, when everything should be fixed, and Fred should see her. They then began the lesson.

'What gift do we say Almighty God has given?" asked Miss Walton.

Several. His only Son.'

Miss W. What two things do we say He gave Him for?

6

All. To be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life.'

Miss W. For whose sins was He a sacrifice?

All. For our sins. 'He was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of My people was He stricken. (Isaiah, liii. 8.)

Miss W. What do you mean by a sacrifice?
Edward. An offering made to God.

Miss W. What is the first offering we read of? George. Cain and Abel brought offerings unto God.

Miss W. Yes, of what?

Francis. Cain brought of the fruit of the ground, Abel the firstlings of his flock.

Miss W. Which of those two was a type of Christ? Several. Abel's lamb.

Miss W. Yes, because in his sacrifice there was shedding of blood. And were sacrifices continued? George. Yes; calves, lambs, and goats, were offered up among the Jews.

Miss W. Yes, all these were sacrifices for sin; and what was shed?

All. Blood.

Miss W. And of what were they types?

Edward. Of the sacrifice of Christ.

Miss W. How was His blood shed?

Charley. In His death upon the cross, by the nails and the crown of thorns, and the spear.

Miss W. Yes, upon the altar of the cross He offered himself a sacrifice for our sins. Was this a benefit to us? He was lifted up-why?

Fred. That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.' (St. John, iii. 15.)

Miss W. The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep, and saveth them from-what?

David. From the wolf.

Miss W. So our Good Shepherd by death delivered us from-what great enemy ?

Edward. From the devil.

Miss W. How, then, do we pray that we may receive this benefit?

Andrew. Most thankfully.'

Miss W. We ought to receive it thankfully, because it is inestimable. What does that mean? Several. Above all price.

Has it

Miss W. Yes; there are two things which make the benefit of His sacrifice inestimable. gained much for us?

Edward. Oh, yes! everything.

Miss W. We know not how great are the things which He has gained for us, and never shall fully know in this world, therefore His sacrifice is calledwhat?

'Inestimable,' said Alfred.

Miss W. Again, Who was the sacrifice?
Fred. Jesus Christ Himself.

Miss W. Yes, the Son of God, the Word, the Father's glory, and the express image of His person. He who was God,' was the sacrifice-therefore we may say truly, it is-?

Inestimable, said Francis.

Miss W. Yes, the value of the sacrifice, and the benefits which it procured for us, make it indeed inestimable; and how should it be received by us? All. Most thankfully.'

Miss W. What else, besides a sacrifice, is our Blessed Saviour to us?

All. An ensample.

Miss W. What is meant by an 'ensample?'

Edward. One who sets an example.

Miss W. Of what do we say He is an ensample?

Several. Of godly life.'

Miss W. Yes, because, although living among men as man, He was also God. His life, then, upon earth, was-whose life?

Francis. The life of God.

Miss W. Yes, and the nearer we approach His life,. the more godly will be ours.

Himself as an ensample?

Did He point out

George. Yes; Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me.' (St. Matt. xi. 29.)

Miss W. And after washing the feet of His disciples, what did He say?

Francis. I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.' (St. John, xiii. 15.)

Miss W. Can you remember any other texts in which we are told that Christ is our ensample?

Alfred. Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps.' (1 Pet. ii. 21.)

Miss W. What do we therefore pray we may have grace to do?

Several. 'Daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of His most holy life.'

Miss W. If we are to follow our ensample, He must be-where?

Fred. Before us.

Miss W. In the Gospel to-day, what is Christ compared to?

Andrew. A shepherd.

Miss W. And who are the sheep?

Several. Christian people.

Miss W. Now look what is said in the third and fourth verses about the sheep following.

James. He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them, and the sheep follow Him. (St. John, x. 3, 4.)

'Please, ma'am,' said Alfred, 'shepherds don't go before the sheep now: they drive them.'

'Yes, Alfred,' answered Miss Walton, 'I know they do, but it is not so in the East; there the shepherds still go before the sheep, and they follow. I myself have seen a whole flock of sheep following their shepherd. We must remember this, rightly to understand our Lord's comparison. Now you say He is our ensample because he has-?

'Gone before,' said David.

Miss W. And we as His sheep must do what?
All. Follow Him.

Miss W. Are we told to follow Him in the Bible?

Edward. Yes; 'Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.' (Eph. v. 1.)

Miss W. When did our Blessed Lord begin to be our ensample?

Charley. From the time of His birth.

Miss W. Yes, because then He became-what? 'Man,' replied several.

Miss W. And from the time of His birth, where did His steps lead Him to?

'To death?' asked Edward.

Miss W. Yes, to death, Edward; but was there nothing beyond? Why does St. Paul Why does St. Paul say he endured the cross?

George. For the joy that was set before Him.' (Heb. xii. 2.)

Miss W. Then His steps led Him through death to-what?

Alfred. Glory.

Miss W. Having endured the cross, and despised the shame, He is set down at the right hand of the throne of God; His path, though one of suffering, led Him to glory. And this is the path we are to tread if we would-?

'Follow Him,' said Charley.