"Judas, which had betrayed Him, when he saw that He was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple. And

the chief priests took the silver pieces. . . . And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in."-Matthew xxvii. 3, 5-7.

"Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption."—Psalm xvi. 10.

"David speaketh concerning Him (Jesus) . . . . Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell, neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption. . . . . He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did see corruption."—Acts ii. 25, 27, 31.

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in."-Psalm xxiv. 7.

"And He said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me..... And He led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them. And . . . . while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." -Luke xxiv. 44, 50, 51.

"And a cloud received Him out of their sight."—Acts i. 9.

"I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh."-Joel ii. 28. "When the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind. . . . And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. . . . This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel."-Acts ii. 1, 2, 4, 16.

Ethel's Easter Offering.

HAT a mean girl you grow, Ethel!" said a tall bright-looking young creature. "Why, you put every penny you get into that money-box of yours. Grandpa will be quite surprised when I tell him of your doings, for he is sure to ask me about his pet." The colour came into Ethel's face, and she felt inclined to let her sister know of a secret that had been cherished, but Gertrude was such a chatterbox, in less than an hour every one in the house would have had some broad hint given them, and Ethel's plans would have been the subject of much talk, which was just what she wished to avoid.

"I never was called mean before, dear Gertie, and if you live long enough you will recall your unkind words."

"Very likely," replied that young lady; "only why be mysterious and never spend any money? 'tis little enough we have. I'm sure I can't keep any, 'tis of no use my trying. I am so glad grandpa has invited me this time, for he is so kind and generous, and I really feel the need of a little money just now."

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What, have you spent the money auntie gave you ?"

"Oh yes, long ago; and now come and pack up my things, there's a dear; for you have the happy knack of putting everything in its proper place. "Tis quite true; heard papa say so."

Away went Ethel, the eldest daughter of a large family, a patient, cheerful girl, the delight of her father (who was a curate in a populous parish), and the comfort of her mother, a gentle, busy woman, who had plenty to occupy her time from morning till evening; for what with seven children, and the deep interest she took in her husband's affairs, she was continually employed, and at times weary enough with overwork. Then it was that Ethel showed her mother the benefit she had received from her example, for she could make herself useful in many ways, and give the tired one much cause for gratitude.

While the girls were packing they chatted away, Gertie handing her things to her sister, who saw instantly how untidily they had been folded, and quietly arranged them in nice order. Gertie declared her sister to be very clever ; and truly glad was she when Ethel produced a new brownholland wrapper, nicely made, in which the old box was soon encased, for she knew how necessary it was to make the best of everything.

"Well done, little woman!" said a manly voice, and patting Ethel on the cheek her father praised her. He had heard the chattering of his second girl, and, his study being next to her room, it had caused him some little inconvenience, so he had just stepped in as Ethel gave the finishing touch to the box.

After Gertrude had left home you may be sure she was missed, for she was the most lively girl in the family, and in her own fashion added to the happiness of the little ones as well as to her brothers-three rollicking boys, who were from home during the greater part of the day attending school at some distance. So it is in our homes: if asked which of our children we can spare, we should feel at a loss which one to give up, for they are all precious; and when trained and governed well we cannot part with them, unless the Great Father above calls them to heaven, and even then how painful is the parting! There was little Elsie, a delicate child, but somehow she was every one's pet. Who could be unkind or sharp with her, with her fragile form and quaint little face? She and Ethel were the quiet ones of the family, but by no means sad either. Then came baby, a round-faced little creature, bright and healthy, whose laugh made her mother's heart rejoice. Baby was well aware of her own powers to please, and was, as our poet tells us,

"A well-spring of joy in the house."

The Grahams were a happy family, as is mostly the case with large ones; and, in spite of small means and plenty to do, they appeared in church with faces beaming with good

nature; and as Ethel once said, after listening to one of her father's short sermons, "They ought indeed to be proud to have such a father and dear mother." Religion made them happy, busy, and contented with their lot.

'Twas near Easter-time, that season of the year when winter has passed and nature puts on her beautiful garments; when our thoughts, too, dwell upon the dying Saviour who suffered such agony for our sins, who rose and showed His power over death, and then promised that His Holy Spirit should come down from heaven and dwell in the hearts of all true believers, making peace with God the Father, who loved us long before we loved Him. It was at this joyful season of the year that we see Ethel counting the money out of her box. Grandpa had heard of her saving propensities, and instead of thinking her mean, he told Gertie that no doubt she had some good motive in view, and surprised Ethel by sending her double the usual allowance. This token for good she felt came in answer to prayer: three pounds was the sum she required, and now it was her own, given to her by kind relatives, and put by most religiously for a purpose of true charity.

In an upper room, in a street some little distance from the Grahams, lived a young woman who earned her daily bread by working, for a West End house, needlework of the finest quality. The pay was not so bad compared with some, but the work took so much time to do, and caused the eyes of the young woman to ache. She was a member of Mr. Graham's church, and he was wont to call upon her; and, seeing the patient endurance of this woman, he had talked about her at his fireside when Ethel and the mother were alone.

"What a pity she cannot have a sewing-machine!" said Mrs. Graham, who knew the time saved by possessing one of those useful little things.

"It is indeed, ma dear. I feel so sorry I cannot afford to give her one."

Ethel's face lit up, a bright thought came into her mind,

a generous impulse filled her warm young heart; she had a little money by her-she would save it and add from time to time, and buy a hand-machine for this industrious young woman. Ethel knew what it was to sew neatly seam after seam, and she had read that poem, and seen in the Royal Academy that painting, "The Song of the Shirt," and now she would minister comfort to a fellow-creature, and go without the little treasures her money would otherwise have procured. Brave Ethel! she did as she resolved, though being thought mean hurt her sensitive feelings; but when the happy day came, and she invited Gertrude to go with her and see the joy of the needlewoman, she was surprised to find how ashamed her sister was of her own meanness in not having spent her money upon any one but her own lively self, with the exception of a few sweets thrown into the laps of the little ones. It was too much for poor Gertie; the gratitude of the young woman went to her very heart, and she would have given anything to have been worthy of the blessings invoked upon Ethel's head.

H. W. P.

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Good Support."

HE doctor says I must have good support," is the reply of many an afflicted one in the depths of poverty to the kind visitor who inquires after his welfare. "He says I must have as much beefAlas! the

tea, port wine, and fresh air as I can take." doctor might as well order a dish of melted gold. In some of these sad cases the Bible-woman and district nurse are the happy instruments of affording temporal relief, and the invalid is cheered and helped forward by their kind ministrations. Would that we could multiply such angels of mercy!

But what if the poor fare of this world be all that the