was far from her home, or from any place of shelter, when she was overtaken by a terrible snow storm, for it was in the depth of winter. She hastened on, as fast as the driving wind and storm would permit, but at length she was so overcome with fatigue, that she could go no further, and was obliged to sit down in the drifting snow. To protect her child, which she loved more than her own life, she unfastened her dress, and laid the infant next to her bare bosom, and then tied the clothes over it, as well as she could. Her limbs were so benumbed with cold that she could not move, but was obliged to remain in the snow-drift, where, next morning, she was found quite stiff and dead. The dear little babe, however, protected by its mother's clothes, and warm at her heart, lay sleeping in her bosom, unhurt by the storm and bitter frost of that inclement night.

It is sad, but pleasant, to dwell on such a tale of love as this, to which, if memory did but serve me, I might add many more.

What fatigue, what days and nights of anxious watching and care do mothers go through with their children, in their infancy, and when they

are sick! What sorrow when they wander from the right path! How many of those poor wretched daughters of sin, in this and other large towns, have their sorrowing mothers in the country, longing to bring them back again to the paths of virtue and happiness! I remember hearing of one loving, faithful, but sorrowing Christian mother, who never fastened the door of her cottage by night or day, because she expected her undutiful, wandering child to return in answer to her prayers, and she would not have her come, and find the door closed against her.

How many a widowed mother's heart is wrung by the unkindness of sons, of whom, perhaps in their childhood, she felt too proud. She looks to them now for that support she has a right to claim from them; but alas! they are spending their earnings in idleness and drink, or they have gone away beyond the sea, leaving her to labour hard in her old age, or to live on the small pittance allowed her by the parish. If any of you, my friends, have disobedient children, I would advise you to look well into the cause, and see if there is not something in your

own conduct, or in your management of your children, which has caused them to despise your authority. Perhaps you did not punish them when they were rebellious. Perhaps, when they cried for something you knew they would be best without, you gave it to them, rather than deny yourself by refusing it. So now that they are older, you have no power to restrain them, and you have to mourn over their misconduct, and your own folly!

Thus we see, dear friends, that although God has, in infinite mercy, planted love to each other in the hearts of both mothers and their children, so as to make them naturally a protection and comfort to one another; yet, through the wickedness of their hearts, both fail in their duty.

Wherever God's plan of love and mercy is followed out in families, by both parents and children, how blessed, and how happy these families are! How much happiness they enjoy in each other's affection! how much confidence they have in each other's love!

But now let us dwell for a short time on that love which never changes; which, as I said

before, far exceeds the mother's love-that love which is infinite and unchangeable! The love of God, in Jesus Christ, to us sinners!

"God is love." How is this love made known to us? By the death of Christ.

"God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John iii. 16.)

"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John iv. 9, 10.)

You will observe, that it was God's love to sinners, not the sinner's love to God, which brought the Son of God from heaven, to live on earth, and to die a cruel death for our redemption. There is no love to God in our hearts, naturally; "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." (Rom. viii. 7, 8.) How is it then, you will ask, that

anybody loves God? "We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John iv. 19.)

If any of you feel any desire in your heart to

love God, it is because His love to you has given that desire. It is God alone who can teach you to love Him.

you

Will you not then go to God, in the name of Jesus, and ask Him to put His love into your heart? You have many trials, many things to vex you every day you live. You often sin. Some of you fall into passions, are impatient with your husbands and children. You want to do better, because these things make you unhappy.

Come to Jesus, that loving Saviour, whose door of mercy is never shut.

Come, and tell Jesus of all your sins, all your sorrows; all your trials and vexations.

He will pardon ALL your sins; He will heal your sorrows; He will comfort you, in all your trials, and He will enable you to bear all your vexations with patience.

Listen to the words of our gracious God and Saviour. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as