dear child's earthly remains were laid in the grave by his tender parents, with many tears, but in sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection, through Jesus Christ our Lord, "who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep we should live together with him." 1 Thess. v. 10. The Sunday after, Mary again took her seat by the white font; her heart was full with thoughts of the day when she stood there, bringing her child to its Saviour; and now she felt that the Redeemer had indeed taken him in his arms, and carried him to his own kingdom in heaven. The hymn given out before the service was 'See Israel's gentle shepherd stands Hark how He calls the tender lambs, Robert had stood up in his place, but when he heard the words, he sat down to hide his tears. The hymn had been chosen that all the congregation might be reminded of the dear child who had been among them from his birth, and was now beholding the face of his Father in heaven. When on earth he was too young in understanding, to worship God in spirit; but now that he had passed from earth to heaven, his worship was far holier, and brighter in knowledge and love, than that of the oldest and wisest he had left below. Mary thought of her child before the throne; serving God day and night in his temple. It was the first time that she had ever been able to think of one of her children as serving God; their years being too few for His service on earth; but in heaven, the veil which hides the glory of God from the sight of little children in their infancy, is taken away; and they beholding with open face, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of God. 2 Cor. iii. 18. It is true that it was out of the sight of Mary's bodily Q eyes, but it was not out of sight of the eye of her faith. She knew that the temple of God in heaven was far better than the earthly sanctuary; and when she thought of David's words about his infant son, "I shall go to him!" she felt that she would not, even if she could, bring her boy back again to her. When they left the church, and walked through the church-yard, poor Mary felt for a moment as if her feet would hardly bear her past the little new-made grave; but again she thought how her child was with Jesus in Paradise; she lifted her heart from earth to heaven, and then her steps were strengthened, and she was comforted. CHAPTER XIII. GOOD FRIDAY. "Ye are they that have continued with me in my temptations."-LUKE Xxii. 28. CHRISTMAS-DAY and Good Friday were kept as holy-days in Robert's family. -The one being set apart for the remembrance of our Redeemer's coming into the world to save sinners,—the other bringing before our minds the sufferings by which he finished man's salvation,-"His agony and bloody sweat, his cross and passion, his precious death and burial." Good Friday followed not many days after Robert and Mary had laid within the grave all that was mortal of their child, to sleep, till the Saviour shall come and awake him out of sleep. Death and the grave therefore were very present to their thoughts. Good Friday did not make them more sad with its affecting memories. No! the death of the Lord Jesus gives new life and peace, to all who look upon it in faith and love. "He hath given me ease by his pain, and life by his death!" Jesus by his death and burial took the sting from death; and the gloom from the grave, to all who believe in him. Those who follow Christ in life, are not afraid to walk through the valley of the shadow of death with him; he knows the way, for he has trod the path before, and his people trust themselves to his keeping. They can say with St. Paul, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him." 2 Tim. i. 12. Many of his people have also given those they loved most into his arms; being will |