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daily occurrence, every day upon which one does not occur is set down to the credit of the image; and at the end of the year the credit side of its account is of course largely in excess.

In Alsace there is an ancient custom for young men and women to institute from house to house a search for Eastereggs, which are held to be a lawful prize for any one who can find them. The owners of the eggs are indeed particularly careful not to hide them in places where they cannot be found by diligent search. At the Easter of 1872, in some parts of the province which had not been annexed to Germany, a curious variation was enacted. A couple of young men, in holiday attire, and bearing a huge basket, went from door to door, begging for Easter eggs, which it was announced were to be sold, the proceeds to be devoted towards payment of the fine imposed by the Germans upon the French. Something of the kind had been anticipated. Never be fore were eggs so plentiful or so gayly ornamented; and the proceeds of this novel financial operation amounted to quite a considerable sum.

The custom of blessing articles of food on Easter-Day is common in many parts of the Continent of Europe; nowhere more so than in Bavaria. The ceremony here is very simple and quite touching. Before and around the high altar gather women and children with their neat, white covered baskets. Eggs and cakes are predominant, the latter not unfrequently in the form of a lamb. The priest, after pronouncing a short formula, descends and walks through an avenue which has been left for him, sprinkling holy water right and left over the food, which is then carried home by the owners of it.

instead of our forty days, lasts seven full weeks, during which not only every article of animal food is strictly forbidden, but also eggs, milk, butter, and even sugar; for there may be left in this some portions of the animal matter used in the process of refining. The more rigorous also abstain from fish during the first and last weeks of Lent, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays of the other weeks.

But before the commencement of the fast comes a season of high carnival, called the Masslanitza, or "Butterweek," into which seems to be an attempt to concentrate the consumption of all the butter which would ordinarily have been consumed during the succeeding seven weeks. The standard dish upon all true Russian tables during "Butterweek," is blinni, a kind of pancakes mixed up in butter, fried in butter, and eaten with butter-sauce.

But as Lent draws to a close, all are on tiptoe for the coming change. Notably the egg-market begins to rise; for in Russia, even more than with us, it is the wont of everybody to make presents of Easter eggs. This has given rise to a very pretty custom of presenting imitation eggs of every variety of material and frequently most elegantly ornamented. The imperial glassworks produce an immense variety of such, with cut flowers and figures, designed for presents from the imperial family.

The evening before Easter Sunday comes, and as midnight approaches, the churches begin to be thronged. But until the midnight bell has sounded, they are dimly lighted and not a priest is visible. As the last stroke rings out, the lamps are lighted and the doors of the "sanctuary are flung open, while the Easter song peals loud and clear: Important as Easter is in the West-"Christ is risen! Christ is risen from ern churches, it is far more so in those of the East; notably in Russia, and most especially in the capital. "No one," says an observant traveler, "has seen St. Petersburg, who has not been there on Easter." Into Easter week are in a manner concentrated not only all that we consider appropriate for that festival, but also much of our Christmas and New Year's. The rules of the Greek Church are especially rigid in the matter of fasting. Their Lent,

the dead!" Every body in the congregation grasps the hand of everybody else; everybody kisses everybody with whom he has even the slightest acquaintance; while all the church-bells are ringing their loudest, and cannons are booming, and rockets hissing in every street. Meanwhile in front of the churches or within them the ceremony of blessing food and household utensils has begun.

All this having been got through

with, then come visitings and banquets, bowings, handshakings, and embracings. All Russia fairly breaks out into a deluge of kissings. Every member of a family kisses every other member. Everybody salutes every one whom he knows with a kiss and a fervent Christohs vosskress! In the public offices all employes, high and low, salute each other with an Easter kiss. So too in the army. The general kisses the colonels, the colonels kiss the captains, the captains kiss the privates, man by man. The Czar is on this day the most kissed and kissing man in the empire. Naturally he must salute his own family household attendants, and members of the Court. But this is not all. When he leaves the palace, he kisses the sentinels on duty. On parade, he kisses not only the officers of the guard, but also a select body of the privates, who stand as representatives of their comrades. So that vicariously at least every soldier has been kissed by the Czar.

So, amidst universal smiles, handshakings, kissings, and joyful exclamations of Christ has arisen!" passes the Russian Easter festival. But there is another side to it. Ample amends are naturally made for the abstinence of the long Lent, by unlimited indulgence in the long-forbidden animal food, and especially in copious libations of fiery vodki! abundant evidences of which may be seen in the crowds of unprofessional street sweepers, who meet the eyes of the early riser. For there is a very salutary Russian ordinance, that every person, male or female, high or low, who is found drunk in the streets, shall be set to sweeping them for a certain number of hours.-Selected.

Easter in Germany.

Oh, look! look! all those pretty little Easter things in the window already!" exclaimed my little sister one day, as we passed one of the largest confectionery stores in Stuttgart; and, true enough, though Lent was but half over, there they were, a pretty show. Eggs, of course, in quantities and of all sizes, from that of an ostrich to a humming bird's, made of chocolate or of sugar, and gayly decorated with little ribbons

and pictures. Then there were fat little unfledged chickens, some just emerging from their shells; some not an inch long and others large as life; pure white lambs, with ribbons and bells round their necks; paste-eggs, with holes at the ends, and, looking through, behold, a panorama inside! and eggs with roses on one side, which, when blown upon, emit a musical sound.

But odder than all these were the goats playing on guitars, or dragging behind them the fairy-like egg-shaped carriages, with little hares gravely driving; and in others of these carriages were reclining one or two (generally two) baby hares, or a hare mother rocking her little one in an egg cradle; there were sugar balloons, in the baskets of which hares watched over their nests full of eggs; wheelbarrows full of eggs, and trundled by a hare; and dainty baskets of flowers, with birds perched upon each handle, peering down into nests of eggs half hidden amidst the blossoms. When one knows that each nest comes out, and forms the cover to a box of bonbons neatly concealed underneath, this pretty structure certainly loses none of its attractiveness.

In all directions signs of the approaching season begin to appear. Every old woman in the market-place offers for sale a store of hard-boiled eggs, smeared over with some highly colored varnish, besides candy, chickens, hares, etc., in abundance. All the various shop win. dows display pretty emblematic articles. Besides the sugar and chocolate eggs, there are eggs of soap and of glass; egg-shaped baskets and reticules; leather eggs, which really are ladies' companions, and filled with sewing implements; wooden eggs and porcelain eggs, and even egg-shaped lockets made of solid gold.-St. Nicholas.

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The Sunday-School Department.

EXPLANATION.-Much to our regret, I the sheets containing the Scripture Lessons and Comments for April, prepared by Dr. Weiser, were lost in their transmission by mail, and the discovery of their loss was not made until it was too late for him to reproduce them. In the circumstances, another person, unused to labor of that nature, was obliged to get up the Lessons and Comments under the pressure of the moment. We deem it due to Dr. Weiser to state this fact, as no two persons think and write exactly alike, and the teachers in the Sunday Schools may not otherwise be able to account for any difference they may discover as to the mode in which they are gotten up, or to the absence of a more distinctive reference to the two festive days.

F.

ROSIE was very busy reading her library book. It was almost dark, but she held it close to the window and strained her eyes to see the letters. Just then her mother came into the room.

"Put down your book, Rosie," she said, "you will ruin your eyes if you read in such a light."

"In a minute, Mamma," Rosie replied. "I've got just where Amy finds the little boy, and -"

"Stop immediately," said her mother, interrupting her. "I want you to go down to Bridget and tell her Uncle Edward will be here to supper, and she will have to put on another plate for

him."

"But, Mamma, —"

"Go now, Rosie," interrupted her mother; "you must learn to do what I tell you, at once."

Rosie closed the book slowly, and went out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

have to do as their mothers say. How glad I shall be, when I am old enough to do as I please! It will be so long, though. Only nine years old! O dear!"

"I do think I might have my own way once in awhile," she said to herself; "I don't see why children always

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Just then some words of next Sunday's lesson, which she had been looking over that afternoon, came into her mind. "And He went down with them and was subject unto them." "Auntie said, that meant, that Jesus did just what His father and mother told Him to do. I suppose He did it pleasantly, too. And He was so great and wise! I must be like Him - and I will!" Here Rosie gave such a stamp with her foot, because she was so much in earnest, that she nearly fell down two or three steps of the stairs, on which she was standing. She made such a noise, that her mother came running down after her, and Bridget rushed up from the kitchen "to see if the dear child was kilt entirely." But Rosie was not hurt. In a moment she had her arms round mother's neck, almost smothering her with kisses and asking her forgiveness. Then she ran What wonderful little biscuits she cut down to Bridget to "help her get tea." how delightful it was, to put the teaout with the top of the pepper-box, and how delightful it was, to put the teathings on, just as mother liked to see them. But best of all were the stories

Uncle Edward told her, as she sat on his knee in the fire-light.

"I guess I don't want to be old and to take care of myself, after all," she thought to herself. "It is so pleasant to be petted, and to be told just what to do. I guess I'll stay little as long as I can."-Ch. Intelligencer.

You all know who Mr. Moody is, I suppose, the good man who goes about everywhere telling poor sinners how much Jesus loves them. One day, when the sidewalks were covered with ice, he went out to take a walk with his little

girl. She had a new muff to carry, so she thought she would keep her hands in that instead of taking hold of her father's hands as he wanted her to do. She walked on for a little way, very sure she was going to take good care of herself, when suddenly she began to slip on the ice. She was so frightened that she made haste to put one of her fingers into her father's hand. That was not enough, though. Slip, slip, she went again. So she put her whole hand in his next. The walk got worse and worse, and in a few minutes she dropped her muff, stood still and cried, "Father, take hold of me!" My dear little children, don't ever try to walk alone through life. Take hold of your dear Heavenly Father's hand. If you are not sure you know just how to do it say, to Him, "Father, take hold of me.' As long as He is close beside you, you are safe from Satan and sin, and He will lift you over all the rough or slippery places you come to. Won't you remember to say to Him these Bible words every day; "My Father, Thou art the guide of my youth."

Education in the Home.

"

There is a process of education constantly going on in every dwelling, which care and thought can make an unspeakable advantage, and at the same time contribute to make a happy home. To keep objects of pure and high interest before the children's minds, in a natural and suitable way; to have them supplied with such books as will occupy and interest; to talk not so much to them as with them about objects; to take note of and encourage any advance they make, and to direct the flow not of a part, but of the whole of their life, physical, mental, moral, without apparent interference or violence, this happy art, to be sought, prayed for, labored for, under God's blessing, goes far to make a happy home. The tastes of children are naturally simple. Your child's wooden gun, cut with your own hand, perhaps, and made a link of connection between your little boy and you, may be more to him, more influential over his character, more potent in binding his heart to you while living, his memory to you when dead, than a costly

gift that you ordered at the store. And when you, living a loving, natural life before your children, and with them, bend the knee in their midst, speak to God of them and of yourself, there is a powerful restraint being put on natural evil, there is a pleasant type of heaven, where the whole family that is named after Jesus, shall be gathered together.-Selected.

Easter Eggs.

Dear Grandpa Lee, with little Grace,
Followed the path-way to the mill;
Bright daisies starred the shady lane,

And now and then a bird would trill.

Once, when a birdling spread its wings,

She said, "All things are fair and gay.
The sky so blue where birdie sings!"
Said grandpa, "This is Easter Day."

Thus happily they onward went,
Till Grace cried, "There is little Kate,
And Frank and Nellie, too—and oh!
Nell's swinging on the garden gate!"
As Grace and grandpa came in sight,
The little ones to meet them sped,
Their eager, prattling lips apart,

Eyes flashing bright and cheeks rose-red.

"Oh, grandpa! in the hedge we've found They're in the sweetest little nest; Four Easter eggs, all colored blue;

We want to show our prize to you l"

Said grandpa, "Touch them not, my dears;
The mother-bird will soon come back,
Those eggs God dyed with colors rare;

And guard her nest with loving care.

"These Easter eggs, in leaf-hid nests,

Imprison countless song-birds bright,
That soon will break the tinted shell

And rise and sing in joyous flight."
ST. NICHOLAS.

NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE could picture a complete preacher-" His words had power, because they accorded with his thoughts; and his thoughts had reality and depth, because they harmonized with the life which he had always lived. It was not mere breath that his preacher uttered; they were the words of life, because a life of good deeds and holy love was melted into them. Pearls, pure and rich, had been dissolved into the precious draught."

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KEY-NOTE.-"AND JESUS SAID UNTO HIM, NO MAN HAVING PUT HIS HAND TO THE PLOUGH, AND LOOKING BACK, IS FIT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD."-Luke ix. 62.

51. And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

52. And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

53. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

54. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them,.even as Elias did?

55. But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye

are of.

56. For the Son of man is not come to destroy

men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

57.¶ And it came to pass that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

58. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

59. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

60. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

61. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go and bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

62. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back. is fit for the kingdom of God.

QUESTIONS.

VERSE 51. What is the Key-note of the les

son? Where was Christ when what is related in the lesson took place? At what time did it occur? What is meant by His being received up? Upon what purpose was He intent? Did He know what would befall Him at Jerusalem?

22. Whom did Christ send before Him? What are messengers? For what purpose were they sent? What were they to make ready? Into what place did they enter? Who were the Samaritans ?

53. How did the Samaritans treat Him? Was this kind and civil in them? Why did they treat Him thus? Was this a justifiable reason for their treatment of Him?

54. What disciples are here named? Were they the messengers whom Jesus had sent before Him? What question did they ask Jesus? What prompted them to ask it? To what event did they refer in the history of Elijah? What kind of spirit did this betray?

55. How did Jesus receive and treat the question of His disciples? Did they merit such treatment? What did Jesus say to them? What was the nature of the spirit they manifested?

56. What did Jesus say was His purpose in coming into the world? In what respect were they thus shown to be wrong as to the object of His mission? To what place did they then go? What kind of a spirit did Christ show in going to another village?

1. What a mercy, what a treasure

We possess in God's own word, Where we read with sacred pleasure, Of the love of Christ our Lord.

57. Who spake to Jesus while they were on the way? What did he propose to do? Was he prompted by a good motive, to make this proposal?

58. What did Jesus say to him? Did he positively reject or refuse his offer? What did he then wish to do? What did His statement to him disclose as to the condition of Christ in this world? Why was He so poor? 2 Corinthians viii. 9. What does the title, "Son of man," indicate?

59-60. What did He say to another man? What answer did he return? Does this request seem to be a reasonable one? Why was it not recognised as such? What did Jesus reply to this answer? What is meant by the dead burying their dead? Of what nature is the duty to go and preach the kingdom?

61-62. What did a third person also say to Jesus? Did this offer come from himself? What did he still ask to be permitted to do first? Of what was this request expressive? Was there still, in his case, something wrong about it? What did Jesus reply to him? What is meant by putting his hand to the plow? What kind of a disposition does looking back imply? Is there an example of it on record? What is meant by not being fit for the kingdom of God! What particulars does this lesson develop as to the qualifications for following Christ?

2. That blest word reveals the Saviour, Whom our souls so deeply need.

O what mercy, love, and favor,

That for sinners Christ should bleed.

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