EMILY reads. "Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, who would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents; but forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him saying, Lord, have patience with me, aud I will pay thee all. The Lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him an hundred pence, and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not, but went and cast him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their

Lord all that was done. Then his Lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, Oh, thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me; shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant even as I had pity on thee? And his Lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him."

While Emily was reading, George covered his face with his hands: and when she ceased, looked mournfully at his mother, saying, 'Mother, I am like the unmerciful servant.'

MRS. M. 'I am very sorry for it, George, but I rejoice that you are conscious of your own offences, and, I trust, grieve for them. But tell me, in what respect do you resemble the unmerciful servant?'

GEORGE.

not to tell it.'

Oh, it was so good of papa

MRS. M. He never tells me anything that is likely to distress me, if he can avoid doing so.'

GEORGE. 'Well, dear mother, I must

tell of myself. Papa does not know all I have to tell. I went into the study this morning and, as usual, began to fiddle.'

MRS. M. 'You certainly are a most incorrigible fiddler, George, and I shall not be sorry if have received a lesson on the danger that sometimes attends that most awkward habit.'

you

GEORGE.

If this day does not cure me, you may indeed say I am incorrigible. Well, I took up one of papa's most curious and expensive instruments for trying experiments in chemistry, and examining it carelessly, it fell to the ground and was smashed. I was sadly frightened indeed, knowing its great value. Papa grew very red; I said, 'I have done you mischief, dear Father, but I am very, very sorry for it.' 'You have, my boy,' he answered, and it has arisen from your foolish habit of fiddling with whatever you see; you will be punished for it, however, for I was preparing to shew you an experiment which would have pleased you much; but we must give it up now.' Was not that kind of papa?'

MRS. M. 'Yes, it was just like him : and is it the recollection of the mischief you have done that has made you appear so unhappy all this evening?'

GEORGE. It has been in part the cause, mother, but I have not finished my story yet. This creature, (taking Emily by the hand) came into my room about half an hour after, and said, she hoped I should not be angry with her, for having broken the little knife I lent her this morning; the knife was not worth two pence, but I was out of humour and scolded her, and told her she must find me another; and I have been cross ever since.'

EMILY. But you are not cross now, George; so think no more of it. I was careless too.'

MRS. M. C I am grieved, my son, at hearing this instance of your likeness to the unmerciful servant; I cannot help seeing the resemblance between you; but as you have yourself discovered it, I need not dwell upon it, and I trust it may not extend any farther r;

for there is no one evil propensity of our corrupt nature more at variance with the principles of the Gospel, than an unwillingness to forgive, of which the parable before us affords a beautiful illustration.'

"the

George. • What is meant here by kingdom of heaven?" I know it is differently applied in different parts of Scripture.'

MRS. M. 'It means God's dealings with men: the king, who here calls his servants to account for the sums in which they were indebted to him, represents God himself calling men to account for their various breaches of his holy law; for all the several transgressions against that law which each of them shall have committed, every one of which makes the offender a debtor as it were to him, that is to say-liable to punishment." GEORGE. 'How much does the ten thousand talents amount to, mamma ?'

MRS. M. That I cannot tell you, George, the value of the talent was so various; that of a gold talent differed from a silver one, and there were various others of