QUESTIONS.

1. Who was Lazarus ?

2. Did the rich man relieve his wants ? 3. What happenened at the death of each ? 4. What did the rich man say to Abraham ? What was Abraham's reply?

5. Did Abraham consent to send Lazarus to warn the brothers of the rich man ?

6. Should we wish for supernatural intimation of the will of God?

7. What lesson should we learn from this parable?

"For the desire of money is the root of all evils; which some coveting have erred from the faith, and have entangled themselves in many sorrows."-1 Timothy, vi. 10.

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Charge the rich of this world not to be highminded, nor to trust in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God, (who giveth us abundantly all things to enjoy.)

"To do good, to be rich in good works, to give easily, to communicate to others.

"To lay up store for themselves, a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the true life."-1. Tim. vi. 17, 19.

LESSON XXXVIII.

PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS.

1. When a marriage took place amongst the Jews, it was customary for the young friends of the bride to go to meet the bridegroom, carrying lighted lamps. The following parable contains a reference to this custom.

2. In the kingdom of heaven, said our Lord, it shall happen as it did to ten virgins, who, taking their lamps, went out to meet the bridegroom. Now, five of these virgins were foolish, and five of them were wise. And the foolish virgins, having taken their lamps, did not take any oil with them.

3. But the wise, on the contrary, took with their lamps, vessels full of oil.

And the bridegroom not coming for some time, they all slumbered and slept. But, towards midnight, they were suddenly awakened by a cry, "The bridegroom comes: Go forth and meet him."

Immediately the virgins arose, and began to prepare their lamps; and the foolish said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are gone out."

But the wise virgins answered, "We cannot, for we should not have enough for you and for ourselves go rather to those who sell, and buy what you want."

4. But whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and those who were ready went with him into the house, where they were celebrating the marriage feast, and the doors were shut.

At last the other virgins also came, and they said: "Lord, Lord, open to us." But He answered them: "Amen, I way to you, I know you not."

Of what use were the lamps without oil? The virgins were indeed foolish who had not thought of this.

We may ask in the same way: Of what service are practices of devotion when unaccompanied by the religion of the heart?

To gain heaven, and merit eternal salvation, we must do more than merely assist at the offices of the Church, and take part in her ceremonies. We must offer to God pious and upright hearts, and be careful that our good resolutions result in acts of virtue.

5. Beware of following the example of those foolish frivolous virgins, who should have been ready to receive the bridegroom, that so they might have been admitted with him to the marriage feast, but who neglected the important duty of preparing for his coming-a duty compared with which all else was of no consequence.

They are a figure of those merely nominal Christians, whose religion is confined to outward observance, unaccompanied by true piety, or sincere desire to love and serve God, and

who, like them, will one day hear the awful words, "I know you not."

Take for your models the wise virgins; for they are a figure of true Christians, who, not satisfied with the mere exterior forms of religion, are careful to lay in a store of virtues and good works. The bridegroom, who is a figure of our Blessed Lord Himself, will take them with Him to the marriage feast, to enjoy in His company an eternity of happiness.

QUESTIONS.

1. To what Jewish custom does this parable allude?

2. Of whom are the foolish virgins a figure ?
3. Whom do the wise virgins represent?
4. Who is signified by the bridegroom?

5. Which of these should we imitate if we wish to gain heaven?

"Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to his works.

"I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

"Blessed are they that wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb, that they may have a right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in by the gates of the city."-Apocalypse xxii. 12, 14.

LESSON XXXIX.

PAYMENT OF THE TRIBUTE.

MARTHA AND MARY.

1. When Jesus was at Capharnaum, those who collected money for the use of the Temple "Does not came to Peter, and said to him, your Master pay the didrachma ?" This was the contribution for the Temple.

Peter answered, "Yes ;" and he came into the house to tell Jesus. But our Lord, to whom all things were known, anticipated him, and asked, "What is thy opinion, Simon ? Of whom do the kings of the earth take tribute or custom? Of their own children or of strangers?" Peter said, "Of strangers." Jesus But said to him, "Then the children are free. that we may not scandalize them, go to the sea, and cast in a hook, and take the first fish which shall come up; when thou hast opened its mouth thou shalt find a stater"—a stater was a coin worth double the sum required"take that, and give it to them for Me and for thee."

Peter did as Jesus had commanded. He found the coin in the mouth of the fish, and gave it to the collectors.

2. Jesus was the Lord of the Temple. To Him it was dedicated. He could therefore easily have dispensed Himself and His disci