us what a dreadful thing sin is, since He Himself was willing to suffer such great agony to save us from it. Then, again, Christ is called the light, because He causes all this knowledge to be spread abroad. You know, if you light a candle, it casts a light all round. The light. does not stay in just the little spot where the candle itself is, but penetrates the darkness around; and the greater the light, the further it penetrates. The light of the moon goes further than that of any candle, and the light of the sun much further still. So, the light which Christ brought spread far and wide. The Jews were no longer the only people who worshipped the true God; but the Apostles were commanded to go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.

Do you know this hymn? It has got some long words in it: if you find you do not understand them, ask some one to explain them

to you.

Light of those whose dreary dwelling
Borders on the shades of death,
Come, and all Thy love revealing,
Dissipate the clouds beneath!
The new heaven and earth's Creator,
In our deepest darkness rise,
Scattering all the night of nature-
Pouring eyesight on our eyes!

14

CHAPTER II.

THE WONDERFUL VISITOR.

Of royal line, of holy heart,

But poor, and mean, and lowly bred,

Was she upon whose mother-breast

The Lord Christ laid His infant head.

Beneath no lofty palace-roof

The flower was nursed all bright and pure,

Within whose fragrant cup lay hid

That precious seed, a whole world's cure.

Beside the poor man's humble door

His snowy wing the angel stayed;

And to the peasant's promised bride
He said, "Hail, highly-favoured maid!”

He spake of God's mysterious will;

While marvelled much the maiden mild, As the rapt stranger gladly poured

The wonders of her heaven-sent Child.

Then meekly bowed the Virgin's head,
As deep her thoughtful soul adored: -
"Be it to me as thou hast said,

Behold the handmaid of the Lord!"

Most loved, most favoured, whose young arm Was cradle for her Saviour's rest;

Above all women honoured high,

Above all earthly creatures blest.

Alas! that human hearts have erred,
Profaning her dear name with words
That would have grieved her lowly heart,
With prayers that should be all her Lord's.

We bless her with a meeter love,

And think the while, with awful praise, Who said, "Yea, rather blest are they

Who hear My word, and choose My ways."

"AND in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end." (Luke, i. 26-33.)

This was a wonderful visitor indeed, was it