18. James's father was sadly grieved to think his son had now begun to lie. As soon as he saw him, he told him, "that

since he knew he had a liar in his house, he should be careful how he trusted him in future."

19. A few days after, James went to visit Robert, and pulled out a handsome silver pencil which his sister had made him a present of. Robert wanted to have it, and offered all his playthings for it, but as James would not part with it, he cried, "The pencil is mine. I lost it at your house, or else you stole it."

20. James insisted that it was a present from his sister. But Robert would not listen to him. He seized hold of it, and, as James would not let go, he closed upon him, threw him down, and forced it from him.

21. Poor James now posted home, with his nose bleeding.

22. "Papa! papa!" cried he, as he entered the house, "look how I have been used. Naughty Robert has robbed me of my pencil, and handled me as you see."

23. But, instead of pitying him, his father answered, "Go! you have lost your silver pencil at chequers, and stained your nose with strawberry juice.'

24. James solemnly protested that he spoke the truth, but his father only replied, "I cannot believe one who has already proved himself a liar."

25. James felt badly enough when he heard his father say this. He went to his bedroom, and cried most bitterly at the thought that he had been called a liar, and that his father could never believe him again.

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26. But next day he begged his father to forgive him, and said he knew how wicked he had been. But, dear papa," cried he, "let me beg you to try me once more, and no longer to consider me a liar.”

27. A few days ago his father told me, that he had never known James to tell another lie, and that now he was never afraid to believe all that he said. If James said it, it was sufficient.

if he had seen it himself.

He felt as sure as

Repeat the substance of this lesson. How old was

James before he told the first lie? How did he hinder

himself from lying before that? Was this a good or a bad plan? Is a lie always connected with some other fault or not? What was the fault connected with James's first lie? Does a lie generally stand alone, or have we to tell more to hide the first? Try if you can find three lies told by James to hide the gambling. How did James's father punish him for telling a lie? By telling him what? Would James have told a lie or not, if he had not been afraid of his father's anger? Does a lie, then, generally imply cowardice, as well as a bad action? Try if you can tell the three sins generally comprised in a lie. A bad action, cowardice, and a breach of truth. When liars do tell the truth, are they generally believed, or not? Can they be trusted, or not? Would it make you happy or unhappy to know that you were neither believed nor trusted? Why did James's father not believe that Robert had taken his pencil from him? How did James try to

cure himself of lying? Did he succeed, or not? What did his father say of James a few days ago? How should we like, if every body that knew us should say this of us? Can we sometimes deceive our friends by lies? Are they generally found out at last, or not? Do lies ever deceive God, or not? Does he take notice of lies, or not? What is the Bible precept about truth? "Lie not to one another." Col. iii. 20. "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another." Eph. iv. 25. "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord; but they that deal truly are his delight." Prov. xii. 22.

1.

LESSON XVI.

Forgiveness of Injuries.

"MOTHER! mother! see what John Ellis has done!" cried little Philip Walton, as he entered the house. "He has torn my book, and broken one of the wheels of my wagon.'

2.

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Why, how came he to do that?"

said his mother.

3. "He wanted to look at the pictures in my book. But his hands were dirty, and I would not let him have it."

4. "Why didn't you turn the leaves yourself, and show him the pictures?"

5. "I offered to do it. But that made him angry, and he pulled the book out of my hand; and, when I tried to get it away from him, he tore out three or four of the leaves,

and then jumped on my wagon, and broke the wheel."

6. "I am sorry he should have behaved so," said Mrs. Walton. "If I were in your place, I shouldn't play with him again.'

7. "No, I never will," said Philip. “But he ought to have a whipping. I'll go and see if I can find my brother Robert, and ask him to give him a good thrashing."

8. "Do you know that wouldn't be right, my son ?"

9. "Wouldn't it?" said Philip. "Does n't he deserve a thrashing ?"

10. "He does deserve it, to be sure," said his mother. "But, if we were all to have what we deserve, I am afraid there are but few who would escape a whipping. Do you remember the prayer I taught you last week?"

11. "Oh, yes," said Philip. "I have said it every night since I learned it." 12. 66 Repeat it, my son," said Mrs.

Walton."

13. "Our Father, who art in heaven;" said little Philip; "hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."

14.

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Very well, indeed," said his mother. "But do you know the meaning of trespassing against us?"

15. “I am not very sure that I do," said Philip.

16. "I ought to have explained it when I taught you to say the prayer," said his mother. "But this is a very good time now. To trespass against us, is to do us some wrong. John Ellis trespassed against you, when he tore your book, and broke your wheel. Do you understand this now ?" 17. "Oh, yes," said Philip; "I understand it perfectly."

18. "Well," said his mother, "how can you ask God to-night to forgive you your trespasses, if you refuse to forgive John Ellis, and try to get him punished? Your Savior, who taught us this prayer, tells us plainly what will happen, if we do so. Let me read what he says to you."

19. She then opened the Bible, and read the 14th and 15th verses of the 6th chapter of Matthew.

20. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

21. "I see I was wrong," said Philip; "and I am much obliged to you, my dear mother, for taking so much pains to put me right."