deepest compassion he surely is; for what can be so dreadful, so appalling, as the idea of a soul delivered over to eternal misery !' Emily.

And he beseeches so earnestly for a drop of water to cool his tongue.”

MRS. M. But you see his request was not granted; while at the same time he is reminded (by Abraham calling him, Son) of his reliance on outward privileges; this seems a warning to prepare in this life for that which is to come, not by mere external observances, but by remembering Christ while we are here, else there will be a gulph between us hereafter. It is also a direct contradiction to the doctrine of the Romish Church, that souls having gone into a place of punishment may also be removed from thence by the prayers of the survivors and other means. "Between us and you there is a great gulph fixed: so that they which would pass to you cannot, neither can they pass to us that would come from thence."

EMILY.

And again he entreats that

Lazarus may be sent to his brethren lest they also come to the place of torment, and this too he is refused.'

MRS. M. 'The meaning of this, like many other things in all the Parables, is not clear to us; but Abraham's answer is," they have Moses and the Prophets, let them hear them." In Moses and the Prophets, whom they professed to believe, they would have found Him who alone could save them from the place of torments, as our Saviour in another place has said, "Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of

me.

EMILY. 'But how he perseveres, mamma, saying, "If one went unto them from the dead, they would believe.""

MRS. M. • Abraham's answer is the strongest condemnation of the Jews. They professed to believe the writings of Moses and the Prophets; and yet they observed not that in them they might find testimony equally capable of convincing them as if

one rose from the dead. "If they believe not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead,”— that ONE, foreshown and foretold by Moses and the Prophets, and in whom they believed not, even when He did rise from the dead. And another instance in proof of their unbelief, even when " one rose from the dead," was afforded in the case of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha ; him, instead of being convinced, they sought to kill together with Jesus, who had raised him up.'

GEORGE. It seems from this Parable, mamma, that the wicked after death will know who are the blessed in Heaven.'

MRS. M. 'It may be so, George, but we cannot speak with certainty. This knowledge may possibly form one of their torments; envy is always represented as one of the passions belonging to the evil one and we may well conceive it is felt by those who behold in a state of bliss and glory, beings that while on earth had been the objects of

their scorn, if not of hatred. Here is the proud rich man humbly intreating that he whom he had scorned should" be sent with a drop of water to cool his tongue." You may remember it is said, "the devils believe and tremble;" those who have in their life-time despised and rejected Christ, may perhaps have after death the torment of feeling that he had power to save; and too late they will acknowledge that power.'

GEORGE. It is a very awful Parable, mamma, and shows the fallacy of the Jews in professing to be the children of Abraham while they denied Christ.'

MRS. M. The idea of Christ being represented by the poor beggar, I have not found in any commentator; and therefore should scarcely venture to mention it to you, but that it was suggested by a pious and learned minister of the Gospel; one well versed in scriptural knowledge.'

GEORGE. 'But, mamma, it adds great force to the Parable, I think, and has made

me at least understand it much better; what do you think, Emily?'

EMILY.

'I understand it better than I ever did before, and it makes me think of how humble Christ was, and how he suffered for us.'

MRS. M. I am glad indeed, my dear child, to hear that such is the impression my imperfect, insufficient explanation of this awakening Parable has made upon your mind. And I will add a few words more. This rich man "died and was buried ; so it was with the wealthy ostentatious Jewish Church; boasting as it did of superior wealth, superior purity, it died and was buried in oblivion: "the poor beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom." The Christian Church arose in poverty and obscurity, but had its great Head and Master in heaven; and thither shall ascend all who are faithful members of his Church on earth. Let us pray, my children, that we and all who are dear to us may be amongst that number; that after having through grace