For we were "by nature born in sin, and the
children of wrath."

F. Who is the kind Lord of the castle who takes pity on them?

C. Jesus Christ our Lord.

F. What is meant by His taking them to His castle?

C. His receiving us when children into His Church.

F. When was this done?

C. At our baptism. For "being by nature children of wrath, we were
hereby made the children of grace."

F. What is meant by the clean raiment and the new name He gave them?

C. The "forgiveness of all our sins" (see Collect in
Confirmation-Service), and the giving us our Christian name.

F. Why is it called your Christian name?

C. To mark its difference from our natural, or parents' name.

F. Why was it given you at that time?

C. Because then I was taken into God's family, and "made a member of
Christ, child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven."

F. What was the food with which they were fed?

C. All the means of grace of the Church of Christ.

F. What was the desert, and who those who dwelt in it who were enemies
to the Lord?

C. The ways of sin, and the devil and his angels.

F. What were the bright flowers and the bird?

C. The baits and temptations of sin.

F. Why did Kuhn, or "bold," cross the border more easily the second
time?

C. Because one sin makes another easier.

F. Why did Zart, or "tender," follow him?

C. Because bold sinners lead weaker sinners after them.

F. What were the dry sands into which Kuhn and Zart were carried?

C. The evil ways of sin.

F. Who came to Zart's rescue when he prayed?

C. The gracious Lord who had at first received him into His Church by
baptism.

F. Why was he still sad and ashamed after he was brought back?

C. Because he had wandered.

F. Did he then doubt whether he was forgiven?

C. No: but he "remembered and was confounded, and never opened his mouth
any more, when the Lord was pacified toward him for all his iniquity."

F. What was the end of Kuhn, or the "bold?"

C. We know not; but they who "draw back unto perdition" are punished
above all others.

F. What are we to learn from the whole?

C. The blessedness of being taken into the Church in our infancy; and
our need of prayer and watching, lest we turn it into a curse.

The King and his Servants.

A great king once called his servants to him, and said to them,--"You
have all often professed to love me, and to wish to serve me; and I have