the
great task which was before him. Then the Spanish monarchs provided
the required vessels for the voyage. Here we have one of these quaint
caravels, the Santa Maria. [Draw Fig. 50 complete, or, on account of
the detail, prepare it in advance.] There were two other ships, the
Pinta and the Nina. What curious looking boats they were! They left
the coast of Spain on Friday, August 3, 1492. Where were they going?
Nobody knew. But there was one man in that company who, deep in his
heart, believed that God was directing the course of those three
little caravels across the vast ocean. Washington Irving, in his Life
of Columbus, says, 'He was a devoutly pious man. Religion mingled with
the whole course of his thoughts, and shone forth in his most private
and unstudied writings. Whenever he made a great discovery, he
celebrated it by solemn thanks to God. The voice of prayer and melody
of praise rose from his ships when they first beheld the new world,
and his first action on landing was to prostrate himself on the earth
and offer thanksgiving.'

[Illustration: Fig. 50]

"Such a man was Christopher Columbus--_a man of faith and
prayer_; He had prayed that God would direct him in the discovery
of a new route to India. God answered that prayer in a richer, greater
measure than Columbus ever knew, for to him whose life had been one of
devotion and communion with God, was given a name above all other
names written in the world's list of navigators and discoverers! He
prayed for a great blessing. God gave him a greater one. As the Santa
Maria entered the harbor of the little island of San Salvador and the
crews of the three vessels, numbering 120 in all, knelt and thanked
God for His great mercies, Columbus believed he had reached a distant
coast of India. [Draw the ground and trees, Fig. 51.] But, in truth,
it was infinitely more than that--he had found A NEW WORLD! [Add "A
New World," completing Fig. 51.] Such was the blessing which God gave
to Christopher Columbus. Such is the blessing he will give to all who
trust Him and love Him. Always does the true Christian receive more
than that for which he asks, for the human mind cannot know the
thoughts of God or of His love for those who give their lives wholly
into His keeping."

[Illustration: Fig. 51]

THE THIEF OF CHARACTER
--Meditation
--Conscience

The Unholy Thought Robs Life of Its Choicest Treasures--The Voice
of Conscience.

THE LESSON--That as we u