everlasting home of love.

Do I my little store expend
For such a wise and prudent end;
Or only think of my own gain,
And not of others' want and pain?

Lord, by Thy Spirit, make me wise
Above my selfishness to rise,
And something daily give away
To find again in Thy great day!

RICHARD WILTON, M.A.

[Illustration: THE UNJUST STEWARD.]

THE RICH MAN AND THE BEGGAR.

There was a certain rich man who was clothed in rich silks and fine
linen, and feasted on costly food each day. There was also a poor
beggar, who was ragged and hungry, and covered with sores. His name
was Lazarus, and they laid him at the rich man's gate, for he desired
to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the well-supplied table. And
even the dogs had pity on him, for they came and licked his sores.

And it came to pass that the beggar died, and the angels carried him
away to heaven, where he was no longer clothed in rags, but in
glorious array. Neither was he hungry, for he sat with Abraham and
leaned upon his bosom.

The rich man also died, and was buried. He was not carried to heaven,
but went to a place of torment, where he lifted up his eyes, and in
the distance saw Abraham with Lazarus on his bosom. And he cried and
said, "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may
dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am
tormented in these flames." But Abraham said, "Son, remember that thou
in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, whilst Lazarus had only
evil things; and now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. Beside
all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed."

Then said the rich man, "I pray thee therefore, father, that thou
wouldest send him to my father's house; for I have five brethren. Let
him go to them and testify unto them, that they may repent, lest they
also come into this place of torment." Abraham said unto him, "They
have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them." And he said, "Nay,
father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will
repent." But Abraham said, "If they hear not Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."

[Illustration: THE RICH MAN AND THE BEGGAR.]

"AVENGE ME OF MY ADVERSARY."

In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared
for man. And in the same city there was a widow that had an enemy, and
he had done he