SSON HYMN.

_Tune_--"Jesus loves me, this I know," omitting chorus (E flat).

Close beside us every day
Christ is walking all the way;
And his voice is very near;
If we listen we may hear.

Title of Lesson for April 19.

The Cost of Discipleship.--Luke 14:25-35.

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Golden Text for April 19.

Whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it.--Matt. 16:25.

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Beginners Golden Text for April 19.

_Be ye kind one to another_.--Eph. 4:32.

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Advice to Boys and Girls

The Extra Step Society.

The "Extra Step Society" was formed in the Martin household when the
mother was forced to be on the lounge for some time with a sprained
ankle. It was Tom who cheerfully took an extra step on his way to
school each day to call at his grandmother's and report the progress
of the invalid. It was Bessie who left her play and stepped softly
into the parlor every morning to lower the blind so that the sun's
rays might not beam too warmly on her mother's face. And it was wee
Alice who took many an extra step during the day, sometimes to carry a
glass of fresh water to her mother, and sometimes to bring a magazine
or paper.

"We're trying to pay you back a little, mamma," Bessie said lovingly
one night when all the children were gathered around their mother. "We
don't mind a bit taking extra steps if only we can make you
comfortable, so you must not think we get tired of doing things for
you."

"Bless my faithful, unselfish little nurses!" Mrs. Martin rejoined
earnestly. "Love lightens your labors."--_Sel._

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Thoughts for Mothers

The Care of the Home.

The busy mother will find the care of the home too much for one pair
of hands unless she enlists the children as helpers. Let her begin to
practice systematics at once. Assign some corner or box of play-things
to one child to be cared for. A small boy might have the work of
putting away yesterday's newspapers regularly, as his part in keeping
the house tidy. The small daughter could pick up and dust in one
special room, taking care that a second dusting by a more careful hand
is not necessary.

The motive for doing these little tasks well should be made prominent,
showing that the child is big enough to "help" mother. Praise should
be bestowed, not as if it were anything astonishing and out of th