lothes the ground;
The little birds that fly in air;
The sheep that need the shepherd's care;
The pearls that deep in ocean lie;
The gold that charms the miser's eye;
The fruitful and the thorny ground;
The piece of silver lost and found;
The reaper, with his sheaves returning;
The gathered tares prepared for burning;
The wandering sheep brought back with joy;
The father's welcome for his boy;
The wedding-feast, prepared in state;
The foolish virgins' cry, 'too late!'--
All from his lips some truth proclaim,
Or learn to tell their Maker's name."

But the difference between Jesus, the Great Teacher, and all other
teachers is seen, not only in the greater knowledge he has of the
things that he teaches, but in this also, that he knows how to make
us understand the lessons he teaches. Here is an incident that
illustrates how well Jesus can do this. We may call it:

"The Well Instructed Boy." A minister of the gospel was travelling
through the wildest part of Ireland. There he met a shepherd's boy,
not more than ten or twelve years old. He was poorly clad, with no
covering on his head, and no shoes or stockings on his feet; but he
looked bright and happy. He had a New Testament in his hand. "Can you
read, my boy?" asked the minister.

"To be sure I can."

"And do you understand what you read?"

"A little."

"Please turn to the third chapter of St. John, and read us a little,"
said the minister. The boy found the place directly, and in a clear
distinct voice, began:

"There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the
Jews; the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi."

"What does Rabbi mean?"

"It means a master."

"Right; go on."

"We know thou art a teacher come from God; for no man can do these
miracles that thou doest, except God be with him."

"What is a _miracle_?"

"It is a _great wonder_. 'Jesus answered and said unto him, verily,
verily, I say unto thee.'"

"What does _verily_ mean?"

"It means 'indeed.' 'Except a man be born again.'"

"What does that mean?"

"It means a great change, a change of heart."

"Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

"And what is that kingdom?"

He paused a moment, and with a very serious, thoughtful look, placing
his hand on his bosom, he said, "It is _something here_;" and then,
raising his eyes to heaven, added, "_and something up yonder_." This