more," echoed the other two.

"But Jesus the best gift of all, mamma," continued little Elsie.

"Yes, my precious ones," returned the mother, in moved tones, "Jesus the
best of all; for He loves you better than even papa and mamma do, and
though they should be far away, He is ever near, ready and able to help
you. Now, Eddie, what is your verse?"

"A little prayer, mamma, 'Lord help me.'"

"A prayer that I hope will always be in my children's hearts when trouble
comes, or they are tempted to any sin. The dear Saviour loves to have you
cry to Him for help, and He will give it."

"Now Vi's tex', mamma," lisped the little one on her knee. "'Jesus wept.'"

"Why did Jesus weep, little daughter?"

"'Cause He so tired? so sick? naughty mans so cross to Him?"

"No, dear; it was not for any sorrow or trouble of His own that Jesus shed
those tears. Can you tell us why it was, Elsie?"

"Yes, mamma; He was so sorry for poor Martha and Mary, 'cause their
brother Lazarus was dead."

"Yes, and for all the dreadful sufferings and sorrows that sin has brought
into the world. We are not told that Jesus wept for His own trials and
pains; but He wept for others. We must try to be like Him; to bear our own
troubles patiently, and to feel for the grief and pain of other people.

"We must try to keep these thoughts in our hearts all the day long: that
God is love; that Jesus is our help in every trouble and temptation, that
He feels for us, and we must feel for others, and do what we can to make
them happy. Now we will kneel down and ask the dear Saviour to help us to
do this."

The prayer was very short and simple; so that even Baby Vi could
understand every word.

There was a moment's quiet after they had risen from their knees; then the
children went to the window to look out upon the grounds, which they had
hardly seen last night.

"Mamma!" said Elsie. "I see a brook away over yonder; and there are big
trees there, and nice green grass. Mamma, is that where you and Aunt
Sophie and Uncle Harold used to play when you were a little girl?"

"Yes, daughter."

"Oh, mamma, please tell us again about the time when you waded in the
brook, and thought you'd lost your rings; and dear grandpa was so kind and
didn't scold or punish you at all."

"Yes, mamma, do tell it."

"Please mamma, do," joined in the other little voices; and mamma kindly
complied.

That story finished, it was, "Now, mamma, please tell another; please tell