Southern Christian Advocate

A Parable.

"O dear! I am so very tired of the Sabbath." So said Willie, a playful little fellow, who was longing for the Sabbath to be over that he might return to his play.

"Who wants to hear a story?" said a kind friend who was present.

"I sir," "And I," "And I." said the children, as they gathered around him. Then he told them a parable.

Our Saviour, when He was on earth, often taught the people by parables. The parable told to the little boys was of a kind man who had some very rich apples hanging upon the tree. A poor man was passing by the house of the owner, and he stopped to admire this beautiful apple tree. He counted these golden pippins. There were just seven of them. The rich owner could afford to give them away, and it gave him so much pleasure to make this poor man happy, that he called him and said, "My friend, I will give you a part of my fruit." So he held out his hand, and received six of the apples. The owner had only kept one for himself.

Do you think the poor man was grateful for this kindness? No, indeed! He wanted the seven pippins all for himself, and at last he made up his mind that he would watch his time, and go back and steal the other apple.

Did he do that? said Willie, very sorry.

"He ought to have been ashamed of himself. I hope he got well punished for stealing that apple.

How many days are there in the week Willie?" said his friend. "Seven." said Willie, blushing deeply; for now he began to understand the parable. And he felt very uneasy about his heart; conscience began to whisper to him—"And should not a boy be ashamed of himself who is unwilling on the seventh day to lay aside his play? Ought he not be punished if he will not remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy?"—Picture Magazine.