LESSON SEVENTH.

LUKE X. 38-42.

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he en-ter-ed in-to a cer-tain vil-lage and a cer-tain wo-man nam-ed Mar-tha re-ceiv-ed him into her house. And she had a sister call-ed Mary, which al-so sat at Je-sus' feet, and heard His word. But Mar-tha was cum-ber-ed a-bout much serv-ing, and came to him, and said "Lord, dost thou not care that my sis-ter hath left me to serve a-lone? bid her there-fore that she help me." And Je-sus answer-ed and said un-to her, "Martha, Mar-tha, thou art care-ful and

troubl-ed a-bout man-y things: but one thing is need-ful: and Ma-ry hath cho-sen that good part, which shall not be ta-ken away from her."

QUESTIONS.

Who received our Lord into her house?

A certain woman named Martha.

What was her sister called?

Mary.

What did Mary do?

She sat at Jesus' feet and heard His

word.

Did Martha do so too?

No, she was cumbered about much

serving.

What is meant by that?

She was over-occupied with making a feast for Christ.

What did she say to Jesus?

Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me."

Did our Lord send Mary to help her sister?

No.

Which did He say had chosen the better part?

Mary.

What is the one thing needful?

The salvation of our souls.

Should worldly business hinder us from seeking the salvation of our souls? No.

Martha and Mary were both very good women, and you will read more about them by and by; they loved their Saviour, but yet they behaved very differently. Mary showed her affection by sitting at His feet, and listening to every word He said.

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Martha had no time, as she was busy in preparing a feast for Him, and she felt rather angry that her sister did not help her; but our Saviour cared not for earthly feasts, and He told her that there was but one thing needful," by which He meant religion; and this "good part " Mary had chosen, "which should not be taken from her." Now there was no harm in Martha being hospitable, and occupying herself with her household affairs, but she was wrong in neglecting the improvement of her soul, and using the opportunity of being taught by Jesus. This should teach us that, though we may be busy and careful about our worldly business, it must never hinder us from attending to our religious duties, for if it does it becomes sinful. But one thing is needful, viz., the care and improvement of your soul, Strive to know the true God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent, and then you will have chosen the good part which shall not be taken away from you.

LESSON EIGHTH.

LUKE XIII. 6-17, and 22.

HE spake al-so this par-a-ble: "A cer-tain man had a fig-tree planted in his vine-yard: and he came and sought fruit there-on, and found none. Then said he un-to the dress-er of his vine-yard, "Behold, these three years I come seek-ing fruit on this fig-tree, and find none; cut it down: why cumber-eth it the ground?" And he, an-swer-ing, said un- to him, "Lord, let it a-lone this year al-so, till I shall dig a-bout it, and dung it; and if it bear fruit, well; and if not, then af-ter that, thou shalt