By

Kindergarten Lessons

Leading to

The Christ Child

A little child shall lead them

Isaih xi. 6

FORWORD.

In offering this series of lessons to my fellow-workers a few words of suggestion seem to me advisable.

The book is designed for teachers’ use only. The pictures, in separate cover with album for mounting, are for the children.

The opening exercises are merely suggestive, as the teacher will naturally be guided largely by the temperament of the children and the special influences of the day. The thought of the season or the child’s experience will also suggest new songs.

The questions at the end of each lesson are suggestions which may be used in the review on the following Sunday. It is to be hoped that questions will come spontaneously from the children after every well-told story.

According to the original plan of the work, and the one here followed, the earlier lessons, the Children of the Old Testament, will occupy the time to the first of December. Then one lesson on John the Baptist, followed by the two on the Birth and Presentation of Jesus, form a suitable preparation for the observances of Christmastide.

It has been suggested, however, that the entire series on the life of Jesus, including the story of John, be taken up first, culmination in the celebration of Christmas, the other stories to follow later in the year.

If this plan be followed, the parallel story might be used in alternation with the Bible stories, always keeping the Bible story in the fore. This plan would be practically giving two lessons on the same subject and would extend the course to forty lessons.

The conditions under which the teacher labors will govern the matter, and she may decide which seems to be the more promising of good results and direct her course accordingly.

In presenting these lessons, I wish to express grateful acknowledgement to Mrs. Clara Bancroft Beatley, Superintendent of the Disciples’ School, whose large experience and ready sympathy as well as unfailing enthusiasm have been an inspiration to me all along the way.

L. B. P.

Boston, Mass, June, 1907.

ORDER OF EXERCISES

Opening Exercise: Greeting Song. Prayer. Hymn.

Home Talk: Experiences of the Children. The teacher should guide their free expression along lines which will be helpful in developing the lesson of the Bible story that follows.

Songs of Home Life, or songs suggested by the season.

Parallel Story.

Marching, or some physical exercise, during which the children exercise freely for three or four minutes.

Review of previous lesson. Story. Picture. Memory Verse, review.

Study of new picture.

New story.

Memory Verse, new.

Closing Exercise: Songs suggested by children. Prayer or helpful quotation.

LESSON I. - MIRIAM

Colossians iii. 20.

Parallel Story: "Amy Stuart," Sara Wiltse. From "Stories and Talks for the Kindergarten."

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INTRODUCTION

Good-morning Song:

Good-morning to you,

Good-morning to you,

Good-morning, dear children,

Good-morning to you.

‘Tis love brings us here,

‘Tis love brings us here.

Good-morning, dear children,

‘Tis love brings us here.

Prayer: O Father, keep Thy children,

Do Thou our footsteps guide:

We walk in peace and safety

While keeping at Thy side.

Hymn: Praise Him, praise Him.

All ye little children.

God is love, God is love.

(Repeat)

Talk freely with the children about what they saw as they came to Sunday School, - who came with them; who helped them get ready to come; the joy of coming. In this way the teacher comes in touch with the daily life of the child and finds a point of departure for the new lesson.

To-day the child who came with her sister leads us to the story of Miriam, the faithful, loving sister.

Have you a little sister or brother who loves you?

Are you big enough to help take care of your baby?

Sometimes mother asks you to play with him while she is busy. Can you do it?

Don’t you like to help mother?

I know a story of a little girl whose picture we have here to-day.

(Show the picture, encouraging free expression as to the story which it tells to the child. Where it is possible a large print should be used for this talk; the smaller pictures may then be given out at the close of the lesson.)

This little girl loved her brother, too, and when her mother told her to take care of him for a whole day, she watched him every minute, although she wished to do many other things.

Would you like to hear about her?

Many years ago in a country far away from here there lived a little girl whose name was Miriam. She had a kind father and a loving mother who watched over her very carefully. There was a little brother Aaron, too, who was quite big enough to play with her. Such good times they had playing all day long in that sunny country!

Just as this story begins, the nicest thing had happened in that family. A dear little baby had come to live with them. Everyone was so glad! Father and mother thought he was the most beautiful baby in the world, and Miriam loved him so dearly that she used to make little songs about him which she would sing as she watched him in mother’s arms.

Now King Pharaoh who ruled in this country was cruel and did not like little Hebrew children. One day he sent his soldiers out, telling them to take all the little boy babies they could find in the homes of the Hebrews and throw them into the river.

Oh, how sad those mothers were! And Miriam’s mother hid her little baby in the house, and the soldiers went right past the door, never knowing there was a baby there.

Later the King sent the soldiers out again, telling them to look carefully and see if they had overlooked any little one.

Now Miriam’s mother had been very busy since they had come before, - she had been making a little basket of strong grass to use for a cradle for her baby. When she heard the soldiers were coming again she covered this basket all over with pitch so the water could not get into it. Then she put the baby inside and hid it in the tall reeds by the shore of the river, telling Miriam to watch and see that no harm came.

Miriam liked to play by the river. At first she watched the little cradle as it floated in the water, never thinking of anything else; but when she saw how happy the baby was she began to think of other things. Sometimes she picked the lovely flowers which grew nearby, sometimes she ran after the pretty butterflies as they flew over the flowers, but after a while she grew so tired of this. Oh, how she wanted to run away and play with the other children in the fields, but she remembered what mother had said about caring for her little baby, and stayed quite near, where she could see if any one came to harm him.

When the day was almost over, Miriam saw a beautiful woman and her servants coming down the path to the river, and she quickly hid in the rushes near the baby, wondering what would happen.

The princess, for she was King Pharaoh’s daughter, had come to the river to bathe; as she reached the water’s edge she saw the queer little cradle floating in the river and said to the servant, "Bring me the basket which I see in the water." The maid brought it to her, and as she lifted the cover the baby stretched up his arms and smiled. The princess smiled, too, as she said, "It is a little Hebrew child which has been hidden from the soldiers. He is so beautiful I cannot let him stay here and be drowned, but will take him home and call him my own child. His name shall be Moses, which means "taken out"; for have I not drawn him out of the water?"

Then Miriam, who had watched everything they did, came quite close and said, "Shall I not go and find a Hebrew woman to take care of the baby for you?" The princess told her to bring someone at once, and Miriam ran home and brought back her mother. The princess gave the baby to his mother, telling her to take good care of him until she should send for him to come to the King’s palace.

Oh, how happy the dear mother and little sister were! Don’t you think mother was proud of her little daughter who had helped to save the baby for his home and his country?

MEMORY VERSE

"Children, obey your parents in all things."

QUESTIONS

What did King Pharaoh tell his soldiers to do one day? How did this make Miriam’s father and mother feel? What did the mother make to put her little baby in? Where did she put the little basket? What did Miriam do? Who found the baby? What did she do for him? Who helped save the baby?

LESSON II. - MOSES

ECCLESSIASTES ix. 10.

Parallel Story: "Little Hero of Harlem." Adapted by Emilie Poulsson. From "In the Child’s World."

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INTRODUCTION

Greeting Song.

Prayer.

Hymn.

Did you leave your mamma at home when you came this morning? Did she help you to get ready early so you could come to us in time to sing the Greeting Song?

Does mother help you every day? Can you do something to help her? Do you know a song about the loving mother? Yes, it is about a whole family. Who is in your family? Father, mother, brother, and sister. That’s a happy family isn’t it? Shall we sing about Mary’s family, telling the story on our little fingers?

This is the loving mother,

Always good, always dear.

This is the busy father,

Always brave, full of cheer.

This is the merry brother,

Grown so strong and tall.

This is the gentle sister,

This is the baby small.

Here then they all together meet,

This whole glad family complete.

Emilie Poulsson.

Do you remember the story of Miriam? Was she a good sister? Tell what you can about her. She must have been a very helpful little girl. She had learned to do just what was asked of her. Mother could trust her to take care of the most precious treasure she had in the world.

Tell us why the little brother was hidden in the river? Who found the cradle-basket?

Yes, she was a princess. You see she was the daughter of the great King Pharaoh and could have anything she wanted. When she saw that beautiful baby she wanted him very much, for there were no babies in the King’s palace, so she said, "I will call him mine, for have I not taken him out of the river?" Do you remember how he looked in the picture? Would you like to take him home with you? Bessie may recite the memory verse.

Let us say it together:

"Children, obey your parents in all things."

When Pharaoh’s daughter found Moses in the river she thought he was such a beautiful baby that she would keep him and call him her own son. Then she remembered that there was no one in the palace who could take care of him as a very little baby should be cared for, so she sent Miriam to find a nurse among the Hebrew women. Miriam ran straight to her mother, who was not far away, and they came back together.

The princess told them to take him home with them and to keep him until he was older and could take care of himself.

So the baby’s own mother was with him once more and could love and care for him as she had from the first. She watched her baby grow taller, stronger, and more beautiful each day, and thanked God that he had been given back to her. I am sure she taught him to do right and to obey when he was told to do anything.

When he had grown into a strong boy, perhaps as large as some of you are, Pharaoh’s daughter sent for him to come to her palace to live with her. So Moses left his mother and Miriam and all the things he had learned to love in his home and went to live with the King, and the princess called him her son.

Everything was very different there from what had been in his home. There were servants ready to do every little thing for him, but he had no need of their help, for had he not learned to care for himself when he was with his mother?

He had teachers who taught him what the wise men of those days knew. And he listened when they talked to him and remembered what they said. There were other men who taught him how to grow straight and strong, and he did as they directed.

He learned to do many new things while he was with the King. Some of them were hard, others were easy, but the hard things helped him grow into a strong man and made him a better leader for his people. When he was a young man the King made him captain of his army, and Moses proved that he could lead an army to victory.

Moses knew that he was not the son of the princess, but that he was one of the children of Israel, who were slaves of the Egyptians, and although he might have been very rich and great had he stayed in the King’s court, he chose to go back to his people whom he loved.

The Israelites needed a leader to tell them what to do, and God told Moses that he must lead them fa4 away from that land back to the beautiful country in Palestine, the old home of his people.

The people loved Moses and were willing to obey him. When the right time came they left Egypt and followed him even to this promised land.

Let us say together:

MEMORY VERSE

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."

QUESTIONS.

Who saved Moses from the soldiers when he was a baby? Who took care of him after this? Was Pharaoh’s daughter kind to him after he went to the palace? Did she want him to stay with her after he grew to be a man? Why did he go away? How did he help his people? Did he make a good leader?

LESSON III. - ISHMAEL

Joshua I, 9.

Parallel Story: "Thumbling." Adapted from Anderson. From "Kindergarten Gems."

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INTRODUCTION

Have you seen any birds this week - sparrows, pigeons, blackbirds, bluebirds? There are a great many kinds of birds that live here.

Do you like to feed them? Tell us what you give them to eat. Sometimes they sing for us.

Where do they live? Bird-houses, trees - yes, sometimes they even make thei8r nests on the ground. Did you ever see a nest in a pine tree?

Do you know this little song:

Upstairs in the pine boughs,

Where the cradle sways,

Little birds are sleeping,

Mother bird’s away,

Careful breezes rock them

Busily all day,

Careful breezes rock them

Busily all day.

Isabella H. Fiske.

What a good time those birds have in their little home! Mother bird flies away and comes back again. Do you think she takes good care of her little ones?

Do the birds stay with us all winter? Wouldn’t you like to see the bluebird and the robin redbreast hopping around on the snow?

Yes, you could feed them, but you couldn’t keep them warm, for their little feather coats are only warm enough for summer.

So when the leaves begin to fall, father bird says, "Soon we’ll have no roof to cover our heads." And mother bird says, "Jack Frost came last night, and the flowers are all going to sleep. Let’s fly away to a new country."

So up they fly, higher and higher, till when they look to the south they can see flowers and green trees. Then they fly all day and all night till at last they reach this new sunny land of the South.

Play "Flying birds" for exercise.

There was once a little boy named Ishmael who lived with Hagar, his mother, in the tents of his father Abraham. In those days, so very long ago, there were no houses and everyone lived in tents. Sometimes when the families were very large it took many tents to shelter one family.

Now, although Hagar was only a servant, she was beloved of Abraham and lived as one of the family, and Ishmael was a pet with all Abraham’s people.

One day a little baby was born in the home of Abraham, whom Abraham and Sarah his wife loved very dearly, for he was their only son. They were so happy with this new baby, whom they called Isaac, that they almost forgot Ishmael. This made him very cross, for had he not received all the attention before this time and wasn’t he just the same boy now that he had been before baby Isaac was born?

Ishmael did not like this new baby at all, and used to mock him when he cried and tease him in various ways.

Sarah watched her baby lovingly and little Isaac grew into a fine strong boy. When he was two years old Abraham gave a big feast to all his people. This was a thanksgiving feast; he was so thankful that he and Sarah had this son, so thankful that Isaac was growing into a big boy and that he was learning to do right.

At this feast Ishmael was so rude and made so much trouble in many ways that Sarah decided Hagar must take her boy away from the tents of Abraham and find a home in another country.

Now Abraham did not want to send them away and it troubled him when Sarah asked him to do so, but he could see that the two children would never be happy together. Besides, God had told him that all would go well with Hagar and Ishmael after they had left him. So he arose early in the morning and took some bread and a bottle of water which he gave to Hagar, telling her to take Ishmael and go away far across the plains and into another country. When she should find a place which seemed good to her, there she should make her home.

Think how unhappy Hagar must have been, going away from all her friends, leaving the only home she had known for many years.

Do you think they walked away quickly and joyously as we do when we are glad to make a journey? I am sure they must have gone slowly and sadly, for there was only a big, wild country ahead, a country Hagar knew nothing about.

Ishmael knew that something was troubling his mother and he was sad too, for he loved her and wanted her to be happy. So they went on in silence for many hours.

After a few days they came to a place where there were no tents or people in sight, nothing but sand, with a bush here and there. It was very hot, and as the sun beat down hotter and hotter, Ishmael, who was tired and thirsty, grew faint and could go no further.

The food and water were all gone and Hagar did not know where to find more. So she took Ishmael in her arms and laid him under a bush, and went a little way off and cried because she could not bear to see him suffer.

But God knew of their need and comforted Hagar, making her eyes see a well of water under some palm trees a little way from where they were resting. And Hagar ran to the well and filled her bottle, then lifting Ishmael in her arms she gave him some of the cooling water to drink, and he became strong again.

God was kind to Ishmael and Hagar and told them to make their home here and to live here forever. So they made a shelter near the well and lived in that country all the days of their life.

Ishmael made himself a bow and arrow and learned to shoot the wild beasts for food for his mother and himself. There were many other things he learned to do for Hagar, and they were very happy in their new home. Ishmael grew into a strong man and was the chief amongst the people of the desert.

MEMORY VERSE

"God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

QUESTIONS

Who were Hagar and Ishmael? With whom did they live? Why did Abraham send them away? Where did they go? What happened to Ishmael? How did God help him? How did Ishmael treat his mother when he grew to be a man?

LESSON IV. - JOSEPH

Genesis xxxvii. 13.

Parallel Story: "Who Loves Best." Unknown. From "Little-Folk Tales," Hawthorne Readers Series.

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INTRODUCTION

You have all learned to help mother at home, haven’t you? Let each one tell something he can do. What a great many ways there are of helping others!

Mary says she "runs errands." Oh, you all do! Isn’t that a good way to be a helper? It saves mother so many steps! I am glad you remembered about that, for I know a story of a boy who went on an errand for his father. He did it so well that people have remembered about it for hundreds of years.

Do you remember the story I told you last Sunday of the boy who liked to do hard things for his mother?

Tell me all you can about him> Yes, Ishmael helped to make a new home for his mother in that strange country. He was glad that he was big enough to take care of her, for he loved her very dearly. Even after other people came to live near them and he was the leader of many, he remembered her and gave her the first place in his house.

Repeat: "God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

Instead of marching to-day, shall we play

The children like to wander,

To wander, to wander,

The children like to wander

On sunny autumn days.

(repeat)

Mabelle Winslow.

I will sing for you as we play. When we come back you may tell me what you have seen.

In that country of Palestine, many miles from here, far across the ocean, there lived a rich man named Jacob. He had twelve sons, ten of whom were grown-up men, tall and strong, but the youngest was a little baby, and Joseph, who was next older, was only a boy.

When Joseph was born his father loved him dearly; indeed we read he loved him so well he gave him a cloak of many colors. He had never done so much for any of his other children, and those big brothers began to dislike Joseph because they thought he was their father’s favorite.

Besides this, Joseph was a dreamer. He had a dream one night in which he and his brothers were binding sheaves of wheat in the field. His sheaves stood up while all the others bowed down to his. Now in those days people believed that dreams told stories which were sure to come true. When Joseph told this dream to his brothers they thought it must mean that some day they would all bow down to Joseph and that he would rule over them. This made them angry, for was he not much younger that they were?

Again Joseph dreamed. This time he saw the sun and moon and eleven stars all bowing down to him. This dream also he told to his brothers, and when they heard it they were even more angry and did everything they could to make his life hard. They thought that he was always trying to prove that he was better than they were, and they were sure that Jacob loved him better than he loved any other of his children.

Now this was true. Jacob did love him more than he loved any of the older sons, for God had given Joseph to him when he was an older man. This was not the only reason. Joseph was more obedient and kind than his other children. Joseph loved his father, too, and showed his love by doing quickly and pleasantly everything his father asked him to do.

Jacob’s older sons were shepherds. One summer there was but little rain and the ground was so dry the grass could not grow, so he sent them away with the cattle and sheep to the plains of Shechem, which was a land more than fifty miles away.

Joseph was left alone with his little brother Benjamin and they were very happy together.

One day Jacob called Joseph to him and said, "Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send thee unto them." Joseph replied, "Here am I." Then Jacob said, "Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren and well with the flocks, and bring me word again."

Don’t you think Joseph was glad to go? He had never been on so long a journey before, but that made no difference. His father wanted him to go and thought he was old enough to take care of himself, and what else could he need?

It did not take him long to get ready. All he needed to take with him was a bottle full of water and food enough for three or four days. So he put on his coat and sandals, said "Good-bye" to his father and little Benjamin, and started off on his journey, while Jacob stood in the door of his tent and watched him till he was quite out of sight.

After Joseph had been walking for two or three days, and it seemed a very long time to him indeed, for he had never before traveled more than a day’s journey, he came to Shechem. Here he wandered over hills and across the fields, looking everywhere for the sheep and shepherds; but nowhere could he see them.

At last, tired and hungry, he sat down to rest, wondering what he should do. He did not wish to go home and tell his father that his sons were nowhere to be found, for he knew that Jacob was waiting patiently for news of them.

He could not bear to disappoint him.

Joseph’s heart was right, and he wanted to do his father’s errand in the best way.

While he was thinking it over, a shepherd came around the side of a nearby hill, where he had been tending his sheep, and asked him why he was so troubled. Joseph told him that he had been looking for the sons of Jacob, who were his brothers and who had been away from home a whole season without sending word to their father.

The shepherd pitied Joseph, who looked travel-stained and weary, for he knew that he still had a long distance to go vefore he would find his brothers, and he said, "The sons of Jacob have long been away from these plains and are now tending their sheep beyond those hills, in Dothan," pointing to a row of hills so far away that they looked quite blue in the distance.

Joseph felt discouraged when he herd this, for he really was very tired and he saw that he would have to walk many hours before he could reach them; but all a t once he remembered his father and the little brother who were waiting for him at home, and he thought of the good time he would have telling them about the things he had seen on this journey.

So, thanking the shepherd, he took up his staff and went on over the fields and hills until at last he could see the little white sheep all over the green hillsides, with the tents near by which he knew sheltered the shepherds.

Joseph was happy, for he had a t last found his brothers, as his father wished, and could soon go back with news of their safety.

MEMORY VERSE

"And he said to him, Here am I."

QUESTIONS

Who was Joseph’s father? Did he have many brothers? What work did they do for their father? Why did Jacob love Joseph? What did he give him? Tell about Joseph/s dreams. Were his brothers kind to him? What journey did Joseph make for his father? How do we know Joseph loved his father?

LESSON V - BROTHERLY LOVE.

Parallel Story: "The Three Little Butterflies." Unknown. From "Kindergarten Gems."

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INTRODUCTION

Have you any brothers? Do you play together? It is kind of your big brother to lend you his toys. Do you try to take good care of them?

Can you do anything to make him happy? Yes, if you love him. There are many things little children can do to please the older boys.

Do you remember about the brothers we talked of last Sunday? Were Joseph’s big brothers kind to him? Do you suppose they ever took him with them for a walk?

Why do you suppose they didn’t like him?

Do you remember about Joseph’s dreams? Perhaps the brothers did not like to hear so much about them. Then, again, That beautiful coat made them unhappy, for they had coats only of darker colors.

Bur Jacob loved his son Joseph better than he did any of the older sons, and we know one of the reasons why. Yes, Joseph was always ready to do anything when his father called him.

We learned that he would always say, "Here am I."

BROTHERLY LOVE

When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming over the fields they planned to sell him so they might never be bothered by him any more, for those big men hated their young brother. They thought their father Jacob gave all the good things to Joseph and the hard work to them, and they were tired of seeing him.

When he came near their camp they pretended they didn’t know him, and tearing his coat from his shoulders they dropped him into a pit which was deep and dark like a well, and there they left him while they sat down to talk over their plans about him.

While they were talking they saw some Ishmaelites, who were traders, coming over the plains with their heavily loaded camels. They were carrying costly linens and precious spices to the people of Egypt. And these unkind brothers sold Joseph to them for twenty pieces of silver. When Joseph begged them to save him and let him go back to hi father, they refused.

The Ishmaelites led him away with them, and when they reached Egypt sold him to an officer in the King’s army.

Joseph did his work so well that his master was pleased and after a time made him the chief of his servants, for Joseph’s heart was right and he loved and obeyed God in that far country just as he had in his own home. And instead of being always a slave, in time he grew to be a great man. The King gave him a gold chain to wear around his neck, that all the people might know Joseph was the "Master of the Land" and that his word was law.

There came a time when in all the country for many miles about there was a great famine; no grain would grow and there was no flour or meal to make into bread. Years before, Joseph had known this was going to happen, and for seven years he had been saving all the grain he could buy. So the Egyptians had all they needed. From all over the country people went down to Egypt to buy.

One day when Joseph was selling wheat for the King, ten very rough-looking men came in to him. They had traveled a long distance, for their families needed food and there was nothing to eat in their land.

Joseph knew at once that they were his brothers, but never did they suppose this great man could be their young brother whom they had sold to the Ishmaelites. He asked them many questions about their people, who were his people, too. They told him about Jacob, his father, about Benjamin, who had grown into a strong boy and who was the great joy of his father’s heart.

Then Joseph said, "To prove that which you say is true, one of you shall stay here in prison while the rest take food home to the hungry ones and bring back this little brother you talk about."

He gave them all the wheat they could carry and sent them home, where they told Jacob all the Master of the Land had said.

At first Jacob would not let Benjamin go, for he could never forget what had happened to Joseph when he went away so long ago; but finally, when the grain was almost gone and he knew that they must get more at once or his people would die of hunger, he let the child go. The brothers promised to care for him with their lives if need be and bring him home in safety.

Joseph was so glad to see this younger brother that he at once set free the one who was imprisoned and gave them all a great dinner. The sons of Jacob were happy now, for the Master of the Land had been kind to them. And away they went home again with the young brother Benjamin carefully guarded.

Now Joseph had commanded his servant to hide a beautiful silver cup in Benjamin’s wheat sack, and the brothers were hardly outside of the city when the King’s guard overtook them and told them that some one of them had stolen a precious cup from his Master. The sons of Israel were frightened, and when the guard found the cup in Benjamin’s sack they turned about in great sorrow and all went back with him to plead for his life with the Master.

Now Joseph had done this to try his brothers and to see if they had changed since the days when they sold him to the Ishmaelites, and his heart was filled with joy as they begged that one of them might stay in Benjamin’s place and he be sent home to their dear father, who loved him with all his heart.

Then Joseph could keep his secret no longer and said, "I am your brother Joseph whom you sold into Egypt; " and the brothers were afraid, for they remembered how unkind they had been to him when he was a boy at home. But Joseph was a good brother. He gave them new coats and suits, but to Benjamin he gave most of all, for he loved him so much that nothing seemed too good for him.

Joseph sent presents to his father and sent also some wagons to bring him and all his household down to the land of the Nile.

The sons of Jacob went back to their father with glad hearts, for Joseph whom they had treated so cruelly had forgiven them.

So Jacob and his whole family came down into Egypt, and the King gave them some land where for many years they made their happy home.

MEMORY VERSE.

" In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another."

QUESTIONS

Why did Joseph’s brothers hate him? Were they kind to him? What did they do to him when he joined them in the fields? What happened to him in Egypt? Tell about the famine. Who came to buy corn of Joseph? Whom did Joseph tell them to bring to Egypt to prove that they were telling the truth? How did Joseph test his brothers’ kindness? Was Joseph a good brother? Did Joseph always try to do right?

LESSON VI. - THE LITTLE MAID OF ISRAEL

LEVITICUS xix, 18

Parallel Story: " The Legend of the Dipper." Adapted by Carolyn S. Bailey. From "In the Children’s Hour."

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INTRODUCTION

Last week we talked about a family that lived in Egypt. Yes, we liked to talk about Joseph because he was kind to his older brothers when they were in need. We called him a good brother.

Do you remember about a boy who liked to do hard things to help his mother? Ishmael loved his mother and tried in every way to show his love.

Then there was a little girl who was always ready to take care of her baby brother. Whatever mother asked her to do she did it.

We have heard about another boy who was ready to help his people when they needed him. They were slaves and lived in another people’s country, but God had promised them a land which should be their own. Who was chosen to lead them to this promised land?

Moses loved his people and made them a good leader. We think it is easy to love our little ones at home and to love father and mother _ our country, too, which really is our larger home. We all love our country.

But sometimes it is hard to love someone who has been unkind to us. There is a story of a little girl who did a very kind deed to one who had been unkind to her. I will tell you about her soon; but first let us sing about the little bird family "Upstairs in the pi8ne boughs."

Let us all be little birds and fly away. When we come back I will show you the new picture.

THE LITTLE MAID.

There was once a little maid of Israel who lived far away from her home and her people. She really was a prisoner, for she could not go back to her own country even if she had wanted very much to go. She had been given to Naaman’s wife for a servant and stayed near her all the time.

Naaman was the Captain of the Syrian army. The King loved him because he was brave and strong, and also because he led the army so wisely against their enemies. It was after one of these wars that Naaman brought back many prisoners from the land of Israel, among whom was the little Israelitish maid whom he gave to his wife for her handmaiden. She was a very obedient little girl and tried to do what was right in every way.

Naaman and his wife were kind to her and gave her everything she needed, but she could never go back to her own country, never see her mother or any of her people again.

Now although Naaman had so much to make him happy, for he was the greatest man in all the kingdom of Syria and stood next to the King, there was one thing which spoiled all his pleasure. Naaman was a leper and had to live by himself. His friends could not come near him even to shake hands, as we do, for anyone who touched him would have the same sickness come upon him. Another dreadful part of this disease was that no doctor could cure anyone who was a leper.

You can see that he would be very unhappy. All his friends were sorry, too, and wished that there was something they could do to help him; but no one knew of anything that would make him well.

One day our little Israelitish maiden, seeing how troubled her master was, thought, "I wish I could help him." Then she remembered that there were lepers in her own country. And she remembered also the great prophet Elisha, who had cured so many people who were sick, and she thought perhaps God would give him power to cure Naaman of his leprosy. So one day when she was waiting on her mistress she said, "I wish my master could go back to my country to see the great prophet Elisha; he has done many wonderful things and could cure him of his leprosy."

Someone, overhearing, ran to tell Naaman, who was glad even to have anyone believe that he could be cured. The King was glad too and said, "Thou shalt go to Samaria, and I will give thee a letter to the King of Israel, who lives there."

So Naaman made ready his horses and chariots and servants; and besides these there was a great number of camels loaded with beautiful presents of gold and silver and fine clothing, to be given to the man who should heal him.

Naaman would gladly have given all he had in the world to be well once more.

How glad the little maid was to see her master go. She hoped that he would soon be home again, quite cured of his sickness.

It was a long journey from Syria to Samaria, but in time they reached the King of Israel and gave him the letter. Then the King sent Naaman to the great prophet Elisha. And Naaman went with all his horses and servants and camels and stood in line at the door of Elisha’s house, waiting for him to come out and cure him.

But Elisha sent our a messenger who said, "Go, wash seven times in the river Jordan and thou shalt be clean."

Naaman was angry, for he thought since ha was such a great man in Syria, the whole world must know about him. Surely the prophet would come out to meet him himself. And he turned and went away in a rage. But after a few minutes one of his servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some hard thing that thou mightest be well, wouldst thou not have done it? How much better, then, when he saith to thee, ‘Wash and be clean’?" And Naaman knew that they were tight and went to the river and dipped himself in it seven times, as Elisha had commanded, and when he came out he was clean; his leprosy had left him, his flesh was new and soft.

Elisha had cured him, but it never would have happened if the little maid of Israel had not wanted to do a kind act even unto one who had once been unkind to her.

MEMORY VERSE

"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

QUESTIONS

I SAMUEL, iii, 10.

Parallel Story: "The Minstrel’s Song," Maud Lindsay. From "Mother Stories."

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INTRODUCTION.

Shall we not say "Good morning" before we have our lesson today?

We shall all wish to say " how do you do?" to Mary, who has been away so long.

Let us sing the Greeting Song.

Now see them here, these friends so dear,

As they together meet.

With bows polite and faces bright,

Each other they will greet.

"Oh, how do you do? And how do you do?

And how do you do again?

And how do you do? And how do you do?"

Say all these little men-¦

Emilie Poulsson.

Aren’t you glad you could come to school today? Glad mamma could come with you, glad of this bright sunny day? Glad our new little friend has joined us? Yes, it truly is a glad day. I will sing you a new song, then you may sing with me.

A glad new day is here.

A glad new day is here.

Good-morning all, says merry, merry Sunshine,

We’ve come to help you in your work and play,

Each sunbeam sends a happy, happy greeting.

Be always kind and gentle through the day,

This glad new day!

Julia A. Hidden.

Shall we fold our hands while we say "Thank you" to God, who has given us this beautiful day?

Father, we thank Thee for the night

And for the pleasant morning bright,

For rest and food and loving care,

And all that makes the day so fair.

Rebecca J. Weston.

Were you lonesome? Perhaps not, for you were having a good time and you knew you would have such fun telling all about it when you did go home.

Would you like to stay away from mother, father, and baby always? I am sure you would think about them every day and wish they were with you.

Did you ever hear a story about a little boy who went away from his home when he was very small and lived in the king’s palace? Who was it? Tell all you can about Moses. He was chosen from all the Israelites to be the leader of their people, because he had proved that he could guide himself.

There was another little child of Israel whose name was Samuel. He, too, was chosen to lead his people when he grew to be a man, just because he learned to do what was right when he was a little child.

SAMUEL

It was the custom for all the Israelites to go up to the temple once every year to give thanks to God for all His goodness. This was somewhat like our Thanksgiving festival when we five thanks for so many good things.

Now Elkanah and his wife Hannah went with all their people to the city where the temple was for this thanksgiving festival. Everyone went – fathers, mother, and children.

And Hannah when she saw all the happy little children playing together felt very sorry that she had no little one to bring with her. And she prayed to God for a little child, which was the one gift she wished for more than any other.

And God heard Hannah’s prayer and sent her a son, and she called his name Samuel, which means "Asked of God," because she had asked God for him.

Hannah was so thankful that she said, "As long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord."

As soon as he was old enough to leave his mother, Hannah, although she loved him very dearly, took him to the temple where Eli was high priest and gave him to Eli to help him take care of the temple.

Now Samuel was only a little boy three or four years old, and he was very lonely after his mother left him, for there were no little children to play with here and the temple was very large, not at all like his home in Ramah.

Bur Eli was kind to him and taught him how to do many little things which were helpful, just as your mother teaches you how to help her.

Hannah loved her little son and thought of him all through the year when she was far away. Each year when she came to the temple to worship, she brought him a little coat which she had made with her own hands, and she told him many things about his home, his father, and his little brothers and sisters, and Samuel loved his people. It made Hanna happy to know that he was growing into a kind and helpful boy, and she went home glad in her heart.

Eli and Samuel always slept in the temple that they might tend the lamp which was in the innermost part, and which was never allowed to go out, but was kept burning brightly by day and night.

Eli was growing very feeble, for he was an old man when Samuel went to stay with him, and now he was glad to have so willing a helper, -someone who would come gladly whenever he was called.

One night Samuel awake suddenly, thinking he heard someone call him. He ran to Eli and said, "Here am I." And Eli said, "I called not, lie down again." So Samuel lay down to sleep, and again he awake, thinking he heard someone call. He ran to Eli again and said, "Here am I," and Eli said, "I called you not, go and lie down." And again he heard the call "Samuel," and ran again to Eli saying, "Here I am, thou surely didst call me."

Then Eli knew it must be the voice of the Lord calling to Samuel in his heart, and he said, "Go, lie down, and if He calls again thou shalt say, ‘Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth.’ "

And a fourth time Samuel heard the voice, and he answered as Eli had said.

Then God came very near to Samuel, even into his heart, and told him many things which would happen to the Israelites in the days to come.

God made Samuel understand that he should always do whatever He should ask of him. Samuel grew to be great and good, the people loved him, and he judged Israel all the days of his life.

MEMORY VERSE

"Speak; for Thy servant heareth."

There is a still small holy voice,

The voice of God most high,

That whispers always in our heart,

And says that He is by.

Minot J. Savage.

QUESTIONS

Why did the Israelites go to the temple every year? For what gift did Hannah pray? To whom did she give Samuel when he was old enough to take care of himself? Did Hannah forget her boy after she left him in the temple? Did Eli love Samuel? Why? What did the Lord tell Samuel to do for Him? Why was Samuel chosen to be the judge of the people?

LESSON VIII. - CHOOSING A KING.

Isaiah, Ix, 22.

Parallel Story: "Dunny," Jane L. Hoxie. From "Kinder-garten Review." 1905.

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Do you ever play games? What do you like to play best? When you need a helper what kind of a boy or girl do you choose? Why? Robert likes the boy who plays fair, Karl chooses the one who shares his toys with his friends, Mary chooses little sister because she loves her. There is always a reason why we choose anyone, isn’t there?

Sometimes we go into town with mother, perhaps to select a gift for someone. Mother helps us to make the choice because she is older and knows just what is best. It is often hard for children to choose wisely, but as we grow older we learn to make the best choice. How do we know when we have done this? Yes, everyone is happy.

Saul, who was king of the Israelites, was very wicked and all Israel was in trouble.

God told Samuel to go to the town of Bethlehem and anoint one of the sons of Jesse, whom He had chosen to be the new king.

Now Samuel feared to do this, for he knew that Saul would kill him if he should hear of it. But the Lord told him to take a thank-offering with him and go. He would tell him what to do when he reached Bethlehem.

So one day the people of Bethlehem heard that Samuel, the great, wise judge of Israel, was coming to their town. They were afraid, for they thought they must have done some very wicked thing and Samuel was coming to judge them for it. So they decided to send their wise men to meet him before he reached the gates of the town.

These men were very glad when they saw that he was coming alone, and they said as he drew near, "Come you in peace?"

Samuel saluted them and answered, "Peaceably I come; I would make a thank-offering to the Lord from your hilltop and would have Jesse and his sons assist me."

So Jesse and his sons went with him to the crest of the hill, where Samuel blessed them, and they made the offering to the Lord, thanking Him for His kindness to all their people.

Then Samuel called the oldest son to him, saying to himself, "Surely this is the chosen one," for Eliab was strong and good to look upon. But just as he was about to anoint the young man with the horn of oil, God gave him the power to look into Eliab’s heart, and Samuel saw that he was not the kind of a man who would make a good king.

And he sadly said, "I have no need of thee." So it was with the second and the third sons, and all the others, for while there was something fine and strong in the appearance of each one, not one of them was good and true; and Samuel knew that a leader of a nation must be true to his people if he would lead them in the right way.

When the last one of Jesse’s seven sons had come up and gone away, Samuel was troubled, for God had said that the new king should come from the house of Jesse.

"Surely I thought to find a king among these strong men, and yet not one of them has the Lord chosen." And he said unto Jesse, "Are all thy children here?" Jesse answered, "There is yet one left, but he is only a little boy and stays at home tending the sheep in the meadows. He is so young I did not call him to come with us."

And Samuel said, "Send and bring him here, for we will not sit down till he comes hither"; and Jesse sent and brought him. Now David, for that was the little boy’s name, had been out in the field all day, and when he came and stood before them his eyes were clear and bright, his cheeks red, and his face was beautiful to look upon.

Samuel was pleased and said, "This is the chosen one." Then he took oil and poured it on David’s head before all his brethren and blessed him, saying, "Behold I anoint thee to be King of Israel." And David seemed to grow more and more beautiful as he looked into the kind face of Samuel bending over him. And we read "the Lord sent His holy spirit into David’s heart to make him good and wise."

Samuel turned away and went back to his home in Ramah, while the little boy went again to his sheep to wait for the day to come when he should be called to lead his people.

MEMORY VERSE.

"The small one shall become a strong nation."

QUESTIONS.

Who was the King of Israel? Why did the people want a new king? What did God tell Samuel to do? How many sons did Jesse have? Why did God choose David? Did David love God?

LESSON IX. - THE SHEPHERD BOY.

Deuteronomy, xi, 5.

Parallel Story: "The Daisy," Anderson. From "In the Children’s Hour." Retold by C.S. Bailey.

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INTRODUCTION.

Did you ever go out into the country where you could see little sheep feeding on the hills? Tell us about it. Yes, they are white and soft. They wander over the hills and fields eating the sweet grass all day long.

In the country which w3e are to talk about today there were no fences. Every flock of sheep was watched over by a shepherd, who tended it very carefully and saw that no harm came to even the tiniest lamb in the flock.

There is a song which tells about the shepherd and his sheep:

Little lambs so white and fair

Are the shepherd’s constant care.

Now he leads their tender feet

Into pastures green and sweet.

Now they listen and obey,

Following where he leads the way.

Heavenly Father, may we be

Thus obedient unto Thee.

Songs and Games for Little Ones.

David was a shepherd boy. All day long he tended his father’s sheep I the broad, green meadows near Bethlehem.

Although he was alone much of the time with no one near enough to talk to him, he was not lonely, for he loved his sheep and watched them carefully, taking care that no harm came to them.

One day a big lion came down from the high rocks on the hillside and took a little lamb away from its mother. When David saw what had happened he ran quickly and snatched the lamb away before the lion could get off to his den.

The lion roared and growled and tried to kill David, but he, never stopping to think that he might be hurt, seized the lion by hi mane and killed him. At other times when wild beasts came into the docks he drove them away or killed them, for he was a brave boy and knew it was right for him to save his sheep.

He loved every one of them, and was happy all the long day as he watched them playing in the fields. Sometimes he used to rest in the shade of the trees and listen to the gentle rustle of the leaves; it seemed to him like a beautiful song, now soft and sweet, again loud and strong. He learned to play this song on his harp, and would sing the story the leaves had sung to him as he played.

Other days he would listen to the water as it bubbled over its stony bed, wearing the little stones smooth and round, and sweeping the leaves and twigs way on to the big river.

Sometimes the birds would sing as they flew overhead, or stopped to rest in the trees nearby. David liked to make words for their songs. The flowers, too, called to him as they nodded their heads in the breeze. "Are we not beautiful?" said they. David knew them all. Every beautiful thing in the big green meadow he loved. Jesse had taught his sons to love their country and best of all to love God, who had given them every good thing that had come to them. David sang of these wonderful gifts, playing on his harp as he sang, till we are told even the sheep drew near to listen.

Now Saul, the king of Israel, was sick and could not sleep, he was so troubled. The wise men who took care of him decided they must find someone who could play quiet, restful music - music so beautiful that the king could think of nothing else as he listened to the sweet notes.

So they sent men all over the country to find such a musician. One of the messengers had heard that Jesse, the Bethlehemite, had a son who, although but a child, was beautiful to look at and could play wonderfully. So he went at once to Bethlehem and asked Jesse to send this boy to King Saul. Then Jesse took David away from his flocks and gave him presents to carry to the King, as was the custom whenever anyone went to court.

And Saul was pleased with this boy and gave him a place in his house, making him his armor - bearer.

David played such sweet music that it made the King forget his troubles, and think only of the beautiful country where he had lived before he was king, where the fields were wide and green and the winds blew fresh and cool.

So he sent to Jesse asking that David might stay with him. And Jesse lent his youngest son to the King. When Saul was troubled David played to him. In time the King became quite well, then David went back to his sheep in the fields of Bethlehem.

MEMORY VERSE

"Thou shalt love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."

QUESTIONS.

Who was David? How did he help his father? Was he a careful shepherd? Tell us about the lion that took the sheep away from the flock. Did David love his country? Why did Saul send for him? Could he help the King?

LESSON X. - DAVID AND GOLIATH.

Psalm, lxxv, I.

Parallel Story: "Dora and the Lighthouse," Adapted by M. Elizabeth Lombard.. From "Boston Collection of Kindergarten Stories."

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INTRODUCTION.

We have learned that every little child can love and serve in hi home, can love and serve his neighbor, his country, and his God. We like to remember the little Israelitish maiden who was so kind to Naaman. Don’t you think she loved her neighbor as well as her dear home, country, and people?

There was a little boy who tended his flocks of sheep out in the wide, beautiful meadows day after day. Do you remember what he used to think about as he watched the birds and flowers? He had been taught to love God with all his heart, for it is God who gives us every perfect thing. Yes, David loved his home, his neighbor, his country, and his God.

Our new story tells how he saved his country.

DAVID AND GOLIATH.

It was a great honor to save the life of a king as David had done, for we read that he played such sweet music that the King, who was very sick, became quite well and happy again.

But yet a greater honor was to be his, for David could not only play on the harp, but he was good and true and brave, and when his country needed him he saw the right thing to do and did it.

About this time the Philistines began to come into the country of Israel and trouble the people. So the King sent out his soldiers to drive them back into their own country, but the Philistines would not go. They liked the land of Judah better than they liked their own land, and since they had the larger army, they intended to stay just where they were and help themselves to anything they wished.

No one had any time to listen to music. Everyone was busy trying to think of some way to save the country from these people, and David went home to his father and tended the sheep once more. Jesse sent his three oldest sons to help the King, for the King had called for all the brave men who were old enough and strong enough to help him save their country.

Now the Philistines had their camp on the side of a great hill; there were so many of them that the whole hill shone with their bright armor. Across the wide field from this place the army of Israel was encamped on another hill and there were many thousands of them also.

There they had stayed for forty days. Every day Goliath, a great giant in the army of the Philistines, came out of their camp and called out with a loud voice for some one of the Israelites to come over and fight with him. And no one in all that great army dared to go.

Goliath was the biggest man they had ever seen, fully twice as tall as some of them. He was covered with shining armor which glistened in the sun as he walked down the hill toward their camp; his spear was very long and heavy, and his sword so big that they were afraid and no man dared to go near him.

David was too young to be in the army of the King, so he stayed at home doing whatever his father wished him to do. One day Jesse called him from the fields, and told him to carry some food to his brothers who were in the army, and to see how things were going on in camp.

Oh, but David was glad to go on such an errand! He knew he would see the soldiers. How he did wish he was big enough to be a soldier! Perhaps the King might think he had grown into a man since he saw him last and let him join his army. So he started away joyously. When he reached the camp he found his brothers and gave them his father’s message. As they were talking, Goliath came down the hillside into the open field and once again dared all Israel to fight with him.

David stood open-eyed, waiting to see who would go, but as had happened every day before, no one was ready. He turned to those standing near and asked why someone did not go forth to kill the giant. But they all said they were afraid of him, for he was the biggest giant in all the world. And David said, "I’m not afraid; I will go." But his brothers told him to go home and tend his sheep and not talk about things which concerned grown men.

When the King heard what he had said he sent for him, but when he saw him he, too, said, "Oh, no, you are but a young boy and this giant is a great warrior." Then David told the King about the lion and the bear which had come into his flock and stolen the little lambs, and said, "The God who helped me save my lambs from the wild beasts will help me save my country from this giant and his people."

Saul rejoiced so much in his courage that he sent his own son to find him the best armor in the camp, and they put a helmet of brass on his head, a coat of mail on his shoulders, and gave him a bright, new sword. But these things were so heavy that David could hardly step; so he took them off and threw the sword to the ground, and with only his shepherd’s staff and a sling in his hand he went forth to meet the greatest giant in the world.

When Goliath saw this shepherd boy coming down the hill with only a sling in his hand he laughed a great laugh, for he thought he could easily kill him. But David said, "You are large and strong and can come with a spear and shield in your hand, but I come in the name of the God of my people and I will smite thee this day."

Then the giant was angry, but the boy was not afraid and ran to meet him. Taking a smooth, round stone from his shepherd’s bag he fitted it into the sling and hurled it straight at the giant’s forehead. Without a word Goliath fell to the ground.

David had won, and saved his country from its cruel enemies, for when the Philistines saw their giant was dead they were afraid and they all ran away. The King’s soldiers followed them till they were out of the country.

The King took David to his palace and made him captain over a thousand men. Jonathan, the King’s son, loved him dearly and vowed to love him forever. In after years David was the King of Israel, the greatest king the people ever had.

MEMORY VERSE

"We give thanks unto Thee, O God."

QUESTIONS.

Who were the Philistines? Who was Goliath? How did David happen to see him? Do you think the Israelites were very brave? What did David say when he saw his people were afraid? Could he wear the King’s armor? Tell how David saved his country. What did the King do for him?

LESSON XI. - JOASH.

Isaiah, xii, 6.

Parallel Story: "Do What You Can," From "In The Child’s World." P. 235.

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INTRODUCTION

Do you ever have to do anything that is very hard? If you really do not know how to do it what happens? Why, yes, mother or father tells you the best way. Then you can do it easily. If you listen and obey it isn’t so hard, is it? Very often little children do not know how to do their work in the right way, and must have help from someone older and wiser than they are.

Have you ever heard a story about a king? Yes, we remember about King David. Was he a good king? Do kings have to do hard things? Sometimes they need wise men to tell them how to lead their people or they would make mistakes.

There is a story of a little baby who really was the King of Judah, but his people did not know he was their king until he was seven years old. He did not know very well how to be king, but he knew how to listen, and as long as he had good men to advise him he was a good king.

Did you ever hear the story of Joash, the baby King of Israel, who was hidden in the great temple until he was seven years old? Joash was a very little baby when his father the King of Israel died. His grandmother Athaliah, who wanted to be queen more than she had ever wanted anything else in her life, did a very cruel thing. She told her servant to kill all the King’s sons that she might be the ruler of that great nation.

The servant was wicked, too, and did just as she had told him to do.

It happened that the little baby son was away with his nurse when the servant came to the palace, and he was forgotten. When the nurse heard what Athaliah had ordered, she took the baby to his kind aunt who lived in the temple with her husband Jehoiada, and they hid him in an innermost part of the temple. They knew the little one would be safe there, for Athaliah and her people were so wicked that they never even came within the outer gates.

Joash was cared for here while he grew from a tiny baby to a big boy. He had no father, no mother, no brother, or sister to care for him, but his kind Aunt Jehosheba loved the baby just as if he were her own child and watched him grow with joy in her heart. She knew that some day he would be King of Judah.

Remembering this she taught him many things, as he played about the temple, which helped to make him a good boy. She knew that a boy who could obey when spoken to would know how to guide his people wisely when he should become their leader.

All this time Athaliah was ruling the people of Judah. She was not their lawful queen, but she ruled for seven years and the people did as she commanded.

When Joash was seven years old, God told Jehoiada, the high priest, that it was time to tell the people about the King’s son who was hidden in the temple.

So he called together the priests, the captains of the soldiers, and many of the faithful people of Judah, and when they had all assembled in the temple, he told them about Joash and asked them to help him crown this little child "King of Judah."

"For," he said, "Joash is the King’s son and has the right to be the king, while Athaliah, who has ruled us so long, is not our real queen." And the people agreed to help him.

So Jehoiada divided the men into companies; some were to guard the entrance to the palace, some to guard the gates to the temple, and still others to guard the little prince.

Then they brought Joash into the great court of the temple and led him to a seat on a high place, where they put a beautiful coat on his shoulders and the king’s crown on his head. Jehoiada anointed him and said, "God save the King," and the people shouted for joy and cried together, "God save the King."

All the princes of the land stood beside him and promised to serve him as long as they should live. And the people rejoiced and blew on trumpets, and the singers of the temple sang praises to their new king.

Athaliah, hearing the shouting, went into the temple to see what it was all about. There she saw a little boy with a crown on his head standing by the great pillar where only kings could stand; she was very angry and ordered him from the throne, but no one was ready to obey her. Jehoiada ordered the soldiers to take her away from the temple.

When she had gone, Joash went to the King’s palace, guarded by his soldiers and followed by hi people, who cried again and again, "God save the King."

So in this way the first boy king of whom we read in the Bible came to his kingdom.

MEMORY VERSE.

"They help every one his neighbor."

QUESTIONS.

Who was the first boy king of Judah? Who took care of Joash after Athaliah was made queen? Where did Jehosheba hide him? How old was Joash when Jehoiada crowned him? Who helped Joash to rule his people wisely?

LESSON XII. - JOSIAH.

2 Kings, xxii, 2.

Parallel Story: "How Cedric became a Knight," Elizabeth Harrison. From "In Storyland."

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Last Sunday we heard about a boy king who was hidden in the temple. Can you tell the story?

Jehosheba was kind to that little baby; she loved him and did everything she could to help him grow into a good boy. She taught him to obey her, but he did not learn to obey God, who speaks to us in our hearts and tells us what is right.

Joash needed someone near all the time, to help him think right thoughts and do right deeds. It is easy to be good when we are with good people, but we must learn to do right when we are alone if we wish to grow into strong, brave men and women.

Many years after Joash had died, the Kingdom of Judah had another boy king, who was a good ruler. He looked for the right thing to do and did it. You shall hear his story soon.

Shall we sing "There is a still, small, holy voice"?

Josiah was only eight years old when he was made king.

What do you think of a little boy ruling all the people of a great country, telling them just what it was right for them to do and punishing them when they did wrong?

It was very hard for a child; but he loved his country and wanted to teach his people the right way to live, so he was willing to listen to the advice of the wise men who were with him in the court.

These men had lived longer than he, and although they were not kings, they knew a great deal more than he knew about ruling a nation. Josiah was glad to do as they told him.

He was a happy child, because he did what was right. He had learned to obey.

Now the Jews had been doing very wicked things since the days of King David and had forgotten that God was their helper. They had forgotten, too, that every good thing which had ever come to them had come from God.

They used to pray to all sorts of odd images, which they called idols, giving thanks to these stone figures for their blessings, instead of praising God for His goodness.

Josiah knew this was not right. When he grew to be a big boy - about twelve years old - he journeyed through the country and made his servants break down these images wherever they found them. He commanded his people to come to the temple to worship God.

The king who had ruled before Josiah had not used the temple for worship and had not taken good care of it. It was broken down in many places and needed to be repaired. So Josiah sent word to all the people, asking them to bring all the gold and silver they could afford.

This money was given to the carpenters and builders, who brought wood and stone and went to work at once mending the broken places.

One day while they were working, one of the men found a strange looking roll of paper which was covered with writing. He carried it to the King, who called his servant to read it to him.

Now long, long ago people did not know how to print books as we do. When they wished to write, they used a sharp pointed stick for a pen and wrote on a long piece of oily paper called parchment. This paper was rolled around a stick and unrolled like a map as it was read.

It was a roll like this which the workman had found, and it proved to be one of the books of the Bible which had been lost for years, - the book which Moses had written so many hundred years ago telling the Israelites just what God wished His people to do.

One of the wicked kings did not wish to follow the law of God, and thought if he should hide this book there would be no law, and he could do just as he wished; so it had been put out of sight and in time was forgotten.

Josiah had never heard of it and did not know what it asked of the people. He listened to every word as Shaphan his servant read. It made him very sad when he thought how many times he and his people had disobeyed the law. He had tried very hard to help them to do right; but there were many things in this book of the Bible that he had not known about.

Now that he knew the laws, his people must know them too, so he commanded them all, young and old, to come from all the country around to the temple.

When they had all come, he read them the law of God as Moses had written it so long ago.

Then King Josiah stood by the great pillar in the temple, where the people could all see him, and promised to obey this law forever. And all the people promised that they, too, would obey the law as commanded in the book of Moses.

Josiah was a good king, and as long as he lived the country was peaceful and the people were happy.

MEMORY VERSE.

"He did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah."

QUESTIONS.

How old was Josiah when he was made king? What wrong thing had the Jews been doing? Tell what Josiah did when he was twelve years old. Why did he repair the temple? What did the workman find under the stones? What was on this roll of parchment? What did Josiah do about it? Was he a good king?

LESSON XIII - JOHN.

Luke i, 76.

Parallel Story: "Philemon and Baucis." From Cooke’s "Nature Myths."

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Did you ever hear of a messenger? What did he do? Sometimes papa wishes to send an important message; how does he do it? Sometimes by telephone or by telegraph, perhaps by mail or express; but if he wishes to be very sure, he sends it by a man whom he can trust. This man we call a messenger.

When you do an errand for mamma, she calls you her little messenger boy or messenger girl. If you do it well she says you are to be trusted, and when she has to send an important message she chooses you again.

The new story today is of a messenger who brought a wonderful message to the whole world. He told the story so well that all who listened rejoiced and believed.

Would you not like to sing: "Little lambs so white and fair"?

We have heard many stories of children who lived in the country of Israel - stories of boys and girls who learned to do right when they were children and who were helpful, brave, and kind to everyone who was in need.

We remember about David who learned to obey his father when he was a child, and who was the greatest king in all Israel.

David’s people were shepherds. They loved their country and taught their children to love their home, their country, and most of all their God, who loved them as a father loves his children.

Years before David was born, the Israelites had been given a wonderful promise. God had promised that a great king should come to their people who would rule them better than anyone had ruled

Before; he would bring them happiness and joy. The whole world would worship him and be led by him.

All Israel had watched and waited for this king through many hundreds of years. Even the smallest child had been told of the great promise, and watched with his father as the years went by.

David used to think of this promise when he was playing on his harp in the fields of Bethlehem, and his songs were full of the beauty and joy of the coming of this great and glorious king.

Deep down in his heart he knew it would come true, and it did; but not while the shepherd king lived.

The prophet and wise men of Israel had foretold that before the coming of the king a messenger would appear to prepare the way for him. And people were watching for this messenger day by day, for they believed what the prophets had foretold.

Now there were living at this time in Judea, the home of Israel, two old people, Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth. Zacharias was a priest who stayed in the temple where the Jews used to go to praise God and five thanks for their good gifts.

One day, when he was in the inner temple where only priests could go, a wonderful vision came to him, for he saw in a glory of light an angel standing close by his side. Zacharias was afraid, but the angel said, "Fear not, for they prayer is heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall have a son and many people shall rejoice at his birth. Thou shalt call him John, and many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God."

But Zacharias could not believe such a wonderful promise. It seemed too beautiful to be true. And the angel said, "Behold thou shalt be struck dumb and not able to speak till the days that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words." And Zacharias was alone again, wondering at the heavenly vision.

The people who were waiting outside could not understand why he stayed so long in the temple. And when at last he came to them he could not tell them of the wondrous vision, for he could not speak. He could only make signs to show that something wonderful had happened to him.

When he reached home he told Elizabeth by signs and writing all he had seen and heard, and they wondered at the beauty of the vision.

God remembered His promise and gave to Elizabeth a little son. It was a happy day in that home when the little one was born. The mother rejoiced in her heart, and all her family and neighbors with her; the father too, although he could not speak a word of his happiness.

When it came time to name the little child the people said, "We will call him Zacharias for his father’; but his mother said, "Not so; he shall be called John." And everyone wondered, for there was no one in all the family called John. And they went to the father, telling him what Elizabeth had said and asked him what the child’s name should be. And he wrote, saying, "His name is John."

Then a wonderful thing happened to Zacharias: he began to sing praises to God who had sent him this wonderful gift in his old age.

And the people wondered more and more, and they told their friends for many miles around, saying, "What manner of child can this be!"

The Bible tells us, John grew and waxed strong in spirit, which makes us think he was a good boy, obedient and ever ready to help a playmate in need. He lived in the fields and woods and in the desert; his clothes were made of the skins of animals and his food was of locusts and wild honey.

As he grew into manhood he thought more and more of that long-promised king. The people still believed his great wise leader would some day come; they used to talk about the glory of that great day when he should come in all the glory and splendor of a royal king.

John had never seen a great city, nor had he seen many people. So he knew little about crowns and thrones and splendid garments. But this he did know, that a leader sent by God could only be wise and just and good.

When he was older he left the wild country and went out among the people, for God put it into his heart to make clear that the coming king was to be great and good, that he was coming to teach them how to live happily and peacefully together.

The people loved to hear him talk and followed him wherever he went. They believed in this messenger from God and watched more eagerly than before for the coming of the great king.

"Thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High."

QUESTIONS

What promise had been given long ago to the Jews? Were they ever watching for this king? Who was Zacharias? Tell about the vision in the temple. What name did they give this baby? Did John hear about the great promise? When he was a man God told him to carry a message to his people; what was this message? Did the people believe him?

LESSON XIV – THE COMING OF THE KING.

Luke ii, 14.

Parallel Story: "The Legend of the Christmas Tree." Lucy Wheelock From "In the Children’s Hour."

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Do you remember the story of the shepherd boy who became King of Israel? Tell me what you can of him.

Was he a good shepherd?

Joseph, too, another shepherd boy, could help his brothers in caring for the sheep.

Let us sing "Little lambs so white and fair.:

There is another song which tells of other shepherds who watched their flocks by night on the hillsides and fields around the little town of Bethlehem.

Sheep on the hillside lay

White as the snow.

Shepherds were watching them

Long, long ago.

Then from the happy skies

Angels bent low,

Singing their songs of joy

Long, long ago.

For in the manger bed

Cradled we know,

Christ came to Bethlehem

Long, long ago.

Katherine Parker

In our story of last week what great message of long ago was told? Yes, John told all the waiting people that their promised king was coming. These shepherds, about whom we have just sung, w3ere the first people who were told that the king had come.

This is the story of his coming as we find it in the Bible.

One day, many years ago, just at the close of the day, a man and woman were seen coming into the little town of Bethlehem.

They looked very weary, for they had traveled a long distance. In those days the only way to go from place to place in that country was to ride, either on a horse or a camel or even on a slow, patient donkey. Camels and horses cost a great deal, and Joseph and May were not rich, so Mary was glad to ride from Nazareth to Bethlehem on this quiet donkey, while Joseph walked beside her guiding the donkey in the best path.

We like to picture them as they came into the little town, Mary dressed in a long, soft dress with a thick veil over her face so that no one could see how lovely it was; Joseph with a long tunic or coat belted at the waist, walking so straight and strong by her side.

They were not the only ones who were making this journey, for the governor had called all the people of that great family of David to pay their taxes in Bethlehem, and many others were riding and walking with them.

Mary was very tired, for she had traveled far. She could not hurry as many of her friends had done, so they were almost the last to reach the inn where they had hoped to stay over night. When they reached it the house was so full of people, there was no room for them; even the yard was filled with animals and with the men who took care of them, and other men were resting in the street. A great many people had come into the town and every house was filled.

Mary and Joseph were glad to find a place to rest in the corner of a stable. This was not like our stables. It was on the side of a great hill, something like a cave, having only a front wall with a single door; but it was a shelter from the wind and cold. And Mary was glad to rest on the sweet-smelling hay.

And there on that first Christmas morning came the most wonderful gift the world has ever known. The beautiful baby whom we love to call "The Christ Child" came to Mary and Joseph. And Mary wrapped the baby in its first little clothes and put him in a manger nearby.

Now there were some other people of Bethlehem who had no roof at all over their heads that night. Far out on the wide fields and sloping hills around the town there were shepherds watching their sheep. Careful watch they kept, lest some wild animal should break into the flock and steal away even a tiny little lamb.

And they sat together in little groups, taking turns watching and sleeping through the beautiful starlit night. Suddenly they saw a bright light shining all over the sky and they heard a voice saying: "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Then more wonderful still sounded forth the glorious song of the angels, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men."

Slowly the light faded away and again the shepherds were alone in the darkness, and they whispered in the stillness, "Let us go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass." And they hastened, following the light of the star as it led them over the fields to Bethlehem, even to the stable in the hillside, where they found Mary and Joseph and the little baby lying in the manger.

Truly this was the place and the sign as the angel and sung, and this babe their new-born King! Oh, the joy of it!

And Mary heard the story of the angel host and kept it in her heart. But the shepherds went back to their people, telling all whom they met the wonderful story of the angel song and the babe in the manger.

The inn was all too crowded,

Oh! May we heed the sign,

And in our hearts keep ever

A place for the divine.

Emilie Poulsson.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men."

QUESTIONS.

Who were travelling to Bethlehem? Where did they stay at night? What beautiful gift came to the world on that night? Where did Mary put the baby? Who were watching on the hillsides that night? What did they see? Did they follow the star? What did they find in Bethlehem? What was the angel’s song?

LESSON XV - NAMING JESUS.

Luke ii, 40.

Parallel Story: "Pippa Passes," Robert Browning

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When a new baby comes into the home, how glad we are to see it! Our friends come in to look at it. Father and mother are so happy to show the new baby, brothers and sisters love to play with it. Sister sings all the little baby songs she remembers; "Upstairs in the Pine Boughs," "All for Baby"; perhaps she sings

There’s a wee little nest

In the old oak tree,

Safe and high,

Safe and high.

There are three tiny eggs,

Blue as blue can be,

Like the sky,

Like the sky.

And the dear mother bird

Keeps them warm ‘neath her breast,

‘Neath her outspreading wings safe

The blue eggs can nest.

There’ll be three little birds

In the tiny nest

Bye and bye,

Bye and bye.

Jessie L.Gayner.

Everyone is happy. Soon it comes time to give the baby a name, and everyone tries to help till the best name is chosen and father says by this name we will call him. After that we call baby by his own new name.

There is a song about the baby king whose coming we heard of last Sunday. Would you like to sing it with me?

Once a little baby lay

Cradled on the fragrant hay,

Long ago on Christmas.

Stranger bed a babe ne’er found,

Wondering shepherds stood around,

Long ago on Christmas,

Long ago on Christmas.

By the shining vision taught,

Shepherds for the Christ child sought,

Long ago on Christmas.

Guided in a starlit way

Wisemen came their gifts to pay,

Long ago on Christmas,

Long ago on Christmas.

And today the whole glad earth

Praises God for that child’s birth,

Long ago on Christmas.

For the life, the truth, the way

Came to bless the earth that day

Long ago on Christmas,

Long ago on Christmas.

Emilie Poulsson.

When the little baby who was born in Bethlehem was eight days old, he was given a name.

Mary and Joseph knew just what his name should be, for God had told Mary that the child should be called Jesus. So they named him; for more than a month they lived quietly in Bethlehem. And Mary watched her little child grow and thought of the wonderful joy which had come to her.

It was the custom among the Jews to take the first baby son in every family to the great temple in Jerusalem, and there present him to the Lord. The mother used to bring her little boy to the high priest and make a thank offering to God, who had sent the lovely baby to her home.

So when Jesus was forty days old, he was taken by his mother and father on this first journey. It was not a long journey, for it was only five or six miles to Jerusalem.

Mary was glad in her heart as she journeyed on with her dear baby in her arms. As they came near the city she could see, in the distance, the towers of the great white and gold temple, and she knew that soon she would see her little one in the arms of the kind old priest.

She had not forgotten to bring a thank offering, for each mother who had a baby to present in the temple brought either two white doves or a little lamb to give to the priest to show how thankful she was for her baby. Mary brought two doves.

As the priest was blessing Jesus a very old man with long white hair, seeing Jesus in Mary’s arms, walked towards them.

It was Simeon, a good man who spent many hours each day in the temple. He loved little children and liked to take them in his arms and talk to them.

He had been watching many years for the birth of the great king, who was coming to teach the people the right way to live. God had promised him he should not die until he had seen the king, and as he bent over the little child in Mary’s arms a great light shone in upon him. Here was the long promised joy! And Mary, seeing his face, beautiful with happiness and peace, put Jesus into his arms without fear.

Mary and Joseph stood nearby, wondering, as Simeon bending over the child said a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving - so beautiful that it seemed like a sweet song. He had seen the king!

As he reached out his hand to bless Joseph and Mary, Anna, an aged woman who was a prophetess, came near. She too had waited many years to see the promised king, and now her dearest wish was granted.

So it was that Jesus was welcomed by the aged people of his nation - even as he had been welcomed by the angels.

"And the child grew, and waxed strong, filled with wisdom."

QUESTIONS.

When did Mary name her baby? Where did they take Jesus when he was a month old? Why? What did she take with her for a thank offering? Tell about Simeon. Who was Anna? Did everyone love Jesus when he was a baby?

LESSON XVI 0 THE THREE WISE MEN.

James i, 17.

Parallel Story: "The First Gifts," E. E. Hale. From "Kindergarten Stories and Morning Talks," Wiltse.

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Have you ever given anyone a present? To whom did you give it? Why did you give it to father? Yes, you know he loves you and you wanted to tell him that you loved him, didn’t you?

Sometimes we are too small to make anything to give away, but we can do little deeds to show our love.

Tell what you can do to let mother know you love her every day. If we are big enough to make a gift we can show our love by doing the work very nicely.

On the first Christmas day so very long ago a beautiful present was given to the world. It was the first Christmas present that ever was given. Can you tell me what it was? The dear Christ-child came to bless the waiting people.

Shall we sing about the first Christmas gift, - "Sheep on the hillside"?

Let us recite together:

"Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth among men."

One day, a short time after Simeon and Anna had welcomed Jesus in the temple, some people of Jerusalem saw a long train of camels swinging along through the sand and dust. It seemed to be coming straight towards the gates of the city. As it came nearer and nearer they could see that there were three richly dressed men followed by their servants, with many heavily loaded camels.

They had come from a country far away from Jerusalem and had been travelling day and night, across rivers, high mountains, and sandy deserts, following the light of a new, bright, shining star and were anxiously watching to see where it would lead them.

These men, or Magi as they were called in their Eastern home, used to watch the sky every night and study the stars.

One night a new star shone in the sky. No one had ever seen it before and no one knew just when it appeared. There it shone, brighter than any of the stars nearby, waiting till someone should read its message.

And the Magi wondered and waited. Suddenly one of them remembered that the prophets had told of a star to come out of the east, which should mean a new king was born in Israel.

This must be the star! God had sent His messenger to tell them the King had come. Then the three wise men started on the journey to the King.

When they entered the city of Jerusalem they said, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews: for we have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him."

And no one could tell them; people had heard nothing of a new king. And the Magi went up and down the streets asking the same question of all that they met, but no one could answer.

Herod, who was then king and a very bad king too, heard of these richly dressed strangers and their search for a new king, and he was afraid; for he thought perhaps there really was a new king who would one day drive him from the throne.

So he called some of the wise priests and they told him that the Jews had long been promised a new king who would come from the house of David, and that he was to be born in Bethlehem of Judea.

Then Herod invited the Magi to his palace, and told them to go to Bethlehem and when they had found the King to return to him, so he, too, might worship with the Jews.

So one again the wise men started on their journey, and the star shone more brightly than before, leading them on and on over the fields and into the quiet streets till at last it stopped over a little house in Bethlehem.

The wise men went in wondering, and lo! they found the great King whom they had made so long a journey to see, a tiny, little babe lying in his mother’s lap in a little room in Bethlehem.

But they knew he was the one they had sought, had not the star led straight to this beautiful child? And they bowed low, touching their faces to the ground as they worshipped, while the mother watched in wonder.

Then the wise men offered the gifts which they had brought from afar. These were beautiful presents such as would only have been given to a great king, - gold and sweet perfumes and beautiful jewels.

They had traveled night and day to bring these gifts to this little child, who they thought would one day be the King of the Jews. And they went away with glad hearts, for they had worshipped the promised King.

MEMORY VERSE.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above."

QUESTIONS.

Why did the three wise men come to Jerusalem? What led them? Did King Herod help them find the newborn king? Where did the star lead? What did they find there? Tell of the gifts of the wise men. Did they believe this truly was the king whom they were seeking? Did they go back to Herod?

LESSON XVII - THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT.

John xiii, 34.

Parallel Story: The Good Shepherd. From the Bible.

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Sometimes mother asks you to take care of little sister, then you have to be thoughtful and kind, for she is very dear to you. We have to guard our most precious possessions lest harm should come to them.

The new story today tells of the loving care of a dear mother who, when she heard that a great danger was coming to her baby, carried him far away from the country in which they lived.

Let us sing: "Once a little baby lay."

We are told that Jesus took a long journey when he was only a very little baby.

We remember that Joseph and Mary carried him to the temple in Jerusalem, but that was only a few miles and took but a few hours. This time the journey was long, and they were travelling many days.

When the Magi came to Jerusalem in search of the newborn King of Israel, we remember that Herod directed them to Bethlehem, telling them to come back when they had found this new king, for he, too, wished to know if there really was someone trying to be king in that country.

Did the Magi go back to him? No; they were truly wise men and knew that Herod would not be kind to that little one.

They knew they had found the promised King of Israel of whom David had sung and the prophets had told, the great leader for whom the whole world was waiting.

Rejoicing they turned at once toward their own country. They had found the King and their hearts were filled with joy.

Now Herod was afraid lest this little child, about whom the shepherds had told, this little child whom the wise men of the East had come so many miles to see, should grow up and be made king in his place and rule his people.

So he sent his soldiers out over the land to find the child and take him away. But they did not find him, and this is the reason why.

One night Joseph dreamed that the great King Herod, whom everyone feared, for he was a bad king, had come to take their precious child from them, and waking he told the dream to Mary. Before morning Joseph brought the good donkey and put Mary upon its back, with the little child still sleeping in her arms.

Poets love to tell us what happened to this loving family on the way. Everything helped to make the journey beautiful. The trees shaded them when the sun was very hot, flowers blossomed for them where only the sand had been before. Fruits hanging on the trees seemed to call to them as they passed. Each day they journeyed brought them nearer to that country where they would be safe from King Herod.

They passed the great temples of the Egyptians, the wonderful pyramids, and the great stone image which the ancients called the Sphinx. Yet more wonderful and more beautiful than these was the treasure they humbly carried.

When he was two years old they left Egypt, and came back to Nazareth into their own home country, for Herod could harm them no more. We like to think that they stayed in Judea, as they were coming home, with Zacharias and Elizabeth. We know that John and Jesus loved each other as we have learned to love them.

At Nazareth Jesus grew into a strong, helpful boy, happy and joyous, whom everyone loved, because he was just and kind and obedient.

MEMORY VERSE

"A new commandment give I unto you, That ye love one another."

Why did Herod fear this little child? What did he tell his soldiers to do? Tell of Joseph’s dream. Where did the parents take this child? How long did they stay in Egypt? Where did they live when they came back?

LESSON XVIII - THE BOYHOOD OF JESUS.

Ephesians v. 20.

Parallel Story: "How Patty gave Thanks,". Emilie Poulsson. From "In the Child’s World."

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So many people have helped you in this one day! All the world loves to be kind to a happy child, and all good children like to say "Thanks you."

Hearts, like doors, open with ease

To very, very little keys.

And don’t forget that two of these

Are "I thank you" and "If you please."

Selected.

When we go to church we often hear our fathers and mothers sing "Come, ye thankful people, come." They have something to be thankful for, too.

Little children can sing.

Thank Him, thank Him,

All ye little children.

God is love, God is love.

There is another way we can thank God for His kindness to us. We can do kind deeds as well as say "Thank you"; for God loves a kind, helpful child.

Sometimes it is good for all the people in a great family to five thanks at the same time. Then we have what we call a Thanksgiving Party.

This was what happened in the new story of Jesus which we are to hear today.

First let us say our thanksgiving prayer.

For this new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for rest and friends,

For everything His goodness sends,

We thank the Heavenly Father.

M. F. Garland.

Their fathers and grandfathers before them had kept this feast, year after year, to help them remember a wonderful thing which had happened to their people hundreds of years before.

As soon as a child was twelve years old he, too, could join in this great feast of thanksgiving.

Jesus had seen Joseph and Mary go away, year after year. He looked forward to the time when he would be old enough to go with them. And now he was twelve years old, and was to make his first visit to the wonderful city where there was so much to see and do.

Many children of the age of Jesus were going to the Feast. Little groups of people joined the company from Nazareth as it passed through the towns. Everyone seemed to be journeying in the same direction. Often whole families – mother, father, and all the children who were over twelve years old – traveled together, some riding on camels or donkeys, others walking and resting now and then by the roadside.

Such a happy visiting time it was, for it took many days to make the journey! The children ran along as they wished. There was always someone ready to guide or give the tired little ones a ride until they were rested.

They did not think the journey long, there were so many new things to see in this strange country.

All too soon they began to see the shining towers and white walls of the great city, far away in the distance. The fathers would take the little ones by the hand, and tell them beautiful stories of the wonderful days when the city was first built, - stories of the great King David, of Josiah the boy king, and of the promised King, who was surely coming to lead them into the greatest kingdom of all.

When they reached the gates of the city, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the home of some friends, where they could stay while they were in Jerusalem.

Everyone who lived in Jerusalem invited as many guests to his house as possible, for the city was full of people at this time; many even slept out of doors, but no one minded, for it was a time of great rejoicing.

Every day the people went to the temple to join in the thanksgiving service, just as their fathers had done for hundreds of years before.

This place seemed very beautiful to the children. We may be sure they liked to listen to the reading from the Jewish books and to hear the prayers and songs of David which the people sang - songs of thanksgiving and joy.

This feast lasted for seven days. When it was all over the people who had come from the country for miles around left the great city in groups just as they had come in a week before, and went back to their quiet homes, traveling over the green hills and fields, talking once more with their friends.

The first day Jesus did not travel with his parents, but they supposed he was somewhere in the company with the children and would come to them before long. When night came he was nowhere to be seen. They looked for him among all he people whom they knew, but no one had seen him since they left Jerusalem.

Oh! But Mary and Joseph were anxious, and as soon as it was light enough in the morning to travel, they left their friends and went back to Jerusalem, wondering all the way what could have kept Jesus.

For a whole day they sought him, everywhere, going to all the places to which they thought a boy would care to go, but nowhere could they find him. They thought of him all night, for they could not sleep. In the morning they went into the temple, hoping to have word of him.

As they wandered through the court, in great sorrow, they saw a group of people near one of the rooms, where the great doctors taught, and going nearer, there they saw Jesus sitting with the wise men, asking questions which Mary could not understand and answering questions in such a way that those who heard the child wondered at him.

Mary told him how she and his father had started for Nazareth, and missing him had come back to find him.

Jesus, although he wished to stay longer with the wise men, obeyed his parents and followed them away from the beautiful temple.

They went back to Nazareth and Jesus was subject to his parents. He was obedient and helpful and kind. But Mary remembered this wonderful thing which had happened in the temple and kept it in her heart.

"Giving thanks always for all things."

QUESTIONS.

Where did Jesus go when he was twelve years old? Why did the Jews all go to Jerusalem at this time of year? Did Mary and Joseph travel alone with Jesus? Did Jesus like the temple? How long did the feast last? Did Jesus start home with his parents? Where did they find him? Did he finally go home with them?

LESSON XIX - JESUS BLESSING THE LITTLE CHILDREN.

Mark x. 14.

Parallel Story: "The Coming of the King,". Laura E. Richards. From "The Golden Windows."

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When father takes you on his knee at night and you tell him all the good, kind things you have done since morning time, don’t you like to see how happy you have made him look? Do you think he would care quite so much about some other little boy’s good time as he does for yours?

You are his boy and he likes to know you are a good child, for he wants you to grow into a fine man whom people will want to know and love. Sometimes you have visitors at your homes who like to talk with you. Do they love little children? Can you find the same happy look in their faces that mother keeps in hers?

Every friend of little children carries this glorious light in his heart, and when he sees a good child, why, it shines right out, and the lovely part of it is, you know it is for you.

There is a beautiful new story today of a great teacher who loved everybody, and loved little children more than all others.

We have heard many stories about Jesus when he was a child. We know he was kind and loving and good. Everyone loved him; the boys liked to play with him because he played fair. The older people liked him because he was polite and willing to help them.

Joseph was a carpenter and there were many things a young boy could do to help about his work. Jesus was glad to do whatever he could, and grew into a strong, manly boy. After a time Joseph died, and Jesus had to help his mother take care of the brothers and sisters. This he did gladly.

When he grew to be a man he was a teacher and a preacher, and went about among his people helping everyone who was in need.

One day he had been preaching in a part of the country where John the Baptist had once preached. The people had not forgotten what John had told them about their great leader. And when Jesus came among them, crowds went to hear the message that he had brought. Among them were some women who had left their little children at home. As they listened, they saw that Jesus was not only a great teacher, but that he was a loving friend, loving all the world.

His words were so plain and so simple that even a little child could understand what he meant. And they said, "We must bring our children to him that he may bless them." They thought if even the youngest child could not understand what he said, in after years that child will be glad to hear that the great teacher touched him and blessed him. So the mothers went home to bring their children.

And the children! Do you not think they were glad to go? They did not know where or why, but just to go out with mother was a joy. The older ones had heard of Jesus and could hardly wait to get ready. Think every mother must have wanted to make her little ones sweet and lovely to look at.

Perhaps she said, "We are going to see Jesus, the great teacher. You will like to see him." And when everyone was ready this little band of mothers and children started away from their homes to find the great leader.

So it happened that while Jesus was talking to the disciples and the others, down the street came a group of happy, joyous children. Behind them were their mothers with tiny babies in their arms and with little ones who had just learned to walk clinging to their skirts or holding on to their hands.

Jesus must have forgotten everything that had been troubling him, for he loved children and liked to see them happy. The little children, seeing his beautiful face with loving kindness shining from his eyes, ran straight toward him with outstretched arms.

But before they could reach him, the disciples stopped them; they were annoyed to think that the women should trouble their great leader with their little children, when so many older people wanted to talk with him.

Jesus, who had seen it all, was sorry and said, "Suffer little children to come unto me; forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God." And he held out his arms to take event the tiniest one of all. And the children crowded about him and loved him, and he put his hands upon them and blessed them.

His face was so kind and his smile so beautiful that not a child was afraid but came even closer to him. They knew he was their friend.

Jesus, looking into the sweet childish faces, saw deep down into their hearts where lives the pure child of God, which is in every little child.

He told all the listening people that they must become as little children if they would enter the beautiful Kingdom of Heaven.

MEMORY VERSE.

"Suffer little children to come unto me; forbid them not."

QUESTIONS.

Who came to hear Jesus preach in this story? Why did they go home before Jesus went away? Were the children glad to go to Jesus? What did the disciples do? Was Jesus glad to have the children come to him? Tell what he said to the disciples.

LESSON XX - CHILDREN PRAISE JESUS.

Matthew xviii.2.

Parallel Story: "My Coat," E. E. Hale. From "Sunday Afternoon Stories."

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What part of the service did you like best? Did everyone sing? Could you sing, too?

Sometimes older people come to our Sunday School. They must like to hear the children sing, for they look so happy when even the smallest child tries to sing, and they help so much as they listen to the sweet songs of our little ones. We like to have them visit us.

We are going to hear about some children who used to sing in the great temple at Jerusalem many years ago. They, like our own little ones, liked to sing praises to God in their great temple.

Perhaps they knew the angel song, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men."

Again the streets leading to the great city of Jerusalem were filled with people all hurrying to the beautiful city to celebrate the Feast of the Passover.

It was a time of great joy. Everyone was thinking of the blessings that had come to him through the year, and the visit to the temple was planned that the people of a great nation might all give thanks together.

Jesus and his dear friends, whom he called disciples, had been staying at Bethany, a little town near Jerusalem. When it came time for them to start for the temple, instead of walking, as was their usual custom, Jesus sent two of his disciples to a village nearby, telling them to bring him a colt which they would find tied there.

And the disciples, never questioning why, went to the place Jesus had said. There was the colt tied to a tree and the mother feeding nearby. Just as they began to untie the halter, the young boy who owned him appeared and asked what they were doing.

Then the disciples answered, "The Lord hath need of him," and walked away, leading the colt with the mother following.

Don’t you think the boy and his people ran on, too, eager to see what would happen?

When they reached Jesus, he mounted the colt and rode down the path towards Jerusalem, the disciples and many others following. The procession grew larger and larger. Someone said, "It is the King!" At last he was coming into his own kingdom as a king should come.

And men, women, and children began to sing:

Hosanna to the son of David,

Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord,

Hosanna in the highest.

Here was their promised king riding in their midst! The children ran on ahead and climbed the palm trees, breaking off the beautiful leaves from the branches; others pulled the little silvery leaves from the olives and scattered them in his way. This they always did for a great king. Many took off their bright colored cloaks and spread them like a carpet for him to ride over.

They were all so happy. The singing grew louder and stronger. The news came into the city that Jesus of Nazareth, the great teacher, was coming with a crowd following, and many went out to meet him. And the glorious song followed them as they went through the streets up to the temple.

The inner court of the temple did not seem like a place for the worship of God, for there were traders buying and selling sheep and little doves that might be used as thank offerings. Once before, Jesus had found these men doing this and had turned them out, yet here they were again using the temple for a marketplace.

Jesus was indignant. How dared they do this when they knew it was wrong? He overturned their money tables and drove the animals out, and the men who bought and sold followed them.

When it was quiet once more Jesus sat down, sad and sorry. He wondered what he could do that would help his people to live rightly. He was not left long alone. Some poor people who had been sitting outside the gates, many of whom were lame and blind, heard that Jesus was there and they came in to beg him to put his hands on them and bless them. Jesus helped them every one, so the lame could walk and the blind could see.

Then instead of the loud voices of the traders, the glad thankful voices of those who had been cured filled the temple.

And again the children’s song filled the air:

Hosanna to the son of David,

Hosanna, peace and glory in the highest.

Some people who were standing near were angry with the children and asked Jesus to silence them.

But Jesus loved their songs of joy and gladness and answered: "Yea: have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?"

And again the song ran out clear and beautiful:

Hosanna to the son of David,

Hosanna, peace and glory in the highest.

They loved Jesus for he had first loved them. They knew he was their dearest friend.

MEMORY VERSE

"And Jesus called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them."

QUESTIONS.

Why were so many people going to Jerusalem? Did Jesus walk with them? What did he tell his disciples to bring to him? What did the people sing as he rode into the city? Where did Jesus go first when he reached Jerusalem? What did he find in the temple that troubled him? What kind deeds did he do before he left the temple? Did he like the children’s songs?