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money that the people of Israel and Judah contributed?

Second scholar, ver. 12.-" And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the Lord, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the Lord, and also such as wrought iron and brass, to mend the house of the Lord."

Third scholar, ver. 13.-" So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it."

Fourth scholar, ver 14.-"And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the Lord, even vessels to minister and to offer withal, and spoons and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the Lord continually all the days of Jehoiada."

Teacher.-What became of the surplus, when all the workmen were paid who repaired the temple?

Fourth scholar.-It was given to the poor. Teacher.-James, you tell me what became of the surplus or balance; I mean what was left after all expenses were paid.

Fifth scholar. It was given to the people back again.

Teacher.-No; read the verse which George has just read, and you will find that you have not noticed quite so narrowly as you might have done.

Fifth scholar.-Oh, I see; it says,

"They brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the Lord, even vessels to minister and to offer withal, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver."

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Teacher.-Perhaps that will be enough for this morning. We have read of Joash's wonderful deliverance in infancy. Now tell me, if God has saved your lives from danger, what is the least thing you can do?

First scholar.-Be thankful, remember that it was through his providence; and give up our lives to Him.

Teacher.-And has he done this for any of us. Is there anything in our present circumstances to prove it?

First scholar.-Yes, he has brought us all here. in health.

Teacher-And has he done anything for the guilty ruined soul as well as for the body? Read the 3rd chapter of John, 16th ver.

First scholar." For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Teacher.-Yes; and if Jesus has shed his light upon our dark souls and made us to see how his blood washes us clean from the aggravated guilt of our sins, it is a marvellous thing— a much greater mercy than that which Joash

experienced when he was rescued from Athaliah. And now, Edward, tell me, in the second place, one of the greatest blessings God sometimes gives to young persons.

Second scholar.-Kind friends.
Teacher.-Kind friends?

Second scholar.-Religious friends.
Teacher. And, after all, the great friend.

Second scholar.-Jesus.

Teacher.-Yes, Jesus.

He is called in the

9th chapter of the 2nd of Corinthians, and the

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Third scholar.-" Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."

Teacher-Yes, and he is a never-failing friend.

"Earthly friends may fail and leave us,
This day kind, the next deceive us ;
But this friend will never leave us :
O how he loves!"

-Jehoiada died "Jesus ever liveth." (7th chapter Hebrews, 25th verse.) Every earthly tie will soon be broken;, Jesus is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. (13th chapter Hebrews, 8th verse.) He once took little children in his arms and blessed them, and still he has the same kind heart now that he is crowned with many crowns, and seated at God's right hand. (19th chapter

C

Revelation, 12th verse., 10th chapter Hebrews, 12th verse.) He would bless them even to hoary hairs, and at length make them partakers of his throne. Oh, that each here may be ready to say,

"Give what thou wilt, without thee we are poor,

And with thee rich-take what thou wilt away."

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THE HISTORY OF JOASH.

CONTINUed.

2 CHRONICLES xxiv. 15-25.

Teacher.-Boys, perhaps you have seen the sky on a winter's evening, when thousands of stars have been quietly twinkling there, and have noticed a surpassingly clear and lustrous light, which you took to be a real star, suddenly slide and then go out?

First scholar.-Yes; I remember when I was walking down Street, on Tuesday night, seeing one.

Teacher.-Now, let us see if we can find some sad resemblance to such a light in our morning's lesson. Read on, commencing at the place where we left off last Sunday.

First scholar, ver. 15.-" But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died; an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died."

Second scholar, ver. 16.—" And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house."

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