desire that may well be compared to the agony of the traveller in the desert, or to the cry of the children of Israel in the desert before Moses struck the rock. What shall I do to be saved? is the cry of the soul. "I long for a Saviour I want a friend. I want to know that I have a home in heaven." Do none of you, my dear young friends, know what this thirsting means? You want something you have not yet. Your homes and friends, your books and play, your little possessions, and your pleasures, do not satisfy you; you are not happy; and do you know the reason? There is a heavenly friend waiting for you, though you do not know Him. Jesus asks your hearts, your love. He will satisfy you, and give you joy that shall last forever. Come unto me! is still his call to every girl and boy, sweet and gentle as when He uttered it in the house of God in Jerusalem. Will you not, my readers, listen to it now, and be happy forever?

Then if you yourselves receive this gift, you will be glad to impart it to others. How came those waters into the pool of Siloam, ever freely flowing, and always abundant, however much might be taken away? There was, as I have told you, a secret spring hidden in the very

heart of the mountain, which was always brimming over for the supply of this well. But what kept the spring itself full? The dews which fell upon the hill, and the plentiful showers of the rainy season, filtered slowly through the rock until they reached the hidden well. Drop by drop, all over the holy mountain, and on every part of the temple buildings, there fell the precious moisture; drop by drop it made its way into the heart of the mountain, and there was stored; not to stay there, but that it might flow forth into the sunshine again, and keep the pool of Siloam full, that thirsty worshippers might drink, and the priests with gladness draw the water.

Now, I think that Jesus refers to this when He says, "He that believeth on me, out of his belly (or heart) shall flow rivers of living water." If the gentle dew of God's grace fall upon our thirsty souls like the showers upon the thirsty hill, it will be that there may go forth from us streams of blessing to others. That is, in plainer words, those of us who know Christ will tell of Christ. If He has made us happy in his love, we shall wish our companions to be happy too. Come! will be our kind and loving word to them. We have found a friend, who

also will be a friend to you. Our home is in heaven will you not come with us? Come to that bright land where Jesus shall lead us to all the fountains of living water, and be our joy and song for evermore.

XV.

THE FRIENDS OF JESUS.

JOHN Xi.

The

The Quiet Home at Bethany. - Jesus in the Wilderness.
Illness of Lazarus.· Word sent to Jesus. Why does He not
come? Never "too late" for Christ. - The Happy Ending. —
Lessons.Who are the Friends of Jesus? - His own Words.
No Middle Course. His Friends may always seek Him in
Trouble. Days when He was on Earth. It is better to have
Him in Heaven. He is sure to help those who seek Him. —
Picture of the Sick Child. By helping them he gains Glory to
Himself. Sentence in the Catechism. Is Christ our Friend?
- The Home in Heaven.

LET us again read from the third to the fifth

verses of this wonderful chapter:

"The sisters of Lazarus sent unto Jesus, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, Hę said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus."

These verses carry back our thoughts to the village home where Jesus often, perhaps, used

to rest in the quiet evening, when his labors in Jerusalem were over. Weary he must often have been, and sad at heart when he came away from the proud Pharisees and scornful Sadducees, feeling, "They will not believe; they will not listen; they will not come unto me that they may have life." I can imagine that the walk over the Mount of Olives for nearly two miles in the quiet evening air was very pleasant and refreshing to Him; while it was far more delightful to find at the close of his walk some listening ears and loving hearts, with Martha's ready zeal to serve and make Him welcome, and Mary's quiet joy to sit at his feet and listen to his word. But now He was away in the wilderness, beyond the river Jordan. Those who did not love Him said, "He dares not come back among us; and his own disciples were anxious that He should not return to Jerusalem. Many were coming from the towns and villages round about to see and hear Him. But in that home where He had so often rested there was deep sorrow; for Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, was sick and ready to die. The "friends of Jesus" knew that He would feel for them, believed that He would come to them. They were quite sure that no dangers would keep Him