insisting that Mount Gerizim, in Samaria, was the place where He chose to be served. This was the great subject of dispute between them, and the cause of endless quarrels and jealousies.

At the foot of Mount Gerizim stood a city called Sychar. One day, as our Savior was travelling through the country, he came to this city, and being wearied with the journey, sat down by the side of a well, which was at the entrance of Sychar, to rest himself, and desired his disciples to go and buy some food in the city.

While our Lord remained waiting for their return, a Samaritan woman came from the city to draw water from the well; and as she brought a pitcher in her hand, with which to draw the water, our Savior asked her to give him some to drink.

Instead of answering Him, or complying with His request, she was so much astonished at His speaking to her, that she could only say in a tone of surprise, 'How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, who am a woman of Samaria ?' In reply to which our Lord said, 'If you knew who it is that said to you, Give me to drink, you would have asked Him, and he would have given you living water.'

By which he meant the gift of the Holy Spirit, which God gives to all who ask for it, and which is very often

spoken of in the Bible under the name of water, because it refreshes our souls, as water does our bodies.

However, the woman not knowing that it was the Son of God who was before her, but supposing him to be a common traveller, never guessed that this was his meaning, but thought that he knew of some delightful, refreshing stream near. So she inquired where he found that living water.

To which our Savior answered, that the water which he would give was not like that in the well, but would continue springing up in the soul to everlasting life.

Still the woman did not understand Him; so he desired her to call her husband; 'I have no husband,' said she. 'Thou hast said truly,' answered our Savior; for thou hast had five husbands, and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband.'

The woman now perceived that she had been speaking to no common person, and struck with his perfect knowledge of what she had done so many years before, she exclaimed, 'Sir, I see that thou art a prophet.'

And now, thinking this a good opportunity to settle the dispute which had for so long subsisted between the two countries, she begged he would declare where God was to be worshipped. Most beautiful was our Lord's answer.

He told her that it was neither in Jerusalem nor on Mount Gerizim, but in the heart, where God chose to be worship

ped; and that those alone are true worshippers who worship Him there !

Dear children, think of our Lord's answer to the Samaritan woman when you kneel down to offer your prayers, and take care that you lift up your heart with your hands unto God in the heavens ;' otherwise you may utter many words, but will have said no prayer.

you

The woman, not quite understanding this answer, said, 'I know that when Christ comes, He will tell us all things:' upon which the Lord Jesus said, 'I that speak unto thee am He!'

Just at that moment, the disciples returned with the food they had been sent for; and the woman who was, by this time, very much impressed with what he had been saying, and especially with his last words, put down her pitcher in haste, and ran back to the city, where she called the people together, and said, 'Oh come with me, and see a man that told me all that ever I did: is not this the Christ?'

Delighted with the hope that it was indeed the Savior, they immediately followed her, and she led them to the well where our Lord still remained. They then most earnestly begged that he would not leave them, but would return with them into the city.

It was our compassionate Savior's desire to quiet animosities, to reconcile disputes, and to afford us an example of

forbearance and charity towards all men; and thereforeagainst all the customs and prejudices of his country, he accompanied the Samaritans into Sychar, and staid with them two days.

During this time, his gracious deportment and doctrines so won their hearts, that a great number believed in him, from only hearing him speak; for 'never man spake like this man.'

How does the conduct of the Samaritans put to shame our coldness and indifference towards our Savior! How anxious, how eager were they to hear the words of one who was but a stranger to them! and shall we, his own disciples and children, turn carelessly away! We cannot, as they did, ask him to stay with us in person, but we may entreat him to dwell in our hearts; for he expressly declares, he will 'dwell with him that is of an humble spirit.'

We may say, like king David, 'Go not far from me, O Lord;' and most needful is that prayer; since our Lord assures us, that if he does not abide in us, not only we can do nothing good, but we shall surely be cast away like a withered branch. Keep near, then, to this Friend: he will never leave you, if you do not leave him; and it is only when you are with him that you are safe.

THE NOBLEMAN'S SON.

AFTER his visit to the Samaritans, our Lord proceeded on his journey to Galilee, where he was received by the people with great joy, for his fame had spread far and wide, and every one was anxious to see and hear him.

The news of His return soon reached to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, where there lived a nobleman, whose son was dangerously ill. Every remedy had failed-the skill tender care of his father, were all in

of the doctor, and the

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and he was now lying at the point of death.

Grieved and sad, the poor father had still one hope left: he had heard of the mercy and great power of the Lord Jesus, and he determined to go to Him himself, and entreat him to come and cure his son.

Full of this last hope, he immediately set off for Cana, where our Savior was staying, and which was about a day's journey from Capernaum; and entering into the presence of Christ, he besought him to come and cure his child.

Our Savior did not, however, immediately grant his request; but, either seeing the unbelief which lurked in his