That they may expect that favour and mercy from God and man, which they show to their fellow-creatures.

Who are the pure in heart?

Those who renounce the lusts of the flesh, that is, who endeavour by God's grace to overcome their sinful tempers and inclinations.

What is their reward?

They shall see God.

How are they said to see God?

By possessing his favour and protection here, and having the "fulness of joy" in his glorious presence hereafter.

How are the peace-makers blessed?

They shall be called the children of God. What sort of happiness attends those so called?

They shall be happy in being the children of God, who is "the God of peace;' and they shall have that peace of God which passeth all understanding.

What is promised to those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake?

Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

What do you mean by righteousness' sake?

For the sake of Christ, or his religion.

Can this apply to any persons besides those who are cruelly beaten for the sake of their religion?

Yes; to those who bear the sufferings and afflictions that God brings upon them, with patience, and submission to his will. What is meant by reviling?

To reproach, and speak ill of any one unjustly.

When people thus suffer for Christ's sake, how should they behave?

Rejoice and be exceeding glad.
Why?

Because great is their reward in heaven.
Who were thus persecuted?

The prophets and martyrs, who suffered great persecutions and torment for the sake of religion.

We learn from this beautiful sermon of our Lord's on the mount, what sort of persons christians ought to be. We see, also, who are truly happy and blessed here and hereafter; even the meek, the humble, the gentle; those who are sorry for their sins, are merciful, and bear all the trials God brings upon them, with patience and cheerfulness. Riches, greatness, and the good things of this world, cannot make you happy, cannot bring you peace of mind, or that joyful hope, which will make you rejoice in the midst of tribulation, even when riches, and pleasures, and health, and youth, and all worldly pleasures are gone. No; be sure that the children of God alone are blessed; they are happy, because they are holy, because they are at peace with God, and have a good hope, that, when they die, they will be taken to be with him for ever.

Oh, bright beatitude!-to claim

That pure, and high, and holy name,
Passport to immortality;

The children of our God on high.

Nor deem the epithet alone
May in maturer years be known;
When childhood passion can subdue,
Children may be peace-makers too.

Each hasty look, or thought, or word, From childish hearts-with passion stirr'd, By heavenly grace, controll'd, supprest, May rank a child among the blest.

And such, wherever they are found,
Diffusing peace and love around,
In the peace-maker's path have trod,
And are the children of their God,

LESSON TWENTY-SEVENTH.

MATT. V. 13-26.

YE are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its sa-vour, where-with shall it be salt-ed? it is thence-forth good for no-thing, but to be trod-den un-der foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A ci-ty that is set on a hill can-not be hid. Nei-ther do men light a can-dle, and put it un-der a bushel, but in a can-dle-stick, and it giv-eth light un-to all that are in the house. Let your light so shine be-fore men, that they may see your good works, and glo-ri-fy your Fa-ther which is in heav-en. Think not that I am come to