to the child, solemnly related to him how their forefathers had been oppressed in Egypt, and how the Lord had brought them out thence, with a mighty arm. HARRIETTE. I remember the verses in Exodus, which say, "It shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? that ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians." LYDIA. Yes; the lamb was slain, and the blood sprinkled on the door-posts, that the destroying angel of the Lord might pass by their houses, when he slew the first-born of the Egyptians. It was to be roasted, not boiled, that it might be sooner ready, and strengthen more those who partook of it; it was to be eaten in a standing posture, as by men prepared for instant departure; it was to be consumed entire, for the whole people were to quit their dwellings never to return, and no bone of it was to be broken, for this is the act of men who have time and leisure for their meal. HARRIETTE. How joyful the Jews seem to have been at the time of the passover. LYDIA. Yes; no nation ever more carefully studied to remove all trace of sorrow from religious services, than the Jews. All their regulations enjoined this, all the customs of Israel proceeded on the principle that the marks of mourning should be carefully removed from their worship. To praise, to give thanks, to sing, to make a joyful noise unto the Lord, to be glad on the day which he had made, to rejoice in him, are all expressions by which their religious services are described. But here comes Thomas with the candles, and now you can read to yourself, and after you have again read as much as you feel inclined to, you can reflect on the happiness and honour the Jews at that time enjoyed, as the reward of their obedience; and on their dispersion afterwards, and the almost contempt with which they are now treated, and you will see how truly the prophecies concerning them have been ful filled. ON PRAYER. "Prayer is the simplest form of speech That any lips can try; Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach ELLEN. ANNE, you say we ought to imitate our Saviour's conduct whenever we can, but I do not think there are many cases in which it is possible. You know he was continually healing the sick, restoring cripples to the use of their limbs, and raising the dead to life. These things are out of our power to imitate. ANNE. Certainly; but for this reason, those particulars in which we are able to follow his example should be observed by us with |