Rachel. Ellen, is that you? You were so quiet, I did not know you were there. And Lucy sitting by your side at work. What are you reading so earnestly, Ellen ?

Ellen. Cousin Rachel, I was looking over the Gospel for to-day. I was trying to remember all that Mr. Croft told us about it. It was so beautiful, cousin, what he said, I cannot bear to forget any of it. He taught us longer than usual to-day. You know he has been into school every day this week before we went into church; but to-day he had more time, because poor old John

Wheeler, that he went to see every day, is dead at last so he stayed longer in school. R. And what did he tell you? Cannot you try to repeat it to me?

E. I will try, cousin; only you know I have not a very good memory. I shall not be able to say it all right.

R. Ah, I remember the last time I asked you what he had been saying, you could hardly tell me any of it. Do you remember that? And then you promised me you would take more pains another time. hope you have been doing so.

I

E. So I have indeed, cousin. I recollect a good deal of what he said. I have been thinking it over in my head ever since.

R. Come then, tell me what he said to you. E. Well, when he came into the school, he said he was glad to see we were all come in time, and were ready to go into church, and were clean and tidy. He always looks so vexed when we go into church untidy. He made Betty Green take off her ragged pinafore; and then he asked us what the day was called in the Prayer-book. He asked Mary Whibble first, and she did not know; at least, she did not answer; but I think she knew, only she was afraid. And then he asked me, and I said Easter-eve, because it is the day before Easter; and then he told us how we ought to think about

our Saviour resting in His grave to-day after His cruel death. And then he told us how the disciples spent this day in tears and sorrow for the loss of their dear Master; and how the holy Church had always taught men ever since to keep this day as a day of fasting and humiliation for their sins, in imitation of the disciples' sorrow; and how we ought to confess our sins, and repent of them, and forsake them, and pray to God most earnestly to pardon them, when we think how He lay in the tomb for our sins on this day; and how we ought to think about the time when we shall be laid in the ground ourselves; and that the more we pray to God, the more we shall be able to leave off our sins. Don't you think So, Cousin Rachel ? Just now I cannot keep thinking of it all; I have kept thinking all day how good He was, to lie down in the cold damp grave for us; I thought I could see Him. Just now, that I have been hearing of all this, I cannot get it out of my head, and I do not wish. If I could always think as I do now, I should never do any thing wrong again to displease Him.

R. I am sure, dearest Ellen, if we only always think of what He did and suffered for our sins, we shall never like to sin against Him. But tell me some more of what Mr. Croft said to you.

E. He reminded us how the Christians in old times used to fast during this holy week, and weep, and humble themselves for their sins, more than they had done all through Lent; that on this day, which ends the time of mourning, they might bury all their sins in His grave, and rise, with holy and clean hearts, to live with Him for ever. O Cousin Rachel, I thought of what you told me once

before about the seven services of the first Christians, when he told us of their fasting and weeping so for their sins; and I almost cried to think how good they were: we ought to be as good as they were, ought not we?

R. We must try, dear Ellen, to be like them. Indeed, we are very, very far less good than they were; but we may grow more like them, if we try. We cannot do all that they did; but if we try to do our best, and follow the directions of the holy Church as closely as we can, God will help us, and make us better. But go on.

E. Well, Mr. Croft made Lucy say the Collect; and then he told us how we ought to recollect to-day that we were baptised into the death and burial of our Saviour; and that we must continually try to "mortify our evil and corrupt affections," that we may be buried with Him, and that, through His merits, we may pass to a joyful resurrection. I did not exactly understand what he meant,

but I knew it was what the Church told us in the Collect. I was just thinking if I might ask him, but he explained it to us of himself. I wonder whether he would have thought me very bold, if I had asked him. Do you think he would, cousin?

R. I am sure he would have been very glad you should ask, if you asked in a proper manner. But he told you without: what did he say

E. He said, that when we were baptised, we promised to leave off our sins and follow our Lord; that we were to imitate Him in what He did. Because He died for our sins, we were to crucify and kill them, and have nothing more to do with any wicked thoughts; and because He was buried in the grave, and rose again to lead a heavenly life, we were to leave our former wickedness behind us, as if it was dead and buried in His grave, and to lead new lives; and that we ought to try and think to-day of every thing we had done wrong, and resolve to leave it off, and pray for pardon, that we might rise with Him to-morrow, when He comes forth from His tomb.

Ann is brightening the tables in the kitchen. Lucy and Jane run in, loaded with flowers. Ellen follows them.

Lucy. Well, Ann, we have got a good