Then they went to church.  They found it very much crowded.  An old gentleman took the little girl upon his knee.  He was pleased with her quiet behaviour.  On parting with her at the close of the service, he slipped a half crown into her hand.  “See, Grandma,” she said, as soon as they were out of church, “Jesus has sent us our dinner.”

But when we ask God to help us, we must always try to help ourselves.

“Working as well as Praying.”  Two little girls went to the same school; one of them, named Mary, always said her lessons well, the other, named Jane, always failed.  One day Jane said, “Mary, how does it happen that you always say your lessons so well?” Mary said she prayed over her lessons, and that was the secret of her success.

Jane concluded to try praying.  But the next day she failed worse than ever.  In tears, she reproached Mary for deceiving her.  “But, did you study hard, as well as pray over your lesson?” asked Mary.

“No; I thought if I only prayed, that was all I had to do,” replied Jane.  “Not at all.  God only helps those who try to help themselves.  You must study hard as well as pray, if you wish to get your lessons well,” was Mary’s wise answer.  The next day Jane studied, as well as prayed, and she had her lesson perfectly.

The greatest work we can ever do, is to bring a soul to Jesus, or to convert a sinner from the error of his way.  Here is an illustration of the way in which this may be done by prayer and effort combined: 

“The Coachman and His Prayer.”  “I was riding once, on the top of a stage-coach,” said a Christian gentleman, “when the driver by my side began to swear in a dreadful manner.  I lifted up my heart for God’s blessing on what I said; and presently, in a quiet way, I asked him this question:  ‘Driver, do you ever pray?’ He seemed displeased at first; but after awhile he replied, ’I sometimes go to church on Sunday; and then I suppose I pray, don’t I?’ ’I am afraid you never pray at all; for no man can swear as you do, and yet be in the habit of praying to God.’

“As we rode along he seemed thoughtful.  ’Coachman, I wish you would pray now,’ I said. ’"Why, what a time to pray, Sir, when a man is driving a coach!"’ ‘Yet, my friend, God will hear you,’ ’"What shall I pray?"’ he asked, in a low voice.  ’Pray these words:  ’"O Lord, grant me thy Holy Spirit, for Christ’s sake.  Amen."’ He hesitated, but in a moment he repeated them; and then, at my request, he said them over a second, and a third time.  The end of the journey was reached, and I left him.

“Some months passed away, and we met once more.  ‘Ah, Sir,’ said he, with a smile, ’the prayer you taught me on that coach-box was answered.  I saw myself a lost, and ruined sinner; but now, I humbly hope, that through the blood which cleanseth from all sin, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, I am a converted man.’”

And so, when we think of the twelve apostles, appointed by Jesus to preach his gospel, these are the four things for us to remember in connection with them, viz.:—­the men whom he chose; the work they had to do; the help given them in doing that work; and the lesson we are taught by this subject—­the lesson of prayer.