So every half holiday found Jamie seated by her side in the beautiful library, earnestly studying the words of the Master, who has said, “Suffer little children to come unto Me.”

Skating-time came and went; the last ice had melted from the pond; but never once had Jamie gone skating.  He had found a source of better, deeper delight, than even boyish sports could afford.

But Jamie could not always hide the fact that he was spending his time in this way.

[Illustration:  “It’s me Testament, father.”]

One day, his well-worn Testament fell from his pocket in the presence of his parents.

“What’s that?” demanded the father fiercely.

“It’s me Testament, father,” Jamie gently replied.

“And where did ye get that?  Have ye been to the Sabbath school since I told ye not?”

“No, father; but my teacher gave me this a great while ago.”

“And who is your teacher?”

“Miss L.”

“What, Miss L.?  The one that lives in that splendid house on the hill?”

“Yes, father.”

“Well, well, what’s in the book? let’s hear a bit.”

[Illustration:  “What’s in the book? let’s hear a bit.”]

Providentially, this was one of the rare occasions when Mr. Ryan was not intoxicated, and as the boy read passage after passage from his beloved book, the father’s mind opened with a child-like interest to the truths of the holy word.

From that day he became a sincere inquirer after the truth as it is in Jesus.  The appetite for strong drink, which had been the cause of his degradation, was at last quenched; for a stronger thirst had taken possession of his soul, even for that purifying stream of which whosoever drinketh shall never thirst.

When sober, Mr. Ryan was an industrious and intelligent man, and by his renewed energies his family was soon placed in a position of comfort and respectability.  But that was not all the good effect of Jamie’s love for the truth.

Within a few months, both father and mother had cast off the fetters of restraint, and were receiving for themselves with meekness and earnestness, that precious word which was able to save their souls.

Had not Jamie made the very best use of his winter holidays? and was not his teacher richly rewarded for all her exertions?

How many of our young readers will study with equal earnestness the word of truth, which is always open to them, that they may learn from it the way of life?  How many Christian teachers will engage with equal interest in the work of instruction, in the hope that in so doing they may save a soul from death?

* * * * *

Hosanna to the Son
  Of David and of God,
Who brought the news of pardon down,
  And bought it with His blood.

To Christ the anointed King
  Be endless blessings given;
Let the whole earth His glories sing,
  Who made our peace with heaven.