The author makes no claim to originality for much of the material presented, but he has given a new setting to old truths, a setting which experience has proved to be interesting to the children of his own congregation.

It may seem that the wording of some of these sermons is beyond the grasp of the children for whom it was intended.  Two things are to be noted in this connection.  First, a child resents being talked down to.  He soon detects a condescending smile and mock affability in a speaker.  And when he detects these he closes the door of his heart against the message.  Second, it is better to give the child something to grow to, provided it is not too far beyond his grasp.  But here again experience is the best criterion.  The children who have heard these sermons have enjoyed them, and have carried their substance and lessons home with them to repeat to older ears.

They are offered to the public, therefore, in the hope that they may suggest a method, add a little to the scant supply of material for children’s sermons, and serve to interest other children as well.

H.J.C.

Orange, New Jersey.

A BIBLE-RIDDLE

Boys and girls are all fond of riddles, and I am sure you will be surprised to know that there is one of the best riddles of all in the Bible, one that is very hard to guess, and yet one that has a fine lesson in it when I tell you the answer.

This riddle was told by Samson on his wedding-day, and nobody would ever have guessed it if his wife had not let the secret out.

But first I must tell where Samson got his riddle.  Well, one day with his father and mother he was walking down the road to the land where the Philistines lived.  And according to the story, a young lion rushed out at him from behind some bushes, and Samson, being a very strong man, broke its jaws and killed it, and left its carcass behind some bushes by the roadside.

Some time afterward he was going down that road again, and he turned aside to see what had become of the carcass.  And what do you think he found there?  This:  a swarm of wild bees had made their nest in that carcass.  Now, Samson was fond of honey, and he took the comb of honey with him and ate it as he walked along the road.  And as he walked he made up this riddle:  “Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness.”  That means that out of this lion which would have eaten him up he got something to eat, and out of this strong beast he got something sweet.

I suppose you will wonder what sort of lesson for boys and girls anyone can draw from that.  You say you will never meet a lion on the roadside.