to receive and welcome them.
Amidst these moved up and down shining forms of beautiful beings, such as
the children's eyes had seen only in some happy dream; and they, too,
were their friends; they, too, waited for them on the bank; they, too,
welcomed them with singing, and bore the happy new-comer with songs of
triumph into the shining presence of the merciful King. Then, on the
throne royal, and with the glorious crown upon His head, they saw the
same kind face of gentle majesty which had looked upon them when they
played on the shores of that far rocky isle. They heard again the voice
which had bid them fly the burning mountain. They saw Him who had taken
them into His convoy; who had given them their boats; who had been near
them in the storm; who had given them light in the darkness; who had
helped them in the dull calm; who had never left them; but who had kept
and guided them across the ocean; and who now received them to His never-
ending rest.

* * * * *

_Father_. Who are the children playing on the shores of the rocky
island?

_Child_. The fallen children of fallen parents, born into this sinful
world.

F. What does the burning mountain, and the lightning, and the
hill-storm, represent?

C. The wrath of God ever burning against sinners.

F. Who is He who warned these thoughtless children?

C. The Lord Jesus, who, by His ministers, warns men to "flee from the
wrath to come."

F. What are the boats by which they are to escape?

C. The "ark of Christ's Church," into which we are admitted by baptism.

F. Many of the children who embarked in the boats were lost,--what is
shewn by this?

C. That it is not enough to be received into the congregation of
Christ's flock; but that we must always "manfully fight under His banner
against the world, the flesh, and the devil, and continue Christ's
faithful soldiers and servants unto our lives' end."

F. What is the compass, and the musical instrument, and the bread, and
the water?

C. God's word, and the privilege of prayer and holy sacraments, and the
other gifts of God to His Church.

F. What is the gentle wind which the musical instrument awoke?

C. The grace of God's Holy Spirit, promised to the members of His
Church, to be sought by earnest prayer, and in all the means of grace.

F. What means the boy playing with the berries, and so striking on the
rock?

C. One who having been given up to Christ in baptism follows worldly