of us. One day we shall all
be called upon to give an account of the talents entrusted to our
keeping, and woe be to those who have abused their stewardship by
hiding their talent away. But those who have done good, according to
the power and opportunity given to them, shall be received into
everlasting joy by Christ the Lord.

[Illustration: THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS.]

* * * * *

MAN WITH THE WITHERED HAND.

One Sabbath-day Jesus went into the synagogue, and there He saw a man
that had a withered hand. By some means the muscles had lost their
power, and he could neither use his hand nor stretch it out. And the
Pharisees watched Jesus, to see if He would heal this man on the
Sabbath, that they might bring a charge against Him of breaking the
law. They asked Him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath-day?" and He
replied by asking who among them, if he had a sheep which had fallen
into a pit on the Sabbath-day, would not lay hold on it, and lift it
out. "How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is
lawful to do good on the Sabbath-day."

Then said He to the man, "Stretch forth thine hand." And he stretched
it forth, and it was made whole and healthy like the other.

Then the Pharisees went out and held a council against Him, to
consider how they might destroy Him; but when Jesus knew it, He
withdrew Himself from that part, and great multitudes followed Him,
and He healed them all.

[Illustration: THE WITHERED HAND.]

JESUS ASCENDS TO HEAVEN.

Jesus had been cruelly put to death. His hands, which had been placed
on the heads of little children when He blessed them, had been nailed
to a cross of wood; and cruel nails had been driven through his feet.
And hanging on the cross, Jesus had died. But on the third day He had
risen from the tomb, and for forty days He had remained upon the
earth, meeting frequently with His disciples. At the end of that time
Jesus led the eleven apostles from Jerusalem towards Bethany; and when
near that village, and away from the multitude, He spoke to them,
promising that they should be made bold by the Holy Spirit, and
receive power to witness for Him both to the Jews and Gentiles. Then,
the Bible tells us, "He lifted up His hands and blessed them. And it
came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and
carried up into heaven." And as He went up, a cloud received Him out
of their sight.

The apostles