400 CHILDREN'S BOOK FOA' SA4BBA TiH 1 U'S.

fell, and a lifeless body swung in the air. to be able to say, We are almost home,
Just at this moment a horseman came Susie dear."
into sight, his steed covered with foam. Sometimes, on a warm summer day,
He bore a reprieve for the prisoner. He the school-house becomes very oppres-
almost reached there in season, but he sive. You long for recess, that you may
was a moment or two too late, and a com- have a breath of fresh air and be released
paratively innocent man had died an ig- from your wearisome confinement. You
nominious death. look up at the clock. Only a few minutes
 What is it, like Agrippa, to be al- more-the session is almost through. Is
most persuaded to become a Christian, not almost a pleasant word at such a time ?
but never to become one, and lose the It is your first term at school away
soul ? from home. You have at last passed
 And what is it to be not far from the through the trying experience of home-
kingdom of heaven," but never to enter sickness. You have made many new
that blessed place ? friends, and are enjoying your studies.
 Almost! Yes, it is a very important But did the dear ones at home ever
word. It is strikingly illustrated in our before seem so dear ? How you long
picture. again to meet them. You count the
 But this word is also sometimes a very weeks and now the days. With what a
comforting word. You have a hard les- thrill of pleasure you can now say, "Va-
son that you have been poring over a cation is almost here!"
long time, till your head throbs with pain. But never, perhaps, is that word more
How comforting is the thought, at such precious, than it is sometimes to the dy-
times, that the lesson is almost learned ing saint, when he can exclaim, "Almost
A few minutes more of earnest study, home !" May all our young friends be
and it is done. not only almost but altogether persuaded
 You are returning from school, kindly to become the disciples of Jesus, and, at
leading your little sister-as every good the end of their pilgrimage, as they be-
brother and sister loves to do. It begins hold the pearly gates of the celestial city,
to storm and the little one becomes tired; be able to exclaim, Almost there! al-
she can hardly lift one little foot after the most home !" and then to enter in to en-
other; and she is ready to cry. How it joy forever the blessedness of that glo-
relieves both the little one and yourself rious home in heaven.