No. 435        IV. SERIES.

THE BROKEN BOUGH.

Revised by the Committee of Publication of the American
Sunday-school Union.

AMERICAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION.

PHILADELPHIA:

146 Chestnut Street.

THE

BROKEN BOUGH.

Revised by the Committee of Publication, of the American Sunday
school Union.

PHILADELPHIA:

AMERICAN SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION,

No. 146 Chestnut Street.

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THE

BROKEN BOUGH.

"What a beautiful afternoon it is!" said little Charles to his brother on a fine Sunday in the month of May, as they both rose from their seat in the class to return home. "It is, indeed," replied John, as he peeped through the old casement window of the school, and saw the pretty lambs feeding in the broad green meadow in the distance; "it is, indeed, and a fine walk we shall have in the orchard, too."

Now, little Charles loved his school and his teacher also; but the thought of going home had its own peculiar charms, for he loved his dear father and mother, and his little sister Jane: and now he thought, "I shall soon be home, and tell them all that my teacher has told me." Indeed, the children in the class had spent a very happy day; for Mr. Fulton, their teacher, was so kind, and took such pains to make the lessons plain, that all his scholars loved his company; some of them even said that they had never seen the beauties that were in the Bible until he taught them.

They had been repeating that afternoon those verses in the 15th chapter of John's gospel, in which the Saviour compares himself to a vine, and his disciples to the branches. As the orchards were all in full blossom, Mr. Fulton reminded his scholars of the beautiful change which had taken place in the appearance of the trees within the last few weeks. He said, that though their growth and beauty arose partly from the vegetable life which God had given them, and partly from the sun's warm rays, and gentle dews and showers, yet that both their life and growth must be attributed to God.

When they had done reading Mr. Fulton said, "You see, my dear children, that the vine is intended to represent the Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ; through whom spiritual life is conveyed to his people, who are as the branches in the vine. Let me impress this truth upon your minds, that they who are made partakers of this life, are as much dependent on Christ to maintain its existence, as the branch is dependent on the vine for continued nourishment and support."

It is delightful to a teacher to find that his scholars are attentive; and Mr. Fulton was much pleased by a remark from John, who said, "I think, sir, the trees seem to explain the observation which you made this afternoon, that all the followers of Christ love to follow his example, and may be known by their fruit or conduct; for, sir, I see that all