The pearl is valuable and desirable, because it cannot easily be stolen away from its owner. When Jesus was upon the earth they did not have banks, with large iron safes where people could deposit their money and jewels for safe keeping. There were many robbers then, and people buried their money and valuables. Often the places where these were concealed were discovered, and then all that they had was stolen. A pearl is small, and could therefore easily be hidden in a place of safety. If war occurred, or for any reason a man and his family had to flee from their home or their country, they could easily carry even the most valuable pearls. The owner could hide it in his mouth, or even swallow it if necessary. If a man had much gold, it was too heavy to carry, and it could readily be discovered and stolen. But a pearl was not so difficult to hide and keep.
The Bible tells us that salvation is something that the world cannot give, and which the world cannot take away. Daniel had this pearl of great price, and even though the king cast him into the den of lions, he could not get it away from him. His three companions with those hard names, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, had this pearl of salvation, and even in the furnace of fire it was not destroyed or taken from them. If you have this pearl of salvation, you can keep it in spite of all the wicked people in the world; you can hide it away in your heart, and all the armies of the world cannot take it away from you. In sickness or in health it will be yours, and even death itself can not rob you of it. It will stay with you in this world, and it will be your joy and gladness in the world to come.
As the merchantman went out seeking the most valuable pearl, so all the world is to-day seeking for something which will satisfy and render their owners happy. There are many good things in this world, but none of them can make any one contented and happy, like the salvation which Jesus gives when we repent of our sins and in faith accept Him as our Saviour. Before you get, or even desire any other pearl, I want each of you to accept of this "Pearl of great price," which is Jesus Christ.
Questions.—Of what is a pearl the symbol in the Bible? Are pearls valuable? Is salvation valuable? Where are pearls principally found? How are they obtained? Are pearls polished like the diamond? Why do people wear pearls? Can we lose pearls by having them stolen? Can we lose salvation? Who would steal it away? Who can give us the "Pearl of great price"?
It is well to have the children learn the answers to many of the leading Bible questions. Try them in the following:—Who was the first man? Who was the first woman? Of what did God make Adam and Eve? Who was the first murderer? Who was the oldest man? Who built the ark? Who had the coat of many colors? Who was the strongest man? Who slew Goliath the giant? With what did David slay Goliath? Who was the wisest man? Who was cast into the den of lions? Who went to Heaven in the chariot of fire without dying? Upon whom did Elijah's mantle fall? A goodly number of similar questions are found on pages [25] and [26].
COAL AND WOOD.
JESUS THE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL LIGHT AND WARMTH.
Suggestion:—The objects used to-day can be a piece of wood, a piece of coal, a candle and a piece of electric light carbon, such as are daily thrown away in towns where the arc lighting is used.