She is always very busy, and especially so at the beginning of the winter, for then she has to unpack her great feather bed, and after that is done she spends all of her time shaking it. Indeed she shakes it so much that she wears many holes in it, through which the feathers fly in all directions. The wind catches them up and carries them gently to the earth, where they cover the bare limbs of the trees, making them beautiful, and where they spread lightly on the ground and protect the roots of the flowers from the cold winter winds. Mother Hulda does not tire of shaking her bed until the warmer spring winds begin to blow; then she packs it away until she sees Jack Frost traveling again over the world below, and finds traces of the mischievous fellow even in her lofty home.--_Selected_. * * * * * OUR LESSON.--March 8. * * * * * PREPARED BY MARGUERITE COOK. * * * * * Title.--Watchfulness (Temperance Lesson).--Luke 12:35-48. Golden Text.--Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching.--Luke 12:37. _Golden Text for Beginners_.--_Even a child maketh himself known by his doings_.--Prov. 20:11. Truth.--Be always ready. 1. Jesus told his disciples that they must be always ready and watching for his coming. [Illustration] 2. He told them to be like faithful servants, who, with their lights burning, wait for the return of their absent master. 3. He said that the master who should come home and find his servants watching for him would be pleased. [Illustration] 4. He would invite them to sit down at his table, and he would serve them himself. 5. Those faithful servants would receive a blessing. 6. Jesus warns us all to watch and be faithful about our work, so that when he comes again we will be ready. 7. He says that no one knows the day nor the hour when he will return. 8. The master chooses the faithful servants to rule over his house. 9. The unfaithful servant will not be found watching when his master shall come. 10. He will spend his time in eating and drinking and abusing his fellow-servants. [Illustration] 11. The master will come when he is not expected, and will see these evil deeds and punish the servant for his unfaithfulness. * * * * * QUESTIONS. What is the Golden Text? What is the Truth? 1. For what did Jesus tell his disciples to watch? 2. Like whom did he tell them to be? 3. Who would be pleased to find his servants watching? 4. What would he invite them to do? 5. What would they receive if found faithful? 6. What does Jesus warn us all to do? 7. Who knows when Jesus will return? 8. Who will be made ruler over his master's house? 9. Who will not be found watching? 10. How will he spend his time? 11. Who will come when he is not expected? * * * * * LESSON HYMN.