The parables of Buddha are reported in the Lotus of the Perfect Law to be veiled from the ignorant by means of an enigmatic form of language. The rich man of this parable, with his throne adorned by flowers and garlands of jewels, is announced to be Tathagata (God), who dearly loves all his children, and has prepared for them vast spiritual treasures. But each son of Tathagata has miserable inclinations. He prefers the dung-heap to the pearl mani. To teach such a man, Tathagata is obliged to employ inferior agents, the monk and the ascetic, and to wean him by degrees from the lower objects of desire. When he speaks himself, he is forced to veil much of his thought, as it would not be understood. His sons feel no joy on hearing spiritual things. Little by little must their minds be trained and disciplined for higher truths. PARABLE OF THE WOMAN AT THE WELL. Ananda, a favourite disciple of Buddha, was once athirst, having travelled far. At a well he encountered a girl named Matanga, and asked her to give him some water to drink. But she being a woman of low caste, was afraid of contaminating a holy Brahmana, and refused humbly. "I ask not for caste, but for water!" said Ananda. His condescension won the heart of the girl Matanga. It happened that she had a mother cunning in love philtres and weird arts, and when this woman heard how much her daughter was in love, she threw her magic spells round the disciple and brought him to her cave. Helpless, he prayed to Buddha, who forthwith appeared and cast out the wicked demons. But the girl Matanga was still in wretched plight. At last she determined to repair to Buddha himself and appeal to him. The Great Physician, reading the poor girl's thought questioned her gently:-- "Supposing that you marry my disciple, can you follow him everywhere?" "Everywhere!" said the girl. "Could you wear his clothes, sleep under the same roof?" said Buddha, alluding to the nakedness and beggary of the "houseless one." By slow degrees the girl began to take in his meaning, and at last she took refuge in the Three Great Jewels. * * * * * A common objection to Buddhism is that it fails to proclaim the fatherhood of God. "The loving Father of all that lives." (Tsing-tu-wan.) "Our loving Father and Father of all that breathes." ("Imit. Buddha," p. 67.) (" Daily Manual of the Shaman," cited by Mr. Bowden.) "I am the Heavenly Father (loka pita Swayambhu), the Healer, the Protector of all creatures." (Kern, "Lotus," p. 310.) I will give a pretty parable that pictures Buddha as a Father. PARABLE OF THE BLAZING MANSION.