Upon the hill where Jesus died A thief was plac’d on either side, Each nail’d upon a tree. The one revil’d Christ’s name in death, The other cried, with dying breath, “O Lord! remember me.” The Saviour heard the poor thief’s prayer, And promis’d he would take him where Our God and angels dwell. Alas! his life was spent in sin: What joy a heaven at last to win And to escape from hell! And oh! for him what glad surprise When heavenly glories met his eyes, And Christ array’d in light! He just had seen the dying pains, That had releas’d his soul from chains And everlasting night. Ah! sure of all the hosts that sing The praises of their heav’nly King, His voice will loudest sound: For when just trembling on the brink And just about in hell to sink, Pardon and grace he found. LESSON XLI. THE CROSS—PART III. JOHN, xix. 25-30. MATTHEW, xxvii. 45-54. JESUS’ mother, Mary, stood near the cross. She came to see her son die. She was very sorry; she felt her heart full of pain at the sight. She loved her dear, good son, who had been kind to her ever since he was a baby, and had never done one thing wrong, and she knew he was the Son of God. Jesus was sorry to see his mother’s grief. John had come to the cross, and he was standing near Mary. Jesus wished John to take care of his mother, now that he was going to leave her. So he said to his mother, Behold thy son. And he said to John, Behold thy mother. John knew what Jesus meant, and he took Mary to be his mother, and made her live with him. Jesus loved his mother, and thought of her when he was dying. Jesus was full of pain, and it was very hot. He said, I thirst! and the soldiers took a sponge, and dipped it in vinegar, and put it on a reed and gave it to Jesus. Jesus just tasted the vinegar, and said, It is finished! and then he died. His spirit went to his Father, but his body hung upon the cross. It was three o’clock in the afternoon when Jesus died. He had been nailed to the cross all the day. Before Jesus died, God had made it very dark, to show he was angry with the wicked people. And God made the earth shake, and the people were frightened; and when Jesus was dead, some of them said, This must have been the Son of God. Mary beholds one dying there, Whom in her arms she once did bear, And to her bosom press. On her he casts his pitying eye, For who should now _his_ place supply, And cheer her loneliness? The loving John shall be her son, And cherish her till life is done, Within his humble home: And oft together they shall speak Of him who, once despis’d and weak, At last in clouds shall come. Oh! gentle Lord, how great the love Which made thy tender pity move, E’en in the hour of death! O let me show my parents dear The same kind love and thoughtful care, Until their latest breath.