[Illustration: THE PARABLE OF THE LEAVEN.]




SEEKING FOR HIDDEN TREASURE.


The people of Canaan, both in ancient and modern days, have made a
practice of hiding their treasures. This they have done to secure them
in times of danger. When invaders flocked into the land, the people
buried their gold and jewels, and fled. And often they died, or were
overtaken by their enemies and killed, so that they were unable to
return and regain their buried riches. Earthquakes also have taken
place, destroying towns and villages, and burying all the riches in
them beneath their ruins. Thus there is much hidden treasure in
Canaan, and numbers of the inhabitants spend their time seeking
diligently and anxiously for it.

Our artist shows us a man who is thus seeking. He has heard that in
old times a great treasure was hidden in a particular field. So he
digs away patiently in various places until, at last, he finds out
that what he heard is quite true. He is sure the treasure is _there_;
and his desire is to become possessed of the field, so that he may
obtain the buried riches. He is willing to sell all that he has if by
so doing he may buy that field. So he hastens home, and gathers
together the whole of his property and sells it. Then he takes his
money to the man who has the land for sale, and buys the field of him.
Thus he becomes possessed of the treasure he has sought after. Jesus
says that the Kingdom of Heaven is like that treasure. It is so