“RAIN, rain, go away, come again another day." A child's voice so full of trouble that it sounded almost like a cry, half singing, half saying the words with which my story opens, reached the ear of Alfred Mayfield, as he crossed the hall of his father's house one rainy day last February. He stood for a few moments with one hand on the handle of the street door, as if about to open it, then said, almost in a whisper, as if speaking to himself, "Poor little Amy, it must have been quite a disappointment for her not being able to go to M—to-day; I wonder if I could cheer her up." In less time than it takes to write it, his waterproof and umbrella were returned to their places, and re-crossing the hall he entered the family sitting-room in search of his little sister.
He had not far to seek, for Amy stood at the window, looking out with a very blank face into the damp, cheerless street.
So absorbed indeed the child had been that she did not seem to hear the approach of her brother. Bending over the little girl, he lifted her gently down from the high stool on which she had perched herself, then drawing a cozy arm-chair up to the fire, seated himself with Amy on his knee.
Amy smiled through tears into her brother's face, then laying her small, thin hand on his arm, said softly, "Oh, Bertie, this is nice; but I thought you wanted to go out?”
“So I did, little sister," Alfred answered in a very cheerful tone, "I wanted to go and see a poor sick boy, who is in my Sunday-school class, but I think I wanted still more to stay at home and comfort a lonely little girl.”
“Yes, Bertie, I am lonely. You don't know how dull it is, now dear mamma is in heaven. Papa has to stay so late at the office, and Mrs. Green is always busy, and says I must amuse myself and not worry her; and you know I must not talk to you when you are at your books. Oh dear, how I do wish the Doctor would say I was strong, and let me go to school again. And, please Bertie, if it is not very naughty to ask, why do you think God let the rain come to-day, so that I can't even go into the garden?”
“Because He loves you, little sister. He knows how glad you are to welcome the spring flowers. You cannot see them yet, though, perhaps, after the rain is over we may find a few snowdrops in the garden border, just like messengers sent to tell us that the spring is coming; that crocuses, violets, and primroses will soon be here, but the raindrops are needed.
“A very long time ago God said to ‘Noah, Seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.' (Gen. 8:2222While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. (Genesis 8:22).) And resting on His word we know that sunshine and showers, bright days and dark ones alike tell us of the wisdom and the love of our heavenly Father.
“You have often heard about the Lord Jesus and His love to little children; but have you trusted in Him as your very own Savior? Do you know Him as your Friend—One who loves you? Yes, dear Amy, His love can comfort a lonely little girl, and turn even a dull and rainy day into a bright and happy time. Shall we kneel down together and speak to the Lord in prayer?”
Amy knelt by her brother's side, and I am sure her heart went with her brother's words, as he prayed that the Good Shepherd Jesus might bless and keep His little lamb.