Did you ever see a flying squirrel? Perhaps you have seen little squirrels in their cages, and you may have seen them flying round in their wheels with lightning-like rapidity; but the flying squirrel has two little flaps on its sides that look something like wings, and it can spread these out and gradually hover down, as a leaf would gently fall to the ground. It is, no doubt, God’s wonderful provision for it.
Come with me for a few minutes, and let us look into a cage where two of these little flying creatures have their home. Now they are out on the wheel, running and jumping, leaping over one another, having their games on the wheel as it flies about; now they run back through a little round opening into the other part of their cage; another moment, and with a nimble spring they are up in their bedroom which swings above their sitting room, or dining room, on the first floor. Up and down, and in and out, they go, frolicking with apparently as much enjoyment as lively boys and girls set free from the restraints of the school-room.
But it is after the sun goes down and night comes on that these little creatures are so active and full of life. Running, jumping, eating—all night long they go. And what do they do when day light comes? Take a peep into their cage and you will find them quietly cuddled down in their upstairs room. If it should be cold weather they will have the piece of flannel, which their kind mistress has given them, dragged up to their sleeping bunk, and nicely spread over them and tucked under to keep them snug and warm. They seem to know better how to take care of themselves than little boys and girls often do. There they will lie all day long, and when evening comes; up they will jump and begin their gambols.
But let us look into another and larger cage which stands nearby. Here are two little chipmunks. Boys and girls who live in the country have, many of them, seen these pretty little squirrels, with their bushy tails, as they ran up and down the trees, or jumped from branch to branch, and from tree to tree, or as they whisked along the road. But here are two in a cage. They are different from their little winged neighbors; for they sleep in the night and frolic in the day time. Now, put an acorn in between the wires and see how quickly one of the little “chips” takes it, and how nimbly he turns it round and round, biting as he turns, until very soon the shell has all dropped off, and the inside of the acorn has disappeared, but where? Give him another acorn, and now watch sharply, else you will not see. While he quickly turns it round, biting off the shell, take a glance at his face—one cheek is puffed out but the other is not; now look—so quick you can scarcely see it, and the acorn is gone; and, now the other cheek is puffed out! Give him another acorn and see what, he will do, for now both cheeks are full. Ah! he is ready for a third; round and round it goes; in another minute it is in his mouth and with a nimble hop and jump he has found his way to his little upper room; he quickly deposits his precious store in one corner of it, and with empty mouth and cheeks, down he comes, ready to receive again, and lay by for the time when acorns cannot be gathered.
Now give him some bread and milk. Ah! he makes his breakfast on that. He seems to know that it will not do to store that away.
What lessons can we learn from this; for there are many lessons to be learned from watching the ways of the creatures God has made. We can see God’s care for the little squirrels in making them so fleet that dogs and other enemies cannot overtake them; and in making them so agile that they can quickly mount any tree and, jumping from limb to limb, and from tree to tree, can find nuts and acorns upon which to feed. Our first lesson then will be to praise God for His goodness and His care towards His creatures.
But I think we can learn another lesson from the squirrels. God has given them wisdom, so that they lay by their food in its season, and when the cold winter days come and no nuts are to be found, they have only to go to their storehouse under the ground, or up in some hollow tree, and feast upon what has been garnered in. But how did the little chipmunks, shut up in the cage, get their food? It was handed to them and they had only to receive it, but with the sagacity that God had given them, they stored it away.
Now, dear boys and girls, how can you lay by in store for the time to come? All! God is making provision for you. He has given His well-beloved Son. Do you receive Him? Have you accepted Christ as your Saviour? If so, not only have you food now, but you will have a wonderful store garnered in—a store upon which you can feast, and which you will enjoy for all eternity.
R.
ML 01/14/1900