I THINK almost everyone loves the springtime, when the ice and snow melt away, and the sun beams down, so warm and bright, the air gets soft and mild and pleasant, and the grass grows green and beautiful. The dear little birds come back to us, and sing and twitter and chirp to each other in the branches of the trees. Yes, it seems as if even the trees and bushes are glad to have the cold winter go away, for they begin to put on a fresh green coat, and then, bye and bye, we see them all decked out with beautiful flowers—some red, some pink and some as white as the snow that covered everything a few weeks ago. How delightful it all is, and how we love to be out of doors, to see the beauty with which God has clothed the earth, to smell the sweet odors that come from every shrub and tree, and to feel the warm, balmy spring air.
Here is a picture of a little girl who seems to be enjoying the springtime. I think her Mamma has allowed her to take off her shoes and stockings, so she can romp and play in the fresh grass, in her little bare feet, and feel the warm soft earth. She has come down here to the pond to play with the little ducklings and her dolly. I wonder what she has in her wagon. It seems to be covered with something and we cannot see what is inside. Perhaps she has another dolly, or perhaps she has some corn to feed to the little ducks. I think probably that is what it is, for I am sure from her face, that she is a kind little girl.
It is coming springtime now and soon some of you little children, who read this paper, will be running about in your bare feet, like the little girl in the picture. Already the grass is green, and the trees are budding, and soon the woods and meadows will be fragrant with the spring flowers. Do you know who it is that makes all of these beautiful things? Oh, you are all ready to answer. Yes, it is our Heavenly Father, who makes the flowers grow in all their beauty, and put the sweet songs into the mouth of the little bird. In the sixth chapter of Matthew, Jesus tells His disciples to look at the little birds. He says, “They sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them.” Then He tells them to “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; and yet,” He says, “even Solomon in all His glory was not arrayed like one of these.” Jesus teaches His disciples that if God takes care of the birds and flowers, they may safely trust Him to take care of them. Shall we not thank God for all His wonderful gifts to us?
“OH THAT MEN WOULD PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS, AND FOR HIS WONDERFUL WORKS TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN.” Ps. 107:8.
ML 05/29/1904