Faith Taught By Nature.

Faith bids us be of good cheer. Long ago, that old Greek studied the mental operations of a bee, with brain not as large as a pin-head. Here is a little bee, that organizes a city, that builds ten thousand cells for honey, twelve thousand cells for larvae, a holy of holies for the mother queen; a little bee that observes the increasing heat and when the wax may melt and the honey be lost, organizes the swarm into squads, puts sentinels at the entrances, glues the feet down, and then with flying wings, creates a system of ventilation to cool the honey, that makes an electric fan seem tawdry-- a little honey-bee that will include twenty square miles in the field over whose flowers it has oversight. But if a tiny brain in a bee performs such wonders providential, who are you, that you should question the guidance of God? Lift up your eyes, and behold the hand that supports these stars, without pillars, the God who guides the planets without collision. Away with fear! -N. D. Hillis.

A Word of Cheer.

I would flood your path with sunshine

I would fence you from ill

I would crown you with all blessings if

I could but have my will.

Aye! but human love may err, dear

and a power all wise is near.

So I only pray God bless you

and

God keep you through the year.

Unselfishness.

There was a party of twenty-five boys and girls going upon a picnic, and when about to get into the carry all which was to convey them to the picnic grounds, it was found that, with the utmost crowding there was room for only twenty-four, and one little girl was left standing on the ground, and was to be left behind. The disappointment was too great for her to control her feelings, and the tears began to fall, when one of her companions, named Alice, jumped out and said, "Don't cry, Sadie; you get in and take my place; I have been many times, and do not care so very much." The children had a very happy afternoon, but what do you suppose they thought and said about Alice?-- James T. White, "Character Lessons."

A Happy World.

If you and I

just you, and I

Should laugh instead of worry;

If we should grow

just you and I

Kinder and sweeter hearted,

Perhaps in some near by and by

A good time might get started;

Then what a happy world

't would be

For you and me

for you and me!

Willing Service.

A musician is not recommended for playing long, but for playing well; it is obeying God willingly, that is accepted: the Lord hates that which is forced, it is rather a tax than an offering. Cain served God grudgingly; he brought his sacrifice, not his heart. To obey God's commandments unwillingly is like the devils who came out of the man possessed, at Christ's command, but with reluctancy and against their will. Good duties must not be pressed and beaten out of us, as the waters came out of the rock when Moses smote it with his rod; but must freely drop from us, as myrrh from the tree, or honey from the comb. If a willing mind be wanting, there wants that flower which should perfume our obedience, and make it a sweet-smelling savor unto God. by T. Watson.

The Silver Lining.

The Inner side of every cloud

is ever bright and shining.

I therefore turn my clouds about

and always wear them inside out

to show the silver lining.