makes its tiny nest. When we remember that the birds have no tools, nothing but their little feet and bill, with which to work, we wonder at the nice, comfortable beds they make for their babies, and we are sure that God alone taught them. THE NEST-BUILDERS. The green boughs rustle by my window, Out of the free, four winds of heaven, I hear the light wings, flitting, flitting; They gather up the gifts I throw them, No thanks, dear little merry workers! April 17. And He took them (the little children) up in His arms. put His hands upon them, and blessed them.-Mark. x. 16. "IF the Bible did not say that God is love, would we know it in any other way, mamma? was the question little Clayton asked, as he read the text, "God is love.” His mamma told him to look out the open window and tell her what he saw. "I see pretty flowers in the garden, and the apple-trees covered with white and pink blossoms; I see the blue sky, and the river yonder," he answered. Then his mother asked, "Who gives you the pure air to breathe, and sends the sunlight and dew upon the earth? Through whose love are you provided with home, and kind friends to care for you when you are ill? Who gave His dear Son to die that you might live?" 'God," the little boy answered reverently; "yes, we would know that even if the Bible did not say so." 66 God is love,' ELIZABETH P. ALLAN. FLOWERS. Buds and bells! Sweet April pleasures, White, and gold, and crimson treasures When the weary little flowers Strength and freshness God supplies ; Cares for little children too! Then He gives the pleasant weather, Though we cannot hear you singing Surely God can see you bringing, FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL. April 18. Awake to righteousness, and sin not.-1 COR. xv. 34. It was a little brown bulb down in the ground that had thrown up those beautiful flowers. The bulb had no beauty in itself; it might have said, "I am of no use, and I will lie still here in the ground and rest.” Then no blooming time would have come to it, and the bright and graceful flowers would not have been born to gladden our eyes. But the bulb had gone on gathering strength and nourishing juices from the soil, and had been guarded from the worm, and now we enjoy the beauty of its bloom. Children are like bulbs, and if they are not idle and careless, but work in all things to gather in the right qualities for good and useful lives; and if they keep the worm of sin from eating out the germ of good from their hearts, they will surely find a blooming-time in this world and in the home above. THEODORE H. MACK. LITTLE GARDENS. Little gardens may have room So, in all our hearts may be Little gardens, sweet and fair, If we check the weeds of sin, And keep goodness growing there. EMELIE POULSSON. April 19. To him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. -PROV. xi. 18. IF the spring puts forth no buds or blossoms, in summer there will be no beauty, and in autumn no fruit. A SONG. Scatter in spring-time a handful of seeds, Down by the roadside and over the meads, And gather in summer a lapful of flowers. Scatter in childhood kind words and deeds, Scatter them everywhere, through all the hours; Harper's Second Reader. April 20. Thou hast put gladness in my heart.-PSA. iv. 7. No matter if it is raining outside, let us try to make sunshine inside. Gather about the window and watch the rain as it comes down upon the grass,—and the showers as they water the earth; look up and see clouds full of rain, those "wandering cisterns in the sky,"— and remember who fills them with water to refresh the thirsty flowers, and shrubs, and trees, and to give drink to every thirsty creature. What music there is, as the pearly drops patter against the window-panes ! Among some of the ways to make sunshine, are:First, not to think of what might have been, if the day had been better. Second,—see how many pleasant things there are left to enjoy. Third,-do all you can to make others happy. Try this plan the next rainy day, and see if sunshine in the heart does not make sunshine everywhere. SING. Sing, little bird, when skies are blue; Sing through the raindrops, falling fast. Sing, light heart, in sunny weather; Sing, dear heart, when storm-clouds gather; MARY E. Carter. April 21. A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.-PROV. XV. 13. A BRIGHT Smile, a beaming countenance, a playful word, these find an entrance into the closed heart, and raise the downcast eye, and bless him that gives and him that takes. SUNSHINE. DEAN STANLEY. "I wish the beautiful sun would shine Beaming over the whole great world, "I wish that every gloomy cloud Wherever it came from,-I don't know "I wish, I wish,-but what is the use For grandmother says that clouds and shine |