April 26

Cast thy burden upon the Lord. — PSALM IV. 22.

If God then so clothe the grass, which is to-day in the field, and to-morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? — LUKE xii. 28.

THIS is the Master's comforting conclusion from looking at a lily. Visible nature without, he teaches, is to illustrate the invisible nature within. Sight is to confirm faith, not to displace it. His doctrine is the direct opposite of that of some to-day who have been learning of the beauty and wonder of the natural world. These, seeing how much that is exquisite in structure perishes, reverse our Lord's saying, and would make it read, "If God so clothe the grass, which to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not also cast you into the oven, O ye of too presumptuous faith?" The Son, who knew the Father's heart, says, Nay. The lesson he reads us from the illuminated manuscript of the fields is in effect this: He who bestows his love on the least, shall he not lavish it upon the greatest? If he does so much to delight the eye, shall he not do more to comfort the soul? Consider that the lily, in all its beauty of color and perfection of form and delight of perfume, is simply to give you joy. The flower is neither useful for medicine nor good for food. It rises radiant at the Father's touch purely for your gratification. If your Father, then, so loves to make you happy, how truly must he love to make you good! His care for your enjoyment proves his tireless endeavor to transform you into his image.

C.C. Eff Aug

If our love were but more simple We should take him at his word; And our lives would be all sunshine In the gladness of the Lord.

FABER.