“’To him, who in the love of nature holds
        Communion with her visible forms she speaks
        A various language.’

“And Shakespeare tells of finding ’tongues in trees, books in running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.’

“Greatest of all is the fact that God is there.  Every tree, every bush, every blade of grass, every flower, speaks of His presence—­of His love and care for us.  Dr. Van Dyke, in many beautiful passages pleads with us to turn our thoughts from the things which make us unhappy—­the wild rush for fame and fortune, for the attainment of that which disappoints and discourages—­to the quietness expressed by nature.  In his book, ‘The Ruling Passion,’ we find this beautiful sentiment:  ’It is the part of wisdom to spend little of your time upon the things that vex and anger you, and much of your time upon the things that bring you quietness and confidence and good cheer.  A friend made is better than an enemy punished.  There is more God in the peaceful beauty of this little wood-violet than in all the angry disputation of the sects.  We are nearer heaven when we listen to the birds than when we quarrel with our fellow-men.  I am sure that none can enter into the spirit of Christ, His evangel, save those who willingly follow His invitation when He says, ’Come ye yourselves apart in a lonely place and rest awhile.’

“It is a most beautiful thought.  Let us ponder it in our hearts.  Let us seek to find God and His goodness to us in everything that He has placed about us.  Many a man who says he has not found God in nature has failed to see the blessings which have come to him—­which are his every moment of his life.  The fruit, the flowers, the grains—­everything that supplies him with the necessities of life and earthly happiness come from the hand of God.  Let us feel that all nature is a sort of puzzle picture, and that by looking, looking, looking, we can find God in everything.  And in finding Him, let us learn from nature the lessons of humility, of sacrifice, of joy and good cheer; for it is for this that God has given us these blessings.  It is only when we thus seek Him that we may look ‘through nature up to nature’s God.’”

THE HEART of the TROUBLE
    —­Temperance Day
    —­Sobriety

A Temperance Talk in Acrostic—­One Great Evil Power—­Beware!

THE LESSON—­That the deadly drink evil appears to its victims in the most alluring and deceptive form.

The following talk necessitates the use of lettering only, but it affords an opportunity for the audience to take a part, especially if the company of hearers is made up largely of children.  The climax is not to be anticipated, and the effect cannot be other than lasting.  The talk may be varied to suit local conditions; specific incidents make the best impressions.  It is suggested that you watch your newspapers for a period preceding the talk and make clippings of incidents to fit the points of the first seven paragraphs.  It is well to ask the children to repeat each word as it is placed on the drawing paper.