Year: 1868




Rain, rain, rain again do think it's
too mean for any thing. | believe it's just
done on purpose to spite me. Anniversary
day of all days


And little Nellie Horton jumped out Of
bed, and walking to the window, stood look
ing out upon the pouring rain with face AS
dark and lowering as the clouds themselves,
and eyes ready to shed their own food Of an
cry tears.


"Nelly, who sends the rain?"
Nelly started at the sound of the quiet
voice near her, and turning round, saw her
mother looking grayely at her. The color
came into her face, and she looked little
ashamed, but she broke out again passionate
ly;-


al know what you mean, mother, and |
suppose I'm very wicked; but can't help it.
It's just too hard to be borne I'm sure there
wasn't any more rain needed it's rained for
a month, almost every day. and why we
couldn't have just one pleasant day for our
Sabbath-school parade I'm sure | can't see.
think it's rery hard" And now the tears
came showering almost as fast as the rain.


And so it is hard for YOU my dear" said
Mrs. Horton, sitting down and drawing the
child i'll her little white night-dress upon her
lap "but is not the name of your class the
Little Cross-bearers,' and cannot you try to
bear this cross patientlyi Remember how
heavy a cross your Saviour bore for you, how
God loved you well enough to let Him die for
you, and that it is God who sends you now
this trial. Can't you try to bear it as He
would wish? ?"


IF could only see the use of it," sobbed
poor Nelly, still broken-hearted; 50 many
children to be disappointed; why does God
do it if he loves US ?"


All, my child, we cannot know the tehy
of all that God does, aud it is not best that
we should We should then have no room
for faith and trust in him. But we must be-
lieve that all he does is for oup good, because
he is our Father, and loves far better than
our earthly father can love us. Baby did
not know why papa held him so firmly on his
lap the other day. while the doctor scraped
his little soft arm with lancet; but papa
knew that he must be vaccinated, to save him
from danger of dreadful disease, and so let
him bear the pain, though it hurt his heart to
hear baby cry more than the lancet hurt the
little arm. And don't you remember that
after it was over, baby threw his arms round
papas neck, and put up his little lips just as
lovingly and trustingy as ever.


"Now that is what want my little daught-
er to do. / know you can't help feeling bad
ly, and I'm very, very sorry you should be-
disappointed But | want you to try to be-
leye that God loves you, and would not will
lingly grieye you, any more than papa or !
would, for He is infinitely wise and good, |
want you to remember the motto Of your class,
and to determine to bear this cross just as
patiently and brayely as you can, and say in
your heart, as Christ said, Not my will, but
thine be done And will try to help you,
and perhaps the day may pass very pleasant
ly vet. And even if it does not you will be
happier when you go to bed tonight to know
that you have been good girl and tried to
please God than if you had pouted and fret
ted all day Don't you think sol"


Nelly hid her face in her mothers bosom.
an try, mother" she said, her lips still
quivering, and her eyes full.


Her mother kissed her tenderly, saying,
You know where to ask for help" and then
went quietly out Of the room.