I was walking past a little park one summer morning while my spirit was sad and my heart full of little cares. Thoughts had risen by the way, which, like dark clouds, intervened between my soul and God. As I looked upon the wet and muddy road, my spirit, like my steps, was occupied with the evil of the journey. While full of self-occupation and heavy thoughts, the sun, with a bright, cheering beam, so suddenly broke out from the dreary sky that it startled me from my gloomy reverie, and made me look up. Mine eyes then rested on the sunflowers which filled a little patch. Their golden heads were gracefully turned toward the sun. Even the little ones, fastened to the parent stem, were also looking up, as if enjoying the warm ray. I stopped to contemplate this pretty sight. It was so telling, that I wondered whether my heavenly Father had a message for me by them.

Then voices seemed to come from each of the flowers, whispering softly to me, Believer ! Child of God ! why art thou so sad ?-why looking upon the dark side of thine early path ? Turn thy face and thy heart now to thy Sun, who chases away sadness, and clears away doubts and fears. Like thee, only frail plants are we. Our little life lasts but one summer, then disappears; but, while our life lasts, we keep on looking to the Sun. Our brightness and beauty depend entirely on the Sun, therefore are we ever turning our faces to it to catch its glories, drink of its love, and reflect its image. We are called "sunflowers," and art thou not called "Christian ? "

I passed on. The flowers had taught me the lesson I needed. These words of truth came to my mind-"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God " (Heb. 12:2).

"O eyes that are weary, and hearts that are sore,
Look off unto Jesus, and sorrow no more;
The light of His countenance shineth so bright,
That on earth, as in heaven, there need be no night."

J. L. M. V.