"For behold, the winter is past, the rain is over, it is gone:the flowers appear on the earth; the
time of singing is come, and the voice of the turtle-dove is heard in our land; the fig-tree
melloweth her winter figs, and the vines in bloom give forth their fragrance." Song of Solomon
2:11-13.

Who does not love spring? How delightful is the change from the chill and dreariness of the latter
part of winter; how all nature in its awakening seems to express the yearning and the joy in, the
heart of man.

Spring reminds us of childhood, of the springtime of life. Are not many of our happiest memories
connected with childhood in spring_the hunting for wild flowers, the making of gardens, the joys
of "out of doors"? The beginning of human life upon earth was the springtime of the human
family, in the garden which God planted, and the innocent pair put there entrusted with its lovely
fruits and flowers. Alas, earth’s springtime has passed!

Spring also turns our thoughts to that sunny happy home prepared for us:

"Where everlasting spring abides, And never-withering flowers."

But while the prospect is bright and joyous, we need not wait till the coming of the Lord for the
spring; even now, if we hearken to the witness of the Spirit, He tells us the winter of God’s
judgment is over, the time for the flowers, of the foretaste of heaven, and of singing and joy is
even now here. Let us arise then from the things of earth, and "come away" with the heavenly
Bridegroom:"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ
sitteth ori the right hand of God."