THREE OP NATURE'S MISSIONARIES. 



Childreu, birds and flowers: This trio is the loveliest one Nature 

 affords, and is universally acknowledged to be such. How prone we 

 are to accept all Nature's gifts as a matter of course, and to take no 

 heed until she curtails her lavish supplies or fails us in some particular, 

 is not generally realized. Most important of this trio are children. 



We read, "A little child shall lead them ;" and this prophecy has 

 been fulfilled in many ages, but so completely in none as in our own 

 Nineteenth century. When we look at ihe tiny dimpled hand which 

 lies so soft and yielding in our own, we little think of the magic power 

 exerted by those bits of fingers as they grasp, with velvety touch 'tis 

 true, our heart-strings, and wield a more wonderful influence over us 

 than any earthly power. Most of us can call to mind an instance where 

 some hard, obdurate and selfish nature has been touched and softened 

 by the innocent prattle of childhood. 



Tennyson recognized this potent influence when he wrote " Dora ;" 

 and drew more from reality than imagination, I fancy, when he pictured 

 Farmer Allen as being vanquished and taken captive by William's little 

 son. 



When the tiny ones come tapping for admittance at the doors of 

 our hearts, they not only ensconce themselves there but make room for 

 all other helpless creatures. They enlarge and enrich our natures, 

 giving us a deeper sympathy for our fellow-beings, a greater love for all 

 children, a more tender feeling for all helpless creatures. Let us 

 then be thankful for these greatest of nature's missionaries, even if 

 they be taken from us after a loan of a few years, for their gracious 

 influence will be felt as long as life shall be given us. 



Come to me, O ye children ! 



For I hear you at your play, 

 And the questiotis that perplexed me 



Have vanished quite away. 



In your hearts are the birds and sunshine, 



In your thoughts the brooklets flow ; 

 But on mine is the wind of Autumn 



And the first fall of the snow. 



