April at Work 61 



kins ; the trailing arbutus is wooing all, even 

 those whom it would not wish to know ; the 

 robins sing at morning and evening around our 

 homes, and the song-sparrow in the fields ; all 

 these and their like assuring us how 



Once again the Heavenly Power 

 Makes all things new. 



There is no need of haste ; the season is before 

 us, and all its appointed events have their proper 

 and reasonable course ; were sunshine continuous 

 and winds from the south each day, were there 

 not these gloomy skies and bitter winds to retard, 

 then everything would rush to manifest life at 

 once, and the uses of discipline and the allure 

 ments of hope alike be lost to us. It is strange 

 that we should complain of spring, seeing that in 

 completeness is so great an element in all that is 

 pleasant in life, and pursuit the charm of all am 

 bition and endeavour. Who would have all at 

 once the blessings he desires ? The zest of living 

 would be lost if we had the purse of Fortunatus 

 or the ring of Aladdin, and our only chance to 

 recover it would be to lose the magic talisman. 

 We might set forth at once on the quest for a new 

 one ; but that would lead to new adventures, new 

 experiences, and give something again to live for. 

 If by some such magic power we could environ 



