APRIL. 37 



foliage, though exhibiting less variety than the 

 hues of later seasons, has a beauty of its own — 

 a beauty of youth and freshness. It seems like 

 the imtried feeUngs and hopes of the young life 

 of human beings ; and were we not certain that 

 it should again bloom in another spring, we 

 should sigh as we remembered that it must 

 turn to the withered leaf, as surely as the early 

 hope shall change to disappointment. But 

 there are hopes which may grow brighter and 

 brighter as seasons and years move onward; 

 and bloom in freshness through a long eternity ; 

 and bring forth that joy which fadeth not 

 away — hopes which shall be consummated iu 

 an eternal spring, for they are founded on those 

 m-omises of God which are immutable. 



APRIL. 



"Is there a heart that beats and lives, 

 To wliich no joy the spring-time gives ? 

 Alas, in that unfeeling heart 

 No love nor kindliness hath part ; 

 Or chilling want, or pining care, 

 Must brood, or comfortless despair : 

 Blest, who witliout profane alloy, 

 Can revel in that blameless joy ; 

 More blest in every welcome hour 

 If spring-time smile, or winter lower, 

 Who round him scattered, hears and sees 

 What still the excursive sense may please; 

 Who round him finds, perchance unsought, 

 Fresh matter for improving thought; 

 And more, the more he looks abroad, 

 Marks, owns, and loves, the present God."— Bishop Mant. 



The white and blushing blossoms of the fruit- 

 trees render the April garden a grove of flowers. 



