WELCOME THE COMING GUEST 



heard the praying mantis, " but prayer is far from 

 the object in view, as any small insect that hap- 

 pens within reach learns to his cost," says our ac- 

 curate, scientific entomologist. " A sudden clasp 

 wounds and crushes it into helplessness, and the 

 mantis religiosa then leisurely devours its victim, 

 the forelegs serving admirably as hands in the 

 operation." * 



Of course the entomologist is right, and the 

 predacious little creature is bent only on securing 

 its food, yet, when the praying mantis appears 

 among the " Green Things upon the Earth," I 

 shall try to hear with the mystic's ears the " beau- 

 tiful canticle " blending with the songs of the 

 " Powers of the Lord " that " praise Him and 

 magnify Him forever." 



* Prof. J. B. Smith, in Economic Entomology. 



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