THE SPARROW. W 



do not go so far as to be unable to return. At this 

 lime they are fed as usual, setting on the bush, or 

 ground. But as soon as they are able to fly and catch 

 insects for themselves, the parents forsake them en- 

 tirely, and never afterwards pay them any further at- 

 tention. 



These birds were well known to the Israelites, 

 were considered clean by the Levitical law, and 

 hence were bought and sold as an article of food. 



In the New Testament, the Sparrow is several 

 times mentioned. In the 12th chapter of Luke, it is 

 spoken of in allusion to the care which God takes of 

 all his works. " Are not five Sparrows sold for two 

 farthings ; and not one of them is forgotten before 

 God. But even the hairs of your head are numbered. 

 " Fear not, therefore, ye are of more value than many 

 Sparrows." Verses 6, 7. 



These are the words of our Saviour to his disciples. 

 He was warning them against indulging in too much 

 anxiety about the things of this world ; and to assure 

 them of the care and protection of their Creator, he 

 reminds them that the smallest and meanest of his 

 works are not forgotten, and that even the Sparrow is 

 not beneath his notice. 



If God, then, extends his protecting care toward the 

 smallest, and most perishable of his creatures, how 

 much more shall man, the noblest work of his hands, 

 be the object of his peculiar blessing. " Fear not, 

 therefore, ye are of more value than many Sparrows." 



What could give a more sublime and striking idea 

 of the power and extent of God's providence, than 

 the thought, that he is able to watch over every part 

 7* 



