A LESSON FROM THE BIRDS.

1. "See how it rains, rains, rains," said little Mary, as she gazed from the window, longing to see the shower cease, and the sun shine out bright and clear again.

2. "Mamma, it will never stop, and I do hate rainy weather!"

3. Just then a bird, whose nest hung from a tree not far off, broke out into one of his sweetest strains, and Mary listened wonderingly.

4. "Hark, daughter! Hear what the bird says," said her good mother, who observed the fixed attention of her little one.

5. "Why,.it only sings," answered Mary.

6. "Yes, but while you are fretting and whining in this nice room, with all your playthings around you, and doll waiting to be dressed, the bird sings from the dripping bushes as though he would like to remind you that God makes the rain fall! See how his throat swells."

7. Mary looked up at the bough, and sure enough there he was, warbling merrily; and when his song ceased, she said it was because she had left off murmuring at the weather.

8. The next day Annie Grey came to spend

the day with her friend, and, while they played together on the grass, Annie suddenly laid by her doll, and ran towards the house.

9. "Why do you go away?" cried Mary, surprised at her sudden freak.

10. "Oh, it is so hot! we can't play out of doors. I do wish the sun would go under a cloud, and stay thero a good while."

11. "Why, hear that little bird in the bush," answered Mary, laughing in her sleeve as she remembered her rainy-day lesson.

12. "Well, what of it?"

13. "Why, it says, God makes the sun shine!" And Mary forthwith related her experience with the bird.

14. From that day to this, Mary and Annie are content with either rain or sunshine; they recollect the "Lesson from the Birds."

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

At

noon it is high up in the sky. When the sun is in the sky it is day. When the sun has set it is night.

1. This is a picture of a little blind boy.

2. Must it not be sad to be blind-never to see the blue sky and bright world, the pretty flowers, and the dear faces of our friends?

3. Yet blind people are as a rule very patient and happy.

4. It is wonderful to see how much they are able to do.

5. Just shut your eyes and try to walk to the door, and you will probably find yourself quite in the wrong place; but many blind

persons find their way about as well as though they had sight.

6. They are also very clever with their hands, and may be said to have ten eyes, for they seem to have an eye in each of their fingers.

7. They read with their fingers as well and almost as quickly as you could with your eyes. 8. There are books printed on purpose for them, with the letters raised, so that they can feel each one.

9. Blind children are also taught to make baskets, mats, brushes, and all sorts of useful things.

10. Still it is sad to be blind; and we who can see ought to be very thankful for the blessing of sight.

1. Winter has come, and with it the snow and ice. The leaves are gone from the trees, and the fields are bare.

2. There is ice on the ponds and streams, and little boys and girls run and slide to keep themselves warm.

D

1. Have you ever seen an Earth-worm? Can you tell me what shape it is, and where it lives and how it feeds, and of what use it can be?

2. The earth-worm is found everywhere in countless numbers, and though humble and despised, in its life and in its death it plays a useful part.

3. Its body is long, and it seems to be made up of a number of rings grown together.