The next Sunday Mrs. Dudley was not well, and could not attend
church. When her children returned she asked Mary if they prayed for
rain. "No, mother!" she answered; "but I did."

The sky continued cloudy for some time, and then the rain gently fell
for a day and a night, and all nature was refreshed and cheered.

Soon afterwards I left Mrs. Dudley's family. When I had been absent
about a fortnight, I received a letter from Mary. She told me about
the bantams, and the flowers, and many other things in which I was
interested. She wrote that it had "rained on Sunday, and all day
Monday. I cannot help thinking," she continued, "how good God is to
send us rain when we most need it, and what cause we have for
thanksgiving."

I hope Mrs. Dudley's children will never forget that God is the giver
of every good gift, and that he likes to have people ask him for what
they need. Children should think of God as their best friend, and
should go to him in prayer, feeling as sure he can and does hear them,
as they are that their mother does. In a season of drought they should
ask him for rain, and when he sends it to make vegetation grow, they
should thank him for that evidence of his loving-kindness.




THE GRAPE-CLUSTERS.