as ignorant of danger as the poor
ducklings and they are too young to understand the peril to which they
are exposed. Even if their mother should explain it to them, they
could realize but little about it. It is by far the better way for
children to feel that their mother knows best, and to be satisfied
that her reasons are good and sufficient even if they do not know what
they are.

I once heard a distinguished clergyman say he had always observed that
those persons who had learned to obey their parents promptly, most
readily yielded to the claims of God, and became converted, while
those who had always liked their own way had generally a long, severe
struggle, before they were willing to give up their sins, and
oftentimes could not make up their minds to do so, and, though deeply
convicted, remained impenitent.

It is a fearful thought that, if you form a habit of disobedience to
your parents, it may cost you the salvation of your soul.

PRAYING FOR RAIN.

It was the first of July. There had been no rain for several weeks.
Every one feared there would be a drought. The farmer looked anxiously
upon his fields of corn, whose deep green leaves had not yet begun to
turn yellow, and upon the potatoes, whose blossoms were still
unwithered. They could not long remain thus beautiful and thriving, if
the refreshing rain was withheld. The ground was so dry that, in
hoeing the garden, no moisture could be observed.

Mrs. Dudley talked with her children about the need of rain, and the
propriety of praying to our heavenly Father to water the earth, that
it might "bring forth and bud," and "give seed to the sower, and bread
to the eater." She told them how Elijah prayed for rain, after there
had been none in the land of Canaan for three years and six months,
and how God heard his prayer, "and the heaven gave rain, and the earth
brought forth her fruit."

This great drought was a judgment upon the people of Israel for their
sin in departing from God, and worshipping idols. There had been, in
consequence of this want of rain, a "sore famine." We read in the
book of Kings of one poor woman, who had only a handful of meal in a
barrel, and a little oil in a cruse. When Elijah met her, and asked
her for water, and a morsel of bread, she told him this was all she
had, and that she was gathering two sticks, that she might bake it for
herself and her son, that they might eat and die! She know not where
to find any more food