ken the
commandments of the Lord, and worshipped Baalim.

Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel, and earnestly prayed for
rain. God had promised that he would send it, and Elijah no doubt
pleaded this promise, as he interceded with him. He directed his
servant to go where he could look towards the sea. He went and looked,
and said, "There is nothing." Elijah was not discouraged. He knew God
would remember his promise, and he sent him seven times more. The
seventh time the servant returned, and said, "Behold, there ariseth a
little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand." It grew rapidly
larger and larger, till the sky was black with clouds and wind, and
there was a great rain.

James, in his Epistle, says, "The effectual fervent prayer of the
righteous man availeth much," and he mentions this instance of
prevailing prayer in Elijah, as an encouragement to all Christians to
ask for needed blessings. "Elijah was a man subject to like passions
as we are," he tells us, and if he prevailed with God, so may others.
God is the "same yesterday, to-day, and forever." He does not change.
He is always a hearer of prayer.

Mrs. Dudley also told her children that God hears the cry of all who
are in distress. She referred to one of the psalms of David, where he
describes a storm at sea, and the great terror of the sailors. "Then
they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivers them out of
their distresses."

God does not forget any creature he has made. He provides the springs
and the streams to give drink to the beasts of the field, and to the
birds which sing among the branches. He causes the grass to grow for
the cattle, and herb for the service of man. He feeds the fowls, and
clothes the flowers with beauty. He has taught us to ask for our daily
bread, and as this must depend upon fruitful seasons it is proper we
should ask for rain, whenever it is needed.

The children were quite interested in what their mother had told them.
They knew that she earnestly desired rain, and that she often asked
God to send it, before vegetation perished for want of it. They
watched the sky with great anxiety, and when it became cloudy, and
continued so from day to day, they thought surely a storm was near.
After several days, there was a slight shower, but not enough to
refresh the plants. Mary was greatly disappointed "I thought," (she
said to her mother,) "it was going to rain in answer to your prayer."

"I thank God for tha