t little rain," said Eddy, as he talked about it.
Mrs. Dudley told him that was right, but they ought to pray for more,
it was so much needed.

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.

Very beautiful were the grape-clusters as they hung on the graceful
vine, and very tempting to the hand that was near enough to pluck
them.

Two little boys came on an errand to the lady who lived in the house
which the grape-vine shaded. It was reviving to come out of the city's
heat and dust, and enter that pleasant parlour, screened from the
fiercer rays of the summer's sun by its green curtain of leaves. The
hot pavement and the glaring walls of the city seemed far distant, for
the charm of the country was spread over that retired room. All city
sights were shut out, and peace and quiet reigned within.

The lady was sitting at her desk, writing, when the boys entered. She
spoke to them kindly, for they were objects of her kind care, although
they did not live with her. They handed her a note which required an
answer. She gave them permission to play in the yard, while she should
write it. They were very happy, for it was an unusual pleasure for
them. They examined the flowers which grew in the narrow bed by the
high, close fence, and then they began to