WITH nearly every object and operation in nature the Lord has linked a spiritual lesson. This has been done in order that visible things may be constant reminders of the invisible things of the kingdom. In this winter season when in our northern latitude the face of the earth is covered with “the white, cold, virgin snow” which comes “out of the bosom of the air, out of the cloud-folds of her garments shaken,” in response to the command of Him who says, “Be thou on the earth,” we may be comforted by remembering the message which it bears: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” You may have watched as “the fleecy clouds their bosom bare, and shed their substance on the floating air.” Perchance the first time you ever beheld this sight, it appealed strongly to your feelings. “How beautiful it was, falling so silently, all day long, all night long, on the mountains, on the meadows, on the roofs of the living, on the graves of the dead!” He whose raiment is as “white as snow” spreads the same white mantle over even the great heaps of filth and rubbish, and the unsightly becomes beautiful. Such transformations can be also made in character. “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” “Though my sins were once like crimson red,
To the healing stream my feet were led;
In the precious blood my Saviour shed
He washed me white as snow.” Do not permit your ears to become deaf to the messages of hope and encouragement which come to us on every hand. We are called upon to unite with his works in praising him whose power and wisdom are thus revealed. “Praise Jehovah from the earth, ye sea-monsters, and all deeps; fire and hail, snow and vapor; . . . mountains and all hills; . . . Let them praise the name of Jehovah.” Even the stormy wind fulfils the word of him who works all things after the counsel of his will.