Spring

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Apr 1, 1909

The hand of the Infinite has again guided our great earth over its trackless course into the season of sunshine and flowers, and of planting and sowing with new hopes of abundant harvests.

Thrice blessed are those children whose parents and teachers truly love all nature for the beautiful spiritual lessons which the Heavenly Father seeks to teach through it; parents and teachers who see in the planting, the growing, and the harvesting of each year not alone temporal prosperity or adversity, but also the tender love of our God.

We live in a beautiful world, even though it be terribly marred by sin. Beauty of color, of form, and of sound greet and delight the senses at every turn and at all times. And at no season of the year is all this loveliness more to be appreciated than at this one, when awakening life floods in upon us as it emerges from its winter’s sleep. Through these marvelous colorings to be seen in earth, sea, and sky, through the gladsome songs of the feathered world, and the golden stars of night, is the Creator seeking to tell man of his glory and goodness. But it is all to small purpose if only the charms of nature affect us, and the lessons of eternal value go unlearned.

These lessons are learned by the same laws of thoughtful attention as those obtained from the printed page. No one imagines it possible to gain knowledge from books without conscientious effort, nor should it be thought that nature’s great pearls of truth are found more easily. When we rightly read his written Word, we invite the Holy Spirit to teach those lessons which alone can supply our individual needs; no less do we need this teacher of truth to instruct us when the heavens or any of the other works of God declare to us his glory. And he is always at hand to impart these lessons of inestimable value whenever we lend our minds and hearts to learn.

Ah, this is the difficulty! We have eyes which see not, ears which hear not, and other avenues which are closed to the gracious ministrations of this, the greatest of all teachers; and all for the want of thoughtful, prayerful effort. Even the refreshing and uplifting lessons of a beautiful Sabbath walk may not be apprehended, even faintly, solely because of thoughtless inattention.

Growth comes only through work; and if as parents and teachers we truly desire the symmetrical development of our children, we shall daily lead them to put forth those efforts which will form habits of observation and appreciation of the spiritual lessons which God is seeking to teach through his works. Not only so, but we shall teach them to beautify the home and school environment, and to turn to good account the wealth of flowers, shrubs, and trees, of green lawns and trim gardens, which this spring season alone can produce. Such efforts are paid for in the coin of heaven.