---

Whatever these words may or may not mean in any deep, spiritual sense, they may at least be applied to the Spring-time and the Summer.

I. AS WE FEEL THE INFLUENCES OF THE GROWING SPRING, THEY SUGGEST TO US THE IDEA OF ORDER. By the end of the Winter we are apt to feel as if we had the end of all inanimate nature. But the first buds of Spring bring to mind the order of nature more vividly than such frequent changes as the succession of day and night, which become so familiar that we fail to mark their lessons.

II. SPRING IMPRESSES US WITH THE MANIFESTATION OF POWER. It returns with a great manifestation of force. Who can compute the aggregate weight now lifting in the vegetable creation all over this land, in ten thousand times ten thousand billions and billions of plants, from the tiny grass-blade to the giant oak? There is a moral aspect here also. The power which wields this force is on the side of righteousness. It is the same as that which rules the hearts of men, and makes their lives and actions to praise God, and bring about His will on earth.

III. THE INCOMING SPRING DELIGHTS US WITH ITS EXHIBITION OF PROGRESSIVENESS. I watch a tree opposite my dwelling with ever-increasing interest. This tree in Winter seemed dead, until as Spring approached a single bud peeped forth. After neglecting to look for a few days I was yesterday surprised to see it clothed in every branch with leaves. Ah, what progressiveness! The kingdom of Spring "cometh not by observation." So with the "kingdom of God" — the kingdom of goodness in the earth. Has Christianity made no advance? Compare to-day with yesterday, and, as in a tree, we see but little change. But think of the treatment of the insane, or of prisoners, now, and even so lately as only fifty years ago! Is there no advance there? Compare the pictures drawn by writers of the former day with what we now take as a matter of course, and we seem to be living in almost a new world. The function of Christianity in the world is the bettering of men in physical, moral, and spiritual progress; and the work, though gradual, is sure. Therefore learn this lesson: Be patient! You cannot take the bellows of the sky and blow the heat of heaven into greater intensity, to hasten God's work in nature or in grace. Be patient, as God is patient. His policy is broadly progressive. In means of Gospel privilege God's kingdom grows as under glass; but in heathen lands the progress is more slow — yet none the less sure. God's will shall triumph in the end. He can afford to wait, and we should follow His example.

IV. WE LEARN FROM THE SPRING THE HOPE OF RECOVERY. The Springtime is a recovering. So with grace. Salvation is a recovering — not only a setting up of something new. There was once a golden age for the race, but we have descended to an iron age; nay, even to an age of clay, and broken, clay at that. But there is a good day coming, when the earth shall be filled with more than its original blessedness. This blessedness is through Christ, in whom alone trusting you may surely find eternal life.

(L. D. Bevan, D. D.)

---

---

KJV: The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.

WEB: The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes, leaping on the mountains, skipping on the hills.