for the hedge was so thick that only a few drops reached us, though on the path, which was a little way from us, the water ran in a stream, and the rain was so heavy that we could not see to the other side of the field.

Presently the water began to pour down upon us from the hedge; and besides this, we saw a very bright flash of lightning, and, almost directly afterwards, we heard a loud peal of thunder. Then we knew that it was time for us to get away from the hedge, for it is dangerous to be near trees in a thunder-storm; and there were several tall trees in the hedge. We knew that it would be safer to be even in the open field, and to get wet to the skin, than to remain where we were. I will tell you why. The tops of tall trees sometimes draw down the lightning from the clouds, and the lightning splits them from top to bottom, and rushes into the ground. Then, if anything living be under the trees, and the lightning touches them, they are killed. Many persons have been killed in this manner, and so sometimes are cattle. This, perhaps, will be a lesson to my little girl, if she should ever be caught in a thunder-storm, not to take shelter under a tree.

Well, your father, and uncle, and George, as soon as they heard the thunder, went away from the hedge, and began to think what they should do next; for we did not want to be wet through, if we could prevent it. There

was a farm-yard near; and we ran to that, with the hope of finding some barn or build

ing which would shelter us. We had not reached the farm-yard before it lightened again, and thundered, sharper and louder than before; and very glad we were, when we reached the yard, to find a wagon-lodge, which was open, and which would nicely screen us from the storm. There was a large dog in the lodge, and we thought he would try to prevent us from going in; but he did not take any notice of us. I think that he was frightened by the storm, and that this made him quiet to us.

While we were thus under shelter, a man on horseback came dashing into the lodge. The horse and the man both were as wet as

though they had been riding through a river; and they seemed as glad as we were of the

shelter.

I should think we stayed in the lodge nearly an hour; and all this time the rain pelted down, and the lightning flashed, and the thunder rolled so fast, and fiercely, and loud, that I can scarcely recollect such another storm. But presently it began to abate a little; and then we thought it was time to be getting home. You may be sure that we did not think of continuing our walk to the wood. No, we made what haste we could. But, for all our haste, we were very wet when we reached grandfather's house, and were glad to put on dry clothes.

And now it is a beautiful evening. The sun has set in a fine crimson sky, the air is cool, the thunder and lightning and rain have all passed away-not a cloud is to be seen-and I think we shall have a very fine day to-morrow.

Does my little girl know who it is that makes the thunder roll, and the lightnings flash, and the rain to descend? It is the same Almighty Being who made the world, and everything that is in the world ;-who made us, and could destroy us in one moment, if he pleased. But God is merciful, as well as powerful; he is kind, and gracious, and full of love to us; and gave up his own Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to

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suffer death on the cross, that we might have our sins pardoned, as you have been shown. in the Bible. Ought we not, then, to love him? I remember, not long ago, that my little girl said to me, "Father, I love you, and mother, and everybody; and I love God too." I hope you do love him; and that you will grow up to love him, and serve him, and trust in him; and then you will be able to say

"The God that rules on high,

And thunders when he please,
That rides upon the stormy sky,
And manages the seas:

"This awful God is ours,

Our Father and our Love;

He shall send down his heavenly powers,
To carry us above."

And now, little girl, good bye. Kiss your sister for me, and tell her not to forget her

CHAPTER IX.

A LETTER FROM HOME.

MY DEAR LITTLE BOY,

On the morning that I hope you will have this, you will have been away from home just two weeks. No doubt you have thought of me, and your little sisters, every day. We often think and speak of you, and are glad when a letter comes from your father, to say that you are well and happy; and I dare say you are very glad when your father tells you that he has heard that all at home are well. We must all be thankful to that great God who watches over us, as much when we are away from each other as when we are together, and keeps us from harm by night and by day, and is always doing us good.

Your father tells me that you have bathed in the water; and, in his letter to your sister, he says that you were caught in a storm, when you were going to the wood. I, too, was caught in a storm that same day. I should think it was the same storm, only that it came over this part of the country before it reached you. I had been into the village, with your cousin Esther; and as we were returning across the fields, the