Frank. Father, do you see that dark cloud rising in the west'?

Father. Yes, my son; I think we shall have a shower very soon.

Frank. I fear that dark cloud will bring thunder and lightning. I am afraid of thunder; and I wish it would not rain.

Father. That is a very foolish wish. God sends the rain and the thunder and the lightning for your good. If you love and serve Him, you need not fear any harm.

Frank. But what is the use of the rain, father? I wish it would be fair weather all the time. I am sure it would be a great deal more pleasant.

Father. If it did not rain, the grass would not grow, and the cows would give us no milk. We should have no butter nor cheese.

Frank. Would not any thing grow if it did not rain'?

Father. No, indeed!

If there were no rain, the wheat and the rye and the corn would not grow, and we should have no bread to eat.

Frank. But we should have plenty of apples, pears, plums, peaches, and other fruit, if there were no rain; should we not?

Father. I suppose you know that apples, pears, plums, and peaches grow on trees; and if there were no rain, there would be no trees on which the fruit could grow.

Frank. I did not know before, that the rain was of so much use. When I see a shower coming again, I will think how much good it will do. How thankful we ought to be to God, who is so good as to send us the rain!

Father. Indeed, we ought; and besides, if there were no rain, the springs and brooks and rivers would all be dried up. There would be no water in our wells, and then we should

have nothing to drink. God is very good to

send us rain. We should indeed be thankful to Him for all the blessings which we enjoy.

ANALYSIS. - What indicated a coming storm? What was Frank afraid of? What wish did he express? What did his father remark? Can you now tell the various uses of rain? What is such a piece as this called? Ans. A dialogue. What is a dialogue? A conversation between two or more persons. At which questions in this piece should the rising inflection be used? Why? Where should the falling inflection be used?

LESSON IV.

THE SEASONS.

[The class may be divided into two divisions, and each read in concert alternately as indicated.]

FIRST DIVISION.

Do you love the pleasant Spring,
When the birds begin to sing'?

SECOND DIVISION.

Yes, O yes; we love the Spring,
Many pleasures it doth bring'.

FIRST DIVISION.

Do you love the Summer fair,
With its flowers rich and rare'?

SECOND DIVISION.

Yes'; when days are bright and long,
All seem joyous as a song'.

FIRST DIVISION.

Do you love the Autumn brown,
When the leaves come falling down'?

SECOND DIVISION.

Yes'; it brings the fruit and grain,
And the nutting time again`.

FIRST DIVISION.

Do you love the Winter bold,
With its biting frost and cold'?

SECOND DIVISION.

Yes'; for Winter brings its share
Of cheerful sports and pleasures rare.

FIRST DIVISION.

Let us thank our Father dear,
For each season of the year.

WHOLE CLASS.

Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring,-
Each doth some rich blessing bring'.

its leafy boughs may be seen a number of boys and girls, who have come, during a warm day in summer, to enjoy the cool shade.

2. This tree has withstood the angry blasts of over a hundred winters, and it is still strong and flourishing. Look at its thick trunk, and its wide-spreading branches.