THE RAINBOW.
It was at this moment Julia looked around to admire the scenery, andbeheld a Rainbow. "Look, look!" she said, "mamma, what a beautifulRainbow! How wide it spreads! How many colours are there? Let me countthem. One, two, three, four, five--" "My dear," said her mamma, "thereare seven, and in the following order: _red_, _orange_, _yellow_,_green_, _blue_, _purple_, and _violet_. These colours appear so muchthe more lively, according as the cloud behind is darker, and the dropsof rain fall the closer. The Rainbow can last only while the raincontinues. The sun must be behind us, and the rain opposite to us. Thesun and rain must appear at the same time in order to form a Rainbow. Itis caused by the rays of the sun reflected on drops of water, and is apicture the most beautifully coloured of any the Creator has given tous. The nearer the sun is to setting, the wider the arch extends. Whenthe sun is at its greatest height, the bow appears the smallest.
"Where do we read, my dear, in the Bible about the Rainbow?" askedJulia's mamma. "I think, mamma," replied Julia, "it was to Noah as asign the world should not again be destroyed by water, and we read so inthe book of Genesis." "Yes," answered her mamma, "my dear, you areright. How very fearful would Noah and his family have been wheneverthey saw dark clouds arise and an appearance of much rain, if God hadnot kindly said what he intended by the Rainbow! But he explained it bysaying, 'I do set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be for a token of acovenant between me and the earth. And the bow shall be in the cloud;and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenantbetween me and every living creature of all flesh that is upon theearth!'
"A bow bespeaks terror; but this has neither string nor arrow; it is anemblem of peace. If it had not been said that it was a token to allgenerations, even _we_ should have feared a deluge whenever a stormapproached. How must Noah have felt when he and his family left the ark,and not a vestige of any thing remained they had seen before! For thewaters had covered the highest mountains, and had risen fifteen cubitshigher; that is, seven yards and a half; so that in vain would salvationhave been hoped for from the hills and mountains. What was Noah'sconduct on leaving the ark? He did not forget (as many do) the merciesof God which he had received. The first thing he did was to build analtar for the worship of God. One would have thought, so dreary as everything must have appeared, his first care would have been to build ahouse for himself and family, warm and sheltered as they had been in theark. But no; Noah _feared_ God, and therefore his first care was to_serve_ him.
"May it be so, my dear, with _you_," continued Julia's mamma. "May _you_seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all otherthings shall be added unto you! Noah's worship was accepted, andimmediately God said unto him, I will no more destroy the world with aflood. What kindness is here shown! I think, my love, it is time wehastened home."
When they arrived at their abode, as Julia's papa was not expected thatnight, her mamma, according to her usual practice in his absence, rangthe bell for the servants to attend family worship; and a large familybible being laid on the table, her mamma, with great solemnity, read thetwenty-ninth Psalm, which being done, all kneeled, and she, in a sweet,feeling manner, approached the throne of Mercy. When prayer was over,all rose from their knees; Julia kissed her mamma, and took her leave ofher for the night. "Good night, my dear," said her mamma; "don't forgetto pray in secret before you close your eyes for sleep. Adieu! dearJulia;
'May angels guard thy head, And through the hours of darkness keep Their watch around thy bed!'"
I hope, my dear young reader, you will consider what Julia's mamma saidto her for _her_ instructions and comfort about the Storm and theRainbow is here mentioned for _your_ instruction and comfort too on suchoccasions. Only fear God, and you need not fear any thing else.
How dreadful to hear in the sky The thunder so long and so loud! To witness the fork'd lightnings fly, Discharged from yonder black cloud! Lord, mercy on me do bestow, And show me the peaceful Rainbow!
In vain to shelters do I run, If I find no shelter in Thee; No threat'ning dangers can I shun, But as Thou art gracious to me. Thou can'st hush my fears I well know, By showing the peaceful Rainbow.
That tells me the storm shall soon end, The earth shall be delug'd no more, That God is my father and friend, Whose love is great as his power. His signal to creatures below Is the peaceful, lovely Rainbow.
This bow is not bent by a string, Because the anger is all fled; Nor has it an arrow to fling, So that I have nothing to dread. And God now would have me to know, All is _mercy_ in the Rainbow.
In future, then, when I'm afraid, And darkness and storms fill the air, I will think that God who them made, Views me as a child of his care; That storms will soon cease from below, And the sky display the Rainbow.
FINIS.
T. C. Hansard, Printer, Peterboro'-court, Fleet-street, London.
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Transcriber's note:
Obvious punctuation errors were corrected.
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