A Dutch scientist has just completed five years’ study in
South America. He took some insects from Holland into the rich
tropic atmosphere, changed their environment, put them in a
friendly environment, and gave them the best food. He expected
to modify their coloring, having exchanged the damp, foggy
sky of Holland for the brilliant hues of the tropics. And lo!
these insects doubled their size; the dim subdued tints became
gay and brilliant. At last he discovered that insects that in
Holland crawled, in the South spread their wings to fly and
meet God’s sun. He began with potato-bugs in Holland; he ended
with brilliant creatures that lived on the nectar of flowers,
and only five summers and winters stood between the marvel. Oh,
marvelous transformation, through environment and food! More
marvelous still the way the soul can grow. Last year you lived
in the damp, foggy miasmatic levels of selfishness; sordidness,
like a cloud, wrapt you about. Suppose you take down your tent,
and move into the tropic realm of love and faith and hope. Open
the soul’s wings to the light, the sun and dew of God’s spirit.
Live in the atmosphere of purity and prayer. Expel hate and
fear, like poisonous winds. Imitate Christ’s life. Love the
master spirits. Read the great poets. Insist upon leisure to
grow ripe. Guard your hours of solitude; practice the presence
of God.--N. D. HILLIS.
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