Those who are interested in the religion of girlhood and young womanhood are filled with hope today as they listen to the answers which are being given by wise mothers and teachers, to the great questions of the universe.  The answers leave room for a growing religion which grows as the girl grows.

A while ago my friend walked through the country fields with a little six year old.  My friend says she has left behind an “outgrown religion.”  Her complacence and cynicism received a shock that afternoon.  A lamb which was the baby of the flock had been made a special pet by the children and came immediately when the six year old called.  The days were getting cold and the lamb’s woolly coat was thick.  My friend, intending to instruct the child said, “Put your hand on the lambie’s thick wool.  Cold days are coming and Nature makes the lamb’s wool nice and warm.”

“Yes,” answered the child, her eyes shining, “the Heavenly Father makes its coat warm.  He didn’t give them a papa like mine to get their clothes.  He gives them to them himself.”

My friend was surprised by the words and before she could think of a suitable reply, the child continued—­

“He tells the birdies to go down where it’s warm and there are flowers all the time.  Just a few stay here when it’s cold and they have warm feathers.  The bear and the foxes and the horsie and kitty,—­the Heavenly Father makes all their coats warm.  He is very, very busy,” she added impressively.

For weeks during the preparations which nature makes for the coming winter, my friend, hitherto satisfied with abstract law found her mind going back to the Heavenly Father “very, very busy” in the great world He had made.  She was so impressed that she went with the child to her kindergarten class in school and in Sunday-school and in both she heard of the love and care of the Heavenly Father.

As she listened to the simple teachings, the children’s answers and comments, she realized that in the circle there was a very real personality called the Heavenly Father whom these children knew and loved.  “I wish such had been my training,” she said regretfully.  “Perhaps I should have been saved the darkness and perplexity in which I have lived for years.”

Months after in a large class of earnest, eager and attentive girls I listened to a wonderful teacher.  I loved with a deeper love, after that lesson, the Christ whose presence seemed to fill that room as the teacher showed her girls the Master at His task of saving the world by showing it God, the Father.

One day I stood in a silent home with a brilliant, cultured girl, who had traveled much and enjoyed every privilege.  She had that afternoon left her mother beside her father out on the sloping hillside in the great silent city.  We raised the curtains the maid had drawn, the girl laid aside her coat and hat and said sadly, “Now life must begin again, without all that is dearest to me.”  I tried to find words to strengthen her but she turned her calm face toward me and said, “How do people live through it and go on, who haven’t God?  The Father of the World has them both in His keeping.  I can wait till I find them again.”