Article April 7, 1928 Issue

The Singing of Birds

HARRY EDWARD DE LASAUX. JR.

One afternoon in early spring two students of Christian Science motored out into the hills. They journeyed on a side road among rolling knolls and smooth plains, in a bowl with hills around them. The sun was warm, but the air was cool. Parking beside a knoll, they mounted it. Instantly the musical warble of a lark burst upon the peaceful air. Another lark sang; then others answered from the fields. The students listened for a long time enjoying the golden melody. Soon there was a silence; but to the surprise of the listeners, they began to hear a veritable symphony of bird song from far away; a continual chattering of joy, faint but clear. Now and then a lark, balancing on a near-by reed, would bring the realization that there was rich melody at hand; but in the meantime, there was this perfect ensemble of rejoicing from the meadows, and even from the hills. What rejoicing! What simple songs! And yet, what overflowing good there must have been, for that multitude of birds to rejoice so abundantly!

This experience, recalled from time to time, served to remind those students of the necessity of giving thanks for God's natural goodness itself. But it was not until the writer encountered trying experiences along the heavenward way, that he analyzed that rich experience of the afternoon in spring. Then, the message of the birds was realized scientifically.

Solomon, in speaking of the coming of spring, characterized it by saying that "the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come." In Isaiah is the command, "Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people." Truly, one who has ever listened to the songs of the birds of the field and of the hills, can realize how earth and mountains "break forth into singing."

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