"I'll tell you a story," said a young man who had just returned from South America. "One beautiful morning, off I roamed with gun over my shoulder and my lunch in my pocket in search of game.

"After a while, feeling rather tired and very hungry, I sat down on a fallen tree to rest. While seated there, my attention was attracted by the cries of a bird which was fluttering over her nest. She was in great distress, and I could not help rising to see the cause of her trouble. I soon found out. Creeping slowly along towards the tree was one of the most venomous snakes in South America with its small glittering eyes fixed on the bird and its forked tongue darting quickly out and in.

"Than I saw a curious thing happen. The male bird flew away. In a little while he returned with a small twig covered with leaves in his beak. Perching near the nest, he laid the twig carefully across it, covering his mate and her young. Then, taking his place on one of the topmost branches of the tree, he seemed to grow quieter, and there awaited the approach of the enemy.

"By this time the snake had reached the spot. He twisted himself around the trunk and climbed up the tree. Then gliding along the branch, he came close to the nest and lifted his venomous head, ready to dart upon the poor bird. The snake watched the nest for a moment, and then suddenly, throwing his head back, as if he had received some sudden blow, turned around, made his way down the tree and disappeared in the long grass.

"I climbed up the tree and examined the little broken branch. After carrying it home I showed it to a native friend and told him the whole story. I learned from him that it had been plucked by the bird off a bush which is poisonous to the snake and which he is never known to touch. The little helpless creature had used it as a shield of defense!"

Satan is called in Scripture "that old serpent" (Rev. 20:2). He is intent on the destruction of men, women, boys and girls, helpless as birds against his attacks and wiles. But God has told us in His Word of a tree that is a poison to our enemy but a protection for us—the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ "His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree" (1 Peter 2:24). "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5).

Isn't it wonderful that our gracious God should teach the bird about the tree where it may "help itself" to a healing branch? And is it less wonderful that He has provided the cross and the great salvation accomplished there by our Lord Jesus Christ for us? "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" (Galatians 3:13). No, it is the most remarkable fact in the universe that the Son of God "loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20), and that He now offers salvation to "whosoever will" repent of his sins and trust Christ as personal Saviour. Will YOU?

—Sel.