Colorado


WHO of the readers have not heard of Colorado?  Probably none; yet there may be some who know little of its size, location, and scenery. For the benefit of such, we will mention some of the prominent features of this great State. First, its size. Colorado has an area of 104,500 square miles, or more than any other State except Texas and California. It is rectangular in shape, having a width from north to south of nearly two hundred andeighty miles, and an average length of about three hundred and seventy miles from east to west. 

The eastern part of the State embraces a portion of the great plains sometimes called the "American Desert," while the central land western divisions are made up of mountain ranges, with valleys and plateaus. 

Here the highest points and the deepest gorges of the Rocky Mountains are found.

The "Continental Divide," or higher portion of the mountains, is from 12,000 to 14,400 feet between two and three miles above sea level, and several thousand feetabove the line where timber and nearly all vegetation ceases. This is sometimes termed the backbone of the American continent. From its eternal snows, streamsare formed that unite and make large rivers, such as the Arkansas, Platte, and Colorado, that flow a thousand miles or more toward the Gulf of Mexico or the Pacific Ocean. One interesting feature of the mountains is their parks, the most prominent being San Louis, South, North, and Middle Parks. These are generally level or rolling lands, covered with grass and occasional groves of timber. They are walled in on every side with high mountains, and abound in streams of the purest water. In the summer months, these become a resort for the invalid and the tourist, who pitch their tents amid the beautiful scenery, and find recreation in the sports of hunting and fishing, while they gain new life from the pure air of the mountains. These parks are supposed to have been lakes at an early period of the world's history, but have been deprived of their waters by volcanic agency.

In our next, we will speak of some of the principal mountain valleys, or canyons.




J. O. CORLISS.




THE BETTER HOME



THERE is a home, which our Saviour has gone to prepare for those who believe in him, the glories of which are beyond description. "Eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." The Scriptures inform us that there will be no death there, and that "sorrow and sighing shall flee away," and in their place will be "fullness of joy, and pleasures forevermore."

Oh, the blessedness of that home! Some will know by experience what it is to be there; they will enter the pearly gates, will walk those golden streets, and will partake of the tree of life and know that they are going to live forever. My dear reader, will it be you? It may be you. 

The Saviour, who died for you, says, "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely;" and, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. "Will you come now to Christ, and seek eternal life while you have an opportunity?





MIRA H. CARTWRIGHT.