SECOND ANNUAL FLOWER SERMON. oo 
into the rivers, which run among the hills. All the 
beasts of the field drink thereof, and the wild asses 
quench their thirst. Beside them shall the fowls of the air 
have their habitation and sing among the branches. He 
bringeth forth grass for the cattle and green herbs for the 
service of man. That He may bring food out of the earth, 
and wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to 
make him a cheerful countenance, and bread to strengthen 
man’s heart. * * * Man goeth forth to his work, and 
to his labor until the evening.”’ 
By the law of man’s being he is ‘* to earn his bread by 
the sweat of his brow,’’ —and yet, with lavish hand has 
the Bountiful Provider scattered His gifts. This beautiful 
world is ours; ours to enjoy and ours to improve, by all 
the lessons God is daily teaching ; ministering to, and de- 
veloping our complex nature in its present environment, 
and thus fitting us, through the tuition of the world that 
now is, for the higher state of existence when this cor- 
ruption must put on incorruption, and this mortal must 
put on immortality. 
‘Then how should man rejoicing in his God 
Delight in His perfections, shadowed forth 
In every little flower and blade of grass! 
Each opening bud, and care perfected seed 
Is as a page, where we may read of God.”’ 
