30 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN* 



nor time nor thought to its propagation, as we look for the 

 new manhood of intelligence, integrity and devotion to duty, 

 the new womanhood of purity and gentleness and helpful- 

 ness, without the watchful care of every surrounding which 

 are necessary for their product. The gardener will suffer 

 no association which can by possibility bring disastrous re- 

 sult to his experiment ; the soil will be selected as with a 

 microscope, to be the home of the tender slip which may 

 bear the hoped-for treasure, and all assistance, all protec- 

 tion, which science and experience can suggest* will be 



given, that the longed-for transformation may take place. 

 Because this is the revelation of God, that in so doing suc- 

 cess may be attained. And the revelation is to us, men and 

 brethren, that association with evil persons, places, things, 

 will prevent the development of the fair flower we are seek- 

 ing ; that the home-soil must be carefully prepared, that 

 all stones of offense must be cast out, all clods of unyielding 

 prejudice broken to powder, the fructifying additions of 

 attractiveness must be brought, even objects of beauty, 

 occupations of interest, sympathy with youth's pursuits; 

 that the atmosphere must be sweet and clear, and the 

 barriers which obstruct the sunshine taken away; and 

 above all that the heavenly influences of God's grace and 

 spirit must find ever open access ; else the tree will bear 

 fruit only after its kind, the son will be no improvement 

 upon his father, the will of God will not be accomplished 

 in the steady and regular advance of His creation. 



Again I can hear another word from the Lord God 

 in the garden in the cool of the day — ' overcome evil with 

 good ' — that this is the method of the Divine govern- 

 ment, this the glory of God, the character of the 

 Father, revealed for the admiration and the imitation 

 of His creatures. Evil is there as everywhere in this 

 present world, mysterious intruder upon the vast domain 

 which God did once call good. I cannot understand 

 or explain its existence there or anywhere else. I cannot 

 understand why tares are growing in the field to-day along 



