34 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN. 



because the Hebrews, apparently by divine command, 



were guilty of enormities of conduct, which from our 

 stand-point of development are inconceivable? Ah, friend, 

 hear the voice of the flower and of the field proclaiming 

 that this is God's method for the education of the world, 



.ffing in the kingdom of rig 



o o o o 



unto Himself of a peculia 



the ear, after that 



good works; " u first the blade, then 

 the full corn in the ear." Am I so disappointed over the 

 results of missionary operations, that I am ready to 

 abandon the effort to evangelize and to educate the heathen 

 abroad, or the worse than heathen at my own door, and to 

 consent to the pessimistic despair of the age, that all 

 things are worse than in the days of our fathers, that man 

 despite all the influences of church and school, of science 

 and sermon, is more bestial than ever? Ah, friend, hear 

 this word of the Lord God in the garden. Expect not the 

 flowers until the month of the flowers is come; expect not 

 the red clusters of bursting grapes until the summer is 



past. 



Am I bitter against the children of my family, because 



despite my endeavors to make them know the unreality 



and the vanity of their chosen pursuits and pleasures, they 



will not let them go ; that their very 



seems 



hat frivolity and merry-making are 

 their chief concern ; that they see not as I would fain show 

 them, that life is dying and death is living? Oh, my 

 brother, learn the revelation of the flowers, that God hath 

 made them so, that theirs is now the tender joyoi 

 the blade of corn which has not eared, while to 



life of 



maketh 



wcth hard 

 Recognize 



them 



m as developed 

 s unreal and val 



yet due. Rather rejoice in the fragrance of the young 

 life about thee; let its aroma of freshness, its glorious 



