Winter Meet ins:. • 1^^ 



the flowers and as they open their buds to welcome the sun so let 

 us pray Divine Providence to teach us to rejoice in the Hght of God's 

 countenance. 



Feelings of discouragement steal over us in spite of all our resolu- 

 tions to resist and shake them oft". They cast a shadow upon every 

 prospect and make us dissatisfied with everything we have done and 

 persuade us to believe we shall never do any better in the future. 



All I presume know what it is to wrestle with despondency. 

 Flowers are given us to instill hope. In naught do we see so much 

 quiet grace and simplicity, and it should inspire us to seek, cherish 

 and cultivate a peaceful and contented disposition. Nothing is so 

 like heaven as to live, amid all the discord of the world, in the divine 

 iiarmony of truth and love. 



Then let us consider flowers; * 



"Emblems of our own great resurrection. 



Emblems of the bright and better land; 

 We feel sure the world is better for. 



The garden walks where the children ran, 



To smell the flowers and learn their names; 



The children thought since the world began 

 ^'ere never such garden walks for games. 



There were tulips and asters in regular lines. 

 Sweet Williams and marigolds on their stalks, 



Bachelor's buttons and sweet pea vines, 



And box that bordered the narrow walks. 



Pure white lilies stood corner-wise 



From sunflowers yellow and poppies red. 



And the summer pinks looked up in surprise 

 At the kingly hollyhocks overhead. 



Morning glories and larkspur stood 



Close to the neighborly daffodil; 

 Cabbage roses and southern wood 



Roamed through the beds at their own sweet will. 



Many a year has passed since then ; 



Grandmother's house is empty and still. 

 Grandmother's babies have grown to men: 



And the roses grow wild o'er the window sill. 



Never again shall the children meet 



Under the poplars, gray and tall: 

 Never again shall the careless feet 



Dance through the rose-leaf scented hall. 



Grandmother's welcome is heard no more. 



And the children are scattered far and wide; 



And the world is a larger place than of yore. 

 But hallowed memories still abide. 



And the children are better men today 



For the cakes and rose leaves and garden walks. 



And grandmother's welcome so far away. 



And the old Sweet Williams on their stalks. 



H— U 



