WINTER MEETING AT CARTHAGE. 87 



of flowers is pomething so subtle as to defy definition, and yet it is soaaething so 

 potent and pervading that it can be felt by the l)lindest soul. 



Flowers are emblems of innocence, also types of immortality. "A. seed is 

 not quickened, except it die," and we learn a deeper trust, a profounder faith from 

 watching the small seeds germinate, put forth tiny leaves, and then expand Into a 

 life of exquisite beauty. 



In every home there should be flowers grown, because'their influence on the 

 human heart, more especially on the heart of a little child, is something valuable 

 beyond words. If it is not possible to grow them indoors, let them have a place in 

 the door-yard, be that yard only a very small one, and ever so deeply shadowed. 

 Flowers are the most accou)modating things in the world ; some variety is 

 suited to every sort of soil and condition of place and climate. They grow in rare 

 beauty on the snow-crowned heights of the loftiest mountain peaks, and in the 

 tangled swamp-lands of many countries. They hide beneath the shade of great 

 forest-pines, and grow in startling colors on bare Mexico sands. They swing and 

 sway in majestic splendor from the stems of high branching trees in the south-land, 

 and sit in royal robes on the undulating bosoms of the northern lakes. 



Who can believe that such diverse and profuse scattering of these flower- 

 spirits is due otiiy to chance ? Or that they have been evolved from protoplastic 

 fomentations? 



Are they not more varied and more beautiful than any other form of creation? 

 Are they not everywhere proclaiming in their own sweet, silent language the 

 Creator's message of ' 'Peace and good-will" to humanity ? Are they not welcome 

 alike in palace and hut? Are not all ages, colors and conditions of mankind sus- 

 ceptible to floral influences? 



To the joyous we send flowers to heighten their happiness; to the bereaved 

 we tender them as silent expressions of our sympathy,- and to lighten the heavy 

 burden of sorrow. 



They are priceless in value because of the good they accomplish, and without 

 them the earth would be as dreary as a tomb. 



Flowers precede all the luscious fruits ; they come to tell us of harvest store , 

 of ripened ears of corn , and of golden fields of wheat. Shall we then despise them 

 and say they are not worthy a place among the serious considerations of such 

 meetings as these? 



"Gorgeous flowerets in the sunlight shining, 



Blossoms flaunting in the eye of day; 

 Tremulous leaves, with soft and silver lining, 



Ends that open, quickly to decay; 

 Brilliant hopes all woven in gorgeous tissues. 



Flaunting gaily in the golden light. 

 Large desires with most uncertain issues, 



Tender wishes blossoming at night; 

 These in flowers, and men are more than seeming. 



Workings are they of the self-same powers, 

 Which the poet in no idle dreaming 

 Seeth inhioiself and in the flowers." 



— Mits G. E. DuGAN, Sedalia, Mo. 



The following committees were appointed : 

 Fruits— G. F. Espenlaub, J. A. Ames, Prof. KetTer. 

 Flowers— Sam'l Miller, Mrs. A. Nelson, Mrs. J. J. Wills. 

 Finance— G. W. Hopkins, A. B. Sloan, Henry Speer. 

 Obituaries— A. H. Gilkerson, Conrad Hartzell, Prof. Keffer. 

 Final resolutions— C. W. Murtfeldt, K. L. Pollard, J. M. Kice. 

 Violin solo— Prof. David E. Brown. 



