WINTER MEETING. 213 



Notwithstanding the fact that to man has been attributed the honor of every 

 step in advancement, progress and civilization, poor Adam had only wit enough to 

 do as he was told, and the keen womanly wisdom of Mother Eve was called in 

 advice as to hosv the fruits of his labor should be applied. 



In obedience to the natural promptings of her tender heart, his physical needs 

 found ready sympathy, and her willing hands were engaged in preparing for him 

 food and raiment — the noble, ruddy apple, which everywhere intimates culture and 

 refinement, being first used by man for food, and the time-honored fig leaves, deftly 

 arranged by skillful hands, relieved the tried modesty of the "First Pair.'' 



Though Adam has never been praised for his intelligence, we may certainly 

 admire his talent and industry, for God, in his wisdom, would never have assigned 

 him so important a work had he not been specially fitted. 



In his osvn garden were grown the fruits used as his first food, and from that 

 time fruits have been universally diffused, grown and cultivated with the most 

 tender care into many and rare varieties. 



The horticulturist, the florist and the landscape gardener have assigned to 

 them by the Great Architect and Designer of Nature's Jworks, most prominent 

 parts. 



Like Orpheus, the mythical civilizer of Greece, who tamed the wild beast 

 and stayed the course of the rivers, they have within their hands the magical 

 instrument by which the human passions may be tamed to consonance and har- 

 mony. 



The sweetest chords and most touching melodies are to be executed in 

 Nature's conservatory for the accomplishment of a divine purpose — the design of 

 God's forethought. 



To the unthinking mind the majesty, variety and beauty of God's work in 

 creation, bringing into existence immortal man enthroned in a paradise of love 

 and grandeur— all requiring less than the physical effort of a thought— would 

 seem like a fairy tale. 



The creation was not a mere display of wisdom and power, but every particle 

 of matter brought into existence to serve an important part in the great terrestrial 

 economy ; the end of which serving as ready illustrations in the study of moral 

 and spiritual lessons. 



The entire code of nature's laws may be embraced in the little secret of motion 

 and rest. 



If we may believe the nebular hypothesis, in her laboratory from which has 

 sprung the earth and all that in it is, there was but one material from which has 

 been compounded the myriad varieties— countless as the sands. Whatever forms 

 may be assumed, fire, water, tree, or man, the same properties are betrayed, and 

 but one matter used. 



If we study her work, we f eem to catch a glance of a great system in cease- 

 less change, and yet, accordirg to her consistency, ever the same. 



His plans are folded in many mysteries. All is made of one common material, 

 and no form unfits for future use. 



Things bear such close relation to each other that there is realiy no deviation 

 from natural life. We are but parts of the grand common system. The elements 

 these precious bodies use may have served a purpose millions of time before; in 

 what form we know not— whether poet, beggar, tree or flower. 



Hamlet, in addressing Claudius, though mad, was not unwise when he said ; 

 " Man may fish with a worm that hath eat of a king, and eat of a fish that hath 

 fed of a worm." For, as has been so beautifully expressed by Alexander Pope,we 



