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THE ANNUAL MEETING. 215 



HOW TO USE FLOWERS IX THE CHURCH, THE HOME, AND THE 



SCHOOL ROOM. 



Tlie first speaker was Rev. Charles Fluhrer, of Gratul Rapids, wlio gave a 

 very entertaining address, which was listened to throughout with the best of 

 attention. It is impossible to do justice to the speaker by giving an abstract; 

 but as the address was given from notes only, the readers of tliis report will have 

 to be satisfied with the following abstract: 



FLOWERS IN THE CHURCH. 



The use of flowers in temples and on religious occasions is very ancient — may 

 be said to be universal. In Polynesia, the rude natives appear on occasions of 

 religious solemnity with garlands worn upon the head and neck. The Hindoos 

 employed them profusely, it being recorded that in the thirteenth century it 

 was a rule to offer 100,000 blossoms daily, and each day a new variety, in the 

 temple at Dambedenia. The ancient Egj^ptian appeared in his temple to wor- 

 ship carrying the lotus in his hand. Among the Greeks, garlands were left 

 hano-ing: on the altars till thev faded. The Romans burned the laurel in sacri- 

 fices, and the rich offered bunches of violets to the gods. The Hebrews used 

 flowers lavishly during the joyous feast of the Tabernacles; and in the Christ- 

 ian church, whose cheerful message of ''good tidings" seems ever appropriate- 

 ly illustrated by these gifts of heavenly love, flowers have been employed to set 

 forth the teachings of the Savior, — notably the lily, tlie passion-flower and the 

 evergreen. 



In decorating churches, general effects as well as artistic arrangements should 

 be carefully studied. Columns and niches afford opportunities for decoration 

 which the ingenious and tasteful should be quick to take advantage of. The 

 altar, of course, is a central point for display, and the usually bare spaces be- 

 tween the windows may be occupied by appropriate designs. As we have great 

 space and distances to deal with, large flowers, such as peonies, rhododendrons 

 and lilacs, which are considered ''coarse" in the home, may be used with good 

 effect in the church. Large urns filled with ferns and blossoms may also be 

 brought into service. The altar or chancel should not be "cluttered." Two 

 or three elaborate pieces — say a pyramid on one side and a hanging basket or 

 emblem on the other — standing out in relief will produce a much better effect 

 than a promiscuous assemblage of potted plants. A basket on the com- 

 munion-table and a baptismal font if there be one, filled with flowers and 

 drooping vines, always show to good advantage. Do not put too many flowers 

 on the desk, — a simple bouquet and others on a stand adjacent will be much 

 better. Flowers in windows produce a good effect, but always put them in 

 vases or some appropriate setting — never in pitchers or other ungraceful 

 receptacles. Designs such as wreaths, crosses, anchors, etc., may be used, 

 but they siiould bo constructed on a firm foundation, the outlines distinct, so 

 that no interpreter will be needed to tell what they mean. Growing-ferns, 

 placed in tins filled with earth, and ivy vines, may be kept for weeks or months 

 together. Artificial flowers should be used sparingly, if at all. In winter, 

 when flowers are scarce, ivies, holly, cedar or creeping-pine, which arc easily 

 procured, may be wrought into appropriate designs. For Cliristmas, rise 

 holly, ivy, laurel, box or cedar; for Easter, lilies, passion-flowers, pansies, 

 violets, azaleas. White should prevail. In preparing fl.ow^ers for church, it 



