AUGUST. 189 



his Spirit, to do so ; and thus to derive that instruction in righteous- 

 ness which these lowly plants are fitted to convey. 



In the first place, what are the plants denominated Lilies of the 

 field ? They must have heen well known to all our Lord's hearers 

 as growing in the fields near the sea of Galilee, where he was dis- 

 coursing. 



It would appear from the reports of those who have visited Pales- 

 tine, that in the early spring months the fields abound in various 

 species of Lily, Tulip, and Narcissus. Many have thought that the 

 white Lily was the plant meant in the passages quoted ; but this can- 

 not be the case, inasmuch as that plant is not considered to be a 

 native of Palestine, although it is occasionally cultivated there. 



Dr. Royle, from the evidence of various parties, concludes that 

 the Chalcedonian, or Scarlet Martagon Lily (Lilium chulcedoniciim) , 

 is the plant referred to. It is in flower at the season of the year 

 when our Lord's Sermon on the Mount is supposed to have been de- 

 livered ; it is abundant in the district of Galilee ; and its fine scarlet 

 flowers render it a very conspicuous and showy object, which would 

 naturally attract the attention of his hearers. 



Let us now see how the Lilies grow. Their mode of growth is 

 hidden and unseen. By a slight and gradual process, which man 

 cannot comprehend, they shoot out the blade from their bulbs. At 

 first the young bud is under ground, obscured by the earth ; but soon 

 it pushes upward, producing the delicate green blade, then the flower- 

 stalk and the flower. 



In all these stages of progress there is no toiling or spinning on 

 the part of the plant. They are carried on by the working of an 

 unseen Power; even by God, who waters the ground and maketh it 

 bring forth and bud (Isa, Iv. 10). Our heavenly Father, in his 

 wondrous providence, supplies all that is necessary for their nourish- 

 ment and growth, and superintends the formation of every minute 

 cell and tube which enters into their composition. Never let us 

 suppose that any thing is too small for God to notice. Every thing, 

 even the smallest, is constantly under his care. 



How beautifully this is stated in Ps. Ixv. 9-11, where the water- 

 ing of the very ridges and the settling of the furrows are attributed 

 to the direct agency of the almighty and omnipresent Creator ! 

 Even the tiny moss, which we pass by as beneath our notice, is 

 cared for by God. This cannot be too deeply impressed upon our 

 minds. The truth, "Thou, God, seest me" (Gen. xvi. 13), should 

 extend to our every thought, word, and action. 



The Lilies thus speak to us of the care God takes of his children, 

 and the special interest he has in his people. The believer's growth 

 in grace is a hidden work, known only to God. The heavenly plant 

 — the spark of life — is at first much obscured by earth ; but, under 

 the fostering care of the Great Husbandman, and by the dews of 

 Christ's Spirit, it springs up and flourishes. It will only be in 

 heaven that it will appear in all its glory. 



We are told that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like 

 one of these Lilies (Matt. vi. 29 ; Luke xii. 27). In order to under- 



