18 THE FLORIST. 



in the former condition. Looking at the Rose in its perfect deve- 

 lopment, we see no lines but the curves of beauty; circle within 

 circle, even to the innermost circlet, we perceive only one round of 

 perfectness after another. Again, as to each separate leaf; there is 

 not one misshapen, not one inodorous. And the man of science will 

 tell us that the much-r.dmired variety in the colour of the Rose 

 depends wholly on its various capabilities for the reflection of light — 

 the pure white reflecting equally to our eye all the rays ; and the 

 pure red Rose the rays that are red. 



Let us carry with us all these various thoughts about the natural 

 Rose, in attempting to consider the first text of Scripture wherein 

 it is mentioned : Song of Solomon ii. 1 : / am the Rose of Sharon. 

 Sharon, be it observed, on account of the excellency of its fruitful soil 

 (see Isa. xxxv. 2), is said to have produced the richest fruits and the 

 sweetest flowers, so as to be quite proverbial for its beauty, till it was 

 turned into a wilderness (Isa. xxxiii. 9) because of the sins of the in- 

 habitants of the land. Who is it, then, my friends, that in these re- 

 markable words — condescending, as it were, to address us in language 

 on a level with our understandings and tastes — challenges our admi- 

 ration, as in the full consciousness that none but the blind can dispute 

 His title to the pre-eminence He claims ? I have on my side the unani- 

 mous judgment of all commentators, Jewish and Christian, in saying, 

 a gj^eater than Solomon is here. It is Christ Himself who chooses 

 this language to draw our regards, graciously using every means to 

 awaken our attention to His supreme excellency. 



The word khobzeleth, already explained, may remind us of the 

 overshadowing perfection and hidden glories of the Son of God, 

 which we may not now penetrate ; and that it is but the opening, the 

 partial unfolding of His excellency that even the most earnest be- 

 liever can contemplate in this present world. But there is every 

 thing unfolded that can attract and enchain the love of every human 

 heart that needs relief from its sins, or a resting-place in its sorrows. 

 The circle of perfection knows no termination. The heart once 

 fixed on Christ will find enough in Him to satisfy it for ever. In 

 the same book to which we refer for this simile of the Rose of Sharon, 

 there is a passage which may remind us of what has been said as to 

 the white and red Rose. (See Song of Solomon v. 10.) Coming forth 

 from the Father in spotless purity, the light of the world, He might 

 be compared to the white Rose, reflecting all the assembled rays of 

 heaven, as it is written, " the brightness of His glory," " without 

 blemish and without spot ;" and, going back to the Father, how ex- 

 pressive an emblem do we find in the red Rose of Sharon ; for then, 

 if I may so speak, the red rays were reflected before a guilty world. 

 The wrath due to sinners was borne by Him, and " by His own 

 blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal 

 redemption." Heb. ix. 12. 



Oh, that we may not only taste the great salvation thus accom- 

 plished, but know what it is to have Christ in us. And if this Rose 

 be treasured in our bosoms, even though the rich possession be un- 

 seen by others, the odour will make it known ; the fragrancy of holi- 



