170 ON THE PLEASURE OF FLOWERS, &C 



spheres which nightly bespangle the nocturnal heavens, is ad- 

 mirably calculated to lead the mind from Nature up to Nature's 

 God. And if the contemplation of those luminaries, placed as 

 they are at such immeasureable distances ; and which can act 

 only upon the ocular nerves, has this tendency ; how much more 

 ought the beauties of Flora, producing as they do, a threefold 

 evidence on the senses? Yes — 



The blushing tint, the crimson streak, 

 The powers of heavenly wisdom speak ; 

 And all their balmy fragrance join, 

 To show their Author is divine. 



In fact, there is not a blade of grass, or a wild flower that 

 decks our lawns; but which is replete with instruction, and shows 

 forth the handy-work of the great and glorious Creator of the 

 Universe. 



" Not a tree, 

 A plant, a leaf, a blossom, but contains 

 A folio volume. We may read, and read, 

 And read again, and still find something new — 

 Something to please, and something to instruct 

 E'en in the noisome weed." — Hurdis. 



Solomon, the wisest man, was a great admirer of the beauties 

 of the floral kingdom. And our blessed Kedeemer expressly 

 commands us to " Consider the lilies of the field ;" and if, with 

 an example like that of Solomon before us; and after receiving 

 a command from our Saviour himself, we can still remain insen- 

 sible to their charms — still refuse to contemplate their inimitable 

 beauties, we must lack much of that spirit of refinement which 

 purifies the grossness of depraved human nature, and makes man 

 fit for the society of Heaven. 



4 



"The men 



Whom nature's works can charm, with God himself 



Hold converse : grow familiar day by day, 



With his conceptions ; act upon his plan ; 



And form to his, the relish of their souls." — Akenside. 



Among all the productions of the vegetable kingdom, there is 

 not a single individual, but which has its uses ; even those very 

 tribes which daily remind us of man's awful fall, and the curse 





