24 BRECK'S NEW BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



spirit, study its wondrous mechanism, its faultless form, 

 seek for the secret of its ' tender grace,' and when you 

 have read all that eye can see, and have felt all that heart 

 can receive, remember that you know but in part, that 

 you see the beauty of this flower only through a glass 

 darkly. It has a wealth of beauty that to you is entirely 

 imperceptible. Scientific aids, increasing wonderfully 

 your natural powers of observation, only reveal the fact, 

 that there is an infinity of beauty concealed within the 

 compass of these leafy walls. 



" Now, if the God of love, the Father of glory, has con- 

 cealed such beauty, where He reveals Himself in the light 

 of a single flower, how much has He treasured up beyond 

 the reach of mortal vision within those foundations of 

 precious stones ; how much has He concealed in the buds 

 of precious promise, in the flowers of living hope that 

 rise with heavenly fragrance, beside still waters, in those 

 green pastures where He makes His flock to rest at noon. 



"Is there a joy unspeakable in the humblest flower 

 that springs up beneath the touch of His finger ? What 

 must be the fullness of joy when He reveals the fashion 

 of His own glorious body, according to His mighty 

 power. Let uslearn from one of these lilies of the field, 

 that we but know in part, but when that is perfect is 

 come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 

 Then shall we know, even as we are known." 



It is not known what particular flower was alluded to, 

 as the "lily of the field;" we should like very well to 

 ascertain. It is not, however, necessary, to know the 

 particular one : the remark is applicable to any flower. 



