BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



THE UTILITY OF FLOWERS. 



THE HAPPY INFLUENCE OF THE PURSUIT OF HORTICUL- 

 TURE ON THE MIND OF MAN. 



" Not useless are ye flowers ; though made for pleasure, 

 Blooming o'er fields, and wave by day and night 

 From every source your sanction bids me treasure 



Harmless delight." Horace Smith. 



Flowers are the expression of God's love to man. One 

 of the highest uses, therefore, which can be made in con- 

 templating these beautiful creations, in all their variety 

 and splendor, is, that our thoughts and affections may be 

 drawn upwards to Him who has so bountifully spread over 

 the face of the whole earth, such a vast profusion of these 

 beautiful objects, as tokens of his love to us. The more 

 we examine flowers, especially when the eye is assisted by 

 the microscope, the more we must adore the matchless 

 skill of the Great Supreme. We must be ungrateful in- 

 deed, not to acknowledge his unspeakable goodness in thus 

 providing so liberally for the happiness and pleasure of His 

 children here below. 



The Saviour of men, while on earth, often retired to the 

 gardens about Jerusalem to spend a quiet hour with His 

 disciples, or alone, and no doubt took pleasure in contem- 

 plating flowers. We all know how He spake of the lily : 

 " Behold the lilies of the field, how they grow ; they toil 



