22 THE VOICES OF FLOWERS. 



that terminated so plainly in the hearts and joys of his cul 

 tures. 



For what use, also, were colors formed ? Why were not all 

 flowers of one shade ? Why was nature so extravagantly pro 

 fuse in scattering her richest colors over hill, and dale, and 

 mountain, and valley, and bestowing on every humble useless 

 flower and blossom tints that Titian or Raphael nay, even an 

 angel artist could not excel ? Green and blue are wisely dis 

 tributed, the blue above and the green below, to temper the 

 sun s rays and reflections, so that the delicate eyesight might 

 rejoice in light without pain. But wherefore dip the pencil 

 and brush into seventy colors and shades, and scatter designs 

 of exquisite beauty so thickly over earth s flowers ? 



&quot;The Almighty Maker has throughout 

 Distinguish *} each from each, by strokes 

 And touches of his hand with so much art 

 Diversified that two were never found 

 Twins at all points.&quot; 



Will not fruit ripen without color, and seeds become perfect 

 in its absence ? Experiments show that the colors of flowers 

 may be effectually destroyed when first they appear and yet 

 the seeds be as perfect and the fruit as pleasant as where no 

 colors have been wanting. Then there is an object as well 

 as a design and contrivance; there is a final as well as a first 

 cause; and every flower of earth becomes a little altar, whence 

 matins and vespers of incense ascend to Him who sent them 

 forth from Eden less as exiles than as missionaries to proclaim 

 his loving-kindness to every land on earth. This is their office 



