A SYLVAN EASTER 69 



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We greet the year adorned with flowers, '^ 

 continued the oak. '*Let none envy another, 

 for remember that 'One star differ eth from 

 another in glory.' All help to make the sea- 

 son sweet, from the first gray catkin of the wil- 

 low to the golden crown of chestnut bloom. 

 We silently mark the passing of the bright 

 hours of spring, and all who have not learned 

 to tell the time of year by our flower-dial have 

 bent their eyes too much upon the ground. 

 When they learn to look up, they will find the 

 trees telling how sweetly pass the sunlit hours, 

 and will know that there is a benediction of 

 flowers above their heads as well as flowers 

 upon the ground crushed by their feet. Who 

 that looks upon a tree adorned for the spring, 

 can but ' Consider the lilies' ? It is not vanity, 

 but love, that clothes us, for we are making the 

 earth beautiful for all, and consecrating our- 

 selves to another year of usefulness." 



As the oak paused, the robin repeated the 

 praise of all the trees, and well he might, for 

 where else could be found so fair a company ? 



The robin is right," said Spring. ^'I love 



ii\ 



