172 WILD FLOWERS. 



" Eternal love and wisdom drew 

 The plan of earth and skies j 

 And He the span of heaven that threw, 

 Commands the weeds to rise. 



" Then think not nature's scheme sublime 

 These common things might spare ;- 

 For science may detect in time 

 A thousand virtues there." J. F. SMITH. 



Daily more and more are the mysteries of 

 nature unfolded to us ; daily more and more are 

 her " Hidden Uses" made manifest. 



It is in no irreverent spirit that we venture 

 to quote the command which came to the apostle 

 Peter from heaven, with a slight alteration, to 

 suit our purpose. " What God has created, 

 that call thou not useless" for nothing is there 

 which may not be made applicable to satisfy 

 our bodily or mental wants ; if it contribute not, 

 directly or indirectly, to our sustenance, or 

 comfort, or relief in sickness, yet will it yield 

 moral instruction, or intellectual pleasure, and 

 therefore is it truly serviceable to us. 



" To whisper hope to comfort man 



Whene'er his faith is dim, 

 For whoso caretfa for the flowers 

 Will care much more for him.*' 



