12 WILD FLOWEES 



seeds of the ash are scattered far and near. 

 Under the bough of the horse-chestnut tree, lies 

 the nut wrapped in its green and prickly co- 

 vering, till svm and rain have decayed its oTiter 

 coat, and left it free to find its place in the soil ; 

 and the autumnal damps rot the hard woody 

 cones of the fir-apple, and the seed, so carefully 

 guarded till it is matured, finds its way into 

 the land, and the dark forest of the north rises 

 and thickens with its thousands of trees. In- 

 numerable are the means which the great 

 Creator employs in spreading fertility ; from the 

 gentle summer wind "which ripples the waters, 

 to the storm which lashes the waves into fury; 

 from the humble and unintentional ministry of 

 the fowl of the air, to the thoughtful plan and 

 the unwearied pursuit of it, which characterises 

 the works of his great masterpiece — man. 



There are few who arc disposed to resist these 

 evidences of a Supreme Being, or to deny his 

 power and beneficence as shown in creation. 

 Though on looking around we see so much prac- 

 tical infidelity; though many are Uving and dying, 

 and God is not in all their thoughts ; yet most 

 would acknowledge the fact of his existence, 

 and welcome the proofs of his omnipotence. 

 Far more general is the notion, that we can 

 learn so much of God in his works, as that we 

 need not study his Holy Word. We may listen 

 to the sweeping winds with solemn awe, and a 

 rapt and subdued feeling may take possession 

 of our souls, and we may fancy it is devotion ; 

 yet not one holy or spiritual emotion may be 



