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the better elements of his nature. On the other hand, no man 

 without local attachments can have genuine patriotism. As 

 happy in one place as in another, he is like a tree planted in a 

 tub, portable indeed, but at the expense of growth and strength. 

 Said Monsieur Lariaux, the French Deputy to the American 

 Evangelical Alliance, in his farewell address, " your homes, 

 homes, sweet homes these are the safeguards of your freedom. 

 Oh, pray, as you gather at your family altars, that my poor 

 France may have such homes." 



In traveling thousands of miles annually for many years, 

 my experience has led me to expect kindness and refinement 

 in the humblest hamlet to which flowers, well trimmed shrubs, 

 or neat awd cultivated grounds invite. But these outward 

 adornments of the house, however valuable, are but symbols of 

 what should be the attractions of its inner life, realizing the 

 highest beauty in the unwearied and delicate attentions of each 

 to all. The central duty of life is the creation of happy homes. 

 The higher aim of the industries of the world, whether in agri- 

 culture, manufactures or commerce, and the purpose for which 

 government itself is worthy to be sustained, is that men may 

 live in happy homes. Let then the sunlight of generous love 

 fertilize our homes as the garden of God worthy to be as 

 heaven designed, a divine institution, the only earthly paradise, 

 the best symbol of and the best school for the paradise above, 

 the spot most sacred on earth, to be cherished with the most 

 grateful memories in all the future. Back to this holy ground 

 consecrated by flowers and shrubs and trees each tenderly asso- 

 ciated with a mother's love and a father's care, let Thanksgiving 

 gather the scattered circle. Let the Christmas tree bear some 

 fruit, even for the youngest. Let the birthdays be happily 

 observed, and the marriage anniversary joyfully remembered. 



The home should be the first and chief place to promote a 

 love of flowers, vines, shrubs and trees by cultivating them, 

 and thus early develop a love for the beautiful in nature, in 

 art and still more in character. We need more heartily to 

 cultivate home affections, provide home enjoyments and foster 

 home courtesies. In the every day intercourse of home, there 

 should be a more sacred observance of the amenities of life 

 and a freer interchange of kindly feeling. As flowers seem 



