9 8 THE OLIVE LEAF. CHAP. 



we have not realized, and enter into larger and wider 

 fields of thought and action. The members of each 

 congregation, the members of each Church, through 

 their communion with one another, rise to higher con- 

 ceptions of the Divine nature, and attain to richer 

 experiences of the Divine grace than would be possible 

 to any one of them in a separate isolated state. This 

 great truth is beginning to be more recognized than it 

 ever was before. Christians of different names and 

 denominations are feeling the need of confederation 

 and co-operation ; and are realizing that their differences 

 may help tp bring out new or forgotten aspects of 

 Christian truth, and to enlarge their view of it as a 

 whole. 



5. Closely connected with the social habit of the 

 moss is its power of branching multiplying itself by 

 self-extension. Some species of moss have simple 

 stems ; and these are more fugacious, having a less 

 hold upon the supplies of life, and smaller forces to 

 overcome their enemies. Others are much branched and 

 last for years. Examples of the two kinds are found in 

 the little peculiar group to which the Mungo Park moss 

 belongs. As a rule the mosses that produce their seed- 

 vessel from the summit of the stem are simple and 

 unbranched, and may therefore be said to be analogous 

 to annuals among flowering plants, which perish when- 

 ever they have produced their blossom and seed ; 

 while mosses that send forth their seed-vessel from the 

 side of the stem are much branched and are analogous 

 to perennial plants, which are provided with the means 



