PROCEEDINGS OF THE HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 679 



From the earliest ages it has been the emblem of peace and of the boun- 

 teous gifts of Heaven. It was exceedingly plentiful in Judea, and was 

 frequently used in the poetical imagery of the east. Of the righteous it Ia 

 said, " his branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree." 

 The most endearing reflections connected with this tree grow from its 

 having given its name to the Mount of Olives, just outside of the city of 

 Jerusalem, and which has become so famous through its connection with 

 the history of our Saviour. Thither our Redeemer was wont to retire after a 

 laborious day spent in the endeavor to lead a crooked and perverse gene- 

 ration into the paths of truth and righteousness. Reclining under the 

 boughs of its olive trees. He gazed upon the ill-fated city, prophecied its 

 destruction and wept over it. In the garden at its foot. He commenced the 

 scene of last sufterings, and from its highest elevation he ascended into 

 Heaven, Eighteen hundred years have I'olled away, and still on that mount 

 stand trees under which, no doubt, he has reclined; trees which have over- 

 shadowed Him and sheltered Him from noontide heats or evening dews; 

 trees which were witnesses of his debasement for our sakes, as they were 

 also witnesses of His exaltation and all-glorious ascension. 



In the mention made of this tree in our translations, we have another 

 notable instance of the ignorance of the cloister and of tlie schools. If their 

 theologj'- is no better than their knowledge of science and of nature, it is 

 of little worth to us. In translating many passages of the Psalmist and 

 the other sacred writers, they are made to speak with rapture of the green 

 olive tree. Now it so happens that the foliage of the olive is rather dingy- 

 luoking, as though it had been covered with dust from a neighboring well 

 travelled road, and is far from convej'ing the idea of freshness and beauty 

 of verdure. The word which our translators have rendered green, really 

 means flourishing or vigorous, and the seventy have so translated it in 

 Daniel, where Nebuchadnezzar says : " I was at rest in my house and flou- 

 rishing in my palace." It would be absurd to say that he was " green in 

 liis palace." Such passages as "I am like a green olive tree in the house 

 of God," should be translated " I am like a vigorous olive tree in the himse 

 of God ;" as the metapl-or has not relation to simple beauty of appearance, 

 but to a robust and healthy growth in righteousness through the grace and 

 favor of God ; implying cultivation and care taking on his part. 



In Greece the tree was very highly esteemed, and rich harvests of it were 

 gathered on the plains of that country. The Grecians thus accounted for 

 the origin of the olive : When the earth, which in the beginning was 

 covered with water, first appeared, the most prominent point was where 

 the city of Athens stands. Neptune and Minerva, both being enamored of 

 the situation, contended as to which of them should there build a city bear- 

 ing their name. Jupiter, desirous of putting an end to their contests iu 

 regard to it, decided that whichever one of them bestowed the most useful 

 gift on the city should have it. Neptune thereupon bestowed ports and 

 naval deposituries, but Minerva raised an olive tree in the citadel, flourish- 

 ing and fruitful, and being crowned with it and by all admired, she obtained . 

 the victory, and they called the city Athens after her name. Hence it was 

 the custom to crown those who overcame in difficult contests with a chap- 

 let of wild olive leaves. The Greeks also inscribed the word Athena on au 



