210 THE JOY OF GARDENS 



the skies above the garden ; and this we know, if we have 

 kept step with a pilgrim's progress, that hope has never 

 flitted out of reckoning. 



The sun has dropped behind the distant hill where 

 eternal fires seem to blaze against the sky behind the 

 cypresses in God's Acre. A glory not of earth reflects 

 from the church spire, "pointing to heaven like a finger 

 in the sky," teaching of faith in everlasting good. The 

 fall anemone, opening its white petals in the dried grass 

 along the road, carries the message from paradise to 

 earth. 



Turn your back on the winding road, you of little 

 faith. Plant to-day, that in spring you may have purest 

 joy. The garden awaits the beginning of a newer and 

 more joyous season. The work of one year has rounded 

 through a cycle of seedtime and harvest. Turn the 

 brown earth with industry, and deep in the heart of 

 nature plant the modest crocus, the daffodil, the lily of 

 Easter, the tulip with her chalice for heavenly vintage; 

 and when the snows of winter retreat before the return- 

 ing spring, make festival in the garden and wreathe its 

 altars with garlands, for the resurrection of life is at 

 hand, and nature is true to the heart that loves her. 



THE END 



