14 A CHAPTER ON FLOWERS. 



Oh ! it is good for the heart to give itself up to such pure 

 and genial influences. Refreshing to the soul are these fre- 

 quent draughts from the well-spring of truth. We learn pru- 

 dence and circumspection, and self-concealment, in our inter- 

 course with the world ; but it is only in the presence of the 

 works of God that we learn to commune with the living soul 

 which he has breathed into our frail and perishing body. In 

 the thronged marts of our busy cities so much is done by man, — 

 so many wonderful things are achieved by his enterprise and 

 genius, that we are apt to forget the Creator who gave him 

 power over all things earthly. But when we see around us the 

 rich garniture of the fields — the hills clothed in verdure — the 

 trees lifting their crowned heads to Heaven — the flowers open- 

 ing their many-colored urns of incense to the breeze — when 

 we hear no sounds but the voices of God's humbler creatures, 

 then do we feel ourselves alone in the presence of the Most 

 High. Then do we find that within the recesses of our hearts 

 is a sanctuary where only God is worshipped ; then do we learn 

 the mystery of Faith and the peace of Hope. 



" To him who recognises not the presence of a God, 

 creation is but an illuminated missal, — he knows not that is a 

 book of prayer."* 



Who will not recognise the truth as well as the beauty of 

 this remark? Alas! to how many is the Book of Nature but 

 a volume in an unknown tongue, instead of being a wide 



* Dr. Dewev. 



