THE FRUIT. 63 



and beautiful comparison he makes between the mortal 

 body and the seed, and the immortal body and the spring- 

 ing plant, occur with startling emphasis to your memory ? 



"That which thou sowest is not quickened except it die: 

 and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body tliat 

 shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or some 

 other grain." So of the body: "It is sown in dishonor, it 

 is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in 

 power ; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual 

 body." 



Some of the sublimest lessons of truth and wisdom were 

 taught by the Saviour and his apostles through the silent 

 ministry of flowers, the lilies of the valley, the grasses of 

 the field, corn and olives, figs and grapes. In these latter 

 days, we find these "' voiceless preachers" conveying prom- 

 ises and assurances that the wisest men have failed some- 

 times to enforce. There are limits to our investigations, 

 points where we hear the voice that controls the waves, 

 saying, " Thus far shalt thou come and no farther." We 

 can talk much about the seed, and may feel wise and 

 pufl^ed up with our learning, until we come where mystery 

 guards the 'priyici'ple of life. At this door we knock in 

 vain for admission. Here human knowledge falters. How- 

 ever, with chastened, humble hearts, let us endeavor to 

 learn all that science can teach us; and, remembering that 

 revelation declares that every soul is responsible to God 

 for every talent, strive to use our time conscientiously and 

 profitably. 



153. We already know that the seed is the perfected 

 ovule, and in our conversations about the stamen and 

 pistil, we described the fertilization of the ovule by the 

 pollen tubes. AYhen this is efiected a marked change takes 

 place, the ovule enlarges and changes from a semi-fin id 

 into a solid body called the seed ; and now, if cut into two 



153. Under the microscope how docs the ovule appear ? What is this called? 

 How many parts has the embryo ? 



