Flowers and Festivals 



nature prompted men to look up from Nature unto 

 Nature's God." Nothing seems so appropriately to 

 express the feeling of gladness and the thanks of a 

 heart grateful for all God's mercies than the decoration 

 of the house of prayer and praise with floral offerings. 



There are many persons who condemn the custom 

 of so decorating the Church, as if there was some- 

 thing idolatrous in the simple and poetic practice ; 

 simple and poetic, because it may be considered as 

 an humble offering to the Great Creator of those 

 creatures which are, of all earthly things, the most 

 appropriate emblems of purity and sanctity. 



What is more beautiful to behold than the flowers 

 of the earth wreathing and adorning, with graceful 

 foliage, the columns of a Christian Church; as though 

 pouring out in mute adoration their praises to the 

 King of Kings, when we are celebrating the festival of 

 the Nativity of Him " who took our nature upon 

 Him," who came in lowly guise to be the Prince of 

 Peace, the Sun of Righteousness, the Redeemer of 

 Mankind ? Ought it not to give rise to a feeling that 



