2 
EEKNT COMBES. 
the most marvellous of God’s creations, know nei¬ 
ther their habits nor their nature. Some indeed 
may inquire, “ What is the advantage of knowing 
the names of a set of weeds which are of no use to 
any one ?” 
“ Of no use ?” That is a question not for us to 
solve. At any rate, are many of your employments 
more useful P Are all so innocent ? 
Ask the worn-out, heart-wearied man yonder, 
who has escaped for one short month from his stool 
in a city office; ask him, if there he not a use in 
the exquisite and various forms and colours of the 
seaweeds he is turning over on the beach. He will 
answer, “ It does me good to look at them ; it re¬ 
freshes my soul; it makes me young again!” 
Of no use ? That is too easily assumed, and im¬ 
plies surely a forgetfulness of Him that made them. 
It does not necessarily follow that a thing is use¬ 
less because we happen to be ignorant of its use. 
We ought to believe, we ought to be sure, that the 
lowliest flower or insect has, though it may be un¬ 
known to us, a real use in God’s economy. “ Be¬ 
hold the lilies of the field, how they grow!” These 
gaily-dressed flowers had their use. It was their 
mission (could they have a higher?) to become 
preachers unto men, of reliance on God for meat, 
drink, and clothing. 
