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'’pHE Petunia (Petunia argentea ) is a native of South America, and 
^ belongs to the Nightshade Family. Of late years foreign florists 
have taken great pains to improve it by hybridizing, and have succeeded 
in producing some that are most exquisite in color, being plain, blotched, 
or striped, and nearly as double as a rose. 
Keep Your Vows and Promises! 
“I am combined by a sacred vow.” 
— Shakespeare. 
“Knights of love, who never broke their vow, 
Firm to their plighted faith.” 
— Dryden. 
A vow (solemn promise), as you most probably know, dear reader, 
is a promise to do some greater good , made willingly to God, with the in¬ 
tention of doing Him honor. It is more than a simple resolution. By it 
we bring ourselves toward God, to do the thing promised under pain of sin. 
The obligation to perform that which we have promised, extends to all the 
circumstances promised, the time, place, etc. 
The Church alone can release from this obligation to God, because 
she represents Him and speaks in His Name, but she only does so for legit¬ 
imate reasons. 
Therefore, anyone who is desirous of taking a vow, ought to consider 
ivell beforehand whether he will be able to keep his word. 
A man who wishes to build, first makes an estimate of the cost, to see 
whether his means will allow him to complete the structure (Luke, xiv, 
28 ). So, no one ought to make a promise for any great length of time, 
without first testing his ability to keep it. 
