PREFACE. 
V 
Nor is this the only lesson they impart; they 
remind us also of the superintending providence 
of the Almighty. After contemplating the 
more stupendous features of creation, “ the 
heavens, the work of His fingers, the moon 
and the stars which He has ordained,” till, over¬ 
whelmed with a sense of littleness, we exclaim, 
almost with feelings of despondency, “ Lord, 
what is man that thou art mindful of him, and 
the son of man that thou visitest him!” has 
not the sight of a flower so carefully provided 
for, so exquisitely wrought, and so lavishly en¬ 
dowed with fragrance, recalled the mind to its 
proper tone, and given emphasis to the question, 
“ Are ye not much better than they ?” 
But it is when viewed as types of the 
resurrection that they most vividly affect the 
imagination and touch the heart. The same in¬ 
spired volume which tells us “ all flesh is grass, 
and all the goodliness thereof as the flower 
of the field,” reminds us also that “ that which 
is sown is not quickened except it die.” When, 
therefore, after the dreary, deathlike months 
