Los Angeles daily herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1873-1876, 1874-06-30
The Olive Tree of Southern California.

gentleman in this city, to a friend in
the East, will be found of interest to
the general reader:
My DEAR FRIEND DIN my nu-
merous letters describing the scenery
of Southern California, | have omitted
to speak of one of her classic beauties
the olive tree. 1t is tree of re-
~iown, and is the emblem of peace and
plenty, and millions of our race are
Indebted to its annual benedictions
for sustenance and comfort. The very
appearance of this tree inspires feel
ing of veneration in the human heart.
Its symmetrical form, the graceful
gloNtl of its beautiful branches, its
emerald green foliage, quivering in
response to the sportive breeze; its
pure white flower, as fragrant as the
jessamine, and its fruit filled with the
oil like that in the human system,
thus standing the nearest ally to man,
and pre-eminent above it's brothers of
the forest. 1t is an evergreen, thirty
to forty feet high, waving in match
less grace and beauty in the mountain
winds.
We are now looking upon neglect
ed old (or young) orchard, planted by
the Benedictine priest, at San Fer
nando Mission, in this county, ninety
years ago, yet in their magnanimity
they pine not at neglect. Though
they be banished from the fruitful vale
of culture, out upon the verge of ruin,
yet like true patience and forgiveness,
they look as green and cheerful to-day
rs they did half century ago, when
the Mission Indians, under the direc-
tion of the priest, carefully cultivated
every foot of soil around them, and all
along these sad and weary years
meekly returning good for evil, by u
bountiful supply Of its annual fruit,
thus making the rough paths of ma
ture smooth. Like the never-dying
tree of Paradise, it is instinct with life;
tlourishing, and from its very roots
springing into renewed youth and
beauty, rallying in every stage of
growth until the aged tree standing
in the midst of its progeny, like the
aged grandfather with his juvenile
descendants climbingaround his knees.
The Psalmist saw this correspondence
when he said: "Thy sons as olive
plants round about thy table, thus
shall the man be blessed that feareth
Jehovah" This tree is little less than
immortal.
1t is fact generally conceded by the
learned that trees, in the symbolical
style Of the sacred writer's, were used
to present certain perceptions and de-
grees or kinds of knowledge; and
therefore signified the class to which
man belonged who possessed certain
qualities. The Bible reader will dis
cover this, if when reading the Scrip
lures, they will substitute mentally
for olive, love; for oil, charity.
The page will grow brighter. The
tabernacle was perpetually lighted
with lamps filled with pure oil of
olives. The oil of holiness, Math.
XIV. = was mixed with aromatics
affections In every part of the
sacred writings the olive tree and oil
represents the highest spiritual good.
In Revelations the olive trees and
candlesticks are synonymous, and are
called witnesses, and they acknowl-
edge and confess the Lord. Such acts
can only be spoken of human beings.
These Witnesses are called olive trees.
The reason is, because olive trees rep
resent all who are in brotherly love.
The lamp of mere science or knowl-
edge Of religion will avail nothing I'M
less your lamps are replenished with
the oil of love in very life. The
cherub, guards, door, posts, etc., were
made of olive wood, signifying that
the Lord can only be approached by
love. Love is the only passport to the
sec ct place of the Most High. 81
will be as the dew to Israel and
his honor be as the olive.n Mount oil
Olives represents a state of divine love
The dove returned to the Ark with al
olive leaf in its mouth.
Leaves represent truths. The ma.
tions are to be healed by the leaves q
the trees which Ezekiel saw in hi,
vision. What world we have fol
profitable thought. In all the vegeta
BILE kingdom of earth there is not one
species that presents greater tielt
for profitable meditation than the
olive, and it grows in great perfection
here in Southern California.
Il. L, p.