The Portland daily press., 1875-06-28
THE PRESS.
MONDAY MORNING., JUNE 2S, 1875
FOR GOVERNOR,
GEN. SELDEN CONNOR.
Flower Missions.


treasures over the face of the whole earth.
Only few days ago, in sweet accord with
her divine instructions, multitude of people
were gathering buds aud blossoms from the
fields and woods, and from garden and con-
servatory, "To deck the turf that wraps the
clay'' of those who died for their father
land.
This, too, is the time when in the rural
towns matrons and niaidens, deeply engaged
in the mysteries of Horticulture, and pro
foundly versed in the marvellous nomencla-
ture OF botany, continue thus to cheat a
humdrum life out of half of its weariness
and dullness. In our city many times of late
have the dingy and dusty auction rooms been
transformed into very bowers of bloom and
fountains of fragrance, crowded as they were
with the rare spoils of rifed conservatories-
and, alas how have the pangs of jealousy
disturbed the hearts of some fair bidders and
buyers who discovered that despite briliancy
OF complexion and brightness of eye and
faultlessness of form, they "ar9 not arrayed
like one of these" Full well we know that
our general subject, without special limita-
tions, is dangerous one, on account of its
poetic suggestiveness and tender temptations;
the halting pen almost spnrns sluggish prose,
and would fan essay higher fight. Before
it is too late, therefore, and while we are yet
safe, we will return to the matter-of fact
way.
Briefly, then, this is our creed, it is duty
and privilege to Consider the liljes'; to
cultivate flowers, to reserve place for them
in the soil and in the heart. True it is that
through mans agency the kingdom of nature
alike with that of grace, proclaims its gospel
of love. Moreover, we believe that it is right
to distrust him Who has no friendly word for
flowers, who grudges them the air they
breathe, and the earth upon which they feed:
and who, without vince of remorse, sets
his rude feet upon their shrinking sweetness.
Were our readers already convinced of the
truth of our positions, and had they given
them practical assent, still we must say,
"One thing thou lackest." Outside of every
mans self, is his real field of labor, and there
only can he gather the harvest upon which
he can live and grow strong. No persons
have made so great a mistake in coming into
this world to live, as those who exist for
themselves alone. Whenever a man with
holds from others whatever he has, whether
it may be talent, wealth or influence, libra
ry, picture gallery or flower garden, and abb
serbs all into bis narrow SELF he virtually
leaves himself out of existence in this
world.
Making then practical application of the
subject we say, cultivate flowers, but share
them with others; hinder not the twoiold
blessing which comes to him who gives and
him who takes. Especially let your floral
benevolence go out to those who have not
the opportunity, or ability, or disposition to
provide for themselves. In several of our
sister cities such ideas have already put on
actual shape and substance, usually denomi-
mated "Flower Missions" or "Charities." In
Brooklyn, the members of Flower Charity
have during the past year distributed 1S,645
bouquets to the inmates of hospitals, aims
houses, asylums, jails and factories. In Phil
adelphia 1177 bouquets, besides much fruit,
have been distributed in hospitals and sick
rooms by the Germantown flower missions.
In Cleveland, Chicago and some other cities,
the work has been begun.
To show the value of this agency merely
as sanitary measure in its direct influence
upon the body, we quote from Florence
Nightingale, whose authority must be re-
garded as accepted and undisputed: "The
effect in sickness of beautiful objects of va
riety of form, and especially of briliancy of
color, is hardly at all appreciated. Cravings
for such things are usually called the 'fancies'
OF patients, and often, doubtless, patients
have fances, as when they desire two con-
tradictions. But much more often their so
called fancies are the most valuable indica-
tions of what is necessary for their recovery: !:
and it would be well if nurses would watch
their fancies more closely. 1 have seen in
fevers, and felt when was a fever patient
myself, the most acute suffering produced
from the patient not being able to look out of
the window, and the knots in the wood being
the only view. I shall never forget the rap
ture of such patients over bunch of bright
colored flowers. remember in my own case
bouquet of wild flowers being sent me, and
from that moment recovery becoming more
rapid. People say the effect is only on tie
mind. 1t is no such thing. The effect is on
the body too. Little as we know about the
way in which we are affected by form, by
color and light, we do know this, that they
have an actual physical effect. Variety of
form and brilliancy of color, in the objects
presented to patients, are actual means of
recovery"
We think, however, that such associations
are to be mainly considered for their reform
atory influences and results. Although no
sovereign remedy can be prescribed for the
diseased mind and heart, still the record
shows some wondrous cures wrought through
the soothing and healing agency of flowers.
They not only address the eye. but the heart;
they are Gods mnistering servants, mute
missionaries bearing message of remem-
brance, sympathy and love. In the daily
presence of their beauty, purity, delicacy and
oWOOehOoo, INV uOCo WIG duu ulSOruer
and uncleanliness, and all that defiles and
deforms the inner and outer man stand re-
buked!
We do not doubt that individuals in Port
land have already done something in this di-
rectlon, but that any organization exists we
have yet to learn. This kind of benevolence,
like all others, should not be spasmodic and
impulsive, and thereby liable to discontinue
ance; but systematic and permanent-not
the work of individuals only, but ordinarily
entrusted to the care of associations. No
one will dispute that this is woman's appro-
pirate work, land that it will be more efficient
ly conducted when connected with the sew
eral religious societies, none can deny.
The Nation, in its review of the business