Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1882-10-23
SERMON,
FLOWER :

lie talk apo'' down to-
we car" pank, to have a
At the flowers. and see
.not find out what are some
should be blooming in our hearts.
am sure you must all love the dali
sizes. Look at this one growing at
our feet; how it turns upward its yell
low eye and pure white petals. See
how steadily it is looking straight,
straight upward into the heavens. OF
what does it remind you? 1t makes
me think of that sweet, trustful faith
that is always looking up, away from
the little difficulties and temptation
that often surround us, to the place
where help and strength are always
to be found. The daisy that we
know and love so we'll, has often to
hang its pretty head because the
dark clouds gather above: but to the
upturned eye of faith there is ever a
spot of brightness to be seen, a ray
of light to gladden. the darkest day.
Dear child, have you such a daisy in
your heart?
Look little further, and you will
see our old friend the buttercup;
there it is, nodding its sprightly head
in every breeze, so common and well
known that few stop to notice it, yet
living its own happy life and fulfill
ing its own little mission, just as
faithfully as the oak tree OF the rose.
1t seems to be an emblem of con-
tented, useful spirit, often not much
noticed, too often but little admired,
yet filling its own place in the world,
and making that place the brighter
for its presence. Are the flowers of
usefulness and contentment growing
in your hearts !?
The sweet, modest violet has fol-
lowed the retreating footsteps of
spring, and we seek it in vain among
the hedgelows; but the fragrant vio-
let of humility may always bloom in
our hearts garden, if only we will
| tend il with patient care.
There is one fair flower | must not
forget, for no true summer has come
to the soul where it is not found. [
mean the lily of holy life. Now,
do not think, when [ speak of a holy
life, that mean anything that is
gloomy or sad. The happiest. bright
est boy or girl may be holy, for holt
ness just means to hate what Christ
hates, and to love what he loves :;
and to live holy life is to live pleas
ing him each day. Summer has new
er really come to you unless this lily
is found blooming in your heart.
Every one who loves the Lord Jesus
has some Of these lilies. With some,
alas they are small and poor; but
that heart is most like Christ where
they grow fairest and purest.
There is one blossom of which /
must be sure to remind you. Its
name is Joy. But, O! can COM
pare it to no earthly flower! The
most beautiful we see here droor
their heads when the bitter winds
blow, and are battered to the ground
when the storm is raging but this
, heavenly blossom is ever most bright
when the clouds above are darkest
strongest and most vigorous when al
around it dies. 1t is plant tina
springs from no earthly seed: it cal
be planted by no human hands, bu
, One has power both to plant it ant
keep it blooming. Has it taken roo
in your heart?
Just one more flower, and then
I have finished my list; but, like tn
l last, l can liken it to nothing O.
s earth. It has the beauties of all 9th
9 er flowers, and the imperfections Q
: none. We call it Love, and of ii
q wondrous beauty we can never sa
L too much, for it can make radiant th
plainest face; it can make fragrar
the most homely life. He who ca
E ries it in his heart will be blesse
himself, and be made a blessing
. al around. Boys and girls, it is ic
winter, and not summer with you,
!, you are neglecting to cultivate tn
l. sweet flower.
y Roses, violets, and all such love
. children of the sunshine and the dey
~ cannot, you know, grow On the har'
- bare rock; no more can the blossom
~ of grace grow on your hard heart al
7, mine-they will only droop the
= heads and die. Will you not ask Il
Great Husbandman to plough up Il
hard ground, to water it with Il
- gentle rain of his spirit? Will "
= not ask the Divine Sewer to sc
4 therein his own heavenly seed? w