Morning journal and courier., 1883-05-24

To the Editor OF the JOURNAL AND CouRIER
Standing, as we are, on the threshold of
summer, awaiting with joyous anticipations
! the advent of the queenly month of June,
there comes to US all the usual loving appeal
from hospital wards and ssylums for flowers
Flora is holding high carnival. To-day she
is decking in regal robes the field and mead
ow, the garden and lawn, and to those of US
blessed with health, in full use of our physi
cal powers, it is a small thing to roam, gath
er and twine these gifts at our will and pleas
ure. Shall we not seek to share these sooth-
ing influences of Goods smiles with those
less favored Gold can purchase rare blooms
at all seasons. Those with elegant leisure on
their hands, with tasteful fingers for wreath,
| cross and crown, can command exquisite
flowers to hail the birthday or bridal or for
the decorating of the tomb. In the western
part of our home city on many cot fingers
an emaclated form. Enough of lfe's real
needs may be theirs, but as the good God
has endowed most human souls with long
! ing for the beautiful this longing, methinks,
| Is intensified when in intervals of relief from
physical suffering the mind wanders be, ond
the four walls of the sick chamber and
dreams of mount and dale, where brooklets
murnIur andsthe- air is heavy with floral per-
fume.- 1t needs not an overdo wing purse,
only an hour at morn eventide, to answer
these loving calls from the 'thower mission"
Matron and maid can alike respond, and even
minister to the dear ones in the nursery
ward
Come with me some sunny morning, laden
with what you may call common, old fash
ioned flowers Gas if anything bearing the i'm
press of Gods handiwork could be COM
NOM; note the dim eyes brighten, listen to
the qulckened click of crutches mark the
wan, thin hand outstretched, and tell me if
1t Is not gift repaid an hundred fold. Is it
not the cup of cold water" which slakes
our own thirst while ministering the cooling
grateful draught to others? 1t has proved,
indeed, the oasis green and refreshing in
nte's desert of woes, cares and vexations
which encircle the every day paths of most |
OF us. Well does the writer remember such |
a visit, when leaving the chiIdren's ward |
lingering on the threshold of the hallway, |
feeble, hsping voice was heard from one bed |
ridden sufferer. Come back; just give me
one kiss, lady" With hands ciasped around |
some opening buds, a halo Of gratitude |
seemed to encircle the soul-lit face as the |
dear little girl received and gave hearty |
KISS Ihere are, my friends, some things in |
this world of ours gold cannot buy. There |
Is told us in Holy Writ of a pearl without |
price, and shall we not seek it Well do we
also remember late last autumn, long after
the first frost had blighted garden and hedge |
row, finding by trailing meadow path, In a
secluded spot, quantities of blue fringed gen.
t1an. With great pleasure we culled it. with
greater pleasure we arranged many hand
bouquets, and with the greatest pleasure we
distributed them to the patients of our city
hospital. Some of those pain-racked, Grip
pied ones, we doubt not, came from country
homes. They did not tell US SO many said
not word; few homesick tears, as it
seemed to us, mingled with smiles of glad
recognition. as they almost snatohsd the
wild blooms, the last of the waning year.
Memory may have turned a fresh leaf in
their ife-book, and again as little healthful
children they freely wandered and culled the
heavenly blue-fringed gentian. 1t surely
does no harm to our better nature to recall
those trustful days, when we toiled not, but
simply considered the lilies. Come, my dear
sisters, let our lives prove benedictions.
Many one has become sore and scared by
continual bodily affliction. Let us ever re-
member that it is not altogether pleasant to
think ourselves forgotten by the more ia
vored. The sweet loving mission of floral
offerings is one continual feast reserved for
all who with willing feet and pimble fingers
resolve to make the most of those powers
conferred upon them by the Great Giver
May the blessed incense of good deeds sur
round our pathway to-day, tomorrow and
evermore is the earnest prayer of your loving
s.ster. s. E. r.