Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-07-07

From Garden and Forest
II there are sermons in stones, there are more
and clearer ones In the living works Of nature.
Just st this tune OF the year. for example, there is
lesson to be learned from the flowers which 1t
would be well for US all TO lay to heart and con-
sistently put in practice. This is the lesson of
free, persistent and painstakng giving.
Few persons are SO parslmonious with the
products OF their gardens that they neglect 70
share them with their friends when chance Sug-
gests or some special occasion prompts But,
even 10 their friends, few give as persistently or
as freely as they might. One Is lar too apt 70
think before giving whether his flowers are good
enough, and whether the recipient Will scare for
them" such thoughts are as Judicious as they
are natural when the recipen. Is equally for,
tunate with the giver in the matter OF gardens
and lighthouses; but It is seldom realized how out
OF place they are when the friend IN question can
me ely look at flowers over some one elses fence
In summer and In winter must buy little punches
at Dig prices from o florist. Winter or summer
even the refuse flowers OF rich mans garden
would De gladly welcomed by more Of his friends
than he ventures 10 believe.
But II Is not only to friends that nature bids us
glve-lt Is 70 the stranger, the wayfarer the beg
the gift would be really valued. Out In the coun-
try, where nature herself gives even 70 the poor
est, perhaps II would not be. But in the city
flowers are welcomed by every class as no other
gift would be. Men may not always care for them,
although almost always they do; but there Will
Children. Let lady oer Ing ower SeS
belt " the tired shop-glrl behind the counter
and she viii carry about with her az
snd Smiling ps Which win 0f @ore than eyes re-
pay her for the sacrifice. Let her walk with
a bunch In her hands through one OF the crowded
streets In O poor quarter OF The t0wn-every child
will clamor for u share of IT, every forlorn and
weary woman will eye 1t eagerly. or let her take
Il 10 a hospital and see what pleasure single
blossom Will give to a suffering soul. Natures
beautiful belief Is indeed the right one-the cases
are so rare that they need not be taken into &C
count when flower is not welcomed no matter
an no m fpr IL
OF sentiment the eye may seem to be which looks
upon 1t. This Is the right belief, and 1t would be
well II we should try TO express II as consistently
and persistently as nature does.
AS consistently and persistently, and, be 1t re-
repeated, In as painstaking way. Not merely
when she is coaxed and fiattered and things are
made easy for her does nature give her flowers,
but always and everywhere, under the most diffi-
cult conditions, with the loveliest patience and
humankind, is the greatest hindrance to giving;
we 10 not mind parting with our treasures, but
we do mind taking the trouble TO dispose OF them
SO that they Will Deneht Others. We should be
glad enough II our surplus could go by itself To
uenement-hOuSe and hospital, but we are too busy
or TOO careless to send it there. We would rather
give money, for money can be more easily given.
but money Will not take the place or flowers,
either In themselves or in that accompanying
gift which makes half the excellence OF their CIV
Ing. he who gives flowers gives a bit OF senti-
ment and sympathy too. and this is valued by the
poor and suffering more than ali beside. The
very Child VINO takes your blossom on the street
taxes 1t with dlferenL smile from the one that
greets your penny, for he knows or faucleS 1t Is
given with different thought.
In some OF Our large cities nOwer.mlssiOns have
been established with headquarters where flowers
may be sent and whence they will be distributed
to those VINO need them most; aud SUCH missions
ought TO exist IN every town, however small But
II they do not exist little trouble may be taken
TO supply their individual effort And We can all
at least give freely as the chance may offer-tO
the Guild who brings home a parcel peeps
through the garden fence, TO the workman plod-
dlng al llghtIal past our garden to his own dTeary
nome, 10 tue shop-gir, TO the poor need.ewOman
around the corner, TO any one and every one whose
steps cross our own. The giIt cannot De TOO small
10 Ue worth glving-the human being can hardly
De TOO callouS 10 appreciate 1t or pass 1t on 70
some one else who Will