The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-12-11
For THE FLORAL DEPARTMENT.
The LilY's Message.

Mournful and desolate lay the country.
Beneath the brilliant blue skies and spark
ling sunbeams were death and decay,
whirling brown leaves and bare gaunt
branches o the saddest of sad autumns |!
the most desolating of winters havocs! the
most blighted of early springs For one
short night the army of the North had in
vaded the region of perpetual bloom. and
10! nature fed before the terrible visitor
Back went the conqueror to his own do
minions. leaving behind wasted land.
The proud groves. no longer fair, sickened
and died, and the golden fruit rotted on
the ground. Roses and starry Jasmine
and the great Hibiscus blossoms fell black
and lifeless; while the leaves dropped
feebly from the dying streamers of English
Ivy. Tarnished, battered and torn lay the
crown of our queen, the silver Date-palm.
Everything except the Myrtle and Gar
denias seemed brown, dry, dead. Even
the native Jessamine was scorched and
shrivelled.
In the midst of all rose and bloomed a
stately red Amaryllis. Had lily ever be-
fore such incongruous surroundings?
have seen thousands of pure white ones
raise their chalices above the blackened
soil after the forest fires; but with them
spring the tender young blades of grass.
oil ctu &c.
figured leaves at her base and the brilliant
snowy head sharply distinct against the
clear atm osphere. the one object of life
amid the withered stalks and leaves.
Fresh and young and glorious! fit en-
blem of the resurrection of all things fail
and good! that faded hope we buried long
ago and the trees and flowers so lately
full of life and beauty. Yet gave it nc
welcome. addressing it in careless Gliding
why have you come? Little business
you have to remind US of the might-have-
been and taunt US with our losses! Sleep
with your brethren. Time enough to
awaken when the garden is again decked
with green to foil your beauty"
Then from somewhere-was 1t a whisper
from the radiant thing itself? A word from
an unseen angel? Or only the memory Of
something read in wise old book like the
few distinct echoes of fuller music
heard the words, Consider the lilies h W
they grow. o We of little faitl,! Neither
be We of doubtful mind for your Father
knoweth that we have need"
Then stood rebuked. Deep is the
mystery of growth, so deep that the
greatest scientist has failed to learn this
secret of the lilies-and deeper and more
mysterious still are the ways of Gods
providence. Who can fathom them? Yet
as surely as we believe in that unseen power
which causes the expansion and unfolding
of the lily-bud, so surely must His chill
dren trust the words He careth for you "
Truly fitting and gracious messenger
was that blossom-the one flower of all to
be first to spring and bear to doubling man
the remem brance of heavenly providence
"a silent symbol of love to send us on our
way cheered and strengthened.
And many times through the sad months
since. when the spirit sickens to see the
ruined hopes, deserted homes, fainting
hearts and struggling hands-back comes
the message of that bright robed lily with
words of inspiring confidence Take it,
all trembling anxious hearts throughout