The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-05-05
Marsaret.s Easter Offering.

at Grace Church and hesitatingly
slipped into the nearest vacant seat,
which chanced to be in the pew occu-
pied by Miss Wilson's class of girls.
These girls all dainty appareled
looked askance at the newcomer, and
Miss Wilson herself glanced up in sur
prise.
Are you a new scholar ?" she ask
ed.
eyes. Fma'am. I want to be
Scholar" the child answered timidly.
Ibid the superintendent assign you
to this class2" Miss Wilson ques-
toned.
mo, ma'am; 1 sat here because
there was a seat, and this was girls
class.
"Well," said Miss Wilson, LATTER
the lesson I will see the Superinten-
dent. Perhaps this class would not be
the best one for you. Give me your
name, please"
Margaret North," was the reply.
After carefully writing the new
name In her notebook, Miss Wilson
gave the girl an open Bible, and pro-
ceeded with the reading of the chap
ter.
At the close of the lessons the Sup
ertendent came before the school and
made few remarks concerning the
coming Sunday, which would be Eas-
ter.
1--WE would like" he said in con-
cluding, ITO have as many flowers as
possible, with which to decorate the
church. What more fitting emblems
are there than flowers for this Easter
Day, which we Christians hold sacred
as the Resurrection Day Of our Saw
Jour? He is called the rose of Sharon,
and the Lily of. the Valley. The beauty
Of the flowers is typical of the beauty
and purity of his life. Silently their
fragrance perfumes the air and fingers
around them when they are faded.
So the blessed influence of his quiet,
lovely life pervaded the world about
him, and fingers with us, though he
ascended into heaven centuries ago.
Let US, my young friends, bring
flowers to twine about his altar on
Easter Day.
"I can bring some,n said Margaret.
eagerly. "Would they care for ILL
les 2"
"Yes, indeed lilies are just what
we want. You may bring what you
can," Miss Wilson replied little pa
tronizingly.
Then she spoke to the Superinten-
dene in regard to the new scholar,
who was given place in the Sunday
school.
II didn't think my class would suit
her at ALL" she said after Margaret
had passed out of hearing. "My girls
are of such a nice set, and dress so
well, it would he embarrassing to
her,"
But the child did not hear this re-
mark, and was thinking very little of
others she was thinking how glad she
was to be able to do something for
the Saviour, if it was only to give
flowers to beautify his house.
Her father, who was now dead, had
been florist, and her mother still
kept up the little garden, so Margaret
knew something ofthe value of plants,
though their customers were mostly
the palmer people who were fond of
all flowers whether they were rare or
common, and knew little of the fitness
of certain blossoms for certain occa-
sions
Easter morning dawhed bright and
beautiful, as Easter mornings usually
do in California. Grace Church was a
bower of beauty. Its tall columns
were wreathed with smilax and ivy,
while great bunches of roses and Gala
lilies were banked about the altar.
Margaret Worth gazed in wonder !;
she had never seen anything so beauti-
full.
II couldn't bring my offering yester-
day." she said, because mother was
sick; but I hope it won't be too late to
use what ] have brought this morning.
I came as early as could"
The Superintendent, with several of
the teachers and scholars. stood in the
vestibule when the child held out her
flowers to Miss Wilson.
"Oh ~ exclaimed that lady, 1--WE do
not want those for Easter !"
"Tiger lilies The idea ~ cried one
of the girls as she gazed aghast at the
great armful Of towny spotted lilies.
Margaret looked from one to another
pleadingly-"I-I thought you wanted
lilies. See, have cut them with long
stalks, though it took all the buds, too.
Won't they do?"
"Mercy !no, child. We don't want
anything but white flowers" some one
answered impatiently.
The young girl gave swift glance
around the church, then up into the
sympathetic faces about her.
With a sob Of disappointment and
wounded pride she turned and fling
ing the flowers up the pavement at the
foot of the steps, ran quickly home,
vainly trying to choke back the tears
that would come.
The Superintendent and Miss Wilson
were still in the entry when Margaret
came.back shortly altered.
"Will these do ?" she ask, holding
up a bunch Of exquisite lilies of the
valley.
80, lovely!" Miss Wilson cried.
Why didn't you bring these ct first ?"
II thought TO decorate the others
would be best. I did not understand
you never told me the flowers must be
white until after I had brought tue
others. These are the only white
ones 1 have, and they" she stopped
and looked lovingly down upon the
dainty blossoms.
"And they?" said the Superinten-
dent kindly, for he felt that she had
hesitated to complete her sentence.
She looked up gratefully, for the
kindness of his tone encouraged her.
"They are the first to bloom, and l
had thought to put them on my faith