Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-08-03
A TIMELY ADMoNITIoN.
By Rev. John J. Donlan

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Matt. vi, %.
No admonition should be more heed
ed in our age than that expressed in
the text. In every walk OF life the
multitude is running Wild after dis
play, wearing itself out trying to keep
with dame fashion Mothers are anx-
ious for their social position Children
are taught 10 emulate their parents,
fathers are troubled about the expen-
diture which it all entails.
How Christ would Ike to draw such
people out of themselves, out Of Their
worldliness TO this end he proposes
for our consideration the lilies Of the
field, how they grow. they labor not,
neither do they spin; ard yet | say
unto you that even solomon in all his
glory was not arayed as one OF
these" Like a trumpet blast from
purer world, with invigorating and re-
freshing effect resounds the music Of
his words, "be not soiicitoIs for your
life, what you shall eat nor for your
body, what you shall put on but
consider the lilies of the field" Con
slider them: admire their intrinsic
beauty, the fresh green leaves pencil
ed and veined with the arteries which
distribute life throughout the flower
graceful in proportion, gorgeous in its
color of bright scarlet, so that all to
which the highest art can aspire is TO
copy such beauty and initiate such con
trasts.
What a satire on our anxious strain
ing after effects, our careful thought
for food and raiment that even Solo
mon with all his wisdom and wealth
could not rival a flower of the field.
Consider the lilies of the field" and
treasure up the memories of bygone
days when in our childish innocence
we plucked and played with them.
The little flower Of the field is still
fresh and pure and fair as ever, but,
alas! we have soiled ourselves with
the impurity of sin; hence our toll and
strife. Why should we strive for the
vain conceits of life? IF the grass of
the field, which is to-day and to-mor-
row, is cast into the oven, God doth
clothe; how much more you, o ye of
little faith"
In oil this. however, God does not
mean that we are to be idle, but he
desires us not to labor only for the
meat that perishes We are not to
strive after the yanities of life, not
after mere effects, but to live within
our circumstance without the pride of
life that leads into destr "ction. When
Christ says. Consider thu lilies of the
field, how they grow" he would have
us learn the lesson of growing likewise
ia purity and singleness of purpose
before the Lord; that like the lily we
should allow Gods plan to work itself
out In us. that our conscience should
grow tender by Gods training. that it
should be sensitive in worldly matters,
sensitive 10 know and to feel when self
is predominant, sensitive to detect the
evil in the small things of life that
are often passed over too rapidly,
those trifing acts of deceit and decep-
ton, those little acted lies that corrode
spiritual life and stop spiritual prog
ress.
The lily OF the field. therefore,
stands as symbol for us-a symbol
of beauty in the grace given by God;
symbol of adherence to primitive
purity; symbol of naturaness as
against artlficlality For after all
these things do the heather seek"
Again, the lily of the field is of the
Lords planting, created for his glory
nourished hy his goodness. Due con
sideration, thel of the lily of the field
leads to our recognition Of self as the
property of the Lord of creation. and
that our whole nature should grow in
his service; then only may We look
forward to a comfortable hope. know
ing that all things work together for
good to those who are his by faith and
good works. Then doth the flower of
the field remind us that. as all was
once purity and holiness. so again 1t
shall be, when the renewal of corrupt
ed man is completed; when the re-
deemed of the Lord shall shine forth
as the beautiful lily to adorn every
highway. to crowd the valleys, and to
clllDD the uiiltOpS. BE not SOllcltOuS.' /
therefore, for, as God infuses life into
the flowers of the field, so Will he care
for our immortal souls, which he has |
created also.
With soul and body thus trusting in !
a loving fathers care and grace. what |
matters it if fierce storms dash down |
the fragrant flower to the earth. or if |
an early blow destroy its bloom? The |
good seed shall remain. and the earth |
will again burst into buds and flowers, /
into everlasting verdure and fragrance I
and perfect beauty Is not this worth I
the longing after, thinking about, loot /
ing forward to? Does ii not give a |
greater satisfaction than the thought |
of feeding. clothing. or pamperlng the
body; than being "soicitous for to- |
morrow forgetting that tomorrow
will be soIicitous for itself?" Let ye, /
then. seek first the kingdom of God /
and his justice. and all things else
shall be added unto you
ON DOING ONES BEST.