Los Angeles herald., 1910-06-13

and carries Gods message of love to
the humblest Of his creatures.
It's loving ministrationS extend White
arms to the sinful and sorrowing; 1t
hears the pathetic plaint of babes IN
novels and attics, in hospitals or asy-
lums, and where human misery appeals
for consolation among the WayWard
and erring there will be found the
angel Of the flower mission seeking to
dry the tear of sorrow and scatter
blossoms of sunshine and sweetness
into darkened human lives.
In our own sunny California, where
nature riots in the profusion of her
bounties of fruits and flowers, where
abundance sits smiling on every hand,
there should be none destitute, none
suffering for the necessities of life. we
have no long, cold winters, when
mother earth is wrapped in mantle
of ice and snow, and no green leaf or
gay flower is seen to cheer and
brighten the frozen Vastness.
Here everlasting spring abides,
And never fading flowers"
and no orphan nor crippled child, no
overburdened, discouraged mother, not
even the unfortunate down and out
class behind prison bars, should be de-
MED the joy Of receiving these silent
messengers of love and beauty.
distribution Of flower and vegetable
seed, plants when available and en-
couraging the cultivation of vacant
lots, planting of trees and improving
all bare, unsightly places possible. 1t
favors gardening by school children
and the inculcation of a love of the
beautiful in the minds of the young.
Every woman wearing the white rib
bon should cooperate with the flower
.frNfp Of how 11tnio
and wherever possible have headquar-
ters where donations of fruits, flowers,
delicacies, food and clothing can be
distributed among the needy and help
less.
All such gifts should be accompanied
by the word of encouragement and
cheer such as are found on the beauti-
full text cards prepared expressly for
this purpose. When the cards are not
at hand write plainly some verse of
scripture that has been most comfort
ing to yourself, or a thought of love
expressed by the poets.
Especially should the little children
in orphan asylums and hospitals be
visited and supplied with fruit and
flowers, and also with picture books,
toys, games and clothing when needed.
Remember the words of the Master:
"Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the
least of these, ye did it unto me-"
The softening influence of the fields
and flowers is toucningly portrayed in
an incident which occurred recently at
San Quentin prison. Through the in
tercession of our beloved state presi-
dent, Mrs Hester Griffith, the warden,
Mr.. Hoyle, permitted the woman prison
ers, thirty-two in number, to be taken
out for a walk on the green hills, where
wild flowers grew in abundance. 1t
was the first time since their commit
ment that they had walked upon the
soil of mother earth. One, who had
been in prison twenty-four years, was
so overcome that she threw herself
upon the ground sobbing and kissing
it over and over again in an ecstasy
of delight. She read His message in
every blade of grass and upspringing
bloom. Who shall say that these crime
stained souls did not return to their
cells Isoftened in spirit and contrite of
heart?
1t seems the refinement of cruelty to
deprive even the most hardened crlmi-
raj of a glimpse of the blessed sunshine
filtered through waving branches and
smiling in the upturned faces of the
flowers,