Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-22

is happy because He is so useful? Paul
speaks of Him as the blessed the word
meaning the thrice happy God, happy
in Himself. happy in His works and
happy in the happiness He gives. And
He. like the best men and women among
us. is happy because He is useful. We
see that in the woodland tree.
The varied beauty and the multiplied
utility of the tree have made it an object
of universal interest. affection, honor and.
in other times, of worship. Under its
shade men have found rest and religion
has found shelter: from it's fruits the
worlds health has been purified and FED
and from it's trunk and branches archi-
lecture has fashioned the log cabin. the
schOolhouse the chapel of the pioneer
and the stately temple. forests of pine
and cedar. oak and walnut. sacrificed Tor
mans good.
The tree. The eye feeds on it's ripened
fruits. it's lovely leaves; amid its leaves
flutter birds of every wing their piumage
borrowing light from the sky, color from
the cloud and beauty from every leaf.
while their song transports sladness from
every cline to listening ears: Its roots
tremble their way to tiny springs in
nourishing soil and drink in life for lear
and fruit; its boughs. like arms well
filled with benefits, Outstretch their bene-
diction on old and young, rich and poor.
refusing none who seeks its sheltering
hospitality and extending with impartial
kindness its beauty, strength. shade and
fruit: and there beneath its shade little
children play away the morning hours;
at noontime the warrior laborer or trav-
eler sits down to rest; and lovers finger
I'm the eventide. Joined hand in hand. to
see the setting sun or watch the crescent
moon. When leafless, fruitless. forlorn.
destitute. now that it has given its all
for human good. then let it fall beneath
the woodmans AK, its giving not yet
quite done; for the hearth, around
which friends are gathered. the cracking
flames shall laugh away dull care in
praise of home and hospitality, and even
dying embers shall fashion scenes in
sinking flames whose curling smoke lifts
| high toward heaven the last prayer OF
the heart, that some may not forget
when the vital flame is dead, the warmth
all gone and chilling ash has turned cold
Or from yon stately oak shall come
/ timber for keel and prov, rudder and
mast, of good, stanch ships which. rid
| ing waves of every sea. shall bring from
shore to shore the products of universal
| nature and manufactures: or, perchance
| from its timbered strength labor shall
build a shrine for welded love, whose cell
| and floor shall feel the touch of love, as
once in living tree they felt the sunligh,
and air of Gods pure sky. Who car
| blindly pass by that tree, or thanklessly
| forget it's generous gifts: be deaf to its
! whispered words that tell of storms vic
torioGsly braved for human good. the
! wrestlings with the tempest wind, the
| shock of thunder stroke the change OF
| seasons. passing over its sturdy form
| The passing years perfect its dignity
| renew it's strength enrich it's grace, that
| in leaf and fruit and good 1T may give
! back to men all that it has received
from God. Who would withhold the
| autumn touch of gold--its fitting crown
| of life? Poetry sings its praise, paint
ing repeats its glory. architecture trans
| forms it's strength. industry and manu-
| facture convert it into merchandise: and
whether it stand alone on hillside or at
| the deserts edge. or stand in orchard