THE MISSION OF FLOWERS.


 


 


VIOLET, why are your eyes of blue


Wet with tears of the morning dew?


Rosebud, why do you blush and start,


And hide the crystal gem at your heart?


Lily, what are you doing there,


With your bells a-swing in the balmy air?


A light breeze, born of the morning hours,


Stole softly o'er the banks of flowers;


And listening closely, I seemed to hear,


Chimed in silvery voices clear,—


"We are blessing the earth with our wealth


of bloom;


We are loading the air with a rare perfume;


All things have. their mission, and God gives


us ours,


And this is a part of the mission of flowers:


To give life to the weary, and hope to the


sad,


Fresh faith to the faithless, new joys to the


glad;


To cheer the desponding, give strength to


the weak;


To bring health's bright bloom to the invalid's


cheek;


To blush on the brow of the beautiful bride;


To cheer homes of mourning where sorrow


betide;


To furnish the home with a lasting delight,


With our perfumes so lovely, our blossoms


so bright.


In low, voiceless language we're striving to


tell,


How God, in his wisdom, does everything


well."


The Creator has written on every leaf


And flower that unfolds in the summertime


brief,


A record of love and kindness and care


That surround us with beauty and grace


everywhere.


So violet, rosebud, and lily can show


God's bountiful love to his children below.


 


 


 


—Selected.