BOOK OF FLOWERS. THE UTILITY OF FLOWERS. THE HAPPY INFLUENCE OF THE PURSUIT OF HORTICUL TURE ON THE MIND OF MAN. "Not useless are ye flowers; though made for pleasure, Harmless delight."-Horace Smith. Flowers are the expression of God's love to man. One of the highest uses, therefore, which can be made in contemplating these beautiful creations, in all their variety and splendor, is, that our thoughts and affections may be drawn upwards to Him who has so bountifully spread over the face of the whole earth, such a vast profusion of these beautiful objects, as tokens of his love to us. The more we examine flowers, especially when the eye is assisted by the microscope, the more we must adore the matchless skill of the Great Supreme. We must be ungrateful indeed, not to acknowledge his unspeakable goodness in thus providing so liberally for the happiness and pleasure of His children here below. The Saviour of men, while on earth, often retired to the gardens about Jerusalem to spend a quiet hour with His disciples, or alone, and no doubt took pleasure in contemplating flowers. We all know how He spake of the lily: "Behold the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil |