was all that remained of that body which had worn the
imperial purple! "To what base uses we may return!" But the grass,
and the flowers of the field, not only tell us of the shortness of
life, and the certainty of death, they speak to us also of the
resurrection. Looking at the world in the autumn and winter time we
see nothing but death and decay. "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust," is
the mournful text of every falling leaf, and faded flower. But God who
lays nature in her grave, will, in the spring time, roll away the stone
from the sepulchre. Who can look on Nature, touched by the warm breath
of May, and doubt the resurrection?

"Each tree she kindles by her touch bursts into leafy flames,
And, like the sacred desert bush, God's presence there proclaims.
The chestnuts spread their leafy palms in blessing on the air,
And from their minarets of bloom call all the trees to share.
With bridal blossoms, pure and sweet, the blushing orchards glow,
And on the hawthorn hedges lie soft wreathes of scented snow.
God reigneth, and the earth is glad! His large, self-conscious heart
A glowing tide of life and joy pours through each quickened part.
The very stones Hosannas cry; the forests clap their hands,
And in the benison of Heaven each lifted face expands."

Can we doubt, my brothers, that the same Jesus who rose from the dead,
and also makes all Nature rise from the dead each spring time, will in
like manner raise us up, and give us a body like unto His glorious
Body, in that fair Kingdom where He maketh all things new? If we have
seen our dear ones cut down like the grass, and withered like the
flowers of the field, let us remember that the grass will spring again,
and the flowers will once more appear on the earth; and that our loved
ones will also come again, clothed in resurrection beauty by Him who
clotheth the lilies of the field.

"Oh, rainy days! Oh, days of sun!
What are ye all when the year is done?
Who shall remember snow or rain?

Oh, years of loss! Oh, joyful years!
What are ye all when Heaven appears?
Who shall look back for joy or pain?"

And again, the flowers teach us a lesson of usefulness. They are sent
to make God's earth beautiful and sweet, and to gladden the heart of
man. Surely we are sent for the same purpose. Most of us are destined
to occupy a lowly place in life. Our position is like that of the
humble violet, not of the towering forest tre