arden Flowers]

THE land of Palestine, in which Jesus lived, has always been noted for
its flowers. They grow everywhere in great abundance, and oftentimes in
very great perfection and beauty. One time, when Jesus was preaching on
the mountain, He used the flowers which were growing on the side of the
mountain, to preach an object sermon to the multitudes about Him. He
said, "Consider the lilies of the field; how they grow; they toil not,
neither do they spin, and yet I say unto you that Solomon, in all his
glory, was not arrayed like one of these." (Matt. vi: 28, 29.) Let us
to-day take the same object lesson, to set forth to our minds a clearer
understanding of some truths, which are very important to every father
and mother, as well as every boy and girl.

As you see, I have here two bouquets. This, which I now hold in my hand,
is indeed very beautiful. Here are some lovely roses, some tulips, some
peonies. Here is a dahlia and heliotrope. Here are some tube roses, and
a great variety of other flowers, which together constitute a very
beautiful bouquet.

Now, here is another bouquet. I see you smile, but indeed it is a
bouquet. I spent a great deal of time gathering these flowers, at which
you laugh. I sought them in such places as would afford the best
varieties of these several kinds.

Now, boys and girls, I want to ask you where these flowers grew? I will
hold up this beautiful bouquet and ask the question. I know what will be
your answer; you will say that I bought it from a man who keeps a
hot-house, or that I gathered them in some flower garden which was very
carefully tended; and such, indeed, is the case.

Now, I will hold up this other bouquet. Can you tell me where I gathered
these? I did not think that you would have much difficulty in
determining. I gathered them along the roadside, in the fields and in
the woods. These flowers are what the farmer calls "weeds." Here is a
rose with a single leaf that grew in a neglected corner, along the
outskirts of a woods. It is a genuine rose, but it is by no means
pretty, or at all to be compared with those in the other bouquet.

I will tell you why there is such a difference in the appearance of
these two bouquets. One grew in the garden, where it was protected by a
fence from being tramped upon. The weeds that grew about it were all
pulled out of the ground, and the stalk upon which this flower grew was
given a fair chance, so that it might grow successfully.