Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 302, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 December 1917 — Flowers. [ARTICLE]

Flowers.

Food and raiment are for the body, but flowers, flowers are for both body and souh When my lips are palsied by great amotions—love, gladness, sorrow, death —end the words I would write come not, then I send soul-messengers—-flowers. When I look upon a rose, all nightmares of atheism vanish; when I inhale the rare perfume of violets, I bow to the Master Chemist; when .my pencil tries to trace the graceful flutings of the morning-glory, or my brush match the exquisite color blendings of the humble pansy, I reverently acknowledge the high hand of art. Some day, when I am In perfect attune with the Creator-God, I know I hear melodies, strangely sweet, amongst my flowers, and songs—songs tike the morning stars must have sung together at the birth of him—the Rose of Sharon. Without flowers my body could live, but I know my soul would starve.— Will P. Snyder in Book News Monthly.