In this world we have but brief glimpses of the best and
brightest things. Sunset splendors linger but a little while;
spring blossoms are scattered by the winds while we watch their
unfolding; and autumn leaves soon fade and fall and dissolve
into forest mold; the dull landscape glows for a time with
supernal splendor, giving us a foretaste of the glory that
shall be revealed; the wind passes over it and it is gone. For
the leaves there are other and higher uses than to enrobe the
branches with autumnal tints. They live and die to serve God in
the mysterious economy of life. It is so with human destiny;
our noblest achievements seem to perish in a day, but no life
of faithful service can be lost in the consummation of God’s
plan.--_The Living Church._
(1818)