When Central Park, New York, was laid out the engineers
encountered an immense heap of rocks. What to do with it was
the question. To move it would cost thousands of dollars.
Finally, honeysuckles and other vines were planted about it and
made to climb up and shade it. And now that spot in the park is
the loveliest and most fragrant anywhere about.
The best education is that which in like manner makes use of even
unlovely traits in building character.
(3271)
* * * * *
The emergence of the soul clothed in its spiritual body is suggested by
this account of the May-flies by Vernon L. Kellogg:
Young May-flies--the ones that don’t get eaten by dragons,
stone-flies, water-tigers, and other May-flies--grow larger
slowly, and wing-pads begin to grow on their backs. In a year,
maybe, or two years for some kinds, they are ready for their
great change. And this comes very suddenly. Some late afternoon
or early evening thousands of young May-flies of the same kind,
living in the same lake or river, swim up to the surface of the
water, and, after resting there a few moments, suddenly split
their skin along the back of the head and perhaps a little way
farther along the back, and like a flash squirm out of this
old skin, spread out their gauzy wings and fly away.--“Insect
Stories.”
(3272)
* * * * *
Here is a hint of what Christianity is constantly trying to do with
wild human nature--transforming it by training off its moral “spines”
and prickles:
The spineless cactus, the latest plant marvel originated by Mr.
Burbank, probably gives greater promise of usefulness to man
than any other of Mr. Burbank’s creations. The spineless cactus
is an improved variety of the ordinary wild cactus known as the
prickly pear, of which there are numerous species and more than
a thousand varieties. (Text.)--_The World To-day._
(3273)
* * * * *
The transformation accomplished by true religion is complete. It
changes the whole nature by the importation of a new agency, a
conquering power, an overmastering principle. We become incandescent by
the energy of the Holy Spirit.
A carbon coil is a perfectly black substance. It is an emblem of
utter darkness. But into it is poured an electric current and
instantly it becomes a reservoir of light. There once lay in the
earth a dull, dark bit of carbon. It suddenly became the subject
of the intense transforming energy of volcanic fire. Ever since
that it has been a diamond in which lives dazzling light. (Text.)
(3274)
* * * * *
Tohong (Peach-red) was a low-class dancing-girl, bought and
sold. Restoration was a word not applicable to her, for she
never was right. She was born lapsed and lived lapsed. Over the
walls of the world that encircled her came the story of Jesus,
a man, a wise and pure man, pure as God is pure; in fact, a God
as God is God, yet it was said that he loved lost and fallen
women. Peach-red had never before heard of such a being. Her
soul was sick, and she wondered if she could but meet Him what
He would say to “the likes of her,” and if He really could cure
soul-sickness. When or where or how Peach-red met Jesus I know
not; that she met Him I most assuredly know. Seven years had
rolled away, and out of my life passed the name of Peach-red.
It was forgotten in the multitude of names that crowded on me.
One Sunday, after service in a great meeting-house of some two
thousand people, with this and that one coming forward to say
“Peace,” there appeared before me a smiling face known and yet
not known. “Don’t you remember me? Baptized me seven years ago.
My old name was Peach-red.” Here was this woman in value once
less than zero, crowned with the light and liberty and growth
in grace of seven years.--JAMES S. GALE, “Korea in
Transition.”
(3275)
See BEAUTIFUL, INFLUENCE OF THE; BEAUTY, DECEIVED BY;
ENVIRONMENT THAT TRANSFORMS; REFORMATION.