The Only Everlasting Flower!
(Charles Spurgeon, "Flowers from a Puritan's Garden" 1883)
The flowers which grow in earth's garden,
wither in our hands while we smell them.
They are as frail as they are fair.
They grow out of the dust--
and to the dust must they return.
As Herbert says,
"Their root is ever in their grave,
And they must die!"
How speedy is their withering.
They are gathered by the hand
and laid before us--
and they wilt and become sickly,
fainting, decaying objects. At the very
longest, their lives smile through a day
or two, and all is over.
Which of earth's joys is better
than her flowers?
Health flies,
wealth takes to itself wings,
honor is a puff of air, and
pleasure is a bubble!
Only from Heaven can we
expect "pleasure forever more,"
and "everlasting joy."
The Rose of Sharon blooms
through all the ages; and
the Lily of the Valley, which is
JESUS HIMSELF, outlasts all time.
Yes, this is the only Everlasting
Flower, for HE alone has immortality.
Why, then, should we seek for
the living among the dead--
or search for substance
in the land of shadows?
Henceforth, my soul . . .
gather your Hearts-ease
in the garden of the LORD,
pluck your Forget-me-nots from
beds which Christ has planted, and
look for your Crown-Imperial only
in the Paradise above.
The flowers of the field are children's
adornments. See how the little ones
garland themselves, and fashion
chaplets with the buttercups and daisies.
Earth's loveliest joys are good child's play;
but, my soul, you have to act a nobler part--
seek the bliss which fades not away.
Turn to GOD, your exceeding joy, and
then if your years are multiplied upon earth,
you shall have a life-long possession.
Or if you are caught away suddenly,
you shall carry with you in your bosom,
the rosebud of a life which will open
to perfection, in the land where fading
and withering are things unknown!
(Charles Spurgeon, "Flowers from a Puritan's Garden" 1883)
The flowers which grow in earth's garden,
wither in our hands while we smell them.
They are as frail as they are fair.
They grow out of the dust--
and to the dust must they return.
As Herbert says,
"Their root is ever in their grave,
And they must die!"
How speedy is their withering.
They are gathered by the hand
and laid before us--
and they wilt and become sickly,
fainting, decaying objects. At the very
longest, their lives smile through a day
or two, and all is over.
Which of earth's joys is better
than her flowers?
Health flies,
wealth takes to itself wings,
honor is a puff of air, and
pleasure is a bubble!
Only from Heaven can we
expect "pleasure forever more,"
and "everlasting joy."
The Rose of Sharon blooms
through all the ages; and
the Lily of the Valley, which is
JESUS HIMSELF, outlasts all time.
Yes, this is the only Everlasting
Flower, for HE alone has immortality.
Why, then, should we seek for
the living among the dead--
or search for substance
in the land of shadows?
Henceforth, my soul . . .
gather your Hearts-ease
in the garden of the LORD,
pluck your Forget-me-nots from
beds which Christ has planted, and
look for your Crown-Imperial only
in the Paradise above.
The flowers of the field are children's
adornments. See how the little ones
garland themselves, and fashion
chaplets with the buttercups and daisies.
Earth's loveliest joys are good child's play;
but, my soul, you have to act a nobler part--
seek the bliss which fades not away.
Turn to GOD, your exceeding joy, and
then if your years are multiplied upon earth,
you shall have a life-long possession.
Or if you are caught away suddenly,
you shall carry with you in your bosom,
the rosebud of a life which will open
to perfection, in the land where fading
and withering are things unknown!
~ ~ ~ ~
GraceGems has published William Nicholson's superb and uplifting short article,
"The Rose of Sharon!"
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