Consider the Lilies by Felicia D. Hemans

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Apr 1, 1913

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 40, No. 13.

Consider the Lilies

By Felicia D. Hemans

Matt. 6:28-30, 33.

“And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?”

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Flowers! when the Saviour’s calm, benignant eye Fell on your gentle beauty, when from you That heavenly lesson from all hearts He drew, Eternal, universal as the sky: Then in the bosom of your purity, A voice He set, as in a temple shrine, That life’s quick travelers ne’er might pass you by, Unwarned of that sweet oracle divine.

And tho too oft its low, celestial sound, By the harsh notes of work-day care is drowned, And the loud steps of vain unlistening haste, Yet the great ocean hath no tone of power Mightier to reach the soul, in thought’s hushed hour Than yours, ye lilies! chosen thus and graced!

— Felicia D. Hemans.