TOY OR MINISTER by E. A. R.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 3, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 34.

TOY OR MINISTER.

By E. A. R.

(An Allegory.)

BY E. A. R.

IN a beautiful garden, at the foot of a stately syringa, grew a lily of the valley. Never were waxen petals whiter, or leaves greener, than possessed by that little plant, and never was perfume sweeter than that breathed from its chalices. All day it coquetted with the sunbeams, now drawing shyly back into the shadow, and now springing forth to meet them, looking, if possible, lovelier each time. The wind, as it came gently stealing by, paused awhile to enjoy its innocent companionship and to inhale its sweet odor. There it had dwelt secure; trouble had never come near it; and the songs of birds were the harshest tones it had known.

A young girl, with a pale, thoughtful face and earnest blue eyes, came wandering near the secluded spot. Pausing a moment to enjoy the beauty of the nook, she caught a faint perfume. Instantly her face brightened, and, dropping her eyes, she soon found the object of her search.

"What a beautiful lily!" she murmured; "this is what that poor young man has been wanting ever since he began to recover. He says it would seem almost like being at home to see one again. To-night I will transplant it, and to-morrow morning carry it to his room. Poor fellow! his life has been anything but a round of pleasure."

So saying, she passed on, and a bend in the walk hid her from sight. The lily feigned not to hear her remark, but the syringa smiled and nodded approval.

As the day wore on, a handsome, thoughtless young man, book in hand, sought a quiet place to read, and, chancing upon the home of our beautiful flower, he threw himself down beside it. At first the lily drew shyly back. It was wholly unused to such distinguished company, and longed to shrink out of sight. But, try as it would, it could not long remain unnoticed. Its delicate odor betrayed its presence, and his sharp eyes soon found its retreat. Fascinated by the beauty of his dark eyes, and trembling neath his look of admiration, it emitted a still sweeter perfume than before, and he, throwing his book aside, came so near that his cheek brushed its snowy petals.

The stately syringa fluttered with apprehension.

"Have a care; have a care," she whispered to the lily; "remember that thou art promised to another,—one into whose life thou wilt creep as a healing balm, and who will love and cherish thee tenderly. This handsome stranger enjoys thy company for the moment only. He may pluck thee and wear thee for a few hours, then thou wilt be cast aside, and he will think of thee no more. His admiration may be genuine now, but it is of short duration. Accept not his caress with such evident pleasure; he may bear thee far hence from thy peaceful home."

But the lily heeded not what she said; it bent lovingly towards him, and he, charmed by its sweetness, took it from its home and placed it on his bosom. The syringa sighed heavily, and, as he departed, a tremor crept over her frame. She thought of the other young man, and mourned for the fate of the innocent lily. All that afternoon the lily rested tranquil and happy where its handsome admirer had placed it. It fondly trusted that it would remain there forever, and noticed not that its odor was becoming less delicate and its appearance less pleasing, until it was carelessly thrown aside. There, in a drooping condition, it was found by the young girl who had praised it in the morning. A faint suspicion crossed her mind that it might be the one she had intended for her sick friend; and, taking it in her hand, she bore it once more to its home at the foot of the stately syringa. A glance confirmed her suspicions; and, deeply disappointed, she dropped it on the grass and walked sadly away.

Poor lily! it was withered and faded; its perfume was no longer delicate as of old; but the syringa, every leaf quivering with pity, reached lovingly towards it, and the wind, with a soft, caressing motion, carried it close to her feet. All night the two friends watched over their loved one, and when morning dawned, they secretly hoped to keep it with them. But its power to live was gone, and when night again came on, a lifeless, withered thing was all that remained of the once beautiful lily.