:::Humility; Purity; Modesty:::

Mary's favourite flowers were the violet, the lily, and the rose, and James [her father] loved to find in them emblems of the graces of the mind, which he wished her to cultivate. When she brought him her first spring violet, he said to her, "Let this flower, my dear Mary, be the emblem of humility and of that quite benevolence which does good in secret. In it's quite dress of deep blue, decked by no gaudy colours, it modestly hides under the green leaves and is scarcely seen, while shedding around it the richest perfume. Try to resemble it, dear Mary; care not for gay ornaments and vain display, but strive to obtain that 'ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.'"

In the season of roses and lilies, James said one morning, pointing to the spotless white of a beautiful lily, rendered still more dazzling by the rays of the sun shining full upon it, "This lily, my dear child, is the emblem of purity. How easily it's leaves are stained! Scarcely can they be touched when they are injured. Thus the very least approach of vice pollutes and corrupts the soul. Pray, dear Mary, for purity of heart. Remember that though polluted by nature, we may nevertheless be washed free from stain in the fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness, and that God has promised that though our sins are red as crimson, they shall be white as snow. None but the pure in heart shall see God; none but those washed and clothed in the spotless white robe of Christ's righteousness shall ever sit down at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

"Let the rose," he said, "be the emblem of modesty, as it resembles the blush which rises to the cheek of a modest girl. But there is another lesson to be learned from the rose: after it's beautiful colours have faded, it still retains it's fragrance; when it's leaves are brown and withered, they are even sweeter than in their fresh and lovely youth. Thus it is, dear Mary, with a true Christian. Thus let it be with you. The cheek of youth will fade, outward beauty will decay, but strive to acquire those graces of the mind which are unfading and imperishable."



- "The Basket of Flowers. A Tale For The Youth." by,  Marguerite Gavin