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 after-*noon
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.
TRANSFORMATION BY RENEWING
It is thought by many that time and discipline
are alone wanted to bring out of
this poor nature a perfect man. When the
good things are planted in us they may be
cherished and trained into glorious perfection,
but they must be planted first. Least
of all will any mere decoration suffice. A
watch failing to keep time will not be cor-
