(Blackboard.)
Two kinds of eyes:—
1. Eyes that See—Francis, Ruby.
2. Eyes that do not See—Algie.
XLI. LOVE OF THE BEAUTIFUL.[17]
You have often gathered buttercups and daisies, but have you ever gazed into the daisy's yellow eye, and thought how wonderful it was? You will find that it is made up of many tiny flowerets, all packed closely together. And the fringe of white petals, tipped with pink, how beautiful they are! and so dainty that we might almost think they had been painted by the pencil of a fairy! And have you noticed the strong, green cup which closes round the petals at night, and keeps them all safe?
You have held the pretty buttercup under your chin to make it look yellow, but have you ever looked carefully at the shining petals of gold? How smooth, and clear, and glossy they are!
There was once a great, wise king, who was so rich that he had plates and cups of gold instead of china. He made a beautiful throne of ivory, with six lions on the one side and six on the other, and the throne was all overlaid with gold; how bright and glittering it would be! And then picture the king himself in his robes of state, seated on his gilded throne, how dazzling and beautiful it would all look! And yet the greatest Teacher who ever lived—He who took the little children in his arms—said that the great King Solomon, with his throne of ivory and gold, "in all his glory" was not so beautiful as the lily growing in the field. So you see the best of all beauty is close beside us, at our feet indeed, if we only have eyes to see it.
Dear little modest daisy,
I love your yellow eye,
I love the pink-tipped petals
That round the centre lie;
I love the pretty buttercup
Of lovely, shining gold;
I love it, for it speaks to me,
Of wondrous love untold.