Take Your Children Out into the Gardens

"You should take your children 

out into the gardens, 

and show them the beautiful flowers 

that God has made. 

 

God is the great master artist, 

and the pictures which are painted by human artists 

and admired by the world, 

are only feeble imitations of the works of God. 

 

God daily works miracles before us 

in the unfolding of the blossoms; 

for no human hand can paint 

such delicate hues,

or fashion such graceful plants

 

All this speaks of the work 

of the divine Artist, 

and each flower is an expression 

of the love of God to us. 

God has designed to

make us happy. 

 

He has covered the earth 

with the beautiful green verdure; 

for he knew that this color 

would be grateful to our senses. 

 

Each beautiful thing in nature 

is a token of God's love and care. 

So take your children out into the open air 

beneath the canopy of the heavens, 

under the noble trees, 

into the gardens, 

and point them 

through nature 

up to nature's God. 

 

Carry their minds up

to contemplate the works of God

in nature 

that they may learn to 

love him 

in their childhood and youth."  

Review and Herald, February 23, 1892