No sooner had I left the pine, and was again deep in thought, when I
heard another voice. "Be courteous, you can never accomplish anything by
scolding, insulting or driving people. Be fair and just. Be like Christ,
a Christian gentleman." Now who in the world is speaking to me? I looked
everywhere and there was not the sign of a person in all the park.
"Here I am," the voice said. I looked and there, right before me, was a
graceful elm tree, smiling and courteously bowing low to me. "I shall
try and heed your word," I said.

Going on my way I was no longer absorbed in thought, for I knew that
other trees would have something to say. Sure enough, "Be steadfast," I
heard. What tree could that be? I should have known at once. The maple,
of course.

Now the white birch beckons. How its face shines in the light of the
early morning! But dark or light I can distinguish it from all its
fellows. Always white of face and clean of life. So I hear it say, "Be
clean."

Turning my steps homeward I said to the kindly trees, "Good-by, and
thank you. I shall never forget this morning's walk."

MEMORY VERSE, _Isaiah_ 61: 3

"To give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the
garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called
trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be
glorified."

MEMORY HYMN [745]