v - - - - j) 12 THE COURIER I j I It' EASTER PROMPTINGS. (Written for The Coubieb.) The tender, pathetic tones of the eloquent divine fell in rhyth mical cadences upon the ear, entrancing to the listener. As the fer vency of his "I know that we shall be like Him'" conveyed its import to tho mind a heavenly benediction seemed to hover o'er the assem bly. The beauty of his soul, begotten of faith in the resurrected Lord, inspired the speaker with increased longing to impart to others that same knowledge and love, and to fix above their horizon the same star of hope by which his own pathway is irradiated. The dream of the beatific Beyond, becomes a living reality under the glowing zeal of his godly persuasions. In memory, we mark with special delight those few interviews with souls who make our souls wiser. Tho faculty of imparting the "message of God" with such vivid penetrativeness as to send its truth into the deepest and most remote recesses of the receptive soul, belongs not to every divine. On this occasion, the speaker seemed fairly electrified by a spark from the altar of God; and the joy that swelled up from his heart and danced in expressive rays about his face, spoke of a peace within that paBseth knowledge. The music, too, was so worshipful in its nature, as well as in . its rendering, that its added charm intensified the solemnity of the hour and held the attentive ear enraptured. Methinks the Sir Knights, in whose honor the masterly discourse was delivered, must preforce have carried away such thoughts cf lofty resolve as shall later be found all along their pathway budding into richest and rarest bloom the fruitage of which shall yield even an hundred fold. Such an imposing body of men, having noble aims and worthy objects before it, cannot but be a powerful factor for good. And their appreciation of, and participation in, these annual Easter services prognosticate bountiful harvests of golden grain. But what shall I say of the flowers those emblems of God's love to man that breathe on the heart an influence essentially spiritual, , and always pleasing, elevating and pure. On this Easter festival, the purity and modesty of the Risen Lord's life were typified in the drooping white lilies so lavishly used in the decoration of the altar. I was particularly impressed with one example of the moulding of nature's deft hand. A climbing geranium a form of superior elegance having delicate settings of brilliant hue, stood in the midst of the lilies. As man, reaching up after the highest possibili ties of his life, clings to the cross that can sustain against the forces of all the elements, so this graceful plant winds its clinging tendrils around its supporting trellis in its mount toward the skies. To my willing mind it predicated a lesson which may well be translated into a study to acquaint one with the thoughts of an intelligent Creator. In this perfect typo I could discern the unity of plan wherein all the diversities of the.flower harmonize'1. I saw nothing of accident or caprice in the form of the leaf or wonderful coloring of petal; but, rather, the evidences of an unerring wisdom. To my heart it spoke of the joyousness of life with all the intensity of hope, eagerness and ambition culminating in the flower cluster which had, day after day. unwearyingly toiled upward until it bad gained the summit, where it lifted its showy head from among the leafy branchlets Nature's crowc of beauty to plant life. There, in the morning of its career. its brilliant petals lay expanded to the caressing influences of tho sun's most genial rays. With every passing touch of the sweet breath of spring upon its bosom, it nodded to and fro in oxhilarating delight. As it absorbed the pure air for a brief hour, and rejoiced in the love liness of its exalted surroundings, it seemed to look down upon its companions of more lowly birth as if to say: "See, I have gained the limit of happiness and succeeded to the ultimate of life's posibilities." It spoke, too, of death. Even while rejoicing in life, it is pursued by earth, which finally triumphs. On this holy Easter afternoon, as the minister of God discourses so pleasantly of the Risen ChriBt, this lovely flower which eo vaunted itself in the morning of its pride and glory, is breathing its ephemeral life away. The decaying and detached flames of brilliant design are drooping all around the plant in mournful harmony with the solemn gladness of the hour. But even as it dies, it speaks of life again. To the seed it has transferred the life principle which is the redemption of the plant. By this divine decree the conquest of death is manifest, while tho triumph of life is real. "In the 'grain of mustard' there is literally a. faith an energy which shall raise it from the dust agaiu." Herein lies a lesson of faith to us. Nature teaches immortality in all her unfolding. And, in the words of our most eminent philoso pher: "A life in harmony with Nature, the love of truth and virtue, will purge the eyes to understand her text. By degrees we may come to know the primitive objects of Nature, so that the world shall be to us an open book, and every form significant of its hidden life and final cause." Myra E. Olmstead. A REVERIE. Easter, that means spring sure enough; and spring means warm weather and that in all well regulated families means refrigerators and gas or gasoline stoves. In Lincoln you need not go to the "spring with the milk or put the fish in water to keep them fresh. You put it in a "Siberia" refrigerator Frank Lahr will tell you all about it it's perfect and you don't take the curl all out of your hair over a hot range either. You get a "Reliable" gas or gasoline stove, and cooi with all the coolness of a camp beside a stream in the woods. Frank Lahr can tell you all about the "Reliable' too You know where he is, on the east side of the post-office square. For anything in the line of dry goods call on H. R. Nissley & Co. Spring novelties at Bargain prices Krug sale at Winger & Co's. Genuine Bargains in the Krug Stock at Winger & Co's. . When the ice man comes be sure the name LINCOLN ICE CO., is on the wagon, they have no pond ice. 1919 O Street. Scarcely a week passes in which the Chicago Times Herald does not "scoop' its competitors on important news. Its Washington service is especially good, political appointments and movements being frequently foretold with marvelous accuracy. L. L. Mead always has the Chicago Times-Herald on sale aud delivers promptly by carrier. kADIS PREFER NOVELTIES THE ".RELIABLE" GAS STOVES, "RELIABLE" GASOLINE STOYES, 'SIBERIA REFRIGERATORS, BUT THEY ARE THE PERFECT ARTICLE AS WELL FRA1VK IAHR has them I and takes pleasure in exhibiting their peculiar adaptability.