Tree That Never Fades


"Mary," said George, "next summer I will not

have a garden. Our pretty tree is dying. And I 

won't love another tree as long as I live. I will 

have a bird next summer, and that will stay all

 winter."

"George, don't you remember my beautiful canary

bird? It died in the middle of the summer,

and we planted bright flowers in the ground 

where we buried it. My bird did not live as long

 as the tree."

 "Well. I don’t see as we can love anything. Dear

Mary’s kid died before the bird, and I loved him

more than of bird, or tree or flower. Oh! I want

 today to have something to love that wouldn’t 

be passed. 

  During the school hours, Mary had almost

 forgotten that of their words but at evening, as

 they drew their work to the table where their 

mother was sitting, brought and  arranged the 

seeds they had been gathering in. 

remembrance of the tree came upon her.

“Mother, "said Mary, "you may give these seeds

to cousin John; I never want another garden.

“Yes," added George, pushing the papers in 

which he had carefully folded them, towards his

 mother, “You may give them all away.  If I could

 find some  seeds of a tree that would never

 fade, I should like  then to have a garden.  I

 wonder, Mother, if there ever was such a 

garden.”  

“Yes, George, I have read of a garden where the

 trees never die.”

“A real garden, Mother?”

“Yes, my son.  In the middle of the garden I  

have been told, there runs a pure river of water,

clear as crystal, and on each side of the river is

 the tree of life, — a tree that never fades. That

 garden is paradise. That you may love forever.

 There will be no death no fading there. Let your

 treasure be in the tree of life, and you will have

 something of  which your young hearts can 

cling, without fear, and without disappointment.

 Love the Saviour here, and he will prepare you

 to dwell in those green pastures, and beside 

those still waters."