BY MRS. S. V. SUTHERLAND.
CHRIST is the true light, the great source from which the sun borrows its splendor; and all things that he has made, reflect some of that light. The grass does not reflect all, but only the green rays, the rose reflects the red ; the forget-me-not the blue,—all telling us of him who is the Light, the One altogether lovely- All things were made beautiful for our pleasure and for our good. He who is unmindful of the glory of the sunset, the delicate tinting of the rose petal, and the purity of the lily, is neglecting the means by which God would make him purer and finer, and lift him nearer heaven.
An appreciation of color grows with study and observation. It is the mother’s privilege to develop a refined taste, and an appreciation of the beautiful, by calling the attention of her child to the beautiful color of the flowers, the tinting of the leaves, and the colors in the clouds. Nature’s coloring will be found much different from the glaring poster and the cheap chromo ; and the child that has been educated to love and appreciate the rich colors and delicate shadings of the pansy, will not be attracted by that which is only gaudy and coarse. The young person who desires flashy dress, has been educated by the cheap fashion plate and the bill board, and not by God’s beautiful, living pictures. If you find that your child does not love out-of-door life and the things of nature as much as you wish, begin to cultivate in yourself a love of these things. Call his attention to the soft green of the willows by the river, the beautiful reflections in the water, the glossy, dark green of the oak, the effects produced by sunshine and shadow, causing leaves which are really the same color to appear yellow in the sun and almost black in the shade. When he learns to look for beauty in these things, a new world is open to him, —God’s beautiful world.
Color has a psychic effect that is not appreciated nor turned] to account as it should be. When your child is nervous and cross, or unduly excited, induce him to lie down and look up into the blue sky. Children like to watch the clouds if their attention is called to them. No fit of sulks can outlive an interested look into the blue sky. Blue is the peace color, and is conducive to mental calm. God had a purpose in covering us with the blue sky. Why not take advantage of this, mothers and teachers? When tired and impatient, go out of doors for a few moments and look up. Your spirits will follow the look.
Nothing need be said to the observant concerning- the mental effect of red. Show a red rag to a turkey-gobbler or a ferocious animal, and note the result.
Not long ago in a state of physical weariness and mental depression, I went for a ride into the country. The trees were in their gorgeous autumnal dress. Unconsciously I began to notice the color effects of the orange and brown beech standing by the scarlet maple, the mixtures of green and gold, of red and brown. I soon found myself singing, and thanking God for his love. The depression did not return although it had been combated by the will for days, and physical weariness was for- gotten.
Autumn is the season of yellow and gold, and should be spent out of doors. I cannot look upon a mass of yellow flowers and be unhappy. Neither can you. Try it.
THE ADVOCATE, November, 1901, Volume 3, No. 9, p. 298
