The Basket of Flowers: Piety and Truth Triumphant, Paperback

The grand truth which the story is intended to illustrate is that "piety to God and truth towards men shall never fail to triumph over the malice of the worst of foes." James, the father tells parables about life using his garden as a metaphor. When he made a basket, Mary filled it with beautiful flowers and gave it to the Countess for her birthday. When the diamond ring was missing Mary was accused and the drama begins. Many times a faith in Divine Providence is relied upon and that "God knows how to turn to our advantage the ill which our enemies design to do us."

CHRISTOPH VON SCHMID (1768-1854) was born at Dinkelsbuhl, Germany, Bavaria. He studied theology at Dillington, and became an ordained priest. He served as an assistant in different parishes and then was placed as head over a large school in Thannhausen on the Mindel. He wrote many children's stories in German that been translated into English. GREGORY TOWNSEND BEDELL (1793-1834) was born in Staten Island, New York. He attended the Episcopal Academy at Cheshire, Connecticut and Columbia College in New York. He was ordained a Deacon in 1814. He served at a Church at Hudson, New York, 3 years. He married Penelope Thurston in 1816. He served four years at a Church in Fayetteville, N. C. He was rector for 12 years at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Philadelphia.