“The leaves in autumn do not change color from the blighting touch of frost, but from the process of natural decay. They fall when the fruit is ripened, and their work is done. And their splendid coloring is but their graceful and beautiful surrender of life when they have finished their summer offering of service to God and man. And one of the great lessons the fall of the leaf teaches is this : Do your work well, and then be ready to depart when God shall call.”

—  Tryon Edwards

Source: A Dictionary of Thoughts, 1891, p. 33.

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Tryon Edwards 57
American theologian 1809–1894

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