lilies and the birds, n.All

The Lilies and the birds (n.) are ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠neither heathen nor Christian, which is exactly why they can teach Christianity without condemning anyone.

The Lilies and the birds (n.) are ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠God's easiest children, never naughty, so he need not add what parents always add: "I hope it will continue."

The Lilies and the birds (n.) are ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠obedient teachers: odd, since obedience is required of pupils; here the teacher obeys, teaches obedience, and teaches it only by obeying.