Wilmington expositor. (Wilmington, Del.) 1831-18??, 1831-11-18
w1In1ruuTou, DEE. FRIDAY, NOV. 1s, lssl.

Ihaeucs INC TeVOlVlng seasons enclrcle us
with their blessings; the fruits of the earth
successively and silently spring from its bosom,
and silently moulder back again to prepare for
: new supplies; day and night return; the soft
stealing hours roll on; mighty changes and
revolutions are passing in the abysses of the
earth andthe throned heights of the armament;
mighty worlds and systems are borne with
speed almost like that of light, through the i'm
hntude of space; but all is order, harmony,
silence. What histories could they relate of
infinite goodness-blt they proclaim it not!
What calls to greatful devotion are there in
Iearth and heaven--but they speak not No
messenger stands upon the watch towers of
the creation, on hill or mountain, saying, like
1.-THE Moslem priests from the minarets of their
temples. To prayer! to prayern am some-
times tempted to wish there were, or to won
der there were not. Bnt so it is; there is no
audible voice nor speech.
| And for this cause, and for other causes,
how mary of Heavens blessings escape our
notice. In how many ways is the hand of
Heaven stretched out to US, and yet is unseen;
jim how many places does it secretly deposit its
benefactions! 1t is as if friend had come
with soft and gentle steps to the dwelling of
our want, or to the abode of our sickness, had
laid down his gift, and silently turned away.
And during half our lives, the night draws her
veil of darkness over the mysterious paths of
Heavens care and yet those paths are filled
with ministering angels that wait about our de-
fenceless pillow, and keep their watch by the
couch of our repose. Yes in night aud dark
ness and untrodden solitudes, what histories of
Gods mercy are recorded! But they are not
written in human language; they are not pro-
claimed by mortal tongue. The dews of hea-
venly benehcence silently descend-its' ocean
rolls in its dark caverns--the recesses OF the
wilderness are thronged with insects and beasts
and birds, that utter no sound in the ear OF
y man. aaee
j Full of bounty as this work of God is-si-
Icnt and touching as are it appeals to gratitude,
il is yet more--it is a joyous creation-and
thus bears another indication of the character
j OF its Author.
o rr ideas of religion are apt to be too con-
, strai led, and, not TO say too solemn, yet too
exc sively of that character. Frail and SIM
full we are, it is not strange that this should
tIbe the tendency of our minds, and especially
so. if our minds are not familiar with this great
theme. But the theology of nature teaches us
ala different RESPONSIBILITIES us, as the Holy
Il Word also teaches us, to worship God, with
,ioyfuness and gladness of heart The lesson
: is written with sunbeams upon the ever fair
, land youthful brow Of nature. A dull and sla-
&. wish piety is at war with the creation. The
4 bright skies, the free and flowing streams, the
a chainless winds, the waving forests. teach us
not so-and every being of natures ten thou
f sand rejoicing tribes, calls us to glad com
e munion with it. If, indeed, the world with its
n tenants were smitten with universal sadness
! or even if the Garth were filled with dull, hea.
s,lvy, formal creatures, might be obliged 4
|, think differently. But what is the fact! Is j
It solemn creation that see around me? Is j
if not rather, repeat, Joyous creation? Doe
a it not ring from side TO side with notes Of joy
r 1t is not the moaning owl from her bliShtet
& tree that commonly hear--but the glad SOM
" of the birds of day. / look abroad through
Of the Gladcs and forests, too, and l see not de
lie mure creatures, stalking forth in staid and du
.pI formality- but the prancing steed in the val
Mt ley, tic bounding goat upon the hills, the spor
st. tive hocks in the pasture. All about me is &C
ks tivity-yes. and the activity of pleasure. Swi
p wings fan the air around me; quick steps hurr
IL by me in their gambols-and the whole wild
* armament sends forth from its viewless string
ii the music of rejoicing creation. Heave
and earth are filed, had almost said, with
ed visible Joy. at seems as if the Spirit that
nv abroad in the universe were scarcely veile
Dr. from our eyes; as if we almost saw it throut
re Its robe of light-saw an expression, more i
it tense than any countenance can give, in q
ms serene heavens-as five felt presence. nea
,rn err than that OF any friend, in the beauty al
inc fragrance and breath of summer. And 4
hat heayens-is it an illusion to think SOFT
+ heavens grow brighter. and the earth mo
ian beautiful, as we gaze upon them with the e
oof of deyout Joy and thanksgiving.
are But let us take minuter survey, and '
Inv. shall find that the creation is not only fill
he. with blessings and Joys, but filled, too. wi
i've indications Of the most tender and considers
care. The topics that illustrate this may
de- familiar but they can never grow old or du
zee, When we look abroad upon the universe,
to observe, as has been said, that every portion
e Of it, however large, or however minute, is
sat dwelling-place Of animated life. Creatures