Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-11-15
Inspiration of Nature.
BY REV. II. ToRREY.

How Is it possible for man 10 gaze u
round him, and view The admirable fitness
Of things, without feeling emotions oil graf
iiude within his bosom 10 The great Arsi-
fcer 81 The universe! What mind can
contemplate The varied, apd ever varying
scenery OF our earth, and OF the same time
be stranger to the devotional spirit which
the. oit.breaihing elcquence of natures
Stiffness seems to enkindle in the reflective
SOUL Nature, like music, has charms 10
soothe the savage heart-lo lull 10 rePose
all the furious storms Of passion and 10 solt-
en- down our feelings to a mild, calm, and
holy tranquility. -. ,..
But how many are dead to its peaceful
influence! low many are insensible 10
these lessons OF wisdom imprinted on eve
~ object around Them. How many admire
the glories and beauties Of the visible
world, without rejecting upon the greatness
of Thai power which executed the mighty
universe! Such are those whose minds 90
never look "lhrough nature up to natures
Gsd." Like the child who admires the
witch fr lis beauty, but does not reflect
uten he mnd tina, conlti, ed, or1he skill
necessary in lis lormation;s. does man LOOK
upon nature and admire it for its adapted
ness 10 the wants Of all sensitive and NOR.
IL beings, for the harmony oil its laws, ana
tho beauty Of its construction, without a
single thought relative to the character OF
the Almighty Author!
"afan views it and admires; but rests eonte.s
With what he views. The landscape has his
praise.
Eut not it's author Unconoernd who formed
The paradise be sees-he finds it suc5,
And such well pleased to find tasks no more"
There are such, but such there should
not be. who have wrapped themselves in
stupidity, 10 slumber in ignorance. But
that number is small who can view the
wonderful works of creation and remain
unconcerned with regard to its great au-
thor. Callous indeed must be the under
standing Of him who can look at nature
and then rest satisfied to task no more" +"
The human mind is formed for investiga-
ZION. Man is endowed with faculties
which enable him to explore the deep
things Of God; and while he has before him,
ID ina agination, the boundless universe, is
IL possible for his mind to stop in its re-
searches, and say, ask no more? No!
bis thoughts can not be stayed they are
trayersiBg the wide field Of immensely, and
will not return until they can bring back
the sweet conviction to his heart, tha! eye-
~ thing bears the impress of Deity. And
thus the soul -..'....
sDiscerns in all things, what with stupid gaze
Of ignorance, till then she overlooked,
ray Of heavenly light, gliding all forms
Ierrestial in the vast and the minute; =
The unambiguous footsteps of the God,
Who gives its lustre to an insects wing,
And wheel 8 his throne upon the rolling worlds
The works Of art we may admire; the
genius and intellect of man ns exhibited in
the proud monuments of earthly wisdom
may excite our attention and call forth our
praise, but the sublime works of nature
only can kindle within our hearts tha,
more holy and exalted teeling-the spirii
ofderotiont 80
THE ehievements of art may amuse,
May even our wonder excite;
sz But groves, hills and vallies difuse
.zz5r A lasting, sacred delight"
There is an inspiration in nature-'
languagesof powerful eloquence. which
spsaks in the soul and tells Of God! Ant
what doss it say Of hims There is nj
smbiguity in the language-no clash o
wosds-no discord ofsentiment. We heal
it:isaav that they unbounded love Of Got
prompted his almighty poscer to execute
she designs Of bis infinite s0isdons. Ane
ensnsauFs' s every page is manifested th'
'greatnsss and goodness Of God. We have
airsady learned by observation and -expe
risnce that all the operations Of nature are