The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-08-26

WORKS oil God, both animate and inanimate,
to praise the Lord, the Maker Of them all.
The angelic hosts, the heavenly bodies, the
various departments cf liis world, the ole.
ments, the vegetable and animal creation,
soyereigns and their subjects, the old and
the young of every class and sex, are all
called on to praise that name which is ex,
cellept in the earth, and exalt that glory
which Hills the heavens. In this eompre.
hensive summary ofsll the created works of
God, the mountains have prominen. place.
They are invoked by tho Paalmist TO join
the grand chorus Of praise and utter their
Inscriptions of glory to Him who clothed
them th majesty, and adorned them with
beauty Mountains and all hills, let them
praise the name Of the Lord.
Each department Of creation has its own
peculiar manifestation Of the glorious aitri.
butes Of the Creator, and each has its own
appropriate reasons for celebrating His
praise, To an unreaecting mind, Il might
seem strange that the surface of our globe
should be so largely diversifed-,hat two
thirds Of it should be covered with water i,
and that, of the remaining fragment, SO
much should be given up to rugged, mac
cessible and barren mountains. To such a
mind it might seem as if il would have been
wiser and more benefcent arrangement il
the earth had all been composed Of fertile
fields aud haryest-covered plains. But a
little reflection, mingled with but moder
ate degree of scientific knowledge, will show
the mistaken character of such view. Il
is not appropriate for us to speak of the
evidences of Gods wisdom and goodness rs
displayed in the seas and oceans. We are
more concerned at this moment with the
uses OF the mountains, and the reasonable
ness of the invocation which the Psalmist
makes to them to join with their own pecu-
liar song the grand anthem of universal
praise.
USES OF THE MOUNTAINS.
When we speak Of the uses of the noun
tains, we do not employ the word in the
mere hard sense of practical utility. God
has not constructed the universe on this
principle
CAN things have something more than barren
There Is a fragrant scent upon the briar, usc
tremuious splendor In the autumn dews.
Cold moons are fringed with fire."
We who are gathered here as pilgrims to
these mountain shrines can testify to God s
goodness, in giving us so much that is grand
and beautiful in these peaks and rsnges.-
There is charm in mountain scenery which
all must feel. Nowhere is there gathered
and grouped so much variety Of form and
color; such blending of hines such striking
after fantastic formations, such expressions
OF action, and repose of strength and soft
ness; of endless change, and solid perma.
nence of such rousing and soothing inflacn.
ces, such inspiring and melting powers.
From no scenery which creation offers to
our gaze can we derive such constant, vel
ever varied pleasure-su strength and re.
freshment to the spirit; such inspiration Cor
work and warfare; such rest from drudgery
and strife. Nowhere can the thoughtful
mind learn better lessons of patience and
persistence; Of strength and calmness; OF
trust and courage. Nowhere can the des.
ponding be more cheered; the restless bet
ter sehooledi the proud more humbled the
downcast more exalted the ambitious more
chastened; the thopghtlcss and irrevercnt
more impressed and subdued. Il has well
been said, that 'mountains seem TO have
been built for tho human race, as al once
their schools and cathedrals, full oftroasures
Of illuminated manuscript for the scholar;
kindly in simple lessons to the worker;
quiet, in pale cloisters for tho thinker
glorious in holiness for the worshipper.'
They arc, indeed, rs Mr.. Raskin ssvs, .'the
great cathedrals Of the earth, s,.h their
gates of rock, their pavement Of cloud, their
choirs Of stream and stone, their aliars Of
snow and vaults Of purple, trayersed by the
continual stars" and built, MS they have
boon, by the great Architect Of tho Universe,
to do their part in educating mon TO the
true service and worship of God in earnest,
valiant, patient and devout living and work.
lug. they reflect his great wisdom and greater
love, and do, therefore, "praiae the Lasdr'
RELIGION OF TIE souSrMxs. n
Toa devout mind, there is peculiar
charm in mountain scenery, and thought.
ful aud prayerfal spirit tinds among them
more than ordinary iuspiraiiap "a cpmmu.
Mon with God. So our divine Lord, in The
days when he carried The heavy burden Of
our sins and sorrows, is Represented as seek.
ing the solitudes Of the mountains and
spending the entire night there il prayer 10
the Father. What oIasaness Of intimacy he
there enjoyed, what grand eommnnica-
tons Of grace and strength and courage for
the terrible ordeal which was then near ut
handi What sweet comfort and peace,
likegcntlenightly dews on Hcrmon's alopcs,
came down upon his soul IN tho retirement
Of those hours on that mnuntain sidel They
may be somewhat gifted 10 understand who
have followed His example and made "the
everlasting hills their solemn tsumpeis Of
devotion. But 10 the most rigid and prac.
tical utihiarian, who looks At this Crcasion
only in the light Of lis Naterial uses and
results, tho mountains auggest much thai
exalts the wisdom and bepefcence of their
Ill r. 4 4 T.