The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-07-12
RELIGIOUS READING.
THE RAINBOW,

What object in nature inspires more cxquis-
ite pleasure than Il rainbow? Vixen we gaze
upon that miracle OF beauty, its graceful form,
its lofty span. its delicate tints. we do not
wonder ut the enthusiasm Of the poet Words
worth:
''My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began,
So is it now am man,
SO be it when shall grow old,
Or let me die
ssThcre was rainbow round about the
throne in sight like unto an emerald" In
spiration never speaks at random. and 'ail
scripture is profitable for doctrine; may we
not therefore elicit from this comparison
some hidden meaning. of use to confirm our
faith, enliven our affections, and magnify
the glory of divine grace? Now why: 1t may
be asked, was this brilliant green color pre-
eminent above all others? Observe, then,
that this color. Of emerald green, occupies
the middle position in the rainbow. 1t IS q
combination of two extremes, yellow and
blue, which are very dissimilar and dis
corlant. The first OF these Is positive and
exciting color. 1t is highly stimulant to the
eve. It communicates the idea OF light. OF
splendor, and of warmth Of honor, and OF
Joy. 1t first heralds the rising day, and II
also floods with amber the path OF the sitting
sun. We see it in the intense glow OF flame,
and admire it as it.. shines in the diadem Of
gold: and a tinge Of this color communicates
brilliancy to the robes Of empire.
The blue color. on the contrary, is OF more
quiet and negative character. 1t tends to
cainness and repOse. In perspective 1t IS re-
tring in its effect it is cold. 1t calls up ideas
Of the shade. of advancing eve, OF the azure
vault of night. In the color. therefore, which
is compounded of these opposite and dlscord-
ant extremes, we meet with an agreeable
blending of light and darkness; warmth and
eoolness; excitement and quiet. The erect ls
softness and repose. 1t makes pleasing I'M
preston on tho eye, and fills and satisfies the
mind. The spectator feels no rising Wisn
for ANYTHING beyond. It is at once rich
and modest. 1t neither dazzles nor fatigues,
but rather is a relief to the eye. From the
medal station which 1t thus occupies In tho
SCALE it is capable Of sustaining more gen.
eral relations and accordances than any
other, as we'll as forming more delightful
contrasts: and hence it has been chosen by
the God of Nature as the most appropriate
Carb of the vegetable creation. 1t is gentle
and agreeable to the eye; soothing and re-
freshing. rather than glaringly st1mulant; lts
effect is calm and peaceful; and it suggests
pleasing ideas OF temperate GOODNESS and de-
uclOuS TeCEelIS. IL tLjoO io
yalne. It may he taken as no unapt emblem
b. the fresh and vigorous springtime. Its the
opening season of the year. Nature IS prodl-
gal of her favorite hue clothing hillside and
dell with verdure. and tinting the landscape
with every variety of light and shade, from
the delicate bud to the deeper graduations OF
the foliage. Green, being the cheerful color,
has easily been adopted by the poets as the
symbol OF Hope.
Young Hope like the springin her mantle OF
Assumes that soft tint, sunny, pleasant and
tender;
And lends to the Emerald light 80 serene,
That the eye never wearies Of watching its
splendor."
This color Is also emblematical OF imnor-
tality. Hence the Scriptures promise to the
good man, that she shall be like a tree plant
ed by the rivers of waters, that bringeth forth
his fruit in his season, his leaf also shall not
wither." Jeremiah likewise celebrates the
blessodness of the man that trusteth in the
Lord he shall resemble well-watered tree
that .:shall not see when heat cometh, but her
leaf shall be green" And the tree which
Ezekiel saw upon the bank Of the river OF life
was one .;whose leaf shall not fade, neither
shall the fruit thereof be consumedi and the
fruit thereof shall be for meat. and the leaf
thereof for medicine. IN. Y. Observer.