The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-12-01


sense of deep gratitude.
So let us look within, hoping to
find wealth of soul sufficient to
know and feel the divine emotion
represented by the term gratitude.
And here, let me say, l have in mind
a still higher purpose than to lavish
our appreciation upon enumerated
specific gifts that may be our good
fortune to enjoy; for there is life.
soul, back of things which, though
invisible, is more and means more to
the recipients of blessings than do
the blessings themselves.
The crystal draught placed to the
parching tongue of the care-worn
traveller should, within itself, evoke
gratitude, but if he be man, how
his heart swells at the thought that
this ''sup" is but finite expression
of an everlasting fountain that in
time to come, will yield up it's thirst
quenching treasure to other similar
souls fainting under life's heavy bur-
dens. And there comes still pro-
founder sense of gratitude when it
dawns in upon him that back of the
everlasting fountain of water, lives
the everlasting God of foresight
making possible and transcending it
all.
Reference was made a moment
ago to the particular season of the
year. Each of us may have his ia
vorite season, his time for special re-
joicing; but let us all retain our
choicest offering till we get back, in
thought, to him whose expression is
embodied in the eternal order" that
brings all the seasons, with their &C
companied blessings in their time
and turn. All along the journey of
life may it be with soul-thrilling
pride that we bow our sacred recog-
milton to the Great Eternal for what
good has lowered out in the world
and the unlimited prospects yet to
be. What a divine awakening is
stirred within one when he feels him
self lifted to a height of spiritual
harmony with the Father What a
southeast we experience as we come
in sympathetic touch with the great
heart-magnet who is ever searching
after the latent powers of his child
rem that they may unfold naturally
in the sunlight of his endless love!
And the super-glorious fact that
God has spoken, is speaking, and will
ever speak to his offspring who have
have developed soul power sufficient
to hear the inspiring messages roll
from his phonograph of nature with
its billions and formless tongues in
ceaseless rhythmic motion.
1t was this that my friend Mrs. j.
M. Eddy meant, when she so richly
sang her heart-sentiment in verse:
Thou glorious gift of God,
And offspring of the spheres.
Thy matchless voice was notreyealed
Alone to ancient seers
But freshly as in days of yore,
Its waves melodions roll,
From pebbly strand to starry world
And lave the human soul.
We hear it when the morning star
Fades in auroral light.
In plaintiye strain of evening song,
And in the hush of night.
1t echoes mid the thunder's tones
When vivid lightnings flash,
Itwhspers in the lulling breeze,
And chants mid tempest crash.
1t sweeps adown the mountains side,
Ger harp of forest tree,
From murmurng rin to oceans roar,
All are replete with Thee.
Where e'er rests touch of hand Divine
Since hour of youngest Time,
Swells forth from Natures wondrous Tyre
Thy cadence grand, sublime.
1t tells that every minute form
With mighty power is rife:
From granite rock to human SOUL
All throb with deathlesS life.
And thy magic tones shall never cease
While space remains untrod.
Along the souls G eat pathway
That leads us home to God.
So it is because of him whose tire
less evoluting process has brought
the universe from its homogeneous
state to its myriad forms of beauty
and excellence, who, with his infinite
grasp, holds the planets in their
trackless orbits, and who, without
variableness neither shadow of turn
ing" retains the order and sani-
ty of things, that we today, "rejoice
with JOY unspeakable and full of
glory"
And now the marvellous reality that
l ami This great and wonderful
fact of being a self conscious entity
A soul capable of imparting richness
of thought to kindred souls. An ego
capable of feeling and experiencing
emotions too delicately shaded to be
impaired.