Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-05-12
Spring-Part l.


The recurrence of Spring may be made
the subject of profitable thought The sea-
son invites to the study of God through his
works and providence. The study of nature
is help to the understanding of her Maker ;
Tor his creation mirrors much of his pur-
pose, and gives hints OF his character, mani
testing his power, wisdom, and grace. From
what is beheld in the world, at least an i'm
perfect idea may be formed of the vastness
of his resources, and the magnitude of the
power, OF the Eternal Author.
The soul that sees Him
Discerns in all things what, with stupid gaze
Of ignorance, till then she OVERLOOKED,
A ray OF heavenly light, gliding all forms
Terrestrial, in the vast and the minute,
The unambiguous footsteps OF the God
VINO gives its lustre to an insects wing,
And wheels his throne upon the rolling
worlds.
10 him who has no sympathy with the
Creator, nature will reveal no charms; no
melody will be awakened in his soul, no
emotions will tremble in his breast, no aspi.
rations Will be kindled, no longings for the
invisible. 10 him life is a mere business,
or worse, round of sensual qualification,
which does not claim God as the giver; and
the world is nothing to him only as it affords
opportunity to satisfy his usts. Beauty he
sees none, like
Brutes grazing the mountain top, with faces
prone,
And eyes intent upon the scanty herb
II yields them; or, recumbent on its brow
illuminate needless of the scene outspread
Beneath, beyond, and stretching far away
From inland regions to the distant main.
The man impressed sees God in every
thing, reads sermons in stones, and finds in
tree, and plant, and animal creation, traces
of that wondrous wisdom that planned and
fashioned all. Though the instruction nature
can impart is in the form OF primary lessons,
he appreciates their value, as they are seen
to point unerringly to him whose will and
purpose are the subjects OF fuller revea-
ton. With the book of Nature the subject
OF his contemplation, hungering to know
more of Him to whom he acknowledges de.
pendence, and from whom he expects all
iavors, he rightly rejoices in the disclosures
it has to make. The objective is suggestive.
Mountains remind him OF that great thing
predicted TO come to pass in the last days:
Isaiah 2:2, g. Strolling beside river, he
will think on that peace which flows like
river, and be thankful for conscious enjoy
ment OF that same peace. When looking
upon hills, his heart will bound at the
thought OF the hills whence cometh his help.
If he traverse valley shut in on every side
by mountains which exclude the light Of the
sun, the confidence OF the Psalmist will fix
itself in his soul as his own heritage; Psalm
23'4. Interpreting that passage correctly
as having no remotest alusion to death or
dying-he will say, Though God lead me
through affection deep as the valley shades,
and shut me in on every hand from light
and rest, yet will lean on him, my staff,
and take rich comfort from his hand. AS he
looks upon sparrows, or watches the sprout-
ing grain, he will call to mind the sermons
of Jesus, and the arguments OF Paul, and
rest content in the faith OF being fed, and of
rising from the grave with a new body.
No season appears 80 suggestive OF such
thoughts as Spring Then nature IS loveliest,
the earth resumes adornments long put off,
and seems nearer heaven the Author of all
beauty seems TO be more Immediately pres.
ent, leading every heart TO echo the senti-
ment of Thompson's famous lines
Forth in the pleasing Spring
Thy beauty walks, thy tenderness and love.
Wide flush the fields the sOltening air is
balm;
Echo the mountains round; the forest smiles;
And every sense, and every heart is JOY
brings into view the perfection of their
Author. In every department of creation
this excellence is observed Nothing short
of infinite wisdom, harmonizng with in
finite goodness, could have produced ma
terial world 80 suited to the varied needs of
its inhabitants, and so Astounding in re
sources of happiness. Independent of reve.
latio l., the knowledge of the wisd ON OF God
is derived from the creation and rreserva-
ton of the world. And this per lection Is
exhibited in the end proposed, and the
means employed to attain it. That end was
To bestow such degree of perfection upon
each of his creatures as it is capable of re-
ceiving; and at the same time to make
everything contribute to his own glory. His
attributes enable him to make proper choice
of means to effect his designs; and it is the
manifest fitness of these means which 80 pro-
foundly impresses the student OF the natural
economy. If ANYTHING appears to US super
fluous. or II there be any apparent lack, it is
because we have not sufficient insight to
understand the workings of providence.
Wherever understood, the philosophic and
Christian mind gladly admits its universal
fitness.