Year: 1863




The merely intellectual reader of the Bible
he who can read its pages without beng
moved by its relations or touched by ITS
sweet promises-even such one must needs
be impressed by one thing; namely, the varie-
ty of illustration and comparison drawn from
our natural world, as well as their beauty and
truthfulness, and fidelity to nature. The chan
ges that are continually going on above and
around US changes silent, yet wrought IN
beauty most wonderous-pass us day by day.
almost unheeded; unheeded because they are
neither uncommon nor unnatural; they are
simply every day occurrences But In the
Bible we may meet them again, and there
they must needs be heeded. These same 81
lent wonders were eHacted in centuries long
gone, and we find them taken up aud set in
words, And theysappear 10 US enwoTen 10
some precept of wisdom, some promise OF
comfort, or it may be, brought out in start
ling deuunciaiion with viVi3ness that Is ter
ribIe to sin-sick soul. So prevalent through
cut the Scriptures are these drawings from ma
ture that it has been thought by some prominent
writers, that she, in reality, contains within
N0--N---FN
here below; and that had we eyes spiritual
enough to look into the depths of her great
heart, or ears fine enough to catch the sounds
thai emanate therefrom, or feet that could
tread her labyriuths of knowledge, we might
there find tie some comfort and promise, the
same instruction and edifcation, that God
in consideration of cur material nature, has
graciously given as, in bis inspired Word.


1t is to be noted how frequently the Bible
touches upon the frailty Of human life, and
how impressive in the language used. We
are said to come forth like fiower'-ah, we
have known such human lives, gentle fragrant,
beautiful, and we have seen them die IN the
Autumnal frost; others are like the grass oil
field, useful and lovely, but Of which Scripture
saith, ain the morning it hourisheth and grow
eth up; in the evening it is cut down, and
withereth." And as if flowers and grass were
not frail enough, things still more evanescent
and vanishing are brought up for illustration.
We are likened unto the passing cloud, our
life is but vapor, our days are only shad-
ow, and the prophet Isaiah pauses, in the
midst OF a list of corruptions, to declare that
we all do fade as leaf"


Thus the fading, falling leaf is set to teach US
lessons, and they are cheap preachers; we car
afford to listen to them. But they are also
silent teachers; they talk not words; it is by
their lives that we are to know them. Leaves
of GUNNER are like some natures that we know
and know but to love; they are joy-giving al
ways. From the starting forth of the tiny
bud until they are large enough to rustic and
whisper to the winds, and birds come to hide
| their nests among them, they are constantly
sending forth pleasure most rare; pleasure
lavish and profuse, yet so subtle and exquis
| its that we do not even know it! We mtgh
know #, If there ever could be such thing
as summer without green leaves, but nature
will not deceive US; she knows our need of mu
sic and freshnsss, and she viii be true to he
promises.


Another thing instructive to the observer
of the habits and changes of the leaf is tha
while thus diffasing its beauty and Fragrance
around the pathway Of man, every one is 81
lently and humbly working out its own destl
n.y. Each leaf, so dilicate and wonderful il
mecIanicism, is content to be one, to do jus
its one little part toward the working out o
natures great miracle, no vanity arises anon
them, they know neither rank nor grade, uu
less it is when one gets ripe before its fellow;
and CLEANS a lonely, scarlet leaf amid th
green, the first to complete its work, the frs
to fall.


1t ia not long time since it became
thing of every day knowledge that frost doc
not kill the leaves. They do not die unit
they are ripe and ready, and it had been cor
ceded that all leaves, even grass and mosse
put on their brighter color just before thei
fall, and thus in their dying they become
the living, as burning and shining lights
Ripe and graceful, they drop into their Autum
grave, while the tree mourns not for its sweC
children. 1t knows, when it let fall its radiar
mantel, that it was not forever. 1t know
that spring is sure to come; and with it


new and beautiful life, and thus the dead leave


that now drift around our door. stone, aud cris
and rustic beneath our feet, may teach US sti
another wonderful and effective lesson. 1t


well if we can make our own lives as prof


able as that Of the falling leaf, and have thi


within us, whereby we may look forward


an eternal Spring-time in the better life whit


God has prepared for them that love and ser
him.