The Sublime

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jun 7, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 22.

The rush and clang of the ocean surges on groaning rocks, and the storm-petrel’s plaining, discrepant cry above their noisy war. The hush of mighty forests when the winds are still, or their pomp when Autumn plunges through their deeps with his horses and chariots of fire! Winter with “its white-winged messengers who speed soft-footed out of silence,” and its gleaming “sword which stills the laughing waters at a breath”! The great deep heaven where dust-like shoals of stars, sand-banks of suns, and shining films of firmaments, in nebula separated from nebula by trillions of leagues, stretch and glitter to the feet of God. Whoso will duly consider these manifestations of the sublime in the world we tread, and in the boundless universe beneath it, around it, and above it, an overpowering humility will bend his knees, and an unutterable solemnity will fall on him as from the very presence-chamber of the Highest.

Let us consider these splendors, that they may greaten us in the vision and the awe of them, ever mindful that —

“Nature’s crescent does not grow alone In thews and bulk; but as the temple waxes, The inward service of the mind and soul Grows wide withal.”

— Great Thoughts.