The natural world is the poetry of God, and in its page may be read the sublime revelation of what we are, and what we are to be. The fall of the summer storm, the woodland blast and falling leaf, the withering flowers under October skies, the moaning of the wintry wind, and all the varying, evanescent scenes of nature, keep continually before the thoughtful mind the hour of death, and sanctify the life. As we behold an autumn sunset, that island of gold with silver and purple shores, far away in the blue abyss, we can almost picture to ourselves the glory of the scene, when, far over this cold and wildering maze, the land of immortality will rise upon the view. The flowers of spring as they appear, unfold the rainbow dyes of our own resurrection. As the tempest of summer uplifts its voice we may hear it speaking in solemn admonition of the dreadful scenes of the judgment day.
There is no place for prayer and meditation like that of the rural retreat. Nature inspires devotion. As we behold all her works delighting in the presence of the Lord, our hearts feel the influence and our thoughts are borne away in gratitude and praise to heaven. The grandeur of architectural art possesses no power to lift the soul on high like that of the mossy columns and the leafy arches of the woodland and forest, with their long dim aisles of evergreen and flowers.—In the balmy twilight of spring, in the quiet evenings of summer, we may go forth and worship in a temple of God's own building. The rocks are its altars and the birds are its choir.—The scene itself breathes a spirit of meditation and prayer. From the solemn and delightful sermons of nature we may there receive purifying influences for our earthly communion. There we may go and soothe the heart of sorrow and the mind of care. When wearied with the sorrows and cares of the journey of life, the great author of nature himself frequently sought its retreat.
“There if the Spirit touch the soul,
And grace her mean abode,
O, with what peace, and joy and love,
Does she commune with God!”