NaUire and the Siipernatu7'al 37 



A tree is not more obvious to the physical eye than 

 the spirit of the tree is apparent to the vision of the 

 spirit. There is a spiritual atmosphere pervading 

 the woods which the soul breathes as really as his 

 nostrils do the pure air. There are spiritual pres- 

 ences, both bodied and unembodied, and they are 

 all friendly and wish to be companionable. These 

 trees have souls, and they are pure in heart, with- 

 out a malevolent trait — most gentle and accessible 

 and desirous to be serviceable. It is an inspiration 

 to gain access to their society and to their confi- 

 dence. I suppose that this presence, this pervading 

 spiritual atmosphere, is God, and am glad to so 

 believe, because it is so gentle and kind, uplifting 

 and inspiring. God is not to be found by intro- 

 spection, by searching our hearts. There is prob- 

 ably less of him there than there is in one of these 

 apple-blossoms. We are a good deal more liable to 

 find self there than God. I do not know whether 

 this beautiful tree, in its new spring robes, is spiritu- 

 ally individualized, or whether it is a transparent 

 medium through which God shines — each tree 

 revealing something of him that is peculiar to itself, 

 and therefore having a semblance of individuality — 

 but I am inclined to think that it has its individual 

 soul. There are gentle murmurs and whisperings 

 coming in from the surrounding waters and forests; 

 sometimes voices which one can hear if he will 

 listen. Though I do not know with certainty from 

 whom or what they come, I believe them to be the 



