258 Natural Theology. 



could not fail to recognize the provision that has 

 been made in nature for us, as emotional beings, 

 and lovers of the grand and beautiful. 



We have referred to the fine arts only as evidence 

 that men have in all ages recognised this provision, 

 and that in all their attempts to appeal to the emo- 

 tional in man, they have sought to follow nature. 

 And when we rise into the higher spiritual sphere, 

 we still are dependent upon nature's symbols, in 

 order to express our conceptions of these higher 

 beauties. The heavens and the earth, in their 

 grandeur and beauty, as pictures of unequalled com- 

 position, are daily presenting new occasions for won- 

 der and enjoyment ; while each distinct object, that 

 like the pencil-stroke, completes the picture, has its 

 own power by its beauty or grandeur, to call out 

 the emotions of the soul, and give its revenue of 

 pleasure. 



How much enjoyment comes to us through the 

 sweet sounds of music ! The ear was formed with 

 power to mark the nice distinction of sounds ; and 

 bird and insect ; the brook tinkling over its pebbly 

 bed ; the ocean, and the thunders, in their deep diapa- 

 sons, give the elements of the sweetest and grand- 

 est melodies. If we consider music as an art, minis- 

 tering to our enjoyment, we cannot fail to observe 

 how many conditions are necessary in us, and in the 

 physical nature of the elements, that this source of 

 enjoyment should be possible, and so rich. The 

 sense of hearing we have already considered in a 

 former lecture ; but all the common uses of this sense 



