THE MINISTRY OF NATURE 243 



is like the kingdom of God. It can be entered only 

 in the character of a little child." The tiniest insect 

 has problems connected with its vital functions 

 which the greatest minds have not been able to 

 solve. Who can explain how the thousands of 

 minute lenses which make up the eyes of the dragon- 

 fly flash but one image along their numerous nerves 

 to the centre of sensation ? What man has ever 

 explained how it is that the suspended vitality of 

 the chrysalis, so far from ending in death, does but 

 prepare it for the more glorious life of the butterfly 

 which bursts forth from the clod to roam through 

 the garden and the glade ? Those myriads of 

 systems which the telescope discovers, those busy 

 worlds in atoms which the microscope reveals ; who 

 is able to compass the majestic meaning or penetrate 

 into all the profound mysteries which are here 

 involved ? 



This pleasure, moreover, refines and ennobles 

 man ; for only to look upon the beauty which glad- 

 dens him in all the diversity of hill and vale, of 

 gleaming river and ocean, of radiant garden and 

 many-coloured forest, of sparkling sunlight and 

 lustrous cloud, of peaceful evening and starry night, 

 brings a consciousness of nobility. And when 

 we "look through Nature up to Nature's God," 

 how calm and trustful do intelligent Christians 

 become, and with what ardour they awake all their 

 powers to praise that beneficent Being to Whom we 

 owe all these possessions and delights I A puny 

 soul has he who never feels inspired to glorify our 

 Heavenly Father Who has placed us amid this 



