and in the perception of this universal ele- 

 ment, which on the instant wins recognition 

 from every mind, the personal element 

 vanishes; the mere skill of the workman 

 is forgotten in the new revelation of soul 

 which it has given the world. For the 

 same reason Nature takes on in these few 

 and peaceful days a spiritual aspect, and 

 the most careless finds himself touched, 

 perhaps saddened, he knows not how or 

 why. 



Now again is the old mystery and deep 

 secret of life forced upon thought : " Ex- 

 cept a grain of wheat fall into the earth and 

 die, it abideth by itself alone ; but if it die, 

 it beareth much fruit." When the tide was 

 at the flood it was enough to breathe the air 

 and listen to the magical music of advanc- 

 ing life ; but now, when the tide begins to 

 recede and leave the vast shores bare and 

 silent, one must think, whether he will or 

 not. Nature, that was careless poet, flower- 

 crowned and buoyant with the promise of 

 eternal youth, turns teacher, and will not 

 suffer us to escape the deeper truths, the 

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