THE OAK. 17 



effected through, the instrumentality of squirrels. 

 So beautifully are the necessities of the various 

 realms of nature harmonized one to the other. The 

 little quadruped fulfils an instinct proper and need- 

 ful to its own existence, and in so doing contributes 

 to the perpetuation of the tree. 



Eepresentatively that is, as viewed by the light 

 of poetry, which means, in turn, by the keenest in- 

 sight of the mind that, penetrating below the surface, 

 and beholding the centres of things, brings out their 

 highest value, that is to say, their significance, re- 

 presentatively, the oak is strength, endurance, and 

 dignity, holding the same place among trees that 

 the lion does among animals, and the eagle among 

 birds. Hence we find it many times referred to in 

 Scripture, and always in connection with what is 

 understood to be permanent and enduring ; as when 

 the tables of the law are described as having been 

 set up against an oak, to signify that the law was 

 given to last for ever. It would be a very trifling 

 piece of information for the dignity of Scripture to 

 communicate, if it were no more than the bare 

 physical fact that the tables were placed against an 

 oak. Scripture always means something. It is not 

 a book of words, but of ideas, speaking for all time; 

 which kind of language results from the facts that 

 it records being not simply literal but representative. 

 It is literally true, without doubt, that the tables 

 were placed against an oak ; it is no less true that 



c 



