AS RELATED TO RELIGION. 137 



are single shafts that never divide. Every limb is 

 small, and driven, like a pin, toward the center of 

 the tree, so that should it break no harm is done to 

 the general structure. These keep their leaves, and 

 enliven our winter forests by their green. The de- 

 ciduous trees, like mariners fearful of their strength, 

 furl their sails at the first rising of the tempest, 

 while the spruce and the fir, as though conscious of 

 their strength, spread every stitch of canvas and 

 bid defiance to the storm. 



Every tree, we believe, in its special adaptation, 

 shows a personal God. A single seed of the dan- 

 delion, floating on its delicate balloon, would seem 

 to be enough to cut up all atheism by the roots. 

 To some, these proofs may not be satisfactory ; but 

 are those who can not see the proof, sure that they 

 have seen all the beauties and adaptations that 

 every day open to the active naturalist ? Is it not 

 possible that there should exist in Nature some 

 proof of a creative mind, besides the mind of man ? 

 ~No common, casual view of JSTature can justify a 

 negative answer. Things never seen can not con- 

 vince. It is easy for one who has never seen a fos- 



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