232 FIRST STEPS IN GENERAL KNOWLEDGE. 



is, one who looks fro'm the created to the Creator, 

 he says, ' Although no longer fit for active exertion, 

 we can still fancy him contemplating his collec- 

 tions, the acquisitions of his youth and the study 

 of his manhood, with that complacency which we 

 feel towards an old companion. Every object in 

 his little museum has its own story ; the scenes and 

 incidents of youth are brought back to his recollec- 

 tion in all their freshness ; and the memory, dwell- 

 ing on these green spots in the desert of life, will 

 oftentimes be prevented from recalling others of a 

 less cheering nature. He looks abroad in the 

 spring of the year, and sees the face of nature re- 

 newed with the same beauty and freshness as when 

 he contemplated her in the spring of youth. That 

 season of his life has long passed away, but he 

 knows that he too will be renewed, that his 

 winter will be changed to an eternal spring ; and 

 with firm but humble confidence in the promises of 

 his God, he resigns the contemplation of his sublu- 

 nary works, in the sure and certain hope of seeing 

 those which are heavenly.' " 



