ON THE MANUSCRIPTS OF GOD 



radiates an atmosphere of innocence which 

 entitles her to be called the vestal virgin of 

 the forest. Could any one sit at ease in a 

 company of white birches except with clean 

 hands and a clear heart? But one must make 

 the most of this specialized virtue of the 

 white birch, which is hers at the expense of 

 much emotional range. With all her aura 

 of virtue she is felt to be a young thing, and 

 she never grows to be very old, and hence 

 is without the experience which begets sturdy 

 strength of character. One therefore misses 

 in her society the full satisfaction of com- 

 plete companionship felt in the presence of 

 an old oak or elm, whose doughty fiber was 

 wrought by years, perhaps centuries, of re- 

 sistance to all the buffeting winds of the 

 world. 



Neither is there any call of deep to deep 

 in the society of a frivolous poplar, the but- 

 terfly belle of the forest. One would like 

 her for a partner for one or two dances, per- 

 haps, but not for a life-mate; and one would 

 never go to her in time of trouble, as to an 

 understanding elm, oak, or hemlock. 



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