REFLECTIONS. I8l 



In order, however, that this happy result 

 may accrue, it is necessary not merely that 

 we should view nature in the great and 

 the small, with admiration of the power and 

 wisdom of the Creator, but that we should see 

 physical truth through a spiritual medium. 

 Ages past, the heathen poet could say of the 

 great Supreme Cause, " In him we live, and 

 move, and have our being." In the same 

 manner we may say now with our own — 



Hail, Source of Being I Universal Soul 



Of heaven and earth ! Essential Presence, hail ! 



To thee I bend the knee ; to thee my thoughts 



Continual climb; who, with a master hand. 



Hast the great whole into perfection touched. 



By thee the various vegetative tribes. 



Wrapt in a filmy net, and clad with leaves, 



Draw the live ether, and imbibe the dew. 



By thee dispersed into congenial soils, 



stands each attractive plant, and sucks, and swells, 



The juicy tide ; a twining mass of tubes. 



At thy command the vernal sun awakes 



The torpid sap, detruded to the root 



By wintry winds ; that now in fluent dance. 



And lively fermentation, mounting, spreads 



All this innumerous coloured scene of things." 



This is all true, and beautifully expressed; 

 but more is required. And as the present 

 mixed state of the world is unquestionably 

 declared in Scripture to be due to the fall of 

 its principal inhabitant, so everything natural. 



