Gre] AXD SYMBOLS, 139 



Nature draw up for the engagement. On the banks of this 

 little envied spot thousands of animals of various kinds are 

 seen venturing to quench their thirst, or preparing to seize their 

 prey. The elephants are perceived in a long line, marching 

 from the darker parts of the forest; the buffaloes are there, 

 depending on numbers for security ; the gazelles, relying solely 

 upon their swiftness; the lion and tiger, waiting a proper 

 opportunity to seize ; but chiefly the larger serpents are upon 

 guard there, and defend the accesses of the lake. Not an hour 

 passes without some dreadful combat ; but the serpent, defended 

 by its scales, and naturally capable of sustaining a multitude of 

 wounds, is of all others the most formidable. Ever on the 

 watch until their rapacity is satisfied, few other animals will 

 venture to approach their station. Now take the illustration 

 which religion supplies of the fact that the greatest good may 

 occasion the greatest evil. The splendid anthem of Spohr only 

 tells us, in beautiful music, the fact which history in unmusical 

 language proclaims, that as the hart pants after the water, so 

 all souls seek after God. Here, then, is admitted to be the 

 great source of all good. How have men approached that 

 source? Do you find peace, love, charity, and all happiness 

 characterising their proceedings ? Look at the religions of the 

 world, with their cruelties and barbarisms ; listen to the bray- 

 ings of cant and the howlings and ravings of sectaries and 

 bigots ; and notice the insidious craft and poisonous malice with 

 which some of the smooth zealots do their work ! Behold how 

 fiercely they fight among one another ; how eagerly they pounce 

 upon any who are not of their number, but whom they descry 

 afar off, eagerly seeking after the source of All-purity ; and how 

 desperately they struggle, each with each, for the mastery and 

 capture of the anxious humble seekers of living water ! What 

 brings all these rampant men together, and occasions this hoarse 

 clamour of coarse voices where we anticipated gentle forms and 

 loving sounds 1 The banks of the river of life have brought 

 them there, and by their presence they occasion the greatest 

 evil where we have a right to expect the greatest good. A. 



