THROUGH LIBRARY WINDOWS 157 



foundations, but the gentler rain and dew so 

 almost inperceptibly distilled, these enrich the 

 earth and refresh all forms of vegetable life. 

 Not the Niagaras with their mad rush of wa- 

 ters and deafening cataracts, but the steady 

 and quiet streams, carrying refreshment to 

 thirsty lands. There is nothing that can 

 break the frosty fetters of old winter save the 

 mild and melting forces of springtime. All 

 the wintry tempests cannot shake from the for- 

 est trees the dry and rustling leaves of last 

 summer's growth, but the gently flowing sap 

 will unclasp them and compel them to give way 

 to new foliage. The awful roar of old ocean's 

 infuriated voice, the wild scream of the terrific 

 hurricane, the swollen mountain torrent rum- 

 bling down over cragged cliffs, the rolling peals 

 of thunder from the black-browed storm — these 

 are but Nature's pealing oratorios, her pas- 

 sionate outbursts of vocal praise, breaking in 

 upon the universal calm. The forests murmur, 

 but the constellations whirl on in everlasting 

 silence. The seraphim sing, the Shekinah 

 glory speaks not. The high priest discourses 

 ably, but the Urim and Thummim, the blazing 

 stones upon his breast, flash forth meanings 

 deeper and diviner far. So ever the mighty 

 workers in the universe, are most unobtrusive. 



