THE OPEN GROVE. 279 



wandering at pleasure, where they are confined 

 by no path, want little direction. The mind, 

 therefore, undisturbed, has only to retire within 

 itself. Hence the philosopher, the devotee, the 

 poet, all retreated to these quiet recesses ; and 



■ ' From the world retired, 

 Conversed with angels, and immortal forms.' 



In classic times the grove was the haunt of Gods : 



' Hahitarunt dii quoque sylvas.'* 



And, in the days of Nature, before art had intro-" 

 duced a kind of combination against her, man had 

 no idea of worshipping God in a temple made with 

 hands. The templum nemoralef was the onlyj 

 temple he knew. 



' In the resounding wood 

 AH vocal heings hymned their equal God.' 



We have a pleasing modern instance of this 

 simple mode of worship in the accounts given us 

 of Mr. Westley's first preaching the Gospel in 

 America. It was generally conducted in some 



* Even the very gods inhabited groves, 

 t The grove used as a temple. 



S 



