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Sierra Club Bulletin 



of the John Muir Trail and had just crossed the pass from the 

 Upper Basin of the South Fork of Kings River. As we went back 

 over their route we admired their energy and persistence, as well as 

 the skill of their packers under Ernest McKee's leadership, for they 

 had actually built a trail over that pass with their own hands. On 

 the summit we found their record, in which they claimed the privi- 

 lege of naming it Mather Pass, in honor of the Director of National 

 Parks. With a farewell view of the Palisades we turned southward 

 and made our way quickly during the next few days to Kings River 

 Canon and the Giant Forest. 



AN OUTDOOR LITANY* 

 By William Frederic Bade 

 $- 



E praise Thee, O God, for the beauty of the morning, 



V V For clouds and sunshine and autumn glory; 

 We praise Thee for temples not made by hands, 

 Where the symbols of Thy bountiful presence 

 Are graven upon Thy hills of light ; 

 On valleys fair with blossom and fruit; 

 On forests blue with gossamer haze. 

 We praise Thee, too, for shining seas. 

 For the mystery and life of their teeming depths; 

 For wave and tide, and storm and calm, 

 That carve to beauty their far-flung shores. 

 We own Thy glory in purling streams. 

 That sing Thy songs in their cataracts. 

 And minister Thy peace in their placid pools. 

 O Thou who treadest upon the high places of the earth, 

 Companion the steps of the mountaineer. 

 May the grandeur and beauty of mountain trails 

 Dispose all farers thereon to nobleness; 

 That Thou in whom all live and move and have their being 

 Mayest nurture their hearts for lofty deeds. 

 So shall the glory of the earth on which we live 

 Renew our gratitude for Thy unfailing goodness. 



'^Written for the Sierra Club and used at an outdoor Thanksgiving Day service held 

 under the cluh^ s auspices on the Berkeley hills^ November 24^IQ2I. 



