THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
89 
“From a study like this we may obtain new 
and profounder conceptions of the Divine Super¬ 
intendent? He watches the falling of a spar¬ 
row and numbers the hairs of our heads; but 
these are things coming within the scope of our 
observation. In fashioning the form and direct¬ 
ing the life-purpose of the tiny diatom we have 
another and striking instance of God’s care and 
supervision. How much nearer it seems to bring 
the Infinite One! and we can feel with a sweeter 
sensibility the upholding of the ‘everlasting 
arms.’ The all-gracious One who built and 
adorned the stony tenement of the insignificant 
diatom not only numbers the hairs and watches 
over the safety of this ‘our earthly house,’ but 
prepares a grander mansion, a ‘ house made 
without hands, eternal in the heavens,’ for the 
indwelling of his saints when the earthly one 
is dissolved. And thus the study of the living 
jewelry of the pond has led us to the portals 
of the pearly gates, from whefice we can obtain 
glimpses of the golden streets and jasper sea, 
and the glory of him whom the blood-washed 
and white-robed are praising day and night for 
ever and ever. 
“ I have intimated that I have thus far only 
