138 THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
ings may be, the brightness of a celestial illu¬ 
mination will beautify all. For its jar and 
discord, sweet harmonies that swell from a 
heavenly keynote will delight the soul; for 
not only does spiritualized Nature lift the 
scales from earth-dulled eyes, but it also quick¬ 
ens the sluggish ear to hear voices that breathe 
sweeter melodies than are warbled from human 
lips — anthems ever unheard by the grosser 
throng, however loudly the chorus may swell 
around them. 
“ And now, with the foot just touching the 
first round above the surface, and turning from 
the unsightly pond, the picture which we carry 
with us is a gorgeous portraiture of heavenly skill. 
It will glow in memory in glorious contrast to the 
darkly-shaded one which hung in the chambers 
of youthful imagination, and which was drawn 
with such muddy pencillings when you were 
floundering in the slimy bog the other evening. 
“ In closing a study like this our fitting song 
will be— 
‘ Let zealous praise ascend, 
And hymns of holy wonder, to the Power 
Whose wisdom shines as lovely on our minds 
As on our gladdened eyes the radiant sun.’ ” 
