THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 163 
shore when we may, and search the most se¬ 
cret chambers of the deep, or scan any drop 
of its measureless waters, and everywhere the 
testimony is explicit to the perfections of divine 
skill. If, when one is roaming through the 
walks of a well-kept garden, he should ask, 
‘ Is there a gardener ?’ no reply would be giv¬ 
en, but rather a look at the questioner to see. 
whether he were sane or in earnest. And shall 
we tarry longer by the ocean-shore to argue the 
question whether it has works and ways that re¬ 
veal the ever-abiding presence of a God ? The 
waves would mock us for the folly of casting 
their pearls before such swine, and the dissolv¬ 
ing jelly-fish, stranded on the beach, might boast 
more brains than one stupid enough to engage 
in such a controversy. Nay, nay; the great 
ocean-shore shall rather be our altar, the cease¬ 
less ebb and flow of its waves the expressive 
symbol of our devotion, and the music of its 
swells the echo of our unceasing hymns of 
praise. 
‘ The gentleness of heaven is on the sea. 
Listen ! the mighty being is awake, 
And doth with his eternal motion make 
A sound like thunder everlastingly!’ ” 
