THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 327 
began their investigations with us with only the 
inquiries on their lips, ‘ What shall we eat ?’ and 
‘ What shall we drink ?’ or ‘ Wherewithal shall 
we be clothed ?’ had a brighter pathway or 
reaped a richer harvest ? Have their treasures, 
laid up on earth, the value and security of those 
which are incorruptible and undefiled, and that 
fade not away, reserved in heaven ? And do 
their hearts who still cleave to the earth, and 
who can see no value in anything which does 
not bring a present sensual happiness, feel the 
pure and exultant joy and hope of those who, 
in a loving communion with Nature, have a 
prelibation of celestial blessedness ? 
“ Our absorbing aspiration, in all our re¬ 
search, has been, ‘ Oh, that I knew where I 
might find him, that I might come even to his 
seat!’ Nor has our devout aspiration been 
repelled by delay or disappointment; but at 
every new stage of advance the glad recogni¬ 
tion has been, ‘Surely the Lord was in this 
place,’ and he hath made it a gate of heaven. 
With hearts thus inspired and panting upward, 
the lips can repeat the burning words of one of 
the most devout students of Nature and most 
eloquent setters-forth of the wonders and maj- 
