Their branches, in most part meeting above,
afforded a roof less regular and gaudy, indeed, but far more grand,
majestic, and we may add, becoming, for purposes like the present, than
the dim and decorated cathedral, the workmanship of human hands. Its
application to this use, at this time, recalled forcibly to the mind of
the youth the forms and features of that primitive worship, when the
trees bent with gentle murmurs above the heads of the rapt worshippers,
and a visible Deity dwelt in the shadowed valleys, and whispered an
auspicious acceptance of their devotions in every breeze. He could not
help acknowledging, as, indeed, must all who have ever been under the
influence of such a scene, that in this, more properly and perfectly
than in any other temple, may the spirit of man recognise and hold
familiar and free converse with the spirit of his Creator. Here, indeed,
without much effort of the imagination; might be beheld the present
God--the trees, hills and vales, the wild flower and the murmuring
water, all the work of his hands, attesting his power, keeping their
purpose, and obeying, without scruple, the order of those seasons, for
the sphere and operation of which he originally designed them.
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