It clearly appears that a pure, spiritual worship is distasteful to the natural heart. Men unconverted do not relish coming into heart-to-heart contact with the unseen God; they are much more partial to a worship conducted through images and symbols: for this reason the Israelites were always falling into idolatry; idolatry led to immorality; and both drew down on them the judgments of their offended God.
[E] For an account of Creation, see first and second chapters of Genesis.
[F] For an account of the Fall, see third chapter of Genesis.
[G] For an account of the Flood, see the sixth, seventh, and eighth chapters of Genesis.
’Twas morn, and o’er my little window ledge Flew many a wild bird of plumage bright; They sang sweet songs, and left the truest pledge Of love, of love and truth, by day and night.
’Twas afternoon, and through my stately door, In soberer dress, stepped the too tame birds, Calling our former themes so vain and poor, Twittering now in philosophic words.
It is night now; life, love, and thought are done; What is it comes and sets my heart aglow? Of all the wise and learned tongues not one— Only the foolish songs of long ago. —_The Journal of Speculative Philosophy._
Once life was joy, not joyous service done— Quick days of selfish rapture, broad, not deep; The world was like a picture, and the sun Rose for the gilding of a dreamy sleep.
We woke; and life was labor; naught of glee Was left, for deepest-rooted toil remained; And as we delved no end was there to see, And suns but glimmered on the dross we gained.
But now, or in the perfect time, we know The joy returns while labor yet abides; Life’s round and fair, and, delving deep below, We find the joy that early pleasure hides. —_The Journal of Speculative Philosophy._
There is now no branch of outdoor education of greater importance than that of an ability to “handle the ribbons.” Not a man or woman but would be ashamed to say that they were incompetent, if in fair health and strength, to pilot their own carriage. And yet, though so large a proportion of society can boast a smattering of the science, there is no pursuit in which perfection is proportionately so rarely attained.
The first requisite for a tyro is to learn to sit well, and so to acquire the proper scope for his own power over his horse.