to Platonism) those rapturous reminiscences of past,
which prove beyond logical demonstration, the existence
of some vital principle in man, godlike in faculties,
in essence immaterial, in duration, immortal!
It is Christmas Day, a deep, unearthly calm possesses
our minds; all passions are slumbering, save the beautiful
and holy ones of adoring love, mingled with overwhelming
gratitude towards our maker, and philanthropic love,
universal benevolence, to man. It is winter, but
one of those delicious days in which closing our eyes,
so that we behold not sad hosts of bare stems and
branches, we may well deem that summer reigns!
And a summer indeed reigns in our bosoms! Now
nature seems new and fascinating, as it did to Adam
when he wakened into life. Now, as for the first
time, we discern with unspeakable emotions, that divine
affection as well as unlimited power, which actuates
and supports creation. Now we comprehend that
the universe was designed to minister happiness to
myriads of intelligent beings; but that man, by sin,
frustrates the gracious intent, and produces misery.
Now the glorious golden sun seems in its gladdening
lustre, like a smile from its creator; a smile beaming
ineffable love, and joy, and peace. Now the sky,
the pale, delicate, sapphire sky, the soft, tender,
inviting, enfolding, and immeasurable sky, appears
to image the mercy of its maker. Let us yet gaze
upon the sky, for it also admonishes us of other delightful
things; it is silent—it is awful—it
is holy; but its silence is beautiful, and with wordless
eloquence it speaks unto our enraptured bosoms of deep,
eternal, unimaginable repose! it infuses into our breasts
undefinable ideas and sensations; it appears to our
enchanted imaginations an emblem meet of the grand
dream of eternity, and our spirits seem on the verge
of quitting earth, in thrilling contemplations on the
islands of that infinite abyss, and their immortal
inhabitants! We gaze in hope, adoration, and
rapture on the blue expanse, varied by delicate vapours,
sailing calmly, wondrously through it; and then occur
to our memories spontaneously, the exquisite lines
translated from a morceau, by Gluck, (a German
poet;) and our hearts respond as each of us sighs:
“There’s peace and welcome
in yon sea
Of endless blue tranquillity.
Those clouds are living things!
I trace their veins of liquid gold,
I see them solemnly unfold
Their soft and fleecy wings!
These be the angels that convey
Us weary children of a day
Life’s tedious nothing
o’er,
Where neither passions come, nor woes
To vex the genius of repose
On death’s majestic
shore!”