You and I; . ugh not everything, yet much. The extremes ofnature make the Esquimaux narrow and the South SeaIslander indolent. But this only proves that the impulse totoil which her severity imparts is beneficent until men forgetor fail to learn how to modify her rigors; while kindlier influ-ences open the way to leisure though men abuse it. 172 YOU AND I. There are easily definable directions in which nature en-courages the development of our noblest characteristics. Thismoral function makes the Universe a University for mansformation, and lies very close to its real reason for being. Theener
You and I; . ugh not everything, yet much. The extremes ofnature make the Esquimaux narrow and the South SeaIslander indolent. But this only proves that the impulse totoil which her severity imparts is beneficent until men forgetor fail to learn how to modify her rigors; while kindlier influ-ences open the way to leisure though men abuse it. 172 YOU AND I. There are easily definable directions in which nature en-courages the development of our noblest characteristics. Thismoral function makes the Universe a University for mansformation, and lies very close to its real reason for being. Theenergies of a plant end in a seed because the seed contains lifein itself, and the energies of nature reach their very highestresults in mans character because that is an immortal any man doubt that the promises of spring cultivatehopefulness and good cheer, or that these have much to dowith lifes success, or less plain is the peace and sobriety offeeling which come with the mature fruitage of autumn?. So in my heart, a sweet unwonted feelingStirs, like the wind in oceans hollow shell,Through all its secret chambers sadly stealing,Yet finds no words its mystic charms to tell. And, noting the birds flitting noiselessly from spray to spray, the same writer adds: Silent as a sweet wandering thought that onlyShows its bright wings and softly glides away. THE INFLUENCES OF NATURE. 17 S No wonder that Whittier,who has always lived so close tonatures heart, declares that We lack but open eye and ear,To find the Orients marvels here;—The still, small voice in autumns hush,Yon maple wood, the burning bush. He adds: The summer and the winter hereMidway a truce are holding,A soft consenting atmosphereTheir tents of peace enfolding. How distinctly we find patience taught by natures endur-ance of imprisoned forces in winter! The observer gathersperseverance from the gnarled cedar on the cliffs side, or thetenacious grip of the last leaves. In animal life, of course,,there are many
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