Page:The Collected Works of Theodore Parker volume 3.djvu/146

Rh Surely all these in the Infinite God will find more than the object which elsewhere they vainly seek. And the great mass of men and women, in our cares and sorrows, in our daily joys and not infrequent sins, we all cry out for the infinite perfection of God, and bless the feet of such a bring the idea upon their tongues revealing words peace! Love of God springs up at once, and strongly grows, what tranquillity follows, what youthful plav of all the faculties at first, at length, what manly work! What joyous and long-continued delight in God! We long then keep all the commandments He writes in Nature and man. When it is God's voice that speaks, how reverently shall we all listen for each oracle. How shall I respect my own body when I know it is a human Sinai, where more than ten commandments are given—writ on tables which no angry Moses ever breaks, kept eternally in the universe, which is the Ark of God's covenant, holding also the branch that buds for ever, and the memorial-bread of many a finished pilgrimage. From this mountain God never withdraws, no thundering trumpets forbid approach, but the Father's voice therein for ever speaks. Ajid how shall I reverence this spiritual essence which I call myself, where instinct and reflection for ever preach their Sermon on the Mount, full of beatitudes for whoso hears and heeds! How readily will all the generous feelings towards men spring up when such a Sun of Righteousness shines down from heaven with natural inspiration in her beams; not New England grass grows readier beneath the skies of June. How dutiful becomes instinctive desire; how desirable is conscious duty then! Is the way hard and steep to climb? the difficulty is lessened at the thought of God, and full of noblest aspirations, heartiest trust, the brave man sallies forth, victory perching on his banner.

What consolation will such ideas afford men in their, sorrows! Let me know that Infinite Wisdom planned all this world, a causal Providence, and perfect Love inspired the plan ; that it will all turn out triumphant at the last—not a soul lost in the eternal march, no suffering wasted, not a tear-drop without its compensation, not a sin but shall be overruled for good at last; that all has been foreseen and all provided for, and mankind furnished with powers quite adequate to achieve the end, for all, for each