The Young Lady's Counsellor by Daniel Wise

i4 THE YOUNG LAUY S COUNSELLOR.
Stripling fir could wax into a " giant tree," without
obtaining the materials of its growth from some
source besides itself. Hence we infer, that, while its
roots exhaust the little nutriment contained in the soil,
Its branches embrace and absorb the atmosphere ; and,
by an invisible process of almost infinite skill, the
tree elaborates the elements of life from its particles.
Thus, while its growth and greatness may be said tc
be from within itself, yet are they not wholly of itself.
'*
The mind may do the same." It may enjoy its
healthiest and highest life amidst the most rugged
features of external existence ; for, like the Alpine
fir," it may find invisible elements of support, which,
though not originating in itself, nevertheless spring
up within it as from a fountain of living rapture. If
left wholly dependent upon itself, it could not find
real enjoyment in an Ed(;n of beauty ; for, in fallen
human nature, happiness is not an inborn spring; it
is
a living fountain, broujht into the heaitby apower
which, though dwelling in the temple of the soul, is
not of it, but infinitely above it.
Nor is it possil le to attain real enjoyment without