The Ohio Democrat

Nature a proof of God's Existence.—
It is sweet to be alone, with nature's works around;
where God has traced in clearer lines than ever priest or prophet's page contained,
the proofs of attributes divine;
where earth and heaven outstretch their ample page far man to read.
The humblest flowret of the vale, if viewed aright,
will prove to skeptic man what never pagan rite,
or papal bull, or mystic creed has proved,
that God exists in wisdom, power and love—in all supreme.
For what, but wisdom infinite could form the simple leaf
with varied hue, and filled with countless tubes,
that draw from earth's dark clods a shapeless mass,
dissolved and purified, all matter brute and dead revives,
and springs to life, and crowns the vale with flowers and sweet perfumes.
Can man such simple work perform?
The skilful hand may form a mimic rose,
with stem and leaf o'erspread, with colors false,
and borrowed odors sweet.
But let him bid the organs play its leaves unfold,
and yield him incense, fresh and sweet at morn and eve,
as nature offers up to God.
The rash, presumptuous man would stand abashed,
and his own nothingness confess,
compared with Him, whose voice from nothing called to life,
and clothed with beauty and all that lives.—Manchester Democrat.