An infinite joy is lost to the world by the want of culture
of the spiritual endowment. Suppose that I were to visit a
cottage and to see its walls lined with the choicest pictures of
Raffael, and every spare nook filled with statues of the most
exquisite workmanship, and that I were to learn that neither
man, woman, nor child ever cast an eye at these miracles of
art, how should 1 feel their privation; how should I want to
open their eyes, and to help them to comprehend and feel the
loveliness and grandeur which in vain courted their notice!
But every husbandman is living in sight of the works of a
diviner Artist; and how much would his existence be elevated
could he see the glory which shines forth in their forms,
hues, proportions, and moral expression!--WILLIAM ELLERY
CHANNING.
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