Nature is full of paradoxes. The water which drowns us as a
fluent stream can be walked upon as ice. The bullet which, when
fired from a musket, carries death, will be harmless if ground
to dust before being fired. The crystallized part of the oil
of roses, so graceful in its fragrance--a solid at ordinary
temperatures, tho readily volatile--is a compound substance,
containing exactly the same elements and exactly the same
proportions as the gas with which we light the streets. The
tea which we daily drink with benefit and pleasure produces
palpitation, nervous tremblings, and even paralysis if taken in
excess; yet the peculiar organic agent called “thein,” to which
tea owes its quality, may be taken by itself (as thein, not as
tea) without any appreciable effect--VYRNWY MORGAN,
“The Cambro-American Pulpit.”
(2297)
* * * * *
Joseph Hart, the hymnist, wrote “The Paradox,” as follows:
How strange is the course that a Christian must steer!
How perplexed is the path he must tread!
The hope of his happiness rises from fear,
And his life he receives from the dead.
His fairest pretensions must wholly be waived,
And his best resolutions be crossed;
Nor can he expect to be perfectly saved.
Till he finds himself utterly lost.
When all this is done, and his heart is assured
Of the total remission of sins;
When his pardon is signed, and his peace is procured,
From that moment his conflict begins.
(2298)