If the sea does not throw up in beautiful reflection the hills
and foliage that are along its shore, it is not because they are
not mirrored there, it is not because there are not there still
reflective depths, but because the tremulousness of its furrowed
surface has shattered the reflection and made it indiscernible
and unintelligible, and those quiet depths are only waiting for
the opportunity.
That is the only reason why the beauty that is in the world
does not stir in us our sense of beauty and make us beautiful;
why the grandeur of God’s created universe does not move in us
mightily and broaden our thoughts to something of the scope of
the universe; why the mystery of things does not quicken us into
impassioned inquiry and send our thoughts ranging fascinatedly
along the aisles of the unknown.--CHARLES H. PARKHURST.
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