And the poet, faithful and far-seeing,
Sees, alike in stars and flowers, a part
Of the self-same universal Being,

Which is throbbing in his brain and heart.

Gorgeous flowers in the sunlight shining,
Blossoms flaunting in the eye of day;
Tremulous leaves, with soft and silver lining,
Buds that open only to decay:

Brilliant hopes, all woven in gorgeous tissues,
Flaunting gaily in the golden light;
Large desires, with most uncertain issues,
Tender wishes, blossoming at night!

These in flowers and men are more than seeming;
Workings are they of the self-same Power,
Which the poet, in no idle dreaming,

Seeth in himself and in the flower.

Every where about us are they glowing,
Some, like stars, to tell us Spring is born;
Others, their blue eyes with tears o'erflowing,
Stand, like Ruth, amid the golden corn.

Not alone in Spring's armorial bearing,
And in Summer's green-emblazon'd field,
But in arms of brave old Autumn's wearing,
In the centre of his brazen shield;

Not alone in meadows and green alleys,
On the mountain-top, and by the brink
Of sequestered pools in woodland valleys,
Where the slaves of nature stoop to drink;

Not alone in her vast dome of glory,
Not on graves of bird and beast alone,
But in old cathedrals, high and hoary,
On the tombs of heroes, carved in stone;

In the cottage of the rudest peasant,

In ancestral homes, whose crumbling towers, Speaking of the Past unto the Present,

Tell us of the ancient games of flowers.

In all places, then, and in all seasons,

Flowers expand their light and soul-like wings,
Teaching us, by most persuasive reasons,
How akin they are to human things.

And with childlike, credulous affection,
We behold their tender buds expand;
Emblems of our own great resurrection,
Emblems of the bright and better land."
-LONGFELLOW.

THE GRECIAN ORACLES.

Oracles were undoubtedly of high antiquity, though the precise time of their commencement or cessation is not known. They were considered the highest and most sacred form of divination; proceeding more directly from their supposed deities. The places in which those oracles were delivered, were conceived to be the peculiar residence of those imaginary gods to whom they were consecrated. There the secrets of futurity were to be explored-there counsel and direction were to be sought there doubts and mysteries were to be solved. It was esteemed the duty of persons of all ranks, in all affairs of importance, whether public or private, to consult some of these oracles, whose instructions were supposed to be infallible.

The most ancient of the Grecian oracles was that of Jupiter, at Dodona, which was at first a simple altar, or probably a hollow oak, out of which an obscure prophetess delivered oracular responses to her deluded votaries; but afterwards grew into a superb temple and college of priests, enriched with the costly offerings of superstitious devotees.

The success of the Dodonean oracle gave rise to several others, some of which were supposed to belong to Jupiter, and others to Apollo. Amongst the former was that of Olympia, which was frequented before the institution of the Olympic games. This oracle was once famous, but did not continue long in repute. The temple of Jupiter erected there was long preserved in its ancient splendour, and magnificently adorned; but the oracle was quickly superseded by the increasing fame and superior wisdom of the Delphic oracle.

After having belonged, according to ancient fable, to

many different gods and goddesses, the far-famed oracle at Delphos at length devolved to Apollo, who was supposed to preside over all kinds of auguries and divinations. It was situated on the southern side of Parnassus, where the mountain crags formed a natural amphitheatre, exceedingly difficult of access. In the centre of this space was a deep cavern, which discharged, from a small orifice, a vapour that produced a sort of intoxicating frenzy in those who inhaled it. The Phythoness, a priestess of Apollo, who uttered the oracle, was seated on a tripod over the mouth of this cavern, and usually became inebriated, or even violently convulsed, by the fumes that ascended. Whatever incoherent words she then uttered, were collected by the priests, rendered into verse, and delivered as the infallible predictions of the Pythian Apollo. If the persons consulting the oracle were rich and powerful-if they had made costly offerings to Apollo's shrine-or if, by their authority, they were able to overawe the ministers of that temple-the response was for the most part favourable to their wishes. But, in other cases, either the answers were delayed, or they were so ambiguous and unintelligible, as completely to perplex the deluded inquirer. In almost every instance, the sentence of the oracle admitted of so various, and even opposite, interpretations, that its credit was saved, and even its reputation heightened, whatever might be the issue of events.

In giving a brief account of the Grecian oracles, it would be inexcusable to omit mentioning the oracle of Trophonius at Lebadea, a city of Boeotia. This place was a dark cave, so low, that the person consulting the oracle was obliged to enter it on his hands and knees, and lying on the ground to wait the response. The situation, the mysterious noises that proceeded from the depths of the cavern, the thick darkness in which they were enveloped-all were calculated to produce a powerful effect on the deluded votaries. Their senses were deceived, their feelings highly excited, terror shook their frames; and, under these strong impressions of body and mind, they were prepared to receive with awe whatever reply the artifices of the priest might suggest. The Greeks used, therefore, to say of a very melancholy person, "He has been consulting the oracle of Trophonius."

All that has been recorded concerning these ancient oracles, conspires to prove that they were most egregious impostures of human contrivance, founded on superstition, and

supported by policy and interest. It is not, indeed, unlikely, that the idea first originated in some traditions respecting divine revelation, and the communications of JEHOVAH to the Jewish patriarchs and prophets, which the Greeks had received through the medium of the Egyptians. But if this were the case, what a superstructure of ignorance and vice was erected on this base! What a strong delusion grew out of traditions, in themselves true, but grossly perverted by the wickedness of man!

Considered merely as a political engine, the oracles were of no ordinary importance. Legislators found it highly advantageous to obtain their sanction. Kings and generals of armies depended greatly on their decisions for the popularity, and consequently, in part, for the success of their measures. Rival states, when on the eve of war, were sometimes conciliated, and their mutual jealousies removed by the interference of the oracle. Not unfrequently were all the energies of Greece called out, either to repel an invading foe, or to engage in some foreign expedition, at the command of the Delphic Apollo. Besides these political uses, the oracles were of advantage to literature. Poetry was the more honoured and cultivated, because the responses of the oracles were delivered in verse. Taste and science were tributary to them, as is most evident from the "Hymns to Apollo," and other similar relics of antiquity.

But, when considered in connection with their moral and religious influence, they must be confessed to have been most baneful. By their well-known venality, they sanctioned every species of bribery and corruption. By their dissimulation, they gave encouragement to falsehood and duplicity, and led to the frequent violation of public faith. By their mysterious (for they cannot be denominated religious) rites, they deepened the gloom of superstition, and strengthened the bonds of iniquity. They were the colossal pillars that supported, during many ages, the temple of Ignorance the fortresses that surrounded the throne, and guarded the empire of "the god of this world." At whatever period they ceased, the words of Jesus were then verified," I beheld Satan, as lightning, fall from heaven."

The more we compassionate their condition, who were under these strong delusions of the "father of lies," the more highly should we esteem those lively oracles, to which we have free access-the oracles of eternal truth. These

we are not only permitted, but commanded, frequently to consult. They reveal the solemn realities of a future state; they bring life and immortality to light; they discover the mind of JEHOVAHI, as far as it is necessary to be known by mortals. Their counsels may be safely followed in all the exigencies of human life; their predictions cannot fail of accomplishment in due time. Never did any trust in them, and were confounded. In coming to these sacred oracles, no costly offerings are required-no painful or expensive sacrifices are demanded. An humble, a sincere, a contrite heart, is the only prerequisite they claim. No partiality, no respect of persons, has ever appeared in them; for, to the wise and ignorant, to the rich and poor, to the bond and free, without money and without price, they speak "the words of truth and soberness." They fill none but the guilty conscience with terror; they convulse not the outward frame, but they penetrate to the inmost soul: for “they are quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and are a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Those corrupt and fictitious oracles, of which Greece boasted, yet served, on many occasions, to unite the separate states; to conciliate their discordant tempers; and awaken them to a sense of their common interest. And shall not the Sacred Oracles much rather tend to peace and union amongst Christians? Shall they not prove a bond that unites them more closely-a standard round which they rally, prepared to encounter, with combined energies, the common foe? In prompt obedience to the command of these oracles of the living God, let Christians lay aside their narrow jealousies, their selfish party-views-let them cease from their mutual strifes and contentions-let them love as brethren, and labour diligently for the good of the whole body-let them put on the whole armour of God, and go forth to contend with "spiritual wickedness in high places!'

That heathens should make their religion subservient to state policy, and use their most revered ceremonies as mere engines of interest or ambition, excites no surprise. And it must be confessed, that their religious system (if it deserves the name), was admirably fitted to answer such purposes. But shall the gospel of Christ be thus dishonoured, profaned, prostituted? Shall our holy religion be constrained