that glimmering of manifold genius burst forth into a divine blaze! Beneath the clear sky of Palestine how would their souls respond to the fields where David strung his harp and to the hills where Isaiah spoke his prophecies. Here their lofty thoughts would find unrestrained expression. Poetry would flourish. Painting and sculpture would be emancipated from the claims which tyranny has thrown about them."
"But," said I, "is not the spirit of the Bible opposed to painting and sculpture?"
"This is true," answered he, "insofar as idolatry is concerned, but upon elevating art the Scripture places no restrictions. As long as we look upon the most beautiful things of the world only as upon reflections of divine beauty, we are in no danger of becoming idolaters. Therefore the things of supremest beauty, which our eyes behold, ought only to engender in us the desire to live in that manner which will render us worthy to view their divine original. Art, when thus taken, leads us to virtue. But, when fascinated with the glorious things we see, we take them for substantial and unite our souls to them, we are in union merely with shadows: thus forever lost to true glory."
Now that the air was cool and pleasant, the roofs were covered with people seeking to inhale the aroma and the loveliness of this June evening. All had their eyes turned to the
golden visions that inspired one heart with peace and another with love. From several housetops boys were flying many-colored kites and were aspiringly watching them as they gradually disappeared in the blue and boundless distance.
“Men may live in countries,” resumed the president, in a tone of deep emotion, “where the scenes are more rich, where wealth is more abundant, but as for me, let me ever dwell within sight of these well-known visions of childhood. They cause my heart to overflow with calm and inexpressible delight. Their gentle beauty is utterly incommunicable. Nevertheless the Bible reflects the sweet simplicity of the sphere in which it was written. Hence its incomparable freshness, its never-dying charm. Such surroundings, tender and innocent and sublime, could inspire the flow of sacred sentiments. Beneath the willows of Babylon, in the strangers’ land, were not the elevating suggestions to inspire the divine harp. How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?
“The young generation must learn to love Jerusalem with the fervency of David, and must learn to see in its future, the glory which Isaiah has foreseen. In so doing, the ladder that reaches into heaven will ever remain in their possession.”
Thus spoke the president, concluding the last sentence with much emphasis.