Such a melody to the ear as the
whole world, well understood, would afford to the understanding." That
man, I insist, was indeed recompensed on the earth, when music, which is
to the ungodly and unrighteous the most earthly of all arts, which to the
heathens and the savages, to frivolous and profligate persons, only
tempts to silly excitement or to brutal passion, was to him as the speech
of angels, a remembrancer to him of that eternal and ever-present heaven,
from which all beauty, truth, and goodness are shed forth over the
universe, from the glory of the ever-blessed Trinity--Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit.
Does any one say--These things are too high for me; I cannot understand
them? My dear friends, are they not too high for me likewise? Do you
fancy that I understand them, though my reason, as well as Holy
Scripture, tells me that they are true? I understand them no more than I
understand how I draw a single breath, or think a single thought. But it
is good for you, and for me, and for every man, now and then, to hear
things which we do NOT understand; that so we may learn our own
ignorance, and be lifted up above ourselves, and renounce our fancied
worldly wisdom, and think within ourselves:--Would it not be wiser to
confess ourselves fools, and take our Lord's advice, and be converted,
and become as little children? For otherwise, our Lord says, we shall in
nowise enter into this very kingdom of heaven of which I have been
telling you.
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