"Oh, listen, man, A voice within us speaks the startling word, 'Man, thou shalt never die!' Celestial voices Hymn it round our souls; according harps, By angel lingers touched when the mild stars Of morning sang together, sounds forth still The song of our great immortality; Thick-clustering orbs, and this our fair domain, The tall, dark mountains, and the deep-toned seas, Join in the solemn, universal song. O, listen, ye, our spirits; drink it in From all the air! 'Tis in the gentle moonlight: Is floating in day's setting glories; Night, Wrapped in her sable robe, with silent step Comes to our bed and breathes it in our ears. Night and the dawn, bright day and thoughtful eve, All times, all bounds, the limitless expanse, As one great mystic instrument, are touched By an unseen, living Hand, and conscious chords Quiver with joy in this great jubilee. The dying hear it; and as sounds of earth Grow dull and distant, wake their passing souls To mingle in this passing melody."[8] [Footnote 8: Dana.] Still more valuable resources for the attainment of religious truths are found in the holy Scriptures--the revealed word of the Most High. In forming their religious opinions, let the young fail not to make these sacred pages their constant study. Nor should they dream they will find there any contradiction to the lessons read on the broad pages of Nature's book. These are but different methods in which the same God reveals himself to his creatures. He will not contradict himself. His revealed word as plainly asserts his power, wisdom, and goodness, as his works shadow forth these glorious perfections. While the Scriptures do not contradict the voice uttered by nature, they lead us to higher departments of religion, and to clearer revelations of God and his character. They represent him as a Father, exercising a parental government over man--a government characterized by benevolence, justice, mercy, and truth, and administered for the promotion of his own glory, and the highest good of those called to obey. The Scriptures, moreover, bring to our knowledge the Son of God and his gospel--presenting us in the life of Jesus Christ, a beautiful example of truth, purity, righteousness, and love, and imparting, in his teachings, the most perfect rules of human conduct, and the brightest anticipations of life and immortality beyond the grave. In perusing the Scriptures, let reason be your guide. Reason should not be elevated above the Scriptures; yet they cannot be understood