Page:God Manifest.djvu/127

memory of imagination, but from sight and realization. He may stand now on "Mount Zion," by "the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem," and survey the goodly landscape, and transfer, if he can, to the canvas of his verse those glorious scenes. Let him paint that group of angels standing there in their bright beauty, conversing together in love, among the trees of that celestial paradise. Let him picture that circle of blooming innocents, youths and maidens, born indeed on earth, but called away by their Heavenly Father's love to His own blest mansions, too soon to know aught of any other parent or any other home; let him portray their beauteous countenances,—let him pen, if he can, and weave into his verse, that joyous song they are now singing, of love to each other, and gratitude to their kind Father and Lord. Let him describe the shining of those silver streams that flow softly through the "vales of heaven," and whose distant gleam now reaches his eye, as they wind their way among the beds of rich-scented flowers. Let him picture the holy city, itself, the New Jerusalem,—as he now beholds it with his own spiritual sight—with its golden streets, its gates of pearl, its jasper wall, and "foundations garnished with all manner of precious stones." But above all, let him tell the tale,—never tiresome or too oft repeated to angel's ears,—of man's redemption and salvation; the tale of Infinite Love, descending to our poor earth, and putting on a form of humanity, that with its arm it might reach mankind just sinking into the yawning gulf of perdition, and rescue them and raise them to heaven. Here is a theme for the Spirit-Milton's mightiest powers,—a theme inexhaustible, on which he may pour forth verse moulded to celestial