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    passes , into the still solitude which pervades , the earth when winter has begun his reign ; when ail is dreary and desolate \ when nature rests m the lap of concealment , and her many varied forms are dissolved into otie dark chaos , which is neither

    water , earth , air , nor lire , but an undefined mass , aver which hovers brooding the light and breath of the starry world . The plants , with all their diversified display of beauty and of colour , are returned into their respective seeds , which lie apparently slumbering * in the ground , while the damp moisture plays around them , and invites them to internal activity . The globe returned into itself , seems to move slowly and heavily in its orbit , while its surface presents one scene of stillness , as if

    during the winter all things were buried in a shroud of snow ; were wrapped in the dark veil of night ; and were hushed into so dead a silence that man starts at the sound of the beating of his own heart . But the earth cannot long remain in this desolate solitude , for the attraction of the stars hovers enticingly around , and suddenly it seems , as it were , to remember the

    splendor of the by-gone year . Then the dark night of winter is passed , and may be said to be followed by bright morning dreams . During its deep sleep it lias collected and renovated its powers , and new life trembles through the melting globe . Now recommences the inward ferment of the original elements ,

    and the striving after the manifestation of its real centre—the Divine Energy . But this Divine Energy is exhibited fit first merely in the external , because , as yet , only obscure motion , ond the crude power of the mass have awakened to the work of creation . With increased and increasing vigour tlie earth unfolds her rich stores , and unity of design becomes more and more evident hthe continuall and tne

    throug , y augmenting diversity evident uirougii continually augmenting diversity ana variety ; for—God is Life ! ana in that world which is from Him , and by Him , and for Him , is no death . Death is only apparent , it is the transition to a higher sphere oi' being ; and though the earth did appear for a season descended info the silent t ^ rave , vitality was not in reality withdrawn , but after a

    while it bursts from the gloomy depths and displays itself in universal life . The previous struggles of nature to proclaim the existence of the Eternal God , seem combined , and come forth renewed and beautified in the full verdure of Spring .

    The seed of the plant is nursed in its parent earth , and it converts the nourishment it derives into itself , thus gradually acquiring form and size ; the root , by its weight , sinks downward into the ground , while the feathery leaves force them-{ selves upwards into the air , which air they inhale and tmnaform into vegetation and fragrance . The plants raise themselves ever more and more joyfully into the bri g ht li ^ ht ; they also drink in this light in sweet draughts ; and the eternal eternally-

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    Nature and her Forms . 181

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1836, page 181, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2655/page/53/