“WONDERS," runs an old saying, "when used, cease to be wonders." That this is a truism every day's experience tends but too surely to confirm. Such is the uncertain, and vacillating character of our judgments that what is to-day justly pronounced to be a wonder, will to-morrow be regarded as only a commonality—a mere matter of course. The structure that has exhausted the genius of a Wren, or the sculpture upon which the imperishable fame of a Praxiteles rests, excite but a momentary wonder, are admired and forgotten. The vast seems to lose its grandeur—the beautiful its charm. Thus custom, habit, and use, conspire to blind and deceive; but the nobler mind will strive to break through this bondage, and rise to a just appreciation of that which is in itself really noble and sublime.
Perhaps there is nothing in Nature at least, of which the saying we have quoted is more true, than the element of water. What kind of impressions has its thousand varied and glorious aspects made upon our minds? We have seen it in its weakness, and in its strength! We have watched it as a tiny rivulet, and we have gazed forth upon it, as the boundless, billowy ocean! We have observed it in its gentle moments, as presented in a calm and placid lake, and the same element has swept before us as a mighty flowing river, bounding onwards with resistless volume, awe-inspiring in its majestic grandeur? I say what emotions should not such scenes excite? If they be not in the highest degree elevating and ennobling, if they do not increase tenfold our reverence and homage of Him who thus reveals His power and glory, then have we missed the very purpose of creation, which is to "show forth" and exalt His glory.
But in this, our concluding chapter, we leave the picturesque, and turn to the useful, or utilitarian side of our subject, to point out, first, how the whole range of nature—human, animal, and vegetable—is dependent upon this element for very existence; and secondly, how, on the other hand it is made subservient to the purposes of man.
Along with the air we breathe, water is the great essential of life. Without it the whole economy of nature would cease. With no rich fertilizing streams, and no soft refreshing showers, our world so fair and beautiful, would be reduced to a great arid desert. But God orders everything perfectly. By the exquisite process, we have before explained, of evaporation and condensation, an equable amount of moisture is continually supplied, and so by this means trees blossom, flowers bloom, and harvests are gathered in.
Thales, the earliest Greek philosopher, was so profoundly impressed with its utility in Egypt that he returned to his own country and founded a school of philosophy, declaring water to be the first great principle!
Civilization advances or declines as water is more or less abundant. The early and rapid development on the banks of the Nile is a clear proof of the truth of this remark. In no other country were the harvests so certain as in Egypt, where the Nile, once a year, never failed to overflow his banks. As the waters rose, yet higher and higher, so the certainty of a good harvest was confirmed. Every degree registered on the Nilometer was watched and registered, for on that event life itself depended. We cannot wonder, therefore, that the Egyptians should reverence their river, and esteem its waters sacred. But now the truth is known to us, and we can distinguish between the Giver and His gifts.
Thus we see how dependent the whole world is on water as an element, even for its existence. But let us now look for a moment at the other side: how this same element is made to serve the useful purposes of man.
What shall we say of water, as a means of communication? Thousands of vessels are daily traversing the bosom of the mighty deep, though so treacherous and dangerous are its waters; and, although many who "go down and do business in deep waters" never return, the ocean is yet, and will ever be, the great highway of nations.
Much of the splendor and renown of ancient Greece, and all the wonderful commercial prosperity of the Phonicians were due to their maritime ascendency and position on the northern and eastern shores of the Mediterranean. England's greatness must in a great measure be ascribed to her insulate position. Even the narrow thread of water which divides her from the Continent, has proved sufficient more than once to save her from invasion, and perhaps from ruin.
And what shall be said of the thousand and one ways, in which water is utilized as a motive power? We use it for turning our mills and for driving our manufactories. Employed as a hydraulic power, its force is truly astonishing-lifting with ease the most incredible burdens.
But it is less than a hundred years ago that a latent power was discovered to exist in water, which has, since revolutionized the world. This was no less than the discovery of the power of Steam. This is merely water heated to so high a temperature, that it flies off in vapor. You all know how James Watt sat over his grandmother's kettle, preventing with a spoon the escape of steam from the spout, and witnessing with delight the uneasy motion of the lid, as it felt the pressure from beneath. And yet such was the simple way in which this great power which drives our engines, and propels our steamships, was discovered!
How many more wonderful things might be told concerning the utility of water, did space permit?' It has been observed of fire that "it is a good servant, but a bad master," and with no less truth might this be applied to water. Let it once get the upper hand, as when the banks of reservoirs burst, or at the advent of a huge tidal wave, and its power for destruction and misery is appalling. Thousands have been hopelessly swept away and destroyed, and whole provinces desolated, when such calamities occur.
One word more and our pleasant talks must end. There is another water far more wonderful and precious than any that may flow from earthly springs. This is the "Water of Life." Has my young reader drank of this living water? Only One can give it, even He who gave it to the woman of Samaria. If you have not yet drank of that living spring, delay not longer. Be in earnest, as was that poor woman when she said, "Sir, give me of this water, that I thirst not." Are you seeking to satisfy your thirst at the fountain of this world's pleasures? If so you are finding them, we can vouch, but empty cisterns. Nothing but the Living Water can save, and none but its Giver can satisfy.
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