
The work opens with a meditative plea for a higher rock, echoing Psalm 61:2, and frames the human soul as restless, yearning for a source beyond its own limited strength. The author argues that every person senses an inner imperfection and a longing for spiritual elevation, yet many are misled by philosophies that claim ultimate power resides within the self. By questioning whether true improvement comes from earthly effort, nature, or divine grace, the text sets up a clear contrast between self‑reliance and dependence on a higher authority.
The author sharply critiques modern self‑help rhetoric, warning that human pride often hides a deeper need for divine assistance. Vivid natural images—sunlight and ocean tides—illustrate how an unseen higher force draws us upward. Listeners will find a thoughtful invitation to humility and the search for a power greater than oneself.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (225K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive.)
Release date
2012-11-17
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1819–1864
A 19th-century minister and religious writer, he is best remembered for Bible Emblems, a reflective work published after his death. His life moved through pulpits in New York and New Jersey, giving his writing a practical, sermon-shaped voice.
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