Now sin has marred God's perfect work, yet that handwriting remains. Even now all created things declare the glory of His excellence. There is nothing, save the selfish heart of man, that lives unto itself. No bird that cleaves the air, no animal that moves upon the ground, but ministers to some other life. There is no leaf of the forest, or lowly blade of grass, but has its ministry. Every tree and shrub and leaf pours forth that element of life without which neither man nor animal could live; and man and animal, in turn, minister to the life of tree and shrub and leaf. The flowers breathe fragrance and unfold their beauty in blessing 21 to the world. The sun sheds its light to gladden a thousand worlds. The ocean, itself the source of all our springs and fountains, receives the streams from every land, but takes to give. The mists ascending from its bosom fall in showers to water the earth, that it may bring forth and bud.

Nu har synden vansiret Guds fuldkomne værk, men alligevel bliver denne skrift stående. Selv nu forkynder alt det skabte storheden i Guds herlighed. Der findes intet, med undtagelse af menneskehjertet, der lever for sig selv. Ingen fugl kløver luften, intet dyr bevæger sig på jorden uden at tjene til gavn for et andet liv. Der findes ikke et blad i skoven eller det ringeste græsstrå, uden at det gør sin tjeneste. Fra hvert træ og busk og blad udstrømmer det livselement, uden hvilket hverken mennesker eller dyr kunne leve; og mennesker og dyr bidrager derefter til træernes og buskenes og bladenes liv. Blomsterne udånder deres duft og åbenbarer deres skønhed til velsignelse for verden. Solen spreder sit lys for at glæde tusind verdener. Havet, hvorfra alle vore kilder og brønde har deres udspring, modtager strømmene fra alle lande, men tager kun for atter at give. De tåger, der stiger op fra dets skød, falder som regnbyger for at vande jorden, så den kan give grøde og knoppes.