Yesterday at ten o'clock we reached this place--East Portland, Oregon. On our way from Walla Walla Tuesday morning the cars stopped, as they generally do, twenty minutes at Multnomah Falls. Nearly all left the cars to climb the high ascent to obtain a clear view of this wondrously beautiful, grand sight. . . .
There were steps built in the embankment, then a narrow zigzag path, then more wooden steps. This was repeated many times until we reached and passed onto a rustic bridge which spanned a chasm above the first fall. The grand fall is above this and called the Bridal Veil. The point from which the water flows is about 900 feet high. As the water descends it breaks upon the jutting rocks, scattering off in widespread, beautiful sprays. It is a lovely sight.
I would have been pleased could I have spent an entire day in this place surrounded with lovely scenery. But we were grateful for these few moments to gaze upon nature's lovely, grand scenery, even if we had to do severe climbing to view it--standing on the bridge made for this purpose. . . .
I called to mind the words of the psalmist when he calls upon everything that hath breath to praise the Lord, upon animate and inanimate creation to join in one chorus of praise and thanksgiving to God. His thus calling upon senseless, unreasoning things is the most powerful rebuke to those blessed with intelligence, if their souls do not glow and their lips do not proclaim the majesty and glory of God.
"Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. . . . Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word" (Ps. 148:3-8). All these agencies of God in nature are summoned to bring their tribute of praise to the Most High. And who among God's creatures will be silent when every star as it traverses its course, every breeze as it sweeps the earth, and every cloud that darkens the firmament, every shower of rain and every ray of sunshine--all are showing forth the praise of God who reigneth in the heavens?--Manuscript 9, June 20, 1884, "Visit to Multnomah Falls." TDG 180
If several should meet together with one accord, with hearts burdened for perishing souls, and should offer earnest, fervent prayers, they would prove effectual. Pr 40
Praise the LORD!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!
Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD!
Psalm 150:1-6 (New King James Version)