rational and moral beings, than satisfaction with, and admiration of, a
Being better than themselves? Therefore they worship; and their worship
finds a natural vent in words most fit though few, but all expressing
utter trust and utter satisfaction in the worthiness of God. Therefore
they worship; and by worship enter into communion and harmony not only
with each other, not only with angels and archangels, but with all the
powers of nature, the four beings which are around the throne, and with
every creature which is in heaven and in earth, and under the earth, and
in the sea. For them, likewise, St John heard saying, "Blessing and
glory, and honour, and power, be unto Him that sitteth on the throne, and
to the Lamb for ever and ever."

And why? I think, with all humility, that the key to all these hymns--
whether of angels or of men, or of mere natural things--is the first hymn
of all; the hymn which shows that, however grateful to God for what He
has done for them those are whom the Lamb has redeemed by His blood to
God, out of every kindred, and nation, and tongue; yet, nevertheless, the
hymn of hymns is that which speaks not of gratitude, but of absolute
moral admiration--the hymn which glorifies God, not for that which He is
to man, not for that which He is to the universe, but for that which He
is absolutely and in Himself--that which He was before all worlds, and
would be still, though the whole universe, all created things, and time,
and space, and matter, and every created spirit likewise, should be
annihilated for ever. And what is that?

"Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."

Ah! what a Gospel lies within those words! A Gospel? Ay, if you will
receive it, the root of all other possible Gospels, and good news for all
created beings. What a Gospel! and what an everlasting fount of comfort!