Emphasis Preaching Journal

One of the poets of the South, Sidney Lanier, sings of the journey of a Georgia river - the Chattahoochee - from the hills and mountains, down into the plain. As the river starts on its journey, the waterweeds try to hold it in thrall; the rushes and the little reeds cry and sigh, "Abide, abide"; the chestnut, the oak, the walnut, and the pine, overhanging the river, beseech it not to pass by their deep shades and manifold glades. The stones of the brook, ruby, garnet, do what they can to bar the river and lure the water from its goal.