Page 82 - 1932 Hartridge

The Lure of the Sea
ACADEMIC PRIZE ESSAY
\]|L WAS a child of the hills. I lived the first twelve years of my life sheltered in the fold of a massive mountain, protected from the outside world, surrounded by regal beauty. Indeed my very heart throbbed to the rhythm of that beauty about me.
I felt that I knew well the immense capacity the hills held for God's own expression; all loveliness, kindness, fortitude, and sympathetic comfort. Many hours I had walked along a fragrant woodland path fringed by fungi growing loosely rooted in the springy black earth, and walled in by towering trees through which the sun of morning, noon, and evening filtered to a purer ray. However, I preferred the mountain peak to the hillside. Here upon the crest 1 met with God, or whispered worship which the wind carried Him. From the height I could look down upon the world,
and see it as God Himself might see it; always beautiful, partially hidden by silvery clouds. The wild winds of the north and west were suddenly checked in rebuke when they met the sturdy mountain in their ruthless gale. Centuries of furious beating of the wind had made but small impression upon the hills. Swift crystalline streams had cut their diminutive canyons through its softer rock, but only through centuries of wear. 'T will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help," and I lived by their holy strength and beauty.
In my very early youth I had read many authors' impressive expressions of their love for the sea. I had read many eloquent descriptions of its changeable beauty. I knew much of the life spent upon its dramatically uncertain surface. Yet, with all my knowledge and reading, I found it difficult to realise that passionate lure of the
sea. I had never seen the real sea.
Then I met the sea. I came down from my home when the day was rainy and depressing. The gray sky closed in on the world in penetrating dampness. Every now and then the moisture condensed into rain drops, which made the world even more dismal than before. I did not see the sea until I was right upon it. Yet, as I drew
near, I could hear the sound which numerous writers had tried to make me hear before It was, however, as none of these had described it. I heard the receding swishing sound produced by the combined motion of sand, and air, and water; I felt the trc"
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