As A Sunflower Welcomes The Light

From the journals of Henry David Thoreau:

August 30, 1856/

How happens it that we reverence the stones that fall from another planet, and not the stones which belong to this,--another globe, not this,--heaven, and not earth? Are not the stones in Hodge's wall as good as the aerolite at Mecca? Is not our broad back-door stone as good as any corner-stone in heaven?

It would imply the regeneration of mankind if they were to become elevated enough to truly worship stones. It is the sentiment of fear and slavery and habit which makes a heathenish idolatry. Such idolaters abound in all countries, and heathen cross the seas to reform heathens, dead to bury the dead, and all go down to the pit together. If I could, I would worship the pairings of my nails. If he who makes two blades of grass grow where one grew before is a benefactor, he who discovers two gods where there was only known the one before is still a greater benefactor. I would fain improve every opportunity to wonder and worship, as a sunflower welcomes the light. The more thrilling, wonderful, divine objects I behold in a day, the more expanded and immortal I become. If a stone appeals to me and elevates me, tells me how many miles I have come, how many more remain to travel, reveals the future to me in some measure, it is a matter of private rejoicing. If it did the same service to all, it might well be a matter for public rejoicing.