A Treasury of Nature: Illustrated Poetry, Prose, and Praise, by Leland Ryken. P&R, 2024, 176 pages, $24.99, paper.

In his latest work, A Treasury of Nature, Dr. Leland Ryken offers readers a journey through the beauty of nature. Through an exquisite selection of poetry and prose, he highlights God’s handiwork in creation. Dr. Ryken, professor emeritus of English at Wheaton College, brings over forty years of expertise in literature and its connections to the Christian faith. A respected scholar, he has written extensively on topics such as the Bible as literature, Puritanism, and the integration of faith and the arts.

Ideal for reflective readers and those who appreciate the intersection of faith and literature, this book provides a sanctuary of meditative readings, offering both beauty and insight. Whether for morning devotionals, study groups, or personal enrichment, it inspires a deeper engagement with God’s creation.

In an illuminating introductory essay, Ryken provides a thoughtful framework for exploring each of the forty selected works, explaining a three-part structure: first, the writer sets the scene, drawing readers into a particular place in nature; next, readers delve into “analyzing the meaning of what we [they] observe or experience”; and finally, many selections end with a call to reflect or take action, as in Pierpont’s hymn “For the Beauty of the Earth” (25–27):

For each perfect gift of thine
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth, and buds of heaven:
        Lord of all, to Thee we raise
        This our hymn of grateful praise.

This careful structure provides a balanced rhythm for the book, blending prose and poetry with reflective commentary to guide readers through an immersive experience. The pacing allows readers to pause, contemplate, and return to each selection with fresh eyes.

After each selection, Ryken offers insightful commentary and background, drawing from decades of teaching and deep appreciation of these works. His guidance here feels akin to a master tutor’s, leading readers through some of the Western canon’s finest literature on nature. For example, Ryken’s commentary on Keats’s final poem, “To Autumn” (58–60), reveals the depth and intricacy of Keats’s imagery and structure. Ryken observes that Keats layers sensory experiences in each stanza, moving from touch to sight to sound, shifting agents from plant to human to animal, and tracing harvest cycles of fruitfulness, labor, and decline. Each stanza progresses from morning to midday to evening, presenting nature’s temporal flow with a remarkable intensity.

P&R has also complemented Ryken’s selections with stunning visual artwork carefully chosen to enhance the text. The volume’s aesthetic and tactile qualities make it a delight to hold, ideal for reflective reading. I find these selections a fitting complement to morning Bible readings, a reminder that just outside my office lives the glory in “our Father’s world.”

Ryken’s choices are broad and wisely extend beyond strictly Christian authors. Alongside Calvin, Luther, and Herbert, we find superb passages by writers inspired by the beauty of God’s creation—whether consciously aware of its divine source or moved by nature’s wonder. This inclusive approach allows readers to enjoy nature’s majesty as reflected across different perspectives, affirming God’s presence and power in all the areas of common grace through “the things that have been made.”

One minor critique: In a few instances, overlapping images with text or abbreviating the paintings or photos to fit the page feels limiting. Presenting complete works in unaltered form would better honor the original artists and maintain their intended impact.

In summary, A Treasury of Nature is Dr. Ryken's remarkable labor of love, inspiring readers to view creation with renewed wonder and gratitude. This volume elevates our spirits, lifting our eyes to behold and contemplate the Lord’s goodness through the art of those who capture nature’s beauty with the elegant eloquence of our English language.

Mark A. Green is a retired minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and is a member of Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Vienna, Virginia. Ordained Servant Online, December, 2024.