if leaves had no other use than that of ornamenting trees, and affording an agreeable shade? Surely the Creator had something more important in view.

Leaves are instrumental to the nutrition of plants, by imbibing through their pores the humidity of the atmosphere, which they communicate to the whole plant. How admirable is the wisdom of their organization! By its means, plants in dry seasons do not run the hazard of being deprived of moisture; they receive a plentiful supply of refreshing dew, which, falling upon the upper leaves, drops from them upon the lower ones, so that all receive a portion, and none of the invigorating juice is lost. It appears from various experiments, that plants perspire to a considerable amount, and the leaves have been ascertained to be the chief organs of this function. They also contribute to introduce into the interior of the plant the air of which it is in want, as well as to extricate that which it has used; and they tend to the preservation of the buds which are to bloom the following year; hence many trees, when stripped of their leaves, wither and die. This frequently happens to the mulberry-tree, whose leaves are taken to feed silk-worms; and this is the reason why the grapes never arrive at maturity, when the vine has been stripped of its leaves in

summer.

We may make another remark upon this subject, which throws some light on the manner in which plants acquire their gradual growth. The interior surface of leaves, which is turned towards the earth, is always of a paler colour and less shining appearance, and is more rough and spongy than the upper surface. This peculiarity enables it more effectually to imbibe the dew which exhales from the earth, and to distribute it with more facility and abundance to the whole plant. The leaves turn to that part whence they receive the most nourishment; hence we observe the leaves of certain plants hang very low. The leaves of trees which grow on a steep mountain take a perpendicular direction, by which they are able to acquire the necessary degree of humidity.

We have here fresh cause to admire the supreme wisdom of God, and we may henceforth consider the leaves of trees in another point of view. When we were ignorant of their structure, and of the important ends that they answered, it was not extraordinary that we saw them with indifference. But now that we know each leaf displays evident marks of Divine Power, and is an organ of fertility, it will be impossible to view them again with inattention or disregard; and whenever we see them we shall acknowledge that every thing, even the least object of nature, has been arranged by the wisdom of the Creator.*

From the experiments of certain chemists it appears, that, during the day, the leaves of plants absorb carbonic acid gas, which is necessary for the nutrition and growth of plants, and they exhale moisture and oxygen gas; it is farther proved by Sencbier, that the oxygen gas emitted by the leaves of plants depends on the presence of carbonic acid gas, which the leaves first absorb and afterwards decompose, and then give out the oxygen while they retain the carbon; these operations require the influence of light, which also is essential to the green colour of plants, for when they vegetate in the dark they

JUNE III.

VIVIFYING POWER OF THE SUN.

When first the sun awakens the morn, joy and serenity are diffused over the soul. The heat and brilliancy of the great luminary of day communicate to man the cheerfulness and activity by which he is enabled to fulfil the various duties of his vocation, and enjoy the endearments of social life. The indolence and mental depression which often during the winter rendered us incapable of action, are now dissipated; we feel more pleasure in our existence, and perform our duties with greater ease and comfort. How could it be otherwise, when we witness the universal joy that the sun communicates to the world, and when we see every thing around us affected by his allvivifying rays? He animates every creature, and rejoices them by his genial influence; millions of brilliant insects awaken and sport in his rays; the birds tune their music to his praises, and every thing which breathes rejoices at his appearance. Every where the joyful effects of his influence are felt he causes the sap to rise in trees, plants, and vegetables; he unfolds the young leaves, and gives to the flowers their sweet charms; he forms the fruits, gives them their beautiful hue, and hastens their maturity. He diffuses light and life throughout the creation, and without him all nature would languish and die.

The influence of the sun is not only manifest upon the surface of the globe; it reaches the depths of caverns, penetrates mountains, is felt within the ocean, and produces various and important changes on animals, plants, and minerals, whether above or beneath the surface of the earth.

When we consider these salutary effects of the sun, it is natural to reflect upon the miserable state in which we should be if deprived of his light and heat. Without him our earth would be a sterile and lifeless mass, void of order or beauty: the trees could not unfold their leaves, nor the plants their flowers; the meadows would languish without verdure, and the fields without harvests; and all nature would present one wild aspect of sterile deformity. Such was the state of the moral world before the vivifying power of Christ diffused life and consolation over the hearts of men, and, by the purity and force of his light, dispelled the gloom of ignorance, and the shade of mental darkness, that held in bondage the soul.

The sun's vivifying rays emanating from him in all directions, may be considered as an emblem of the happy influence of a truly good man, who scatters joy and blessings on all around him. He strength

are entirely white. During the night, leaves perform quite opposite functions; for they then absorb moisture and oxygen gas, and emit carbonic acid gas. Another very important function of leaves, is the power they have of converting the sap into a different fluid; it is completely ascertained, that the sap ascends to the leaves, where it undergoes certain changes, and there becomes a fluid, which is instrumental in forming the different parts of plants, as the chyle converted into blood is in forming those of animals.-E.

eneth the weak, cheereth the afflicted, instructeth the ignorant, and relieveth the poor. Such a being is a noble example of what virtue and human nature is capable; and may we each, according to our station and degree, endeavour to imitate such a character with full purpose of heart: it is in the power of each individual to become better; and the longer we refrain from iniquity, the more easy is the path to virtue. Let us each labour for our mutual improvement, and impart to those who are in want a portion of the blessings which we are favoured to receive our days will then glide on imperceptibly; our hearts, estranged from every sordid care and base passion, will be the seat of love, of peace, and of joyful harmony; and when our last hour shall arrive, we shall calmly repose in humble confidence on the bosom of our God, amid the prayers and blessings of thousands of our fellow-creatures.

JUNE IV.

DESIRES OF THE SOUL UNLIMITED.

Let us employ a few moments in reflecting on our own particular state; and certainly the consideration of our immortal soul has the first claim to our attention, as more nearly concerning us than any thing this world can afford. Whatever satisfaction we may feel in contemplating the objects of the material world, is infinitely short of that which we derive from meditating upon the nature and faculties of the soul. The contemplation of external objects which the traveller meets with on his way is doubtless highly pleasing, because he requires recreation and amusements in his pilgrimage: but by the contemplation of spiritual objects we are led to the consideration of the immortality of the soul, and the endless felicity of the righteous in the world to come. Let us often reflect upon the desires which are impressed on our souls. Experience convinces us that our desire for knowledge can never be satisfied; as soon as we have made one discovery, we thirst after more information, and, in proportion as our ignorance diminishes, we wish for more knowledge. Our desires are insatiate, and when we at length enjoy what we most ardently longed for, new wishes spring up, and the desire of receiving additional blessings accompanies us from infancy to the grave.

From all this we may infer, that, as no external object gratifies us long, as our desires never end with enjoyment, and nothing present is entirely satisfactory, but that we are continually looking for future blessings without ever being fully gratified, there is a state of existence beyond the present, the desire of which is so strongly implanted in our souls, that nothing short of it completely satisfies us. Can any one suppose that man should be the only creature upon the earth which possessed a faculty, without the power of obtaining the end for which that faculty was given him? or that man alone should

possess an instinct whose instigations he could not satisfy? This, indeed, would render his condition more pitiable than that of the brutes; for when an animal of that description is hungry or thirsty, it finds aliment to supply its wants: we see the silk-worm spin its cone, and shut itself up within it till it comes forth a new creature; and we see birds lay eggs; but would these things happen if it were not designed for the preservation of their species? If then our existence was limited to the short span of this present life, why are implanted in our souls desires boundless as infinitude, and inclinations which nothing earthly can gratify? And why have we faculties which are ever grasping at something beyond their reach? Surely the great Author of nature has never given us such desires without some wise and noble end, much less has he endowed us with them that they may be our tormentors.

Gracious God! my soul feels Thy sweet influence, and loves Thee above all other things.. It aspires to imitate thy perfection, and unite itself unto Thee for ever; it can soar above all terrestrial objects, and continue its lofty flight till it reaches Thy throne. And can this soul, this principle of power and intelligence, the emanation of the Deity, ever be annihilated? Were that the case, vain would be our knowledge, and fruitless our love of God. For the utmost stretch of human attainment is very little; the highest degree of perfection which man can possibly acquire is very inferior, and infinitely short of what he conceives. Doubtless, then, all the excellence which we are permitted to possess upon the earth, and all the intelligence which we are enabled to attain, are but the forerunners of that endless felicity, the hope of which cheers every heart.

From these considerations we may learn something of our future destination. We now see that the desire of increasing in wisdom and virtue, and the wish of always approximating nearer to God, the Source of all perfection, are not accidental, or given us in vain; we now know, that the happiness which our imagination could anticipate but not enjoy in this state of being, will be the endless reward of the just; and we are now convinced, that those favoured moments in which the love of God warmed our hearts, when all the blessings of heaven opened before our view, and when we so ardently longed after perfection, were not useless nor without efficacy. We are continually advancing towards perfection; and the more earnest and unremitting are our endeavours, the nearer shall we attain to it; no faculties of the soul are useless, and the more they are exercised the greater will be their powers. Let us then rejoice in our immortality, and ascend from what is visible to what is invisible. Let us in the midst of pleasure, when surrounded with all that this world can afford, when animated by hope, and in the enjoyment of every blessing which the most favoured children of humanity are permitted to receive, lift up our souls to heaven, and reflect upon the purity of God, that we may be preserved from the allurements of sense, and not debase our faculties by pursuits beneath the dignity of human nature, and incompatible with the sacred duties of Christianity.

JUNE V.

UTILITY OF RIVERS.

When we calculate the space which our rivers occupy, we find that it takes up a considerable part of the earth. Let those who are discontented with this arrangement, and imagine that it would be more beneficial if the rivers had been fewer and the land more abundant, consider with what wisdom and beautiful proportion the Creator has formed the globe, and they will then doubtless be ready to acknowledge that the rivers have not been distributed upon the earth without the wisest views, and an evident utility to man, and every living

creature.

First, we may observe, that river-water supplies a very wholesome beverage. Spring or pump water, when it has remained long under the earth without agitation, detaches and dissolves, or holds suspended, particles of matter which may be injurious to our system; but river-water, which is continually evaporating, and constantly undergoing agitation, refines itself from all impurities, and becomes the most salubrious drink for men and beasts.

This is far from being the only use of rivers; do we not owe to them the neatness, salubrity, and comfort of our dwellings, as well as the fertility of our fields? Our habitations are always unhealthy when surrounded by marshes and stagnant waters, or when a drought is produced in consequence of the want of water. The smallest river is refreshing, and cools the air; whilst the earth is rendered more fertile. What an astonishing difference is observed between a country watered by various streams, and one to which nature has denied this blessing! The one is dry, barren, and desert; the other flourishes like a garden, where woods, valleys, meadows, and fields, present every variety of beauty. A river meandering through a country, carries with it refreshment, abundance, and prosperity; and not only irrigates the roots of plants, but fertilizes the earth by frequent inundations and continual evaporation.

Surely then no one can be so inattentive and ungrateful as not to acknowledge the advantage of rivers, seeing that they are the source of such numerous blessings. If, by means of rivers, merchandise could not be floated through every part of a kingdom, commerce would be impeded; without their assistance the machinery of numerous manufactories would be stopped, agriculture would suffer, and the tables of the luxurious would be deprived of many of their delicacies. The only inconvenience of rivers is their being sometimes subject to inundations, which occasion very considerable damage: but this, compared with their many advantages, is trifling; inundations do not happen very often; they seldom extend far; and whatever temporary losses they may occasion, they amply indemnify by enriching and fertilizing the land. Thus the consideration of rivers will convince the attentive observer, that the divine goodness is manifested through