remainder through the fourth, fifth, and sixth; which last is called the rectum, and is provided with a strong, circular muscle, the sphincter, which contracts, and prevents the residuum continually passing through the rectum; thus retarded, it remains till the quantity is so considerable as to occasion irritation, and is then finally evacuated. In this operation the muscles of the abdomen and the diaphragm assisting the action of the rectum, the contracting power of the sphincter is overcome. From the above slight sketch of the manner in which digestion is performed, we may obtain some idea of the great wisdom which God has displayed in a function so essential and important to our health, our comfort, and our very existence; we should be highly culpable indeed if we were inattentive to it; and it these wonders excited in our hearts no gratitude towards the author of so many blessings which we are continually enjoying.

SEPTEMBER XXI.

THE PREVALENCE OF GOOD IN THE WORLD GREATER THAN THAT OF EVIL.

Nothing is more consoling in our trials and, misfortunes than to admit, as a fixed principle, that there is more good than evil in the world. If we ask the most wretched of men whether he can enumerate as many causes of complaint as he has motives for gratitude, he will make it appear that, however great are his afflictions, they do not equal the numerous blessings he has received in the course of his life. To render this truth more evident, let us calculate how many days we have passed in the enjoyment of health, and how few in which we have suffered from illness. Let us oppose to the small number of troubles and vexations which we experience in civil and domestic life, the numerous pleasures which we enjoy. Let us compare all the good and virtuous actions by which men are useful to themselves and to their fellow-creatures, with the few actions they commit that are prejudicial to society. Let us enumerate, if we can, all the pleasures attached to every age, state, and profession; the gifts which nature abundantly bestows upon us, and which human industry uses to procure an infinite number of enjoyments and conveniences. Let us reckon all the delight we receive upon escaping a sudden danger, upon gaining a victory over ourselves, and upon performing some act of virtue or wisdom; and let us remember that it is the prevalence of good that renders us so sensible of evil; that recent prosperity makes us forget former blessings; and that if our misfortunes make so deep an impression upon our memory, it is because they seldom happen, and we are not familiar with them. In this calculation, we must only oppose to the blessings, the fruition of which we recollect, those evils whose utility we do not yet know; for out of some evils great good is derived: if then we make this estimation in the moments of coolness

and of serenity, and not at a time when we suffer from affliction, vexa tion, disappointment, or disease, we shall be sufficiently convinced, that the prevalence of good, even in this state of existence, is much greater than that of evil.

Why then do men concern themselves so little with the continual proofs they receive of God's goodness? Why do they love to dwell upon the dark side of things, and to torment themselves with unnecessary cares and anxieties? Has not divine Providence surrounded us with pleasing objects? Why then do we for ever brood over our infirmities, our wants, and the evils which may happen to us? Why magnify them in our imagination, and obstinately turn our eyes from all that tends to cheer and tranquillize our hearts? But such is our disposition, the least misfortune that befalls us arrests all our attention, whilst a long continuance of happy days passes unnoticed. We draw upon us distress and vexation, which could not have happened if we were more attentive to the blessings of God. Let us then in future abandon a disposition like this, which only renders us miserable; let us feel a strong conviction that God has impartially distributed his blessings over the earth, and that there is no man who has just cause to complain, or who has not on the contrary the most powerful and abundant reasons to express his gratitude in songs of joy, thanksgiv. ing, and praise.

Blessed be God, who is our sovereign good! He pours joy and gladness into our hearts: if he sometimes tries his children with affliction, his consolations soon visit their desponding souls; and his goodness promises them an uninterrupted, endless felicity. He leads us through secret and unknown paths to the infinite blessings he designs for us; the very trials which he sometimes sends have a beneficent purpose to accomplish, and which we shall one day know and acknowledge; till when he spares us from suffering more than we can bear, and his all-powerful and paternal hand still protects us, and the eye of his mercy watches over us for our good and eternal pre

servation.

SEPTEMBER XXII.

ENMITY BETWEEN ANIMALS.

There is a continual enmity among animals; they are constantly attacking and pursuing each other: every element is a field of battle for them; the eagle is the terror of the inhabitants of the air; the tiger lives upon the earth by carnage; the pike in the waters; and the mole under ground. It is the want of food which induces these, and many other species of animals, to destroy one another. But there are some creatures whose hatred of each other does not proceed from the same source. Thus those animals which entwine themselves round the elephant's trunk, and press it till they have suffocated

him, do not act so with the design of procuring nourishment. When the ermine leaps upon, and lays hold of, the ear of the bear and the elk, and bites them with his sharp teeth, we cannot affirm that this is done to satisfy the calls of hunger.

There is scarcely any creature, however small, which does not serve for food to some other animal. I know that many people think this arrangement of nature is cruel and unnecessary; but I can with confidence assert, that even this antipathy and enmity among animals, is a proof that every thing is wisely ordered. If we consider animals in the whole, we shall find that it is highly useful that some should subsist upon others; for on the one hand, without this arrangement many species could not exist; and on the other, these numerous species, instead of being prejudicial, are extremely useful. Insects and many reptiles feed on carrion; others establish themselves in the bodies of certain animals, and live upon their flesh and blood; and these insects themselves serve as food for other creatures. Carnivorous animals and birds of prey kill and feed upon other animals. Some species multiply so abundantly, that they would become burdensome if their numbers were not diminished. If there were no sparrows to destroy insects, what would become of the flowers and fruits? Without the ichneumon, which seeks out and destroys the crocodile's eggs, this terrible animal would increase to an alarming degree. A great portion of the earth would be desert, and many creatures would not exist, if there were no carnivorous animals. It will perhaps be urged that they might live upon vegetables; but if this were the case, our fields would scarcely afford subsistence for sparrows and swallows; and the structure of carnivorous animals must have been quite different from what it now is; and if fish did not live upon the inhabitants of the water, how would they be able to subsist? Besides, if the wars among animals were to cease, they would lose much of their vivacity and industry, the creation would be less animated, and man himself would lose much of his activity. We may also add, that we should be deprived of many striking proofs of God's wisdom, if universal peace was to prevail among animals; for the address, sagacity, and wonderful instinct which they use in laying snares for and surprising their prey, very evidently manifest the wisdom of the Creator.

So far then is the enmity which exists among animals from darkening the wisdom and goodness of God, that they receive additional brilliancy from what superficial observers think an imperfection. It forms part of the plan of the great system of nature, that one animal should persecute and feed upon another. We might indeed complain of this arrangement, if it occasioned the entire destruction of any species; but this never happens, and the continual wars among animals preserve a proper balance between them. Thus carnivorous animals are indispensable links in the chain of beings; and on this account their number is very small, compared with that of useful animals. We may also remark that, the strongest and fiercest animals have commonly the least sense and cunning. They either mutually

destroy each other, or their young ones serve as food for other beasts. Hence also nature has granted to the weakest species so much industry and means of defence. They possess instinct, acuteness of sense, quickness, skill, and sagacity, sufficient to counterbalance the strength of their enemies.

Can any one then behold this without acknowledging the infinite wisdom of the Creator, and confessing that this state of warfare, which at first seems so strange, is in fact a real good? We should be still more convinced of it, if we were better acquainted with the whole system of things, and the relations and connexions which different creatures have with each other; but this is a degree of knowledge reserved for a future state, where the divine perfections will be manifested in infinite splendour. We may, however, in some measure, even in this world, comprehend why these hostilities among animals are necessary; but we can by no means conceive why men, whose nature is so much more noble, should be continually fomenting wars and divisions so destructive to their race. To the disgrace of humanity, and the eternal reproach of the Christian religion, men pursue wars, and destroy each other with more savage barbarity than the wildest beasts that range the forests; than which, nothing is more opposite to the great ends for which they were created. Surely man was designed to render himself useful to his fellow-creatures, to contribute all in his power to their comfort and happiness; to be the defender of the helpless, the benefactor of the poor, and the friend of the afflicted and unfortunate. Let us not counteract these merciful designs of our blessed Lord, but endeavour to live in that peace and harmony which becomes the children of God, and followers of an humble and crucified Saviour; leaving animals which are destitute of reason to quarrel, fight, persecute, and destroy one another; whilst we live in charity with all men, doing good unto others, as we would that they should do unto us.

SEPTEMBER XXIII.

MORAL USES OF NIGHT.

At this time of the year, when the days begin to grow shorter, and the nights to lengthen, many people are discontented with the change. Some wish that there was no night at all, or that at least throughout the year the nights were never longer than they are in the months of June and July. But such wishes are the offspring of folly and presumption, and betray the greatest ignorance; for if men reflected upon the advantages which result from the alternation of the day and night, they would not thus show their want of judgment, nor make such ill-founded complaints, but would rather bless God for the benefits they receive from the night. We feel the moral utility of night in its interrupting the course of many vices. During

the hours of darkness the wicked are obliged to repose, and oppressed virtue gains some moments of relief and cessation from misery; the unjust and fraudulent merchant ceases to cheat his neighbour, and a thousand evils are interrupted in their progress.

If there was no night, how much pleasure and instruction we should lose! The wonders of the creation manifested in the starry heavens would be lost to us. We now every night can contemplate the grandeur of God displayed in the stars, whilst we raise our souls towards him in humble and reverent gratitude. If then every occasion which recalls God to our minds is precious, how much ought we to value the season of night, which so powerfully declares the perfections of God!

Night is a time which is well adapted for meditation and reflection. The tumult and dissipation of the day leave but little leisure for selfexamination; and afford little opportunity of detaching our affections from the earth, and of seriously occupying ourselves with considering the duties of our station, and the end for which we were created. To these salutary meditations the stillness of the night is peculiarly adapted: we may then commune with our hearts without interruption, and acquire the important science of knowing ourselves. The soul will then collect all her powers, and direct them towards those subjects which concern our eternal happiness. In those moments of peace and tranquillity we may purify our hearts from the contagion of the world, and strengthen our minds against the temptation and alluring examples of those who float down the stream of pleasure. We may then reflect upon death, and meditate upon futurity: the calm solitude of our closets is favourable to religious thoughts, and our souls become more and more desirous of virtue. Let us then, instead of repining at the vicissitudes of light and darkness, be thankful for them; and every night, before we lie down to sleep, let us bless the season in which we have become better acquainted with our own nature, the glory of God, and those things which concern our salvation and eternal peace.

SEPTEMBER XXIV.

OF MAN'S INdifference FOR THE WORKS OF NATURE.

Whence is it that men in general are so indifferent about the works of God in nature? The consideration of this question may give rise to various important reflections. One great cause of this indifference is an habitual inattention. We are so accustomed to the beauties of nature, that we neglect to admire the wisdom which stamps them all; and we are not sufficiently grateful for the numerous advantages which we derive from them. There are too many people who resemble the stupid beast which feeds upon the grass of the meadow, and quenches his thirst in the stream, without acknowledging the wisdom