God, we need not go to distant places, or seek amidst remote objects. We need only dwell on what relate to ourselves, and the particular dispensation of Providence in our own behalf.

MAY XXVII.

Complaints of Men against the Laws of Nature.

'WHY is the human body, from its constitution, subject to so many accidents and infirmities?' Let him who asks this question say, if it is possible to figure to himself a body which can unite more advantages than that which he has received from his Creator! It was incompatible with the nature and catenation of things below, that man should be provided with a body that was invulnerable. Though some are deformed, others lame, and deaf and dumb, we have no reason to murmur at the decrees of Providence. These defects are not so frequent as to give us occasion to repine; and those who are still disposed to complain would do well to reflect on the following truths.

It is useful to the generality of men that some examples of the defects to which the human body is liable should now and then occur; for when a healthy and sound person compares himself with one who is not so, he at once perceives all the advantages of perfect and well-formed limbs; he learns to prize a gift of whose value he was before ignorant, and is more careful to preserve it. How precious is each eye, each organ of sense, each joint and limb-more dear to us than the richest treasure! Our body is more beautiful and regular than the most superb building, more excellent than the most exquisitely wrought machine; and yet, inferior as these are, we are far from attributing them to blind chance.

Why are some countries of the earth so different from one another; sometimes cold, sometimes wet, sometimes low, at others elevated?' If thou, O man! hadst the power of forming a globe, where every thing should contribute to

the welfare of men and animals, would thy understanding furnish thee with the plan of one better than that of our sphere? The countries of the earth produce, by means of their diversity, exhalations and different winds, from which results that medium of air, which experience teaches us is best adapted to the health and comfort of animal life, and the promotion of vegetation. It is, however, incontestible that the variations of weather are not advantageous to all men and to all countries.' But has not the weather which has preceded an influence upon that which follows? and the temperature of one country an influence upon that of another? Is it in our power to judge of the whole? Are a thousand husbandmen to sigh for a shower, because the continuance of a drought will accommodate the arrangements of one house-wife? A certain state of air will occasion in some places a degree of sterility; but can that be called an evil which prevents the impurity of the atmosphere? Should an east wind, benefitting a whole country, cease to blow, because from its violence some ships are wrecked, and some particular people injured? Is it just or reasonable to blame or remark imperfections in a part, when we cannot comprehend the whole? • Why are there so many noxious animals?' Does any one think that no rapacious animals should exist upon the earth? Let such people refiect, that, by the beasts of prey, the number of animals which would be troublesome to us is diminished. And it is because many animals serve for food to beasts of prey, that the number of living creatures is preserved. If these rapacious beasts did not exist, the carcasses of the animals they devour would be rather prejudicial than useful. The animals thus devoured are replaced by others, and the population is regulated by the means of subsistence; hence flies and many insects would perish from want, if the animals which feed upon them did not thin their numbers.

Whence is it that the Creator has regulated the course of nature by such invariable laws?' Is it not precisely by means of this arrangement that man, assisted by nature and guided

by experience, is enabled to make use of his understanding and of his powers, and become in some degree the worker of his own good? Would we wish to dwell in a world where we should have no occasion for activity; where none of our pleasures could be increased by any exertions on our part; where there was no rule or fundamental law; and where the alternations of good and evil, of pleasure and of pain, being unknown, we should have nothing to render us attentive to the laws of nature?

There will ever be a number of things in nature, the designs of which, and the relations they bear to each other, must remain concealed; and we may find some, which, to our limited understanding, appear contradictory, and little adapted to the plan of the Deity. But in such cases, let us bear in mind that God performs every thing with the wisest and most beneficent views; and when any doubts and difficulties shall arise, let us say with the apostle-O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? who hath been his counsellor ? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things; to whom be glory for ever, Amen.'

Or

MAY XXVIII.

Of the Sins to which we are most prone during the Spring. Is it possible that we can profane, by sin, that season which of all others should more especially animate us to the practice of piety? Is it not natural to suppose that in these beautiful days every field would be a temple where we might offer up the incense of a grateful heart, and the thanksgiving of a virtuous mind; where every thought, sentiment, and action, should tend to the glory of our Creator? But, alas! we daily witness the ingratitude of men towards their heavenly Benefactor; they see nature renewed, they see the flowers that had decayed revive, and a variety of pleasing objects

every where attract their notice, without ever thinking of their Maker, and rendering unto him the just praises of his excellence. This odious vice of ingratitude, the source of much iniquity, is most evident at this season; and shall man, the only creature in the universe capable of reflecting upon his happiness, be the only one insensible to it?

It is to such an unfeeling and ungrateful soul that I now address myself; but I can scarcely expect my feeble accents to penetrate within the recesses of thy heart, when the voice of God has been heard in vain, and the energetic and expressive language of nature disregarded. Canst thou forget thy Creator, when all his works declare him? If thou knowest not thy God, thou canst neither know thyself nor the world in which thou livest. Every creature reminds thee of its Author; every place in the vast dominion of nature is full of the Deity. He manifests himself in every blade of grass; in every flower, and every bird, he speaks the sweet and persuasive language of nature: he addresses himself to thy senses, to thy reason, to thy conscience, and to all thy faculties. Listen to this language and thou mayest become sensible and grateful.

How dost thou employ these fine days of spring? Surely thou shouldst emerge from thy chamber and visit the treasures of the fields, and the beauties of the gardens, where thou mightest inhale a pure and balmy air. But beware o yielding to the extravagance of sinful pleasures; in whose train follow anguish, disease, and infamy. Truly to enjoy the beauties of spring and all the delights of the season, is to observe with attention the works of nature, whilst thy reason informs thee of the power and wisdom of the Creator there displayed; thy heart will then experience raptures infinitely superior to the pleasure of those who forget their God.

Let us now turn our attention to those who in this season are the slaves of care, and fear they shall not be able to find the means of subsistence. O ye of little faith! Behold the lilies of the field how they grow; consider the fowls of the

air, they sow not, neither do they reap, yet their heavenly Father feedeth them. Be assured then, and put your full confidence in God. Spring is the season of hope, give it a place in your bosom ; and when doubts shall assail, and fears come upon you, cast your view abroad over the fields and meadows, and remember the words of your Redeemer: If God so clothe the grass of the field, if he feed the fowls of the air, how much more will he nourish thee, O thou of little faith!' The wicked only have cause to fear for the future; but he who unites integrity to industry, and virtue to intellect, will ensure unto himself a portion of comfort here, and ever-during felicity in the world to come. Let us then rejoice in our existence, and while we employ this delightful season of the year in contemplating the works of nature, look up with joy and gratitude to him who has given us the glorious privilege above millions of other creatures, of knowing the God of nature is the sole author of all happiness.

MAY XXIX.

Harmony of Bees.

THE Comfort and happiness which bees enjoy are in a considerable degree owing to their harmony and patriotism. At least, it is evident that their community must be immediately destroyed if they did not live together in a state of union. From the observations of those who have investigated this subject, it appears that these insects return to their hives laden with materials for building their cells, and there are others in waiting to ease them of their burthen. They again sally forth, and whilst they are collecting fresh materials, those which remain in the hive knead together the little parcels which the others have brought, and thus prepare a mass proper for building. Others, which are not immediately employed in working, render kind offices to the labourers, and bring them food, that the work may go on without interruption.

The patriotism of bees is not less than their harmony.