MARCH XX.

THE CHANGE OF SEASONS.

The coldest as well as the warmest climates have but two seasons in the year, which are essentially different. In the coldest countries the summer continues about four months, during which the heat is very powerful; the rest of their year may be considered as winter. Their spring and autumn are scarcely perceptible, because in the space of only a few days an excessive heat succeeds the greatest degree of cold, and the extreme of heat is succeeded as rapidly by the extreme of cold. The hottest countries have a dry and scorching season for seven or eight months; when the rains descend, and continue four or five months, this being the only distinction between their summer and winter.

It is only in temperate climates that we find four distinct seasons of the year. The heat of summer slowly departs, by which the fruits of autumn are rendered mature, without suffering from the winter's cold. And in spring plants are enabled to germinate, uninjured by remaining frosts, and not hastened into premature efflorescence by too early warmth. In Europe, we observe these seasons most distinctly in Italy and the south of France. In the temperate regions summer and winter generally commence with abundant rains, which continue for a considerable time. From the middle of May to the latter end of June it seldom rains; but after this time heavy rains sometimes set in, and continue till the end of July. The months of February and April are usually very variable.

The change of seasons deserves our utmost attention and admiration: it is not effected by blind chance, for in fortuitous events there is neither order, constancy, nor regularity; whereas in every country of the earth the seasons succeed each other regularly as the day follows the night, and precisely in the expected time the aspect of the earth changes. We see it successively adorned with herbs and leaves, with flowers and fruits: it is then deprived of its ornaments till spring returns to restore them with increased beauty. Spring, summer, and autumn, nourish and gratify the animal creation by the fruits which blossom, increase, and ripen in luxuriant abundance. And though in winter nature seems to droop and to be dead, this season is not without its benefits.

Now that this month is so far advanced, we may begin to hail the near approach of spring, and all its accompanying pleasures, with transport and delight. How many are there who have longed to see this restoration of nature, and hoped to be recovered from the sufferings they endured during the winter, to whom this consolation has been denied, the thread of their lives being snapped ere the vernal breezes have refreshed the earth! Perhaps this is the last spring we shall be permitted to see, the last time we shall enjoy the freshness of the morning air, breathing the sweets of the opening flowers. Before

the return of the equinox we may be mingled with the dust, inhaoitants of the silent tomb. May this reflection dispose us to feel the true value of life, and teach us that serenity of soul and Christian fortitude, which will enable us to receive the awful messenger without fear, and hear the summons without regret!

MARCH XXI.

EVERY THING CREATED HAS ITS USE.

If there is a superintending Providence which governs the world, the smallest things and most trifling events must feel its influence, and nothing under the agency of his Power will occur without some evident utility. Perhaps it will be said, 'What a number of things there are in the world of no use whatever! The north-wind blows, and the blossoms of trees are scattered; they wither and are useless. Seeds, which might have produced new plants, perish without bringing forth fruit. Multitudes of insects are not only useless, but extremely injurious to man, beasts, and vegetables. Many men and animals scarcely show themselves upon the earth, when they disappear; others are born monsters, impotent, and deformed. How many faculties and talents are lost for want of being called forth! How many noble projects and bold enterprises miscarry before they arrive at maturity! Would all this take place, if a Being infinitely wise and provident governed the universe?'

But have you who thus dare to doubt the being and providence of God a perfect knowledge of all things, with their relations and dependencies amongst each other, to pronounce your decisions with certainty, and promulgate such sentiments with confidence; to say, This can do no good, that is absolutely wrong, or of no use? Never forget the narrow limits of your knowledge, nor the feeble rays of your light. It is your duty to observe in silence the ways of God, and to admire and adore him in those works; which so far from justly criticising, you are not able to comprehend: all those which you do know you will find contain proofs of infinite wisdom, and are of a certain and manifest utility. A thing may be useful in different ways, and whilst it is serving one purpose we cannot expect that at the same time it should serve another. The insect, which at its birth becomes the prey of swallows, cannot produce a new generation. The researches of alchymists for the philosopher's stone have not, it is true, made gold more plentiful; but through their means many valuable discoveries have been made; and the insect supplies the swallow with its food. Your tears may not soften the callous unfeeling man, who abuses his power in oppressing the weak; but though your intercessions in favour of the unfortunate are fruitless, your tears are not lost, nor shed in vain: they tend to call forth the finer feelings of the heart, and increase that sensibility which is the source

of true knowledge and virtue; and there is a Being who hears your sighs, and to whom all your efforts on behalf of suffering humanity are known, and received as the most grateful incense.

Never let us suppose, then, that there exists any thing in the universe entirely useless. It is true there may be certain things which do not seem to succeed, nor answer exactly the end we expected them to perform; but they undoubtedly fulfil the purpose for which Providence designed them, and that belief is sufficient for us. For certain things to take effect and be realized, perhaps, it is requisite that others should fail and appear defective. If it is true that wisdom is not entirely engrossed about the present, but extends its views to the future; if God is infinitely wise, and if his wisdom is to be manifested to the world as in a mirror, there must occur many things which, separately considered, do not perfectly appear to accomplish their des tination, because they required other causes to co-operate with them. The part which these have in the execution of the whole plan may be so imperceptible and so little understood, as entirely to escape our notice. But surely it does not follow, that because we cannot perceive the end they answer in the great system of nature, they do not contribute to its perfection, and are therefore useless; on the contrary, we have just reason to conclude, from what we see of the power and wisdom of God displayed in his works, that it is impossible for him to have created any thing without design or without utility; though, from our imperfect nature, we are not always able to perceive the object and use of some of his works.

This firm persuasion will contribute to our peace and happiness; for there daily occur in nature, and in the course of human life,. events, whose connexions, relations, and designs, appear to us incomprehensible, and of no utility, and which might otherwise weaken our faith in God, as well as hurt and distress our feelings. But the more we are convinced by reason, observation, and experience, and confirmed by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures, that God, as he is infinitely wise and powerful, so also he is infinitely merciful and just, the more contented and cheerful shall we be in adversity as well as in prosperity. We shall then see and acknowledge, that all that God effects, or permits to be accomplished, is for the wisest purposes, and always for the universal good of mankind. And when we observe in nature so many trifling objects, apparently useless, and so many inexplicable events, seemingly repugnant to the divine plan, far from finding cause to complain, let us rather adore the wisdom of God, and ascribe unto him the glory which is his due; ever trusting to him for safety and support, and confiding in his power without the folly of cavilling at his dispensations. This submission to his will is the way to happiness here, and eternal felicity hereafter.

MARCH XXII.

HARMONY BETWEEN THE MORAL AND PHYSICAL WORLD.

The wisdom of God has established so great an affinity between the earth and its inhabitants, that they seem to be formed for each other. There is a certain connexion and harmony which links together all the works of the creation. There is an evident analogy between the human body and the surface of the earth: as the bodies of plants and animals are formed, and come to maturity, then perish : so also are the bodies of men subject to similar changes. Such is the plan of the Creator, and it is pregnant with wisdom and goodness, adorned with perfection and beauty; it is only our imperfect knowledge which prevents our seeing it as it is.

If any one objects, Why then has not God given to every one the same faculties and the same degree of intellect? we may answer— Who art thou, blind mortal, that callest God to an account for his works? Shall the creature dictate to his Creator, or question his powers? As well might we ask, Why God has not so ordered, that all countries on the earth, that every field, should be equally pleasant and fertile? Why do we find in some parts a rich and fruitful soil, whilst others are so sterile and desert, that all attempts to improve them are in vain? There can be no doubt that this diversity is highly beneficial, and worthy of our warmest admiration, though not always conformable to our mode of thinking. The most desolate and barren regions, as well as the most wild and uncultivated nations, have their beauty and use in the eyes of God; all hold that place which has been assigned them, and which is best adapted to their nature, in the immensity of created beings; and their variety serves still to manifest the wisdom of God, which is infinitely diversified.

But as it is manifestly the intention of Providence that the earth should be cultivated, and produce fruits in abundance for the preservation of its inhabitants; and as for this end he has given us corn to sow the earth, and seeds of various kinds to supply food and nourishment; so also he has given to each individual a mind, which, according as it is cultivated, will bring forth fruit; it possesses all the capabilities of virtue and of happiness, and only requires the seed to be sown to produce a harvest rich and abundant. With this view he has given to us lessons of true knowledge and religion, which, when received in a mind properly disposed and regulated, will produce exquisite fruit, and abundant as the corn planted in a fruitful field.

There are vast tracts of uncultivated and barren lands, where no verdure smiles, nor fruit refreshes, though they receive the fostering rays of Heaven; so also, notwithstanding the general diffusion of the Gospel, there are countries which still remain in darkness, and there are people yet besotted by ignorance and infidelity. And among the civilized nations of the Christian world the influence of the Gospel is often very slightly felt; many people know not what it is, do not

comprehend it, nor have any idea of the saving power and sublime truths, of a pure and holy religion. Others receive it with eagerness and joy, and for a space acknowledge its influence; but the impression is not lasting, and soon becomes obliterated. Some are too much agitated by the passions and concerns of the world to attend to the gentle monitor: but there are some who receive the Divine word with a heart pure and incorrupt; they hear its dictates with pleasure, and, by following them with perseverance, become of the happy number of the wise and prudent, whose steps are marked by virtue, sincerity, and peace, to whom it is indeed the power of God unto salvation.

MARCH XXIII.

OF THE NATURE AND PROPERTIES OF AIR.

Air is a subtle fluid, which surrounds our globe, and which all liv ing creatures respire. Although it is so near us, every where surrounds us, and we are continually experiencing its effects, we are not yet sufficiently acquainted with it to precisely determine its nature. We know that it is a substance, for when we pass our hand rapidly through it we find resistance; and we are certain that it is fluid, its particles are easily displaced, and yield to all kinds of impressions. Were it solid, we could neither inspire it, nor move in it with facility. It possesses weight in common with other bodies, being about 816 times lighter than water.* The force with which the air weighs upon every square foot of the earth is equal to a weight of 2160 pounds. And a man, whose surface is about fourteen square feet, sustains a weight of atmospheric air equal to 30,240 pounds. This may appear incredible; but the resistance of the air contained in our lungs prevents our suffering any inconvenience from the pressure of the external air, an equilibrium being thus preserved.

The elasticity of the air is equally certain; it is continually making an effort to fill a greater space, and, though capable of compression, as soon as the pressure is removed it again expands. This is suffi ciently proved by means of heat, which rarifies it to such a degree, that it may be made to occupy five or six hundred times more space than it did before the heat was applied, without losing its elastic power. All these phenomena are highly worthy of admiration, and in them we may perceive the causes of many astonishing effects. It is in the air that our globe is suspended; and it is in the air also that the clouds are collected, forming so many beautiful shades and colours, and which, as they are rarified or condensed, suspend the vapours, or

Its specific gravity, according to the experiment of Sir George Shuckburgh, when the barometer is at 30 inches, and the thermometer between 50 and 60 degrees, is 0.0012. One hundred cubic inches of air weigh 31 grains troy.-Thompson's Chemistry. O