food to beasts of prey, that the number of living creatures increases every year. If these beasts of

prey did not exist, the carcases of the animals on which they feed, would not only be useless to living creatures, but would be hurtful. Every year, animals thus devoured, are replaced by others; and, in most cases, population depends on the quantity of sustenance. Thus gnats, and other insects, would soon want food, if the animals, whose prey they are, did not prevent them from multiplying too fast. "Why has the Creator "regulated the course of nature by such invari"able laws?" It is in consequence of such regulations, that man's experience and labour enable him to make use of his understanding and powers, so as to be, in some measure, master of his own welfare. Would we choose to inhabit a world, where, when we were hungry, we had only to wish, and we should be satisfied; where our clothes should fall from the clouds, if, when travelling in a cold night, we neglected providing any? Or would we, at pleasure (without recourse to other methods) walk sometimes on the ground, sometimes in the water, sometimes in the air; a world where the stomach should never be overloaded with the weight of food; where an iron hatchet would swim, if, by accident, we let it fall into the water; where bodies, going out of their natural direction, should describe an oblique line, lest their fall should hurt any body? Would we wish to inhabit a world, where we should have no occasion to do any thing; where we could not in any way promote our own pleasures; where there should be no rule, no fundamental law; where, in fine, the best, the bad, and the worst, being equally unknown, nothing could make us attend to the laws of nature?

Doubtless

Doubtless, there will ever be a number of things in nature, the purposes of which, or their relation with the whole, must ever be concealed from us. But on all occasions, let us rest on this principle, that God does every thing for wise and beneficent purposes. And, when these enigmas, these inexplicable things, present themselves, let us say with the Apostle, "O the depth of the riches, "both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! "How unsearchable are his judgements, and his

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ways past finding out! For who hath known the "mind of the Lord, or who hath been his coun"sellor? Or who hath first given unto him, and "it shall be recompensed unto him again? For, ❝of him, and through him, and to him, are all things. To whom he glory for ever. Amen.”

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MAY XXVIII.

SINS WE ARE APT TO COMMIT IN SPRING.

IS it possible that we can profane, by sin, this season, so peculiarly formed to prompt us to the practice of piety? Would it not be natural to suppose, that, in spring, each field would be to us as a temple, where we should offer up to our Creator endless sacrifices of prayer and thanksgiving; where each thought, each sentiment, and action, should tend to his glory? But, alas! we daily'see the ingratitude of man towards his hea-venly Benefactor. We behold. nature renewed, we behold the flowers, and a thousand other delightful objects, without thinking of him who made them all; or, if we do think of God, we forget to return thanks for his wondrous good

ness

ness. This is the reigning vice of the season, and is, at the same time, the source of all the faults committed in it. Man is the only creature on earth insensible of his own happiness; and yet he has the faculty of feeling it to its utmost extent. This must be addressed to the ungrateful and insensible heart; for what attention can be expected from those who pay so little to that God, who speaks throughout all nature in a voice so intelligible and strong! Yet how is it possible to forget our Creator! All his works proclaim him; and we can neither know ourselves, nor the world we live in, without knowing our God. Each creature reminds us of its Maker; each part of the vast scene of nature is filled with the Deity. He shews himself in each blade of grass, each flower, and bird. He constantly borrows the mild and persuasive language of nature, and addresses himself to our senses, our reason, our consciences, and all our faculties. Let us only listen to their language, and we shall no longer be insensible or ungrateful. How ought we to employ these days? It is right to leave our rooms, where we have been confined, and to go and breathe the wholesome air, and walk in the fields and gardens, in order to contemplate the beauties of the season; but let us take care not to make a bad use of them, by giving way to extravagant pleasures, which lead to folly and repentance. We shall not be able truly to enjoy the fine season of spring, till, by fixing our attention on the works of our Creator, we discover from reason his divine goodness and power. Then will our hearts experience joys much superior to the pleasures of those who forget their Maker. Why should we seek those pleasures which offend God and wound our consciences? Here are purer enjoyments, and it is

for

for these only that we are endowed with reason and sensibility. In the next place, let us turn to those, who, at this season of the year, give way to too much care and anxiety. When in the depth of winter and oppressed with many wants, they grow anxious and melancholy, then they may deserve some indulgence; but, at this time, it is an unpardonable doubt of Providence. "Behold the "lillies of the field, how they grow; consider the "fowls of the air; they sow not, neither do they

reap, yet your heavenly Father feedeth them." For whom does God cause the seed to shoot out of the earth! For whom is it adorned with flowers! For whose use does he provide each animal with food? O ye of little faith! put your trust in your Father, who is in heaven. Spring is the season of hope. Give it admission to your hearts; and, if any anxiety should still find a place there, cast your eyes on the meadows and fields, and remember the words of our Redeemer: "If God so clothe the grass of the field, and feed "the fowls of the air, shall he not much more "clothe you? Are ye not better than they?" Let us then employ the most agreeable part of the year in contemplating the wondrous works of God. Let the pleasures, which nature now lavishes upon us, lead us to rejoice in the inestimable advantage we have over so many millions of living creatures, of knowing him to be the Author of all happiness.

MAY

MAY XXIX.

THE HARMONY AND PATRIOTISM AMONG THE

BEES.

UNION and patriotism form undoubtedly the fundamental happiness which may, in some measute, be ascribed to bees. It is at least certain, that their republic would soon be destroyed, if they did not live in great harmony amongst themselves. Those, who have made observations on this subject, inform us, that when the bees return to their hives, loaded with materials for building, they find some of their companions ready to relieve them from their burdens. The travellers begin their journeys again: and while they are gathering more provision, the working bees who remain in the hive, knead together the little the others had brought; and thus prepare a mass proper for building. Some who are not directly employed in work, are busy in doing good offices to those that are; and bring them food, in order to let the work go on without their losing by it. This harmony nearly approaches to the patriotism observable amongst men. The riches of a nation are the riches of each citizen; and this numerous republic forms but one family. Here there is no self-interest, no avarice, and consequently no rapine. Here the bees never assemble together to use violence, and fight battles with their country people. Here we never see one bee avariciously wishing for more than is necessary, whilst another is in want: neither do they ever try to get more honey, when they have laid in a sufficient provision for the winter.

Insignificant as we reckon these insects, we may

learn