What new subjects of admiration we should have, if we were better acquainted with those innumerable globes! But we know little, except the system of which our earth makes a part, and of which the sun is in a manner the head or chief.

Who can look up and contemplate the sky, without being struck with astonishment at the thought of the great Being who framed such magnificent works? Let our admiration lead us to humble ourselves lowly before him, to adore and glorify him. And when we reflect how poor and imperfect our homage is, let us comfort ourselves with the thought of that happy revolution we shall one day experience, when the nearer contemplation of the wonders we now see but faintly at a distance will make our hearts overflow with gratitude and joy.

AUGUST XXVIII.

MORAL REFLECTIONS ON SEEING A FIELD OF CORN.

THIS field was lately exposed to great danger; impetuous winds whistled round it, and the storms often threatened to beat down and destroy the wheat. However, Providence has preserved it hitherto. It is thus that the storms of affliction often threaten to overwhelm us. But this very tempest is necessary: It purifies and roots out the tares of vice. In the midst of trouble and sorrow, our knowledge, faith, and humility, increase and strengthen. It is true, that, like the weak ear of corn, we sometimes bend and are

bowed

bowed down to the ground; but the merciful hand of our Father supports and raises us up agan. Towards harvest time, the corn ripens fast. The dew, the heat of the sun, and the rain, all combine to hasten it. O! may we, from day to day, grow ripe for heaven. May all the events of our lives lead to that salutary end. Whatever be our situation here; whether the sun shines upon us, or is wrapt up in clouds; whether our days be gloomy or serene; no matter, provided all concur to increase our piety, and dispose us better for eternity. It is very remarkable, that the ears of corn, loaded with grain, differ considerably in height from those that are poor and thin. The latter are upright, rise high, and overlook the whole field; whereas the others bend under their own weight. Behold the emblem of two sorts of Christians! the vain and presumptuous, who have but little religion, set themselves above others, and look with contempt on the truly righteous. A foolish presumption blinds them, and makes them despise the means of salvation. Those, on the contrary, who are rich in virtue and good works, humbly bend down like the well filled ears of corn. many tares and weeds are mixed with the corn! Such is the situation of a Christian in this world. There is always a mixture in him of good and bad qualities, and his corrupted nature, like the tares, often interrupts the progress of virtue. A field of corn is not only the image of one individual, but also of the church in general. The profane and the wicked often, by their bad example, sow tares in a field where there ought to be none but good seed. The great Lord of the field permits the tares to remain some time. He tries patience and forbearance: and it will not

How

be

be till the time of harvest, in the great day of retribution, that he will give free course to his justice. Behold with what eagerness the country people run to gather the fruits of the earth! The scythe cuts all before them. Thus death sweeps all away, the high and the low, the saint and the sinner. But what are those cries in the fields? They are shouts of joy and gladness at the sight of a plentiful harvest. Let them be also cries of praise and thanksgiving for the goodness of God, from whom proceeds every blessing. But how joyful shall we be in the great day of harvest with what ineffable sentiments will our hearts overflow, when we shall meet in the blessed society of angels! Then shall we gratefully recollect our past labour and pain, the dangers and storms we had experienced, and we shall raise our voices with one accord to bless the beneficent Father who watched over us. May this sweet hope support us in the time of trouble. Let it comfort us in our sorrow, and make us wait with patience for the day of harvest.

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AUGUST XXIX.

SHELL-FISH.

THE shell-fish, or testaceous animals, are numerous. They live in houses of a substance more or less chalky, which may be considered as their bones. Their shells are either single, that is to say, in one piece; bivalves or multivalves, that is to say, composed of two or more pieces. The testaceous animals form two large families; the muscle, the shell of which is in several pieces, and the snail, whose shell is in one piece only,

and

and generally spiral. The construction of the former is much more simple than that of the latter. The muscles have neither head, nor horns, nor jaws; there can only be distinguished in them a wind-pipe, a mouth, and sometimes a sort of claw. Most snails, on the contrary, have a head, horns, eyes, a mouth, and a claw. There is a great difference among the shell-fish; Some are oviparous, others viviparous. The testaceous are born with their shells upon them; but in proportion as the animal grows, its house, the inner partition of which is lined with a very fine membrane, grows also; not only in thickness, by layers or leaves one over another, but in circumference, as the circumvolution, or spires, multiply more and more. The shells are formed by means of a slimy liquor, which is produced by the perspiration of the animal, and which gradually thickens and grows hard. But whether the shells grow by an exterior juxtaposition, or by a common inward nourishment, is not certainly determined. It is more probable that it is by the former means. Most shell-fish live in water, and particularly in the sea; sometimes near the shore, and sometimes in the main ocean. Some are carnivorous; others feed on plants. Some keep at the bottom of the sea, or adhere to rocks, and remain motionless. Oysters, and other animals with hard shells, fasten themselves to different bodies, and stick to them by means of a sort of glue, or chalky liquor; and are often heaped and fastened one upon another. This adhesion is voluntary in some shell-fish, who cling to any thing, according as circumstances oblige them to it; but it is involuntary in others, which always remain motionless on the rocks to which they are fastened. The knowledge we have of

these

these animals is still very imperfect. As they mostly live in the bottom of the water, it is very difficult to make exact observations on their formation, their feeding, their motions, &c. There are only three or four different classes of shell-fish yet known; but it is very probable that an hundred more would be discovered, if it was possible to search into the bottom of the sea, or into rivers. Hitherto we have scarce attended to any thing but the beautiful forms and colours of the shells, while the true construction and way of life of the animals that live in them are still little known to us, nor do we know scarce the purpose of their existence. But even these, as far as we know of them, are subjects sufficient to lead us to admire the infinite greatness of God. We every where find creatures, which, each in their way, bear the impression of the majesty of the Lord. To feel this truth, we need only look into the cabinets of shells that are collected, and there observe the prodigious variety, in their size, their form, the richness and beauty of their colours. Here the hand of God visibly shews itself; and every thing convinces us, that all his designs are worthy of his wisdom.

AUGUST XXX.

ON THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD.

A GOD who from his supreme height could be an indifferent spectator of all the revolutions which happen in this world, would not merit our homage. Happily for us, the government of the God whom we adore takes in all his creatures.

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