And so it is with the world. That the air may not become injurious to the earth and to animals, it requires to be in a continual agitation. This is effected by the winds; not, however, those that are gentle and light, but by storms and tempests, which collect together vapours from different countries; and forming one mass of the whole, thus blend together the good and the bad, correcting one by the other. Storms are also useful to the sea; if it was not frequently agitated with some degree of violence, the stagnation even of salt water would occasion a degree of putrefaction, not only destructive to the numerous shoals of fish which live in it, but also the sailors who float upon its surface. Motion is the soul of all nature, preserving every thing in order, and preventing destruction; and the sea, which contains so much animal matter, is not exempted from the general rule; for were it not constantly agitated, its waters would become putrid, and cause a general plague. Motion is as necessary to the sea as the circulation of blood is to animals; and those causes which only produce a gentle, uniform, and almost imperceptible agitation, are not sufficient to purify the whole mass. Storms alone can produce this effect, and the great advantages that result from it, not to men only, but to many millions of other creatures.

These, then, are some of the uses which we derive from storms, and they are sufficient to prevent our regarding them any longer as destructive scourges and instruments of wrath. There is nothing in nature which has not its inconveniences, and storms are sometimes very injurious to individuals; but the evils they occasion are slight and partial, compared with the general good that they produce; and we must acknowledge God has arranged every thing with wisdom, and that we have abundant cause to be thankful for the present constitution of things. Happy are they who are convinced that every thing in the universe relates to the general good of all living creatures; that the evil existing in the world is compensated by numberless advantages; and that the very means which Providence employs to prove and chasten his children are in themselves indispensable blessings, whose general effects abundantly recompense us for every evil that, in particular instances, may result from their operation.

NOVEMBER XXVII.

Fortuitous Events.

PROPERLY speaking, chance can produce nothing; for nothing can happen without some real and determinate cause. What is generally called chance is nothing more than the unexpected combination of several causes, which produce an effect altogether unforeseen. Experience teaches us that these sort of occurrences are frequent in human life. Unforeseen accidents may entirely change the fortune of men, and overturn all their designs. It should naturally seem as if the race should be to the swift, the battle to the strong, and success to the most wise and prudent: this, how ever, does not always happen; frequently an unforeseen accident, a favourable circumstance, an event which could not be guarded against, effect more than the combined efforts of power, of genius, and of human wisdom and prudence. How lamentable, then, would be the destiny of man, if an infi nitely wise and beneficent hand did not rule over all events! If the fate of men, of families, and even of kingdoms, often depends upon circumstances which appear to us petty and trifling; and if we were desirous of withdrawing these events from the superintendence of Providence, we should at the same time deny that he has any influence upon the greater revolutions that take place in the world.

We daily witness the occurrence of accidents upon which our temporal happiness or misery in a great measure depends. It is evident that we cannot guard against these kind of accidents, because we cannot foresee them; and hence it follows, that these unexpected events, which are beyond the reach of our understanding, and of our precaution and prudence, must be under the especial direction of Providence. God in his wisdom and goodness leaves us more or less to ourselves, according as we have greater or less ability to conduct ourselves with propriety. In those cases where our power and abilities can effect nothing, we may be assured that God will particularly watch over us for our good: in all other circumstances, the labour and industry of men must concur with the favour and assistance of Heaven; for we cannot expect Providence to act alone in any but unforeseen contingencies. As, then, in every

thing that we call chance, we evidently discover traces of the wisdom, goodness, and justice of God, it is manifest that chance itself is subject to Divine government; and then it is that the empire of Providence is most resplendent. When the beauty, the order, and the arrangement of the world fill us with astonishment and admiration, we conclude, without hesitation, that an infinitely wise Being must preside over it. What a much more powerful reason have we to draw the same conclusion when we reflect upon the great events that are produced by accidents which no human wisdom could foresee! Have we not a thousand examples, that the happiness and even the lives of men, the fate of empires, the issue of battles, the revolutions of kingdoms, and other similar events, often depend upon entirely unforeseen contingencies? An unlooked-for event may confound projects planned with ability and concerted with prudence, and may at once annihilate the most formidable power. It is upon a firm belief in the saving efficacy of Providence that our tranquillity and our hope are founded. However great may be the evils which surround us, however terrible the dangers that threaten us, God is able to effect our deliverance by a thousand ways unknown even to ourselves. The firm persuasion of this all-consolatory truth ought to raise in our minds the greatest reverence for our God, and induce us to seek him in all things, always lifting up our hearts to him, and placing in him all our confidence. The belief in this truth, also, ought to repress our pride, and particularly to inspire those who are in exalted situations with that religious awe which they should have for the Supreme Being, who possesses so many means unknown to them, by which he can shake or overturn that slender fabric of happiness which their arrogance has reared. Nothing is better calculated, than the consideration of this truth, to banish from our souls all distrust, anxiety, and discouragement, and to raise in us a pure and holy joy. The infinitely wise Being has a thousand wonderful ways unknown to us, ways of mercy and love; and all his dispensations are regulated by justice and, wisdom. He wills the happiness of his children, and nothing can prevent it; he commands, and nature obeys his voice."

NOVEMBER XXVIII.

The Majesty of God.

It is extremely difficult to form any idea of God at all. worthy of his majesty and greatness. The attempt, however, should be made; nothing contributes more to dignify and improve our nature than such reflections. It is true, that it is as impossible for us to comprehend him perfectly, as it is for us to hold the sea in the hollow of our hand, or to grasp the heavens with a span. He is at once known to us, and concealed from us; he is near us, and at the same time is infinitely above us: known and near, with respect to his existence, though infinitely elevated and hidden as to his nature, perfections, and decrees. On this account it is our daty to apply ourselves to know his greatness, as it is essential for us to conceive those sentiments of veneration which are justly due to him. To assist our weakness in this respect, let us compare God with what men esteem and admire the most, and we shall find that he is infinitely above all.

We may admire the power of kings, and be filled with astonishment when we hear of their conquering vast empires, taking cities and fortresses, erecting superb buildings, and making the happiness or the misery of whole nations. But if we are struck with the power of a man, who is but dust and ashes, and whose exploits are due to other agents, how much ought we to admire the power of God, who has established the earth, and founded the heavens, who rules the sun, and sustains the immense fabric of the universe! We are justly astonished with the heat of the sun, with the impetuosity of the winds, the roaring of the sea, the rolling of the thunder, and the rapidity of the lightning; but it is God who imparteth to the sun his fires, who thunders in the clouds, who uses the winds as his messengers, and send eth forth the red lightnings as his ministers, and who raises and calms the waves of the sea,

We justly respect those who have distinguished themselves by the extent of their genius, and the depth of their knowledge; but what is the understanding, what are all the faculties of men, compared with the wisdom of that Great Being, whose eyes penetrate through every covering, who

numbers the stars of heaven and the sand of the sea, who knows the destination of each drop of rain as it falls from the clouds, and who at once sees and comprehends the past, the present, and the future; all of whose works are infinitely great, surpassing human conception.

We may be dazzled with the splendour of riches, and admire the gorgeous palaces of kings, the magnificence of their furniture, the richness of their garments, the beauty of their apartments, and the lustre of gold, silver, and jewels, that glitter in lavish profusion: but how pitiful and contemptible are all these, compared with the riches of God, whose throne is heaven, and whose footstool is the earth! He has formed dwellings for all creatures, and established provisions for all men and all animals; his meadows nourish the cattle, and all that is useful or excellent in the world is drawn from his treasures, Life, health, riches, glory, honour, and pleasure, are all in his hand, and he distributes them to whom he pleases.

We respect the princes of the earth, who command numerous subjects, and rule over several countries; but what is that speck of earth which is subjected to them, compared with the empire of the universe, of which our whole globe is but a small province; an empire that extends over all the stars of heaven, and their inhabitants? An empire whose Lord has all the sovereigns of the universe for his servants, and around his throne the cherubim and seraphim, ever ready, with wings outspread, to execute his orders?

We judge of the greatness of men by their actions and their works; and we celebrate kings who have built cities and constructed palaces, who have governed well their states, and have successfully executed great enterprises: but what are the works of the Most High? The creation of the universe; the preservation of so many creatures; the wise and just government of innumerable worlds; the redemption of mankind; the reward of the good, and the chastisement of the wicked.

Who is like unto thee, O Lord? Thou art great, thy name is celebrated, and thy works proclaim thy grandeur! Should not a religious awe possess our souls at the thought of the presence of the world's Eternal Ruler, the God whose glory ever encompasses us? The splendour of the stars fades in the presence of the sun; and so all the glory, wisdom, and