me to bear with resignation and fortitude the present miseries. Through the darkness of this life, there opens to me the delightful prospect of an happy hereafter. What I foresee in eternity already sheds light on the path through which I walk; and by this way I shall imperceptibly arrive at the blessed abodes of peace, light, and happiness.

FEB. XXVIII.

Use of Mountains.

WOULD it not be more advantageous to our globe, if its surface was not so uneven, and if it was not disfigured by so many mountains? It seems to me, sometimes, that the form of the earth would be much more regular, that our sight would extend farther, that we should travel more conveniently, and that we should enjoy many other advantages, if the earth was only a vast plain. But, perhaps I am mistaken in this opinion. I wish then to inquire into it, and reflect on the use of mountains, in order to see if I have reason to be discontented with the present plan of our globe.

In the first place it is evident, that it is from the mountains and hills that the springs flow, which are produced either by heavy snows, or by the clouds with which those heights are al ways covered. It is that which keeps up the course of great and small rivers. Those chains of high mountains which extend from east to west, and which traverse a great tract of country, serve to hinder the dispersion of vapours, and to condense them into water. They are so many stills, which prepare and render the water sweet for the use of man and beast. Their declivity gives a moderate fall to the springs, and from thence they flow gently into the valleys, which they wa

ter and make fruitful. Besides this inestimable advantage of springs and fountains which the mountains procure us, they have many others. They serve for dwellings to several kinds of ani. mals useful to us; they afford subsistence, without any trouble of ours, to multitudes of beasts, whose flesh and skins are very necessary to us. On the sides of mountains, there grow trees, plants, and an innumerable quantity of salutary herbs and roots, which are not cultivated with equal success in the plains, or have not the same virtues. It is in the bowels of the mountains that metals and minerals form themselves, which would not propagate so well in low and level countries, for want of necessary moisture. Mountains serve also to shelter us from blasts of the cold and cutting north and east winds. They are the fosterers of the most exquisite vines, and their bosoms con. tain precious stones. They are, in a manner, the bulwarks of nature, to guard countries from the fury of seas and tempests; and, like ramparts and natural fortifications, they defend several states from the invasion of enemies, and the ambition of conquerors. They perhaps preserve the ba lance of our globe. It is true that some of those mountains are dangerous and formidable. They occasion many shocks and earthquakes, and the volcanos spread flames and destruction all around. But we must consider, that, as sulphur, saltpetre, and other minerals, not only contribute greatly to the fertility of the earth, but are also necessary to the life and moistening of all sorts of plants, it was proper there should be a kind of universal magazine, where these materials should be deposited, in order to be afterwards scattered by the winds over the whole earth. And though there should be some inconvenience from them, they cannot furnish any reasonable objections against the wisdom and goodness of God, since the blessings we derive from them are infinitely

no

superior to the evils they occasion. In this re spect, then, we have no reason to complain of the contrivance of our globe. If there were mountains, we should be deprived of several sorts of stones and fossils. There would be no rivers, no springs, no lakes. The sea itself would become a stagnating marsh. We should want a great number of the finest and most slutary plants, and several sorts of animals. The priva tion of one single thing in nature might be sufficient to make our lives sad and miserable. Let us therefore conclude, that mountains, as well as every other part of it, prove the wisdom, power, and goodness of the Creator.

Lord God Almightly, I adore thee, and I ac. knowledge, with the most profound veneration, the wonders of thy wisdom. Every thing that exists, every thing Thou hast created, from the smallest grain of sand to the highest mountain, combines, and is in harmony with each other; and full of benefit to thy creatures. On the heights, as well as in deep places, on mountains and in vales, above and below the earth, Thou shewest thyelf the Magnificent Benefactor of thy

creatures.

FEB. XXIX.

Motives for Confidence in God.

WHEN I reflect on the infinite perfections which are manifested in the plan of the universe, and on the manner in which God conducts and governs it, my confidence in Him must necessarily increase and strengthen more and more. How easy ought I to be, in regard to my life, since it it is in the hands of that great Being, of whose power, wisdom, and goodness, I have as many proofs as there are creatures in my sight? What wishes can I form for my happiness, which may

not be fulfilled by that God, whose unlimited power has been able to raise out of nothing so many millions of worlds? Are there any troubles, sorrows, or difficulties, from which I may not be happily drawn, by that infinite wisdom which has spread the heavens, and formed every creature in so wonderful a manner? What can hinder me from committing my way unto the Lord? What can prevent me from having recourse to him, in all my troubles and distresses, and from hoping that he will hear my prayer? It is true that I am but a very weak creature; I am lost in the vast multitude of his works; and when I represent to myself his greatness, and the infinite extent of his government, I often say to myself, Who am I, to dare to hope that this great Being will always listen to me, and that he will deign to cast his eyes on me, every time in my troubles, that I may have recourse to him? But, on the other hand, I comfort myself, when I consider that his greatness, his majesty, and the government of so many millions of worlds, does not hinder him from extending his cares to the smallest worm: why then may he not give some attention to me, who, though insignificant, have received from him, both as a man, and as a Christian, prerogatives mach superior to other creatures? Here my conscience strikes me, and reproaches me with being a sinner, with having, a thousand and a thousand times, wilfully transgressed the commands of my Creator and Master; and from thence being, without comparison, more unworthy of his goodness than the lowest creatures, since they, at least, have not offended him, nor ever could be guilty of sin towards him. My conscience represents the justice of God to me, in as strong colours as the whole world paints to me his power and goodness. It makes me apprehend he may use his power, in giving me as a terrible example of his vengeance

to the whole earth; and it is true, wherever I turn my eyes, I can no where find relief from these dreadful thoughts, to quiet my agitated mind, or give me a just subject of consolation. But it is here that the salutary truths of the gospel come to my assistance. Eternal thanks to thee, O merciful Redeemer, for it. The knowledge of God, which, without Thee, could not bat trouble and affright me, is become, by thy suffer. ings and death, a source of joy and comfort to my soul. It is only through Thee that I can look up to this God, whose greatness all the world proclaims; that I can, I say, look up to him as a Father, put my trust in him, and hope that he will grant me happiness, not only in this life, but to all eternity.

MARCH I.

An Invitation to Contemplate God in the Works of Nature.

O YE who adore with me the Lord, by whom the heavens and the earth were made, come and reflect on his works! Behold the wonders he has done! Acknowledge, and have a lively sense of his mercies! Of all the knowledge we can ac quire, this is the most important, the most easy and agreeable. We could dispense with many sciences which we take such pains to learn; but the knowledge of God and his works is absolutely necessary, if we wish to fulfil the end of our creation; and by that means secure our happiness here and hereafter. We do well, undoubtedly, to seek to know God, such as he has revealed himself to us in his divine word: but we shall not receive that revelation with an entire conviction of heart, if we do not join to it this other revelation, by which he has made himself manifest to