for the preservation of the weakest and lowest of creatures, in situations wherein it would appear impossible to mere human wisdom. Would it not then be doing injustice to the wise providence of my Creator, to doubt his care of me, and to give myself up to trouble and anxiety about my sub. sistence? Certainly, that God who gives to insects and to birds their food in due season; that God who provides them retreats, and places of rest, in pits and rocks; who directs them to find their food in different countries; that same God will take care of me in time of need and distress. I have a perfect confidence that he will provide all that is necessary for me, even when I see the least likelihood of it; he will find me a place of refuge, where I may rest in peace.

MARCH IV.

Winds and Tempests.

WITH what violence the air is agitated! [lear how the winds roar in the upper regions! Behold, how the clouds gather! how rapidly they fly! what deluges of rain they pour upon the earth! How terrible the force of the winds! they tear up the largest oaks; they throw down palaces; they shake the foundations of the earth; and perhaps, alas, at this moment, some unhappy ship is dragged into the abyss, by the violence of the storm. The winds roar above it, and a gulph is underneath, and all around it, the waves of the sea rise mountains high. Alas! in what distress are those unhappy people! How they wring their hands! How they shudder at every wave that rises to bury them in the deep! Before the fury of the tempest abates, there may be some thousands of families ruined; and more still, who will be plunged into the greatest misery, by the death

of their relations and friends. But, why does the wise and beneficent Sovereign of the world thus permit the winds to spread terror and destruction by sea and land? Mad question! What temerity to dare judge and censure the government of a Being infinitely wise! Ought we not rather to reflect on his ways with respectful silence, and be persuaded they are always full of goodness? If whirlwinds and tempests make terrible ravages; if they shatter ships, or plunge them whole into the bottom of the sea; if they overthrow buildings, and destroy men and animals; have we a right, for that reason, to blame the government of the Lord?

They who calculate with so much care the mischief this element occasions, have they reckoned the advantages which accrue from it? Audacious mortals! Admire and adore the Sovereign of the world, who can even make storms contribute to the good of the universe. It is, in reality, by the particular direction of Providence, that, towards spring, storms and tempests usually arise. At the return of that fine season, the moist and mild air opens the earth, which had been closed all the winter. By this change of temperature, the air, which the cold had purified, is again filled with hurtful vapours. Plagues and epidemic disorders would soon destroy men and animals, if the air, by being agitated with storms, was not restored to its purity and wholesomeness. By that means, not only the vapours, which would otherwise stagnate, are put in motion, but also vapours of different natures being violently agitated, in every sense, it makes a happy mixture, more healthful to mankind, and more fruitful for the earth. Is it not, besides, a great advantage, that the winds serve, in some degree, as wings for the ships; and that these floating houses, laden with the riches of different parts of the world, can often, in less than twenty-four hours

make a passage of more than fifty miles? Thus, even in the midst of storms and tempests, the Lord is Benefactor to his creatures. Every time I hear the winds roar above me I will acknow. ledge his goodness, and think, with grateful re. collection, on the wisdom of his government, How admirable are his ways, even in respect to whirlwinds and storms! Thou, O Lord, takest the winds out of thy treasures: Thou bringest them from the extremities of the earth: Thou appointest the course they are to take: Thon settest bounds to them, and orderest them to be calm, when they have fulfilled thy designs:→→ Wherefore, then, should I be terrified or alarmed, when thou directest those ministers of thy will to execute thy orders? O my soul! though even the tempests should blow around thee, the rocks be rent, though a veil of darkness be thrown over all nature, and the earth should tremble, let nothing fright or disturb thy tran. quillity: trust in the Lord, and rest thy cares on the fatherly bosom of him who rules and governs the universe. He who directs the stars and winds, the course they are to run, can he not point to thee a path in which thou mayest walk securely? However stormy, then, my life may be in this world, does it become me to murmur at it, or to fear? No. That God who imposes silence on the most impetuous winds, can easily put a stop to the tempest of sorrows which threatens to overwhelm me; and, when the violence of afflictions shall have sufficiently tried me, I may behold a serene, bright day, and enjoy a perfect calm. Alas! how many, who are now crossing the sea for the good of society, are struggling with the waves, in trembling expectation of be ing in a moment swallowed up. I imagine their distress, while, safe at home, I listen to the roaring of the tempest.

Sovereign Disposer of all events, Ruler of the

winds and seas, deign to hear the prayers they offer unto Thee in their distress.

MARCH V.

The Aurora Borealis.

ONE often sees in winter, towards the spring equinox, a sort of transparent, bright, and varie gated clouds in the sky. From the north there appears a splendid light, which comes close to the other clouds. Lastly, from these northern clouds, there dart white rays of light, which reach to the zenith. This ethereal phenomenon, called Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, is still, in some respects, one of those natural effects, the cause of which cannot be very ex actly determined. Some naturalists suppose it to be a magnetic substance, which, accumulating and thickening towards the north, may shed a certain light at a distance. Others think, what is more probable, that the Aurora Borealis is occasioned by nitrous and frozen particles, which, rising in the air, and joined to the vapours and to the fat and oily exhalations sent forth by the whales, and other immense cetaceous fishes, which abound in the north, are lighted up, and made brilliant by that light, which the Lapanese almost continually enjoy. Lastly, some philosophers pretend, that this phenomenon is only the atmosphere inflamed, and a storm not yet come to maturity. The uncertainty in which the best informed and most learned men are, in respect. to this phenomenon, is very instructive to us. How many things do we see in the air, in the sky, and upon the earth, which are still mysteries, even to the very best naturalists? These phenomena ought to humble the human mind, whose pride and vain curiosity often prevent acVol. I.

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knowledging how limited its faculties are. A thonsand inconsiderable things confound the most learned in their meditations, and escape our en quiries. There are a thousand objects, which, indeed, we acknowledge to be planned with much wisdom, and to be very useful; but we seldom arrive at discovering their true principles, their purpose, their connection with the corpo. real world, and its several parts. However, this ignorance does not affect our happiness; and though, for example, we cannot exactly deter mine from whence the Aurora Borealis proceeds, we can live quietly and well without it. After all, ignorant as we may be on this point, and a number of others, we know, at least, that every phenomenon of the physical and intellectual world happens only by the will of an allwise, almighty, and perfect Being, who directs them for the good of the universe. We have no occasion to know more, in a life so short as ours; and this is, doubtless, sufficient to induce us to adore and bless him, who is the Author of things so wonderful, and so much above our comprehension.

But I ought also to bless thee, O my God! for not having been born in those superstitious and ignorant times, when whole nations were thrown into consternation and terror by these phenomena. This magnificent sight painted to their disturbed imagination whole armies, aud battles fought in the air; and they drew most dreadful prognostics from them. The Aurora Borealis was to them a prophet, which foretold, sometimes war, sometimes famine, and sometimes epidemic disorders.

But, for my part, I find in the mild and majestic splendour of this light, a sign of the power and goodness of God. I behold those celestial lights without fear; because I know that the Lord of heaven has not created any thing to be a torment aud misfortune to his creatures. And, perhaps,