ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SECOND EDITION.

IN a short time after the publication of the first edition of this translation, the whole impression (by no means a small one) was sold off. The increasing demand for the work proved that it had received a large portion of the public approbation in consequence of which the translator was encouraged to revise and correct the whole, and commit it a second time to the press. With much gratitude to the Fountain of wisdom and goodness, he rejoices in being able to state, that the work has been the means of diffusing correct notions of God and his works through a vast mass of the people, who, previous to their reading it were comparatively unacquainted with both. Even ploughmen and mechanics have become philosophers; and the philosophy they learned from Sturm, they have found to be the handmaid of divinity: by both they have been led to give glory to God in the highest, and to endeavour to promote peace and good will among men.

The translator hopes that this new edition will not be less favourod with the Divine blessing and as it is accurately revised and corrected throughout, he has no doubt but it will still meet with that approbation which was so liberally bestowed on it at its first appearance; and of which its present improved state renders it still more deserving.

ADAM CLARKE.

THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE TO THE THIRD

GERMAN EDITION.

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MORE than a hundred years have elapsed since the pious SCRIVER published a work entitled, Occasional Meditations on the Works of nature and Art. I make no scruple to declare, that I value this work highly, and prefer it to a multitude of modern books of devotion, which are equally destitute of taste and accuracy. It is true, that in some respects, the form and style of Scriver's work are unsuitable to the refined taste of the present age; yet it has a number of advantages, well calculated to compensate the reader for any faults he may find in it. The author's zeal for practical religion, his manly sense, his comprehensive knowledge of the works of nature and art, and the pains he took to adapt his language to the apprehension of illiterate people, are advantages which are rarely found in any book of devotion, either of the past or present century.

It was the esteem I always had for Scriver's work which first inspired me with the desire to compose one similar to it. I had a twofold design in writing Meditations on the Works of God in the Kingdom of Nature and Providence: 1. That those who had little time for study, might find a treatise, pointing out whatever was most essential to be known, relative to the objects which God daily presents to us in the widely extended empire of nature. For this purpose, I have chosen out of the vast mass of natural history, the objects which daily surround us, the historical knowledge of which requires no extraordinary depth of capacity. I have endeavoured so to express myself, and to represent my subjects in such a manner as should at once render my work intelligible and interesting to all orders of Christians, the most enlightened not excepted. In endeavouring to accomplish this end, I proposed a second, viz: To show the reader how he may derive lessons of wisdom and virtue from the contemplation of natural things.*

In order successfully to accomplish these designs, I found it necessary to avail myself of all helps which the works of naturalists could afford me; I have, therefore, made no scruple to borrow from Buffon, Derham, Pluche, Niewenty, Sulzer, Bonnet, and other writers of this class, whatever was expressed with most precision and energy, and whatever was best calculated to give my readers the most correct ideas on the subject. I feel a pleasure in embracing this opportunity to acknowledge the assistance I have received from the rector, Mr. Lorenz, who not only composed some of the Meditations, but whose extensive knowledge in natural history has enabled him to furnish me with information, which I have endeavoured to detail for the edification of my

reader.

In this new edition I have made many corrections and improvements, which I hope will give it a new advantage over that spurious work which has been published in three different places, by certain rapacious booksellers.

I would gladly have availed myself of the improvements which the Swe dish translator has made in my work, had I sufficient knowledge of that language. STURM.

HAMBURG, July 24, 1784.

*In the advertisement to the first German edition, the author explains the motives which induced him to give his work the form of Meditations for every day in the year;-The motives were, 1. To provide a sufficient variety. And, 2. That the reader might be led to sanctify each day by contemplating the works of God.