Wonders of the Human Voice. In which are very surprising, we have very few advantages over other animals. But the prerogative of man consists in this, that he can compress the air, and modify his voice, so as to pronounce letters and words. The palate, the teeth, and the lips, contribute their part to this operation. Let us consider the manner in which we pronounce the five vowels, which have each but a simple sound. When we pronounce the letter A, the sound is quite different from that of the letters E, I, O, U, though each be pronounced on the same key. The reason of this difference is among the number of the impenetrable mysteries of nature. order to pronounce these vowels, the mouth must be less or more opened; on this account, man is formed differently from all other animals. Even some birds which learn to imitate the human voice, are never able to pronounce the five vowels distinctly. Hence this imitation is very imperfect. As to the pronunciation of the consonants, three of our organs principally contribute to it; the lips, the tongue, and the palate. The nose also contributes to this: let a man stop it, and he shall find that there are certain letters. which he cannot pronounce, except in a very imperfect manner. One thing which sufficiently proves, that the organization which renders us capable of pronouncing words, and is infinitely marvellous, is, that human art has not been able to imitate it by any machine. It is true, we have imitated singing; but not the articulation of sounds, and the pronunciation of different vowels. In several of those instruments termed organs, there is an air called the Human Wonders of the Human Voice. Voice: but it produces no other sounds than those which resemble the diphthongs ai, or ae. Aud all the efforts of our art have not been able to imitate one of those words, which we so easily pronounce. Let these considerations excite us anew, to reflect on, and celebrate the ineffable wisdom and great goodness which God manifests in the construction of every part of our body. And may these reflections lead us to estimate properly, the worth of speech, by which we are so advantageously distinguished from other animals! How gloomy would human society be, and how diminished would the comfort be which we derive from it, if we had not the faculty of communicating our thoughts by speech; and if we could not unburthen our hearts in the bosom of a friend! How deplorable would our lot be, if we were in the number of those unfortunate persons, who, from their infancy, have been deprived of the use of speech! Are there not several of these unhappy people among us! Let us learn from them, as often as we see them, to esteem our happiness; and to render thanks to the Lord, that, among the multitude of benefits with which he has blessed us, we have the gift of speech. Let us make a salutary use of it;-let us employ it to glorify the Supreme Being; and to edify, comfort, and instruct our Brethren. I JANUARY XXII. THE DUTY OF SELF-EDIFICATION IN WINTER. ADDRESS myself to you, who seek with a laudable solicitude, to get edification from every occurrence. I wish to recal to your memory, the obligation you are under to employ even the winter in this way, to the end that its days may prove times of happiness to your souls. And I wish to shew you, how pleasing and advantageous the practice of this duty may be to you. If How much would your piety be strengthened, if at each change, each new aspect of nature, you would endeavour to mount up to that God whosè glory is manifested in winter, as well as in other seasons. you see the earth covered with snow, the rivers frozen up, the trees stript of their leaves, and all nature empty and barren, think on the reasons which induce the Creator to suffer it to be so. With a little attention, you will at least discover, that all is regulated by wisdom; and that all the laws of Providence tend to the general good of the creation. And if, because of your limited understanding, you can only comprehend a small part of the designs of God; it will be sufficient to shew you that the snow and the ice, and all the phenomena which the winter presents, concur in the plan of the Supreme Wisdom, to fertilize the earth, and to prepare it for the comfort of those who dwell thereon. You will meet with innumerable objects, which will give you room to make edifying reflections. You Duty of Self-Edification in Winter. see in how short a time the snow is dissipated and the ice melted; and with what rapidity the days pass away! Is not all this proper to cause us to remember the frailty of life. You dwell in a warm chamt er, and you have every thing that is necessary for your comfort; should not these various comforts cause you to think on your poor brethren, who are destitute of fuel, clothing and bread? You observe how short the space is between day and night; should not this naturally lead you to meditate on the shortness of life, and give you to feel how necessary it is for you to redeem the time, and to profit by every hour you enjoy? You see with what imprudence many persons expose themselves upon the ice; does not this represent to you the carelessness and levity of those mortals, who abandon their souls to the pleasures of this life? and how many other objects in this season, may furnish you with matter for similar reflections, which may have a salutary effect on your mind? And if you seek not only to occupy your understanding, but to mend your heart, each of these objects may answer the end. And each good thought, each pious resolution, each pleasing image, which these objects have awakened in your soul, will be to you a subject of thanksgiving. "Imitate the Bee; follow thy taste, and choose the most beautiful flower: to a pious soul, the most barren field is rich in sweets." I can promise you the greatest advantages in such a use of your time. By this, your heart will learn to govern its distractions; and to triumph over its sensuality. You will not * A German Tetrastich. JANUARY XXII. THE DUTY OF SELF-EDIFICATION IN WINTER. I ADDRESS myself to you, who seek with a laudable solicitude, to get edification from every occurrence. I wish to recal to your memory, the obligation you are under to employ even the winter in this way, to the end that its days may prove times of happiness to your souls. And I wish to shew you, how pleasing and advantageous the practice of this duty may be to you. If How much would your piety be strengthened, if at each change, each new aspect of nature, you would endeavour to mount up to that God whosè glory is manifested in winter, as well as in other seasons. you see the earth covered with snow, the rivers frozen up, the trees stript of their leaves, and all nature empty and barren, think on the reasons which induce the Creator to suffer it to be so. With a little attention, you will at least discover, that all is regulated by wisdom; and that all the laws of Providence tend to the general good of the creation. And if, because of your limited understanding, you can only comprehend a small part of the designs of God; it will be sufficient to shew you that the snow and the ice, and all the phenomena which the winter presents, concur in the plan of the Supreme Wisdom, to fertilize the earth, and to prepare it for the comfort of those who dwell thereon. You will meet with innumerable objects, which will give you room to make edifying reflections. You |