of their life, how uncertain and transient the enjoyments here are? The riches of which we are so proud, make themselves wings and fly away, like an eagle, from the possessor, when he flattered himself most with a peaceable and uninterrupted enjoyment of them. The step from the greatest opulence to want and misery is often as sudden as the coming of a thaw after the severest cold. We might be contented with this, if our life and health even were not as transitory as all other sublunary things.

It is too true, however, that these sorts of reflections seldom occur to us, while we are in possession of earthly enjoyments. We are like those who, in a fine winter's morn, venture to go abroad, and set out without thinking of the sudden changes of weather, so frequent at that season. When fortune smiles upon us, and we are in the midst of joy and pleasure, we think we have nothing to fear; and we do not consider how suddenly the happiest situation may be changed into misery. And, supposing we have not hitherto had. an opportunity of making this sad experiment, it is certain, at least, that a time will come, when we shall be convinced by ourselves of the nothingness and frailty of every thing here. those who are at present in the spring or summer of life, winter will soon come; and they will then experience how transient those enjoyments are, on which they have depended with so much confidence. They will learn, that all earthly pleasures are like snow, which dazzles the eye indeed, but soon melts, and is no more.

To

Snow affords us another very important reflection. It reminds us of our weakness and want of power: What could all the industry, and all the force of man do, were they to undertake to remove

the

the ice and snow from the ground? God works this change with infinite ease: He bids the wind blow, and it thaws. Now, has not this God, whodoes such great things in nature, the same power in the world of spirits, and in the ordering of our destiny? He has but to speak the word, and our troubles cease.

FEBRUARY XIV.

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE CREATION.

THERE has been a time, when our earth and the celestial globes did not exist. God willed that they should be; and his almighty will produced the heavens and the earth. All was still a shapeless and confused mass, commonly called a chaos. In the first day of the creation, God gave motion to this mass, and separated the fiery and luminous parts. These particles joined together, and separated from the rest of matter, without, however, yet forming particular bodies. God called the light Day, and the darkness Night. Hitherto the fluid and solid bodies were still mixed together. God separated them. He collected the waters from our atmosphere; he caused vapours to arise from the earth, which, growing thick, became clouds, and formed that lower firmament we call Sky. These were the works of God the second day. The waters still covered the face of the earth. God destined the third day for the separation of them. The waters gathered together, in different reservoirs, while, on the other dry part, there appeared mountains, meadows, fields, valleys, forests, &c. Each tree and plant already bore its fruits, and all those vegetables contained the ne

cessary

cessary seed for the propagation of their species. On the fourth day God formed from that mass of light, which on the first day had been separated from the darkness, luminous bodies, to distinguish day from night, and to regulate the seasons of the year. Then appeared the sun, whose beneficent heat warms the earth, and makes it fruitful, and also lights us in the day time. As for the moon, it was formed out of the dark matter of the chaos. Till then, God had produced upon the earth nothing but inanimate beings. The fifth day was employed in giving existence to a part of the living creatures. God filled the waters with fish of different sorts and sizes, and he gave them bodies analogous to the element in which they were to live. He peopled the air with all sorts of birds; and impressed upon these beings the instinct of perpetuating their kind, to fill the air and the waters. There remained nothing more than to cover the earth also with living creatures, and God created them on the sixth day. He drew from the earth a multitude of wild and domestic animals, to serve as well for tillage as for the food and support of man. Finally, he produced an infinite multitude of insects. and reptiles. These animals, when God created them, were arrived at perfection. Every thing being thus prepared, the time was come for introducing man into the world, who was to be the lord of all these creatures. God then created the first man; and, as he belonged both to the intellectual and corporeal world, he gave him not only a body formed out of the earth, but also a reasonable soul. From out of Adam's side he took woman, and presented her to him as his companion. These two beings, by which God terminated his.

works.

works of the creation, were the most admirable master-pieces of his power and wisdom.

Is it possible to reflect on this history, without being struck with admiration and astonishment, at the infinite power and wisdom manifested in the works of the creation. On whatever side we cast our eyes over this great stage, we every where discover the Lord God Almighty, to whose immense power nothing is comparable. The heavens declare his glory, and the firmament sheweth his handy-work. All the creatures are so many proofs of his adorable perfections. They are the impression and image of them. It is only by considering creatures in this point of view, and drawing this use from the contemplation of them, that we become worthy to inhabit this immense universe. Can we possibly acknowledge the greatness and glory of God, in the works of creation, without being touched and penetrated with the most lively sentiments of veneration, love, gratitude, and perfect confidence? These are objects worthy of the most profound respect, and warmest affection. He is the fertile source of all that is beautiful and delightful in nature. It is the Lord our God, who is alone worthy of homage, praise, and adoration. This is the employment for which we were created, and to which the whole creation invites us. If we obey our Creator, if we endeavour to conform ourselves to the rules of wisdom and order that he has followed in the formation and the arrangement of the universe, it will be the best manner of praising him; and if, full of filial confidence, we trust without fear in the tender mercies of God, it is the highest mark of respect and veneration he requires of us.

FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY XV.

BODILY ADVANTAGES THE BEASTS HAVE

OVER US.

WHEN the bodies of beasts are attentively considered, we find they have many advantages which we have not. It is, in the first place, undeniable, that their bodies are more solid, strong, and lasting. Most animals are able, as soon as they are born, to make use of their limbs, to seek their food, and to act according to the instinct given them by their Creator. They are not subject to all the cruel disorders we are liable to, and which so often destroy our constitutions.

What wonderful instinct also, what sagacity and address, they shew in their motions, and in the use of their senses! How delicate is their smell! How subtle and piercing their sight! What agility and swiftness in all their motions, whether they fly or run! If we also consider the wonderful construction of their organs, their admirable make, the noble and majestic form of some animals, it will be found, that, in regard to the body, we have few prerogatives over them, and that they have even many advantages over us. There are some people who complain of the lot of man, and who are discontented, because God has not given him the swiftness of birds, the strength of the horse, the distinguishing smell of the dog, the piercing sight of the eagle, the fleetness of the stag. But, in truth, stupidity and ignorance only could give birth to such murIf we knew the full value of a reasonable soul, we should be sensible of the immense advantage we have over animals, notwithstanding their instinct and address. Why has the Creator given

murs.

to