"O let for all our grateful praise arise, To him, whose mandate spake the world to form : Yes, "Winter's healthful storm." Storms are at no season inviting to our feelings. A serene and clear, and pleasant sky is more grateful to human sensibility. But were this serene, unclouded sky, never overcast-were its tranquillity forever unruffled-how monotonous would be the scene, how lifeless and wearisome the unvaried temperature! But still further, how many noxious and pestilential vapors would be engendered, if "not a breath disturbed the deep serene." How debilitating, how unpropitious to mental and bodily health, would be the incessant prolongation of the once pleasant calm ?— Unless the hidden blast should arise, to drive resistless through this" deep serene" pleasure would soon yield to pain, health to sickness, and even life to death. Laying aside the storm, compare the invigorating influence of the general tenor of a wintry sky with the sultry heat of the dog star! How enfeebling the one to the animal system and to the soul that animates it; but how does the northern breeze brace every nerve, give tension to every fibre, and diffuse renewed life and health throughout the whole man. Look into the hot climates; do you not behold the region of indolence, where sloth takes up her abode by day and night—exhibiting her deleterious influence in the torpid complexion, and languid deportment of all around you? Next to the salubrious nature, and bracing effects of winter, let us contemplate it more minutely as a season of enjoyment. Various sources of joy does it provide to remunerate us for those which it removes. It debars us indeed the pleasure of treading the enamelled mead, or watching the limpid stream,-encrusting the one by its frosty hand, and forbidding the other to flow. But does it not in return, furnish a smoother and more rapid conveyance, than wheels,-and spread its icy surface for the sons of business and pleasure ?—Or if its tempestuous season drive us within doors, does it not surround us with the domestic circle, and give birth to the full play of the social affections ?--Now, the man of business, who in the long and wearisome days of summer must devote the hours to toil, and assiduous application, with scarce a respite for a hasty repast, may listen with unbended features to the prattling of childhood, or notice with delight the proficiency of youth. He may now find time to witness the smile of conjugal affection, and unite with heart-felt pleasure in the converse of kindred souls. Look too at the opportunity for improvement, which this favored season grants, by which in addition to present joys, we may provide a fund for those superior delights which will never end. Now the student may trim the midnight lamp, while scrutinizing, the precious lore of past researches into the depths of science-or enlarging his vision by fresh discoveries. Now too, exempt from the fatigue of the summer's toil, the pious may consult the book of God, and raise their thoughts from the creature to the Creator; or in the circle of congenial spirits tune the hymn of praise-send forth their hearts in acts of devotion to the Throne of the Highest-and anticipate the bliss of heaven, while preparing for its employments. Nor must we take our leave of Winter without taking into view the obligations of duty, as binding on persons in every department of society; and in every station of life, to seek improvement both temporal and spiritual under an opportunity so propitious. How opportune is the season for parental communications with their children, while the intercourse may be so happily prolonged! How gladly should they seize the favorable moment to impart a variety of useful knowledge to their offspring, and especially to store their minds with such lessons of instruction, as, practically regarded, may render them wise unto salvation! In return, how eagerly should childhood and youth covet the privilege thus granted to them, and listen with gratitude to the communications of those who truly seek their improvement and happiness! While this season, so favorable to mental improvement, and religious proficiency, is rapidly speeding its flight; will it not be as well to ask ourselves, what fruits has it yielded, and how is it now occupied ? That it has been a season of amusement many perhaps can aver. But can they with equal truth affirm, that it has also been a season of improvement? We object not totally and unconditionally to the former, if accompanied by the latter. The bow which is never unstrung may lose a portion of its elasticity; and the mind whose labors are never intermitted, whose exertions are never relaxed, may lose much of its vigor. But the nature of the relaxation, which any one allows himself, and of the amusements in which he indulges, are to be taken into view. Those which impair not our virtue yet impart renewed energy to the mind may be useful and justifiable ; but those which diminish our virtue and enfeeble our faculties, are censurable and criminal. Can the gamester rank his pursuits with the former? And do not scenes of revelry and dissipation, and even secret intemperance fall under the head of the latter? The married man is provided by his God with the pleasures which flow from the matrimonial connexion, and with the addition of children has an additional source of domestic happiness; or may occasionally repair to the social circle of relatives and friends, to invigorate the operation of social affections-and to literary or religious associates to promote his advance, in literature or religion; to which the unmarried may also resort. But what do the gambler, or the drunkard, but cut them. selves off from rational and profitable enjoyments, which a God of benevolence hath provided, for those of their own devising-which prove by the result, their wisdom to be folly, their enjoyment wretchedness. It should be with us, a permanent maxim, that all our enjoyments be innocent; that our very relaxations may contribute to redoubled energy in duty; that our very amusements instead of diminishing, may augment our virtues, and prolong our usefulness. It should be regarded as an established rule, that whatever eventually checks exertion, and retards improvement, should be avoided as evil. So far as this has not been the case, the high command from on high should sound in our ears-penetrate our hearts and arouse us to action. "" REDEEM THE TIME." We have seen how great opportunities God has given us at this season for our improvement, and verily its abuse will be at our peril. Have we heretofore squandered away these opportunities by spending our time in vain pleasures, or in unprofitable employments? let us see to it that we do it no more. To some of us this may be the last winter of our earthly existence; let us then in earnest set about the work of enriching the mind, the which is to live forever; and improving the heart, which may experience joy or sorrow, in proportion to its cultivation or neglect. noblest part of man, Let us press on towards perfection in every good disposition, word and work. Let us stand "with our loins girt about and with our lamps trimmed and burning, like those who wait for the second coming of our Lord;" that so we may not be left with bitterness of soul to exclaim, "our lamps have gone out"-but may "enter into the joy of our Lord," and join the spirits of the just made perfect. BELIEF IN THE BIBLE. Whatever definitions men have given of religion, I can find none so accurately descriptive of it as this-that it is such a belief of the Bible as maintains a living influence on the heart. Men may speculate, criticise, admire, dispute about, doubt or believe the Bible: but the religious man is such because he so believes as to carry habitually a practical sense of its truths on his mind. Cecil's Remains. |