The Fog or Mist. feel all the grandeur of our destination. Blessed LuTHER! this thou hast done by the strength and grace of God. Thy memory shall be always blessed among us, and thy memorial shall be eternally precious! It is still too true, that as long as our earthly pilgrimage lasts, we walk in comparative darkness. The mist which surrounds us, prevents us from taking a clear and distinct view of futurity. Our ignorance, prejudice, and unbelief augment the darkness of our present state. May they be speedily dissipated! May the light of Truth and Joy speedily illuminate us in this valley of obscurity! Blessed be God, the way opens before me; and through the shadows which surround me, I get a glimse of the path that leads to a glorious eternity! Soon the clouds shall disappear! and I shall be transported into the habitation of light and felicity, where no shade shall ever obscure my view. "Then, I shall know, in the brightness of the Lord, that which, upon earth, appeared dark and gloomy. There, I shall perceive the wisdom and holiness of those ways of Providence, which I found incomprehensible here below. There, my soul, penetrated with admiration and gratitude, shall see the marvellous connection, and perfect harmony of the works of the Most High." FEBRUARY VII. THE FLUX AND REFLUX OF THE SEA. THE greatest part of the surface of the earth is covered with water: this is called Sea; and this immense mass is very distinct from lakes and rivers: Those contain less or more water, according to the seasons; whereas the Sea always contains nearly the same quantity. But it is observed, that the Sea ebbs and flows twice each day, according to certain rules. When it is found at its greatest height in any port, it begins immediately to decrease; this decrease or ebb, lasts six hours, and then the sea is found at its lowest state. At the end of six hours, it begins again to flow; and continues increasing six hours more, at the end of which, it is again found at its greatest elevation. Then it falls back during six hours, and rises again in the same space of time; so that in 24 hours, the sea has ebbed twice, and flowed twice: i. e. it has been twice at its lowest, and twice at its' highest state. This alternate regular motion of the waters, is called the Flux and Reflux, or Ebbing and Flowing of the Sea. When it retires from the coasts, it is called the Reflux, when it advances towards the shore, it is termed the Flux. The most remarkable thing in these tides, is, that they are regulated according to the course of the Moon. The Flux is greatest at the new and full moon; and least in the quarters. This motion is more considerable in spring and autumn, than in the other seasons: on the contrary, the tides are much weaker at the solstices. This phenomenon is Flux and Reflux of the Sea. especially remarkable in the ocean, where the water occupies a greater space: and is much less discernable in small and limited seas, such as the Mediterranean. The interval between the Flux and Reflux is not precisely six hours; it is eleven minutes more, so that these revolutions do not happen exactly at the same time thenext day; but three quarters of an hour later. The tides do not return at the same hour, till about the end of thirty days, which is precisely the time from one new moon to another. We may certainly conclude, from this regular and constant phenomenon, that the Flux and Reflux have a particular connection with the motion of the moon. But, without pretending at present to fathom the cause of this effect, in which there is still much obscurity; without deciding whether the Flux and Reflux come from the moon's pressure upon the waters, or the gravitation of the parts of the earth towards the moon, let us especially reflect on the ends which God has proposed to effect, by these remarkable revolutions. It is a pardonable ignorance, not to be able, perfectly to explain the order and laws of nature: but it is an ungrateful, and inexcusable inattention, not to reflect on the advantageous influence which these laws, and these grand phenomena have upon the earth: or to forget what we owe to the beneficent Father of Nature. The first advantage which the Flux of the Sea procures us, is, that it drives back the waters into the rivers, so as to make their channels sufficiently deep to carry vessels laden with merchandise to the very gates Flux and Reflux of the Sea. of great cities; and without this, the carriage of goods would, in many cases, be impracticable.. Vessels wait some time for this increase of the waters; and they avail themselves of it, to enter bays without touching the bottom, or to get into the channels of rivers without danger. After this important service, the tides diminish, and permit the river to return into its channel. Thus the retiring waters give others the opportunity of returning with more speed for other cargoes. Another advantage which we derive from this flux and reflux of the sea is, that it prevents that stagnation, which would lead to putrefaction. It is true, the wind also contributes much to this; but there is often a great calm on the waters; and this would beget putrefaction in the sea, which is the receptacle of all the impurities of the earth. God has then established the flux and reflux, to prevent injurious stagnations: the ascending and descending motion of the waters attenuates and separates these corrupt particles every where, which, without this, would speedily fall to the bottom. These reflections may naturally recal to our minds one circumstance, which has much affinity to the phenomenon we have now been considering. Life itself is but a flux and reflux: it increases, and diminishes: all is inconstant, and subject to change. Nothing is durable. There is no earthly joy, hope, or happiness permanent we swim in a rapid and inconstant river. Let us take heed, that we be not carried into the abyss; and let us endeavour to arrive safely in the desired and delightful haven. Let us thank God, that our dithculties and distresses cannot be of long duration. The Sun does not always appear. Long and excessive grief is as incompatible with our nature here, as constant and perfect earthly felicity. But, even these vicissitudes are incontestably advantageous. If we should enjoy an uninterrupted felicity during the whole course of our life, we might easily be puffed up, and forget God. On the other hand, a continual succession of distresses and misfortunes might plunge us into melancholy, and harden our hearts. Let us therefore bless our heavenly Father, for the wise arrangements which he has made in this respect; and let us endeavour to conduct ourselves in all the circumstances and events of life, in prosperity, as well as in adversity, in such a manner, as may be worthy our vocation, and the hope which we entertain of eternal life! FEBRUARY VIII. THE SUN DOES NOT ALWAYS APPEAR. THE sky is not always covered with rainy or snowy clouds. Sometimes the clouds divide, after having poured out upon the earth that abundant provision of water, which they had concealed; and then the most pleasing serenity is spread over the sky. The face of the Sun, of which obscure clouds had deprived us for some days, revives the various tribes of animals, and fills them with joy and gladness. During the summer days, we are accustomed to the presence of this beautiful luminary: but as in winter he very rarely shews |