The Moon. it probable, that the surface of a body, of some hundreds of thousands of square miles, should be destitute of living creatures? Would the infinite Being have left that immense space, an empty desert? Certainly, this cannot be consistent with the wisdom and goodness of God. Let us rather believe, that the Lord has established his empire in that planet, as well as among us. There, without doubt, are found an innumerable multitude of creatures, who adore, with us, the same Lord, and the same Father? who are, as we are, the objects of his providential care, and for whose happiness God provides with the same goodness as for ours. But, as our knowledge, in this respect, is very imperfect: let us confine ourselves to the advantages which our globe derives from the Moon. In this we shall discover the tender care of a wise Providence, manifested in a very striking manner. He has placed the Moon so near us, that it reflects more light upon the earth, than all the fixed stars together. By this he not only affords us a pleasing object, but also a thousand conveniencies and advantages; for, by the light of the Moon we may undertake journies, go wheresoever our necessities may call us, prolong our labours, and dispatch much of our business, during the night. Besides, in what confusion and embarrassment should we be, in respect to the division of time, were it not for that regularity with which the phases of the Moon succeed each other! It is true, that the calculations of astronomy save us the trouble, in this respect, of observing the variations of this planet; but none of the conveniencies, which the use of almanacs afford Rain moistens and fertilizes the Earth. us, could exist, if observation had not been made on the course of the Moon. Lord God Omnipotent! I adore thy wisdom and goodness, in the light of the Moon, as in that of the Sun. The more I contemplate the heavens, which thou hast formed, the more thy grandeur fills me with astonishment and admiration. Grant, Lord, that I may lift up the eyes of my understanding to thee, far above all terrestrial objects! To thee, who hast created all these globes, and hast so wisely arranged them for our benefit! Let the starry heavens which illuminate our winter nights, announce thy Soverign Majesty, and the immense extent of thy empire! O when shall I arrive in that blessed abode, where, with unveiled face, I shall contemplate the glories and wonders of thy grace! FEBRUARY XVII. RAIN MOISTENS AND FERTILIZES THE EARTH. THE fertility of the earth depends principally on the humidity which it receives from Rain, and other aqueous vapours. If the water of the fields were left to the care of man, it would be an endless toil; and, in spite of all his labours, drought and famine would desolate the whole. In vain should men unite their strength; it would not be sufficient to water what their hands had sowed and planted. They might drain out the wells and rivers, without being able to saturate Rain, moistens and fertilizes the Earth. the earth, and reanimate the vegetables, which otherwise would languish and die. How necessary then is it, that the vapours should be suspended in the clouds, and that afterwards, by the agitation of the winds, they might descend upon the earth, and water both trees and plants! Every shower enriches the earth, without which it would soon have a dismal and withered appearance. The treasures which the surface bestows so liberally upon us, are beyond all comparison more valuable, than all the metals and precious stones, which its bowels contain. Civil society might very well subsist, without gold or silver; but not without corn, vegetables, and pasture. Let us reflect on the inexpressible blessings, which the Rain produces on our globe; a timely shower renews the face of the earth; and it has still more strength and influence than the dew, which, during the night moistens the grass, and the leaves. The furrows of the fields drink in greedily the refreshing rains which fall upon them. The prolific principles develope themselves in the seeds, and second the labour of the husbandman. The farmer labours; he sows, he plants, and God gives the increase. Man does what belongs to him: and what is beyond his power, the Lord himself performs. In winter, he covers the seeds as with a garment: in summer, he warms and vivifies them by the rays of the sun, and by the showers. He crowns the year with his goodness; and causes his blessings so to succeed each other, that men are not only nourished, but have their hearts filled with joy and gladness. Rain, moistens and fertilizes the Earth. The divine blessing rests, not only on the tilled land, but also on the fields and pastures of the desert. Even those countries, which are abandoned by man, and from which no person derives any direct advantage, are objects of Providential care; and such is the goodness of God, that even the little hills and the mountains are girded with joy, and adorn themselves before us with smiling verdure. Psa. xlv. 12. The Showers do not fall upon them in vain: for, though they no not produce fruit for our nourishment; they are, nevertheless, vast reservoirs of water for our earth; and they yield a great variety of wholesome plants and simples, good for the health of man, and serviceable for the nourishment of other animals. Let us never forget the good which the Lord has wrought. How often, especially during the course of this month, does God water the earth by his showers? But how seldom do we think as we ought on the greatness of his benefits! Let us endeavour to consider its worth, and reflect, how all nature would be a gloomy and barren desert, if the heavens were as brass, and the earth iron! All plants and trees would perish; all living creatures would faint: we should respire death with the air; and all rivers and brooks would be dried up. But, as often as the showers water the earth, so' often we receive fresh proofs of the divine goodness. And yet we complain and murmur, when the wintry rains are abundant, and of long duration! We have even sometimes the rashness to censure the government of God! Rather let us bless the Creator, for every shower which he sends down upon our earth : Winter presents us with Emblems of Death. let us feel and celebrate his goodness towards us. "By his command the seasons are renewed, and follow each other in regular succession. For our sakes the rain falls upon and fertilizes the earth. God opens his liberal hand to do good to mankind. His blessing descends upon our fields, and diffuses peace and gladness around. Let us therefore adore our Creator, and sing to his honour hymns of praise and thanksgiving. What has he not already done for us! and what may we not expect from his goodness! FEBRUARY XVIII. WINTER PRESENTS US WITH EMELEMS OF DEATH. WE require continual warnings to induce us to think on the end of our days. It is natural for us to turn away our eyes from the prospect of death; and were this not the case, there are many avocations, and many dissipations, which do not permit us to reflect on our end; or which render the thought of death ineffectual. It is, nevertheless, necessary for our repose and comfort, to think frequently of this great event, that its terror may be diminished. In this respect, the present season may be profitable; we may consider as emblems of death, several objects which now present themselves to our eyes. Nature is now deprived of that beauty, and those charms with which it was adorned during the summer. The fields and gardens where we walked with so |