MARCH XXVI. THE CIRCULATION OF THE SAP IN TREES. THE trees, which for several months appeared entirely dead, begin insensibly to revive. In a few weeks we shall discover more signs of life still. In a short time the buds will grow larger, open, and expand their precious blossoms. We have observed this revolution regularly in the commencement of each spring; and perhaps have been hitherto ignorant of the means by which it was performed. The effects which we observe in spring, in the trees and other vegetables, are occasioned by the sap which is put in motion in their tubes, by the air, and the increasing heat. As the life of animals depends on the circulation of their blood; so likewise the life and growth of plants depend on the circulation of the sap. To effect this, God has formed and adjusted all the parts of vegetables, so as to concur to the preparation, preservation, and motion of this nutritious juice. It is principally by the bark that in spring the sap ascends from the root into the body of the tree; and that even through the year, life and nourishment are distributed to the branches, and the fruits which they bear. The woody part of the tree is composed of small longitudinal fibres, which extend in a spiral line from the root to the top of the tree; and which are very closely united together. Among these fibres, here are some so very small and fine, that one of them, which is scarcely as large as a hair, contains more than eight thousand fibrilla! There are an innumerable multitude of little tubes, which contain the nutritious juice, and which facilitate the circulation. These tubes Circulation of the Sap in Trees. extend through all the branches, and ascend to the very top of the tree. Some, conduct the sap from the root to the top; and others, bring it down again to the root. The sap rises through the ascending tubes, during the heat of the day; and comes back, by the descending ones, in the cool of the evening. The leaves answer the same end; their principal use is to concoct the sap; not only that which proceeds from the root, but also that which the tree receives externally by means of the dew, the humidity of the air, and the rain. This nutritious juice is distributed through every part of the tree; but it could not ascend by the tubes, if they were not open at the top: and it is through these pores that the watery parts of the juice evaporate; while the oily, sulphureous, and earthy particles are united together, to nourish the tree, to be transformed into its substance, and to give it a continual increase. If the juices cease to flow; if the circulation be obstructed; if the internal organization of the tree be injured, either by intense cold, frost, old age, a wound, or other external injury, the tree dies. After these reflections, can we in this season behold trees with the same indifference as formerly? Can the change which is about to take place in them be unworthy of our attention? And can we observe the renovation of Nature, without thinking of that God, who has given life to all his creatures; who provides juices suitable to the trees; who communicates to the sap the power to circulate in the vessels; and to distribute nourishment, life, and growth to the trees? Alas! we are a full proof, that it is possible to see these things Our Ignorance of Futurity. every year, and yet to pay no proper attention to them. For many years, at the return of spring, we have had the opportunity of observing this vivifying power, which shews itself in plants and in trees: but we have paid as little attention to it as the beasts which graze on the plains. And, what is yet more astonishing is, that we have been equally inattentive to the preservation of our own lives, to the growth of our bodies, and the circulation of our blood! As we have the happiness of seeing another new spring; may we reflect on it in a more rational and Christian manner! May we recollect, that God is nigh to us in every part of his works; and that each of his creatures proclaims his magnificence! But all our wishes will be fruitless, if the Lord himself who is the God of all grace, do not incline our hearts to know and glorify his great name. While Nature is reanimated, grant O God, that our souls may be quickened by thy Spirit! Let this new existence which all the vegetables receive in this beautiful season, be the signal which shall cause us to awake from our slumber, and excite us to walk before thee in holiness; to lead a life of spiritual activity, agreeable to thy will: and duly to feel and worthily to magnify thy power and goodness! May this be the sacrifice which our souls shall present unto thee in these days, which give us such bright prospects of future good! Amen. IF MARCH XXVII. OUR IGNORANCE OF FUTURITY. F we are ignorant of future events, we must not seek the cause in the nature of our souls only, whose Our Ignorance of Futurity. faculties are so very limited; but also in the express and infinitely wise purpose of the Creator. He knew the strength of man, and would not give him more knowledge than he was able to bear.-Knowledge is to the soul, what the light of the sun is to the eyes: too great a splendor would be injurious, without being useful. It would be very dangerous to the virtue of men, if they had the faculty of foreseeing what should happen to them. For, external circumstances have always some influence on our mode of thinking, on-the- purposes of our minds. Thus, the more future events should be known to us, the more temptations we should have to surmount; and the more we should fear for our virtue. How miserable would man be, could he see into futurity! Let us suppose that future events should all be pleasant and prosperous; so long as we do not see that greater happiness which awaits us; so long we enjoy with pleasure and comfort the present advantages which we possess. But, draw back the curtain, and give man a pleasing prospect into futurity; and he will immediately cease to enjoy his present blessings. He will be no longer contented, happy or thankful. He would anxiously and impatiently wait for those Blessings designed for him; and his days would be spent one after the other, without being enjoyed. But suppose, that future events were to be gloomy and afflictive;—we should feel all their misery from the time we foresaw them. The days which might have been spent agreeably in peace and tranquillity, if the future had not been known to us, would be consumed in depression of mind through the dreary expectation of a certain evil. In a word, the idea of the misfortunes which awaited us, Our Ignorance of Futurity. would prevent us from enjoying our present happiness; and render us insensible to the blessings we now possess. How wise and good is God, to have hidden the future from our view; and only to have given us a knowledge of our lot by degrees, as the intended events occur! Let us never desire to anticipate the happiness which await us; nor feel the weight of our misfortunes before they arrive. On the contrary, let us as often as we think of futurity, thank God that our ignorance of it saves us from so many inquietudes, anxieties, and fears. And why should we wish to see through the veil that hides the future from our eyes? If we be certain of our reconciliation to God through the Redeemer, we may rest assured, that all future events, whether prosperous or adverse, shall infallibly work together for our good. And is it not a reconciled and gracious God who directs all events, and who regulates the future? He sees at one glance the whole course and circumstances of our lives; not only that portion which is already past; but all that is before us, even into the abyss of eternity. When we lie down to sleep, let us commend ourselves to the care of our heavenly Father, without being disturbed about what may happen during the night. When we awake, let us commit our bodies, souls, and concerns into his hands, without being anxious about the events which may mark the day. In the midst of the dangers which surround us, and the dangers which threaten us, let us remember the goodness of God, and trust in him; and he will either turn them aside, or turn them to our advantage. And although we know not what evils await us in future, we need have no anxiety on that account; God knows all, and will |