Blessings granted us in Winter.

path which he shall point out, and to bless him at each step, because he leads me in a way so merciful and safe.

JANUARY II.

BLESSINGS WHICH GOD GRANTS USIN WINTER, TO WHICH WE PAY TOO LITTLE ATTENTION.

IF

we examine the works of God more attentively than we commonly do, we shall find, even in this season, many subjects which may lead us to rejoice in the goodness of the Lord, and to exalt the miracles of his wisdom. Doubtless, there are few people so insensible as not to find some emotions of joy and gratitude, when in Spring, Summer, and Autumn, bountiful Nature displays to them the rich bounties of God. But in general, the most sensible hearts seldom feel this sweet sentiment of gratitude excited in them, when they see the fields despoiled of their fruits and of their charms; when the North wind whistles about their dwelling; and when the icy cold benumbs the earth and its inhabitants. But, is it really true, that this season is so destitute of the blessings of Heaven, as not to be capable of kindling gratitude and piety in the hearts of men? Doubtless it is not. Let men only accustom themselves to be more attentive to the works of God, more affected with the different proofs of his goodness towards them; and they will find many o¤casions, even in winter, to praise their benefactor.

Blessings granted us in Winter.

Consider how miserable you would be, if during this excessive cold, you had neither fire, bed, nor clothing to keep you warm. See, with what goodness the Lord has foreseen your wants, and furnished you even in this season, the most destitute of resources, with the necessaries and conveniencies of life! Perhaps at this moment you feel the sweet influence of the fire: will you not magnify the Lord, who has provided coals and other fuel in such abundance, that even the most indigent can procure what is necessary? You can lie down in a comfortable bed; a blessing which every evening should excite your gratitude to God; especially if you consider that there may be many who through extreme want are not supplied with such a safeguard from the cold. You have clothing in such abundance, as enables you to brave the rigours of winter: if you do not consider this a blessing, think on the state of many of your fellow-creatures, whose chilled limbs are but half covered with rags. If they had but the half of your clothing, how happy would they esteem themselves! And will you not acknowledge the happiness of your state? Will you refuse to render homage to your beneficent Creator?

But this is not all. If it were granted to mortals to know the concatenation of causes in nature, how great would their admiration be at the wisdom and goodness of Jehovah! However incapable we are of conceiving a proper idea of the whole of God's works, the little that we can perceive of them will give us reason sufficient to acknowledge, that the divine government is infinitely wise and beneficent. Winter belongs to the

Blessings granted us in Winter.

plan which he has laid: if this season did not exist, Spring and Summer could not have so many charms, the fertility of our land would be greatly diminished, commerce would fail in many provinces, and a part of the woods and forests would have been created to no purpose. Considered in this point of view, Winter is, without doubt, very useful; and supposing that these blessings were not so evident, it would be sufficient to consider, that Winter is the work of the Creator, as well as Spring and Autumn, and that whatever proceeds from him must be good.

Supreme Being! powerful and beneficent Creator, pardon us, if through ignorance we have hitherto found fault with the plan which thy wisdom has formed! Pardon the ingratitude of which we have so often been guilty during this season! Yes, even in Winter, thou grantest us more benefits than we deserve; and more than we can express. If, to the present time, we have viewed them with an indifferent eye; if we have not understood their worth; grant that we may, at least for the time to come, be more attentive to, and more sensible of them! Henceforward, during this cold season, when we feel the sweet influence of the fire, when covered with warm garments, or when we go to our couch to seek the refreshment of warmth and repose; thou shalt receive our thanksgivings, O thou Preserver of our life! for the blessings, which thy liberal hand dispenses to us during the course of this

season.

(7)

JANUARY III.

THE DAILY PROOFS OF GOD'S PROVIDENCE.

Nor to acknowledge the footsteps of Providence, except in extraordinary cases, is to betray our weakness and ignorance. In the ordinary course of nature, a thousand things present themselves to us daily, which ought to fix our attention, and excite our admiration. The formation of a child in the womb of its mother, is as great a miracle of the divine power, as the creation of the first man out of the dust. And the preservation of our life, if we consider the variety of causes and effects which are combined to produce it, is not less miraculous than the resurrection of the dead. The only difference between these two things is, that the one happens but seldom, while we are daily witnesses of the other. Hence it is, that the former does not strike our attention, nor sufficiently excite our admiration.

Certainly, my own experience ought to give me the fullest conviction, that a divine providence watches over the preservation of my life. I am not sure of a single moment! A thousand hidden and unknown causes may shorten my existence; may freeze my blood, or stop my breath. Alas! I cannot but feel, how incapable I am of preserving my life, or removing this or that infirmity, or of shunning the various dangers which threaten me. Subject to so many bodily maladies, to so much weakness, to so many wants, relative both to my body and soul, as well as to my outward

Daily Proofs of God's Providence.

situation; I am deeply convinced, that without the tender care of my God, I should be a creature extremely miserable.

The union of my soul and body, their continual and reciprocal action on each other, are inconceivable in themselves, and do not depend, either on my will or on my power. The beating of the pulse, and the circulation of the different fluids, are carried on in me uninterruptedly, without my being able to contribute to them in the smallest degree. Every thing convinces me, that my faculties, my state, and the duration of my being, do not depend upon my own will. It is the Lord who, by his secret and absolute power, maintains me in strength, motion, and existence. If my respiration be not stopped; if my blood continue to circulate; if my limbs have not yet lost their activity; if the organs of my senses have preserved their proper functions; if in this moment I have the faculty of thinking, and the power of my reason, it is to God alone I am indebted for these blessings.

But why should I think so seldom, and with so little gratitude, on the daily manifestations of Divine Providence? Should not the reflections which I have now been making, be daily impressed upon my heart? Should I not, at least every mornining and evening of my life, meditate on the blessings of my Creator, admire them, and praise him for them? Is it not reasonable that I should act thus, and by this homage distinguish myself from the insensible brute, and from those other creatures which have not received