cles or fleshy parts, susceptible of extension or contraction, give me the power of moving in a thousand ways. In the mean time, as a machine, as wonderful as my body is, must suffer a continual waste, by its motions and functions, it was necessary, for the subsistence of the machine,' that its losses should be repaired; therefore, other parts, besides those already mentioned, were necessary; some to receive the nourishment; others to grind it; to separate the juices; to make these juices circulate through the whole body; and to distribute as much of it as each limb requires, &c. All those parts actually exist in my body, and answer perfectly well the end for which they were designed.

I bless thee, O Lord, for having made me so wonderfully: all thy works are admirable; and my soul takes a pleasure in acknowledging it. To thee be praise and thanksgiving: let the harp and the psaltery celebrate thy praise. I am one of the prodigies of thy power, O Creator and Preserver! My body, formed by thy divine hand, and every sense, witness thy glory. Grant that I may praise thee each time that I exercise the faculties of my body, either when I breathe, walk, act, or rest. May rejoice eternally in thee; and may my body be a temple, in which thy Spirit will manifest its presence, and establish its dwelling for ever.

JAN. XVI.

The Hurt occasioned by extraordinary Cold.

WIIY are we so ready to remark whatever inconvenience the laws of nature may sometimes occasion? Why do we dwell upon it, and murmur at it, while we pass so lightly over the many striking advantages it obtains for us? Men, in this respect, act towards God as they generally do to

wards each other. A slight offence, the least harm they receive from their best friend, or their bene. factor, often effaces the remembrance of the es sential services that have been done them. Their ingratitude and pride lessen the value of the lat ter, and make them consider the other as considerable injuries, It is particularly at this season, that the remark is necessary. Men are attentive only to the evils which the cold may occasion, without considering the good that even the frost may do to the earth; or, at least, without thinking of it with gratitude. If they discover the least harm; if any part of the great whole should be in a suffering state, they think themselves au. thorised to murmur against God, without considering that nature, taken in the whole, draws great advantage from the cold.

Let us now weigh, without partiality, the advantages and the evils which may be attributed to it; and the result of this inquiry will be, to convince us how little reason we have to blame the government of a wise and good Providence. It is true, that severe cold has its inconveniencies and troublesome consequences. Sometimes, the water freezes to such a depth, that it is impossible to make use of the springs. The fish die in the ponds. The rivers are covered with flakes of ice, which sometimes overflow, and make great ravages. The water-mills are stopped, which soon produces a general want of bread. The wood for firing fails, or, at least, becomes very dear. Vegetables suffer in many ways. The winter seeds freeze, if they are not covered. The trees and plants die. Several animals sink through cold and hunger. The health of man, and even his life, is often exposed to danger from it. These are some of the most striking evils which the se verity of the season can occasion. But how many winters do we pass without them! And though even some animals should sink under it, and some

plants perish with the cold, what is this in com. parison of the advantages we draw from it? Let us be more circumspect in the judgments we form of the ways of God. Knowing so little the connection between the things of this world; not being able to take in the whole extent of the chain of causes and effects; how should we be ca. pable of judging what is advantageous or hurtfal in nature? And would it not be totally unjust and unreasonable, that a partial evil should lead us to blame the whole? Let us confess our ignorance, and strengthen ourselves in the comfortable per. suasion, that there is much more good than evil in the world; much more cause for content, than subjects for affliction. And let us be certain that many things, which our self-interest makes us consider as hurtful, contribute to the general good. With this manner of thinking, we shall be calm in the midst of all events; and, whatever be our fate, we shall never cease to bless our wise and beneficent Creator.

THE winter days are days of rest to nature, In the preceding months, she employed herself in fulfilling the designs of the Creator, by labouring in the service of his creatures. How rich was the spring in blossoms! How many seeds it open. ed! And what abundance of fruit the summer has ripened for us to gather in autumn! Each month, each day, we receive some presents from nature. Is there a single instant in which she has not plea. sed our sight, delighted our smell, or indulged our taste? and, has she not often satisfied them all at the same time! Like a good mother of a family, she employed herself from the morning

to the evening of the year, in procuring for ns, her favourites, the necessaries, conveniencies, and sweets of life. Clothing, food, amusement, all has been drawn from her maternal bosom. It is for us she has caused the grass to grow; that she has loaded the trees with blossoms, with leaves, and with fruit. It is for us she has covered the meadows with corn. For us, the vine bears its invigorating fruits. For us, the creation is adorned with a thousand charms. Tired of so many cares, nature now rests; but it is only to collect new force, to be employed again for the good of the world. However, even this rest, which nature enjoys in winter, is a secret activity, preparing in silence a new creation. Already the necessary dispositions are making, that the deserted earth may recover, at the end of a few months, the children she has lost. Already the corn shoots, which is to serve us for food. Already the fibres of plants insensibly open, which are to adorn our gardens and fields. Here, again, O beneficent Creator! 1 adore thy power and wisdom. The rest which nature takes is not less interesting to us, nor less worthy of entering into the plan of thy wise providence, than the activity she shews in spring and summer. Thou hast combined the several revolutions of the earth. Thou hast formed the most intimate connection between them; and equally divided its rest and labour. It has been thy will that each sun should vary the scenes of nature, in the time and manner most proper for the perfection of the whole. If I have been so senseless as to blame any thing in the government of this world, pardon, O God, my temerity. I discover, and am more and more convinced, that all the plans of thy providence, however extraordinary they may appear to my weak reason, are full of wisdom and goodness! At present, that I see the earth covered with a mantle of snow which keeps it warm, I will

reflect on the good that results from it: for how could I promise myself flowers and fruit, if nature did not, at this time, enjoy some rest?-How could I chant the harvest hymn, if thou didst not already, under the snow and ice, dispose the seed to flourish? Yes, Lord, it is thou, who, in granting rest to the earth, enrichest man with a thousand blessings. And for me also, O Father! there will come a day of rest; a day in which I shall rest from all trouble, sorrow, or cares. Thou hast wisely ordained the time I should devote to activity. It is now the spring and summer of my life, which must be employed in the service of my fellow-creatures. The autumn will soon come. Grant, that I may then resemble one of those fruitful trees, which pours upon us fruit in abun dance. But, in the winter of life, when I shall be covered with grey hairs, and full of days, I could wish that my rest should be as honourable and be. neficent as that of nature in winter. How happy should I be, if my contemporaries should say, when speaking of me, that old man formerly devoted his youth to endeavours to serve mankind: His life has never been void of activity, of use, of benedictions: now, even his calm old age is not idle by his wise experience, he contributes to the happiness of his family and friends: he labours at least for the world to come, of which he will soon be an inhabitant.

However, the repose that I can promise to my. self here, is little else but a preparation for new troubles. O how I rejoice in that which awaits me in the grave, and in the bosom of eternity !--There, I shall enjoy an uninterrupted repose !--There, the remembrance of the sorrows and afflictions which I shall have got over here, will fill my heart with inexpressible joy. In the firm hope of that repose which is reserved for me, I will apply myself with zeal to the fulfilling of all the duties to which I am called, and will devote