in regulating the place of their situation, or moving them, as occasion requires, upwards and downwards, backwards and forwards, and in every way, directly and obliquely, according to the course of the muscular fibres. These muscles are susceptible of a surprising number of different combinations! cooperating with the former, the number of changes which must arise from the different degrees of force and velocity, and the infinitely varied order of succession in which they may be brought into action, are altogether incredible, amounting to some millions. These primary and secondary muscles give to the tongue an inconceivable variety of movement, and so quickly, that, in rapid utterance, they change its state three thousand times in a minute.

These general and scientific principles may be illustrated thus: the palate, the teeth, and lips assist in the pronunciation of words and letters. Let us confine our observations to the manner in which we articulate the six vowels, these having a simple sound. When we pronounce the letter A the sound is quite different from that we produce in articulating E, I, O, U, Y, even allowing that we speak them all in the same key. And this difference must ever remain among the mysterious wonders of nature. In order to articulate these vowels, the mouth must be more or less opened. The mouth of the human species is differently formed for this purpose from that of every other animal. Even those birds which are taught to imitate the human voice never pronounce the vowels correctly. Three of our organs principally contribute to

the articulation of the consonants, the lips, the tongue, the palate. The nose also assists in effecting this end; if we press it so as to prevent respiration through it, we shall soon be convinced of this. There can be no greater proof of the very wonderful construction of the organs of the mouth than the total failure of all human attempts to imitate the sounds it is capable of producing. The sounds of the human voice in singing have been imitated with considerable success, but not the articulation of words and the different vowels. Some organs have a pedal called "human voice," but it produces only those tones which resemble the dipthong ai or ወ. The efforts of art have been exhausted in vain to pronounce perfectly one of those little words which we utter so constantly and with so much ease.

upon

Let these considerations excite us to meditate that ineffable wisdom and goodness which God has displayed in the structure of every part of our bodies, and let it also render us sensible to the extraordinary privilege we enjoy in being thus distinguished from the brute creation. How melancholy would society be, and how much would our happiness be diminished if we were deprived of the faculty of communicating our thoughts by speech, and thus have the exquisite delight of pouring forth our hearts in the bosom of friendship! How unfortunate should we think ourselves, had our lot been thrown among those unhappy beings who are born dumb. We see many of these poor creatures around us, and yet, perhaps, we are not sufficiently grateful to God,

that, among the numerous blessings he has bestowed upon us, that of speech is included. Let us employ this precious gift, since such was the intention of our Divine Maker, but let us employ it properly; let us employ it in glorifying the Almighty, and to the edification and instruction of our fellow creatures.

JANUARY 22.

OF THE DUTY OF SELF-EXAMINATION AND EDIFICATION IN WINTER.

I INTEND addressing myself in this meditation to those Christians who profit by every opportunity which presents itself for their edification. I would remind these persons, that the days of winter are particularly propitious to such pursuits, and that they will convert them by this employment into days of benediction. Indeed I would also wish to point out the advantages and pleasures of this imperious duty.

How much would your piety increase if the successive changes in the face of nature excited in you those feelings of devotion which led you from the contemplation of nature's works to nature's God, whose glory is as clearly manifested in the season of winter as in the heats of summer. If you behold the earth covered with snow, the rivers swoln with ice, the trees stripped of their leaves, the face of all nature vacant and barren, think of the Creator's views in suffering this. A little attention will convince you that wisdom itself is the supreme disposer of all these events, and thus the law of Providence

works together for the general good of his creatures. And if from your weakness and the narrowness of your capacity you cannot comprehend the smallest part of the designs of God, it will suffice for you to know, that snow and ice and all the phenomena of winter contribute to the fertilization of the earth, and consequently to many of the future pleasures of those who inhabit it.

How many objects will winter present to you capable of exciting edifying reflections. You will see that in the space of a very short time the snow will melt, the ice dissolve, and the days glide away with equal rapidity. Should not these changes recall to you the uncertainty of life? You inhabit a warm room and you enjoy every comfort. These enjoyments should necessarily kindle in you a feeling of commiseration for your fellow creatures who possess neither food, nor clothing, nor fuel. How short is the space of time between the morning and the night! and does not this observation remind you of the shortness of life, and teach you to redeem the time and to profit by every passing hour? You see with what carelessness some people expose themselves to danger on the ice; do not they present to your imagination the frivolity of those unthinking mortals who yield themselves a prey to the pleasures of the world? And if you seek not only to amuse your mind, but also to nourish your soul, the objects of winter, if properly considered, will supply ample food for this purpose, and you will exult in every good thought, every pious resolution, every consoling sensation which they shall excite in your soul.

Imitate the bee; and choose, like her, the

sweetest flowers. To the pious mind the most barren field is rich in subjects of meditation.

The greatest advantages will result to the pious Christian from such an employment of time. It will enable him to triumph over sensuality, and to confine his wandering thoughts. He will have no occasion to resort to turbulent pleasures in order to drive away ennui. While others are seeking pleasure in gaming, fètes, and worldly pursuits, he will find ample and more noble amusement in the contemplation of God's works, whether he seeks it in solitude, or in the company of virtuous friends; for what can be so satisfactory as rising above all earthly pursuits, and imitating, though at an humble distance, the occupation of the angels in heaven. How delightful to behold God on every side of us-to discover his Almighty wisdom in the flake of snow, as well as in the flower of spring -in the frosts of winter as well as in the heats of summer.

And this delight is within the reach of each of us, at all times and seasons, provided we seek constantly for proper subjects of edification. O! may the powerful influence of the divine Spirit assist our weak endeavours. We would rise in thought to the celestial regions; but the world retains us in its chains, and holds us back. O God! deliver us from the ties that attach us to vain honours and pleasures, and take full possession of our souls. How exemplary will our deaths be if our lives have been spent in the practice of piety and benevolence! And how greatly will our joy increase when we