MARCH X.

Hoar-frost.

AT this season of the year we very frequently observe the bushes, and other matters exposed to the morning or evening air, acquire a sort of crust on the surface, as if they were candied. This is what is called hoar-frost, which is merely the exhalations and moisture condensed and frozen by the coldness of the surrounding air. The dew which during the day has evaporated from the earth descends in the night, and in cold weather becomes congealed, putting on that white appearance we so often observe in a morning; and as the large bodies retain their heat the longest, we generally see more of the frost upon the hedges and grass than on the larger trees. The dew coming in contact with bodies colder than itself imparts to them a portion of its heat, the loss of which, if considerable, occasions it to lose its fluidity; when its particles condensed unite more closely, and form a slender coating of ice. In this manner our hair, as well as that of animals, is sometimes covered with hoar-frost; the perspirable matter exposed to the cold air becomes congealed, and this effect is produced. Thus also are formed the icicles we see hanging from the houses in winter: the water dropping down imparts the heat it contains to the colder air, and thus losing its fluidity becomes congealed.

MARCH XI.

Means which contribute to fertilise the Earth.

THE wisdom of God employs a variety of means to render the earth fruitful. At one time the opening

clouds shower down the rain, which softens and nourishes the earth; at other times, when deprived of the benefit of rain, a gentle dew refreshes its surface, and animates the feeble plants, languishing for want of moisture. Each season has its peculiar means of fertilising the earth. The snow, which, during the winter, covered our fields and our meadows, not only preserved them from the effects of the cold, but tended to their subsequent fertility. The frequent tempests in the spring preserve the purity of the air, dry the earth, and disperse the rain more generally over its surface: with each storm of wind and of rain the Creator scatters his blessings upon the earth.

We may safely affirm that there is no change in the air or upon the earth which does not directly or indirectly contribute to its fertility. Every season brings a succession of phenomena peculiar to it, each of which produces in nature effects, the beneficial influence of which is more or less visible. Even those plagues which desolate certain countries are only partial evils, conducing to fulfil the great designs of Providence, and from which advantages result to the world at large. Every-where, and at all times, we have cause to be thankful to our Creator for his tender cares and paternal solicitude.

"O Lord, God of times and of seasons! thy praises reach from the centre of this globe to the heaven of heavens! Our sphere rolls through the starry expanse; now blooming with flowers, and now wrapped in snow; here blushing with the vine, there covered with thorns. Yet it still celebrates thy glory, and unites its music to the harmony of the spheres. When the snow and the ice convert our meadows into desert places; when the hurricane gathers in the air, the thunder peals, and the lightning causes the hearts of men to tremble; when rivers, bursting their banks with one vast swell, inundate a country, and all the elements seem to combine and prepare for the final destruction of the

world; it is then thou art providing for the inhabitants of the earth life, joy, fertility, and abundance."

Here we may properly consider the means which God uses to fertilise the moral world. To lead men to a knowledge of his will concerning them; to inspire them with an aversion to sin, and a love for virtue and the practice of good; he sometimes speaks the language of gentleness and persuasion in their hearts, at others in a louder and more terrible tone. Sometimes he appals the guilty by the severity of his judgments; and awakens the indifferent from their slumbers by the force of their sufferings. He declares himself to be hardened and unrelenting, as he formerly appeared to the Israelites upon Mount Sinai, clothed in lightning and speaking in thunder; but the softer heart he gently leads from vice with tenderness and mild persuasion. I am a living witness of his divine beneficence, and I acknowledge, with praise and thanksgiving, that he has exercised all these means to draw me nearer to his presence. Sometimes it has pleased him to confound my pride by chastisements, and to awaken me to a sense of my duty by various afflictions and trials, which, whilst they softened my heart, tended to wean my affections from the things of this world. At other times he has visited me with his blessings, and his favours have descended upon me more abundant than the vernal showers. But what return have I made for these benefits? Have I brought forth fruit, which a good soil never refuses when cultivated? Alas! my heart rather resembles a rock, which the thunder cannot shake, nor the rain penetrate; yet I hope, O God! the time will arrive, when I shall become more submissive to thy will, and more disposed to obey thy commands. The longer I put off the hour of repent ance, the more my sins multiply, and the more difficult I find it to purify my heart: and I pray to the Almighty God that he will not leave me a prey to my own evil disposition, but that he will graciously con

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descend yet to bear with my weakness, and enable me to draw nearer to him: whether it will be my lot to experience hardships and misfortunes, or to pass along the vale of years in peace and tranquillity, I will bless the God of my salvation, and pray that I may not pass my days in indolence and vanity, but that I may be productive of good works.

MARCH XII.

Of the Advantages derived from the Sea.

A MERELY superficial view of our globe might give occasion to believe that there is no proper proportion observed between the earth and the water, the vast expanse of the latter seeming to accord ill with the accustomed wisdom and goodness of God. We think that we should have received more benefit, if it had pleased the Creator to have suffered the great space occupied by the seas and the ocean to have been solid land. Short-sighted and ignorant men! are you yet to learn that nature does nothing in vain, and that God has formed this earth with inconceivable wisdom and harmony in all its parts? If the ocean was reduced to only half its present size, half the exhalations which now ascend from it would cease to form clouds, in consequence of which the earth would not be sufficiently irrigated; for great part of the rain which descends from the skies is an effect of the heat causing an evaporation from the surface of the sea. Thus we find the ocean is the grand reservoir, which supplies the earth with moisture, and consequently with fertility. If the extent of the seas should be diminished, great part of the earth would become as a desert, dry and sterile, from the want of rain; and the sources of those rivers that depend upon the rain would be exhausted, The intercourse between distant

nations being cut off, or rendered nearly impracticable, commerce would cease; by which we should be deprived of many of the necessaries and comforts of life, besides losing that expansion of mind which arises from our knowledge of foreign countries, and an acquaintance with men and customs differing from our own. For it is an incontrovertible fact, that in proportion as the inhabitants of a country keep themselves confined within their own little territory, without any intercourse with foreign nations, they become contracted, prejudiced, and ignorant.

Let us then acknowledge, with gratitude, the wisdom of God in this beautiful arrangement of the universe; that the same medium through which we become acquainted with every part of the universe is the great source of all our treasures, whether in commerce or in agriculture, and supplies millions of people with their daily food and support.

MARCH XIII.

Difference existing between Animals and Plants.

THE difference between animals and vegetables is so obvious, that we can readily distinguish them by the slightest observation. The most striking distinction is the power which animals possess of moving from place to place, which vegetables do not enjoy. Another very essential distinction is the faculty of perception, which animals have in a greater or less degree, but which is not common to plants. A third difference is the manner in which they are nourished. Animals, by means of proper organs, have the power of selecting that kind of aliment which is adapted to their nature; whilst plants are obliged, without choice, to receive such as the earth and water offer them, or perish for want. By means of vessels they imbibe