"Why then shall my heart sink at the thought of the grave, or my mind suffer from the terror of annihi. lation? What is deposited in the tomb is not the only possession we have worthy of our regard and solicitude; it is merely the earthly tabernacle, which returns to its native dust, whilst the soul is incorruptible and endures for ever." From the continual duration of corporeal particles, we may rationally conclude that the soul also is im mortal. Seeing that none of our earthly parts can be annihilated, can we suppose that our souls should be the only created things which shall perish? Impossible! Sooner would the whole material world sink into annihilation, than one soul which has been redeemed by Christ Jesus should perish. ARPIL XVII. Advantages of Rain. RAIN is truly a gift from heaven, by means of which the blessings we receive from God are equally manifold and indispensable. Widely desolating as the effects of a continued drought would be to us, as extensively beneficial are the refreshing effects of showers upon the earth. Who can describe or even know all the advantages which result from them? Though we may not be able to describe all, we may at least consider some of the principal benefits afforded by rain. The heat of the sun acts without interruption upon the earth and the different bodies upon its surface, and continually detaches from them subtle particles which fill the atmosphere in form of vapour. We should inspire along with the air those dangerous exhalations, if they were not from time to time precipitated by rain, which, by drawing them down upon Advantages of Rain. 205 the earth, purifies the air. It is not less useful to us in moderating the burning heat of the atmosphere; the reason of which is obvious, for the nearer the air is to the earth, the more it will be heated by the reflection of the sun's rays, and the farther it is from the earth the colder it becomes. The rain which falls from a high region brings a refreshing coolness to those be low, the agreeable effects of which we experience as soon as it has fallen. To rain is partly owing the origin of fountains, wells, lakes, rivulets, and rivers. Every one is acquainted with what abundance these different waters are supplied in humid and rainy seasons, whilst during a long drought they evaporate and become dry. But in order to estimate the utility and necessity of rain, we have only to observe how the earth and the different species of vegetables all languish for want of the fertile showers, which, when they have fallen, produce new life and reanimated beauty. Rain is in some respects the aliment of vegetables, and without it they would all perish it moistens and softens the earth, which would otherwise become dry and hard from the action of the sun; it circulates in the minute vessels of plants and trees, and conveys to them those nutri tious juices which support their life and promote their increase. When it washes the mountains it detaches from them a soft, rich, and friable earth, which it deposits in the valleys where it falls, and thus contri butes to their fertility. Thus we find every thing is arranged for our advantage, and the whole earth is filled with the bounty of Heaven. Such will be the conclusion that every thinking mind will draw from the above meditation; and still more to excite the adoration and praises of the Creator, I shall add some other reflections inspired by the subject of which we have been treating, and which I hope will make some impression upon the minds of my readers. What spectacle is so noble as the azure vault of heaven viewed upon a calm serene day? Our hearts rejoice, and we regard it with admiration, till the thick clouds gather and darken all its beauties. This ought to teach us that however admirable were those charms which we had just contemplated with such delight, there are others which are infinitely greater, which no cloud can obscure or conceal, and which will amply reward us for the privation of every other. What then are all the beauties of nature united, in comparison of the lustre of that Being, the contemplation of whom will create the felicity of eternity, and form the chief delight of immortal spirits! If at any time we are deprived of those things which cause our greatest pleasure here, we are more disposed to search in almighty goodness for that joy and felicity which we could not find in the perishable things of the world. And often those very privations which we regret, are productive of essential good. The clouds which sometimes veil the beauty of the heavens are the sources of those refreshing showers which fertilise the earth. When misfortune hangs heavy upon your soul, and adversity darkens your horizon; when your days are passed in tribulation and sorrow; remember there is an all-seeing Providence, who regards you as his children, and in the midst of evil is still working your good. Let us ever cheerfully submit to the dispensation of a God, who never acts but mercy tempers his justice, and wisdom regulates his motions; and he alone knows how to distribute his benefits, and where to shower down his blessings. At his command the clouds come from afar to execute his will, and who else shall dare to direct their course? Let no one then show his folly and impiety in arraigning the wisdom of Providence, and disputing the infinity of God! APRIL XVIII. Of Respiration. RESPIRATION is the most principal and essential function of animal life: without it we could not exist; and speech and the varicus modulations of voice could not take place. It assists us in smelling, and imparts the beautiful florid colour to the blood, whilst at the same time it renews its vitality. But whence does this great source of life proceed? How is it that we breathe? The lungs are the chief organs by which we are enabled to inspire and expire the air. This viscus something resembles a bag, to the upper part of which is attached a tube, through which the air enters, and is distributed throughout the substance of the lungs by an immense number of minute ramifications of vessels. When the air is received into the lungs, the abdomen is distended, the ribs expand, and the lower part of the sternum or breast-bone advances forward. When we expel the air in the act of expiration, the abdomen is drawn in, the ribs are depressed, and the sternum retires towards the back. To facilitate these operations, nature has admirably arranged the internal parts of the body; numerous muscles are continually employed during the act of respiration in dilating and contracting the cavity of the chest. The structure of the wind-pipe is very remarkable; at the upper part the entrance is defended by a valve, which during deglutition closes, and thus prevents any particles of matter entering to interrupt respiration and destroy life. The lower portion of this organ is equally curious, whether we consider the branches of the wind-pipe ramifying through the lungs, or the distribution of the veins and arteries which accompany them, that the blood they contain may receive the beneficial influence of the air. Let us then bless the God of nature who has not only given us the faculty of respiration, but continues to preserve it free from interruption. How grateful ought we to be for such a merciful preservation, when so many accidents, without the protection of Providence, might destroy this source of life! Respiration is one of those blessings which we every mo. ment enjoy, which claims all the gratitude we are capable of feeling, and which merits our constant attention; for were we more frequently to meditate upon the favours we daily receive from God, we might be enabled to contemplate with more profit and delight the whole of the creation. And may the great God of heaven, in whose hands are our lives, our breath, and all that we enjoy, be pleased to inspire our souls with those sentiments which dignify our nature, and give us the power as well as the will to celebrate his infinite goodness, and glorify his name by the purity of our actions! APRIL XIX. Proofs of the Goodness of God derived from the Works of Nature. THE most frequent and striking phenomena which we see, either on the earth or in the air, have a mani. fest tendency to promote the advantage and the utility of the animal world. All that we see around us, above our heads, or beneath our feet, conduces to our comfort and to our pleasures. What is more necessary for the preservation of our life than food? and we find the earth every-where covered with alimentary matter. Herbs, grain, and fruits, the support of man and beast, are so abundantly diffused over the surface of the earth, that there is scarcely any part of it where |