And I can say, and say with thankfulness, that although I am one of the smallest in the kingdom of God, one of the least worthy among the children of men of the divine favour, and I do not say this from ́a mere fashion of speaking, but perhaps because I can see more of the workings of my own corrupt heart than I can possibly do of those of any other; yet that ever since that period of my life of which I have given a particular account, I have had such continued proofs of the divine favour, such assurances that all things work together for good to those who are brought, through the influence of God the Spirit, to desire to be made one with God the Son, that I would rather see the wife of my bosom, and every child of whom she has made me the happy father, laid low in their graves, than see one of them impiously desiring to separate themselves from that God in the union with whom all created beings alone can find that happiness for which divine mercy originally prepared them, and which (this happiness being lost to them through the malice of the Evil One) every divine attribute has since been exercised to render back to them.

THE BUTTERFLY.

PREFACE.

WHEN you read the Butterfly, you will understand one of the many beautiful lessons which God has taught us in the book of nature. But perhaps if you are a little child, you may never have heard of the

book of nature; and still, if you are not very young, you may not exactly know what it means.

The books which you have been in the habit of reading, are composed of words formed of letters; these letters are called characters, and various nations have different characters; so that if you had never learned any but what are called the Roman characters, which are ours, you would not read the Greek, or the Hebrew, or the Chinese, or the Persian cha

racter.

Now the book of nature is not written on paper or parchment, like the books which men write; but it is like a picture wrought upon the whole face of the earth and in the heavens, and the various objects of creation, which come to our knowledge by the senses, are the characters of this book. For instance, the glorious sun represents the name and nature of our blessed Saviour, and fresh flowing waters the influences of the Lord the Spirit; beautiful trees, bearing fruit, are the representatives of holy men, who, being strengthened and fed by the flowing waters, or influences of the Spirit, and warmed by the Sun of Righteousness, bring forth the fruits of good works.

I could say a great deal more of this book of nature, had I room; but I may hereafter, if it pleases God to

spare my life, give you a few more of my pleasant lessons, in which I shall hope to unfold more to you of this book of nature, of which the author is a divine

one.

It was on a fine morning in the lovely month of May, that Mr. Feild walked out with his children in a beautiful park which bordered on his pleasant garden, and afforded a delightful prospect from the windows of his house.

It was one of Mr. Feild's greatest pleasures to walk in an afternoon with his children, when their daily tasks were performed; and it was in these their walking hours that he gave them some of their most valuable lessons, taking his subjects from the many lovely and curious objects of nature which were spread before him, among the vallies and uplands, the lawns, groves, and waterfalls, which were inclosed within the paling of the park. Sometimes he sate down with them under the shade of a tree, or by the side of a brook, and sometimes he gave them leave to wander in any direction whither their fancies might lead them, yet always insisting that they should not go beyond the reach of his voice.

On the day of which we are writing, the park was more delightful than usual. There was a most pleasant odour of hawthorn in the breeze, and the tender leaves were of a bright and fresh green, millions of insects were playing in the sun-beams, rejoicing in their new being, and displaying their tiny wings of gold and purple, amethyst and sapphire.

"Papa," said William, Mr. Feild's eldest son, "I remember coming to this place one very cold day last

winter, and I did not then see one of these insectsWhere were they at that time?"

Perhaps God has made them since," remarked little Mary. "God made the world in six days, and it would take him very little time to make all these insects, they only look like so many small grains`of sand, with wings put to them."

My dear Mary," remarked Mr. Feild, "if you were a little older, I should say you were talking very foolishly. Do you not know that every grain of sand is quite solid throughout, and as heavy for its size as any other stone, whilst these little insects are as nicely and finely proportioned, and have all their members and vital parts as delicately, and even more delicately made than yours? And though we know that they are not immortal, and have no souls, yet they have their passions, and feelings, and interests like ourselves; and they have great care and foresight for their young ones, even before they come into life."

"How do people know these things, papa ?" said Emma, who was two years older than Mary, and did not accustom herself to talk so much without think ing as her little sister did. "Those insects are so very small, that we can only see them when they pass between us and the sun; how then can people find out their ways, or tell that they are made and proportioned so nicely?"

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By looking at them, my dear," replied the father, "through a sort of glass called a microscope, which makes them appear a great deal larger than they are. By these glasses it is found that many of them are most beautiful, and all very curious. Some of them are covered with a thick plumage, exceedingly fine and delicate, and enriched with the most bright and glorious colours. Others are covered with horny scales, such as were imitated by the ancient warriors,

and such as you have often seen in old pictures. Others are clothed with an exceedingly minute coat of silky hair, of most brilliant tints, some being all of one colour, and others shaded off, and blended with various hues, like those of the rainbow.

"The Almighty God, who created all things, has indeed shewn his inimitable skill in the forming of these little creatures, in a manner by which we are made to understand, that, if such delicate attention is paid to the myriads of insects, which live their little moment on earth, and then perish for ever; and if he can condescend to occupy himself in adorning and enriching these in such a variety of ways, and taking care for the support and continuation of each separate species, we can not expect that any action, or even thought of ours, should escape his notice. For what can be a plainer proof of that attribute of the Almighty, which is called Omniscience, than the care which he takes in creating and preserving the amazing variety of insects!"

But, papa," said William, "I think that you are using some words which Mary will not understand, and you have asked me to remind you when you use hard words."

"I thank you, my dear boy," said Mr. Feild, "for remembering so well what I have desired you to do; and in order to find out what Mary understands of what I have just said, she shall repeat it to me in her own language."

Why, papa," said Mary, "you told us, that if God can watch and take care of so many little insects, all at the same time, we can not think that he will not know when we do any thing naughty, or have any bad thoughts."

"Very well, my little Mary," replied Mr. Feild; "but do you know the meaning of the word Omni

scient ?"