them; and yet these are so multiplied, that from the fly to the elephant they form one vast chain, all the links of which are connected. On the seas, lakes, and rivers, upon the surface of the earth and within its bosom, there is scarcely any space that is not occupied by some living creature.

But however great may appear the number of creatures which come under our observation, it is not to be compared with those which are so small as to elude our perception. With the microscope almost incredible discoveries have been made, of which all who choose may convince themselves. By its means we are presented with a new world, which was before entirely unknown to us: we there see living creatures whose extreme minuteness the imagination can scarcely embody, some of them not equalling in size the millionth part of a grain of sand. And it is not only their number and diversity, but their beauty and delicacy of structure, which excites our astonishment. What nearly escapes the naked eye when viewed through a microscope has an inconceivable fineness and beauty. Brilliant particles which art cannot imitate glitter in a grain of sand, and particularly in some insects; for example, in the head and eyes of a small fly; and we observe in the structure of the most insignificant of beings the utmost symmetry and most admirable order: in short, we find millions of creatures so small that the eye cannot distinguish them without a glass, which have, notwithstanding, an organisation as perfect in their species, and are as proper to fulfil the design of their creation, as the larger animals with which the earth is peopled.

Considerations. like these are well calculated to teach us the knowledge of our own littleness; we seem to be lost in this innumerable multitude of the creatures of God, which would amply suffice to declare his power, though the whole human race were swept into annihilation. How immense is the empire of nature! in every element are beings created

and preserved; every grain of sand is an habitation for insects which rank amongst the creatures of God, and are links in the vast catenation of created nature. The more we meditate upon the grandeur and diversity of the works of God, the more we feel the limits of our understanding, and our ideas are confused by infinitude. Though we add number upon number, we shall never be able to find a sum equal to the amount of all the creatures which inhabit the earth. Let us then in silent reverence adore the wisdom of the immeasurable God.

MAY XXIV.

Spring an Emblem of the Frailty of Human Life, and an Image of Death.

The

AT this season we need not search far for images of frailty and death; they every-where present themselves connected with the beauties of nature. design of the Creator in this seems to be, to warn us of the inconstancy of terrestrial things, and to check that dangerous inclination which we have to place our affections upon objects which being vain and transitory should be repressed. Spring is the season in which plants receive a new life, and in which many of them perish. However serene are the days of spring, they often suddenly become darkened by clouds, by showers, and by tempests. Sometimes the morning dawns in the fulness of beauty; when, ere the sun has gained the mid-heaven, the lustre which flattered our hopes of a fine day vanishes from our view; at other times our most favourable hopes are realised, and we enjoy all the attractions of spring in full perfection. But how fugitive are these happy days, and how precipitate their flight! Whilst we

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are eagerly courting their presence they vanish from our grasp; and thus fly the fairest hours of life, even as fleeting moments of spring. The morning often meets us with smiles, and promises us nothing but joy and happiness; but ere the evening comes, even before we have attained the noon, we experience the desolation of misfortune, and the bitterness of grief; woe marks our course, and affliction follows our steps.

Let us pause for a space, and consider the years of our youth, which we may regard as the spring of our life; how fleeting were the pleasures of our then tender age! Many and various as they were, perhaps none of them now remain. Where are fled those happy moments when, strangers to care, we gave ourselves up to the intoxicating influence of joy, and the enthusiastic rapture of unrestrained imagination? Where is now that gaiety of heart that was wont to sparkle in the countenance and cheer the admiring beholder? And where those roses which once bloomed in our cheeks? We now no longer feel the turbulence of pleasure, the enthusiasm of ardour, nor the rapturous fervour of delight, which were wont to fire our senses and intoxicate our souls. We remember those happy days no more, but as the illusion of a dream, or as some pleasing fantasy that plays upon the imagination, and suddenly leaves us in all the consciousness of a weary existence. But it is not so with those who in their morning of life looked forward to the time when to learn is painful, and again to grow young impracticable; who, instead of expending the ardour of youth in the pursuit of tasteless frivolity or hopeless dissipation, gathered with unceasing toil and unwearied assiduity the rich stores of wisdom, the enjoyment of which will ensure to them a measure of felicity, whilst the mere butterflies that flutter in the sunbeams are buried in the gloom of oblivion.

Every-where does the spring declare, in the expressive language of truth, the decay of life and the uncertainty of time. We now see the trees in the pride of verdure, adorned with their beautiful blossoms; but in a few days these will be no more. All those tender flowers, whose beautiful forms diversify nature, will perish in the same season that gives them birth. Like these, the period of human life is short, and its longest duration may be compared to a day of spring. Death suddenly closes our eyes in night, even when the crimson tide of health promised us the succession of many years. Often the cankerworm of disease is secretly gnawing the heart, whilst the countenance yet beams the lustre of health and the radiance of youth. Yet, though the charms of youth are blasted, as the glory of the valleys is sometimes darkened by the north wind, or as certainly as the pride of the garden fades; though we fall like the rose which blooms to-day, and to-morrow withereth; let us not repine nor mourn at our fate; but let us enjoy all the charms of spring, and the blessings of life, which the Creator has graciously bestowed upon us. The thoughts of death can never destroy the pleasure of the virtuous, nor lessen the delight of innocence and the enjoyment of purity. Far from filling the mind with dismay, and rendering gloomy the heart, the certainty of death teaches us the insignificance of all terrestrial objects, and leads us to repose upon the Supreme Being, in the hope of quitting a world where every thing is perishable, for the -regions of eternal glory and endless felicity.

MAY XXV.

·Spring emblematical of the Resurrection of the Body.

MOST of the flowers which we now admire, and which so beautify the earth, were lately rough and shapeless roots. This may present us with a beautiful emblem of the resurrection of the righteous, and the re-animated state of their bodies. As the roots of the most exquisite flowers, while buried in the earth, are destitute of form and beauty, but when in bloom have a thousand charms-so the human body, which in the precincts of the tomb is the object of horror and aversion, in the day of resurrection will experience a most astonishing change; "for what is sown in corruption is raised in incorruption; what is sown in dishonour is raised in glory.' As soon as the first mild days of spring appear, life and joy succeed the melancholy impressions excited by the rigours of the winter, and cause the chilling blasts to be forgotten. So will man in the great day of resurrection forget all his troubles, and no longer remember with pain the afflictions of his past life. Whilst in this state of existence, anxiety lowers on our brow, and our countenance often expresses the language of sorrow; but soon as the cheering rays of a new creation shall enlighten our souls grief will be no more; no clouds will obscure the serenity of our days, and a heavenly joy will gild all our moments.

Spring is the joyful season when the earth undergoes a general renovation; if in the winter it seemed dull and lifeless, it now appears altogether gay and attractive. Every object delights us, and we seem each spring to enjoy the pleasing variety of a new world. So also on the day of resurrection will the just man be transported into a new and delightful region. The new heaven and the new earth will be free from all the evils which now so often trouble us;