We might infer it, in the first place, as we infer the existence of God, from the appearance of design. The same evidence which tells us there is a God, tells us of his providence. The same marks of design, which are so apparent in the various objects around us, are also discoverable in the changes that attend them, and in the order of events that occur. He who so manifestly formed each tree and bird and insect and plant, that spread their beauties beneath the summer's sky, as manifestly causes the regular return of summer and winter, seed-time and harvest. Of what possible use were the curious structure of animals; what wisdom would be displayed in the wonderful mechanism of those organs, that receive and assimilate their food, and convey its nutriment to every limb; what nice adaptation of means to an end, on which we are accustomed to dwell so much, would be discernible in the same complex organs, if provision were not made to supply each animal with its appropriate food, in the fresh productions of every year, by a providential management of light and warmth, of air and cloud, of rain and dew? Let even the winds and the vapors, than which nothing seems more capricious or unaccountable, be left to sport themselves without the control of a presiding Providence, and worthlessness might soon be inscribed upon the ruins of every thing here. Let them be left to linger in indolent stagnation, or cease from their commanded and ever-varying movements, and all those instructive marks of contrivance from which we learn the being of a God would soon be erased

from every fowl that flies, every beast that creeps upon the earth, and from man more noble, the lord of them all. The same designing agency, that gave to these creatures their existence, must necessarily be exerted to preserve them. And the same designing agency manifestly is exerted to preserve them. The earth, under the influence of seemingly lawless clouds and sportive breezes, brings forth for each animal his proper food, in its proper season. He finds for himself a plate ever laid at nature's table, loaded with those provisions which are suited to the constitution which nature has given him. The works of creation are not more designedly regular in the conformation of their parts, than in the continual changes that affect them. If by the one they prove the existence of God, by the other they prove his providence. The revolutions of the earth never fail. The harmony of the spheres is never interrupted. Chance works not with such regularity and adaptedness. It is God who bringeth forth Mazzaroth in his season, and guideth Arcturus and his sons. It is God who feedeth the ravens, and clotheth the lily of the field.

In respect to human affairs, it is true, that we are often confounded and confused, during their progress, in our attempts to interpret their ceive their relations and propriety. ness encircle the Ruler's throne.

purpose, or to per

Clouds and darkBut in the termi

nation of ages, we often look back with astonishment at the regularity in which these affairs have proceeded; we admire the wisdom that seems to have

directed them.

The darkest events become bright with the advance of time, the wildest confusion settles into order, the most trivial occurrences gather importance from their distant effects. The commotions of one people have thrown off their choicest and bravest spirits to form a new, a better, and a happier community. The cupidity and treachery of a ship's commander have conducted the few adventurous founders of a great nation, against their will, to the only spot where the foundation of that nation could have been safely laid. What seemed at first but a causeless, unmeaning and vexatious calamity, is afterwards discovered to be the greatest blessing, which the profoundest wisdom could have secured. And sometimes, on the other hand, an event so peculiar, so simple perhaps in its manner, so trivial in itself, but so important in its connections, and so apt in its occurrence, breaks at once upon the notice of mankind, that all are constrained, without hesitation, to acknowledge the agency of an invisible hand. A sauntering peasant or two wander into the path of the returning spy, just as his escape is almost sure, and save a great and growing nation from iustantaneous destruction. The Christian, the statesman, the warrior, the skeptic, and even the infidel, laying aside for a moment his infidelity, are smitten with one common impression, and all exclaim, "Behold the providence of God!"

But we are, perhaps, even more impressed with. this truth, by a consideration of the known character of God. His attributes seem plainly to inculcate

it. When we contemplate the being and perfections of him who made the world, and all things that are therein, without any attempts to deceive ourselves, or impose upon our credulity and maintain a theory, we fall insensibly into the belief, that he is still present to inspect and to control the works of his hand. We are made to feel, that a Being of such power and wisdom and knowledge and goodness, must have regarded from eternity, and still regards with a paternal eye, all the relations of every object, and every event, binding up the waters in his thick clouds, and gathering the winds in his hand, and leading all his creatures, and feeding them, with as much care and constancy as he led the wandering tribes of Israel, and fed them with manna in the wilderness. We cannot believe, that he, who is so great, so skilful and so condescending, as to create this capacious universe, with all it contains, however grand, however minute, has formed any one part of it in the mere feelings of caprice, without regard to its remote and particular effects, and thrown it carelessly from his hands, as a trifling thing. His own nature seems pledged to watch, and govern, and preserve it. His knowledge is without any limit. His omniscience must necessarily extend to all, and embrace all. His wisdom, which knows no difficulties, must be adequate, at each instant, to every purpose and every emergency. His power, which never fails, may be exerted without cessation. And his goodness, which is boundless, can never turn away with indifference from any object

which his omniscience sees, and whose wants his wisdom can meet, and his power supply. His dignity is surely not too high to notice any thing which it could condescend to make. There is here scarcely any room to reason; we are not left at liberty to doubt; the truth is almost an object of intuition. We cannot doubt the universal and particular providence of God, without limiting his faculties, and impairing his perfection.

In perfect accordance with this, is the common sentiment of mankind. Wherever there is found the knowledge of a God, there may be found a belief of his providence. The most ignorant heathen, -in this respect much wiser than some honored sages, have discovered in the changes of every object, and in every event, the marks of a presiding Deity. They see him in the dawning light of every day, they hear him in every breeze, they witness his movements in every storm. The distorted notions they have formed of his character, have not obscured the impressions of his directing agency, which their belief of his being, and the operations of nature are continually making upon them. Their ignorance, combined with the natural depravity of men, has often perverted into superstition the clear perceptions of reason, and filled their imaginations with airy fancies, and their hearts with groundless fears; they see through a misty vision, the goings of God, but have not lost sight of his footsteps. They have changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds,