whose name is not in the list of those which death will remove out of this world? Now, I leave it to the decision of every one's heart, what they would have done, if, in the midst of their sleep, they had been called upon to appear before the tribunal of Jesus. If, in the course of this night, God had disposed of them, would they have been prepared to appear before him? O God, to whom all hearts are open, and from whom no secrets are hidden, what can we conceal from thee. We daily feel our weaknesses. Pardon our sins, we beseech thee, and enter not into judgement with us for them. JANUARY XXXI. REVOLUTIONS WHICH ARE CONSTANTLY IN ALL the vicissitudes of nature are derived from the invariable laws established by the Creator, when he drew the universe out of nothing. For five thousand years, there has been seen in the sky, and upon the earth, at certain marked periods, the return of the same variations and the same effects. The sun, moon, and stars, continue constantly the same course once prescribed to them. But, who is it that supports, that directs them? Who teaches these bodies the course they ought to take? Who points out to them the time for their revolutions? Who impowers them to move always with the same force? Who prevents them from falling on our globe, or from losing their way in the immense space of the heavens? All these questions lead us to God. It is he who appointed the circles they were to describe; it is he who who supports, who guides, and prevents them from confusion. By laws, unknown to us, he causes those celestial bodies to move with incredible swiftness, and with such perfect regularity that nothing can disturb them. Nearer to us there are, in the elements, continual revolutions, though they are not visible to common observers. The air is in perpetual motion round our globe. The water continues its course, in the same manner, without ceasing. The rivers run into the sea; and, from its broad surface, vapours rise, which produce clouds. These fall again upon the earth, in rain, snow, and hail: They penetrate into the mountains, and fill the springs; from whence rivulets become rivers, when they have met, and are thereby augmented in their course. Thus the water which had fallen from the cloud, returns back into the sea. The seasons last a limited time, and succeed each other, according to the order once established. Each year, the fertile earth produces again its plants, and its harvest. Yet, it is never exhausted; for, by means of the continual circulation in all the nutritive parts, whatever the earth yields is restored to it again. The winter comes at the appointed time, and brings the repose it has occasion for; and, when it has fulfilled the designs of the Creator, the spring succeeds; and this restores to the earth the children it has lost. The same circulation takes place in the body of every living creature: The blood flows continually through its several channels, distributes to each limb the nourishing juices it requires, and then returns to the heart from whence it came. All these revolutions lead us. to reflect on the Supreme Being, who laid the foundation of them at the creation of the world; and who, by his power and wisdom, has conti nued to direct them to this very moment. These are reflections worthy to fill our time, and which are particularly proper at the end of this month, Under the wise direction of Providence, all the revolutions which take place in the course of the month, are produced in the manner best calculated for the designs of the Creator. Each day the sun has cheered us; and, after having fulfilled its design, it has given place to the night. Each day the goodness of God is renewed towards us, in having made all the changes and revolutions contribute to our welfare. And now this month, with all its days, its hours, and its moments, is for ever passed away. It is impossible that the very same month should return to us, were we to live fifty winters more. However, all the wheels of the great machine, the system of the universe, will at last stop; the circular motion of the globes will cease; the springs of nature will be broken; and the days, the months, and the years, will be swallowed up in the abyss of eternity. Then, O Eternal, Unchangeable, and Infinite Being, thou shalt still exist; and, through thee, the duration of my existence shall be eternally prolonged. God be praised, that each month which passes, while I am upon earth, draws me nearer the term when my felicity will begin. FEBRUARY I. EVERY THING IN NATURE TENDS TO THE GOOD OF MANKIND. WE cannot be too sensible of the love and preference with which we are honoured by God's distinguishing us so advantageously from other creatures. Let us feel, as we ought, the great happiness happiness of being particularly the objects of his beneficent liberality; of being, in some measure, the centre of all he has produced for the manifestation of his glorious attributes. It is for us that all nature acts and labours in the earth, in the air, and in the waters. For us the horse's hoof is furnished with that horn, which it would have no occasion for, were it not to draw burdens, and to climb the mountains. For us the silk-worm spins its bag, shuts itself up in it, and afterwards leaves us this web so artfully contrived. For us the gnat lays its eggs in the water, for food to the lobsters and fish, which serve themselves for our subsistence. For us the bee gathers, from the leaves of flowers, that exquisite honey destined for our use. For us the ox is put to the plough, and desires no other reward than a little food. It is also for us that the forests, the fields, and the gardens, abound in riches; the greatest part of which would be lost, if they were not of use to us. For us also are designed the treasures the mountains contain. It is true, that we have, beyond comparison, more wants than the brute creation; but we have also, many more faculties, talents, and industry, to make every thing around us serve for our use and pleasure. Millions of creatures contribute towards our food, clothes, and habitations, and furnish us with innumerable conve→ niences and enjoyments. If God has created us with so many wants, it is precisely to procure us a greater variety of agreeable sensations. It would. be impossible for us to satisfy those multiplied wants, if animals had as many as we have; and it is in order that we should have plenty of every thing, that the things they require are generally such as mankind can make no use of. But it is not our food only that God has provided with so much goodness: He has designed to procure-us a thousand other enjoyments. It is for us that the lark and the nightingale sing; that the flowers perfume the air; that the fields and the gardens are adorned with so many different colours. Above all, he has given us reason, to enable us to make every thing contribute to our support and pleasure; to rule over animals; to subdue the whale and the lion; and, what is still more precious in another way, to take pleasure in his works; to contemplate the beauty, the greatness, and magnificence of them; to admire their order and harmony. O man! thou who art so endowed and so loaded with favours, how canst thou ever be grateful enough to thy heavenly Benefactor? What love can be perfect enough, to answer in any degree, to that which God has shewn unto us! To increase more and more our love and gratitude, let us frequently reflect on the unlimited liberality of the Father of nature; on the preference with which he honours us, and on the innumerable blessings we receive from him every hour. Let us often reflect, that there are no creatures upon earth so favoured as we are. Let us look around us, and contemplate all nature. Let us ask the sky, the earth, and the sea, all the animals and plants, in a word, every being that exists, and they will tell us, that we are the happy beings to whom all others are subservient, and to whom the whole creation tends. Then, let our souls be penetrated with the most lively gratitude, and the most ardent love, towards our magnificent Benefactor. And let it be our first care, our only ambition, to live for him alone, who has given life and being, on our account, to so many different creatures. These are the resolutions we ought to form in the beginning of this month. Every day, we shall have fresh occasion |