I should do wrong to complain of this, since I find so little pleasure in them; and, as my life is a constant struggle between sin and misery, is it not a kindness that it has not been prolonged to a greater period? The way to heaven is short, and strewed with thorns; why, then, should I wish it lengthened?

Several species of animals pass the winter in profound sleep, from which they do not awake until they feel the soft breeze of spring: so will my body repose in the cold and silent tomb, until the day of judgment shall wake me from the sleep of death.

In the winter we are surprised by the approach of night before we expected it, and perhaps, too, in the middle of some occupation or pursuit, which we intended to finish before it arrived. In this, too, I can discover an appropriate resemblance to the night of death: it may come when I least expect it-when I am forming extensive projects for the future, or planning important enterprises. Oh! may it find me. employed in those occupations which will entitle me to look forward to eternity with hope.

The long nights of winter are, no doubt, sad and melancholy, and the dawn of day appears far off; and perhaps one reason why I look forward to the grave with something like terror is the apprehension of laying so long in the dark chambers of the grave. But, as the nights of winter pass imperceptibly away in gentle slumbers, so will the night of death glide on till that day shall dawn when the world itself shall pass away.

Such are the edifying and useful reflections which winter may excite. Fear not, O Christian! to familiarize yourself with your latter end, and let it be always present to you, in every event of your life. Then you will behold death without fear; nay, more, it will be your consolation in misfortune, your counsellor in prosperity, and your buckler in the hour of temptation.

FEBRUARY 19.

MEANS OF PROCURING fire.

IN the long nights of winter, and during their extreme cold, how inestimable a blessing is fire! How melancholy and miserable would our lives be, if God had not bestowed upon us the united and beneficial influence of light and heat! Upon this phenomenon of nature philosophers have said much; and they have at last come to this conclusion, that fire is a substance, not a quality. The following are their reasons and conclusions:-Fire drives out other bodies from any given space: it has a constant tendency to diffuse itself uniformly, so as to maintain an equilibrium: it dilates some substances; it must have penetrated them: it expels other bodies, and takes their place; therefore, they conclude that it must itself be a body, or real and material substance. It is found in almost every substance, and may be procured be procured in various ways: the simplest and most common is that by collision. The production of fire by the blow of hardened steel upon flint is a curious

f

if

process, we examine it attentively.

When

the blow is given, some particles of the flint and metal are struck off; and so violent is the heat produced by the stroke that they are rendered red hot, melted, and even vitrified. If the fragments of the steel be caught upon a piece of white paper, and examined with a microscope, it will be found to be spherules, and highly polished its sphericity proves it to have been in a fluid state, and the polish upon its surface shows that it has been vitrified. The Americans produce fire by whirling round between their hands a piece of stick, with a blunt point, upon a piece of flat wood, and in a short time it ignites. Fire can also be produced by any powerful lens: paper and other substances can be kindled by placing them so that the sun's rays shall fall upon them, after passing through a decanter of water. Dr. Herschel has proved lately that the solar rays consist of two kinds, those which produce light and others which produce heat, which can be separated from each other by the prism.

How little do we reflect upon the surprising operations of nature, which are daily taking place around us! Satisfied that our food is dressed, that our rooms are warmed and enlightened, either by the sun or by fire, we are content to be totally ignorant of the causes from whence these blessings spring: were we to accustom ourselves to contemplate the phenomena which surround us, we should find ample excitement to the love of our Creator-we should admire his wisdom and adore his power. The wonder

H

ful diffusion of fire throughout the greater part of nature is sufficient to kindle in our breasts the most rapturous gratitude, when we consider its beneficial effect. But, alas! we are insensible to the daily gifts we receive from Providence; their abundance makes us indifferent as to their value. Yet these very benefits are most important to us; for how could we exist without them.

Let your thoughts, O Christian! be always directed to your wise and benevolent Creator; and, in enjoying his blessings, even those which appear insignificant and trivial, accustom yourselves to raise your hearts towards him, and to honour him as the source of all good.

O God! how great is thy goodness, which extends itself over the whole earth! Thy benevolence on all sides surrounds us, as well as light and heat. Ah! may I be sensible of their effects-may they enlighten and inflame my soul. Kindle in me, O heavenly Father! some sparks of thine ardent love, that I may impart them to my brethren, and rejoice likewise in their all-powerful influence.

FEBRUARY 20.

OF THE EQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE

SEASONS.

AT this season of the year, when we are shivering with the cold, and the earth appears to deny us her usual gifts, there are countries whose in

ent seasons.

habitants enjoy the beauties of spring, others the luxuries of summer; while a third portion of mankind are reaping the harvests of autumn, or plucking the luscious grapes in their vineyards. It is thus the divine wisdom diffuses his favours to all his creatures, though at differHis impartial love extends to all created beings, without any respect to their rank, to their nation, or their merit. It is sufficient that man stands in need of his assistance to receive it. His benevolence is equally felt in the deserts of Arabia as in the cultivated plains of Europe; and his government is the same in its influence at the poles as in the rest of the earth.

But how is it, if God distributes his favours equally, that he has deprived some countries of the pleasures of spring, while to others he has bestowed them so bountifully? How is it that the sun diffuses his beams with so much partiality that, in some climates, the days are months, and the nights the same? Why, towards the poles, are the countries covered with ice, instead of displaying the fertility of our hills and valleys? -And who art thou, O man! to question the decrees of the Most High, or speculate upon the wisdom of his government? Proud and presuming mortal, humble thyself before thy Maker, and acknowledge the wisdom of those. ways which thy feeble judgment cannot penetrate. Perhaps thou dost imagine that Providence is partial in not allotting to certain parts of the world those advantages and that happiness which he has so profusely bestowed upon