Winter presents us with Emblems of Death.

much pleasure, are now useless and deserted; and retain nothing that can invite us to frequent them. The days are too short and too disagreeable to induce us to walk into the country. Is not this a striking emblem of what our life shall be, when we shall have attained the winter of our days? Then, all the charms, of which we were so vain in the spring and summer of life, shall disappear. Vexation, peevishness, and other infirmities, incident to old age, will not permit us to relish the amusements of youth. Our younger companions can no longer find any pleasure in our company: the short and gloomy days of old age must become burthensome; and if we act a rational part, our desires shall expand after a better life.

How short the days are at this season! Yet it would be wrong to complain of this, seeing they are so dull, the earth being deprived of its ornaments. And, as life in general is a continual struggle with sin and misery, is it not a blessing that God has shut up life within such a narrow compass? The path that leads to heaven is short, but full of thorns: should we not be thankful to God for making it so short?

Several kinds of animals pass the winter in a profound sleep, from which they do not awake till they have felt the gentle and vivifying heat of the spring. Thus, our inanimate bodies shall rest in the grave, till in the day of the last judgment, they shall be awakened from the sleep of death.

In winter, we are surprised by the night, which comes upon us in the midst of our occupations before we expected it. Perhaps, when we have purposed to

Winter presents us with Emblems of Death.

finish such and such works, the evening comes, and suddenly interrupts our labours. Here again, we may perceive a very plain emblem of the night of death, It will probably come when we least expect it. In the midst of projects which we have formed for the future; in the midst of the most important enterprizes, which we have determined to execute, this terrible death may surprise us. God grant that we may be then found in those occupations, which may conduce to our everlasting happiness!

What is most melancholy in the winter nights is, that they are long, and that the sun does not speedily appear again. And perhaps, what causes us to dread death so much is, that our bodies must be shut up SO long, in the night of the grave: but, just as the longest winter nights pass away imperceptibly in sweet sleep; so insensibly will the night of death pass away, and the broad day of the new creation shall suddenly shine forth.

These are some of the edifying and useful reflections, with which the winter may furnish us. Let us not be afraid to meditate often on the emblems of death: and let us endeavour to turn them to our profit. "Let us familiarize ourselves to the idea of our latter end; and let it be always present with us in every circumstance of life: then shall we be able to behold it without fear: it will be our comfort in affliction, a friend and faithful counsellor in prosperity, and a buckler against temptation."

FEBRUARY XIX.

MEANS TO PROCURE FIRE.

IN the long winter nights when the cold is intense, we find that Fire is a benefit, which we cannot too highly prize, and for which we cannot be too grateful. How gloomy and miserable would our life be in this season, if God had not given to Fire the property of enlightening and warming our habitations: and if this element were not every where to be met with! It is found in sulphur, in the fat of animals, in oil, in bee'swax, and in all vegetables, although it appear inactive, and that externally we perceive not its effects. But the collision of bodies discovers its presence, and proves, that there must be Fire diffused through every part of the atmosphere, which may be perceived between the points, which come thus into contact. By the rapid and repeated friction of hard bodies, such as flint and steel, the Fire which they contain is put into motion: and the particles, which are detached from bodies, thus violently agitated against each other, acquire a power capable of inflaming any thing. This is the most common method of obtaining Fire, for our daily domestic necessities. But, we generally content ourselves with the continual services, which this element renders us, whether for the preparation of our food, for warming us, or for illuminating our apartments, without taking the trouble of examining how it is produced.

Were we more attentive to the causes of certain natural phenomena, we should find traces of infinite

Means to procure Fire.

wisdom and goodness every where. And surely it does not require any great effort of reflection to discover them here. It is with the most gracious design, that God has diffused Fire through all nature, that it might be at hand for every necessary purpose, and that we might enjoy its services on all occasions. This matter assumes every form in order to be useful to us; and by associating itself with a multitude of other bodies, it procures us the greatest advantages. How well would it be, could we only habituate ourselves to be more attentive to the many benefits which we receive from the liberal hand of God! But alas! it is really their constant and daily return, which renders us careless and indifferent. Nevertheless, these proofs which we receive daily from the bounty of God, are such as we cannot at all dispense with; and which, on this very account, deserve particularly to be acknowledged with gratitude and joy. Let us think frequently on our wise and merciful Preserver; and in the enjoyment of his benefits, even those which appear to us of least consequence, let us frequently raise our hearts to heaven, and acknowledge him as the source of all good.

O Lord, how great must that goodness be, which is extended over the whole earth! Thy love, like the Light and Fire surrounds us every where. May we be deeply affected with it! May it enlighten and influence our whole soul! Heavenly Father, communicate to me some sparks of the fire of thy love, that I may reflect them upon my brethren, and that they, with me, may enjoy their blessed effects!

FEBRUARY XX.

THE EQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE SEASONS ON THE EARTH.

WHILE the sun appears at a distance from us, and the intense cold binds and locks up all our fields, there are countries, whose inhabitants enjoy all the beauties of the spring; others where they gather in the riches of harvest, and others, where autumn fills their granaries with its fruits. Thus the Divine Wisdom has regulated the revolutions of seasons, and distributed to all his creatures the same favours at different times. His impartial love extends to all the creatures his hands have made, without regarding their rank, their nation, or their merit. It is sufficient, that they need his mercy, for him to take pleasure in bestowing it. His beneficent regards are fixed with as much goodness on the deserts of Arabia, as on the smiling countries of Europe; and his government is the same from Pole to Pole.

But, if God distributes the goods of this life with equality, why does he deprive certain countries of the pleasures of spring, with which he favours us so abundantly? Why does the sun diffuse his light so partially, that in some climates the nights, in others the days, last for whole months? Why are not the icy regions about the Poles as beautiful and as fertile as our plains and vallies? Who art thou, O man, who darest to ask such questions? What right hast thou to require the infinitely wise Being to give an account of his method of governing the world? Proud mortal!