Change of Seasons.

each other with the same regularity, as the nights do the days; and change the appearance of the earth precisely at the appointed times. We see it successively adorned, sometimes with herbs and leaves; sometimes with flowers, and sometimes with fruits. Afterwards, it is deprived of its ornaments, and appears in a state of death till spring comes, and gives it (so to speak) a resurrection. Spring, summer, and autumn nourish men and animals, by an abundant provision of fruits: and although nature appears dead in winter, yet that season is not without its blessings; or, it moistens and fertilizes the earth; and by that reparation the ground becomes capable of producing plants and fruits in due season.

Awake then, O my soul, and bless and praise God, thy benefactor! This day, that lovely season recommences, which opens such an agreeable prospect of approaching plenty; and which shall make amends for the dismal days of winter, which are now passing away. Every day the spring approaches with a thousand pleasures; and with blessings innumerable. How many have wished to live long enough to see this renovation of nature; and to recover, during the beautiful days of spring, from the hardships they had suffered during the winter. But they have not had the consolation to see this day; and their lives were ended before the winter was over. More highly favoured than thousands of my fellows, who have been removed by death during the winter, I still live, and may rejoice in the blessings which spring produces. But how often have I already seen this season, without thinking of the goodness of my Creator; and without feeling

1

Of Things which appear Useless.

my heart expanded with gratitude and love! Possibly this is the last spring I shall ever witness upon the earth. Perhaps, before the equinox returns, I shall be an inhabitant of the tomb! May this thought excite me to feel so much the more sensibly, the happiness which my Creator has granted me; and to enjoy with so much the more precaution, the pleasures of the spring; and to redeem more carefully the fleeting moments of this transitory life!

There is another reflection, which the change of seasons may induce me to make. As the seasons succeed each other in nature, so do they in the course of human life; but with this difference, that those which

are past, never return. How many may say, the spring of my youth, which was accompanied with beauty, sprightliness, and health, is no more: the summer and autumn of my life, seasons in which I should shew to the world the mature fruits of righteousness are approaching apace. It is not certain that I shall attain to the winter of old age. It is possible, I may die in the vigour of life. Lord, thy will be done! Provided I receive thy salvation, and persevere to the end in faith and holiness, however short my life may be, it will be found long and happy enough.

MARCH XXI.

OF SEVERAL THINGS WHICH APPEAR USELESS.

IF there be a wise Providence which governs the world, it must extend itself to the smallest things, and the most trifling events; that nothing may occur under its government which is not of manifest utility.

Of Things which appear Useless.

"But, how many things are there in the world which 66 are of no use! The north wind blasts and disperses "the blossoms of the trees; they wither, and are of "no use: seeds, which might have produced new "plants, perish without bringing forth fruit. Innu"merable multitudes of insects are not only of no use, "but are injurious to man, to beasts, and to vegeta"bles. Many men, and other animals, only shew "themselves on the earth and then suddenly disap" pear. Others are born either deformed or monstrous, "or become impotent. How many faculties and "talents are lost, for lack of being employed? How "many good projects, and useful enterprizes fail be"fore they come to their maturity? Could all this "take place, if a Being infinitely wise, governed the "universe?

But hast thou who darest to doubt the being and providence of God, a perfect knowledge of all things, and the relations they have among themselves, to be able to say, this is injurious; that is absolutely useless? Never forget that thy knowledge is weak and limited. Thy duty is, to observe a respectful silence; to adore and not to cavil at the works of the Lord who has given so many proofs of his wisdom in that infinite number of things, the utility of which is so manifest, as to be perfectly known to us? Consider also, that a thing may be useful in different ways; and that while it serves one purpose, it is not to be expected to serve another. The insect that at its birth becomes the prey of swallows, certainly cannot produce a new generation. The efforts which the alchymist makes to find out the philosopher's stone, are certainly of no worth in the

Of Things which appear Useless.

formation of gold: but the insect is useful in the nourishment of swallows; and to the experiments of the alchymists we owe various excellent medicines, and that beautiful porcelian which is so much in present use. Your tears cannot soften that ferocious and cruel man, who abuses his power in oppressing the weak; but although your intercessions in behalf of the miserable man are of no effect; they serve to keep up the sensibility of your own heart; and there is a Being who collects these precious gems, to ornament that crown, with which your head shall be one day deco

rated.

Let us never suppose that there is any thing in the world entirely useless. There may indeed, be certain, things which do not appear to succeed, nor answer that end for which we suppose them designed; but they undoubtedly serve the end which God proposed; and accomplish it in the very way he designed. There may be also certain cases, in which God does not appear to accomplish the end which he has proposed. In order that particular matters may take effect, and be realized, it is possible that some others should in a manner fail, and be defective. But if it be incontestible that true wisdom does not only employ itself about the present, but extends its views to the future; if God be infinitely wise, and if his wisdom should be manifested in the world as in a mirror; then, there must occur a number of things here below, which considered separately, may appear not to accomplish their destination perfectly; because they were designed to do it, only in conjunction with others. The share bese beings have in the execution of the whole plau,

Of Things which appear Useless.

may be so little known, or so imperceptible, as entirely to escape our notice. But surely it does not follow from this, that they do not contribute to it, or are utterly useless. On the contrary, we should conclude that God could not be infinitely wise, and that he did not act on a well-ordered plan, if there did not fre→ quently happen, things which to us appear useless.

A persuasion of this kind will contribute much to our peace and happiness. Day by day events take place in nature, and in the course of human life, the connections and relations of which appear to us incomprehensible; and which we may be tempted to think useless and without design: and it is natural that those things which weaken our confidence in God, should be disagreeable and distressing to us. But, the more we are convinced by reason, daily experience, and the declaration of the word of God, that he is infinitely good and wise; the more contented and tranquil we shall be, both in prosperity and adversity. It will not then be difficult for us to acknowledge, that in all that he does, and in all that he permits, he proposes to himself the accomplishment of infinitely wise ends, which in one way or other promote the good of the universe. When we see many little, and apparently useless things in nature, so many events which appear inexplicable, or even entirely contrary to the Divine plan; far from finding fault, we shall adore his infinite wisdom and give the glory that is due to him, who doth all things well. He is never mistaken in the government of the universe: all that he does, all that he permits, is justified by the event. Let us refer every thing to his infinite wisdom, and ever trust in its di