Revolutions in Nature. lost. The same circulation may be observed in the body of every living creature. The blood runs inces santly in the different canals, distributing to each member the nutritive juices necessary for it; and then it returns to the heart whence it proceeded. All these revolutions recal the idea of the Supreme Being, who has established the foundations of them from the creation of the world; and who, by his power and wisdom, continues to direct them to the present moment. These reflections are worthy our attention, and ought to be particularly considered at the close of this month. Under the wise direction of Providence, all the revolutions which have taken place in nature during the course of the month, have been produced in a way the most conformable to the designs of the Creator. Each day the sun has enlightened us, and having accomplished his appointed work, he yields the dominion to the night. Each day has the goodness of God been renewed towards us, causing every revolution to contribute to our wellbeing. And now, this month, with all its days, all its hours, and all its moments, is for ever passed away. It is impossible that it should ever appear to us in the same relations, were we to survive fifty winters. But, finally, all the wheels of the machine of the great system of the universe, shall at last stand still. The circular motion of the globes shall cease, the springs of nature shall lose their elasticity, and days, months, and years, be swallowed up in eternity! Then, O eternal, unchangeable, and infinite Being, thou shalt still exist! and by thee alone, the duration Every thing in Nature tends to the Good of Mankind. of my being, shall be eternally measured! Blessed be God, that each month, which passes by, carries me nearer to that period, where my everlasting felicity shall commence. FEBRUARY I. EVERY THING IN NATURE TENDS TO THE GOOD OF MANKIND. BE deeply sensible, O man, of the love and preference, with which God has honoured thee, in distinguishing thee with so many advantages from other creatures. Feel, as thou oughtest, the incomparable blessing of being peculiarly the object of the Divine liberality; of being in some sense, the centre of whatsoever he has formed for the manifestation of his glorious attributes. acts; for thee, she and in the waters. It is for thee, that all Nature labours in the earth, in the air, For thee, the sheep is covered with wool; for thee, the horse's foot is armed with horn, of which he could not stand in need, were he not destined to draw heavy loads, and to climb mountains. For thee, the silkworm spins her clue, shuts herself up in it, and afterwards abandons to thee the web which she had so artificially woven. - For thee, the gnat lays her eggs. Every Thing in Nature tends to the Good of Mankind. in the water, that they may become nourishment to crabs and other fish, which shall themselves become means of thy support. For thee, the bee gathers exquisite honey from the bosom of the flowers. For thee, the ox is yoked to the plough, and asks for the recompence of his labours only a slight nourishment. For thee, the forests, the fields, and the gardens abound in riches; the greater part of which must be lost, were they not to be used by thee; as would also the greater part of the treasures shut up in the mountains. It is true, that thou hast beyond. comparison, more wants than other animals; but hast thou not also incomparably more faculties, talents, and industry to make all that surrounds thee, contribute to thy service and pleasures? Thousands of creatures unite to nourish, clothe, and furnish thee with innumerable comforts and conveniencies. If God have created thee with so many wants, it is certainly to procure thee the greatest variety of pleasing sensations. It would be impossible for thee to satisfy thy multiplied wants, if those of other animals, were equal to thine. And to the end that thou mightest lack nothing, but have all things in abundance; what is necessary to them, is that, of which man in general, can make no use. But, it is not thy food alone that God has provided with so much liberality; he has condescended to procure thee a thousand other pleasures. It is for thee, 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 hues. Above all, he has endued thee with reason, which gives thee power Every Thing in Nature tends to the Good of Mankind. to make all things subservient to thy support and thy pleasure; to rule over the animals, to take the whale and the lion, and to do what is still more excellent, to delight thyself in the works which he has made; to contemplate their beauty, grandeur, and magnificence to admire their order, harmony, and wonderful connection. O man! so highly privileged and loaded with favours, how canst thou be sufficiently grateful to thy heavenly Benefactor? What love canst thou feel to thy Creator, that can be in any wise, equal to that which he has manifested to thee? But, to inflame more and more thy love and gratitude, reflect frequently on the boundless liberality of the Father of Nature; on the peculiar love with which he has honoured thee; and on the innumerable benefits, which thou hourly receivest from him. Often consider, that there is not a creature upon the earth so favoured; a creature for whom God has made so many things, as for thee. Look around thee, and contemplate the wonderful magnificence of nature; ask the heavens, the earth, the sea, all the animals, all the plants; in a word, all the beings which exist here below; and they will tell thee, that thou art that happy creature, to whom all others are subservient, and for whom all around thee was made. Let thy soul then be penetrated with the most lively gratitude; and with the most ardent love to thy glorious Benefactor: and let it be thy chief care, thy only ambition, to live to him who has given life and being to so many different creatures for thy sake. The Influence which Cold has upon Health. Such resolutions as these, thou oughtest to form in the beginning of this month. Each day will afford thee fresh occasion, to acknowledge and celebrate the paternal care of Providence, exercised in behalf of thy life, maintenance, and comfort. Taste and relish the Divine bounty, in every morsel of bread afforded thee for thy support; and in every glass of water granted thee to quench thy thirst, and to refresh thee. But especially, acknowledge the kindness of the Lord, in those blessings which he reserves for thee in eternity. For thee, also, Jesus Christ has designed that ineffable happiness, which his faithful disciples shall enjoy around his throne. Happy spirits shall be thy companions and thy friends; and thou shalt partake with them of those glorious blessings, which infinitely surpass all that is seen here below. "What is all the happiness of the present life, compared with that which awaits us in the habitation of the Almighty! Even here, we continually experience the effects of his kindness; and are encompassed with the wonders of his goodness: but on this earth, pleasure is continually intermingled with pain: Perfect happiness is only to be found in the kingdom of God. FEBRUARY II. THE INFLUENCE WHICH COLD HAS UPON HEALTH. IN these severe winter months, it is not unusual to hear great eulogiums on the other seasons of the year. Spring, Summer, and Autumn, whose worth is but |