"glowing like diamonds on the ebon bow of night."
They remind me of a song of my childhood-
"Little twinkling, twinkling stars,
How I wonder what you are."

top and the distant groves, fresh-robed in the glowing || in their brightness, and, to use a borrowed expression, light of morning. And at evening time, when the sun sinks low, and the shadows lengthen upon the lawn, you have lingered and looked, with delighted eye, and raptured heart, upon the closing scenes of day. You have gazed, enchanted, when the sun, with reflective and refractive beam, throws his bright bow upon the passing cloud, circling and adorning our heaven with all its radiance and glow.

Are they worlds, like this, of sin and sorrow? Or are they the home of the happy and holy? We know not-we cannot know-and we must be content to gaze upon their beauty, and wonder still.

Original.

A SKETCH.

THE seasons, as they roll, are replete with instruction for every observer of nature. They afford a fit emblem of the several stages of human life; and while we behold them accomplishing the wise and beneficial designs of the Creator, we are reminded at once of our duty and our destiny. Spring, with its unfolding beauties-summer passing on to maturity-the ripeness and attendant decay of autumn-with the bleak desolations of winter, refer us at once to youth and manhood, old

Light is made the emblem of Christ. He is styled the true Light, the Light of the world, the Sun of righteousness. Until time began, darkness held empire over the chaos-world. But this darkness was a faint image of thick, heavy, utter, felt darkness, that gathered upon the moral world, when first man forsook his God, and his sun set in gloom. And a long night ensued. The joyous sun did run his course, and oft arose, and scattered night away. But no morn of heaven came to man—no rising sun did close his darkness, or illume his night. All virtue died. Love died, and hatred took her place. Hope let flag her wings, and perished; and man groped in the rayless night, and famished in the waste world. Then prophets arose, and foretold a coming morn. They watched, with eager eye, but died ere yet it came. And others arose, and prophesied, and a dim light flickered over the pathway of time. They were faint lights, proclaiming, somewhere in heaven's wide expanse, a mighty orb of pure and holy light, whose beams they reflected back upon the world; just How many images of death do we see in winter! as the nightly stars that brighten in the vault of heaven, The piercing blast, that drives the warm blood back to and publish the great and glorious sun, by whose re- the fountain of life, resembles the harbingers of death. flective beams they glow and shine. And other proph-The motionless surface of the frozen stream and icy ets spoke-and lo! a star arose. It was from Bethlehem—the bright and morning Star-and soon did bring the promised morn. And full day was poured upon the world, for now the Sun of righteousness arose.

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age

and death.

Thoughts not only of the present life, but also of a future state, are suggested by the seasons. Who can look upon winter without thinking of death—and who can look upon spring without being reminded of the resurrection of the dead?

lake, look to us as the face of the dead. The feathered songsters having left the grove, the silence of death reigns in the forest. The decay and destruction of vegetation, and wild and dreary desolation all aroundthe snowy mantle, that extends from vale to hillock, and that wreathes the mountain's brow, deeply burying that which once was green and gay, all awaken thoughts

REFLECTIONS ON A MOONLIGHT NIGHT. of death, with the loneliness and silence of the grave.

BY MISS M. DE FOREST.

Do not the opening freshness and beauty of spring, rapidly succeeding the desolations of winter, afford a pleasing representation of the glorious resurrection day? Thawing sunshine, whispering zephyrs, and distilling showers, suddenly renew the face of the earth. The ice and snow melt away, and gushing fountains send abroad their clear and shining streams. Forest leaves burst out from their swelling buds; the feathered tribes fill with their music the bowers, so lately recovered from the rude hand of winter; while life and joy are all abroad through earth, and air, and ocean.

THE fair orb of night is rolling onward-onward in her endless circuit, pouring her flood of softened light upon a world of darkness, and animating many a heart of sadness with thoughts of purity and peace. To the lone wanderer, seeking his home amid the perils of the night, she proves a guiding star, and leads him softly on till he meets the fond embrace of those he loves. On the heart borne down with worldly care, and saddened with its weight of sorrow, she sheds a holy, calming influence, and seems to say, "There are worlds Who turns the piercing wintry storm to gentle of peace above-be patient." To the stranger-to the zephyrs? Who changes the rude, unsightly wastes of one who knows no earthly home, she whispers of an winter, to scenes of romantic beauty, and peaceful enheavenly one; and even to him who is hardened in chantment? It is God: and can he not raise the dead? guilt, she would, were it possible, impart her own gen-Would he show us such pleasing changes, such fair tleness. On she moves, through that broad ocean of and heavenly scenes, and not permit us to hope that blue, gilding with her rays a thousand fleecy clouds " spring shall revisit the moldering urn?" Will he give that float around her as if to shade her queenly majesty new life and verdant loveliness to the face of the earth, from too intense a gaze. The stars are dancing forth while man, poor man, is for ever consigned to the winter

of death? No. For as surely as spring comes forth || ever, confine its ministrations to pleasures of taste or in beauty from the grave of winter, man shall arise pecuniary profit; but if properly pursued, strengthens triumphant and immortal from the tomb. But all the power of language would fail to describe the boundless, transcendent, and eternal glory that shall then be revealed. A. BAKER.

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CONCHOLOGY.

BY DR. LOWRY.

the memory, quickens the perceptive powers, and by accustoming the mental faculties to habits of application, analysis, comparison, and analogical reasoning, it imparts a coolness of deliberation, clearness of perception, and vigor of action, scarcely to be expected elsewhere. Though the acquirement of these advantages would afford sufficient motives for undertaking the study of natural science, still she offers to man nobler motives of action. It is when she brings her moral influence to bear on the affections of his heart, that she appears in all the perfection of grace and beauty. Then CONCHOLOGY is that branch of natural history which using the axioms and principles of her Exact sister as treats of animals with testaceous coverings, or shells, keys to unlock the mysteries she meets, whether she which to a large extent inhabit the dark blue ocean, its walks o'er the earth in its verdant beauty, or through branches, or the liquid streams that, meandering over the depths of ocean, where "many a gem of purest ray the smiling bosom of the earth, increase the beauty of serene" sheds its resplendent lustre, or enters the huge the landscape, and afford fertility to the soil, and con- mountain that rears its venerable head amid the clouds, venience to man. Its specimens, by their richness and and removing its mantle, discloses its rich treasures of variety of color, fineness of polish, and beauty of form, metallic and mineral wealth, she scatters the darkhave always excited admiration even in the most incu-ness of superstition and error on every side, and demonrious, and procured for them a distinguished position strates by the irresistible certainty of facts, that all in the cabinet of nature's student. Many kinds of shell-fish afford an excellent and nutritious food, as the muscle, limpet, clam, &c.; while others supply the table of the epicure with delicate luxuries, amongst which may be named the oyster, famous even of yore to the degenerate Roman, who obtained from Britain his finest kinds; and last, though not least, the monstrous turtle of modern days. The shells of other fish, as the tortoise and pearl oyster, afford opportunities for the exercise of ingenuity and art in preparing them for useful and ornamental purposes; and the pearl itself, often Conchology is sometimes confounded with crustarivaling the lustre of Golconda's gem, is the production || ceology; but need not be, as nature has drawn a line of of a testaceous animal. distinction between the composition of the shells and But did not our wishes and pleasures induce us to the structure of the animals which inhabit them. Tesstudy conchology, to some extent, our wants would taceous shells are composed of carbonate of lime, comcompel us; as our attention is demanded in studying || bined with a small portion of gelatin, and are in genthe habits, tracing the history, and obtaining a remedy against the poisonous properties of some species of this tribe of animals. The snail, in its ravages through our gardens and fields, destroys many a lovely specimen of nature's fairest forms, as well as causes much pecuniary injury to man. The ship-worm, the seaman's dread, though an apparently insignificant, is nevertheless an efficient instrument in the hands of Providence in humbling the pride, and demolishing, by unseen but perse-crustacea are produced all at once, and are cast and revering labors, the noblest efforts of man's ingenuity and skill, by which he almost annihilates both distance and time.

nature is teeming with evidences of the infinite wisdom, power, and benevolence of that almighty Being, who has employed his energies in disseminating life in every conceivable variety of form, and endowing it with capacities for enjoyment, perfectly adapted to its structure, habits and situation; and who has further placed in operation, and still controls with uniform regularity, such natural agencies as may best conduce to the supply of its wants, the amelioration of its sorrows, and the increase of its general happiness.

eral permanent coverings for the inhabitants, and are formed by the animal gradually or periodicaily adding to them, as may be seen in the common muscle; and all shells are composed of layers, as may be seen by filing or slightly calcining one. The animal is of a soft and simple nature, destitute of bones, and attached to its domicil by an adhesive property possessed by some of its muscles. On the other hand, shells of

newed annually. Their composition is phosphate of lime and animal matter, and the animals are of a fibrous texture, and are covered as with a coat of mail.

Shells have been divided into two classes. The first resemble porcelain, have a compact texture, an enameled surface, and are in general beautifully variegated. These are termed porcellaneous shells, and embrace the conus, leypræa, voluta, &c.

An acquaintance with the various departments of natural science is admirably calculated, by enlarging the sphere of man's observation and research beyond its ordinary bounds, to afford him opportunities of gratifying his love for the sublime and beautiful in nature, whilst at the same time putting him in possession of The second class consists of shells generally covered facts and principles capable of useful application in the with a strong epidermis or skin, beneath which lies the several mechanical and chemical operations necessary shell in layers, and composed of the substance known in supplying his numerous wants. It does not, how-l as the mother of pearl. As instances of this class, are

FEMALE FRIENDSHIP.

the fresh water muscles, which abound in our rivers, | Clement was then determined, since by simple reason the haliotis, &c. Shells, therefore, are only the habita- || he could come to no safe and sure conclusion, to travel tions of soft animals, called vermes, or worms; yet in to the land of mysteries and fancies, and search out in their formation they afford many beautiful illustrations Egypt a magician who could conjure up for him a of the exercise of divine benevolence, in so arranging spirit. Such an appearance would give him satisfactory their several parts as to best fit them for enjoyment in evidence of the immortality of the soul. And in that their respective stations. which would become certain to him by positive eviShould you wish to lay before your readers such dence, no future demonstration could disturb his faith. cases as those I refer to, I shall be happy to furnish a| But the representations of a prudent philosopher withdescription of them as often as my leisure hours will permit.

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PATIENCE.

BY A. M. ALEXANDER.

PATIENCE.

our society useful and agreeable (I might say acceptable) to our fellows. Were I to extend my remarks so far as to notice briefly all these graces, I should exceed my proper limits. Suffice it to say, that impatience in our devotions indicates pride, or the absence of humilPATIENCE implies suffering with calmness, or with-ity-unbelief, or absence of faith-and hatred, or about discontent, the various afflictions incident to human sence of love to God. Impatience in our intercourse life. It implies a proper appreciation of blessings en- with men, indicates the absence of pity, kindness, joyed, and resignation to troubles endured. As the lat-brotherly love, and kindred graces, which are all indister is consequent upon the former, it may be said that pensably necessary to make our society agreeable, and patience proceeds directly from this, and indirectly from secure to us that influence, by which we may accomthat. Without resignation, trouble cannot be patiently plish the greatest amount of good. To do good should indured, since it is in resignation directly and princi-be our greatest aim; to secure and improve the best pally, that patience has its origin. But trouble which is not laid upon, cannot be borne by us, either with or without resignation; hence, were it possible to find an individual exempted from all the trouble, real or imaginary, incident to life, we should find a person altogether destitute of patience. I conclude, therefore, that patience can only be in proportion to the amount of our trouble. Job was the most patient man, because he bore with resignation the greatest amount of trouble. Those speak incorrectly, then, who say, "If I had less trouble, I should be more patient;" for "tribulation worketh patience."

Great and lasting blessings have their foundation in patience. "We glory," says the apostle, "in tribulation also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed." Patience is an important grace. We have use for it every day, and in all we undertake. We need it in our acts of worship, and in our intercourse with society.

facilities for doing good should be our study; and we should cultivate with diligence all those graces which qualify us for doing good through those facilities. Patience, and her kindred graces, as we have seen, hold a conspicuous place among the qualifications for doing good, and should, therefore, be diligently cultivated.

My object in this article is not to point out the means for the cultivation of patience; but to exhort the reader to "let patience have her perfect work." Accustom yourself to bear with resignation whatever troubles are laid upon you, whether they be afflictions of body or of mind-whether occasioned by a mysterious providence, by the persecutions of the wicked, or by the insolence of the arrogant. Bear with the ignorance and weakness of those less fortunate than yourself. "Love your enemies, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you." Your unholy tempers may sometimes begin to rise. Present good will be a temptation; and you will begin to ask, "Why should I suffer?" Then you will find the need of patience. This

tion. Nor think patience dishonorable. You will never appear more like a Christian, than when, in the midst of sorrows, you stand resigned to the will of God.

First, in all our acts of worship. God, in his wis-only will possess the soul, and keep all in due subjec dom, does not see proper to answer all our prayers just at the time and in the manner we desire. Yet we should "rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him." The Psalmist says, "I waited patiently for the Lord," Afflictions," one justly observes, "supported by paand he heard me." Our Lord says, in the parable of tience, and surmounted by fortitude, give the last finish the sower, "The seed sown in the good ground are to the heroic and gracious character. Thus the vale they which in an honest and good heart, having heard of tears is the theatre of glory. That dark cloud prethe word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." sents the scene for all the beauties of the bow of virtue It is said of Abraham, that "after he had patiently en- to appear. Moral grandeur, like the sun, is brighter in dured, he obtained the promise." Jesus, addressing the day of the storm; and never is so truly sublime as the Church of Philadelphia through his servant John, ||when struggling through the darkness of an eclipse." says, "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience,

I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which

shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."

THERE is but one pursuit in life which it is in the But, secondly, we need patience in all our intercourse power of all to follow, and of all to attain. It is subwith men. The apostle exhorts us to "be patient to-ject to no disappointments, since he that perseveres, ward all men;" and Solomon declares, that "the pa- makes every difficulty an advancement, and every contient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." We test a victory; and this is the pursuit of virtue. Sinare exhorted to "follow after patience," and to add pa-cerely to aspire after virtue, is to gain her; and zealously tience to our other graces. to labor after her wages, is to receive them. For the There are several important graces so intimately breast of a good man is a little heaven commencing associated with patience, that the absence of this argues on earth where the Deity sits enthroned with unrivaled the absence of those. And these associate graces, like influence; every safety from danger, resource from sterpatience itself, are necessary to render our acts of wor-ility, and subjugated passion, "like the wind and storm, ship acceptable to God through Christ, and to render fulfilling his word."