vantages and the evils which may be attributed. to it; and the result of this inquiry will be, to convince us how little reason we have to blame the government of a wise and good Providence. It is true, that severe cold has its inconveniencies and troublesome consequences. Sometimes, the water freezes to such a depth, that it is impossible to make use of the springs. The fish die in the ponds. The rivers are covered with flakes of ice, which sometimes overflow, and make great ravages. The water-mills are stopped, which soon produces a general want of bread.

The

wood for firing fails, or, at least becomes very dear. Vegetables suffer in many ways. The winter seeds freeze, if they are not covered. The trees and plants die. Several animals sink through cold and hunger. The health of man, and even his life, is often exposed to danger from it. These are some of the most striking evils which the severity of the season can occasion. But how many winters do we pass without them! And though even some animals should sink under it, and some plants perish with the cold, what is this in comparison of the advantages we draw from it? Let us be more circumspect in the judgements we form of the ways of God. Knowing so little the connection between the things of this world; not being able to take in the whole extent of the chain of causes and effects; how should we be capable of judging what is advantageous or hurtful in nature? And would it not be totally unjust and unreasonable, that a partial evil should lead us to blame the whole? Let us confess our ignorance, and strengthen ourselves in the comfortable persuasion, that there is much more good than evil in the world; with more cause for content, than subjects for affliction. And let us be certain that

many

many things, which our self-interest makes us consider as hurtful, contribute to the general good. With this manner of thinking, we shall be calm in the midst of all events; and, whatever be our fate, we shall never cease to bless our wise and beneficent Creator.

JANUARY XVII.

THE REPOSE OF NATURE DURING WINTER.

THE winter days are days of rest to nature In the preceding months, she employed herself in fulfilling the designs of the Creator, by labouring in the service of his creatures. How rich was the spring in blossoms! How many seeds it opened! And what abundance of fruit the summer has ripened for us to gather in autumn! Each month, each day, we receive some presents from nature. Is there a single instant in which she has not pleased our sight, delighted our smell, or indulged our taste? and, has she not often satisfied them all at the same time! Like a good mother of a family,. she employed herself from the morning to the evening of the year, in procuring for us, her favourites, the necessaries, conveniencies, and sweets of life. Clothing, food, amusement, all has been drawn from her maternal bosom. It is for us she has caused the grass to grow; that she has loaded the trees with blossoms, with leaves, and with fruit. It is for us she has covered the meadows with corn. For us, the vine bears its invigora-ting fruits. For us, the creation is adorned with a thousand charms. Tired of so many cares, nature now rests; but it is only to collect new force, to be employed again for the good of the world.

However,

However, even this rest, which nature enjoys in winter, is a secret activity, preparing in silence a new creation. Already the necessary dispositions are making, that the deserted earth may recover, at the end of a few months, the children she has lost. Already the corn shoots, which is to serve us for food. Already, the fibres of plants insensibly open, which are to adorn our gardens and fields. Here again, O beneficent Creator! I adore thy power and wisdom. The rest which nature takes is not less interesting to us, nor less worthy of entering into the plan of thy wise providence, than the activity she shews in spring and summer. Thou hast combined the several revolutions of the earth. Thou hast formed the most intimate connection between them; and equally divided its rest and labour. It has been thy will that each sun should vary the scenes of nature, in the time and manner most proper for the perfection of the whole. If I have been so senseless as to blame any thing in the government of this world, pardon, O God, my temerity. I discover, and am more and more covinced, that all the plans of thy providence, however extraordinary they may appear to my weak reason, are full of wisdom and goodness. At present that I see the earth covered with a mantle of snow which keeps it warm, I will reflect on the good that results from it for how could I promise myself flowers and fruit, if nature did not, at this time, enjoy some rest? How could I chant the harvest hymn, if thou didst not already, under the snow and ice, dispose the seed to flourish? Yes, Lord, it is thou, who, in granting rest to the earth, enrichest man with a thousand blessings. And for me also, O Father! there will come a day of rest; a day in which I shall rest from all trouble, sorrow, or cares. Thou

:

hast

hast wisely ordained the time I should devote to activity. It is now the spring and summer of my life, which must be employed in the service of my fellow-creatures. The autumn will soon come. Grant, that I may then resemble one of those fruitful trees, which pours upon us fruit in abundance. But, in the winter of life, when I shall be covered with grey hairs, and full of days, I could wish that my rest should be as honourable and beneficent as that of nature in winter. How happy should I be, if my cotemporaries should say, when speaking of me, That old man formerly devoted his youth to endeavours to serve mankind: His life has never been void of activity, of use, of benedictions: Now, even his calm old age is not idle: By his wise experience, he contributes to the happiness of his family and friends: He labours at least for the world to come, of which he will soon be an inhabitant.

However, the repose that I can promise to myself here is little else but a preparation for new troubles. O how I rejoice in that which awaits me in the grave, and in the bosom of eternity!There, I shall enjoy an uninterrupted repose :There, the remembrance of the sorrows and afflictions, which I shall have got over here, will fill my heart with inexpressible joy. In the firm hope of that repose which is reserved for me, I will apply myself with zeal to the fulfilling of all the duties to which I am called, and will devote my talents and powers to the glory of God, and the good of my fellow-creatures. Strengthen me, by thy grace, O my God, and my Saviour, in this holy resolution.

JANUARY

1

JANUARY XVIII.

THE LAPLANDERS.

I BEGIN this meditation with a lively sense of gratitude towards my Creator, and of pity to those of my fellow-creatures to whom nature has more sparingly distributed her blessings. I fix my eyes now on the Laplanders, and the inhabitants of the lands nearest the arctic pole: Mortals, whose taste and manner of living, when compared with ours, are not the happiest. Their country is formed of a chain of mountains, covered with snow and ice, which does not melt even in summer, and, where the chain is interrupted, is full of bogs and marshes. A deep snow overwhelms the valleys, and covers the little hills. Winter is felt during the greatest part of the year. The nights are long; and the days give but a dim light. The inhabitants seek shelter from the cold in tents, which can be removed from one place to another. They fix their fire-place in the middle of it, and surround it with stones. The smoke goes out at a hole, which also serves them for a window. There they fasten iron chains, to which they hang the caldrons, in which they dress their food, and melt the ice which serves them for drink. The inside of the tent is furnished with furs, which preserve them from the wind, and they lie on skins of animals spread upon the ground. It is in such habitations that they pass their winter. Six months of the year are to them perpetual night; during which they hear nothing round them but the whistling of the wind, and the howling of the wolves, who are running every where in search of their prey. How could we bear the climate

and