REFLECTIONS, &c. I JANUARY 1. MEDITATIONS ON NEW-YEAR'S DAY. life; my and I pre REPRESENT to myself this first day of the year, as if it were the first day of sume to hope, from the goodness of God, blessings for this year, equal to those that have been granted me from my birth till now. What may I not hope from my heavenly Father, who, from the first moment of my existence (what do I say?), even before I was born, provided for me with so much tenderness and goodness? In my parents he gave me friends, who, from my very birth, supported and brought me up, and whose disinterested affection protected me in that weak and helpless state. Without such care, how could I have been preserved to enjoy the many blessings I now possess. If I had, at that time, been capable of reflection, I might undoubtedly have promised myself many agreeable hours, in the course of my existence on earth. Now, that I am capable of it, I will give myself up entirely to a sense of my happiness, and the future hopes I am permitted to indulge. I enter with the present day, into a new period of life, not so much unprovided for, nor so helpless, as when I first came into the world, but with equal occasion VOL. I. A occasion for assistance in many respects. I require friends to shed sweets upon my life, to support my spirits, when oppressed with grief, and to warn me of dangers that I might otherwise fall into. And, surely, my heavenly Father will grant me this best of blessings. Whatever may happen to me during the course of the year, he has undoubtedly chosen for me a friend, who will be my adviser in difficulties, and my consoler in misfortunes; who will share the sweets of prosperity with me, and, in moments of weakness, will aid and support my reason. God had laid the foundation of my future lot from the first moment of my life. It is not by chance that I am born of such parents, in such a part of the world, in such a time, and not in another. The time, the place, the circumstances, and the consequences of my birth, had all been planned by God in the wisest manner. It was then that he fixed my fate, that he weighed the evils I was to endure, that he saw the pleasures and comforts which were to restore calm and serenity to my mind. By his decree many causes, then unknown, were to combine for my happiness, and every thing relating to me was to contribute towards fulfilling his beneficent views. With this first day of the year, my lot is, as it were, settled over again. The Lord, who gave me being, takes in at one glance (which nothing can deceive) each week, each day, each instant of this year. All, indeed, that relates to me is hidden from me; but all things are visible to God, and all are settled according to his decrees, which are full of wisdom and goodness. If, in the course of the year, I experience any misfortune, which I could not foresee; if any unforeseen happiness falls to my lot; if I have any loss to bear which I could not expec; all will happen according to the will of God. Full Full of this conviction, I begin the new year. Let what will happen, I shall be more and more confirmed in the persuasion, that God will be my preserver in my old age, as he was in my youth. If I find myself exposed to poverty and distress, I will remember the days of my infancy, that still more critical state, in which he protected me. If I meet with ingratitude from a friend, even that ought not to make me unhappy. God can raise me up other friends, in whose tenderness I may enjoy delight and comfort. If my life is full of dangers and persecution, which seem beyond all human foresight, even this ought not to terrify me. I should put my trust in God, who protected my childhood, when it was exposed to a thousand dangers. What then can prevent my beginning this year with a tranquil mind? I look forward without anxiety, and leave my fate to the guidance of Providence. ....་་་《.... JANUARY II. THE BLESSINGS GRANTED TO US BY GOD IN WINTER, AND TO WHICH WE PAY TOO LITTLE ATTENTION. IF we were to examine the works of God more attentively than we generally do, we should find, at this season, many reasons to rejoice in his goodness, and to praise the wonders of his wisdom. Few, without doubt, are so insensible as not to feel emotions of pleasure and gratitude, when beauteous nature displays the rich blessings of God, in spring, summer, or autumn. But even hearts, the fullest of sensibility, are rarely excited to the sensation of warm gratitude, when they see the trees stripped of their fruit, and the fields. without A 2 without verdure; when the bleak wind whistles round their dwelling; when a chilling cold comes to freeze the earth and its inhabitants. But, is it certain that this season is so deprived of the blessings of heaven, and of what is sufficient to kindle gratitude and piety in the heart of man? No, certainly. Let us only accustom ourselves to be more attentive to the works of God, more touched with the many proofs of his goodness towards us, and we shall find opportunities enough, even in winter, to praise our Benefactor. Consider how unhappy we should be, if, during violent cold, we had neither wood for fire, nor clothes to keep us warm. With what goodness the Lord prevents our wants, and furnishes us (even in the season the most void of resources) with the necessaries and conveniencies of life. When, at this moment, we may be enjoying the comfortable warmth of a fire, shall we not return thanks to the Lord, who gives us fuel, with such profusion, that the very poorest can be supplied with it. If it was given to mortals to know the chain of every thing in nature, how great would be our admiration at the wisdom and goodness of its Author! But, however incapable we are of forming to ourselves an idea of the whole of his works, the little we understand of it gives us sufficient reason to acknowledge, that the government of God is infinitely wise and beneficent. Winter belongs to the plan he has formed. If this season did not exist, the spring and summer would not have so many charms for us, the fertility of our lands would much diminish, commerce would be at an end in many provinces, and part of the woods and forests would have been created for no purpose. Considered in this light, winter is certainly very useful, and supposing even that its advantages were not so apparent, it would be sufficient for us to reflect, that winter is the work of the Creator, as well as spring and summer, and that all which comes from God must be for the best. JANUARY III. DAILY PROOFS WHICH GOD GIVES US OF HIS NOT to acknowledge the hand of Providence, but in extraordinary cases, is to betray our ignorance and our weakness. In the ordinary course of nature, things offer daily, which ought to excite our attention, and our admiration. The formation of a child in the womb of its mother, is as great a miracle of the power and wisdom of God, as the creation of the first man, formed out of the dust. Likewise the preservation of our life, if we reflect on the several causes and effects which combine for that purpose, is no less wonderful than the resurrection of the dead. The only difference between them is, that one happens but seldom, while we every day witness the other. This is the reason it does not strike us more sensibly, or raise our admiration, as it would otherwise do. Undoubtedly, my own experience ought to convince me fully, that a divine Providence watches over the preservation of my days. I am not certain of a single moment of my life; a thousand unknown and latent causes may hasten the end of it, chill my blood, or stop my breath. Alas! I feel but too well how incapable I am of preserving my life, or of removing such and such infirmity, such and such danger, with which I am threatened. Subject to so many bodily evils, to |