from iniquity, the more easy is the path to virtue. Let us each labour for our mutual improvement, and impart to those who are in want a portion of the blessings which we are favoured to receive: our days will then glide on imperceptibly; our hearts, estranged from every sordid care and base passion, will be the seat of love, of peace, and of joyful harmony; and when our last hour shall arrive, we shall calmly repose in humble confidence on the bosom of our God, amid the prayers and blessings of thousands of our fellow-creatures.

JUNE IV.

Desires of the Soul unlimited.

LET us employ a few moments in reflecting on our own particular state; and certainly the consideration of our immortal soul has the first claim to our attention, as more nearly concerning us than any thing this world can afford. Whatever satisfaction we' may feel in contemplating the objects of the material world, is infinitely short of that which we derive from meditating upon the nature and faculties of the soul. The contemplation of external objects which the traveller meets with on his way is doubtless highly pleasing, because he requires recreation and amusements in his pilgrimage; but by the contemplation of spiritual objects we are led to the consideration of the immortality of the soul, and the endless felicity of the righteous in the world to come. Let us often reflect upon the desires which are impressed on our souls. Experience convinces us that our desire for knowledge can never be satisfied; as soon as we have made one discovery, we thirst after more information, and, in proportion as our ignorance diminishes, we wish for more knowledge. Our desires are insatiate, and when we at length enjoy what we

most ardently longed for, new wishes spring up, and the desire of receiving additional blessings accompanies us from infancy to the grave.

From all this we may infer, that, as no external object gratifies us long, as our desires never end with enjoyment, and nothing present is entirely satisfactory, but that we are continually looking for future blessings without ever being fully gratified, there is a state of existence beyond the present, the desire of which is so strongly implanted in our souls, that nothing short of it completely satisfies us. Can any one suppose that man should be the only creature upon the earth which possessed a faculty, without the power of obtaining the end for which that faculty was given him? or that man alone should possess an instinct whose instigations he could not satisfy? This indeed would render his condition more pitiable than that of the brutes; for when an animal of that description is hungry or thirsty, it finds aliment to supply its wants: we see the silk-worm spin its cone, and shut itself up within it till it comes forth a new creature; and we see birds lay eggs; but would these things happen if it were not designed for the preservation of their species? If then our existence was limited to the short span of this present life, why are implanted in our souls desires boundless as infinitude, and inclinations which nothing earthly can gratify? And why have we faculties which are ever grasping at something beyond their reach? Surely the great Author of nature has never given us such desires without some wise and noble end, much less has he endowed us with them that they may be our tor

mentors.

Gracious God! my soul feels Thy sweet influence, and loves Thee above all other things. It aspires to imitate thy perfection, and unite itself unto Thee for ever; it can soar above all terrestrial objects, and continue its lofty flight till it reaches Thy throne. And can this soul, this principle of power and in◄

telligence, the emanation of the Deity, ever be annihilated? Were that the case, vain would be our knowledge, and fruitless our love of God. For the utmost stretch of human attainment is very little ; the highest degree of perfection which man can possibly acquire is very inferior, and infinitely short of what he conceives. Doubtless, then, all the excellence which we are permitted to possess upon the earth, and all the intelligence which we are enabled to attain, are but the forerunners of that endless felicity the hope of which cheers every heart.

From these considerations we may learn something of our future destination. We now see that the desire of increasing in wisdom and virtue, and the wish of always approximating nearer to God, the Source of all perfection, are not accidental, or given us in vain; we now know, that the happiness which our imagination could anticipate but not enjoy in this state of being, will be the endless reward of the just; and we are now convinced, that those favoured moments in which the love of God warmed our hearts, when all the blessings of heaven opened before our view, and when we so ardently longed after perfection, were not useless, nor without efficacy. We are continually advancing towards perfection; and the more earnest and unremitting are our endeavours, the nearer shall we attain to it; no faculties of the soul are useless, and the more they are exercised the greater will be their powers. Let us then rejoice in our immortality, and ascend from what is visible to what is invisible. Let us in the midst of pleasure, when surrounded with all that this world can afford, when animated by hope, and in the enjoyment of every blessing which the most favoured children of humanity are permitted to receive, lift up our souls to heaven, and reflect upon the purity of God, that we may be preserved from the allurements of sense, and not debase our faculties by pursuits beneath the dignity of human nature, and incompatible with the sacred duties of Christianity.

JUNE V.

Utility of Rivers.

WHEN We calculate the space which rivers оссиру, we find that it takes up a considerable part of the earth. Let those who are discontented with this arrangement, and imagine that it would be more beneficial if the rivers had been fewer and the land more abundant, consider with what wisdom and beautiful proportion the Creator has formed the globe, and they will then doubtless be ready to acknowledge that the rivers have not been distributed upon the earth without the wisest views, and an evident utility to man, and every living creature.

First, we may observe, that river-water supplies a very wholesome beverage. Spring or pump water, when it has remained long under the earth without agitation, detaches and dissolves, or holds suspended, particles of matter which may be injurious to our system; but river-water, which is continually evaporating, and constantly undergoing agitation, refines itself from all impurities, and becomes the most salubrious drink for men and beasts.

This is far from being the only use of rivers; do we not owe to them the neatness, salubrity, and comfort, of our dwellings, as well as the fertility of our fields? Our habitations are always unhealthy when surrounded by marshes and stagnant waters, or when a drought is produced in consequence of the want of water. The smallest river is refreshing, and cools the air; whilst the earth is rendered more fertile. What an astonishing difference is observed between a country watered by various streams, and one to which nature has denied this blessing! The one is dry, barren, and desert; the other flourishes like a garden, where woods, valleys, meadows, and fields, present every variety of beauty. A river meandering through a country carries with it refreshment, abund

ance, and prosperity; and not only irrigates the roots of plants, but fertilises the earth by frequent inundations and continual evaporation.

Surely then no one can be so inattentive and ungrateful as not to acknowledge the advantage of rivers, seeing that they are the source of such numerous blessings. If by means of rivers, merchandise could not be floated through every part of a kingdom, commerce would be impeded; without their assistance the machinery of numerous manufactories would be stopped, agriculture would suffer, and the tables of the luxurious would be deprived of many of their delicacies. The only inconvenience of rivers is their being sometimes subject to inundations, which occasion very considerable damage: but this, compared with their many advantages, is trifling; inundations do not happen very often; they seldom extend far; and whatever temporary losses they may occasion, they amply indemnify by enriching and fertilising the land. Thus the consideration of rivers will convince the attentive observer, that the Divine goodness is manifested through all nature, in the ocean, and in the rivers of water, equally as upon the solid earth. We find every thing conduces to our happiness and advantage; and if we were deprived of any one of the blessings we now enjoy, part of our comfort and felicity would be taken away.

JUNE VI.

Diversity of Flowers.

WHEN We consider the prodigious number of flowers produced in the spring, summer, and autumn, we cannot but be astonished; and their variety is not less remarkable: to produce so great a number required the agency of a Divine Power, and to effect