Utility of thunder-storms.

in the air would be continually accumulating; men and animals would perish by thousands, and a universal pestilence would soon transform the world into one vast cemetery. Which, then, is the most rational, to rejoice or to repine at thunder-storis ? to murmur at the trifling mischiefs which they sometimes occasion, or to thank and adore the Almighty for the blessings which, upon the whole, they confer on the earth? Add to this, that men and animals not only derive important advantages from the purification of the atmosphere from accumulated vapors by means of thunder-storms, but that it is also highly beneficial to the vegetable kingdom. Experience teaches us that the rain which falls during a thunder-storm is far more favorable to vegetation than any other. The saline and sulphureous particles with which the air is impregnated on such occasions, are carried down by the rain to the earth, and convey a most excellent nourishment to plants; to say nothing of the innumerable multitudes of pernicious insects which are swept away and destroyed.

These considerations may tend to moderate our excessive fear of thunder-storms; a fear which too plainly evinces the little, confidence we place in God. Instead of cherishing fearful and terrific ideas, let us habituate ourselves to contemplate the grandeur and sublimity of an approaching thunderstorm. Instead of dwelling only upon the accidents occasioned by lightning, let us reflect on the necessity and great utility of this phenomenon, Instead of praying to the Almighty to avert storms, let us wish for them, or rather, let us leave the direction of all these things to him who governs the universe with supreme wisdom and goodness,

Of the primitive constitution of the earth.

Whenever the storm shall lour, let us, with full conviction of heart, exclaim: 'Tis thou, O omnipotent, who commandest the thunder, and directest the winged lightning in its course. Our fate is in thy hand; thou canst preserve, and thou canst destroy. Thy storms can either fertilize or desolate our fields. Great art thou, O Lord our God, and ineffable is thy power. How can we withstand thee, or whither can we flee from the visitation of thy wrath? But are we not thy children, and art not thou our reconciled Father? Thou speakest to us in thunder, not to curse, but to bless us. Praised be thy name, O Lord, from everlasting to everlasting; and let all the people say: Hallelujah! Amen!

JULY 12.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE EARTH AND ITS PRIMITIVE CONSTITUTION.

GOD has so constituted the earth that it is adapted to the production and support of herbs, plants, and trees. It is so compact that the vegetables growing in it cannot be blown down by the wind, and at the same time so loose and light that the roots can shoot forth in it, and attract humidity and nutritive juices. Even when the surface of the earth is parched with drought, the lightness of the soil still makes the humidity to ascend as through capillary vessels, that the trees may not be deprived of the requisite nourishment. The earth is moreover impregnated with various kinds of oleaginous and other juices, which promote the growth of plants; and that the different species of ve

Of the primitive constitution of the earth.

getables may be perpetuated, God has created many different kinds of earth, with a view also to other purposes. One sort is used to make

bricks and tiles for building; another in the manyfacture of various kinds of vessels and household utensils; this in dyeing, and that in medicine.

The inequalities of the earth's surface are productive of great and general benefit. Mountains afford a retreat and abode, not only to a greater number, but also a greater variety of animals and. vegetables. They serve to break the violence of the winds and produce herbs and fruits which will not thrive in the plains. They are the maga zines in which Nature has deposited the metals and minerals for our use. They are the reservoirs whence the earth is supplied with water, since most of the rivers take their rise in mountains, partly from the melting of the snow, partly from rain, and partly from other vapors. Of the stones extracted from the bosom of the earth, some are used for building houses and walls, and others for making lime and glass. The metals render us such a variety of services that it is impossible to enumerate them all. Consider only the tools of our mechanics and artisans, the multifarious household utensils which are manufactured from them, and are subservient either to our pleasures or our necessities. From the solidity and gravity of these bodies we often derive considerable advantages. The utility of minerals is scarcely less extensive. The salts serve to season our food and to preserve it from putridity, and the sulphureous particles in bodies render them combustible.

Even earthquakes and volcanoes, whatever calamities they may sometimes occasion, are, neverVOL. III. NO. 15.

E

Of the primitive constitution of the earth.

theless, indispensably necessary, and of general utility. If the sulphureous vapors were not consumed by the subterraneous fire, they would ascend in much greater quantity into the atmosphere, and render it unwholesome; many warm baths would cease to exist, and many metals and minerals would no longer be produced. Our ignorance alone prevents us from discovering the utility of an infinite number of objects. In the contemplation of certain phenomena of Nature, which are occasionally prejudicial to man, we ought always to bear in mind this maxim, that if God sometimes permits trivial evils to occur, it is only that they may contribute to the perfection of the whole. We ought, therefore, to consider the works of God, not only. in one point of view, but to survey them on every side, and to explore their whole concatenation, if we would convince ourselves of the wisdom with which they are constituted and arranged.

We consider many things as prejudicial which are of incontestible utility, and others as superfluous, though there would be a chasm in the empire of the creation if they did not exist. How many objects appear of little value because we are unac quainted with their real uses. Put a magnet into the hands of a person ignorant of its properties, he will think it scarcely worth looking at; but tell him that to this stone we are indebted for important improvements in navigation, and the discovery of a new world, and he will begin to entertain a different opinion of this production. The same observation is applicable to thousands of objects which we disregard or undervalue, merely because we are unacquainted with their ends, their uses, and relations in the general system of Nature,

Of the changes of the moon.

O Lord, the earth is full of thy blessings. All that is over or under the earth, the very dust not excepted, has been wisely constituted by thee. How long have I myself dwelt upon the earth, and witnessed thy beneficence. Grant that I may consider it as a sacred duty to improve myself in the knowledge of thee, and to love thee more and more fervently for all the blessings which, by means of the earth, thou bestowest upon me.

JULY 13.

OF THE CHANGES OF THE MOON.

OBSERVATION teaches ns that the moon has a peculiar motion round the earth from west to east'; for, after she has been placed between the earth and the sun, she retires from that luminary, and recedes towards the east, changing her place of rising every day, till, at length, in a fortnight she is exactly at the opposite point of the horizon to the sun when he sets. She is then said to be in opposition, rising in the evening at sun-set, and setting about the time when the sun makes his appearance. In continuing her course round the earth, the moon again removes from the point of opposition, and keeps gradually approaching towards the sun. She now makes her appearance later and later, and at last is visible only a little before the sun. This revolution of the moon round the earth explains the reason why the moon rises and sets at such different times, and why her phases are so different, and yet so regular.

Every one must know that a candle or any other light can illumine only half the surface of a globe,