are the witnesses of the most beautiful and most astonishing spectacle that nature ever presents to our view. The earth, by an annual miracle, rises again, as from her grave, into life and beauty. A new creation peoples the wintry desert; and the voice of joy and gladness is heard among these scenes, which but of late lay in silence and desolation. The sun comes forth, like a bridegroom from his chamber,' to diffuse light and life over every thing he beholds; and the breath of heaven seems to brood, with maternal love,over that infant creation it has so lately awakened into being. In such hours there is a natural impulse which leads us to meditation and praise. We love to go out amid the scenery of nature, to mark its progressive beauty, and to partake in the new joy of every thing that lives;—and we almost involuntarily lift up our eyes to that heaven from whence cometh the hope of man, which openeth its hand, and filleth all things with plenteousness.' Even upon the most uncultivated minds, these seasons have their influence; and wherever, over the face of the earth, the Spring is now returning, even amid nations uncheered by the light of the Gospel, the poor inhabitant is yet everywhere preparing some rude solemnity, to express the renewal of his joy and the return of his praise. LESSON CXXXVII. Instability of Earthly Things.-HERVEY. THE moon is incessantly varying, either in her aspect or her stages. Sometimes she looks full upon us, and her visage is all lustre. Sometimes she appears in profile, and shows us only half her enlightened face. Anon, a radiant crescent but just adorns her brow. Soon it dwindles into a slender streak: till, at length, all her beauty vanishes, and she becomes a beamless orb. Sometimes she rises with the descending day, and begins her procession amidst admiring multitudes. Ere long, she defers her progress till the midnight watches, and steals unobserved upon the sleeping world. Sometimes she just enters the edges of the western horizon, and drops us a ceremonious visit. Within awhile, she sets out on her nightly tour from the opposite regions of the east; traverses the whole hemisphere, and never offers to withdraw, till the more refulgent partner of her sway renders her presence unnecessary. In a word, she is, while conversant among us, still waxing or waning, and never continueth in one stay.' Such is the moon, and such are all sublunary things exposed to perpetual vicissitudes. How often and how soon have the faint echoes of renown slept in silence, or been converted into the clamors of obloquy! The same lips, almost with the same breath, cry, Hosanna and Crucify!-Have not riches confessed their notorious treachery a thousand and a thousand times? Either melting away like snow in our hands, by insensible degrees, or escaping, like a winged prisoner from its cage, with a precipitate flight. Have we not known the bridegroom's closet an antichamber to the tomb; and heard the voice which so lately pronounced the sparkling pair husband and wife, proclaim an everlasting divorce? and seal the decree, with that solemn asseveration, Ashes to ashes, dust to dust!'-Our friends, though the medicine of life; our health, though the balm of nature, are a most precarious possession. How soon may the first become a corpse in our arms; and how easily is the last destroyed in its vigor! You have seen, no doubt, a set of pretty painted birds perching on your trees, or sporting in your meadows. You were pleased with the lovely visitants, that brought beauty on their wings, and melody in their throats. But could you insure the continuance of this agreeable entertainment? No, truly. At the least disturbing noise, at the least terrifying appearance, they start from their seats; they mount the skies, and are gone in an instant, are gone forever. Would you choose to have a happiness which bears date with their arrival, and expires at their departure? If you could not be content with a portion, enjoyable only through such a fortuitous term, not of years, but of moments, O! take up with nothing earthly; set your affections on things above; there alone is 'no variableness or shadow of turning.' RIDE on:-the ark, majestic and alone On the wide waste of the careering deep, Its hull scarce peering through the night of clouds, Is seen. But lo! the mighty deep has shrunk! The ark, from its terrific voyage, rests' On Ararat. The raven is sent forth, Send out the dove, and as her wings far off But whither wilt thou go? For though the clouds ride high above, The wife of Shem, a moment to her breast The dove flies on! In lonely flight Oh! let me in, she seems to say, For long and lone hath been my way; Oh! once more, gentle mistress, let me rest, So the bird flew to her who cherished it. She sent it forth once more; and watched its flight, Till it was lost amid the clouds of heaven: Go, beautiful and gentle dove, For lo! the sun shines bright above, Go, free to sunshine and to wind, Sweet bird, go forth, and fare thee well. Thy welcome sad will be, When thou shalt hear no voice of love Go, then, to sunshine and the wind, LESSON CXXXIX. The Convict Ship.-HERVEY. MORN on the waters!-and, purple and bright, Full to the breeze she unbosoms her sail, And her pennon streams onward, like hope, in the gale; Oh! there be hearts that are breaking below! Night on the waves!-and the moon is on high, "T is thus with our life, while it passes along, With streamers afloat, and with canvass unfurled; All gladness and glory, to wandering eyes, Yet chartered by sorrow, and freighted with sighs: Fading and false is the aspect it wears, As the smiles we put on, just to cover our tears; And the withering thoughts which the world cannot know, Like heart-broken exiles, lie burning below; Whilst the vessel drives on to that desolate shore Where the dreams of our childhood are vanished and o'er. LESSON CXL. Advice to the Young.-CHANNING. YOUNG man, remember that the only test of goodness, virtue, is moral strength, self-denying energy. You have generous and honorable feelings, you scorn mean actions, your heart beats quick at the sight or hearing of courageous, |