grra.j :.w)-m
70
Okdhk.
7Z nLALIt. -. jjt,.
ully. Tliougli it is often considered a
troublesome tusk, yet it is certainly a
source of grout convenience: for many
troubles and pains arise that might have
been spared, had the rule been properly
applied. A library well stocked with
volumes, representing the literature of all
nations and all ages past, would, indeed,
present a very rude appearance, if the
books were carelessly thrown upon the
shelved regardless of order. A museum,
containing thousands of diil'erent curios
ities, would bo the source of endless toil
and irritation when selecting from among
them certain articles required, if every
class and every subdivision did rot occu
py its proper place.
A language composed of thousands of
words, for convenience, is divided into a
few classes: and these classes we may de
scribe as having certain properties, re
spectively belonging to them, and thus
the peculiarities of one language may be
intelligently described in another, ex
tending thought in every conceivable di
rection, promoting and el"vatingthe stan
dard ot the mind. The facility of this,
depends largely upon the order in which
the representatives of thought are ar
ranged. But wo need not confine our
solves to laws and regulations established
by man for illustrations.
Let us observe carefully the various
changes constantly going on in the works
of nature, in the handiwork of God. Na
ture may seem in many of her ways to bo
confusion, a chaos, over which it ha
no controll. The soft and gentle breeze,
followed, (as if by accident,) by cold and
piercing winds, the roaring tempest and
the lightning's glare. The smooth and
glossy face of the grand and mighty ocean,
calm and still, followed by the heaving
waves, rolling mountain on mountain
high, its dark gloomy countenance whit
ened with foam. The sullen murmur
and the crackling sound of the tree tops
in the dismal night and the fresh and ten
der shrub sparkling with the morning
dew.
The sweet music of the gay and happy
song-bird, as ic Mutters from branch to
branch, in the bright foliage greeting the
rising sun, whose golden beams are peep
ing over the distant hills. All these seem
to follow each other at irregular intervals,
apparently regardless of order. But in
taking a more general observation, a more
expanded view, wo shall find that what be
fore seemed so chaotic now exhibits the
highest degree of order.
The inorganic as well as tho organic
world furnishes an abundance of exam
pics. Each element seems to be subject
to a law, or code of laws, from which
there is no appeal. Every atom seems to
occupy a certain sphcro, and to have a cer
tain function to perforin. The atmos
phere, acted upon by the force of guivita
tion, presses every loose article when not
otherwise employed gently but firmly to
the bosom of the earth. Thus everything
is retained in its proper place, when once
there, until further required. And oh,
what a vast field of thought and contem
plation we have before us whenever we
consider the precise arrangement in tho
construction of every plant and every an-
imal, from the lowest to tho highest degree.
And the Planet, this Earth which is at
least the temporary homo of all these so
grand and wonderfully constructed, is but
a minute part, a mere speck, in the great
universe of God.
Truly it has been said, Order is lleav
en's first law. And only by obedience to
this law can we ever accomplish the ob
ject for which we were designed.
P. W. II.
Wo should not be too hasty in bestow
ing either our praise or our censure on
mankind, since we shall often find such a
mixture of good and evil in the same
character, that it may require a very accu-.
rate judgment and a very elaborate inqui
ry to determine on which side tho balance
turns. Ficldiuy.
i
r