392 



which ought to be not only our duty, but our con- 

 solation and delight. In this I conceive the very 

 essence of faith and piety to consist. But under 

 the controul of this disposition every enjoyment 

 and every hope is enhanced ; and He who has pre- 

 sented us with a garden as the seat of primaeval in- 

 nocence and delight, cannot be offended by our as- 

 sociating the admiration of his works with any 

 ideas or hopes concerning the happiness in store for 

 us hereafter." 



" Another great recommendation of natural hi- 

 story is the habit it necessarily gives of arranging 

 our ideas and exercising our powers of discrimina- 

 tion. In this it vies with the study of grammar and 

 the mathematics. It is the pursuit of truth, — a love 

 of which is as inherent in every sound mind as the 

 love of life. It is a science of facts ; and the only 

 way by which it can of itself be advanced, or con- 

 tribute to the improvement of our understandings 

 and powers, is by practical observation and inquiry. 

 It teaches us to see and discriminate, and then to 

 reason. The worm that crawls on the ground can 

 perceive, the bird that flies in the air and builds its 

 curious nest can contrive ; but man only is allowed 

 to contemplate, compare, and weigh the designs of 

 Infinite Wisdom. 



" The exercise of this high privilege soon brings 

 its own reward. We cannot long ' walk with God 

 in the garden of creation,' without admiring the 

 beauty and partaking of the felicity which the Cre- 

 ator delights to bestow and to display. 



"A superficial observation of either, however, 



