GOODNESS OF THE DEITY. 299 



witli which most animals, as their activity subsides seek 

 and enjoy rest, affords reason to beUeve that this source of 

 gratification is appointed to advanced life, under all, or most 

 of its various forms. In the species with which we are best 

 acquainted, namely, our own, I am far, even as an observer 

 of human life, from thinking that youth is its happiest sea- 

 son, much less the only happy one : as a Christian, I am 

 willing to believe that there is a great deal of truth in the 

 following representation given by a very pious writer as well 

 as excellent man :* " To the intelligent and virtuous, old-age 

 presents a scene of tranquil enjoyments, of obedient appetite, 

 of well-regulated affections, of maturity in knowledge, and 

 of calm preparation for immortality. In this serene and 

 dignified state, placed as it were on the confines of two worlds, 

 the mind of a good man reviews what is past with the com- 

 placency of an approving conscience ; and looks forw^ard 

 with humble confidence in the mercy of God, and wdth de- 

 vout aspirations towards his eternal and ever-increasing 

 favor." 



What is seen in different stages of the same life, is still 

 more exemplified in the lives of different animals. Animal 

 enjoyments are infinitely diver si jiecl. The modes of life to 

 wdiich the organization of different animals respectively de- 

 termines them, are not only of various, but of opposite kinds. 

 Yet each is happy in its owai. For instance, animals of prey 

 live much alone ; animals of a milder constitution, in society. 

 Yet the herring which lives in shoals, and the sheep which 

 lives in flocks, are not more happy in a crowd, or more con- 

 tented among their companions, than is the pike or the lion 

 \\\i\\ the deep solitudes of the pool or the forest. 



But it will be said, that the mstances which we have 

 here brought forw^ard, whether of vivacity or repose, or ol 

 apparent enjoyment derived from either, are picked and favor- 

 able instances. "We answer, first, that they are instances, 

 nevertheless, which comprise large provinces of sensitive 

 * Father's Listructions ; by Dr. Percival. of Manchester, p 317 



