4 THE CHRISTIAN NATURALIST. 



earth would be utterly uninhabitable ; as for instance, 

 those under the equinoctial line, as well as at the North 

 and South Poles: and even our own island, whose 

 genial climate is surpassed by none on the globe, would 

 have been but a desolate region. It could have had 

 only the heat of a March or October sun, which would 

 liave been insufficient to ripen corn, or any other of the 

 valuable fruits of the earth : whereas, by the present 

 plan of a benevolent Creator, it produces in succession 

 almost every article of comfort — nay, even of luxury — 

 and is enabled to rise superior in many respects to the 

 inhabitants of warmer and more fertile climates. 



To the mere observer of nature, this view of the 

 beneficial effects arising from the Seasons may well 

 inspire wonder, and serve to reconcile him to the chill 

 and dreary months of winter. But to the Christian 

 Naturalist it will afford not only wonder and content- 

 ment, but gratitude to God, that he thus keeps up as 

 it were in every change of the year, ** the memory of 

 his great goodness," and makes every season the 

 instrument of conveying fresh blessings to his unworthy 

 creature man. 



Another view in which the Seasons present themselves 

 to our notice, and one no less important, is that of 



