THE CHRISTIAN NATURALIST. 43 



of Sirach, the Apocryphal writer of the book of 

 Ecclesiasticus, has shewn much wisdom by the manner 

 in which he refers to this lovely specimen of the 

 Creator's works : " Look upon the Rainbow," says 

 he, "and praise him that made it ; very beautiful it 

 is in the brightness thereof; it encompasseth the 

 heavens about with a glorious circle, and the hands 

 of the Most High have bended it." There are but 

 few persons who will not acknowledge the propriety 

 of thus directing their attention to an object which is 

 at once so conspicuous and striking, as to claim a tribute 

 of admiration from all persons, whether young, or old, 

 learned, or ignorant. How vast is the extent, how 

 delicate the texture of its shadowy arch ! How elegant 

 in its form, and rich in its tinctures ! but how much 

 more delightful in its sacred significancy ! for while 

 the violet and the rose blush together in its beautiful 

 aspect, the olive branch smiles in its gracious import. 

 It writes in radiant dyes what the angels sang in 

 harmonious strains, •* Glory to God in the highest, and 

 on earth peace, good will toward men !" 



In a natural point of view, the agency of the clouds 

 which produce the Rainbow so frequently at this sea- 

 son, is especially necessary to nurture and quicken the 



