THB CHRISTIAN NATURALIST. 71 



part of the Sun, or something wholly distinct from it. 

 Philosophers have written much upon the laws of light ; 

 but after all that has been said, its essence is as much 

 unknown to us as the essence of God himself. This, 

 therefore, may teach us caution in judging of divine 

 things, ** For who by searching can find out God ?" 



But the Christian Naturalist would not forget the 

 earth, with its tribes of living beings all gay and full 

 of animation, and its beautiful kingdoms of vegetable 

 nature, all spread ^ut like a splendid picture to feast 

 the eye, to fill the mind, and to awaken the gratitude 

 of man that was once crowned king and lord of all 

 this lower creation. Wherever he looks at this season 

 he sees innumerable beings animated with life, and ap- 

 parently rejoicing in their existence. The Swallow 

 with the swiftness of an arrow, darts through the air, 

 and reminds him, by the regularity of its return, of 

 that law of instinct which so forcibly rebukes the in- 

 consistency and carelessness of man towards his Maker. 

 See Jeremiah viii. 1'. The Bee buzcs from flower to 

 flower, to gather honey for its winter store, as if to 

 give us a beautiful example of industry and prudent 

 foresight. And even the little Ant, so laboriously 

 working at this aea&on, teaches a lesson to the sluggard 



