THE CHRISTIAN NATURALIST. 147 



either before or after. If Divine Providence has held in 

 one hand a vial of wrath, in the other it has always 

 displayed a cornucopia of mercy, and nothing can 

 afford a stronger proof of this than the fact that those 

 countries have been progressively increasing in popula- 

 tion and wealth, who have esteemed the earth's gifts 

 their best inheritance, and thus made themselves pen- 

 sioners upon the bounty of heaven. 



When we observe the certainty and regularity with 

 which this and every other season comes round, it is 

 incumbent on us to remember, that this arrangement 

 is governed not only by the Divine laws, but is de- 

 pendent on the Divine promise. We gain an argument 

 not only for the power and goodness of the Deity in the 

 unfailing fertility of the earth at a particular season, but 

 one which is equally strong to establish the veracity of 

 the Divine word. How strange is it then, that so many 

 continually think and act as if they deemed it possible 

 that the great and eternal Jehovah, ** with whom is no 

 variableness nor shadow of turning," could break his 

 word ! And what infatuation is this which tempts men, 

 in spite of his express declarations, to gainsay or doubt 

 his purposes, without reflecting that if God has been 

 faithful in lesser things — in things which concern the 



