200 THE CHRISTIAN NATURALIST. 



When, therefore, we look abroad at this season, and 

 behold the green earth swathed in a mantle of ice 

 and snow, we may almost imagine that we see nature 

 putting on this penitential robe of white, to express 

 her sorrow for man's sin, and to remind him of the 

 necessity of humbling himself in the presence of an 

 offended Deity. Repentance for past sins, patience 

 under present evils, and submission to the Divine 

 chastisements — these are the lessons which are now 

 forcibly taught us. Undoubtedly these duties are 

 necessary at all times ; but in a season when nature 

 herself seems struggling with adversity, her children 

 may be taught to lay them more seriously to heart, and 

 learn amidst the hoarse murmurs of the leafless woods, 

 the fitful wailings of the tempest, and the cold and 

 pallid aspect of all around, to sympathize as it were 

 with the groans and sighings of a parent in the hour of 

 her extremity ; and to wait with patient submission 

 and humble hope the coming of that better season when 

 Paradise with its perpetual spring-tide of joys shall be 

 again restored to redeemed man, and the winter of this 

 world's woes shall have passed away for ever. 



Considered, however, with reference only to the pre- 

 sent world. Winter is a season which if not alwavs 



