MOLLUSCA. 11 



which you ought most to admire, the instrument 

 or Him who so well fitted and prepared the instru- 

 ment for the work to which it is appointed. Now, 

 suppose that you have yourself made or done 

 any thing very nicely and with great pains for a 

 friend, would you feel satisfied, or think it just, 

 if, whil'e your performance was admired, you 

 were forgotten f 



Child. I should consider such conduct very 

 unfair. 



Teacher. And what lesson do you suppose 

 that I wish to teach you by drawing your atten- 

 tion to your own feelings when your industry 

 and ingenuity have been thus overlooked 1 



Child. That when we are struck with the 

 beauty and utility of any of God's works, we 

 should praise him for his wisdom, and thank him 

 for his goodness. 



Teacher. It is with such feelings that I wish 

 you to study Natural History, and it would then 

 prove a very delightful and profitable employ- 

 ment.* You must now return to the consider- 

 ation of the animals before you. Examine them 



* It is most important in giving instruction in Natural History, 

 early to accustom children to recognise the God of nature in his 

 works. If God be robbed of his glory, how can we anticipate a 

 blessing on our labours ? Has not experience proved, that the 

 study of the wonders of creative wisdom does not lead the natural 

 heart to the Creator ? Is it not notorious, that among the follow- 

 ers of science is continually seen the practical, if not the avowed 

 atheist. Let this be a beacon to the Christian instructor, aud let it 

 be his careful endeavour to guard against the fatal error of speak- 

 ing of God's works independently of him. As we are called upon 

 to walk by faith, and not by sight, it is essential to lead children to 

 see God in all things, and to trace Him who is himself invisible in 

 those outward manifestations of his power and goodness, which are 

 within the reach of their observation. 



