THE PIGEON. 8? 



all civilized nations, the olive branch has ever been 

 considered a token of peace and a harbinger of mercy. 



The Dove itself, has, from the first ages, been cele- 

 brated for its beauty, innocence, and softness of man- 

 ners; and hence women of uncommon beauty have 

 been named after this bird. One of the daughters of 

 Job is an instance. " And in all the land, were no 

 women found so fair as the daughters of Job." Hi* 

 eldest daughter therefore, was called Jemima, which 

 in the Arabic language signifies Dove. 



The swiftness and innocence of this bird is beauti- 

 fully alluded to in the 55th Psalm. " Oh, that I had 

 wings like a Dove ! for then I would fly a\vay and be 

 at rest ; I would hasten my escape from the windy 

 storms and tempests." 



Good people are always in pain, when they are obli- 

 ged to be in company with the wicked. They desire 

 to escape from the windy storm and tempest, the bois- 

 terous riotings of evil men. Hence it is, that pious 

 and godly men, are never seen in the company of the 

 wicked and ungodly, unless it is for the purpose of set- 

 ting them a good example, and trying to make them 

 better. 



The Dove is mentioned in several other places in the 

 holy scriptures, but we can here allude to only one 

 more. 



This bird, as is well known, has alw r ays been admir- 

 ed for its innocence, and amiable disposition. Our 

 Saviour, in allusion to this part of its character, makes 

 it an example for imitation to his disciples. " Be ye 

 as wise as serpents, and as harmless as Doves," was 

 an important part of the directions which he enjoined 



