296 
VIEW OF NATURE. 
have been investigating, with some others, constitutes a general 
branch of knowledge, termed Natural science. The study of 
nature presents in a lively and forcible manner, the power and 
wisdom of the creator; and offers to the enlightened mind, a 
never failing source of the most pure, and refined enjoyment. 
Those who know nothing of this source of happiness, cannot 
appreciate its value ; they may inquire the use of studying into 
the nature of objects, without any reference to the enjoyment of 
the senses, to personal gain, or honor. A celebrated natural- 
ist* observes ; “ The rich and the great imagine, that every one 
is miserable, and out of the world, who does not live as they do ; 
but they are the persons who, living far from nature and from 
God, live out of the world. Misled by the prejudices of a faul- 
ty education, I have pursued a vain felicity amid the false glo- 
ries of arms, the favor of the great, and sometimes in frivolous 
and dangerous pleasures. I have never been happy but when I 
trusted in God ; opposed to Thee, the Author of all things ! 
power is weakness ! supported by Thee, weakness becomes 
strength ! When the rude Northern blasts have ravaged the 
earth, Thou callest forth the feeblest of winds ; at the sound of 
Thy voice, the zephyr breathes, the verdure revives, the gentle 
cowslip and the humble violet cover the bosom of the bleak 
earth with a mantle of gold and purple.” 
To the pious reflections of this French writer we will add 
the following quotation from an English author,! the energies 
of whose rich and cultivated intellect were devoted to the cause 
' of religion ; who viewed nature as a philosopher, but what is 
far better, as a Christian. Happy indeed, are those in whom phi- 
losophy and Christianity are blended, and delightful is the in- 
tercourse even in this world between minds thus enlightened 
and purified ! 
“ There is peculiar sweetness in the recollection of those 
hours which we have spent with friends of a kindred spirit, 
amidst the beauties of created nature. The Christian can alone 
find that congeniality in associates, who not only possess a live- 
ly and cultivated sense of the high beauty which landscape 
scenery presents to the eye, but who can also see creation’s God 
in every feature of the prospect. The painter can imitate, the 
poet describe, and the tourist talk with ecstacy of the sublime 
and beautiful objects which constitute the scene before him. 
But he can only be said to enjoy them aright, whose talents, 
taste, and affections are consecrated to the glory of Him by 
* St. Pierre. 
tRev. Legh Richmond. 
Natural science. 
