7. Look at the small pebbles on the shore. They were once large stones, but they have been worn away by the waves. They are of many different colors, and forms, and kinds. Some are rough and dull, and some are smooth and bright. Some are transparent, like glass; you may see the light through them. 8. Look at the various and many-colored shells, scattered about on the sands, or clinging to the sides of the rocks. Some of these shells are empty now, but they have all had a living creature within them. 9. They are all wonderfully contrived, some with curious winding chambers, and some that open with folding doors. Each little animal lives as comfortably in its shell as we do in our houses. God has provided for their com fort, as well as that of all other living creatures He has made. 10. If we observe every different animal, from the largest down to the smallest,-fourfooted beasts, birds, fishes, winged insects, worms, and other creeping things, we shall see in them all, the power and goodness of their Creator. 11. How beautiful and varied are their forms! Some move slowly and heavily, others swiftly and gracefully. Some walk on the ground, some fly through the air; others swim in the rivers or in the sea, How tame and gentle are some, and how fierce and wild are others! 12. If we observe their different habits, we shall discover how skillful and ingenious they are, and how perfectly their Maker has taught them to provide for all their wants. Well may we say then with the Psalmist: "O Lord, how manifold are Thy works; in wisdom hast Thou made them all!" pared? 2. What may 66 QUESTIONS.-1. To what are the works of God comwe read in this great book? 3. What does it teach us about flowers? Plants? Trees? Streams? Rivers? Sea? Pebbles? Shells? 4. What is said of the animals? 5. How did the Psalmist express himself as he beheld the works of God? LESSON LIX. away. Spell and Define-1. DIS PEL' LING, driving 2. SU PREME', the highest and greatest being; Gud. 3. DiVINE', pertaining to God. 4. NOUR' ISH MENT, food; sustenance. 5. POL LU' TION, defilement. 6. TEXT' URE, the connection of the parts of a body; that which is woven. 7. BLAND, mild; gentle; soft. 8. CRIM' SON, leep red. THE WORKS OF THE CREATOR. 1 O COME and let us walk abroad, 2. He is Supreme, and He alone, 3. Who spreads so rich a carpet o’er Who fans them with the breath of heaven? 4. How draws the rose its crimson hue 5. Oh! as we look around and see 6. This world was formed at His command, QUESTIONS.-1. On what should we muse, and whose praise should we sing? 2. What works are mentioned as praising their Maker? 3. What reasons are given why we should praise God? What is meant by "orb of day," first verse? LESSON LX. Spell and Define-1. MED I TA' TION, serious contemplation; continued thought. 2. MIR' A CLE, a supernatural event. 3. POME GRAN' ATE, a tree and its fruit. 4. UN OBSERV' ED, not seen. 5. RE TIRE MENT, the state of being withdrawn. 6. In dulg' ed, permitted to be; suffered. THE BOY WHO WISHED TO SEE A MIRACLE. 1. On a spring day, young Solomon sat under the palm trees in the garden of his father, the king, and looked upon the ground in deep meditation. And Nathan, his instructor, approached him, saying, "Of what are you thinking so earnestly, under the palm trees?" 2. The youth raised his head, and replied, "Nathan, I should like to see a miracle!" The prophet smiled and said, “A wish that I likewise indulged, in my youthful days.' وو 3. "And did it continue?" inquired the prince hastily. "A man of God," proceeded Nathan, "came to me with a pomegranate seed in his hand. 'Behold,' said he, 'what this seed will produce!' And he made a hole in the ground with his finger, and placed the seed in it, and covered it over. 4. "After he had removed his hand, the ground rose, and I saw two small leaves come forth, and become a round stem, surrounded with bark, and the stem grew visibly taller and thicker. 5. "Then the man of God said to me, 'Take notice!' and as I looked, seven boughs spread forth out of the stem, like the seven branches on the candlestick of the altar. 6. "I was astonished; but the man of God gave me a hint to be silent, and take notice. Behold,' said he, a new growth will soon commence!' 7. "He then dipped water out of the brook that flowed along, in the hollow of his hand, and sprinkled the boughs three times; when, behold! they hung full of green leaves, so that we were surrounded with a cool shade, together with pleasant odors! 'Whence,' cried I, is this fragrance wafted to the refreshing shade ?' 8. "Do you not see,' said the man of God, 'how the purple colored blossoms shoot out among the leaves, and hang down in bunches?' 9. "I would have spoken, but a gentle wind swept off the blossoms around us, like snow as it descends from the clouds. They had scarcely fallen when the red pomegranates hung down among the leaves, like the almonds on Aaron's rod.* Then the man of God left me in deep astonishment.” 10. Now Nathan ended. And Solomon earnestly inquired, "Where is he?-What is the name of the divine man?-Is he still living?", 11. Nathan replied, "Son of David, I have related a dream!" When Solomon heard this, he was grieved in his heart, and said, "How could you thus deceive me?" 12. But Nathan continued, "I have not de * See the 17th chapter of the book of Numbers. |