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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

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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,
To muse upon the works of God,
And sing His praise aloud!
"Tis spring, and all around is gay,
Full brightly shines the orb of day,
Dispelling every cloud.

2. He is Supreme, and He alone,
Who clothed with radiant light the sun,
And gave him leave to shine;
Each lofty tree, and humble flower,
Unite to speak their Maker's power,
And prove him all divine.

3. Who spreads so rich a carpet o’er
The meadows gay, with many a flower?
And, for their nourishment, what power
Causes the rain to fall?

Who fans them with the breath of heaven?
By whom is their rich fragrance given?
"Tis He, the Lord of all.

4. How draws the rose its crimson hue
From the dark earth, from which it grew?
Who can such charms create?
From whence arose to please our sight,
The lily with its shining white,
And texture delicate?

5. Oh! as we look around and see
Each plant, from all pollution free,
That's bursting from the sod,
Surely the scene instruction gives ;-
They bear this lesson on their leaves,
That GLORIOUS is our God.

6. This world was formed at His command,
Yon azure sky, so soft and bland,
Was spread by His Almighty hand,
And spangled o'er with gold;
Then let us sound His praise abroad,
And sing how mighty is our God,
Such wonders to unfold.

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.'

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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!'

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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 ?'

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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.

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