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JUNE XIII.

The Magnet.

Of all the bodies in the mineral kingdom, the mag. net, or loadstone, has the most striking properties. It is an iron ore of a dark grey colour, and has the property of attracting iron. This power of attraction resides chiefly in the two extremities of the magnet which are termed its poles; and when it is free and suspended by a string, it constantly directs one pole to the north and the other to the south. This effect is invariably produced, however the stone may be moved, if it is at last left to itself.

This constant and uniform direction of the magnet, which only varies in some particular parts of the globe, has given rise to that extremity of it which points to the south being called the south pole, and the opposite extremity the north pole, of the loadstone. It com. municates to iron polarity, and the power of attracting steel. This discovery introduced the magnetic needle, so necessary to navigators: hence we find that many things which at first seemed to be of no importance, may become highly useful to the world; and the more we extend our knowledge of nature, and study the magnificence of the creation, the more will our intelligence be amplified, our understanding enlarged, and our means of felicity increased.

These virtues of the magnet induced naturalists to examine it more closely, that they might be enabled to penetrate into the cause of such surprising effects, as well as discover new properties in the stone; in which last endeavour they were more fortunate than in the former. They found that the magnet did not always, nor in all places, point alike to the north; but that it inclines one while towards the east, and at another towards the west: they also remarked, that its attractive

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power acted as strongly when they interposed any other body between it and the iron. All metals, iron excepted, wood, glass, fire, water, and animal bodies, give a free passage to the magnetic fluid, and do not prevent its acting upon iron. They discovered that the north pole of one magnet attracts the south pole of the other, and that the north pole of one repels the north pole of the other, and the south poles, applied together also repel each other. It was supposed that the attractive power resides in the iron as well as in the magnet, since the attraction seems to be mutual. To prove this, we have only to suspend a magnet at one end of the beam of a balance, and attach to the other extremity a weight equal to that of the magnet; when the balance is made perfectly equal, place a piece of iron beneath it, and the magnet, attracted by the iron, will descend. The same thing will happen if the iron is attached to the beam and the magnet be placed beneath.

However singular these phenomena may appear, there is another circumstance respecting the magnet not less deserving our attention: which is, that all the skill, the sagacity, and efforts of philosophers, have not succeeded in discovering the cause of these astonishing effects; notwithstanding all their labours, the magnet still continues to perplex the learned, and excite the desires of the curious to unravel its mysteries. If then in natural productions there are many things which the human intellect cannot comprehend or explain, how much more must there be in religion, which is elevated so far above all the objects of our senses? There are mysteries, the explanation of which we cannot obtain in this finite state of existence, and the perfect knowledge of which is reserved for a fu ture world. And can it be surprising that there are things in religion beyond the reach of our understanding, when there are natural productions which daily attract

our attention, whose properties defy the united powers of the learned to explain? There are, however, men who have the presumption and the folly to doubt, and even to deny, all that they cannot understand of religion. If this was a just method of proceeding, it would be equally rational to doubt or to deny that the magnet attracts iron, or possesses polarity; and to assert that all that is related of it is false: for we cannot explain or comprehend the cause of the effects it produces.

When the existence of natural objects is disputed, we have only to say unto the sceptic, Come and see: but the mysteries of religion are not so easily pene. trated; they are hidden from the foolishly wise, and are revealed unto babes; they are seen only with a spiritual eye, and their perfect comprehension is reserved for a more pure and exalted state of existence. When we meet with difficulties, and things which we cannot comprehend, whether in the ample volume of nature or in the pages of religion, let us not be im. patient, but bow with resignation to the will of all. ruling Heaven; remembering that however confined are our faculties and humble our intellectual attain. ments in this life, we are graciously favoured to hope and believe that a great portion of our felicity in a future world will be in that expansion of soul by which it will be enabled to know all that is now concealed from it, and approach in its nature nearer to its Almighty Creator.

JUNE XIV.

Cherries.

THE cherry is a fruit, which, by its sweetness blended with a pleasing acidity, quenches the thirst,

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allays the heat of the blood in summer, and prevents many disagreeable effects, which a hot season might produce in our system. They quench the thirst by their sharpness causing the salivary glands to contract, they cool the parched tongue, and moisten the dry palate. This mode of allaying thirst during hot weather is much preferable to drinking a large quantity of liquid, which distends the stomach and tends to increase the heat and perspiration. Besides the cherries thus pleasantly appeasing our thirst, they possess a cooling property, which tempers the heat of the blood; and thus prevents the debilitating effects of the nerves being continually stimulated. Thus the beneficial juice of cherries, by its acidity and astringent virtue, refreshes us during fervent heats, purifies the blood, and preserves the fluids from putrefaction.

How mercifully has the Creator provided us with fruits adapted to each season! During the hot months we require cooling and acid fruits; and we receive them in abundance, both salutary and agreeable, conducing to our nourishment whilst they gratify our taste. We possess them so plentifully, that the poor can enjoy them as well as the rich. Let us make this consoling reflection, whenever we see a cherry-tree laden with fruit. How sorrowful would be the fate of the labourer who gains his daily bread with the sweat of his brow, if he had no other means of cooling him. self than the delicious beverages which the affluent only can procure! Merciful Father! Thou art mind. ful of the indigent; thou providest for his wants, and condescendest to refresh him with fruits which thy kind Providence has placed within his reach; and cherries are more wholesome and refreshing to the weary labourer than lemonade and the most sparkling wines to the rich. We have great cause to be thankful for the abundance of acid and cooling fruits this season affords; gooseberries, currants, cucumbers,

stone-fruits, sallad, &c. are so many agreeable preservatives of the health.

Whenever we enjoy the sweets of cherries, let us consider them as blessings from heaven, and acknowledge the goodness of our Creator. The heavens, the earth, the elements, and every living creature, contribute to our happiness; wherever we turn our eyes they meet the blessings of our heavenly Father, which every-where surround us. Animals, corn, vegetables, and fruit, in the valleys and upon the mountains, in the forests and in the seas, all serve for our pleasure and support. The all-beneficent hand of the Most High is continually open to us, and his blessings are for ever showering down from Heaven. When we

walk abroad in the fields or in the garden, when we enjoy the beauties and the blessings of nature, let us think of him, the Source of every delight and of every pleasure.

JUNE XV.

Wisdom displayed in the Structure of the Bodies of Animals.

THE formation of the animal body furnishes the most convincing proofs of Divine Wisdom; for as some animals are designed to live principally in the air, others upon the earth, and others in the water, it was requisite that their structure should be adapted to their particular habitation, and conformable to their peculiar modes of life. And this we find they possess in a most admirable manner; they are each provided with that structure which is most appropriate to their nature; so much so, that any other arrangement would have been inconvenient, if not prejudicial.

Amongst birds, those which live upon prey are pro.

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