MARCH XXVI.

CIRCULATION OF THE SAP IN TREES.

THE trees, which for several months appeared quite dead, begin insensibly to revive. Some weeks hence we shall discover in them still more signs of life. In a short time, the buds will grow large, will open, and produce their precious blossoms. We have it always in our power to observe this revolution regularly in the beginning of each spring; but perhaps have been hitherto ignorant by what means it operates. The effects we observe in spring, in trees, and other vegetables, are produced by the sap, which is put in motion in the stalks of the trees, by the air and increase of heat. As the life of animals depends on the circulation of their blood, so also the life and growth of plants and trees depend on the circulation of sap. For this purpose, God has formed and disposed all parts of vegetables, so as to concur towards the preparation, preservation, and circulation of this nourishing juice. It is chiefly by means of the bark, that the sap, in spring, rises from the roots into the bodies of trees, and even conveys, throughout the year, all the nourishment to the branches. and fruit. The wood of the tree is composed of small long fibres, which extend in a direct line the whole length of the tree to the top; and which are very closely joined together. Among those fibres, there are some so small and fine, that one of them, though scarce as thick as a hair, contains more than eight thousand little fibres. There are a multitude of little veins to contain the nourishing juice, and to make the circulation

circulation easy. These veins extend to the other branches, and rise up the whole length of the tree to the top; some conduct the sap from the root to the top of the tree; and others bring it down from the top to the bottom. The sap rises up the ascending veins in the heat of the day, and comes down the others again in the cool of the evening. The leaves serve for the same purpose, and their chief use is to make the sap circulate; not only that which proceeds from the root, but also what the tree receives outwardly by means of dew, the moisture of the air, and rain. This nourishing juice is spread through every part of the tree. But it could not rise through the stalks, if there were not openings in them at the top. It is through these pores that the watery parts of the sap evaporate; while the oily, sulphureous, and earthy parts mix together to nourish the tree, to transform into a substance, and give it a new growth. If the juice does not reach it, if the circulation is stopped, if the interior organization of the tree is destroyed, whether by too severe cold or frost, by age, or by any wound or outward. accident, the tree dies.

After these reflections, can we see, with the same indifference as formerly, the trees at this season? Will the change there is going to be in them appear so little worth our notice? And can we observe the renewal of all nature, without thinking of God, who gives life to every creature; who provides the juices analogous to trees; who communicates to that sap the power of circulating through the veins, and from thence of giving to trees life, nourishment, and growth? Alas, that it should be possible to see all these things every year, without giving proper attention to them: It is what I am too strong a proof

of.

of. At the return of many springs, I have had the opportunity to observe this quickening vir、 tue which appears in plants and trees: but I have thought no more about it than the animals which graze in the fields; and, what is still more wonderful, I have been equally inattentive to the preservation of my own life, the growth of my body, and the circulation of my blood. Grant that I may now, at least, as I have the happiness to see the spring again, think in a more reasonable way, and more as a Christian. May I at last acknowledge, through all the works of nature, that beneficent Creator, whose greatness all the world proclaims. But all my wishes will be fruitless, if thou thyself, O Lord, who art the God of all mercy, dost not incline my heart to acknowledge and glorify thy great and holy name. Now, that all nature revives, grant that my soul may be quickened by thy Spirit. May this new existence, which the vegetables receive at this lovely season, be the signal to awaken me from my slumber, and lead me to virtue.

MARCH XXVII.

OUR IGNORANCE OF OUR FUTURE

STATE.

IF we are ignorant of future events, we must not seek the cause of it merely in the nature of our souls, the faculties and knowledge of which are very limited; but also in the express and infinitely wise will of the Creator. He knew the strength of man; and he would not give him more knowledge than he could bear,

Knowledge

Knowledge is to the soul what the light of the sun is to the eyes: A too great splendour would hurt, without being of use. It would be very dangerous to the virtue of man, if he had the faculty of foreseeing what was to happen to him; for outward circumstances have generally some influence on the way of thinking, and in the resolutions we form: Therefore, the more we knew of future events, or the more temptations we should have to surmount, the more we should have to fear for our virtue. How wretched also should we be, if we could see into futurity! Suppose, in reality, that the future events were to be agreeable and happy: While we do not foresee this greater happiness which awaits us, we enjoy with gratitude the present advantages we possess. But, draw the curtain, and discover an agreeable prospect of futurity, and we cease from that moment to enjoy the present. We should no longer be content, happy, or grateful. We should anxiously and impatiently expect the fortune designed us; and our days would pass one after another without enjoying them. But suppose future events are to be sad and melancholy, we suffer before-hand all the afflictions as soon as we foresee them. Days which might have passed agreeably, in peace and quiet, if the future had been concealed from us, are, as soon as we know it, spent in anxiety, in sorrow, and in the sad expectation of a certain evil. In a word, the idea of the misfortunes reserved for us would prevent our enjoying present happiness, and would make us insensible to it. How great, therefore, is the wisdom and goodness of God, in having thrown a veil over futurity, and only letting us know our fate by degrees, as the destined events happen to us! Let us never wish to anticipate the happiness

which awaits us, nor to feel the weight of evils before they happen. Let us, on the contrary, every time we think on futurity, bless God, for having, by this ignorance, spared us so many cares, fears, and sorrows. Why should we wish to see through the veil which covers futurity? If we are certain of our reconciliation with our God and Redeemer, we may also be certain, that all future events, be they agreeable or otherwise, will infallibly contribute to our real welfare.— And is it not a merciful and gracious God who directs all events, and who rules futurity? He sees at once the whole course of our lives, not only the past, but even what is to come, as far as eternity itself. When we lie down to sleep, let us recommend ourselves to the care of our heavenly Father, without troubling ourselves about what may happen in the night; and, when we awake, let us trust in him, without being anxious for the events which may mark the day. In the midst even of the dangers with which we are surrounded, and the misfortunes which threaten us, let us remember the goodness of God; let us put our trust in him, and never doubt that he will either remove them, or turn them to our advantage.And though we do not know what evils await us, we need have no anxiety on that account; because we know that God is not ignorant of them; and that, when they happen, he will not fail to support and assist us. It is therefore to this wise and merciful Disposer of all events that we should, with entire confidence, trust our fates. Whatever God has decreed for us, must necessarily happen. It is the portion allotted us, and proper for us. The cup that is presented, let us receive it willingly, and without murmuring, convinced that it is for our good. Let us resign ourselves to the Lord,