That lightning's flash may strike thy head, But lightnings far more fierce and strong, Great God! how then shall I appear, A THOUGHT ON THE RAINBOW. SEE! how yon cloud obscures the day, But mark, the rainbow (cheerful sight!) Just so, Affliction's cloud we view, But Faith lifts up her prayerful eye, The cloud is ting'd with heav'nly die, THE UNCLOUDED SUN. On the Motto to the Earl of Rosslyn's Arms, Th' unclouded sun! How it displays An image of my Lord!* Th' unclouded sun; an emblem bright Their Sun shall never more decline, A SKETCH ON AUTUMN. THE spring, with all its growing and blooming beauties, is gone; the plenteous and charming summer is ended; the sweet singers of the feathered tribes have forgotten their amorous and melodious notes; the summer birds have taken their flight to warmer regions; the peasant has laid aside his scythe and sickle, pitchfork and rake. "The harvest is past, the summer is ended." Psa. lxxxiv. 11. † Mal. iv. 2. Is. lx. 19. § Bev. xxii. 4. 2. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me? I want a grateful heart, a praising tongue, an useful life, to honour my kind Benefactor and gracious God, for past seasons of mercy and loving kindness! "Lord help me." 3. But Autumn appears in full view. This is anoth er season of benefits. Be it mine to improve it, for my own edification and solace, and for the profit and comfort of others. In this multiform and variegated season, let us notice, 4. The fading of the leaf. The sweet living-green is exchanged for the less beautiful dusty-yellow. And why? Because vegetable life recedes to the root, where alone it can be safe amidst the dangers of approaching winter. Thus trees, plants, and herbs, though without reason or instinct, are wise. They are obedient to the law of nature for their own safety. 5. "O that men were wise, that they would consider their latter end!" "We do all fade as a leaf." Not only those who have passed the spring and summer of life," Even the youths shall faint, and the young men shall utterly fail." One after another, we sicken, droop, and die. "The graves are ready for us." Very soon we shall sink into putrefaction and dust. "All flesh is grass; and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field; the grass withereth and the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand for ever." 6. Happy those united to "the root of David ;" who timely retire to him as their only refuge, before the blasts of Divine vengeance consume their comforts and their souls. Such have their life hid with Christ in God; and when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, we shall appear with him in glory." 7. See in yonder orchard the apple-tree! How uniform the rows! The trees how beautiful! and how thickly fruited. Their buds have grown into flowers, and their flowers into fruit: they bend almost to the ground in ponderous and lovely clusters. How diversified their colour, form, and size! How rich their flavour! How delicious their juice! affording nutricious food and wholesome beverage! What a blessing to the owner, and to the country! 8. This pleasing sight, recalls to my remembrance a passage of holy writ:" As the apple-tree amongst the trees of the wood, so is my Beloved amongst the sons." The ash, the elm, and the oak has each his beauty and uses. Husbandmen, merchants, mechanics, and politicians, are beautiful and useful in the state. In the church of God, the communicant, the deacon, and the pastor, appear in beauty and usefulness. Indeed, there is beauty and utility in all orders of beings, from the highest angel to the smallest animal. 9. But none are comparable to the loving and beloved Saviour: "He is the chief amongst ten thousands, and altogether lovely." "In all things he must have the pre-eminence." "He is the tree of Life, which bears twelve manner of fruits; and his leaves are for the healing of nations." His branches are so high, that angels need not stoop to partake of his fruit. They spread so wide, that the inhabitants of the ends of the earth may sit under his shadow with great delight, and find his fruit sweet to their taste; and they bend so low, that even children and babes may pluck, eat, and live. 10. Again: As spiritual Christians partake of Christ's nature, and in some humble measure resemble him, this sweet orchard may be an emblem of them. The church is a Divine enclosure; believers are planted in it by our heavenly Father's hand. There they stand in truth and love; and are made fruitful in every good work and word. Though their fruit is of different shape, size, and flavour, all is for the advantage of the world, the interest of religion, and the glory of God. 11. The more plentiful and ripe their fruit; their leaves of profession seem hid amidst the refulgence of their virtues and graces. As the richly laden tree, they bend with humility and compassion to the conditions of men, for their present and everlasting welfare. Happy church! how beautiful thy order! how enlivening thy appearance! The Lord protect thee from disorder and barreuness ! I hear 12. Behold another scene. It is a field of fallow. Not an herb or plant is there to be discovered. the ploughboy's hoarse voice, animating his cattle; and see the ploughman guiding his sull, with his helper casting abroad his corn, or sprinkling the new made fallow ; so that autumn is a season of labour, as well as the spring and summer. This is a sowing What spiritual improve 13. There is no time for idleness. season for a future harvest. ment may we gather hence! That fallow field resembles the prepared heart; or the "good ground," which receives the gospel seed, and eventually "bringeth forth much fruit." 14. It is by Divine culture rent, and turned heavenward its sins, the weeds of human nature, are torn up or crushed. The precious seed of truth and grace is sown. The soul, made all passive, receives it: there it germinates and springs up. A winter of gloom, temptation, and painful experience may ensue, but " grace ensures the crop." A spring and summer will arrive, and a joyful harvest crown the whole. He 15. Such ideas should stimulate ministers in their work, and all true christians in their endeavours to promote the kingdom of God, in themselves and others. In due time we shall reap, if we faint not." that gaeth forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless return again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him."2 16. Behold on the right, well secured with strong fences, a noble row of ricks and mows. What are they? The fruit of the field, which the Lord hath blessed. They are the farmer's stores. By these he will pay his rent; support his family; defray his expenses; increase his wealth, and be a blessing to mankind. They are proof, beyond conjecture, that our harvest has not only been fine, but abundant. O bless the Lord for plenty! Look upon the wise and industrious husbandman as a great blessing to society. 17. Reflect upon the industrious Christian's spiritual stores they are not only laid up for him in heaven, but he has many in present possession; even noble intellectual stores. Truths, promises, comforts, &c. all divinely secured; and, in their proper management and use, he will gratefully pay his tribute of praise to his God; be supported while his tenant; maintain the credit of religion; grow in grace; and be the useful man in his |