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The water is swarming with shoals of invisible animalculæ; and a single gallon of that fluid contains more creatures, possessed of life, than the whole human race put together. Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty. The earth is full of thy riches; so also is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.

To you these remarks may have been tedious; but they are few and short when compared with the boundless extent and the ineffable importance of the subject. From their smallness, the study of insects has sometimes been undervalued and even ridiculed. But it is their diminutiveness which constitutes their principal recommendation, by opening up a new field for contemplating the perfections of the Most High. We never can have a complete idea of his character till we have seen the various directions which his creative goodness has taken. If ignorance of astronomy would leave us without the loftiest and most enlarged conceptions of his might; inattention to the structure and habits of the least animated being would deprive us of the best and noblest ideas of his infinite and unsearchable skill. We justly admire the invention of clocks and watches, and of the steam engine. But the artist who could reduce these to such a compass, that they might be set like diamonds in a ring, would be regarded with greater veneration than the mechanics who make them of the common size, and these masterpieces of art, would be far more prized than the machines and engines of the usual description. And though the beauty, strength, and symmetry of the most bulky animal, prove that its Maker is divine, there are none, of all his works, where his wisdom and power appear in a form more impressive and overpowering than in the delicate and matchless organization of the least and lowest of his creatures.

It is long since Pliny remarked, that it is easy to conceive how he gave to bulky bodies the limbs which they possess. Sufficient matter enters into the mass to contribute to the formation of the organs with which they are endowed; but it is otherwise with those which are so small as to be scarcely visible. How could space be found in the body of a gnat for those limbs and organs which are the instruments of so many motions and sensations? Where could the God of nature find room for the organs of sight, and taste, and smell, and of the acute shrill sound which it utters? By what art has he supplied it with limbs and wings? furnished it with intestines and a stomach greedy of blood, especially of the blood of man? provided it with an instrument so small as to be almost imperceptible, and yet possessed of different functions; for while it has an acute point to pierce, it has also a pump for sucking? Men look with amazement on the profuse mane of the lion, the strength of the neck of the ox. the weight which he raises with his horns, the swiftness of the horse, the size of the elephant, and the towers which he carries. But these are not the most marvellous of the works of God.

This old philosopher is right. It is in concentrating his energies, and placing a counterpart to all these limbs and organs in a space no larger than a grain of sand, where the Deity has given the most peerless and impressive display of his ineffable excellencies. He who stretched out

the heavens, and hollowed the bed of the ocean; he who raised the mountains to their height, and gave the sun his light and loveliness, has pierced the sting of the bee to form a passage for its poison, has planted eyes in the head of a gnat, has given teeth to a mite, and a mouth and stomach to the countless shoals of animalculæ that sport in a single drop of water. However strong and beautiful the organization in the largest animals, the agility of a common fly is more surprising than the swiftness of the leopard, and the labours of the ant are more astonishing than the journeys of the camel or the toils of the horse.

Yet with such wonders is the earth every where replenished.

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Now, is it true that our world is only a part, and that too a small part of the solar system? Is it true that the sun and all the planets round him are merely a little portion of the universe; that already the eye the astronomer has descried eighty-four millions of such suns, each probably the centre of a system as grand and extensive as the one by which we are surrounded? And is it true that when their instruments fail, and distinguish no more separate stars, there are luminous openings in the dark back ground of the sky, encouraging the belief that in the regions of immensity lying far beyond all human penetration, the Almighty has planted monuments of his wisdom and his power as vast and stupendous as those which now blaze on us from the vault of heaven? And is it also true that the liberality with which the earth is stocked is a just specimen of the richness and munificence with which the whole creation is stored, and that the endless variety of animate and inanimate objects upon our globe is a correct representation of the diversified productions with which he has crowded every planet, sun, and system throughout immensity? Then is not our God great, and of great power? Is not his understanding unsearchable ?

Is it true that that God who has encompassed his throne with angels and seraphim and cherubim, who has garnished the heavens with their brilliancy and grandeur, and planted immensity with system after system more large and splendid than that of which we form a part, has been pleased to exert his energies in the formation of creatures so small that colonies of thousands can find food and shelter on a single leaf, and call into existence successive generations of active living creatures so minute that the nations in a single ounce of water, will far out-number all the states of Europe; then why should any think it a thing incredible, that for the redemption of man, originally formed in his own image, and capable of exulting in the joys of immortality, God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son?

Is it true that this God who is in all and through all, has formed such multitudes of living things, and provided so amply for their preservation and comfort, and will he overlook my safety and welfare while I am the follower of that which is good?

Has he not spared his only Son, but delivered him up for us all : then if we receive that Son and rest on him, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? It doth not yet appear what we shall be, either in dignity or in bliss; but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

INTERESTING NARRATIVE OF A VOYAGE

BETWEEN BRISTOL AND AFRICA IN 1841-42.

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On 25th July 1841, the brig E-commanded by S. D in the employ of a highly respectable mercantile house, sailed from Bristol with a crew consisting of twelve persons, for the coast of Africa. At the suggestion of some pious friends, captain D. determined, by the help of divine providence to do something towards promoting religion amongst sailors, by introducing it on the voyage. My crew, (observes the captain,) were remarkable for profaneness, and were all strangers to me but one, who had sailed with me on my last voyage; and from ten months' experience I had found that he could curse, swear, and drink grog as well as others. Such was the foundation I had to commence on when we left the port. Arriving off Lundy we discharged our pilot about 6 A. M. July 26th.

"I had taken the precaution to inform my men, that I would allow no swearing on board, to which they all agreed before they were permitted to sign articles at Bristol, though they probably did not expect so strict an exaction of the rule as was enforced, as a slip of the tongue' escaped some on whom I depended to suppress the vice."

The worship of God was established on the first sabbath at sea, when the crew were mustered aft, the captain read a chapter and a sermon, then engaged in prayer, and was followed by A. J. the cook; thus the work having begun at both ends of the ship, the captain felt encouraged and determined to renew it again in the evening.

This was continued every sabbath after, and on week days the apprentices met at seven bells P. M. to read a chapter in the bible; at length it was proposed to sing the evening hymn, which at first caused a smile, but when adopted they form as harmonious a choir as if in a chapel at Bristol. Still the men expected that all this religion would be turned (as on their last voyage) into trading when arrived on the coast. In this however they were mistaken, for, to their surprise, a trader coming alongside on the sabbath day, he was sent back with a request to come on the morrow, and then he would be gladly received.

The captain writes-" I employed, while on shore, a canoe, and five kroomen to convey on board what African produce I had purchased, and was astonished to observe three large war canoes from a neighbouring town pull out from under the lee of a rock close by, and take my canoe in tow. On enquiry, I learnt that the natives had been for some time at war with each other, and that our poor fellows were taken on shore to be put to death. I immediately went on board my brig, leaving my second mate on shore for the night, with directions to bring off our longboat with her lading, in the morning. Instead of this, at 10 A. M. I received a note from him stating that the natives of NK-— had refused to let him or the goods leave the shore till they saw me again. I immediately manned my jolly-boat, landed, and in a few minutes was ushered into the presence of their king, of whom I demanded the release of my second mate and property. I was then conducted to the 'palaver

house,' or seat of judgment, where they demanded four men employed in my ship, to be sacrificed for those killed in the canoe. This I peremptorily refused; on which the king and his attendants consulted, and determined to take my boat from me, which they did, and hauled her up into the bush.

"Thus detained, and being well armed, I placed myself between the king and the governor, presenting two loaded pistols at them, and threatened to shoot them if any one dared to lay their hands on me, at which they were staggered. I then endeavoured to conciliate them; at length they allowed me and my mate to walk to the beach, but we found ourselves driven to an extremity, and knew not what to do.

"In this state, the promise encouraged my mind-'Ask, and it shall be given thee.' I then left my second mate with an attendant, retired to a bush, and sought assistance of that God who alone can help us in this time of need. On returning, my mate informed me he had seen the heads of the murdered natives, and I accompanied him to witness the horrid scene. I found five heads suspended among the palm trees, and some had been removed since the mate first saw them.

To add to our consternation, we were informed that our heads would be there before to-morrow if their leader should have his way; on hearing which we made at once for the landing place at King William's Town, about a mile from us, on the opposite side of the river. In our progress we observed seven men armed with muskets pursuing us; we waded the river, arm-pit deep, during which our fire-arms and powder were rendered useless, which would have made us an easy prey to our pursuers had they been intent on our destruction. We now walked deliberately till they came up to us, when we found to our joy, that these men, who three hours before were thirsting for our blood, were now become our friends, and offered to reconduct us to the king and to demand our liberation. This offer we readily accepted, and in two hours afterwards our boats were restored, with all that belonged to us, and we returned in safety to our ship."

The suspense occasioned to the crew by the absence of the captain and second mate, caused apprehension for their safety, and after devising many things, they determined to unite in prayer for their deliverance from the hands of their enemies. "And how great was my joy," says the captain," when, on my return, I found all hands assembled together to thank God for my restoration." Two or three engaged in prayer, and the captain felt it his duty to unite with them in this sacred exercise. Another month passed away, when they fell in with a vessel in the same employ, which rendered it doubtful that their present proceedings would be brought to nought. These men contented themselves however with passing some jeering remarks, while they refused to join in the service of Him whose "service is perfect freedom." It was now evident that the crew of the E. esteemed it so, and in addition to the exercises already engaged in, a special meeting on Tuesday evenings was agreed upon, to unite in spirit with the fellowship meetings at Bristol. It was clearly perceived that a general enquiry after truth had taken place amongst the men, and all, with one exception, would occasionally take

part in the worship, even the youngest apprentice could engage in prayer; and the fervency of the cook (a negro) attracted general attention, who replied to a remark made-" My heart does not go with my prayer when I read, so much as when I pray of myself.

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Each sacred opportunity became more and more interesting, until a general cry of "what must I do to be saved," was heard amongst the crew, and, as the captain observes, Satan was spoiled of his kingdom in their hearts." Their confession of sin was deep and humble before God; and they remarked to each other that they had rather sail for less money in this vessel than forego the sacred privileges they enjoyed. There was one exception as mentioned above, but there was still encouragement to hope that he would be brought with trembling to the mercy seat, before their return to Bristol.

On christmas day the men were supplied with such cheer as accords with the custom at that season; but instead of the noisy, drunken, and debasing abuse which too generally prevails, the day was devoted to the service of God as much as a sabbath: and the next morning the men expressed their gratitude to the captain, acknowledging that they had never spent so happy a christmas before, either at sea or on shore; to which the captain replied by showing the duty of duly improving the gift which that day reminds us of, and the blessings thereby ensured.

As the close of the year drew nigh the captain had thought of proposing some suitable way of improving that season also, but in this he was forestalled by his men asking permission to hail the new year with prayer. This was readily granted; the cabin was prepared, and the men appeared, cleaned for the occasion, at 11h. 30m. P. M., enjoying a solemn and delightful opportunity. A chapter was read, and an extract from the Evangelical Magazine, entitled The Death of the Old Year' Improved," and at midnight this little band each took it in turn to pray for the pardon of his sins committed in the past year, and grace to do the will of God in that on which they had now entered. The captain took this opportunity to ask a special favour of his men, and their complying with it or otherwise would greatly affect his conduct towards them in future. They were all anxious to know the nature of his request, when he said, "the favour I have to request, and which, if granted, I shall esteem as one of the best new year's gifts I ever received, is this, that I may be allowed to be the first drunkard or swearer from this hour to the termination of the voyage." This naturally excited a smile, but they all with one consent agreed to grant it. They then sung an appropriate hymn and left the cabin. The salutary effect of the captain's proposal was very apparent, as these vices were excluded from the crew as base and wicked practices of which they would no more be guilty.

The crew generally now felt the power, and entered into the spirit of devotion, and some were led to pray, especially that God would soften the heart of the shipmate, who as yet had not joined in prayer at either of their meetings; these were followed by a suitable address from the captain, showing the blessedness of the advantages they enjoyed. On

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