afraid of his superior power. While God hath thus subjected the creatures to our dominion; what cause of gratitude should this afford; for if they were untractable or resisted our authority, how incapable would we be to defend ourselves against them?-But as they are submissive, let us treat them with humanity, for it is savage cruelty to abuse any creature which God hath made for our service and advantage. Let us be sensible that God hath thus provided us with every thing for our accommodation, and let us render to him the glory that is due unto his name for so many mercies.

Ver. 29. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

30. And to every beast of the earth, and to every foul of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon "the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

31. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

It appears from this passage of sacred writ, that vegetable productions were originally intended as the food of man and beast; and by examining the multiplicity and nourishing qualities of herbaceous plants, we shall find that this species of provision is well adapted to sustain human life. Indeed in many countries of the world, the inhabitants subsist entirely on the produce of the soil; for it is only where luxury has been introduced, that mankind destroy animals for their support.

But it is found, that where they content themselves with the fruits of the earth, they are more healthy and vivacious; and hence may be inferred the wisdom of our heavenly Creator, in appointing herbs for meat to the terrestrial inhabitants. The vegetable productions of our globe are wonderful in their anatomical structure, as they consist of roots, stems, absorbent vessels, external covering, leaves, or blades; all diversified according to the tex

ture and nature of the various kinds of plants. Seed is the stamina of plants, which, being sown or planted in the ground, is nourished by the powers of the soil, quickened by the rain and dew of heaven, and ripened in due scason by the heat of the sun.

Vegetables produced from seed are innumerable in variety, but there are certain properties by which they are distinguished; and according to these, they may be classed under three genera, herbs, shrubs, and trees, Herbs are that genus of vegetables, whose stalks are soft. and have no ligneous parts in their composition, such as grass, pot-herbs, and grain. Shrubs are those plants which, though they partake of a woody texture, never grow into trees, but extend their branches near the surface of the ground, such as gooseberry-bushes, roses-bushes, and honey-suckles. Trees rise to a considerable height above the surface, and shoot out branches from their trunks in all directions, such as the oak, the ash, the fir, and many others. Such being the general distribution of vegetables, let us investigate a few of the most obvious appearances which they present, the uses to which they are applicable, and the relations which they bear to the animal creation.

The first observation which must occur to every one who examines the surface of the earth, is the herbage with which it is covered. In all countries of the world grass grows spontaneously, and affords a most nourishing provender for all the gregarious tribes of animals, which subsist on it for the greater part of the year. As there are different soils in every country and region of the globe, so there are various kinds of grass which in every situation; some on good ground, others in argillaceous and sandy soils, and many on a barren or mossy bottom.

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Every climate also, has its particular vegetables adapted to its temperature; and so diversified are the species of plants for this purpose, that twenty thousand have been enumerated by naturalists, and more are daily discovered as they extend their researches. What a bountiful provision is this, and how wise the ordination, that every

part of the ground may be covered with pasture for the flocks and herds which require food convenient for them. As their natures are so very different, they could not all feed on the same herbage; but by this diversity they are furnished with such nourishment as is suitable to their respective tastes. Accordingly, it is ascertained by botanists, that wild animals feed on some sorts of vegetables, and domesticated creatures on others; that one species chooses certain kinds of plants, while they reject those, which are the food of another class; and thus nothing is superfluous, nothing wanting for the sustenance of every beast of the field. That there may be a constant supply of provision throughout the year, the different genera of plants flourish in succession one after another in every season; some in spring, others in summer, some in autumn, and many may be collected and stored up for use during the rigour of winter. Thus, our flocks and herds are furnished with vegetable productions suited to their wants: thus every green herb serves as a neverfailing stock of wholesome food, by which the lives of animals are preserved.-The fowls of the air also subsist on the fruits of plants and shrubs which every where abound. They pick up the seeds that are dispersed over the surface of the earth; or cull the grain that grows in the fields, or eat the insects that feed on the leaves of vegetables. In every region of the earth, there are peculiar species of trees which bear certain kinds of fruits suitable as food to the winged tribes that inhabit these territories: And so exactly are the productions of every country accommodated to the use of the animal creation, that naturalists have observed in what manner the produce of every plant, and shrub, and tree, serves as a means of subsistence to the beasts and birds that live upon them, and will not taste any other food than that which nature has so kindly provided.

Even insects and creeping things prey upon the roots and leaves of vegetables; and it is wonderful with what discrimination they select those which are their proper nourishment. One species will feed voraciously on some plants, while it will not touch others and each finds sus

tenance on that particular herb or shrub to which instinct directs it as the most palatable.

Thus, all the various animalcula and reptiles are supplied with food convenient for them, and have their share in the exuberant stores of nature.

While the inferior creatures are thus filled with good; man also obtains a sufficient supply of provisions from the produce of the vegetable kingdom. While grass grows on the mountains for cattle, and seeds are produced from plants for the fowls of heaven; while roots and vegetables serve for nourishment to insects and creeping things, man brings food from the earth by sowing corn and other culmiferous or leguminous crops. Corn of various species grows in all quarters of the globe, which produces in some cases thirty, in others sixty, or an hundred fold, according to the quality of the soil that is cultivated. Its farinaceous and nutritive properties render it the most valuable article of human consumption, and so general is its use, that many nations subsist almost entirely on the produce of this herbaceous plant. But besides grain, there are leguminous productions, which also afford an additional supply of food, both palatable and wholesome. Vegetables and other roots of a pulpy substance which are delicious and nutritive, grow in great abundance in our fields and gardens; and as they can be produced at small expense, furnish a great part of mankind with food suited to their condition.

And, that we might be gratified with the dainties of nature, our trees and shrubs yield fruits of the most agreeable flavour, and pleasant to the taste, of which the rich and the poor may equally participate; so that the stores of nature are lavished upon us with liberal profusion, and we are supplied with every article for the sustenance and comfort of life. Thus "hath God given us every herb bearing seed after its kind, and every tree bearing fruit after its kind," for meat and nourishment; thus "he hath satisfied the desire of every living thing." When we consider the provision made throughout nature, for man and for beast, what sentiments of gratitude should we feel to the author of every good and perfect gift; let

us acknowledge that he hath made all things for our use and comfort; and while we taste of the bounties of his providence," let us praise the Lord for his goodness, and his wonderful works to the children of men."

The instructions which we should derive from the whole of this subject are such, as the reflections which the Almighty himself made, when considering the multiplicity, beauty, and utility of his works.

While he beheld every thing that had been produced by his hands, he pronounced it very good.-Let us also learn,

1. To perceive the wise arrangements which he hath established in the system of nature, for the preservation and comfort of all the creatures. Let us examine the structure, instincts, and uses of every beast of the field, of every fish of the sea, and every fowl of the air, and we shall discover how fearfully and wonderfully they are made, and how well adapted to their condition. If we did so, we would every day be furnished with objects which might lead our minds to admire the wisdom. and goodness of our great Creator, by whom all things consist. Then every time we cast our eyes abroad on the face of the earth, we would be impressed with sentiments of religious veneration, and our minds would spontaneously suggest this pious exclamation; "O Lord how manifold are thy works, in wisdom hast thou made them all."

2. The contemplation of the works of nature is calcu lated above all other studies, to establish religious feelings in the soul. There is indeed a prejudice entertained by many ignorant people, that it is no part of religion to "consider the works of the Lord, or examine the operations of his hands." How different are their opinions from those of holy men of old, who meditated on all the wonderful productions of his power, and were thereby stirred up to bless and magnify his name. The same turn of thinking, and the same dispositions should be excited in every godly man; and that man's devotion is much to be suspected, who derives no assistance from the consideration of the creatures, in elevating his soul to