The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-01-19
SERIOUS REFLECTIONS.


lie sealcth up the hand of every man; that all
men may know his work. jon xxi. z.
This passage relates to the winter, when
men cannot pursue, as ordinarily, their bus
mess in cultivating the earth, which be-
comes bound with ice, as with iron, or seal
ed against the hand Of man--Thls sealing
of the earth, or the hand, affords the hus-
bandman an excellent opportunity for i'm
provement The winter is a season OF leis-
ure. How short the day for performing la
Dor. How long the evening and night toi
rest, How convenient the evening tor read
ing, for study, for religious and moral I'M
provement. Several hours may DC devoted
bv the husbandman to ihstructlng his tami-
", gaining Information, examining the state
of his affairs, LAYING his plans Tor future
business occasionally holding intercourse
with his friends and neighbors, and the like.
He may mediate on the works OF Gea'
his providence, his government OF the wofia'
esnrcially on the wonders OF the passing
season. The power and majesty OF Goa
are suggested by the how'ins wnd' vac
mighty cold, the impossible SHOWS, the strong
f.tters of ice. The wisdom and goodness OF
God are seen in the arrangement OF the sea-
sons. in the provision made Tor the suPpor'
and comfort OF this dreary season ny the
productions OF the preceding, IN the comfor'
of dwellings, in the various methods OF mlu-
eating the severity Of the season lhis work
forces itself on our rehection--We are IN
vitcd by many circumstances to nedita-
ton. What vast improvements may os
made If our minds are half as active d!
our bodies are when we venture from oul
shelter.
The husbandman, in looking round upol
his hocks of various kinds IS reminded
the honorable station which he holds ;--h'
is the divine almoncr. These creatures &c
pend ON him al he derends on God. lie
pens his hand to their wants; he afford
them shelter from the storm aud cold II
: holds responsible place IN the divine gov
: ernment. How pleasant must It be to ~
: f. ings to observe the ~ishfnl eve OF the
y and the whole stall gre. Iing his approach
o how soothing to the ear are the Aum an
carkle of the fowls, after their hunger ha
" been allayed by his bounty. How eVide'
: is the work of Col ii paking a Aepend
1t ence among the various ANIMALS, rchdTrln
e them subservient t. one another's comtoi
/, The OK depends on man, and man is aldt
e bv the OK.
n Who has better opportunity u consld'
1t and know the work Of cd than the husbant
- man l-And what season more convened
y. for acquiring this knowledge? How tavo
r able also to devotion is the winter seaso
il, The solemn grandeur every where vlsio
- produces awe 'and reverence; the dlvil
=. goodness inspires trust and confidence. Ho
should the seas;.n awake our bcneyole
S, feelings! When we are sheltered again
81 the cold storm, shall we not extend hel
~ ing hand to the poor, whose hresldes a
as scarcely warni, whose stores are scant
e. whose covering cannot exclude the plercil
III cold How should We cndeavor to turni
~ them with ,teans of nedit4ting on t
ne works Of God, aud excite them to o5scr
ok the power, wisdom and gootness OF Fro
's dencei LAY fAEA1t1Ea.
eS x.ss,.5 ->x, ,~s 1.zr r,s,Srs