Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1833-10-24
REFLECTIONS ON THE AUTUMN.

ar plenty now DegihS ner XOlntn TtisH,
The yellow fields thick wave with golden grain;
Joyous the ssvans renew their sutry tolls,
And bear in triumph home ihe liarvest's wealthy
spO,ls.'
II the variation Of the Seasons did not
awaken our recollection of the flight Of
Time, we should, probably, not observe
Il the succession Of its different parts; but
spend our days and months and years
thong ihless Of the past, and careless Of
the future. The gradual and elegantly
varied change of Seasons is, therefore,
a proof Of the goodness of God, and may
be means OF our own happiness.
1t is impossible 10 ascribe this varia-
ton to chance, as, in every country, the
sc asons succeed each other in the most
regular manner, and exactly at the time
appointed; and, as order is the great
law which the Creator has laid down for
the government Of the world, it is our
duty to study the order and projections Of
his works; and, in every season Of the
year, to trace his wisdom and goodness.
! AT that Season, indeed, which is cal
led Autumn, or more generally the fall
of the year. we see little that recalls to
our minds the universal joy which lately
re igncd through all animated nature
We 10 longer bcholdth the charms offspring,
or the magniicence of Summer the
earth, no longer exhibiting that beauti-
ful appearance which the grass, the flow
ers, and the corn lately gave it, presents
little more to our eye than dead, yel-
lowsh hue; the woods and gardens are
ST ipped of that great ornament, tlrsn
leaves; scarcely any traces OF the gol-
den harvest remain; the fields, which
have bestowed such abundance upon lbs,
promise no more this year; the winged
songsters are silent, and even the sun,
when it shines, appears not in its usual
I glory. Unthinkng and ungratetu! men,
! forgetting what they have so lately and
{ so plenteously received complain ofthese
.hings; but wiser and well disposed per-
sons, observing that nature faithfully full
| fills the eternal law Of being always use
fnl; reAec. with gratitude on the months
c that arc lately past, and bless the Paren
d of Nature who has "crowned the yeal
with his goodness"
Stripped and desert rs the earth IS, Il
still presents to feeling mind the image
of happiness; we may recollect that the
i fields, which are now barren, were late
!. iIy covered with plentlul harvests; an'
/ the remembrance of what they have be
= slowed upon US, should silence the mur
"a murs of those whom it has cheercd ant
is nourished.
Indeed, we yet continue to receiv
e pleasure from variety OF fruits whic'
ID the goodness of God lavishes upon us ,
m great abundance. Calculate, if possible
litne fruit which one hundred trees beu
in a favorable season, and you will b
- astonishcd at the increase. What W;
the design Of such abundance? 1t II
preservation and increase OF trees W
the only intention, much less quaint
would have been sufficient. 1t is, ther
fore, evident that the Creator design
n to provide food for man, and particular
tor the poor, whom an abundance OF irr
%, furnishes with cheap means of subsl
an tcnce which is not only agreeable, ,whol
9TH some and refreshing, but is also ve
ing useful in the medicinal way. And It
or a farther instance of the goodness OF u
.e that these fruits are bestowed upon us
'e' a gradual manner, and with the most WI
10 economy; that, on the one hand, 4
great an abundance may not be lo
to us; and, on the other, that we may r
ceive a constant succ ession and varle
~, of enjoyments In proportion, indeed ,
wv, m we advance in Winter, the number
the fruits begin to diminish; but art las taug
sci, us 60 preserve them in that Season ais
and and Notwithstanding the ravages of br
"e and insects, there still remains 81
6cient quantity for the use Of man.
y Thus God, like tender parent, pr
vides not only for the support OF
'sh- creatures, but also for their pleasure.
'hg- Shall we not, then, be highly blameat
'''' if the enjoyment of the blessings, viii
we owe to the municence Of our Gre
tor, does not produce IN us crate
'''' reflections, and thus sanctify the pie
sures of Autumn
1t is also n proof of the wisdom a
an goodness Of the Creator that the weatl
,ase grows gradually cold. Were the en-
us suddenly to he deprived ofthe Summe
rms heat, il would be fatal to our gard
and fields. All plants would perish
Spring would produce no aowers,
. Summer any fruit. Ii is, by no mea
- therefore, Of little consequence IN
from the end Of the Summer to the
ale ginning Of the Winter, the heat sno'
va gradually give place TO the cold. ne
n be insensible changes were necessary
'tate the preservation Of the fruits oi 'he ear
), Of and not for this only, but also Tor 'he p
IT. vention Of the disorder, perhaps 'he
struction, Of the human frame.