Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub

wealth, the ants have their own laws and regulations.

By what power is all this effected?

We call the power by which the inferior creatures act, Instinct :-who gives them instinct?

When many agents are employed, what is necessary in order to the accomplishment of their work?

Must there not be an agreement?

Must not each perform its particular portion? Would there not otherwise be a failure in the design?

Might not one spoil the work of another?

Could one ant alone accomplish that which is performed by many?

How may what we have said be applied to the labours of men?

Are not great works performed by the union bf many agents?

What often spoils the labours of men?

The little insects which labour by instinct fail not to accomplish their end: we too often fail through want of union.-If we all sought to act under the influence of the One Spirit, there would be unity in the design, harmony in the operation, success in the execution.

In what other respects are the ants worthy our attention?

In what do they resemble the bee?

During what season of the year do we see them employed?

For what season do they provide?

Are we recommended to imitate the ant? How?

Read Prov. vi. 6-8; xxx. 24, 25.

Though the ants are such little creatures, yet by regular industry, they accomplish a great work: have not you an important work to do ?

[ocr errors]

The ants wisely make provision, in the summer, for that season which to many insects is one of torpor, or of death: could the ants procure food in the winter?

-

The children of God provide for Eternity. [Matt. vi. 20; xix. 21; Luke xii. 21, 31-33; xvi. 9; 1 Tim. vi. 19.]

For what ought you to provide?

When will it be too late to provide for Eternity? Read Matt. xxv. 1—12, and 14-30.

CHRYSALIS.

I.

What is this called? Does it belong to the animate, or inanimate part of creation?

Observe its shape and appearance. Has it feet? Does it seem to be intended to move? To take food?

In what is the insect enveloped? Is not its covering like a tomb or prison?

Was the insect always in this state?

Into what state will it pass?

What will then become of its covering? Which is preferable-the present state of the insect, or that into which it will pass?

In what state may we say it is at present? Is it not in one of torpor, repose, and almost of death?

Why is the insect in its present state?

Is it not preparing for, or actually undergoing a change?

Who has appointed its change?

Let us consider the insect in its former state —what is the nature of the caterpillar?

Upon what does it feed? How does it move? Where does it live?

What will the insect be in its butterfly state? Will it be light and beautiful? Where will it live? Will it easily move? On what will it feed?

Compare the insect in its two different states as a caterpillar, and as a butterfly.-The caterpillar feeds on gross food; the butterfly on the sweets of flowers. The caterpillar crawls heavily on the earth, the butterfly ranges the air; its wings are of the finest down, adorned with brilliant colours; its powers are renewed, it enjoys a superior existence.-Between its caterpillar, and its butterfly state, we have seen that the insect passes into one of torpor approaching death.

Does the subject suggest any spiritual truth?

The state of man upon earth may be compared to that of the caterpillar; he is confined to a narrow spot; his powers are contracted-his senses are a hindrance to his higher nature. His body must pass into the tomb, into a state of inactivity and death.

But will his body be always confined to the tomb?

Must not all who are in their graves come forth at the voice of the Son of God? [John v. 28, 29; 1 Cor. xv. 52.]

And into what state will the bodies of the righteous pass?

Shall they not be transformed? shall they not rise in glory and beauty?

II.

Of what did we speak last time?

What did we say of the former, of the present, and of the future state of the chrysalis?

What comparison did we draw?

Can you think of any other manner, in which we may derive instruction from the subject? Consider an individual in his unrenewed state. Are not his affections confined to the earth? Does he not feed on earthly food, without even desiring the bread of heaven?

Next consider the goodness of God in calling him to repentance, to a state of inward retreat. The man must pass +66 through death to life." A great change must be wrought in his soul. He may be for a time perhaps, to all appearance, useless; all the powers of his being may be absorbed by the secret operations of the Spirit of God; dead to this world, for it may be that he cannot occupy himself as formerly, and not yet alive to God.-But God seeth and worketh in secret. The greatest operations of nature are performed in stillness, and under the outward appearance of death. In the dark recesses of the earth, the diamond is formed in all its brilliancy; the ruby and the sapphire in their glowing colours. It is in the repose of winter that the process of vegetation takes place; it is in corruption and death, that the seed is fertilized.

And the NEW MAN is formed in the inward retreat of penitence:-in the recesses of the broken and contrite heart, God speaks peace; into the depth and inmost part of the soul, He breathes new life. In that state of apparent listlessness, torpor, and inaction, which the

« VorigeDoorgaan »