If I were to hear such a going at present on the tops of these trees, how would it alarm me! but David, being forewarned of the sign, no doubt such a sound greatly rejoiced his heart, added swiftness to his feet, and strength to his arms, in pursuit of, and fighting with the Philistines. Ought not then the call of him, who is the Lord of hosts to us, to arise and fight against his and our enemies, and his promises of support and victory, to encourage our hearts, and strengthen our hands while we fight the spiritual combat against these worse than Philistines, sin, Satan, and the flesh?

The woods, now clothed in green, are filled with harmony, love, and care: while some of the feathered people distend their variegated throats in graceful vibrations, singing their artless tales of love to the gay charmers which they eye with desire on the neighbouring boughs; then having alighted on the verdant turf, and culled a little present for their plumy nymphs, approach them with eager wing, and they, though somewhat coy at first, at length joining beak to beak, accept the endearing food, and soon

retire amid the thicket to receive higher tokens of affection.

Others, busied in collecting materials for building their little matchless edifices, beat the air with active wings. Some, in a state of more forwardness, have hatched their little families, and now explore the fields in search of food for their tender offspring.

Come hither, then, ye faithless youths, who take pleasure in decoying innocents, and learn a lesson from the birds of the air! Shall not their constancy to their mates put you to shame, and in the day of judgment witness against you? You, who have not only nature, but also reason and divine revelation, for your direction.

And you, too, careless husbands and parents, learn from their feeding their mates, when brooding, and providing for their young, the duty which nature has taught you in providing for your families; for if any

provide not for his own, and especially for "those of his own house, he hath denied the "faith, and is worse than an infidel," 1 Tim.

v. 8.

The crows have already formed their republics, and are repairing their old habitations on the branching firs; and now throughout their lofty towns, all is bustle and cawing noise. The sea-fowl have forsaken the shore, and are retired to their usual haunts in this season of love.

Pause a while, O my soul, and consider whence have the fowls that wisdom to choose the properest place to brood in: Is it not worthy of remark, that those which frequent the shore almost all the year round, sporting themselves in the tide, do not, as might naturally be supposed, build on the sand, as if sensible the swelling surge would render their labours abortive; neither on the adjoining open beach, lest their nests should quickly be discovered; nor on the inland, as that would be too far off when hatching to duck, or procure their scaly food; nor yet by the river's rapid stream, as that would render the obtaining of their provision precarious: but in the clifts of rocks which overhang the tide, or by the sides of lochs, where they can leave their eggs for a moment, immerse in the water, procure their subsistence, and return again

to their assiduous task, without injuring the brood.

Doth not the wisdom of God appear conspicuous in thus implanting such an instinct in them, by which they are insensibly led, without the help of reason, to make such a discreet choice?

In the middle of that bramble bush I perceive a bird's nest : let me approach the little edifice, and examine the structure.

How curiously is it built, and how exact and regular are its lines! Without the help of square or plum, this little architect has constructed all in the nicest and most convenient form: the materials of which it is reared are all distributed through the work in the justest proportion; on the outside are the coarsest, while the inside, like a fine room, is lined with soft hair or down. No human wisdom could have contrived, or hands have executed, a more answerable accommodation, in which this little songstress might hatch.

Let me then admire the wisdom and goodness of God, who hath endued every

creature with suitable abilities to answer the purpose for which it was made, and perform every function to which it is called.

Amidst these delicately spotted eggs, I discover one different from the rest; and, while I consider it more minutely, I find it is that of the cuckoo, which has cunningly dropped it among those of this little bird. Ah! if it be hatched, as most likely it will, soon will it ruin its neighbour nestlings by throwing them out, and remain possessor of the nest alone.

This may teach me an useful lesson, and put me upon my guard not to harbour any one of Satan's temptations in my breast, lest that, being cherished, prove the ruin of all my graces; which, if entertained and not cast out, certainly will, and at length Satan and sin remain sole possessors of the heart

for

grace and sin cannot live together; either grace will be destroying sin, or sin will be destroying grace.

And as the cuckoo cares not how many eggs be in in the little bird's nest, provided she can only get one of her own dropped in