At this season the bees are very busy in gathering the honey, which they lay up in their hives for winter store; the mower is heard in the meadow whetting his scythe; and the haymakers go forth with their forks and rakes.

Summer is the emblem of youth-of that period when we have attained the perfection of our stature and beauty. This is the time when we ought most diligently to seek the salvation of God, to be preserved from youthful passions, which injure health, and destroy the soul: for though some young people think they have a right to seek worldly pleasure in youth, the Bible says, Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.-Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them. (Eccles. xi. 9, 10. xii. 1.)

SUMMER is immediately succeeded by autumn. Autumn begins in August, and ends in October. At this season the fields are ripe for harvest, and the reaper goes forth to cut the corn. When the corn is bound in sheaves, it is pleasant to see the poor gleaners gathering the scattered ears that may have dropped from the reapers' hands.

At this time the apple trees are bending down with the weight of their fruit. The hop-yards are full of hops, which entwine themselves round the tall poles. In the woods, the stately oak is covered with acorns, and the changing leaves add new beauty to every forest scene.

Autumn is used as a sign or type of the second

coming of Christ, when the Lord will say to the angels, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. (Matt. xiii. 30.)

Autumn is the emblem of middle age, when Christians are expected to bring forth the fruits of piety, and to shew, by stedfast faith in Christ, and a steady, holy walk, that the grace of God hath taught us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus ii. 12-14.)

have no leaves, the ground is often covered with snow, while the icicles hang from the branches of the trees and the eaves of the houses; and when the sun shines upon them, they resemble diamonds of every beautiful form.

But although winter is a cold season, it has its pleasures. It is delightful to see how happy Christian families, after their daily tasks, sit round their fires in a winter evening: the mother and her daughters employing themselves with their needles; while the father, or perhaps some

one of his sons, read aloud to them the holy word of God.

Winter is the type of old age. When man can no longer delight himself in the useful employments of youth, if he is a child of God, he then finds the comfort of that religion which has been his guide through life: and though all the friends of his youth are gone, yet they are more than made up to him by the presence of his Saviour, and the expectation-of shortly being with him in glory. For he can say, Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. (Psalm lxxiii. 24.) Yes, and God hath said, Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the womb: and even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. (Isaiah xlvi. 3, 4.) They may therefore rejoice both in youth and old age, saying, For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death. (Psalm xlviii. 14.)