Gleanings by the Way

THE THREE GLEANERS. Nature has a voice to instruct, as well as charms to please. No one can walk over the surface of this earth, and gaze upon the objects and scenes that every where cluster around him, and not hear her instructive voice echoed upon his ear from ten thousand points, unless stupidity, or sin have sealed up his senses, and made him deaf as "the adder that stoppeth her ear, and will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely." Providence, too, has a voice, that speaks with trumpet-tongue in the ear of those who watch the movement of human events—who regard the work of the Lord, and consider the operation of his hands. The fall of every leaf—the opening of every grave, the subversion of kingdoms—the overthrow of empires—every event transpiring around us, reads us a lesson full of deep and solemn instruction. In the various and diversified developements of human character—whether contemplated in its rougher, or more polished state, there is a vast deal presented to view, from which an intelligent mind may gather very important elements of instruction. One who keeps his eye out upon these various fields, will scarcely fail to glean something every day, either from nature, or Providence, or the different and ever varying phases of human character, that can be turned to a profitable account both for instruction and pleasure