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The wisdom of providence is eminently conspicuous in the limits it has set to the faculties of the human mind. As experience of the past is of far more importance in the conduct of life than the most accurate and intimate acquaintance with the future, the power of memory is more extensive and efficient than the faculty of foresight. It was wise and merciful to afford us but an indistinct perception of the future. But here man acts in opposition to the will of his Maker. He has withheld from us distinct knowledge of the future, yet how often do we act as if we were familiarly acquainted with it. Our confident expectation of the continuance of life encourages that indolence about their immortal interests in which so many of the children of men waste the season allotted for their preparation for eternity. The admitted history of the ant does more than corroborate and confirm the statement of Solomon in this text. But it is not as a curious fact in natural history, or even as furnishing a theme of praise to the wise and munificent Author of Nature, that the wise man introduces the history and habits of the ant. It is as a rebuke to the sloth and indolence of rational and accountable beings.

I. WE ARE ADMONISHED AND REPROVED BY THE SAGACITY AND CARE WITH WHICH THE ANTS MAKE PREPARATION FOR THE WINTER. Nature has given them an instinctive anticipation of the necessities and severity of winter. Grain after grain is borne along, and having been carefully prepared against revegetation, is added to their little store. The winter of our year is fast approaching; are we making all needful preparations?

II. WE ARE ADMONISHED BY THE SAGACITY WITH WHICH THE ANT SELECTS AND SEIZES THE PROPER SEASON OF PREPARATION FOR WINTER. The food proper for storage can only be obtained at particular seasons; and if these are neglected, want and wretchedness reign throughout the cells. The present life is the season in which you are called to make provision for the days that are to come.

III. THE INCESSANT AND UNINTERMITTED ACTIVITY AND DILIGENCE WITH WHICH THE ANT PLIES HER SUMMER TASK PRESENT ANOTHER IMPORTANT LESSON OF WISDOM TO THE RATIONAL AND ACCOUNTABLE FAMILY OF GOD. It is not an occasional exercise in which this curious creature is engaged. Day after day do these industrious tribes issue forth to the work of gathering. And here, again, they teach us wisdom. The great work to which religion calls us is not one that can be taken up and laid aside at pleasure.

IV. THE HARMONY, UNION, AND CONCORD WHICH PREVAIL AMONG THE ANTS SUGGEST A LESSON FOR US. The instinct which prompts them to assist each other in their busy labours has been celebrated as one of the most interesting manifestations of Creating Wisdom. How beautifully does it accord with some of the most frequently repeated precepts of the gospel! And also with such counsel of the apostle as this, "Bear ye one another's burdens."

(John Johnston.)

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KJV: Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

WEB: Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise;