the earth as much nourishment as the oak. But, on the other hand, it is to be noted that all receive from nature enough for their respective wants and uses. The bee has his fill, as well as the ox; and the rose receives all that is needed to perfect its beauty, as the oak all to sustain its strength: and, as the Scottish song sweetly says,
"Ilka blade o' grass
Keps its ain drap o' dew."
There is no poverty in nature, and there is no need of poverty with man. The bountiful Creator supplies an abundance for all, and each should receive his proper share—no more and no less: then would all be comfortable and happy together. This is the case with the lower animals, because they are in the order of their nature; and it would be the case also with man, were he in the proper order of his. But man, by the abuse of his moral freedom, has perverted that original order; and consequently, in this as in all other things, his present condition is one of disorder and discomfort. That Self-love, which is at the root of all moral, and consequent physical, disorder, has introduced its disturbing influence here, also, and brought Poverty into the world. Each one, in his selfishness, disregarding his neighbor's happiness and welfare, grasps all he can, whether needing it or not. A diseased lust of hoarding up useless wealth, has planted itself in men's hearts, till it has become, with many, a master passion; to gratify which, they will not only sacrifice their neighbor's comfort, but even their own also,—thus foolishly losing sight of the end in the pursuit of the means, sacrificing happiness itself to attain that which, after all, was only sought for as a supposed
