Whoever considers the final cause of the world, will discern a multitude of usesthat result. They all admit of being thrown into one of the following classes; Commodity; Beauty; Language; and Discipline.

Under the general name of Commodity, I rank all those advantages which our senses owe to nature. This, of course, is a benefit which is temporary and mediate¹, not ultimate, like its service to the soul. Yet although low, it is perfect in its kind, and is the only use of nature which all men apprehend². The misery³ of man appears like childish petulance⁴, when we explore the steady and prodigal⁵ provision that has been made for his support and delight on this green ball which floats him through the heavens. What angels invented these splendid ornaments⁶, these rich conveniences, this ocean of air above, this ocean of water beneath, this firmament⁷ of earth between? this zodiac of lights, this tent of dropping clouds, this striped coat of climates, this fourfold year? Beasts, fire, water, stones, and corn serve him. The field is at once his floor, his work-yard, his play-ground, his garden, and his bed.

“More servants wait on man
Than he ‘ll take notice of.”

Nature, in its ministry⁸ to man, is not only the material, but is also the process and the result. All the parts incessantly⁹ work into each other’s hands for the profit of man. The wind sows the seed; the sun evaporates the sea; the wind blows the vapor¹⁰ to the field; the ice, on the other side of the planet, condenses rain on this; the rain feeds the plant; the plant feeds the animal; and thus the endless circulations of the divine charity nourish man.

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