IT has been noticed that the leaves have commenced to fade and fall rather early this year. We watched the tender buds and viewed their expanding with pleasure; and it is always with a tinge of sadness that we see them wither and fall from the trees. Yet we know that it is inevitable. We cannot keep our earthly pleasures beyond an appointed time. All joy of an earthly nature must have an earthly end; and one of the lessons taught us by the fall of the leaves is that there is nothing abiding here on earth. It is therefore a very great mercy to be taught to look for lasting joys above, the beginning of which may be enjoyed below. The joys connected with the grace of God in the soul are unfading and eternal. May we be enabled to realize this as we walk over the fallen leaves this autumn.