PEOPLE fall asleep with more or less rapidity, according to their constitution and present state of health. But whether sleep arrives soon or late, it always comes in the same manner; and the preceding circumstances are the same in all men.
The first thing that happens when we begin to sleep, is the stupor of our senses; which, no longer receiving external impressions, fall into a state of inactivity. Hence it follows that the attention diminishes, and at length ceases; the memory becomes confused; the passions are calmed; and the connection between our thoughts and reasoning faculty is interrupted. As long as we feel the influence of sleep, it is only the first degree of it; we may be then said to be in a dozing state. When we are really asleep, we have no longer that consciousness and reflection which depends upon the exercise of memory; our eye-lids wink, open and shut, of themselves; the head reclines in an easy position; and when our sleep is quite profound all voluntary functions are suspended; but the vital functions, and all those which do not depend upon the will, are still performed with vigor. A sweet sleep refreshes and repairs our exhausted nature; and we rise from our slumbers with increased energy, capable of again renewing the fatigues of the day.
All these circumstances are well calculated to make us acknowledge the goodness of God, so mercifully extended to us in his tender care to procure us the blessing of sleep. We ought to be still more thankful, when we consider the effects of sleep being ushered in by a complete suspension of activity in the senses; and that it steals upon us unawares, and in a way not to be resisted. The first of these circumstances renders it more sound and refreshing; the other makes it an unavoidable necessity. And how wisely, is it ordered, that by the spontaneous closing of the eye-lid the eye is defended when we are not able to preserve it from the dangers to which it would have been subjected!
Let therefore the hour in which we dispose ourselves to enjoy the sweet influence of sleep, be always preceded by thanksgivings to our heavenly Father! Let us not only bless him because the days happily succeed each other, but also because he has so constituted us, that a state in which for a space we repose from the cares, the troubles, and the vexations of the world, is to us a state of refreshment, in which we acquire new force and gain accumulated vigor. Let reflections like those be the last which take place before sleep surprises and locks up our soul in silken fetters; and when morning dissolves the charm, let love and gratitude to our God be the first emotion of our heart.