without the marks of wisdom and intelligence. So that when the arrangements of nature are contemplated through the mists of ignorance, they tend to obscure the glory of the Divinity, and to convey a distorted idea of his character. Whereas, when the system of the universe is contemplated in its true light, all appears arranged with the most admirable harmony, simplicity, and order, and every mean proportionate to the end it is intended to accomplish. Again, in so far as we consider the earth as the principal body, or among the largest bodies of the universe, in so far do we narrow our conceptions of the extent and magnificence of creation, and, consequently, limit our views of the plans and perfections of the Creator. For our conceptions of his attributes must, in some measure, correspond to the views we have acquired of the amplitude and grandeur of his empire.

Now, what is it that enables us to investigate the works of God, and to contemplate the system of nature in its true light? It is Science combined with observation and experiment. And what is science considered in a theological point of view? It is nothing else than a rational inquiry into the arrangements and operations of the Almighty, in order to trace the perfections therein displayed. And what are the truths which science has discovered? They may be regarded as so many rays of celestial light descending from the Great Source of Intelligence to illuminate the human mind in the knowledge of the divine character and government, and to stimulate it to still more vigorous exertions in similar investigations, just as the truths of revelation are so many emanations from the "Father of lights," to enlighten the darkness and to counteract the disorders of the moral world; and both these lights must be resorted to to direct our inquiries, if we wish to attain the clearest and most comprehensive views of the attributes of the Divine Mind. Revelation declares, in so many distinct propositions, the character of God, and the plans of his moral government. Science explains and illustrates many of those subjects to which revelation refers. It removes the veil from the works of the Creator; it dispels the mists which ignorance and superstition have thrown around them; conducts us into the secret chambers of nature, and discloses to us many of those hidden springs which produce the diversified phenomena of the material world; It throws a light on those delicate and minute objects which lie concealed from the vulgar eye, and brings within the range of our contempla tion the distant glories of the sky; it unveils the laws by which the Almighty directs the movements of his vast empire, and exhibits his operations in a thousand aspects of which the unenlightened mind can form no conception. If, then, science throws a light on the works and the ways of God, the acquisition of scientific know

ledge, when properly directed, must have a tendency to direct our conceptions and to amplify our views of his adorable attributes, and of his providential arrangements.

Here it will naturally be inquired,-What are some of those views of the divine character which scientific investigation has a tendency to unfold? Our limits will not permit a full and explicit answer to this inquiry, the illustration of which would require a volume of no inconsiderable size, and therefore, we shall attempt nothing more than the statement of a few general hints.

1. The phenomena of the material world, as investigated by science, evince the unity of the Divine Being. There is such a harmony that prevails through the whole visible universe, as plainly shows it to be under the government of one Intelligence. Amidst the immense compli cation that surrounds us, we perceive one set of laws uniformly operating in accordance with which all things proceed in their regular courses. The same causes uniformly produce the same effects in every region of the world, and in every period of time. "Vegetables spring from the same seed, germinate by the same means, assume the same form, sustain the same qualities, exist through the same duration, and come to the same end." Animals, too, of the same species, are brought into existence in the same manner, exhibit the same life and vital functions, display the same active powers and instinct, and hasten to the same dissolution. Man has one origin, one general form, the same corporeal structure, the same vital functions, the same system of intellectual faculties, and comes to the same termination. All the elements around him, and every arrangement in this sublunary sphere, are made, in one regular manner, subservient to his sensitive enjoyment, and are evidently fitted, by one design, and directed by one agency, to promote his happiness. The connexion and harmony which subsist between the animal and vegetable kingdoms, plainly evince that one and the same Being the former of both, and that in his contrivances with respect to the one, he had in view the necessities of the other. We know, that dif ferent sorts of plants, herbs, and flowers, are appointed for food to the several tribes of animals. That which is hurtful to one species is salutary to another. One creature climbs the highest rocks for herbs, another digs in the earth for roots, and we scarcely know a plant or leaf but what affords nourishment, and a place of nativity to some species or other of the insect tribes. This is the foundation of innumerable relations and connexions between these two departments of creation, which show the work to be one, and the result of the same Power and Intelligence. In like manner, day and night uniformly return with the utmost regularity, and by the operation of the same cause, and with the same regularity

and harmony the seasons revolve and appear in constant succession. The composition of the atmosphere is the same under every latitude, and light and heat are diffused by the same law in every region of the earth. One law causes a stone to fall to the ground, and by the operation of the same law, the moon is retained in her orbit around the earth, the planets directed in their revolutions round the sun, and the whole universe compacted into one harmonious system, In short, all the arrangements and operations of nature, so far as our knowledge extends, present to our view a single design, regularly executed by a single agency. The fair inference, therefore, is, that every part of the world in which we dwell, and every department of the solar system, are under the government of one Intelligence, which directs every movement throughout the universal system. And the more extensively our views of the universe are enlarged, the marks of unity in operation and design become more strikingly apparent. Now, if two or more intelligences had the government of the universe in their hands, and if they had equal power and contrary designs, their purposes would clash, and they could never become the parents of that harmony which we clearly perceive throughout the system of nature. Thus the operations of the visible world confirm and illustrate the declaration of the inspired oracles, that "there is none other God but one."

2. A scientific investigation of the material world opens to us innumerable evidences of Divine Wisdom.

Wherever we turn our eyes in the visible world around us, and survey with attention the various processes of nature, we perceive at every step the most striking marks of intelligence and design. We perceive the wisdom of the great Author of nature, in the admirable constitution of the atmosphere, and the wonderful properties of the constituent principles of which it is composed, in the motions of light, the inconceivable smallness of its particles, its adaptation to the eye, and the admirable manner in which vision is performed,—in the nature of sound, the laws by which it is propagated, and the various modifications of which it is susceptible,-in the process of evaporation, and the rains, dews, and fertility which are the results of this admirable part of the economy of nature,-in the utility of the mountains and valleys with which the ear h is diversified, and the beautiful colouring which is spread over the face of nature,-in the morning and evening twilight, and the gradual approaches of light and darkness,-in the vast expanse of the ocean and its numerous productions,-in the grand, and picturesque, and beautiful landscapes with which our globe is adorned, -in the composition and specific gravity of water, and in the peculiar structure and density of the solid parts of the earth,-in the expansion

of water in the act of freezing, and the nature and properties of heat and flame,-in the power of steam, the properties of the gases, the quali ties of the magnet, and the agencies of the galvanic and electric fluids,- in the structure of vegetables, the adaptation of their seeds, roots, fibres, vessels, and leaves to the purpose of vege tative life, the curious processes which are continually going on in their internal parts, their delicate contexture and diversified hues, and the important purposes they serve in the system of nature,-in the structure of the various animated beings which traverse the air, the waters, and the earth,-the provision made for the continuance of the species, their architective faculties, their wonderful instincts, and the infinite diversity of organization which appears among them, suited to their various wants and modes of existence in the admirable organization of the human frame, the numerous bones, muscles, ligaments, membranes, arteries, and veins which enter into its construction, the apt disposition of all its parts, the means contrived for the reception and distribution of nutriment, the effect which this nutriment produces in bringing the body to its full growth and expansion,-its selfrestoring power when diseased or wounded, the provision made against evil accidents and inconveniences, the variety of muscular movements of which it is susceptible, the process of respiration, the circulation of the blood, the separation of the chyle, the exquisite structure of the different senses, and the nice adaptation of every organ and movement to the ends it was intended to subserve. The same wisdom is perceptible in the position which the sun holds in the solar system, in order to a due distribution of light and heat to surrounding worlds; in the distance at which the earth is placed from this luminary,in the order and harmony of all the celestial motions, and in the wonderful and beautiful scenery, invisible to the unassisted eye, which the microscope displays, both in the animal and vegetable world. In short, there is not an object within us or around us, in the mountains or the plains, in the air, the ocean, or the sky, among the animal or the vegetable tribes, when steadily contemplated in all its aspects and relations, but displays to the eye of reason and devotion the consummate intelligence and skill of its almighty Author, and calls upon every intelligent agent, in silent but emphatic language, to praise him "who made the earth, the sea, the fountains of water, and all that live in them, for whose pleasure they are and were created."

Let us just select one example out of the many thousands which might be brought forward on this subject. This example shall be taken from an invisible department of nature. In consequence of modern scientific discovery, it has been ascertained that the atmosphere, or the air we breathe, is compounded of two invi

the

sible substances, termed oxygen gas and nitrogen gas. Oxygen, as formerly stated, principle of vitality and combustion, nitrogen is destructive both to flame and animal life. Were we to breathe oxygen by itself, it would cause our blood to circulate with greater rapidity, but it would soon waste and destroy the human frame by the rapid accumulation of heat. Were the nitrogen to be extracted from the atmosphere, and the oxygen left to exert its native energies, it would melt the hardest substances and set the earth on flames. If the oxygen were extracted and the nitrogen only remained, every species of fire and flame would be extinguished, and all the tribes of animated nature instantly destroyed. The proportion of these two gases to each other is nearly as one to four. Were this proportion materially altered, a fluid might be produced which would cause a burning pain and instantaneous suffocation. The specific gravity of these two substances is nearly as 37 to 33, that is, the nitrogen is a small degree lighter than the oxygen. Were this proportion reversed, or, in other words, were the oxygen of the atmosphere a small degree lighter than the nitrogen, so that the nitrogen might become a little heavier than common air,-as this gas is thrown off continually by the breathing of men and other animals, it would perpetually occupy the lower regions of the atmosphere, and be productive of universal pestilence and death. Again, oxygen gas is separated from the nitrogen in the lungs; it is absorbed by the blood, and gives it its red colour, and is the source of animal heat throughout the whole system. It forms the basis of all the acids; it pervades the substance of the vegetable tribes, and enables them to perform their functions, and it forms a constituent part of the water which fills our rivers, seas, and oceans. And as the atmosphere is daily liable to be deprived of this fluid by combustion, respiration, and other processes, the leaves of trees and other vegetables give out a large portion of it during the day, which, uniting with the nitrogen gas thrown off by the breathing of animals, keeps up the equilibrium, and preserves the salubrity of the air in which we move and breathe.

These facts demonstrate the infinite knowledge and the consummate wisdom of the Contriver of the universe,-in the exquisitely nice adjustment of every minute circumstance, so as to preserve the balance of nature and secure the happiness of his sensitive and intelligent offspring. What an all-comprehensive intelligence does it indicate in the Divine Mind, to cause one single principle in different combinations to produce so immense a variety of important effects! What dreadful havoc would be produced throughout the whole of our sublunary system, if a substance like oxygen gas, which pervades every part of nature, were not nicely

balanced and proportioned. All nature might soon be thrown into confusion, and all the tribes of the living world either be reduced to misery, or swept into the tomb. A material difference in the proportion of the two airs which compose the atmosphere, might be productive of the most dreadful and destructive effects. One of the most corrosive acids, aquafortis, is composed of 75 parts oxygen and 25 parts nitrogen. Were this the proportion of these fluids in the atmosphere, every breath we drew would produce the most excruciating pain, and, after two or three inspirations, the vital powers would be overcome, and life extinguished. Here then we perceive an admirable adjustment of means to ends, and an evidence of that comprehensive knowledge which penetrates into the energies of all substances, and foresees all the consequences which can follow from the principles and laws of nature, in every combination and in every mode of their operation. This is only one instance out of a thousand which the researches of science afford us of the admirable economy of the wisdom of God. From ignorance of such facts, the bulk of mankind are incapable of appreciating the blessings they enjoy, under the arrangements of infinite wisdom, and unqualified for rendering a grateful homage to Him "in whom they live and move, and have their being." 3. The contemplation of nature through the medium of science, affords innumerable displays of the benevolence of the Deity. Benevolence, or goodness, is that perfection of God which leads him, in all his arrangements, to communicate happiness to every order of his creatures. This attribute, though frequently overlooked is so extensively displayed throughout the scene of creation, that we feel at a loss to determine from what quarter we should select instances for its illustration. Wherever we find evidences of wisdom and design, we also find instances of benevolence; for all the admirable contrivances we perceive in the system of nature, have it as their ultimate end to convey pleasure, in one shape or another, to sensitive beings. If there are more than 240 bones in the human body variously articulated, and more than 440 muscles of different forms and contextures, such a structure is intended to produce a thousand modifications of motion in the several members of which it is composed, and to facilitate every operation we have occasion to perform. If the ear is formed with an external porch, a hammer, an anvil, a tympanum, a stirrup, and a labyrinth, this apparatus is intended to convey pleasure to the soul by communicating to it all the modifications of sound. If the eye is composed of three coats, some of them opaque and some transparent, with three humours of different forms and refractive powers, and a numerous assemblago of minute veins, arteries, muscles, nerves, glands, and lymphatics, it is in order that the images of

duced by the objects of external nature intended to affect this organ! The murmurings of the brooks, the whispers of the gentle breeze, the hum of bees, the chirping of birds, the lowing of the herds, the melody of the feathered songsters, the roarings of a stormy ocean, the dashings of a mighty cataract, and, above all, the numerous modulations of the human voice and the harmonies of music, produce a variety of delightful emotions which increase the sum of human enjoyment. To gratify the sense of smelling, the air is perfumed with a variety of delicious odours, exhaled from innumerable plants and flowers. To gratify the feeling, pleasing sensations of various descriptions are connected with almost every thing we have occasion to touch; and to gratify the sense of taste, the earth is covered with an admirable profusion of plants, herbs, roots, and delicious fruits of thousands of different qualities and flavours, calculated to convey an agreeable relish to the inhabitants of every clime. Now, it is easy to conceive, that these gratifications were not necessary to our existence. The purposes of vision, as a mere animal sensation for the use of self-preservation, might have been answered, although every trace of beauty and sublimity had been swept from the universe, and nothing but a vast assemblage of dismal and haggard objects had appeared on the face of nature. The purpose of hearing might have been effected although every sound had been grating and discordant, and the voice of melody for ever unknown. We might have had smell without fragrance or perfume; taste with out variety of flavour; and feeling, not only without the least pleasing sensation, but accompanied with incessant pain. But, in this case, the system of nature would have afforded no direct proofs, as it now does, of divine benevolence.

The remedies which the Deity has provided against the evils & which we are exposed, are likewise a proof of his benevolence. Medicines are provided for the cure of the diseases to which we are liable; heat is furnished to deliver us from the effects of cold; rest from the fatigues of labour; sleep from the languors of watching; artificial light to preserve us from the gloom of absolute darkness, and shade from the injuries of scorching heat. Goodness is also displayed in the power of self-restoration which our bodies possess, in recovering us from sickness and disease, in healing wounds and bruises, and in recovering our decayed organs of sensation, without which power almost every human being would present a picture of deformity, and a body full of scars and putrefying sores. The pupil of the eye is so constructed, that it is capable of contracting and dilating by a sort of instinctive power. By this means the organ of vision defends itself from the blindness which might ensue from the admission of too great a quantity of light; while,

on the other hand, its capacity of expansion, so as to take in a greater quantity of rays, prevents us from being in absolute darkness even in the deepest gloom, without which we could scarcely take a step with safety during a cloudy night. Again, in the construction of the human body, and of the various tribes of animated beings, however numerous and complicated their organs, there is no instance can be produced that any one muscle, nerve, joint, limb, or other part, is contrived for the purpose of producing pain. When pain is felt, it is uniformly owing to some derangement of the corporeal organs, but is never the necessary result of the original contrivance. On the other hand, every part of the construction of living beings, every organ and function, and every contrivance, however delicate and minute, in so far as its use is known, is found to contribute to the enjoyment of the individual to which it belongs, either by facilitating its movements, by enabling it to ward off dangers, or in some way or another to produce agreeable sensations.

In short, the immense multitude of human beings which people the earth, and the ample provision which is made for their necessities, furnish irresistible evidence of divine goodness. It has been ascertained, that more than sixty thousand species of animals inhabit the air, the earth, and the waters, besides many thousands which have not yet come within the observation of the naturalist. On the surface of the earth there is not a patch of ground or a portion of water, a single shrub, tree, or herb, and scarcely a single leaf in the forest, but what teems with animated be ings. How many hundreds of millions have their dwellings in caves, in the clefts of rocks, in the bark of trees, in ditches, in marshes, in the forests, the mountains and the valleys! What innumerable shoals of fishes inhabit the occan and sport in the seas and rivers! What millions on millions of birds and flying insects, in endless variety, wing their flight through the atmosphere above and around us! Were we to suppose that each species, at an average, contains four hundred millions of individuals, there would be 24,000,000,000,000, or 24 billions of living creatures belonging to all the known species which inhabit the different regions of the world, besides the multitudes of unknown species yet undiscovered,-which is thirty thousand times the number of all the human beings that people the globe. Besides these, there

As an instance of the immense number of animated beings, the following facts in relation to two

species of birds may be stated. Captain Flinders, in his voyage to Australasia, saw a compact stream of stormy petrels, which was from 50 to 80 yards deep and 300 yards or more broad. This stream for a full hour and a half continued to pass without in. terruption with nearly the swiftness of the pigeon. Now, taking the column at 50 yards deep by 300 in breath, and that it moved 30 miles an hour, and allowing nine cubic inches of space to each bird, the