His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me," which expressions evidently imply that the sun will not be blotted out of creation, but continue to hold a station in the universe as long as the Redeemer and his subjects exist. It is also stated, in reference to the same elustrious personage, "His seed will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven," which intimates, that the heavens will endure as long as the government of Immanuel. In reference to the stability and perpetuity of the celestial luminaries, it is declared, that "Jehovah hath prepared his THRONE in the hea vens." And when the Psalmist calls upon all the beings in the universe to celebrate the praises of the Creator, he says, in reference to the orbs of heaven," Praise ye him, sun and moon, praise him all ye stars of light-Let them praise the name of the Lord; for he commanded, and they were created. He hath also established them for ever and ever; he hath made a decree which shall not pass; which expressions evidently imply, that, whatever changes may happen in particular systems, the great body of the celestial orbs, which constitute some of the grandest scenes of the universe, will remain stable and permanent as the throne of the Eternal.-But, not to multiply quotations,-the following declaration of Jehovah by the prophet Jeremiah is quite decisive on this point. "Thus saith the Lord, who giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night: The Lord of Hosts is his name. If these ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever," which words plainly imply, that if these luminaries continue in existence, the accomplishment of the divine promise is secured to all the spiritual seed of Israel; but should they be blotted out of creation, or depart from before Jehovah, the happiness of the " ransomed of the Lord," and their relation to him as the source of their felicity, would be terminated for ever. And have not these luminaries continued in their stations, since the prediction was announced, during a period of more than two thousand years? And do they not still shine with undiminished lustre? Yes, and they will still continue to display the glory of their Creator while countless ages are rolling on. Hence it is declared, with respect to the "saints of the Most High," "They that be teachers of wisdom shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever.”

In short, when we consider the boundless extent of the starry firmament, the scenes of grandeur it displays, the new luminaries, which, in

See Psalm 1xxii. 17. lxxxix. 36, &c. cil. 19. cxlviii. 3-7. 1 Jeremiah xxxi. 35, 36.

the course of ages, appear to be gradually aug menting its splendour, and the countless myriads of exalted intelligences which doubtless people its expansive regions-when we consider that it constitutes the principal portion of the empire of the Eternal, the most astonishing scene of his operations, and the most striking display of his omnipotence and wisdom,-it would be one of the most extravagant notions that can possibly be entertained, and inconsistent with every rational and Scriptural idea we can form of the goodness and intelligence of the Deity, to suppose, that these vast dominions of his, in which his perfections shine with a splendour so ineffable, will ever be suffered to fall to pieces, or to sink into non-existence. With almost equal reason might we suppose, that the Creator himself would cease to exist, and infinite space be left as a boundless blank without matter and intelligence.

If the considerations now adduced be admitted to have any force, and if the position I have endeavoured to establish, cannot be overthrown, either on Scriptural or rational grounds-many of our sermons and poems which profess to give a description of the scenes of the "Last day,' must be considered as containing a species of bombast which has a tendency to bewilder the mind, and to produce distorted views of the perfections of the Creator, and of the wise arrangements he has established in the system of the universe. A celebrated poet, when expatiating on this subject, in order to give effect to his descriptions, breaks out into the following extravagant exclamations, when alluding to the starry firmament:

"How far from east to west? The lab'ring eye
Can scarce the distant azure bounds descry-
So vast, this world's a grain; yet myriad: grace
With golden pomp the throng'd etherial space.
How great, how firm, how sacred all appears!
How worthy an immortal round of years!
Yet all must drop, as autumn's sickliest grain,
And earth and firmament be sought in vain.
Time shall be slain, all nature be destroy'd,
Nor leave an atom in the mighty void.
One universal ruin spreads abroad,
Nothing is safe beneath the throne of God."

Again,

"The flakes aspire, and make the heavens their prey
The sun, the moon, the stars, all melt away;
All, all is lost, no monument, no sign,
Where once so proudly blaz'd the gay machine." &c.

If such descriptions were to be literally realized, a resurrection from the dead woula be an abo solute impossibility-the universe would be reduced to an immense blank-and the visible glories of the Creator, by which alone his perfections are recognised by finite intelligences, would be eclipsed in the darkness of eternal night. Poetical scraps of this description, are, however, frequently reiterated by flaming orators, in order to give effect to their turgid declamations, while they have no other tendency than

to lead their hearers into a maze of error and extravagancy, to prevent them from thinking soberberty and rationally on the scenes predicted in Scripture, and to excite the sneer of philosophical infidels.

The only passage of Scripture which, at first view, seems to militate against the position I have endeavoured to establish, is that contained in Psalm cii. 25, 26. "Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of thy hands: they shall perish, but thou shalt endure; yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same," &c. Some commentators, as Mr. Pierce and others, suppose, that by "the earth and heavens,' in this passage, are to be understood, governments, or civil and ecclesiastical states, as these words, in their figurative sense, sometimes denote. But this does not appear to be the sense in which they are here used. Taken in their literal sense, they may refer to the same objects and events alluded to by the Apostle Peter, in his Second Epistle, chap. iii. 7, 10. formerly explained; namely, to the dissolution of the earth and the aerial heavens, at the close of time. But, supposing that the words were taken in their most extensive sense, as denoting the whole fabric of the material universe, it would not in the least invalidate the proposition I am now supporting. The main design of the passage is to assert the eternity and immutability of God, in opposition to the mutable nature of created beings. All material things are liable to change; but change does not imply destruction or annihilation. When it is said, "the righteous perish and no man layeth it to heart;" and "they that are far from God shall perish," it is not to be understood, that either the one or the other shall be blotted out of existence. So, when it is said that the heavens and the earth shall perish, a change or revolution is implied, but not an entire destruction. It is farther said, "As a vesture they shall be folded up," &c. This appears to be spoken in allusion to the custom which obtains in the Eastern nations, among the grandees, of frequently changing their garments as a mark of respect; and seems to import, the ease and celerity with which the Divine Being can accomplish important changes in the universe. He can accomplish the revolutions of worlds and of systems with an ease similar to that of a prince changing is apparel, or laying aside his vestments. But his changing any particular system from its original state, implies only his opening a new scene, and varying the course of his dispensations in relation to a certain order of his creatures. Nor does the passage under consideration lead us to conclude, that the changes alluded to shall all take place throughout the whole universe at the same period but they may be considered as happening at different periods throughout the

lapse of infinite duration, according to the do signs which his wisdom has determined to accom plish.

That all material objects are subject to decomposition and changes, we have abundance of evidence in every department of nature. With respect to the earth on which we tread, we perceive the soil in the higher grounds gradually washed down by the action of winds and rains, and carried by the rivers to the bed of the ocean. Banks are accumulating at the mouths of rivers, and reefs in the midst of the seas, which are the terror of mariners and obstructions to navigation. In every pit and quarry, and on the face of every crag and broken precipice, we perceive the marks of disorder, and the effects of former changes and convulsions of nature; while around the bases of volcanic mountains, we behold cities buried under a mass of solid lava, orchards and vineyards laid waste, and fertile fields transformed into a scene of barrenness and desolation. Observation likewise demonstrates, that even the luminaries of heaven are not exempted from re'volutions and changes. The law of gravitation, which extends its influence through all the celestial orbs, has a tendency, in the course of ages, to draw together all the spacious globes in the universe, and to condense them into one solid mass; and, were it not for the counteracting and sustaining hand of God, this effect, at some distant period in duration, would inevitably take place, and creation be reduced to one vast and frightful ruin. Many of the stars are ascertained to be subjected to periodical changes, varying their lustre, and appearing and disappearing at certain intervals; while others, which formerly shone with superior brilliancy, have gradually disappeared, and their place in the heavens is no longer to be found. Other stars, unknown to the ancients and to preceding observers, have made their appearance in modern times; and various nebulous spots, in the distant regions of space, appear to be increasing both in lustre and extent. These, and many other similar facts, indicate changes and revolutions as great, and even much greater than those which are predicted to befall the earth when its atmosphere shall be dissolved, its "elements melt with fervent heat," and a new world rise out of its ruins. It is probable, that, in the lapse of infinite duration, all the systems which now exist, some at one period and some at another, will undergo changes and transformations which will astonish the intelligent creation, and open new and sublimer scenes of divine operation to an admiring universe. But such changes will be altogether different from annihilation or utter destruction-altogether different from the ideas embodied in the language of poets, when they tell us that "not one atom shall be left in the mighty void," and that "earth and firmament will be sought in vain.” Those stars which appeared, the one in 1572, and the

other in 1604, which shone with a brightness superior to Venus, and afterwards disappeared, we have no reason to believe, are blotted out of creation. They may either have been changed, from flaming suns, to opaque globes like the planets, and may still be existing in the same region of space; or they may have been carried forward with a rapid motion, to a region of the universe altogether beyond the utmost limits of our vision, or some other transformation, beyond the reach of hum in conception, may have been effected. For the annihilation of matter appears to form no part of the plan of the Creator's arrangements; at least, we have no proof of it, in any one instance, and the very idea of it seems to imply an inconsistency, which is repugnant to what we already know of the divine character and operations.

46

Such changes, then, so far from diminishing the visible glory of the universe, will present to the view of the intelligent creation a greater variety of sublime scenery than if all things continued as they were from the beginning of the creation," and will exhibit the attributes of the Almighty in all their varied aspects and diversified modes of operation. While they demonstrate the mutable nature of created beings, and the immutability of the Creator, they will enliven the scenes of the universe, and excite the admiration and praises of countless multitudes of enraptured intelligences.

From the considerations now stated, it will follow, that the various relations which now subsist among the great bodies which compose the universe, will not be materially altered by any changes or revolutions which may take place in our terrestrial sphere: nor will the general aspect of creation be sensibly altered by any changes that may occasionally happen among the celestial luminaries. Whatever may be the nature of such changes, or however important they may be to the inhabitants of the systems in which they happen, they bear no sensible proportion to the whole fabric of the universe. Though stars have, at different periods, disappeared from the visible concave of the firmament, and have, doubtless, undergone amazing revolutions, yet the general appearance of the heavens in all ages has been nearly the same, and will probably continue so for an indefinite lapse of ages yet to come. Although our earth were just now transported to a point of space a hundred thousand millions of miles beyond the sphere we presently occupy, the general aspect and the relative positions of the starry orbs, and the figures of the different constellations, would appear, on the whole, the same as they now do when we lift our eyes to the nocturnal skv. The constellations of Orion and Charles's IVain, for example, would present the same shape, the same number of stars, and the same relations to neighbouring Constellations, when viewed from a region

1,000,000,000 000,000* of miles distant from the earth, as they now do from the sphere in which we are placed.f-Extension, magnitude, relative position, attraction, gravitation, central forces, rectilineal and circular motions, and other properties and relations of matter, will still subsist in the universe, after we are transported to another state and to a different regio. ;-and, consequently the sciences founded on the various combinations of these properties and of the laws which govern them, will be cultivated by intelligent beings, and carried forward to that measure of perfection which they cannot attain in the present state; unless we suppose, what is evidently absurd and contrary to Scripture, that our knowledge will be more limited in the future, than in the present world.

For example, the laws which direct the motions of falling bodies, the appearances produced by bodies in the heavens moving with different degrees of velocity, the apparent motions of the sun and of the starry heavens, and the general principles of geography and astronomy, on the planet Jupiter, or any other similar globe, with the exception of a few local modifications, are materially the same as on the surface of the earth; which is evident from the consideration of his spheroidal figure, his diurnal and annual motions, and from the consideration that gravitation is regulated by the same general laws on that body, and on similar globes, as on the surface of the earth or the moon.-The laws of vision, and the nature and properties of light and colours, are essentially the same throughout all that portion of the universe which lies within the sphere of our observation; and we have no reason to believe, that the general laws of the universe will be unhinged for the sake of man, or on account of any changes that happen in his present abode, or in reference to his future destination. For, to use the words of a late eminent Scottish philosopher, "The light by which the fixed stars are seen, is the same with that by which we behold the sun and his attending planets. It moves with the same velocity, as we observe by comparing the aberrations of the fixed stars with the eclipses of Jupiter's satellites. It is refracted and reflected by the same laws. It consists of

That is, a thousand billions; a billion being equal to ten hundred thousand millions.

This will appear quite evident to any one who considers the immense distance of the stars from the earth and from one another. We know, by ex perience, that a change of place equal to 190 millions of miles, or the diameter of the earth's annual orbit, produces no sensible difference in the appearance of the starry heavens, and it is certain that if this distance were multiplied by ten hundred thousand, the case would be nearly the same The nearest star is, at least, 20 billions of miles distant, and remoter stars several thousands of billions; and therefore, the relative positions of bodies so widely dispersed from each other, would not be sensibly altered by a ions of miles. change of place equal in extent to a thousand bu

stars.

the same colours. No opinion therefore, can be formed of the solar light which must not also be adopted with respect to the light of the fixed The medium of vision must be acted on in the same manner by both, whether we suppose it the undulations of an ether, or the emission of matter from the luminous body."-From these facts we may conclude, that the general and fundamental principles of the science of Optics are recognised and acted upon in the remotest regions which the telescope has explored, and from a portion of that knowledge which is possessed by the intelligences which occupy those distant provinces of the Creator's empire-always, however, making proper allowances for those local varieties and modifications, which must produce an infinite diversity of scenery throughout the universe, although the same general laws operate throughout the whole.

What has been now stated in reference to light, gravitation, and other affections of matter, might be extended to various other properties, and to the sciences which have been founded upon them;

such as, the pressure and motions of fluids, the properties of gaseous bodies, the phenomena of electricity and magnetism, and all those affinities, decompositions and changes, which are the obJects of chymical research. For, in a material fabric, in whatever portion of space it may be placed, there must, from the very nature of things, be a diversity of objects for the investigation of the naturalist, the chymist, and the philosopher, in which the wisdom and goodness of the Deity will always be displayed. Every system of matter, wherever existing in infinite space, has a determinate size and figure; it is composed of an infinite number of atoms, variously modified and arranged; it has certain diversities of surface and internal arrangement; it is susceptible of certain motions; it stands in certain relations to surrounding bodies, and it is destined to accomplish some wise designs corresponding to the eternal plan of the infinite Creator. There is no portion of organized matter now existing, or which may hereafter exist, but which must be considered in these and similar points of view. Now the object of every rational intelligence, whether designated by the appellations of philosopher, astronomer or chymist, when contemplat ing any material system, is, or ought to be, to trace the various properties and arrangements which exist in that system, in order to perceive the intelligence, wisdom and benevolence that appear in its construction, and thus to acquire a more correct and comprehensive view of the plans and perfections of his Creator. But such contemplations necessarily suppose, the cultivation of those sciences which will enable him to make such investigations with spirit and effect, with out which he would be unable to trace either the qualities and relations of material objects, or to Berceive the admirable designs of the all-wise

Creator in the works which his almighty power has produced.

SCIENCES WHICH WILL BE CULTIVATED IN A FUTURE STATE.

In order to illustrate this subject a little farther, I shall offer a few brief remarks on some of those sciences which will be recognised and prosecuted in a future world.

ARITHMETIC.

Arithmetic, or the knowledge of numbers, and their various powers and combinations, is a science which must be understood in a greater or less degree by all intelligent beings wherever existing; without some knowledge of which, no extensive progress could be made in the study of the works of God, and in forming just conceptions of the immense number and variety of beings which exist within the limits of his empire. By the application of the science of numbers the bulk of the earth has been ascertained; the distances and magnitudes of many of the heavenly bodies have been computed; the proportion which one part of the universe bears to another has been determined; the inconceivable minuteness of the particles of effluvia, of animalculæ, and of the atoms of light, has been brought within the limits of our contemplation; and we have been enabled to form some faint conceptions of the amazing velocities with which the celestial orbs are carried forward in their courses. The universe presents to our view an assemblage of objects, relations, and movements calculated to draw forth into exercise all the knowledge of numbers we can possibly acquire. We are presented with magnitudes so stupendous, and with spaces and distances so vast, that the mind is obliged to summon up all its powers of calculation, and all its knowledge of proportions, progressions and equations, and to add one known magnitude to another, in a long mental process, before it can approximate to any thing like a well-defined idea of such sublime and expansive objects; and, after all its mental efforts, computations and comparisons, it is frequently under the necessity of resting satisfied with ideas which are vague, inaccurate, and obscure. With regard to the multiplicity and variety of the ob jects which creation contains, our present know ledge of the powers of numbers is altogether inadequate to convey to the mind any thing ap proaching to a distinct and comprehensive conception. The number of systems in the heavens which lie within the range of our telescopes, is reckoned to be at least a hundred millions (100.000.000.) In the regions of infinite space be yond the boundaries of all these, it is not im probable, that ten thousand times ter Chousand

milions of other systems are running their ample rounds. With each of these systems, it is probable, that at least a hundred worlds are connected.* Every one of these worlds and systems, we have reason to believe, differs from another, in its size, splendour and internal arrangements, in the peculiar beauties and sublimities with which it is adorned, and in the organization and capacities of the beings with which it is furnished. The immense multitude of rational beings and other existences with which creation is replenished, is an idea which completely overpowers the human faculties, and is beyond the power of our arithmetical notation to express. Even the multiplicity of objects in one world or system, is beyond our distinct conception. How very feeble and imperfect conceptions have we attained of the immensity of radiations of light incessantly emitted from the sun and falling upon our globe, and of the innumerable crossings and recrossings of these rays from every object around, in order to produce vision to every beholder! of the incalculable myriads of invisible animalculæ which swim in the waters and fly in the air, and pervade every department of nature; of the particles of vapour which float in the atmosphere, and of the drops of water contained in the caverns of the ocean! of the many millions of individuals belonging to every species of vegetables, of which 50,000 different species have already been discovered, and of the number of trees, shrubs, flowers and plants of every description which have flourished since the creation! of the countless myriads of the lower animals, and of the human species, which have been brought into existence since the commencement of time, and of those which are yet to appear in regular succession till time shall be no more! of the immense variety of movements, adjustments and adaptations connected with the structure of an animal body, of which fourteen thousand may be reckoned as belonging to the system of bones and muscles comprised in the human frame, besides a distinct variety of as numerous adaptations in each of the 60.000 different species of animals which are already known to exist! of the countless globules contained in the eyes of the numerous tribes of beetles, flies, butterflies and other insects of which 27,000 have been counted in a single eye! And, if the multiplicity of objects in one world overwhelms our powers of conception and computation, how much more the number and variety of beings and operations connected with the economy of millions of worlds! No finite intelligence, without a profound knowledge of numbers in all their various combinations, can form even a rude conception of the diversified scenes of the universe; and yet, with

With the solar system to which we belong, there are connected more than a hundred globes of different sizes, if we take into account the planets both primary and secondary, and likewise the comets

out some faint conception at least, of such objects, the perfections of the Creator and the glories of his kingdom cannot be appreciated.

It is evident, therefore, that superior intelligences, such as angels, and redeemed men in a future state, must have their attention directed to the science of numbers, unless we suppose, what is contrary to Scripture, that their know ledge and capacities of intellect will be more limited than ours are in the present state. They may not stand in need of the aids of any thing similar to slates, pencils or numerical characters to direct them in their computations, or to give permanency to the results of their arithmetical processes. The various steps of their calculations may be carried forward with inconceivable rapidity, by a mental process which will lead to unerring certainty; but the same general principles on which we procced in our notations and calculations, must, from the nature of things, be recognised in all their numerical processes and sublime investigations.

The Scriptures occasionally give us some intimations of objects and scenes calculated to exercise the numerical powers of the heavenly inhabitants. When Daniel beheld the vision of the "Ancient of Days" sitting on his throne, a numerous retinue of glorious beings appeared in his train to augment the grandeur of the scene. "Thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him." We are told in the sixty-eighth Psalm. that "the chariots of God are twenty thousand, even many thousands of angels?" and in the Epistle to the Hebrews, we read of "an innumerable company of angels." The apostle John, when narrating his visions of the celestial world, tells us, that he "beheld and heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the number of them was ten times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands." And again, "After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations and kindreds, and people, and tongues-and all the angels stood round about the throne, and fell on their faces and worshipped God." These expressions are the strongest which the inspired writers make use of in order to express a countless multitude of objects; and they lead us to conclude, that, in the heavenly world, vast assemblages of intelligent beings will be occasionally presented to the view; and consequently, a countless variety of scenes, objects and circumstances connected with their persons, stations and employments. And, therefore, if celestial beings were not familiarized with numerical calculations and proportions, such scenes, instead of being contemplated with intelligence and rational admiration, would confound the intellect, and produce an effect similar to that which is felt by a savage when he beholds, for the first time, some of the splendid scenes of civilized life.