appear to be connected by certain general princiules and laws which operate throughout the whole, yet the indefinite modifications which these laws may receive in each particular system, may produce an almost infinite diversity of phenomena in different worlds, so that no one department of the material universe may resemble another. Nor is it difficult to conceive how such a diversity of scenery may be produced. With regard to the terraqueous globe,—were its axis to be shifted, so as to point to a different quarter of the heavens, or were the angle which it forms with the ecliptic to be greater or less than it now is, the general appearance of the firmament would be changed, the apparent motions of the sun and stars, the days and nights, the seasons of the year, and an immense variety of phenomena in the earth and heavens would assume a very different aspect from what they now wear. Were the component parts of the atmosphere materially altered, were its refractive power much increased, or were a greater portion of caloric or of electricity introduced into its constitution, the objects which diversify the landscape of the earth, and the luminaries of heaven, would assume such a variety of new and uncommon appearances, as would warrant the application of the Scripture expression, heaven and a new earth." It is, therefore, easy to conceive, that, when infinite power and wisdom are exerted for this purpose, every globe in the universe, with its appendages, may be constructed and arranged in such a manner as to present a variety of beauties and sublimities peculiar to itself.

" a new

That the Creator has actually produced this effect, is rendered in the highest degree probable, from the infinite variety presented to our ,view in those departments of nature which lie open to our particular investigation. In the animal kingdom we find more than a hundred thousand different species of living creatures, and about the same variety in the productions of vegetable nature; the mineral kingdom presents to us an immense variety of earths, stones, rocks, metals, fossils, geins, and precious stones, which are strewed in rich profusion along the surface, and throughout the interior parts of the globe. Of the individuals which compose every distinct species of animated beings, there is no one which bears an exact resemblance to another. Although the eight hundred millions of men that now people the globe, and all the other millions that have existed since the world began, were to he compared, no two individuals would be found to present exactly the same aspect in every point of view in which they might be contemplated. In like manner, no two horses, cows, dogs, lions, elephants, or other terrestrial animals will be found bearing a perfect resemblance. The same observation will apply to the scenery of lakes, vers, grottes, and mountains, and to all the di

versified landscapes which the surface of the earth and waters presents to the traveller, and the student of nature.

One

If, from the earth, we direct our views to the other bodies which compose our planetary system, we shall find a similar diversity, so far as our observations extend. From the surface of one of the planets, the sun will appear seven times larger, and from the surface of another, three hundred and sixty times smaller than he does to us. of those bodies is destitute of a moon; but from its ruddy aspect, either its surface or its atmosphere appears to be endowed with a phosphorescent quality, to supply it with light in the absence of the sun. Another is surrounded by four resplendent moons, much larger than ours; a third is supplied with six, and a fourth, with seven moons, and two magnificent rings to reflect the light of the sun, and diversify the scenery of its sky. One of these globes revolves round its axis in ten, and another in twenty-three hours and a half. One of them revolves round the sun in eighty-eight, another in two hundred and twenty-four days; a third in twelve years, a fourth in thirty, and a fifth in eighty-two years. From all which, and many other circumstances that have been observed, an admirable variety of phenomena is produced, of which each planetary globe has its own peculiarity. Even our moon, which is among the smallest of the celestial bodies, which is the nearest to us, and which accompanies the earth during its revolution round the sun, exhibits a curious variety of aspect, different from what is found on the terraqueous globe. The altitude of its mountains, the depths of its vales, the conical form of its insulated rocks, the circular ridges of hills which encompass its plains, and the celestial phenomena which are displayed in its firmament-present a scenery which though in some points resembling our own, is yet remarkably different, on the whole, from the general aspect of nature in our terrestrial habitation.

If, therefore, the Author of nature act on the same general principles, in other systems, as he has done in ours-which there is every reason to believe, when we consider his infinite wisdom and intelligence-we may rest assured, that every one of the two thousand four hundred millions of worlds which are comprehended within the range of human vision, has a magnificence and glory peculiar to itself, by which it is distinguished from all the surrounding provinces of Jehovah's empire. In this view, we may consider the language of the Apostle Paul as expressing not only an apparent, but a real fact. "There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars. 'for one star differeth from another star in glory.”. To suppose that the Almighty has exhausted his omnipotent energies, and exhibited all the manifestations of nis glory which his perfections can

In the next place,-Besides the magnificence and variety of the material structures which exist throughout the universe, the organized and intelligent beings with which they are peopled, present a vast field of delightful contemplation. On this general topic, the following ideas may be taken into consideration:

1 The gradations of intellect or the various orders of intelligences which may people the universal system. That there is a vast diversity in the scale of intellectual existence, may be proved by considerations similar to those which I have already stated. Among sentient beings, in this world, we find a regular gradation of intellect, from the muscle, through all the orders of the aquatic and insect tribes, till we arrive at the dog, the monkey, the beaver and the elephant, and last of all, to man, who stands at the top of the intellectual scale, as the lord of this lower world. We perceive, too, in the individuals which compose the human species, a wonderful diversity in their powers and capacities of intellect, arising partly from their original constitution of mind, partly from the conformation of their corporeal organs, and partly from the degree of cultivation they have received. But it would be highly unreasonable to admit, that the most accomplished genius that ever adorned our race, was placed at the summit of intellectual perfection. On the other hand, we have reason to believe, that man, with all his noble powers, stands nearly at the bottom of the scale of the intelligent creation. For a being much inferior to man, in the powers of abstraction, conception, and reasoning, could scarcely be denominated a rational creature, or supposed capable of being qualified for the high destination to which man is appointed. As to the number of species which diversify the ranks of superior intellectual natures, and the degrees of perfection which distinguish their different orders, we have no data, afforded by the contemplation of the visible universe, sufficient to enable us to form a definite conception. The intellectual faculties, even of finite beings, may be carried to so high a pitch of perfection, as to baffle all our conceptions and powers of description.-The following description in the words of a celebrated Swiss naturalist, may perhaps convey some faint idea of the powers of some of the highest order of intelli

ther with a swiftness equal or superior to that of light; to preserve one's self by the mere force of nature, and without the assistance of any other created being; to be absolutely exempted from every kind of change; to be endowed with the most exquisite and extensive senses; to have distinct perceptions of all the attributes of matter, and of all its modifications; to discover effects in their causes; to raise one's self by a most rapid flight to the most general principles; to see in the twinkling of an eye these principles;-to have at the same time, without confu-. sion, an almost infinite number of ideas; to see the past as distinctly as the present, and to penetrate into the remotest futurity; to be able to exercise all these faculties without weariness: these are the various outlines from which we may draw a portrait of the perfections of superior natures." *

A being possessed of faculties such as these, is raised as far above the limited powers of man, as man is raised above the insect tribes. The Scriptures assure us, that beings, approximating, in their powers and perfections, to those now stated, actually exist, and perform important offices under the government of the Almighty.. The perfections of the angelic tribes, as represented in Scripture, are incomparably superior to those of men. They are represented as possessed of powers capable of enabling them to wing their flight with amazing rapidity from world to world. For the angel Gabriel, being commanded to fly swiftly, while the prophet Daniel was engaged in supplication, approached to him, before he had made an end of presenting his requests. During the few minutes employed in uttering his prayer, this angelic messenger descended from the celestial regions to the country of Babylonia. This was a rapidity of motion surpassing the comprehension of the most vigorous imagination, and far exceeding even the amazing velocity of light.-They have power over the objects of inanimate nature; for one of them "rolled away the stone from the door of the sepulchre," at the time of Christ's resurrection. They are intimately acquainted with the springs of life, and the avenues by which they may be interrupted; for an angel slew, in one night, 185,000 of the Assyrian army.-They are perfectly acquainted with all the relations which subsist among mankind, and can distinguish the age and character of every individual throughout all the families of the earth. For one of these powerful beings recognised all the first-born in the land of Egypt, distinguished the Egyptians from

This writer, in addition to these, states the following properties:-"To be invested with a power capa ble of displacing the heavenly bodies, or of changing the course of nature, and to be possessed of a power and skill capable of organizing matter, of forming a plant, an animal, a world."-But I can scarcely think that such perfections are competent to any being but the Supreme.

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the children of Israel, and exerted his powers in their destruction. And as they are ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation," they must have a clear perception of the persons and characters of those who are the objects of the Divine favour, and to whom they are occasionally sent on embassies of mercy.-They are endowed with great physical powers and energies; hence they are said to excel in strength:" and the phrase, "a strong angel," and "a mighty angel," which are sometimes applied to them, are expressive of the same perfection. Hence they are represented, in the book of the Revelation, as "holding the four winds of heaven," as executing the judgments of God upon the proud despisers of his government, as" throwing mountains into the sea,' and binding the prince of darkness with chains, and "casting him into the bottomless pit."

They are endowed with unfading and immortal youth, and experience no decay in the vigour of their powers. For the angels who appeared to Mary at the tomb of our Saviour, appeared as young men, though they were then more than four thousand years old. During the long succession of ages that had passed since their creation, their vigour and animation had suffered no diminution, nor decay, they are possessed of vast powers of intelligence. Hence they are exhibited in the book of Revelation, as being "full of eyes," that is, endowed with "all sense, all intellect, all consciousness; turning their attention every way; beholding at once all things within the reach of their understandings; and discerning them with the utmost clearness of conception." The various other qualities now stated, necessarily suppose a vast comprehension of intellect; and the place of their residence, and the offices in which they have been employed, have afforded full scope to their superior powers. They dwell in a world where truth reigns triumphant, where moral evil has never entered, where substantial knowledge irradiates the mind of every inhabitant, where the mysteries which involve the character of the Eternal are continually disclosing, and where the plans of his providence are rapidly unfolded. They have ranged through the innumerable regions of the heavens, and visited distant worlds, for thousands of years; they have beheld the unceasing variety, and the endless multitude of the works of creation and providence, and are, doubtless, enabled to compare systems of worlds, with more accuracy and comprehension than we are capable of surveying villages, cities and provinces. Thus, their original powers and capacities have been expanded, and their vigour and activity strengthened; and, consequently, in the progress of duration, their acquisitions of wisdom and knowledge must indefinitely surpass every thing that the mind of man can conceive.--We have likewise certain intimations, hat, among these celestial beings, there are

gradations of nature and of office; since there are among them, "seraphim and cherubim, archangels, thrones, dominions, principalities and powers," which designations are evidently expressive of their respective endowments, of the stations they occupy, and of the employments for which they are qualified.

Hence it

appears,. that although we know but little in the mean time of the nature of that diversity of intellect which prevails among the higher orders of created beings-the intimations given in the sacred volume, and the general analogy of nature, lead us to form the most exalted ideas of that amazing progression and variety which reign throughout the intellectual universe.

2. Not only is there a gradation of intellect among superior beings, but it is highly probable, that a similar gradation or variety obtains, in the form, the organization, and the movements of their corporeal vehicles.

The human form, especially in the vigour of youth, is the most beautiful and symmetrical of all the forms of organized beings with which we are acquainted; and, in these respects, may probably bear some analogy to the organical structures of other intelligences. But, in other worlds, there may exist an indefinite variety, as to the general form of the body or vehicle with which their inhabitants are invested, the size, the number, and quality of their organs, the functions they perform, the splendour and beauty of their aspect, and particularly, in the number and perfection of their senses. Though there are more than a hundred thousand species of sensitive beings, which traverse the earth, the waters, and the air, yet they all exhibit a marked difference in their corporeal forms and organization. Quadrupeds exhibit a very different structure from fishes, and birds from reptiles; and every distinct species of quadrupeds, birds, fishes, and insects, differs from another in its conformation and functions. It is highly probable, that a similar variety exists, in regard to the corporeal vehicles of superior intelligencesaccommodated to the regions in which they respectively reside, the functions they have to perform, and the employments in which they are engaged; and this we find to be actually the case, so far as our information extends. When any of the angelic tribes were sent on embassies to our world, we find, that, though they generally appeared in a shape somewhat resembling a beautiful human form, yet, in every instance, there appeared a marked difference between them and human beings. The angel who appeared at the tomb of our Saviour, exhibited a bright and resplendent form: "His countenance was like the brightness of lightning, and his raiment as white as snow," glittering with an extraordinary lustre beyond what mortal eyes could bear. The angel who delivered Peter from the prison to which he had been

confined by the tyranny of Herod, was arrayed in such splendour, that a glorious light shone through the whole apartment where the apostle was bound, dark and gloomy as it was. That these beings have organs of speech, capable of forming articulate sounds and of joining in musical strains, appears form the words they uttered on these and other occasions, and from the song they sung in the plains of Bethlehem, when they announced the birth of the Saviour. They appear to possess the property of rendering themselves invisible at pleasure; for the angel that appeared to Zacharias in the sanctuary of the temple, was invisible to the surrounding multitudes without, both at the time of his entrance into, and his exit from the holy place."*

In particular, there is every reason to conclude, that there is a wonderful variety in the number and acuteness of their organs of sensation. We find a considerable variety, in these respects, among the sensitive beings which inhabit our globe. Some animals appear to have only one sense, as the muscle, and the zoophytes; many have but two senses; some have three; and man, the most perfect animal, has only five. These senses, too, in different species, differ very considerably, in point of vigour and acuteness. The dog has a keener scent, the stag a

To what is stated in this paragraph respecting angels, it will doubtless be objected, "that these intelligences are pure spirits, and assume corporeal forms only on particular occasions." This is an opinion almost universally prevalent: but it is a mere assumption, destitute of any rational or scriptural argument to substantiate its truth. There is no passage in Scripture, with which I am acquainted, that makes such an assertion. The passage in Psalm civ. 4, "Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flaming fire," has frequently been quoted for this purpose; but it has no reference to any opinion that may be formed on this point; as the passage should be rendered, "Who maketh the winds his messengers, and a flaming fire his ministers." Even although the passage were taken as it stands in our translation, and considered as referring to the angels, it would not prove, that they are pure immaterial substances; for, while they are designated spirits, which is equally applicable to men as well as to angels-they are also said to be "a flaming fire," which is a material substance. This passage seems to have no particular reference to either opinion; but, if considered as expressing the attributes of angels, its meaning plainly is,-that they are endowed with wonderful activity-that they move with the swiftness of the winds, and operate with the force and energy of flaming fire;-or, in other words, that He, in whose service they are, and who directs their movements, employs them "with the strength of winds, and the rapidity of lightnings."

In every instance in which angels have been sent on embassies to mankind, they have displayed sensible qualities. They exhibited a definite form somewhat analogous to that of man, and colour and plendour, which were perceptible by the organs of vision-they emitted sounds which struck the organ of hearing-they produced the harmonies of music, and sung sublime sentiments which were uttered in articulate words, that were distinctly heard and recognized by the persons to whom they were sent, Luke i. 14.-and they exerted their power over the sense of feeling; for the angel who appeared to Peter in the prison, "smte him on the side, and rused him up." In these instances, angels mani

quicker perception of sounds, and the eago and the lynx more acute visual organs than mankind. The same diversity is observable in the form and the number of sensitive organs. In man, the ear is short and erect, and scarcely susceptible of motion; in the horse and the ass, it is 'ung and flexible; and in the mole, it consists simply of a hole which perforates the skull. In man there are two eyes; in the scorpion and spider, eight; and in a fly, more than five thousand.

That superior beings, connected with other worlds, have additional senses to those which we possess, is highly probable, especially wher we consider the general analogy of nature, and the gradations which exist among organized beings in our world. It forms no reason why we should deny that such senses exist, because we can form no distinct conceptions of any senses besides those which we possess. If we had been deprived of the senses of sight and hearing, and left to derive all our information merely through the medium of feeling, tasting and snelling, we could have had no more conception of articulate language, of musical harmony and melody, of the beauties of the earth, and of the glories of the sky, than a muscle, a vegetable, or a stone. To limit the number of senses which intelligent organized beings may possess to the five which fested themselves to men, through the medium of three principal senses by which we recognize the properties of material objects; and why, then, should we consider them as purely immaterial substances, having no connection with the visible unl verse? We have no knowledge of angels but from revelation; and all the descriptions it gives of these beings leads us to conclude, that they are connected with the world of matter, as well as with the world of mind, and are furnished with organical vehicles, composed of some refined material substance suita ble to their nature and employments

When Christ shall appear the second time, we are told that he is to come, not only in the glory of his Father, but also in "the glory of his holy angels," who will minister to him and increase the splen dour of his appearance. Now, the glory which the angels will display, must be visible, and, consequent. ly, material; otherwise it could not be contemplated by the assembled inhabitants of our world, and could present no glory or lustre to their view. An assem blage of purely spiritual beings, however numerous and however exalted in point of intelligence, would be a mere inanity, in a scene intended to exhibit a visible display of the divine supremacy and grandeur. The vehicles or bodies of angels are doubtless of a much finer mould than the bodies of men; but, although they were at all times invisible through such organs of vision as we possess, it would form no proof that they were destitute of such corporeal frames. The air we breathe is a material substance, yet it is invisible; and there are substances whose urity is more than ten times greater than that of the air of our atmosphere. Hydrogen gas is more than twelves times lighter than common atmospheric air. If, therefore, an organized body were formed of a material substance similar to air, or to hydrogen gas, it would in general be invisible; but, in certain circumstances, might reflect the rays of light, and become visible, as certain of the lighter gaseous bodies are found to do. This is, in some measure, exemplified in the case of animalula whose hodies are imperceptible to the naked eys, and yet, are regularly organized material sub stances, endowed with all the functions requisite to life, motion, and enjoyment.

have been bestowed upon man, would be to set bounds to the infinite wisdom and skill of the Creator, who, in all his works, has displayed an endless variety in the manner of accomplishing his designs. While, in the terrestrial sphere in which we move, our views are limited to the external aspects of plants and animals-organized beings, in other spheres, may have the faculty of penetrating into their internal (and to us, invisible) movements-of tracing an animal from its embryo-state, through all its gradations and evolutions, till it arrive at maturity-of perceiving, at a glance, and, as it were, through a transparent medium, the interior structure of an animal, the complicated movements of its curious machinery, the minute and diversified ramifications of its vessels, and the mode in which its several functions are performed-of discerning the fine and delicate machinery which enters into the construction, and produces the various motions of a microscopic animalculum, and the curious vessels, and the circulation of juices which exist in the body of a plant-of tracing the secret processes which are going on in the mineral kingdom, and the operation of chymical affinities among the minute particles of matter, which produce the diversified phenomena of the universe. And, in fine, those senses which the inhabitants of other worlds enjoy in common with us, may be possessed by them in a state of greater acuteness and perfection. While our visual organs can perceive objects distinctly, only within the limits of a few yards or miles around us, their organs may be so modified and adjusted, as to enable them to perceive objects with the same distinctness, at the distance of a hundred miles or even to descry the scenery of distant worlds. If our powers of vision had been confined within the range to which a worm or a mite is circumscribed, we could have formed no conception of the amplitude of our present range of view; and it is by no means improbable, that organized beings exist, whose extent of vision as far exceeds ours, as ours exceeds that of the smallest insect, and that they may be able to perceive the diversified landscapes which exist in other worlds, and the movements of their inhabitants, as distinctly as we perceive the objects on the opposite side of a river, or of a narrow arm of the sea.

After Stephen had delivered his defence before the Sanhedrim, we are told "he looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory c God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and said, Behold I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." Some have supposed that the eyes of Stephen, on this occasion were so modified or strengthened, that he was enabled to penetrate into that particular region where the glorified body of Christ more immediately resides. But whether his opinion be tenable or not, cer

tain it is, that angels are endowed with senses or faculties which enable them to take a minute survey of the solar system, and of the greates part of our globe, even when at a vast distance from our terrestrial sphere; otherwise, they ce ld not distinguish the particular position of our earth in its annual course round the sun, in their descent from more distant regions, nor direct their course to that particular country, city, or village, whither they are sent on any special embassy.

What has been now said in reference to the organs of vision, is equally applicable to the organs of hearing, and to several of the other senses; and since faculties or senses, such as those I have now supposed, would tend to unveil more extensively the wonderful operations of the Almighty, and to excite incessant admiration of his wisdom and beneficence, it is reasonable to believe that he has bestowed them on various orders of his creatures for this purpose —and that man may be endowed with similar senses, when he arrives at moral perfection, and is placed in a higher sphere of existence.

Besides the topics to which I have now adverted, namely, the gradation of intellect, and the diversity of corporeal organization—a stil more ample and interesting field of contemplation will be opened in the HISTORY of the numerous worlds dispersed throughout the universe,

including the grand and delightful, or the awful and disastrous events which have taken place in the several regions of intellectual existence.

The particulars under this head which may be supposed to gratify the enlightened curiosity of holy intelligences, are such as the following: -the different periods in duration at which the various habitable globes emerged from nothing into existence-the changes and previous arrangements through which they passed before they were replenished with inhabitants-the distinguishing characteristic features of every species of intellectual beings-their modes of existence, of improvement, and of social intercourse -the solemn forms of worship and adoration that prevail among them-the laws of social, and of moral order peculiar to each province of the divine empire--the progress they have made

•There are certain general laws which are common to all the orders of intellectual beings throughout the universe The two principles which form the basis of our moral law are of this nature:"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thine understanding," and "thou

shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." For we can

not suppose the Deity, in consistency with the sanctity and rectitude of his nature, to reverse these laws,

in relation to any class of intelligences, or to ex

empt them from an obligation to obey them; and. therefore, they may be considered as the two grand moral principles which direct the affections and conduct of all holy beings throughout the immen sity of God's empire, and which unite them to one

another, and to their common Creator. But, in subordination to these principies or laws, there may be a variety of special moral laws, adapted to the