maintain the glory of all the Divine perfections; for were one soul to be lost, there would be one spot on the sun of the Divine glory; increase the number, and you do but increase the darkening shades over that which is the light and beauty

of heaven.

We are strengthened in our confident trust that God rejoiceth over us to do us good, according as we understand the wisdom of our organization. Benevolence is connected with every proof of design in our whole frame, and wonderfully are we constituted in harmony with the world we inhabit. The clearer science and philosophy unfold this harmony, the more evident are the proofs of the goodness of our Creator in our formation, and the more shall we discern the care of his wisdom to guard us from evils, and that where evils are permitted to reach us, they are designed for our highest good. More could not be done unless it were the design to make us angels instead of men. This goodness is seen the more as we go from the examination of our mortal mechanism to consider man's social nature, his intellectual capacities, and his religious aspirations and feelings. We cannot give any degree of due attention to consider these, without discovering the manifold proofs that the law of benevolence moulded and fashioned man-that God designed good in all that he made man and in all that he ever designed and now designs him to be.

Consider also the effects of obedience to the course of duty He has prescribed. Where is there one amid all the divine requirements that does not bring happiness to the obedient? Take

the whole decalogue part by part-scrutinize each and all, and see if there be any commandment that does not have an intimate connection with man's highest good in this life. All that man is, proves that he was made to be a religious being, and therefore his powers and capacities cannot bring to him the enjoyment he is privileged to partake of, unless he obeys the voice of religion. God's love, and man's best good, are written on the whole law of human duty.

This important consideration may be made to stand out in the mind more distinctly by giving a little thought to examine the means by which the Deity would guard us from transgressions. He has given us the most appalling exhibitions of the effects of sin, and the most melting intreaties to wander not in the paths of iniquity. He has inspired his servants to give to the effects of sin every name that can call up the most eloquent associations in the mind that tell of evil; and that teach us-that whatever we dread, to dread most of all-sin!

To all these demonstrations of his watchful kindness towards us, he has added "the great and exceeding precious promises" that tell of eternal good, that assure us his love ends not with this life, and that bid us repose the most unreserved confidence in the merciful issues of his dispensations.

And shall not these thoughts give sufficient and appropriate food to strengthen the mind and heart when the present dealings of the wise Sovereign with us seem dark and are fearful? Shall we permit our inner being to pine away, ahungered and athirst, in the time of trouble, when

In

such sweet meditations may be ours? Nay. the dark hour, let us repose our trust in him to whom nothing is hid or mysterious, and who, while he grieveth the children of men, rejoices over them to do them good, and useth affliction as a means thereto.

"Even from the glories of his throne

He bends, to view this wandering ball;
Sees all, as if that all were one;

Loves one, as if that one were all ;
Rolls the swift planets in their spheres,
And counts the sinner's lonely tears."

"WITH WHAT BODY SHALL THEY COME?'

THIS question existed in the human mind when Paul treated of the Resurrection, and doubtless in every mind which had thought of a future life before that time. Yet no voice has yet come down from the courts of heaven to fully satisfy curious man-to tell of the precise nature and qualities of the incorruptible body, and we must rest contented with the knowledge that it will be a glorious and powerful constitution, adapted to the free and full exercise of the mind and to the infinite progress of our divine nature.

"This earthly house of our tabernacle" must dissolve; but the spirit hath another home. The substance from which the spiritual body shall be made, must be superior to all the substances in the material universe, because of the qualities ascribed to it. Is it a marvel that we cannot understand its nature, when we remember that there are less subtle substances we cannot understand? and should we ask to comprehend the superior while we cannot the lesser? St. Paul seems to direct attention to this when he carries the reader from the vegetable to the animal kingdom, from thence to the celestial, and then from star to star, showing different degrees of excellence to exist. between each class and in the varieties of each. What an infinite variety of bodies! Beginning with the little flower of the forest and rising to

the rolling worlds! Each body is adapted to the part assigned it in the great whole-each bears the impress of an all-wise hand-each is perfect for its time, place, and mission. God made them all. One thoughtful view of them, excludes from the mind every idea that would limit the exercise of the Creator's power, and causes it to own the immensity of his works. Can he not make bodies superior in glory to all of these bodies more manifest with his wisdom, goodness and power? Shall we stop at the visible? Shall thought roam from star to star, and deem that it hath soared to the highest sublimity -that above it there are not more glorious bodies?

We know, or feel fully assured, that greater displays of the Deity would be seen in creation, if we had a finer and more powerful sense than the most exquisite aided by the instruments of art. To what perfection may the telescope yet be brought; and when its advance shall be as great beyond what it now is, as it at present is beyond the first invention, what a glorious field, now veiled, will be opened! So with the microscope. Now it discovers to us transparent bodies, so that the purple current can be seen running through the crystal veins, and a delicate beauty of form and structure is exhibited, beyond description rare and wonderful! Above, and below, and around us, on every side, there are bodies too exquisite to be cognizable by the senses, with all aids. Why then should we deem it aught but presumption, to aim to search out the precise nature of the heavenly body of the spirit? Paul carried the thoughtful inquirer to the stars, and