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that live therein. There are other limestone deposits formed on land, such as the stalactite, formed by the droppings of water holding carbonate of lime in solution in caverns. The "stalactite" is formed at the roof, and the stalagmite" on the cavern floor. The "calcareous tufa," and the travertine " of hot springs, are all purely chemical in formation. Here, then, be it observed, that this beautiful world is made up of sixty-five elements mixed in different proportions according to the fixed laws of nature. All these elements existed "in the beginning," when God created the heavens and the earth. In whatever form matter appeared when God created it, the elements existed the same in number and quality then as now. Take the earth as a molten mass of semi-fluid matter in process of cooling from a still higher temperature, and we must regard the chemical act of combination, as in the opinion of D. Forbes, Esq., F.G.S., “as having risen to a molten sphere, surrounded by a gasiform atmosphere, both of which were composed of concentric layers or zones of different densities and chemical composition. sphere, it is imagined, would arrange itself into three grand zones, each zone probably containing sub-zones, somewhat as follows: An external zone or crust of highly acid silicates, the basis being chiefly alumina and potash, with minor quantities of soda, lime, magnesia, oxide of iron, &c.; below this a second zone of silicates, more basic, and of greater density, the bases being lime, magnesia, alumina, oxide of iron, with soda, and but minor quantities of potash, &c.; and still deeper a far denser sphere, containing metallic bodies, more or less combined with sulphur, arsenic, &c. On the other hand, the atmos

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pheric zone, next the solidified crust of the earth, would be composed of a denser vapour of those compounds, volatile only at a high temperature, amongst which the chloride of sodium, or salt, would be probably the most prominent; above this a stratum of carbonic acid gas, and then of water, in the form of steam, whilst oxygen and nitrogen would be elevated still higher. Such an arrangement would, on cooling, first condense the lowest atmospheric zone (vapour of salt and other chlorides), on to the already solidified crust of the earth, covering this with a layer of these substances, in a solid state; upon a further reduction in temperature the steam in the atmosphere would now be condensed on to this layer, which it would in great part dissolve, forming the ocean, which consequently would be salt from the first moment of its appearance on the face of the globe. The atmosphere now surrounding the globe would contain less oxygen, and all the carbon, in the form of carbonic acid gas, excepting only the amount of that acid already absorbed by and carried down with the rain water, but otherwise it would probably not differ much in composition from what it is at present."* The careful reader will not fail to see that as the cooling process reached the lowest zone, the common salt and chlorides would be condensed on the crust, covering it with a layer of these substances in a solid state. Then the steam would condense and form water, which would also fall on the layer of salt and dissolve it, and in process of time the seas and oceans would be formed; yet the waters would be salt from their first appearance. Then would fall to the surface of the earth the gases, oxygen and nitrogen, of which atmos

* Geological Magazine, Vol. IV. p. 438.

pheric air is made. And lastly, the carbonic acid would fall upon the surface, and in long ages then to come, this carbon was used up in the growth of that luxuriant vegetation which now forms our valuable coal. There is here nothing antagonistic to the Book of Genesis. The earth was now covered with water, when at the command of the Almighty the two gases combined to form atmospheric air. The colossal trees of the carboniferous era would use up the said carbonic acid gas, and so prepare the world for air-breathing animals. Here, then, we have a most wonderful fact from few elementary substances the entire globe has been compounded. It has pleased the Almighty to build up this beautiful world from a limited number of elements; He must then possess powers of developing new and more exquisite combinations of matter than earth has yet beheld. Should it be consistent with His will, in the formation of "the new earth," to call into general use more of the elements, what a glorious world this earth will appear. If, with such limited resources, such wonderful variety has been produced, what may not creation be, should all the resources be employed. If a skilful musician can bring such charming music from an ill-tuned instrument, what soul-stirring melody may we not expect from a perfect instrument. The fact that God built up this world with but few elements has induced some to assert that Nature now has only on her working dress. But when the Sabbath of the world shall dawn, then Nature may appear in glorious vestments, beautiful in form and lovely in appearance. Then on this earth there shall be "no more curse; but the throne of God and the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him."

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CHAPTER IV.

THE DIVINE PURPOSE.

THE Divine Being does nothing without a previous purpose. The creation of universal nature was a voluntary act on the part of God, and that act must have resulted from some purpose; just as certain as that purpose was prompted by some motive. It would impugn the Divine Wisdom to suppose that He acted without a purpose. It seems reasonable to suppose that Jehovah would proceed in creation on the principle that is observed in every human effort contrived with wisdom and forethought, that what was first in importance was also first in intention, though last in execution. And indeed there must have been some prior intention, as well as some prior motive which prompted the Divine Being to put forth His creative energy. God never works from the influence of any physical necessity, because such necessity does not operate either upon or within Him. As He existed alone from all eternity there could be nothing to compel Him to put forth His creative power.

Existing, too, in all His sufficiency, there could be no

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personal necessity for Him to create for His own advantage. Hence we are justified in asserting that creation did not spring from God, as water springs up from the fountain, or as light emanates from the sun, as a matter of necessity. Creation could only spring from God's free will; hence the act must have been a voluntary one.

If, then, creation emanated from the Divine purpose, we may profitably inquire what that purpose was. Why did the Lord create the universe? Was it that He was in some way dependent on it for His happiness? No, for that would signify that He was previously somewhat unhappy. But He had existed from all eternity in Himself happy and glorious. Hence, to say that God created the various worlds to obtain happiness therefrom, implies that He was not previously happy, and hence not infinite; but this is absurd.

It is easy to see that if creation has added anything to God's happiness He was previously defective, at least in this respect. There can be nothing added to, nor deducted from an infinite being. Did the Almighty, then, create the universe merely to manifest His attributes, and to more fully develop His perfections? No, that was not His primary purpose. The entire compass of mind and matter is too small an area to fully develop God's perfections. Those attributes with which we are acquainted find only a limited sphere of operation in the vast universe. Nature, vast as it is, can only reveal a portion of God's perfections. It will take eternity to develop them, though every finite mind should aid in that investigation. It is therefore impossible for creation, which is finite in duration, and limited in extent, to fully develop the perfections of the

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