condition, that as the conditions of external nature are diversified and multifarious, we should expect that different races would have been created adapted for the different conditions, so that the means of happiness would be extended to the utmost limit.

Among the animal kingdom now known to naturalists, there are more than a thousand species of quadrupeds; more than five thousand species of birds, and an equal number of fishes. Of the number of reptiles it is immense, though unknown. While the total number of shell fishes, crustaceans, worms, radiated animals, zoophytes, and infusoria, are beyond all calculation. A hundred thousand species of insects are known to exist. From nine hundred to one thousand species of intestinal worms have been extracted from the bodies of animals; while some of these had other smaller worms within themselves. Indeed, in the atmosphere clouds of life are floating; in the ocean every drop of water teems with life; nor is any part of the earth's surface untenanted. The arctic sea, and the tropical desert; the fertile vale, and the stagnant marsh; the ocean deep, and the mountain top; the barren rock, as well as the Polar ice, all, all is full of existence. And as

if still to increase the amount of happiness on the globe, a great portion of the food required is animated. Hence we find that thousands of animals live and are happy till they are wanted to feed the others. If, however, we find proofs of God's goodness in the brute creation, we find them more especially in man's prospects and condition. Man, made in the image and likeness of his Maker, meant to love the Lord and be happy in this world, and ultimately to live with Him for ever, illustrates God's goodness.

It is very true that some men object to this view of the case. They cannot see either goodness or justice in the present state of man upon the earth. "Is it just," they inquire, "to dispose of another's condition without his sanction? When, in the exercise of God's omnipotence it pleased Him to call into existence beings who are able to judge whether existence be a blessing or a curse, had He a right to act without their consent? By what right have we been drawn forth from nonentity? We reposed peacefully in the eternal sleep of past eternity, when suddenly an invisible hand seized us, while a very strange voice cried, Come forth and live.' We came forth, and having spent months and years upon the earth the same hand that brought us forth rejects us, and we close our eyes in death." Such objections are very foolish. How could the Almighty consult us ere we had existence, as to whether we wished to live or not? The thing is absurd. And then, here are two things that must be taken into account, first, that the misery which man feels and fears is brought about by sin. Man might be happy and joyous in this world did he always love the Lord his God with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength;" and second, this world was only meant to be a prelude to a better one. It is a mere vestibule of heaven. A training school for a higher sphere of labour. Yes; God created us to live by Him, and for Him. To be enlightened by Him to brighter worlds on high. this world we have far more enjoyment than suffering, yea, when we suffer it is from the desert road through which we pass, more than from the life which God has given. Is it right for a traveller to murmur at the vehicle in which he is carried to the palace of the king? No, his

In

We see the goodness

mind is occupied with the kind of reception he will get. Should the way be rough and dreary all is forgotten when dining with the king. Even so, "the sufferings of this present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." of Jehovah when we take into account the worthless objects of His pity-a world of sinners. Had the race of man been ever holy, then the bestowment of supreme affection would evince God's goodness. But take note of the sin of man, and his liability to suffer eternal death as a penalty of the law. And here we have the greatest proof of God's goodness in the gift of Jesus. Rather than man should perish without help, hope, or mercy, He withheld "not His only Son, but delivered Him up for us all." No greater proof can ever be given. If God had not been good He would not have given His Son to die for us, nor would He have given the Holy Spirit to sanctify our souls and make them meet for heaven.

We know from inspiration that God's purpose was, ere the world began, that man should "inherit the kingdom prepared for him."

And, indeed, true religion reveals to man the proper purposes of life. This invests him with a wondrous dignity. He is more glorious than anything in the material universe. With an immortality awaiting him, there can be no limits to his progress. There is no elevation in moral or in mental grandeur to which he may not aspire. True religion is to us like the polishing of a stone, it brings out brilliant qualities which were previously unknown. In most of us there are talents of a higher order, and of a wider compass than we are aware of. And if we be faith

ful to ourselves, and cultivate the gift that is within us, we may ultimately rise to the very noblest of men. It is almost impossible to set land marks to the moral and the intellectual attainments of the weakest mind, resolved to learn, when the heart is sanctified by grace.

If we do not equal others in strength of intellect, or in literary attainments, we may keep pace with them in that which constitutes true glory, namely, goodness.

Religion is not a science which only few can learn, but a life which all may live; not a separate pursuit, but a loving, generous spirit, which pervades all pursuits. He who yields most to its influence will come nearest to the fulness of the stature of a perfect man. Such an one not only possesses a broader but a higher life. He is lifted into a higher sphere, and he enters into a new mode of existence. The very earth is more sacred, because it is his father's footstool. The sky is all the brighter now that it is the pavilion in which his Saviour dwells. Heaven is all the more attractive now that it is "his Father's house' with its " many mansions." His own body is more dignified and sacred now, being the temple of the living God. God's great purpose in creating man was that he should get to heaven, and "serve him day and night in his temple." Not only that he should ascend the mountain of the Lord, and hold conversation with the King of kings, but that he should sit with Jesus on His throne, walk with Him in white raiment; be "led to living fountains of water;" have the white stone and the new name; yea, they shall be like Christ, and live with Him for ever. Amen, our soul replies, 66 so let it be."

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CHAPTER V.

THE PRIMORDIAL DAYS.

We now come to a very important part of the discussion, in which we are to ascertain the probable length of the six creative days. If it be true that history is the surest interpreter of prophecy, Geology, being the natural history of ancient worlds and the biography of extinct animals, is the best exponent of creation. It is very needful to possess correct principles of interpretation as given by Biblical criticism, to know the results of the various readings collated from different manuscripts, to understand the rules for obtaining the accuracy of the sacred text, to have some knowledge of the teachings of contemporaneous writers, and to become acquainted with the manners and customs of the Jews, all are needful to a proper understanding of God's word; but to get a thorough knowledge of the Bible we must not neglect the aid of scientific discovery. Modern science has corrected many of our views of different portions of scripture. Words, phrases, and passages have a different meaning now to what they had in times gone by. The word rakia was understood to mean something solid, hence it was called stereoma by the