THE
COMPLETE WORKS
OF
T H O M A S D I C K, LL D.
CONTAINING
AN ESSAY ON MENTAL ILLUMINATION AND MORAL IMPROVEMENT
OF MANKIND:
ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF SOCIETY:
THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATI:
THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION:
THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER;
OR,
THE CONNECTION OF SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY WITH REI,GICN.
ELEVEN VOLUMES IN TWO.
VOL. II.
it. lrotl, iaV.'
E DWA R D S  &  BUSE N E L:L.
FOR SALE BY BANGS, BROTHERS & CO, NEW YOItK.
1857.








ON THE
MENTAL ILLUMIINN TION
AND
MORAL IMPROVEMENT
OF
MIANKIND;
AN INQtUIRY INTO THE MEANS BY WHICH A GENERAL DlFFJUSION OF
KNOWLEDGE AND MORAL PRINCIPLE MAY BE PROMOTED.
ILLUSTRATED  WITH  ENGRAVINGS.
BY THOMAS DICK, LI,. D..
ALUTIOlt OF "THE CHRISTIAN ITIlLOSOPHER,' — "PHILOSOPHY OF RELIG1011,"..
" PHILOSOPtIY OF A FUTUItE STA'I'E,"-" IMPROVEMENT OF SOCIETY
BY THE DIFFUSION OF KlIOWLEDGF.," etc., etc.
ST. LOUIS, Mo.:
EDWARDS & BUSHNELL.
1857.








PREFACE.
THE train of thought which runs through the following Work has been familiar
to the Author's mind for upwards of twenty-six years. Nearly twenty years ago,
he intended to address the public on this subject: but he is now convinced that, at
that period, the attempt would have been premature, and consequently unsuccessfiul.
He took several opportunities, however, of suggesting a variety of hints onl the
necessity of new-modelling and improving the system of education-particularly in
the London " Monthly Magazine," the " Edinburgh Christian Instructor," thb
" Christian Recorder," the "Perth Courier," and several other publications, as
well as in several parts of his former volumes.-Of late years the attention of the
public has been directed to this subject more than at any former period, and even
the British Legislature has been constrained to take into consideration the means
by which the benefits of education may be more extensively enjoyed. It is therefore to be hoped, that the subject will now undergo a deliberate and unbiassed consideration, corresponding to its interest and importance.
In endeavouring to establish a new system of education-although every requisite
improvement could not, in the first instance, be effected,-yet nothing short of a
comprehensive and efficient system should be the model after which we ought to
copy, and to which all our arrangements should gradually approximate. To attempt merely to extend the present, in many respects inefficient and limited system,
without adopting those improvements which experience and the progress of society
have rendered necessary, would be only to postpone to an indefinite period what
must ultimately be established, if society is expected to go on in its progress
towards perfection.
Inthe following volume the author has exhibited a brief outline of the whole
series of instructions requisite for man, considered as an intelligent and moral agent
destined to immortality-from the earliest dawn of reason to the period of manhood.
But it is merely an outline; for the subject, considered in all its bearings, is the
most extensive and interesting that can occupy the attention of mankind.  Should
the present volume, however, meet with general approbation, some more specific
details in reference to the subjects here discussed, and to other topics connected with
the improvement of society, may afterwards be presented to the public.
Several excellent works have lately been published on the subject ot education,
some of them recognizing the leading principles which are here illustrated. But
the author has, in every instance, prosecuted his own train of thought, without interfering with the sentiments or language of others, unless where it is acknowledged.
Some of the works alluded to he has not had it in his power to peruse; and the same
current of thought will sometimes occur to different writers on the same subject.The greater part of this work was composed before the author had an opportunity
(3)




iv                             PREFACE.
of perusing the excellent treatise of Mr. Simpson, entitled, " Necessity of Popular
Education"-a work which abounds with liberal and enlightened views, and which
recognizes the same general principles which are here illustrated. But the two
works do not materially interfere; and the one may be regarded as a supplement or
sequel to the other, both having a bearing on the same grand ob'ect.
It was originnally intended to offer a few remarks on classical learning, and 3n
the system of education which prevails in our colleges and universities; but the size
to which the volume has swelled has rendered it expedient to postpone them to a
future opportunity. For the same reason, the " Miscellaneous Hints in reference
to the Improvement of Society," and the remarks on Mechanics' Institutions," have
been much abridged, and various topics omitted which were intended to be particularly illustrated.
The author intends proceeding with his promised work " On the Scenery of the
Heavens," as soon as his present engagements will permit.
BILOUTGHTY   FERRY, near DUNDEE,
wovembe'a, 1835.




CONTENTS.
Page.
INTRODUcTIoN.-Importance of the object proposed in the following work, and Its practicability. Reasons why it has never yet been accomplished. Prospects of future improvement,
PART I.
ON EDUCATION.
PRELIMINARY REMARKs.-Importance of education-subject too much overlooked-deficiency in the arrangements made in reference to this object-desirable that a taste for
intellectual pursuits be induced-what should be the grand object of education,    -   12
CHAPTER I.
PRESENT STATE OF EDUCATION IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.
Education during the dark ages-erection of colleges-era of the Reformation and the
effects produced by it. Education in the United States of America-in Silesia, Wirtemberg, Bavaria, Prussia, &c.-in France-Spaln-Russia-Switzeiland,       -          1
CHAPTER II.
STRICTURES ON THE MODE IN WHICH EDUCATION HAS GENERALLY BEEN CONDUCTED
Different views of the object of education-absurd practices in relation to it-deficiencies
in the mode of religious instruction-summary of the usual scholastic process. Errors
and deficiencies. 1. No communication of ideas. 2. School-books not adapted to the
capacities of youth-specimens of their contents-immorality and absurdity of some of
these selections. 3. Injudicious exercise of the memory-Sh-orter Catechism, &c. 4. Absurd
attempts at teaching Grammar —Mr. Smnellie's remarks on this subject. Fastidiousness
in regard to the art of Wtriting. Strictures on the mode of teaching Arithmetic. Various
circumnstances which render education disagreeable to the young,-want of ample accomnmodation-long confinement in school-undue severity-hurrying children from one
book to another-attempts to teach several branches at one time, &c. Glaring deficiencies in the present practice-attributable to the system more than to the teachers.
Miscellaneous remarks, -                          -      -                       22
CHAPTER III.
HINTS IN REFERENCE TO A COMPREHENSIVE AND IMPROVED SYSTEM OF EDUCATION.
General view of what an enlightened education should embrace. Defects in our treatises
on this subject. Man's eternal destiny overlooked, &c.,  -     -      -          31
SECTION 1, On, the Education of the young during the period of infancy.-Gradual opening
of the infant mind. Manner in which its ideas are increased-rapidity of its progress
and acquisitions. 1. Physical education of infants, importance of,-Food of' infants;
remarks on nursing. Propriety of paying attention to the effects of air and light. Cleanliness-anecdote of a Russian. Clothing of children, simplicity of dress-covering of
the feet-directions in regard to shoes, illustrated by figures.'Sleep and exercise of
children. Attention requisite to direct their pronunciation. 2. MIoral instruction of
infants. Means of acquiring an absolute authority over them. Plan recommended by
Dr. Witherspoon. Anecdote of Mr. Cecil-rule for securing authority-obstacles which
prevent mothers from acquiring it-general violation of lparental authority illustrated —
Abbot's " Mother at Home" recommended-anecdote extracted flrom that work. Importance of attending to truth in the education of children,-truth and falsehood in pictorial exhibitions. Illustrative anecdote from Mr. Abbot. General rules on this subject.
Habit of incessantly finding fault with children. Children should feel the consequences
of their conduct, and be guarded against vanity and self-conceit. Danger of frightening
children, illustrated by an appalling fact. Necessity of harmony in the conduct o' parents
towards their children. 3. Intellectual instruction of infants. Objects, natural and artificial, which should be presented to their view —mode of conveying a knowledge of tile
qualities of objects-communication of ideas by engravings. Experiments on this sub.
ject, with a boy about two years old. Imnportance of imparting correct ideas to the infant
umindl. Maternal associations,   -                   ^                          38'
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6                                    CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IV.
ON INFANT SCHOOLS.
Page
Objects of infant schools. Proper situation for such institutions, and the apparatus requisite for conducting them. Method of teaching vocal music, the alphabet, arithmetic, and
the facts of sacred history-figure of the Aritfhmeticon. Advantages which would flow
from the universal establishment of infant schools-increase of useful information-fbrnlation of intellectual habits-foundation laid of moral conduct-certainty of success
when judicious moral training is attended to. Moral effects of' infint teaching, illustrated
by examples. Iinfknt schools, beneficial to general society and counteractive ofjuvenilo
delinquency. Social habits cultivated with safety. Influence of infant schools on Missionary operations-infant schools in Africa-such institutions ought to be universally
established for all ranks. Qualifications of teachers in order to render them efficient.
Origin and progress of infant schools,.                       51
CHAPTER V.
ON SCHOOLS FOR-YOUNG PERSONS FROM THE AGE OF FIVE OR SIX TO THE AGE OF
FOURTEEN YEARS.
Introductory remarks —plan, situation, and arrangement of school-room, illustrated with
cuts. Idea of a seminary on a large scale. School furniture-Apparatus and Museumsystematic sets of engravings. Description of a new Optical Diagonal Machine, with
figures,-suggestions to engravers on this subject. Beneficial effects of such schools.
School books, and the principles on which they ought to be constructed. Specimens
of subjects for elementary books,-objections obviated. Outline of a school-book fbr the
advanced classes, drawn up twenty-six years ago, —capacity of children for unlderstanding judicious selections,-third series of school-book, comprising popular systems of' the
sciences, &c. Historical class-books, with remarks on the manner in which history
should be taught,-propriety of embellishing schoolabooks with engravings-Dictionaries
and portable Cyclopedias,     -..                              _                 67
CHAPTER VI.
METHOD OF TEACHING, AND THE  DEPARTMENTS OF KNOWLEDGE WHICH SHOULD BE
TAUGHT IN EVERY SEMINARY.
SECTION I. English Reading.-Specimen of lessons for children, and the mode in which
they should be taught. Lesson on the Peacock, with an engraving, Lesson on the philosophical toy termed the Sagacious Swan, with remarks. Lesson for the advanced
classes-description of volcanos, with engravings. Questions on the lesson. Manner
in which such questions should be formed and arranged. Sets of miscellaneous questions. Lessons on objects,                                                        78
SECTION II. Writing and Composition.-Mr. Buchanan's plan for teaching writing on
slates, (with a cut.) Professor Jacotot's plan. Specimens of sentiments and statements
of facts for copy lines. Mode of training the young in the art of composition,  -  85
SECTION III. Draiwing.-Mode of procedure in learning this art. Fancy landscapes, &c.,
should be discarded; drawing from the objects of nature and art. Utility of this accomplishment,      -                                        -      -             -  88
SECTION IV. Arithmetic.-Mode of conveying ideas of numbers; the relative value of
money; the measures of length and capacity, of time, and the divisions of the circle,
(with figures.) Sensible illustration of arithmetical operations, (with cuts.) Illustration
of the value of fractions. Miscellaneous hints,                                   89
SECTION V. Grammar.-Absurdities in relation to this subject; Lord Kaimes' opinion on
our mode of teaching grammar. Simple mode of communicating the elements of' grammar. Origin of' language, suggests the proper method of teaching it. Fundamental rules
of syntax; complexity of some of our" English Grammars." General remarks,     -  94
SECTION VI. Geography.-Utility of this science. Deficiencies in the mode of teaching
it. Mode of proving the globularformn of the earth, illustrated with figures. Mode of
conveying an imnpressive idea of its magnitude. Quantity of solid matter it contains; how
many mountains, such as Etna, would be required to fbrm a mass equal to the earth.
Diversified scenery on the earth's surface, quantity of water in the rivers allann seas, &c.
Projections and delineations requisite for illustrating Geography. Maps exhibiting tle
ranges of mountains; the proportional length.and breadth of rivers; comparative size
of countries, lakes, and seas; Isothermal charts; charts of geographical Zoology; chart
of moral and religious geography, &c.; views of the cities, grottos, &c.; slate globes;
delineations of the comparative heights of mountains; wax models of particular countries, &c. Mode of describing countries. Geographical class-books, what they should
contain. Directions for commencing this study. Characteristics of certain Geographical
class-books lately published in America,       -         -      -      -      -  9
SECTION VII. Geology. —Its practical utility. Classification of the rocks and strata of
the globe, illustrated with a plate. Specimens for illustrating geologmca. facts; books
on Geology,    -       -      -                                               -  106
(6)




CONTENTS.                                      7
9ECTION VIII. Astronomy.-Object and utility of this science. Mode of communicating
to the young a knowvledge of celestial phenomena. Observations on the motion of the
sun, and the phases of the moon; the principal stars and constellations; apparent motion
of the celestial vault; apparent annual motion of the sun; measures of' the celestial
spheie. Apparent motion of the planets; experiment which solves the apparent irregularities. I'roofs of the Earth's diurnal rotation; of its annual revolution. Mode of
explaining the variety of seasons. Manner of exhibiting the phenomena of the planets,
and the magnifying powers best adapted to this purpose. Circumstances to be attended
to in exhibiting the moon through a telescope. Mode of exhibiting the solar spots. Imperfect conceptions conveyed by orreries and planetariums. Manner of representing
the proportional magnitudes and distances of the planets. Mode of explaining a parallax, illustrated by figures. Books on Astronomy; Burretts " Geography of the Heavenls," &c.                                             -.10
SECTION IX. Experimental Philosophy and Chemistry.-Departments of Experimental
Philosophy. Mechanical Powers. Experiments illustrative of Hydrostatical principles,
(with figures). Simple experiments illustrative of Pneuimatical subjects; pressure, elasticity, and compressibility of air; principle of the diving-bell; siphons; effects of the
expansion of air, &c. Methods of cutting glass tubes and bending them  for siphons.
Optical experiments, for explaining the principles of telescopes and microscopes. De.
scription of a diagonal eye-piece. Camera obscura, on a large scale. Phantasmagoria,
solar microscope: manner of procuring animalcula. How a compound microscope
may be formed from a common telescopic eye-piece. Experiments with concave mirrors.
Chemical subjects and apparatus; Books on Natural Philosophy and Chemistry,    - 117
SECTION X. Malhaematics.-General remarks on the plan and order in which a knowledge
of this sublject should be communicated to young persons,   -, -  -      -  126
GECTION XI. Physiology.-Inconsistency of omitting this department in a general course
of education. Evils which arise from ignorance of this subject. Distortions of the
human fiame caused by absurd practices. Means by which a general knowledge of the
human system might be communicated. Figure exhibiting the thorax and abdomen.
Evidences of design in the human fabric. Practical purposes to which a knowledge of
Physiology might be applied,  -     -            -      -                   - 127
SECTION XII. Logic or the Art of Reasoning.-Utility of this subject. Outline of a comprehensive system of Logic. Popular Logic-examples of reasoning with remarks. Sub.
jects for exercising the reasoning powers. Anecdotes of Gassendi, when a boy, and his
mode of reasoning with his companions. Analysis of Gassendi's reasoning. Reasoning
to prove that, " air exists" —that " all should enjoy a moral and intellectual education."  Sources of Error illustrated. Sophisms illustrated. Particular species of false"
reasoning. Importance of an early exercise of the rational faculty-evils which have
arisen from false reasoning. Diabolical reasoning-reasoning by physical force-by
torture-by fines and imprisonments-reasoning of persecutors, of mobs, &c. Powerful
influence of Gold in producing conviction,.                             130
SEcTION XIII. Natural Theology.-An appropriate study for the young. Summary of
subjects and facts connected with this study. Other departments of knowledge briefly
noticed, Natural Ilistory, Botany, Political economy, Vocal music, Domestic economy.
Bodily exercises-amusenrents-and excursions. Female education-illustrious females
-energy ofthe female mind, and its influence in society. Prevailing misconceptions.
Reasons for universal instruction,  -                                          138
CHAPTER VII.
MORAL AND RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.
Instruction in thIe knowledge of the Deity. Mode of illustrating the Divine perfections,
exemplified in reference to the Wisdom and the Immensity of God. Instruction in the
history of the Divine dispensations-religion to be taught chiefly from the Scripturesdoctrines and precepts of Christianity-propriety of a specific application of Scriptural
precepts to the conduct of the young. Moral training particularly exemplified. Manner In which the young should be directed in the study of the Scriptures. Scripture
class-book                                       -                          - 144
CHAPTER VIII.
SABBATH SCHOOLS.
Defects which adhere to the present system of Sabbath Schools. Qualifications of Sabbath
School Teachers. Necessity of their being trained to their office. Departments of
knowledge they should study-Sacred History, Ancient Geography, Biblical Criticism,
&c. General remarks on Sabbath Schools-practices to be avoided, &c. Books on this
subject,..-          -.      -. -151
CHAPTER IX.
SCHOOLS FOR YOUNG PERSONS FROM THE AGE OF FOURTEEN TO THE AGE OF
TWENTY OR UPWARDS.
Necessity of such institutions. Subjects to which this class of young persons should be
directed. Pre-requisites to their establishment,                     s      -  15
(7)




CONTENTS.
CHAPTER X.
ON ThrE QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS AND SEMINARIES FOR THEIR
INSTRUCTION.
Deficiency in the qualifications of Teachers-honourable nature of the office-necessity
of training. Preceptoral Colleges, and the subjects to be studied. Examination of candidates. Importance of training candidates for teachers. Infant School Teachers.
Prussian Normal Schools,                                                       158
CHAPTER XI.
ON TIIE PRACTICABILITY OF ESTABLISHING SEMINARIES FOR INTELLECTUAL
EDUCATION.
Number of schools requisite to -ne established in Scotland and England. Importance of
such irtstitutions. and the necessity for philanthropic exertions. Liberality under the
Jewish economy. Enormous sums expended in war. Pension list. Contested elections. Savings which might be made in personal expenditure. Sums spent on spirituous
liquors. Appeal to Christians. Contributions of the Jews, and predictions in relation
to the Christian Church. Means requisite for exciting attention to this subject. Limited
views of education taken by statesmen. Voluntary and compulsory education,    - 161
CHAPTER XII.
ON THE UTILITY OF ESTABLISHING SEMINARIES FOR UNIVERSAL EDUCATION.
I. They would tend to the prevention of Crime. Number of thieves in London-trials at
the Old Bailey-erroneous views of legislation-inefficiency of severe punishmentsjuvenile delinquency-deficiency of Education in England and Scotland. Beneficial
results of education-Schools, publications, &c. in Boston and New York. Expense of
punishing crime. II. Universal education would elevate the general character of man.
Contrast between the majority of mankind, and celestial intelligences. Native dignity
of man-security of property dependent on education. 111I. Universal education introductory to the Millennium. Manner in which this era will be introduced-when it will
commence. Exertions preceding the Millenniumn. Christian generosity and heroism.
Story of St. Pierre. Contributions for the tabernacle and temple. The Pilgrims of
New England,                                                                   169
CHAPTER XIII.
PRINCIPLES ON WHICH A NATIONAL SYSTEM OF EDUCATION SHOULD BE
ESTABLISHED.
Difficulties-Brougham's " Education Bill" of 1821. Liberal views in the establishment
of education. Superintendence of education. Mode of religious instruction. Efficiency
of Scriptural instruction. Harmony of'Sectaries in America. Proposed plan of'establishing education,                  -     -             -                      179
CHAPTER XIV.
MAXIMS, OR FIRST PRINCIPLES IN EDUCATION.
Ideas should precede words-tasks-exhilarating associations-principle of emulationcorporal punishments-confinement-fixing the attention, &c.     -      -        1
CHAPTER XV.
MECHANICS' INSTITUTIONS.
The author's communications on this subject, in 1S14. Condensed view of them. Admission of meml)ers. Subjects of discussion, and mode of conducting it. Funds of the
Society, and their application. Publications of the Society. Correspondence with other
Societies. Defects in the objects of Mechanics' Institutions as presently constituted.
Suggostions for their improvement,                                             18
PART II.
MISCELLANEOUS HINTS IN REFERENCE TO THE  DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE
AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF SOCIETY.
Introductory remarks, 192. I. Improvements in preaching, 193. Il. Union of the Christian
Church, 198. III. Scriptures illustrated by engravings, 199. IV. Abridgment of the
hours of' labour necessary to improvement-plan suggested, 200. V. Knowledge pro.
mnoted by public exhibitions, 201. VI. Erection of Observatories, &c. 202. VII. Improvement of towns and villages, 203. VIII. Itinerating Libraries-their origin, plan,
and eflects, 205. IX. Delineations and inscriptions on articles of furniture, 206. X.
Changes requisite in certain laws, regulations and customs, 207. XI. Friendly intercourse
between nations, 208. XII Intellectual and religious improvement of Seamen-Number
of, in the British service, 209. XIII. Formation of societies for promoting improvements,
210. XIV. Counteraction of Avarice,.-           -      -      -            -2
&PPr.NDr X.-Insanity from excessive study,  -      -..  211
(8)




ON TIHE
MENTAL ILLUMINATION
AND
MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
INTRODUCTION.
BEOREo  we attempt to accomplish any in numerous instances, no public affair of
great and extensive enterprise, it is requi- any importance was undertaken,'without
site to ascertain, in the first place, whether first consulting the stars. This fallacious
the object we propose be attainable, and, in art has likewise been proved impracticable,
the next place, whether, if attained, it would and inconsistent with the peace and happibe productive of beneficent effects. If these ness of mankind.  The researches which
points are not ascertained, previous to our were long made after the panacea, or unit
engagring in any undertaking, we may exert versal remedy for all disorders-the search
our intellectual faculties, and active powers, for an universal menstruum  and fermentand spend our time, our wealth, and our the search for a medicine which will confer
Tabour, to no purpose, and in the end meet immortality even in this world-the attempts
with nothing but disappointed expectations. to discover mines by means of divining-rods
The history of the world, and even the -and to cure palsies, inflammations, obstrueannals of science, would furnish hundreds tions, and other disorders, by animal magof ftcts to corroborate this position. The netism and metallic tractors-and, above all,
object of the Alchemists was to transmute the attempt to conduct mankind to happiness
earthy substances and the baser metals into by discarding the idea of a Divine Being and
gold, and, by the fortunate labour of some every species of religion from the plans pro-.happy day, when the stars were propitious, posed-with hundreds of sinilar schemes, —
to realize vast treasures of wealth, to enable may be regarded nearly in the same light as
them  to live in splendour and opulence the foolish arts of astrologers and alchemists,
during the remaining period of their lives. and could easily be shown to be equally'
In this visionary pursuit, which, for several unprofitable and vain.
centuries, occupied the attention of princes,   In endeavouring to promote a general
statesmen, ecclesiastics, physicians, and ex- diffusion of knowledge among the various
perimenters of various descriptions, thou- ranks of society, it becomes us likewise to
sands of fortunes were irretrievably wasted, inquire, whether the attempt would be acand the dupes of this fallacious science kept companied with such beneficial effects as to
in perpetual anxiety, and amused with vain warrant the labour and expense which must
and unfounded expectations. Even although necessarily attend such an enterprise-and,
such schemes had been practicable-which whether  any  insurmountable  difficulties
experience proves they are not-it would stand in the way of its accomplishment.
not 1e difficult to show, that, had they been There are not wanting, even amidst the
successfuil, they would have produced more light of science which is now shining around
mnisery than happiness among mankind. us, many individuals in the higher classes
The study of the heavens, with the view  of society who are bold enough to insinuate,
of foretelling future events, and the desti- that an increase of knowledge would be
nies of men, from the different aspects of injurious to the lower ranks of the commu.
the planets and the signs of the Zodiac, was nity-that its accomplishment is both unanother scheme which, for many ages, ab- desirable and impracticable-that the moral
sorbed the attention of kings, legislators, world will proceed onward as it has hitherto
popes, cardinals, and even men of science, done-that there is no possibility of inelioas well as that of the illiterate vulgar, —and, rating the condition of the great mass of
2                                                        (9)




10                              INTRODUCTION.
Inllakihd,-and that it is altogether Utopian in motion.  VMhatever Man  has hitherfo
to attempt to direct the moral and intellectual achieved, Mlan may still accomplsh. If
energies of the human race into any other minds, once feeble and benighted, and ignochannel than that in which they have hith- rant as the wild ass's colt, have, by proper
erto been accustomed to flow. Such insinua- training, been raised near the highest pitch
tions evidently flow from a spirit of misan- of moral and intellectual attainments, other
thropy, and are intended, if possible, to fix minds, by similar training, may be elevated
the moral world in a quiescent state, as the to the same degree of perfection. If nations,
material world was supposed to be in former once rude and ignorant, as the Britons for.
times, and to damp every exertion that is merly were, have been raised to a state of
now making to promote the improvement civilization and refinement, and excited to
and the happiness of our species. They are cultivate the arts and sciences, the same
likewise inconsistent with the dictates of means by which  this object was accomnDivine Revelation, which plainly declare plished, may still be employed in other
that " the knowledge of Jehovah shall cover cases to produce the same effbct. If several
the earth, as the waters cover the channels portions, however small, of any civilized
of the seas," and that " all shall know him, community, have been brought to a high
from the least to the greatest."          state of intellectual improvement, it is evil
In a work lately published, I have endea- dent, that the greater part, if not the whole,
voured to illustrate, at considerable length, may be advanced into a similar state. It
some of the advantages which would result only requires that the means of instruction
from  a general diffision of knowledge, be simplified and extended, and brought
which, I presume, will tend to substantiate within the reach of every one whose faculthe position, that an increase of knowledge ties are capable of cultivation.  That this
among all ranks would be productive of an object has never yet been effected, is not
increase of enjoyment. If a more extensive owing to its impracticability, or to any indiffusion of knowledge would have a ten- superable obstacles which lie in the way
dency to dissipate those superstitious notions of its accomplisltment;  I)ut because the
and false alarms which have so long en- attention of mankind has never yet been
slaved the minds of men —to prevent inu- thoroughly directed to it: and because the
merous diseases and fatal accidents-to means requisite for promoting it have never
accelerate the improvement of the physical been employed on a scale proportionate to
sciences-to  increase  the pleasures and the extent and magnitude of the enterprise.
enjoyments of mankind-to promote the The influential classes of society, in every
progress of the liberal and mechanical arts country, have been more absorbed in the
-to administer to the comforts of general pursuits of avarice, ambition, war, devastasociety-to prepare the way for new inven- tion, and sensual gratifications, than in
tions and discoveries-to expand our views meliorating the physical and moral condition
of the attributes and moral government of of their species. The tenth part of the treathe Deity-to  advance  the interests of sures which have been wasted in the promorality —to prepare the mind for the plea- secution of such mad and immoral pursuits,
sures and employments of the future world had it been properly directed, would have
-to promote a more extensive acquaintance been more than sufficient to have brought
with the evidences, facts, and doctrines, of the means of instruction within the reach
Revelation-to' prepare the way for the of every individual of the human race, and
establishment of peace and harmony among to have transformed the barren wastes of
the nations, and to promote the union and every country into the appearance of a
the extension of the Christian church; —if terrestrial paradise. There is no govern.
such positions can be fairly proved, every ment under heaven, so far as we are ac.
philanthropist and every rational and well- quainted, (if Prussia and the United States
directed mind will readily admit, that a more of America be not excepted,) where the in.
general cultivation of the human intellect, struction of the great mass of the people
and a more extensive diffusion of rational forms a prominent and specific object in its
information, are highly desirable, and would administration. On the contrary, in several
be productive of the most auspicious and instances, even within the limits of Europe,
beneficial results, in reference both to the it is well known, that the intellectual inpresent interests and the future prospects struction of the lower orders is prohibited
of mankind.                               by a law.*  Even in Great Britain, where
With regard to the practicability of this
object, no rational doubt can be entertained,   * For example,-A- royal Sardinian edict, pubif the moral machinery requisite for its lished in 1825, enjoins, " tlat henceforth no person
shall learn to read or write who caninot prove the
accomplishment were once thoroughly set possession of property above the value of 1500
(10)




INTRODUCTION.                                  l 1
the light of science shines with peculiar ledge shall be employed with eneigy and
eifillgence, the exertions of philanthropists  judgment, we may expect, ere long, to be.
have been damped in their attempts to dif- hold a generation rising up, in intelligence
fuse knowledge among the people; heavy  and moral action, superior to all the genera.
taxes have been imposed on the means of tions that have gone before it-improving
its diffusion; men of knowledge have been the soil, adorning the landscape, promoting
persecuted and neglected, while men de- the progress of the useful arts, enlarging the
voted to war and bloodshed have been loaded boundaries of science, diffusing the blessings
with wealth, and exalted to the highest sta- of Christianity over the globe, giving an
tions of dignity and honour; no national impulse to every philanthropic movement,
scheme, supported by the state, has ever counteracting the spirit of war, ambition,
yet been devised for its universal propagae and licentiousness, cultivating  peace and
tion among all ranks, and no sums set apart friendly correspondence with surrounding
for this purpose, while the treasures of the nations, and forming an impregnable bulnation have been wasted in extravagance, wark around every government where the
and, in too many instances, devoted to the throne is established in truth and in rights
support of vice, tyranny, and intolerance.   eousness.
But we trust that the breath of a new    To state and illustrate the various means
spirit is now beginning to animate the coun- by which a more  extensive diffusion of
cils of the nation and the great body of the knowledge may be effected, and the general
people;-and when the means within our improvement of society promoted, is the
power of extending the blessings of know- main object of the following pages, in which
the state of education in our country, and
livres," or about ~62 10s. sterling. And it is well the principles on which it ought to be conknown, that the greater prat of tile lower classes ducted, shall occupy our first, and our chief
in Russia; Austria, and Poland, are, from their attention.
situation, debarred from the benefits of istruc  atte
on.                                                                         (lB




PART I.
ON EDUCATION.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS.
TRnEn  is, perhaps, nothing of more im- tion, are not considered in that serious liglht
portance to the human race, and which has which their importance demands. Almost
a more direct bearing on the happiness of every thing else is attempted to ble accurately
all ranks, than the cultivation of the mental adjusted, while the moral and intellectual
faculties, and the acquisition of substantial improvement of the mass of the community
Inowledge.  Whether we consider man as is lefteither to the direction of chance, or to
a transitory inhabitant of this lower world, the injudicious schemes of weak and ignoor as in a state of progression to another re- rant minds. Every one who has acquired a
gion of existence-it is of the utmost im- smattering of English grammar and arithmeportance, that he be thoroughly acquainted tic, and who can write his own name, conwith the Great Author of his existence, with ceives that he is qualified to conduct the
the general structure of the universe in which intellectual Improvement of the young; the
hte is placed, with the relations in which he most illiterate and superficial pedants have
stands to his fellow-men, and the other beings intruded themselves into the office of teachwhich surround him, with the duties he ought ers; those who have never had the least exto discharge to his Creator, and to his own perience in the art of teaching, nor have
species, with the nature of that eternal world studied its principles, have assumed the pre.
to which he is destined, and with that train rogative of dictating the arrangements and
of action and of contemplation. which will discipline of a school; and hence, the office
prepare him for the enjoyments of a future of a teacher of youth, which is one of the
and eternal state. All the other objects most important and respectable in the social
which can employ the attention of the hu- system, has frequently been considered as
man mind must evidently be viewed as in connected with the meanest talents, and with
some degree subordinate to these. For, on the lowest gradations in society.
the acquisition of the knowledge to which    Great Britainhas long held a distinguished
we allude, and the corresponding course of rank among the nations of Europe in the
conduct to which it leads, depends the hap- scale of science and of civilization, and on
piness of man, considered both as ar indi- account of the numerous seminaries of invidual, and as a member of the great family struction which have been established in
to which he belongs-his happiness both in every quarter of the island. Excepting Prus(hle present life, and in the life to come.  sia, the United States of America, and the
Nothing, however, appears to have been mountains and vales of Switzerland, there
more overlooked, in the general arrangements are few countries in which education is more
of society, than the selection of the most generally appreciated and lmore widely dif.
proper means by which such important ends fused than in the northern district of Great
are to be accomplished. In those,lations Britain; and the effects produced by our
and societies which, in their progress from  literary and scholastic establishments are ap-.
barbarity, have arrived at only a half-civilized parent in the desire for knowledge, and
state, the acquisition of the means of sub- the superior intelligence which characterize
sistence, and of those'omneforts which pro- the difelrent ranks of our population. When'note thcl. IelslLuve enjoyment, forms almost we compare ourselves in this respect with
the exclusive object of pursuit; and it is not the Russian boors, the Laplanders, the Calbefore they have arrived at a certain stage mucs, the Cossacks, or the Tartars, or even
of civilization, that moral and intellectual with the inhabitants of Naples, of Spain, or
improvement becomes an object of general of Portugal, we seem to stand on an emiattention. And, even in those nations which nence to which they can scarcely hope to
have advanced farthest in the path of science approach for a lapse of ages. On the other
and( of social refinement, the cultivation of hand, when we compare ourselves with whai
4b, human mind, and the details of educa- we ought to be, as beings possessed of ra-.(12)




PRELIMINARY REMARKS.                                 VR
tional natures, and destined to immortality,- suits, and for those pure enjoyments which
and as surrounded with the light of science flow from a contemplation of the works and
and of revelation,-we shall find that we providence of the Creator, and of those'moral
are, as yet, but little more than just emerg- laws and arrangements which he has or
ing froln the gloom of moral depravity and dained for promoting the social order and
mental darkness.  When we consider the the eternal happiness of mankind, in which
mass of depravity which is still hovering those hours not devoted to worldly business
around us, the deplorable ignorance, the might be occasionally employed. As man is
superstitious notions, the false conceptions a being compounded of a corporeal organized
in regard to many important truths, the evil structure, and a system of intellectual powers,
passions, and the grovelling affections, which it evidently appears to have been the intenso generally prevail, we must aclknowledge tion of the Creator that he should be fre.
that much, much indeed, remains to be ac- quently employed both in action and in conr
complished, before the great body of the templation.  But when his physical powers
people be thoroughly enlightened in the only are set in motion, and the principal obknowledge of all those subjects in which ject of his activity is to supply the wants of
they are interested, as rational, accountable, his animal frame, he can be considered as
and immortal beings, and before they can bh  little superior to the lower orders of animated
induced to give a decided preference to moral existence, and must, in a great measure,
pursuits and intellectual pleasures. And, if frustrate the end of the Creator in bestowing
this is the case in a nation designated civil- upon him the faculties of his rational nature.
ized and enlightened, how thick must be the   In order to raise mankind from the state
darkness which broods over the inhabitants of mental darkness and moral degradation
of other regions of the globe, how deep the intb which they have fallen, it is essentially
moral debasement into which they are sunk, requisite, that the utmost care be bestowed
and how many vigorous efforts must be re- on the proper direction cf the youthful mind,
quisite, ere they can be raised to the true in its first excursions in the physical and
dignity of moral aimd intellectual agents? If moral world; for when it has proceeded *
ever this important dbject is to be accom- certain length, amidst the mists of ignorance
plished-which the predictions of ancient and the devious ways of vice, it is extremely
prophecy leave us little room to doubt-it is difficult, if not impossible, to recall it from its
now high time that we arouse ourselves from  wanderings to the path of wisdom and feliour slumbers, and engage with increased ac- city. Instructions, not merely in reference
tivity and zeal in the work of reformation and to sounds and accents, and accurate pronunof rational instruction.  Let us not imagine ciation, but also in relation to important
that the preaching of the gospel, in the dull facts, and the various properties and relations
and formal manner by which it is at present of objects around them, must be communicharacterized, will effectuate this great ob- cated at an early age; and not merely the
ject, without the use of all the efficient narres, but the ideas, of the most interesting
means of juvenile instruction we can devise. objects in the physical and intellectual world,
While we boast of the privileges of our fa- must be conveyed by a succession of wellvoured land, of the blessings of Divine Reve- defined mental imagery, and sensible illustralation, and of the enlightened era in which tions, so as to arrest and impress the juvenile
we live; and while we are endeavouring to mind, and excite its energies and affections
impart to distant nations the blessings of in the pursuit of knowledge and virtue.
science and of the Christian religion; —let Without an attention to this important obus not forget, that there are thousands of the ject, the business of elementary instruction
young generation around us, under the show  appears to regard man rather as a mere maof h-aving obtained a good education, rising chine than as a rational and immortal being,
up in life, in a state of ignorance and vice, and seems to be little short of an insult ofin consequence of the superficial and in- fered to the human understanding. The uljudicious modes by which they have been timate object of all scholastic instruction
tutored, and which prevent them from profit- ought undoubtedly to be, to convey to youthing by the instructions of the ministers of ful minds substantial knowledge, to lead themi
religion.                                 gradually into a view of the nature and quali.
While the great body of mankind must ne- ties of the objects with which they are surcessarily be engaged in manual employments, rounded. of the general appearances, motions,
and while it is essential to their happiness, and machinery of external nature, of the
as well as to their bodily subsistence, that a moral relations in which they stand to the
portion of their time be thus employed,-it Great Author of their existence, and to one
would be a highly desirable object to induce another, and of the various duties which
upon their minds a taste for intellectual par- flow from these relations,-to direct thedi
B             (13)




'14              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
sfflections, tempers, and passions, in such a in the common branches of education, will
channel as will tend to promote their own be few and unimportant.  Whether the precomfort, and the harmony of general society, vailing modes of education in this country
and to prepare them for the nobler employ- be calculated to promote the ends now stated,
ments of an immortal existence. Such moral will appear, when we come to investigate
and intellectual instructions ought to go hand the range of our elementary instruction, and
in hand with the acquisition of the various the circumstances connected with the mancombinations of sounds and syllables, and ner of its communication.  Before proceedwith the mechanical exercises of writing and ing to this investigation, I shall take a rapid
ciphering; otherwise the beneficial conse- view of the piesent state of education in
qluences, which should result from instruction different civilized nations.
CHAPTER  I.
Present state of Education in different Countries.
FOR a long period, even after the intro- Piedmont, seven hundred years ago, more
duction of Christianity among the nations of rational and efficient than has yet been estabEurope, the education of the young seems to lished in the British Isles.
have been in a great measure neglected. The    It was not till the era of the Refobmation
records of history afford us no details of any that seminaries for the instruction of the
particular arrangements that were made either young began to be organized and permaby the church or the state for promoting this nently established. Prior to this period, inimportant object. During the long reign of deed, colleges and universities had been
Papal superstition and tyranny, which lasted founded in most of the countries of Chrisfor nearly a thousand years, the instruction tendom; but the instructions communicated
of the young appears to have been entirely in those seats of learning were chiefly conset aside, or, at least, to have formed no pro- fined to the priestly order, and to the sons
minent object of attention.  The common of the nobility who aspired after the highest
people grew up, from infancy to manhood, and most lucrative offices under the hierarignorant of the most important subjects, hav- chy of Rome. Their influence was scarcely
ing their understandings darkened by super- felt by the mass of the people; and the oristition, their moral powers perverted, and gin of the earliest of these seminaries cannot
their rational faculties bewildered and de- be traced much beyond the beginning of the
graded, by an implicit submission to the fool- thirteenth century.  These new  establishish ceremonies and absurdities inculcated by ments, however, with the academical honours
their ecclesiastical dictators; and even many they conferred on proficients in knowledge,
in the higher ranks of life, distinguished for gave a powerful impulse to the study of scitheir wealth and influence in society, were ence, and greatly increased the number of
so untutored in the first elements of learn- those who devoted themselves to the pursuits
ing, that they could neither read nor write. of learning.  It is said, that, in the year
Ignorance was one of the foundations on  1262, there were no less than ten thousand
which the splendour and tyranny of the students in the university of Bologna, alRomish hierarchy were built, and therefore though law was the only science taught in
it would have been contrary to its policy, it at that time; and that in the year 1340,
and the schemes it had formed of universal there were thirty thousand students in the
domination, to have concerted any measures university of Oxford.  But the education of
for the diffusion of knowledge and the en- the middling and lower classes of society
lightening of mankind.  We read of no was still miserably neglected.  Even in those
nation or community, during the dark ages, countries which have since been distinguished
that devised plans for the rational and reli- for scholastic establishments, a universal apagious instruction of youth, excepting a poor, thy seems to have prevailed, in regard to the
oppressed, and despised people "of' whom  acquisition of knowledge, and of the first
the world was not worthy "-the pious and elements of education. In the year 1494,
Aintelligent, but persecuted Waldenses: It:ap- a few years before Luther began to assail
pears that a system of instruction prevailed the Romish Church, it was enacted by the
among these inhabitants of the valleys of Parliament of Scotland, "that all barons alnd
(14)




STATE OF EDUCATION  IN AMERICA.                            1[
substantial freeholders throughout the realm  views of what is requisite to promote the
should send their children to school, from the moral improvement of society. In the Nevs
age of six to nine years, and then to other States, one square mile in every township,
seminaries, to be instructed in the laws, that or one thirty-sixth part of all the lands, has
the country might be possessed of persons been devoted to tie support of common
properly qualified to discharge the duties of schools, besides seven entire townships for
sheriffs, and other civil offices."  Those who the endowment of larger seminaries. In
neglected to comply with the provisions of the older States, grants of land have frethis statute, were subjected to a penalty of quently been made for the same purposes;
twenty pounds Scots. This enactment evi- but in New Ehgland all sorts of property
dently implies, that even the  influential are assessed for the support of the primary
classes of society, at that period, paid little schools, which are established in every townattention to the education even of the male ship.-The following extract from a speech
branches of their families, and, of course, of Mr. Webster, a distinguished member of
that those in the lowest ranks must have Congress, in a convention held at Massachubeen generally, if not altogether deprived of setts in 1821, displays the principles and
this inestimable privilege. It was only after practical operation of this system, and the
the passing of this act, as Dr. Henry remarks, grand design it is intended to accomplish:that several individuals began to be distin- " For the purpose of public instruction," said
guished for their classical acquirements, and this illustrious senator, "we hold every man
that learning was much more generally dif- subject to taxation in proportion to his pro.
fused throughout the country.             perty; and we look not to the question,
At the, time of the revival of learning, whether he himself have or have not chilsoon after the Reformation, a new impulse dren to be benefited by the education for
was given to the human mind, a bold spirit which he pays; we regard it as a wise and
of inquiry was excited in the laity, when the liberal system of police, by which property
vices of the Romish clergy were exposed, and life, and the peace of society, are secured.
and their impositions detected; the absurdity We hope to excite a feeling of respectability,
of many tenets and practices authorized by and a sense of character, by enlarging the
the church was discovered; the futility of capacities and increasing the sphere of inthe arguments by which illiterate monks at- tellectual enjoyment. By general instructempted to defend them was perceived; the tion, we seek, so far as possible, to purify the
mystic theology of the schools was set aside, moral atmosphere; to keep good sentiments
as a system equally unedifying and obscure; uppermost, and to turn the strong current of
the study of ancient literature was revived; feeling and opinion, as well as the censures
the attention was directed to the sacred of law, and the denunciations of religion,
Scriptures, as the only standard of religious against immorality and crime.  We hope for
truth, the legendary tales of monkish super- a security beyond the law and above the law,
stition were discarded, a taste for useful in the prevalence of enlightened and wellknowledge was induced,-and from that pe- principled moral sentiment.  We hope to
riod, seminaries for the instruction and im- continue and to prolong the time, when, in
provement of the juvenile mind, began to be the villages and farm-houses of New Engradually established in many of the coun- gland, there may be undisturbed sleep within
tries of Europe; —although they are still unbarred doors. We do not indeed expect
miserably deficient both in point of number, all men to be philosophers or statesmen; but
and in the range of instruction which they we confidently trust, that by the diffusion of
profess to communicate.-The following is a. general knowledge and good and virtuous
brief view of the present state of education sentiments, the political fabric may be secure,
in various countries:                     as well against open violence and overthrow,
United States of America.-Although the as against the slow but sure undermining of
system of education has never yet arrived licentiousness.  We rejoice that every man
nearly at perfection, in any nation, yet the in this community may call all property his
inhabitants of the United States may be con- own, so far as he has occasion for it to fursidered, on the whole, as the best educated nish for himself and his children the blesspeople in the world. With a degree of libe- ings of religious instruction, and the elements
rality and intelligence which reflects the of knowledge. This celestial and this earthly
highest honour on their character, they have light he is entitled to by the fundamental
madle the most ample provision for the ele- laws. It is every poor iman's undoubted
mentary instruction of all classes; and most birthright-it is the greatblessing which this
of their arrangements, in reference to this constitution has secured to him —it is his
object, appear to be dictated by disinterested solace in life-and it may well be his consobenevolence, and by liberal and enlarged solation in death, that his country stands
(15,




16               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
pledged, by the faith which it has plighted to dren of both sexes are freely admitted. The
all its citizens, to protect his children from  funds of those schools are derived fiom fiunds
ignorance, barbarity, and vice."          and bequests from individuals, and grants'These are noble sentiments and views, from the legislature and corporations; and
worthy of being adopted' and reduced to enable the trustees, consisting of twelve citipractice by every government under heaven; zens elected by the inhabitants of each of
and we trust the period is not far distant the twelve wards of the city, with the mayor
wlhen the British senate, and every other and eight aldermen, to give the teachers
legislative assembly in Europe, shall have salaries, varying firom 2500 to 800 dollars
their attention directed to the arrangement a-year. The assistant teachers have 600
of a system of universal educationz, on an dollars. The trustees elect their teachers,
expansive and liberal scale, and with such and vote their salaries yearly, and no pregenerous and disinterested objects in view.  ference is given on any principles but those
There are no states in the Union, nor of merit or skill. No expense whatever is
perhaps in any country.in the world, so incurred in these schools for the children,
amply provided with the means of instruc- except in books. The richer classes in Bostion, as the States of New York and New  ton formerly very generally patronized teachEngland.  In New  York, in 1829, there ers of private schools, who were paid in the
were no less than 8609 common schools, usual way; but they now find that the best
affording education to 468,205 young per- teachers are at the head of the public schools,
sons, which was rather more than a fourth  and in most cases prefer them —the children
part of the entile population! and it is pro- of the highest and lowest rank enjoying the
bable, that, since that period, the number has privilege, altogether invaluable in a free
considerably increased. In Scotland, which state, of being educated together.
is reckoned one of the best educated coun-.   "In the adjoining State'of Connecticut, it
tries in Europe, it is found, that only one in has been ascertained by actual reports, that
eleven, out of the, entire population, has the one-third of the population of about 275,000,
benefit of education.-In New England, free attend the free schools. The result of the
schools have been endowed by benefactions recent inquiry into the state of education in
from  different individuals,-and the funds the State of New York, which adjoins New
thus bequeathed by charity, or public spirit, England, and is almost equal to it in popula-'have not been devoured by the cormorants tion, is very much, though not entirely the
of a grasping oligarchy, but prudently and'same.-It proved by actual reports, that 499,carefully administered.-The education given 434 children, out of' a population of 1,900,at these schools, too, is vastly supericr'o 000, were at the same time attending the
what is obtained at our parish scho, ls. schools, that is, a fourth part of the whole' The general plan of education at the pub- population. Although the public funds of
lic free schools here," says Mr. Stuart,* "is New York State are great, these schools are
not confined to mere reading, writing, arith- not entirely free; but free to all who apply
metic and book-keeping, and the ancient for immunity from payment. The amount
and modern languages, but comprehends of the money paid to the teachers, by private
grammar, mathematics, navigation, geogra- persons, does not, however, amount to onephy, history, logic, political economy, rheto- third of the wh9le annual expense, which is
ric, moral and natural philosophy.  These somewhat less than a million of dollars."
schools being, as stated in the printed regu-   Besides the seminaries appropriated to tIoe
lations, intended to occupy the young people instruction of the mass of the population,
from  the age of four to seventeen, and to the United States contain no less than seventy
form a system of education, advancing from  colleges, in which the ancient and modern
the lowest to the highest degree of improve- languages, the mathematical sciences, Natument which can be derived from any literary ral Philosophy, Chemistry, Logic, Christian
seminaries inferior to colleges and universi- Theology, and other branches, are regularly
ties, and to afford a practical and theoretical taught, as in the European universities; but
acquaintance with the various branches of with more attention to the moral and reliuseful education. There are at present in  gious conduct of the students. About the
Boston, 68 free schools, besides 23 Sabbath time of the American Revolution, in 1775,
schools, in all of which the poorest inhabitant there were 10 colleges; fiom 1775 to 1800,
of Boston may have his children educated, 13 were established; from 1800 to 1814, 11
according to the system of edulcation now  were added; and from 1814 to 1834, no less
specificdl, from the age of four to seventeen, than 36 colleges have been establisnhed. In
vithout any expense whatever. The chil- these colleges, 5500 students are prosecuting
their education, in the different departments
*"'three Years' Residence in North America." of Literature and Science.-The Americea
(16)




EDUCATION IN SILESIA.                                17
XEduca;ilon Society is just now educating struction in the schools of that city, he re912 young men for the ministry; the Pres- turned to Sgan, and made the convent to
bylerazla Eiducalion  S;c/ety has 612 stu- which he belonged a seminary for canldidates
dents un&ide its charge; the Agorthern Baptist as schoolmasters.  Pattern schools were esSciefy has 250.  The whole number at tablished at Breslaw, Glatz, arnd other places,
present educated by these Societies, includ- on the principles he had adopted, and all
ing the Episcopalian, German, Lutheran, candidates for the office of teachers, were
&c., is 2i)00.  These are exclusive of a very obliged to attend these seminaries, and to
large number wh-o are paying the expenses practise the method in which they wero
of their own education, and who are equally there instructed.  T'he clergy, no less than
pious and promising.                      the teachers, were required to go through
It is to the numerous establishments of this process, because the superintendence of
education-the extensive range of instruc- the teachers was to be committed to them.
tion they emlbrace-the opportunities of in- After these preparatory matters had been
struction afforded to the lowest classes of the carried into effect, an ordinance was pubcommunity-the superior degree of comfort lished in the year 1765  prescribing the
they enjoy-and to the elevation of charac- mode of teaching, anld the manner in which
ter promoted by their fiee institutions, that the clergy should superintend the system.
we are to attribute the non-existence, in T'he teachers were directed to give plain inmost parts of the United States, of what is struction, and upon subjects applicable to
usually termed a mob or rabble, and that the ordinary concerns of life; not merely to
depredations are less firequent, and property load the memory of their scholars with
more secure, than in other countries.  In words, but to make things intelligible to
the Soulthern States, indeed, the means of their understanding, to habituate them to the
education are not so extensive, nor has use of their own reason, by explaining every
society advanced to such a state of moral object of their lesson, so that the children
and mental improvement, as in the Northern. themselves may be able to explain it, upon
The reason is obvious.  These States, with  examination.  The school tax must be paid
a most glkring inconsistency, still continue by the lord and tenants, without distinction
the abettors of slavery, in its most disgusting of religions.  The boys must all be sent to
foirms.  More than one-half of their popula- school from  their sixth to their thirteenth
tion consists of slaves, who are deemed un- year, whether the parents are able to pay the
worthy of enjoying the blessings even of a school tax or not. For the poor the school
common education. A spirit of haughtiness  money must be raised by collections. Every
and domination prevails armong the influen- parent or guardian who neglects to send his
tial classtes, barbarous amusements among child or pupil to school, without sufficient
the lower; and Christian morals, the finer cause, is obliged to pay a double tax, for
feelings of humanity, and intellectual acqui- which the guardians shall have no allowance.
sitions, are too fiequently disregarded.   Every curate must examine, weekly, the
Silesiur.-This country, in consequence children of the school of his parish. A
of the exertions of Frederick the Great, is general examination must be held,annually,.
now richly furnished with scholastic estab- by the deans of the districts, of the schools
lishients.  Prior to 1765, Silesia, like the within their respective precincts; and a rerest of Europe, was but wretchedly provided port of the condition of the schools, the talents
either with schools or with teachers. In the and attention of the schoolmasters, the,tate
small towns and villages, the schoolmasters of the buildings, and the attendance of the
were so poorly paid, that they could not children, made to the office of the vicarsubsist without practising some other trade general, who is bound to transmit all these
besides their occupation as instructors; and reports to the royal domain offices, from
they usually unlited the character of the vil- which orders are issued to supply the defilage fiddler with that of the village school- ciencies of the schools, and to correct any
master. Frederick issued an ordinance, that abuses that may be found to prevail. If one
a school should be kept in every village, and school suffice for more than one village,
that a competent subsistence should be pro- neither of them  must be more than half a
vided for the schoolmaster by the joint con- German mile, or two and one-fourth British
tribution of the lord of the village and the miles, distant from it in the flat country, noz
tenants.  Felliiger, an Augustine monk, be- more than half that distance in the muioun
longing to a convent at Sagan, travelled to tainous parts.
different countries to obtain an acquaintance    This system had at first many difficulties
with the best modes of teaching.  After to struggle with, from the indolence of the
spending some years at Berlin, to obtain a Catholic clergy, and their consequent averperfbet knowledge of the best method of in- sion to the nw and troublesome duty ir3:                            (17)




18                ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
posed upon them.  Their zeal was alarmed  instructed in the principles of German gramit the danger arising from  this diffusion of mar and composition.  The books used in
light to the stability of their church.  They  the schools of Wirtemberg and Baden, are
considered the spirit of innovation, and the very superior to those used in similar estabspirit of inquiry, as equally their natural lishments in this country.  They consist of
enemies; and the system still finds a certain  geographical, biographical, and  historical
degree of resistance from the penurious eco- works, and elementary treatises on moral
nomy, and the stubborn love of darkness, science, natural history, and the principles
which still prevail in some parts of this pro- and practice of the most important and usevince.  But in so far as it has been acted ful arts.  In all the large schools, the boys
upon, its operation has proved a blessing to and girls are kept separate.  The girls, in
multitudes.  As a proof of its extensive  addition to reading, writing, and arithmetic,
effects, the number of schools, in  1752, are taught all sorts of needlework, the knit.
amounted only to 1552; but in 1795, their ting of stockings, the making of clothes, &c.;
number was more than 3500; and many receiving at the same time lessons in the art
other facts, equally clear, attest the progres- of cookery, the management of children, and
sive increase, of knowledge, and a desire for other departments of domestic employment.
improvement.  Before the seven years' war, The supervision of the schools is intrusted,
there had scarcely ever been more than one in every parish or commune, to a committee,
periodical journal or gazette published in  consisting of a few of the principal inhabitSilesia at one time; but in 1801, there were  ants; the clergy of the parish, whether Prono less than seventeen newspapers and maga- testants or Catholics, being always ex officio
sines, which appeared by the day, the week, members of the committee.  This body is
the month, or the quarter; many of them  intrusted with the duty of inspecting the
upon subjects generally useful, and contain- school, and is bound to see that the master
ing valuable information and instruction for performs his duty, and that the children
the people.  At the former period, there  attend.  No particular system of religion is
were but thr2ee booksellers, and all these at allowed to be taught in any of the schools of
Breslaw; but in 1801, there were six in that Wirtemberg, and most of the other Germanic
capital, and seven dispersed in the other States.  The tuition of this important branch
cities.  The number of printing presses, is left entirely to the clergy and the parents
and of bookbinders, had increased in a simi- of the children, so that the sons and daughlar proportion.  Agriculture and manufac- ters  of Catholics, Lutherans, Calvinists,
tures, too, have been vastly improved and  Quakers, &c. frequent the schools, and live
extended; so that Silesia is, at this moment, in the utmost harmony.
one of the most flourishing districts of the    The greatest desire prevails among the
Continent.: The habits of the people have lower classes that their children should enbeen signally improved; and they have be- joy the advantages of the excellent educacome among the most intelligent, orderly, tion provided for them; but the government,
and industrious, in Europe.*                not trusting  entirely to this feeling, has
Wirtemberg, Baden, Bavaria, 4ct.-In  enacted regulations, by which every indiWirtemberg, during the last thirty years, vidual is compelled to send his children to
the system of education has been very greatly  school from the age of six to fourteen years.
extended and improved.  A public school is The public functionaries transmit regularly
established in every parish, and, in some to government, once every six months, a list
instances, in every hamlet.  The master re- of the children in their respective districts,
ceives, as in Scotland, a fixed salary from  who have attained their sixth year; and they
the parish, exclusive of a small fee from the are bound to see that they are sent to school.
pupils, varying according to their age, and In the event of the parents being unable to
the subjects in which they are instructed. pay the school fees, a statement to that effect
The fees are fixed by government, and are is prepared by the parochial authorities, and
everywhere the same.  Exclusive of the  the fees are paid by the public.
salaries and fees, the masters are furnished    In Bavaria, the beneficial consequences
with a house, a garden, and, in most in- resulting from the establishment of a system.
stances, a few acres of ground, corresponding  of national education, have been more appa
to the glebes of the Scottish clergy.  The rent than in any other European country.
law requires that the children should be in- Half a century ago, the Bavarians were the.structed in reading, writing, and arithmetic; most ignorant, debauched, and slovenly peoand it is specially enacted, that they shall be ple, between the Gulf of Genoa and the
*See President Adams' Letters o Siesia, Quar  Baltic; but, during the last thirty years, no
terly Journal of Education, and Glasgow  aeogra. people has ever made a more rapid advancetry, vol. iii.                               ment than they have done, in the career of
(18)




EDUCATION IN BAVARIA.                                19.
knowledge and of civilization. The late and Baden, appeared to me to indicate a greater
present kings of Bavaria, have not only degree of comfort, than I had ever observed
swept away myriads of abuses, and estab- in any other country, with the exception,
lished a representative system of government, perhaps, of Sweden, and the Lowlands of
but they have laid the only sure foundations Scotland."
of permanent and real improvement, in the    The above sketches were written two or
organization  of an  admirable  system  of three years ago. Since that time, M. Victor
national education.  A school has been es- Cousin's "Report of the State of Public
tablished in every parish, to which every one Instruction," has been published, and transis obliged to send his children, from the age lated into English by Mrs. Austin.  This
of six to fourteen; Lyceums, Colleges, and report, which fills nearly 340 pages, conUniversities have also been instituted, for the tains a very full, but rather dry detail, of the
use of those who are desirous of prosecuting whole machinery of education in Prussia.
their studies; and every facility is afforded From this document it appears, that, in 1831,
for the acquisition of the best instruction, at there were 22,612 schools, and 27,749 schoolthe lowest price. The following is a sum- masters and mistresses-that the total nummary view of the principal seminaries in ber of children under fourteen years of age
this country:-Three  universities, seven was 4,767,072; the number between seven
lyceums, eighteen  gymnasia, twenty-one and fourteen years, 2,043,030, out of which,
colleges, thirty-five preparatory schools, six- the number of children attending school was
teen houses of education, seven for higher 2,021,421, or nearly a sixth part of the
branches, two boarding-schools for girls, whole population, which is estimated at
seven normal schools, one school for foreign- about twelve and a half millions. It does
ers, two schools of law, two veterinary schools, not appear, from  this report, that infant
two schools of midwifery, and two royal schools are established in Prussia, or any
schools. The public, or national schools, institutions for the instruction of young peramount to 5394; the inspectors to 286; the sons from the age of fourteen to twenty, or
teachers to 7114; and the pupils of all classes, upwards; nor can we learn, from any thing
to about 498,000;-and, since the popula- stated in it, that an intellectual principle is
tion of Bavaria is about four millions, it fol- uniformly acted upon in the details of educalows, that not less than one-eighth of the tion.  The system presents too much of a
entire population is at school, which is a military spirit and character, throughout all
higher proportion than what attends the its departments, corresponding to the nature
schools in Scotland.                      of a despotic government; and it would re.
Mr. Loudon, the talented editor of the quire a very considerable modification, before
" Gardener's Magazine," who travelled over it could, with propriety, be adopted in g
most parts of Wirtemberg, Bavaria, and Ba- republic or a limited monarchy.  Many def.
den, in 1828, bears the most unqualified tes- ciencies in the system likewise require to be
timony to the excellence and efficiency of the supplied.  Yet, notwithstanding all its desystem of public instruction adopted in these fects, it has already produced a benign influcountries, and the beneficial effects which ence on the knowledge and moral conduct
have resulted from  its! operation. "From  of the inhabitants of that country; and, in a
what I have seen," says he, " of Wirtemberg, short time, if Britain does not immediately
I am inclined to regard it as one of the most bestir herself in the cause of education, the
civilized countries in Europe. I am con- Prussian population will be among the most
vinced that the great object of government enlightened inhabitants of Europe.
is more perfectly attained here, than even in    France.-Notwithstanding the numerous
Great Britain; because, with an almost equal scientific characters which have appeared in
degree of individual liberty, there are incom- this country, and the discoveries and imparably fewer crimes, as well as far less provements they have made in the physical
poverty and misery. Every individual in and mathematical sciences-the provision for
Wirtemberg reads and thinks; and to satisfy public instruction, particularly in the southern
one's self that this is the case, he has only departments, is very defective.  The Revoto enter into conversation with the first pea- lution of 1789 annihilated almost every exsant he meets; to observe the number and isting institution, and those for public instrucstyle of the journals that are everywhere tion among the rest. For a period of nearly
circulated, and the multitude of libraries in five years, a whole nation of thirty millions
the towns and villages. I did not meet with of people remained without any regular edua single beggar in Wirtemberg, and with- cation. It was, indeed, enacted by a law of
only one or two in Bavaria and Baden. The the 13th September, 1791, " That a system
dress of the inhabitants of Wirtemberg, as of public instruction should be organized;
well as those of a great part of Bavaria and that the public schools should be open to
(19)




,20               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
every one; and that no fees should be charged  M. V. Cousin was sent as a d putation to
for the elementary branches.  But, amidst Prussia fromn the government of France to
the commotions and demoralizing scenes of acquire a knowledge of the details and reguthat period, this law, like many others, was lations connected with the Prussian system
never carried into effect; and, at this umo- of education.  Since' his return, numerous
ment, France, with the exception of Spain schools havse been established on the princiand Portugal, is worse provided with the ples of the Prussian system, and there is
means of elementary instruction, than any now a prospect, that. in the course of a few
other countries in Europe. In the "Balletin  years, an efficient system of education will
des Sciences Geographiques," vol. xiv. for be established in that country.-According to
1828, it is stated, that "in France, the num- the latest statistical accounts, the number of
ber of children of an age to frequent primary children who are learning to read, now
schools is nearly 6,000,000.  Of this number amounts to 2,000.000: the number of priscarcely a million and a half receive instruc- mary elementaly schools is 35,007; of supetion."  Thus, without adverting to the cir- rior primary schools, 370; of private schools,
cumstance of ten millions of adults who can  9092: total, 44,269.  The number of boys
neither read nor write, according to a recent attending these schools is, 1,175,248; and
calculation-there are four millions and a of girls, 731,773. The total expense of prihalf of young Frenchmen, who do not re- mary instruction is 10,162,7C6 francs, or
ceive even the first rudiments of education. about;~423,446.  Of this expense there is
The children at school, in the thirty-two de- paid by the Communes, 7,693,793fr.; by the
partments of the north, are reckoned at 740,- Departments, 2,063,072 fr.; and by the State,
846; and in the fifty-four departments of the 405,841 fr.; or about ~16 9 10-a very paltry
south, only 375,931, which is little more sum when compared with the magnitude and
than one-thirtieth of the population.  In importance of the object.
Paris there are to be distinguished two popu-   Spain.-;In this country there are few
lations —the population already enlightened, establishments for the d(iffusion of the first
which comprehends, at most, about 100,000 rudiments of knowledge.  The lower classes
souls; and the population which still remains seldom  learn to read or write; those above
to be enlightened, which amounts to nearly  them are as seldom instructed in any thing
800,000.  Societies and individuals at Paris but those two accomplishments, and the eleand other populous towns, exerted them- ments of arithmetic.  Such as are intended
selves to supply so great a want; but their for the learned professions attend a Latin
efforts being open'y opposed by the clergy, school for three or four years; and since the
and se-.etly by tho late government, were expulsion of the Jesuits, these schools are
not so successful as they might otherwise not numerous.  Some private establishments,
have been. Schools, upon the Lancasterian for the instruction of the boys in Latin, were
plan, were introduced by the government at rising at the time of the French invasion,
Paris. and( other large towns; but the benefits and a desire of improvement in the method
of the system were extended only to pro- of teaching was showing itself among the
fessed Catholics;-none but Catholic teach- teachers."T   When we consider that the
ers were employed, and the Protestants were education of youth in this country is comleft to educate their children the best way mitted chiefly to monks, we may rest satisthey could. In consequence of this defi- fled, that, in general, its plans and objevts
ciency of instruction, ignorance and super- are very limited and detfective.  Nor is the
stition, irreligion and immorality, prevail system  much improved, when the student
over a large portion of the kingdom, even  proceeds to the university.  Ile is there
amidst the light of literature and science taught little else but the logic and natural
with vWhich they are surrounded; and a con- philosophy of Aristotle, and the theology of
siderable period must elapse before the men- Thomas Aquinas.  If a Spaniard, therefore,
lal darkness can be dispelled, and the moral attain to any thing like true knowledge, he
mischtief it has produced be completely eradi- must either leave his country in the search,
cated.  It is to be hoped, now that the in- or teach himself in the best way his fancy
fluence of the Catholic priests has been may devise.-The same remarks, with a slight
diminished, and liberal measures of policy modification, will apply to the neighbouring
introduced, that a more extensive system of kingdom of Portugal, where Papal superstielementary instruction will be established; tion and tyranny exist in all their fillens
and we are happy to understand that the at- and rigour.  As the numerous swarms of
tention of the Government of Louis Philip priests, monks and friart, that infest this
has been directed to this object, and that country, are almost universally ignorant, and
measures have been brought forward in order
to its accomplishment.  In the year 1831,   *Quarterly Journal of Education, vol. i.
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EDUCATION IN RUSSIA AND SWITZERLAND.                             21
s na.requently vicious,-as they are bigoted    Switzerland.-This country, remarkable. Ghu extreme to the established religion  for the sublimity of its mountain scenery, the
ath rl u childish ceremonials,-and as the fertility of its vales, and the beauty of its
gentrati lifiusion of knowledge would strike expansive lakes,-is no less remarkable for
at the flandation of their ecc!esiastical sys- the means of education it possesses, and
tem, —it cannot be supposed that they will the consequent intelligence and moral order
show much zeal either in making their scho- of its inhabitants.  In this respect, it is
lars liberal and intelligent, or in enlarging  scarcely inferior to the best educated colmand improving the general system of instruc- tries in Europe.  The proportion of the inhation.  Several generations must elapse, and bitants undergoing the process of instruction
numerous and important changes be effected, is greater than that of either France, England
before we can expect that the great body of or Scotland.  In the Pays de Vaud, this
the Spaniards and Portuguese can become proportion amounts to one-eighth of the
enlightened and moralized.                  population, which is more than the average
Russia.-It; is only of' late years that the  of the other countries of Europe, where sysattention of the Russian government has'tems of instruction have been established;
been directed to the promotion of education  so that the inhabitants of this district of
throughout that extensive empire; and seve- Switzerland, have generally been considered
ral ages Frill be requisite, before its half- by travellers as the most intelligent and the
civilized inhabitants be raised from -the state best educated among the European nations.
Of menudl debasement in which they have    The celebrated school of Pestalozii at
been so long immersed.  During the reign  Yverdun, in the Pays de Vaud, has been
of the 1:;t, emperor Alexander, Lancasterian  visited and celebrated by every traveller.
schools avnd other seminaries were established  This was among the first seminaries in which
in difer,nt parts of European Russia, and the intellectual system  was introduced, in
Bib!e.stcieties, for distributing the Scriptures which the rationale of every subject taught
aniong the lower orders, were patronized by is explained and illustrated, and the intellecthe Tlmperor, Prince Gallitzin, the arch- tual faculties stimulated and brought into
bishops, and other distinguished characters. exercise.  It embraces also the plan of muIt appears that in the beginning of 1830, tual instruction, as exemplified ip the schools
the emperor Nicholas gave his sanction to of Bell and Lancaster.  The establishment
certain regulations, providing for the estab- of the School of Industry of M. Fellenberg
lishment of primary schools in the several at Hofwyl, in the Canton of Berne, has also
villages appertaining to the crown.  The  been deservedly celebrated.  The object of
object of these seminaries is to diffuse useful this seminary is to combine scholastic educaknowledge among the peasantry, and to fur- tion with industrious habits, and a knowledge
nish the villages with individuals who may  of the best manner of performing mechanical
act as writers.  Gratuitous instruction is to and agricultural operations.  Although, at
be afforded in these schools to youths of not Hofwyl, the principles and practice of Agriless than eight years of age, in the catechism, culture are the chief objects of attention,
reading books and written documents, writing, yet the general principles of the institution
and the first four operations of arithmetic. and the mode of instruction might, in towns,
The lessons are to open after their return  be successfully applied to mechanical operafrom labour, and to continue until it be re- tions and manufacturing processes of every
sumed; with the exception of Sunidays and description.  It has given a great impulse to
festivals, they are to occupy four hours a-day. education throughout the country, and has
Permission is, however, given to the teacher produced some very eminent scholars.  Not
to assemble his pupils for the purpose of re- only the lower classes, but pupils of the
peating their lessons, even whilst they are highest rank come to this seminary, from
working in the fields: but this cannot take  Germany, France, England, and other parts
place. without the consent of the villagers. of Europe.  In most of the cantons, educaThe expenses of these schools are to be de- tion is a matter of state, persons of the greatfrayed out of the territorial income of the est respectability are engaged in the business
villages, and the first essays are intended to of instruction, and the arrangements of the
be made in the governments of St. Peters- system of tuition are under the immediate
burg and Pscov.                             direction and protection of the government.
(21.)




22               UN THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
CHAPTER II.
Strictures on the mode in which Education has generally been conducted.
THE rE are few subjects which have so fre- common process of instruction, is almost ad
qulently engaged the attention of the literary destitute of ideas as at its commencemente
public as the instruction of the young; and At that period of life when the minds of the
yet there is no subject about which so many young are beginning to expand — when they
vague and erroneous notions generally pre- ardently thirst after novelty and varietyvail. No term  in our language has been when they are alive to the beauties and submore abused and misapplied than that of limities of nature, and listen with delight to
education.  By the great majority of our the descriptions of other countries, and the
countrymen it is considered as consisting tales of other times-instead of being gratimerely in the acquisition of pronunciation, fled with the exhibition of all that is interestspelling, and grammar —of writing, casting ing in the scenes of creation and the history
accounts, and the knowledge of languages; of man-they are set down in a corner to
and  these acquisitions are considered of plod over unknown characters and strange
value chiefly as.they prepare the individual sounds-no,pleasing objects are exhibited to
for engaging in certain secular employments, inspire them  with deliht —their memories
and are instrumental in procuring his sub- are burdened, and even tortured, while their
sistence.  By others it has been confined to understandings are  neglected; and, after
the communication of the elements of thought, many painful efforts, intermingled with cries
and the improvement of the intellect; and, and tears, while the detested lash is hanging
by a comparatively small number, it has been over their heads, they are enabled to repeat,
regarded chiefly as the formation of charac- like a number of puppets, their medley of
ter, and the cultivation of moral habits. But, grammar rules, their psalms, their hymns,
to neither of these objects is education to be their catechisms, and their speeches from the
exclusively confined. It consists of a com- English and Roman classics, pouring out
prehensive and harmonious combination of their words with a velocity like water burstthem  all, including every mean and every ing from a spout, without a single correct
mode of improvement by which intelligent idea connected with their exercises, "underbeings may be trained to knowledge and vir- standing neither what they say, nor whereof
tue-qualified for acting an honourable and they affirm." —Hence it has too frequently
respectable part on the theatre of this world, happened, that the school-room  has been
and prepared for that immortal existence to viewed as a prison, their teachers as a species
which they are destined. It is deeply to be of tyrants, and the scholastic exercises in
regretted, that, up to the present hour, with which they are engaged, as repugnant to
a very few exceptions-in an age deemed their natural vivacity, and subversive of their
liberal and enlightened-the system on which youthful pleasures.  Hence they have freeducation has generally been conducted is quently. been driven to the village school,
repugnant to the dictates of reason, ineffi- like sheep to the slaughter, and like crimicient for enlightening and meliorating the nals to a jail, or carried on the shoulders of
human mind, and is little short of an insult their companions, amidst cries, and lamentaoffered to the understandings of the young. tions, and forebodings of punishment.
While almost every initiatory book has for   In seminaries of a higher order than those
its motto, and every teacher can readily re- to which I now allude, five or six years are
peat the following lines of Thomson,-     generally spent in learning the declension
"Delightful task! to rear the tender thought,    of nouns, the conjuation of verbs, and the
To teach the young idea how10 to shoot,  rules of syntax, and in acquiring a smatterAnd pour the-fresh instruction o'er the mind,"  ing of the Roman classics; while, at the close
the great objects which education ought to of this tedious, and to the pupil, revolting
promote have been miserably neglected.  A  process, he retires from the seminary to the
farrago of words has been substituted in the shop, the counting-house, or the university,
place of things; the elements of language nearly as ignorant of the common phenomena
have been preferred to the elements of of nature, of the sublime discoveries of mothought; the key of knowledge has been dern times, of the principles of the arts and
exhibited instead of knowledge itself; and sciences, and the laws of moral a(tion, as:
thea youthful mind, at the termination of the he had been born in Patagonia, or in the
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DEFECTS IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.                             93'
centre of Newv Holland.  If he has acquired  it is found to produce little influence on the
any thing at all, which may be denominated  moral conduct of the young, the effect is atknowledge, it consists chiefly in a jumble of tributed solely to the corruption of human
notions about the squabbles of heathen gods nature, and to the withholding of the inand goddesses, detached fragments of Roman  fluences of Divine grace, —a sentiment which
history, the Metamorphoses of Ovid, the fic- goes far to attribute to the "Only Wise
tions of Pagan mythology, and the revengeful God" those effects which are producei` ty
encounters of destroying armies and ambi- the folly and the injudicious schemes of
tious despots.  While his mind is familiar men.-As it is painful to exercise the mnewith the absurdities and impieties of ancient mory to any extent on wc,rds unconnected
superstition and idolatry, he not unfrequently  with ideas, so it frequently happens, that a
quits the scene of instruction as ignorant of disrelish for religion and its services is inthe character and attributes of the true God, duced, in consequence of the labour and
of the doctrines of the Christian religion, drudgery with which they are thus assoand of the tempers which it inculcates, as if ciated.  In these seminaries, too, the duties.
he had been tutored in a Pagan land.        of Christian morality are too frequently
Even in those seminaries which are de- thrown into the s:_ de.  Christianity is not
voted to the religious instruction of the a mere theory, but a practical system; for
young, the same absurd and inefficient sys- all its historical details, its doctrines and pretem to which I have alluded is too frequently  cepts, its promises and threatenings, have an
acted upon.  Instead of exhibiting to the ultimate reference to the regulation of the
understandings of the young the character tempe  and affections, the direction of the
and perfections of the Deity, and the truths condluct, and to the general renovation of'
of Christianity, by familiar and popular illus- the moral powers of man, in order to his
trations deduced from the economy of nature preparation for a higher state of moral and
and the facts of revelation, a great propor- intellectual excellence.  And, therefore, it
tion of their Sabbath-school exercises con- ought to be one of the grand objects of resists in repeating, with a disgusting flippancy  ligious instruction to cultivate the moral
and vociferation, their catechisms, psalms, powers, to direct the temper and affections,
paraphrases, hymns, and Scripture passages, and to show, by familiar illustrations taken
aesigned them as tasks, and in listening to from the scenes of active life, how the printhe crude expositions of certain  abstract ciples of Christianity'ought to operate in
theological dogmas, to which they can attach  all the diversified circumstances and relano precise or well-defined notions, and which  tions of society.-But, leaving this topic, in
do not enter into the essence of the Chris- the mean time, let us attend a little more
tian system.  In certain schools of this de- particularly to the range of instruction in
scription, I have witnessed the attention of our common initiatory schools.
the children almost exclusively directed to    After a knowledge of the characters of
the mere repetition of the Shorter Cate- the alphabet and of the principal elementary.
chism, and other compends of divinity, and sounds is acquired, the scholar is led through
that, too, in a most inaccurate, irreverent, a series of dry and uninteresting lessons
and vociferous manner, without a single at- and spelling exercises in which his memory
tempt being made to convey any idea to the and his faculty of pronunciation are solely
understanding of the nature of the truths exercised.  The New  Testament is next
repeated-while the catechumens seemed put into his hand, and, after reading a porto be much gratified and relieved in having  tion of it with great difficulty and awkwardgot their memories disburdened of the un- ness, and before he is capable of reading
gracious tasks imposed upon them.  In other one sentence with ease and accuracy, he is
schools, where the teachers had acquired a introduced to such books as "Barrie's C:olsmattering of systematic theology-after the lection," and 1"Tyro's Guide," and "Scott's
memorial tasks were dispatched-I have lis- Beauties of Eminent WVriters," in which
tened to a series of crude dissertations ad- there is scarcely one selection interesting to,
dressed to the young respecting the cove- a youthful mind, or level to its coinprehen-.
nant of works and of grace, predestination, sion.  But this circumstance seems to be
absolute and conditional decrees, faith, the  considered by many as a matter'of no imTrinity, and similar topics, together with  portance; for it is seldom or never that an
long-winlded exhortations, occasionally inter- attempt is made to convey to the minds of
mingled with boisterous and unhallowed youth the ideas contained in the lessons
threats and denunciations, because the young  they read and commit to memory.  During
did not yield a profound attention to such  these reading exercises, the Shorter Cateabstract speculations.  Yet all this goes by  chisln is put into their hands, in order that
the name of religious instruction; and, when  its vocables may be committed to memory;
('23)




24               VON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
and that, too, at so early a period, that they now described, the moral povwers of the young
find the greatest difficulty in mastering the are in a great measure overlooked, and the
pronunciation of the long and technical terms business of,toral t7tilio? shamefully neglected.
with which it ablounds.  Through this ungra- To improve their tempers and affibectiois, and
cioull t.a,,l tbey struggle, with the greatest re- to bend them  into that direction which will
lucLaT.ce, and genierally, too, without annexing tend to promote their own happiness,and that
a single idea to any of the answers they re- of others, is considered as a matter of inferior
peal.  They are soon after, perhaps before moment, in which teachers are very little, if
they are seven years of ace, introduced to the at all, interested.  It forms, at least, no ))0r oiStudy of English grammar; and, after feeling  entri object, in our schools, to meliorate the
much apathy and not a little disgust at this tempers of the young, to counteract the prin-'
abstract science, and experiencing many days ciples of malice, envy, and revenge-to inand hours of ungrateful labour, they are able spire them with kindness and benevolenceto repeat a few of its rules, definitions, and and to train them to moral excellence.  On
declensions.  Iike so many parrots, they can the contrary, the mode in which they are
tell us by rote, what is a verb. an adverb, or a treated has frequently a tendency to produce
preposition, or that " conjunctions which imply  obsiiacy, lridssiiltltioin, superstition, pride,
contingency require the subjunctive mood," Ihtored, and dis/fferction.  The spirit of unwithout understanding what they say, or an- christian emulation, contention, and revenge
nexing a clear idea to any of the rules or de- is indirectly fostered by the books they read,
finitions they repeat.  By turning over Scott's the discipline by which they are trained, the
or Fulton's Dictionary, they learn that vtrlue amusements in. which they indulge, the false
is a'o!t1e, because ii is annexed to it-that, to maxims and pagan sentiments which are inwrite is a ve, b, because io is annexed to it-  terwoven through the whole course of their
and that /i'olt is a  r,lprt,)sitlon, because pre. is education, and by the admiration which is
annexed to it; but, beyond such reasons they  attempted to Ibe excited in their breasts for
seldom  attempt to aspire; and after two or barbarous heroes and the butchers of manthree years' training in such exercises, they  kind.  The active powers of the young being
know little more of the subject, or of the ap- thus allowed to take the natural bent of their
plication of its rules to composition, than when  depraved inclinations, selfishness, pride, malice,
they first commenced.  The principal acquisi- and other malignant passions, are allowed to
tion made, is a fcility in finding out words in spring up and flourish, without feeling tile
a dictionary, without any attention being paid  force of those salutary checks which mlght
to their meaning-an object which may easily impede their progress, or destroy them in the
be accomplished in a few days.  The u;eful bud; and thus perverse habits and disposiart of e'rlittl,' is next attempted to be taught; tions are induced, which' "grow with their
and, in most instances, a far greater degree of growtll, and strengthen with their strength,"
importance is attached to the acquirement of till at length they display themselves with
tn "elegant text," or a " fine running hand," diabolical energy in the scenes of domestic
than to the cultivation of the moral and intel- life, and on the theatre of the political world.
lectual powers, and the acquisition of sub- amidst the contentions of communities ane
stantial knowledge.-A., i htiet,., follows in the " the tumults of the people."
rear, and the scholar, after hurrying through    Such is the amount of the elducation which
its four fundamental rules, without ally se.sLOtle the great mass of our population receive prioi
illusirculoits of the different operatio:is, is ex- to their entrance on the scene of active life.
ercised in calculations respecting Tare and  To affirm that it is attended by no benefic:iat
Tret, Interest and Annuities, the Square and effects, would be to fly in the face of all obCulbe Root, Exchang e, Discount and Equation  servation and experience.  It prepares the
of Payments, before he has the least know- mind, in some measure, for certain avocations
ledge of the nature of these transactions; in civil society, and for the reception of knowand, consequently, like one walking in the ledge in after life, should it ever be exhibited
dark, is unable to perceive the drift and ten- in a more judicious and intelligent manner;
dency of most of his operations, or the founda- and, in some instances, when combined with
tion of the rules by which he calculates; and  judicious domestic instruction, it will assist
hence it happens that, when he actually en- and direct the pupil, in the pursuit of' knowgages in the business of real life, he has al- ledge and of mental enjoyments.  But, conmost the whole of his arithmetical processes sidered by itself, as a system  of culture ftb
to study orer again, and to re-investigate the rational and immortal beings, in order to the
fomiundations, objects, and principles, of his development of their moral and intellectual
operations, in their applications to the transac- powers, andl as a preparation for a bigh'er state
tions in which he is engaged.               of existence, it is miiseralb/y dejficent, both in
In fine, during the whole of the process the means which are employed, in the rang4
(24))




DEFICIENCY  OF INTELLECTUAL  INS'IRUCTION.                             25
of hnstruction, and in the objects which it is tion.  What important purpose call be gailed
calculated to accomplish. —To illustrate. this by a number of boys and girls spending a
position is the object of the following remarks. series of years, in pronouncing, like so many
I  In the first place, one glarin,  defect parrots, a number of articulate sounds, to
which runs through the whole system of ini- which they annex no correspondlin  ideas or
tiatory instruction (except in very rare in- impressions, and which cost tilenl so much
stances) is that'0o Oatlelit/t iS euade to co.;vay pain and anxiety to acquire?  What is the
ideas to the youthfi/l mzind, tlong tiith the ele- use of the art of reading, if it be not mlade
vlentarny sitlds of Ill.riiae ond the a.rt of the mediumn by w-hi(:h knowlcdgce and moral
pJron7islC(tioI...  Provided children can monl/i improvenment may be communnic.ated?  And,
the words, and vociferate with alacrity the dif- if we neglect to teach youth to apply'this
ferent sentences contained in their lessons, it mean to its proper end, while they are under
appears to be a matter of little importance in  regular tuition, how can we re-asonlily expect,
the eyes either of teachers or of parents, that they will aftcrwards apply it, of their
whether or not they appreciate the meaning  own accord, whenl  a sulffiient stimulus is
of any one portion of the sentiments they  wanting?  By neglecting to connect the acread.  Although the great object of education  quisition of useful infbr mation witol the busiis "to teach the young ide. how to shoot." it ness of elementary instruction,  we place the
is alnost the only ob)ject which is thrown  young nearly in the same predioa;lmnt as we
into the shade; and those scholastic exercises ourselves should be placed, wevce wee obliged,
which are only the mew,-,es ot education, are from day to day, to read and repeat long pasalmost exclusively attended to as if they were  sages from the writains of Conlmlouius, tlahe Althe cend.  The young arc thus treated as if coran of Mahomet, or tile Sha ate s of BiLamah,
they were only so malny puppets, placed on a in the Chinese, the Turkish and the Hindoo
stage to exhibit a series of mechanical move- languages, While we understood not the meanments, and as if they were not posssed of ilng of a single term.  Anld ho-v painful and
the smallest portion of intellect, and were en- disgustirng should we feel such a revolting
tirely destitute of affections and passions. Yet, exercise!-The consequence of this absurd
it is undeniable, from  fact, that children, at a practice is, that, in;tead of excitingr desires
very early age, are capable of receiving a va- for further acquisitions  in  learning,-in  a
riety of ideas into their minds, and of exer- majority of instances, we produ,'e a disgust
cising their reasoning powers respecting them. to every species of mental exertion and imaPresent an engraved landscape to a boy of provement; instruction becomes unpleasant
four or five years of age, especially as exhibited  and irksome, both to the teacher and the schothrough the  i;t,:iricl D)iu'.xe.al Itl(ac.aie, where  lar; the child leaves school without having
he will see every object, in its true perspective  acquired any real knowledlge, and destitute of
as it appears in nature —he will at once recog- any relies! for it, and seldom  afterwards makes
nize andl describe, in his own way, the houses, any use of the instructions he received for the
the streets, the men, the wvomen, the roads further cultivation of his mind il wisdom anDl
and carriages, and the land and water of virtue.  To this cause, perhaps, more than to
which it is composed, and express his opinion  any other, is to be attrilbuted the deplorable
respecting tliem.  Present well-executed en- ignoranlce which still pervades the nmass of our
gravings of a horse, a cow, a lion, an elephant, population, notwithstanding the formal proor a monkey, anti he will soon learn to distin- cess of instruction they undergo,-and the
guish the one fi'om  the other, and will feel little relish they feel for devoting their leisure
delighted with every new  exhibition that is hours to the improvement of their inids, and
made to him of the objects of nature or of to those pursuits which are congenial to raart.  And, therefore, if sensible objects, level tional and immortal natures.
to kis capacity and range of thought, and    II. Another defect which  pervades the
with which lie is in some measure acquainted, whole' system  of scholastic instructionl in our
were uniformlly exhibited in his first excur- country, and of which the former is a native
sions in the path of learning, his progress in  consequence,'is, that there is scarely oine of
knowledge would nearly correspond to his ad- oe'r elcie,altry books adapted to the ceacrities
vancemnent in the art of spelling and pro- of youth, and coallited to excrie their atteoltion
lunciation.  The absurdity of neglecting the  and affectiois, by its interesting and instsructive
cultivation of the umnderstanding, in the dawn  details.
of life, and during  the progress of scholastic    Not to mention the dry and uninteresting
instruction, however common it may be, is so  lists and details contained  in most of our
obvious and glarin:, that it scarcely requires a spelling-books, and the vague and sombre
process of reasoning to show its irrationality, moral instructions they exhibit-let us fix
if we almit that the acquisition of knowledge  our attention, for a moment, on the general
ought to be one of the great ends of educa- train of subjects contained ino "Barrie's ColC               (25)




26               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
lection," and " Tyro's Guide," and in " Scott's put into their hands, has embraced a range of
Beauties of Eminent Writers,"-the books thought and contemplation far beyond what it
most commonly used in the parochial and is capable of, in ordinary cases, or they wish
other schools ill this country, —and we shall to insult their imbecile minds, by o-feiring them
soon perceive that they are every thihg but stones instead of bread, or they rake together
calculated for the purpose intended. These their extracts at random, without considering
works (which, like, some others of the same whether they are at all suited to the class of
fry, seem to have been constructed by means persons to whom  they are addressed.  For
of the scissors) chiefly contain extracts illus- there is not one lesson out of twenty which is
trative of the beauties of sentiment and corn- level to the range of thought, and to the caplt.
position:-Speeches on political subjects for- city of the youthful mind, in its first outset in
merly delivered in the Roman, Grecian, and the path of science, even although parents
British Senates-characters of Pope, Dryden, and teachers were to attempt an explanation
Milton, or Shiakespeare-descriptions of the of the passages which are read; as they embattles of Poictiers, Hastings, Agincourt, and body descriptions and allusions respecting
Bannockburn —abstract eulogiums on virtue, objects, events, and circumstances, which
oratory, and the art of criticism-prosing dis- cannot be duly appreciated without a presertations on the cultivation of taste-on hap- vious course of study; and they abound with
piness, retirement, and meditation-Speeches a multitude of abstract speculations which
and Epilogues of stage-players, political dis- can never convey well-defined ideas to the
quisitions, foolish tales, parables and allegories understandings of the young.  What ideas
-Falstaff's encomiums on sack-Hamlet's can a boy of seven or eight years' old form of
advice to players-Epilogue of Garrick for the Parliamentary debates of Mr. Pulteney,
the benefit of decayed actors —the Drunken Mr. Pitt, or Sir Robert Walpole; of the
Knight and his Brawling Lady appeased-  speech of Marcus Valerius on a dispute beSpeeches of Quinctius Capitolinus, of Romu- tween the Patricians and Plebeians concern-'us to his citizens, of Hannibal to Scipio, and ing the form of government; of dissertations
of Galgacus to his army-East India Com- on the art of Criticism; of Belial's speech to
pany's address on the junction of Spain and Moloch; or even of Blair's Grave, or Young's
France-Mr. Walpole and MIr. Pitt's Parlia- Life, Death, and Immortality;-or what inmentary debates-Extracts from the Poems terest can he be supposed to feel in such
of Akenside, Thomson, Milton and Young-  themes and discussions. I appeal to every
Speech of Sin to Satan-Speech of Satan in one of my readers, if, at the age now specified,
his infernal palace of Pandemonium —Moloch's they ever understood such selections, or felt
speech to Satan —Belial's speech in reply-  gratified and improved by perusing them. It
Satan's soliloquy-the combat of the Horatii is an absurdity, at once perceptible, that the
and the Curiatii-Captain Bobadil's method beauties of sentiment and composition which
of defeating an army-Clarence's dreamn- are appreciated and relished by persons of reNorval and Glenalvon's revengeful encounter fined taste, at the age of twenty or thirty, will
— Lord and Lady Randolph, Sir Charles and be equally relished and admired by children of
Lady Racket-Sempronius' speech for war- eight or ten years of age; and yet, from an
Description of Queen Mab-Ossian's address examination of our initiatory school-books, it
to the Sun-Soliloquy of Dick the apothecary's is undeniable, that, on a false principle of this
apprentice —Alexander's Feast —Blair's Grave kind, almost all our elementary works have
-Young's Life, Death, and Immortality-  been constructed.
Queen of the Fairies-the Wolf and the    But, it is farther to be regretted, that this
Crane-the Town Mouse and the Country is not the only fault that can be charged upon
Mouse-the Tailor and the Conjurer-the these productions. They exhibit scenes and
Old Man and his Ass-with a multifarious sentiments which ought not to be familiarized
medley of pieces of a similar description.    to the minds of children, and which are repTlgThese comprehend a fair specimen of the nant to the spirit and practice of genuine
prominent subjects selected, in our common Christianity. In almost every page, both of
school books, for the purpose of training the the prosaic and poetic extracts, the war gonts
youthful minid in knowledge and virtue. I is ever and anon resounding in our ears, and
have no hesitation in asserting, that more "the confused noise of the warrior, with garunsuitable subjects, consistent with common ments rolled in blood."  The Caesars, the
decency, could scarcely have been selected, Alexanders, and the Buonapartes, of ancient
and that they are little short of a direct insult and modern times, instead of being held up to
offbred to the youthful understanding. The execration as the ravagers and destroyers of
compilers of such  collections, either sup- mankind, are set forth to view as glorious
pose, that the juvenile mind, at the age of conquerors and illustrious heoes, whose chaeight or nine years, when such selections are racters and exploits demand our admirationu'26)




IMPERFECTION OF SCHOOL-BOOKS.                                    27
and applause.  And if, at any time, the minds Sacred history,-are seldom or never detailed,
of the young imnbibe lte senlrerelrts which per- with interesting simplicity, in this class ol
vade their lessons, it is generally when they  publications.  And, are a few extracts from
breathe a wtarlke spirit, and exhibit those  old plays and novels, romances and fables,
desolations and ravages which ambition and  Pagan mythology and Parliamentary debates
revenge have produced in- the world, —and  -from  the speeches of Roman orators ano
when they themselves are trained to spout at the epilogues of stage-players, to be considered
an  examination, arid, arrayed  in warlike  as the most agreeable and substantial food for
habiliments, with guns, or spears, or darts, to  the youthful intellect, and as the most judicious
ape the revengeful exploits of a Norval and a process for imbuing it with useful knowledge,
Glenalvon.  I have beheld the young, when  and preparing it for the employments of an
engaged in such exhibitions, eulogized and  immortal existence? Are the absurd opinions
applauded  by their examinators, and sur- of Roman and Grecian poets and warriors,
rounding spectators, more than on account respecting their gods, their heroes, and their
of all the other scholastic improvements they  religion, and the polluted streams of heathen
had acquired.  To this cause, doubtless, as morality, to be substituted in the room of' the
well as to others, is to be attributed  the  simple and sublime delineations of revelation,
spirit of warfare and contention which still the pure principles of the gospel, and the
reigns on the theatre of the political world, noble discoveries of modern science l  If so,and which has desolated, and disgraced, and  then let us not boast of imparting  to our
demoralized, every nation under heaven.  I children a rational and a Christlrlv education.
have known a teacher who has turned over    I have alluded more particularly to the
page after page, in some of the works now  works above mentioned, because  they  are
referred to, in search of a passage worthy of  most frequently used  in our borough  and
being committed to memory by his pupils, parochial schools; but I know no works of
and who could not in conscience fix upon  this kind, published in this country, with the
any one, in a long series of extracts, on  exception of two or three volumes, to which
account of its being imbued with this anti- the above strictures will not, in a greater or
christian spirit.  In addition to this striking  less degree, apply.  I do not, however, concharacteristic of our school-collecti;:ns, and in  demn such books, in so far as they contain
perfect accordance with it-it may also be  sentimental extracts, for the use of advanced
stated, that Pride, Ambition, Revenge, and  students of elocution,-or considered as misother Pagan virtues, are sometimes held up  cellanies for the amusement of persons adto view as the characteristics of a noble and  vanced in life, (though even in this last point
heroic mind; and swearing, lying, brawling, of view they cannot be held in high estimaand deceit, are frequently  exhibited  in  so  tion,)-my main objection rests on the ground
ludicrous a manner, as almost to win the  of their being unfitted to interest the minds
affections, and to excite approbation.          of the young, and to convey to them the outBut, in fine, although  the selections to  lines of knowledge  and virtue, unmingled
which I alldce were level to the comprehen- with the rubbish of false maxims and anti.
sions of the young, and untinged with anti- christian sentiments.*
christian sentiments-what is the amount of
all the knowledge aindl instruction they con-   * The above reinarks were written in the year
tain?   They elnrce   no  Ttcpicuous   sys  1821, and published in the " Christian Instructor."
tain     P They embrace no perspicuous sys- Since that period several school-books have aptem of interesting and useful information,-  peared, compiled on more rational and (Christian
scarcely any thing that bears on the cultiva-  srilciiles than roost of their predecessors-particularly, M'Calloch's " Course of Elementary
tion of (Ch'ristian dlispositions, — no exhibitions  Reading in Science and LiteraTure,', "T'he Naof the scernes of Nature and Art in which the  tional School Collection," " The American Readyoung may afterwards ie placed(,-little in- er," by Merriam, asnd several others; hilt they are
clhiefly adapted for the higher classes ini schools,
iormation re~specting the works of God, the  arnd for young people who have nearly finished
revelations of his word, or the useful intven- their course of instruciion in readirg, and they
tions of -men.'Ple beauties vwhich tadorn the  tLave been introdurced into compl:ratively few of
our scliools. and in many parts of tihe counitry are
scenery of nature, tile wvoiers of Creatidg  altogether ulnknown. Several usefull comrpilitions
Power, as dlispl;yed itn the earth, the air, the  have likewise of late been prublished in England
ocean, anti tire  heavens; thle dtisplays of  "a1 Arrrerica, bIt they are more adapted to tile
inse of fairilies and domrestic instrriction than to
Divitrne WAisdom  atnrld Goodness,  whic tc  every-i nul)lic semllin;aries. I arlt acquainted *with no book
where surromtdlll   us; the mild  and pacific  fbrthe Julvellile classes, comprising tusefuil inforvirtues of C'lristiairity, which ought equally  iratior, arsd corrpiled its sirci a manner as to ren-.'I        r3t  i    cst  dler knowledge and mIorality perspiculots, flscinatto adorn tihe prirnce arid thie peasant; the  ing, and ititeresting to the yolilg, arnd calclulated
avocations an(r aiullsements of dlomlestic life; to give full scope to threir rational and active
tire scenery of the  tcoulltry, tlre city, natd the  tpowers. About a year after the plublication of.,  sce n  er o.,y,  th c, a    dI threse remrarks in tile " Christian Instructor," Its
village, or the importanlt facts contained in the  Editor, the late Rev. Dr. A. Thoinson, compiled a
(27)'




28                 ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
IIT. Another error which runs through our mechanical movements and the emission cr
scholastic instruction is, that, while the culti- sounds. The reluctance with which this task
vation of the judgnent is  neglected, tIe mem'ory is generally engaged in; the painful sensa.
is iljvdi(ios.s!/, anld often too severely exerci.ed. tions which accompany it; the correction
The efforts of nemnory, in most cases, espe- which follows its neglect; the ludicrous bluncially when exercised in the retention of mere dering; and the complete destitution of ideas
sounds and terms, are generally attended with  with which it is generally attended-all conpainful sensations;'and, when these sensa- spire to show the absurdity of the practice.  I
tions are long continued, they frequently pro- am  fully persuaded, that the unpleasant.Itsoduce a disgust at the objects and employments ciations connected with  this task, have, in
of education.  Long passages from  Homer, many instances, produced a lasting disgust,
Shakespeare, Milton, or Pope, are given out both at the pursuits of learning, and the infor recitation to the young, while they are structions of religion.  Yet, there are few
still incapable of appreciating the meaning of school-exercises to which parents in general
a single sentiment in the task prescribed; and  attach a greater degree of importance.  To
the facility with which they can recollect and  omit the teaching of this catechism  bhy rote,
vociferate a number of jingling sounds is con- even although other and more perspicuous
sidered by many as'the best evidence of their instructions were given on divine subjects,
progress in the paths of instruction.  The  would be considered as arguing a certainl
period has not long gone by (if it have yet degree of irrebl,:io on the part of the teacher;
passed) when the repetition of the first chap- and even respectable clergymen and others
ter of the first book of Chronicles, of the tenth  consider this exercise as a sine,ol. non  in rechapter of Nehemiah, of the hundred-and- ligious instruction-just as if the mere terms
nineteenth Psalm, or of half a dozen chapters and definitions of this excellent summary
in the New  Testament, by a schoolboy,-  were to produce a vroguicoll effect on the moral
with a disgusting vociferation, and a uniform  and intellectual faculties. The common arguvelocity, like water dashing over a precipice, ment in favour of this practice, " that it is laywas regarded, both by parents and teachers, ing in a store of religious vocables for after
as an evidence of extraordinary genius, and  reflection, and that the answers will be peras an achievement in education of far greater fectly understood in riper years,"-when conimportance than if he had drawn an outline  sidered in connection with what has been now
of universal history, or sketched the geography  said, is extremely  futile and  inconclusive.
of the globe.-Of all the exercises of memlory  The blundering manner in which persons
to which the young tyro is accustomed, there  advanced in life frequently repeat this cateis none more injudicious and more painful to chism-mistaking, for example, the answer to
the pupil, than that by which he is constrained  " VWhat is Justification?" for that which reto get by rote the Shorter Catechism, at the lates to "sanctification," or what is forblidden
early age at which it is generally prescribed. for what is 7rcq;,ired in any of the commandAt the age of five or six, before he is capable  ments, anti without being at all conscious of
of understanding a single sentiment of the their error-plainly  indicates, that correct
system  of Divinity, and even before he can  ideas are seldom  attached to whatever has
read with ease any one of its questions and  been learned  by mere rote, and that the
answers-he is set to the ungracious task of rational faculty is seldom  exerted in such
committing its vocables to memory, as if he  exercises.  In short, I have little hesitation in
were a mere  machine, formed  solely for laying it down as a maxim that will generally
school collection, and sent me a copy of it, for my hold true, that "whenever the wors of a proinspection. My opinion of this comlpilation having  position are committed to memory without
been requested, at the next personal interview I being understood, their meaning will afterhad with the Doctor, I told him. that I considered  wards e selom inquired  after or perceived."
the book free of any antichristian sentiments      s be sel.om i quired after or perceisved
calculated to make a good impression on the  I am convinced, that a careful perusal of this
minds of the young, and that it contained a con- catechism, or any other similar system, accormn
siderable number of instructive and entertaining  pan   with proper explaatios, at the ae
selections; but that a niimber of the selections  pane   t   proper explanations, at the age
however good in themselves. were too didactic of fourteen or sixteen, will convey niore real
and somlbre to engage the attention of the juvenile  information than can be acquired by all the
nmind. The Doctor admitted the justice of the last painful lahour and drudgery endured  y comremark, and said, that. in another edition, lie intended to throw out the pieces alluded to, and mitting it to memory at the usual age at
substitute, in their place, more entertaining selec- which it is prescribed.
tions  Dr Thomson's collection is, on the whole,
a good one; bhit. like the others mentioned above,
Is chiefly adapted to the higher classes. The plan  wish to throw  the least reflection ott the
of all the school collections hitherto published is Shorter Catechism, as a summary of Chrissusceptible of much improvement; and I shall tian doctrine and duty.  On te contrar
afterwards take an opportunity of adverting to ti     an doctrine and duty.  On te contrar
this subject in a subisequent part of this volume. without admitting every sentimlent it contains
(,2.-,




JUDICIOUS EXERCISE OF THE MEMORY.                                 no
as perfectly correct, or necessary to be embo- sional exercise to the curiosity and the judg.
died in such a synopsis of theology-I con- ment in finding out the proper answers,
sider it, on the whole, as one of the most   In throwing out such remarks as tile above,
comprehcnsive compends of divinity ever pub- I am  aware that I am  treading on delicate
lished-which, with a very few retrenchments ground.  But far more convincing arguments
and modifications, might form a basis of union  than any I have yet heard must be brought
to almost all the religious bodies in this coun- forward, bebore I can see reason to alter the
try.  But the very thing in which its chief opinion now stated.  If it be once admitted,
excellence consists, constitutes an argunlent that the communication of ji!ca, ought to formn
against its being used as a first catechism. It the great object of all instruction —that the
is so,outpe/,ehel.ive, that almost every word young, at an early age, are capable of being
includes an important meaning, and has an  the recipients of knowledge —and that educaallusion to those profound views of the Chris- tion should be rendered as plea:sant and agtreetian system, and to those controverted points able as the nature of the exercise will admitin divinity, which are chiefly recognized by  I will not fear to face any argument that may
professed divines.  It is not by endeavouring  be presented on this subject.  I aim far from
to convey  eneeri,  and abl'trartc views of Chris- wishing to insinuate, that the memory ougrht
tian doctrine, or by cramming the memories not to be exercised in the process of educaof young persons with a multiplicity of theo- tion; for it is one of the powers or instrulogical terms.and doctrinal opinions, that in- ments conferred on us, fobr the purpose of.structions in religion will be successful in  making intellectual acquisitions; but I conarresting their attention, and impressing their tend, that its exertions, in the first instance,
minds; but by particular explications, and  ought to be gentle, easy, and rational, and
familiar illustrations borrowed from  sensible employed chiefly in relation to those ot)jeits
objectls, of a few of the most prominent truths about which the young are capable of formning
of the Christian system, that impressive and some distinct and agreeable conceptions. and
well-defined ideas will be communicated to not merely on sounds and terms, and abstrlact
the youthful mind.  And perhaps too little propositions, to which no precise meaning is
care is exercised in communicating, in a vivid  attached.
and  impressive  manner, the  fundamental   IV. In our schools and seminaries, as pretr.hlls of toll'tal ireli,lion,  which form  the  sently conducted, glrtonara   is,;lieniptedI to be
groundwork of the different parts of the  to,,,.' i;t oo( etr'l/  a ir (lsa.  Grammar is an
Christian superstructure.  I conceive, that it abstract branch of the philosophy of mind;
is time enough to commence  the regular and, therefore, to enter with intelligence and
study of the Shorter Catechism, at the age  interest into its spirit, the foundation of its
of twelve or thirteen, when its answers should  rules and their application-requires some de.
be minutely analyzed, and its terms, doctrines, gree of knowledge, obselvation, and maturity
and moral injunctions, familiarly explained  of judgment, not generally possessed by juveand elucidated by instructors, who have accu- nile minds; and, consequently, to attempt to
rate and' enlarged views of the truths it con- teach it to infants, in a sysRenmttl'ir Joirti, seems
veys; and, when employed in this way, it almost as preposterous as it would be to atwill be found a useful synopsis of Christian  tempt to instruct them in the Newtonian phifaith and practice.  Prior to the period to  losophy, or in the Hutchinsonian system  of
which I now refer, some of Dr. Watts' first metaphysics.  The little urchin of six or
catechisms might be used; or, perhaps, it seven years of age, may, indeed, be taught to
might be possible to construct a catechism  repeat the definitions of all the parts of speech,
more simple and interesting, and containing  and of all the moods and tenses of verbs-the
more striking illustrations of natural and re- infiections of nouns and verbs, antd even the
vealed religion, than any that have yet ap- whole of the rules of syntax; but such exerpeared; or, perhaps, without adopting the  cises are always accompanied with a certain
form of a catechism, we might directly refer degree of labour and disgust, which tend to
to the positive declarations of Scripture, in  sour the mind in -its progress through such
toeerence to its fasts, doctrines, and precepts, scholastic instruction.  And after all the mena-errmpanying the passages we extract with  tal anxiety and toil endured in such nmefhanithnott comments and  familiar elucidations. cal exercises, they acquire not, perihaps, a
The  truthls contai-:ed in such  catechisms single correct idea on the suliject. especially in
mlgh. ne learned with ease, and even wish  the abstract and superficial manner'in which
I'easure, by the y)ul.g, if they were accom- it is taught in our common schools, an.d are
paioed with a few hints from the parent or unable to appreciate any one usehtl purpose
te,:n.., to elucidate the facts and doctr!ies to_ which such exer ises ale su-tb.S;rvient.  To
exHnDeoi to their vitow; and especirlly,.vere distinguish a'moiun, of the quality of a noln,
tht.)e cmpiled on such a plan, as to give occa- or the nature of a verb, and to correct a simple
c 2              (29)




30                 *ON TIHE MORA.I, IIMPROVEMENT OF MANICJN)D.,r.d:nco in which a verb disarees v+.th its which depends -somew -hat o. th te taste of the
no.^ nativ;u, are exercises which children rmay  p;ml —a great degree of iastidio,uslness exists.
be taught at an early period, by familiar ex- and by fair too ouch importance is Xsat,,hed to..nples, and which might be rendered both  the acqcdisition of an, "elegant halnd."  T'o so
amusing and instructive, without the formality disgusting a degree has this predilection be'.,n
ofI technical terms, complex rules, or abstract carried, on certain occ3sions, that al1 the qualisystems; but to proceed much.-farther than  ties of a good teacher have been considered
such easy exercises, before the intellectual as concentrated in this one acquirement; and
powers are somnewhat matured, appears to be persons have been selected to superintCend the
wasting time and money, and mental anxiety, instruction of youth, who were destitute of
to no purpose.  Even the elements, or the almost every other qualification, merely beriore popular parts, of latural history, geogra- cause they could write "a fine text," or "ar
phy. astronomy, and experimental philosophy, elegant running hand."  The art of commo.
could be taught with much better effect, at nicating our thoughts by writing, is one of the
such an early period, than the abstract stl(udy most useful accomplishments, which every
of verbs and adverbs, conjunctions and declen- person from  the highest to the lowest ranks
sions, and metaphysical rules, the foundation  of society ought to possess.  To attain a cerof which no child can comprehend; because, tain degree of neatness and regularity in writin those departments of knowledge, sensible ing, is highly desirable; and where a taste
objects and pictorial representations can be for elegance in this art exists, it should be enpresented to the view of the juvenile mind as couraged, though not at the expense of more
elucidations of the facts and principles incul- substantial acquirements.  To write straight,
cated.                                       to attend to the proper use of capital letters,
That the opinions now  stated may not and to arrange the subject of writing into disappear altogether singular, I shall quote a tinct sentences and paragraphs, so as to render
sentence or two from  the writings of the  the writing easily legible, and the sentiments
learned Mr. Smellie-the well-known trans- perspicuous to others, should be considered as
lator of "Buffon's Natural History."  In his the great object of this art; and such qualities
work on "The Philosophy of Natural His- of writing are undoubtedly of more importtory," vol. ii. p. 453, he remarks-" Premature  ance, in the practical purposes to which it
studies are uniformly painful, because young may be applied, than the acquirement of the
minds are incapable of comprehending the most elegant "dashes" and "flourishes" of
principles, and far less the application of them  penmanship.  I have, indeed, known but few
to arts or sciences. Grummar, the first science individuals who have prided themselvfs in
obtruded upon, I may say, inflnti'ne intellects, such showy accomplishments, who were not
is one of the most abstract and intricate.  To extremely superficial in their other attainattain even a tolerable knowledge of grammar, ments.  It is a very odd circumstance, and
whatever be the language, (for the general shows to what a ridiculous length a fastidious
principles are, and must be, the same,) pre- taste for elegant writing may be carried-that
supposes a considerable range of intuitive  most of the higher ranks, who have been
facts, as well as of acquired ideas."  Again, taught by the first writing-masters, now conspeaking of the absurdity of "journeymen  sider it as fashio~nable to write an illegible
shoemakers, tailors, weavers, bakers, carpen- scrawl, which is nothing else than a caricature
ters," &c. sending their children for years to of good plain writing-which is the pest of
Latin and Grammar schools, he remarks-  merchants, printers, editors, and every other
"During the hours of recess from scholastic  class of correspondents-wwh ich costs them  a
discipline, nature resumes her empire, and, by  world of trouble before it can be read; and,
her irresistible power, obliges the children to  in many cases, the very names of the writers
frisk and romp about, and to enjoy those can scarcely be deciphered.  This is elegance
various and pure pleasures which result from  with a witness; it is carrying it to its I ighest
activity and amusement.  But these enjoy- pitch of perfection, by rendering the art of
ments are no sooner over, than the abhorred  writing almost useless for the purpose for
ideas of unnatural confinement, and of a con- which it was intended.  I do not mean, by
strained attention to jargon, which to them is these remarks, to insinuate that care and atcompletely unintPlligible, instantly recur, and  tention should not be bestowed, in order to
harass and terrify their imaginations.  The  acquire a neat and accurate mode of writing;
fruitless and pain.ful labours which such pre — but merely to modify that undue degree of
posterous conduct in managing the early edu- importance which is attached to the accomcation of youth produces; are immense, and  plishment of "fine writing," and to impress
truly ridiculous.": P. 448.                  upon the mind this sentiment, that a man may
V. In regard to the art of evriting', which is be possessed of very slender attainments in
chiefly a mechanical exercise, the quality of this art, in respect to elegance, and yet prove
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ABSTkACT ARITHMETICAL INSTRUCTIONS.                            31
a good general teacher; while another may ferent rules are not so simple and interesting
excel in all the ornamental flourishes of pen- to young minds as they might be rendered.
nlanship, and, at the same time, be altogether The practical use of the various operations —
unqualified for directing the young mind in the commercial transactions to which they reknowledge and virtue. I have known parents fer, and the extent and capacity of the weights
and guardians who seemed to consider the and measures about which their calculations
most useful and substantial accomplishments are employed, are seldom appreciated with any
of youth as of little value, while their chil- degree of precision, for want of the original
dren remained in the smallest degree deficient ideas denoted by the terms employed, and for
in the flimsv ornaments of writing, and the want of those models and representations of
higher elegancies of penmanship. In a word, money, weights, and measures, by which they
-to arrest and record the useful ideas which might be illustrated. In many instances, too,
pass through our minds, to communicate them  there is a studied brevity and obscurity, and a
to others, in such well-defined characters, and tendency to puzzle and perplex, instead of
with such external neatness and order as may rendering the operations of arithmetic sinlple
be most perspicuous and easily legible-to ac- and perspicuous. While a young person may
quire a certain degree of facility and rapidity easily be made to perceive the object and
in forming characters and words-and to state meaning of such questions as the followingmercantile accompts with taste, accuracy, and," What is the price of 30 lemons, at twopence
precision-should be considered as the great a-piece." or, " If one pair of shoes cost 5s. 6d.,
objects of the art of writing, beyond which it what will 7 pair of shoes cost?"- he is quite
is of little importance to aspire; though, at puzzled to conceive what is the precise meanthe same time, no individual should be dis- ing of scores of questions arranged in columns
couraged from indulging a taste for elegance in the following manner-497865 a If'.in this department, when it does not absorb 7643984 a 3~d.-46794 a 4'. 7,t. —444766
the attention from more important pursuits.   a 15!. 1 1d., &c. &c. Even although he
VI. With regard to our mode of teaching may happen to perform mechanically the opeArithnmetic, a variety of strictures might be rations intended, he frequently knows nothing
made. This department of scholastic instruc- at all of the principle and object of his calcution, like all the rest, is generally conducted lations. It is true, indeed, the teacher is exin too abstract a manner-too much detached pected to explain the nature and design of
from the objects of sense, and from the pur- such questions; but in a crowded promiscuous
suits of science and the business of human school he cannot afford time to give the neceslife, to which it has a reference. As all our sary explanations to every individual. And
notions on any branch of human knowledge why should it be requisite?  Why should
are originally derived from sensible objects, so not every book on arithmetic be so conspicuour ideas of numbers and their various rela- ous and explicit as to render the meaning and
tions and combinations, must be derived from  object of every question clear and well dethe same source; and consequently, without fined even to the youthful understanding?
a reference to the original objects and ideas And why should not questions, circumstances,
whence the notion of numbers is derived, no and objects, be selected as arithmetical exeraccurate impression of their signification and cises, which are familiar to the young, and
use can be made on the juvenile mind. A  calculated to awaken their curiosity and attenboy may be taught to distinguish the character tion 1  In short, the greater part of our arith9 from the rest of the digits, and yet may re- metical treatises, like our " School Collections,"
main devoid of a distinct conception of the ", English Readers," and " Beauties of Emiidea for which it stands; and in the same nent Writers," are calculated for men of admanner, he may be taught by rote, that 9 + 8 vanced years, instead of being adapted to the
1 17; that 16-9-=7; that 7 times 8 are 56; capacities and the range of thought possessed
and that the quotient of 84, divided by 14, is by boys and girls of from eight to twelve yearl
equal to 6, without attaching any definite con- of age. I might have enlarged to an indefi
ception to such arithmetical processes.-By  nite extent on this topic; but several additional
neglecting to illustrate the fundamental rules remarks may be introduced more appropriately
of arithmetical computation, in a familiar and in the sequel, when I shall take an opportunity
amusing manner, by presenting to the eye the of throwing out a few hints for the improVeprecise objects or ideas which numbers repre- ment of the present system of education.
sent, we leave the young arithmetician to
grope in the dark, and to a vagueness and   In addition to the above remarks, I shall
confusion of conception in all the subsequent now briefly state a few miscellaneous cirlcunt
operations of this useful study.           stances which have a tendency either to imIn most of our elementary arithmetical pede the education of the young, or to iendte
woiks, the questions for exercise in the dif- it disagreeable and irksome.'
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32                ON THE MOBRAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
I. In tfhe first place, in most of our schools srchool.  When a boy is first sent to school,
)oth in town and country-tlhere isc a deplor/lle he is kept in a confined posture for two or
wvant i:f,,ple a(iccooior'lc/esin, a.tod of cco:-v,v- three hours at a time, and generally fbr five
viitnt school furn.iture.  In many cases, a hulln- or six hours in a day. His direct attention to
dred children are compressed into a space his lesson, during all this time, does not perscarcely sufficient for the easy accommodation  haps exceed fiftcen or twenty minutes. During
of one-third of that number, and appear hud- the whole of the remaining hours lie receives
dtled together like a flock of sheep pent up in  no instruc, ion, and either sits as stiff as a
a narrow pen.  Scarcely a passage can be ob- poker, or beconres restless aud noisy, o- sinks
tained for moving frorn one place to another; into steep.  He dares not speak to his comantd - lien one class is about to retire, and  panions for fear of punishment, he cannot,
another is called up, a noise, and jostling, and  without assistance, apply his attention to the
hubbub enlsue. which throws the whole school unknown characters and sounds ihe is set to
into confusion.  The narrow  and unsteady  learn, he cannot amuse hirnself with his windforms on which the scholars are obliged to sit mills and whistles, and consequently, he feels
-the awkward tables-the confined air-and  himrself in a state destitute of enjoyment.
the press and  general disorder which fre- Call it thein be wondered at th t young peoquently occur, all conspire to render the hours ple should so frequently feel an aversion to
devoted to instruction tedious and unpleasant, school, and require to be driven to it as slaves
and to make the school partake something of to their task-work, or as culprits to a jail?  In
the nature of a jail.*  Besides, in most of our such a case as I have now supposed, there is
cities and towns, the school-rooms are gene- no reason why a child should be confined to
rally situated in dark closes or narrow lanes, school bevond half an hour at any one time;
where there is a' sufficiency neither of light and it is a piece of tabsurdlity, and even of
nor of pure air, nor of space for the occa- cruelty, to prolong their confineilent a mosional amusenment of the children, so that ment beyond the limits which are essentially
learning, instead of being connected with  requisite for their instruction; and yet many
cheerful and enliveiiing objects, becomes asso- parents are so foolish as to think  that the
ciated with every thing that is gloomy, dirty, progress of their children ought to keep pace
and disagreeable.  A  school has generally  with the number of hours they are immured
been considered as a "noisy mansion;" and, within the walls of the school-room. Children
as presently conducted, it is next to impossible are not mere machines, whose movements may
it should be otherwise.  There is nothing  be regulated by weights at.d springs; they
which produces greater annoyance to a teacher, must give scope to their natural vivacity
than the humn anti the frequent clamours of a and desire for activity, and must feel, like all
hundred tongues assailing him on every side; other animals, when they are confined to unand wherever such noisy turbulence daily pre- natural attitudes, and cramped in their movevails, it is impossible that a train of rational ments.'T'he tongue-that " unruly member"
instructions can be successfully carried for- among all ranks and ages-cannot be reward.  Of the many causes of noise and con- strainled; the space of twelve inches square,
fusion in schools, I am persuaded this is none  allotted them  for their seat, they will not be
of the least-the want of space and proper confined to; their feet and  limbs will not
accommodation for the various movements, remain in that precise mathematical position
classifications and arrangements, which the which order is supposed to require; neither
business of instruction requires-and the want will their hands remain in the same unvaried
of' separate apartments, or of an ample in- posture as those of a marble statue, but will
closed area around the school, into which a occasionally be pushing, first towards one
portion of the children, even during school- side, and then towards another for the benefit
hours, might occasionally be sent, either for of their companions.  Hence arise noise, disamusement, or for the preparation of their sension, altercation, and disorder-the chief
lessons, so as to prevent the general annoyance  circumstances which render corporal purt sh
of the teacher.                               ment at all expedient in public schools.
2. Another circumstance which tends to    To confine a little boy in school, contrary
make learning disagreeable to the young, is, to his inclination, when no useful purposes
that they are in general colcfiaed too long in  can be served by it, and whein it is productive
of so many inconveniences to the teacher, to
* It may he proper to state, that in these, and the the general interests of the school, and to the
preceditng and subsequent remarks, there is no  boy himself-appears to be the height of folly
particular allusion to Granimar-schools and olther
public semntiuries for instruction in the hi.lher and imprudence, and  must present to the
branches ofedt cltion; ut chliefly to those sclhools  juvenile mind a forbidding pros:pect of the
both in town and * ountry where the class of the
both in town and  ontry where te  ass of te path which leads to the temple of ktnowledge.
community is;!ttempted to be instructed in the
common branches of education.                 Even when children have advanced to thia
32'




SEVERITY TOWARDS THE YOUNG.                                33
~tage in their education where they are capa- appellations to which they are accustomed
ble of preparing their lessons by themselves, under the domestic roof are seldom heard in
it appears improper to confine them  longer the village school; and scolding, threatening.
than their attention can be fixed to their scho- and the detested lash, are too frequently " the.aWic exercises.  Fifteen or twenty minutes order of the day."  While they are sometimes
of unremitting application to their lessons exercised in writing the following sentiment
before and after having been heard by-their on their copy-books, " Cominendation aninmates
teacher in their respective classes, would be the mbied," the voice of r:raise and commendaof more importance, in promoting their pro- tion is shldom  heard resounding fiom  the
gress in learning, than two or three hours desk, because, forsooth, they have not yet
spent in yawning over their books, or devoted, attained to perfection in their behaviour, or in
as is usually the case, to noisy prattle and im- any of their scholastic exercises.  Imperfecpertinence.  Those scholars who are farther tions attach themselves to the performances
advanced, or are engaged in arithmetical or of every human being; but where should we
other processes, may remain during all the find a person grown up to manhood, who
hours usually allotted to scholastic instruc- would not feel indignant at being perpetually
tion. —In throwing out these remarks, I do found fault with in all his operations, and who
not mean to insinuate, that teachers should would not be discouraged in the prosecution'have much less confinement in public schools of his plans, when that portion of praise to
than they now have; I only propose it as a which he is justly entitled is studiously withprinciple, which should generally be acted heldl An assemblage of children in a school
upon, that children should never be confined is a republic in miniature, animated materially
so school a minute longer than is absolutely by the same principles, passions and interests,
necessary for their instruction. And, if this as those which appear in action on the theatre
principle were generally recognized, promis-  of the great world, only directed to inferior
cuous schools would no longer present a objects and pursuits.  They must, therefore,
scene of idleness and impertinence, of noisy  feel indignant at the epithets, the threatenlb.'sle and confusion.  But, whatever may be ings, and the blustering, with which they are
the opinion of teachers on this head, the so frequently assailed, and must also feel that
majority of parents in the present age are injustice is done them, when every trivial
generally in opposition to all such arrange- fault and oversight is magnified into a crime.
ments.                                     And, on the other hand, we know by expe3. The exercise of undue severity towards rience, that nothing contributes more to cheer
the young, and the want of a disposition to be- and stimulate the juvenile mind than to restow cormnmendation where it is due-is another ceive the merited approbation of guardians
circumstance which retards the beneficial ef- and instructors.
fects of education. In every rank and depart-   4. Another circumstance prejudicial to an
ment of human life, mankind are too much accurate and enlightened education, is the
disposed to find fault with the opinions and practice of hterrying children too rapirdly fromn
conduct of others, and to pass a harsh sen- one book to another. In the "Statistical View
tence on the minor delinquencies of their of Education in Scotland," published in the
neighbours; while they are slow in bestowing Christian Instructor during the year 1819, it
their commendation on those  actions and is stated by most of the teachers, that the
qualities which are laudable and excellent. children at their several schools can read the
This disposition, we have reason to believe, New Testament by the time they have been
is too frequently displayed in public semina- one year at school. Nay, some of them assert,
ries of instruction. In many instances, trivial that they can read it in six months, and even
faults are magnified into great offences; cor- during the second and third quarters.*  That
poral punishment is inflicted for slight inad- the New Testament is put into the hands of
vertencies; the terms, blockhead, scoundrel, children at the periods now stated, and that
villain, ass, dunce, numskull, and other de- they are allowed to stammer through it in the
grading epithets, are liberally applied to the best manner they can, is doubtless a fact, atnd
youthful group, because they occasionally a fact which is much to be regretted; but that
give way to their playful humours, or because a child that goes to school at the age of four
they do not thoroughly comprehend what has or five, is able, in ordinary cases, to read the
never been clearly explained to them. When New Testament with any tolerable degree of
their conduct is unimpeachable, they are sim- accuracy and ease, in six, nine, or even in
ply screened from punishment; but the meed twelve months, is altogether incredible. There
of praise for diligence and improvement-  are many passages in this book as difficult to
which has so obvious a tendency to cheer be read as the writings of the generality of
and animate the youthful mind-is slowly   * ee Christian Instructor for Au ust an! Noand reluctantly bestowed. Those endearing vetober, 1819, pp. 561 and 763.
5                                                         (33)




34                ON TIHE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
English autLhors, and, if a boy or girl can  majority of schools, especially in the country
once read it %With propriety and ease, a very  an attempt is made to teach reading, grammar,
little additional practice will suffice to enable writing, arithmetic, book-keeping, mathemahim  to read any other English work.  The ties, Latin, French, and other branches, in the
statements to which I'refer, however, show  same school, by the same teacher, and at the
that the practice of hurrying children from  same time. The consequence is, that none
one book to another, is too prevalent in many  of them is taught with efficiency and accuracy
~of the' parochial scliools of this country, and -which can only be obtained by allotting
must,- onsequeitly, be attended with a train  separate hours for each distinct department
of pernicious effects. I -have seen children  of knowledge, and, if possible, having separate
sent to school with a Testament'int their teachers for each branch of scholastic instruchand, as a class-book, who could not read a tion.  Before this principle, however, can be
single verse,'and could scarcely pronounce followed out to its full extent in country
two or three of the easiest vocables without schools, a variety of arrangements require to
pausing to spell almost every word that oc-'be made, a variety of difficulties and obstruccurred, anid-who, at the same time; appeared tions removed, and a variety of new scholastic
d'eficient in their knowledge of: the characters institutions established-the details of which'of the'alphabet.  Before children can read I shall: postpone to a subsequent section of
such a book as the New Testament, with any  this work.
degree of ease' and- fluency, they must be
tr'ain'ed to the exercise of spelling, ald of'Such is a brief sketch of some of the evils
reading' a variety of appropriate lessons ac- and defects connected with the system of in-commodated to their capacities, till they can  struction which has so long prevailed in this
read a sentence or a paragraph without blun- country.  It treats rational beings as if they'dering or hesitation.:But how is this profi- were mere machines-it presents the formn of
ciency. to-'be''acquired? —how  can a child, education without the substance-it expends
with propriety, be transferred from one spell-'its energies on words instead of things-it rests
ing-book to another, and from one series of in the nieanlrs of knowledge, without prosecutreading-lessons to another, in the space of six ing the end-it stimulates the nmemrloy, and
or eight months   The practice to which I even tortures it, by cramming its compartments
refer seems almost to imply,'that they are with sounds instead of sense, but permits the
conducted at once from a twopenny Primer to understanding to remain in darkness and desothe Evangelical History or the Acts of the lation —itindirectly fosters maltimnzt passions,
Apostles.  A  pupil should be able to read -but leaves the benevolent affections waste and
with ease every initiatory book that is put into uncuitivated —it throws a gloom over the enhis hands before he is transferred to another. joymelts of the young, instead of inspiring
For, by passing with a rapid transition from  them with delight at the prospect of being inone book to another, and to lessons which are troduced to the sublime and interesting scenes
too difficult for his articulation and compre- presented in the temple of knowledge-it
hension, he will be apt to acquire a hesitating conveys a jumble of confused notions into
and a blundering habit of reading; he will be - their minds, but leaves them  ignorant of all
discouraged in his progress; he will seldom  that is grand and ennobling, and interesting
attempt to aim  at accuracy and perfection; to man as a rational and immortal intelligence.
he will appreciate few of the ideas contained In proof of these positions, we need only look
in his lessons; he will seldom acquire even; around: us on the various ranks of society.
the elements of accurate spelling and pronun- Where is there one individual out of twenty:ciation, and will be apt to continue through  to be found, who has his mind enlightened in
life, an awkward, an incorrect, and an injudi- the knowledge of those subjects with which
cious reader.                                every human being, considered as a rational,
5. The last Circumstance I shall mention, social, and immortal being, ought to be ac.
in the meantime, as prejudicial to an accurate  quainted?  Where is there even to be found
and enlightened education, is-'he attenmpt to a relish for useful information and intellectual
teach three or four branches of education at the improvement, among the majority of those
same time.  The principle of the division of who have gone the round of the usual course
labour, and its utility when applied to the- of education  - And where are to be seen the
various departments of art, science, and com- moral effects of our scholastic training on the
merce, are now ftllly appreciated and realized; stage of social and active life.?  Is not ignoand to this circumstance is to be attributed rance still a prominent trait in the great mass
many of the improvements of modern times. of our population?  Do not vice and imanoIn cities and large towns this principle has rality very generally prevail   And are not
also been applied successfully to the art of selfishness and avarice, envy and revenge,
teaching.  But it is well known that in the sensuality and other grovelling affections, still'34)




RESULTS OF INEFFICIENT EDUCATION.                              35
-the diftinguishing characteristics of the ma- general filled with men of learning and talent.
jority of the lower orders, and even of the It is to the system  of teaching,-and not to
higher ranks of society, notwithstanding the the respectable individuals who act under it,scholastic process through which they have that these strictures more particularly refer.
passed? If any individuals in our times have I am  fully aware of the difficulties and the
been excited to the prosecution of rational and opposition which teachers have to encounter
scientific pursuits, the stimulus has been de- when they deviate from the common moderived from other quarters, from other circum- arising from prejudices in favour of established
stances, and from  other institutions.  The practices, the ignorance of parents, and the
greater part of the benefit derived from the foolish and unchristian modes by which many
existing system, consists in a considerable children are trained under the domestic roof.
portion of our population having acquired, to Many of our intelligent teachers perceive the
a certain degree, the art of reading, and, con- evils of the present system, but they are
sequently, the capacity of rendering it subser- obliged, in the meantime, to act under it. In
vient to the acquisition of knowledge, when their individual and insulated capacity, unsupcertain peculiar and favourable circsuemstances ported by public patronage, they cannot rein after life conspire to stiniulate their mental move its essential defects, nor attempt any
activzity, and to produce a relish for reational material or important improvement, in conseenjoy ments. But, it may be affirmed, without quence of the current of popular opinion;
the least hesitation, that there is not one out and their deviation fiom established practices
of twenty of the population who is stimulated, would, in certain cases, tend to injure their
in this way, to rise superior to his grovelling pecuniary interests.  I have known instructors
associates in the scale of intelligence. —Such  of youth who have attempted improvements
considerations evidently show, that the system  similar to some of those above hinted at, who
of instruction hitherto adopted is glaringly were afterwards constrained to throw them
defective and inefficient for the improvement aside, owing to the causes now  specified.  I
of society in knowledge and virtue; —and knew one in particular, who selected the most
must be subverted and new-modelled, if ever simple and interesting reading-lessons, and
we expect to see mankind raised to that rank  caused his pupils to give an account of every
which they ought to hold in the scale of leading idea contained in them-who likewise
moral and intellectual excellence.  Till this attempted to explain the meaning of every
object be accomplished, I verily believe, that, question, Psalm and passage, which was to be
notwithstanding  the  instructions  delivered  committed to memory, and consequently, a
from a thousand pulpits, very little change to very small portion only was prescribed, that it
the better will appear on the face of general might be clearly understood and accurately
society; for the public instructions of religion  repeated.  But this plan could not be endured
are neither understood nor appreciated by the by those who estimate the quantity of instrucone half of our church-going  population, tion by the number of unmeaning lines and
zwing to the deficiency of their moral culture vocables which their children can vociferate.
in the early periods of life. That such a Such persons consider the repetition of three
futile and inefficient system of tuition should  or four pages of mere words without ideas, as
have so long prevailed in this enlightened  of far more importance than the communicaage, as it is generally termed, and that no tion of a hundred well-defined notions.  He
powerful and general exertions should have also caused the children, after their lessons
been made for its improvement, is little short were prepared and rehearsed, to write upon
of a libel on the common sense and the Chris- slates-letters, triangles, parallelograms, and
tianity of our country.                     other mathematical figures and diagrams, in
In throwing out the preceding hints on the order to keep them fully employed while in
errors and deficiencies of the present system  school; and occasionally permission was grantof education, let it be carefully remembered, ed to scratch whatever they pleased on their
that I am far from attaching blame indiscrimi- slates-men, horses, houses, windmills, or any
nately to that respectable body of men who other fancy, as a reward for the attention they
superintend the parochial and other semina- had previously bestowed.  But he was obliged
ries in this country. It is indeed to be regret- to desist from  the prosecution of these and
ted, that there are too many persons employed  other plans, in consequence of " the hue and
as teachers who consider themselves as suffi- cry" which was raised about such "trifling
ciently qualified for the office, if they can  modes of tuition."
write a tolerably good hand and cast accounts.   It is, therefore, pretty obvious, that no geneBut, on the other hand, it is one of the pleas- ral or extensive improvement in the system
ing signs of our times, that the characters and  of education can be expected, till a strong
qualifications of teachers are rapidly advancing  comviction be produced in the minds of the
in respectability, and our public schools are in  intelligent public of the necessity of a more
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36               ON tHE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
rational and efficient system being adopted, connected with scholastic discipline.  As a
and till a powerful and simultaneous move- proof of this I need only appeal to thel ignuo
ment take place among all classes, in order to rance, the prejudices, the foolish opinions and
the erection and endowment of seminaries the wayward passions, which still pervade the
calculated to produce a moral and an intel- greater portion of the inferior ranks of our
lectual education. For many of the principles population, and even of the middling and
which pervade the present mode of tuition higher classes-and the disinclination which
require to be completely reversed, and a system  so generally exists to rational investigations,
organized which shall form the foundation of and to prosecuting the path of mental improvethe future progress of the human race-which ment.
will bear the test of succeeding and enlight-   Much has of late been said on the subject
ened ages-which will render the acquisition of abolishing corporal /,7tnishment in schools;
of knowledge pleasant and desirable to the and it is certainly a highly desirable object,
young-and which will embrace every thing which we should endeavour to promote by
that is interesting to man as an intellectual every means in our power. But we can have
being, as a member of society, and as a candi- little hope that this will ever be fully attai'ed
date for a blessed immortality.           while the present plan of education continues
In the meantime, I am  fully convinced, in operation, and while the majority of children
(however extravagant and paradoxical the sen- are so injudiciously trained, as at present, by
timent may appear,) that the great majority their parents and guardians. If, however, the
of our youth acquire more real and substantial evils complained of in this chapter were reknowledge, during their play hours, and in  moved; if the books which are put into the
their various amusements and intercourses hands of children were interesting and level to
with each other, than they acquire during the their comprehension; if they were taught to
formal process of teaching while in school. understand the lessons they read and commit
At these times they acquire a rude knowledge to memory; if the understanding and the affecof the appearances and qualities of various tions were as frequently exercised as the meobjects; of some of the laws of Nature and mory; if the mechanical drudgery of grammar
its general scenery; of the forms, economy, were postponed to a period when they could
and varieties of vegetables, —of the habits and enter into its spirit and applications; if the
instincts of animals; of the application of processes of arithmetic were more frequently
several mechanical powers; and of the various illustrated by sensible objects and representa
modifications of human temper and action. tions; if interesting experiments and repreTheir games at shuttle-cock, nine-pins, mar- sentations, calculated to illustrate the operations
bles, balls and tops-their exercises in swim- of nature and art, were frequently exhibited;
ming, running, climbing, swinging and jump- if ample and agreeable accommodation were
ing-their visits to museums, menageries, and furnished, both within and without doors; if
other exhibitions'of natural and artificial curi- they were not too long confined in school; if
osities-their views of the shipping, and the a spirit of conciliation on the part of teachers,
operations connected with it in seaport towns and a disposition to bestow merited commen-their occasional excursions to the delightful dation, were generally exercised; if every
and romantic scenes of the country, and the branch of education were taught at separate
daily spectacle of the ebbing and flowing of hours, and the attention of the pupil conm.
the sea, of the sun shining in his glory, and pletely engaged while in school; and if a sysof the moon walking in brightness among the tem of moral training were to form a promine.nt
host of stars-convey to their minds fragments object in the business of education-we have
of useful knowledge, more diversified and good reason to believe that corporal punishpractical, than any thing they acquire from  ment might be almost, if not altogether supertheir catechisms, spelling-books, grammars, seded; and the employment of teaching in
and "English Readers," in the manner in crowded promiscuous schools —-instead of rewhich they are generally taught. In school sembling Paul's' fighting with beasts at Ephe.
they acquire, indeed, the means of knowledge, sus," might become a rational, interesting, and
in being taught the arts of reading, writing, delightful employment, both to the teacher
and arithmetic; but as they are seldom taught and to the scholars.*
to apply these means to their proper ends,
little knowledge is thereby acquired; and, in   *The preceding strictures, chiefly written in
the majority of instances, they depart from  1821, were published in the Edinburgh Christian
school, and pass the remainder of their lives, Instructor, for March 1822, and February 1823
The Author has good grounds for stating, that they
without ever thinking of making the further proved a stimulus to the active mind of its learned
cultivation of their minds even a subordinate Editor, the late Dr. A. Thomson, in exciting to
object of pursuit-glad that they are at length!hose arrangements which were afterwards made
in St. George's Parish, over which he presided,
released from the confinement and drudgery for establishing schools on a more enlightened'(36)




OBJECTS OF EDUCATION.                                      37
CHAPTER III.
Hints in reference to a comprehensive and improved system of Education.
THir education of human beings, considered  with general opinion and practice, is certainly
I its most extensive sense, comprehends every  a very limited and defective view of the sub.
thing which is requisite to the cultivation and  ject  In  the ordinary  mode of our schoimprovement of the faculties bestowed upon  lastic instruction, education, so far from being
them  by the Creator.  It ought to embrace  firnished at the age above stated, can scarcely
every thing that has a tendency to strengthen  be said to have comlsmenced.  The key of knowand invigorate the animal system-to enlighten  ledge has indeed been put into the hands of
and expand the understanding-to regulate  the young; but they have never been taught
the feelings and dispositions of the heart-  to unlock the gates of the Temple of Science,
and, in general, to direct the,rroral powers in  to enter within its portals, to contemplate its
such a manner as to render those who are the  treasures, and to feast their minds on the ensubjects of instruction happy in themselves, tertainments there provided.  Several moral
useful members of society, and qualified for rules and maxims have been impressed on
entering on the scenes and employments of a their memories; but they have seldom  been
future and more glorious existence.  The se- taught to appreciate them in all their bearings,
ries of instructions by which these ends are  or to reduce them to practice in the various
to be attained, ought to be continued, not and minute ramifications of their conduct.
merely for five or six years, or less than the  Besides, although every rational means were
tenth part of the period of human existence-   employed for training the youthful mind till
but d'rirzg the wohole of that inzlerval which lies near the age of puberty, no valid reason can
betw een the cradle and the grave.              be assigned why regular instruction should
It is a very common but absurd notion, and  cease at this early period.  Man is a progreshas been too long acted upon-that the edu- sive being; his faculties are capable of an incation of our youth terminates, or should ter- definite expansion; the objects to which these
minate, about the age of thirteen or fourteen  faculties may be directed are boundless and
years.  Hence, in an article on this subject, infinitely diversified; he is moving onward to
in one of our encyclopedias, education is de- an eternal world, and, in the present state, can
fined to be "that series of means by which  never expect to grasp the universal system
the human understanding is gradually en- of created objects, or to rise to the highest
lightened, between infancy and the period  point of moral excellence.  His tuition, therewhen we consider ourselves as qualified to  fore, cannot be supposed to terminate at any
take a part in active life, and ceasing to direct period of his terrestrial existence; and the
our views to the acqtisitlion of new knowledge course of his life ought to be considered as
or the forvmation of new habits, are content to  nothing more than the course of his education.
act upon the principles we have already ac- When he closes his eyes in death, and bids a
quired."  This definition, though accordant last adieu to every thing here below, he passes
system, both for the children of the higher and the  published; but the substance of what was then
lowver ranks within that district. In the autumn  intended to be communicated will be found in the
of 1823, the author had several conversations with  following pages. The schools established by Dr.
the Doctor, by special request, in reference to this Thomrson, alluded to above, alone with the Edinsubject, in which he unfolded his leading ideas on  burgh Sessional School, under tihe superintendwhat he considered the true principles of eduica- ence of Mr. Wood, are material improvements on
ti:n and the improvements that required to be the usual mode of scholastic instruction, and
introduced, which in general met the D)octor's ap- though deficient in many important particulars,
probation, and appeared to coincide with the views  approximate, in a considerable degree, to the true
he had lately adopted on the subject. IHe showed  intellectual mode of tuition.
the author, at the same time, a variety of natural   The strictures thrown oult in the preceding
and artificial objects, which he had partly pur- pages, more particularly apply to the parochial
chased, and partly received as donations from  and other schools in Scotland, for the instruction
certain benevolent ladies, with the view of intro- of the middle and lower classes; but most of them
ducing them as part of an improved system of are likewise applicable to the general rodes of
tuition which he intended soon to establish; and  tuition in England. Since the period stated above.
urgently requested hin to continue his disquisi- when they were first written, a few schools on
tions on education, in the Christian Instructor, at rmore improved plans, have been established; buit
certain moderate intervals between the appear-  their number does not, perhaps. exceed twenty or
ante  of the different essays, in order that the thirty throughout the wholtr  of North Britain; so
subject might be kept for sonme time before the  that the preceding remarks will still applly to the
view of the public. The intended communica- modes of instruction generally practised in our
Lions, owing to certain circumstances, were never country.
1~               (37)




38'              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
into a more permanent and( expansive sphere of instruction through which he now passes
of existence, where his education will like- has an important bearing on his happiness in
wise be progressive, and where intelligences that state, and his preparations for its employof a higher order may be his instructors; and ments-every system of education must be
the education he received in this transitory glaringly defective which either overlooks, or
scene, if it was properly conducted, will form  throws into the shade, the immortal destinathe groundwork of all his future progressions tion of human beings.
in knowledge and virtue throughout the suc-   If these sentiments be admitted as just, the
ceding periods of eternity.               education of the young must be a subject of
There are two very glaring defects which the highest importance-and there cannot be
appear in most of our treatises on educa- an object more interesting to Science, to Relition. In the first place, the moral tuition gion, and to general Christian society, than the
of youthfuli minds, and the grand principles forming of those arrangements, and the estabof religion which ought to direct their views lishing of those institutions, which are calcuand conduct, are either entirely overlooked, or culated to train the minds of all ranks to
treated of in. so vague and general a manner, knowledge and moral rectitude, and to guide
as to induce a belief that they are considered their steps in the path which leads to a blessed
as matters of very inferior moment; and, in immortality. In this process there is no period
the business of teaching, and the superintend- of human life that ought to be overlookedence of the young, the moral precepts of we must begin the work of instruction when
Christianity are seldom made to bear, with the first dawning of reason begins to appear,
particularity, upon every malignant affection and continue the process through all the sucthat manifests itself, and every minor delin- ceeding periods of mortal existence, till the
quency that appears in their conduct-or to spirit takes its flight to the world unknown.
direct the benevolent affections how to operate   In the following cursory observations, I
in every given circumstance, and in all their shall, in the first place, offer a few general reintercourses and associations. In the next marks on the proper training of the young
place, the idea that man is a being destined to during the earlier stages of life, and afterwards
an immortal existence, is almost, if not alto- illustrate some of the modes of instruction
gether overlooked. Volumes have been writ- which may be proper to be adopted in the
ten on the best modes of training men for the more advanced stages of human existence.
profession of a soldier, of a naval officer, of a It may be proper, however, to premise, that I
merchant, of a physician, of a lawyer, of a have no intention of presenting to the reader
clergyman, and of a statesman; but I know  a detailed system of education, but only a few
of no treatise on this subject which, in con- general hints in reference to the outlines of
nection with other subordinate aims, has for this important subject, and to the principles
its grand object to dAvelope that train of in- on which a system of rational tuition ought
struction which is most appropriate for man to be conducted.
considered as a candidate for immortality.
This is the more unaccountable, since, in the
works alluded to, the eternal destiny of human
beings is not called in question, and is some-           SECTION  I.
times referred to as a general position which
cannot be denied-yet the means of instruc- ox THE EDUCATION OF THE YOUeG DURIING
tion requisite to guide them in safety to their     THE PERIOD OF INFANCY.
final destination, and to prepare them for the
employments of their everlasting abode, are   At the moment a child is ushered into the
either overlooked, or referred to in general world, and first draws into its lungs the atmosterms, as if they were unworthy of particular pheric air, it may be said to commence its
consideration. To admit the doctrine of the education. What its sensations are, when It
immortality of the human soul, and yet leave has emerged from the watery fluid with which
out the consideration of it, in a system  of it was surrounded, and inhales this new elemental instruction, is both impious and pre- ment. it is impossible to determine; but from
posterous, and inconsistent with the principle the sounds which it utters, we may reasonably
on which we generally act in other cases, conjecture that they are attended with pain.
which requires, that affairs of the greatest It struggles and cries-hunger produces all
moment should occupy our chief attention. uneasy sensation-it feels a want-that feelIf man is only a transitory inhabitant of this ing opens its lips, and makes it seize and
lower world, if he is journeying to another greedily suck the nourishing breast of its
and more important scene of action and en- mother. At this period its eyes are generally
joymient, if his abode in this higher scene is dull and languid; it seems to keep them fixed
to be permanent and eternal, and if the course and idle; they want that lustre which they
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PROCESS OF INFANT EDUCATION.                                39
afterwards acquire; and if they happen to in proportion as the range of its perceptions
move, it is rather an accidental gaze, than an is increased.  It tries to climb a stair, and,
exertion of the faculty of seeing.  But, after after repeated efforts, and exertions of hands
some months have elapsed, its vision becomes and feet, succeeds in the attempt; but, when
distinct, its organs are fortified, and it becomes arrived at the top, and wishing to descend, it
susceptible of various impressions from  sur- looks down to the bottom, anld, remembering
rounding objects.  Then the senses of seeing, the falls it formerly experienced, feels a sense
hearing, tasting, touching, and smelling, begin. of danger, and screams for assistance.
to act with a certain degree of vigour; all the    The child (whom we shall now distinguish
avenues to the mind are thrown open; the ob- by the masculine pronoun) now runs about
jeets of nature and art rush in crowds to their through the garden or in the fields, and. perrespective organs of sensation, and engrave ceives a variety of objects and operations. He
an indefinite assemblage of ideas upon the sees a stone thrown into the water, and sink
mind, though perhaps with a certain degree to the bottom; he sees. a piece of.wood or the
of irregularity and confusion.  In this first leaf of a tree fall into the same water, and yet
stage of existence, the various sensations it float on the surface; he amuses himself with
feels, and the multifarious external objects it numberless experiments of this kind, and fiom
perceives, may be considered as so many in- these he gradually acquires his first ideas of the
structors conveying the rudiments of know- specific gravity of bodies.  If he take the stone
ledgd to the infant mind.                    and the wood out of the water, and by chance
As the infant advances in its new career, they fall upon his feet, he learns that the heavier
multitudes of objects of various descriptions body falls with more force than the lighter, from
begin to solicit its attention.  A  thousand the.unequal degree of pain occasioned by the
sounds, of different degrees of intensity, and fall, and has his mind impressed with the idea of
variously modified, strike its ears, producing their unequal hardness and weight. He strikes
various indescribable emotions;. a thousand  a table with a stick, and soon after, a pane of
visible objects of diversified forms and colours window-glass with the same weapon.; he perpresent themselves to his visual organs, pro- ceives the glass broken to shivers, while the
ducing pleasure or pain, desire or aversion. table remains as before, and thus learns the
By insensible degrees it learns to see and to difference between substances that are hard,
hear-to mark the difference between one and those that are brittle, and that some bodies
sound and another, and between one object of are broken with a blow which others can revision and another-to distinguish the form  sist.  He views with pleasure a brilliant light,
and countenance of its mother from those of and ventures to put his fingers to the blazing
other individuals, and to take an interest in  hearth, or to the flame of a candle, but feels
some of the objects which compose the: sur- a sudden sensation of acute pain, which warns
rounding scene.  Being uniformly struck with  him of the danger of using too much familiarity
the same sensations and emotions in the: pre- with fire, notwithstanding its alluring aspect.
sence of the same objects, its memory begins He sees a cow, a dog, or a cat,and. is told its
to be exercised, and it acquires a more accu- name, and, after frequent repetitions, he learns
rate idea, and a more distinct remembrance of to connect the sound with the object which it
them, in proportion to the frequency with  is intended to represent.  He sees a horse
which these objects are presented to view. walking along a road, and afterwards its figure
Its body, in the mean time, gradually expands, as represented in an engraving, and soon
and becomes more firm, vigorous, and alert. learns to recognize the resemblance of the one
It crawls along the nursery or parlour, below  to the other.  In short, every person with~
tables and chairs, examining every object that whom he is acquainted, every individual obfalls in its way, and appears delighted in ex- ject of which he becomes fond-his rattles
erting its muscular powers.  It tries to stand  and his bells, his drums and his whistles, his
erect, and at length to walk; it tumbles and little coaches and his jumping Jacks, may all
rolls on the floor, uttering screams of pain be considered as so many instructors conveyand disappointment.  Numberless and re- ing lessons to his opening mind.-In acquiring
peated falls lead to more caution, and teach it the information such objects are calculated
to endeavour to preserve the equilibrium of to afford, repeated exertions of the mtnderstandits body, and to stand firmly upon its legs; ing must necessarily be made.  The knowand the more frequent and painful the falls, ledge of any particular object, as to its powers
the more instructive they prove, to teach it to and qualities, cannot be supposed to be atbalance its body, and to walk with adroitness taincd without an effort similar to that which
and ease.  Having acquired, after repeated  an adult person must exert, when investigating
exertions, a certain firmness of step, it runs the laws of Nature, and the general economy
from one place to another, eagerly intent upon  of the universe.  For, every thing a child
new objects and pursuits, and feeling a delight sees or hears, in the first instance, all the
(39,




40                ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
marks and characters of Nature, and the infancy, on the future happiness of the indiqualities and operations of surrounding ob- vidual, is much greater, and more extensive
jects, are as much unknown to him  as the in its consequences, than is generally imagined.
sciences of Philology, Mathematics and As- A proper attention to food, climate, cleanlitronomy, to the untutored savage; and, con- ness, air and exercise, may have an important
sequently, require a certain degree of attention effect, not only in developing the different
and reasoning before the knowledge of-them  parts of the body, and strengthening the anican be acquired.                            mal system, but also in invigorating, and callThe little student, however, prosecutes his ing forth into exercise, the powers of the
observations and studies with apparent plea- mind.  We find, in advanced life, that the
sure, and with evident marks of industry, and state of the body as to health or sickness, has
soon acquires pretty correct notions of the a powerful influence on the vigour of the innature and relations both of the inanimate tellectual faculties; and we have reason to beand of the living world. IHe learns to correct lieve that the same connection between the
the illusions to which he was at first exposed physical system and the development of mind
-to distinguish one object from another, and exists in the most early period of life.  A
to exert his memory so as to know them  certain writer has observed that, " as tlie maniagain, and to recognize their general forms festations of mind depend on organization, it
and qualities. It is amazing what a degree is conceivable why even talents and moral
of knowledge a child has thus acquired before feelings depend on the influence of climate
he arrives at the age of two years, or even and nourishment." —In throwing out a few
twenty months.  By this time he has made a cursory remarks on this subject, I shall attend,
thousand experiments on an indefinite variety in the first place, to
of objects, all which he has arranged in his    The fo.nd of Infants. As soon as an infant
mind, and distinctly remembers.  Light and is ushered into the world, Providence has proheat, the properties of fire and flame, of water vided for it food exactly adapted to its situaand air, the laws of projectiles and moving tion. The milk of the mother is at first of a
bodies, things sweet and bitter, soft and hard, thin, watery consistence, fitted to evacuate the
rough and smooth, articulate sounds and the mieconium, and no other substance is found to
objects they denote, sounds soft or loud, agree- be so efficacious for this purpose. Syrups,
able or terrible; horses, cattle, dogs, asses, wines, oils, honey, or'rhubarb, which have
sheep, ducks, birds, butterflies, beetles, worms, been so frequently administered to new-born
the clouds, the sun, moon, stars, and numerous infants, by midwives and nurses, are repugother objects-are all distinguished, and many nant to nature, and are condemned, except in
of their properties and relations indelibly im- extraordinary cases, by every medical practiprinted on the mind. He has acquired more tioner.  Children require very little food for
real knowledge during this short period, than  some time after birth; and what they receive
he generally does, on the present plan of in- should be thin, weak, light, and of a cooling
struction, throughout the' eight or ten suc- quality. After a few days the mother's milk
ceeding years of his lifb: and it is a striking becomes thicker and more nutritious, and
instance of the Benevolence of the Creator, should form the principal nourishment of the
and a prelude of the vast extent of knowledge child during the first three months.  It aphe is afterwards capable of acquiring, that all pears to be the dictate of nature, that every
these acquisitions are not only made without mother ought to suckle her own child, since
pain, but, in the greater number of instances, she is furnished with the proper nutriment for
are accompanied with the highest pleasure this purpose; and nothing but downright neand enjoyment.' cessity should prevent her from undertaking
In the process of instruction, now described, the task, or induce her to have recourse to a
during the first two years of human existence, substitute.  We might tell the mother who,
although Nature is the principal instructress, without necessity, throws the care of her issue
yet she frequently requires to be guided by the upon a stranger, that the admirable liquor
hand of Art; and much is leftto the judicious which the God of Nature has provided for
attentions of parents and guardians, that her her child, may become mortal to her for want
benevolent designs may not be thwarted, and of a discharge, diffuse itself within, gather
that her efforts may be conducted to their pro- and stagnate, or, at least, bring on a dangerper ends. In throwing out a few hints on ous fever-that there is a natural proportion
this point, our remarks may be arranged under between the blood that runs in the veins of a
the following heads-Physical, Moral, and in- child, and the milk it receives from its mother
ellectual Education.                      — that to receive the caresses, to enjoy the
1. The Physical Edu~racation of Infavts.    smiles, and to mark the gradual progress of
her child towards maturity, would be niore
The influence of physical education during than a compensation for all the fatigues she
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INFLUENCE OF AIR AND LIGHT UPON INFANTS.                         41
would undergo in watching over its infant tion, and impregnated with the deleterious
years-that the mutual affection of a mother fumes of sulphur, putrid substances, smoke,
and her child depends, in no inconsiderable dunghills, excrements, and other noxious exdegree, on the child's spending the period of halations, it acts as a slow poison, induces
its infancy in its mother's arms-and that, diseases, and gradually undermines the human
when she substitutes another in her place, the constitution. Hence the propriety of rearing
child naturally transfers its affection to the children in apartments where the air is clear
person who performs the duties of a mother. and dry, uncontaminated with the steam arisBut, before such considerations call have much ing from cooking victuals, and from ironing
weight with the higher classes of society, who linen, and from the breath and perspiration of
chiefly indulge in this practice, their general persons crowded into a narrow  room —and
system of education must be altered and re- the necessity of frequently leading them abroad
formed. The daughters of the nobility and into the open air, to enjoy the light of heaven
of opulent citizens, must be more accustomed and the refreshing breeze. Hence the irlproto the open air and rural employments, and priety of crowding two or three children's
their bodies trained to the bearing of burdens, beds into one small apartment, —of covering
the endurance of severe heat or intense cold, a child's face when asleep, and wrapping him
and to the resisting of danger and fatigue;-  up too close in a cradle, by which means he
in short, they must be educated like the is forced to breathe the same air over and over
daughters of Belhueel and of Laban-the no- again, all the time he sleeps. In great towns,
oles of ancient times-who did not disdain to where the poorer class of inhabitants live in
"keep their father's sheep," and to go "to the low, dirty, confined houses, and narrow lanes,
well of water, with their pitchers on their where pure air has seldom access, the want
shoulders."                                of wholesome air often proves destructive to
As the child advances, he may be gradually their offspring; and those of them who arrive
accustomed to other food besides the milk of at maturity are most frequently weak and dehis mother-beginning with liquids, such as formed. In the improvements now going formilk and sugar, broth, boiled biscuits, thin ward in society, it would be of vast importance
milk pottage, and similar aliments, and then to the health and comfort of the labouring
going on to more solid nutriment, according classes, that such dwellings were completely
to the strength of his digestive powers. The demolished, and for ever prevented from again
younger the child, the less nourishment should becoming the habitations of men.
be given at one time, and the oftener repeated;   In connection with air, the influence of
older children may take more food at once, light ought not to be overlooked. Almost all
and at longer intervals. All high-seasoned, organized bodies require the influence of lighr
salted, and smoke-dried  provisions, tough, for their health, and the full development of
heavy, and fat meats, unripe fruits, sweet- their parts and functions. It changes the
meats, wines and spirituous liquors, are inju- colour of plants and animals, and the comrious to children.  Few things are more so plexion of man. As plants when deprived
than the common practice of sweetening their of light grow pale, and insects confined to
food, which entices them  to take a greater dark places remain white, so those who spend
quantity than is necessary, and makes them  their lives in their closets, or in gloomy ap'artgrow fat and bloated.  All cramming of their ments, acquire a pale and yellowish comstomachs, pampering them with delicate meats, plexion, and many sickly persons become
and guzzling of ale and other fermented liquors, worse about sunset, and during the continuought to be carefully avoided.  Pure water ance of night. Hence the propriety of nursfor drink, plain and simple food-which will ing children in light and cheerful apartments,
never induce them to take more than enough and of carrying them frequently into the fields,
-and abstinence from physic, except in very to enjoy the full influence of the radiant sun.
critical cases, will be found the most judicious And hence it follows, that dark habitations,
means for preserving and confirming the health close and narrow lanes, houses sunk beneath
of children, and invigorating their mental the level of a street, small windows, sombre
powers.                                    walls, trees immediately in the front of dwellNo less attention ought to be paid' to the ings, and whatever intercepts the light of
air they breathe, than to the food with which heaven from  the habitations of men, must
they are nourished. Pure atmospheric air is damp the animal spirits, and prove noxious to
indispensable to the existence of every sensi- the vigour of the human frame.  Whereas,
tive being, for where it is greatly corrupted or a full and uninterrupted view of the beauty,
exhausted, animals languish or die. It may the variety, and the lively colours. of the
be regarded as a universal medicine and resto- scenes of nature, has the happiest effects on
rative, and as the principal pabulum of life. the temper, and a tendency to exercise and
Wherever it is confined for want of circula- invigorate the powers of the mind;-for there
6                                        D 2             (41)




42               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
can be little doubt, that the faculties of the mand particular attention. The nose, likeunderstanding, and the dispositions of the wise, should be  occasionally washed  arnd
heart, which characterize the individual in the thoroughly cleaned; it having been found,
future part of his life, acquire their particular that the unpleasant smell peculiar to some
bias and distinguishing features from the cir- infants, is owing to the habitual neglect of
curmstances in which he is placed, and the cleaning that organ.  Great attention ought
objects with which he is surrounded, in early to be paid to children in regard to their evalife.-It may not be improper to add, that, as cuations; and every thing that may occasion
the eyes of very young children are delicate, dampness, and every kind of offensive matter
they should not at once be exposed to a strong that might adhere to the skin, should be
light; and, when they advance, as they are speedily removed.  As children ale liable to
eager to stare at every thing, particularly at perspire more than adults, frequent change of
a brilliant light, their eyes should be turned their linen is a matter of some consequence;
so as to have the object in a straight line and all parents who can afford it, should give
before them, or their backs turned directly to them clean dry linen everly day. It is as much
it. To allow them to look at it sideways, or the duty of parents to wash and clean their
with one eye, would teach them  a habit of children, as it is to feed and clothe them;
squinting.                                 and children that are frequently washed and
Few things are of more importance to the kept clean, gradually improve in health and
health and comfort of children than cleanliness. vivacity; cleanliness becomes familiar to them,
The functions of the skin are of peculiar im- their spirits are enlivened, and they grow up
portance in the animal system, and have a virtuous, polite, and happy.
great influence in preserving the health and    The Russianls, with all their ignorance and
vigour of the corporeal frame. Through its rusticity of manners, are said to be superior to
millions of pores, the insensible perspiration the more refined English, French, and Geris incessantly flowing, and more than the one- mans, both in a delicate sensibility of cleanlihalf of what we eat and drink is in this way ness, and in the practical use of the bath.  A
discharged. Hence the danger which must foreign gentleman, travelling in Russia, had
arise from frequent obstruction of this essen- hired one of the natives as his groom  or
tial function, from  wet, excrements, dirty postillion.  After having  travelled  several
linens, and every kind of uncleanliness. From  days together in very sultry weather, the
want of attention to this circumstance, various semi-barbarianl, upon his knees, requ6sted his
diseases of the skin, eruptions, catarrhs, employer to grant him leave of absence for
coughs, the itch, obstructions of the first pass- two or three hours, to refresh himself with
ages, and even many fatal disorders, derive the luxury of a bath, which to him was indistheir origin. It is injurious both to the health penabhle, and the want of which he had long
and the virtue of man; it stupifies the mind, felt. —In Russia almost every house has its
sinks it into a lethargic state, deprives him of bath; and the peasants in that country posanimal enjoyment, and of the esteem and re- sess a refinement of sense, with respect to the
gard of others. Whereas cleanliness promotes surface of the body, with which the most
both health and virtue, clears the understand- elegant ladies in other countries seem totally
ing, encourages to cheerfulness and activity, unacquainted.  Even the American Indians,
prevents many loathsome maladies, and pro- who cannot change their furs so frequently
cures the attachment and esteem of associates. as we can do our clothes, put under their
Hence the incessant and minute attention children the dust of rotten wood, and renew
which ought to oe paid to this circumstance, it as often as it becomes damp.
by parents and nurses, in the rearing of the    The clothirg of children likewise requires
young.  Cleanliness in domestic life, may be some degree of skill and attention   This,
considered as one of the cardinal virtues, as indeed, is so simple a matter, that it is sluran essential requisite in the physical educa- prising that persons living in civilized countion of children, and, perhaps, the only pro- tries should ever have erred so egregiously in
vince of parental care in which they can never tegard to it; and yet it is a fact, that many
do too muach. The pores of the skin should  children have been rendered deformed, and
be kept open by washing the body, and others have lost their lives, by the pride and
changi ng the clothes and linen whenever they  folly of their parents in respect to, this circumare unclean.  In the first instance, children  stance. The time has not long gone by, (if
may be bathed in lukewarm water, and after- it have yet passed,) since a poor child, as soon
wards with water of a colder temperature, as as it breathed the vital air, had as many rollers
they are able to bear it. Some parts of the and wrappers-sometimes ten feet in lengthbody, such as the interior of the legs, the folds applied to its body, as if every bone had been
of the neck, the arm-pits, and the parts behind fractured in the birth; and these were often
the ears, which are liable to be inflamed, de- drawn so tight, as to gall its tender frame,
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CLOTHING OF CHILDREN.                                  43
and even obstruct its vital organs-a piece of covered; but as soon as the hair is sufficiently
folly so repugnant to the dictates of nature, long to afford protection, there appears little
that even the most savage nations never corn- necessity for either hats or caps, unless in
mit it; and hence, deformed children are sel- seasons of rain or cold.  By keeping the
domn or never found among them.  By the breast and neck uncovered, they acquire more
weight and pressure of stays, bandages, heavy  firmness, are rendered hardier, and less susand tight clothes, children, who were well- ceptible of being aflbfected with cola.  Besides,
proportioned at their birth, have afterwards a child has really a more interesting aspect,
appeared with flat breasts, high shoulders,, when arrayed in the beautiful simplicity of
crooked spines, and other deformities.  For nature, than when adorned with all the trapwhen a child is cramped in its clothes, it pings which art can devise.  The following
naturally shrinks from the part that is hurt, anecdote, related by Herodotus, illustrates the
and puts its body into unnatural postures: advantage connected with a cool regimen of
and every part of it, even the bones them- the head.  "After the battle fought between
selves, being soft and flexible, deformity, of the Persians, under Carnbyses, and the Egypsome kind or other, is the natural result.  To tians, the slain of both nations were separated;
this cause physicians have ascribed the nu- and upon examining the heads of the Persians,
merous instances of children dying of convul- their skulls were found to be so thin and tensions soon after their birth.                der, that a small stone would immediately
The general rule which reason suggests, in perforate them; while, on the other hand, the
regard to the clothing of children is —" That heads of the Egyptians were so firm, that they
a child have no more clothes than are neces- could scarcely be fractured by the largest
sary to keep it warm, and that they be quite stones."  The cause of this remarkable differeasy for its body."  In conformity to this ence was attributed to the custom  of the
rule, the dress of children should be simple, Egyptians shaving their heads from earliest
clean, light, and cheap-free, wide, and open, infancy, and going uncovered in all states of
so as neither to impede the vital functions, nor the weather; while the Persians always kept
the free and easy motions of the body, nor their heads warm by wearing heavy turbans.
prevent the access of fresh air, and be easily    Attention ought likewise to be paid to the
put on or taken off.  The following cut ex- proper covering of the feet.  It is scarcely
necessary for children to use shoes before they
are a year old; or if they do, the soles should
be thin and soft. The form  of the human
foot is such, that, at the toes it is broad, at the
heel narrow, and the inside of the foot is
longer than the outside-a form  which is
evidently intended by Nature to enable us to
stand and walk with firmness and ease.  It is
therefore a dictate of nature, that shoes should
be made in the same form as the feet, and be
sufficiently roomy for the toes to move with
ease; and in order to this, they must be
formed upon two separate lasts, corresponding
to the right and the left foot.  How shoes
came at first to be made tapering to a point at
the toes, almost like a bodkin-how  highheels became the darling fashion of the ladies
" —~ ~' ~/~-   - -and how a small foot came to be reckoned
genteel-I pretend  not to  determine; but
hibits the simple dress of a little girl.-Pins certainly nothing can be more absurd and
should be used as little as possible, and the preposterous.  Such opinions and practices,
clothes chiefly fastened with strings, which  along with many others which abound, parwould prevent the occasional scratching of ticularly in the fashionable world, have a
their tender skins, and those alarming cries direct tendency to counteract the benevolent
which so frequently proceed from this cause. intentions of Nature, and are nothing short
Such a light and simple dress would induce  of an attempt to arraign the wisdom  of the
children to live with less restraint in the society Creator, in his arranging and proportionating
of each other; and check that silly pride, which  the different parts of the human frame-as if
leads them to ape the fashions of their supe- puny man, by his foolish whims, were capable
riors, and. to value themselves on account of of improving  the workmrnship of Infinite
the finery of their clothes.  During the first Intelligence.-The  following figures (taken
montlls, the head and breast may be slightly  from  Dr. Faust) plainly show the absurdity
(43J




44               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
of the shapes which have been given to shoes. excuse for allowing her children to wallow in
Fig. 1. shows the original shape of the sole of dirtiness.
the left foot. Fig. 3. shows how the sole of   We may next offer a remark or two on the
the left shoe ought to be formed,-and Fig. 2. sleep and exercise of children. The exercise
shows clearly that the shoes usually worn, of the corporeal faculties is essentially necesand made on one last, cannot correspond to sary to the health, the growth; and the vigour
the natural shape of the foot. If they taper of the young. The desire of exercise is intowards a point, the large toe, and some of deed coeval with our existence, which is
the small ones, must be crushed and pressed plainly indicated in the delight which children
against each other, causing pain to the wearer, take in beating with a stick, crawling along a
and producing corns.  The simplest and most floor, or climbing a stair, as soon as they are
accurate mode of taking the true measure and able to make, use of their hands and feet. It
form of shoes, is, to place each foot upon a is, therefore, the duty of parents to regulate
sheet of paper, and then draw its shape with this natural propensity, and direct it to its proa pencil, to which two separate lasts should per end. VVhen children are very young,
nearly correspond, after having ascertained they may be exercised by carrying them about,
the curve of the upper part of the foot.   giving them a gentle swing, encouraging them
3              1           2           to move their hands and feet, talking to them,
alluring them to smile, and pointing out every
1    l-                    1 08         b HOFF (I  N  thing that may please and delight their fancy.
ll  \lllllllU  \ When they first begin to walk, the safest me1!                     Il I  ____'  |lll me  MiiII~l~athod of leading them about, is by taking hold
a~Il  l                        111  9|l  I  ~of both their hands; and when they fail, they
should never be lifted up by one part only,
such as by one hand or one arm, as luxations,
or loosening of the joints, may be occasioned
1~~li~~l! 1 |1\/1l'h         by this practice. The practice of swinging
them in leading-stiings, is sometimes attended
~i~~. [t/At                       with hurtful consequences.  It induces them
to throw their bodies forward, and press their
With regard to the clothing of children, in whole weight upon their stomach and breast,
general, it is the opinion of Dr. Faust, that, by which their breathing is obstructed, and
from the beginning of the third, to the end of their stomach compressed. Whenl they are able
the seventh or eighth year, "their heads and  to walk with ease, they should be encouraged
necks must be firee and bare, the body clothed to run about in places where they are not exwith a white shirt, and  frock with short posed to danger, to exert their hands and
sleeves, the collar of the shirt to fall back limbs, and to amuse themselves in the comover that of the frock, with the addition of a.pany of their associates. When they cannot
woollen frock, to be worn between the shirt go abroad, they may be exercised in running
and the linen frock, during winter, and that along a room or passage, or in leaping and
the fbet be covered only with a pair of socks, dancing. A certain eminent physician used
to be worn in the shoes."  Such a cheap and to say, "that he made his children dance, insimple dress, if generally adopted, would un- stead of giving them  physic."  When chlildoubtedly be beneficial to mankind in general, dren fall, or get into any difficulty in the
and tend to promote the strength, beauty, and course of their movements, if they are in no
graceful attitudes of children,-and, at the danger, we should never be forward to express
same time, check the foolish propensity of our condolence, or to run to their assistance,
parents to indulge their children in flimsy but leave them to exert their powers, and to
ornaments and  finery, beyond what their scramble the best way they can, in order to
means can afford.'At present, children are extricate themselves fiom any painful situafrequently muffled up with caps, hats, bonnets, tions in which they may have been involved.
cravats, pelisses, frills, muffles, gloves, ribbons, By being too attentive to them, and appearing
and other paraphernalia, as if they were to be too anxious, in such cases, we teach them to
reared like plants in hotbeds,-so that the be careless of themselves; —by seeming to reshape and beautiful proportions which Nature gard every trifling accident which befalls them
has given them can scarcely be distinguished. as a dreadful calamity, we inspire them with
I shall only add, that the dress of children timidity, and prevent them  from acquiring
ought to be kept thoroughly clean; as dirty manly fortitude.
clothes not only gall and fret their tender   With regard to the sleep of children, it is
skins, but tend to produce disagreeable smells, universally admitted, that they require far
vermin, and cutaneous diseases; and no mother more than persons of adult age; and the
or nurse, however poor, can have any valid younger the child, the more sleep he requires
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MORAL INSTRUCTION OF INFANTS.                              45
An adult requires only about seven hours in they are expressed with the greatest precision
the twenty-four; but very young children re- and accuracy which their organs of articulaquire double that number. However long tion will permit. Attention to this circumthey may happen to sleep, they should never stance would smooth the way to accurate and
be suddenly awakened.. It is dangerous in early reading, and prevent much tiouble both
the extreme to lull them  asleep by doses of to teacher and scholar, when the child cornlaudanum, or other soporific medicines, as is mences a regular train of instruction.
frequently done by mercenary and indolent   I have been induced to offer these few hints
nurses.  In order to induce children to repose, on this subject, from a strong conviction, that
they are generally rocked in cradles; but there the physical education of children is intimately
is no absolute necessity for resorting to this connected with the development of mind-and
expedient.  If they are constantly kept dry that whatever tends to promote health, and to
and clean, and accustomed to fresh air, and strengthen the animal frame, will also tend to
not frequently disturbed, they will sleep corn- invigorate the soul, and call forth into exercise
fortably and soundly without any violent agita- its energies and powers.
tion. Some of my own children were never
in a cradle, a!sd yet they were far more easily    2. On the Moral Instruction of Il)fants.
managed, in respect to sleeping, and watching,
and other circumstances, than those of them    This is a subject of peculiar importance, to
who were accustomed to it; and many similar which the attention of every parent ought to
instances, were it expedient, could be brought be early and thoroughly directed. No duties
forward.  But if they are to be rorked in cra- are generally more trifled with than those
dles, it ought to be with the greatest gentle- which relate to the moral tuition of infants;
ness. The violence with which children are and even sensible and pious parents too fresometimes rocked, jumbles their brain, and quently err on this point, and lay the foundamakes them uneasy, giddy, and stupid, and is tion of many bitter regrets and perplexities in
consequently injurious, both to body and mind. after life, both to themselves and to their
If the practice of rocking, however, were alto- offspring.  On the mode in which a child is
gether laid aside, it would be a great relief to trained, during the two or three first years of
mothers and nurses, and afford them more un- its existence, will, in a great measure, depend
interrupted leisure for the performance of other the comfort of its parents, and its own happidomestic employments.-As it is viewed by ness during the succeeding periods of its exsome to be hurtful and dangerous for mothers. istence.
to take their infants with them to bed,-in    The first and most important rule on this
Italy, mothers who do so, use a machine, subject, and which may be considered as the
which protects them from all injury and dan- foundation of all the rest, is-that an absolute
ger. It is called arcuccio, and is 3 feet 2  and entire authority over the child, should, as
inches long, and the head-board 14 inches early as possible, be established. By authority
broad, and 13 inches high.                 I mean, a certain air and ascendant, or such a
I shall only observe further, on the subject mode of conducting ourselves towards chilof physical education,-that, when children dren, as shall infallibly secure obedience. Th:s
begin to lisp out a few words, or syllables, authority is to be obtained neither by age net
great care ought to be taken to give them an stature-by the tone of the voice, nor by
accurate aYn  distinct pronunciation.  Every threatening language; but by an even, firm.
sound we wish them to pronounce, should be moderate disposition of mind-vwhich is always
slowly and,list'irmctly uttered before them, be- master or itself-which is guided only by reaginning with single sounds, and proceeding to son-and never acts under the impulse of
easy words; and they should never be taught mere fancy or angry passions. If we wish
any pronunciation which they will afterwards such authority to be absolute and completebe under the necessity of unlearning.  The and nothing short of this ought to be our
pleasure we feel at first hearing them aim at aimn-we must endeavour to acquire this asthe use of language, is apt to dispose us to cendancy over the young at a very early
listen with such attention, as to relieve them  period of their lives.  Children at a very early
from the necessity of acquiring a distinct and age are capable of reasoning, of comtlaring
open articulation. The consequence is, that different objects with each other, and of drawthey get into a rapid, indistinct, and hesitating ing conclusions from them. I have seen a
mode of speaking, which is afterwards very child of eight months turn round and point
difficult, and sometimes impossible to correct. at a portrait, when the name of the individual
Would we teach them a plain and distinct whom  it represented was announced; and
articulation, we should uniformly speak with another, not much older, point first to the urilistinctness and accuracy in their presence; ginal and then to the painting, indicating its
and refuse to A.nswer their requests, unless perception of the resemblance if the on,' to
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46               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
the other.  And as the rational and perceptive having literally practised this method myself
powers soon begin to operate, so we find that that I never had a child of twelve months old
stubbornness, obstinacy, anger, and a spirit of but would stffer me to take any thing from
independence, display themselves at a very him or her, without the least mark of angel
early period, even when the child is sucking or dissatisfaction, while they would not sufrfe
its mother's breast.  " What mean those cries, any other to do so without the bitterest com.
(says Augustine,) those tears, the threatening plaints."
gesture of the eyes, sparkling with rage, in an    Such experiments, if properly conducted,
infant, when resolved to gain his point with would gradually produce in children habits of
all his force, or inflamed with jealousy against obedience; but they require to be managed
one another?  Though its infantine members with judgment and prudence, and gradually
are weak and imbecile, its passions are some- extended from one thing to another, till abso.
times strong and furious.  I have seen a child lute submission is produced; care, however,
burning with jealousy. He could not yet utter being taken that the child be not unnecessarily
a word, but, with a pale countenance, could contradicted or irritated.  The Rev. Mr. Cecil,
cast a furious look at another child who was in some of his writings, relates an experiment
sucking with him at the same breast."        of this kind which he tried on his own daughThese circumstances clearly point out the ter, a little girl of about three or four years
period for subduing the bad inclinations of old.  She was standing one day before the
children, and training them to submission and fire, amusing herself with a string of beads,
obedience.  From  the age of ten or twelve with which she appeared to be highly demonths, and earlier if possible, every parent lighted.  Her father approached her, and said,
ought to commence the establishment of autho- " What is this you are playing with, my little
rity over his children; for the longer it is de- dear?" " Mybeads, papa." "Show me these
layed after this period, the more difficult it beads, my dear."  She at once handed them
will be to bring them under complete control. to her father, who immediately threw  them
This authority is to be acquired —not by pas- into the fire.  "Now," said he, "let them resionately chiding and beating children at an  main there."  She immediately began to cry.
early age-but by accustoming them  to per- "You must not cry, my dear, but be quite
ceive that our will must always prevalil over contented."  She then sat down on the floor,
theirs, and in no instance allowing them to and amused herself with some other toys.
gain an ascendancy, or to counteract a com- About two or three days after this, he purmand when it has once been given.  Dr. chased another string of beads much more
WMitherspoon recommends the following plan  valuable and brilliant, which he immediately
to accustom children to obedience: —" As soon presented to her.  She was much delighted
as they begin to show their inclination by de- with the appearance of the new set of beads.
sire or aversion, let single instances be chosen, " Now," said her father, " I make a present
now and then, (not too frequently,) to contra- of these to you, because you was a good girl,
diet them.  For example, if a child shows a and gave me your beads when I asked them."
desire to have any thing in his hand that She felt, in this case, that obedience and subhe sees, or has any thing in his hand with  mission to her parent were attended with happy
which he is delighted, let the parent take it effects, and would be disposed, in her future
from him; and when he does so, let no con- conduct, to rely on his wisdom and affection.*
sideration whatever make him restore it at Children trained in this way, with firmness
that time. Then, at a considerable interval, and affection, soon become happy in themperhaps a whole day is little enough, let the selves, and a comfort to their parents; and
same thing be repeated. In the meantime, it those scoldings, contentions, and sounds of
must be carefully observed, that no attempt discord, so frequently heard in the family manshould be made to contradict the child in the sion, entirely prevented.
intervals. Not the least appearance of opposi-   In order to establish complete authority,
tion, if possible, should be found between the  and secure obedience, the following rule must
will of the parent and that of the child, except be invariably acted upon-that no commald,
in those chosen cases when the parent must either by word, look, or gesture, should be giver.
always prevail.  Neither mother nor nurse  which is nzot intended to be enqforced aend obeyed.
should ever presume to condole with the child, It is the rock on which most parents split, in
or show any signs of displeasure at his being infantile education, that, while they are almost
crossed; but, on the contrary, give every mark
of approbation.  This experiment, frequently   * This relation is not taken directly fiom Mr.
repeated, will in a little time so perfectly ha- Cecil's writings. If I recollect risht, it was inbituate the child to yield to the parent when- tended to illustrate the nature of fait; hilut it may
ever he interferes, that he will make no likewise exenplifytle  henefits wlllch flow from
e unreserved obedience to the commands of an affecopposition. I can assure you from experience, tionate parent.
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IMPORTANCE OF ACQUIRING AUTHORITY.                                47
incessantly giving commands to their children, with screaming, in a short time he drops
they are not careful to see that they are punc- asleep.  The same process is repeated, when
tually obeyed; and seem to consider the occa- similar circumstances occur.  Now, it is adsional violation of their injunctions, as a very mitted that there is a difficulty in such cases;
trivial fault, or as a matter of course.  There but it is a difficulty which must be overcome,
is no practice more common than this, and if we would not become slaves to our children,
none more ruinous to the authority of parents, and render them  disobedient and unhappy
and to the best interests of their offspring. through life.  Were a mother, for a few days,
When a child is accustomed, by frequent repe- or weeks at most, to make a strong effort, and
titions, to counteract the will of his parent, a to sacrifice for a little her own ease, and even
habit of insubordination is gradually induced, some urgent business, and never flinch from
which sometimes grows to such a height, that the object till complete submission be accomneither entreaties, nor threats, nor corporal plished, she would soon gain the requisite
punishment, are sufficient to counteract its ascendancy; and, having acquired it, it would
tendencies; and a sure foundation is laid for save her from  a multitude of troubles and
many future perplexities and sorrows. The perplexities, which must otherwise be felt
rule, therefore, should be absolute-that every  during succeeding years-prevent the necesparental command ought to be enforced. And, sity of scolding, threatening, and whippingin order to this, it is requisite that every com- and lay a sure foundation for domestic harmand be reasonable-that a compliance with mony and filial affection.  But the longer she
it produce no unnecessary pain or trouble to delays, the more difficult it will be to acquire
the child-that it be expressed in the words the requisite ascendancy; and the mother who
of kindness and affectiorn —and that it ought trifles with this important duty, from  day to
never to be delivered in a spirit of passz.an or day, lays the foundation of many bitter regrets
resentnmentt.  Reproof or correction given in a and self-reproaches — renders her children
rage, and with words of fury, is always con- curses instead of blessings-and will, sooner
sidered as the effect of weakness and of the or later, feel the effects of her misconduct, and
want of self-command, and uniformly frustrates behold her sin in her punishment.
the purpose it was intended to subserve.  "I    The violation of parental authority, espehave heard," says Dr. Witherspoon, "some cially among the children of the lower ranks,
persons often say, that they cannot correct is so common, that it ceases to excite wonder
their children unless they are angry; to whom  or surprise. One can scarcely walk the streets
I have usually answered,' Then you ought without seeing parental authority disregarded.
not to correct them at all.' Every one would  A father is beheld with a whip or a stick in his
be sensible, that for a magistrate to discover hand, driving home his stubborn son, as if he
an intemperate rage in pronouncing sentence were " a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke"against a criminal, would be highly indecent; and a mother running after her child, with
and ought not parents to punish their children  looks of fury and words of execration, seizing
in the same dispassionate manner?"          him by the shoulders, beating him with her
One of the greatest obstacles in the way of fists, and dragging him  along like a piece of
acquiring complete authority, is the ovantooffor- lumber, while the little urchin is resisting
tl,(!de and perseveranlce, especially on the part with all his might, and bellowing like an ox.
of the mother.  She is sometimes oppressed  A short time ago, I was passing along the
with anxieties and difficulties, busied with do- suburb of a large town, when I beheld a child
mestic affairs, or perhaps has a young infant of about three years old amusing himself on
at the breast that requires her chief attention, the footpath before his dwelling.  His mother
or strangers may have paid a visit to the approached the threshold, and called him  in.
family.  Her older child becomes restless and " Come awa', Jamie, to the house, it's a cauld
fretful, and runs through the dwelling, disturb- day."  Jamie paid no attention to the coming every one with his cries.  She tries to mand, but moved with the utmost deliberation
coax him with flattering promises; but it is tc q greater distance.  "Come awa'," says his
of no avail. He is perhaps crying for some- mother a second time, "and I'll gie ye some
thing which she does not think proper to give. good thing."  James, however, marched on
She at length scolds and threatens, and at- to a still greater distance.  " Come back,
tempts to strike, which generally makes the Jamie," rejoined the mother, "and I'll gie ye
child redouble his cries.  Wearied out, at an apple."  James paused for a moment, and
length, with his cries and tears, and anxious looked back with a kind of leer; but, recollectto attend to' some necessary affairs, she allows ing, perhaps, that his mother had often proherself to be vanquished, and submits to his mised, and failed in performing her promises,
desires.  Sugar, jellies, or plumcakes, are sup- he set off with more speed than before.  His
plied' to pamper his depraved appetite, and mother now became vociferous, and bawled
put an end to his crying; and, being exhausted  out, "Come back, you little villain, or I'll
(47)




48                ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
whip you, as sure's I'm alive."  James. how- he came as he was bid; but when his father
ever, who appeared to have known his mother pointed to the first letter of the alphabet, and
better than she knew herself, still marched on. said,' What letter is that, John?' he could
The foolish  mother now  became furious, get no answer.  John looked upon the book,
rushed after the child, and dragged him home sulky and silent.'My son,' said the father
like a squeaking pig, lamenting that her chil- pleasantly,'you know the letter A.'' I candren were so stubborn and disobedient; and not say A,' said John.' You must,' said the
forgetting, in the meantime, that she herself father in a serious and decided tone;'what
was their instructor, and the cause of their letter is that?' John refused to answer. The
obstinacy and disobedience. Children brought contest was now  fairly commenced. John
up in this manner aie not only unhappy in was wilful, and determined that he would not
themselves, but not unfrequently become pests read.  IHis father knew  that it would be
in society, and particularly to the public in- ruinous to his son to allow him to conquer,
structors of youth, who find it extremely diffi- he felt that he must at all hazards subdue
cult, and sometimes next to impossible, to him. He took him  into another room, and
bring them  under control and subordination  punished him.  He then returned, and again
to scholastic order and discipline-without showed John the letter; but John still refused
which their progress in learning cannot be to name it. The father again retired with his
promoted.                                    son, and punished him  more severely.  But
Some, children, even in the same family, it was unavailing.  The stubborn child still
are pliant and of tender feelings, and are refused to name the letter; and when told
easily brought under subjection by a judicious that it was A, declared that he would not say
parent; while others are naturally proud, self- A. Again the father inflicted punishment as
willed and obstinate.  But even in the worst severely as he dared to do it, and still the
supposable cases, it is quite practicable, by  child, with his whole frame in agitation, refirmness and prudent management, to bring fused to yield. The father was suffering with
the most stubborn under subjection.  This most intense solicitude. He regretted exceedmay be illustrated from  the following fact, ingly that he had been drawn into the contest.
extracted from  an excellent little work, enti- He had already punished his child with a
tied " The Mother at Home, or the Principles severity which he feared to exceed; and yet
of Maternal Duty familiarly Illustrated; by  the wilful sufferer stood before him, sobbing
the Rev. John S. C. Abbot, of Worcester, and trembling, but apparently as unyielding
America."*-" A  gentleman, a few  years as a rock.  I have often heard that parent
since, sitting by his fireside one evening, with  mention the acuteness of his feelings at that
his family around him, took the spelling-book, moment; his heart was bleeding at the pain
and called upon one of his little sons to come which he had been compelled to inflict upon
and read. John was about four years old. his son. He knew that the question was now
He knew all the letters of the alphabet per- to be settled, who should be master; and after
fectly, but happened at that moment to be his son had withstood so long and so much,
rather in a sullen humour, and was not at all he greatly feared the result.  The mother sat
disposed to gratify his father. Very reluctantly  by, suffering of course most acutely, but perfectly satisfied that it was their duty to subdue
* While I was writing the preceding paragraphs, the child and that in such a trying hour, a
this interesting little volume was put infto my
hands,-a volume whi(h I would strongly recom- mother's feelings must not interfere.  With a
mend to the perusal of every parent. Its style is heavy heart, the father again took the hand
simple and perspicuous, its sentiments rational of his son, to lead him  out of the room  for
and pious, and are uniformly illustrated with a
variety of appropriate examples taken from real further punishment; but, to his inconceivable
life-so that the most ignorant and illiterate may  joy, the child shrunk from enduring any more
easily enter into all the views and representations suffering, and c
of the author, and feel their propriety and force.
Were the principles inculcated in this small The father, with feelings not easily conceived,
volume universatlly recognized and acted upon, took the book and pointed to the letter.'A,'
the aspect of the moral world would, ere long, said John, distinctly and fully.   And what is
undergo an important change, and a new generation would soon spring ulp, to renovate the world, that?' said the father, pointing to the next
and to hail the commencement of the millennial letter.'B,' said John.'And what is that?'
era. The amiable author himself appears to be  C,' he continued.'And what is that?'
an affectionate and "Grateful Son;" for, instead
of attempting to curry favour with the great, by pointing again to the first letter.'A,' said
dedicating his work to the Earl of F., the Duchess the now  humbled child.'Now  carry the
of G., or the President of the United States, he book to your mother, and teller wht the
very appropriately dedicates it to his "Father andthe.Mother," of whom he speaks with affectionate re- letter is.'' What letter is that, my son?' said
gard. The volume is very neatly got up, contains his mother.'A,' said John.  He was eviabove 140 pages, pretty closely printed, and is dently perfectly subdued.  The rest of tile
sold, neatly bound. for only one shilling; so that dently p
it is within the reach of the poorest family.  children were sitting by, and they saw the
(48)




IMPORTANCE OF ADHERENCE TO TRUTH.                                  49
contest, and they saw where was the victory; perverted, but the moral powers are corand John learned a lesson which he never rupted;-falsehood, deceit, a revengeful disforgot: he learned never again to wage such  position, cruelty towards the lower animals,
an unequal warfare-he learned that it was superstitious opinions and vain alarms, are
the safest and happiest course for him  to indirectly fostered  in  the  youthfill mind.
obey."                                        Even the pictorial representations which are
The conduct of the parent, in this case, so exhibited to children in their toy-bocks, too
far from  being branded with harshness or frequently partake of this character.  The
cruelty, was the dictate of mercy and love. sun and moon are represented with human
Had the son been permitted to obtain the faces, as if they were small and insignificant
mastery, it might not only have proved his objects, and partook of the nature of animated
ruin through life, but have produced a spirit beings.  Peacocks  and  cranes, -foxes  and
of insubordination among the other branches squirrels, cats and mice, are represented in
of the family.  The only fault which, per- the attitude of speaking and of holding conhaps, may be attributed to the father, in the versation with each other, as if they were
present instance, was his insisting on his son rational beings endowed with the faculty of
pointing out the letters when he happened to speech.  A  monkey is represented as riding
be in a " sllen hmiour."  But, after the con- on a sow, and an old woman, mounted on a
test was commenced, it was indispensable to broom, as directing her course through the
the happiness and order of the family, that air to the moon.  Even when real objects are
victory should be obtained on the part of the intended to be depicted, such as a horse, an
parent.  And this circumstance suggests the elephant, or a lion. they are often surrounded
following rule,-that, When children happen and interwoven with other extraneous objects,
to be in a frecfitl or sulky humour, any dis- so that the principal figure intended to be exagreeable commea7nd- or injutnction that is not hibited can scarcely be distinguished. Hence,
indispensable, ougrht to be avoided; for it is most of our books intended for the nursery,
best to prevent collisions of this kind, at a convey little else than vague and distorted
time when children are disposed to " summon  views of the objects of nature and the scenes
up all their energies to disobey."            of human life, and are nothing short of trifling
Another important maxim  in infantile in- with the ideas that ought to be distinctly
struction is, that no!hing, be told or represented exhibited to the infant mind.-  If children
to rhildren buzt what is strictly accordant wuith were permitted to imbibe no ideas but what
treth.  This maxim is violated in thousands are true, or accordant with the existing scenes
of instances by mothers and nurses, to the of nature, their progress in useful information
manifest injury of the moral principles and would be rapid and sure, and its acquisition
the intellectual powers of the young.  The  easy and pleasant. But, as matters now stand,
system of nature is frequently misrepresented, one of the most difficult parts of education conand even caricatured, when its objects are sists in counteracting the. immoral principles
pointed out to children; qualities are ascribed  and erroneous ideas which have been imto them which they do not possess; their real pressed upon the mind in early life-which,
properties are concealed, and even imaginary  in many cases, requires arduous and longinvisible beings, which have no existence in  continued efforts.
the universe, are attempted to be exhibited to   It has a still more pernicious effect on the
their imagination.  The moon is sometimes moral principles of the young, when false
represented as within reach of the child's assertions and representations are made to
grasp, when he is anxiously desired to take them  in reference to facts and circumstances
hold of it; a table or a chair is represented as
an animated being, when he is desired to   * A considerable degree of knowledge may be
strike it in revenge, after having knocked his communicated to the young by means of pictorial
exhibitions; but in order to this, they must bie of
head against it; a dog or a cat is represented  a different description from what is found in most
as devoid of feeling, when he is encouraged  of our school-books and publications intended for
to beat or whip these animals for his amuse- the nursery. Instead of caricatures, and indistinct
groups of objects unnaturally huddled together,
ment; certain animated beings are represented  every object ought to be neatly, vividly, and accuas a nuisance in creation, when a boy is per- rately engraved, and the priiicipal figures well demitted to tear asunder the legs and wings of fined and detached from mere adventitious accompaniments; and, if possible, coloured after nature.
flies, or directed to crush to death every worm  The best little hooks and figures of this descripor beetle that comes in his way; and the  tion I have seen, are most of those published by
shades of night are exhibited as peopled with  Darton and Harvey, London, entitled "Instructive
fints," "The prize for (:ood Children," "Little
spectres, when a child is threatened with a Truths for the Instruction of Children," &c. &c
visit of a frightful hobgoblin from  a dark  in which the scenes of human life are neatly and
apartment  In these and similar instances, accurately exhibited, and accompanied with many
instructive lessons adapted to the capacities of
ouit only is the understanding bewildered and youth.'                                            Ea              (.49




50               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
of a moral nature. How common is it, for ing stranger?  And whom will he hereafter
example, for a mother to cajole a child into most readily believe?  It ought, however, to
obedience by promising him an article or a be remarked, that, had the child been propel ly
gratuity which she has no intention of be- governed, he would, at once, and without a
stowing, or which, perhaps, it is out of her murmur, have taken what his mother prepower to bestow!  She is about to take a sented."
walk, or to pay a visit, and little Tom wishes   Hence the following practical rules may he
to go along with her. This proposal his deduced: —Never attempt in any instanre t.
mother thinks proper to refuse. Tom begins deceive the young. How can a parent, with
a crying, and attempts to assail his mother by any consistency or hope of success, inculcate
his tears.  She tries to cajole him, by telling upon a child, that'it is wicked to tel1 a false.
him she will bring home to him apples and hood,' when the child perceives his parenr
oranges, a little coach and four, a fiddle, a setting before him, in his own conduct, an ex
drum, or a fine new jacket.  Little Tom, ample of this vice?.  Such conduct necessaperhaps, is somewhat appeased by such flat- rily leads a child to distrust his parents, t,,
tering promises. His mother leaves home, despise them in his heart, and to practise him
pays her visit and returns, but forgets her self the same arts of deception. —Never ntak
promises, as she never intended to fulfil them. a promise to a child which is not intendFd to be
The same thing is frequently repeated, till at punctually pejiformed; —and-Never threaten
length the child learns that no dependence a punishment which is not intended to he in.
is to be placed on the word of his parent. flicted.  Children have better memories in
There can scarcely be a more direct way than regard to these things than what we are apt
this of training children to prevarication and to suspect, and they draw their conclusions,
falsehood, and exciting them to view with con- and act accordingly. A proper consideration
tempt their parents and guardians.-Such de- of these things will point out the propriety of
ceptions are very commonly attempted, when  beisn very cautious and circumspect as to wihat
children are urged to take nauseous medicines w7e pronise and what we threaten is. resecrt to
for the recovery of their health.  The loath- the young,-if we sincerely wish them to resome drug is represented as pleasant, or in spect truth, and be submissive to their supenowise unpalatable, till the child tastes it, riors and instructors.
and finding it offensive to his palate, spits it   Another rule to be attended to in infant
out, and absolutely refuses to take any more education, is, that-we should b)eware of inof the draught-while, at the same time, he dulgaing the habit of incessantly finding fault
clearly perceives that he has been deceived. with. children. The same principles and feelMr. Abbot relates the following story, illus- ings which operate on adult minds are genetrative of this point:-"A  mother was once rally found to affect, in a similar manner, the
trying to persuade her little son to take some minds of the young. When a man is conmedicine. The medicine was very unpalat- tinually found fault with, in every operation
able; and she, to induce him  to take it, he performs-when his most minute deviations
declared it did not taste bad. He did not from accuracy are censured and exaggerated,
believe her. He knew, by sad experience, and his prominent excellencies overlooked, and
that her word was not to be trusted. A gen- refused their due meed of praise, he becomes
tleman and a friend who was present took the disheartened in his'pursuits, and feels little
spoon and said,'James, this is medicine, and stimulus to improvement; whereas, the beit tastes badly. I should not like to take it, stowment of deserved approbation animates
but I would, if necessary. You have courage the mind, and exc:ites to more assiduous exerenough to swallow something which does not tions. In like manner, children are discoutaste good, have you not?''Yes,' said James, raged in their aims to please their parents and
looking a little less sulky,'but that is very guardians, when fault is found with almost
bad indeed.'' I know it,' said the gentleman, every thing they do; but there is nothing that'I presume you never tasted any thing much  tends more to cheer and animate the mind of
worse.' The gentleman then tasted of the a child, and to produce a desire of pleasing
medicine himself, and said,'It is very un- his parents, than the hope of receiving the
pleasant. But now let us see if you have not due reward of his attentions, and the smile
resolution enough to take it, bad as it is.' and approbation of those whom he is taught
The boy hesitatingly took the spoon.'It is to love and obey. Many little irregularities
bad,' said the gentleman,'but the best way in the conduct of children, if they be not diis to summon all your resolution, and down rectly vicious, or acts of disobedience, must
with it at once, like a masl.' James made, in be overlooked; or if they are reproved, it
reality, a great effort for a child, and swallowed should be as seldom as possible, and with genthe dose. And whom will this child most re- tleness and affection. We should always be
spect, his deceitful mother, or the honest-deal- more ready to express approbation, and to re




VANITY SHOULD BE COUNTERACTED.                              51
ward good conduct, than to chide and frown strict attention to every thing that is said, and
at every trivial fault that may be committed drinking in with pleasure the flattering exthrough thoughtlessness and inattention. And pressions bestowed upon them.  One should
it is surely more delightful to the heart of an never speak in the presence of children about
affectionate parent to have his children excited any thing which he does not wish them to
to good conduct from the desire of pleasing know, if they are above fifteen or twenty
and the hope of reward, than merely from a months old. It is amazing how soon children
fear of offending. But when children are become acquainted with the meaning of lanalmost incessantly scolded-when, after en- guage, even before they are capable of exdeavouring to do the best they can, they are pressing their ideas in words, or entering 1: pon
told that they never do any thing right-that a regular conversation.  " A little child," says
they are stupid asses-that they will never be Mr. Abbot, " creeping upon the floor, and who
made to learn-that they are continually could not articulate a single word, was regiving us trouble and vexation-that they are quested to carry a piece of paper across the
like no other children, and that we will give room, and put it in a chair. The child perover attempting to teach them,-such disheart- fectly comprehended the direction, and crept
ening remonstrances, when daily repeated, across the room, and did as he was told. An
tend to chill the susceptible hearts of the experiment or two of this kind will satisfy
young, to sour their dispositions, and to render any one how far a child's mind is in advance
them indifferentto making improvement either of his power to express his ideas; and yet
in knowledge or virtue.  On the other hand, when a child is three or four years old, parents
nothing tends more to promote filial affection, will relate in their presence shrewd things
cheerful obedience, a spirit of improvement, which they have said and done, and someand to cherish the best feelings of the human times even their acts of disobedience will be
heart, than the prospect of well-merited ap- mentioned with a smile!"-Another circumprobation, and the hope of reward.         stance by which pride and self-conceit are
Every child should be snare to see and feel excited in the breasts of the young, is, the
the natural consequences of his condtuct, whether conduct of parents in exhibiting the acquiregood or bad:-and the punishments and re- ments of their children to strangers, and to
wards he receives should be of such a nature almost every visitor that happens to call. Litas to make him perceive the unhappy tendency tle Ann has been taught to repeat by rote a
of thoughtless and obstinate tempers, and the few verses of a Psalm or Hymn, and Andrew,
happiness which invariably results from obe- a little more advanced in years, has learned
dient submission, and the exercise of amiable Sempronius' "Speech for War," or a piece of
dispositions. There are certain natural and an old play.  Although they know nothing
moral laws which cannot be infringed by any of the meaning of the pieces they have comone without his feeling the consequences of mitted to memory, and cannot, perhaps, annex
their violation; and this holds true in the a single idea to the words they pronounce, yet
case of children, as well as in that of adults. their mamma is so enraptured with their atVWhen a child rushes heedlessly into a room, tainments, that when any visitors happen to
without looking before him, he is almost cer- call, or a party is assembled, she introduces
tain of getting a fall, or knocking his head them to the company, and encourages them
against a table. When he climbs on the back to spout in their presence, sometimes to their
of a chair, when he approaches too near the no small disgust and annoyance.  Of course
grate, amuses himself with a firebrand, or every one pats them on the head, and praises
handles, without caution, knives and forks- them for the exhibition they have made, while
he is certain, sooner or later, by various pains they eagerly catch the words of approbation,
and accidents, to feel the consequences of his to nurse their latent vanity and self-conceit.
conduct;'and in such cases he should be Such exhibitions, when frequently repeated,
made distinctly to perceive the connectzon  be- cannot but have an injurious effect on the
tween his fault and his punishment.        youthful mind. Pride and self-conceit, howBut, in the next place, although we should ever common in society, are so odious, and so
beware of constantly finding fault with chil- inconsistent with the character and circumdren, we must carefsilly guard against every stances of man, that instead of fostering such
thing that might excite them to vanity and  unamiable principles, every exertion should
self-conceit.  We encourage such vicious pro- be made to check their growth, and counteract
pensities, when we expatiate on their good their influence. And modesty and humility
qualities to visitors, and praise them  for the are so amiable, and so congenial to beings so
excellent things they have said or done, while ignorant and depraved as man,-who is but
they themselves are standing by, and eagerly  an atom in creation, and stands near the lowest
listening to the conversation. At such times point of the scale of intellectual existence-.
we are apt to forget, that thev are paying that every thing ought to be carefully guarded
t51,




52               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
against that would prevent their culture, and being killed by being thus frightened.  The
every mean used which has a tendency to parents had gone out to what is called an
cherish and promote them.  I do not mean evening party. The servants had their party
to insinuate, that it is improper, in every in- at home, and the mistress, who, by some unstance, to exhibit the attainments of children; expected accident, had been brought home at
but it should be done with judgment and cau- an early hour, finding the pailour full of comtion, so that it may produce no immoral effects, pany, ran up stairs to see her child, who was
or be the means of adding to the impudence about two or three years old. She found it
and self-conceit which too much abound in with its eyes open, but fixed; touching it, she
the world. The practice of teaching children found it inanimate. The doctor was sent for
to repeat, like parrots, what they do not un- in vain; it was quite dead. The maid affected
derstand, ought to be entirely discarded. The to know nothing of the cause; but some one
best exhibition of a child's attainments would of the persons assembled discovered, pinned
be, to make him read a passage from any of up to the curtains of the bed, a horrid fiu,.re,
his toy-books, and give the meaning of the made up partly of a frightful mask! This,
words, and an account of the facts or senti- as the wretched girl confessed, had been done
ments it contains.                         to keep the child quiet, while she was with
To the rules on this subject, already stated, her company below. It is surely unnecesmay be added the following: —Never attenmpt sary to add more, in order to deter parents
to frighten children to their ditty by presenting and servants from practices fraught with such
to their fJincy terrific objects, anid exciting ima- dangerous and appalling consequences.  Let
ginary alarms.  This rule is violated, when children be inspired both with physical and
frightful hobgoblins are represented as having moral courage. Let them  be taught, that
been seen in darkness, and during night, and there is nothing more frightful in the dark
when foolish tales of fairies, witches, and ap- than in the light of day, except the danger of
paritions, are gravely related to children. And, knocking against any object we do not perwhen their minds are thus stuffed with con- ceive. Let them be accustomed, at times, to
fused ideas of imaginary objects, they are be in the dark, both in company and alone, in
afterwards frightened into obedience by the the house, and in the open air, when there is
terror of some of these visionary beings sud- no danger of meeting with accidents. Let
denly making their appearance. Darkness is them be taught, above all things, to love God
thus associated with terrific phantoms, and and fear him; and that they need not be
children are sometimes thrust into dark and greatly alarmed at whatever may befall them
narrow rooms, to make them cease their cry- from any other quarter.
ing, or to frighten them into obedience. It is  In practising the rules now laid down, and
not uncommon to hear nurses, and even fool- in every branch of domestic education, it is a
ish mothers, threatening to send for the " bllck matter of the first importance, that fathers and
man," with cloven feet, and horns on his mothers, nurses and servants, shomldd act ins
head-to cut off their children's heads, to toss harniony in the commands and instructions
them out of a window, or to send them to the given to children.  When a foolish mother,
black-hole. Such a mode of frightening chil- from a mistaken affection, indulges her children into obedience, not only lays the founda- dren in their vicious humours and impertinent
tion of superstitious notions, and renders them  whims, and is careless whether or not parental
afterwards cowards in the dark, but is some- authority be respected-it is next to impossible
times attended with the most tragical effects. for a father, however judicious his plans, to
An English writer, says Mr. Abbot, gives an maintain domestic order and authority, and to
account of two instances in which fatal con- " train up his children in the way they should
sequences attended the strong excitement of go."'rhe altercations which not unfrequently
fear. He says, "I knew in Philadelphia a happen between parents, as to the mode of
child, as fine and as sprightly, and as intelli- managing their offspring, and that, too, in the
gent a child, as ever was born, made an idiot presence of their children, subvert the very
for life, by being, when about three years old, foundations of family government, and enshut into a dark closet by a maid-servant, in danger the best interests of those whom they
order to terrify it into silence. The thought- profess to hold dear. Little John has, perless creature first menaced it with sending it haps, been for some time in a sulky humour;'to the bad place,' as the phrase is; and at he has struck his sister, torn her frock, and
last, to reduce it to silence, put it into the tossed her doll into the fire, and obstinately
closet, shut the door, and went out of the refused to comply with some parental comroom. She went back in a few minutes, and mands. His father wishes to correct him for
found the child in a fit. It recovered from  his conduct, which his mother endeavours to
that, but was for life an idiot."-It is not long prevent. Punishment, however, is infl;cted
since we read in the newspapers of a child corresponding to the crime; but the silly mo(52)




INTELLECTUAL INSTRUCTION OF INFANTS.                            53
ther, instead of going hand in hand with her scene, and gradually presenting new objects
husband in maintaining family order,-ex- to his attention.  When he has tnus acquired
claims against the severity of the correction, some knowledge of the most interesting oband, taking the child in her arms, caresses jects which compose the scene around him, he
him, and condoles with him on account of the may be desired to point out any particular obpain he has suffered-plainly indicating to the ject when its name is mentioned.  Supposing
child that his father had acted towards him  him  in the fields, or on the banks of a river,
with cruelty and injustice.  Wherever such let him be desired to point to a tree, a sheep,
conduct frequently recurs, domestic order is or a boat, if such objects are within view;
overthrown, the moral principles of the young  and by this means, he will become gradually
corrupted, deceit and  hypocrisy cherished, familiarized with the scenery of nature, and
filial affection undermined, and a sure founda- the terms by which its various parts are distion laid for many future perplexities and sor- tinguished.  His attention may also be dirows. However much parents may differ in rected to the sky, not merely for the purpose
opinion about certain principles, or modes of of distinguishing its objects, but for tracing
conducting family affairs, it ought never to be their motions. Let him be taken to a certain
displayed in the presence of their children: point, where he will observe the rising sun,
and, for the same reason, parents ought never and, on the evening of the same day, let him
to speak disrespectfully of' any teacher they be brought to the same position to behold his
employ, while their children are listening to setting, and let him be taught to mark the diftheir remarks, whatever may be the private ferent direction in which he sets from that in
opinion they entertain respecting his qualifi- which he arose; from which he will naturally
cations or conduct.                         conclude, that motion, of some kind or other
has taken place. In like manner, about twi3. On the Intelleclutel Instruction of Infants.  light, when the moon begins to appear, let
him be directed, from a certain station, to
In regard to the intellectual instruction of mark her position in the heavens with respect
infants, I have already thrown out a few cur- to certain objects on the earth over which she
sory remarks, and shall afterwards illustrate appears, and before going to bed, let her be
more particularly a few principles applicable viewed from the same station, and the different
to this subject. In the meantime, the follow- positions in which she then appears pointed
ing brief hints may suffice.-As the senses out.  Such observations will pave the way
are the primary inlets of all knowledge —every  for more particular instructions on such subobject, within view, in the system of nature, jects, as he advances in years.
which has a tendency to convey a new idea,   In the same manner, artificial objects of
should be distinctly presented to the eyes of various descriptions, as windmills, tables, sofas,
a child. He should be taught to contemplate candlesticks, hammers, scissors, organs, pianoit for some time with steadiness and attention, fortes, clocks, watches, globes, telescopes, mil
and the sound or name by which it is distin- croscopes, &.c., may be exhibited, and some of
guished frequently repeated to him.  In order their uses explained. It might not be improgradually to enlarge the sphere of his infor- per to give a child of two years old a lesson
mation, the objects more immediately around  of this kind every day, —making it a rule to
him may, in the first instance, be separately have, if possible, some new object to exhibit
and distinctly pointed out, uniformly acconl- to him at every lesson, and occasionally recurpanying the name with the exhibition of the ring to the objects to which his attention was
object. He should next be occasionally led formerly directed, that they may become still
into the fields, and to the banks of a river, the more familiar to his mind.-In communicating
margin of the ocean, and a seaport, if such to children the names of the various objects
places lie adjacent, and his attention directed of nature and art, all improper pronunciations
to the most prominent objects connected with and ditlinuttives ought to be avoided-such as
those scenes; care being taken not to confuse dogeie, cattie, horsie, chairie, instead of dog,
his imagination with too many objects at one cat, horse, chair. It should be considered as
time.  Perhaps it may be sufficient to confine an important rule of infant education- that a
his attention to about three or four objects at child should never he taught any pronunl.:iation,
a time-such as a house, a tree, a cow, and a or any sentimrnent, opinion, or idea whatever,
horse.  To these his attention should be par- zwhich he will oflerwards he obliged to unlearrn.
ticularly riveted, so that the idea of the object Were this rule universally attended to, inconand its namle may be inseparably connected, nection with the hints now suggested, the
and indelibly impressed upon his mind. After- path to knowledge would be rendered smooth
wards, other objects, as a ship, a boat, a spire, and easy-every day would increase the ideas
a flower, the clm.uds, &c., may, in the same which tend to enlarge the capacity of the inmanner, be presented to his view, varying the fant mind-the way for regular scholastic inl
E 2            (53)




54               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
struction would be thoroughly prepared-as priate remarks level to his comprehension,
the youth advanced towards manhood, his The figures of objects may be represented
kllowledge and perceptions, if properly di- by pieces of wood or pasteboard cut into the
rected, would increase with his growing years shapes of squares, parallelograms, triangles,
-and, as no limits can be affixed to the ex- trapeziums, circles, ellipses or ovals, and other
pansion of the human mind, he may go on to mathematical figures, which would gradually
increase his perceptions and intellectual enjoy- impress the names and characteristics of such
ments to an indefinite extent, not only during figures upon his mind, and tend to facilitate
the fleeting periods of time, but throughout his progress in the scholastic instructions that
the ages of eternity.  But, in the present may be afterwards imparted.  His idea of
state of infant training, a very considerable length, measure, or distance, may be rendered
portion of our scholastic instructions must somewhat definite, by presenting to him pieces
consist in counteracting the impressions which of wood of the length of an inch, a foot, a
have been previously received.             yard, and a pole, and causing him to notice
After various objects of nature and art have how many lengths of the one is contained in
been presented to the view of a child, in con- that of the other; and the idea of the specific
junction with the names by which they are gravities of bodies may be impressed, by causdistinguished-their qualities should next be ing him to lift a weight of brass or cast iron,
pointed out and illustrated.  Objects are either and another, of nearly the same size and
animated or inanimated, vegetable or mineral, shape, made of light wood. The sonaorous
hot or cold, rough or smooth, hard or soft-  qualities of bodies may be exhibited by making
black, blue, green, yellow, or white-round, him strike a small hand-bell with a key or a
oval, square, triangular-high, low, long or piece of thick wire, and immediately aftershort, &c. Several properties such as these wards, an egg-cup, or any small dish made
can easily be illustratred to children by familiar of hard wood. The various odoriferous smells
examples. To convey an idea to a child that connected with the vegetable kingdom may
fire is hot, he may be presented with a piece be communicated by presenting to his nosof iron, and caused to feel it; it may then be trils, in succession, a rose, a bunch of thyme,
put into the fire till it become just as hot as a of balm, of peppermint and of southernwood.
person may touch it without danger, and then Such experiments and  illustrations of the
desire the child to put his finger upon it, qualities of bodies may be varied and multiwhich will convince him of the nature of that plied to an indefinite extent; and as they
property which resides in the fire-the epithet form  the foundation of all knowledge, and
cold being applied in the first case, and hot, may be rendered subservient to the child's
in the last. To illustrate the ideas of rough- amusement, they ought not to be considered
ness and smoothness, he may be made to press as unworthy of our attention.
his hand along an unhewn stone, and the top    Many useful ideas might likewise be comof a mahogany table. Seven small boards or municated to infants by means of engra vings;
pieces of card paper, painted with the seven especially in relation to objects which cannot
primary colours of light, red, orange, yellow, be directly presented to their view. Foreign
green, blue, indigo and violet-occasionally animals, such as the elephant, the lion, the
exhibited for his amusement, in connection buffalo, the camelopard, the monkey, the
with these terms, would soon teach him  to dromedary and camel, may be in this way exdistinguish the prominent colours of natural hibited-and also domestic animals, as the
and artificial objects; and, when he is led into cow, the horse, the ass, the dog, &c.-as chilthe fields and gardens, he should be induced dren feel a considerable degree of pleasure in
to apply his knowledge of colours by naming being able to trace the resemblance between
the prominent colour of every flower or shrub pictures and the objects they have seen, when
that may be presented to him. The qualities accurately represented in engravings. Foreign
hard and soft may be illustrated by making scenes, as towns, churches, bridges, mauso.
nim press his finger upon a stone or a bar of leums, triumphal arches, rural landscapes,
iron, and upon a piece of clay or a lump of mountains, volcanoes, cataracts, lakes and other
dough.  The property of light in enabling us objects, when accurately delineated, may liketo discover the forms and colours of objects wise tend to expand the conceptions of chilmay be shown, by closing the window-shut- dren, and give them an idea of objects which
ters, or putting out a candle under night, and their own country does not exhibit. Various
then desiring him  to name the objects and objects of art, as ships, boats, windmills, towers,
colours he perceives;-and the correspond- spires, lighthouses, coaches, wagons, smiths'
ence of the organ of vision to the rays of anvils, forges and hammers, weavers' looms,
light may be impressed upon his mind by &c., may also be thus exhibited. One of the
blindfolding him for a minute or two,-and  most pleasing and useful modes of exhibiting
accompanying such exhibitions with appro- real objects by means of pictures, is that of
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INTELLECTUAL INSTRUCTION OF INFANTS.                               55
viewing perspecti ve prints of streets, towns, goat-there's the dromedary," &c. The figure
villages and rural landscapes, by means of the of a compound microscope was next exhioptlcal diagonal ml(chine; of which I shall, bited, which he readily named; and several
in the sequel, give a short description.  In hours afterwards, a microscope of the same
exhibiting objects to a child through the me- construction as represented in the engraving,
dium of engravings, it may be proper, in the was placed before him, which he immediately
first instance, to present to him only one ob- recognized and named, and then turned up
ject, well-defined and disconnected with every the engraving where its figure was delineated,
adventitious circumstance, as a man, a horse, marking the resemblance between the one and
a nmaltaitia, or a Iree, so that he may acquire the other.  The same experiments were made
a correct and well-defined idea of the particu- with a terrestrial globe, an orrery, a telescope,
lar object exhibited.  Afterwards, a landscape a clock, a watch, and various other objects.
in which these and other objects are embodied  He was next desired to point to several artimyv be laid before him, and he may be desired cles in the apartment-the table, a chair, the
to point out the individual objects of which it tongs, the shovel, the poker, a map, a portrait
is composed, when their names are mentioned. of a friend whom he knew, and other objects,
It is almost needless to remark, that the pie- which he at once recognized and distinguished.
tures contained in most of our nursery and Several engravings of landscapes were then
toy-books, are altogether unfitted for the exhi- presented to his inspection, when he was rebitions to which I allude. They are generally  quested to point out the men, women, trees,
mere caricatures, and are little short of an in- ships, houses, &c., of which they were comsuit to the yotmng, both as to the objects they  posed; which  he did  with  pleasure, and
most frequently represent, and the manner in without hesitation, pointing his little fi sers
which they are represented. Engravings, cal- to different parts of the scene, and saying,
culated to convey instruction, should be on  "There's a dog-there's a man-there's a
a moderately large scale-every part of the house-there's a tree," &c.  I next led him
object represented should be accurately de- into the garden, and placed him in a proper
lineated —no objects should be placed in awk- situation for viewing the surrounding objects.
ward oronnatural positions-and they should, I first asked him  to point to a windmillin most cases, be coloured after nature, care there being one, and only one, in view.  He
being Inken that they be not daubed with fan- looked around for a few seconds, and, after
tastic or too glaring colours-a fault which fixing his eyes on the object, and pointing
attaches to most of our pictures intended for with his finger, exclaimed  with  pleasure,
children.  A series of engravings exhibiting  " There's windmill"-and, looking at it with
all the prominent scenery and objects of na- steadiness for a few seconds, said with a kind
ture and art, on a cheap plan, and properly  of surprise, "No going round;" which was
classified and arranged for the purpose now  actually the case, as there was no wind.  He
specified, is still a rlesderatunm.          was next desired to point out a flower, a tree,
While writing the above hints, I hadl an  a cow, a ship, and other objects, which he at
opportunity of trying the experiments now  once distinguished with the same facility.
suggested, on a fine little boy, a friend of my    The desire of this little boy for the exhibiown, about two years old.  Little Tom was tion of new objects, especially as represented
first presented with the plates of a book of by pictures, was almost voracious.  After
Natural History, and desired to name the spending several hours in succession, in exlion, the elephant, the camel, and about twenty hibiting to him  several hundreds of plates
or thirty other animals when their figures of different encyclopedias, and books of trawere pointed out, which he did without the vels, he was still unsatisfied, called for more
least hesitation.  The plates were then put books, and seemed to forget both hunger and
into his hand, and he was desired to turn up  sleep. He recollected, with considerable accuany particular animal when its name was racy, the prominent objects that had been prementioned, which he accomplished with con- sellted before him  in these engravings; and,
siderable facility. A sheet, containing about therefore, when a volume containing plates,
sixty engravings of birds, quadrupeds, and which he had already seen, was again prefishes, where the different kinds of animals sented, he pushed it away, and requested
were grouped without any order-was next another.  Every morning, as soon as he was
laid before him, when he was requested to dressed, his first request was, " See more picpoint out a particular animal, when its name tures-you please;" and, leading me into the
was given, which he also did, in almost every room where the books were kept, pointed to
instance, after casting his eye up and, down, the particular volumes he wished to inspect.
and across the engraving, and, when he had  Even his cravings for breakfast seemed to be
hit on the object, he pointed to it with exulta- forgotten, amidst the delight with wrlil ne
tion, saying, "There's the lion —there's the contemplated new exhibitions of nature and
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56                ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
art. The varieties of animated nature seemed  pressions he had previously received.  And
to afford him the greatest degree of pleasure; in order to accomplish this end, it is requisite,
but every striking and well-defined object, of that servants, nurses, and every other person
whatever description, which he had never connected with a family, be specifically inseen before, particularly arrested his attention. structed as to the manner in which they
The exhibition of perspective views, through  ought to conduct themselves towards children,
the optical diagonal machine, where the ob- both in their words and their actions,-and
jects appear as they do in nature, afforded  strictly looked after, that nothing be said or
him  a high degree of gratification, while he done inconsistent with the rules of parental
described, in his own way, the different parts tuition.-At the period of life to which I now
of the scene.-These circumstances evidently refer, it would be almost preposterous, to
demonstrate the innate principle of curiosity, pester the child with learning the characters
or desire for knowledge, implanted in the in- of the alphabet, or the uninteresting sounds
fant mind, which only requires to be judi- of b a, ha, b i, bi, b o, bo; unless it can be
ciously regulated, and a series of interesting  done purely in the way of amusement.  For
objects exhibited, in order to raise the human  a child is generally disgusted with every thing
soul to the highest pitch of intellectual im- given him as a lask, and which is not accomprovement. They also indicate the vast capa- panied with  pleasing emotions.  It is quite
city of the mind for receiving an indefinite time enough, at the age of four years, in ordivariety of ideas-the pleasure associated with nary cases, to instruct a child in reading his
their acquisition-and the boundless desires native language; though, before this time, he
after new and varied scenes and enjoyments, may speak it with considerable correctness,';'ch evidently point to a higher state of and acquire an indefinite number of ideas.
existence, where they will be fully gratified.    And when he has once seriously commenced
In stating the above circumstances-which  his scholastic  instructions, they should be
to some readers may perhaps appear trifling-  associated with every thing that may have a
my intention is not to insinuate that the childl tendency to render them  interesting and dealluded to is superior to others of the same lightful-a principle which ought to be kept
age. Every child, whose physical and mental in view throughout all the subsequent departpowers are in a sound state, is capable of ments of education.
making the same acquisitions, and feeling the    I have enlarged farther on the subject of
same enjoyments; provided due care be taken infant education than I at first intended, from
to direct the principle of curiosity into a pro- a strong conviction of its primary importance
per channel, and to supply it with proper ob- to the improvement of society in knowledge
jects. Some children, in consequence of their and virtue.  If domestic training, during the
physical organization, may have more vigour three first years of human existence, be either
of intellect than others; they may feel highly  trifled with, or not conducted on rational and
gratified with some objects and pursuits, and moral principles, the arrangements in regard
indifferent towards others; but they have all, to their future education will be to a certain
substantially, the same faculties, and the same degree frustrated.  The habits acquired, and
desire for the acquisition of knowledge, in one the impressions made upon the mind of a
shape or another, when its objects are pre- child, during this period, may have an influsented, in an interesting manner, to their ence on his improvement and happiness, not
view.-Such exhibitions as I have now de- only in the present world, but throughout the
scribed ought not to be viewed as mlere au.,lse- whole of that endless existence to which he is
ments.  While they gratify the mind of a destined.*
child, and increase his enjoyments, they also
embody a train of useful instructions, which    * It gives me pleasure to learn, that the subject
lay the foundation of mental activity, and of of infant education is now beginning to excite
more attention than it has hitherto received; parall those improvements he may afterwards ticularly by the establishment of MJltcrslal.dssomake during the future scenes of his exist- ciations. The first maternal institution appears to
ence, whether in the present life, or in the'have originated with Mrs. Payson of Portland,
province of Maine, North America, about 1815.
life to come. And, if this be admitted, it will A maternal association was first organized in
evidently appear to be a matter of considerable Utica, in 1824. It commenced with eight memilnportance-that nothing but useful and cor- bers; but it appears from the Report of 1833, that
it now consists of above a hundred.  Similar
rect ideas be imparted to the infant mind, and  associations were formed, about the same time,
that care be taken that every thing that is in Boston, New England, and at Hartford, and
whimsical, fanciful, or inconsistent with ex- theyenhe  andelybeenal organized in GlastAo
Greenock, and several other towns in Great
isting facts, be excluded from juvenile instruc- Britain. Their object is to diffuse information mn
tion, so that a child may never afterwards have relation to the best methods of training tmp chiloccasion to strugle with youthful prejudices, dren in knowledge and moral habits, and promot.
occasion to struggle with youthful prejudices, ing their best interests. both in respect to the
or to'ullteract any of the instructions or im- present life and the life to come. For accomplisbftes




INFANT SCHOOLS.                                      57
CHAPTER IV.
On Infant Schools.
NoT many years ago, it would have been  general aspect and phenomena of the atmnos.
deemed romantic, and even absurd in the ex- phere and the heavens-to impress their milids
treme, to have attempted the establishment of with the existence of a Supreme Being, of
seminaries obr the instruction of infants of the  their continual dependence upon him, of his
age of eighteen or twenty months, or even of Goodness, Power, and Omnipresence, and of
two or three years.  But such institutions the duties they owe him-to teach thent the
have not only been attempted, but actually  fundamental maxims and rules of the Chrisestablished to a considerable extent in various tian system, and make them  reduce them to
States both in Europe and America, and have practice-to train them to kindness and affecbeen attended with the most delightful and  tion towards one another, to habits of cleanbeneficial effects.  Children, at a very early  liness, neatness, and regularity in all their
period, as formerly noticed, before they have movements, and to conduct themselves with
acquired the alphabet of any language, are moral order and propriety, both in the school,
capable of receiving a very considerable por- the play-ground, and in their domestic assotion of mental instruction.  They possess the ciations-in short, to develope all the intelfive senses, in nearly as great perfection as lectual and moral powers of the mind, at a
those of mature years; and it is through the much earlier period than has hitherto been
medium  of these senses that all our know- deemed expedient, in order to prevent the
ledge, whether historical, philosophical, or growth of vicious habits and false opinions,
religious, is acquired.  Children possess, in a and to prepare them  for all the subsequent
high degree, the desire of invelly and the instructions and  scenes of action through
principle of Curiosity-faculties intended by  which they may afterwards pass, that they
the Creator to stimulate to the prosecution  may become blessings, instead of curses, to
of knowledge; and it is only requisite that the world, and rise up in wisdom and knowwe direct the operation of these faculties in a ledge, and in favour with God and with man.
proper channel, and present interesting and    In order to accomplish these purposes with
appropriate objects to stimulate their activity. the greatest effect, infant schools, as well as
The principal objects of infant schools all others, should be erected, if possible, in an
ought therefore to be-to exhibit to the view  open and commanding situation, that a full
of children as great a variety as possible of view  may be obtained of the heavens, the
the scenes of nature and the operations of art, earth, and the ordinary phenomena of nature.
either by directing their views immediately to  The best dimensions for the school-room are
the objects themselves, or by means of pictorial found to be about 80 feet long, by 22 or 24
representations-to teach them to diisiinguish  wide, with seats all round, and a rising platone object from  another, to mark its peculiar form  or gallery at one end.  Connected with
qualities, to conmplare one object with another, this should be a room, from  14 to 18 feet
and to deduce certain useful truths or conclu- square, for the  purpose  of teaching  the
sions from them-to instruct them how to use children in classes, and for those children
their voices, their eyes and ears, their hands and  who have made greater progress than the
feet-to teach them  the properties of num- rest, that they may be trained for monitors.
hers, the magnitudes, distances, and relative  The furniture necessary for such a school,
positions of objects, the forms and habits of consists of a desk for the master; a rostrum
animals, the different classes and uses of for the occasional use of the monitors; seats
vegetables and minerals, the various objects for the children, who should all sit round the
to be seen in the fields and gardens, and the  school-room with their backs to the wall; a
lesson-stand, of a considerable elevation, for
ins these objects-besides regular meetings for exhibiting pictures and lessons pasted on millprayer and conversation, at wvhich the children
sometimes atteund-a periodical has been con- board; stools for the monitors; slates and
menced in America, entitled. "The Mother's pencils; pictures of natural history, of scripMagazine," which is reprinted in London. con-. tural subjects, of ladscapes  of ural and
tailling various useful facts, narratives, and observations, illustrative of this subject.  Stuch domestic life, &c.; alphabets and spellingassociations, if judiciously conducted, cannot fail lessons; brass letters and figurei s, with boards
of producing a highly beneficial effect on the for them; cubes paralleloglams geometrical
rising generation, and ultimately on the state of
general society                               figures of various descriptions illustrative of
8                                                            (;)7




58               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
plain and solid geometry; the transposition- with the teacher, and, in a short time, thlle
frame, or  rdithiTleticon, for illustrating  the greater part are enabled to join in the music
properties of numbers. To these should be with considerable correctness; and nothing
added various little books, with cuts, level to can be more interesting and exhilarating to a
the comprehension of children; and sets of pious and benevolent mind, than to listen to a
maps, on  a large scale, with  the  states, hundred young voices thus joining in unison,
kingdoms, provinces, counties, &c. accurately in a hymn of praise to their Creator.  The)
distinguished and neatly coloured. It is in- are taught to repeat hymns generally in the
dispensably requisite that a play-ground be following manner.  One of the monitors is
attached to every infant school, containing placed in the rostrum, with a book in his
swings and other contrivances for the purpose hand; he then reads one line, and -pauses till
of amusement, and that the children may all the children in unison have repeated itdivert themselves without danger, in any he then reads or repeats another, and so on
innocent way their fancies may devise.  This in succession till the hymn is finished.  The
play-ground should be as spacious as possible. same method is adopted in teaching them
Even in towns, where property is most valu- spelling, catechisms, moral maxims and preable, the space allotted for this purpose (in- cepts, and whatever else is to be committed to
cluding the school-room and teacher's house) memory.  It should, however, be attended to,
should not, if possible, be less than about 180 that every thing they commit to memory from
feet long, and from 60 to 100 feet broad. In  catechisms, hymns, or other books, should be
villages, where the ground is less valuable, it previously explained; so that in every case,
may be made of still larger dimensions. With  if possible, they may acquire the ideas consuch accommodations, infants, to the number tained in the passages they are to repeat,
of 150 or 200, may be trained by a master be/bre they charge their memories with the
and an occasional assistant.                vocables by which they are expressed.
One of the main principles on which infant   The Alphabet is taught by means of twenty.
schools should be conducted, is that of Love; six cards, corresponding to the number of letand therefore, in commencing such an insti- ters, on each of which is engraved a letter,
tution, every action and every circumstance along with some object of nature or art, whose
should be attended to, which is calculated to name begins with that letter.  Thus, on the
convince them  that their teacher sincerely card of the letter A is engraved an apple.
loves them, and wishes to promote their hap- This card is held up to the children, who
piness, and that they ought to be kind and name the letter and the object depicted beside
affectionate to one another. The first diffi- it. A variety of questions is then put repreculty to be encountered, is to arrest and keep senting the nature, form, and properties of the
up their attention, to make them act in con- apple, and of the root, trunk, branches, leaves,
cert, and to class them according to their age &c. of the tree on which it grows; by which
and capacities, causing those who obey any the attention of the children is kept alive, certain
commands with the greatest promptness to be portions of useful knowledge communicated,
classed together. Such difficulties are gene- and the idea of the letter more deeply impressed
rally surmounted by making them  all move upon their minds.  On the card of letter C, a
their hands and feet at the same time, when cow, a camel, or a cat, is depicted; which is
repeating any sentence; sometimes by causing exhibited in the same manner, and various
them  to march in a regular body round the questions put respecting the figure, parts,
school; sometimes by making them put their habits, and uses of either of these animals:
hands one on the other when they are repeat- and so on through the other letters of the
ing a fact or a sentiment, and sometimes by alphabet.  This exhibition is varied as much
exciting them  to dance to the sdund of a as possible, and practised only two or three
clarionet or the viol. Monitors are selected times a week, that the children may not be
by drilling the oldest and the most expert of wearied by its too frequent repetition.  Anthe children at separate hours, instructing other plan is sometimes adopted, —an alpha.
them  particularly in the work they have to bet, printed in large letters, both Roman and
perform, and making every one of them an- Italic, is pasted on a board, and placed against
swerable for the conduct of his class. These the wall; the whole class then stands around
little masters frequently conduct themselves it, and the master or mistress points to the
with great shrewdness and ability, and somne- letters, desiring the children in a body to protimes with a degree of importance and porn- nounce the letter to which he points. In
posity which it is found necessary to check. spelling, each child is supplied with a card
The children are taught singinz, by the master and tin, on which certain short words are
singing a psalm or hymn several times in their printed.  A monitor leads the rest in the folhearing, till they acquire a certain idea of the lowing manner: "C-h-a-i-r;" the other chil
tune; after which they are required to join dren immediately follow: and when they have
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METHOD OF TEACHING ARITHMETIC.                              5
spelied one word, Le repeats another, till he at the first. The master, raising it at the top
has gone through all the words on the card. of the frame, says,'What am  I doing?'
For the purpose of teaching the older children Children answer,' Raising the ball up with
to write the alphabet, they are supplied with your hand.' Q.' Which hand?' A.' Left
slates, on which the whole alphabet is en- hand.' Then the master lets the ball drop,
graved-some in capital letters, and others in saying,' One, one.' Raise the two balls, and
text; the children then put the pencil into the propose questions of a similar tendency: then
engraving, and work it round into the shape let them fall; the children will say,' Twico
of the letter, which they can scarcely avoid  one:' raise three, and let them fall as before;
doing, as the pencil will keep in the engraved the children will say,' Three times one.'
part. In this way they gradually learn both Proceed to raise the balls on each remaining
to form  the letters correctly, and to read wire, so that they may say, as the balls are
written characters and sentences.         let fall, Four times one, five times one, six
The properties and numbers, and the fun- times one, seven times one, eight times one,
damental rules of Arithmetic, are taught by nine times one, ten times one, eleven times
various modes; particularly by an instrument one, twelve times one.  We now proceed as
which has been termed the Arithnjetiton, or follows: 1 and 2 are 3, and 3 are 6, and 4 are
Transposition-frame. The following is a figure 10, and 5 are 15, and 6 are 21, and 7 are 28,
and description of the use of this instrument, and 8 are 36, and 9 are 45, and 10 are 55,
taken from Mr. Wilderspin: —" The frame is and 11 are 66, and 12 are 78. Subtraction,sixteen inches square, and made of wood: is taught by this instrument thus;-Take 1
twelve wires pass through it at equal dis- from  1, nothing remains, moving the first
tances; on which wires, seventy-eight move- ball, at the same time, to the other end of the
able balls are to be placed, beginning with one fi-ame. Then remove one from the second
on the first, two on the second, three on the wire, and say,'Take 1 fiom 2;' the children
third, &c. up to twelve."  By this instrument will instantly perceive that only one remains:
may be taught "the first principles of gram- then 1 from 3, and 2 remain; 1 from 4, 3 remar, arithmetic, and geometry. It is mused as main; 1 from 5, 4 remain, &c. Multiplication
follows-Move one of the balls to a part of the is taught as follows: —The teacher moves the
first ball, and immediately after the two balls
on the second wire, placing them underneath
the first, saying, at the same time,' Twice one
are two,' which the children will readily perE, L_. ~ceive. Next, remove the two balls on the!~   _  L | second wire for a multiplier, and then remove
__________________          =    two balls on the third wire, placing them
exactly under the first two, which form a
square, and then say,' Twice two are four,'
Io    L     which every child will discern for himself, as
________________.____ n         he plainly perceives there are no more. We
12 \l-t E>D   then move three on the third wire, and place
Y:x..,..~..~. three from the fourth wire underneath them,
saying,' Twice three are six.' Remove four
on the fourth wire, and four on the fifth;
frame distinct from the rest: the children will place them  as before, and say,' Twice four
then repeat,'There it is, there it is.' Apply are eight:'" and so on, through all the wires
your finger to the ball, and set it running and balls.
rouni: the children will immediately change    The first principles of arithmetic are also
from saying,' There it is,' to' There it goes, taught, by means of small cubes. The childthere it goes.' When they have repeated ren are formed into a square, in the centre of'There it goes,' long enough to impress it on which is placed a table, on which the cubes
their memory, stop the ball: the children will are placed-one, two, three, or four at a time.
probably say,' Now it stops, now it stops.' The master puts down three, for example, and
When that is the case, move another ball to inquires of the children how many there are;
it, and then explain to the children the differ- when they naturally call out, "Three."  He
ence between singular and plural, desiring puts down two more; and inquires as before,
them to call out,'There they are, there they "How many are three and two," they anare;' and when they have done that as long swer, "Five;" and thus goes on till he has
as may be proper, set both balls moving, and put down to the number of fifty or sixty. In
it is likely they will call out,'There they go, a similar manner Subtl ac/ion is illustrated, by
theie they go,' &c. &c. By the natural posi- placing, for example, 9 cubes on the table,
lion of the Lalls they may be taught to begin and saying, Take 5 from 9, how many will
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60               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
remainl" and, removing 5 cubes, it will be never thought of directing their senses and
seen that 4 remain, &c..The multiplication mental powers, regularly and systematically,
table, the pence tables, the tables of money, to the forms, qualities, uses, and   haracteristic
time, weights, and measures, are taught by a features, of surrounding objects, as if sucb
monitor repeating certain portions of them at things had been beyond the range of their
a time, and being immediately followed by all comprehension; while, at the same time, we
the children in unison.  Thus, when the tortured their memories with the retention ot
monitor announces, "7 times 8 are 56," or sounds and sentences with which they felt
"Forty pence are three and fourpence," the disgusted, and which they could not underchildren in a body repeat the same; and in a stand. But the experiment of infant schools
short time the whole of these tables are im- has shown, (and, if we had not acted like fools
pressed upon their memories.               in the business of education, it -might long ago
The leading facts of Sacred History are have been demonstrated,) that children from
communicated by means of a series of histo- the age of three to six years are capable of
rical pictures, and by a variety of minute de- acquiring far more of what may properly be
scriptions and  interrogatories.  The more denominated knowledge, than what had been
interesting facts of' Natural History are ex- acquired by our usual insipid modes of inhibited by a number of large cards, on which struction at the age of twelve or fourteen.
are pasted engraved representations of quad- And, what is worthy of particular attention,
rupeds, birds, fishes, insects, trees, flowers, this knowledge has been acquired, not only
and similar objects; in the explanation of without "stripes and imprisonment," but with
which an opportunity is taken of detailing the highest degree of satisfaction and enjoytheir forms, qualities, and uses, and any anec- ment on the part of the young. If the world,
dotes that may occur respecting them. Know- therefore, is ever to be thoroughly enlight.
ledge is also communicated in relation to many ened, in every thing which relates to the precommon and useful subjects, by presenting sent happiness and the eternal interests of
before them real objects, such as gold, silver, mankind, and if the knowledge of Jehovah is
copper, brass, tinfoil; a piece of flax, thread, " to cover the earth as the waters cover the
raw silk, twisted silk, cotton, linen, gauze, seas," the foundation must be laid in the uninankin, gingham, silk velvet, &c., describing versal establishment of infant schools, on the
the different processes connected with their most judicious and expansive plans, in every
manufacture, and teaching the children how  nation under heaven.
to recognize and distinguish such substances.   2. It is not only the amount of knowledge
But, as I have no intention of entering into actually acquired, during the period alluded to,
the minute details connected with  infant but the intellectual habits formed during its
schools, I refer those who wish a more par- acquisition, which render such instructions of
ticular account of these institutions, to Mr. immense importance.  For want of these
Wilderspin's excellent treatise on "Infant habits being formed in early life, the great
Education," and Mr. Stow's "Moral Train- bulk of mankind may be said to have "eyes,
ing,"* and shall conclude this article by a few  but see not-ears, but hear not," and consegeneral remarks on the advantages which quently "do not understand;" they know
would result from the universal establishment neither the proper use of their sensitive orof such seminaries.                        gans, nor are qualified to deduce proper con.
1. The establishment of infant schools in clusions from the objects to which they are
every region of the globe would increase, to occasionally directed; but pass through life
an indefinite degree, the mass of useful infor- without any rational application of the senses
ination among mankind. Three or four years and faculties with which they are furnished
of the most important period of human life is there one out of ten who has ascertained
have hitherto been suffered to pass away with- from his own observations, that the starry hea
out any material intellectual improvement. vens perform an apparent revolution round the
The young, indeed, during this period, ac- earth every twenty-four hours, around a cerquired various fragments of useful knowledge, tain fixed point called the pole? Is there one
in spite of our remissness and inattention; out of twenty that can tell at what seasons of
for the  principle of curiosity was always the year the new moon will appear at a high
alive, and could never be altogether sup- elevation above the horizon, and when the full
pressed, wherever objects appeared by which moon will appear high or low 1 And yet these
it might be roused and gratified.  But we facts may be ascertained, without the least dif
fitulty, by a simple application of the organs
*,"Moral Training, Infant and Juvenile, as ap- of vision to the respective objects, combined
plicable to the condition of the Population of large with a desire to know the results;-in the first
Towns. By David Stow, a Director of the Model case, the object may be determined in th
Schools, Glasgow. Second Edition, enlarged." case, the obect may be determined  n the
With plates.                               course of a single day, and in the latter case,
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ADVANTAGES OF INFANT SCHOOLS.                              61
within the course of a year; and yet it is a similar moral principles-society would soon
fact, that sixty or seventy years have passed  assume a new moial aspect, wickedness and
away, in the case of thousands and millions debauchery would  be banished  from  omu
of tho4e who are denominated rational beings, streets, thefts and robberies would gradually
without their knowing either the one or the be diminished, brawlings, contentions and
other. The same position might be illustrated execrations would cease, and harmony and
in thousands of similar instances, where the good-will be introduced into the schemes and
grossest ignorance prevails in relation to mul- associations of mankind.
titudes of objects, which might have been pre-   It is an injunction inculcated by the highest
vented by a rational use of the sensitive authority, "Train up a child in the way he
organs with which the Creator has endowed should go, and uwhez he is old he wmill not de.
us.  Now, in infant schools, children are  part fromr it."  The last part of this sentence
trained to a proper application of their sensi- contains a most important truth, stated withtive powers-presented with suitable objects out the least exception or modification.  The
on which they may be exercised, and taught interpretation generally given of it by divines
to deduce from them useful truths, with their is, "He will not ordiaurily depart from  it."
practical applications. These intellectual ha- But what warrant have we thus to limit and
bits being formed in early life, will naturally  modify the dictates of inspiration?  Let the
be brought into more vigorous and extensive declaration  be viewed as a universal and
exercise as they advance in years, and lay the eternal truth, and the problem  to be solved
foundation of all the treasures of knowledge will be, " Has ever a child hitherto, in all
they may accumulate, both in the present life points of view, intellectually and morally,
and throughout the ages of eternity. Such been trained up in the way he should go?"
habits being formed and continually exercised, If so, we ought to believe that the declaration
a relish for knowledge, and alctvily of mind, in this passage was fully realized in such a
are produced, which will facilitate all their case.  Much has been said respecting the
suosequent acquisitions, and render them in- children of pious parents turning aside from
teresting and delightful; so that, in whatever the paths of rectitude in their riper years.
stations in society they may afterwards be But the fact to be determined is, Have such
placed, they will be'distinguished as men of parents trained up their children in a rational,
wisdom and intelligence-provided their sub- judicious, and benevolent manner?  I have
seqtuenlt edevutiote  be conducted on the same seen  persons piously disposed, and  even
rational prinldles.                         ministers of the gospel, train up their chil3. What is of still greater importance, —in  dren as foolishly and injudiciously as those
these schools the fouldatioels are laid of mTo- who made no profession of religion, and even
ral and religious habits. It has been the prac- with less wisdom  and discretion. Not that
tice hitherto, in infant schools-a practice they intesnded to train their offspring in any
which I trust will never be abolished-that bad principles and practices, but that they
the children have their minds impressed with were either ignorant of the true mode of trainthe idea of an Omnipresent Being, who con- ing children, or had imbibed false maxims, or
tinually supports them, and to whom they are indulged a foolish fondness, or had neglected
amenable for all their actions-that their ex- to bring their children under a judicious conercises are uniformly commenced with prayer, trol, or had humoured their whims and painand with a hymn of praise to the Creator and pered their appetites. or were placed in certain
Redeemer of men-that the leading facts of circumstances, and in the midst of difficulties
Revelation are detailed in the most simple and over which they had little control. Even in,
interesting manner, and its moral precepts en- attempting to teach their children the prinforced in all their associations with each other ciples of Christianity, their plans have been
-that the principles of fraud, dishonesty, calculated rather to excite disgust at religion,
deceit, hatred and malignity, wherever they than to allure their hearts to the practice of
appqar, are strictly checked and counteracted, its heavenly precepts.  "Vhat else could be
and the practice of love, kindness, honesty, expected, when  children, on the Sabbath,
justice and truth, enforced and exemplified. were confined to a corner, conning memorial
Now, such truths inculcated, and such prac- tasks, committing  to  memory  catechisms.
tices enforced and exemplified, for several Psalms, and chapters from their tattered New
years, when the mind is susceptible of every Testaments, of which they understood not a
impression, and of being moulded into any single sentence-and at the same time dehabit, must be of immense importance in a prived of their usual sensitive enjoyments,
moral point of view-and if such seminaries and, doubtless, exclaiming in their hearts,
were universally established, conducted on "0 what a weariness is it! when will the
liberal and judicious plans, and succeeded by  Sabbath be over?"-just as if religion conseminaries of a higher order, conducted on sisted in the acquisition of technical terms,
F               (61)




6~2               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
sounds and sentences, and metaphysical dog- become intelligent and useful members both
mas.  Is this the way to induce the young to  of Christian and of civil society, and that our
love God, "to call his Sabbaths a delight, and  arrangements and labours in these respects
the holy of the Lord, honourable?" or is it to  "shall not be in vain in the Lord."  The
be wondered at, that those who have been  dictates of Inspiration on this point ire in
brdught up in this way have sometimes struck  perfect unison with the laws of the moral
off at a tangent from the restraints of religion world, and are corroborated by universal exto the ways of sin and folly.  If the whole perience.  Almost every person  feels that
train  sf education through which such chil- early impressions are the most vivid and the
dren passed, from the first year of their exist- most lasting; and it is a fact, that, according
ence to the period when they turned aside to the bent which the habits, dispositions, and
fiom  the paths of righteousness, were laid  conduct of the young receive, during the first
open to our view, we should, doubtless, be ten or twelve years of their existence, such
enabled to account for all such moral aberra- will it generally remain, with a few slight
tions, and to trace the intimate connection  modifications, during the future periods of
between cause and effect.                     their lives.  Hence the difficulties —in many
I have thrown out these remarks for the cases insurmountable-which must be enpurpose of showing, that if public and domes- countered, in order to counteract the habits and
tic education be conducted.with judgment and  vicious propensities acquired during this early
piety, if children be trained in infant schools period; and hence the comparative ease with
-and other seminaries in useful knowledge, which children may be trained to intelligence
and to the habits of piety and moral order,-  and moral habits, when they are committed,
we have the surest grounds for concluding, at a very early age, to the care of a judicious
that, when arrived at mature age, they will and intelligent teacher of an infant school.*
* As an illustration of the moral and intellectual but was satisfied that if I approached the children
effects of infant teaching, I subjoin the-following  it might put an end to the matter altogether
examples, taken from Mr. Wilderspin's "Infant Some of tioe by-standers saw me looking very
Education," as what occurred in the course of his attentively at the principal actor; and, as I supown experience: —                             pose, suggested to the party the propriety of
1. The Whistle. " Many of the children were in retiring to some other spot; for immediately they
the habit of bringing marbles, tops, whistles, and all retired behind a partition, which afforded me
other toys, to the school, which often caused an opportunity ofdistinctly hearing all that passed,
much disturbance: I found it necessary to forbid withour being observed by them. I soon found
the children from bringing any thing of the kind. that the subject of debate was a song. It seems
After giving notice two or three times in the that one of the children had brought a song to the
school, I told them, that if any of them brought school, which some of the monitors had read, and
such things, they would be taken from them. In having decided that it was an improper thing for
consequence, several things fell into my hands, the child to have in his possession, one of them
which I did not always think of returning; and had taken it from the owner, and destroyed it;
among other things, a whistle from a little boy. the aggrieved party had complained to some of
The child asked me for it as he was going honme, the other children, who said that it was thievins
but having several visitors at the time, I put the for one child to take any thiref from another child
child off, telling him not to plague me, and he without his consent. The boy, nettled at being
went home. I had forgotten the circumstance called a thief, defended himself by saying that he,
altogether, but it appears the child did not; for as a monitor, had a right to take away from any
some time* after, while I was lecturing the chil- of his class any thing that was calculated to do
dren upon the necessity of telling truth, and on them harm; and was, it seems, backed in this
the wickedness of stealing, the little fellow ap- opinion by many others. On the other hand, it
proached me, and said,' Please, sir, you stole any was contended, that no such right existed; and it
whistle.''Stole your whistle,' said I,'did I not was doubtful to me, for a considerable time, on
give it you again V''No, teacher; I asked you which side the strength of the argument lay. At
for it, and you would not give it to me.' 1 stood last, one of the children observed to the following
self-convicted, being accused in the middle of my effect:'You should have taken it to master, belecture, before all the children, and really at a loss cause he would know if it was bad better than
to know what excuse to make, for I had mislaid you.' This was a convincing argument, and to
the whistle, and could not return it to the child. mny great delight the boy replied-' How much did
I immediately gave the child a halfpenny, and the song cost' The reply was,'A halfpenny.'
said all I could to persuade the children that it'Here, then, take it,' says the child,'I had one
was not my intention to keep it.-This trifling given me to-day; so now remember I have paid
mistake of mine did more harm than I was able you for it; but ii you bring any more songs to
to repair for some time; for if we wish to teach school, I will tell master.' This seemed to give
children to be honest, we should never take any general satisfaction to the whole party, who imthing from them without returning it again."-  mediately dispersed to their several amusements.
This story shows how necessary it is to teach by A struggle like this between the principles of dity
example as well as precept-and that children and honesty. among children so very young, exemhave a clear perception of any discrepancy that plifies, beyond a doubt, the immense advantage
may take place in this respect.               of early instruction."-Here we have a specimen,
2. The boy and the sonr. " One day while I was in the case of very young children, of nice dis
walking in the playground, I saw at one end of it crimination in regard to the principles of mnora!
ltrhout twenty children, apparently arguing a sub- rectitude and of reasoning, which would have
lect, pro and con. From the attitude of several done no discredit to an assembly of senators.
of the orators, I judged it was about Fomething   3. Infant critics. "Having discouirsed one day
which appeared to them of considerable iimport- on the difference between isoereles and scalene
anco. I wished to know the subject of debate, triangles, I observed that an acute isosceles trian.: 62)




MORAL EFFECTS OF INFANT SCHOOLS.                                  63
4. Infant schools are calculated to rescue stripping children of their clothes and orna7wusands of children from the pernicious influ- ments, and similar depredations committed
ence of ignorant and immoral parents, and to with all the expertness of an experienced
prevent most of those criumes which injure the delinquent.  And, if such mental activities
peace and prosperity of society. The immoral are so early displayed in the arts of wickedprinciples and vicious habits in which multi- ness, how important must it be to bend the
tudes of children are trained under the domes- active powers of the young in a contrary
tic roof, not only lay the foundation of their direction, and  how  many useful energies
own unhappiness and ruin, but are produc- might we soon bring to bear upon the relictive of many pests and nuisances to general vation of the moral world!  For, notwitllbociety.  In cities and populous towns, this standing  the depravity of human  nature,
fact is too frequently realized.  Many chil- children may be trained to exert their skill
dren are trained up, even by their parents, to and activities in the cause of virtue, as well
habits of pilfetYing, which  they sometimes as in the arts of mischief, if the same care
learn to practise with the utmost cunning and  and ingenuity be employed in their instrucexpertness, without the least sense of moral tion.-Now, infant schools are  peculiarly
delinquency.  It was estimated, that in the calculated to promote in children habits of
year 1819, in the city of London alone, the  virtuous activity.  They are taught to think
number of boys who procured the greater and reason, and to apply the rules of Chrispart of their subsistence by picking pockets, tianity to their actions and social intercourses
and thieving in every possible form, amounted with each other-are instructed in the evil
to from twelve to fifteen hundred!  One man  of lying, swearing, stealing, and other vices;
had forty boys in training to steal and pick  and some of them who had previously been
pockets, who were paid for their exertions addicted to these vices have been effectually
with a part of the plunder; and a woman  cured of such evil propensities.  Not only so,
who had entrapped eight or ten children from  but the sentiments and habits they have cartheir parents, had them  trained up and sent ried home to their parents have sometimes
out in every direction for the purpose of been the means of arousing them  to conthieving, till she was happily detected.  Such  sideration, and turning them "from the error
children, in all probability, were chiefly pro- of their ways."  And, although infant schools
cured from  the families of the ignorant and  were established for no other purpose than
the vicious; and when a habit of pilfering is prevention of crimes, it would save to the
early indulged, it not only leads to the prac- public ten times the expense that might be
tice of falsehood, cunning and deceit, in all incurred in their erection and superintendtheir diversified forms, but entirely blunts the  ence; for, in large cities, such young delinmoral sense, and leads to the commission of  quents as I have now alluded to, regularly
almost every other crime. It is no uncommon  supply the place of the hundreds of old and
thing to observe in the police reports of Lon- experienced thieves that are yearly convicted
don, accounts of boys, and even girls, of six  and transported to another country; and the
or seven years of age, being apprehended for expense attending the conviction and transthe offences of pocket-picking, shop-lifting, portation of one  delinquent, is sometimes
gle had all its angles acute; and proceeded to like their own, it probably would have exclaimed,
observe that a right-angled scalene triangle had while dead, as follows;-' You naughty child, how
all its angles acute. The children immediately  can you think of torturing me so?  Is there not
began to laugh, for which I was at a loss to room enough in the world for you andme.e?  Did I
account, and told them  of the impropriety of ever do you any harm. Does it do you any good
laughing at me. One of the children immediately  to put me to such harm? How would you like a
replied,'Please, sir, do you know what we were  mall to run a piece of wire through your body, and
laughing at''  I replied in the negative.'Then, make you draw things about? Would you not
sir,' says the boy,'I will tell you. Please, sir, cry at the pain.' &c. Having finished, one of the
you have made a blunder.' I, thinking I had not, children replied,' How can any thing speak if it is
ploceeded to defend myself, when the children  dead?'' Why,' said I,'supposing it could speak.'
replied,'Please, sir, you convict yourself.' I re-'You meant to say, sir, dying, instead of dead.' —
plied,' How so?'' Why,' say the children,' you In this case I purposely misused a word, and tihe
said a right-angled triangle had one right angle, children detected it."-Here we have another inand that all its angles are acute. If it has one stance of the nice discrimination of which children
right angle, how can all its angles be acute?'  I are capable, and of the great importance of their
soon perceived that the children were right, and being taught to think-one of the most important
that I was wrong.-At another time, when lec- parts of education, which has been so long overturing the children on the subject of cruelty to looked. In consequence of their having acquired
animals, one of the little children observed, the elements of thought, they were enabled, in the' Please, sir, my big brother catches the poor flies, one case, to refute the assertion of their teacher,
and then sticks a pin through them, and makes by a conclusive argument; and, in the other, tG
them draw the pin along the table.' This af- detect the misapplication of a term. A whole
forded me an excellent opportunity of appealing community taught to think and reason, would be
to their feelings on the enormity of this offence; the means of preventing numerous evils, and of
and, anlong other things, I observed, that if a introducing innumerable blessings into the social
poor fly had been gifted with powers of speech  state.
163)




64               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
more than would suffice for the erection of an judices and habits to which I have alluded
establishment for the instruction of a hundred Every infant school, and every school of
children.                                  instruction conducted on the same principles,
5. In infant schools, social habits andfeel- at which they might subsequently attend,
ings fmay be'tlh.lttl.ed with safely and wilh would become a seminary for Christianity;
ple:sure by the yoire.. In most other circum- and we might, on good grounds, indulge the
stances the social intercourse of the young is hope that the greater part of the children
attended with a certain degree of danger, from  trained up in such seminaries, when the
the influence of malignant passions and vici- truths and foundations of religion were more
ous propensities which too frequently appear fully exhibited to them, would ultimately
in the language and conduct of their compa- make a profession of adherence to its cause
nions.  "Evil communications corrupt good and interests, and regulate their conduct by
manners;" so that the minds, even of those its holy requisitions. In this case, instead of
who are trained with pious care under the a few insulated individuals occasionally emdomestic roof, are in danger of being tainted bracing the religion of the Bible, we should
with vice, when allowed to indulge in promis- frequently hear (to use the language of Scripcuous intercourse with their fellows.  But in ture) of "nations being born at once, and a
infant establishments, they are, during the people as in one day."  For, the young thus
greater part of the day, under the inspection instructed, when arrived at youth and manof their teachers, both in school and at play- hood, would exert a most powerful influence
hours, where nothing immoral is suffered to on their fathers, mothers, friends, and relamake its appearance; and the exercises in tives, and on all around them-while their
which they are employed, the objects exhibit- own minds have been brought under the
ed to their view, the mutual conversations in most salutary influence, being pre-occupied
which they engage, and the amusements in with those truths and habits which will prewhich they indulge, form so many delightful serve them from the contamination of the heaassociations, equally conducive to mental im- thenish practices which prevail around them.
provement and sensitive enjoyment, which    It gives me much pleasure to learn, that
will afterwards be recollected with a high de- in the rudest portion of the pagan world,
gree of pleasure.                          (namely, in the regions of Southern Africa,)
6. T'he establishment of infant schools in such institutions have been recently estabheathen lav(/., wherever it is practicable, -wiill, I lished, and been accompanied with many
conceive, be the most efficient means of under- beneficial effects. Mr. Buchanan, superinmining the fabric of Pagan superstition and tendent of the infant school at Cape Town,
idolatry, nd of converting unenlightened nations during the year 1832, established and reorto the faith ond pracltite of our holy religion. ganized a number of these institutions, at
When we would instruct adults in any thing Caledon, Pacaltsdorp, Hankey, Bethelsdorp,
to which they have been unaccustomed, we Port Elizabeth, Theopolis, Philipston, Buffind the attempt extremely difficult, and fre- falo River, and other places; and, though the
quently abortive, in consequence of the strong returns of scholars are not complete, they
influence of long-established habits.  In like amount to about 500 children. After the
manner, when we attempt to expound the school in Theopolis had been established
truths of Christianity to the heathen, and en- only six months, the number of children in
force them on their attention, we encounter daily attendance amounted to from  110 to
innumerable difficulties, arising from precon- 120. Many of the children were capable of
ceived opinions, inveterate habits, long-estab- giving effect to the monitory system, and
lished customs, ancient traditions, the laws their conduct is described as cheerful, gentle,
and usages of their forefathers, the opinions and compliant, although but a few months
of their superiors, and their ignorance of the before they were most of them " in a state of
fundamental p-inciples of legitimate reason- nature."  The infant school at Bethelslorpl
ing; so that comparatively few of the adult was re-established under the care of a natiive
heathen have been thoroughly converted to female.  About two years ago it was disconthe Christian faith, notwithstanding the nu- tinued, after having been carried on for six
merous missionary enterprises which have months. The advantages, however, which
been carried forward for the last thirty years. the children had derived during that short
But if infant schools were extensively estab- period, were evinced, notwithstanding the
lished, in all those regions which are the scene interval which had elapsed, by the superiority
of missionary operations, we should have of manner and intelligence which they apthousands of minds prepared for the recep- peared to Mr. Buchanan to possess over the
tion of Divine truth, having actually imbibed uninstructed children of other stations. They
a portion of the spirit of Christianity, and had been accustomed, after the school was
being unfettered by those heathenish pre- discontinued, to assemble in groups, and re64)




ERRONEOUS VIEWS CF INFANT SCHOOLS.                             a5
peat for their amusement the lessons and heathen world he is destined, to establish,
hymns they had learned at the school.  Mr. as far as practicable, seminaries for the deBuchanan, on a former occasion, assisted in  velopment and instruction of infant minds;
opening and organizing a school at C'a/edon. and every facility for this purpose should be
On his late visit, he perceived a marked im- afforded him  by the Society under whose auprovement in the dress and personal cleanli- spices he goes forth to evangelize the nations.
ness of the children, At the opening of the    7. Infant schools ought to be vniversally esschool, out of thirty pupils, two only had any tablished for all classes, and in every country of
other covering than sheep-skins, and many  the civilized wtorld. It is an opinion which still
wvere unclothed. When he last took his leave too much prevails, that such establishments
of them, they were all dressed like other chil- are chiefly calculated for the instruction of
dren, and many of them  with considerable the lowei classes of society. But this is a
neatness.  It was apparent, that the children gross,,iscoleption of the  al1ure and tenldency
had acquired some sense of the propriety of (f infr.  inislitutions, and a very dangerous
dress and personal cleanliness. from  their mistake.  These schools are adapted no less
manner during the repetition of the lesson, for the improvement of the higher. than the
" To put mry clothes n neat and tight, and see lower ranks of the community; and, unless'my hands a.nd fare are clean;" and it was they be soon adopted by the superior classes,
equally obvious that their parents appreciated the lower ranks may soon advance before
the advantages of the institution, from the fact them, both in point of intelligence and of
of some of them having voluntarily requested moral decorum.  For, in many of the families
to be allowed gratuitously to clean out the of the higher ranks, immoral maxims are inschool-room  alternately, and of their having culcated and acted upon, and many foolish
continued regularly to perform that'service. and wayward passions indulged, as well as in
The inhabitants of many other villages have the families of their inferiors; and, although
expressed the desire for the introduction of the manners of their children receive a superinfant schools among themselves-offered to ficial polish superior to others, their moral
appropriate for that purpose the best house dispositions are but little more improved, and
they had, and promised, when their lands shall they possess nearly as little of what may be
be measured out to them, to erect a proper termed useful kcnoirledge, as the great body of
building at theirjoint expense.  In several the lower ranks around them.  Till the famiof the villages they had placed their children  lies of all classes feel the influence of the
under the care and instruction of one of their instructions and habits acquired at such instiown number, till a better teacher could be tutions, the world will never be thoroughly
Drocured.  Mr. Buchanan left at Philipston  regenerated.  In the meantime, if the higher
sufficient apparatus and lessons for the es- classes feel averse that their children should
tablishment of twelve schools-arrangements associate with those of an inferior grade, they
were in progress for their commencement-and have it in their power to establish infant semsix young persons were attending the schools, inaries exclusively for themselves.  But I am
to qualify themselves for becoming teachers."  sorry to find, that, in this country, scarcely
Such are the auspicious beginnings of in- any schools of this description have yet been
fant education in heathen lands, and the plea- established.  There ought, however, to be no
sure with which its introduction is hailed by  objections to children of different ranks assothe adult population.  While many of them  ciating together for the purpose of instruction;
are unaware of the blessings to be derived unless in those cases where children are acfrom a reception of the doctrlrsies of religion, customed to dirty habits, or where they may
they are attracted by the beautiful arrange- be exposed to infectious diseases.  In the
ments and exercises of infant establishments, Northern States of America, perhaps the most
and at once perceive their beneficial tendency enlightened in the world, children of all ranks
and effects on the objects of their affection; are taught in the seminaries, without any arti.
and as their children advance in the accom- ficial distinctions;-all are nearly equally enplishments they acquire at these seminaries, lightened and improved, and society, in its
they will every day become more interesting  several departments, moves on with the greatand delightful in lheir eyes; and it is not too est harmony.
much to suppose, that the knowledge and    In concluding these remarks, it may not be
habits acquired by the children will be the improper to observe, that eechinln the children
means of enlightening the understandings to re,-id ought not to be considered as one of
and polishing the manners of their parents. the main objects of infant schools.  Many
It ought, therefore, tobe one of the first objects parents are still so ignorant and foolish, as
of every missionary, to whatever part of the to estimate the advantages of such schools,
merely by the progress they conceive their,
* See Evangelical Magazine for December, 1833. children have attained in the art of reading..
9                                         F 2            (65j




66               ON THE MQRAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
They are unqualified for appreciating intelle- Lansdowne, Zachary Macauley, Esq., Bentuwal instruction and moral habits, and have no  jamin Snmith, Esq., Joseph Wilson, Esq., and
higher ideas of the progress of education, than about eight or nine other philanthropic genwhat arise from the circumstance of their tlemen. Mr. Wilson soon afterwards estabchildren being transferred from one book to lished one at his own expense in Quaker
another; and hence, they frequently complain, Street, Spitalfields.  He built the schoolthat their children are learning nothing, be- room, and supplied everything that was necause no tasks are assigned them, and- no cessary; and, on the 24th July, 1820, the
books put into their hands. But, it ought to school was opened. On the first day, 26
be generally understood, that the art of read- children were admitted, on the next day 21,
ing is not the main object of attention in such and, in a very short time, the number of chilseminaries, and that they would be of incal- dren amounted to 220, all of whom came forculable importance, even although the children ward unsolicited. Mr. Wilderspin, who has
were unable to recognize a single letter of the since distinguished himself by his unwearied
alphabet. At the same time, the knowledge zeal in promoting the establishment of such
of the letters and elementary sounds, and the institutions, was appointed teacher. The Rev.
art of spelling and reading, are acquired in Mr. Wilson, brother to J. Wilson, Esq., above
these schools-almost in the way of an amuse- mentioned, next established a similar school at
ment-with more facility and pleasure than Walthamstow, of which parish he was vicar;
on any plans formerly adopted.            and an excellent lady, Miss Neave, opened one
In throwing out the above remarks, I have in Palmer's village, Westminster, for 160 chilall along taken for granted that infant schools dren. In Duncan Street, Liverpool, the Soare conducted by men of prudence and intel/i- ciety of Friends established, soon after, a very
gence. It is not sufficient for insuring the large one, and, in one day, collected among
beneficial effects of these institutions, that the themselves, for this purpose, no less than one
individuals who superintend them have been thousand pounds. All these schools were atinstructed in the mode of conducting their tended with complete success. A few years
mechanical arrangements. They ought to be afterwards, namely, on the 1st of June, 1824,
persons of good sense, of benevolent disposi- the Infant S,'hool Society was organized, at a
tions, having their minds thoroughly imbued meeting held at Freemason's Hall, London.
with the principles of Christianity, of an easy, The meeting was addressed, and powerful
communicative turn, and possessed of all that speeches delivered on the occasion, by the
knowledge of history, art, and science,.which they Marquis of Lansdowne, Mr. Brougham, late
can possibly acquire. For no one can corm- Lord Chancellor, Mr. Smith, M. P., Mr. Wilmunicate more knowledge to others than what berforce, Sir J. Mackintosh, W. Allen, Esq.,
he has himself acquired; and no teacher can Dr. Thorp, Dr. Lushington, the Rev. E. Irrender a subject interesting to the young, ving, and others; and, before the meeting had
unless he has acquired a comprehensive and separated, a subscription, amounting to upfamiliar acquaintance with it. In order to wards of ~700, was collected.
secure efficient teachers for these establish-   Since the above period, infant schools have
ments, normal schools, or other seminaries, been established in most of the populous
would require to be established, in which towns, and even in some of the villages, of
candidates for the office of infant teachers the British Empire; and, wherever they have
might be instructed, not only in the mode of been conducted with prudence and intelliconducting such institutions, but in all the gence, have uniformly been accompanied with
popular branches of useful knowledge. For, many interesting and beneficial effects. They
upon the intelligerce, as well as the prudence have also been established in many towns on
and moral disposition, of the teachers, the the continent of Europe, and even in Southern
efficiency of infant seminaries will in a great Africa, and in the Peninsula of Hindostan.
measure depend.                           The enlightened inhabitants of the Northern
States of America, who eagerly seize on every
The first idea of infant schools appears to scheme by which moral and intellectual inm
have been suggested by the asylums provided provement may be promoted, are now rapidly
by Mr. Owen, of New Lanark, for the infant establishing such institutions, along with Machildren of the people who were employed ternal Associations, throughout every portion
at his spinning-mills. Mr. Buchanan, under of their increasing and widely-spreading popwhose superintendence they were placed, ulation; and, I trust, they will soon be introwas soon after invited to London, and a duced into every nation under heaven.  But,
school was opened under his direction and before society at large feel the full influence
management, on Brewer's Green, Westmin- of such seminaries, they will require to be
ster, which was established and patronized by multiplied nearly a hundred-fold beyond the
H. Brougham, Esq. M. P., the Marquis of number that presently exists.
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PLAN AND SITUATION OF SCHOOL.ROOMS.                          67
CHAPTER V.
On Schools for Young Persons, from  the age of five or six, to the age of thirteen or
fourteen years.
DrrrNGe a period of two or three centuries, measure depend upon the situation of school.
we have had schools established among us for rooms, and the ample accommodation affo ded
the instruction of the young, during the period for the scholastic exercises and amusements of
of life to which I now refer. There are few  the young. Every school-house should be
countries in Europe where such institutions erected in an airy and pleasant situation in
for the instruction of the great mass of society, the outskirts of a town or village, detached
are more numerous and respectable than in the from  other buildings, with an ample area
island in which we reside;-and had we not around it;-and, if possible, should have a
unfortunately stopped short at the very porch commanding view of the variegated scenery
of the Temple of Science, we might by this both of the earth and of the heavens,-to the
time have been as far superior, in point of in- various objects of which the attention of the
telligence, to every other nation, as we now  young should be occasionally directed, in order
are to the savages of Patagonia and New Zea- to lay a foundation for general knowledge,
land. But, what is the amount of all the in- and for a rational contemplation of the works
struction generally furnished at our common of the Almighty. Both the interior of the
initiatory schools?  The elements of spelling school, and the surrounding area, should be
and pronunciation-a jargon of abstract gram- arranged and fitted up in such a manner, as
mar rules crammed into the memory without to be conducive to the pleasure, the convebeing understood-the art of writing-the ca- nience, and amusement of the young, so that
pacity of repeating the vocables of a catechism, the circumstances connected with education
-and a mechanical knowledge of arithmetic, may not only be associated with agreeable
without understanding the foundation of its objects, but rendered subservient to the exrules. This is the sum of all that tuition pansion of their minds, and to their progress
which, is generally considered as necessary in the path of knowledge.
for enlightening the human mind, and carry-   The following is a rude sketch of what
ing forward the great body of the community might be the plan and accommodations of a
in the path of moral and intellectual improve- village school. The plot of ground allotted
ment,-a system of tuition by which the me- for the establishment, might be about 180
mory has been tortured, the understanding feet longl, ij toO in breadth, or more or less
neglected, and the benevolent affections left according to circumstances.  Nearly in the
waste and uncultivated. The effects it has centre of this plot, the school-house might be
produced, are visible to every intelligent mind erected, which should contain, at least, the
that looks around and contemplates the igno- following conveniences:-1. A large room, or
rance, servility, and licentiousness, which still hall, for general teaching, about 40 feet long,
abound in every department of society.    by 30 in breadth, and 12 or 14 feet high. 2.
If we, therefore, desire to behold knowledge Two rooms, about 18 feet long and 15 broad,
and religious principle more extensively dif- into which certain classes may occasionally be
fused, and society raised to its highest pitch sent, to attend to their scholastic exercises,
of improvement, we must adopt more rational under the inspection either of an assistant or
and efficient plans than those on which we of monitors.' 3. Two closets, or presses, S T,
have hitherto acted, and extend the objects of off the large hall, about 12 feet, by 4 in breadth,
education to all those departments of know- for holding portions of the apparatus, to be
ledge in which manis interested, as a rational, afterwards described, for illustrating the inLocial, and immortal being.-The following structions communicated to the pupils. 4 At
remarks are intended to embody a few hints each end of the plot, or play-ground, should
in reference to such a system of tuition; —and, be two covered walks, A B, one for boys, and
in the first place, I shall attend to the  another for girls, in which the children may
amuse themselves in the winter season, or durPlan, situation, and arrangement of School- ing rainy weather; and, during winter, a fire
rooms.                  might be kept in them, and a few forms placed
for the convenience of those who come' from
The efficiency of any system of intellectual a distance, who may partake of their luncheon,
education that may be formed, will in some and enjoy themselves in comfort during tile
(67'




68                ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
dinner hour.  5. The spaces C D E F might This flat roof is intended as a stage, to whicl,
be laid out in plots for flowers, shrubs, and the pupils may be occasionally conducted, fol
evergreens, and a few forest trees.  A. portion the purpose of surveying the terrestrial land.
scape, of having their attention directed to the
several objects of which it is composed, and
*?..         P4                   of listening to descriptions of their nature,.":"i~~" —,'.t —q   positions, properties, and aspects,-and likeL ffi;.  _......) _ _ _'.      wise for the purpose of occasionally surveying..*t.~- >. r;::-~ —!  C      w       the apparent motions of the stars, and of view.,t"~....!...' I:ing the moon and planets through telescopes.
Such are some of the. external accommodal~[ -_ [       tions which every village school ought to possess. The plan here- presented, is not intended
as a model to be generally copied, but merely
as exhibiting the requisite conveniences and
accommodations-the plan of which may be
varied at pleasure, according to the taste of
architects, or the superintendents of education. The plot of ground: should not, if possible, in any case, be much less than what is
vim1 *SYIYIY~ r~~lYYY~ll~l   g~J      here specified; but where ground can be easily
[~~.:'~"' -- I _ _  _ J -procured, it may be enlarged to an indefinite
gA/:/S'"i""Y't Ne  extent. I do not hesitate to suggest, that even
two or three acres of land might, with propriety, be devoted to this object. In this case,
it might be laid out in the form of an orna.
-,* * -- -: Es =  s1  111 mental pleasure ground, with straight and serpentine walks, seats, bowers, and the various
trees and shrubs peculiar to the climate. In
of these plots, as G H, might be allotted for these walks, or bowers, busts might be placed
the classification of certain plants, as illustra- of such characters as Bacon, Newton, Boyle,
tions of some of the principles of botany. Penn, Washington, Franklin, Pascal, Howard,
They might be arranged into 24 compart- Clarkson, Wilberforce, and YVenning, -and parments, as in the figure, each exhibiting a dif- ticularly of those who in early life were disferent class of plants. The remainder of the tinguished for knowledge and virtue.  At:
plot, particularly that portion of it immediately  every  short interval, sentences, expressing
in front of the school-house, might be smoothed  some important truth, or moral maxim, should
and gravelled for a play-ground, and be ac- be inscribed on posts erected for the purpose
commodated with a few seats, or forms, and  such as, God is everyuwhere present. —His Wis.
an apparatus for gymnastic exercises. 6. Be- doin and Goodness shine in all his works.hind the building, two water-closets, I K, Thoe shalt love the Lord thy,;God with all thy
should be erected, one for boys, and another heart.-Thoe  shalt love thy neighbour as thyfor girls, separated by a wall or partition. The  self.- Whatsoever ye would: that men should do
roof of the building should be flat, and paved' to you, do ye even so to them.-Love your enewith flag-stones, and surrounded with a para- mies, do good to them that hate you, and pray
pet, three or four feet high.  The pavement for them who despitefully use you. —The Lord
of the roof should be formed so as to have a is good to al; He naketh his sun to arise on
slight slope towards one corner, so that thed on evil and   the good,.and sendeth rin on
rain which falls upon it may be collected in a the just and the ujust.-God resisteth the
proud, but bestoweth farour on the humble. —
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord.The lip of truth shall be established for ever,;
but lying lips are only for a moment.-To be
virtuous, we must strive against many of our
inclinations and desires.-The rememhbrance of
invirtzuous actions -is the most delightful consolaf
tion of old age.-An industrious and virtuous
education of children is a belter inheritance
than a great estate.-The first step to knowledge
large barrel, or cistern, placed underneath. An  is to be sensible of our own ignorance and deoutside stair conducting to the roof may be fects.- Wisdom is better than riches.. —Virtite
erected at the posterior part of the building. and good behaviour are naturally productive
(68)




APPARATUS FOR SCHOOLS.                                69
of happiness and good fortune.-The present might be stuck on large sheets of drawinglife is only an introductory scene to a future paper, and occasionally exhibited for the purand eternal world; and, therefore, the knowledge pose of distinguishing the different trees or
and habits we now acquire should have a refer- shrubs: to which they belong-several rare
ence to that endless state which succeeds the pre- exotic plants might be kept in flower-pots —
sent, &c. c. —Such moral truths and maxims, and the several vegetable pots around the
along with brief statements of scientific facts, seminary would furnish various slpecimens,: in
should meet the eye of the young in every their natural state, of which physio:ogical and
direction, so as to be quite familiar to their botanical descriptions might be given. Vari.
minds; and they might occasionally be re- ous fossils and mineral substances, which can
ferred to, and explained and illustrated, in the easily be procured, may also be collected and
discipline enforced, and the instructions com- arranged in classes,-such as, platina, silver,
municated in school.                       mercury, copper, iron, lead, bismuth, zinc,
Furniture of the School.         nickel, manganese, with specisens of their
ores-chrysolites, garnets, agates corundums,
In fitting up the principal apartment of the  jaspers-sulphur, carbon, bitumen, amber,
school, it may be expedient that the seats be caoutchouc, asphalt, charcoal-quartz, feltmoveable, in order that they may be occasion- spar, hornblend, &c.-To these may be added
ally arranged, so that the children may sit in various specimens of artificial objects, and of
one compact body, with their faces towards substances used in manufactures, as hemp,
their instructor. But every seat or form should flax, cotton, silk, wool, and the various fabrics
be furnished with a back, or rail, and a board into which they are wrought.
before, on which the pupil may lean his arm,   The Apparatus may consist of such instruand feel quite comfortable and easy; for chil- ments as the following;-an electrical madren very soon feel cramped and uneasy, when chine, an air-pump, a barometer and thermo.
sitting long on bare forms, without such con- meter, a magnetical apparatus, various glass
veniences. Every boy should likewise have tubes and phials, for hydrostatical, pneumatia wooden peg, either before or behind him, cal and chemical experiments, a telescope, a
for hanging his hat and satchel. The seats compound and a solar, or all oxy-hydrogen
in the two smaller apartments may be fitted microscope, a camera-obscura, concave and
up to accommodate those who are chiefly em- convex mirrors, a phantasmagoria, a sundial, a
ployed in writing, arithmetic, or geometry. planetarium, a terrestrial and celestial globe,
In these, and various other arrangements, every with large planispheres of the heavens,-a
minute circumstance should be attended to, burning lens or mirror, with various instruwhich may contribute to the convenience and ments of recreation on philosophical subjects,
comfortable accommodation of the young, and such as the optical paradox and deception,
to the maintenance of good order and regu- the diagonal opera-glass, the communicative
larity in all their movements.             mirror, the sensitive fishes, the sagacious.Apparatus and Museum. —The principal fur- swan, the cup of Tantalus, the fountain at
niture of every seminary intended for intellec- command, &c. Models might also be protual instruction should consist of specimens cured of wind and water-mills, steam-engines,
of the various objects connected with Natural diving-bells, common and forcing pumps, gasHistory, and an apparatus for illustrating the ometers, and the different mechanical powers.
popular branches of Physical science. These   In addition to the above, it would be requiobjects may be arranged under the usual divi- site to procure systematic sets of well-executed
sions of Zoology, Botany, and Miveralogy; or, engravings, exhibiting a view  of the most
in  other words, Animals, Vegetables, and striking phenomena of nature and the proMinerals. Under the first division may be cesses of the arts,-such fts, views of rivers,
arranged specimens of such domestic animals sea-coasts, islands, cities, towns, and villages,
as can easily be procured; such as, the dog, streets, squares, aqueducts, columns, arches,
the cat, the hare, the rabbit, the mole, the rat, public buildings, rural landscapes, ranges of
the mouse, the bat, &c.-the peacock, the mountains, volcanoes, icebergs, basaltic, coturkey, the partridge, the pigeon, the thrush, lumns, glaciers, caves, grottos, natural bridges
the linnet, the canary, the lark, the swallow, -the operations of brewing, baking, spinning,
the goldfinch, the chaffinch, &c.-together weaving, pin-making, forging, glass-blowing,
with as many specimens of lizards, serpents, ship-building, &c.-in short, of every object,
fishes, and insects, as can be most easily col- natural and artificial, which can convey to
lected and preserved. Those foreign animals, the mind a definite idea of the different parts
such as the elephant, the camel, the lion, and which compose the landscape of the wvorld,
the tiger, which cannot be directly exhibited, and the operations of human art. Coloured
may be represented by coloured engravings. maps of the different portions of the globe,
The leaves of different kinds of vegetables on a large scale, should likewise accompany
t69)




70               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
such exhibitions, in order that the positions of the horizon. This mirror is suspended, ini
the countries, where the different objects are mediately before the lells, on two pieces of
to be found, may be pointed out. These pic- wood connected with a cross bar, which is
torial representations may be hung around the capable of being moved backwards or forwards
walls, or on posts, fitted up for that purpose, to its proper distance from the lens; and the
in such numbers as the allotted spaces will mirror itself moves on two pivots like a comconveniently contain.-The specimens of na- mon dressing-glass, so as to stand at any
tural history may be arranged around the required  angle.  When the instrument is
walls of the school in presses, with wire or properly adjusted, the mirror should stand at
glass doors, so that the greater part of them  half a right angle to the horizon. The top
may be exposed to view; and the apparatus of the box opens by means of a hinge, to
and other articles may-be deposited, when not afford a facility for adjusting the mirror. The
in use, in the two large presses or closets perspective views are placed on the bottom of
formerly mentioned.                        the box, parallel with the horizon, and in an
Although the various articles now alluded inverted position with respect to the eye of
to could not be procured all at once, yet they the observer. The engravings should be at
might gradually be increased, and a consider- least 17 inches long and 11 inches broad,
able variety of them would doubtless be ob- exclusive of the margins, and coloured after
tained in the way of donations from the private nature.-This instrument, thus fitted up, is
museums of liberal and philanthropic indi- greatly superior to the one commonly in use,
viduals in the vicinity around; and many of as nothing is seen but the magnified image of
the little urchins who attend the school would the objects, and no conception can be formed
rejoice in being instrumental in adding what- of them to distract the attention, till the ob.
ever they could procure to augment the splen- server actually looks through the instrument.
dour and variety of the museum.            Every person who has looked ithrough this
There is one very simple instrument, not instrument, has at once admitted its superiorhitherto duly appreciated, which might be ity to those of the common construction, and
rendereddubservient both to the amusement many individuals have got similar machines
and the instruction of the young; and that is, fitted up after this pattern. It may be fitted
the Optical Diagonal Machine, for viewing up at an expense not exceeding eighteen or
perspective engravings.  This instrument, as twenty shillings; that is, nine shillings for
sold by opticians, consists of a pedestal, some- the lens, seven shillings for the mirror, and
what resembling a large mahogany candle- two or three shillings for the box.
stick, having a plain mirror and a convex lens   The following figures will convey some
moveable at the top. The print to be viewed idea of this construction of the instrument.
is placed on a table, before the instrument, in Fig. 1. represents a profile of the machine,
an inverted position. But this form of the one of the sides of the box being supposed to
instrument generally produces but a very be removed. A is the mirror, standing at half
slender effect, owing partly to the small dia-  a right angle to the lens and the picture,
meter of the lens commonly used, and partly     Fig. 1.          Fig. 2.
to the circumstance, that the engraving is    E        F
generally visible to the eye, at the same time    "
the observer is viewing its magnified image'      7
through the machine.  To obviate those defects, about seventeen years ago, I fitted up a
machine of this kind on another and more
simple plan, of which the following is a brief
description. It cortiists of the following parts:
— 1. A box made of thin deal, 2 feet deep, 2
feet long, and 1 foot broad, open in front. 2.
In the~side opposite to the opening, and near                                   -
the top, a circular hole, about 6 inches in
diameter, is cut, into which a tube containing with its back turned to the eye. B is tlle
the lens is put, capable of being moved an lens, fixed either in a tube or in a hole cut
inch or two backwards or forwards. The out of the side of the box next the eye. C
convex lens is 5~ inches diameter, and 20 D is the bottom of the box, on which the perinches focal distance, and its centre is about spectives are placed. E F is the top of the
20 inches above the bottom of the box. 3. box, from which the mirror is suspended. Fig.
The reflecting mirror-which is 12- inches 2 represents a view of the back of the box, or
long and 8 inches broad, and which should that part which is next the eye when the obbe formed of the best English plate glass-  server is viewing the prints, in which I, reprethe longest dimension being perpendicular to sents the lens by which the prints are magnified.
(70)




SCHOOL-BOOKS.                                  71
There is one glaring defect in the exhibi- sure and enjoyment. And nothing can be of
tions made with this instrument, which has more importance to the best interests of the
never yet been attempted to be remedied; young, and to the cause of the universal diffuand that is, that in every landscape the right sion of knowledge, than to strew the path of
side of the view appears where the blft should science with flowers of every hue, and to renbe, which presents a confused and unnatural der all the early associations connected with
view, particularly of those objects and scenes it exhilarating and cheerful. The road which
with which we are acquainted. This defect leads to knowledge, moral virtue, happiness,
may be remedied by cutting out or etching and the higher enjoyments of the life to (ome,
the landscape on the copperplate-not reversed, ought undoubtedly to wear a bright and alas is always done, but in its natural position; luring aspect, and to be divested of every. bin which case, the engravings, when thrown  ject which has the appearance of austelity
off, would be reversed, like the picture formed or gloom.
by the common camera-obscura. Such en-   In towns, a number of these schools might
gravings, when used for the Optical Diagonal be connected together in one large square
Machine, would represent objects exactly in or building, surrounded with as extensive
their natural positions; and if the true per- a space as can be procured, forming one
spective of a street, a large hall, or a landscape, grand seminary, where children of all ranks
be accurately delineated, the scene will appear might associate without distinction in their
almost as natural and interesting as if we amusements. and scholastic exercises. The
were viewing it from the point whence the amusements and the exercises of such nupicture was taken. As there are thousands merous groups of the young, both within and
of perspectives engraven expressly for this without doors, would form a lively and intermachine, I would humbly suggest to engrav- esting spectacle to every philanthropist; and
ers and print-sellers the propriety of having public schools, when properly situated, and
such engravings etched on the plan now pro- governed on Christian principles, so far from
posed. The fineness of the engraving is of being a nuisance to the neighbourhood, as
very little consequence in such views, pro- they are generally considered, would constivi!led the perspective has been accurately tute one of the best ornaments. and the most
attended to; but the colouring should be light delightful scenes, connected with general soand natural, and very different from the glar- ciety. Where large towns diverge into exing and clumsy daubings which appear in tensive suburbs, a variety of distinct seminaries
most of the perspectives which are sold for might be erected at proper distances from each
the use of this machine.                   other, to accommodate the inhabitants of the
Such are some of the objects and external adjacent district, so that the children would
accommodations which might be procured for not require to go too great a distance from
every village school. Such a school would their homes.
form a striking contrast to most of the schools
which exist in our country, particularly those           School-Books.
which are found in many of our cities and
towns, pent up in narrow closes and lanes, in    There are few things of more importance
the midst of filth, noise and gloom, destitute in the arrangements connected with education
of pure air, where the children are packed than the judicious selection and compilation
like hounds in a kennel, cramped in their of the Books intended to be put into the hands
movements, and can scarcely find a passage of the young. I have already offered a few
from one part of the school-room to another, strictures on the inefficiency of the schooland where no objects of delight arrest their books which have been most generally in use
curiosity and enliven their spirits. Instead of in our borough and parochial schools; and
such scanty and wretched accommodations-  although of late years several improved schoolwhich may be considered as so many juvenile collections have been introduced, scarcely any
prison-houses, to which the young are fre-. have yet appeared completely adapted to an
quent!v driven by dint of force-we should intellectual system of tuition. The following
thus have it in our power to introduce them  general principles ought to be recognized in
into a kind of magnificent nulseen, where the compilation of every class-book for the
every object would excite curiosity and arrest use of schools:attention.  Instead of associating with scho-   1. That the subjects introduced be level to
lastic exercises the ideas of tasks, stripes and the comprehension of those for whose use the
imprisonment, we should thus present to their book is intended.
view a delightful avenue and portal to the    2. That every article it contains be calcuTemple of Knowledge, which would excite a lated to convey sotme portion of usef/ul knowledge.
spirit of observation, rouse their intellectual   3. That the selections in general have a
ene gies and produce a high degree of plea- moral tendency, and that every thing that
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72)                ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
might foster a spirit of pride, avarice, ambi-   These considerations evidently point out
tion or warfare, be carefully excluded.      the mode in which instruction ought to be
4. That moral and physical facts should  communicated, and the objects towards which
form a prominent feature in such books, and  the youthful mind should, in the first instance,
mere fir/ions be entirely discarded.         be directed-for want of attention to which.
5. That the lessons be so constructed, that many of our school-books are nearly as ineffievery sentiment and description may produce cient for the purpose intended as if they had
an accurate and well-defined idea in the minds been written in a foreign language.  I have
of the young.                                just now lying before me two initiatory books
These rules proceed on the assumption, lately published, entitled, "First" and "Secondl
that the communication of ideas-the elements Books for Children," in which there is not a
of thou)gh-and the formation of moral cha. single sentence conveying the idea of a sentiracter, are the great and ultimate objects of  ment or fact, nor even a single word, that will
education.                                   produce an idea in the mind of a child-every
In the first books put into the hands of page being completely occupied with such
children, the lessons should be so constructed  sounds as these-" gra, cre, dre, dro-gaff,
that the leading ideas they contain, or the ob- puff, groff, sniff-gyve, gyre, gybe-baffle,
jects they describe, may be immediately pointed socle, struggle, &c. &c. Such books can never
out, either by means of the specimens contained be interesting to the young, and must present
in the museum, by pictorial representations, or to their view nothing but a bleak and thorny
by the objects around them in the scene of na- path to the temple of knowledge.  Nor will
ture; so that every word, or at least every  such vague sentences as the following, with
description contained in the lesson, may be which our printers abound, produce a much
associated in the mind of the child with the better effect:-" Mly son, walk not in the way
idea of its objects.  Hence the propriety, in  of bad men; for bad men go on in sin all the
the first instance, of restricting the descriptive  day.-Set thy heart on the right way, and
lessons solely to sensible objects.  It is through  mind the law of the Lord.-Do not break the
the medium of the senses that the elements laws of God, and shun the ways that lead to
of all our knowledge are derived.  We per- death," &c.  Such sombre sentiments and exceive, in the first instance, a variety of objects hortations, however sound the morality they
which immediately surround us, and gradually  inculcate, can never produce a well-defined
become acquainted with some of their quali. idea in the mind of a child, or excite to moral
ties. As we advance in life, and mingle in action, and consequently cannot have the effect
society, and make excursions from one place of producing pleasing emotions and a taste
to another, the number of our perceptions is for knowledge.-lEvery sentence of a child's
indefinitely increased.  We have the power lesson should convey to his mind a picture or
of presenting to the view of the mind the representation of some object; and it is quite
images or ideas of these objects at pleasure, possible to accomplish this end, by simplifying
even when the objects which first produced  our descriptions, and selecting those sensible
them are removed.  Those ideas are nothing  objects which are calculated to attract attenelse than renewed representations of what we tion, and which may be presented to the view.
have at any time perceived or felt through the For example:medium of the organs of sensation.  Having
r" The sun shines. —The sky is blue, when it 19
received suchimpressions or ideas, the mind  not covered with clouds-The stars shine forth
has the faculty of contemplating them  at at night.-Snow is white.-Rain comes from the
pleasure, whether their objects be present or clouds -Gold is yellow; silver is white; copper
is red.-Lead is heavy; cork is light; coal is
absent —of combining them together, of com- black.-Trees grow in the fields; they have roots,
pounding and decompounding them, and of branches and leaves.-Flowers grow in the fields
modifying, comparing, and examining them, and gardens;-some of them are red, some are
~in~~~~~~~~~  white, some are yellow, others are blue -Corn
in an infinite variety of lights; by which  grows in the fields: when it is ripe it is cut down,
means it is enabled to enlarge the objects of,and ground into meal, and then baked into bread.
its perception and contemplation, and to ac- -A  dog has a head, two ears, four feet, and a
tail — A bird has a beak, two eyes, two wines,
quire an inexhaustible treasure of other ideas, two legs, and a tail; it is covered with feathers,
distinct from  the former, though necessarily  it chirrups and sings, and flies through the air.resulting firom  them.  Such is the origin and  ~Vhen we strike a small bell with a key, it sends
forth a sound.-When we shut our eyes, all approgress of all our knowledge-and thus the pears dark around us. and we can see nothing -
human mind pursues its course from simple When we open our eyes, we can see the sky, the
perceptions and trains of ideas, and from one clouds, the fields, the trees. the houses; and men,
women, and children, walking along the road, or
discovery and chain of reasoning to another, sitting in the school -The sun rises in the east,
till it rises fr6m  the first dawnings of reason  and when he rises it is day; when he sets in the
to the full blaze of intellecttual light, and to  west, it is night, and the stars appear in the sky.
to the fullblaeofi *ight, ad to. —The sun shines upon the trees, the houses, and
the heiglt of moral improvnement.           the water, and every thing looks bright and beauti(72)




MODE OF TEACHING MORALITY.                                73
ful when he shines upon it. —Ie shines in all coun- ment or companion to a book of this kind,
tries, over all the earth.-He is so bright, that wegiven of the particular
cannot look at him, but when he is covered with
thin clouds.-If you take a piece of red or green objects connected with the locality in which
glass, and hold it between your eye and the sun, the school is situated. In the first place, the
you may look at him without hurting your eyes.- ool *, wi
The sun gives us light and heat, and he is the most sc sel,  th the various objects it conbright and glorious work of God that can be seen tains; the trees, flowers, and shrubbery which
in the whale world," _&c.                  surround it; the roads, streets, lanes and
walks, and the most remarkable public buildSuch simple lessons may be made to pro- ings it contains-might be particularly deduce a well-defined idea in the mind of every scribed, and the descriptions accomen anied with
child, by exhibiting to his view, at the mo- a plan or map of the place and its vicinity, and
ment he is reading, the very object which his views of the most interesting objects, rural
lesson describes; and if the object is not pre- and architectural, which are connected with
sent, it may be represented by an engraving. it. Such descriptions would always be read
WVhen his lesson states that " lead is heavy, with interest by the young, and would excite
and cork is light," a piece of cork and a piece them to habits of observation and reflection,
of lead of the same size may be put into his besides affording them materials for conversahands, which will not only convince him of tion in their social walks and intercourses.
the fact, but will enable him afterwards to re- Children are always extremely fond of having
cognize these circumstances.  When he reads their ideas of sensible objects enlarged, and
that "a bell, when struck by a piece of iron, view, with a great degree of interest and
produces a sound," the experiment may be pleasure, the representations of them in wellexhibited before hil —which circumstances executed engravings. Yet, strange to tell,
will have a powerful tendency to arrest his when I attended school, it would have been
attention, and keep alive his interest in the considered as a crime to have looked into a
subject of his lessons.                    book which contained engravings.  I recolThe first class-books for schools should, there- lect of a boy having brought to school a copy
fore, be confined chiefly to descriptions of the of " The Three Hundred Animals," but it
appearances and qualities of such objects as was carefully concealed from the teacher, and
may be exhibited to the senses of children, and from  most of the scholars, through fear of
instantly associated with the vocables of which punishment.  We were so anxious, however,
their lessons consist.  Descriptions of the to see the novel figures it contained-the
form and habits of atnilmls, such as the dog, magnified picture of the louse and the flea,
the cow, the ass, the mole, the elephant, the the bee-hive, the peacock, the elephant, and
rein-deer, the camelopard, &c.-of vege/ables, the whale-that we gave pins, marbles, cherthe parts of which they consist, the places ry-stones, gooseberries, and even sometimes a
where they grow, the manner in which they whole half/enwy, to the proprietor, for half an
are produced and cultivated, their fruits and hour's perusal of it.
flowers, and numberless varieties-of miinerals,   Some persons will perhaps be disposed to obtheir variou, qua';ties, colours, and appear- ject, that such lessons as I now allude to are
ances, the places wvhence they are procured, either trifling, or, at least, not so important as
the processes tlhrough which they pass, and the moral lessons generally introduced into our
the uses to which they are subservient in hu- initiatory books. In reply to such an insinuman life-might form one department of an ation, it may be sufficient to say, that it can
initiatory class-book.  Descriptions of the never be unimportant to convey a well-defined
more obvious phenomena of nature, such as idea of any object worthy of being known, to
the apFarent motions of the heavens, the the mind of a child, if it is admitted that the
rising anJ setting of the sun, the phases of great object of education is to communicate
the moon, the movements and aspect of the the elements of thought. And as to producclouds, the phenomena of thunder and light- ing moral impressions, every pious and intelning, winds, rain, hail and snow; the most ligent teacher has an opportunity afforded of
striking objects which appear in towns, vil- impressing the minds of his pupils with a
lages, and throughout the fields, on hills, sense of the Goodness, Omnipresence, and
mountains, valleys, rivers, and sea-coasts- Agency of God, every time he is teaching a
might form another department of a school- lesson which is descriptive of the works of
book; care being taken that the descriptions nature.  Moralitys can never be effectually
be sufficiently simple and vivid, and that long taught to the young by vague exhortations,
and hard words be as much as possible avoid- and general rules and maxims,-more esed. Descriptions of some of the innocent pecially when  such  exhortations are not
games and amusements of the young, accom- thoroughly understood. If we wish to impanied with delineations (cf some of them, press the youthful mind with the odiousness
might likewise be introducel. As a supple-'of vice, and the excellence of virtue, we
10                                       G             (73)




74                ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
must fix upon parlicular actions, apply to this projected work, I find  the  following
them moral rules or precepts, and illustrate, " General outline of Contehyts."
by familiar examples, their nature and tendency.  Every teacher has daily an opportu-    1. Short and familiar lessons.  2. Narra.
nity of directing the attention of his pupils tives of real occurrences and facts.  3. Juveto certain actions, both good and -bad, which  nile Biogrolphy-comprising anecdotes and
appear in their general conduct; and the lives of young persons who had made early
judicious remarks he makes on the temper progress in knowledge: early life of Sir I.
and dispositions manifested by particular in- Newton, of Ferguson the astronomer, of
dividuals, will make a more definite and last- Pascal, Gassendi, Grotius, Crichton, Horrox,
ing impression upon the minds of the young Baratiere, &c. &c. 4. S'eleciioiis florlm S,'ared
than can be produced by the mere reading or History: History of the creation and fall of
repetition of moral maxims or general rules. man-of the deluge-of the destruction of
And every child who has been regularly  Sodom-of the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jataught to understand every sentence he reads, cob, Joseph, Moses, and Samuel,-of the
and to exercise his judgment upon it, will deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, and
undoubtedly be better prepared than others the leading events which befel them  in the
for forming a judgment of the propriety or wilderness and in Canaan-of the life and
impropriety of certain moral actions, when translation of Elijah-of the deliverances of
they are explained to him with simplicity and Jonah, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshech, and Abedclearness.  In a more advanced stage of edn- nego; Paul, Peter, &c. —of the circumstances
cation, however, moral lessons, accompanied which attended the birth, transfiguration, cruwith examples of virtues and vices, may with  cifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus
great propriety be introduced.              Christ, and the preaching of the ApostlesSome may likewise be disposed to inquire with illustrative remarks and observations, a
whether I intend to set aside exercises on the map of the land of Judea, plans of the taberpowers of the letters and the elementary nacle and temple, and figures of the sacred
sounds.  Although I do not attach so much  utensils and vestments used in the Jewish
importance to such exercises as has generally  worship.  5. Descriptions of objects connected
been done, yet I would not altogether set uwitlh laVtlutral Itis.tory and Natural Philosophy:
them  aside.  Lists of monosyllables, exem- Forms, habits, and instincts of anisnials, with
plifying the long and short sounds of the anecdotes; Nato.ral curiosities-such as basalvowels, and the pronunciation peculiar to tic columns, boiling springs, icebergs, glaciers,
certain combinations of the consonants, might volcanoes, whirlpools, natural bridges, subbe pasted upon cards, and hung up in view  terranean caverns, Banian tree, &c.; Brief
of the different classes; on which they might description of the parts and functions of the
be occasionally exercised, rather as a kind of human body-the organs of sense, and the
interlude or amusement than as a serious different kinds of knowledge they communitask.  But it appears quite preposterous to cate.  Phenomena of Nsturee in the atmosphere
confine a child for four or five months to the adl the heavens: Properties of air-weight
pronunciation of mere sounds, to which no  and pressure of the atmosphere, with descripideas are attached.  And, from a good deal tions of a few simple illustrative experiments;
of experience, I am convinced that the true Descriptions of thunder-stormls, luminous and
pronunciation of words is to be acquired more fiery meteors, the aurora-borealis, the clouds,
from reading interesting lessons, and from  the rainbow, the ignis-fattuus, rain, hail, dew,
the occasional remarks of the teacher on par- waterspouts, hurricanes, sounds and echoes;
ticular sounds as they occur, than by long Descriptions of the mechanical powers-of
and tedious exercises on the orthography of electrical, magnetical, and optical instruments
the language.                               -of the apparent motions of the heavenly
In a more advanced stage.of education, bodies —of the more interesting phenomena
after the pupil has read two or three small connected with the earth, and the other bodies
volumes consisting of such easy descriptive which compose the solar system, &;c.  6. IInpieces as'those alluded to above, a volumre con- lustrations adart de.criptionts of cer'tain. arls and
sisting of selectiols of a higher order may be trades: Pin-making, weav-ing, printing, paper.
put into his hands.  So early as the year making, glass-blowing, &c.  7. Useful hists
1809, I had formed, and partly executed, the on various subjects: On taking care of books
plan of a volume of this description, calcu- -cautions respecting  the preservation of
lated to excite the attention of the young, to health-the dangers arising from fire, conconvey real knowledge to their minds, and to fined air, noxious gases-the prevention of
render the exercise of reading pleasant and accidents and infectious diseases-rules for
profitable.  In -some papers conmected -with the promotion of order, cleanliness and acti(74)




QUALITIES OF SCHOOL-BOOKS.                                 7.5
viy; for cooking victuals, eradicating stains, the ranks of city and parochial schoolmasters
nursing children, washing, dressing, laying  told me plainly, that they considered it as no
out garden plots, ar.d for promoting domestic part of their duty to teach their pupils any
economy-characteristics of poisonous plants, thing but reading or pronunciation, and that
cautions in relation tot-unripe fruits, &c. &c. if their parents wished them  to understand
8. Short moral' nmtaximls, ptlhy sayings, and what they read, they might teach them  at
rutles for the gic,eral r culation of coillduct.  9. home.
Dialogues: c" The little Philosopher," "The    Such a school-book Is still a desideratum,
King and the Miller," &c.  10. Custnoms and notwithstanding  some improvements which
lmlanoners of nations.  Sketch of Geogroaphy,-   have lately been made in school-collections.
descriptions of cities, towns, and remarkable  Whether it would be expedient to publish
places.  11. Entertainitie experivmrenzts, mag- such a work at the present time, the public
netical, electrical, pneumatical, galvanic, me- must determine. If properly executed, it would
chanical, chemical, &c.  12. Juvenile amnuse  require a considerable degree of labour and,eiats: flying the kite, fives, peg-top, swing- research, a discriminating judgment, a familiar
ing, bathing, &c., with cautionary maxims. acquaintance with the tastes and dispositions
13. Select Poetry, consisting only of pieces of the young, and a talent for simplifying deinteresting to the young, and level to their scriptions, and rendering them perspicuous to
capacity.  14. Lessons in writlen ch(racters, a youthful understanding.  Such a book could
for habituating children to read manuscripts not be constructed either by the scissors, or by
and epistolary correspondence.  15. List of  merely copying or abridging pieces from vanames acld qualities of satztrsl and lrtifirill rious authors; but by entering:thoroughly
objects, as exercises in o.pelliRg: during which, into the spirit of every subject, and:'modifying
short descriptions might be given of the na- it in such a manner as to interest the affecture and properties of the different objects tions, and to convey well-defined ideas to the
whose names are proposed as spelling-exer- minds of those for whose improvement it is
cises.  16. List of Greek and Latis? primitives intended.  The formation of the questions on
and prepositions, with examples of their mean- each lesson would require a considerable share
ing, and the effect of their composition in  of judgment and discrimination, so as to renEnglish words.  17. D:finitions of sciesntific der them  perspicuous and specific.  Most of
terms, and of the more difficult words which  the questions of this kind which have been
occur in the lessons.  18. Tables of mon2ey, attempted in certain school-books, are so geneweights and mneasures, with illustrations of the ral and vague, that they serve no useful purvalue of coins, the capacity of measures, pose either to teacher or scholar, and are
linear dimensions, &c. 19. A general set of frequently so worded and arranged, that a
queries, referring to some of the principal sub- pupil might find out the answers without unjects described in the lessons.              derstanding them or exercising his own judgment. It is, unquestionably, an eligible plan,
Such was the outline of a class-book which  in every department of learning, to have sets
was intended to be published six-and-twenty  of questions without answers, bearing on every
years ago.  One peculiarity by which it was branch of study.  Such questions tend to exintended to be distinguished, was-that a set cite the curiosity of the pupil, to exercise his
of questions without answers, bearing on every judgment, and to arrest his attention to the
particular oh'ect and  circunmstance detailed, subject; and the finding out of the proper
was to be appended to each lesson, for exercis- answers affords him a certain degree of pleaing the attention and judgment of the pupil, sure.  They are also of utility to the teacher,
previous to his being exanmined on the subject. and may suggest to him numerous other subThe various subjects introduced were intend- ordinate questions connected with the subject.
ed to be partly original composition, partly  The old plan of constructing books by way of
compilations, and partly selections, abridged, " Qtestion and.9/nswer," and causing the vomodified, or altered, to suit the object in view. cables of the different answers to be commitFables and fictitious stories were to be entire- ted to memory without being understood, is
ly discarded, and the leading facts to be illus- too absurd to require a moment's consideratrated by engravings.  After composing a tion.
preface or introduction, showing the utility    It will be admitted, I presume, by every inof such a work, and obviating objections that telligent person, that a class-book, judiciously
might be made to its plan, and having pro- arranged and executed, and comprising such
ceeded a certain length in its compilation, I subjects as above stated, would be far more
was induced to lay aside the design, in con- interesting to the young, and calculated to
sequence of the apathy and indifference of convey to their minds a much greater portion
most of the teachers I conveised with on the of useful information, than all the " Beauties
subject.  Some of them  who stood high on  of eminent Writers," "Speeches in the Ro.
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763               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
man Senate," "English Readers," "Tyro's wrong, in that early period of life. Such aWe
Guides," and" Oratorical Class-books," which their powers of discrimination, that they can
have been so long in use in our English distinguish the characters and dispositions of
schools. Such a book should contain hints those with whom  they associate, and freand sketches of every thing that has a tendency quently know the tempers and weaknesses of
to expand the intellectual views, and which their parents much better than the parents
may be applied to useful practical purposes in know theirs, and are dexterous enough to
the several departments of human life, and be avail themselves of that knowledge in order
completely purified from  every thing that to obtain their desires and gratify their hu.
might produce national prejudice and par- mours.
tiality, the spirit of contention and warfare,   A third series of school-books might consist
and the indulgence of selfish and malignant of popular systems of the sciences, and descrip.
affections-in short, a book which might be tions in relation to the m7echanicol aond, liberal
read with pleasure by the young who under- arts. The fundamental principles and the
stood its language, in every nation of the most interesting facts connected with botany,
world. In the hands of a judicious teacher, mineralogy, zoology, geography, geology, geevery idea it contained might be communi- ometry, astronomy, experimental philosophy
cated to the understandings of the pupils; and chemistry-and likewise those connected
and, as early impressions are the most lasting, with the arts of weaving, book-binding, printthe sentiments conveyed, and the impressions ing, clock and watch making, brass-founding,
thus made upon the mind, could not fail to be carpentry, &c.-might be familiarly detailed,
of incalculable service to them throughout the and illustrated with as many plans and enwhole course of their lives. The foundation gravings as the different subjects might reof useful knowledge would be: laid, and a taste quire. The general knowledge of the sciences,
for intellectual pleasures induced, which would which the pupil would acquire from  such
stimulate them to still higher pursuits and in- compilations, would prepare him  for aftervestigations as they advanced in life. Nor wards entering on the study of particular
need we have the least fear that children, at sciences, when their principles and applicaan early age, would be incapable of acquiring tions would be illustrated in more minute desuch knowledge as that to which I allude. If tail. The sketches of the different arts and
they have not hitherto acquired it, it is be- trades would unfold to him some of the leadcause such knowledge as they were capable ing processes and operations peculiar to the
of acquiring has seldom been judiciously pre- several mechanical employments, and lead him
sented  before them. We have compelled to determine which of these would be most
them to "feed upon ashes"-we have offered congenial to his own taste and genius.-In
them  "scorpions" instead of " eggs," and compiling such sketches of the sciences and
"stones" instead of "bread;" and because arts, a considerable deree of knowledge, taste,
they were unable to masticate and digest such and discrimination, would be requisite. Every
substances, we have deprived them of whole- thing that is intricate or abstruse, or not level
some and nutritious food, and wondered why to the comprehension of young people from
they have not been strengthened and invigo- the age of ten to the age of fourteen years,
rated.  When truth is simplified by familiar should be omitted. Vivid and familiar descripillustrations taken from objects with which tions of facts and scenery, details of interestthey are acquainted, and confirmed by appeals ing experiments, and engravings of natural
to their senses, they imbibe it with avidity, and artificial objects, should accompany the
and frequently retain the impressions thus explanations of the fundamental principles of
made to the latest period of their existence. the different sciences. In short, every thing
The celebrated Fenelon has observed, that should be introduced which can be illustrated
"Before they are thought capable of receiving by sensible objects, and every thing discarded
any instruction, or the least pains taken with which the senses cannot easily' appreciate.
them, they learn a language. Many children Mere skeletons. of the sciences would be quite
at four years of age can speak their mother uninteresting, and would produce no good
tongue, though not with the same accuracy or effect. If any particular science could not be
grammatical precision, yet with greater readi- comprehensively illustrated in the space alness and fulness than most scholars do a lotted for its details, a selection of its more
foreign language after the study of a whole prominent and popular departments might be
life."  This circumstance certainly indicates substituted, which would be quite sufficient
no small degree of intellectual energy and for communicating a general view of the subacumen. And to this I may add, that they ject, and inducing a taste for its further prosediscover their intellectual powers by connect- cution at a future period-which is all that is
ing the idea with the sign of it, and acquire requisite to be aimed at in the first exhibitions
many notions of good and evil, right and of science to the youthful mind.
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ILLUSTRATIVE ENGRAVINGS.                               77
Another class of school-books might be of those lawless passions and deeds of injus.
chiefly Hisrtorical. These should comprise a tice, which have covered the earth with carlucid and comprehensive view of the leading nage and desolation, and entailed misery upon
events which have happened from the creation the race of man. If we wish to study patto the present time, omitting those details terns of moral virtue worthy of imitation, we
which would either be improper to be exhi- have the example of Jesus Christ set before
bited, or which might prove uninteresting to us, as the pattern of every excellence, "who
the young. As a supplement to such a work, was holy, harmless, and undefiled,"-" who
a more detailed history might be given of the did no sin, neither was guile found in his
particular nation or country in which the mouth; who, when he was reviled, reviled
school is situated.-In compiling such histori- not again; when he suffered he threatened
cal works, great caution is requisite that no not, but committed his cause to him  who
scenes be exhibited, and no sentiments incul- judgeth righteously."  We have likewise the
cated, that would pollute the minds of the examples of his holy prophets and apostles,
young, or foster malignant affections.  Many men as far superior in their moral principles
of our historians detail the convulsions of na- and conduct to the most distinguished sages
tions, and the horrid scenes of devastation and of Greece and Rome, as the Christian religion
carnage, with a revolting degree of apathy, is superior to all the systems of theology in
without interweaving any reflections tending the pagan world.-In compiling histories for
to show the folly and wickedness of war, and the young, the historian ought, therefore, to
to denounce those malignant passions from  pause at certain periods and events, and direct
which it springs. Nay, we frequently find the attention of his readers to what is moral
the writings of historians abounding with or immoral in the actions detailed, to what is
panegyrics on public robbers and desperadoes, worthy of being approved or condemned in
encomiums on war and on warriors, and de- the scenes described, as determined by the
signating the worst enemies of the human principles and rules of Christianity.  He
race as patriots and illustrious heroes. Hence should direct the attention of the young to
it has happened, that the study of history, in- the scenes of horror which a spirit of ambistead of leading the mind to contemplate the tion and revenge has created, to the malignant
character of the Moral Governor of the world, passions it has engendered, and to its contraand the retributions of his providence, and to riety to the spirit of true religion and the best
mourn over the malevolent passions and the interests of man. He should lead them  to
depravity of man-has not unfrequently tended remark the justice and long-suffering of the
to excite desires after,the acquisition of false Governor of the world-the retributions of
glory, and to cherish a spirit of contention his providence in the case of nations and indiand warfare,-the effects of which are visible, viduals-the accomplishment of Divine preeven at the present moment, in the ambitious dictions-and the evidences which the records
projects which are carrying forward by haughty  of history afford, that man is no longer in a
despots and their obsequious ministers, and in paradisiacal condition, but has fallen from his
the devastations which are committing, and high estate.  In short, he should direct their
the contests which are taking place, in almost views to the means by which the spirit of
every region of the globe. If we wish to warfare may be counteracted and destroyed,counteract the effects of pagan maxims and to the happy scenes which would be realized
morality, and to imbue the minds of our youth were a spirit of philantlhropy to reign triumwith Chris/ian principles and feelings, we phant,-and to that glorious era, foretold by
must carefully guard against the influence of ancient prophets, when the nations "shall
such antichristian sentiments. The history beat their swords into ploughshares, and their
of all nations ought to be considered, not spears into pruning-hooks, and learn the art
merely as the exploits of kings and heroes, of war no more."  Were history studied in
but as the histol y of the providentia(l dispense- connection with such views and instructions,
tions of the A lmighty towards the human race, -instead of fostering malignant passions-it
and the history?f the imoral character of man- might become a handmaid to science and rekind.  Mre should study it, not merely or ligion, and be rendered subservient for directchiefly, for the purpose of admiring and imi- ing the mind to the Great Ruler of the nations,
tating the exploits of those who have been  and the plans of his moral government, and
extolled as illustrious characters, (for there for stimulating the exercise of those benevoare few of them whose deeds deserve our imi- lent affections by which the tribes of mankind
tation)-but for expanding our views of the may be united in harmony, and the world
character and moral government of the Ruler restored to tranquillity and repose.
of the Universe-for confirming the repre-   All the class-books now described should be
sentations given in the Scriptures of the depra- embellished with engro(vings, wherever they
vity of man-and for exciting an abhorrence appear requisite for illustrating the descripa 2            (77)




78               ON THE MORAL IMP[ROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
tions contained in the text. The subjects of quest, and, consequently, many thousands of
such engravings should not only be accurately them  thrown off at one impression, they
delineated, but delicately coloured after nature, might be afforded at a price very little higher
so as to convey, as nearly as possible, a cor- than that of the paltry and inefficient classrect and vivid impression of the objects in- books which have been so long in use in our
tended to be represented. Nothing is more scholastic establishments.
pleasing and gratifying to the young, than    The series of books now described should
accurate engravings of the subjects about be accompanied with dictionaries, and other
Which they read, and nothing has a greater books of reference, for obtaining definitions
tendency to convey well-defined ideas of those of words and descriptions of the objects of
objects which are not present to the senses, nature and the terms of science and art.
and to impress them indelibly upon the ima- These dictionaries, along with clear defini-.
gination. But we have hitherto had no school- tions of English words and synonymes, should
books embellished with such engravings as contain short definitions of Latin, Greek, and
those to which I allude. The expense of French primitives and phrases, particularly
such books might probably be objected to, as those which have been adopted into our lanan argument against their introduction. But guage, and which, in composition, modify the
if the great end of education be carefully kept meaning of many of our own words. The
in view, and the importance of conveying Latin and Greek prepositions should be exclear and comprehensive ideas to the rising plained, and their force in the composition of
generation be duly weighed, no considerations English words, and in the terms of art and
of expense ought to deter us from the execu- science, particularly illustrated. Portable cytion of any plan by which instruction in the clopedias or technological dictionaries, with
elements of thought may be rendered delightful numerous illustrative cuts, such as Crabb's
and efficient. Society, if once aroused to con- " Dictionary of General Knowledge," would
sider the importance of an enlightened educa- likewise be highly requisite for the occasional
tion, would find no difficulty in defraying use of the higher or primary classes, in all our
every expense connected with its arrange- schools.
ments. If such books were in universal reCHAPTER VI.
Method of Teaching, and the Departments of Knowledge which should be taught in every
Seminary.
THE teacher being understood to have a a key, none of these things will give such a
school furnished with the accommodations, sound. A  wine-glass will also produce a
museum, and apparatus formerly described, pretty brisk sound; but if we strike it hard
and with a reries of books adapted to intel- with a nail or a stone, it will break. We
lectual instruction-I shall now offer a few  hear every sound by means of our ears, which
hints on the mode in which the several depart- God had formed and placed on each side of
ments of instruction might be conducted.  our heads, that we might listen to our teachers,
and be able to talk with one another.-2. The
SECTION I. —English Reading.        light which flows from the sun consists of
In throwing out a few hints on this depart- seven colours; red, orange, yellow, green,
ment, I shall take. it for granted that the blue, indigo and violet. The earth is spread
pupils have acquired a knowledge of the over with most of these colours; the fields
alphabet, in the manner in which it is gene- appear spread over with green, some parts
rally taught in infant schools, and that they with a light green, and some parts with a
are qualified to read, with a certain degree of dark green colour. Fir trees and some popease, a few short lessons, consisting of words lar trees are dark green, corn and grass are
of one or two syllables. Let us suppose, for of a light green colour. A rose is red; some
example, such a lesson as the following, on roses are white. The crowfoot, the cowslip,
example, such a lesson as      the crocufollowing, on
the general nature and qualities of certain the crocus, and the wall-flower, are yellow.
objects, to be the subject of attention.  Furze and broom  have also pretty yellow
flowers. The blue-bottle flower, and some
1. A bell gives a brisk sound when we hyacinths, are of a blue colour. Some daisies
strike it with a key, or with a stone, or with a are red, some are white, and some have two
large nail. If we strike an egg-cup made of or three colours. The corn in the fields, the
wood, ot if we strike a board or the table with grass in the meadows, and the leaves of trees.
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LESSONS FOR JUVENILE CLASSES.                              79
aregreen.-3. Ironisheavy,copper isheavier, in naming and distinguishing the different
lead is heaviest.  Lead will sink, if you throw  colours. The objects whose colours are stated
it into a basin of water, but a cork will swim  might be shown them; or if any of these obon the top of the water.  A stone will sink in  jects are not at hand, they niay be exhibited
water, but a piece of light wood will swim; by coloured engravings.-To illustrate Lesson
and if you push the wood down with your 3, a pair of scales, a basin bf water, a piece
lland to the bottom  of the basin, it will of cork, and three pieces of. iron, copper, and
quickly rise again to the top. —4. The sun lead, of equal size, will be required, and then
shines fiom the heavens, and gives us light all the experiment of weighing the pieces, and
the day. He is so bright that we can scarcely plunging them  into the water, may be exlook up to him. If we were to look straight hibited to the class. 5When explaining Lestowards the sun, it would dazzle our eyes. son 4, a piece of stain.;i -  smoked glass may
But if we take a piece of glass that is red or be put into the hands ij, file pupils, when the
dark green, or a glass that is covered all over sun is visible, that e,:-, ofi them  may try the
with the smoke of a candle, we may look experiment.  The qte'il-ions proposed in this
through this glass to the sun without dazzling lesson, which are nolt lelswered, may serve to
our eyes.  The sun sometimes shines very exercise the judgm(-t't of the pupils. They
bright, and sometimes he is covered with  are understood to lr:ibr to the circumstance
clouds. The sun is giving us light at this of a cloudy day.  "Various simple questions
moment, but we cannot see him.  Can any of this description should be ernbodied in the
of you tell the reason why the sun is not seen lessons, to give scope to youthful judgment
just now when he is giving us light?  What and ingenuity.  The latter part of this lesson
hides him from our sight?  The sky some- might afford an opportunity to the teacher of
times appears clear, like a large blue dome or impressing the minds of the class with a
half-globe, and sometimes it is all over covered sense of the presence, goodness, and universal
with dark clouds.  When the sun rises in the agency, of the Creator.  It will scarcely be
east, that part of the sky is often covered with denied, that in this way instruction may be
bright red and yellow clouds; and when he blended with amusement, and that a consets in the evening in the west, the same kind siderable variety of useful knowledge might
of clouds are sometimes seen.  God made the be gradually imparted to the, juvenile mind.
sun, the moon, and the stars; he also made    Descriptions of anionlls would form another
the fields, the trees, and the corn; he formed interesting class of lessons for the young, as
our bodies and our souls; he gave us eyes to in the following example:see with, ears, that we might hear, hands to
to handle with, feet to walk with, and he pre-             The ieacock.
serves us every moment. He is present with
us in this place, and sees all that we do, though 
we cannot see him. Let us give thanks to
God, for he is good, and let us do what he
commands.
None, I presume, will be disposed to deny,
that children of five years of age, who have
been previously accustomed to observe the, R
facts around them, may easily be made, under
the guidance of an intelligent teacher, to understand every idea contained in such lessons
as the above. The lesson should first be distinctly and deliberately read over by the class
two or three times, and then illustrated by    The Peacock is the most beautiful bird in
objects and experiments.  Lesson 1, may be the world. Its beauty excels that of all other
illustrated by a small hand-bell, a key, a wine- animals.  Its bill is about two inches long,
glass, and a piece of wood; and some of the and is of a brown colour. Its head and neck,
children might be permitted to try the experi- and part of its breast, are of a dark blue
ments, which would gratify their natural curi- colour.  On the top of its head there is a tuft
osity, and excite an interest in the subject of of pretty green feathers, which adds to its
their lesson-it being always understood that beauty. Its neck is long and slender, and
the teacher accompanies such experiments its back of a whitish grey colour, spotted with
with familiar explanations and remarks.-  black. But the plumage and tail of this splen
For illustrating Lesson 2, it would be requi- did bird are the most beautiful parts of its
site to have a large white pasteboard painted body. They are adorned with c1louis so rich
with the sever. primary colours of light, so and various, that no human art can make ally
that the pupils might be exercised upon it, thing like them.  When this bird walks in
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80               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
the sunshine,,'very moment produces a thou- swan is placed in a large basin full of water,
sand shades ofi colouring, which are beautiful in which it swims. A small rod of metal
and ever varying.  These fine colours exceed about five or six inches long, with a piece of
the lustre of tYhe finest flowers of the fields bread fastened to one end of it,, is held out to
and gardens. lut, like the flowers, they fade the swan, at the distance of an inch or two
every year, and the feathers drop from their from its mouth. The swan then moves forbodies, and are again renewed every spring. ward after the rod, as if it wished to take hold
The length of the peacock, from the tip of of the piece of bread. If you move the rod
the bill to the end -of the tail, is about three gently from the swan, it will swim after it all
feet eight inches. Some of its longest feathers round the basin, and from  one side of it to
are four feet long. This bird appears haughty another, as if it were a living swan swimming
and proud, and loves tq display its fine, colours aftel its food. But if you present the other
to those who are looking on, like those little end of the rod to the swan, it will swim backboys and girls who are, proud of their fine wards, and try to avoid it, as if you were wishclothes.  The peacock perches upon high ing to mock or insult it.-The rod on which
places, and lives upon barley and other kinds the piece of bread is fastened is also a loadof grain.  Its beautiful plumage does not stone. A  loadstone attracts or draws to it
appear before it is nearly three years old. needles, and any small bits of iron or steel
When it drops its fine feathers in the time of that are near it. Every loadstone has two
harvest, it does not like to be seen, but seeks ends, which- are called its north and south
to hide itself in some gloomy place. Though poles.  When the north pole of one loadstone
the peacock is very be-autifil, it utters a very is brought near to the south pole of another,
harsh and disgusting _cry. For whole hours they will attract each other. But when the
it will repeat the cry ofAEko, elco, eko, with the north pole of one is brought near to the north
most hideous noise. It, cannot sing a pleasant pole of another, they will repel or move from
song, like the linnet an4 the blackbird. It is each other. When a small loadstone is placed
so wicked that it will scarcely live with any on a piece of cork or light wood, and made to
other bird, except the pigeon; and it tears swim in a basin of water, it will turn itself
and spoils every thing:it gets a hold of with round, till it point nearly north and south. —
its bill. This bird was first brought from a The compass which directs sailors in their
far distant country, from the East Indies, and course along the sea, consists of a small loadit lives to the age of twenty-five years. Little stone, which moves upon a pivot. It shows
boys and girls, be not like the peacock, proud them how to steer to the East and the West,
and vain, on account of your beauty and your to the North and the South.  By means of
fine clothes; for- humility and goodness are this small bit of loadstone, they can find their
always to be preferred to beauty.          way over great seas and oceans, to the East
Indies and America, and round the whole
Tn teaching this and similar lessons, a stuffed world. God created the loadstone for this purspecimen of the animal described should be pose; and if we had never known its properplaced on a table opposite the class, and its ties, we should never have been able to bring
different parts and colours pointed out; but tea from China, or sugar from  the West Inif a specimen is not at hand, a coloured en- dies, or to send Bibles to the people that
graving should be exhibited, either in the dwell in the far-distant isles of the sea.
class-book, or on a large sheet pasted on a
pasteboard.  The terms,'huft, plumalge, bill,   This lesson would of course require to be
perching, &c. should be explained by a refer- illustrated by the philosophical toy which it
ence to the figure or specimen, and the length describes. This toy could be easily constructof a yard, foot, and inch, or any number of ed by any ingenious mechanic, or it may be
these combined,: should- be distinctly explained purchased for about five or six shillings. The
and exhibited, by means — ofrods of different experiment of placing a small magnet upon a
lengths.-There is another:,class of lessons piece of cork, and suspending it on the water,
for the juvenile classes, which might consist to show how it i:e itself north and south,
chiefly of de.scriptions (land exhibitions of-enter- might also be exhibited; anla  y taking alltaining experiments. For example —      g other magnet, and suspending it in the same
manner opposite to the first, the attraction and
repulsion of the different poles oi the two
There is a nice little amusing toy which is magnets might be shown, which would exsold in some toy-shops, called the, Sagacious plain the phenomena of the sagacious swan.
Swan. This swan is made of very thin tin- The  power -of the magnet in  attracting
plate, or other light substance, and is hol; needles, small keys; penknives, &c. might at
low within. Near its mouth, in the inside, is the same time be shown. A  pocket-cornaxPd a small magnet or loadstone.  The pass might likewise be exhibited, and its
(80)




LESSON ON VOLCANOES.                                 81,se described; and the attractive and re- stream of melted minerals, begins to make its
pulsive powers of the magnet shown, by appearance, either boiling over the top, or
presenting it alternately to the north and forcing its way through the side of the moun.
south poles of the compass-needle. It might tain. This fiery deluge runs down the dealso be shown, that the  magnetic power clivity of the mountain, forming a dismal
passes through interposing substances, by flaming stream, sometimes 14 miles long, 6
placing a board between the pocket-compass miles broad, and 200 feet deep. In its course
and the magnet, and causing the pupils to it destroys orchards, vineyards, corn-fields,
observe, that the needle is made to turn and villages; and sometimes cities, containing
round, by the influence of the magnet trans- 20,000 inhabitants, have been consulned and
mitted through the board. —This is only one buried under the burning lava. There are
example out of a hundred that might be pro- reckoned about fourteen of these volcanoes in
duced, of rendering entertaining experiments Europe; of which the principal are Mount
interesting and instructive to children; and Hecla in Iceland, Mount Vesuvius, near the
when truths are, in this way, associated with city of Naples, Mount Etna in Sicily, and
sensible representations and experiments, they Stromboli in one of the Lipari islands. Etna
are seldom  erased from  their minds to the and Vesuvius are often quiet for many months,
latest period of their existence.          and even years, without the appearance of
In the next stage of English reading, the fire, though the smoke is always ascending
pupil might enter on the perusal of a volume from their craters; but the mountain Stromcontaining lessons on subjects of a higher boli is ever at work, and appears to be the
order, such as those formerly described-  only volcano that burns without ceasing; and
which might be substituted in the place of for ages past, it has been looked upon as the
our common school collections. The lessons great lig hhouse of the surrounding seas.
in such a volume should be distinguished for Several phenomena of awful sublimity and
the perspicuity and neatness of their style, terrific grandeur frequently accompany the
although specimens of what is termed ele- eruptions of these volcanoes. Hecla in Ice.
gance and fine writing may be occasionally land, is a mountain nearly a mile in perpen.
introduced. The following may serve as a dicular elevation, and a considerable portion
specimen of the manner in which such lessons of it is covered with snow. In an eruption
may be constructed:-                       of this volcano in 1775, a stone weighing 290
pounds was thrown to the distance of 24
Description of lVolcanoes.       English miles. Not far from this mountain,
Volcanoes are mountains, generally of a in the year 1783, there happened a most
large size, from the summits of which issue dreadful and appalling eruption, which was
fire and smoke. On the top of these moun- preceded by a violent earthquake, which
tains, there is a vast opening called the Cra.- lasted for a fortnight; after which the lava
ter, sometimes two or three miles in circum- broke out from  the earth, in three different
ference, reaching from  their summits to an places, forming three dreadful l'ire-Spouts.
immeasurable depth in the bowels of the These fire-spouts, or streams of burning lava,
earth. From these dreadful openings are fre- after having risen a considerable height into
quently thrown up to an immense height, the air, united into one, arriving at last at
torrents of fire and smoke, clouds of ashes such an amazing altitude, as to be seen at the
and cinders, and red-hot stones, together with distance of more than 200 miles. The height
torrents of melted lava, which roll down the to which this fiery stream ascended was reckdeclivity of the mountain like an immense oned to be not less than two miles above the
flaming river. These alarming appearances surface of the earth. This fire first became
are frequently accompanied with thunders, visible on the 8th of June, and continued to
lightnings, darkness, quakings of the earth, produce devastation and terror till the 16th
and horrid subterraneous sounds, producing of August following.  In one direction, it
the most terrible devastations through all the formed a lake of fire spreading out itself in
surrounding country.-Previous to an erup- length and breadth more than 36 miles; and,
tion, the smoke, which is continually ascend- having converted all this tract of land into a sea
ing from the crater, increases, and shoots up offire, itstretched itself out in another direction,
to an immense height; forked lightning issues and rushed down the channel of a large river
from the ascending column; showers of ashes with violent impetuosity, tearing up the earth,
are thrown to the distance of forty or fifty and carrying on its surface flaming woods,
miles; volleys of red hot stones are discharged and every thing it met with in its curse, and,
to a great height in the air; the sky appears forming.other lakes of fire. The whole extent'
thick and dark; the luminaries of heaven dis- of ground covered by this fiery inundation,
appear.  When these alarming phenomena was no less than 90 miles long, by 42: in.
have continued for some time, the lava, or breadth, or 3780 square miles, the depth.4
11                                                      (81i




82               CPON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
tihe lava being from 96 to 120 feet. All the reflected with awful grandeur from the sem
time of this great eruption, the whole atmos- A. gentleman, at Sorrento, twelve miles distant
phere was loaded with smoke, steam, ashes, from Vesuvius, read the title page of a book
and sulphureous vapours. The sun was fre- by that volcanic light.-Mount Etna is the
quently invisible, or, when seen, was of a dis- largest volcano in Europe. It is above 2
mal reddish colour; and the rain which fell miles in perpendicular height; it is about 30
through the smoke and steam, was so impreg- miles in a straight line along its declivity to
nated with salt and sulphureous matter, that the top, its circumference at its base is above
the hair and even the skin of the cattle were 120 miles, and its crater above three miles in
destroyed, and the grass q' the fields rendered circumference. In 1669, burning rocks, 15
poisonous. Twelve rivers were dried up by feet long, and 50 in circumference, were
~__~_ _ —==..,~__      - A cthrown to the distance of a mile, and showers
of cinders and ashes to the distance of more
than 60 miles. A fiery stream  burst from
_______________                         the mountain, 14 miles long and 6 miles
broad, which  destroyed in  its course the
habitations of nearly 30,000 persons; and,
meeting with a lake four miles in compass,
not only filled it up, but made a mountain in
its place. The quantity of materials thrown
out by volcanoes is prodigious. It was calculated that, in this eruption, the matter thrown
out amounted to 150,000,000 cubical yards;
Interior of the Crater of Vesuvius.  so that, had it been extended in length upon
the surface of the earth, it would have reached
-    nearly four times round the circumference of
the globe. The noise emitted by volcanoes
has been compared to a mixed sound made
up of the raging of a tempest, the murmur of
a troubled sea, and the roaring of thunder and
artillery, confused altogether. The roarings
of Cotopaxi in South America, one of the
largest volcanoes in the world, have been
heard at the distance of more than 200 miles.
Volcanoes are found in every quarter of the
world. Forty have been observed constantly
burning between Cotopaxi and the Pacific
Vesuvius and Naples.           ocean; 20 have been seen in the chain of
this fiery inundation, many lakes were filled mountains that stretches along Kamtschatka;
up, 20 villages were destroyed, nany thou. and many of them  are to be found in the
sands of sheep and cattle perished, and more Philippines, the Moluccas, the Cape de Verd.
tihan 240 liuman beings were destroyed. After the Sandwich, the Ladrone, and other islands
this eruption, two islands were thrown up from in the Pacific ocean. About 205 volcanoes
the bottom of the sea, 100 miles south-west are  known to exist, of which 107 are in
from Iceland one of them 3 miles in ciicnm.- islands, and 98 on the great continents. All
ference, and about a mile in height, which these grand and terrific phenomena of nature
continued for some time to burn with great are under the direction and control of the
violence.                                 Creator of the universe; and they afford preIn an eruption of Vesuvius, in 1769, about sumptive proofs that man has fallen from his
midnight, a fountain of fire was shot up to an original rectitude, and is no longer in a state
amazing height, casting so bright a light, that of innocence.
the smallest objects were clearly distinguish-  Questions on the pre
able at any place within six or seven miles
of the mountain. On the next day a most   (1.) What, is the nature of a volcano?
violent report was heard, which shook the What part of a volcano is its crater?  What
houses of the town of Portici to such a degree, substances are thrown out from volcanoes?
that the windows were broken and the walls What appearances generally accompany their
rent by the concussion of the air; and, in an eruptions? What are the signs or forerunners
instant, a fountain of liquid transparent fire of an eruption    What is meant by lava.?
began to rise, and, gradually increasing, What appearances does it present, and what
arrived at length at the amazing height of effects does it produce?  What are the prin10,000 feet and upwards, when its blaze was cipal volcanoes in Europe!  What is peculiar
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QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES.                              83
with respect to Stromboli?  Describe the size tion, inundation, lava, &c. Point, on the
and situation of Hecla. What preceded the map of Europe, to the situation of Hecla,
eruption in Iceland in 1783. What extra- Vesuvius, Stromboli, and Etna. Point, on
ordinary appearance did this eruption exhibit? the map of the World, to the situations of
Of what did the fire-spouts consist? at what the other volcanoes mentioned in the lesson.
distance were they seen? and to what height How many volcanoes are situated in islands?
did they rise?  How long did they continue What length of a journey is requisite in
to burn?  How large a tract of country was ascending to the top of Etna?  Under whose
covered by the burning materials? and what superintendence are the operations of volcadevastations did they produce?  What was noes? and what moral instructions may we
the depth of the burning stream?  What was learn from their terrific and destructive effects?
the appearance of the sun during this eruption 1  W.hat effects were produced by the   The above lesson is compiled from five or
rain, and what was the state of the atmos- six different sources, so as to condense as
phere?-What striking appearance was be- many interesting  facts as possible in one
held during an eruption of Vesuvius?  At description. The language of the original
what time of the day or night was it seen? authors has been altered and simplified, and
What happened before another awfiul appear- some original sentences interwoven. It is
ance?  Describe the size of Mount Etna, and seldom that a mere extract will be found, in
state the circumference of its crater. What all its parts, sufficiently perspicuous and inwere the circumstances attending its eruption teresting to the young; and therefore it wotild
in 1669, and what effects did they produce?-  require a considerable degree of labour and
(2.) What number of volcanoes has been research to arrange and compile a volume or
ascertained?  In what countries are they two on the plan proposed. The questions are
found? How many are in Europe?  How  intended to excite the attention and judgment
many in the mountains of Kamtschatka? of the pupil, and the answers are understood
What size of stones have been thrown out to be prepared by him, previous to his reading
of Etna and Hecla, and to what distance the lesson along with his class. At the same
were they thrown? How many villages were time, the teacher has it in his power to put to
destroyed by the eruntmon in Iceland? What his pupils as many subordinate questions coneffect did it produce on the lakes and rivers? nected with the subject as he may deem expeand upon animated beings?  Were any men dient, and to illustrate, by familiar descriptions,
and women destroyed?  What were the any objects either directly or indirectly conlength and breadth of one of the lakes of nected with the facts stated in the lesson.fire formed by this eruption?  Describe the The first twenty-six questions are stated
dimensions of the fiery stream  which ran nearly in the order of the lesson; the remaindown Mount Etna in i669. To what has ing queries, beginning at No. 2, are intentionthe noise of volcanoes been compared? What ally arranged in a different order, to exercise
effect did this noise produce in the town of the judgment of the pupil, and to prevent him
Portici?  At what distance was a gentleman getting his answers by rote. This arrangeenabled to read by the flame of a volcano? ment would require to be adopted in almost
What was reckoned the height of the stream  every lesson. Each lesson should contain a
of fire which ascended from Vesuvius? How  perspicuous description of some well-defined
many habitations were destroyed by the erup- scene or object, the knowledge of which would
tion of Etna? and what effect did it produce form a portion of the foundations of useful
on a lake?  Have any volcanoes ever risen science. And, were all the ideas comprised
from the bottom of the sea 1  From what part in a lesson of this description to be impressed
of a volcanic mountain does the eruption of upon the mind of the pupil every day, it canlava proceed? and does it always issue from  not be doubted, that in the course of a year,
the same part?  What was the size of one when above three hundred such lessons would
of the islands thrown up from the sea near be studied, a very considerable portion of useIceland?  To what distance have sand and ful information would be communicated-far
ashes been thrown in the eruptions of volca- superior in utility and extent to all that has
noes    What is generally the appearance of hitherto been acquired by the perusal of
the sky, and of the luminaries of heaven, pre- Epilogues of stage-players, Speeches in the
vious to an eruption, and during its continu- Roman Senate, Parliamentary debates, the
ance?  At what distance have the sounds encounters of knights and warriors, essays on
of the volcano Cotopaxi been heard?-What criticism and oratory, and all the other prosing
is the meaning of the word subterraneous? dissertations with which so many of our schoolwhence is it derived, and of what words is it collections are occupied.
compounded?  Describe, likewise, the mean-   Besides the questions referring to the deing of the words phenomena, summit, devasta- scriptions contained in the lessons, a variety
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84                ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
of miscellaneous questions, in reference to the press your thumb hard upon the top of it,
common appearances of nature, and the differ- what is the reason that the water will not run
ent branches of popular science, might occa- out at the bottom of the tube, although it is
sionally be proposed to the pupils to excite open l  When a boy's sucker is moistened
their curiosity, and exercise their reasoning with water, and pressed upon a smooth stone,
powers.  For example —                      what is the reason why it is able to lift up a
stone of a pretty large size?  Would the
How many miles should we require to travel sucker produce the effect if it were not moistbeforle we could go quite round the world! ened with water?
What proofs can you give that the earth is   Many thousands of queries of this descripround like a globe?  Is there more land or tion might be proposed to the young, which,
water on the surface of the earth    What is if judiciously selected, explained, and illusmeant by the atmosphere!  Has the air any trated, could not fail of gratifying their curiweight    By what experiments can  you  osity, and of imparting the elements of useful
prove that the air presses upon our bodies, knowledge, and, above all, of exciting a spirit
and upon all parts of the earth?  How do of observation, of fixing the attention, and of
you prove that air exists, since it cannot be promoting a habit of reasoning on the various
seen    What is the appearance of the sky  objects and operations they perceive around
during a thunder-storm?  Whether is the them.  An hour or more, during two or three
lightning seen before or after a peal of thun- days in the week, might be profitably spent in
der?  By what means could you measure the such exercises, which should always be acdistance between the earth and a thunder- companied with familiar and minute explanacloud?  What effects does lightning some- tions, and, where the subject admits of it, with
times produce?-How many senses has man? amusing and illustrative experiments.What is the organ of vision!  What part of    Another occasional exercise might consist
the eye lets in the light?  Is the opening in exhibiting to a class a variety of objects,
which lets in the light always of the same both natural and artificial,-such as, the model
size.  What knowledge do we derive by  of a ship, a pair of bellows, a mineral submeans of the sense of seeing?:  Have all stance, a shrub, a flower, a leaf, a bird, an inanimals the same number of eyes    What is sect, or any other object-and causing the
peculiar in the eyes of flies and other insects 1 pupils to describe the parts or qualities of the
-What are some of the different kinds of object exhibited, and the characteristics by
animals that live in the air, the waters, and which it is distinguished from  every other
the earth!  What is the difference between  class of objects. If it be a ship, the masts,
a beast, a bird, and a fish i between a reptile the yard-arms, the bow, the poop, the keel,
and an insect  &c. Is a lobster a beast, a the different kinds of sails, &c., their uses,
reptile, or a fish!'  What are the different properties, and the terms by which they are
parts of a plant   What part of a plant is distinguished, may be pointed out and dethe stem or trunk?  What enables plants to scribed.-If it be a flower, the calyx, corolla,
stand upright, although they are tossed with  stamina and pistil, may be pointed out, the
the wind    Do all plants grow  upright?  class to which it belongs described, and the
What plants are useful for food'! for build- characteristics by which it may be known
ing  for clothing!  &c. What parts of our from every other flower distinguished.  After
clothing are made from plants?  Could we having several times exhibited and described
have clothing from  animals, if no plants such objects, they may afterwards be held up
existed?  What would be the appearance to the view of a class, or handed round among
of fields and mountains, if there were no the pupils for their inspection, and each of
plants.-What are the tides?  How often them, or at least a few of the more intelligent,
do they ebb and flow in the course of a day 1 interrogated respecting the parts, qualities,
At what periods of the moon are the tides uses, or circumstances connected with the obhighest   Does the sun appear round  Does ject exhibited.  The objects which may be
the moon always appear round! What other thus described are almost innumerable; and
phases or shapes does she assume 1  At what hence the necessity, in such a system of inperiod. of the day or night does the moon rise struction, of collecting for every school an exwhen she appears with a round full face? In  tensive museum of natural and artificial objects,
what direction does she appear after sunset, -of having an extensive plot of ground conwhen she assumes the form of a slender cres- nected with the seminary, for rearing trees
cent? —If you take a wine-glass, fill it with
water, and press a piece of paper upon the X * A considerable variety of such questions as
mouth of it, and then turn it upside-down, those to which I allutde. will be found in an excelwill the water run out of the glass    If you lent little work, by Mr. Jacob Abbot, Ptincipal of
Mount Vernon School, entitled, "The Little Phitake a glass tube, and fill it with water, and losopher."
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WRITING AND COMPOSITION.                                  85
ihrubs, and flowers of different kinds-and  lesson, and put it down on their slates. Vaof enjoying an extensive prospect from the rioussother qualities of glass might afterwards
roof of the building, with the view of descry- be described to the pupils, particularly its
ing as many objects as possible, for the pur- power of forming images and magnifying obpose of elucidation  and  instruction.-T'he  jects, when ground into convex lenses, and
following example, taken from  the " Lessons combined in telescopes and microscopes, which
on Objects," as given in a Pestalozzian school unfold to our view the wonders of the heaat Cheam, will partly illustrate the plan here vens, and the minute parts of creation.  The
suggested:-                                chief business of a teacher, in such exercises,
Lesson on Glass.-The pupils are supposed is, to draw out the ideas of children, to direct
to be arranged before a black board, upon them in a right channel, to teach them to fix
which the result of their observations is writ- their attention on what is immediately before
ten.  The glass is passed round the party to them, and to employ their reasoning powers
be examined by each individual, so that his in drawing the proper conclusions from the
attention and powers may be exercised about it. objects they contemplate.  Contrary to the
almost universally prevailing practice, the idea
"Teacher. What is that which I hold in                              C  
my hand?   Childr~enr. A piece of glass.  T. of any object should generally precede the
term by which it is designated; so that a
Can you spell the word'glass.' [The teacher
then writes the word glass' upon the slate, child having acquired a clear conception of an
then writes th. e wordesee  to th w oe. las. s aobject, may feel the want of a term or terms
which is thus presented to the whole class as
the subject of the lesson.]  You have all ex- by which b ts nature or qualities may at any
time be expressed, and be enabled, on every
amined the glass, what do you observe? what
camneyo te glass, wai t isdo you observe bg     what occasion, to associate the one with the other.
can you say that it is 3 C. It is bright. [The
teacher, having written the word'qualities,'   SECTION- II. —Witing and Composition.
writes under it,' It is bright.']  T. Take it in
your hand and feel it.  C. It is cold.  [Writ-    On this branch of education, I shall offer
your hand and feel it. C. It is cold.  [Writ- only a few general remarks, in addition to
ten on the board, under the former quality.]  only a few general remarks, in    an art of
T. Feel it again, sand compare it with the
T, Feel it agails, and  compare it with the those formerly stated. —Writing is an art of
piece of sponge that is tied to your slate, and the greatest utility and importance, and to
then tell. e what you perceive in the glassn y hich children should be accustomed at an
then teis smooth, ie what isyou perceive in there glass. early period of their lives. In the first inC. It is smooth, it is hard.  7'I' Is there any  stance, they may be taught to write on a slate,
other glass in the room?  C. Yes, the win- stance, they may be taught
dows.  T. Close the shutters: can you see        a sla-pencil, which they may be taught
the garden now 3  C. No.  T. Why cannot to hold in the  same way as we hold a gooseyou? C. We cannot see through the shut- quill or a steel-pen. Instead of beginning
ters.  T. What can you say, then, of the with straight lines and parts of letters, they
glass?  C. We can see through it.  T. Can might at once begin either with complete letyou tell m  any word that will express this ters or short words, which should seldom be
you tell me any word that will express this made of a larger size than half text, as in the
quality?  C. No.  7'. I will tell you then; actual business of life there is seldom  occapay attention, that you may recollect it. It is actual business of life there is sel
sion for writing a large text-hand.  Mr. Bu
stand, when I tell you that a substance is chanan (a gentleman who has been long a
transparent 3  C. We can see through it. successful teacher in Greenock, and the author
T. You are right; try and recollect some- of several useful publications) lately showed
thin-g,, that is transparent.  C. Water.  T. If me a plan he had recently introduced to faciliI were to let this glass fall, or you were to tato write forming of letters, when a child is set
throw a ball at the window, what would be lows:-Slate     are prepared, as in the   following
the consequence?  C. The glass would be lows:-Slates are preparedas in the following
broken. It is brittle.  T. Could I in the figure, with the letters, a, h, r, &c. inlented
same manner break the shutters?  C. No. on the left-hand side.  The pupil works hi
T. Could I break it if I used great force                                pointed  slate
C. Yes.  T. Would you therefore call the                                 pencil several
wood brittle   C. No.  T. What substances                                out the indentthen do you call brittle'?  C. Those which                               ig  oe indentare easily broken."                                                      letter, and, aThese are probably as many qualities as       S                        ter he has 1 ewould occur to children at their first attempt,                          come  familiar
which, being arranged on the slate or board,              _              with its slopes
form  an exercise in spelling. They should                               and curves, and
then be effaced, and if the pupils are able to  \                        acquires   the
write, they may endeavour to remember the                 E              movements reH     (85)




S6                ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
quisite tLj form the letter, he tries to write a num- lines and pieces which they copy, should uniber of the bame letters in succession, on the line formly contain religious and moral precepts
drawn on the slate immediately opposite.  Mr. and sentiments easily understood, and stalte
Buchanan has found this plan greatly to facili- ments of historical, geographical, astronomictal,
tate the accurate formation of the letters, in the and scientific facts, in order that no opportufirst attempts of children to write on slates; nity may be lost in familiarizing the mind to
and it certainly deserves a fair trial in other useful knowledge.  For example, instead of
seminaries.  Short words might be indented the unmeaning words generally given as'coin the same manner; and when the pupil is pies,' such sentences as the following might
at a loss as to the formation and the joinings be substituted:
of the different letters, he may recur to the
indented model, and by following with his   "The eyes of the Lord are in every placet
pencil its turnings and windings, three or four beholding the evil and our uprising, and undertimes in succession, he will soon be enabled to our downsitting and our uprising, and under.
times in succession, he wlsonbealdtstandeth all our thoughts. The darkness can.form the word on his slate.                 standeth all our thoughts.
form the word on his slate.  siiar ci not hide from him; for the darkness and the
On a principle somewhat similar, a child light are both alike to God."  "The power
may be taught to write with ink upon paper, and wisdom of God are seen in the construcby setting before him a piece of good writing tion of the smallest insect.  In a single drop
made with a red pencil, and making him pass of certain kinds of water, hundreds of little
and repass over all the strokes and curves
withand  repass over all the strokes and curvofessor animals may be seen, by the microscope, swimJacotot's system of education-instead of cor ming like fishes in a pond, every one of them
Jacotots system of educatary lines, curves,   - having eyes, a mouth, stomach, and bowels,
mencing with elementary lines, curves, and andinstruments of motion.
mencringwascle ethn                an0  and instruments of motion."  "s About sixteen
letters, in what is called text-hand-a com- hundred years after the Creation, the whole
plete sentence, written by the master, or en- earth was covered with a food of water,
graved in small hand, is put before the eyes
graved in small hand, is put before the eyes which reached more than twenty feet above
of the pupil, which he is directed to copy. the tops of the hihest mountains."   Fear
He writes, as well as he can, the first word   the tops of the highest mountains."   LovFear
suppose' The;' and no further progress must God,  and keep his commandments  Love
suppose made, till, by an attentiv e omparison of your enemies, do good to them that hate you,
be made, till, by an attentive comparison of and live peaceably with all men.  If thine
his own performance with the original copy, enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give
bhe becomes conscious of the faults and defects him drink. For God is lon-suffering and
of the former.  Such questions as these are kind, even to the unthankful and the evil;
then put.  Q. Is this T well made?.1' No; He causeth his sun to rise on the evil and on
it is -too high, or too short, or too long.  Q  the good, and sendeth his rain to water the
Could it be made bettero? 1.   o I think so.  Q' fields both of the righteous and of the wiclied."
What must you then do to improve it?  A.  The world in which we dwell is round, like
Make it longer, or broader, or shorter, &c. a globe or ball; and it would require a jour
a globe or ball; and it would  require  a jourQ. How could you have made it better at ney of nearly twenty-five thousand miles befirst?  A. By paying more attention, &c.-  fore we could go quite round it."  "The
But I leave it to the writing-master to adopt Atlantic ocean lies between Europe and Amesuch plans for teaching the formation of writ- rica, and it is three thousand miles broad.'
ten characters as his experience may deem  ", Africa is a very hot country, and there are
most expedient, and conclude with two or great numbers of people living in it whose
three general remarks.                      skin is entirely black.  " China is the most
The principal object of writing is to com- populous empire in the world: it contains
municate our sentiments to others, or to record about three hundred millions of inhabitants.
the fleeting thoughts that pass through our The whole world contains above eight hun.
own minds for the subject of future considera- dred millions."  "The moon is two thousand
tion.  The art of writing should therefore be one hundred and sixty miles in diameter; and
made to bear, as soon as possible, on the prac- is two hunred and forty thousand miles distical purposes of life. Instead of continuing tant from the earth."  "'the   sun  is ninety.
children for years, at the formal practice of five millions of miles distant; and is more
writing from'copy-lines'-as soon as they ac- than twelve hundred thousand times larger
quire a tolerable hand, they should be accus- than the whole heartli."  "The  air, or atmo
tomed to write forms of mercantile accounts-   sphere  pr  earth         The aer, or atmo
statements of arithmetical operations-cards  arth'  surfae with a force e   square yard of the
of invitation-letters of friendship or business  than nineteen  thousand pounds." equal The river
-forms of address and superscriptions-and Amazon is three thousand miles long, and
whatever else they may afterwards have occa- is the largest river on the globe," &c.
sion to practice in the actual business of life.
The miscellaneous sentiments embodied in the   A sentence or two of this description might
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UTILITY OF EXERCISES IN COII'POSITION.                            37
be given to a whole class of writers, to be co- assumes the figure of a crescent, a half-moon,
pied several times over; and after the class a gilibous phase, and a full enlightened hemihas finished the writing, the fact, or senti- sphere-might form another exercise.* Such
ment contained in the sentence might be ex- exercises would tend to excite a spirit of obplained and illustrated.  By this means, a servation, and to impress the mind with vanumber of useful facts and practical rules of rious facts, which would be found of immense
conduct might be gradually communicated to benefit to the pupil when he should afterwards
the youthful mind; and, being noted down in enter on the regular study of the scienss.
the pupil's copy-book, they might be reperused  When such exercises are prescribed to a
and referred to on any future occasion.  Per- whole class, a day and hour may be appointed,
haps it might not be inexpedient to classify a when a few  of the compositions might be
number of fundamental truths, facts, and apho- read by the teacher in the presence of the
risms, under such heads as the following-   class.  This will give him an opportunity of
Rh'eligious, Mor, l, Geographica l, [Tislorical, As- offering remarks on the merits of the different
tronotical, Chemical, Optical, Botanical, r&c., compositions, and of showing how the same
allotting two or three pages of the copy-book  ideas may be expressed in different language.
foa each department.  The above suggestion  On such occasions, orthographical and gramproceeds on the principle, that in every, depart- matical errors may be pointed out, and direcment of study, an opportunity should be taken tions given how they may be avoided.  At
of imparting somne new and useful truth to the the same time, instructions may he given in
unders'anding of the young, or impressing some reference to the proper use of capital letters,
moral lesson upon the heart.                 stops and marks, and the proper arrangement
As soon as the pupil is able to handle the of any piece of composition into sentences
pen with some degree of dexterity, he should  and paragraphs.
be accustomed to write forms of letters, narra-    The utility of such exercises will scarcely
tives, essays, or real epistolary correspondence. be called in question.  They would habituate
He may likewise, at this period, be gradually the young to observation and reflection-instead
taught the art of cootposi/ios.  This may be of looking at the objects and phenomena of
effected, in the first instance, by recounting  nature with an unconscious guze, they would
to him a striking narrative, or an interesting  learn to inspect them with minute attention,
historical fact, and desiring him immediately  and  investigate their forms, qualities, and
to repeat it in his own style, and afterwards effects.  In such observations they would feel
to write it down nearly in the same manner. a variety of pleasing emotions; for the acquiAfter being accustomed to write, a few simple sition of new facts and ideas, and knowledge
narratives, descriptions of some objects con- of every description, is a source of enjoyment
nected with natural history, or some striking  to every mind, whether young or old. Bemoral sentiments, may be read over several sides, such studies and employments would
times in his hearing, as exercises in composi- have a tendency to prevent them  from  ention.  He may next be requested to give a gaging in frivolous pursuits and mischievous
narrative of any excursion he has made, either devices; and, in the future periods of their
alone, or in company, and a description of the lives, they would be enabled to record and descenes he has visited, the events that occurred, scribe, with perspicuity, any remarkable ocand the friends by whom  he was entertained. currences or facts that may fall under their
He may also be desired to describe the rural observation.  We have reason to believe that
scenery around him, and the streets, lanes, many interesting facts in relation to geology,
public buildings, and other remarkable objects mineralogy, zoology, meteorology, and other
connected with the town or village in which departments of natural history, have been dehe resides. A stuffed bird or quadruped, an  tected by persons in the lower ranks of life,
insect, a plant, flower, or any other object, which have been lost to the scientific world,
might occasionally be presented to him, with
a request to describe in writing, its form, parts,   * In order to understand the object of such an
proportions, and properties, as they appear to exercise, it may not be improper to state. that imns  a ri   sction.  Th mediately after sunset, the moon, when in a creshis senses after a -minute  inspection.  The cent phase, appears near the west or south-west
apparent motion of the sun during summer quarter of the heavens, in our northern latitudemight be prescribed as an exercise of this when of the figure of a half-noen, she appears
mi n wihich he miht bes dedir d teso dribe nearly in the south at the same hour-when of a
kind, in which he might be desired to describe gibbosS phase, about the south-east-and when a
the direction or position of the sun at 6 and 9 full noon. in the east, nearly opposite to the point
o clock in the morning, at noon, and at 3, 6, of sunset, and sometimes a little to the south-east
or north-east, according as she is in north or south
and 8 o'clock in the afternoon. A descrip- declination. These circumstances can be easily
tion of the different phases of the moon, and ascertained in the course of a fortnight, and it is
of the positions in the heavens in which she of some importance to a young person that he he
enabled to determine them from his ( wn observaappeals, immediately after sunset, when she tions.
187)




88                ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
in consequence of their being beheld with an drawings.  Previous, however, to such at.
incurious eye, and from the observers having tempts, some of the principles of perspective
been incapable of writing an intelligent de- would require to be familiarly illustrated. The
scription of the objects which came under pupil might next be instructed in the delineatheir inspection.  Hence the numerous bones tion of maps, the drawing of architectural
of fossil animals which have been mangled plans, garden plots, and rural ornaments, ma.
and destroyed, and thrown aside as rubbish, chinery of different kinds, and optical, matheby labourers and miners, had they been pre- matical, and philosophical instruments. In
served entire, might have thrown a new light the present state of society, and amidst the
on the extinct species of the animal kingdom, improvements now going on in all kinds of
and on the former state of the world. But in machinery, a particular acquaintance with
the present state of society, there is not one this department of drawing would be found
out of a hundred capable of writing a per- of great practical utility, and there are few
spicuous description of any fact, physical, mechanical exercises in  which the young
political, or moral, that may fall under his ob- would take greater delight.
servation.  If, therefore, young people were    Drawing  has hitherto  been  considered
early excited to habits of observation, and to chiefly in the light of an ornametal study,
record in writing the results of their observa- and has been viewed as principally adapted
tions, they might afterwards, in a variety of to the amusement of ladies, and the higher
ways, be eminently useful in contributing to ranks of society; and their attention has
the advancement of science and of general been chiefly directed to the copying of paintknowledge.                                 ings, engravings, drawings, and favlrcy pieces,
SECTION III.-Drawing.             which have no prototypes in nature. Hence
there are comparatively few who have learned
In connection with writing, Drawing is an this art in the usual routine, that can accuaccomplishment in which every young person rately delineate a landscape from nature, draw
should be initiated.  As writing consists in an architectural plan, or give a correct reprethe imitation of characters and words, so draw- sentation of any instrument or piece of maing is the imitation or writing down of objects. chinery.  The art of drawing ought not to be
Almost every child feels a desire to imitate considered as merely an elegant amusement:
the actions of others, and when he has it in it is capable of being rendered of the greatest
his power, to draw representations, however utility to science, and to those arts which
rude, of the objects around him; and in such minister to the comfort and rational enjoyexercises feels no small share of enjoyment. ments of human life.  Were useful knowHe may be taught to begin with geometrical ledge more generally diffused, and were the
figures, as lines, angles, squares, parallelo- young universally taught to draw from nature,
grams, triangles, polygons, arches, circles, our views of the landscape of the world, of
ovals, cones, pyramids, cylinders, and the like, the facts of science, and of the operations of
as being the foundation of all other propor- art, might be indefinitely enlarged.  Every
tions. He may next proceed to the drawing traveller would be enabled to take a sketch
of fruits, as apples, pears, cherries, &c., with of the wonders of nature, the varieties of art,
their leaves; of flowers, as roses, tulips, and the domestic associations, and the more indaisies; of birds, beasts, fishes, and serpents; teresting scenery displayed in the different
of the human body, with its several linea- regions through which he passed; and such
ments; and of houses, spires, public buildings, sketches, being  afterwards expanded  into
and landscapes.  After he has executed some panoramas, or engraved for the optical maof these objects fiom patterns set before him, chine, might extend our conceptions of the
he should be encouraged as soon as possible scenery of the world, and convey clear and
to copy from  nature.  For this purpose, he distinct views of objects which we may never
might be directed to begin with attempting to have an opportunity of visiting.  Every natudraw the representation of an adjacent build- ralist would be qualified to delineate an exact
ing, of the schoolhouse, with its garden and representation of any unknown tree, flower,
area, of a church, a spire, a tower, or some shrub, or uncommon animal, that might fall
adjacent public edifice-also the imitation of under his observation.  Every one engaged
a tree, a flower, a horse, a cow, a dog, a ship, inl astronomical observation could represent to
or a windmill.  After drawing several land- others, with accuracy, the phenomena of the
scapes from  copies,' he {nay be requested to solar spots, with their numberless variationsdelineate a particular landscape in the neigh- the aspect of the lunar mountains, peaks, and
tourhood of the seminary; and if such an vales, in every phase of the moon, and the
exercise were prescribed to a whole class, pre- changes which may occasionally be taking
miums (if such a principle be admitted) might place-the varied appearances on the surfaces
be offered for two or three of the best finished of the planets, as seen through telescopes —
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EXERCISES IN NUMBERS.                                89
and the relative positions, sizes and pheno- rules form the groundwork of all the compumena of the stellar and planetary nebulae dis- tations connected with commerce, geometry,
persed through the distant regions of 2sieae. mensuration, geography, astronomy, navigaEvery artisan and mechanic would be quali- tion, and other departments of science.
fled for sketching any mechanical improve-   Previous to engaging in the regular study
ment or invention, either of his own or of of this science, and attempting its more comothers; and every labourer, for delineating plex operations, the general properties of numwhatever curious or uncommon objects he bers should be familiarly illustrated by sensible
might meet with, either in his rural walks, or represent/ions, in a manner similar to what is
in his digging, mining, and agricultural opera- generally practised in infant schools. This
tions.                                    may be done either in private by an intelligent
But, in order to enjoy the advantages which parent, or in a public school, as an occasional
would be derived from universal instruction amusement for those who have not entered on
in the art of drawing, every object which the the regular study of arithmetic; which would
young are set to copy should be one which prepare them  for understanding its fundahas a real exis.'elce in -nature, and which may mental rules and computations. A variety
be instrumental in conveying to their minds a of moveable objects, as peas, beans, beads
new and correct idea of objects which they marbles, cubes, &c. may be provided,-or
may not previously have seen, and thus of perhaps small pieces of wood cut in the shape
adding something to their stock of general of cubes or parallelopipeds, as they do not
knowledge; and they should be given to un- roll, may be more convenient for this purderstand, that the object of drawing is not pose-and a method such as the following,
mere amusement, but practical utility; and corresponding to the spirit and plan of Pestaconsequeltly they should be induced to copy lozzi, may be pursued. The teacher, placing
from nature and art as soon as they are able one of the cubes before the children, says,
to handle the pencil with any degree of dex- "This is one cube;" the children at the same
terity. It appears truly absurd and prepos- time repeat, "This is one cube." The teacher,
terous to set before children, as patterns of adding another, says, "These are tiwo cubes,"
imitation, fancy pictures and imaginary land- which the children likewise repeat.  This
scapes which have no prototypes in the real process may be continued till they advance
world, when there are so many real objects to the number ten. Then, taking all the
and diversified  landscapes around us, and cubes from the table, and throwing down four,
when we consider that every new  object the question is put, How many cubes are on
which has a real existence, presented to a the table? which the children, after having
young mind, adds something to its stock of been for some time familiarized to this mode
knowledge. Fancy pictures are of as little of notation, will be able to answer. In like
use in'giving us correct representations of manner, other numbers may he successively
nature and art, as novels and romances are in placed on the table, and similar questions
conveying accurate information of the trans- put. This process may be varied as follows:
actions and events recorded in history.  On Placing a parallelopiped or oblong figure bethis ground, I would deem it inexpedient to fore the children, the teacher may say, " Once
distract the attention of the young with his- one" —placing another at a little distance from
torical paintings or drawings, however much the first, "Tvwice  one"-adding  another,
such pieces may be admired. In short, when "Three times one;" and so on, making the
we consider how much useful information, as children repeat the numbers as the pieces
well as pleasure, may be conveyed by accurate are laid down. WVhen the ten oblongs are
pictures taken directly from  the scenes of thus arranged at equal distances and in a
nature and the operations of art, we cannot straight line, such questions as the following
but view it as highly expedient, in attempting may be put. How many oblongs are there on
the general diffusion of knowledge, that every the table?  Do they lie close together?  Is
young person should be taught to delineate, the first oblong placed nearer to the second
on any emergency, whatever phenomena or than the second is to the third?  Do their
processes of nature, or operations of art, may long sides lie in the direction of the window
be thought worthy of being depicted and or of the door, &c.?  Could they be placed
recorded.                                  differently without changing either their number or distance?  When these questions are
answered, they may then be desired either to
Arithmnetic is the science which explains the shut their eyes or to turn their backs to the
properties and relations of numbers, and the table, when three oblongs may be taken away,
method of computing by them. A knowledge and the second moved nearer the first, and the
of this subject should form a part of every question put, How many oblongs are there
system  of education, as its principles and now?  The children, having counted them,
12                                       H2              (89)




0                ~ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
will say, "There are seven."  How many dwell on such processes, as every intelligent
were there before  " Ten."  How  many parent and teacher can vary them to an indefi.
have I taken away?  "'Three."  Did these nite extent, and render them subservient both
oblongs undergo any other change?  "You to the amusement and the instruction of the
have moved that (pointing to it) nearer to the young. From the want of such sensible reother."  In order to vary these processes as presentations of number, many young people
much as possible, the children should be de- have been left to the utmost confusion of
sired to count the number of fingers on one thought in their first arithmetical processes,
or both hands, the number of buttons on their and even many expert calculators have rejackets.or waistcoats, the number of chairs or mained through life ignorant of the retionalt
forms in the room, the number of books placed of the operations they were in the habit of
on a table or book-shelf, or any othei object performing.
that may be near or around them. By such    When the arithmetical pupil proceeds to
exercises, the idea of number and the relative the conmpound rules, as they are termed, care
positions of objects would soon be- indelibly should be taken to convey to his mind a well
impressed on their minds, and their attention defined idea of the relative value of ionney —
fixed on the subject of instruction.       the different measures of lelgth, and their
These exercises may be still farther varied, proportion to one another-the relative bulks
by drawing, on a large slate or board with or sizes of the measures of solidity and capacity
chalk, lines, triangles, squares, circles, or — angular measures, or the divisions of the
other figures as under.                    circle-square measure-and the measure of
tigme. The value of money may be easily
5             A                represented, by placing six penny pieces or
twelve halfpennies in a row, and placing a
B0 B           AA                sixpence opposite to them  as the value in
silver; by laying five shillings in a similar
BZ0 B B                         row, with a crown piece opposite; and twenty
shillings, or four crowns, with a sovereign
opposite as the value in gold; and so on, with
B U UC      A  A  A   A            regard to other species of money. To convey
a clear idea of measures of length, in every
o                                 school there should be accurate models or
standards of an inch, a foot, a yard, and a
O-O                    Cl           pole. The relative proportions which these
measures bear to each other should be familiarly illustrated, and  certain objects fixed
00 o                   ] E1 ]  upon, either in the school or the adjacent
premises, such as the length of a table, the
000   0                iE CE  n   C    breadth of a walk, the extent of a bed of
flowers, &c. by which the lengths and proHaving chalked such figures as the above, portions of such measures may be indelibly
the children may be taught to say, " One line, imprinted on the mind.  The number of
one triangle, one circle, one square-two yards or poles in a furlong or in a mile, and
lines, two triangles, two circles, two squares-  the exact extent of such lineal dimensions,
three lines, three triangles, three circles, three may be ascertained by actual measurement,
squares," &c. which may be continued to and then posts may be fixed at the extremities
twelve or twenty, or any other moderate num- of the distance, to serve as a standard of such
ber. They may be likewise taught to repeat measures. The measures of surface may be
the numbers either backwards or forwards, represented by square boards, an inch, a foot,
thus: " One triangle, two triangles, three tri- and a yard square. The extent of a perch or
angles, four triangles"-" Four circles, three rod may be shown by marking a plot of that
circles, two circles, one circle."  The nature dimension in the school area or garden; and
of the four fundamental rules of arithmetic the superficies of an acre maybe exhibited by
may be explained in a similar manner. Draw- setting off a square plot in an adjacent field,
ing five squares or lines on the board, and which shall contain the exact number of yards
afterwards adding three, it would be seen that or links in that dimension, and marking its
the sum of 5 and 3 is eight. Drawing twelve boundaries with  posts, trenches, furrows,
circles, and then rubbing out or crossing three hedges, or other contrivances.  Measures of
of them, it will be seen that if 3 be taken from  capacity and solidity should be represented
12, nine will remain. In like manner the ope- by models or standard measures. The gill,
rations of multiplication and division might the pint, the quart, and the gallon, the peck
be illustrated. But it would be needless to and the bushel, should form a part of the fur.
(90)




CIRCLE OF WEEKS AND MONTHS.                               91
niture of every school, in, order that their rela- counting deliberately from twenty to eighty.
tive dimensions may be clearly perceived. The hours, half hours, and quarters; may be
The idea of a solid foot may be represented illustrated by means of a common clock; and
by a box made exactly of that dimension; the pupils might occasionally be required to
and the weights used in commerce may be ex- note the interval that elapses during the perhibited both to the eye and the sense of feel- formance of any scholastic exercise.  The
ing, by having an cn,,ce, a poutd, a stone, and idea of weeks, months, and years, might be
a hundred-weight, made of cast-iron, presented conveyed by means of a large circle or long
to view in their relative sizes, and by causing stripe of pasteboard, which might be made
the pupil occasionally to lift them, and feel either to run along one side of the school, or
their relative weights.  Where these weights to go quite round it. The stripe or circle
end measures cannot be conveniently obtained, might be divided into 365 or 366 equal parts,
a general idea of their relative size may be and into 12 great divisions corresponding to
imparted by means of figures, as under.    the months, and 52 divisions corresponding to
the number of weeks in a year. The months
might be distinguished by being painted with
different colours, and the termination of each
week by a black perpendicular line. This
Iift~   liapparatus miglit be rendered of use for familiarizing the young to the regular succession
of the months and seasons; and for this purpose they might be requested, at least every
I![i[]4 j   ~week, to point out on the circle the particular
GILL.  PINT.  QUART.        GALLON.       month, week, or day, corresponding to the
time when such exercises are given.
Such minute illustrations may, perhaps,
appear to some as almost superfluous. But,
in the instruction of the young, it may be laid
down as a maxim, that we can never be too
minute and specific in our explanations. We'l,,,,~~i  tl'    toogenerally err on the opposite extreme, in being!111 ii!!'i.....too vague and general in our instructions,
STONE.           POUND.  OUNCE.  taking for granted that the young have a
AJngular measure, or the divisions of the clearer knowledge of first principles and funcircle, might be represented by means of a damental facts than what they really possess.
very large circle, divided into degrees and I have known schoolboys who had been long
minutes, formed on a thin deal board or paste- accustomed to calculations connected with the
board; and two indexes might be made to re- compound rules of arithmetic, who could not
volve on its centre, for the purpose of exhibit- tell whether a pound, a stone, or a ton, was
ing angles of different degrees of magnitude, the heaviest weight-whether a gallon or a
and showing what is meant by the mneasure- hogshead was the largest measure, or whether
ment of an angle by degrees and minutes. It they were weights or measures of capacitymight also be divided into twelve parts, to whether a square pole or a square acre was
mark the signs or great divisions of the zodiac. the larger dimension, or whether a pole or a
From the want of exhibitions of this kind, and furlong was the greater measure of length.
the necessary explanations, young persons Confining their attention merely to the numgenerally entertain very confused conceptions be)s contained in their tables of weights and
on such subjects, and have no distinct ideas measures, they multiply and divide according
of the difference between minutes of time, and to the order of the numbers in these tables,
minutes of sprce. In attempting to convey an without annexing to them any definite ideas:
idea of the relative proportions of duration, we and hence it happens that they can form no
should begin by presenting a specific illustra- estimate whether an arithmetical operation be
tion of the unit of time, namely, the duration nearly right or wrong, till they are told the
of a second. This may be done by causing a answer which they ought to bring out. Hence,
pendulum of 391- inches in length to vibrate, likewise, it happens that, in the process of reand desiring the pupils to mark the time duction, they so frequently invert the order of
whlih intervenes between its passing from  procedure, and treat tons as if they were
one side of the curve to the other, or by ounces, and ounces as if they were tons.
reminding them that the time in which we Such enrors and misconceptions would genedeliberately pronounce the word twenty-one, rally be avoided were accurate ideas previously
nearly corresponds to a second. The dura- conveyed of the relative values, proportions,
tion of a nuibutte may be shown by causing and capacities of the money, weights, and
the pendulum  to vibrate 60 times, or by measures used in commerce.'9O?




92               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
Again, in many        Floor and roof.     be represented as above-6X6=_36, and
cases, arithmetical                         9 X 4- 36.
processes might be ~                     -     By such a representation it is at once seen
illustrated by dia-   _                     what is meant by a square foot; and that the
grams, figures, and          -              product of the length by the breadth of any
pictorial represen-   _ _                   dimension, or of the side of a square by itself,
tations. The fol-                           must necessarily give the number of square
lowing question is                          feet, yards, inches, &c., in the surface. It will
stated in "Hamil-           e,,,ci.         also show that surfaces of very different shapes,
ton's Arithfmetic,"       side  I.,l s.     or extent as to length or breadth, may contain
as an exercise in                           the same superficial dimensions. In the same
simple  multiplica-                         way we may illustrate the truth of such posi-'ion-" HHow many        ll;                 tions as the followingTionshat there are 144
square feet in the           l'  il  1    inches in a square foot-9 square feet in a
floor,  roof,  and ~                        square yard-160 square poles in an acrewalls of a room. =                          640 square acres in a square mile-27 cubical
25 feet long, 18                            feet in a cubical yard, &c. For example, the
broad, and 15 high?       Length, 25,       number of square feet in a square yard, or in
It is impossible to       End Walls,        two square yards, &c., may be represented in
convey a clear idea                         either of the following modes.
to an arithmetical                          I Sq. Yard.         1 Square  Yard.
tyro, of the o bject o b                 -q —             -7 -rn                   r
of such a question,                           I ___ L  LILJLJIII
or of the process U                                                         |.''
by which the true                                             2s S. Y dsn
result may be ob-                          IL-   -LL                                -
tained, without fig-    Bireadth, 18.                 uare Yards.
I_ I_  }  I_@  |  tioL__   _s t   st
ures and accompanying explanations. Yet   d —        re 7 —dF         - f sc      ino previous explanation is given in the book,             L_                       thLe
of what is meant by the square of any dimen-                                
sion, or of the method by which it may be ob-..
tained. Figures, such as the foregoing, should
accompany questions of this description.                                     ILiL
The idea of superficial measure, and the                 mes w                   r
6icil contWhen  the dimensions of the mason  work
Sup -pof a house are required, the different parts of
1   2   3   4   5   6          the building, which require separate calcula-   ------                          tions, as the side-walls, the end-walls, the
7    8   9   10  11  12           gables, the chimney-stalks, &c., should be
13  14  15  16  17  1     separately delineated; and if such delineations are not found in the books where the
19  20  21  22  23  24            questions are stated, the pupil, before proceed- ~~~-  ~          ing to his calculations, should be desired to
25  26  27  28  29  30            sketch a plan of the several dimensions which
require his attention, in order that be may
31  32  33  34  35  36           have a clear conception of the operations be-l_ ___~-.~             ~ fore him.  Such questions as the following
reason *hy we multiply two sides of a quad- should likewise be illustrated by diagrams.
rangular figure in order to obtain the super- "Glasgow is 44 miles west from Edinburgh;
ficial content, may be illustrated as follows. Peebles is exactly south from Edinburgh, and
Suppose a square table whose sides are 6 feet 49 miles in a straight line from Glasgow.
long, and another of the form of a parallelo- What is the distance between Edinburgh
gram, 9 feet long and 4 feet broad, the super-   GLASGOW,    44 M}Iiles.    EDINBURGCH.
ficial feet contained in these dimensions may
9
1   2    3   4   5   6   7   8   9
10  11  12  13  14  1 5  1 6  17  18
19  20  21  22  23  24  25  26  27
P.EBL9E.
92)




FRACTIONS.                                   93
and Peebles?"  This question is taken from      7 parts               7
"Hamilton's Arithmetic," and is inserted as        - -           1
one of the exercises connected with the ex- _   LL l   LL_ [
traction of the Square Root; but no figure or               5 parts.
explanation is given, excepting the following          II
foot-note. " The square of the hypothenuse of
a right-angled triangle, is equal to the sum of            4 parts         4
the squares of the other two sides."  It should         [-'-I i
be represented as on page 92.                           L    _L     l
In a similar manner should many other ex-   By such delineations, the nature of a frac.
amples connected with the extraction of roots tion, and the value of it, may be rendered obbe illustrated.  The following question can vious to the eye of a pupil. A great many
scarcely be understood or performed, without other questions and processes in arithmetic
an illustrative figure, and yet there is no figure might, in this way, be rendered clear and ingiven, nor hint suggested on the subject, in teresting to the young practitioner in numthe book from which it is taken. "A ladder, bers; and where such sensible representations
40 feet long, may be so placed as to reach a have a tendency to elucidate any process, they
window 33 feet from the ground on one side ought never to be omitted. In elemnentary
of the street; and by only turning it over, books on arithmetic, such delineations and ilwithout moving the foot out of its place, it lustrations should frequently be given; and,
will do the same by a window 21 feet high on where they are omitted, the pupil should be
the other side. Required the breadth of the induced to exert his own judgment and imagistreet?"  The following is the representation nation, in order to delineate whatever process
that should be given, which, with a knowledge is susceptible of such tangible representations.
of the geometrical proposition mentioned above,   I shall only remark further, on this head,
will enable an arithmetical tyro to perform the that the questions given as exercises in the
operation, and to perceive the reason of it.   several rules of arithmetic, should be all of a
practical nature, or such as will generally oc__ ___ _  Il  cur in the actual business of life-that the
__/]_'l'.l \suppositions stated in any question should all;- ---------    be consistent with real facts and occurrences —
that facts i n relation to commerce, geography,
astronomy, natural philosophy, statistics, and
ang               other sciences, should be selected as exercises
of  ~'~ each /iven t~Io f             in the different rules, so that the pupil, while
engaged in numerical calculations, may at the
same time be increasing his stock of general
knowledge —and that questions of a trivial
3ni                      nature, which are only intended to puzzle and
-the — ~L; u p b.perplex, without having any practical tendency,
By this figure the pupil will see that his be altogether discarded. In many of our arithtalculations must have a respect to two right- e.etical books for the use of schools, questions
angled triangles, of which he has two sides and exercises, instead of being expressed in
of each given to find the other sides, the sum  clear and definite terms, are fiequently stated
of which will be the breadth of the street. in such vague and indefinite language, that
The nature of flactions may be illustrated in their object and meaning can scarcely be apa similar manner. As fractions are parts of a preciated by the teacher, and far less by his
unit, the denominator of any fraction may be pupils: and exercises are given which have a
considered as the number of parts into which tendency only to puzzle and confound the
the unit is supposed to be divided. The fol- learner, without being capable of being aplowing fractions, 2, I, % may therefore be re- plied to any one. useful object or operation.
presented by a delineation, as follows:   Such questions as the following may be reckoned among this class. " Suppose ~2 anid 9
9 parts.                 of I of a pound sterling willbuy three yards
IF T!. I —-[-               — f — and o of 3 of a yard of cloth, how much will
LLI__LLLLLJk__ A  of - of a yard cost " ".The number of
2 parts                  - --  scholars in a school was 80; theie were oneFES I~~~~~~ ~half more in the second form thah in the first;
the number in the third was ~ of that in the
12 parts.                 second; and in the fourth, 4 of the third..___. —. —r —  f~ —f- 7 —-F —-- How many were there in each form "
t  I  _I  I                   In some late publications, such as " Butlh's
(93)




'94              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
Arithmetical Exercises," and " Chalmers' In- moting it. Whence then this absurdity,f
troduction to Arithmetic," a considerable va- persecuting boys with grammar rules 1"
riety of biographical, historical, scientific, and    In most of our plans of education, instead
miscellaneous information is interspersed and of smoothing the path to knowledge, we have
connected with the different questions and ex- been careful to throw  numerous difficulties
ercises. If the facts and processes alluded to and obstacles in the way. Not many years
in such publications, were sometimes repre- ago, we had two characters for the letter s,
sented by accurate pictures and delineations, one of them so like the letter f, that, in many
it would tend to give the young an interest in cases, the difference could not be perceived.
the subject of their calculations, and to con- We had likewise ccr npond letters, such as ct,
vey to their minds clear ideas of objects and fl, fh, &c., joined together in such an awkoperations, which cannot be so easily imparted ward manner, that the young could not disby mere verbal descriptions; and consequently, tinguish them as the same letters they had
would be adding to their store of genial in- previously recognized m their separate state;
formation. The expense of books constructed so that, in addition to the ungracious task of
on this plan, ought to be no obstacle in the learning the letters of the alphabet in their
way of their publication, when we consider insulated state, under the terror of the lash,
the vast importance of conveying well-defined they had to acquire the names and figures of a
conceptions to juvenile minds, and of render- new set of characters, before they could peing every scholastic exercise in which they ruse the simplest lessons in their primers.
engage interesting and delightful.         Such characters, it is to be hoped, are now
forever discarded.  We have still, however,
an absurd practice in our dictionaries and
Grammar, considered in its most extensive books of reference, which tends to perplex not
sense, being a branch of the philosophy of only our tyros, but even our advanced stumind, the study of it requires a considerable dents, when turning up such works-I mean
degree of mental exertion; and is, therefore, the practice of confounding the letters I and J,
in its more abstract and minute details, beyond and the letters U and V, which are as distinct
the comprehension of mere children.  Few  from each other as a vowel is from a consothings are more absurd and preposterous than nant; so that all the words beginning with J
the practice, so generally prevalent, of attempt- must be sought for under the letter I, and the
ing to teach grammar to children of five or words beginning with V, under the letter U,
six years of age, by making them commit to causing to every one a certain degree of troumemory its definitions and technical rules, ble and perplexity, when searching for words
which to them are nothing else than a collec- beginning with any of these letters. Most
tion of unmeaning sounds. In most instances of our school Dictionaries and Encyclopedias
they might as well be employed in repeating are still arranged on this absurd principle,
the names of the Greek characters, the jingles which should now be universally discarded.
of the nursery, or a portion of the Turkish   In the construction of our books of GramAlcoran.  The following is the opinion of mar for the use of children,-instead of faciliLord Kaimes on this point:-" In teaching a tating this study, we have done every thing
language, it is the universal practice to begin to render it as dry and intricate as possible.
with grammar, and to do eyery thing by rules. We have definitions, general rules, exceptions
I affirm this to be a most preposterous method. to these rules, declensions and conjugations,
Grammar is contrived for men, not for chil- profusely scattered throughout every part of
dren. Its natural place is between language these scholastic manuals, and a cart-load of
and logic: it ought to close lectures on the syntactical rules and examples, all of which
former, and to be the first lectures on the lat- must of course be crammed, like a mass of
ter. It is a gross deception that a language rubbish, into the memories of the little urchins,
cannot be taught without rules. A boy who although they should not attach a single coris flogged into grammar rules, makes a shift rect idea to any portion of such scholastic
to apply them; but he applies them  by rote exercises. Nothing can be more simple than
like a parrot.  Boys, for the knowledge they the English verb, which, unlike the Greek and
acquire of a language, are not indebted to dry Latin verb, has only two or three varieties in
rules, but to practice and observation.  To its termination; yet, we perplex the learner
this day, I never think without shuddering, of with no less than six different tenses-the preDisputer's Grammar, which was my daily sent, the imperfect, the perfect, the pluperfect,
persecution during the most important period the first future, and the future perfect, —wbile
of my life. Deplorable it is that young crea- nature and common sense point out only three
tures should be so punished, without being distinctions of time in which an action may
guilty of any fault, more than sufficient to be performed; namely, the panst, the preselnt,
produce a disgust at learning, instead of pro- and the ft:c,'ue, which of course are subjiect
t94)




METHOD OF TEACHING GRAMMAR.                                    95
to a few modifications. On the same principle they would have a distinct view of an extenon which we admit six tenses, we might intro- sive landscape, where they might see either
duce nearly double that number.  Hence a ships sailing, birds flying, windmills in mocelebrated grammarian, Mr. Harris, in a dis- tion, men digging the ground, or working with
sertation on this subject, enumerates no fewer saws and hammers, carriages moving, or reapthan twelve tenses.  It is quite easy to make a ers cutting down the corn.  I would then inchild understand that a man is now striking a form them (if they are acquainted with numpiece of iron with a hammer, that he did the bers,) that there are about fifty thousand
same thing yesterday, and will perform  the words in the English language, but that they
same action to-morrow,-in other words, that may be reduced to about eight different classes,"
an action was performed at some past time, or kinds; or, in other words, that all the words
is performing nlow, or will be performed at they see in the different books that come into
some future period; but it is almost impossi- their hands, however numerous they may apble to convey to his mind a clear idea of pear, may be arranged into these classes.  I
twelve, or even of six, tenses, although a hun- would next tell them that one of these kinds
dred distinctions and definitions should be of words is called nouns, or terms which excrammed into his memory.  A disposition to press the nanfes of all kinds of objects, and
introduce quibbling and useless metaphysical desire thenl to point out, in the landscape bedistinctions has been the bane of theology, and fore them, some of those objects designated
one of the causes of the divisions of the Chris- nouns. They would find no difficulty in comtian church. A similar disposition has ren- plying with such a requisition, and instantly,
dered grammar perplexing and uninteresting  " a house, a tree, a ship, a church, a flower, a
to young minds, and prevented them  from  man, a horse," and similar names, would. be
understanding or appreciating its nature and  cheerfully vociferated.  They would next be
general principles.  By attempting too much, told that certain qualities or properties belong
in the first instance-by gorging their memo- to every object; that a house may be high or
ries with all the distinctions, modifications, low, large or small, white, gray, or tecd-a tree,
and rules, which grammarians have thought tall, thick, or slender-that a feather is lightproper to inculcate,-we have produced a dis- gold, heavy-butter, soft, &c.; and that the
gust at the study, when, by attempting nothing  words, high, low, light, heavy, soft, &c., bemore than they were able clearly to compre- long to that class termed a(jectlive%, or words
hend, we might have rendered it both delightful expressive of qualities.  Some particular oband instructive. There are, properly speaking, jects might then be mentioned, and the pupils
no oblique cases in English nouns, excepting requested to point out some of the qualities
the possessive case, and yet, in some gram- which they may possess.  For example, Boy.
mars, we have six cases specified, similar to After two or three qualities that a boy may
those of Latin nouns; and in almost every  possess are stated, they would soon apply the
book on grammar, three cases at least are con- adjectives, flood, bad, lazy, ddiZlient, tall, handsidered as belonging to English nouns.  On  sanwe, mischievoius, bea,,Ltifil, and other qualithe same principle, we might affirm that there  ties.  A  Table, round, oval, sqyare, oblong,
are as many cases as there are prepositions in  higm, lorw, lolzl, short, &c., adding the word
the language; for every combination of a pre- table to each of these qualities.  To diversify
position with a noun forms a distinct relation, this exercise a little, a quality might be menand consequently may be said to constitute a tioned, and the pupils desired to name any
distinct ruase.  Were it expedient in this place, objects to which it will apply.  For instance,
manly such remarks might be offered in refer- the quality looul, —when such answers as
ence to the absurdities and intricacies of our the following might be given, "A hat is round,
grammatical systems, and the perplexing and  a wafer is round, a saucer is round, a shillilng
inefficient modes by which a knowledge of
inefficient modes by which a knowledge of   * The words in the English language have.zenethis subject is attempted to be communicated. rally been arranged into nine classes, or ": parts of
In communicating to the young a know- speech;" but it appears almost unnecessary to
ledge of grammar, or of any other subject, consider the article and the interjection as distinct
parts of speech, particularly the interjection. which
that plan which is the easiest and the most in- is not necessary to the construction of a sentence,
teresting should ofcoursebeadopted.  All in- being only thrown in to express the emotion of the
tricate and abstruse definitions and discussions speaker. It is proper however, that the nature
e and abstre def n aand use of these words be explained to the young.
ought to be avoided, and nothing attempted  Perhaps all the words essential to language might
but what is level to their comprehensions, and  be arranged into the four following ctasses,.Nisoune,
which may be illustrated and explained by.ttributives, (or adjectives.) Affircmatiees, and Connectivss. tSuch arrangermeists, however, are of litsensible images and representations.  In en- tie importance, provided we convey a clear idea
deavouring to impart a general idea of the  to those whorn we instruct of the leading parts of
elements of grammar, I would, in the first in- speech which are essential to language, and be
careful not to perplex their attention with too mistance, lead the pupils to a position where  nute or unnecessary divisions.         9
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96                ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
is round, the sun and fmoon are round."  In other on the left-that the clouds are placed
like manner, High, which applies to towers, above the earth-that the grass is tender our
mountains, trees, the clouds; and Soft, which feet, and that a certain mansion is situated
applies to butter, dough, jelly, slime, pudding, upon the declivity of a hill.  Such relations
snow, &c.                                  might also be illustrated by desiring one of
I would next direct their attention to that the pupils to walk lo a certain point, suppose
class of words which express actions, and re- a tree, and then to return firon  that point to
quest them to look around upon the landscape, his former position;-or, to place himself in a
and tell me if they perceive any thing in vo- position before the rest of the pupils, and
tion, or shifting its position from one place to afterwards in a position behind them-when
another; (for motion, either mental or corpo- the relative positions of objects denoted by the
real, is implied in every action.) Should they terms near, above, to, and f'ortm, before, and
hesitate in answering this request, an instance behind, may be familiarly explained, and deor two may be pointed out; but they will sel- signated by the word prepositions. An idea
dom be at a loss, and will at once reply —  may be given of another class of words, which
" Ships are moving-birds are flying-the  stand instead of names, by asking such queshorse is trotting-men are walking-the ma-. tions as these:-How does that house look
son is breaking stones-the trees are waving among the trees, on the opposite bank of the
-the labourer is digging the earth."  They river? The answer might be, " It looks beaumay also be told to stretch out their hands, to tifully."  How  does that lady walk?  She
walk a few steps, to strike the ground with a walks gracefully.  What kind of a scholar is
rod, to look up to the sky, or to perform any John?  He is a good scholar. What did two
other action that may be judged expedient, wicked boys do to Arthur a few days ago?
and then informed, that the words expressive  They struck him with their fists. By such
of such actions, as walkitng, striking, breaking, examples, it will be easy to show that the
flying, &c. are denominated verbs. Having words it, she, he, stand in the place of house,
engaged them several times in such exercises, lady, and John; that they and their refer to
till a clear idea of the nature of a verb is the wicked boys, and that him stands instead
communicated, it will be easy to explain the of J.rthur. They may be then informed, that
diffirence between active and neuter verbs, such words are distinguished by the name proand the three tenses, the past, the present, nouns: and, by a few more familiar instrucand the future.  They may be told, for ex- tions, they may be made acquainted with the
ample, that masons broke stones yesterday, nature and use of the nominative, possessive,
and will break stones to-morrow —that James and objective cases, both singular and plural,
wrote a letter to his cousin a few days ago, by which they are varied. In a similar way
and will probably ur'ite another in a few days the nature and use of the article and of cosihence-and that birds flewr through the air jfuctions may be pointed out and illustrated.
last year, and trill fly in the same manner in    The plan now described may be varied, by
the year to come. The quality of an action, directing the attention of the young to the
and the eanu'ler in which it may be performed, objects contained in a parlour or a schoolor any circumstance that happens to be con- room-or, a large engraved landscape, accunected with it, may also be explained and rately coloured, containing  a considerable
illustrated.  Thus, they may be asked, In variety of objects, and representing various
what manner the clouds move, and the birds artificers at work, and objects in motion,
fly-slol'ly or neiftly?  In what manner the might be placed before them, and used for
labourer performs his work —slovenly  or the same purpose as a real landscape-or,
neatly, cheerfully or heavily?. In what manner they may be desired to form  an imaginary
the river runs —smoothly or rapidly?  How  picture, every one being called upon to specify
James behaves during the time of instruction the objects they wish to be put into the picture,
— attentively or foolishly?  How the house to along with their qualities, and the actions and
which I point is situated —pleasantly, avk.- movements they wish to have exhibited. This
wardly, or disagreeably?  They may then be picture may either be merely in'taginary, or it
told, that such  terms as slowly, swiftly, may be rudely sketched with a pencil on a
smsoothly, pleasantly &c. which express cer- sheet of paper.  One may desire that an eletain qualities of actions, constitute another gant mansion may be placed in it; another, a
class of words, denominated adverbs.       church with a spire, and near it a small cotWords which express the relations-in which tage; another may wish to see exhibited, a
objects stand to each other, may be next smith hammering his iron, or a few persons
pointed out. They may be directed to observe fishing in a river; and another, a school and
that a certain house (pointing to it) stands play-ground, a cotton-manufactory, or a steamncar a tower, a river, or a large tree-that a vessel sweeping along the river. —The exhihovte on the right hand is distant from an- bitions at a market or fair, a public procession,
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RULES OF SYNTAX.                                   97
boys and girls at play a festive entertainment, essential to language, or to a mutual interwith all its accompaniments, the scenes of a change of sentiments between rational beings,
sea-port, or any other scene connected with In the progress of the formation of language,
nature or human society, might be conceived however, other words would be found highly
or delineated for this purpose, and grammatical expedient, for the purpose of ease or ornament,
exercises connected with it in the manner now  for connecting the different parts of a discourse,
illustrated. I should, however, prefer a real or to avoid circumlocutions or disagreeable
landscape, as it appears on a fine day of sum- repetitions; and hence the invention of promer or autumn, to any other exhibition; as nouns, prepositions, and conjunctions. If this
real objects make a more lively impression on appears to have been the process by which
the mind than any picture can produce, and language was originally formed, it likewise
the view of a beautiful landscape, in the open suggests the proper mode by which a general
air, is attended with the idea of liberty, free- knowledge of the object, use, and component
dom from formal tasks, and various exhilarat- parts of language may be communicated to
ing circumstances. And it:ought never to be the young.
forgotten, that, by connecting the process of    With regard to Syntax, in many of our
education with varied and pleasant associa- initiatory grammars, there are between thirty
tions, we gradually enlarge the sphere of.and forty syntactical rules, many of them long
juvenile knowledge, and impress more deeply and complex, and accompanied with numerous
on the youthful mind the instructions we in- explanations, distinctions, and exceptions, all
tended to impart. By a few occasional les- of which are intended to be crammed verbatim
sons, in the way of amusement, on the plan into the memory of the grammatical tyro,
now stated, which may be varied in every whether he understand them or not, and howpossible mode, more correct ideas of the parts ever ungracious and irksome the task assigned
of speech may be communicated, than what is him. Is such a task necessary to be imposed,
generally done in a year or two by the dry in the first instance? and, if imposed, will it
and abstract modes in which this branch of tend to inspire the pupil with a greater relish
instruction has usually been conducted.    for grammatical studies, or render him more
Such a plan of instruction appears to be accurate in the art of composition? I have no
suggested by the mode in which we may con- hesitation in answering such questions in the
ceive language to have been originally formed. negative. Although all the rules alluded to
Were we to suppose man just now created, were admitted to be useful, it would be highly
and placed for the first time on the surface of inexpedient to burden and perplex a young
this globe, his attention would, in the first person with such exercises, when commuplace, be directed to the various objects which nicating the first elements of grammatical
he beheld existing around him. These he arrangement, especially when he cannot be
would endeavour, by some means, to distin- supposed to have a clear conception of the
guish one from another; and, if it were his meaning and application of the greater part
design ito invent a language by which he of such rules. What idea, for example, can
might hold  a communication with  other a child of six or seven years have of such a
rational beings, his first effort would un- sentence as the following, which forms only
doubtedly be, to give them names by which  the one-fomurth part of the 30th rule of syntax,
the ideas of them  might be at any time re- in Blair's Grammar-" The same adjectives,
called, when the objects themselves were adverbs, and prepositions, are always underabsent from his view.  These form a copious stood to apply to their respective parts of
source of words, which must be common to speech, when connected by conjunctions; so
every language formed for the communication that, if either of them be changed in the next
of thought among intelligent beings, wherever clause of the sentence, or the mood or tense
existing, throughout the. immensity of the of the verb be changed, the nominative or its
universe. He would likewise soon discover pronoun must be repeated,"-or of the followthat every one of the objects around him was ing, which forms another part of the same rule
endowed with certain attributes or qualities, -"All the parts of a sentence should cormeto express which another class of words or spond with each other, and a regular and
signs would be requisite. In the course of similar construction be carefully preserved'
his further survey, he would perceive certain throughout; and this corresponding analogy
changes, motions, and events, such as the in the construction of sentences constitutes
ebbing and flowing of the sea, the rising and the principal charm of elegant composition."*
setting of the sun, the flight of birds, the   Mr. Blair, in his Preface to the Grammar
movements of quadrupeds, &c. the expression  alluded to, says, "A grammar for the use of
of which would require a class of words dis- schools should not contain any? thinr superfluious,"
tinct from the former. These classes corm  and "every thing should be expressed in the
smallest numrber of words," —which are certainly
prehend all the words which can be deemed good maxims, and yet some of his syntactical rules
13                                          I             (97)




/)8                  ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
I am  fully convinced that, in the first in- matical sentences-and by pointing out the
stance, it is quite unnecessary to advert to inaccuracies which occur in their written cornmore than three or four fundamental rules positions,-than by all the formal rules that
in syntax, in order to direct the young in the can be packed into their memories.
general'construction of sentences.  There is    All the instructions alluded to above may
one principal rule, which, if punctually ob- be imparted without the assistance of any
served, would prevent any egregious blunder book or manual of grammar, and that, too,
from  being committed either in speaking or almost in the way of amusement.  When the
writing,-and that is, "./ verb should agree pupil has arrived at the age of 13 or 14 years,
with its o,nrrinative in,number and perso,." such books as " Murray's English Grammar,"
This might Be called, with some propriety, and "Irvine's Elements of English Composithe Rutle of syntax-a rule which is short tion," may be put into his hands for private
and simple, which can be easily explained and perusal, where he will meet with a number of
comprehended, on the observation of which  minute remarks and observations on the sub.
the meaning of a sentence frequently dopehds, ject, which may be worthy of his attention.
and a rule, in short, which is most fiequently  But, at the same time, he may be given to unviolated, even by good writers, especially when  derstand, that the careful study of good au-'their sentences are long and complex.  To -thors, a clear conception of the subject to
this rule I would add the following-"Active which his attention is directed, and the exerverbs and prepositionls govern the obhective case cise of judgment, taste, and common sense,
of pronouns;" and, in order to prevent such  on every piece of composition, will be of more
inaccurate expressions as "more bettetr," "msore avail than any system of abstract rules; and
dealrer," &c., the rule, "Double comparatives that a breach of some of the rules laid down
and superlatives are improper," may be added. by grammarians may sometimes be as proper
Exercises might also be given to illustrate the as'a strict observance of them.  In short, in
two following rules —" The past participle training children to accuracy, both in gramshould be used after the verbs have and be;" mar and orthoepy, it might have a good effect
and " The verb to be, should have the same were care uniformly taken, both in the school
case after it as before it."  It ought never to and the parlour, to correct every expression in
he forgotten, that the habit of accurate com- their ordinary conversation that is ungramposition depends more on practire, and the  matical, or incorrect in their pronunciationstudy of good writers, than on a multitude of to explain the reasons of the corrections, and
rules; and I appeal to every one who is in  to endeavour, on all occasions, to induce them
the habit of composing, whether, in the mo- to express their thoughts with propriety and
ment of committing his thoughts to writing, precision.  In the schools in Scotland every
he ever thinks of the rules of syntax, except, child should be taught to pronounce the En?perhaps, some of those now specified.  I have lish language with accuracy, even  in  his
known an individual, in the lower walks of common conversation, so that the Scottish
life, who had never been taught grammar', nor language may be extirpated as soon as possi.
perused any book on the subject-who wrote ble, since it will never again be the language
essays on physical subjects, which might have of literature or science.
been inserted with propriety (and some of
them were actually inserted) in respectable scientific journals. The only inaccuracy which    Geography is a branch of knowledge with
appeared was an or(ctsio(llll violation of the which every individual of the human race
first rule of syntax above stated.  A  more ought to be, in some measure. acquainted.  It
correct idea of the construction of sentences is scarcely consistent with the character of a
will be conveyed to the young by the occa- rational being, surrounded by the immensity
sional remarks of a judicious teacher, during  of the works of God, to feel no desire to
their reading lessons-by exercising them fre- become acquainted with these works, and,
quently on the rules above stated, particularly  particularly, to remain in ignorance of the
the first-in causing them to correct ungram- form, magnitude, component parts, and geneoccupy nearly a page. He immediately adds, ral arrangements of the terrestrial habitation'Whatever it is desirable young people should  allotted for his abode.  It is equally inconknow they must learn by rote-the memory is the  sistent with a principle of benevolence, and
onl0 fiaculty of children of which teachers can properly avail themselves, and it is a vain attempt to with the relations in which he stands to beings
address their immature powers of reason and  of the same nature and'destination, to remain
reflection."  Such sentiments are rather too anti- altogether ucquainte  with the physical and
quated tfr the nineteenth century. This gentleman, whether his name be real or fictitious, has moral condition of other tribes of his fellowsucceeded much better in the execution of his men, and to feel no interest in alleviating
"Class-Book," and his "Grammar of Natural their miserie
Philosophy," than in his "Practical Grammar of           s or promoting their improvement
the English Language."                       It is even inconsistent with the spirit of reli
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FIGURE OF THE EARTH.                                  99
gon and tne duties of a Christian, to remain  pils that " the earth is round like a ball," the
in indifference with regard to geographical reasons or arguntents which prove this posiknowledge, for " the field" of Christian labour tion should be clearly and familiarly illustrated.
and benevolence is " the world" with its nu- If thev are near the sea-coast, they should be
merous tribes of inhabitants, which it is the conducted to the margin qf the sea, to obgreat object of this science to investigate and serve how the hull of a ship, leaving the
describe.  As the depositories of Revelation, shore, disappears, near the horizon, before the
of "the good things of great joy," which sails, and the sails before the topmast; and a
are intended to be communicated "to all peo. telescope should be provided, that the obserple," we are bound to study this subject in all vation may be made with perfect distinctness.
its bearings and relations, and to teach it to They may be informed, at the same time, that
our children, and our children's children, that a ship disappears from the view, in the same
they mAy feel an interest in the moral condi- manner, in,ll parts qf tile ocean; and if so,
tion of the inhabitants of distant lands, and the ocean must form a part of the surface of
employ their energies in diffusing  Divine a sphere; and if the ocean, with its numerous
knowledge, in counteracting moral evils, in ramifications of seas, straits, and gulfs, be of
abolishing the system of warfare, and pre- a spherical form, the surface of the land must
paring the way for a harmonious intercourse be nearly of the same figure, since it is nearly
among all the families of the earth. This on the same level as the sea, no part of it
science, therefore, ought to form a subject of rising more than a mile or two above this
study in every seminary devoted to the instruc- level, except the peaks of a few lofty mountion of the young.  Yet it is a fact, that, in tains.  Where there is no convenient access
the present state of society, we find thousands to the sea-coast, or the margin of a lake or
of our fellow-men almost as ignorant as the river, the same fact may be illustrated by the
horse or the mule, of the arrangements of the appearance of a person going over the top of a
world in which they dwell, and of the various conical hill,-or any waving tract of ground
tribes of human beings with which it is peo- may be selected, and a little boy directed to
pled-as if they had no connection with their walk from the one extremity to the other, over
brethren of the same family, nor any common  the highest point of it; when it will be perrelation to the Universal Parent who gave ceived, after having passed this point, that the
them existence.                            lower parts of his body will first disappear,
This study, like many other scholastic ex- and that the top of his head will be the last
ercises, has too frequently been conducted in part of him that will be visible, as represented
a dry and uninteresting manner, and very in- in the following figure.
adequate ideas communicated of its grand features and leading objects. Lists of the names
of towns, cities, countries, rivers, bays, and
gulfs, have been imposed as tasks to the me-;: z                       \
mory, without any corresponding ideas; and
the mechanical exercises of copying map.,   The pupils may next be made to perceive,
and twirling an artificial globe, have not un- that if the earth be round like a globe, we
frequently been substituted for clear and com- might travel directly east or west, and, holdprehensive views of the leading facts and ing on in the same direction, without turning
principles of the science. Physical geography back, might arrive at the same point from
has been almost entirely omitted in the initia- which we set out; and then be informed, that
tory books on this subject; and most of them  the experiment has actually been made-that
are constructed on this principle, that the ships, at different periods, have sailed quite
meagre descriptions and details they contain round the world, the course of which may
shall be coanirvted to nmeomory by rote. In this afterwards be pointed out on the artificial
way, months and even years have been spent, globe. But, as these voyage~ have been
and as little real knowledge of geography ac- made only in an easterly or westerly direcquired, as there is of theology by the common tion, they may be led to understand that, had
routine of committing to memory the vocables we no other proofs of the earth's rotundity,
of the " Church Catechism," or the West- this experiment would only prove that the
minster Assembly's synopsis of Divinity.   earth is round in one direction, like a cylinder
In communicating a knowledge of geogra- or a drum. The roundness of the earth, fronm
phy, it is requisite, in the first place, to give north to south, might, at the same time, be exthe young a clear and impressive idea of the plained from the fact, that when we travel a
size, form, component parts, and general ar- considerable distance from N. to S. or frcm
ranaemernts of the earth, considered simply as S. to N., a number of new stars successively
an object of cotntemplation, and a part of the appear in the heavens, in the quarter to which
creation of Godt. In stating to a class of pu- we are advancing, while many of those in the
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100                ON THE'MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
opposite quarter gradually disappear; which  deduced from  this phenomenon.  Let the
could not happen if the earth were a platne in flame of a candle or gas-lamp represent the
that direction, like the longitudinal surface of sun, and a wooden ball, supported by a wire
a cylinder: for, in this case, we should see all represent the earth; and let a circle, somethe stars of the heavens, from the North pole what less than the diameter of the ball, be
to the South, on whatever portion of the drawn on a piece of pasteboard, and coloured,
cylindrical surface we were supposed to be to represent the moon. Let them be placed
placed.  This might be illustrated by sur- at a moderate distance fiom each other, and
rounding a terrestrial globe, or any other ball, nearly in a straight line, and let the pupils
with a lai;ge hoop or circle, about twice or mark the curve of the shadow of the ball on"
thrice the diameter of the globe, on which the circle representing the moon, and that
some of the stars might be represented. This there is no body but one of the figure of a
circle might be made either of wood or paste- globe that can project a circU!alr'  s/lto  in
board, and the globe within it connected with everey direction; for, although a counter or a
a moveable plane to represent the horizon, as shilling will cast a circular shadow  in one
exhibited in the following figure.          direction, yet in every, other direction it is
either an oval or a straight line. Hence the
conclusion is easily deduced, that, if the
- p F         ~shadow of the earth falling on the moon is
the cause of an eclipse of that orb, and if this
shadow, so far as it is seen, is always a porG,         u           tion of a circle, the earth,'as a whole, must be
A' 2:.:: i W nearly of a globular figure. In order to render
VC              ID                    such explanations clear and impressive-when
a visible eclipse of the moon takes place,
young persons should be directed to observe
such a pnenomenon with attention —to mark
the figure of the earth's shadow when it first
enters on the eastern margin of the moonbefore it leaves its western edge-and during
the whole of its progress along the disk, if it
In this figure, the inner circle represents happen to be a parlial eclipse of the moon;
the earth; A, the North pole, and B, the and, although they be not directly engaged
South; and the larger circle, E C F D, a in geographical studies at the time, yet such
portion of the celestial sphere. It is evident, observations will afterwards prepare them for
that if a person be placed at the equator at G, understanding such explanations as now sughe will see all the stars above the horizon C  gested. Such minute illustrations, so far from
D, in the hemisphere D F C. If he move to being superfluous or unnecessary, are essenthe point H, 45 degrees nearer to the North tially requisite for producing in the minds of
pole, the moveable plane C D, may be moved'-e young, a rational conviction of the rotunin the direction E F, to represent the horizon dity of the earth. I have known young ladies,
of that place, when it will evidently appear and gentlemen too, who had passed through a
that he has now lost sight of all the stars scholastic course of geography, and yet could
situated between F and D, and that the pole- assign no other reason for their believing that
star C, which, in his former position, was in the earth is globular, than this, " That their
his horizon, is now elevated 45 degrees above teacher told them  so, and showed them  a
it. In a similar manner it might be shown representation of it by the artificial globe."
that no such difference in the aspect of the Besides, such specific explanations and illus-,tarry heavens could take place, in travelling trations tend to exercise the reasoning powers
from South to North, or from North to South, of the young, and to bring to their view a
were the earth of the form of a cylinder; and variety of incidental facts and circumstances
consequently, that the fact above stated proves connected with the subject, and thus their
the rotundity of the earth in that direction.   store of general information is gradually inThat the earth, considered as a whole, not- creased.
withstanding the irregularities caused by its    Having, by such methods as the above, pro.
mountains and vales, is of the figure of a duced a clear conviction of the spherical form
sphere, may be illustrated from the phenome- of the earth, the next step might be to convey
non exhibited during the progress of an eclipse an impressive idea of its nmagnitude. For this
of the moon. An explanation of a lunar purpose, let a class of young persons be coneclipse, accompanied with familiar illustra- ducted to an eminence, where they might have
tions, will be requisite to be given, before the a distinct view of a landscape stretching about
proof of the globular figure of the earth be eight miles in every directi3n. Let their atten
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MAGNITUDE OF THE EARTH.                                101
tion be particularly directed to the various ob- it would require more than two hundred and
jectswhich compose the scene before them; sixty-eight year-s before they could survey,
let them be directed to consider the vast mass even in this rapid and imperfect manner, the
of materials contained in the hills or moun- whole superficial dimensions and variegated
tains which form a portion of the view-the  scenery of the globe on which we dwell.
millions of labourers, and the number of years    Their attention should likewise be directed
which it would be requisite to reduce the to the solidity of the earth-that it is not
whole landscape to a perfect level,-the nurnm- a mere superficies, but contains within its
her of trees and shrubs of every kind contained bowels an immense and indescribable mass
within the range of their view-the almost of matter, extending nearly 7900 or 8000
innumerable millions of flowers of every hue, miles in every direction, between the opposite
stalks of corn, blades of grass, mosses almost portions of its circumference, amounting to
invisible to the naked eye, and vegetables of more than 263 thousand millions of cubical
every description, which cover every portion miles. An idea of this enormous mass of
of the landscape-the cattle, sheep, -horses, materials may be communicated by such illuse
dogs, and other quadrupeds, and the multi- trations as the following: —Suppose Mount
tudes of birds, worms, flying and creeping Etna,-which ranks among the largest insu.
insects, and microscopic animalcule, which no lated mountains on the globe, and which conman can number, comprehended within the tains around its sides 77 cities, towns, and villimits of their view-the number of houses lages, and 115,000 inhabitants,-to be 120
and human beings in the towns, villages, and miles in circumference around the base, about
hamlets, which are scattered around, and the  10 miles in circumference near the top, and 2
labours in which they are employed-the mass miles in perpendicular altitude, and consider.
of waters in the rivers, and in that portion of ing its figure to be nearly that of the frustrurn
the ocean which lies before them, (if such of a cone, it will contain about 833 cubica.
objects be in view,) and the numerous tribes miles, which is only the x-w,;, 8r    part of
of fishes which glide through the watery ele- the solidity of the globe, reckoning it to conment. Let them be directed to consider the tain 263,858,149,120 cubical miles; so that it
time and exertions which would be requisite would require more than three hundred millions
to travel to the most distant parts of the land- of mountains, such as Etna, to form a mass
scape, to go quite round it, and to cross it in equal to that of the terraqueous globe: and
forty or fifty directions, so as to attain a more were these mountains placed side by side in a
intimate inspection of the multifarious scenes straight line, they would extend 12,100,097,and objects of which it is composed.  Let 574, or more than twelve thousand noillions of
certain general calculations be made of the miles; that is, more than six timtes the distance
nurnber and t-ztor gi7ruKe of such objects, of the of Herschel, the remotest planet of our system.
motio;, of the inanimate parts of nature, of And were we to travel without intermission,
the activities of animated beings, and of the till we reached the extremity of such a line
quantity of matter which appears on every  of mountains, at the rate of 25 miles every
hand. Having impressed upon their minds, hour, (the utmost speed which our steamas clearly as possible, such ideas of the rzma,- carriages have yet attained,) it would require
nitude and v r'tlty of the scene before them,    five thousand, two lu.ndred and.fifty-one
let them be informed that the landscape they  years, before the journey could be accomare contemplating is about 50 miles in cir- plished.  And, were they arranged in circles,
cumference, and that its surface contains 200 equal to the perimeter of the sun, they would
square miles; but, that the whole surface'of go 4376 times round the circumference of
the earth contains more than 196 millions of that stupendous globe, and cover a great porsquare miles, and, consequently, is nine hun- tion of its surface. Again, suppose that all
dred rand eighty thouzsand ticmes larger than the inhabitants of the earth were to be emall the objects they behold around them; so ployed in removing a mass of materials equal
that they must conceive 980,000'landscapes to that of our globe; suppose all that are
as large as the one before them, before they capable of labourinig to be 200 millions, and
can form an adequate idea of the magnitude that each person removes ten cubical yards in
of the earth.  To impress this idea more a day, it would require more than 1,970,956,deeply, they may likewise be told, that, were  164, or, one thousand nine hundred and
they to remain in the station they now occupy, seventy millions, nine hundred and fifty-six
ten hours every day, (the time usually allotted thousand, one hundred and sixty-four years,
for daily labour,) and were a landscape of before such an operation could be completed;
similar extent to that which they behold, to which is more than 337,550 times the numpass before their view  every hour, till the ber of years which have elapsed since the
whole extent and scenery of the terraqueous Mosaic creation.
globe were brought under their observation,   It is of some importance, that, by such
1 2            k101)




10f2               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
illustratiols, we endeavour to convey to the in the same direction-that the land is divided
minds of the young a luminous and impressive into three principal portions or masses, the
idea of the magnitude of the globe on which Eastern and Western  continents, and the
we dwell. For it is the only standard, or territory of New Holland, besides thousands
scale of magnitude, by which we are enabled of islands of every form  and size, which
to form a conception of the bulk of the sun, diversify the surface of the ocean-that lofty
and some of the more magnificent globes of ranges of mountains, some of them three or
the solar system, and of the immensity of the four miles in perpendicular height, runi lt
universe. If we entertain imperfect and con- different directions through these continents,
tracted conceptions of the size of our globe, some of them hundreds and even thousan(?s
we shall be led to entertain similar contracted of miles in extent-that hundreds of' rivers,
views of the celestial orbs, and of the ampli- many of them  above 2000 miles in length,
tudes of creation. No adequate conception have their rise in these elevated regions, and
of the magnitude of our world can be con- carry an immense body of waters into the
veyed to the young, by merely telling them  ocean-that the ocean has been sounded with
that it is 8000 miles in diameter, and 25,000 lines nearly a mile in length, when no bottom
in circumference, and showing them its figure was found; that it is probable, it is several
and the divisions on its surface by an artificial miles in depth, and that its bottom is diversified
globe. For, in the first place, few of them  with mountains and vales like the surface of
have an accurate conception of the extent of the dry land; that it contains a mass of water
one thousand miles, much less of,twentyfive sufficient to cover the whole globe to the
thousand; and, in the next place, they are apt height of more than a mile and a half; and
to fix their attention merely on the length of that, were its caverns drained, it would require
a line or a circle, without considering the more than 20,000 years before they could be
extent of surface contained in a globe of the filled by all the rivers running into it at their
above dimensions; and therefore, the number present rate, although they pour into its abyss
of square miles comprised in the superficies 13,600 cubical miles of water every yearof the earth, amounting to nearly 200 mil- that the atmosphere surrounds the whole of
lions, should  always be specified, as that this terraqueous mass; that by means of this
which conveys the most correct idea of the atmosphere and the solar heat, a portion of
amplitude of our globe —and, in the last place, the waters of the ocean is carried up to the
unless an ample prospect be presented to their region of the clouds in the form of vapour,
view, and their attention fixed upon its multi- and condensed into rain to supply the sources
farious objects, while such instructions are im- of the rivers, and to water and fertilize the
parting, the illustrations of the magnitude of earth-and that, by these and similar arrangethe earth will neither be clear nor impressive. ments of Infinite Wisdom, the lives and comIn a private apartment, where the view is con- forts of myriads of animated beings throughout
fined to the walls of the room, such instruc- the regions of the earth, air, and ocean, are
tions would lose a considerable part of their preserved and perpetuated.
effect.                                      Such general views of the grand features
Having thus impressed on the understand- of the globe, when  occasionally enlivened
ings of the pupils clear conceptions of the with particular details of what is curious and
figure and magnitude of the earth, its leading novel to the young, cannot but arrest their
divisions and granld natural outlines should attention, and excite their curiosity to acquire
next be presented to view. An eighteen-inch more  minute information on the subject;
terrestrial globe should be placed before them, while, at the same time, they have a tendency
on which they should be directed to mark the to inspire them with sublime and reverential
great divisions of land and water —that the ideas of that Almighty Being who, "laid the
regions inhabited by man, and other terres- foundations of the earth, who causeth the
trial animals, lie between two expansive vapours to ascend, who measureth the ocean
masses of water more than ten thousand in the hollow of his hand, who weigheth the
miles in length, and one of them nearly the mountains in scales, and taketh up the isles
same in breadth, which cover about three- as a very little thing."  After describing such
fourths of the surface of the globe-that the general views, the attention may be directed
northern and southern portions of this watery to various other objects connected with the
mass are, for the most part, compacted into a physical constitution of the globe, such as
body of solid ice; that the other portions move rocks and insulated mountains, promontories,
backwards and forwards in different directions isthmuses, caverns, icebergs, forests, mines,
by a kind of libratory motion, every 12~ hours, and deserts-volcanic mountains, and islands
producing the flux and reflux of the sea; that that have been raised from the bottom of the
currents, such as the gulf stream, axe found in ocean by the force of subterraneous agents —
different parts of the ocean, flowing uniformly lakes. mediterranean seas, fountains, springs,
t102)




GEOGRAPHICAL DELINEATIONS.                                103
whirlpools, gulfs, and water-spouts-the pecu- hensive ideas are generally entertained of this
liarities of the different zones-the climates, noble and interesting feature of the terrestrial
and the distribution of plants and animals in surface.  Three or four extensive chains of
the different regions of the earth-the atmos- mountains may be distinguished, from which
pherical phenomena in different countries, flow numerous ramifications, and which, with
thunder, lightning, aurora-borealis, the mon- some interruptions from the sea, extend nearly
soons, trade-winds, sea and  land  breezes, round the globe.  One of these chains -uns
hurricanes, and  tornadoes-the distribution  through  Lapland, Finland, and  INorthern
of tempereau.re in different parts of the earth  Russia, including the Ural mountains, sendz —the variety of seasons in the different zones, ing forth branches in different directions.
and the reasons why all the four seasons pre- Another runs along the southern parts of
vail at the same moment in different countries Europe, including the Alps and Pyrenees-the changes which have been produced on  Hungary, Persia, Tibet, including the Himathe surface of the globe by earthquakes, vol- laya, and, stretching in different directions,
canoes, the action of water, the influence of pass through China, Japan, and the Kurile
the atmosphere, and the agency of man-the  islands towards Kamtschatka, from  which
varieties of the human race, the population of another chain diverges, and establishes a conthe globe, and the number of individuals that nection with the grand chain of the American
are daily ushered into existence, and of those continent.  Another ridge runs along the
who daily retire from the living world.  To  southern hemisphere, through Afiica' Parathese views of natural scenery may next be guay, the islands of the Pacific, and New
added explanations of maps, and of the differ- Holland; and another extensive chain runs
ent circles on the artificial globe, of the nature from north to south, along the whole length
of longitude and latitude, the division of the of America, including the Andes, the Rocky
circle into degrees and minutes, the variety  and the Blue mountains.  The pupils should
of days and nights, the reasons why the zones be directed to trace these ranges, with all their
are boundedl at parliculalr degrees of l(atitude different branches, not only along the contiby the tropics and polar circles, and the mode nents, but across the oceans, where the tops
by which the circumference of the earth and of the higher ridges appear in the form  of
its other dimensions have been determined. islands, their average elevations remaining
The explanations of rastronomoliral geography, below the level of the sea.-2. Another de-.
such as the causes of the different seasons, lineation should consist of an elementary
the annual and diurnal motions of the earth, map, showing the various objects connected
and the method of finding the latitudes and with geography: such as continelts, islands,
longitudes of places, may be postponed till the peninsulas, isthmuses, promontories, mounpupil proceeds to the study of astronomy.    tains and plains, woods and forests-rivers,
In describing such objects as the above, and lakes, seas, gulfs, friths, straits, and channels
other departments of geography, illustrative -and  the manner in which cities, towns,
maps and delineations, such as the following, forts, roads, shoals, sand-banks, soundings,
are requisite: —1. A stereographic projection  sunken rocks, and the direction of the winds,
of the globe on the plane of the meridian, are represented in maps.-3. Delineations
which divides it into the eastern and western  showing the proportional length and breadth
hemispheres; and another projection on the  of the principal rivers on the globe. This
plane of the equator, having the poles in the might, perhaps, be more distinctly exhibited by
centre, dividing the earth into the northern  a number of rods of diffirent lengths, graduand southern  hemispheres.  Without this ally tapering to a point as the respective
last projection, which is seldom  exhibited in rivers diminish in breadth, from their mouths
books of geography, the relative positions of to their sources.  Other delineations might
countries in Asia, North America, and other represent their lengths, not in straight lines,
regions, cannot. be distinctly traced.  On both but with all their curves and windings.-4.
these maps, the ranges of mountains which  A chart or delineation of the comparative size
diversify the globe, and all the rivers which  of countries, lakes, and islands; so that the
flow from  them, should be particularly de- proportional spaces on the globe, occupied by
lineated, without any other objects or distinc- such countries as Russia, China, Great Britain,
tions, except the names of the countries, seas, the United States, &c. may be perceived at a
oceans, rivers, and mountain-chains, in order glance.  These spaces may be represented
to present to the young mind, at one view, either by squares, parallelograms, or circles.
this grand and distinguishing feature of our -5. An Isotherniall chart, showing the cli.
globe.  For want of such maps on a large  lmates and vegetable productions of the earth,
scale, accurately delineated, with the moun- in which the mean temrperature of its cdifferent
tains and rivers, represented in their propor- regions, the plants which flourish in Ihem,
tional magnitudes, no accurate nor compre- the length of the longest days and nights, the
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104                ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
divisions of the zones, and other particulars globes mistakes may be remedied and ina,may be distinctly noted.-6. A chart of geo- curacies corrected by the application of the
graphical zoology, showing the various tribes sponge; and, after the pupil has been for
and species of animals with which the earth some time accustomed to such delineations,
is peopled, and the several regions where the he will soon acquire a clear and comprehendifferent species abound.  The names of the sive view of the outlines of the globe, and
animals might be engraved instead of the become familiar with the relative positions of
names of towns, and  ~ the chart was on a its continents, seas, and islands.-13. Delinelarge scale, the figures of the most remarkable ations of the conmparative heights of the prinlanimals might likewise be engraved. —7. A  cipal mountains on the globe —the mountains
map of Africa and America, and the Atlantic in the eastern and western hemispheres being
ocean lying between them, on the saule.sheel, arranged in two separate, groups.  On the
for the purpose of exhibiting, at one viel,, the same sheet might likewise be delineated, comwhole Atlantic, with its islands, and the rela- parative views ofthe heights of different ravges,
tive positions of the coasts of Africa and South arranging them  into six or seven classes) beAmerica.  Also, another map, on the same ginning with views of such mountains as those
scale, representing the eastern parts of Asia of Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, which do not
and New Holland on the one hand, and on much exceed 4000 feet, and gradually prothe other, the western coast of America, with ceeding to such as the Cordilleras and the Hithe Pacific ocean, and its numerous groups malaya, whose summits reach an elevation of
of islands which intervene, for the purpose of above 20,000 feet.-14. Models of particular
showing the nearest approach which the old countries might occasionally be made of wax
and new continents make to each other, and or other materials, particularly of mountainous
the relative positions of the islands and coun- regions, for the purpose of exhibiting an idea
tries connected with the Pacific.-8. A map of the scenery of a country, the windings of
or chart of liYoral geography,'exhibiting the its rivers, and the comparative height of its
prevailing religion of the several countries, mountains above the general level of its surand the moral state of their inhabitants, which face. No map can convey an idea of such
might be distinguished, either by different particulars, or of the general appearance and
colours or by different shades in the engrav- prominent features of any country, similar to
ing.  In this map the countries enlightened that of t well-executed model.  I have seen in
by Christianity, and those which are still the Museum of the University of Edinburgh,
shrouded in Pagan darkness,.might be ex- several models of the kind to which I allude,
hibited at one view; for the purpose of show- of the vales and mountainous regions of Switing to the young what an immense portion zerland, in which the position of the towns,
of the world is still immersed in heathen the course of the rivers, the lakes, the lines of
ignorance and idolatry, and what exertions roads, the vales, the rocks, the forests, and the
are still requisite for enlightening the be- comparative elevation of the mountains, are
nighted nations; and for the purpose of exhibited, as if one were looldnug down upon
stimulating them  to bear a part in those the country from the clouds.  The only ob.
philanthropic movements which are now go- jection to such models would be the difficulty
ing forward for the enlightening and renova- of getting them executed, and the consequent
tion of the world.-9. Views of cities, public expense which would be incurred. But, if one
buildings, mountains, caves, grottos, volcanoes, model were accurately executed, others could
interesting landscapes, and whatever scenes easily be taken from it, on the same principle
or objects are most striking on the surface of as phrenologists take casts of the human skull.
the globe.  Some of these views might be    By the assistance of such maps and dlelineexhibited by the optical diagonal machine ations, and with the aid of a judicious textformerly described.-10. Sets of coloured book, comprising a comprehensive view of the
maps of the quarters of the globe, and its outlines of physical, mathematical, civil, stadifferent countries, delineated in the usual tistical, and historical geography, an enlightway.-l 1. A projection of the globe on the ened teacher will be enabled gradually to had
horizon of the particular country where the his pupils forward to luminous views of this
pupils reside, for the purpose of showing the interesting subject. In describing the different
bearings and distances of places from  the countries, he should give a comprehensive
country in which they are placed.-12. Plate outline of whatever is peculiar to each country.
globes, on which the pupil may trace with a and select for particular description, whatever
pencil the circles of the sphere, the ranges of interesting objects of nature or art may have
mountains, the course of rivers, the outlines a tendency to excite the attention and gratify
of continents and islands, and whatever else the curiosity of his pupils, referring them to
may tend to familiarize his mind to the gen- their larger systems of geography for more
eral arrangements of the earth.  On such minute details.  In such descriptions, the de(104)




GEOGRAPHICAL BOOKS FOR SCHOOLS.                              105
tails of moral, statistical, and religious geogra- the subject, to afford scope for the industry of
phy should occupy a more prominent place the pupil, and for the exercise of his judgment
than they generally do in our systems of geo- and reasoning powers.  But however excelgraphy and scholastic courses on this subject. lent the plan and details of any school-book
The statistics of our own country, of the vari- may be, it ought by no means to be considered
ous states of Europe, and particularly of the as superseding the more familiar illustrations
United States of America, which are very im- of the teacher, and the conversational lectures
perfectly known, and respecting which there alluded to above.  No man can be a successexist numerous misconceptions and unreason- ful teacher of this science, but he who has a
able prejudices on this side of the Atlantic, familiar and comprehensive knowledge of all
should be particularly detailed.  The moral the subjects connected with it, and who can,
and mental degradation of the heathen world; at any time, illustrate its principles and facts
the missionary stations which have been fixed by viva 1voe descriptions and elucidations,
in different parts of it for counteracting the which always make a deeper impression on
influence of barbarism and idolatry, and dif- the young mind than can be produced by the
fusing the light of divine knowledge; the mere perusal of the best treatises. In working
various success which has accompanied such the usual problems on the terrestrial globe,
undertakings; and the philanthropic enter- (some of which are of little practical importprises which are now going forward in differ- ance,) due care should be taken, that the puent countries for the moral renovation of man- pils be not guided merely by the rules given
kind, should be depicted to the view  of the for the respective problems, but that t/ey 7cnderyoung with all the vividness and energy which  stand the re(asons why they turn the globe in
the importance of such subjects demands, in this or that direction-elevate the pole to a
order to allure them to the consideration of certain degree above the horizon-or set the
such objects, and to secure their endeavours horary circle to a given hour.  In problems
in promoting them. It is a striking and melan- which have a reference to the difference of
choly feature in the records of our race, that time at different places, they may be taught to
almost the whole of history and historical geo- perform the operations by a mental calculation,
graphy is occupied with details of the miseries and to ascertain, in the course of a few seof mankind, produced by ambition, avarice, conds, what nations have noon, midnight,
and injustice, the tyranny of despots, and the morning or evening, at a given hour, or sumdesolations of war; and that scarcely a bright mer or winter, spring or autumn, on a given
spot can be perceived on the surface of the day or month.  In commencing the study of
globe, and amidst the gloomy records of past geography, a plan or map of the town or vilgenerations, on which the eye of benevolence lage in which the pupils are taught, along
can rest with unmingled delight.  Hence it with the adjacent country, and some of its
has happened, that we have scarcely a history  prominent objects, might be laid before them,
of the operations of pure philanthropy, except as introductory to the study and explanation
in the instance of our Saviour and his apostles. of maps. On this map, they might be directed
And now, when philanthropic plans have been  to attend to the cardinal points of the compass,
formed, and benevolent enterprises are carry- the boundaries of the town, the streamlets or
ing on, our geographers and men of science, rivers, ponds or hills, and the bearings of the
so long accustomed to blaze abroad the exploits different streets, lanes, public buildings, and
of ambition and malignity, will scarcely con- other objects, from  each other; and various
descend to notice or record the operations by questions and exercises in reference to such
which the moral world is beginning to be en- objects, might be proposed, which would exlightened and regenerated. This is not what it cite a spirit of observation, and prepare them
ought to be, or what we ought to expect from for understanding maps of countries on a
those who are engaged in the diffusion of know- larger scale.  A map of the county, and then
ledge. All knowlege should be directed so as to a map of the state or kingdom, might next
have a moral bearing, and to stimulate the men- form the subject of attention, which would pre.
tal activities of the young to those benevolent pare them for the study of the particular quar.
exertions by which the best interests of their ter of the globe in which they reside, and'of
fellow-men, in every land, may be promoted. all the other countries, seas, and oceans, disGeographical compendiums for the use of persed over the surface of the earth. This plan
schools should be clear and comprehensive in is evidently in conformity to the order of inatheir details, and enlivened with occasional ture, although directly opposite to the, order
picturesque descriptions of human scenery generally pursued.*
and of natural and artificial objects, which   * since writing the preceding parts of this work,
may be illustrated with  neat engravings. I have been favoured, through the liberality of a'They should also abound  vith questions and respected literary correspondent in thle State of
Connecticut, North America, with a variety of
exercises of every description connected with school-books on geography and other subjects
14                                                        (ll05)




10)6                 ON TIHE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
SECTION VI. —Geology.               vations for the purpose of forming canals, tun
Geology is a science which, of late years, nels, and  rail-roads-operations which are
has excited the attention of philosophers, natu- now going forward in almost every part of the
ralists, and theologians; and, in consequence civilized world-a knowledge of this subject
of the researches of its votaries, many striking  could not fail to be highly beneficial to all parand important facts in relation to the structure  ties engaged in such projects.  Besides, the
of the earth and the changes it has under- study of this science is intimately connected
gone, have been brought to light.  Many of with Scripture history and thleology, and its
the facts which this science discloses have a facts, when viewed in a proper light, have a
tendency to convey to the mind impressions tendency to elucidate certain portions of the
of the wisdom, and particularly of the power Sacred writings; and to illustrate the harmony
of the Creator, in those stupendous forces and the connection which subsist between the
which produced the convulsions and changes visible operatiqns of the Creator and the revewhich have takerr place both on the surface lations of his word.  For these reasons, it
and in the interior strata of the globe.  They  might be expedient to communicate to the
are likewise applicable to various practical young a general idea of some of the leading
purposes. A minute and circumstantial know- facts connected with geology, without perplexledge of the various facts which have been as- ing them with any of the speculations of phicertained by geologists in different countries, losophers, or the theories which have been
may be of extensive use to those employed in  formed to account for geological phenomena;
mining operations, when searching for coal, leaving them to deduce their own conclusions
fossil salt, or metallic veins, and might prevent at a future period, when their knowledge of
many ruinous speculations to which ignorant such subjects shall be increased, and their
projectors are frequently subjected.  In exca- judgment matured.
which have an extensive circulation in the New- to every topic connected with his general subject,
England States. Among these are the following: and have received the approbation of the Geo-1. Woodbridge's' System of Universal Geogra- graphical Society of Paris, and of many scientific
phy, on the principles of c omparison alnd classifi- characters on the continent of Europe, particularly
cation. 5th edition, 1833."'his work, comprised  Humboldt and Fellenberg —3. "A Practical Sysin a thick 12mo. volume of 500 very closely printed tem of Modern Geography," by J. Olney, A. M.pages, comprehends an immense mass of inforuna- an 18mo. of 288 pages, closely printed on a plan
ti o on physical, civil. and statistical geography, somewhat similar to Woodbridge's Rudiments,
including descriptions of a great variety of facts illustrated with nearly a hundred engravings, and
in relation to the geoloerical structure of the earth. containing a very considerable portion of useful
It is illustrated by nearly a hundred engravings of information. This work has passed through fifteen
natural and artificial objects; such as sections of editions.-4. "The Malte-Brun School Geograrivers, canals, comparative elevation of moun- phy," by Mr. Goodrich, a large 18mno. volume of
tains, cataracts, races of man, geological sections, nearly 300 pages, and containing about 133 engravcities and public buildings, which both enliven and  ilgs. This work contains a larger quantity of
elucidate the descriptions. Appended to this work, letter-press than the two former, and a great vais a lucid and judicious cortpend of "Ancient riety of facts in relation to civil and descriptive
(geography, as connected with Chronology," in- geography, but is not so full as VWoodbridge's
cluding sketches of sacred history, mythology, volumes in its details of physical and statistical
and the early history of.mankind, by Mrs. Wil- geography. Fifteen thousand copies of this work
lard-a lady who appears to have made considera- were sold in the space of 18 months froin the date
ble researches into the different departments of of its first publication.  The.tlases belonging to
geographical science, and to have promoted the these works are beautifully executed, and contain
cause of general education. Both these works several of the projections I have suggested above,
are admirably calculated for the higher classes in besides sets of maps as usually delineated, along
schools, and abound with a great number of ques- with a variety of useful descriptions and statistitions and exercises, for stimulating the attention  cal tables. In the Atlas which accompatnies Oland ingenuity of the young. Had this volume ney's " Practical System," the population of the
been sparsely printed, according to the fashion  respective towns and cities cal be ascertained at a
that prevailed 20 or 30 years ago, like " Playfair's glance, by means of certain characters and figures
Geography," and other works, it would have oc- connected with their names. IIall's "Child's
cupied two or three quarto volumes of 1500 pages.'Book of Geography," and Peter Parley's " Ge-2 Woodbridge's "Rudiments of Geography, on  ography for Children," each of them containing
a new plan," 18mo containingo 208 closely printed  about a hundred pages, in a square 18mo. size, and
pages, and about 170 cuts, and comprising a very embellished with a variety of maps and cuts. apconsiderable portion of information on the different pear well calculated to interest the minds of youth,
departments of geography  It may be considered  and to convey a general idea of the leading feaas partly an abridgment of the larger work no- tures of the world. Some of the above works,
ticed above, and partly an introduction to it. The  with a few alterations, might be published with
cuts, though small, are sufficiently vivid and dis- advantage in Great Britain. They contain more
tinct to convey an accurate idea of the objects particular maps and descriptions of the United
they are intended to represent. It has passed  States than are to be found in geographical worlks
through seventeen editions, comprising more than  published on this side of the Atlantic  A com200,000 copies. Mr. Woodbridge is a correspond- prehensive and useful compend of geography for
ing member of the Geographical Society of Paris, the use of schools, might be compiled from the
and Editor of the American "Annials of Educa- volumes now mentioned, by selecting the description;" and a gentleman who appears to be quite  tions, exercises, and more interesting portions of
familiar with all the departments of geographical, each, and combining them into a volume calculated
physical, and mathematical science.  ilis geo- for the meridian of our own country.
graphical works are rich in informnation in respect
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GEOLOGY.                                     107
A brief description might be given, in the animal and vegetable substances.-4. Tetiary
first place, of the solid parts of the earth, of strata, which consist of beds of clay, sanrd,
the various strata of which they are com- marl, and  the newer limestone deposites.
posed, and of the classifications which geolo- These formations are considered as newer
gists have made of the different kinds of rocks. than the secondary, and contain abundance
These rocks are usually arranged under the of fossil shells and plants, along with the
following classes:-1. Primary rocks, which bones of quadrupeds and fishes.-5. Volcanic
compose the grand framework of the globe, and basaltic rocks, which owe their origin to
which form the most lofty mountains, and ex- volcanic fire, and are sometimes forced ip to
tend to the greatest depths yet penetrated by the surface of the earth in a melted state, by
man, and below all the other formations. The the action of subterraneous heat.  The prinsubstances of which such rocks are composed, cipal volcanic rocks are basalt, lava, and
are  granite, gneiss, mica-slate, hornblend, greenstone.-6. Alluvial stratal  which include
granular quartz, &c., but never contain salt, deposites that are made of broken strata, concoal, petrifactions, or any remains whatever sisting of sand, mud, clay, pebbles, &c., which
of organized substances; and therefore are  are formed by the currents of rivers, and other
supposed to have been formed before the crea- causes now in operation.
tion of animals or vegetables.-2. Transition    These classifications of rocks and formarocks, which include those rocks that lie over tions might be illustrated by such figures as in
the primitive, and are composed of the larger the annexed cut, which is taken from Woodfragments of the primitive rocks. They con- Bridge's "System  of Universal Geography,"
tain graywacke, transition limestone, slate, where Fig. 1, represents the strata of the earth,
sandstone, &c.  Shells are sometimes found P the primary strata, T transition, S secondary,
in them, but no remains of land animals or
vegetables.  It is supposed they were formed
next after the primitive rocks, and after the
creation of some kinds of organized beings.- 
3. Secondary rocks, which lie upon the transition rocks, and appear like deposites, composed
of grains which once belonged to primitive                                      -
rocks. The principal secondary formations
are coal, chalk, seconzdary limestone, oolite, millstone, grit, &c., which contain petrifactions of
Fig. 2.
~R I C A                              A  alluvial, B  basaltic, V
4%.    <> f~sents a section of the earth
v-'' z  09 wbetween latitude 400~ and?flt..J~  ~ ~450 north. In conjunction
/$          with such pictorial repre*sentations, a cabinet of materials should be procured,
O.    x:  containing at least the fol5T      lowing: quartz,' mica, talc,
-.?..   feldspar, limestone, argillite,
or slate, hornblend, gyp4    sura  and  chlorite, which
form what has been termed
the alphabet of geology.
19 N   19 33 la  1   O lBesides these, specimens
should be procured of ba~,~~ -~ salt, gneiss, greenstone,
~~...~e\~~~~~~~~ ~lava, porphyry, graywacke,
and other substances mentioned above. About thirty
specimens in all are sufficient for illustrating  the
classes of geology. With1.i "  ~   out an exhibition of these,
0,' *~                               in connection with geological descriptions, no deftX107)




108                 ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
nite ideas can be conveyed to the mind of the the principles of the science, by being taught
student on this subject.*                    to observe, wi/h their own eyed, the snolions and,sc-r~off VIII. —-c~stronomygeneral phenormena of the heavens.  The first
object to which their attention might be diAstronomy is a science which has for its rected, is the apparent motion of the sun. On
object to explain the motions of the heavenly  some clear evening in the month of June, (in
bodies,- their various aspects, and the facts our northern latitude,) they may be placed in
which have been ascertained in the planetary  a situation where they may behold the setting
system, and throughout the region of the sun, and be desired to take particular notice
fixed stars.  This is a subject of considerable of such objects as mark the place of his going
interest and utility. It is intimately connected down. Next morning, or the first clear mornwith-geography, navigation, agriculture, com- ing afterwards, they may be placed in the
merce, chronology, and other arts and sciences, same situation, and, having first requested
and has lent its aid to promote their improve- them to point to the place where the sun disment.  The study of it is likewise attended  appeared the evening before, their attention
with many pleasures and advantages in a should next be directed to the point of his
moral, intellectual, and religious; point of rising, and to mark the terrestrial objects in
view.  It expands the range of the human  the direction of which he appeared to rise.
intellect, and unfolds to our view the most The difference between the points of his setstriking displays of the perfections of'the ting and of his rising should be particularly
Deity, particularly the grandeur of his Oinni- impressed upon their minds.  On this day,
potence. It sets before us objects of overpow- too, about twelve o'clock, they should be dienrng magnitude and sublimity,: and demon- rected to attend to the sun's meridian altitude.
strates the unlimited extent and magnificence These observations may either be accompaof the universal empire of the Almighty.  It nied with certain appropriate remarks, or the
has a tendency to raise the soul above grovel- pupils may be left, in the mean time, to rumiling pursuits and affections, to inspire hope, n' ate upon them, to consider them simply as
reverence and humility, and to excite to the facts, which may be afterwards adverted to,
contemplation of objects far surpassing every and to form their own conclusions. Similar
thing we behold in this terrestrial scene, and observations may be made from the same spot
worthy of the dignity of immortal minds.  In about the 23d September, and particularly
short, it prepares the nindfor the employments about the middle of December, when the diof the future world, and demonstrates that the rection of the rising and setting sun, his meriCreator has it in his power to distribute end- dian altitude, and the apparent diurnal arc he
lessly diversifiped streams of felicity, among describes, will appear very different, when
every order -fhis inltelligent offspring, through- compared with the observations made in the
out all therevolu'tions of eternity. It is a sub- month of June.  Their attention might next
ject, therefore,'n which a certain portion of be directed to the phases and motions of the
information should- be communicated to the moon.  About three days after new  moon,
young, and to every human being.             when the lunar crescent first makes its apIn comlnunicating to the young instructions pearance, they may be directed to mark the
on this subject-instead of commencing with  form  of the crescent, the most conspicuous
definitions of astronomical terms, and a vague stars in its vicinity, and its apparent distance
description of the solar system, as is frequent- from  the place where the sun went down.
ly done,-the pupils should be gradually pre- Every clear evening afterwards, the gradual
pared for acquiring a general knowledge of increase of the crescent, its motion among
* Books on geology have, oflate years, increased the stars, and the apparent distance it has
both in number and in the interesting nature of moved during every successive period, should
the discussions theycontain. The names of Bake.. 
the disallssionss theye~ntain. fle.names of k- be particularly marked, till it arrive at the
well, Macculloch, Delabeche, Buckland,Ure, Lyell.   ticularly marked, till it arrive 
&c. are well known as cultivators of this depart- eastern part of the horizon after the sun has
ment of natural science. The new edition of Mr. set in the west, when it will appear a fall
Lyell's " Principles of Geology," in 4 vols. l2mo. enlightened hemisphere.  During the months
lately publishedi is perhaps one of the most In- 
minous and attractive works which has hitherto  of August, September, and October, when the
been published on this subject-though perhaps effect of the harvest-moon is apparent, they
ominewhat deficient in what relates to the primary may be directed to trace the gradual diminuand secondary rocks, and embodying certain statements which some will be apt to consider as tion of the full moon, through its different
scarcely consistent with the records of sacred  stages'of decrease, till it assume the form of a
history. Dr. Comstock, of Hartford, state of Con- half moon or a large crescent.  During the
necticut, has lately published, in a duodecinmo vol.
of about 340 pages, an interesting work, entitled, months of March or April, their attention
"Outlines of Geology," which contains a popular may be directed to the difference in the time
and comprehensive: view of this subject, and is of its r
peculiarly adapted to the instruction of general of its ring on each successive day after fll
readers.                                     moon, from  what takes place during the
(108)




DIURNAL MOTION OF THE HEAVENS.                             109
months of harvest,-in the one case, namely, so as to become invisible once in a period of
in harvest, there being only 20 minutes of 334 days. The brilliant star Lyra is northdifference after full moon, in its rising on north-west, very near the horizon.  The two
each successive day; while in spring, the dif stars in the Great Bear, called the Pointers,
ference is nearly an hour and a half, which are in a direction nearly north-east from Casprevents her, at that season, from being seen tor and Pollux, but at a considerable distance;
in the form of a half-moon, during her de- they direct the eye to a star of the second
crease, till early in the morning;-whereas, in magnitude, in Ursa Minor, at a considerable
harvest, she may be seen rising in the north- distance towards the west, called Abruccabah,
east, in the form of a half-moon, about 8 or 9 or the Polestar.
in the evening.                               Having pointed out these leading stars and
They may next be directed to attend to constellations, to serve as so many known
some of the principal stars, and the more con- points in the heavens, the attention might be
spicuous constellations, and particularly to the directed, on a subsequent evening, about six
apparent diurnal motion of the whole celestial o'clock, to the apparent motions of these
vault. The month of January is perhaps the bodies, and of the whole celestial sphere.  On
most eligible season for such observations. the evening of January 16th, at six o'clock,
About the middle of that month, at eight the star Procyon will be seen nearly due east,
o'clock in the evening, the most striking and a very little above the horizon; Aldebaran, in
brilliant constellations visible in the northern an easterly direction, nearly halfway between
hemisphereire then above the horizon. The the meridian and the eastern horizon: Rigel,
Pleiades or Seven stars, and other portions of towards the south-east, a little above the horithe constellation Taurus, are nearly on the zon; and Lyra, in the north-west, about 15
meridian, at an elevation of above 60 degrees. degrees above the horizon. Having marked
The splendid constellation Orion, to the south the terrestrial objects which appear in the
of Taurus, is a little to the east of the meri- direction of these stars, they may be viewed,
dian; Canis Minor to the east, and Canis from the same station, about two hours afterMajor to the south-east of Orion. Nearly  wards, when Procyon will be found to have
due east and near the horizon, is the zodaical risen a considerable way above the horizon;
consteilation Leo. To the west of the meri- Rigel, to have moved nearly 30 degrees to the
dian are the constellations lries, Pisces, Cetus, westward; and Aldebaran,. to have arrived
lndroomeda, Pegasus, and Cassiopeia, which near the meridian; while Lyra has descended
is not far from the zenith. To the north-east within two or three degrees of the horizon;
is Ursa M~ajor, or the Great Bear, sometimes and Sirius, which was before under the horidistinguished by the name of the Plough, or zon, is elevated about ten degrees above it.
Charles's [Wafin.  The star Aldeharan, or the At ten o'clock, the same evening, Rigel and
Bull's eye, is nearly on the meridian, at an Aldebaran will be seen at a considerable diselevation of 540, supposing the place of ob- tance westward of the meridian; Sirius, within
servation to be in 520 north latitude. It is 6 or 7 degrees of it; the star Lyra, near the
distinguished by its ruddy appearance.  The northern horizon; and the constellation Orion,
brilliant star Capella is nearly 320 north by which in the first observation appeared in the
east from Aldebaran, not far from the zenith; direction south-east by east, will be found to
and Rigel, in the left foot of Orion, is about have moved to the westward of the meridian,
27~ south by east of Aldebaran, and a little By such observations, it may be shown that
east of the meridian.  Betelgeux is north-east the whole starry firmament has an apparent
from Rigel, and forms a right angled triangle diurnal motion from  east to west.  While
with it and Aldebaran.  The stars Castor and pointing out these apparent motions to the
Pollux are east by north from  Aldebaran, at young, it will be proper to direct their attena considerable distance from it, (450,) and tion to the polestar, which, to a common
nearly halfway between the zenith and the observer, never appears to shift its position.
eastern horizon. Nearly straight south from  They may likewise be directed to notice that
Pollux and east from  Betelgeux, is Procyon.'the stars near the pole appear to move slower,
These three stars form a right-angled triangle, and to describe smaller circles than those at a
the star Procyon being at the right angle. greater distance from  it-that those which
Near the south-eastern part of the horizon, rise near the south describe smaller arcs than
and a little elevated above it, is Sirius, or the those which rise farther to the north-that the
Dog-star, which is generally reckoned the stars which rise due east, set due west, after
most brilliant fixed star in the heavens. West an interval of twelve hours-that the stars
from Rigel at a considerable distance, (460,) which rise in the north-east, after describing a
and at nearly the same elevation above the large are of the heavens, set in the north-west,
horizon, is Mira, or the Wonderful star which after an interval of about seventeen hours —
ihanges from a star of the second magnitude, that all the stars within a certain distance of
K             (109




110                ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
the pole never appear to rise or set, but de- altogether vague and indefinite, unless we are
scribe complete circles above the horizon-  told, at the same time, at what distance the
that the stars near the pole, such as those in yard or foot is supposed to be placed from our
the Great Bear, appear in one part of their eye. As astronomers divide the circumference
course to move from west to east, and in of the celestial sphere into 360 parts or degrees,
another part of it from east to west-and that they may be told, that from any point of the
the revolutions of the whole, however different horizon to the zenith are 90 degrees, and,
the circles they apparently describe, are com- consequently, that from  the eastern to the
pleted in exactly the same period of time. western, or from the northern to the southern
These positions may afterwards be more par- points of the horizon, are 180 degrees.  And,
ticularly illustrated by means of a large celes- in order that they may have a definite idea, ol
tial globe, by which it will be seen that all something approximating to it, of the extelnt
these appearances are the result of one general of a degree,.they may be told that the breadth
apparent motion, which, at first view, will ap- of the moon is about,/lf a de'reet —that theo
pear to exist in the celestial sphere.  An idea space occupied by the three stars in a straight
of the general motion of the stars may be ac- line in the ielt of Orion-sometimes distinquired by a simpler process than what we have guished by the name of the'Tlree Knii s,
now described. Let any observer bring a star, or the Ell and Yird! —is exactly:3 dezrees in
in any position between the zenith and southern length, and, consequently, the distance behorizon, into an apparent contact with a tree, tween any two of them is a (lere nd  a e h  tlf
spire, or chimney-top, and, in the course of -that the distance between Caosoflld Pollux
fifteen or twenty minutes, he will perceive is nearly 5 degrees-between Dlle and Milthat that star and others adjacent to it have rl/, the two )oilters, in the Great Bear, is 51
moved a little space from east to west. But degrees-and that the space between Dubbe,
the observations alluded to alove are calcu- or the northermlost pointer, and the polestar,
lated to give a more satisfactory idea of this is about 29 degrees.  By familiarizing the
motion, and to make a deeper impression on mind with such measures, the young will
the minds of the young.                     soon acquire a tolerable idea of the distance
The next series of observations might be of any two objects in the heavens, %whenl the
those which demonstrate the apparent,an,,si,l number of degrees is mentioned.
motion of the suiM. For the purpose of exhibit-    All the observations above stated may be
ing this motion, the Pleiades, or seven stars, made, in the way of an amusement, previous
along with Aldebaran, might be selected as to the time when the pupils are expected to
fixed points in the heavens to indicate the enter on the regular study of astronomy.
progressive motion of the solar orb towards They may be completed in the course of tell
the east.  About the middle of January, at or twelve observations, made at different times,
eight o'clock in the evening, the PI'elides will within the space of seven or eight months.
be seen on the meridian; which observation  They are intended for the purpose of stimushould be noted down, for the purpose of being latin- the young to habits of observation and
compared with a future observation.  On the attention to the appearances of nature around
1st March, at the sname ho,1cr, these stars will them; so that, in every clear sky, they may
be seen nearly halfway between the meridian  learn to make similar observations by themand the western horizon, while all the other selves, for confirming and amplift-ing their
stars, at the same declination, will be found to former views of the motions and aspects of the
have made a similar progress. About the 15th heavens. Such observations form the groundApril, they will be seen, at the same hour, work of astronomy, and of all the instructions
very near the western horizon; and every day they may afterwards receive in relation to this
after this, they will appear to make a nearer science, although they are generally neglected.
approach to that part of the heavens in which  When problems on the celestial globe are prethe sun appears, till, being overpowered by the scribed, and vague descriptions of the planetary
splendour of his rays, they cease to be visible. system  given, previous to having made these
From  these and similar observations, it will observations, the subject is seldom understood,
he easy to make the young perceive, that the andl no clear nor expansive conceptions formed
sun has an apparent motion from west to east, by the young, of the motions, phenomena, arid
through the circle of the heavens, and that the relations of the great bodies of the universe.revolution is completed in the course of a year. It may not be necessary, in the first instance,
They may next be taught to acquire a defi- while making these observations, to attempt
nite idea of the measures by which the appa- any explanation of the phenomena, but merely
rent distances of objects in the heavens are to impress upon the nlind a clear conception
expressed.  To talk to the young, as some of the,)pareLt motions and rel/(tize (isperts,
are in the practice of doing, of two stars being  of the celestial orbs, as they present themselvesc
a foot, a'yard, or two yards asunder, is to an attentive spectator; leaving the pupil to
(110)




APPARENT MUTIONS OF THE PLANETS.                             ill
runminate upon them  till it shall be judged as seen from the earth, are in perfect accordproper to direct his attention to the investiga- ance with a regular circular motion around
tion of the true causes of celestial phenomena. the sun as a centre; and that such apparently
The pupil's attention might be next directed irregular movements arise from the motion of
to the motions of the planets, and the general the earth, and the different velocities of the
phenomena of the solar system.  When any planets, when compared with it,-just as the
of the planets are visible in the heavens, their objects around us appear to move in different
positions in relation to the neighbouring stars directions, and with different -elocities, when
should be particularly noted, so that their we are sailing along a serpetr.i.  -iver in a
apparent motions, whether direct or retrogralde, steamboat.
may be clearly perceived, which, in most   The arguments or considerations which
cases, will be quite perceptible in the course prove that the Earth is a rnovin,' )o0y, should
of a few weeks or months. The direct, sta- next be presented to the attention, and illustionary, and retrograde movements of Mars trated in the most simple and familiar manner
and Venus should be particularly attended to, of which the subject will admit.  The pupil
for the purpose of afterwards demonstrating will easily be made to perceive, that, if the
that the annual motion of the earth accounts earth is at rest, the whole frame of the matefor the apparently irregular and complicated rial universe must move round it every'twentymotions of the planetary orbs. Large dia- four hours; not only the fixed stars, but the
grams, representing the apparent motions of sun and moon, the planets and their satellites,
Mars, Mercury, and Venus, as seen from the and every comet which traverses the firmaearth during the course of several revolutions, ment, must participate in this motion, while,
with all the apparently irregular loops and at the same time, they are moving in another
curves they appear to describe.-should be and an opposite course peculiar to themselves.
laid before the pupil for his particular inspec- He will perceive, that, in proportion as these
tion, in order that he may perceive the im- bodies are distant from the earth, in a similar
probability that such motions are real, or that proportion will be the velocity with which they
al Infinritely Wise Being, who is the Perfec- perform  their diurnal revolutions-that the
tion of Order, would introduce such inextri- sun behoved to move five hlundred antd nine'ycable confusion into the motions of the most sveen m/lions of,rniles every day, the nearest
splendid of his wofks-A  common planeta- fixed star 125,000,000,000,000 of miles in the
rium, which shows by wheelwork, the relative same time, or at the rate of fourteen hundred
motions of Mercury, Venus, the Earth, and millions of miles every second, and the most
Mars, may be easily made to illustrate these distant stars with a velocity which neither
motions, and to solve all thdir phenomena. words can express, nor imagination conceive,
Let a circle, two or three inches broad, and -and that such motions, if they adtually exof such a diameter as to surround the planets, isted, would, in all probability, shatter the
with a few stars marked on its inside to repre- whole material frame of thB universe to atoms.
sent the Zodiac, be suspended on three pillars, He may be directed to consider, that such raso as to inclose the Earth, Mercury, and pid velocities (if they could be supposed to
Venus. Let a wire be fixed by a socket, on exist) are not the motions of mere points or
the top of the pillar which supports the ball small luminous balls, but the motions of imrepresenting the Earth, and let this wire rest mense globes, many thousands of times larger
on a slit or fork fixed to the top of the pillar than the earth-that a hundred millions of
which supports the ball representing Mercury. such globes are visible from our abode, besides
When the machine is set in motion, the wire the myriads that may be hid from human view
will point out on the Zodiac the apparent in the unexplored regions of space-and that
motions of Mercury as seen from the earth. it is impossible to conceive how all these inWhen he passes from his greatest elongation numerable globes, of different magnitudes, at
wrestward to the superior conjunction and to different distances, and moving with different
his greatest elongation eastward, the wire will velocities, could be so adjusted as to finish
move eltsftivard, according to the order of the their diurnal revolutions at the same moment,
signs.  About its greatest elongation, it will while many of them are at the same time imqppear stationary, and immediately afterwards pelled by other forces in a contrary direction,
will move wrestward, or contrary to the order He may be reminded that the Creator, who
of the signs, till it arrive at the western elonga- formed the universe, is possessed of INFIXITE
tion, when it will again appear stationary;-  WVIsDoa-that wisdom consists in proportion.
so that the pupil will plainly perceive that the ating means to ends, or in selecting the most
direct and retrograde motions of the planets, appropriate arrangements in order to accomplish an important purpose-that to malke the
* Specimens of such diagrams may be seen in p
pecimv~ns bf such diagrams may be seen in whole frame of Universal Nature move round
Long's Astronomny," vol. i., and in plate 3 of
Ferguson's Astronomy," Brewster's edition.   the earth every day, merely to produce the
(111)




112                ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
alternate succession of day and night, is re- riods assigned them in the system which have
pugnant to every idea we ought to entertain  the sun for its centre.  From such consideraof the Wisdom and Intelligence of the Divine tions, when properly explained, the annual
Mind, since the same effect can be produced motion of the earth, and its relative position
by a simple rotation of the earth in twenty- in the system, may be clearly demonstrated,
four hours; and since we find that Jupiter and the pupil made to perceive the beauty and
and Saturn, and other globes much larger than  harmony of the celestial motions, and the neours, move -"ond their axes in a shorter period cessity of having the great source of light and
— that... ot; other works of Omnipotence, heat placed in the centre of the system.  For
means apparently the most simple are selected as the sun is intended to cheer and irradiate
to accomplish the most grand and magnificent surrounding worlds, it is from the centre alone
designs-and that there is no example known  that these agencies can be communicated, in
to us, throughout the universe, of a larger body a uniform and equable manner, to the planets
revolving around a smaller. When such con- in every part of their orbits.  Were the earth
siderations are fully and familiarly illustrated, the centre, and the sun and planets revolving
the pupil will soon be made clearly to perceive, around it, the planets when nearest the sun,
that the rotation of the earth must necessarily  would be scorched with excessive heat, and
be admitted, and that it will fully account for when farthest distant would be frozen with
all the diversity of diurnal motion which ap- excessive cold.
pears in the sun and moon, the planets and    There is another consideration by which
the stars.                                   the earth's annual revolution and its position
The annual revolution of the earth, and its in the system are demonstrated;-and that is,
position in the solar system, might be proved  that the planets Mercury and Venus, when
and illustrated by such considerations as the viewed through good telescopes, are found to
following:-that if this motion did not exist, assume different phalses, in'different parts of
the motions of all the planets would present their orbits; sometimes appearing gibbous,
a scene of inextricable confusion, consisting  sometimes like a half-moon, and at other times
of direct and retrograde motions, and looped  like a crescent, and a full enlightened hemicurves, so anomalous and irregular, as to be sphere, which could never happen if they reinconsistent with every thing like harmony, volved round the earth as their centre, and if
order, or intelligence-that Mercury and Ve- the earth was not placed in an orbit exterior to
nus are observed to have two conjunctions that of Venus.  I have sometimes illustrated
with the sun, but no opposition; which could this argument; with peculiar effect, by means
not happen unless the orbits of these planets of an equatorial telescope and a common planelay wit!hin the orbit of the earth-that Mars, triu7re. By the equatorial telescope, with a
Jupiter, and the other superior planets, have power of 60 or 80 times, most of the stars of
each their conjunctions with and oppositions the first magnitude, and some of those of the
to the sun, which could not be unless they  sccond, may be seen even at noonday. Venus
were exterior to the orbit of the earth-that may be seen by this instrument, in the daythe greatest elongation of Mercury from the time, during the space of nineteen months,
sun is. only about 20 degrees, and that of Ve- with the interruption of only about thirteen
nus 47; but if the earth were the centre of days at the time of her superior conjunction,
their motions, as the Ptolemaic system  sup- and three days at the time of her inferior, so
poses, they might sometimes be seen 180 de- that the phase she exhibits may be seen almost
grees from  the sun, which never happens-  every clear day.  Having placed the Earth
that some of the planets appear much' larger and Venus in their true positions on the plane.
and brighter at one time than at another, on  tarium, by means of an Ephemleris or the Nauaccount of their different distances from the tical Almanac, I desire the pupil to place his
earth; but, on the other hypothesis, their eye in a line with the balls representing these
brilliancy should be always the same-that planets, and to nlark the phrase?of Centss as seen
Mercury and Venus, in their superior con- from the earth-whether a crescent, a halfjunctions with the sun, are sometimes hid  moon, or a gibbous phase.  I then adjust the
behind his body, and in their inferior conjunc- equatorial telescope for Venus, if she is within
tion.g sometimes appear to pass across the sun's the range of our view, and sholw hit the planet,
disk, like round black spots which would be with the sprste phalse in the heavens.  This eximpossible according to the Ptolemaic system; hibition never fails to gratify every observer,
-and, in short, that the times in. which the and to produce conviction. But it can seldomn
conju.'tions, oppositions, stalions, and r-elnrortl- be made, if we must wait till the planet be
dations happen, are not such as they would be visible to the naked eye, and capable of being
if the earth were at rest, but precisely such as viewed by a o(?lrn, l  telescope; for it is some.
would happen, if the earth move along with' times invisible to the naked eye, for nearly one
all'he other planets, in the stations and pe- half of its course from one conjunction to an
(112)




PHENOMENA OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM.                              113
other.  Besides, the phases of this planet are the plane of the ecliptic, is the best instrument
more distinctly marked in the daytime, when for illustrating all the variety of the seasons.
near thle meridian, than either in the morning When such a machine cannot be procured for
or evening, when at a low altitude, in which this purpose, its place may be supplied by a
case it appears glaring and undefined, on ac- neat little instrument, called a. Telluelrium,
count of the brilliancy of its light, and the which has been manufactured for many years
undulating vapours near the horizon, through past by Messrs. Jones, Holburn, Londor, and
which it is seen.  As actual observations on may be purchased fcr about thirty/ shillings.
the planets in the heavens make a deeper and This instrument consists of a brass ball repremore convincing impression on tile mind of a senting the sun-which may be occasionally
young person, than mere diagrams or verbal screwed off, and a lamp substituted in its place
explanations, I consider an equatorial tele- -an ivory ball representing the earth, havillng
scope in conjunction with a celestial globe and the circles of the sphere drawn upon it, a small
an orrery, as essentially necessary to every ball representing the moon, and about eight
teacher of astronomy; as, independently of wheels, pinions, and circles.  It exhibits the
its use, now hinted at, it is the best and most annual motion of the earth, and the moon recomprehensive instrument for conveying an volving around it, with its different phases,
idea of the practical operations of this science. the causes of eclipses, the retrograde motion
It may be made to serve the general purposes of the moon's nodes, and the inclination of its
of a transit instrument, a quadrant, an equal orbit to the plane of the ecliptic.'he earth
altitude instrument, a theodolite, an azimuth  is movable on an axis inclined 23~ degrees
instrument, a level, and an accurate universal to the ecliptic, and its axis preserves its paralsundial.  It serves for taking the right ascen- lelism during its course round the sun.  The
sions and declinations of the heavenly bodies, seasons are exhibited on this instrument as
and for conveying a clear idea of these opera- follows:-the index, which points out the
ti:ns. It may be made to point to any phe- sun's place and the day of the month, is placed
nomena in the heavens whose declination and  at the 21st March, the time of the vernal eqiringht ascension are known; and, in this way, nox, and the north and south poles of the earth
the planets Mercury, Herschel, Ceres, Pallas, are placed exactly under the termint!or, or
Juno, and Vesta, a small comet, or any other boundary between light and darkness. When
body not easily distinguished by the naked the machinery is moved by the hand till the
eye, may be readily pointed out.*          index points to the 21st of June, the time of
The cause of the variety of seasons may next the summer solstice, then the North Polar
be explained and illustrated.  It is difficult, if regions appear within the boundary of light,
not impossible, by mere diagrams and verbal and the South Polar within the boundary of
explanations, to convey a clear idea on the darkness. Turning the machine till the index
subject; and therefore some appropriate ma- points to September 23d, both poles again
chinery must be resorted to, in order to assist appear on the boundary of light and darkness.
the mind in forming its conceptions on this Moving it on to December 21st, the Arctic
point. The difficulty is, to conceive how the circle appears in darkness, and the Antartic in
sun can enlighten the North Pole without in- the light. During these motions, the earth's
termission, during one half of the year, and axis keeps parallel to itself, pointing uniformly
the South Pole during the other, while the in the same direction. This exhibition is quite
poles of the earth never shift their position, satisfactory and convincing; the only objection
but are directed invariably to the same points to the instrument is, that it is sna/ll,-about
of the heavens. This is frequently attempted  eight or nine inches diametei-and, conseto be illustrated by means of a brass hoop with  quently, will admit only four or five india candle placed in its centre, and a small ter- viduals at a time to inspect its movements
restrial globe carried round it having its axis with distinctness.
inclined to the brass circle, which is intended    A full and specific description should next
to represent the orbit of the earth.  But this be given of all the facts connected with the
exhibition requires some dexterity to conduct solar system-the distances and magnitudes
it aright, and after all is not quite satisfactory. of the sun and planets-their annual and diAn orrery, having all the requisite movements urnal revolutions-the solar spots-the belts
by wheel-work, and where the Earth moves and satellites of Jupiter-the rings of Saturn
with its axis parallel to itself and inclined to — the phases of Venus-the spots of Mars,
and the mountains and cavities of the Moon.
* A small Equlatorial, having the Horizontal, De- After which some details might be given of
clination, and Equatorial circles about six inches
diameter, surmounted with a twenty-inch achro- the facts which have been ascertained respect.matic telescope, with magnifving powers of from  ing comets, variable stars, double and treble
20 to 80 times, may be proculred for about fifteen         stars once visible which have
or sixteen guineas, which will serve every general stars, new stars,    le which have
purpose in teaching astronomy.              disappeared, and ttie numerous nebulce whichl
15                                       K2            (113)




114              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
are dispersed through different regions of the certain conclusions. For, a view of the moon,
heavens.  The pupils should now be gratified for the first time, through a powerful telescope,
with a view of some of these objecdts through is apt to overpower the eye, and to produce a
good telescopes.  A  telescope, magnifying confused and indistinct perception.  As one
about 30 times, will show the satellites of Ju- of the peculiarities of the lunar surface conpiter, the crescent of Venus, the solar spots, sists in the numerous cavities, and plains surand the rugged appearance of the Moon. rounded with circular ridges of mountains,'With a magnifying power of 60 or 70, the and insulated mountains rising from a level
ring of Saturn, the belts of Jupiter, the sha- surface-an idea of the shadows and circum.
dows of the lunar mountains and cavities, and stances by which these objects are indicated
all the phases of Venus, may be distinguished. should be previously communicated.  This
But the views of these objects obtained by may be done by means of a saucer, the top
such magnifying powers are unsatisfactory. of a small circular box, or any other object
No telescope should be selected for this pur- which may represent a plain surrounded by a
pose less than a 3~ feet Achromatic, with circular ridge. In the middle of any of these
powers varying from 40 to 180 or 200 times.* objects may be placed a small peg to represent
A power of 150 is a' very good medium for a mountain.  Then placing a candle at the
inspecting all the more interesting phenomena distance of a foot or two, so as to shine ob.
of the heavens. WVith this power, distinct liquely upon the objects, the inside of the cirand satisfactory views may be obtained of the cular dish farthest from the candle will be
solar spots, the phases of Mercury, Venus, seen enlightened, while a considerable portion
and Mars, the belts, and sometimes the spots of the bottom will be covered by the shadow
of Jupiter, and the shadows of his satellites, thrown upon it by the side next the candle,
the ring and some of the moons and belts of and the shadow of the peg will be seen vergSaturn, the spots of Mars, the minute hills ing toward the enlightened side. This preand cavities of the moon, several of the double vious exhibition will give them an idea of the
stars, and many of the most remarkable nebule. form of some of the mountains and vales on
To perceive distinctly the division of Saturn's the lunar surface, and enable them to apprering, requires a power of at least 200 times. ciate the nature of those striking inequalities
In exhibiting such objects to the young, espe- which appear near the boundary between the
cially when the lower powers are used, some dark and enlightened parts of the moon.
attention is requisite to adjust the instrument Other objects which diversify the moon's surto distinct vision, as their eyes are generally face may be represented and illustrated ill a
more convex than the eyes of persons ad- similar manner, and sufficient time should be
vanced in life, and those who are short sighted allowed to every observer for taking a minute
will require an adjustment different from that inspection of all the varieties on the lunar
of others.  Unless this circumstance be at- disk. The solar spots may be viewed with
tended to, their views of celestial phenomena ease, by interposing a coloured glass between
will frequently be unsatisfactory and obscure. the eye and the image of the sun; but, in
In exhibiting the surface of the moon, the looking through the telescope in the ordinary
period of half-moon, or a day or two before or way, they can be perceived by only one indiafter it, should generally be selected; as it is vidual at a time. In order to exhibit them to
only at such periods that the shadows of the a company of 30 or 40 persons at once, the
mountains and vales, and the circular ridges, image of the sun may be thrown on a white
can be most distinctly perceived.  At the time wall or screen. I have generally exhibited
of full moon, its hemisphere presents only a them in the following manner.  To a 3- feet
variegated appearance of darker and brighter Achromatic telescope, I apply a (diogr.;,al eyestreaks, and no shadows are discernible; so;ive, which has a plain metallic speculum
that, from the telescopic appearance of the full plared at half a right angle to the axis of the
moon, we could scarcely determine whether telescope.  By this eye-piece, after the room
or not its surface were diversified with moun- has been darkened as much as possible, the
tains and vales.                           image of the sun and his spots is thrown upon
Previous to exhibiting the moon through a the roof of the apartment, which forms a
telescope, it may be proper to give the observ- beautiful circle of light, and exhibits all the
ers an idea of some particular objects they  spots which then happen to diversify his surwill see, on which their attention should be face. His apparent diurnal motion is also refixed, and from which they should deduce presented, along with the motions of any thin
fleeces of clouds which may happen to cross
* An Achromatic telescope of this description, his disk. In this way, too, the proportional
with an object-glass, 45 inches focal distance, and magnitudes of the spots may be measured, and
habout three inches diameter, with 4 or 5 magnifying powers, with a brass tube mounted on a brass compared with the diameter of the sun, and, of
tripod, may be purchased in London, for 25 guineas. course, their real maigniltudes ascertained.
(114'




PARALLAXES EXPLAINED.                                115
Inl illustrating the phenomena of the planet- idea of the proportional distances from the sun
ary system by means of orreries, planetariums, of the principal primary planets. The disanl lunariurns, great care should be taken to tances of Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta,-might
guard the young against the false and imper- likewise be represented, if judged expedient;
fect conceptions of the magnitudes and dis- but as their orbits are more:eccentric than
tances of the planets, which such instruments those of the other planets, and some of them
have a tendency to convey. No orrery, of a cross each other, they cannot be accurately
portable size, can represent, at the same time, represented.  When orreries, or telescopes
both the proportional distances and relative cannot be procured for exhibiting the celestial
magnitudes of the different planets. Even motions and phenomena to which I have althose large machines designated Eidonmraniums luded, some of these objects, such as the rings
and'Trnsp,marent Orrerses afford no correct of Saturn, the belts and moons of Jupiter, the
views of these particulars; and some of them  phases of Venus, the Moon, and some of the
convey very erroneous and distorted concep- constellations, may be represented in a dark
tions of the relations of the solar system, room by means of the phantlasmagoria. But
where it is the chief design to dazzle the eye the representations made by this instrument
with a splendid show. In some of these ex- form but a rude and paltry substitute for the
hibitions I have seen the stars represented as exhibitions presented by the orrery and the
if they had been scattered through different telescope, and need never be resorted to, exparts of the planetary system.-An orrery re- cept for amusement, where these instruments
presenting the proportional distances and mag- can be obtained.
nitudes of the sun and planets would require   It might next be expedient to communicate
to be more than three miles in diameter; and, to the pupil an idea of the nature of a parallax,
even on this scale, Jupiter would be less than to prepare him for understanding the mode by
3 inches diameter, the Earth a quarter of an which the distances and magnitudes of the
inch, or about the size of a small pea, and heavenly bodies are ascertained. This might
Mercury only about the dimensions of the be done by fixing a pole or staff, with a pointed
head of a small pin, while the sun would re- top, in a garden or large area, opposite a wall
quire to be represented by a ball 30 inches in or hedge, F G, Fig. 1, and, desiring one of the
diameter-in which case all the planets would pupils to take his station at A., and another
be invisible from the centre of the system. at B, and to direct their eyes to the points on
To correct, in some measure, the erroneous the wall which appear in a line with the top
ideas which a common orrery is apt to con- of the pole, when the one stationed at A will
vey, the magnitudes and distances should be perceive it to coincide with the point C, and
sepalrately represented.  Suppose a celestial                Fig. 1.
globe, 18 inches in diameter, to represent the
Sun, Jupiter will be represented by a ball     d
about 145 inch diameter, Saturn by one of 1 
inch, Herschel by one of about J inch, the
Earth by a ball of 1 inch, or somewhat less
than a small pea, Venus by a ball of nearly
the same size, Mars by a globule of about Li,
inch, Mercury by a globule of l, and the
Moon by a still smaller globule of A  inch in
diameter. These three last might be represented by three different sizes of pin-heads.:When balls of these sizes are placed adjacent the other stationed at B will perceive it at D.
to an 18-inch globe, and compared with it, an They may be told that C D is the paratllax,
impressive idea is conveyed of the astonishing or the difference of the apparent place of the
magnitude of the sun, which is 500 times pole P, when viewed from the positions A and
greater than all the planets, satellites, and B, which is measured by the angle C P D;
comets, taken together. The proportional dis- and that, if the distance between A and B
tances may be represented as follows. At were measured, and the number of degrees or
one end of a table, 9 feet in length, fix a ball minutes in the angle C P D or A P B ascer.
upon a pillar to represent the sun; at 2 tained, the distance between the pole and any
inches from the sun's ball, place another to re- of the stations can be easily determined.
present Mercury; at 3~ inches, Venus; at 5 This may be easily- applied to the case of the
inches, the Earth; at 7 inches, Mars; at 25 heavenly bodies by means of such: a diagram
inches, Jupiter; at 47- inches, or about 4 feet, as Fig. 2, where H I K represents the Earth,
Saturn; and, at 95 inches, or about 8 feet M the Moon, P a planet, and S T a quadrant
from the sun's ball, place one to represent of the starry heavens. It is evident, that, if
HerscheL  This will convey a pretty correct the moon be viewed from the surface of the
( 115,




116              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
earth at H, she will appear in the heavens at earth-centrifugal and centripetal forces —the
the point a; but if she be viewed from the circles of the celestial sphkre-and various
centre C, she will be seen at the point b, the other particulars connected with astronomical
angle a M b being the angle of parallax. This science.
angle being found, which is the same as the   In illustrating the principles and exhibiting
Fig. 2.                  the objects of astronomy, the pious and intelli-.......___ =gent teacher will have frequent opportunities
of impressing upon the minds of his pupils
_________                 the most sublime ideas of the Perfections of
the Creator, and of the Extent and Grandeur
of his Empire, and of inspiring, them with
Love, Admiration, and Reverence; and such
opportunities ought never to be neglected.
~__._       When descanting on the number and magI'.P::d         nificence of the celestial world, he may very
appropriately take occasion to impress them
lo__'*'  ca with the idea of the littleness of this earth, and
___ ad,its comparative insignificance, when placed in
X-.:;:'-':.- -......p competition with the numerous and more resplendent worlds and systems which compose
rl~iii~"~I                        ___~ —-d...z...   c -~i the universe; and, consequently, with the folly. and madness of ambition, and of all those warlike schemes and ferocious contentions, of
which our world has been the melancholy
angle H M C, and the base line H C, or the theatre.  He may occasionally expatiate a
earth's semidiameter being known, which is little on the folly of pride, and its inconsistency
nearly 4000 miles-the length of the line H  with the character and circumstances of man,
M, or the distance of the moon, can be easily when we consider his comparative ignorance,
determined. It may be proper also to state and the low station which he holds in the
that the farther any heavenly body is distant scale of creation-and the reasonableness of
from the earth, the less is its parallax. Hence cultivating a spirit of hurtility in the presence
the parallaxes of the sun and planets are all of that Almighty Being whose " glory is above
much less than that of the moon, which is the the heavens," and'" whose kingdom  ruleth
nearest celestial body to the earth. Thus, the over all," when we consider, that, when comparallax e ]d of the planet P is less than that pared with the myriads of more exalted intelli.
of the Moon, M, and the same principle like- gences that people the universe, we ate only
wise holds true with respect to all terrestrial like a few atoms in the immensity of space.
objects. This subject may soon be rendered He may direct their attention to the infinitely
quite plain to the pupil, by familiar illustra- diversified scenes of grandeur and felicity
tions, in connection with a few instructions on which the universe must contain, since its
the nature and properties of triangles, and the range is so extensive and its objects so mag.
first principles of trigonometry.          nificent; and to the evidence which these
I have been somewhat particular in some facts afford, that the Creator has it in his
of the hints thrown out above, because it is power to gratify his rational offspring with
of some importance that the young should new objects, and new sources of enjoyment,
have clear and'impressive conceptions of during every period of infinite duration.-In
every object presented to their view, in every short, he may excite them, from such constep of their progress on this subject, and not siderations, to aspire after that more glorious
depend merely on the assertions or the posi- state of existence where the works of Omnitions announced by their teachers; and be- potence will be more fully unfoblded, and to
cause such a train of observations and experi- cultivate those holy principles and dispositions
mental illustrations has seldom been attended which will qualify them for mingling in the
to, in attempting to convey to the juvenile society and engaging in the employments of
mind a popular view'of the leading facts of the heavenly world. Such instructions, when
astronomy.  After the pupil has acquired a amalgamated with Christian views and moknowledge of the subjects to which I have tives, could not fail of producing a beneficial
adverted, an intelligent teacher will find little impression on the susceptible hearts of the
difficulty in gradually unfolding to him the young, which might, in some measure, infludoctrines and facts in relation to solar and ence their conduct and train of thought
lunar eclipses-the tides-the form  of the through all the remaining periods of their lives.*
planetary orbits-the nature of refraction-   * The most celebrated writers on Astronomy are
the divisions of time-the mensuration of the Long, Ferguson, La Caille, Martin, O. Gregoty,
(116)




MECHANICS.                                         117
SECTION IX, —Experimental Philosophy and  of the lever, the pulley, the whesel and axis, the
Chemistry.                    inclin!ed plane, the wedge, and the screw.  A
simple apparatus for illustrating these powers
The object of Natural and Experimental could easily be constructed by an ingenious
Philosophy is to investigate the phenomena mechanic, at a trifling expense, and imight be
of the material world, in order to discover rendered conducive both to the entertainment
their causes, and  the laws  by which the  and instruction of the young.  In particular,
Almighty directs the movements of the uni- the nature and power of the lever, and the
verse; and to apply the observations and dis- principle on which it acts, should be minutely
coveries we make to useful purposes in human  explained, by experimental illustrations, and
life, and to expand our views of the perfec- by showing its effects in the common operations and operations of the Creator.  This tions of life.  A. long bar of iron or hard
department of study has generally been divided  wood might be erected on a steady fulcrum,
into the following subordinate branches, Me. and placed in the area adjacent to the school,
chanics, Hydros!ltircs, Hydraulirs, Pneumlatics, which might serve both for amusement and
Meteorology, A, coustics, Optics, Electricity, Gal- for illustrating the power of the lever.  This
vanism, and Ma(gietisnn.  This is a subject, bar might be divided into feet or half feet, or
the popular and experimental parts of which  any convenient number of equal parts, and so
may be rendered highly entertaining and in- constructed that any of those parts might be
structive to the minds of the young.  But, placed upon the fulcrum.  By such a lever
however important the  subject in  all its the different powers to be applied at distances
branches  may  be to the regular scientific  from  the fulcrum, when a weight is to be
student, it would be inexpedient to attempt raised, might be familiarly illustrated.  A seat
conveying more than a general vietw of the  or swing might be fixed at one end of the
more pope(iar parts of it to young persons beam, on which a boy might sit, while some
from  the age of ten to the age of fourteen, of his companions, towards the other end, apalthough many of the experiments connected  plied different powers or weights at different
with it may, with propriety, be exhibited even  distances from the fulcrum, as a counterpoise;
to children  of an earlier age, in order to  which would suggest various calculations'reexcite a taste for the study of natural science. specting the powers requisite to be applied in
Experimental illustrations of the subjects of any given case, according to the distance from
Natural Philosophy sometimes require an ex- the point of support.  It will tend to excite
tensive apparatus, which cannot be procured  their interest in this subject, when they are inbut at a considerable expense; but there are  formed that scissors, pincers, snuffers, oars, the
many interesting experiments, illustrative of balance, the see-salia, doors turning on hinges,
scientific principles and facts, which can be the rudders of ships, cutting knives fixed at
performed with very simple apparatus, and at one end, and the bones of the arm, are all so
little expense; and all that I propose, under many different kinds of levers; and that the
this article. is to suggest a few of those experi- operations of quarrying stones, raising great
ments which almost every teacher may have  weights, poking the fire, rowing a boat, digit in his power to perform.                     ging the ground, and such like, are all per..
In the department of Mecrhanics,-illustra- formed on the principle of this mechanical
tions might be given of the nterchaoical poawers, power. Similar contrivances might be adopted
which are generally arranged under the heads for illustrating the wheel and axle and other
Vince, Herschel, Rohison, La Lande, La Piace, resting to the general student. Every page conBlot, and various others. Popular works on this tains Qnuestiovs, as exercises for the judgment of
subject, which may be put into the hands of young  the pupil. It is accompanied by a large and beatupersons, are such as the following:-Ferguson's tifiul Atlas, 16 inches by 14, containing 7 Plani"Gentleman and Lady's Astronomy" — Martin's  spheres or Maps of the Heavens: I. The visible'"Gentleman and Ladyv's Philosophy,'' vol. i.-  heavens in October, November, and Decemlber.
Bonnycastle's "Introduction  to Astronomy"- 2. Do. in January, February, and March. 3. Do. in
Mrs. Blrian's "Astronomy" —"The Wonders of April, May, and June. 4. I)o. in July, August. and
the Heavens"-Gregory's "Astronomical Lee. September. 5 The visible heavens in the North
sons," &c. Blit none of these works are adapted  Polar Regions for each month of the year. 6. I)o.
to the purpose of teaching. The best treatise of in the South Polar Regions. 7. Planlsphere of the
this kind I have seern, calculated to be a text-book  whole heavens on Mercator's projection. "The
for an intelligent teacher. isa work entitled "The  first four maps are so constructed, that the pupil
Geography of the Heavens," by Elijah H. Burrit, in using them miust suppose himself to face the
A. M., lately published at Hartford, State of Con- south, and to hold them directly over head. in such
necticut. This voluine comprises 342closely print- a manner that the top of the map shoutld. be toed pages, large 18mo., and several appropriate  wards the north, and the htottomn towards the
wood-cuts. It contains a very full and lucid de- south."  In the construction of these traps, and
scription of all the particulars respecting the differ- in the composition of the work. the latest discover
ent constellations and principal stars, the general ries have been carefully inserted. This work,
principles of astronomy, the facts connected with  since its first publication in 1833, has had an
the solar system. problems, astronomical tables, extensive sale in the UTnited states, and bee!
and almost every thing that can be deemed inte- introduced into many respectable seminaries.
(117)




118              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
powers. A knowledge of the mechanical stand on a table without requiring ally sup.
powers may be useful to every individual, port. An instrument to show  that a small
whatever- may be his trade or profession in portion of water will counterbalance a large
future life, but particularly to those who may quantity, may be made as follows: —A  B,
afterwards engage in the arts of carpentry, Fig. 2, is a vessel which may be either square
architecture, mining, engineering, and other            Fig. 2.          or round, and
operations where a knowledge of, the mecha-                  A           which may be
nical powers is essentially requisite; and the               Amade either of
impressions made upon their minds in early                               wood  or  tinlife by familiar illustrations of these powers,  C                       piilate; C D is a
would tend to facilitate their study of such  Cglass tube of a
objects when they became the more particular                             narrow bore, ceobjects of their attention.                                              mented into the
The fundamental principles of Hydrostatics                            short tube  E,
and Hydraulics might be familiarly illustrated                           which  commu
by a variety of simple experiments, some of                              nicates with the
which might be rendered extremely amusing.                     I         large vessel; if
That fluids press in all directions-that their                    I      water be poured
pressure is in proportion to their perpendicu-                           into  either  of
lar height-that a small quantity of a fluid                  I           these,  it  will
may be made to counterpoise any quantity,                                stand   at  the
however great-that a fluid specifically lighter                          same height in
than another will float upon its surface-that               1            both,    which
the surface of all fluids which communicate             Fig. 3.          proves, that the
with each other will be on the same level-                               small  quantity
that the velocity with which- water spouts from                          of water in the
holes in the side of a vessel, is in proportionB                  O      tube C  D, ba.
to the square root of the distance of the holes     i                    lances the large
below the surface of the water:-These, and        Ct?' l   quantity in the
similar positions, along with the principles-on                          vessel A B, and
which syphons, jets, and artificial fountains                   ll    illustrates what
act, can be illustrated with an apparatus which                          has been term.
every intelligent teacher, if he has the least                           ed  the  hydroshare of mechanical ingenuity, can easily con-                           statical   parastruct for himself, with the assistance of glass                         dox.  Jets  and
vessels, which are to be found in almost every                          fountains  may
family.  To show that water will find its                                be  represented
level, and rise to the same height in tubes                              and  illustrated
which have a communication, an instrument           U                    by  such an insimilar to the following, Fig. 1, may be con-                            strument as Fig.
~D ==~ ~3, where A B
Fig. 1.                   is the reservoir, and C D  E  a tube connected with it, bent at right angles at D;
when these are filled with water-the finger
having previously been pressed upon the opening F-as soon as the finger is removed, the
water rises in a jet, nearly to the height of the
fountain, A B.  A jet may likewise be produced by the instrument recommended, Fig.
iL1                c               -      1, by plugging up the tube E D, and opening
iiiIiiiilDllll'ilill illtllfll Ihllll Ii i  a hole at C, when a jet will arise after the
Fig. 4.
structed:-A B and E D are two tubes which
have a communication with each other by             llllllllllllllllllllllllll
means of the tube B D; if water is poured           A\
into the tube A  B, it will run through the
tube B D, and stand at the same elevation in.,
the tube E D.  To save expense, the tube                          i 
B D may be made of wood, and plugged up  
at both ends; and the glass tubes A B, E D,
fixed into it at each end with cement; and if     D
B D be made flat on its under part, it will
(118)




PNEUMATICAL EXPERIMENTS.                                 119
tubes are filled with water.  To show the dif- the air is drawn out of the tube, when the
flarent q iantities and velocities of water spout- water will rush to the top of the tube; then
ing. at different distances from the surface of a place your thumb on the top to prevent the
reservoir, such a vessel as that represented, access of air from above, and when the other
Fig. 4, page 118, may be used. The water end of the tube is taken out of the water, the
will issue from  the orifice at C with greater column of water will be suspended -in the
velocity, and consequently in greater quantity tube by the atmospheric pressure, although
than at B or A; if the orifice C be four times the lower end of it is open.  When the air
as deep below the surface as the orifice A, it is sucked out of the tube, a vacuumn is prowill discharge twice as much water in a given duced, and the external air, pressing upon the
time as A., because 2 is the square root of surface of the water in the vessel, forces it to
4; if the orifice B be in the centre of the the top of the tube; the thumb being applied
column of water, it will project the water to prevents the air pressing the water down, and
the greatest horizontal distance. The vessel the atmospheric pressure on the bottom  pre.
here represented may be made either of wood vents the water from running out.  The same
or of tin-plate, and if a bent tube be inserted  fact is proved by the following experiment:
at D, and the holes A B C shut up, it may  Let a piece of burning paper be put into a
serve to exhibit a jet d'eau,  The cup of Tan- wine-glass, so as to rarify or exhaust the air,
taulus,:the fouentain at cormmand, the hydrau- and while it is still burning, press the palm
lic dancers and divers, and other entertaining  of the hand against the mouth of the glass,
devices might also be exhibited, and accom- when it will adhere with a considerable depanied with explanations of the principles on gree of force, by the pressure of the atmi ~
wvhich theyact. By such means, several of sphere on the bottom and sides of the glass.
the leading principles of hydrostatics might This experiment may: be varied as follows
be easily impressed upon the youthful mind, Pour a certain quantity of water into a saucer;
and would doubtless be found of practical invert a wine-glass over a piece of burning
utility in future life, provided the teacher is paper or burning brandy, and, after holding it
~careful to show, by famik.ar examples, how  a short time in the flame, place it in the
they-explain many of the phenomena of na- saucer, when the water will rush up into the
ture and operations of art.                 glass in consequence of the atmospheric presThc  science of Pneumatics affords scope sure, as it did -in the glass tube when. it was
for many curious discussions and experiments exhausted of its air by suction.  These and
respecting the air and atmospherical pheno- similar experiments, which every one may
mena, which may be rendered interesting to perform, are as decisive proofs of the atmothe young.  In illustrating the pressure, elas- spheric pressure as those which are performed
ticity,.and other properties of the atmosphere, by means of the air-pump.  Such experithe assistance of the air-pump, with its usual ments, when conducted by intelligent teachers,
apparatus is highly desirable; as, without it, may easily be applied to the explanation of
some of the most interesting experiments on the causes of certain natural and artificial
this subject cannot be performed.  But where processes,. such as the firm adherence of two
this instrument, on account of its expense, polished surfaces-the action of a bov's sucker.
cannot be procured, various useful and enter- in lifting large stones-the operation of cuptaining experiments may be exhibited by means ping-the process of a child's sucking its
of a simple apparatus which almost every one mother's breast-the effects produced by cecan procure.  For example, the pressure  of ments-the rise of water in pumps-the firm
the atmosphere may be proved to the convic- adhesion of snails and shell-fish to rocks and
tion of every one by such simple experiments stones-the action of syphons-what is termed
as- the following:-The common experiment suction, as when we take a draught of water
of filling a w-ine-glass with water, covering its from a running stream-the fact, that a cask
mouth with a piece of paper,. and then invert- will not run, in certain cases, unless an opening it, is quite decisive of the. atmospheric ing is made in its top-and many similar
pressure; for the paper underneath, instead processes, some of which will be found of conof being convex by the pressure of the water siderable practical utility.
within, is concave, by the pressure of the at-   The elasticity: of the air may be proved by
mosphere from without;. and no other cause such experiments as these: —Take a bladder,
can be assigned why the water is supported  and fill it with: air by blowing into it, and
in the glass.  Another simple experiment, then apply a force to the sides of it, so as to
where no paper is employed, proves the same compress. it into a smaller space; when the
fact: Take a glass tube, two or three feet force is removed, it immediately expands and
long, with a narrow bore; put one end of it fills the same space as before.  This experiinto a vessel of water,: put your mouth to the  ment proves, not only the elasticity of air, but
other end, and make a deep inspiration till that, though invisible, it is as much a material.119)




120              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
substance as wood or' iron; for no force can with safety in the depths of the sea withoul
bring the sides together, without breaking the touching the water, provided fresh air be sup.
bladder, although the parts of an empty blad- plied. A  small quantity of water will be
der may be squeezed into any shape. The found to have entered tile ale-glass, and the
same thing is proved by the following experi- deeper it is plunged in any vessel the higher
ment: —Open a pair of common bellows, and will the water rise within it. At the depth
then stop the nozle, so that no air can rush of 33 feet, where- the pressure of the atmoout-and no force whatever can bring the sphere is doubled, a diving-bell will be half
parts together, without bursting the leather, or filled with water-at the depth of 66 feet, it
unstopping the nozle. That heat increases will be two-thirds filled —at the depth of 99
the elasticity of air, may be shown, by placing feet, it will be three-fourths filled, and so on
before a strong fire a bladder with a small in proportion to the depth; which shows the
quantity of air, when the small portion of air propriety of having this vessel in the form of
will expand, till the bladder appear quite full a bell, that the perpendicular height of the
and ready to burst. These experiments may water may be as little as possible. The folbe applied to the explanation of such pheno- lowing simple experiment illustrates the presmena as the following:-Why the compressed sure of the atmosphere in a mode somewhat
air between the liquid and the cork, in a bot- different from those already stated.  Procure
tie of beer or ale, bursts forth in the form of a tin vessel about six or seven inches long,
froth when the cork is drawn-why fishes, in and three in diameter, having its mouth about
consequence of their air-blarlders, are enabled a quarter of an inch wide, as E F, Fig. 2. In
to rise and sink in the water —and why the its bottom  make a number of small holes,
carcass of a man that has been drowned, in a about the diameter of a common sewingfew days rises and floats on the surface for a needle. Plunge this vessel in water, and
short time, and then sinks to rise no more. when full cork it up, so that no air can enter
The compressibili/y of air may be shown, by at the top. So lon, as it remains corked, no
taking a glass tube which is open only at water will run out-the pressure of the atone end, and of course full of air, and plung- mosphere at the bottom preventing it; but as
ing the open end into a vessel of water, when soon as it is uncorked, the water will issue
the water will be seen to have risen to a from the small holes in the bottom, by the
small height, near the bottom of the tube, pressure of the air from  above.  The same
which proves that the air which filled the experiment may be made by means of a tube,
whole length of the tube is compressed by the  Fig. 2.                Fig. 3
water, into a smaller space. In a similar
way the principle of the divz'ng-beil may be
illustrated.  Let A  B, Fig. 1, represent a   E I
large tumbler or drinking glass, which may be
nearly filled with water. Place a piece of'
cork on the surface of the water, and over the
cork an ale-glass C D, with its mouth downwards, then push the glass perpendicularly    11
down towards the bottom of the tumbler, and 
the cork will ap-e    illutrat t
pear swimming a
C            little above  the  itiillI
bottom;  plainly      I
indicating   that    I                         ii"
there is no water,,:.i,:ii., 
above it in the        F
ale-glass, which is seven or eight inches long, and about three.
prevented   from  fourths of an inch diameter, having two or
entering by the re- three small holes in its bottom; and another
sistance of the air tube, G H, Fig. 3, of the same dimensions,
within. The wa- having a small hole in each side, I K, will il~~~~A  ~        13 ter in the tumbler lustrate the laleraul pressure of the atmosphere
may represent the -the water being retained when it is corked,
water of a river or and running out when the cork is removed.
of the sea; the It will likewise illustrate the lateral pressure
ale-glass may re- of water and other liquids.
present the diving-   Several amusing experiments may also be
bell, in which a performed by means of syphons, when con1person  may  sit cealed in drinking-cups and other vessels;




PNEUMATICAL EXPERIMENTS.                                   121
and the utility of the principle on which they  of the flask, I, so that its bottom  may be imact may be illustrated in certain practical ope- mersed in the water at K, but not touching
rations.  For example, their use maybe shown  the bottom of the flask.  Then immerse the
in conveying water over a rising ground.  In  flask' into a vessel of very     Fig. 6.
Fig. 4, let' M  represent a pond or pool of hot water, when in conseFig. 4.                   quence of the expansion of
the air in the flask, the
N.        water at K will be forced
up into the tube I H, where
it is received into a wineglass at H.  Holding the
wine-glass, into which the
water is now received, at        I
the end of the tube, as reprewater, in a quarry or other situation, which is sented in the figure, take the
wished to be drained, and where there is no flask out of the hot water,
declivity or lower lower ground adjacent to which  and plunge it into another
the water can be conveyed-it may be carried vessel full of cold water,
over the rising ground M N, by means of the and the water in the wine- F
syphon M  N L; provided the perpendicular glass will be thrown back
elevation N P above the level of the pool M, into the bottom of the flask,
does not exceed thirty-two feet, for to that by the pressure of the atheight only will the water rise in the syphon  mosphere on its surface at
by the pressure of the atmosphere; and pro- H. The flask may then be
vided that the end of the syphon at L de- again immersed in the hot water, when the
scends a little way beyond the level of the water at its bottom will be. thrown up into the
pool at M,-in which case, when the syphon  wine-glass, as before, and the operations may
is filled, the water-will rush out at L, so long be repeated as often as judged expedient. This
as any remains in the pond.  In the same experiment when dexterously performed, selway may be shown how a cask of liquor may  dom  fails to produce a pleasing effect upon
be decanted by a syphon placed in a hole the spectators, especially when the water is
made in its upper side.  The use of the tinged with a red colour, by means of the
syphon might likewise be shown when placed  sulphuric or any other acid dropped into an
in a reverse position, as in Fig. 5, when it infusion of red cabbage.*
The science of Optics affords scope for
Fig. 5.
* In arranging and performing such simple exiling\ A periments as those above stated, it is expedient
-  9       t           that the teacher or operator should know how to
i\ ~<,\. u 1*cut phials and glass tubes, and to form syphons.
The neck of a common phial may be cut off so as
to form a tube, by slightly indenting a portion of
the circumference with the sharp edge of a common file, and then, with the point of a hot iron,
beginning at the indention, go round the circumference of the phial, and the head will at once be'     separated from the bodly. Otherwise, tie a thread
which has been steeped in turpentine or spirits of
wine, firmly round the mouth of the phial, then
set fire to it, and the operation is performed. In
may be applied to the purpose of conveying the same manner, long glass tubes may he cut into
water from a fountain at R, along a hollow or any lengths. If the tubes be of a small diameter,
valley to a house, S, at the same height on  it is only requisite to indent them  with a file at
the point where they are intended to be cutj and
the other side of the valley; and however then holding one end of the tube in the left hand,
deep or broad the valley may be, the water give a blow with the right on the other end, and
tnay in. this manner be conveyed, provided  the tube will snap asunder.-To bend a glass tulbe
into the form of a syphon: Put the tube through
the syphon is sufficiently strong near its lower the bars of a common grate, when the fire is burnparts to sustain the perpendicular pressure of ing clear; let the part of the tibe which is to be
the water.                                    bent be in the centre or hottest part of the fire;
take hold of the tube at both ends, and when it
The following simple and interesting experi- begins to melt near the middleg, ently bend it with
ment migh; be exhibited to show  the effects both hands, in the form which is wanted, and then
of the expansion of air.  Procure a common  remove it from the fire. A little experience will
render suich operations quite easy and efficient for
Florence flask, F G, Fig. 6, and pour into it the purpose intended. If a sniall bend only at one'a large wine-glassfull of water; then take a end of the tube is required, that end may be plrt
tube, I H, bent at the top, H, like a small into the fire till it begin to melt, then take hold of
and,  ftent   t  ieto, inte asmoh  it gently with a pair of tongs, and bend it in the
syphon, and fasten it air-tight into the mouth  form required with the right hand.
16                                           L             (121)




122               ON THIE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
many delightful and interesting experiments: A the convex lens which throws the image of
but some of its instruments are very expen- the figures on a screen, and C D the magni
sive. I shall therefore state only a few simple fled image of the painted figures. In all these
exhibitions and experiments which can be instruments, the principle on which the objects
made at a trifling expense. Before the teacher are magnified is precisely the same; the size
can illustrate any of the principles of this sci- of the image is always in proportion to its disence by experiment, it will be requisite that tance from the lens by which it is formed; but
he-provide himself with a few convex lenses, as the image is enlarged it becomes less brilsome of short and others of pretty long focal liant and distinct, and therefore there is a prodit'ances.  For example, double or plano- per medium which must be fixed upon as to
convex glasses, -a inch, 1 inch, 3 and 4 inches, the distance between the lens and the screen
focal distance, which may be made to illustrate  on which the image is thrown; but a skilful
the construction of a compound microscope, teacher will always know how to modify such
as I have elsewhere shown in my work, " On  circumstances.
the Improvement of Society."  Also lenses,   The nature of a tele.~cope and of the cad elra
from 3 to 6 or 8 feet focus, to illustrate the obsi'ura may be illustrated as follows: Fix a
construction of a telescope, and the nature of. lens of 4, 5, or 6 feet focus, in a hole made in
a camera obscura; and. two or three concave a window-shutter; darken the room, so that
mirrors for illustrating some of the phenomena no light can enter but through the lens.   If
of reflerlion.  The principle on which a coro- its focal distance be 5 feet, or 60 inches, a
pou7Td microscope, a: solar microscope, and a white screen placed at that distance will remagic lantern or pthtist''mlorian,   are con-' ceive the image of' the objects without, oppostructed; may be shown by one easy experi- site the glass, where they will be beautifully
ment.  Let A, Fig. 1, represent a convex  depicted in all their forms, colours, and moglass, suppose six inches focal distance, and  tions, in an inverted position, forming a kind
B the flame of a candle.  Hold the glass, A, of living picture.  This exhibition never fails
at a little more than six inches from the candle,' to excite the admiration of the young. If now,
and on an opposite wall will be formed a large  a' lens, about 2 inches'focus be placed 2 inches
magnified image of the candle,  E D.  This beyond the image thus formed, and tlie'screen
image will be inverted, and larger than the  removed-in looking through this lens, the
flame of the candle in proportion as the dis- objects will appear'magnified in the proportion
of 2 inches to 60, that is, 30 times; and as the
Fig. 1.
image was inverted, so the object, as seen
-li~o~i~l athrough the glass, will appear as if turned
~  ~    t' 8'upside down. This is perhaps one of the best
modes of explaining the principle of a refracting telescope, and the reason why the object
E'B  -appears inverted, when viewed with a single
f A        eye-glass.  The same  thing may be partly
1  shIown by a common telescope. Having taken
out all the eye-glasses, except the one next the
eye, adjust the telescope to distinct vision, and
all the objects seen through it will appear as
if turned upside down. Tho manner in which
the'image is reversed by the other eve-glasses,
tance, A E, from the glass to the wall, exceeds and the object made to appear upright, might
the distance A B, from the glass to the candle., then be explained. Objects might likewise be
Suppose the distance A B  to be exactly 6 exhibited through a telescope, as appearing in
inches, and the distance A E' to be 7 feet or different positions and rdi'etions.  This is ef.
84-inches, then the: image of the candle will fected by means of a diagonal ese-piece, which
be magnified in proportion, of 6 to 84, or 14 is constructed in the following manner: Let
times. In this experiment the candle repro- A B, Fig. 2, represent a convex glass about 2
sents the object to be magnified in a compound  inches focal distance; C D  a pla;n metallic
microscope, A the object-glass, and: C'D the speculum, of an oval form, well pofshed, and
image formed by the lens, which is magnified  placed at half a right angle to the axis of the
a' second time by the eye-glass of the micro- tube; and E F, another convex lens, 2 inches
scope.:In reference to the sonlar microscope,
the candle represents the small object to be   * A lens is a round piece of glass,.ground either
the candle represents the small object to  e concave or convex. All lenses that magnify ohmagnified, and C D its magnified- image on a jects. are crrnvez, or thicker in the middle than at
white, wall or screen; and in reference to the- the edge, such as common magnifiers, readingmagic-lantern,- or phantasmagoria, the candle glasses, and the glasses used in microscopes and
telescopes, except the Galilean perspective*, i
represents the figures painted on the sliders, which the eye-glass is concave.
1122)




OPTICAL EXPERIMENTS.                                lo'3
focus.  The centre of the speculum may be  the speculum  be made to revolve,, fh, VrhI
about I  inch from A B, and about i inch  of the surrounding landscape may he,lt,
cessively depicted on the table.  VVben the
Fig. l. iens is of a long focal distance, as from 10 to
15 or 20 feet, it produces a pretty powerful
telescopical effect, so that objects may be dis~   tinctly perceived at a considerable distance,
and individuals recognized on the picture at
A                                        the distance of a mile or more. Wherever
there are objects in motion, such as ships
sailing, birds flying, smoke ascending, crowds
of people moving to and fro, or boys and girls
cZ                engaged in their amusements; this exhibition
always affords a high degree of satisfaction.
from E F.  The rays proceeding from  the It might occasionally be used, not only as an
lens A B, and falling upon the speculum, are illustration of optical principles, but also as a
reflected in a perpendicular direction to the reward for diligence and good behaviour.
lens E F, where they enter the eye, which    In connection with the above, representalooks down upon the object through the side tions might be given of natural and artificial
of the tube.  When this eye-piece is applied objects as exhibited by the phantasngeoria.
to a telescope, with the lens E F on the upper Discarding the ridiculous and childish figures
part of it, we look down upon the object as if which were formerly used in the common
it were under our feet. If we turn the eye- magic lanterns, opticians have now constructed
piece round in its socket a quarter of a circle sliders which exhibit representations of the
towards the left, an object directly before us telescopic appearances of the heavenly bodies,
in the south will appear as if it were in the the different constellations, the motions of the
lwest, and turned upside down. If from this earth and moon, and various objects connected
position, it is turned round a semicircle to- with botany, mineralogy, and zoology; and
wards the right, and the eye applied, the same such objects, when exhibited in this manner,
object will appear as if it were situated in the are calculated to produce both instruction and
east; and if it be turned round another quad- amusement.  The solar microscope in partirant, till it be directly opposite to its first posi- cular, (or the ox r-hydrydoer, if it can be, pro.
tion, and the eye applied from below, the cured,) should be occasionally exhibited to
object or landscape will appear as if suspended the young, to convey to them  some ideas of
inthe atmosphere above us. Such experiments, the wonderful minuteness of the atoms of
when accompanied with proper diagrams, and matter, and the admirable mechanism  disan explanation of optical principles, may easily played in the structure of vegetables and the
be rendered both entertaining and instructive. bodies of animals, particularly in those myriads
A camera ob-           Fig. 3.           of animalculm which are invisible to the unscura, on a lar-                            assisted eye. Such animalcule may be proger scale, and                              cured almost at any season, but particulhirly
on a different                  E          during the summer months, by infusing in
plan from  that                            separate open vessels, small bits of grass or
alluded to above,                          hay, leaves of flowers, or other vegetable submight be erected                           stances, when, after a week or ten days, anion the top of                              malcule of different kinds, according to the
every   school-                            nature of the substances infused, will be perhouse, which is,  ceived in vast numbers, by the aid of the
constructed with.                          microscope, in every drop of the infusion.  A
a fiat roof, asi                           compound microscope is perhaps as good an
formerly  sug-I                            instrument as any other for giving a steady
contains a re-               -             only objection to its use for a school is, that
presentation of a wooden building, on the only one individual can see the object at a
top of which is a large convex lens H  I, time. When a teacher is not furnished with
about 10 or 12 feet focal distance. At half a an instrument of this kind fitted up in the
right angle to this lens is a plain speculum, by usual way, he may, with a little trouble, conwhich the rays of light from the objects O: are struct a compound microscope, by means of
reflected downwards through the lens, which the eye-piece of a common pocket achromatic
forms a picture of all the objects before the telescope, which may -be purchased for one
speculum, on a round white table, T, in all guinea, or less. The eye-pieces of such teletheir colours, motions, and proportions. If scopes contain four glasses arranged on a
(123)




124             ON TIlE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
principle somewhat similar to that of the directly opposite the sun, it collects the rays
glasses of a compound microscope. If we into a focus before it, so as to act as a powerful
screw off one of these eye-pieces, and look burning-glass, and in this way a hole may be
through it in the usual way, holding the object burned in a thin board. 3. WThen hung at
end about a quarter of an inch distant from  an elevation of about 5 feet, and a person
any small object, such as the letters of a placed opposite to it, at 6 or 7 feet distant, he
printed book, it will appear magnified about will see his image hanging in the air in an
ten or twelve times in length and breadth; inverted position, between him and the mirror,
remove from the tube the third glass from the and if he approach a little nearer the mirror,
eye, which is the second from the object, and and hold out his hand towards it, the image
look through it in the same manner, holding will appear to do the same,'a.as if about to
it more than an inch distant' from the object, shake hands, and if he stretch his hand still
and it will appear magnified more than twenty nearer the mirror, the hand of his image will
times in diameter, or above 400 times in sur- appear to pass by his hand, and approach
face. If, by means of small pasteboard tubes, nearer his body. 4. Such a mirror is of use
or any other contrivance, we attach the glass in explaining the construction of a reftectig
that was taken out of the outside of the object- telescope. When it is held opposite to a
glass of the eye-piece, so as to be nearly close window, the image of the sash and of the obto it, we shall have a magnifying power of jects without the window will be seen depicted
nearly forty times; or, if we substitute for in its focus on a piece of white paper held
these two object-glasses a single glass of about between it and the window, which represents
a half-inch focal distance, we shall form a the manner in which the first image is formed
pretty good compound microscope, magnify- by the great mirror of a reflecting telescope;ing above forty times in diameter, and 16Q0 and the manner in which the small speculumn
times in surface, which will af:ord very pleas- of a Gregorian reflector forms the second image,
ing views of various objects in the animal and may be shown by holding the mirror at a
vegetable kingdoms. The magnifying powers little more than its focal distance behind a
now stated will differ somewhat in different candle, and  throwing its magnified image
eye-pieces, according to their lengths and the upon an opposite wall, in the same way as
focal distances of the glasses of which they the lens, fig., 1, p. 122, by refraction, produced
are composed. The tube of the eye-piece the enlarged image C D. 5. If a bright fire
thus arranged, may be occasionally,fitted into be made in a large room, and a very smooth,
a pasteboard tube supported by three pillars, well-polished mahogany table be placed at a
in which it may be moved up or down for considerable distance near the wall, and the
adjusting it to distinct vision, and the object concave mirror so placed that the light of the
placed underneath and properly illuminated. fire may be reflected from the mirror to its
These hints are suggested on the score of focus on the talble-a person standing at a
economy, for those who have no regular distance toward the fire, but not directly in
microscopic apparatus.                     the line between the mirror and the fire, will
Various amusing experiments besides the see an image of the fire upon the table, large
above might be exhibited to the young, such and erect, as if the table had been set on fire.
as the optical paradox, an instrument through    Various illusions and deceptions have been
which objects may be seen, although a board produced by means of concave mirrors. Pagan
or other opaque body be interposed between priests are supposed to have rekindled the
the eye and the objects-the pristm, which, in Vestal fire by this instrument; and with the
a dark room, separates the primary colours of same instrument, on a large scale, Archimedes
the solar rays-the multiplying glass, which is reported to have burned the Roman fleet.
makes one object appear as if there were ten, When the mirror is concealed from the view
twenty, or thirty-the burning-glass, which, of a spectator by certain contrivances, he may
by means of the sun's rays, sets on fire (lark be easily deceived and tantalized with a shadow
coloured paper, wood, and other inflammable instead of a substance.  He may be made to
substances-and optical illusions produced by see a vessel half full of water inverted in the
the various refractions and reflections of light air without losing a drop of its contents. He
in water, combinations of plane mirrors, and may be desired to grasp what appears a beautiby concave speculums. A concave mirror, ful flower, and, when he attempts to touch it,
about 5 or 6 inches diameter, and 10 or 12 it vanishes into air, or a death's-head appears
inches focus, which may be procured for to snap at his'fingers. He may be made to
about half-a-guinea or 15 shillings, is of great behold a terrific spectre suddenly starting uIp
utility for a variety of exhibitions. 1. When before him, or a person with a drawn sword,
held at nearly its focal distance from one's as if about to run him  through. An exhibiface, it represents it as magnified to a mon- tion of this kind was some time ago brought
strous size. 2. When held in the solar rays, before the public, which' was effected by a
(124)




CHEMISTRY.                                     125
concave mirror. A man being placed with which he can easily do when the materials
his head downwards, in the focus of the mir- are provided.  In regard to philosophical apror, an erect image of him  was exhibited, paratus of every description, were there a
while his real person was concealed, and the general demand for it from all (lasses of
place of the mirror darkened; the spectators the community, it might be afforded for less
were then directed to take a plate of fruit than one half the price now charged for it, as
from his hand, which, in an instant was dex- certain portions of it might be constructed of
terously changed for a dagger or some other cheaper materials than are now used; as ele.
deadly weapon.-It may not be improper oc- garce in such instruments is not always necasionally to exhibit such deceptions to the cessary for use; as competition would reduce
young, and leave them for some time to rurni- their price to the lowest rate, and as there
nate upon them till the proper explanations would be no necessity for great profits when
be given, in order to induce them to use their the manufacturers were certain of a quick and
rational powers in reflecting on the subject, extensive sale.
and particularly to teach them to investigate,Chemistry.-Chemistry, in its present imthe causes of every appearance that may seem  proved state, is a science so interesting and
mysterious or inexplicable, and not to ascribe useful, so intimately connected with the knowto occult or supernatural causes what may be ledge of nature, the improvement of the useful
explained by an investigation of the established  arts, and with every branch of physical and
laws of nature; and to guard them  against practical science, that an oatline, at least, of
drawing rash or unfounded conclusions from  its leading principles and facts should be comany subject or phenomenon which they have municated to all classes of the young. The disnot thoroughly explored, or do not fully corn- tinguishing properties of the simple slbstunces,
prebend.                                    such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen,
Having enlarged much farther than I origi- chlorine, iodine, sulphur, and phosphorusnally intended on the preceding departments particularly oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and
of Natural Philosophy, I have no space left carburetted  hydrogen, should  be minutely
for suggesting any hinlts in relation to elec- described, and illustrated by experiments, and
tricity, galvanism, and magnetism.  If the  their extensive influence in the system  of
teacher is possessed of an electrical machine nature particularly detailed.  The laws of
and a galvanic apparatus, and is acquainted  chemical affinity-the nature and properties
with his subject, he has it in his power to ex- of heat its radiation and expansive power,
hibit a great variety of very striking experi- and the effects it produces on all bodies-the
ments which can never fail to arrest the atten- composition and decomposition of water, the
tion of the juvenile mind, and prepare it for nature of chrystallization, the properties of
entering on explanations of some of the su- earths, metals, acids, and alkalies, the nature of
blimest phenomena of nature.  But without combustion, chemical action and combinations,
these instruments very few  experiments of the component principles of animal and vegeany degree of interest can be performed in  table substances, and various other particulars,
relation to these subjects.  The illustration  may be impressed upon the minds of the young,
of the phenomena of mnalgnetis0m requires no and rendered familiar by a variety of simple
expensive apparatus.  Two or three small, experiments which can be easily performed.
and as many large bar magnets-a large Many of the most important and luminous
horseshoe magnet, a magnetic compass, and facts of this science may be exhibited by the
a few needles, pieces of iron, and steel filings, aid of a few Florence flasks, glass tubes, commay be sufficient for illustrating the promi- mon phials, tumblers, wine and ale-glasses —
nent facts in relation to this department of of which I intended exhibiting some speciphilosophy. But as I have already thrown  mens, had my limits permitted. In the mean
out a few hints on this subject in the lesson  time I refer the reader to Accum's volume
on the kSrgacioes Swan," it would be needless entitled " Chemical Amusements," which conto enlarge.-My only reason for suggesting  tains a perspicuous description of nearly 200
the above hints and experiments is, to show  interesting experiments on this subject, with
that any teacher, at a very small expense, an explanation of the rationale of each experimay have it in his power to illustrate, in a ment.  Griffin's Recreations in Chemistry;
pleasing manner, many of the most interesting  Thomson's, Turner's, Parkes', Graham's, and
and practical truths connected with natural Donovan's treatises, or any other modern sysphilosophy.  Most of the apparatus alluded tem of chemistry, may also be consulted.*
to above could be procured for two &d three   * Notwithstandin the numerous excellenttreapounds, provided the experimenter apply his tises on natural philosophly and chemistry which
hands, and construct a portion of it himself, have been published oflate years, we have scarcely
any books on these subjects exactly adapted for the
use of schools. Blair's " rarihnlar and Natural
* See page 80                Philosophy," and " Conversation"' on the satme
I. 2          (125)




1.26              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
SEcTIoa   X.-Mathematics. -          (chiefly from the first book,) of those proposi,
tions which have a practical bearing, and
A knowledge of certain departments of the which form  the foundation of practical geo.
mathematical sciences is essentially requisite metry and the operations of plane trigonometry.
for understanding many of the discussions and  These, which might be comprehended within
investigations connected with natural philoso- the limits of thirty or forty propositions, shoul I
phy, astronomy, geography, and navigation, be arranged into a kind of system, which might
and for various practical purposes in the be divided into propositions relating to quadmechanical arts; and, consequently, ought to rilateral figures, triangles, circles, and zconit
form a portion of every course of general edu- sections.  The demonstrations ofthese should
cation.  During the first stages of elementary be clear and explicit, and as simple as the nainstruction, a knowledge of the names and ture of the subject will admit, and the steps of
some of the properties of angles, triangles, the demonstration of each proposition should
squares, parallelograms trapezoids, trapeziums, be thoroughly understood before proceeding
circles, ellipses, parallels, perpendiculars, and  to another. At the same time, the bearing of
other geometrical lines and figures, may be the truths demonstrated upon the several pracimparted, on different occasions, by way of  tical operations of geometry, and their general
amusement, as is generally done in infant utility, should be distinctly pointed out as the
schools, which would prepare the way for en- teacher proceeds in his demonstrations; and
tering on the regular study of mathematical the pupil, having previously been occupied in
science. The usual method of teaching math- calculations relating to geometrical figures,
ematics is to commence with the'"Elements will be enabled to appreciate such demonstraof Euclid," proceeding through the first six, tions, and will feel a greater interest in such
and the eleventh and twelfth books, and after- exercises than he would otherwise do, were
wards directing the attention to the elements he to consider them as relating merely to abof plane and spherical trigonometry, conic stract tiru7ths which have no useful tendency.
sections, fluxions and the higher algebraic He might next proceed to the statements and
equations, in which the attention of the student calculations connected with the different cases
is chiefly directed to the denionistration of math- of plane trigonometry, applying them  to the
ematical propositions, without being much ex- mensuration of all the cases of terrestrial
ercised in practical calculations.  This is the heights and distances, and to the determining
scientific method of instruction generally pur- of the distances and magnitudes of the heasued in colleges and academies, and if youths venly bodies and the altitude of the lunar
of the age of: fourteen or fifteen were capable mountains.
of the attention and abstraction of angelic    This is the whole course of mathematical
beings,:it would likewise be the natur al me- instruction I would deem it necessary to comthod.  But a different method, I presutne, municate in the first instaonce;-and, with a
ought to be pursued in schools chiefly devoted knowledge of the practical operations of geoto popular instruction.  After the pupil has metry and trigonometry, and of the principles
acquired a competent knowledge of arithmetic, on which they are founded, the pupil would
let him be conducted through the different be  enabled to understand all the prominent
branches of practical geonletry, including the parts of useful science to which mathematical
mensuration of surfaces and solids, artifi(ers' principles are applicable, and to apply them
work and land surveying, exhibiting occasion- to the practical purposes of life. If he feel a
ally a demonstration of some of the rules, in  peculiar relish for mathematical investigations,
so far as he is able to comprehend it.  After or if his situation or profession in future life
which, a selection should be made from Euclid, require an extensive knowledge of the higher
subject, by Mrs. Marcet, contain a comprehensive departments of this study, he can easily proseview of the leading subjects of natural philosophy, cute, at his leisure, such studies to any extent.
which may be recommended to the. perusal of
young persons; but they are scarcely adapted to
the surpose of teaching. Dr. Comstock of America, acquired.  When a young person, of the age
formerly mentioned, (page 108,) lately published a of twelve or fourteen, commences the study
"Systenl of Natural Philosophy," for the use of
students and preceptors, which has already passed  of "Euclid's Elements," or any similar wor,
throlgl nine editions. This volume contains about he is at a loss to conceive what useful purpose
300 closely printed pages, and above 200 wood-cuts, can be served by fixing his mind en squares,
and comprises a popular and scientific illustration
of the " Properties of Bodies, Mechanics, Hydro- parallelograms and triangles, and pestering
slatics, Hydraulics, Pneumatics, Acoustics. Optics. himself in demonstrating their. relations and
Astronomy,  Electricity, and Magnetism." with  proportions.  After encountering some diffiquestions in the margin of every page for exercis-. 
ing the judgment of the student. It is calculated  culties, he perhaps acquires a pretty deal
for being an excellent text-book in colleges and conception of the demonstrations of the first
ac.ademies; bult would require to be somewhat and most simple propositions; but as he pro
reduced and simplified, to adopt it to the use of    in his course, t   ositions 
common schools.                              coeds i  his course, the propositions become
(126)




PHYSIOLOGY.                                  127
more complex and difficult to be conceived, justly remarked-"The person who should
and the steps of the demonstration more occupy a dwelling seventy, eighty, or a huntedious and complicated; he forgets the con- dred years, and yet be unable to tell the
clusions formerly deduced, his mind becomes number of its apartments, or the nature and
bewildered, and, in too many instances, he properties of any of its materials, perhaps
follows his preceptor in the dark, relying more even the number of stories of which it conon his authoritative assertions than on a clear sisted-would be thought inexcusably ignoperception of the force of his demonstrations; rant. Yet, with the exception of medical
his ideas become confused, and he loses all men, and here and there an individual be
relish for the study, because he cannot per- longing to the other professions, is there one
ceive the practical purposes to which such person in a thousand who knows any thing
abstract speculations can be applied. This, about the elementary materials-the structure
it may be affirmed, is the case with more than or even the number of apartments in the preone-half of those who attempt the study of sent habitation of his mind?"  It is not bepure mathematics at an early age, without cause this study is either uninteresting or
having previously been exercised in the prac- unaccompanied with mental gratification, that
tical operations of the science. It is for this it is so generally neglected; for to " know ourreason I would recommend a short course, or selves," both physically and intellectually, is
outline of practical geometry and trigonometry one of the first duties of man, and such knowbefore proceeding to the demonstration of theo- ledge has an extensive practical tendency, and
rems, or the more abstract parts of mathema- is calculated to gratify the principle of curitical science. So far as my experience goes, osity, and to produce emotions of admiration
I have uniformly found, that those who had and pleasure. " Does it afford no pleasure,"
been well exercised in the different branches says the writer I have now quoted,; "to study
of mensuration, and the practical parts of the functions of the stomach and liver, and
trigonometry, previous to their entering on a other organs concerned in changing a mass
course of pure mathematics, have acquired a of beaten food, perhaps some of the courser
relish for such studies, and become eminent vegetables, into blood?-of the heart, and arteproficients in them; while their fellow-stu- ries, and veins, which convey this fluid, to the
dents, who had no previous experience in amount of three gallons, through all parts of
practical calculations, lagged far behind them, the body once in four minutes? —of the lungs,
and seldom entered into the spirit of such sub- which restore the half-spoiled blood to its
jects. I could point to several individuals of wonted purity, as fast as it is sent into tnem,
this description, who ultimately attained the and enable it once more to pursue a healthful
highest mathematical prizes bestowed ac the course through its ten thousand channels?colleges and academies at which they attended. of the brain, and especially the nerves, which
by their innumerable branches spread themSECTIOX XI.-Physiology.           selves over every soft part of the human sysThis is a department of knowledge which tem  (and some of the harder parts) which
has never yet been introduced into any semi- they can possibly penetrate, in such numbers
nary, as a branch of general education.  It is that we can nowhereins   the point of the
somewhat unaccountable, and not a little il- finest needle without piercing them.-of the
consistent, that, while we direct the young to  skin, every square inch of which on of mins the
look abroad over the surface of the earth and mou
survey its mountains, rivers, seas, and conti- vessels   Is all this, I say, uninteresting? Is
there no wisdom displayed in the construction
nents, and guide their views to the regions of
of so complicated, and yet so wonderful a
the firmament, where they may contemplate of so  complicate, and yet so wonderful a
the moons of Jupiter, the rings of Saturn, and& machie, and endowing it with the power of
thousands of luminaries placed at immeasur- retaining an average heatof 96 or 98 degrees,
able distances,-that, while we direct their whether the surrounding atmosphere be heated
attention to the structure and habits of quad- to 100 degrees or cooled to 32, or even to a
rupeds, birds, fishes, and insects, and even to much lower point?  Is there, moreover, no
the microscopic animalculbe inl a drop of water mental discipline involved in the study of
-we should never teach them to look into physiology "
themseelves, to consider their own corporeal   The evils arising from  ignorance of the
structures, the numerous parts of which they corporeal functions, and of the circumstances
are composed, the admirable functions they   * Mr. Alcott, "American Annals of Education,"
perform, the wisdom and goodness displayed for September, 1833,-ajournalwhich is conducted
with admirable spirit by Mr. Woodbridge, and
in their mechanism, and the lessons of prac- which contains a variety of valuable communicatical instruction which may be derived from  tions. and much important statistical information,
sucha contemplations. An intelligent writer respecting the improvements going forward in
has Europe and America, in connection with the subin the "American Annals of Education," has ject of education.
(127)




128              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
by which they are impaired, are numerous  children are permitted to wallow in dirtiness
and much to be deplored. From  ignorance  and filth, to remain moist, cold, and benumbed,
of the structure and functions of the digestive  and to pass days and even weeks without
organs, parents, in many instances, allow their being washed or receiving a change of linens;
children to eat and drink every thing they  by which they are, sooner or later, subjected
desire, alnd to gorge their stomachs, till dis- to  cutaneous and  inflammatory disorders.
eased action of the organs connected with  Ignorance of this subject has likewise led
digestion  necessarily  ensues, accompanied  to those awkward attempts, particularly on
with the other disorders which  generally  the part of the female sex, to remodel the
follow in its train. To the same cause is human frame, as if they could improve the
owing the practice of administering to infants, mechanism and symmetry devised by Infinite
cordials, elixirs, laudanum, and  spi7iluous  Wisdom.  Hence the derangement of the
liquors —a practice in which no person will physical system produced by laced stays, strait
indulge who is acquainted with the laws  jackets, corsets, and other absurd articles of
which regulate the functions of the corporeal dress, by which the ribs are compressed, the
frame, and which has a tendency not only to  spine bent out of its place, and the free
injure the individual, but to perpetuate a  expansion of the lungs prevented; the condegenerated race through successive genera- sequences of which are,-diseases of the
tions. From ignorance of the nature of per- breast, shortness of breath, external callosispiration, and  the functions of the skin, ties, defective digestion, tubercles of the lungs,
Fig. 1.                    Fig. 2.             and a tendency to pulmonary
consumption.  The  annexed
figures show  how  such  unnatural practices tend to distort
even the wrry holes, as well as
the muscular part of the body.
They are taken from No. 58,
of the "Penny Magazine. Fig.
1, is an outline of the celebrated statue of the Venus de
Medicis, which is considered as
the most beautiful and symmetrical model of a fine female
figure.  Fig. 2, is the skeleton
of a similar figure, with the
bones in their natural position.
Fig. 3, is an outline of the
Fig. 3.                  Fig. 4.        figure of a modern fashionable
lady, after it has been permar
nently  reniodelled  by  stays.
Fig. 4, is a skeleton belonging
to such a figure as No. 3.
/ -l'\  i          From  these figures it appears
\/    that the size of the chest belonging to figures 3 and 4, is
obviously nuch less than that
of figures 1 and 2, and consequently, the parts which it embraces niust be ul,,otsralrly
compressed, to the injury of
symmetry and beauty, as well
as to the impeding of the vital
functions.
But it will naturally be asked,. How shall witness such operations. A gevlerol knowwe find means to communicate a knowledge  ledge of the parts of the human frame, of
of physiology in common schools?  A tho-  their relative positions, and of the functions
rough knowledge of this subject, such as a  they perform in the animal system, is all that
regular medical practitioner requires, cannot is requisite to be imparted; and there are
he communicated  in such seminaxies, nor several modes by which such a view of the
would it be necessary, or even expedient, to  mechanism of the human body may be. exhi
make the attempt.  Human subjects could  bited.  1. It is well known that the skill of
not }e dissected before the eyes of the young, the anatomist, combined with that of the nionor would it be proper to accustom  them to  deller, has enabled him to construct a model
(128)




PHYSIOLOGY.                                  I' 9
or representation of the human system.
This model, which has been sometimes                    1'
called a srmansnikin, or artificial man, is
formed with so much skill and ingenuity                     ) \
as to exhibit the principal veins and arte-                           A
ries, the nerves, the muscles, the lungs,    * /
liver, stomach, kidneys, and most other  
parts, nearly as distinctly as they appear            n
in the real human subject. Such a model,            oftbe
could it be procured, would answer all the       right side   /<Gu 5
purposes of ezene.-al instruction. The only
valid objection that could be made to its
introduction would be, the expense with                      $
which it would be necessarily attended.
2. An idea of the form and position of           o'~a l o
those parts connected with the vital functions, which are contained within the thorax
and abdomen, may be obtained by dissect-                       l
ing some of our domestic quadrupeds. Although the mechanism  if these animals is
somewhat different from that of man, yet
the organs contained in the cavity of the
breast and abdomen are essentially the
same, though differing in some minute particulars-are placed nearly in the same re-     I  A
lative positions, and perform the same or
similar functions as in the human system.
As hares, rabbits, and other quadrupeds are
frequently slaughtered for food, and as dogs from such a figure as the preceding, an idea
and cats sometimes require to be killed, oppor- might be obtained of the relative situations of
tunities might be taken of dissecting such ani- the lungs, the heart, the diaphragm, the liver,
mals, and showing the forms and positions of the gall-bladder, the pancreas, the stomach,
those parts which most nearly resemble those the kidneys, and various other parts, and
of the human subject.  I recollect, when much more so from  a variety of separate
young, having received my first clear ideas of figures delineated on a large scale, and coloured
the form and position of the lungs, heart, liver, after nature. There would be no necessity
kidneys, stomach, &c. from the dissection of for exhibiting or describing any other parts or
a cat, of which the anatomical figures I had organs but those which are common to both
in my power to inspect, could afford no accu- sexes, so that there would be no room for ohrate or satisfactory conception.  3. Dried pre- jections on the score of indelicacy. The
parations of certain parts of the human body female sex, however, as well as the male,
-portions of the muscular parts, such as the ought to be instructed in this science; for, as
heart, liver, &c. preserved in spirits-skulls, females have the physical education of chiland detached portions of the skeleton-might dren more immediately under their control, it
be occasionally procured, which might serve is of vast importance to the human race at
for the illustration of particular functions. large, that they should be endowed with that
4. Where such objects as the above cannot be knowledge of the functions of the human
procured, some general and useful ideas on frame, which will enable them  to conduct
this subject may be communicated by means such education with intelligence and discreof large coloured anatomical plates. These tion. There is no department of science,
are found necessary to accompany every course moreover, in which a pious and intelligent
of anatomical dissection; and, although they teacher has a better opportunity of directing
cannot convey the same accurate ideas which the minds of his pupils to the evidences of demay be obtained by a direct inspection of the sign, and of descanting on the wisdom and
hnman subject, yet none will deny that a very  benevolence of the Creator, than when deconsiderable degree of useful information may scribing the mechanism of the human frame.
in this way be obtained, especially with the In the various articulations of the bones, m
assistance of a teacher who can explain, with the construction of the venous and arterial
simplicity and clearness, the several organs system, in the process of respiration, in. tWe
and functions of the animal system. Sup- circulation of the blood, in the muscular, and
posing a person knew nothing of the internal nervous systems, in the motion of the heart
parts of the human body, it is evident, that, in the mechanism of the eye and ear, in: dli
17                                                2(129




130              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
construction of the spine, the hand, the skull, jects of far inferior importance. Till such
and other parts of this admirable machine, instructions be generally communicated, in
the Divine Wisdom  and benevolence shine connection with other portions of useful knowconspicuous; and, when clearly exhibited to ledge, man will never rise to the highest digtlhe young, must impress their minds with the nity of his physical and intellectual nature,
truth that they are, indeed, "f o.rfully ad nor enjoy the happiness of which he is suswonderuflly made," and that they ought to ceptible even in the present state.
consecrate the temple of their bodies for "a
habitation of God through the Spirit."     SECTION XII.          r the  rt f   soning
One great practical end which should al-   Logic may be defined to be "that art or
ways be kept in view in the study of physi- branch of knowledge which has for its object
ology is the invigoration and improvement of the investigation of truth, and the best method
the corporeal powers and functions, the pre- of communicating it to others;" or, in other
servation of health, and the prevention of dis- words, the art of employing our rational faculease. For this purpose frequent instruotion, ties in the best manner in searching after
illustrated by examples, should be imparted in truth and duty on ally subject.  Although all
relation to diel and regilenl.   -The young men have essentially the same mental faculshould be instructed in the laws of the ani- ties, yet there is a great difference in respect
mal economy, and the- sources of diseases; to the vigou.r of these faculties in different inthe practices which induce certain disorders, dividuals, according to the inmprorement they
and the means of counteracting them; the have received, and the objects to which they
functions of the skin, lungs, stomach, and have been directed.  The improvement of the
bowels; the nature and importance of insen- reasoning powers, and the manner in which
sible perspiration, the means of regulating it, they have been exercised by the wise and
and the evils which flow from its obstruction; learned in Europe, America, and other parts
the rules which should be observed in bathing of the civilized world, have raised them almost
and swimming; the importance of pure at- as high in the scale of intelligence above the
mospheric air to the health and vigour of the Hottentots, the African negroes, or the inhaanimal system, the circumstances by which it bitants of New Holland or Nootka Sound, as
is deteriorated, and the means by which its those savages are superior to the beasts of the
purity may be preserved; the necessity of forest or the fowls of heaven. The acquisieleanlisess, in respect to the hands, face, neck, tion of truth, in relation to all those subjects
and other parts of the body, and to the clothes, which are connected with the present and
linens, blankets, sheets, and household furni- future happiness of man, is obviously a matture, and the rules which should be attended ter of the highest importance.  By the proper
to for preserving the person and dwelling application of our reasoning faculty we befrom  filth and noxious effluvia; the articles come acquainted with the properties and relamost proper for dress, and the mode of con- tions of the objects around us in this lower
structing it so as not to impede the -vital func- world, and the distances; magnitudes, and real
tions; the proper use of footd and drislk, and motions of the celestial bodies, and the purespecially the moral and physical evils which poses for which they appear to have been
flow from intemnperacee, and the frequent use created. By the same means we acquire a
of ardent spirits; tile exercise and rest requi- knowledge of the perfections of God, the
site for body and mind, the means by which principles of Natural Religion, the Evidences
they may be duly proportioned, and the evils of Divine Revelation, the improvements. of
which arise from iUssmmoderate exertion either art, and the discoveries of science.  By the
of the mental or corporeal powers;* the im- cultivation of reason we discover our duty to
provement of the organs of sensation, particu- God and to our fellow-creatures, either from
larly the organs of vision, and the treatment the light of nature or from the study of Reverequisite for preserving them  in health and  lation, and learn to distinguish truth from
vigour.  Instructions on these and similar falsehood, and good from evil; and to apply
topics, when occasionally illustrated by strik- the truths we thus acquire to the direction of
ing facts and examples, could scarcely fail to  our moral conduct, to the promotion of human
exert a powerful and beneficial influence oil happiness, and to the invigorating of our hopes
the minds of the young, on the families with  of eternal felicity.
which they are connected, on society at large,   It is therefore a matter of considerable imand even on succeeding generations.  That portance, that, at an early period, the reasoning
such information has never yet been regularly powers of the young be directed, both by pre.
communicated in our schools and seminaries, cepts and examples, in their inquiries after
reflects disgrace on our scholastic arrange- truth, and guarded from the influence of false
ments, which are frequently directed to ob- principles and fallacious reasonings, by which
* See Appendix.              errors have been. propagated, prejudices pro(d:30)




SUBJECTS CONNECTED WITH  LOGIC.                              131
moted, truth obscured, and the improvement gism, induction, analysis, and sy-nltlesis-ofthe
of the human race prevented. —Were this sources of error, and of the,Isp,oritions and
subject to be illustrated in all its extent, it circum7stances among mankind from  which
would be requisite, in the first place, to give a errors and fallacious reasonings arise-a subdescripton and analysis of the intellectual ject which would require to be illustrated
powers, which are the means or instruments with considerable minuteness from the facts
by which we are to pursue our discovery after of history, and the circumstances which exist
truth.  In the second place, to exhibit an ar- in the present state of the human race.  Unrangement and classification of the objects in  der the fourth head might be included-1. A
nature to which these powers are applied. In  general view of the different means, which
the third place, to illustrate the most success- men have employed for communicating their
ful melhod of applying our natural powers in  thoughts to each other.-2. An explanation
the investigation of truth; and lastly, to explain  of the nature of arbitrary signs, and the printhe best method of communicating the truth  ciples of universal grammar.-3. An enumerto others, when discovered.  Under the first ation and description of the different qualities
head, it would be requisite to enter into the of style, and the best method of constructing a
discussion of the faculties of sensation and discourse on any subject.
perception, attention, consciousness, memory,   To a class of young persons, about the age
conception, abstraction, imagination, judg- of fifteen or sixteen, a popular illustration of
ment, taste, the moral faculty, and other some of the above topics might be attended
powers; or, according to the phrenological with many beneficial effects, particularly in
system, the kInowiing; and reflecrting faculties, inducing upon them  habits of reasoning and
the moral sentiments, and the animal propen- reflection, and guarding them  against the
sities-which may be considered as so many influence of prejudices, and sophistical argudifferent modes of the operation of mind. ments and reasonings.  Although it would
Under the sereno, a brief view might be given  evidently be injudicious and premature to atof the peculiar characteristics of mind and tempt such discussions in primary schools, yet
m7atter, and a more particular survey of the a judicious teacher, well acquainted with the
sciences, or the knowledge which men have science of mind and the nature of evidence,
acquired respecting the objects of human might occasionally illustrate certain parts of
thought, which might be arranged under the this subject, particularly in teaching the young
three following heads: —l. History, compre- to reason with propriety on any familiar objects
hending sacred, prophetic, and ecclesiastical or incidents with which they are acquainted.
history; literary history, including the history  It may be laid down as an axiom, that from
of philosophy and the arts; civil history, in- the earliest dawn of reason children should be
eluding particular history, general history, accustomed to exercise their reasoning faleulty
memoirs, antiquities, and biography; also, on every object to which their attention is direct.
geography and chronology, which have been  ed, and taught to assign a reason for every
denominated the Eyes of history; natural his- opinion they adopt, and every action they pertory, including mineralogy, botany, and gen- form.  Without troubling them with explaeral zoology, meteorology, geology, and the nations of the various forms and moods of
facts which relate to the heavenly bodies.-2. syllogisms, they may be taught the nature of
Philosowphy, including ontology, the mathemat- reasoning, and the force of arguments. by faical sciences, pure and mixed-; natural and miliar examples taken from  sensilLe objects
revealed theology, esthetics, or the science of with which they are in some measure acour feelings and emotions; ethics, logic, po- quainted.  Logicians define reasoning to be
litical economy and legislation; natural phi- that power which enables us, by the intervention
losophy, chemistry, physical astronomy, medi- of intermediate ideas, to perceive the relation of
cine, the physiology of plants, human and tw'o ideas, or their agreement or disagreement.
comparative anatomy, &c. —3. Art, including This might be illustrated to the young, by
the fine arts, as poetry, oratory, painting, such examples as the following:-Suppose
architecture, gardening, &c.; the liberal arts, there are two tables, A and B, which cannot
as practical logio, practical geometry, practical be applied to each other, and we wish to
chemistry, surgery, &c. and the mechanical know whether A be longer or shorter than
arts, as dyeing, weaving, clock and watch  B; we endeavour to find an "intermediate
making, &c.  Under the third head might be idea," or measure, namely, a three-feet rule,
illustrated the different kinds of evidence, as and apply it, first to table A, and then to
the evidence of intellection, of sense, of testi- table B.  We find that A measures thirtymony, of analogy, &c. and the means by  six inches, coinciding exactly with the threewhich evidence on any subject may be most feet rule, and that B  measures only thirtysuccessfully obtained; which would include a four inches; therefore, the inference or condiscussion of the modes of reasoning by syllo- clusion, at which. we wished to arrive, is
(131'




132              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
evident, that table A is longer-than table B. or a town appears much larger when we
Again, suppose we would know whether the approach within a mile of it than it does at
space contained in the triangle C, be equal to, the distance of eight or ten miles. It is known
or greater or less than that contained in the that the inhabitants of Great Britain, and those
circle E; we cannot apply these figures to who live about the Cape of Good Hope, can
see the sun at the same moment; and that he
appears no larger to the one than to the other,
though they are distant in a straight line more
than 5000 miles from each other.  We also
Eknow, from experience, that whenl we remove
fifty or a hundred miles to the west of our
usual place of residence, the sun appears, at
ME:        20                his rising, just as large as he did before; and
though we are removed from our friends seveeach other, in order to determine this point; ral hundreds or even thousands of miles, they
we must therefore search for an intermediate will tell us that the sun uniformly appears of
idea which will apply to both.  We fix on a the same size, at the same moment as he does
square-a square foot for example, and from  to us. From these and similar considerations,
the length of the base, E F, and the perpen- it appears, that the sun must be at a very condicular F G, in the triangle C, we find the  siderable distance from the earth, and consenumber of square feet to be 160.  Having quently his real magnitude must be much
the length of the diameter of the circle H I, greater than his apparent, since all bodies
we find that there are likewise 160 square appear less in size in proportion to their disfeet contained within its circumference; and tance.  If the distance of the sun were only
therefore the conclusion is evident, that the 4000 miles from the earth, he would appear
space contained within the triangle C is equal utwie as large when he came to the meridian,
to that contained in the circle E. This ex- as he did at his rising in the east; if his disample, reduced to the form  of a syllogism, tance were only 100,000 miles, he would
would stand thus: Any two figures which  appear am part broader when on the meridian
contain the same number of square feet are than at his rising-but this is not found to be
equal to one another; but the triangle C con- the case; consequently, the sun is 7zore than
tains the same number of square feet as the  100,000 miles distant, and therefore must be
circle E; therefore the space contained in the of a very large size.  Supposing him no fartriangle C is equal to the space contained ther distant than 100,000 miles, he behoved
within the circle E.                        to be nearly a thousand miles in diameter, or
Again, the sun appears to be only a few  about the size of Arabia, or the United States
inches in diameter, and as flat as the face of of America.
a clock or a plate of silver.  Suppose it were    To determine whether the sun be flat or
inquired how we may determine that the sun  convex, we must call in to. our assistance the
is much larger than he appears to be, and following ideas.  Every round body which rewhether his surface be flat, or convex. or of volves around an axis, perpendicular to the line
any other figure, the pupil may be requested  of vision, without altering its figure or apparent
to search for intermediate ideas, by which  dimensions, is of a convex or globular shape;these points may be determined.  One idea and, Every object which appears of a circular
or principle, which experiefice proves, re- shape near the centre of such a body, will as.
quires to be recognized, that all objects appear sume an oval or elliptical form  when it ap.
less in size, in proportion to their distancefrom  proaches near its margin. This might be illusthe observer. A large building, at the distance trated by fixing a circular patch on a terresof twenty miles, appears to the naked eye only trial globe, and turning it round till it appear
like a visible point;  and a dog, a horse, or a near the margin.  By means of the telescope,
man, are, at such a distance, altogether invisi- it is found that there are occasionally spots
ble.  We find, by experience, that when the upon the sun, which appear first at the eastsun has just risen above the horizon in the ern limb, and, in the course of about 13 days,
morning, he appears as large as he does, when  approach the western limb, where they disapon our meridian at noon-day; but it can be pear, and, in the course of another 13 days,
proved, that he is then nearly 4000 miles (or reappear on the eastern limb; which shows
the half diameter of the earth) nearer to us that the sun revolves round an axis without
than when he arose in the morning; there- altering his shape.  It is also observed that a
fore, the sun must be at a greater distance spot, which appears nearly circular at his
from us, at least several thousands of miles, centre, presents an oval figure when near his
otherwise he would appear much larger in  margin.  Consequently the sun is not a flat
Athe one case than in the other, just as a house surface, as he appears at first sight, but s
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POPULAR LOGIC.                                   133
gtobular body.-Again, suppose it was re- almost indefinite extent, and, in the exercise
quired to determine whether the sun or the of instructihg the young, they should always
moon be nearest the earth.  The intermedi- be taken from sensible objects with which they
ate idea which requires to be recognized in  are acquainted.
this case is the following.  Every body which    As it would be quite preposterous to attempt
throws a shadow on another is nearer the body instructing young persons, under the age of
on which the shadow falls than the lheminouls twelve or thirteen, in the abstract systems of
body which is the cause of the shadow.  In an  logic generally taught in our universities-it
eclipse of the sun, the body of the moon pro- is quite sufficient for all the practical purjects a shadow  upon the earth, by which  poses of human life and of science, that they
either the whole or a portion of the sun's be daily accustomed to employ their reasoning
body is hid from  our view.  Consequently, powers, on the various physical, intellectual,
the moon is interposed between us and the and moral objects and circumstances which
sun, and therefore is nearer to the earth than  may be presented before them; and an enthat luminary.  This might be illustrated to lightened and judicious teacher will seldom
the young by a candle, and two balls, the one be at a loss to direct their attention to exerrepresenting the moon, and the other the cises of this kind.  The objects of nature
earth, placed in a direct line from the candle. around them, the processes of art, the circum-In like manner, were it required, when the stances and exercises connected with their
moon is eclipsed, to ascertain whether at that scholastic instruction, their games and amusetime the earth or the moon be nearest to the ments, the manner in which they conduct
sun, it might be determined by the same pro- themselves towards each other, their practices
cess of reasoning; and, on the same principle, in the streets or on the highways, and the
it is determined that the planets Mercury and  general tenor of their moral conduct, will
Venus, when they transit the sun's disk, are, never fail to supply topics for the exercise of
in that part of their obits, nearer the earth  their rational faculties, and for the improvethan the sun is.                             merit of their moral powers.  In particular
Such reasonings as the above might be they should be accustomed, on all occasions,
familiarly explained, and, in some cases, illus- to assign a reason for every fact they admit,
trated by experiments; and the pupil occa- and every truth they profess to believe.  If, for
sionally requested to put the arguments into  example, they assert, on the ground of what
the form of a syllogism.  The reasoning re- they read in books, or on the authority of their
specting the bulk of the sun may be put into  teachers, that " the earth is round like an artithe following syllogistic fom:-.            ficial globe," they should be required to bring
All objects appear diminished in size in  forward the proofs by which this position is
proportion to their distances.               supported, so that their knowledge may be the
The sun is proved to be many thousands result, not of authority, butof conviction.  In
of miles distant, and consequently, dimin- like manner, when they profess to believe that
ished in apparent size.                      the earth moves round its axis and round the
Therefore the sun is much larger in reality  sun-thatthe atmosphere presseswith aweight
than what he appears.                        of fifteen pounds on every square inch of the
The two first propositions are generally  earth's surface-that a magnet will stand in a
denominated the premnises.  The first is called direction nearly north and south-that water
the ma'ior proposition, the second the minor  presses upwards as well as downwards-that
proposition. If the major proposition be doubt- it is our duty and interest to obey the laws of
ful, it requires to be proved by separate argu- God-that we ought to exercise justice bements or considerations.  In the above ex- tween man and man-and that children should
ample, it may be proved, or rather illustrated, obey their parents and teachers,-they should
to the young, by experiment-such as placing  be taught to bring forward, when required,
a 12-inch globe, or any similar body, at the those experiments, arguments, and reasondistance of half a mile, when it will appear ings, by which such truths are proved and
reduced almost to a point.  If the mriJor or supported.
second proposition be doubtful, it must like-    As an illustration of some of the modes of
wise be proved, by such considerations as reasoning to which I allude, the following story
suggested above; or by a strictly mathemati- respecting the celebrated French philosopher,
cal demonstration, if the pupils are capable  Gassendt, may be here introducesl. From his
of understanding it.  But, in the present earliest years he was particularly attentive to
case, the arguments above stated are quite  all that he heard inr conversation, and was fond
sufficient to prove the point intended. When  of contemplating the scenes of nature, particuthe premises are clearly proved, the conclusion  larly the magnificence of a starry sky. When
follows as a matter of course.  Similar ex- only seven years old, he felt a secret charm in
amples of reasoning.may be multiplied to an  the contemplation of the stars, and, without
M             (133)




-134             ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
the knowledge of his parents, he sacrificed his on the same principle, perceive which parts
sleep to this pleasure. One evening a dispute are in motion and which are at rest, which
arose between him and his young companions, the eye at first view cannot determine; and,
about the motion of the moon, and that of the in the same way, the real and apparent moclouds when they happened to be impelled by tions of the planets in the heavens are ascera brisk wind. His friends insisted that the tained, by comparing them with the position
clouds were still, and that it was the moon of the stars, which may be regarded as so
which moved. He maintained, on the con- many fixed points for directing the astronomer
trary, that the moon had no sensible motion, in his investigations.  The principle above
such as they imagined, and that it was the stated, therefore, wasthe- Trlejor proposition in
clouds which appeared to pass so swiftly. His Gassendi's reasoning, and the minor proposireasons produced no effect on the minds of the tion was the following:-" When we bring a
children, who trusted to their own eyes rather tree, which is a fixed object, in a direct line
than to anything that could be said on the sub- between our eye and the moon, she appears
ject.  It was, therefore, necessary to unde- for a few seconds to have no sensible motion,
ceive them by means of their eyes. For this while the clouds have passed away."  Therepurpose Gassendi took them under a tree, and fore the conclusion follows, that " the motion
made them  observe that the moon still ap- which was the object of dispute was not in the
peared between the same leaves and branches, moon, but in the clouds."
while the clouds sailed far away out of sight.   Subjects might occasionally be prescribed
This exhibition, of course, was convincing, in schools, for the purpose of exercising the
and at once settled the dispute.           reasoning powers of the young, and proving
The principle, or " intermediate idea," which  the truth of certain positions. Suppose it
Gassendi recognized, in this case, for proving were proposed as an exercise, to prove that air
his position, was the following, although he exists, although it cannot be seen, —a certain
could not at that time express it in words:-  time might be allowed for every one to think
and to converse on the subject, when some
one or other of the following proofs, though
in different words, would probably be stated.
1. Take a rod, and make it pass rapidly
through what appears empty space, and you
will hear a sound and feel a slight resistance.
2. Take a large fan or umbrella, and push it
— _____: __  —' dforcibly from you, and you will feel a considerable resistance, and hear a sound, and a
person opposite will feel a certain impression
made on his face. 3. Take a very large umbrella, and stand on the top of a stair or building, 15 or 20 feet high, and you may jump
from such a position. while holding it stretched,
and gradually descend. to the ground without
injury. 4. Plunge a glass jar into a vessel of
water, with its mouth downwards, and only a
very small quantity of water will enter the
glass, which shows that there is something in
the glass which excludes the water; and this
is the reason why we cannot. fill a vessel witb
water by plunging its orifice downwards. 5.
Take a smooth cylindrical tube,,hut at one
Gaseendi demonstrating the motions of the clouds. end, and fit a plug exactly to its open end
When motion appears in the case of two bodies, and no force whatever can push it to the bot
we ascertain which is the moving body, by canus  tom of the tube, which shows that there is
ing one of them to appear in a straight line some invisible substance that prevents it. 6.
with an object which is knowun to befixed. This Open a pair of common bellows, and shut up
principle is of considerable practical utility. the nozle and valve-hole, and it will be im.
Byv means of it we ascertain, when we see a possible to bring the boards together, in connumber of ships in a river, or. narrow arm of sequence of the resistance of an invisible sub.
the sea, which- of them  are in motion or at stance within. 7. Take a telescope, of a high
rest, by comparing their positions or motions magnifying power, and look through it to dis.
with a fixed point on the opposite shore. tant objects, in the forenoon of a hot sumlmerWhen looking at the wheels, pinions, and day, and you will see the air undulating about
other parts of a piece of machinery, we can, the objects like the waves of the sea. All
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SOURCES OF ERROR IN REASONING.                 I]1
whi(h circumstances show that there is a ma- all animated with immortalspirits, ana destined
terial, though invisible substance around us, to an eternal existence.  8. The exercise of
which resists a force, produces a sound, excludes kindness and affection would unite, in one
other bodies from  occupying the same space, harmonious society, men of all nations, and
and whose undulations, in certain circum- diffuse happiness through the heart of every
stances, may be rendered visible.            human being.  9. It would promote the uniAgain, suppose it were required to prove versal practice of equity and justice between
the following position, that "it is highly expe- man and man, and prevent all those litigadient that the whole community should enjoy  tions, contentions, and  animosities, which
the benefits of an intellectual and religious have so long disturbed and demoralized the
education," such arguments as the following world.  10. It would "turn wars into peace
might be brought forward.  1. Such an edu- to the ends of the earth," and promote a decation invigorates the faculties and enlarges lightful intercourse between all the kindreds
the capacity of the mind.  2. It presents to  and tribes of human beings, wherever dispersed
the view objects of delightful contemplation, over the surface of the globe, &c.
which exercise the rational powers, and con-    In prescribing such exercises as the above,
tribute to the happiness of the individual.  3. the teacher would require, in the first instance,
It prepares the young for acting an honour- to suggest some of the leading arguments, in
able and upright part in society.  4. It quali- order that the pupils may perceive the nature
fies them for the several professions in which  of the mental process in which they are called
they may afterwards be employed. 5. It tends to engage; and when they had leisure to
to undermine foolish and superstitious notions, think on the subject, some of them  would
and to prevent diseases and fatal accidents. 6. doubtless bring forward some proofs or conit prepares the mind for a rational contempla- siderations of their own, though perhaps extion of the works of God, and of his perfections pressed in homely language. At any rate, an
as therein displayed. 7. It fits them for taking  exercise of this kind, prescribed once or twice
a part in the elective franchise of their coun- every week, could scarcely fail to sharpen the
try. 8. It prepares them for understanding the  faculties of the young, to induce habits of
Scriptures, and for receiving profit by their rational thinking, and to promote both their
attendance on the ordinances of religion.  9. moral and intellectual improvement.
It qualifies them  for advancing the cause of    It would likewise be of considerable utility
useful knowledge, and for promoting the re- to set before them  the sprin.gs of false jutdgformation and improvement of their species.  ienet, or the sources of error —the false con10. It tends to the prevention of intemperance, clusions which arise from prejudices, or pretumults, crimes, and all those vices and evils conceived opinions-the nature of sophistical
which result from ignorance; and lead to the reasovinigs, and the means of guarding against
practice of the Christian virtues.  11. It pre- their influence.  The following are specimnens
pares the soul for the employments and the of the prejudices to which I allude: —1. We
felicity of the heavenly world, &c.-Again, are apt to judge of persons or things merely
suppose the question, " Is it the duty and in- from their external appearance.  A picture of
terest of all men to love one another?" to be no value, daubed with bright and glaring
given as an exercise of thought and reasoning. colours. is frequently admired by the vulgar
Independently of the positive command of eye; and a worthless book, splendidly printed
God, in relation to this duty, such considera- and adorned with flashy engravings and eletions and arguments as the following might gant binding, is prized and extolled by a q'a
be brought forward.  Men ought to love one perficial thinker.  From such a prejudice we
another-1. Because they are all brethren of are apt to conclude that a man is happy who
the same family, descended from  the same is encircled with wealth and splendour, aid
original pair, and formed by the same A1- that he who is covered with coarse or ragged
mighty Parent.  2. They are possessed of garments has neither knowledge nor comfort,
the same bodily organization, and the same and is unworthy of our regard.  Hence the
moral and intellectual powers.  3. They are Jews rejected the Saviour of the world, and
subject to the same wants and afflictions, and the Corinthians despised the Apostle Paul.susceptible of the same pleasures and enjoy- 2. Another prejudice arises from not viewing
ments.  4. They inhabit the same world, and  an object on all sides-not considering all the
breathe the same atmosphere.  5. They are circumstances connected with it, and not cornm
dependent upon each other for their comforts, paring all the aspects in which it mnay be conand connected by numerous ties and relations. templated. Thus, when we view a cone placed
6. To all of them God distributes his bounty, at a great distance from  the eye, we are alipt
without respect of persons, causing his sun to to imagine it a plain triangle; and if its base
cheer and enlighten them, and his rains to de- were placed at right angles to the line of
scend and fructify their fields.  7. They are vision, we should conclude that it was nothing
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136               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
else but a plain circle.  Thus, a round plate, practice, however corrupt and absurd. Hence
when placed obliquely at a considerable dis- the most glaring abuses in church anil state
tance from the eye, appears as an oval; and have been vindicated, in the most barefaced
with its edge turned towards us, as a lipne. manner, by those who derive their emoluments
Thus, the sun and moon, though globular from a system of corruption. It is fiom a spirit
bodies, appear flat to the naked eye.  Thus, of selfishess, too, that we set up our own
the rings of Saturn appear sometimes like opinions in religion and philosophy as the
narrow, and sometimes like broad ellipses, tests of orthodoxy and truth; and from  the
sometimes like straigght lines, and sometimes same principle has arisen the antichristian
like a narrow shade; so that a comparison of practice of persecution-a practice as unreaall these different aspects was necessary be- sonable as that of the tyrant, who, having a
fore it dould be inferred that these singular bed exactly fitted to his own size, stretched
phenomena were in reality rilgs.  Hence, at men of low stature on the rack till they were
their first discovery by the telescope, they drawn out to the length of his bed, and cut a
were considered as two small globes attached portion of the legs off any one whom  he
to the planet.-3. Another source of error found too long for it. Who ever had recourse
arises from the impressions made on the nmind to violence and torture to prove the truths of
in i'nfancy, and from not comparing the inti- geometry?-6. Our disposition to rely onl the
mations given by one sense with those of another. authority of others.  We are apt, without sufChildren are apt to imagine that hooks are un- ficient inquiry, to rely on every thing we have
pleasant things, and that learning and religion been taught by our parents and teachers. An
are drudgeries, when they have been driven  author of great respectability frequently drags
to such tasks by the force of the scourge. thousands into mistakes and erroneous theoThey imagine the sky touches the distant ries, merely by the splendour and authority
hills, and that the stars are not risen till the of his name. For more than a thousand years
sun be set.  From this source we are apt to the philosophers and divines of Europe were
conclude that the air has no weight, because led into many egregious errors by a reliance
we do not feel its pressure; that the earth is on the authority of A ristotle: a quotation from
at rest because we do not feel its motion; that his writings was considered as a proof of any
-the planets and stars are only a few miles dis- position, and useful discoveries were long retant; and that a vessel at anchor is in motion  jected because they did not quadrate with the
when we pass her swiftly, when sailing in a opinions of the Grecian philosopher. Luther,
steamboat.-4. Our disposition (o accoulnt fi,r Calvin, and Knox were pious men and ernievery thing on one or two prinlciples.  To this nent reformers, and their peculiar opinions are
cause may be ascribed the disposition of solne not unfrequently imbibed by their followers,
late philosophers to account for almost every merely on the authority of their names. This
phenomenon on the principle of electiricity. is an error into which those are apt to fall
Having traced its agency in producing thun- who never apply their powers to rational inder and lightning, they went so far as to attri- vestigations, and who are too indolent to think
bute to its sole operation the phenomena of for themselves.
earthquakes, volcanoes, winds, rain, and even    The above and similar sources of error
the various fluctuations of the animal spirits. might be illustrated to the young by numerous
To form a world, Epicurus required only a examples and circumstances; and rules and
mass of hooked atoms moving in a certain  cautions given by which they might be enabled
manner; and Des Cartes, from  observing to guard against their pernicious influence in
that light bodies were moved round in a whirl- the sciences, in religion, in politics, and in the
wind, formed the idea of an immense vortex, ordinary affairs of life. A brief view might
or whirlpool in the heavens, to account for likewise be given of the doctrine of Sophissls,
the motion of the planets round the sun.    and the means by which they may be de5. The passions and affections lead to nu- tected; of which the following are speci.
merous sources of error. Love induces a mo- mens:-1. Accountin.g for a phenomeon or
ther to think her own child the fairest and  fact by assigning a fclse cause, or taking ant
the best.  Intense hope and desire make a accidental conjunction of things for a neces
few  days as long as so many weeks. The  sar y con.nection.  We fall into this error, when
fear of the torture, of the galleys, or of a pain- from  an accident we infer a property, when
ful death, has indu ced multitudes to believe from an example we infer a rule, when from
the grossest absurdities of the Romish church. a single act we infer a habit.  Astrologers
Envy misrepresents the condition and charac- commit this error when they deduce the cause
ter of our neighbour, and makes us believe of the various events in the lives of men from
that he is much worse than he really is. the different aspects of the stars and planets.
Above all, self-interest induces many to swal- We reason on this sophism when we construe
iow almost any opinion, and to vindicate every the appearance of a comet or an eclipse of the
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ARGUMENTS OF WARRIORS AND PERSECUTORS.                              137
sun as predicting the fate of princes, the re- falsehood, and to the approbation of measures
volution ef nations, or the infliction of pesti- subversive of human improvement.
lence or famine; or when it rains at the new    It is therefore of vast importance to society,
or full moon, and we infer that the moon is that the young be early trained to the ploper
the cause of it; or when a person is in misery  use of their rational faculties-that they be acor distress, and we conclude that he must customed to entertain clear avd well- defined
needs be a heinous sinner.-2. When we draw  ideas on every subject-that they be enabled to
a concliLsion fromn a premise which is only true appreciate the strength or weakness of arguby accident.  We fall into this error when we ments-that they feel the importance of proreason against any thing because of the wrong  secuting truih and duiety in every department
use which has been made of it; as when we of learning-and that frequent exercises on
reason against printing, because it has some- important subjects be prescribed for stimulattimes been employed for raising sedition and  ing their reasoning powers.  It is lamentable
promoting immorality; against reading the to reflect on the deficiency and weakness of
Bible because it has sometimes led to heresy; the great nmass of mankind in this respect.
against Christianity, because it has been the  On the most trifling grounds they will yield
accidental occasion of aonrtentions and perse- their assent to hundreds of propositions, most
cutions, which do not flow from the Gospel, of which they do not understand.  They will
but are mere accidenitall cire mstIracs, with  obstinately adhere to their preconceived opinwhich it has been sometimes attended.  Other ions in the face of the strongest and most
sophisms are such as the following: Mistaking  convincing arguments.  They will swallow,
the question or point to be proved-the Peli/?o without the least hesitation, the most absurd
Prilacipii, or begging the question-imperfect and extravagant notions; while all the reasonenumeration-reasoning in a circle-conclud- ing we can bring forward will not convince
ing from what is true of a thing in its divided  them of the reality of truths and facts which
state, as if it were true in its compound state have been clearly demonstrated.  So wedded
-ambiguity of words, and using them in dif- are they to the opinions they had first imferent senses-with several others.           bibed, that we might almost as soon attempt
Of all the species of false reasonings, there to teach a snail or a tortoise the truths of
is none more common than that of introducing  geometry as convince them  that the earth
into an argument propositions that are either turns round its axis, and that it is possible to
false or doubtful, or taking for granted facts determine the exact distance of the moon;
which have never been satisfactorily ascer- while, at the same time, they will talk, with
tained.  In this way a false conclusion may the utmost assurance, of the most abstruse
be l igir, Mately deduced, after such facts or mysteries which lie beyond the reach of the
propositions are admitted.  Against this falla- human understanding.  This representation
cious mode of reasoning the young should be does not apply merely to the lower, but even
carefully guarded, both in their own reason- to many in the higher ranks of society-; and
ings, and when listening to those of others; such a state of things has been productive of
and habituated to scan every proposition or many injurious effects, in relation to the best
assertion, and ascertain its truth before admit- interests of mankind.  It has been the cause
ting it into any chain of argument.  In the  of most of the wars and commotions which
speeches that were lately delivered in parlia- have desolated the earth, and of the prevalence
ment in opposition to the Reform Bill, this of those systems of tyranny, slavery, and inspecies of reasoning was one distinguishing  justice, which still so generally prevail.  It
characteristic, when those orations had any  has led to all the persecutions that have ever
show of argument.  Fictions were brought disgraced the church or the world.  It has
forward as facts, vague and Unfounded asser- produced hundreds of foolish controversies in
tions were uttered with all the pomp of con- the visible church, either with respect to comfidence and authority, and the idea of revolt,- paratively trifling opinions, or to those subjects
ton, in its most horrid aspects, was substituted which lie beyond the grasp of the faculties of
in place of sl,letarl refosr,,ntion, so that the man; and has dissevered Christian society
haranguer would have required to have been into ~t number of discordant sectaries.  It has
stopped at almost every other sentence, till he prevented the improvement and happiness of
had substantiated the truth of his premises. the human race, and is the cause of all the
Such, however, is not unfrequently the way  ignorance, prejudices, intemperance, and vice,
in which our representatives in parliament, which appear among all ranks of society; for
the members of our corporations, and vast as- if men were to cultivate their intellectual
semblages of our citizens at public meetings, powers aright, and apply them to rational purare hurried along by a bold and impudent de- poses, few or none of these evils would abound
claimer, and induced to cheer the sophister in the world.
who is leading them on to the admission of a    But it is deeply to be regretted, that in all
IS                                         M 2            (137)




:138             ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
ages, and even in the present age, legitimate assume the right to think for themselves, anA
reasoning has been for the most part thrown to worship God according to their consciences&
aside, alld diabolical arguments substituted in But, of all the arguments which have beer,
its stead.  When men have been unable to tried, to produce conviction, there is none
confute their antagonists by the force of argu- more powerful than the influence of gold
ments, they have had recourse to " club law," This is an argument of so much force and
and have knocked down their opponents-and efficacy, that none but a few stubborn minds
all their reasonings, by the application of guns have been capable of resisting it. It is posand bayonets, and every species of p,hysical sessed of the most wonderful properties-in
force.  Louis XIV. of France, like most of a moment it enlightens the understanding,
his compeers, was so convinced of the strength  wins the affections, removes every doubt,
of this mode of reasoning, that he engraved silences every objection, clears up every diffiupon his great guns the following inscription: culty, banishes every scruple, and generally
" Ratio n1lliml. Regumi," that is, the TLogic of causes the most sturdy logician to give up
princes-or, the lost ar.**7tent of kings. In his point, and bend to its power. In short, it
this mode of arguing, fifty thousand disputers is an intermediate idea, or major proposition,
are frequently arranged on each side of a which will lead to almost any conclusion. By
question, and that party which can handle this argument the wisdom of the wise, and the
their swords and muskets with most dexterity, understanding of the prudent, have been more
and blow the skulls and limbs of their antago- quickly and effectually refuted than by all the
nists to atoms, and slash their bodies to pieces, wisdom of Solomon, or by all the reasonings
are always reckoned, by their leaders,.the riost of philosophy; and its powerful effects are to
expert logici(,oR.  There is another mode of be seen in our own land, and in every nation
reasoning which has been frequently used under heaven.
with disputants, and that is, arguing by torture,   Such have been the modes of reasoning
in which the argument is sometimes screwed which have most generally prevailed in the
up to such a pitch as to make the refractory  world.  0! foolish and infatuated reasoners!
disputant confess his belief in any proposition, Is it not high time to undermine your logical
however wild and extravagant.  A mode of principles and systems, to build on a new
arguing nearly akin to this is the application foundation, and to train the rising generation
of whips, sabres, gibbets, dungeons, musket- in such a manner, that they may employ their
balls, fire and fagots. In this way the Rom- mental powers inl accordance with the dictates
ish Church reasoned with the Hussites and of reason and the word of God.
the Waldenses; and with the same weapons
confuted every Protestant who dared to call     SEroo   XIII.-Natrnl  Tleolgy.
in question the infallibility and the supreme    Natural Theology is that branch of knowauthority of the Roman Pontiff.  In this way ledge which proves and illustrates the attnQueen Mary and her bishops argued with 277 butes of the Deity from the works of natureclergymen, gentlemen, tradesmen, and women, a study which is open to all the inhabitants
when, for adhering to Protestant doctrines, of the earth, and from which they may derive
they were delivered over to be devoured by impressive views of the existence, the perfecthe fires of Smithfield.  It was in the same tions, and the incessant agency of that Great
way that Claverholse and his " bloody bands" Being who made and who governs the unireasoned with the Scottish Covenanters, when verse.  " For, the invisible things of God,
he hunted them across moors and mosses, and even His eternal Power and Divinity, art,
massacred them in cold blood; and that the when duly attended to, clearly seen by tht
Star Chamber reasoned with the Non-con- things that are made," and have been so in
formists of England, when all their arguments all ages, " from the creation of the world;" so
were confuted by fines, racks, and imprison- that, "even the heathen nations are without
ment.  It is in this way that Nicholas of Rus- excuse," if they neglect to trace in those
sia has argued with the brave Poles, when works the being  and  attributes of their
vindicating their liberties-when he sent them  Creator, and refuse that tribute of reverence
chained, like wild beasts, to wander along and obedience which is due to His perfecfrightful deserts, and to perish in the forests tions.  This is a study in which the yomng
of Siberia  and in the same way do all mobs should be early initiated.  It lies at the founreason, when  they furiously demolish the dation of the religion of the Bible; for the in.
houses, the manufactories, or the churches of spired writers take for granted that we know
their opponents.  On the same principles do the evidences of the existence of the Divine
those men reason, who deprive their fellow- Being, and of some of the attributes with
citizens of the right of being eligible to cer- which he is invested, and direct us to; the
tain civil offices, and attempt to degrade them  contemplation of the works of his hands, as
in the eyes of the public because they nobly proofs and illustrations of the truths they
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SUBJECTS OF NATURAL THEOLOGY.                              139
nnfoldo "Lift up thine eyes on high, and of animals-the power of vegetables to reprobehold Him who hath created these orbs: duce and continue their species, and the vwriely
stand still, and consider the wondrous works of admirable means by which it is effectedof God. Great is the Lord, and of great the various methods employed to disperse the
power; His understanding is infinite. His seeds of plants over the surface of the globe,
works are manifold, and in wisdom He hath and to adorn it with vegetable beauties-the
made them all."  In exhibiting the works of adaptation of plants to the different climates,
God to the young, in performing experiments and to the necessities of their respective inhato illustrate their properties, and in describing bitants-the admirable structure of their seeds,
the laws and mechanism of the materialworld, roots, leaves, and sap-vessels, particularly as
every opportunity should be taken of directing discovered by the microscope in transverse
them to the displays of power, benevolence, sections of plants, &c.-their important uses
wisdom, and intelligence, which these works in the system  of nature, and the numerous
exhibit.  It should be deeply impressed upon beauties and varieties which they spread  ver
their minds, that it is the highest and noblest the face of our terrestrial creation; particularly,
end of science, to mark the evidences of wise the curious and admirable mechanism  disand benevolent design, and to trace the in- played in the construction of animated beings,
cessant agency of our Creator in all our sur- from the microscopic animalcula, ten hundred
veys and investigations of the work of creation  thousand times less than a visible point, to the
-without an attention to which, the mere elephant rind the whale-the organs of mastiknowledge of natural facts is an acquisition  cation, deglutition, digestion, and secretion, all
of a comparatively trivial nature.         differently contrived, according to the strucAn intelligent teacher can seldom be at a turt of the animal and the aliments on which
loss to direct the attention'of his pupils to it feeds-the eyes of insects, and the thouthis subject; for there is no part of the scenery  sands of transparent globules of which they
of nature in which a discerning eye will not consist-the  metamorphoses of caterpillars
perceive the most evident traces of benevolent and other insects, and the peculiar organizadesign and infinite intelligence, not only in  tion adapted to each state of their existencethe exquisite mechanism of animated beings, the numerous beauties and minute adaptations
but in the structure of vegetables and mine- in the wings, feet, probosces, and feathers, of
rals, and the general arrangement of the earth, gnats and other insects- the respiratory appathe waters, and the atmosphere.  The adapta- ratus of fishes, and the nice adaptation of their
tion of the solid parts of the globe for the bodies to the watery fluid in which they pass
habitation of man and other terrestrial ani- their existence-the construction of birds,
mals-the adaptation of the waters of the their pointed bills to penetrate the air, their
ocean and of the rivers to the purposes of flexible tails serving as rudders, the lightness,
commerce, and for the abode of countless strength, and tenacity of their feathers, and
multitudes of organized beings-the colouring the whole structure of their bodies adapted to
thrown over the canopy of heaven, and over the air in which they fly, and the food by
the landscape of the earth-the process of which  they are sustained-above  all, the
evaporation, and the innumerable benefits it wonders of the human frame, the numerous
confers-the agency of the atmosphere, the parts of which it is composed, the hundreds
wonderful properties of its component parts, of bones and muscles, the thousands of veins,
and its extensive influence in the animal and arteries, glands, nerves, and lymphatics, the
vegetable kingdoms-the solar light, and the millions of scales and pores in the skin, the
infinity of beautiful effects it produces-the heart with its ventricles and auricles, the
thousands of diversified objects which delight brain with its infinity of fibres, the lungs with
the eye in the natural embellishments of crea- their millions of vesicles, the organs of sense,
tion-the harnlony and order, the grandeur with their multifarious adaptations and conand sublimity, of the celestial motions-the nections, and the harmonious m)vements,
arrangements of the planetary system, and adjustments, and  adaptations of all these
the provision made for securing its perpetuity  parts to the system  of external nature and
-— the relation of man to the agencies of to the promotion of the happiness of man, —
external nature, as the action of water, air, these, and thousands of similar objects, adaptalight, heat, electricity, &c.-the proportion  tions, and contrivances, will afford ample scope
between the body of man, and the objects and for expatiating on the Power, Wisdom, and
living billngs around him-the mutual rela- Intelligence, of the Almighty Creator, and on
tions which  subsist between animals and the Benevolent contrivances which appear
vegetables, and their co-operation in promot- throughout every part of the universal sysing the same design-the adaptation of almost tem; and were specimens of some of the
every vegetable to the support of some species objects now alluded to exhibited to the young,
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140                ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
it could not fail of arresting their attention, luminous arches, fiery meteors, whirlwinds,
and inspiring them  with admiration of the water-spouts, &c.  The  objects connected
wonderful works of God.                      with natural history should be among the
We have comparatively few books on this first that are presented to the view of the
subject. Derharn's "Physico-Theology," Ray's young, and they should be introduced as
"Wisdom  of God in the Creation," Nieu- subjects of attention throughout every period
wentyt's "Religious  Philosopher,"  Paley's of their subsequent education, as they fornl
"Natural.Theology,"  Lesser's  "Insecto- the groundwork of our physical knowledge
Theology," and several other works, contain  and investigations.-P fotany is another pleasa number of valuable fragments illustrative ing subject on which sketches might be occaof the being and perfections of God from the sionally given, and which might be illustrated
works of Nature.  But we have no complete by the shrubs and flowers connected with the
or comprehensive system of Natural Theology; garden belonging to the seminary, formerly
and the works now alluded to, however valu- described.  Microscopic views of the seeds
able and worthy of being perused, are not and farina of flowers, the vessels and ramifiadapted to the capacities of the young.  We cations of the small leaves of minute plants
require a comprehensive compend on this and flowersj the prickles on the leaves of
subject, for the use of schools, in which the nettles and other shrubs, transverse sections
descriptions and reflections should be as much  of plants, displaying the beautiful arrangeas possible divested of the technicalities of ment of the sap-vessels, and similar objects,
science, and which should be illustrated with  should be exhibited, and the attention directed
numerous engravings.  The best treatise of to the fine polishings, the numerous minute
this kind I have yet seen, is "The Youth's vessels compressed into the smallest space,
Book of Natural Theology," by the Rev. T. and the other exquisite  pieces of Divine
II. Gallaudet, lately published at Hartford, workmanship connected with the process of
Connecticut. This work is clear and explicit vegetation.-Mineralogy is another departin its descriptions, and, for the most part, level ment of nature, on which a few instructions
to the comprehension of the juvenile mind. might be given, wherever there are specimens
But its illustrations are chiefly confined to the to illustrate the descriptions.  But descriphuman body and the parts and functions of tions of metals or minerals, without presentanimals.  It is thrown into the form of Dia- ing to view the metallic substances described,
logues, which has a tendency to render it will be of little avail.-Sketches of Political
interesting for the private  perusal of the Economy, illustrating the principles of comyoung; but a work on this plan is not so well merce and manufactures, and other topics
adapted to serve the purpose of a text-book  connected with this subject, might be given
for public seminaries.*  By means of instruc- to the advanced pupils, as soon as they are
tions on this subject, the young would be able to enter into the spirit of such disquisiprepared for the.study of Christian Theoloey, tions.  In such sketches, noble and liberal
and would be  qualified to appreciate the views should be inculcated; the selfishness
beauty and sublimity of those descriptions, and antipathies of nations, and the incongiven by the inspired writers, of the agency  veniences and absurdities of those restrictions
of God in the economy of nature.             which one nation  imposes upon  another,
Having enlarged tb a greater extent than I should be strongly reprobated; and a spirit
originally intended on the preceding depart- of good-will and generosity enforced towards
ments of knowledge, I shall do little more other nations and communities, considered as
than barely mention several other branches members of the same great family to which
which should occasionally form  the subject we all belong.  In connection with this subof instruction in all our schools.  These are  ject, they should be taught something of the
such as the following:-Naturall Hislorty, in- civil and criminal laws of their country, of the
eluding not only a description of animals, but duties of magistrates, and of their own duties
likewise of the most interesting facts con- as subjects; of the form of government under
nected with the earth, the waters, and the which they live, and of their social rights
atmosphere; such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and privileges.  Of no less importance to all
ice-islands, caverns, cataracts, natural bridges, classes, particularly to the lower, are instrucglaciers, boiling springs, the phenomena of tions on Domlestic Economy-iincluding directhunder, lightning, aurora-borealis, paihelia, tions and rules respecting  orderliness and't~~~ ~             cleanliness in dwellings-the best modes of
* The reader is respectfully referred, for some cooking victuals-the   proper nursing  and
illustrations of this subject, to "The Christian
Philosopher," particularly to Chapters i, ii, and management of children-the rearing and
iv, and to the aulthor's volume " On the Improve- treatment of domestic animals-the economy
ment of Society," &c. Section vi, "On the Influ- of bees-the'cultivation of gardens, and the
ence of Knowledge in promoting Enlarged Conceptions of the Attributes of the Deity."    best mode of rearing culinary vegetables-the
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FEMALE EDUCATION.                                   141
decoration of their houses, areas, and flower- and for the cultivation of fruit-trees, potatoes,
pots, and whatever else has a tendency to cabbages, and other culinary vegetables, chilpromote health and comfort, especially among dren of both sexes, at certain hours, might be
the working classes of society.  In short, set to dig, to hoe, to prune, to plant, to sow,
instructions in Voca(l Music should be occa- to arrange the beds of flowers, and to keep
sionally interspersed with  the other scho- every portion of the plot in neatness and
lastic exercises, and church tunes and airs, order.  Such exercises would not only be
adapted to some beautiful or sublime pieces healthful and exhilarating, but might be of
of poetry, might be sung, at convenient sea- great utility to them  in after life; when they
sons, in unison, by all the pupils. The words come to have the sole management of their
adapted to the different airs should be calcu- domestic affairs.  They might also be encoulated to convey instruction, and to raise the raged to employ some of their leisure hours
soul to some interesting or sublime objects. in the construction of such merihanicNl conAll such vulgar and debasing ideas as are trivances and devices as are most congenial to
gentrally interwoven in our popular songs, their taste.  If, instead of six or seven hours'
and which are little else than a compound of confinement in school, only five hours at most
sensuality and selfishness, should be carefully were devoted to books, and the remaining
discarded.  A  good organ or other musical hours to such exercises as above mentioned,
instrument might be used for leading the their progress in practical knowledge, so far
vocal strains.  Music, both vocal and instru- from being impeded, might be promoted to a
mental, has long been too frequently prosti- much greater extent.  Such exercises might
tuted lo the most worthless purposes; it is be turned, not only to their physical and innow high time that it should be consecrated  tellectual advantage, but to their moral imto moral objects, and to the celebration of the provement. When young people are engaged
perfections and the works of the Most High. in their diversions, or in excursions along
In addition to the mental exercises now al- with their teacher, their peculiar tastes, temluded to, pupils of every description should pers, and conduct towards each other are
be daily employed in bodily exercises, for in- openly developed; they act without restraint,
vigorating their health and corporeal powels. they appear in their true colours, and a teacher
Every school should have a play-ground for has the best opportunity of marking the disthis purpose, as extensive as possible, and fur- positions they display.  He can therefore apnished with gymnastic apparatus for exercising ply, at the moment, those encouragements
the muscular activities of the young of both  and admonitions, and those Christian rules
sexes. Swings, poles, hoops, see-saws, pulleys, and maxims, by which their characters and
balls, and similar articles, should be furnished  conduct may be moulded into the image of
for enabling them to engage with spirit and Him "who hath set us an example, that we
vigour in their amusements. In walking, run- should walk in his steps."  The incidents and
ning, skippi. g, leaping in height, length, or the atmospherical phenomena which may ocdepth, swinging, -lifting, carrying, jumping  cur on such occasions, will also supply matewith a hoop or a pole, they will not only find rials for rational observations and reflections,
sources of enjoyment-when these exercises and for directing the train of their affections,
are properly regulated to prevent danger and and the exercise of their moral powers; and
contention,-but will also strengthen and de- no opportunity of this kind, for producing
velope their corporeal energies, and invigorate useful ilnpressions upon the young, should be
their mentalpowers.  All imitations, however, lost by a pious and intelligent instructore.
of war and military manceuvres should be    Thus I have endeavoured, in the precedgenerally prohibited; as it is now more than ing pages, to exhibit an outline of some of
time that a martial spirit should be counter- those branches of knowledge, in which every
acted, and checked in the very bud,-and individual of the human race-the  iffmale
those who encourage it in the young need not sex as well as the male-should receive a
wonder if they shall, ere long, behold many  certain portion of instruction.  Hitherto the
of them  rising up to be curses instead of female sex have been sadly neglected; their
benefactors to mankind.  They might, like- education, where they have not been altowise, be occasionally employed in making ex- gether overlooked, has been more showy than
cursions, in company with their teacher, either substantial; and they have been generally
along the sea-shore, the banks of a river, or treated as if they were not possessed of the
to the top of a hill, for the purpose of survey- mental powers requisite for acquiring all the
ing the scenes of nature or art, and searching  useful branches of science.  Without enterfor minerals, plants, flowers, oi insects, to ing into the question, Whether the female
augment the school museum, and,to serve as character possesses the same degree of intelsubjects for instruction.  If every school had  lectual energy as that of the other sex? it
a piece of ground attached to it for a garden, may be affirmed, without the least hesitation,
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142               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
that, when their education is properly directed, sent conduct and their future destiny. TiI]
they are capable of acquiring every branch of more attention is paid to the cultivation if the
knowledge which can improve or adorn the female mind, among all ranks, society cannot
human mind.  We have numerous examples be expected to make an accelerated progress
to corroborate this position. It is sufficient to in the course of moral and intellectual immention the names of Mrs. Barbauld, Miss provement.
4itken, Miss Edgeworth, Mrs. Wakefield,   In specifying the preceding branches of
Mrs. Hemans, Mrs. More, Mrs. Marcet, Miss knowledge as subjects in which all classes of
Taylor, Miss Landon, Mrs. Somerville, Mrs. the young should be instructed, I do not mean
WTillard, Mrs. Phelps, &c., which are only to insinuate, that, in the first stage of their
specimens of many others, most of whom are education, such subjects are to be studied in
still alive and actively employed, both in Bri- regular courses, as in academies and universitain and America, in instructing their own ties, though at a future period this plan may
sex and society at large, and in promoting the be adopted. While they are learning English
interests of general knowledge.  The female reading, composition, writing, arithmetic, and
sex possess essentially the same intellectual other branches, illustrations may be given of
faculties as the male, whatever may be said as the more interesting and popular parts of the
to the degrees of vigour in which the primi- physical sciences,-which will tend to give
tive powers exist.  But even in respect to the them a relish for such subjects, and to prepare
degree of acuteness and energy of the female them for entering on the more particular study
intellect, we have examples of individuals of such branches of knowledge, at a period
who, without the advantage of an academical when their faculties are more matured.  Nor
education, have explored the system  of the ought it to be objected, that, in this way,
universe, composed commentaries on the New- young persons would only receive a smattertonian philosophy, and prosecuted the most ing of learning, which would puff them  up
abstruse mathematical investigations; and I with vanity, and do them  more harm  than
have no hesitation in asserting, that academi- good. If every portion of knowledge comcal honours should be conferred on such ac- municated to them, however detached and incomplished females, no less than on the other sulated, be clearly explained and illustrated,
sex who have enjoyed more opportunities of and thoroughly understood, it must necessaimprovement.*  Females have more in their rily be usef[ul, either in expanding their views,
power than the other sex in forming the tastes or in its practical applications.  For example,
and dispositions of the young, and in giving if, by certain pneumatical and hydrostatical
them  those impressions in early life which  experiments, they are made to perceive clear
may be either beneficial or injurious to society. proofs of the atmospheric pressure, and its
They are the more immediate guardians and operation in the case of siphons-if they are
instructors of the rising generation during the made to see, by similar experiments, that, on
first stage of their existence, and upon the this principle, water may be conveyed either
discretion and intelligence they display in  over a rising ground, or along a valley to an
superintending the evolution of the youthful opposite hill,-this single fact, clearly undermind, will, in a great measure, depend the in- stood, might be of considerable use to them
telligence and the moral order of the social on many occasions, even although they were
state to which they belong.  Their influence unacquainted with all the other principles and
is powerful, not only on the tastes and man- facts connected with pneumatical science. The
ners of society, but on the moral principles great object to be attended to is, to convey, on
and charlcters of mankind.  Besides, they are every subject, a clear and well-defined idea to
beings destined for immortality, and equally  the young, and to guide them to the practical
interested as the other sex in all that is awful application of knowledge.
or glorious in the revelations of Heaven; and    There is a line of Mr. Pope which has been
therefore ought to have their minds enlight- hackneyed about for a century past, which is
ened in every branch of knowledge which in everybody's mouth, and which is generally
may have a beneficial influence on their pre- misapplied, when an allusion is made to this
* Mrs. Somerville has lately been elected mem- subjectber of the Literary and Philosophical Society of  "A little learning is a dangerous thing."
Geneva, the first time an honour of the kind was How such a sentiment came to be almost uniever cotferred on a female. An American paper
states, whether truly or not I cannot determine, versally quoted and admired, I am at a loss tc
that "The Legislature of Indiana have chartered  divine.  It is a proposition which cannot be
a college, to be called The Christian College, in  supported by aly mode of reasonin  witl
which degrees are to be conferred on both males 
and females. There are to be degrees of Doctress which I am acquainted, and is itself " a dan
of Natural Science, of English Literature, or Belles gerous thing," if by learning is understood the
Lettres, of Fine Arts, antd of Arts and Sciences."
However ludicrous this may appear to somne, I can
see no impropriety in following out such an idea. Every one must acquire " a little" portion ot
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REASONS FOR UNIVERSAL INSTRUCTION.                           113
knowledge, or learning, before he can acquire    But although I have admitted that, during
a larger share. A. child must acquire the know- the first stage of instruction, only a few frag.
ledge of the letters and elementary sounds, ments of knowledge would be communicated,
before he can read any language with fluency yet before the course is finished, a very con-and must form some idea of the objects im- siderable portion of all that is really useful in
mediately around him, before he can acquire an the sciences might be imparted to the young.
accurate conception of the subjects and scenes Suppose that, on an average, every child is
connected with geography. If the proposition able to read with tolerable fluency by the time
be true, that " a little learning is dangerous," he is arrived at the age of seven or eight, and
then it should follow, that a very great portion that the course of instruction for every menlber
of learning, or knowledge, must be muach more of the community shall be prolonged till he
dangerous.  If it be dangerous for a boy to arrive at the period of fourteen years-in the
know that the earth is 25,000 miles in cir- course of sin or seven years, a summary view
cumference, and to be able to prove that it is of all the more interesting principles and facts
round like a globe, then Newton and Bacon  connected with the sciences above specified,
must have been extremely dangerous indivi- might be communicated, even supposing that
duals, whose knowledge extended to an almost half a year were exclusively devoted to each.
unlimited range. If a little learning is dan- But there would be no necessity for restricting
gerous, then absolute ignorance and destitu- the pupil to one branch of knowledge at a
tion of all ideas, must be the safest and the time. While, at one hour, he was receiving
happiest state of human beings. But how can  instructions and witnessing experiments in
even "a little" knowledge be dangerous? natural philosophy or chemistry, during other
Suppose a young person to have read only hours of the day he might be prosecuting
the Gospel of Luke; and to have acquired a arithmetic, algebra, geometry or composition.
knowledge of all the facts it records-would  Thus, during little more than the time usually
he be less happy in himself, or more danger- spent in acquiring a knowledge of Latin and
ous to society, on this account, because he Greek, a very considerable portion of useful
had little acquaintance with the other portions knowledge might be acquired which would exof Scripture? or, would he have been better pand the range of the juvenile mind, increase
to have read nothing at all?  Or, suppose he its sources of enjoyment, and lay a broad foun
had been instructed in the fact, that foul air dation for future usefulness and improvement.
of a deadly nature, is frequently to be found And I trust there are few, in modern times,
at the bottom of old wells, and that it is requi- who will hesitate to admit, that the knowledge
site to send down a lighted candle to deter- thus acquired would be infinitely preferable, in
mine this point before a person attempts to point of utility, to all the scraps of classical
descend into such places,-would the know- literature usually picked up, during the same
ledge of....h circumstances be dangerous to period, at our grammar schools.-But why,
him, because he is not acquainted with the it may be asked, should such an extent of
properties of all the other gases, or with the knowledge be communicated to the loirer
whole system of chemistry?  Would an ac- orders of mankind?  I answer, in a few
quaintance with a portion of geography, sup- words, Because they are rational beings, furpose the States of Europe, be dangerous to nished by their Creator with faculties capable
any one, because he had not minutely studied of acquiring it; because it will increase their
all the other quarters of the globe? or would enjoyments and render them more useful in
a knowledge of hydrostatics be useless, be- society; because it will tend to prevent vices
cause he was unacquainted with several other and crimnes, and to raise their souls above the
branches of natural philosophy?  Such con- degrading pleasures of intemperance and senclusions are obviously absurd, and therefore suality; because it will render them  more
the proposition under consideration is abso- expert in their mechanical professions; belutely untenable.  The persons who most cause it will fit them  for becoming improvers
frequently reiterate this sentiment are those of the arts and sciences, and for taking a part
who are opposed to the universal education in all those movements by which society may
of the lower orders, and to the general diffu- be improved and the world regenerated; and
sion of knowledge. I know no class of men because they are beings destined to imnmorto which such a sentiment will apply, except, tality, and therefore ought to be instructed in
perhaps, to a few pedant s who have got a every department of knowledge which has a
smattering of Greek and Latin at a grammar bearing on the future world to which they are
school or a college, without any other sub- advancing, and which is calculated to prepare
stantial acquirement, and who pique them- them for its pleasures and its employments.
selves on this account, as if they were elevated But, as I have already written a volume
in point of knowledge far above the vulgar chiefly in relation to this point, it would be unthrong.                                    necessary, on the present occasion, to enlarge.
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144              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
CHAPTER VII.
Moral and Religious Inslructzon.,
Is the preceding sketches I have taken for well as through the clear day-that he knows
granted, that during the whole process of every thought and purpose that is formed ill
education, the attention of the young should our hearts —that he beholds, at the same mobe directed to the manifestations of the Divine ment, whatever is taking place, in every part
attributes in the works of nature-the funda- of the world, and throughout all the regions
mental principles of Christianity-the rules of the universe, among all the tribes of man,of moral action-and the eternal world to kind, and among all the hosts of angels-that
which they are destined. These are subjects his dominion extends over thousands of worlds,
which should never be lost sight of for a single and that his universal government shall enday, and which should be interwoven with dure for ever-that he is good to all, and that
every department of literary and scientific in- his kindness extends to the birds of the air,
struction. In a particular manner it should the fishes of the sea, and even to the smallest
be deeply impressed upon the minds of the insect that crawls on the ground —that he is
young, that the instructions they receive, and "righteous in all his ways and holy in all his
the studies in which they now engage, are in- works," unchangeable in his purposes and
tended, not merely to qualify them  for the faithful to his word-that to this Great Being
business of the present life, but likewise to prc- we are all accountable for every thought,
pare them for the felicities and the emlployments word, and action-and that there is a day
of the life to onlme. This is one of the ends of approaching when " he will judge the world
education which has been glaringly overlooked in righteousness, and render to every one acin most of our initiatory schools, and particu- cording to his works."-Such characteristics
larly in the arrangements connected with a of the Divine Being should be illustrated, in
fashionable education-a circumstance which so far as is practicable, from sensible o/j'ecls,seems to indicate, that the superintendents of His goodness, from the numerous creatures He
such an education either do not believe the has brought into existence, and the ample prodoctrine of a future state, or view  it as a vision He has made for all their necessities,matter of little importance; or consider that His wisdoim, from the numerous adaptations
no specific training is requisite to' qualify a which are found in our own bodies, and in
depraved human being for engaging in the the elements around us,-His power, from the
sublime contemplations and exercises of the vast bulk of this world, and of the Dlanetary.
heavenly world.-Having occasionally advert- orbs, and the amazing rapidity of ttnUL IA. otions,
ed to this subject in the preceding discussions, -His justice, from the judgments inflicted on
I shall, at present, offer only a few general wicked nations,-His.f/ithfuless, from the
remarks.                                   accomplishment of promises and prophecies,
On all occasions, the) young should be fre- as recorded in the history of the world,-and
quently reminded, that they are dependent His love and merry, in " sending His Son into
creatures, who derive their existence from an the world to be the propitiation for our sins."
Almighty Being who is without beginning and    In attempting to explain the attributes of
without end-that their daily comforts and all the Deity, and to impress the minds of the
their powers and faculties are bestowed by young with a deep sense of his universal preHim, and are the effects of his unbounded sence and agency, it is not necessary that they
Goodness-that, though invisible to mortal should commit to memory complex and tech.
eyes, he is present in all places, and that they nical definitions and descriptions of the Divine
are every moment surrounded by his immen- perfections.  Such exercises, unaccompanied
sity —that his presence and agency are seen with specific and familiar illustrations, can pro.
in the solar light, the majestic movements of duce no clear and well-defined conceptions of
the heavenly orbs, the succession of day and the objects to which they refer; and when mere
night, the ebbing and flowing of the sea, the words are crammed into the memory uncon.
falling rain, the winds, the lightnings, the roll- nected with ideas, they must produce a hurtful
ing thunders, and in every movement within effect, and lead the young to rest in the form
us and around us-that though we could of knowledge without the s.ebstance. Besides,
climb the heights of heaven, or descend to every memorial task in which the ideas conthe centre of the earth, we should still be nected with the words are not clearly perceived
within the range of his omniscient eye-that is always accompanied with a painful effort
his eye penetrates through the dark night as As all our ideas on every subject are originally
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INSTRUCTIONS IN TXHE DIYVNE ATTRIBUTES.                        145
derived from the objects of sense, so it is by ball of the eye may be easily moved in every
sensible illustrations alone that we can convey direction, and preserved in perfect steadiness
to any mind whatever, distinct conceptions of -the bony socket in which it is lodged to
the character and attributes of the Almighty. secure it against accidents-the lid which
Although a definition of any of the Divine likewise defends it against injuries, wipes off
perfections may be stated to the young, yet it the superfluous moisture, and covers it during
is chiefly by examples illustrative of the sub- the hours of sleep-with many other curious
ject, that a clear and comprehensive idea of contrivances, all adapted to the nature of light,
it can be conveyed.  For example, suppose it and to the purpose of producing vision in the
were intended to explain what is meant by most easy and delightful manner, showing the
the wisdom of God, we might tell them in the most admirable selection of means to bring
words of one author, that " Wisdom is that into full effect the end proposed. In like
whereby the soul is directed in the skilful manner, the curious structure of the ear, and
management of things, or in ordering them  the adaption of all its parts for receiving imfor the best," —or, in the language of another, pressions, from the undulations of the atmothat " The wisdom of God is that perfection sphere-the different articulations of the bones,
by which he selects and adopts the most according to the movements they are intended
proper means for accomplishing good or im- to produce —the adaptation- of the air to the
portant ends;" but such definitions simply -lungs, and the vesicles of the.nulgs to the naannounced, would convey no definite concep- ture and properties of the atmosphere-the
tion of the thing intended. We must produce proportioning of the size of man to trtlt of the
objects, or examples, in which wisdom is dis- plants and animals which exist around hi.' —
played, and describe them in the most minute the structure of the various animated beings,
and familiar manner.  We must illustrate, in and the diversity of organization which exists
the first place, what is meant by the wisdom  among them, exactly adapted to their various
of men, by producing a clock, a watch, a plan- wants and modes of existence-the gradual
etarium, a microscope, a ship, or similar ma- approaches of light and darkness-the harchine-pointing out the object intended to be mony and order of the celestial motions-and
accomplished by such instruments or machines, similar examples, when particularly explained
and directing the attention to the means em- and illustrated, will convey clear ideas of what
ployed, and the harmonious co-operation of ~is meant by the -wisdom of God, and the manevery part in accomplishing the end intended. ner in which it is displayed in the scenes of
In a watch, for instance, the object is, to point creation; and in no other way can we impart
out the hour of the day. The means emn- clear and well-defined conceptions on such a
ployed to effectuate this purpose are —a coiled subject.  And, when once a clear conception
elastic spring, communicating its action to the of this attribute of the Deity is impressed upon
f[usee, thence to a series of wheels and pinions, the mind by such examples, it may be applied
the teeth of which apply to each other, con- to  loral subjects, and illustrated from  the
ducting the motion to the balance,and thence moral dispensations of God towards our race,
to the indexes which point out the hour and as recorded in the Sacred History, and in the
minute. The proper position and arrange- general history of the world.
ment of all these parts, the size and shape of    Again, suppose we wish to explain the Inthe whole, the number of teeth they respec- finity or Imnmnensity of the Divine Being, it is
tively contain, the materials of which they are not enough to say that "God is without all
constructed, the connexion of one part with bounds or limits;"-we must endeavour to
another, and the harmonious co-operation of illustrate the idea by sensible representations,
the whole to produce the respective motions in so far as they are capable of assisting our
of the hands, indicate wisdom and design in conceptions on the subject. It may be laid
the contriver of such a machine, in his se- down as a principle, that "Wherever God
lecting the proper means to accomplish the acts, there he is, and that there is no part of
purpose intended. In a similar manner, the the universe in which we do not perceive the
wisdom  of the Creator must be illustrated exertion of an agency which, either mediately
by selecting, out of the many thousands of or immediately, proceeds from  the Deity."
instances within and around us, a few exam- The motions of the moon and the planets,
ples, which should be particularly described the ebbing and flowing of the sea,'the gentle
and elucidated. For example, the admirable breeze, the impetuous whirlwind, the process
structure of the eye, the different humours of of vegetation, the movements of animals,, the
which it is composed, for the purpose of form- motions of our fingers and eyelids, the pulsaing an accurate picture of every object on the tion of our hearts, and every other agency
retina-the apparatus for the contraction and within and around us, are sensible evidences
dilatation of the pupil, to adapt it to different of the presence and incessant operation of the
degrees of light-the muscles by which the Almighty.  And although we were to wing
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146               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
our flight beyond the limits of this sublunary   In connection with such instructions as the
sphere, there is no part of space with which above, the juvenile mind should be directed
we are acquainted, in which we should not to the History of the Divine dispensations, at
find ourselves surrounded with the emanations recorded in the Old and New  Testaments
of light, the action of gravitation, and- the in- It is a striking fact, that the greater part of
fluence of caloric, and other agencies with  the Revelations of Heaven is communicated
which we are at present' unacquainted.-  in a historical form.  Had the limited views
With regard to the idea of infinity, in so far of man been adopted, as to the mode of a comas' a partial'conception of it can be conveyed, munication from heaven, it would have been
we must likewise have recourse to* sensible thrown into the form of an artificial system of
objects and illustrations. We must endeavour, propositions or doctrines, similar to some of
in the first place, to communicate an; ample our metaphysical compends of theology.  But
and impressive idea of the extent of the globe: "He who knoweth our frame," and who is
on which we dwell, by such' methods as stated the Source of intelligence, has selected the
under the article- Geograrphy.  We may next historical:form  as the: most proper mode of
endeavour'to: give the pupil an idea- of the dis- conveying instruction on those subjects which
taince of the:moon; then of the distance of the have a reference to i our present and everlast.
sun, which is placed 400 times farther from the ing happiness.- This mode of instruction:: is
earth;'then of the distance ofthe nearest star, evidently attended with many and peculiar
which-is two hundred thousand times farther advantages.: It is calculated:to arrest the: atfrom-us than the sun; then to the remotest stars tention, to influence the affections, to awaken
visible through the best telescopes, whose- dis-, the power of imagination, to carry-conviction
tance is immensely greater; and then to the to the mind, to render truth and duty more
boundless regions of space, which extend' in level to the understanding than abstract::docevery — direction, beyond all that is yisible to the trines or precepts, and to make a deeper  imeye of mortals. Time must be allowed for the  pression upon the -memory.than any other
mind to pause and: dwell with particularity on  mode of: instruction.s  Besides, the,Sacred
each of these dimensions,' and: on the imr- history., in a particular manner, is remarkable
mense magnitude of the numerous objects for its beauty -and simplicity, the dignity of
contained within them,' till it is lost and over- its style, and the fidelity and impartiality with
powered in:-the: immensity of the prospect-; which'its -narrations; are conducted.  It deand then-be informed, that-all this magnificent lineates, -with an - unerring pencil, the true
scene is but a small portion-only like a drop characters'of men,- traces the invisible springs
to the ocean-of the infinity of space, which' of human actions and events, relates with
is filled with the Divine: presence, and in  uniform  fidelity the faults of the most- illuswhich. the Deity continually -operates. With- trious saints, and exhibits examples of vicious
out suchI illustrations, all the definitions or characters to be shunned, and of virtuous
metaphysical'descriptions that may be given, characters blended with certain imperfections,
will convey no impressive conceptions of the as models,for our general imitation.  Above
immensity of Go:d —they will be'only words'all, it embodies virtue in its most amiable and
without meaning, and the semblance of know- sublime form, in the account-which it gives
ledge; without the: substance.  It is on a prin- of the life, transactions, and sufferings of Jesus
ciple of this kind that the Psalmist conducts Christ, who is set before us a perfect pattern
his description of the' Omnipresence of the of universal holiness.
Deity in the 139th Psalm-" Whither shall   The young should, therefore, be early diI go'from  thy Spirit! or whither shall I flee rected in the study: of all those portions of
from thy presence?  If I ascend into heaven  Sacred history which are most. congenial to
thou:art there; if I descend into hades," or their feelings and level to their comprehenthe invisible regions-of the earth, " behold thou  sion;-particularly the history of the creation
art there. If I take the wings of the:morning, and the fall of man-the circumstances which
and -dwell in'the - uttermost'parts of the -sea; attended the universal deluge-the destruction
even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy  of Sodom-the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob,
fight hand' shall hold: me."  When':the: in- Joseph, Moses, and". Samuel-the deliverance
spired-writets:display the characters and attri- of the Israelites from Egypt, and the leading
butes'-of-the Deity, they' do' "iot perplex.us events which befel them in the wilderness,
with' definitions and abstract'descriptions, but and in the land of Canaan-the'life and transdirect us to his visible' operations in'Nature  actions of Elijah and Elisha, the deliverances
and: Providence, as'descriptive of his character of Jonah, Daniel, Shadrach,- Meshech, Abedand perfections; and this circumstance must nego, Peter, and  Paul -the circumstances
be, considered as suggesting the proper -mode which attended the birth, the transfiguration,
of illustrating his attributes, either- to the the crucifixion, the resurrection, and ascension
young, or to any. other class of individuals.:   of Jesus Christ-the preaching of the gospel
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BIBLE INSTRUCTIONS.                               147
by the Apostles, and the various persecutions young sacrificed to party ranour and hos.
and success which attended their labours — tility.
together with every similar detail in the his-   It appears to me unnecessary, in the first
tory of the Bible, that may be calculated to instance, to perplex the. minds of young perarrest the attention of the juvenile mind. In sons with a great variety of doctrinal opinions,
connection with the, facts which' these histo- such as are generally inculcated in most of
ries record, all the essential doctrines of reli- our Confessions and Catechisms. It is only
gion are clearly stated, and its precepts, or the requisite that a, few of the fundamental and
true principles of human action, are power- leading doctrines of Christianity be exhibited,
fully, though in some cases silently, inculcated. such as the moral attributes of the Deity-the
Thus religion is exhibited, not, merely- as a fall of man, and, his consequent depravitycreed or a series of abstract propositions to be the necessity of a' Saviour-the love of God
believed, but in an embodied foqrm, in which in sending his Son into the world to be a prothe doctrines and duties of Christianity are pitiation for our sinse-repentance towards
connected with a train of events, incidents, God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ,
and sensible objects, and with the: delineation the necessity of being renewed in the spirit
of characters and moral actions, which -form  of our minds, and of prosecuting the path of
so many links of asso iation  between doctrine universal holiness-the connection of the preand practice which cannot be dissevered. It sent'state with the future, and the important
is evident, then, that the mode in which Reve- realities of the eternal world. These, and
lation has been communicated to man is in- similar truths intimately connected with them,
tended. as a tmodel to direct us in imparting should be'specifically illustrated, and deeply
religious instructions to- the young, or to any impressed upon the mind as the first princiother class of society. And,;when we; substi- ples -or, axioms of the Christian system. In
tute, in the room of the Seriptures, catechisms, copnjunction with. these,.some of the leading
or any other abstract compends ofi divinity, moral precepts of the Bible should be particuhowever orthodox, we virtually declare, that larly inculcated, and illustrated by appropriate
the wisdom of man is superior to the wisdom  examples, such as, "-Thou shalt love the Lord
of God; and that the plans devised by erring thy God with all thy heart-Thou shalt love
mortals are to be set. in competition with the thy neighbour as thyself —Whatsoever ye
plan of inspired men, who derived their in- would that men should do to you, do ye even
structions immediately-from the Divine Spirit. so to them-Love your enemies, do good to
Besides, the instructions on religion derived them that hate you —Bless, them who curse
from  such: compilations, even' when under-. you-If thine enemy hunger, feed him, if he
stood, (which they seldom are,) are received thirst give him drink —Let love be without dis.
by the young merely on the authority of the. simulation —Live peaceably, with all men-Be
authors or compilers, and can never produce not desirous of vain:glory-Recompense. to no
such a thorough and rational conviction of. one evil for evil —Put on'humbleness of mind,
their truth and obligation, as if they were de- meekness and long-suffering —forbear one anlivered- in the language of men who derived other, and forgive one..another, if any man
their instructions and commission immediately  have a quarrel against any: as Christ forgave
from Heaven. In deviating from the plan of you, so also do ye-Put away lying, and speak
Divine Revelation,: numerous disputes and every man truth with his neighbour-Childissensions have arisen in Christian society. dren, obey your parents-Be'followers of
Almost all the controversies and dissensions Christ, who did no sin,: neither was guile
which have taken place as to the manner of found in his mouth, and who hathleft' us an
conducting Sabbath schools, have arisen from  example that we should walk in his steps."
such a circumstance as this-Shall the words Such Christian.precepts,:frequently brought
of a certain Catechisim, whether understood or to the view of the mind, and familiarly iliusnot, be crammed into the memories of all-the trated by examples derived from  Scripture,
pupils?' With one party it. is of little conse- and from common life, could not'but make an
quence although the same leading truths be impression on the. young, far more beneficial
communicated in scriptural or other language, than if it were. possible. to cram into their
unless -the precise' vocables of the formulary: memories all the definitions, distinctions, and
they approve of be strictly adhered to and dogmas of metaphysicaltheology.. Such heacommitted to memory; as if they were the im- venly injunctions, when clearly explained,
mediate dictates of inspiration. - Hence a sec- come home to the understanding and.the feeltarian spirit has been engendered, contentions. ings; they are recognized as the pure dictates
and wranglings have been introduced, the.ad- of.tlhe Spirit of God;. and although'there
vantages which might have been- derived from  were no other precepts presented to view but
the study of the pure oracles of heaven pre- those I have now stated, a full recognition of
vented, and the religious improvement of the. such heavenly; principles, in all their practical
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148              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
bearings, would, ere long, completely regene- young with the moral principles of Christi.
rate the world, and cause righteousness and anity is, to exhibit the operation of these pril.
praise to spring forth before all nations.  ciples in real life, and to point out specifically
In endeavouring to teach young persons those dispositions and modes of conduct which
the morality of the Bible, and to imbue their are directly opposed to the precepts laid down
minds with its holy principles, it is not enough by our Saviour, and to the example he has
that its precepts be announced, and that they set before us. For this purpose, a watchful
be accustomed to recite them. They should eye should be kept on their conduct, and on
be pointedly applied to every moral incident the temper it displays. Even the most mrithat may occur, and to whatever tempers or nute ramifications of their conduct should be
dispositions may be displayed in their con- strictly inspected; and those looks and gesduct.  Every time a vicious disposition mani- tures, words and actions, which may at first
fests itself, a Christian precept should be applied sight appear trivial or indifferent, should not
to counteract it. Is a boy, for instance, taking be altogether overlooked; for, in many inrevenge on his companion for an injury either stances, they manifest the existence of an
real or supposed, such precepts as these should evil principle ready to burst forth into action,
be pointedly addressed to him: —Recompense and which should be carefully counteracted.
to no man evil for evil.-Avenge not your- There are a great many dispositions of this
selves, but give place to wrath.-Bless them  kind which are daily manifested in families,
that curse you, and pray for them that despite- and at public seminaries, which are either altofully use you."  Does he manifest a proud gether overlooked, or considered as the mere
and overbearing disposition  Apply such di- ebullitions of youthful frolic or amusement,
vine maxims as these:-" God resisteth the which, nevertheless, involve principles altoproud, but he giveth grace to the humble.-  gether inconsistent with the dictates of inspiA proud heart is an abomination to the Lord. ration, and with the harmony and order of the
-Though God is high, he hath respect to the intelligent universe. And if such evil princilowly; but the proud he knoweth afar off. — ples be not destroyed in the bud, they will
Put on humbleness of mind, meekness and " grow with their growth, and strengthen with
long-suffering; and let each esteem another their strength," till they appear in all their
better than himself."  Does a principle of noxious luxuriance in the active scenes of soenvy, hatred, or malice, manifest itself? Those cial life. The following are some of the pracpassages of Scripture which condemn, such tices to which I allude: —Tossing away hats
dispositions should be brought forward and and caps, calling nicknames, tearing books,
illustrated:-" Let all bitterness, and wrath, acting deceitfully in making bargains, pinchand clamour, and evil-speaking, be put away ing and scratching, boxing and fighting, taking
from you, with all malice. —The works of the delight in teazing and vexing one another,
flesh are hatred, strife, envies, murders, &c.-  mocking at natural defects and infirmities,
He that hateth his brother is a murderer.-  valuing themselves on account of the finery
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his bro- of their dress, taking revenge of injuries, en.
ther, he is a liar.-Where envy and strife is, vying their companions on account of their
there is confusion and every evil work." The acquirements and the approbation bestowed
tendency of such dispositions, and the dread- upon them, manifesting a spirit of pride and
ful consequences which frequently result from  domination, mocking the aged, the lame, or
them, should be illustrated by such examples the blind, wanton cruelty towards the inferior
as these:-The brothers of Joseph envied and animals, or encouraging them to fight with
hated him, and under the influence of these each other, injuring trees, shrubs, or flowers,
diabolical affections, would have murdered him, cutting or hacking walls, tables, or any useful
if the providence of God had not prevented. — piece of furniture, equivocating when giving
Ahab envied Naboth, and caused him to be put evidence in relation to any fact,-and many
to death.-H aman hated Mordecai, and caused similar practices, which are too seldom couna gallows to be prepared for his destruction, teracted by the proper application of Christian
on which he himself was hanged.-The Jews, principles. In particular, the practice of boxfrom hatred and "envy," delivered up Jesus ing and fighting, and every other revengeful
to the Roman governor to be crucified. In action, should be reprobated and condemned
like manner it may be shown, that all the wars, with the utmost firmness and decision, as subcontentions, and persecutions, which have con- versive of every principle that pervades the
vulsed and desolated the world, are the natu- Christian system. That such practices have
ral results of envy and hatred, and that the abounded at our public schools, and still too
indulgence of such principles Ufits the soul much abound, is a disgrace to our character
for the enjoyment of eternal life.        as a professing Christian people, and to those
There can scarcely be a doubt, that the who have the superintendence of the morals
best mode of impressing the minds of the of the young. The practice of pilfering should
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MORAL TRAINING.                                 149
likewise be promptly checked, and a strict re- linquent should then be reasoned with on his
gard to honesty and uprightness encouraged conduct, and admonished with such seriousand enforced.  However trifling the value of Less and mtildness as may tend to convince
the article-although it should be only a pin, him that you have his best interests at heart.
a gooseberry, a pea, a marble, or a cherry- In like manner should all other kinds of destone, no one should be allowed to interfere linquencies be publicly investigated, and the
with it, if it is claimed as the property of an- opposite virtues explained  and inculcated.
other; for it is not the value of the article, but When a youth has been found frequently
the principle of the action, which demands guilty of committing the same fault. after reour consideration.  Above all, lying should peated admonition, it may be proper that punbe represented in such a light as to be held in ishment of some kind or other be inflicted
universal abhorrence; and the importance of upon him. Corporeal punishment, however,
truth —which is the bond of society, and the will seldom have any good effect. Few cases,
basis of the intelligent universe-should be I presume, will be found, where either young
illustrated and enforced by every scriptural or old have been owhipped into the paths of
and rational consideration.                wisdom and holiness. The punishment seFor the purpose of illustrating the princi- lected should be such as has a tendency to exples of moral action, and of applying the pre- cite reflection on the evil of the offence, and
cepts of Christianity to particular cases of to lead to penitence. Till repentance and
delinquency, it might be proper to set apart a amendment.be clearly manifested, the delinportion of one day in the week for inquiring quent should be banished from the play-ground,
into moral conduct, whether blameable or and from all the usual sports and associations
praiseworthy. Cases of this description would of his companions, that he may feel ashamed
be known to the teather, and others would be of his conduct; and when he has given full
brought forward by the young people them- satisfaction to his teacher and his school-felselves. A particular case should be stated in lows, let him be cordially received into favour,
all its circumstances, and the attention of the and reinstated in'his former privileges. This
whole school directed to it. Suppose a boy is the principle which the Apostle Paul lays
has been convicted of falsehood-having saun- down with respect to the members of Christered about the fields in company with some tian Churches: —" Withdraw yourselves from
idle companions, when he should have been every brother that walketh disorderly."  And
at school, and having afterwards informed his I see no reason why the same principle may
parents that he was then regularly attending not be applied to accomplish the same end in
on his instructions.  The precepts of the the case of the juvenile members of public
Word of God which bear against falsehood, seminaries. It is to be understood, however,
should, in the first place, be brought forward, that it is only those faults which are publicly
- such as, " Thou shalt not bear false witness. known that should be publicly investigated,-The Lord hateth a lying tongue.-Lie not those which are known only to the teacher
one to another.-Putting away lying, let every and the delinquent should be discussed in priman speak truth with his neighbour.-All vrate, in the manner now suggested, or in any
liars shall have their part in the lake which other way that circumstances may dictate.
burneth with fire and brimstone."  The dis-   Actions which are praiseworthy should
mal consequences which would follow, if truth likewise be publicly noticed, and mentioned
were universally violated, might next be stated. with due commendation. If any young perAll confidence among intelligent beings would son has rescued a little girl from the hands of
be completely destroyed; —there could be no wicked boys who had been maltreating her,
friendship nor affectionate social intercourse-  and conducted her safely home-if he has
no improvement in knowledge-no seminaries shared a morsel of his bread with a hungry
of learning, no villages or towns could be fellow-creature-if he has found a toy, a book,
reared, nor fields cultivated-every one would a po6ket-handkerchief, or a piece of money,
shun -the society of his neighbour, and we and restored it to the owner —if he has showed
could become acquainted with nothing but kindness to the blind or lame —if he is attenwhat we ourselves had seen or experienced. tive to his learning, and  obedient to his
The happy effects which would result from a parents and instructors,-such examples of viruniversal adherence to truth might then be tuous conduct should receive the;' due meed
illustrated; and a narrative or two might be of praise, and be exhibited as patterns for imiread, exemplifying the importance of truth, tation, and those Christian precepts which enand the mischievous effects of falsehood. join them  brought forward and inculcated.
Abundance of such narratives will be found, Commendation arfimates and encourages the
both in civil and in sacred history, and they minds of children, and when it is merited
should always be at hand for illustrating and should never be withheld. At the samne time,
enforcing instructions of this kind. The de- they should be reminded, that when they have
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150               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
done all that they were commanded, th'ey have  scription of':any scene or transaction, such as
done notlhing more than- what was their duty  the Israelites passing through the Red'Sea, or
to do-;' and, that no services of ours, however assemibled around''Mouit Sinai-u     viour Sviour
praiseworthy, can be meritorious in the sight teaching the:multitudes from  a'ship on the
of God; that such actions, however, are essen- Lake-'of Gennesarct-or Paul standing on
tially necessary as'evidence's of a renewed' Mars'hill, addressing the people of Athensnature and of -our subjectioh -to' the'authority: they should be:instructed'to represent'in their
of God-that'they promote our'own comfort imagination'the variious objects which compose
and the happiness of others-and that they  the scene - as delineated by the historian, whieprepare us for'the'employments and the:so0- ther mountains, rivers, seas, corn-fields, buildciety of'heaven, where all the Christian vir- ings, or assembled multitudes,'Which would
tues will be displayed in: perfection without tend to connect with sensible objects the moany mixture of evil. —Were su:ch instructions! ral instructions to be derived from such narraand illustrations:of moral principle,'as now  tives. In forming such pictures of imagination
suggested, regularly'attended to, and every  they might be assisted by the teacher: selecting
disposition and action of the young submitted parts of those scenes in their own country
to -the test of' Christian principle,.thlere can with which they are acquainted,' and'leading
scarcely be a doubt that' the' most beneficial them to imagine the objects and transactions
results would soon appear, and the moral state recorded' in thie Bible as passing immediately
of' society be improved far'beyond what we' before them  amidst the scenery with which
have -ever -yet experienced.' But, if we are they are familiar; or by presenting before
remiss in our'attention to the'best interests of them- accurate engravings of the' natural and
the young, and refuse to bring into full opera- artificial objects connected with Judea and
tion a rational system of moral and religious' other eastern'countries, in so far as they can
instruction, we'have no right to complain of be procured.  In this point of view, it is much
the vicious dispositions of the rising genera- to be regretted, that almost all the pictorial
tion, or' the licentiousness and depravity of. illustrations of our " Family Bibles" are absogeneral society.                             lutely worthless and worse than useless, omitIn recommending to- the young the study  ting alniost every thing that is instructive and
of the Scriptures, every requisite direction and' consistent with fact, and introducing silly and
assistance'-should be afforded to guide them in  fictitious scenes, full'of anachronisms,'incontheir rese.arches into the:'oracles of' God. sistencies,'and violations of costuinae,'which
When reading' the historical parts either of have no other tendency: than to convey a dethe Old or the New  Testament, maps of grading and distorted conception of the scenes
Palestine, and of the adjacent countries, should recorded in sacred history.  Above all things,
be put into their hands, that they may be ena- the young should be directed to consider, that
bled to trace the journeyings of the Israelites every' transaction recorded' in Scripture is inin the wilderness, the relative positions of the tended' to produce an intellectual and a: moral
twelve tribes in the land of Canaan, the tra- effect, either to display the'perfections of God,
vels of' Jesus Christ and his apostles, and the the character of his moral government,:the
situations of the principal cities, towns, moun-t safety and happiness of those'who put their
tains, rivers, lakes, -and seas, mentioned in the. trust in him, the evil tendency of disobedience
Bible.' To assist their conceptions of'the' to his laws, or the path of duty in which we
Jewish tabernacle and' temple,'plans of these ought to walk in the various circumstances in
buildings' should'be presented,'along with which we may be placed.  "All Scripture is
figures of the altar of burnt-offering and of profitable for doctrine, for'correction, for reincense, the ark of the covenant, the table of proof, and for instruction in-righteousness;"
show-bread, the golden candlesticks, the brazen  and therefore the study of'no portioli of salaver,j and other sacred utensils.'To illustrate cred history should' be discontinued, till its
the antiquities of the Jews and other eastern  moral instructions be clearly. perceived and
nations, their customs, buildings, &c., sketches applied.  Questions and exercises of various
should be given of their manners and customs, kinds, in relation to scriptural facts, doctrines'
arts, sciences, vegetable productions, and'pecu- and duties, should be prescribed, to excite the
liarities of:climate, which lare frequently al- attention, and direct the judgment of the
luded to by the sacred. writers, and' Which  young in their investigation of divine subshould abe illustrated by engravings in so far jects'; but as we have now various little books
as they tend to convey ideas on the subject. calculated to direct the juvenile mind in such
They should be taught to acquire clear con- exercises, it is needless to dwell on the subject.
ceptions about every thing they read, and,   It might not be improper to have a text-book
when they meet'with difficulties or obscurities,  or two, selected from  Scripture,' and inter
never to rest satisfied till they receive the re- spersed with occasional remarks, tending to
qmusite explanations.  When they read a de- elucidate certain passages and events.  We
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SABBATH SCHOOLS.                                   151
have class-books.for schools, the greater part neighbour as ourselves, cultivating heavenly
of which is selected from plays, novels, farces, desires and affections, &c. Selections addressed
and Pogan historians and moralists.  And  to the taste and inagination-embodying the
why should we not have a text-book selected beauties of history, poetry, and eloquence,
from the oracles of inspiration, which contain which are profusedly scattered throughout the
a grester variety of sublime: and important sacred writings.  Selections of biography, inmatter than is to be found in any other source cluding the lives of Jacob, Joseph, Moses,
of information 1   Such a text-book might Elijah, Hezekiah, Daniel, John the Baptist,
comprise selections on such topics as the the Apostle Paul, &c. These, along with
following:-Subjects which tend to expand our selections on various other slubjects, might be
intellectual views of the Deity, and of the: uni- illustrated with critical remarks, extracts from
verse he has cr:eated-comprising descriptions works on Eastern  manners and customs,
of the Majesty and Supremacy of Jehovah, descriptions of modern Palestine, and the
the eternity of his existence, his universal adjacent countries, the accomplishments of
presence and agency, his love, faithfulness, Scripture prophecies, as recorded in history,
and immutability, his unbounded goodness, anecdotes of young persons, the lives of true
the wisdom and rectitude of his moral govern- Christians, the judgments which have befallen
ment, and the rare.he exercises over every persecutors and apostates, the progress of
order of his:creatures —the existence of angels, Christianity through the world, and the beand the offices they perform under the Divine nign effects it has produced on the state of
administration-the immortal destiny of man, society. Such a work, if judiciously arranged
and the prospects opened to the righteous of and executed, and studied with care, could
eternal felicity in the future world. Selections not but produce a beneficial influence on the
in reference to the affections and the duties in- taste and affections of the young, and lead
curebent upon persons in the dfferent relations them  to admire and venerate the oracles of
qf,life.  In this department those duties and heaven.  It is, doubtless, one cause of the
affections which are peculiarly christian, should low state of Christianity, and of the influence
stand prominent, such as humility, lowliness of Pagan maxims in general society, that
of mind. love to enemies, doing good to those  such text-books have never yet been introwho hate.us, striving against sin, loving our duced into our seminaries of education.
CHAPTER VIII.
Sabbath Schools.
OF late years these institutions have rapidly  degree of perfection which it has never yet
increased, both in Great Britain and in the attained. The evils and defects which adhere
United States of America, and, if properly  to the system  as it exists in most of our
conducted, are calculated to produce a highly  Sabbath school institutions, are such as the
beneficial effect on the religious improvement following:-1. The memory is still too much
of the rising generation.  In a preceding part exercised and burdened with the retention
of this volume I offered a few. strictures on  of words, while a corresponding degree of
the mode in which some of these institutions attention is not paid to the exercise of the
were formerly londucted; and, although the iational faculty.  2. Religious instruction is
evils there complained of still exist to a certain, too much confined as to the range of its objects
extent, I am happy to say, that in many of and illustrations.  Instead of confining it
these schools a more rational and efficient chiefly to a few propositions in regard to
system is now beginning to be adopted. The what are termed the' fundamental doctrines
teachers, many of whom are men of piety and: of the- gospel, it should extend to tie whole
intelligence, are now convinced of the futility; range:of objects comprised within the compass
of mere memorial exercises, and are beginning  of Divine Revelation, and to all the illustrato address the understanding and the affections. tions of those, objects which can be derived
of their pupils, so that they may be enabled from  history, geography,, the sciences, and
to enter into the spirit and meaning of the the works of nature. 3. Discussions on systruths inculcated.  Still, however, I am  de- tematic theology too frequently usurp the
cidedly of- opinion, from all that I have ever place of pointed moral instructions addressed
witnessed in these institutions, that the sys- to the affections and the conscience. 4. Catetemrn of religious instruction is far from having  chisms and other hunman formularies are too
reached its highest pitch of improvement, and  frequently set in competition with the instru-e
that it is susceptible of being carried to a tions to be derived directly from the Scriptures
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152              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
5. Many of the teachers, however pious and ing the range of thought possessed by his
well' intentioned, are deficient in that degree pupils-of adapting his instructions to that
of biblical and general knowledge which all range of thought —and of rendering the ideas
religious instructors ought to possess.  This they have already acquired subservient for
last circumstance I consider as one of the increasing their number, and for opening a
greatest deficiencies in our Sabbath school wider field of intellectual vision.  For this
arrangements, and therefore shall offer a few  purpose, his imagination must roam over the
remarks on the subject.                      whole circle of his own knowledge, to select
It is generally admitted, that a professor of objects, events, scenes, circumstances, and
any science, such as chemistry, ought to be similes, adapted to the comprehension of his
acquainted not' only with all its principles pupils, and calculated to expand their views,
and facts, but with those subjects, such as and to illustrate the particular subject to
natural history, experimental philosophy, and which their attention is directed.  He must
physiology, with which it stands connected. sometimes extend his views to the histories
It is also admitted, that the religious instruc. of ancient times, both sacred and profane, to
tion of the adult population, in order to be the circumstances which attended the accomrespectable and efficient, requires that the plishment of ancient prophecies, and to the
ministers of religion be trained to all those doctrines, maxims, and precepts of the Bible
branches of knowledge which tend to prepare — sometimes to the knowledge he has acquired
them  for their office, and that they may be of the earth, the ocean, or the atmosphere, the
men not only of piety, but of talent and animal and vegetable creation, or the glories
intelligence, and  found qualified  by their of the heavens-and sometimes to the state
superiors for the duties they undertake. And of- barbarous nations, the persecutions of the
can we suppose, that either the literary or the church, the lives of good men, the progress
religious tuition of the young, can be intelli- of the gospel among unenlightened tribes, the
gently or efficiently conducted by men who  scenes of domestic life, or the wars and revoare comparatively ignorant, and who have lutions of nations.  Circumstances, incidents,
undergone no previous training for such an  anecdotes, descriptions, and similes, derived
office?  On the contrary, I have no hesita- from such sources, he will find expedient, and
tion in asserting, that instructors of youth. in some cases necessary, to be brought forward
ought to have as much information on every for explaining and illustrating many portions
subject as is usually judged necessary for a of Divine Revelation.  And therefore, were it
respectable minister of the gospel, and even possible for a teacher to be a man of unirersal
more than many of this class actually possess. knowledge, so much the more qualified would
Besides, they ought to possess not only clear he be for imparting religious instruction, proconceptions of every portion of knowledge they  vided he had the art of sinlplifying his knowwish to impart, but also of the best modes in  ledge, and rendering it subservient to moral
which it may be communicated with effect to improvement. If religious instruction, indeed,
the juvenile mind.  It requires even more consisted in nothing more than prescribing
information and greater powers of mind to tasks, and hearing children recite catechisms,
simplify knowledge, and render it perspicuous psalms, hymns, and passages of Scripture,
to the opening intellect, than to convey it to any man, however ignorant, who had been
the understandings of those who are advanced instructed in the art of reading, might be conin years.  The man who wishes to act as an  sidered as qualified for such an office; —and
intellectual and religious, instructor, should, hence, I have seen men, pious and wellif possible, acquire a comprehensive view of meaning  perhaps, but ignofhnt of almost
the whole of the revelations of Heaven, and every branch of knowledge, and without any
of the collateral subjects with which they are clear ideris on the subject of religion, appointed
connected-of the leading facts of ancient as Sabbath school teachers, who did nothing
and modern history —of the scenery of nature more than take the Psalm-book or Catechism
in all its varied aspects-of the operations of into their hands, and put on their spectacles
the Creator which are displayed in the "firma- to see that the youngsters repeated their prement of his power," and of human nature as scribed tasks with tolerable correctness.  But
exhibited in all the scenes and relations of if the great object of religious instruction is,
social life.  For it,is from these, and similar or ought to be, the communication of clear
sources, that he is to derive his illustrations ideas respecting the attributes of God, the
of divine subjects; and unless such subjects principles of his moral government, the vabe illustrated by sensible scenes and objects, riety and immensity of his works, the history
no clear and distinct ideas can be communi- of his providential dispensations, the plan of
cated to the young, nor any deep impressions his redemption, and the way in which its
made upor their hearts.  The instructor of blessings are to be obtained. the principles of
the young must have the faculty of ascert;-n- moral action, and the rules of duty het has
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DEPARTMENTS OFt SACRED KNOWLEDGE.                              153
prescribed, and whatever tends to display the religious instructors should devote their attenriches of his grace and the glories of his uni- tion are such as the fbllowing:-1. Stcred
versal kingdom-in so far as such subjects History, or, in other words, the Records of
call be imparted to the youthful mind-then  the Divine dispensations, as contained in the
it is evident, that a religious instructor ought Old and New Testaments.  For elucidating
to be a person endowed with as much general certain portions of this history, unravelling
and Biblical knowledge as he can possibly difficulties, answering objections, and explainacquire.                                    ing various circumstances connected with the
In throwing out the above remarks it is by Jewish worship and economy, the perusal of
no means intended to insinuate, that no good such works as Horne's "Introduotion to the
has been effected in Sabbath schools where the study of the Bible," Shuckford's " Connection
teachers were comparatively ignorant; as I of Sacred and Profane History," and Stack.
believe many good impressions have been  house's " History of the Bible," particularly
made upon the youthful mind by pious and the last, will be found of great utility in exwell-meaning men whose range of informa- panding our views of the revelations of Heation was extremely limited. But it is evident, ven, and of the facts connected with the moral
at the same time, that were such instructors government of God.  For illustrating the hismore enlightened than they have generally  tory of the Jews and surrounding nations,
been, a much greater degree of important in- from the time of the prophet Malachi to the
struction would be communicated, and a more birth of Christ —a period of more. than four
powerful moral impression made upon the hundred years, during which many of Daniel's
heart.                                       prophecies were accomplished-the First Book
It is consistent with the dictates of reason  of " The Maccabees," Josephus' "Antiquities,"
and the general practice of mankind, that and his " History of the Wars of the Jews,"
every man should be trained for the profes- and Prideaux's " Connection of the History
sion he adopts, and be found qualified for any  of the Old and New  Testament," will be
office before he enter on the performance of found particularly usdful.-2. Anc/ient History
its duties. And is the religious instruction of and Georraphy.  The history of such nations
the young a matter- of so trivial importance, as the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians,
that such a rule should be set aside in appoint- Medes and Persians, is so interwoven with
ing teachers to Sabbath schools? If not, then  the sacred history and the predictions of the
every one who wishes to devote himself to the prophets, that a knowledge of it is, in many
religious tuition of the rising race, should be instances, necessary for understanding the deregularly trained in all those branches of sacred  scriptione and allusions of the inspired writers.
knowledge which are requisite for rendering  Millot's " Elements of General History," part
his instructions fully efficient for the purpose i., and "Rollin's Historical Works," particuintended.  It should likewise be ascertained  larly his "Ancient History," will afford the
whether he be of a communicative turn of most satisfactory information on this subject.
mind, and has acquired a facility of imparting  In connection with the history of ancient naideas to the youthful understanding; and for tions, uancient geography should be particularly
this purpose his qualifications should be tried  studied, for the purpose of acquiring clear
by experiment, by placing under his superin- ideas of the boundaries and divisions of the
tendence, for a few days, the instructions of a Land of Palestine, and of the relative posireligious seminary.  Every one found duly  tions of the countries that lie adjacent to it,
qualified for the office should receive a pecu- which are so freqdently alluded to in the
niary compensation, as well as the teachers history both of the Old and New Testaments.
of other seminaries, provided he chooses to  Without some knowledge of this subject we
accept it. Hitherto our Sabbath schools have  can have no clear conceptions of many intergenera lly been taught,, ratis by the benevo- esting circumstances recorded in the writings
lent individuals who have devoted themselves of the Prophets and Evangelists, and must
to this service, and if duly qualified instructors.fiequently read their narratives without ideas.
can be found who will give their services with- Maps, on a large scale, of the countries to
out remuneration, no objection, of course, can  which I allude, are of course indispensably
be brought against such labours of love; but requisite, when engaging in this study; and
it is nothing more than equitable, that every  such maps should be hung up in e;ery Sabman who devotes his time and the energies bath school, and referred to for ill'ustrating
of his mind to any object, should receive a the narratives of the sacred historians. Wells'
fair compensation for his exertions, especially  " Sacred Geography," and his " Set of Maps
when he is under obligation to cultivate his of Ancient Geography," and similar works,.intellectual powers, and to pass through a will afford the requisite information on this
course of training for this purpose.        subject.-3. The circunlstas ces cornnerted with
The departments of knowledge to which the fulfilment of ancient prophecies.  Tl.e ac20                                                        (153)




154              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
complishment of prophecy is recorded either Taylor's "lramenta," appended to Cahnet'X
in the sacred history itself, in the annals of Dictionary; Burder's "Oriental Customs;"
civil and ecclesiastical history, in the present Carpenter's " Scripture  Natural History;"
state of the nations and the events passing and the reports of certain'modern.travellers,
under our daily observation, —or it is to be such as Burckhardt, Buckingham, Legh, Dr.
looked forward to in the prospects which will Jowet, and the American Missionaries. In
open on future generations.!ence the ne- the first six volumes of" The Modern Travel.
cessity of being acquaintedwith the history of: ler," compiled by Dr. Conder, almost every
the Church an.d of the nations, and with the thing will be found requisite for the illustrapolitical and religious movements now going tion of the physical geography, climate, seaforward throughout the world, if we wish sons, &c. of Judea, and the  surrounding
to trace the faithfulness of God in the ac- countries.  An occasional reference to such
complishment of the predictions of his word. subjects for the elucidation of Scripture, could
Such works as Newton's "Dissertations on not fail of exciting the attention and improvthe Prophecies," and Keith's " Fulfilment of ing the understandings of the young.
Prophecy," and his "Signs of the Times,":6. The studly of Ihe sysero-of Niat Lrr, or the
will direct the mind to many interesting views material works of God, as displayed throughon this subject.                            out the earth and the starry firmament.  To
4. Another subject which deserves'the at- these works the inspired writers, on numerous
tention of religious instructors, is, Biblical occasions, direct our attention, as evidences
Criticism and interpretation.  As the Scrip- of the Power, Wisdom, and Goodness of Jetures form the groundwork of all religious hovah, and of his superintending Providence.
knowledge, it is of importance to ascertain They should therefore be studied with care,
that the copy or edition which we use ap- and contemplated with an eye of intelligence,
proaches as nearly as possible to the original; as illustrative~ of the perfections of the Deity,
and -when we are satisfied on this point, it is and of the declarations of his word.  There
equally important to determine the rules by is nothing to which young people listen with
which the different portions of the Bible are more attention than to familiar discourses
to be interpreted, according to the subjects on upon the wonders of creation, when they are
which they treat.  This includes an inquiry  delivered in a clear and distinct manner, and
into the literal meaning of words, and the made level to their capacities; and when the
figurative sense in which they are frequently  works of God are brought into immediate
used-the scope of the writer-the parallel: connection with the truths of his word, a
passages-the sources of poetic imagery, or more powerful impression of these truths, on
the objects whence the sacred writers derive the principle of association, will be made
their figurative representations-the principles upon the mind.  For example, when we deof symbolical language-and a knowledge of. scribe the immense mass of water in the
the localities in which. the writers were placed, caverns of the ocean; the lofty ranges of
and the historical circumstances to which they  mountains; the flaming volcanoes; the magallude.  On this subject many voluminous nitude of our globe; the rapid motion with
works have been written:; but the general which it flies through the voids of space; or
reader may, perhaps, be sufficiently gratified  the immense number and size of the celestial
by the perusal of such volumes as Carpenter's orbs-and bring these objects in connection
"Scripture Difficulties," and his "Popular with such passages as these: "He holdeth
Lectures on Biblical Criticism  and Interpre- the ocean in the hollow  of his hand; he
tation."-5. The manners (and customs of the hangeth the earth upon nothing; he meteth
Eastern nCations. The manners, customs, arts, out the heavens with a span.; and taketh up
and sciences of the Hebrews, and the natural the isles as a very little thing-Great is our
and artificial scenery with which they were Lord, and of great power, his understandinlg
surrounded, exerted apowerfulinfluence upon is infinite-Great and  marvellous are thy
their literary productions-even upon those works, Lord God Almighty:" &c.-when these
which were dictated by inspiration. Without passages are at any time recalled to mind, the
a knowledge of these it is impossible, in many  objects which illustrate them  will naturally
instances, to unravel the sense of the inspired occur; and, when the objects themselves are
writers, to perceive the beauty and emphasis directly contemplated, the mind will revert to
of their compositions,, or to feel the full force the dictates of inspiration with which they
of their narratives and allusions.  For the were formerly associated.  For the purpose
elucidation of this subject we are now fur- of acquiring some general knowledge on this
nished with a variety of interesting works, of subject, religious instructors'should  peruse
which the following are specimens:-Paxtosn's  some of the popular works -which have been
"Illustrations of Scripture;" Harmer's " Ob- lately published on the subjects of Natural
servations on certain passages of Scripture;" History, Geography, Astronomy, Experimen
1541




GENERAL REMARKS ON SABBATH SCHOOLS.                           155.l1 Philosophy, and Chemistry, such as those by Interrogatories, andinterspersing:ccasional
formerly recommended, and' particularly those remarks on the different topics,  will he found
works which treat of Natural Theology, and in general the best mode for keeping alive the
the connection of science with religion. *-  attention of the young.
Besides the above departments, the' Sabbath    Sabbath schools should not be considered
school teacher should study with particular as confined to the children of the poor, or of
attention htuman nature in all its varieties and those who are inattentive to the spiritual in
modes of operat.inn. He:'should learn to con- terests of their offspring, but as embracing the
template, with the: eye of-a Christian philoso- instruction of all classes of society. It is in.
pher, the dispositions of mankind, as displayed deed a duty, from which no parent can be
in their social intercourses, the scenes of pub- exempted, to impart instruction to his children
lic and domestic life, the various modes in in the principles of religion, and "to train them
which the principle of evil operates, and the up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."
practices, whether good or bad, which prevail But, without neglecting this duty in private,
either in -Christian  or in general society. their children might derive important addiFrom such sources he will derive many home tional instruction by attending a public reliillustrations of the effects of sin, and of the gious seminary. If the system of religious
manner in which Christian principle should instruction were once improved, and carried
operate in all the ramifications of human so- to that pitch of perfectioa of which it is susciety. He should likewise study some of the ceptible; and, if that superior intelligence and
best works on the "Evidences of Christianity" wisdom, which we hope ere long to see dis-a  system  of Divinity such as " Dwight's played in the department of religion, were to
Theology"-and, above all other branches of pervade all the details of juvenile instruction,
knowledge, he should study with the utmost I have no hesitation in -asserting that the chilcare the discourses of our Saviour, as reported dren of the most learned and intelligent of the
in the Evangelists, and the practical parts of community would derive much advantage from
the writings of the Prophets and Apostles, attending such seminaries of instruction. Nor
which, in religious instructions, are too fre- should such seminaries be confined to young
quently thrown into the shade.             persons under 12 or 14 years of age, as they
In teaching Sabbath schools, a practice too frequently are; but schools should be orwhich is not uncommon should be carefully ganized, adapted to persons from the age of
avoided-and that is, addressing long.winded 15 to the age of 20, and upwards, in which
discourses to youerg people, most part of which they may be trained in the higher branches
they do not understand. I lately visited a of knowledge connected with religion, and
school in a neighboring town, containing from  thus be enabled to take more expansive views
80 to 100 catechumens.  Among these were of the revelations of Heaven, that they may
about 20 young persons, chiefly females, from  be "thoroughly furnished for the performance
the age of 16 to the age of 24; the.rest were of every good work."  For the instruction
children from 7 to 12 years of age. After the and superintendence of such schools, the study
repetition of texts, psalms, catechisms, and of those departments of sacred knowledge repassages of Scripture, more than an hour was ferred to above, will be found an indispensable
consumed in some crude dissertations, in a qualification. In order that properly qualified
preaching style, on'the meaning and refer- teachers may be obtained 1br such seminaries,
ences of some passages in the prophecies of colleges or academies might be established for
Isaiah, which none of the younger persons their instruction.  Evening lectures on the
could possibly understand; and only about a different branches of sacred knowledge and
dozen general questions, for the sake of form, popular science, accompanied with.various
were put to the younger class, to which the other mental exercises, might be delivered two
answers, "yes," or "no," were chiefly re. or three times every week, to which all might
quired. It seemed as if the chief aim of the have access who wish to devote themselves to
teacher had been to recommend himself to the religious instruction of the young. Vari.
the attention of the adult part of his audience, ous discussions might likewise be: entered into
while the children were sitting in a state of relative to the best modes of communicating
apathy, playing with their fingers, and eagerly knowledge and impressing divine: truths upon
wishing to be gone. Such a conduct is quite the heart; and experinients in the art of in.
preposterous, and tends to frustrate the great struction might be occasionally tried by colobject of such institutions. No address to lecting a number of children for this.purpose,
young people should be continued beyond five and observing the' effects which different inor ten minutes at a: time, unless the subject be structors and different modes:of teaching proextremely interesting and the attention exclu- duce upon their affections and understandings.
sively fixed upon it. The method of teaching In the meantime, before such systems of'in* See p. 140.              struction be established, it might be expedient
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156              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
for the teachers of Sabbath schools in large ments kept alive, and the system of religious
towns, to nieet once a week, or once a fort- instruction would gradually approximate tonight for mutual instruction, and for discussing  wards perfection.  To guide the teacher in
the various subjects connected with their offi- his selection of books on Sacred Literature,
cial duties.  A library might be formed of the he may be referred to the Rev. E. Bickerbest books connected with Sacred History, steth's " Christian Student," which contains
Theology, and general information, to which  lists of books in the various departments coneach of them might have access for the pur- nected with the study of Divine revelation,
pose of private study.  By such means the interspersed with a variety of judicious rekngwledge of our teachers would be enlarged, marks.*
their interest in carrying forward improveCHAPTER IX.
Schools for Young Persons, from the age of fourteen to the age of twenty and upwards.
IT is one of the grand defects of our present restraints of their parents and guardians. If,
system of education, that it is considered as in such circumstances, no rational or religious
terminating about the period when our youth  instruction is regularly imparted, they will be
arrive at the age of fourteen or fifteen years. apt, as too frequently happens, to be led away
Prior to this period, little more than the rudi- by their vicious companions, and their sensual
ments of knowledge can be communicated, appetites, into the paths of folly and intemrn
even where education is conducted on an  perance.  Hence the propriety of establishing
intellectual plan.  The whole period of our institutions, and arranging a system of instruc.
existence should be considered as the course tion adapted to the wants and the circumof our education; and there is no portion of stances of this interesting portion of our popuhuman life of more importance in this respect lation.
than that which intervenes between the age    The subjects to which the attention of this
of fourteen and the age of twenty.  At this class of young persons should be directed
period, the rational powers are advancing to- might be such as the following: —1. The
wards perfection, and are capable of acquiring  Physical sc iences, as Geography, Astronomy,
clear and expansive views both of scientific Natural History, Experimental Philosophy,
truths and of scriptural doctrines. At the  and other subjects more particularly noticed
same time the moral powers and propensities in the preceding pages.  The illustration of
are beginning to arrange themselves on the side  these subjects might occupy a wider range,
either of virtue or of vice; and, in the great and the topics connected with them  be more
majority of instances, the character of the fu- fully discussed than in the primary schools to
ture man depends on the intellectual views which I have already adverted.-2. Logic, or
and the moral habits which are then formed. the art of reasoning.  This subject might be
It is therefore a matter of the utmost import- treated in a popular manner, and the various
ance, that the human mind, at this interesting  kinds of reasoning and of sophisms illustrated
period, should be properly directed as to its from the sciences, historical facts, the phenoviews of truth and of duty, and guarded against mena of nature, and the conduct of men in
the temptations and allurements which might general society.  One great object in such
turn it aside from the paths of rectitude. It is discussions should be, to teach the pupils to
somewhat unaccountable, that this important habituate themselves to clear ideas and conperiod in the life of man-so pregnant with  elusive reasonings on every subject-and to
blessings or curses to society-should have
been almost overlooked in the view of the   * Sabbath school teachers will derive much useChristian philanthropist, and that no specific ful instruction from the writings of Mr. Jacob
arrangeents have been made to promote  Abbott, Principal of the Mount Vernon School,
arrangements            havopromote  Boston, particularly his "Young Christian," and
moral and intellectual instruction during its " The Teacher, or Moral Influences employed for
continuance.  About the age of fifteen the  the Instruction of the Young "  He should also
peruse "The Mother at Home," and other works
greater part of those who have enjoyed a com- of the Rev. John S. C. Abbott, of Worcester.
mon education are employed as apprentices or America, formerly recommended. In the process
servants.  At this period, new passions begin  of teaching, the books published by Mr. Gall on
the "Lesson Systern," will frequently be found
to operate, and new pursuits engage their of great utility. But, it ought never to be forgotattention.  They mingle with new associates, ten, that no plans we may adopt, and no books
are frequently exposed to vicious indulgences, however good in themselves, can be a substitute
for the sc:riptiural knowledge and general inforna -
and, in many instances, are set free from the tion of the teacher.
(156))




SUBJECTS OF STUDY.                                  157
expose the false principles and sophistical rea-    Such subjects as the above might be varied
sonings by which princes, statesmen, clergy- according to circumstances, and elucida'ted, in
men, and others, have supported tyranny, more or less detail, according to the ages, caslavery, oppression, and abuses of every de- pacities, or pursuits of the pupils; but, in
scription in church and state, and by which  every instance, the chief portion of instruction
deists and sceptics have attempted to under- should have a particular bearing on their momine thle fabric of Christianity.  If properly ral and religious improvement.  Three or four
illustrated, there are few  subjects more im- days in the week, from eight to half-past nine
portant than this to young men when entering  o'clock in the evening, might be devoted to
on the active scenes of life.  But we have no  such studies and exercises,-and  the same
system of logic, with which I am acquainted, apartments which are used for the instruction
in which the subject is treated in the popular of the junior classes might serve as places of
and practical manner to which I allude.-3. meeting for engaging in the discussions to
Practical mrechanics and the useful arts-in- which I allude, so that no additional expense
cluding discussions on the various applications would be requisite for such accommodations.
of steam —rail-roads, canals, and machinery  Every arrangement in such seminaries should
of different kinds-the processes connected be adapted to the conveniency of apprentices,
with the different arts, the improvementscof  journeymen, shopkeepers, clerks, labourers,
which they are susceptible, and the experi- and all others who are employed in active laments that require to be tried in order to carry bour, or other professional duties, during the
them to perfection. —4. E.hics, or a system of day;-at tnhe same time, persons of every rank
moral philosophy founded on the principles and of every age may be invited, when puband precepts of Revelation —or, in other words, lic discussions take place, or public lectures
a system of practical Christianity, explaining are delivered.  Similar institutions might be
the duties incumbent upon men in the various established for the improvement of the female
relations of life, and illustrating them fiom the sex, in which instructions in natural history,
facts connected with the scenes of history and  logic, morality and religion, similar to those
of common life.  In the discussion of this suggested above, might be imparted, together
subject, the following topics, among others, with all those useful and ornamental branches
would require to be particularly illustrated: — of knowledge which are peculiarly adapted to
The true foundation of moral action, or the the stations and relations they occupy in soprinciple.s which form the basis of the moral ciety.  In certain cases, where public lectures
order of the universe-the laws which God on physical or moral subjects are delivered,
has promulgated in his word for the regula- arrangements might be made for the attendtion of human conduct-the realsornablewress of ance of persons of both sexes, which, under
these laws, and their indispensable necessity  certain regulations, would tend to enliven the
and obligation-the hauppinless to which the ob- scenes of instruction.
servance of them uniformly leads —the misery    Such institutions have never yet been estabwhich  is necessarily consequent on  their lished, so far as I know, in any part of the
violation —and  the confusionJ which would civilized world; nor can we hope for their
arise throughout every part of the social sys- establishment, till the influence of avarice be
tem were these laws reversed or universally  in some measure undermined-till our shops
violated.  The history of all nations, both  and manufactories be shut up at more early
savage and civilized-the facts related in the, hours than they now are, and till our labourhistory of the Bible-the narratives of voy- ers, shop-keepers, and artisans, have more leiagers and travellers-and the scenes of public sure to devote to the cultivation of their moral
and domestic society,-would furnish appro- and mental powers.  Many of our manufacpriate illustrations of such topics.-5. The tories are kept open till between the hours of
Evidences of Christianity-illustrations of Sa- eight and nine in the evening; and our grocred His!ory and Geography-explanations of cery stores and other shops, till near the hour
Scripture difi:ullties, and of the accomplishment of midnight; so that, from seven in the mornof prophecies-elucidations of Christian facts, ing till near eleven at night, our apprentices
doctrines, and precepts-and other topics con- have scarcely two hours of leisure, even for
nected with the great objects of religion and their meals.  Such long hours of labour, durthe realities of another world, —should hold ing which many of the working classes are
a prominent pla(e among all the other depart- obliged to toil from. day to day, tend not only
ments of instruction.  Such instructions are co retard the progress of the human mind, but
essentially requisite, if we wish to see man- to reduce mankind to a species of slaves, or
kind rising in the scale of intellectual and re- mere animal machines; leaving them scarcely
ligious improvement, and if we wish to behold pany reasonable portion of their existence, either
vice and intemperance banished from  our for cultivating their intellects, or for preparing
Atreets, and harmony and happiness through- for the world to come.  On this subject I shall
out every department of the moral world.    afterwards offer a few remarks.
0           (157i




158                ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
CHAPTER X.
Qualifications of, Teachers, and Seminaries for their Instruction.
To all that is stated in the preceding pages, poses of human improvement, and the teacher
it will likely be objected, that we have few  himself degraded from that rank which he
teachers possessed of the talent and informa- ought to hold in the scale of society.  It is
tion requisite to carry the plans I have pro- not a little unaccountable, that, in: this counposed into effect.  It is indeed much to be try, no serninaries have ever yet been estabregretted, that an opinion has long prevailed, lished for training young men for the office
that the most slender qualifications are suffi- of teachers, so that the important ends incient for a teacher, and that little preparation  tended by a system of education may be fully
is requisite for conducting a common school. accomplished.  A  watchmaker, a smith, a
if a man is unfortunate in trade, enfeebled in mason, a carpenter, or a weaver, serves an
body, or disinclined to manual labour, it is apprenticeship of from four to seven years,
considered that he may still be sufficiently  before he is considered qualified to exercise
qualified for -a teacher, after having spent four his profession.  A clergyman generally underor five months at a seminary of education. goes a course of training for eight or nine
If he can read his mother-tongue, write a good years, before he is licensed to perform the
text-hand, and has acquired a tolerable know- functions of the sacred ministry.  Even a
ledge of arithmetic and book-keeping, he is menial servant, a stable-boy, a cook, or a
considered as fully warranted to set up the laundry-maid, must devote a certain portion
trade of a teacher; and if in addition,o these of time and attention before they are consihe has acquired some knowledge of Latin and dered as qualified for such occupations.  But
French, he is viewed as moving in the higher the office of an instructor of youth is frerank of instructors.  Such opinions, indeed, quently assumed at random.  If a man irlsaare now beginning to be reckoned as some- gines he can execute such an office, and
what antiquated, and many of our teachers publishes an advertisement of his intention,
are rapidly rising in the scale of intelligence; he is believed to be qualified for what he unbut it is, at the same time, a fact, that many  dertakes, although, perhaps, he has never apof our parochial and other schoolmasters are plied his mind to investigate the principles on
possessed'of few  qualifications besides those which instruction should be communicated,
now stated.  On the Continent, till lately, the nor the objects which education should emoffice of schoolmaster, in country villages, was brace.  Such an anomrly in the state of civilconsidered: one of the lowest employments in ized society, in regard to a matter of such
society.  Even in Prussia, about the middle vital importance, is a disgrace to the character
of the last century, "All that was required  of an enlightened age, and ought no longer
of their schoolmasters, who  were' chiefly  to exist.  If we had right views of all the
mechanics, was, to be able to read, say the important objects which a system  of moral
catechism, sing tolerably a few  well-known  and intellectual education should embrace, and
psalm-tunes,' and to write and cipher a little. its extensive effects upon all ranks of society,
Numbers of shepherds, employed in summer in relation both to the present and the future
time in keeping sheep, during winter assume world, we should at once admit, that an inthe office of teachers of youth. The nobility  structor of youth should be a man possessed
used generally to bestow the place of school- of almost universal knowledge, conjoined with
master (if it was at their disposal) on their a high degree of moral probity and fervent
valets or grooms, as a'reward for past ser- piety.
vices."*  In, many instances the offices of    How then, it may be asked, are we to provillage barber, fiddler, and schoolmaster, were ceed in elevating the teachers in the scale of
conjoined in the same person.                intelligence, and thus laying a sure basis for
It may be affirmed, without the least hesita- an efficient education?  The first arrangetion, that there' is no office in general society  ment, which is obviously requisite, is to estab.
more honourable and important than that' of lish seminaries or colleges for their instruction,
an instructor of the young, and none on which  In these Prer'eptoral Colleges, as they might
the present and future happiness of the human  be called, such branches as the foliowing
race so much depends.  But, in consequence might be taught. —1. Arithmetic,- Drawillg,
of the circumstances now stated, the office Algebra, and the Mathematical sciences, par.has been rendered inefficient for the great pur- ticularly those which are more immediately
* Report of the Primary Normal School at Pots- applicable to practical purposes.-i. Gram.
lain, by F L. G. Striez.                    mar, Logic, History, and Christian morals.(l58)




PRECEPTORAL COLLEGES FOR TEACHERS.                             159
S  Natural History, Natural Philosophy, on the manner in which he executes his
Geography, Astronomy, Chemistry, Physio- office, may be made in private, and hints by
logy, and Vocal and Instrumental Music.-4. which he may be enabled to correct any of
Natural Theology, the Evidences of Chris- the errors or defects into which he may have
tianity, Sacred History, Christian doctrines fallen. These remarks should have- a referand duties.-To teach these sciences with ence not only to the mode of communicating
effect, three or four Professors would be re- knowledge, but likewise to the moral disposiquired.  They should be taught, not merely tions displayed towards the children, and the
by lectures, but by regular examinations and treatment they receive.  While a proper de.
numerous exercises connected with the several gree of respect and authority is maintained,
topics of discussion; and, where the subjects the young teacher should be taught to address
admit of it, by experimental illustrations. The his pupils in the language of kindness and
course should be as popular in its plan and affection, as a father -does his children, and to
illustrations as the nature of the subjects avoid every thing in his manner that has the
treated of will admit, and all the discussions appearance of being boisterous or domineershould, if possible, be made to bear upon  ing.  Besides being occasionally employed in
matters of practical utility. Of course, all scholastic teaching, the students should be
abstract metaphysical disquisitions, intricate frequently exercised in the art-of composition,
mathematical questions and- theorems which and, at certain distant intervals, in delivering
are more curious than useful, and all theolo- lectures of their own composition, to the rest
gical speculations respecting mysteries and of the students, on any physical or moral subquestions which are beyond the reach of the ject they may choose to select. This practice
human faculties to resolve-should be care- would tend to prepare them  for becoming
fully avoided. The great object of these in- public lecturers on the different branches of
structions should be, not to make the students useful knowledge, in the districts where they
profound mathematicians, philosophers, or might afterwards be appointed as teachers.
divines —but to communicate to them a clear All the public exercises of the students, both
and comprehensive view.of all those subjects in learning and in teaching, should be comof a practical nature which are level to the menced with pralyer, and a recognition of the
comprehension of the bulk of mankind, which  superintendence and- agency of the Divine
may present to them: objects of delightful Being, and: the business of the day concluded
contem.plation, and which may have a bearing in the same manner-a practice which, in
on their present and future happiness. In this country, has almost fallen into disuse,
connection with these subjects,..instructions especially in those seminaries devoted to the
and exercises:should be given in the art of promotion of a fashionable educationj In
communoicrating knowledge, and, on the various short, the whole system should be considered
modes which may be employed to excite the as chiefly of a moral and religious natureattention, and to convey clear and well-defined having for its main and ultimate object, not
ideas. to the understandings of the young. merely the communication of literary and
The plan and routine of teaching, the various scientific knowledge, but the promotion of,evolutions requisite for preserving order in a moral order and happiness amon, mankind,
school, the divisions of time, the arrangement and their preparation for the felicities and
of classes, the moral treatment of the youthful employments of the world to come. Such a
mind, the punishment of offences, the best noble object can only be obtained by impressmethods of impressing upon the heart the ing such views on the minds of: the. rising
truths of religion and the rules of morality, teachers, and training them  up to habits of
the method of using the different class-books, universal benevolence anti of Christian piety
and every thing else.which has a relation to and devotion, that, in their turn, they may
moral and- intellectual tuition —should be ex- communicate the same habits, feelings, and
plained and illustrated in.minute detail.  affections, to young immortals over whose
For the purpose of exercising. the students'instructions they may be afterwards called to
in the practical application of these instruc. preside.
tions, tutwo schools should be connected with every    Every candidate for the: office of schoolPre'eptort-l College-one for the primary and master, previous to being received into such a
the other for the higher hranches of education. college or seminary; should be strictly exOver these schools the professors, though. not amined as to his mental powers and natural
constant or regular teachers, should be in- capacity for acquiring and communicating
vested with a special superintendence -and knowledge, his moral principles and conduct,
control.  Under their direction, each student, and his leading motives and aims in wishing
Al turn, should be appointed to engage in the to devote himself to the office of an instructor.
business. of instruction,, so as to reduce to It should be understood that he~has:previously
practice the philosophy of teaching. Remarks acquired the elements of a, common education
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160              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
-can read his native language with some municate to others knowledge of which he
degree of correctness, can write a tolerably himself is not possessed; and consequently,
good hand, and has acquired a' knowledge of whatever knowledge it may be judged necesthe leading rules of arithmetic.  For it would sary to impart to the great mass of society,
be inexpedient to spend much time in such must previously exist in the minds of those
elementary instruction, except in the higher who are appointed to instruct them. Even
departments of arithmetic, and in demon- the lowest class of schools, such as infant
strating its fundamental rules. No candidate schools, and the details of primary instrucshould be under eighteen or above thirty years tion, require men of general knowledge as
of age. From eighteen to twenty-foul would, superintendents and teachers. For it requires
perhaps, be the most eligible period for admis- more care and attention, more experience and
sion. The course should continue at least sagacity, and a more intimate acquaintance
three yearV; and if the student can afford the with the principles of human nature, to direct
time and expense, it may be expedient to the opening intellect in its first excursions in
extend it to four years. About eight or nine the path of knowledge, than to impart to it
hours every day might be employed in public instructions respecting any particular science
and private studies-and ten months every in after-life. An infant-school teacher, for
year, allowing a vacation of a month about example, should be intimately acquainted with
midsummer, and another of.the same length the facts of sacred history, with general history,
about Christmas. During the period now  with physical and geometrical science, with
specified, under the direction of zealous and the phenomena of nature, and the processes
enlightened professors, a far greater portion of the arts, with human nature in its different
of substantial and practical knowledge might aspects, and with the scenes of domestic life.
be accumulated than is generally acquired at For, it is fiom these sources that he is to deour universities, in a course of instruction rive those facts, exhibitions, descriptions, and
extending to more than eight years. Exami- illustrations, which are requisite to excite the
nations should take place, at least once a-week, attention, to interest the affections, and to
to ascertain the progress made by every stu- gratify the curiosity of the infant mind. He
dent, and the degree of attention he bestows must tell them stories borrowed from sacred
on the several branches of study. After having  and civil history-he must describe the appassed through the usual course of instruction, pearances of nature-he must perform entera more minute and extensive examination taining experiments-he must tell them  of
should be appointed of all the candidates for other countries, and the manners of their
the office of schoolmaster, on all the branches inhabitants-he must describe the conduct of
of instruction, both theoretical and practical, bad children and of good, and have a story at
to which their attention had been directed. hand to illustrate his descriptions. IHe must
Those who are approved should receive a vary all his descriptions, experiments, and
certificate, or lirense, signed by all the pro- anecdotes, as much as possible, so that new
fessors, specifying the progress they have scenes and subjects may be gradually opening
made, and their qualifications for the art of on their view, to prevent that satiety which a
teaching-which certificate should be con- frequent repetition of the same topics would'
sidered as a sufficient guarantee to secure necessarily produce. It is evident, then, that
their admission as teachers into any vacant no one but a person possessed of extensive
schools for which they may apply. Those knowledge is qualified fully to accomplish
who are, found deficient in qualifications may such objects.
be recommended to remain another year, or   It is an egregious mistake to imagine, that
other period, to revise their studies.  The the knowledge of a plan of teaching, or of the
teachers who had been inducted into office, mere routine of a system of education, is all
previous to the arrangements now supposed, that is requisite for conducting the instruction
should be enjoined, or at least requested, to of children.  This is an error, which of late
attend two months every year at the Precep- has been too frequently acted upon, and which
toral College for three or four years in sue- threatens to strike at the foundation of many
cession, in order to finish their education in of our infant schools. A young man, or a
all those branches which are considered as young lady, who has acquired only the ele.
necessary for an accomplished instructor.  ments of a common education, and who has -
The proper training of teachers lies at the never been in the practice of teaching in any
very foundation of a moral and intellectual seminary, is sent for six weeks to an infant
system of education; and no class of men but school, to learn the system, and to witness its
those whose minds are furnished with a large movements; after which they are considered
stock of general knowledge are capable of as properly qualified, and inducted as super
carrying it into effect. It may be laid down intendents of infant seminaries, without much
as a general principle, that no man can com- attention being paid to the range of informa.
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PRISSIAN PRECEPTORAL COLLEGES.                            161
tion they possess. I am aware, indeed, that apparatus; which articles would be;ndispenseveral worthy persons of this description sable in such a seminary, and the more exhave conducted these institutions with con- tensive the better. In the meantime, as a
siderable energy and success, especially when temporary expedient, arrangements might be
they entered with vigour into the spirit of made for establishing such a system of instructheir office, and felt ardent desires for their tion in the different universities and colleges
own further improvement. But it would be which already exist; as the same class-rooms
dangerous to the existence and utility of such presently used for the different departments
institutions to recognize such a practice as a of academical instruction, might, without
general rule,-although in their first establish- much inconvenience, at separate hours, be
ment, necessity compelled their patrons to devoted to the system of instruction now proselect as teachers, pious and discreet persons, posed. The principal country in which such
however deficient in general information. For seminaries have yet been established, is the
the reasons hinted at above, I am clearly of kingdom of Prussia, where they are desigopinion, that an infant school teacher should nated by the name of Normal Schools.  In
be instructed in all the branches of knowledge 1831 there were thirty-three of these schools
to which I have already referred as requisite in full operation, containing from 40 to 100
for other instructors; and on this ground pupils; that is, one Normal school for every
chiefly I rest my hopes of the permanency 385,660 souls; the population of Prussia, acand efficiency of the system of infant training cording to the latest census, being 12,726,823.
which has been lately introduced. In short, From  these seminaries are furnished almost
if the world is to be ever thoroughly enlight- all the masters of the public schools, elemenened and regenerated-if men of all nations tary and intermediate, in the kingdom. The
and of all ranks are to be raised to the dignity annual expense of these establishments is
of their moral and intellectual natures, and 110,553 thalers, or ~16,583, of which the
fitted for " glory and immortality," it is essen. state contributes ~13,260. M. Victor Cousin,
tilolly requisite that teachers of every descrip- in his voluminous and somewhat tedious
tion, whether superintending infant, parochial, " Report on the state of public instruction in
or Sabbath schools, or any other seminaries, Prussia," states a variety of minute details in
be men of decided piety, of the highest moral reference to the economy and regulations of
attainments, and possessed of as large a mea. these schools, but affords us no clear idea of
surve of u.efil knoo!ledge as mortal can acquire. the manner in which the different branches
And, although we may not be able to procure of knowledge are taught to! those who are
persons endowed with such high qualifications intended to be the future teachers of primary
for another generation or two, yet nothing and burghal schools. Although these institushort of such an elevated standard should be tions are, doubtless, the most respectable and
ultimately kept in view. Such characters, of efficient that have hitherto been established
course, would occupy a rank and station in in any country, yet the range of instruction is
society far more respectable and elevated than not so extensive as that to which I have althey have ever yet attained, and be looked up luded, nor is the office of a teacher placed in
to as the directors of the intellectual and mo- that elevated rank which it ought to hold in
ral faculties, and the best friends and benefac- society. Teachers in Prussia are still con.
tors of the human race.                   sidered as belonging to a grade inferior to that
Four preceptoral colleges, at least, would of ministers of the gospel, and are placed
require to be established in Scotland, and partly under their superintendence.  But if
about six times that number in England, for teachers were once endowed with all the
the training of teachers. Much expense would knowledge and qualifications to which I have
not be requisite in their erection, excepting adverted, they ought to be regarded as moving
what behoved to be laid out in the purchase in a station equal to that of the most dignified
of a library, a museum, and a philosophical clergyman.
CHAPTER XI.
On the Practicability of Establishing Seminaries for Intellectual Education.
To any new proposals for the improvement practices, and in favour of existing instituof society, however just or rational, numerous tions. In attempting to establish such semi.
objections from different quarters are generally naries as now proposed, the most formidable
started.  Difficulties are magnified into impos- objection would be founded on the difficulty
sibilities, and a thousand prejudices are mus- of obtaining pecuniary resources adequate to
tered up against innovations on established their erection and endowment; and, it i.
21                                     o2             (165l




162              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
frz..2Jy admitted, that a very large sum of which is only one:fifth of the number ofschools
money, reckoned not by thousands, but by which require to be established.  In order to
millions of pounds, would be requisite for supply Dundee with proper edulcation, a large
their establishment and  support. A  rude building has lately been erected at an expense
idea of the requisite expenditure will perhaps of about ~10,000, which is called" The Dunbe conveyed by the following statements.   dee Seminaries," where about 200 or 300 chilIt may be assumed as a fact, that the num- dren receive education. The expense was
ber of children in any State, from the age of supplied partly by subscriptions, and partly by
two to the age of fifteen years, is about one- funds belonging to the town; and the whole
third of the whole population; at least this of this sum  has been expended merely to
proportion cannot be materially different from  afford accommodation for the children of 100
the truth. We find that in the States of Mas- or 150 genteel families! while the great mass
sachusetts, Maine, and Connecticut, North of the population has been entirely overlooked.
America, there is one out of every four of the There is no law against the children of the
population attending a seminary of instruction. middling and lower classes attending that
In the State of New York, the proportion of seminary; but the fees demanded amount, in
pupils to the whole population is as I to 3.9, their case, to an absolute prohibition.  With
a greater proportion than is to be found in the same sum  of money, tle  commodious
any other country in the civilized world. The seminaries, capable of containing accommodaages of the children attending these schools tion for 200 pupils each, or 2000 in all, might
are, in all probability, from four or five to fifteen have been established. It has never yet been
or sixteen years; for I presume that the chil- stated to the public, on what principle educadren attending infant schools are not included tion is to be conducted in these seminariesin this enumeration.  But although they whether it is to be conducted on the ola
were, it is well known that infant schools system, or whether a plan of intellectual inhave not yet been multiplied to such an ex- struction is to be prosecuted-a most importent as to furnish instruction for one-fifth of tant matter, which ought to have been deterthe children who would require to attend mined before a stone of the building was laid,
these institutions.  We may therefore fix on or even before a plan of it was selected. For
o,.-third as the proportion of the population the plan and arrangements of any building
that requires to be instructed at infant schools, intended for intellectual instruction ought to
and the higher seminaries of education. This be materially different from those of others,
position being assumed, the number of schools and to have conveniences and arrangements
required in any city or country may be at peculiar to itself. But the erection of an exonce determined. Suppose, for example, we pensive and splendid building, as an ornament
fix on a town of a medium size, such as Dun- to a commercial town, seems to have been an
dee, we can easily ascertain the number of object of far greater importance, in the view
seminaries requisite for the instruction of its of the Committee of Education, than the
juvenile inhabitants. The population of Dun- arrangement of an efficient plan of moral
dee is about 48,000; the one-third of which and intellectual tuition. Such are the prinis 16,000, or the number of individuals that ciples and views of many in this country
require instruction. Suppose 80 scholars, at who profess to be the patromls of education!
an average, to attend each school, there would    Let us now consider the number of semi.
require to be no less than 200 seminaries naries which the whole of Scotland would
erected to supply adequate instruction for require. The population of Scotland, accordsuch a town. Of these, 50 would be requisite ing to the census of 1831, is nearly 2,400,000,
for infant instruction, and 150 for the instruc- the one-third of which is 800,000. Supposing,
tion of children from the age of six to the age as before, 80 children at an average in every
of fifteen, in the higher branches of education school, there would be no less than 10,000
specified in the preceding part of this work. schools required for the efficient instruction
According to a statement made in Parliament, of all the youth from two to fifteen years of
by Mr. Ctlquhoun, in June, 1834, there is age-of these 2500 would be infant schools
only one-fifteenth of the population of this According  to Mr. Colquhoun's statement,
town -At present receiving the rudiments of a " the number of parishes in Scotland is 907,
common education; so that, instead of 16,000 and the parochial schools of Scotland at this
receiving instruction,'there are only 3,200, moment, 1005;" so that, in Scotland it would
and instead of 200 schools, averaging 80 chil- be requisite to establish ten tines the number
dren in each, there are only 40 schools* on of schools that presently exist,' in order to the
an average, containing  the same number, efficient instruction of the whole population.
On the supposition that there are about 1006
* There is a greater nunmher of schools in Dun- private schools, besides the parochil, or two
dee than the number here stated. but the average
attendance of scholars is only 43 in each school.  schools, at an average, for eves y parish
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NECESSITY OF PHILANTHROPIC EXERTION.                          163
there would still be required 8000 additional foundation of every moral evil-to counteract
schools, or five times the number presently the principles of vice and criminality of every
existing. Taking the population of England kind-and to make the moral world, in all its
at 14,000,000, the number of children to be departments, move onward in harmony and
educated will be 4,666,666, and the number order. Surely, if such objects could be acof schools, allowing 80 for each, 58,333, or complished, we need not grudge the e.Kpendinearly six times the number of schools re- ture even of a hundred millions of pounds.
quired for Scotland; so that in the whole And such objects will never be accomplished,
island of Great Britain there would require nor will the moral world be ever thoroughly
to be established sixty-eight thousand three improved, till such a system  of moral and
hundred and thirty-three schools *        mental tuition as we have faintly sketched,
Let us now consider the expenses which be universally established.  We sometimes
would be incurred in the erection of such talk about the approaching Millennium, and
schools.  Estimating the expense of each look forward to it as if it were to be introduced
school at ~1000, that is, about ~700 for the by some astonishing miracle, similar to that
building and playground, and ~300 for maps, which caused the chaotic mass at the Mosaic
views, library, apparatus, museum, &c. the creation to be enlightened, and reduced to
neat cost of the schools for Scotland would be beauty and order. But such views are eviten millions sterling. But, if infant schools, dently fallacious, and contrary to what we
wherever they are required, were to be con- know of the general plan and tenor of the
nected with the other schools, so as to be Divine government; and they have no other
under the same roof, the former on the ground tendency but to unnerve our energies, and to
flat and the latter on the upper,-a building damp our exertions in the cause of human
consisting of two stories, with suitable accom- improvement.  Throughout the whole range
modation for both departments, could, I pre- of the Divine dispensations recorded in Scripsume, be erected for the sum of ~700. In ture, we can point out no miracle that was
this case, the number of erections would be ever performed, where the operation of the
reduced to 7500; and the whole expense established laws of nature, and the ordinary
would amount to ~7,500,000.  On the same powers of human agents, were adequate to
plan, the number of school-houses required accomplish the end intended. Man, under the
for England would be reduced to 43,750, and present dispensation, is "a worker together
the expense would be ~43,750,000; that is, with God,"-in accomplishing his purposes;
about fifty-one millions for the whole of Great and, under the agency of that Almighty Spirit
Britain. If we suppose, what is not impro- which "moved upon the face of the waters"
bable, that the number of infant schools, at the first creation, is able to accomplish all
instead of bearing a proportion to the other that is predicted respecting the Millennium,schools as one to three, as here supposed, provided his rebellions will were subdued, and
would require to bear a proportion of one to his moral energies thoroughly directed to this
two, or half the number of the other schools, grand object. It is owing to the sin and
the number of school-houses would be reduced rebellion of man that this world has underto 6666 for Scotland, and the expense to gone such a melancholy derangement, both in
~6,666,000; and for England, to 38,889 its physical and moral aspect; and it will be
schools, and the expense to ~38,889,000; so by the moral and mental energies of man,
that the whole amount of expenditure for when properly directed by the Divine Spirit,
both divisions of the island would be about that the chaotic mass of the moral world will
45J millions.                             be reduced to harmony and order, and the
This will appear, in the eyes of many, a wastes and barren deserts of the physical
most prodigious sum-a sum which we can world adorned with fertility and rural and
never hope to realize. It is admitted that the architectural beauty, so that " the wilderness
sum is great; but nothing in proportion to the and the solitary place will rejoice and blossom
magnitude and importance of the object in- as the rose." It is one chief ingredient in the
tended to be accomplished-which is nothing happiness of man, and an honour conferred
less than to raise the great mass of our popu- on him, that he is selected as an agent, under
lation from degradation and misery-to irra- God, for bringing about such a glorious condiate their minds with knowledge-to inspire summation; and there is no man that ought
them with moral principle and holy affections to assume the name of a Christian, who is not
-to render them happy in this world-and ready to exert his activities, and to sacrifice a
to prepare them for the noble enjoyments of considerable portion of his wealth in this
the life to come; —in short, to strike at the service.
Under the Old Testament economy, the
* Ou the same data, the number of schools re- pions Jews brought forward to the service of
quired for the United States of America, would beto the service of
above 54,000.                              God their tithes and free-will offerings, their
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* 164            ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT 0F MANKIND.
bullocks and rams, and "the first fruits of and luxury, is a libel on the Christian world.
their increase."  When Solomon had dedi- If we had right views of the grandeur and
cated the temple, he offered a sacrifice of importance of such objects, instead of con22,000 oxen, and of 120,000 sheep; and tributing sixpences, shillings, and guineas,
when Hezekiah set himself to purify the we should behold wealthy Christians devoting
worship of God, -and to: promote reformation hundreds, and even thousands a year, to the
in Israel, he gave to the congregation a thou- improvement of society and the advancement
sand bullocks, and seven thousand sheep-  of the interests of religion; and all this could
the princes gave a thousand bullocks and ten be done by thousands in our country, without
thousand  sheep-and the common  people -depriving themselves of a single comfort or
"brought in abundance, the first fruits of sensitive enjoyment..Jorul, wine, and oil, and honey;- and of all the   Let us consider, for a moment, the sums
increase of the field, the tithe of all things *we have expended in- madness: and folly, in
brought they in abundantly, and laid them in the pursuits of ambition and the desolations
heaps upon heaps," for four months in suc- of war-and we shall then be able to detercession, so that Hezekiah was astonished at mine whether it be not in our power to raise
the voluntary liberality of the people, "and 40 millions of pounds for the improvement of
blessed the Lord and his people Israel." society. It has been calculated, that, out of
When the tabernacle in* the wilderness was 127 years, commencing with 1688, and ter-.about to be reared, "both men and women, as minating in 1815, England spent 65 years in
many as were willing-hearted, brought brace- war, and 62 in peace. The war of- 1 6q8,
lets and ear-rings, and rings, and tablets, all after lasting nine years, and raising our
2ewels of gold; and every man that offered, of- expenditure in that period 26 millions, was
feredan offering ofgolduntotheLord. Every ended by the treaty of Ryswick, in 1697.
man with whom was found blue and purple, Then came the war of- the Spanish succesand scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, and sion, which began in 1702, was concluded in
red skins of rams, and badgers' skins, brought 1713, and absorbed 62~ millions of British
them. Every one that had silver and brass money. Without noticing the wars of the
and shittim-wood for any work of service, -Pretender in 1715 and 1745, the next was
brought them. All the women that were the Spanish war of 1739, settled for at Aix-lawise-hearted did spin with their hands, and Chapelle- in 1748, after costing 54 millions.
brought that which they had spun, both of Then came the seven years' war of 1756,
blue and purple, and scarlet, and of fine which- terminated with the treaty of Paris, in
linen. And the rulers brought onyx stones, 1763, in the course of which -we spent 112
and stones to be set, for the ephod and for the millions. The next was the American war
breast-plate. Every man and woman brought of 1775, which lasted eight years, in which
a willing offering to the Lord, till they had crusado against the liberties of mankind, we
much more than enough for the service of the expended no less than 1.S millions. The
work which the Lord commanded to make."* French revolutionary war began 1793, lasted
These offerings were, doubtlegs, emblematical nine years, and exhibited an expenditure of
of the exertions-which would be made, and 464 millions. The war against Buonaparte
-of the costly offerings which would be brought began in 1803, and ended in 1815. During
forward for rearing the fabric of the New  those twelve years of extravagance and carTestament church. But what are all the nage, we spent the enormous sum of 1159
offerings which have been hitherto received millions!! 771 of which were raised by taxes,
for this purpose, compared with the offerings and 388 by loans. In the war of 1688 we
now stated, or with what is requisite to accom- borrowed 20 millions; in the war of the
plish this grand object!  One of the offerings Spanish  succession, 32, millions; in the
above stated as made-by Solomon is equivalent Spanish war of 1739, 29 millions; in the
to more:than five hundred, thousand -pounds seven years' war, 60 millions; in the Ameriof British money, which is more than the can war, 104 millions; and in the revolutionamount of the funds of the British and ary war, 201 millions;-so that the sums
Foreign Bible Society, and all its auxiliaries, borrowed in these 7 wars, during 65 years.
during the-first ten years of their operation. amounted, in  all, to above 834 millions.
Christians do not-seemto:have yet recognized During the same time, we raised by taxes
their duty, to devote a certain portion of their 1499 millions-forming a total expenditure
substance to-the service- -of God and- the im- of 2333 millions! which is equal to about
provement of -man. The pitiful sums hitherto ~100 for every man, woman, and child iln
devoted to these objects, compared with what -Scotland, or about ~600 for every family-;
is expended in gratifying pride, and ambition, and which would be sufficient to establish a
* See Exod. xxxv. 21-30,  c.-2 Chron. vii. 5, system of education, such as we have de-,xw. 94, and xxx. 5-8.                    scribed, for a population of about 820 millions;
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PENSION LIST.                                 165
or, in other words, for all the inhabitants of been expended on the thousands of individuals
the globe. Thus we see, that when ambition whose names have been recorded in the pen
and revenge are to be gratified, when tyranny sion list during the last 50 years! And, be
is to be supported, when the human race is to it remembered, that most, if not all, of thest
be slaughtered by millions, and when all the persons are possessed of independent fortunes,
arts of mischief and destruction which the are connected with the higher circles of e,
demon of war has devised, are to be brought ciety, and scarcely a dozen of them have terinto operation-there is no want of funds to formed a single action that entitled them to
carry such schemes into effect. During the such remuneration-while many wolthly indi.
war with Buonaparte 40 millions would have viduals, men of science and philanthropy,
been considered as a mere item in the national who have promoted knowledge and the best
expenditure, amounting to little more than the interests of society, have been left to pine in
war taxes of a single year. And shall it ever poverty, and to pass their lives in an inglorious
be said that such a sum cannot now be raised obscurity.-Another item  which might be
for counteracting  moral evil and human saved, and devoted to the purpose of mental
misery, and training our population to "glory  improvement, is the immense sums which
and immortality l"  That man who would  have been expended in electioneering contests.
oppose such a grant, whatever rank he may In some instances, no less than forty thousand
hold in society, ought to be branded as an  pounds have been expended by a single family
enemy to his species. It was but the other in endeavouring, for selfish purposes, to obhyear that twenty millions were granted for tain for a friend a seat in Parliament, which
the emancipation of our colonial slaves, and were wasted in promoting bribery, perjury,
scarcely a voice was lifted up against it; and broils,. contentions, rioting, and drunkenness.
there is not an individual at this moment that In the late elections (January, [835) we have
can say that he personally feels any part of reason to believe that several millions have
the burden. It requires only that a similar been expended. Supposing that there were
sum be doubled in order to set in motion a only 550 contested elections-that only two
machinery which would, ere long, promote individuals were opposed to each other-and
the renovation of the British population, and, that the average expense of each candidate
ultimately, of all the inhabitants of the globe. amounted to ~3000, the whole sums wasted
Let us consider, farther, a few more items in this manner would amount to three millions
of our expenditure, which might be saved three hunldred thousand pounds. In one or two
and appropriated to purposes of human im- instances it is asserted, that the expenses inprovement. We have, for example, a pension curred by a single candidate, were no less
list, the amount of which, for the last half than twelve and fifteen thousand pounds.century, would more than accomplish all the The expenses, too, connected with sinecure
objects to which I allude. This list includes offices, which have been bestowed on wealthy
the names of many hundreds, nay thousands individuals, would be nearly sufficient to pay
of individuals, who never performed the least the annual interest of the sum requisite for
service for the benefit of their country, and establishing all the institutions to which I have
yet have been permitted to devour thousands, adverted. It has been calculated, that the inand even millions, of the wealth of the nation. comes of only eleven persons connected with
A considerable portion of these individuals the "Peel and Wellington ministry," along
are ladlies, connected with the nobility and with some of their friends — derived from
gentry, no one of whom ever wrote a treatise sinecures, places, and pensions-amount to
on any subject, promoted a useful invention, about ~88,000 per annum, besides their offior handled a single musket in defence of cial salaries as ministers of the crown. The
their country. One of these ladies, since 1823, Duke of Wellington alone-including penhas pocketed more than ~10,000; another, sions and interest of grant-is' said to cost the
since 1803, above ~16,000; another, since country ~33,104 a year.-Almost all the mo1784, above ~28,000; and two ladies, be- ney expended in elections might be saved, if
longing to the same family, ~28,096.  One proper laws and regulations were adopted, and
family, consisting of four individuals, one of if electors were uniformly permitted to act as
whoml is a lady, since 1787, has swallowed up rational beings, and to vote accordli ig to the
no less than ~86,000 of the national resources; dictates of their consciences; and if only
and two individuals, belonging to another half the expenses usually incurred on such
family, the sum of ~60,816. About a dozen  occasions were devoted to nobler objects, it
individuals, belonging to seven or eight fami- would form an important item in the expenses
lies, have consumed no less than ~280,000, requisite for establishing philanthropic institu.
wrung from a nation ground down under the tions. As to sinecures, either in church or
toad of excessive taxation. What, then, would  state, it. is nothing short of barefaced robbery
be the amount of all the sums which have of the national wealth, and an insult offered
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166              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
to an enlightened people, that such offices spent in the purchase of spirituous thqorti
should exist; and, particularly, that they should which are for the most part devoted to the
be bestowed on those who are living in splen- purposes of intemperance.  According to an
dour and luxurious abundance.              estimate made by Mr. Buckingham  and the
Besides thq savings which might be made Committee appointed by Parliament to inves.
in the public expenditure, there is still a tigate the state of intemperance, it appears,
greater sum which might be saved from va- that, within the limits of Great Britain and
rious items in the private establishments of Ireland, there is a loss sustained by the use
wealthy individuals, which might be devoted of ardent spirits amounting to nearly "fifty
to national improvements. The saving of a millions sterling per annunl!"  It is stated,
single bottle of wine a-day, would amount to that, in the city of Glasgow alone, the suln
~50 a-year; the discarding of an unnecessary expended in intoxicating drinks "is nearly
servant, to nearly the same sum; keeping equal to the whole amount expended on pubfour horses instead of six, would be a saving lic institutions of charity and benevolence in
of at least ~60; and discarding a score of the entire united kingdom."  This item alone
hounds would save more than a hundred would be more than sufficient for all the purpounds a-year. There are thousands in our poses of philanthropy and universal improvecountry, who in this way could save ~500 a ment. I shall only add farther, that, were all
year, to be devoted to rational and benevolent the bishoprics in England reduced to ~2,000
purposes, without feeling the least diminu- a-year, the balance would  furnish several
tion of their sensitive enjoyments.  There hundred thousands of pounds a-year which
are hundreds of thousands in the middle ranks might be devoted to educational purposes;
of life who could save ~20 a-year, by discard- and both religion and education would be proing unneressary luxuries, in regard to houses, moted by such an arrangement.  Still, our
furniture, food and clothing, and feel them- bishops would have more than double' the
selves just as comfortable as before; and there income of the Protestant bishops on the Conare many more among the lower ranks who tinent, and would likely perform  more subcould save several pounds every year, which stantial services than they now do to the
are now  wasted either in folly or intern- cause of religion.  Conversing lately with an
perance, and find themselves richer and more intelligent Prussian gentleman on this subject,
comfortable at the close of the year than at he informed me that the clergy in Prussia of
any former period.  Let us suppose, what is the same rank with vicars and rectors in the
perhaps not far from the truth, that there are Church of England, have an income of from
50,000 individuals, or the a~a part of the ~100 to ~250, reckoned in British money;
British population, who, at an average, have and that the salaries of the bishops are only
incomes of ~3000 per annum, and could de- from ~300 to ~500, and that they are far
vote ~300 a-year to public purposes-some more actively engaged in the services'of the
much more, and some less; this would amount church than the bishops of England.
to fifteen millions a-year. There may next   Thus it appears, that there is, in reality, no
be reckoned about 200,000 with incomes, at want of resources for establishing an efficient
an average of ~300 per annum, who could system of moral and intellectual education on
devote a similar proportion, namely ~30 per the most splendid and extensive scale. Inannum; which would amount to six millions. stead of forty millions in all, we could raise
Supposing the population of Great Britain to forty millions per annum, and would ulti.
be 16,000,000, and that only one-fourth of mately be gainers by such a sacrifice, in the
this number, namely 4,000,000, have it in diminution of crime, the protection of protheir power to devote a certain portion of their perty, the progress of improvement, and the
income to the purposes alluded to, there would increased physical and mental powers of our
still remain 3,750,000 of the lower classes, population.  We have the power and the
who might be supposed, on an average, able  weanzs to promote the reformation of society,
to devote one guinea a-year, to the same ob- and even the renovation of the world at large,
jects, which would amount to nearly four mil- if we had the will to apply them. But this
lions.  So that twenty-five millions of pounds is the grand desideratum. To attempt to conmight be raised annutally for literary, philan- vince some of our dukes and marquises, our
thropic, and religious purposes, without any bishops and squires, our fox-hunters, horse.
one feeling the loss of any sensitive enjoy- racers, and fashionable gamblers, that it is
mcnt, but, on the contrary, enjoying the purest their duty to contribute of their abundance
gratification in beholding improvements going for such an object, would be as vain as to beat
forward, and the plans of benevolence gradually the air, to speak to the hurricane, or attempt
accomplishing. Passing many other consi- to interrupt the dashings of a cataract by the
derations of this kind, the only other item of breath of our nostrils.  But there is one class
expenditure I shall notice is. that which is of the population to which 1 would address
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NECESSITY  OF PHILANTHROPIC EXERTIONS.                           167
myself with some hopes of success-namely, box together, shall beautify the place of his
members of the Christian Church on whom  sanctuary,"-and that, "they shall come on
Providence has bestowed a considerable por- camels and dromedaries, and bring gold and
tlon of wealth and influence.  Many of these incense, and show  forth the praises of the
have already come forward with a noble libe- Lord."  Such offerings are expressions of our
rality in the cause of missions and of general gratitude to God for the bounties of his proviphilanthropy; and they require only an addi- dence and the riches of his grace, and of our
lional stimulus to excite them  to still more desire to co-operate with him, in bringing into
liberal exertions in the cause of human im- effect the purposes of hit will and the predic.
provement.  But the generality of Christians tions of his word; and no ore who is indi,
seem to have forgotten the Divine declaration, ferent to such objects ought to assume the
"The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, character of a follower of Jesus.  And, let
saith the Lord of hosts,"-and that a goodly  Christians remember, that by carr)lng forportion of the wealth which God hath be- ward such a system  of education as that to
stowed upon them, ought to be directly conse- which I refer, they are using the most efficient
crated to his service.  The church itself has means for promoting the extension of the goshitherto been too remiss on this point, and has pel. For the gospel can never be universally
not been careful to enforce upon the con- understood or appreciated till the young be
sciences of its members, their indispensable universally educated. It is owing to the want
obligation to devote their treasures to the pro- of education, and the ignorance and vicious
motion of religion and of public improvement. habits that result from it, that multitudes reHow many nominal Christians do we see fuse to enter within a place of worship, and
living under the influence of that "covetous. when they do come, are incapable of fixing
hess which is idolatry,"-hoarding up hun- their attention on religious objects, or of undreds and thousands of pounds, for the purpose derstanding the truths delivered.
either of avarice or ostentation, or under pre-   In the above statements and remarks, I have
tence of providing fortunes for their families, taken for granted, that the government of this
while it is with the utmost difficulty that a sin- or of any other country might afford, from the
gle guinea can be squeezed from their pockets national funds, a grant of money adequate to
for any object of benevolence or public utility? the establishment of all the institutions to
Almost every one seems to reason, like the which I have alluded-whether infant schools,
Duke of Newcastle, that he has a right " to Sabbath evening institutions, seminaries for the
do uwhat he plealses with his own," not consider- higher branches of moral and intellectual ining that he is responsible to God for the use struction, or preceptoral colleges for the trainhe makes of his riches, and for every shilling ing of teachers. But although no government
he withholds from his service.               were to feel the least interest in such instituUnder the Mosaic economy, the Jews were tions, it is in the power of the people, and within
enjoined to devote a tenth part of their sub- the range of the means they actually possess,
stance to the Levites and the Priests, or, in to establish them, independently of any extraother words, for the purpose of supporting neous support. This, I trust, will appear from
education and the worship of God; for the the considerations stated in the preceding paraLevites were the principal instructors of the graphs.  Let a general " agitation" be excited
people.  Under the Christian dispensation, on this subject-let the inl)ortaLnce of it be
the same proportion, if not more, ought to be clearly proved and illustrated-let the necessity.
voluntarily offered for carrying forward those of doing something more than has hitherto
plans which have a tendency to promote the been done in this respect be fully established
honour of God and the good of mankind.  In  -let a convictio'e be deeply impressed upon
certain cases, where a wealthy individual has the minds of the influential classes of society,
no family of his own, I conceive it is his bound. of the utility of such exertions for counteracten duty to devote at least the one-half of his ing immorality and crime, for improving the
riches to such purposes. Till such views and  social state of human beings, and preparing
practices become more general among Chris. them for future felicity-let societies be formed
tians, we must still look forward to a distant and subscriptions entered into for this purpose
period fi)r the arrival of the Millennium.  For -and let a few seminaries of the description
the purpose of hastening the approach of this referred to, be erected in different districts of
glorious era, we are told, in ancient prophecy, the country,-and I have little doubt that a
that the " kings of Tarshish and of the isles, spirit of improvement in this respect would
shall bring presents, and offer gifts"-that ere long pervade the mass of the community.
" the flocks of Kedar and the rams of Ne- Although many would stand aloof, and evei
baioth," shall be brought as acceptable offer- spurn at such movements, yet I trust there is
ings to the altar of God,-that " the glory of still as much virtue, and liberality, and philanLebanon, the fir-tree, the pine-tree, and the thropy among us, as would lead to no incon(167)




16S               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
siderable exertions in the advancement of the civilized world, to reflect, that she is fat
society in knowledge and religion.  For my  excelled in this respect by a republic on the
own part, I have no hesitation in pledging  one hand,' and a despotical governmentmyself to devote one-fifth of my annual in- (Prussia,) on the other.  The only grant of
come, in the first instance, and ose-tenth of it money that was ever directly given by the
every year afterwards, for the promotion of British Parliament for the promotion of eduthe objects now stated: provided three hun- cation, was ~20,000, which was conceded by
dired individuals in this or any other country, the House of Commons in 1833; and Mr.
shall come forward and pledge themselves to Colquhoun stated, in 1834, that " the utmost
dedicate a similar proportion of their incomes that Scotland required (ultimately) for the
to the furtherance of the same object.*  Such  supply of education, was a provision  of
is the importance I attach to the subject and ~60,000 per annum."  The proposal of such
the plans under consideration; and I feel con- pii'fu7l sunms for so grand and extensive an
fident, from the improvements now going for- object, is little short of an insult offered to the
ward and in agitation, that something more. cause of education, and plainly indicates the
extensive and efficient in this respect than  imperfect and limited views which are still
has ever been attempted, will, ere long, be ac- entertained on this subject.  Some of our
complished.  There is a certain people, at members of Parliament, when they talk of
whom  many of our British grandees and education, appear to mean nothing more than
newspaper critics are disposed to sneer, and  giving the mass of the community a few genupon whom  they affect to look down with a eral instructions in reading, writing, and arithcertain degree of contempt, who, I am  confi- metic, according to the old inefficient system
dent, will be the first to move forward in this which has so long prevailed. The only gentlework of improvement.  They have already  man who has broached this topic in the House
made an advance in education beyond that of of Commons, and who appears to entertain
any other civilized nation, but their system is clear and comprehensive views on the subject
not yet perfect, nor universally  extended. of education, is Mr. Roebuck; but, unfortuThe subject, however, is exciting among them  nately, his proposals and his luminous expoalmost universal attention, and whenever a sition of this subject, seem  to have been, in a
hint for farther improvement is given, it will, great measure, unappreciated and neglected.
I doubt not, be eagerly seized upon, and    Supposing seminaries established to. the
speedily reduced to practice.  They have late- extent which the population of any country
ly undermined, to a great extent, the cause of requires, a difficulty still remains to be surintemperance, and they have it now in their mounted; and that is, How we shall be enpower to consecrate the millions of dollars abled to induce parents and guardians of all
which were formerly spent in degrading sen- ranks to send their children to mne different
suality, to the furtherance of education, and schools appropriated for their instruction? It
thecause of national improvement.t If Britain  would certainly be eligible, in the first indoes not soon arouse herself from her slumbers stance, to try the effects of,morll suasion-to
and move forward in the cause of education, represent to reluctant parents, in the nlost
it will be degrading to the rank she holds in  affectionate manner, the utility and importance of rational and moral instruction, both to
* To prevent misconceptions, it may be proper to  themselves and to their          bnestate, that the author's income, like,that of Gold-                    of
smith's -countryclergyman," has, for eight years ficial effects that would accrue to them even
past. scarcely exceeded "forty pounds a-year,"  in the present life, and the moral certainty
exclusive of the house in which he lives; but should  that they would be directed in the path which
it be increased in future years. the same proportion  that they would be directed in te path which
shall be allotted for the object now specified, and  leads to happiness in the life to come;-and,
a similar proportion shall be deducted front what- in every instance, where poverty, or a disinever profits he may derive from the publication  clination to pay the fees, stood in the wa
of the present volume, or any other that rmay su- cliation to pay the fees, stood in the way,
ceed it. Three hundredgentlermen whose incoines  the children should be educated free of ex.
average ~200 a-year. cotlll, in the first' instance, pense to the parents. For this purpose, about
furnish a suni to commence with, amounting to
~12.000, and every succeeding year asun of~6000  ten millions more, for Great Britain, wtuld
to carry forward their operations; so that. in the require to be annually raised, for defraying
rourse of ten years, ~66.000 would be raised, the charge of educating the children of the
which would be sufficient to establish nearly seventy seminaries, with their libraries, apparatus, poor, and affording salaries fior the teachers in
and munseunls. However romantic it may appear every case where salaries are required.  Few
to some to expect sttch sacrifices, the stllRs now  parents would be found who would perwe
specified are nothinig more than what were pahid
as a tax on such incomes during the late war with  veringly resist the force of such arguments.
France; and they are now solicited only in the But, should moral suasion be insufficient for
shape of a voluntary donation.                this purpose, a law  might be passed, as in
t Here I allude to the Vsorthern Sr tates of Amer- Prussia rendering it imperative on every 
iea. particularly to Pennsylvania New York, New       rendering it mperative on every paJersey. Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine.  rent to have his children, of a certain age,
16S)




INEFFICIENCY OF SEVERE PUNISHMENTS.                         169
regularly attending an appropriate seminary. them  to seize upon every mean of instrucSuch a law would not require to be rigidly tion within their reach; and any individual
enforced beyond the period of a generation, or who reasoned or aceldl Otherwise, would be
even a period of twenty years.,For the chil- considered as a phenlo7mernon in society. Ignodren, once thoroughly trained in morality and rance and its usual accompaniments, obstinacy
religion, and in all the branches of useful and self-conceit, are the chief obstacles which
knowledge formerly specified, when they ar- prevent rational arguments from  producing
rived at manhood, and had families of their their effect, and which render compulsory
own, would require no persuasion or extrane- measures, in certain cases, expedient.  But
ous excitement to induce them to give their when a community has become once thooffspring all the education that can possibly roughly enlightened and moralized, the path
be obtained. The advantages they themselves of duty is clearly perceived to be the path of
have expeienced from instruction, and the interest and of happiness, and compulsory
relish for knowledge they have imbibed, would enactments are rendered unnecessary.
be instead of a thousand arguments to impel
CHAPTER XiI.
On the Utility (f establishing Seminaries for Universal Education.
VArIOus insulated remarks on this topic the average time now stated includes trials
have been interspersed in the preceding pages, that will last a day, and others that occupy
and "the advantages which would result from  several hours.  According to a Report of a
a more general diffusion of knowledge among Committee of the House of Commons, there
all ranks," have been illustrated in a separate were confined in prisons and bridewells, durvolume.* Ishall, therefore, in this place, advert ing seven years, ending in 1831, 122,000
to only two or three additional considerations. persons accused of crimes, or at the rate of
I. The establishment of schools for ufii- 17,428 per annum.  Of these, 85,000 were
versal instruction, while it counteracted igno- convicted of the crimes laid to their charge,
rance, and  improved  the intellect-would so that 12,142 was the average amount of the
tend to the prevention of crime, and might yearly convictions. It has been estimated, in
ultimately extirpate those dispositions and regard to juvenile delinquency, that more than
affections which led to it.                1500 boys, in London alone, are employed in
It was lately stated in the Times newspaper, thieving, picking pockets, and committing all
as the result of a moderate calculation, that kinds of petty depredations. It is also found,
there are 50,000 thieves and pickpockets in that crimes, so far from diminishing, are, in
and about Lonlon. According to the state- this country, regularly increasing.  From the
ment of an intelligent person, who acted seve- Report of a late Committee of Parliament, it
ral years as the teacher of the boy-prisoners appears, that, during the last 14! years they
in Newgate,-there are above fifty committals have increased in the proportion of twentyto this prison every week, on an average, or four to ten, that is, they have been far more
nearly 3000 in the year. The persons com- than dotbled in the course of that short
mitted, of course, are not all new offenders, period.
as the same individuals fiequently return    These statements exhibit a frigl,tiu  view
again. But, although on this account we of the extent and the progress of crimes.
subtract two or three hundreds from this sum, Nor.is it to be wondered at, when we conthe black catllogue swells to a dreadful amount sider the present state of education, anld the
when we add to it the number of prisoners manner in which it is conducted-the princicommitted  to the penitentiaries, correction ples on which our penal code has been conhouses, and other jails of the metropolis. structed, and the manner in which our criminal
Th A tials at the Old Bailey average 2550 in laws are executed. Our penal code, throughthe year, anti Ihey are said to be hurried for- out all its departments, is deeply imbued with
ward with appalling rapidity; the average the spirit of revenge.  To produce pain and
time given to each case being only eight disgrace to the criminal appears to be its
minutes and a half; though many cannot oc- principal object; and, in the great majority of
cupy two, three, or at most five minutes, as instances, it has the effect of hardening and
rendering more desperate the persons whom
* "The Improvement of Society by the Diffil- it ougrht to have softened and reformed. To
sion of Knowledge,' first publislhed in 1833, of r
which two editions have been published in Scot- reform the criminal, to cure him of the moral
land, and four or five in America.         disease which led him into crime, to impaTrt
22                                       P              (169)




170                ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
appropriate instruction to his mind, and to that the design of severe punishments is te
prepare the way for his restoration to society  deter others from  the commission of crimes.
as a renovated character, are circumstances But even this object they are altogether inwhich seem to have been entirely overlooked sufficient to accomplish; for it is well known,
in the arrangements connected with our crimi- that in those countries where pnmishments are
nal legislation.  In this respect a dreadful most appalling and severe, crimes are the
infatuation seems to have seized upon our most frequent.  Even the dreadful punishlegislators, implying a deficiency both of wis- ment inflicted in Russia on the pirates and
dom, of humanity, and of benevolence. When  robbers who infested the banks of the Wolga,
certain species of crime are on the increase, who were hung alive on hooks fastened into
laws still more severe are enacted, and put in their ribs, and left to pine away in agonizing
execution with all the pomp and rigour of torture, for days together, and in hundreds or
authority and revenge.  If whipping and im- thousands at a time, was insufficient to put a
prisonment, toiling at the tread-wheel, labour- stop to the robberies it was intended to preing in the hulks, and transportation beyond vent, and it has been lately abolished.  If we
seas, are insufficient to arrest the progress of compare the crimes committed under some of
crime, then executions without number are the despotical governments of Europe, with
resorted to, in order to sweep the culprits at those committed in the United States, where
once fi-orn the face of the earth.  One enact- the laws are comparatively mild and equitable,
ment after another issues from the source of we shall find that there are much fewer
power; one law comparatively mild is can- crimes committed in the latter case than in
celled, and another more severe substituted  the former.  That capital punishments have
in its place; a severe punishment is some- little influence in deterring from criminal practimes modified and rendered less severe; the tices, appears from the circumstance of robsentence of death is commuted into transporta- beries being frequently committed among the
tion for life, and a year's labour at the tread- crowds assembled during the time of an exemill for seven fears' transportation.  Every  cution.  The following example, extracted
year new enactments, laws, and regulations, from "The Schoolmaster in Newgate," will
with alterations and modifications of former illustrate our position:-" One  morning a
laws, issue from the legislative department of boy," who appears to have been previously
government; but all is of no avail to stop the in the habit of pilfering, "came into his
progress of immorality and crime. Nor need father's room, and seeing nothing to eat for
we wonder at such a result; it is precisely breakfast but bread and butter on the table,
such as we ought to expect from such a mode he said,' What! nothing for breakfast? Ah!
of legislation as now exists.  Our state physi- wait a bit.' He then went out, and in a
cians act nearly in the same manner as the  quarter of an hour came back with rump
quack, who, instead of striking at the root of steaks and a pint of rum, besides having moa sore which is undermining the constitution, aey in his pocket.  He had gone out, and
covers it over with a slender skin, and leaves stolen a piece of Irish linen from a shop on
the internal virus to gather strength till it Ludgate Hill, took it to a buyer of stolen
break  out in incurable ulcers, throughout goods, and bought the articles he had brought
every part of the system.  They attempt to home, all in the short space of fifteen minutes;
lop off the twigs and branches from the tree of and this was not an uncommon thing for him
crime, while they leave the root andathe trunk  to do, although his parents were not in need.
to break forth afresh in still greater luxuriance. The boy was at length transported, when he
No efficient preventive system has yet been  was only fourteen years of age.  He subsearranged to strike at the root of crime, to  quently detailed to me all his practices, and
prevent its growth, and to make the ma- how he got into crime.  His parents resided
chinery of society move onward with smooth- in a court running out of the Old Bailey, and
ness and harmony. And, so long as preventive he had witnessed every execution which had
measures are overlooked, and moral training  taken place during his short career.  So
neglected, the severest laws that can be framed  much for the effect of executions, as supposed
will be altogether inefficient to counteract the  to deter from  crime; —indeed most of the
enlninal propensities of the human heart.*    boys engaged in crime appear to have a
Our legislators and political quacks tell us, great pleasure in attending executions. The
~ Amnerica:s almost the only country where a Pittsburg. and other places. which have already
considerhfredeguoenfattentionhasbeenhestowed  been attended with the most beneficial effects.
on this subject. The inhabitants of the United  Of course, several defects still attach them)selves
States are greatly in advance of European govern- to these establishments;  ufit the plan lately pro.
inents in this respect. having established systems posed by Mr Livingston, Secretary of State at
of penitentiary discipline, on enlightened prinri- Washireton. promises to carrysuch penitentiaries
pies,-connected with regular lahour and religious in their principie and otpetatlon very near to peaInstruction —in Auburn, Sing Sing, Wearhersfield, fection.
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DEFICIENCY OF EDUCATION IN ENGLAND.                          171
author adds, "These boys are capable of re- the title of teacher-being dignified with the
ceiving impressions, and are as susceptible of name of a school."  But let us come to parsentiments of gratitude as any lord's son, if ticulars. According to the "Report of the
the proper treatment were used to draw them  British and Foreign School Society," for
out. It is only by cultivating the best feel- 1833, it is intimated that in the Metropolis
ings of our nature, that any human beings alone, above 150,000 children are growing up
can be improved; all other systems are falla- without education. In one village, containing
cious, and founded on gross error."  The 272 families, consisting of 1467 persons, only
same author informs us, that "There are 562 were found able to read. In other dis.
whole.families who had never any other tricts, villages are pointed  out containing
calling but that of theft-ay, hundreds of 1000, 1500, or 2000 inhabitants, without any
such families are now in being in London efficient school. Whole families are described
who have continued the same course, some as having reached maturity, without any merme.
for twenty, thirty, or forty years. One old ber of them being able to read a single letter
woman said, last year, when her seventh son in short, that many thousands of children are
was transported,'Ha! I know not what I growing up in utter ignorance, not only of
shall do, now poor Ned is going; he was a the elements of learning, belt of all moral and
good lad to me; and though I say it, he was religious obligations. In the town of Nottingas good a hand at his business as any in Lon- ham, it is asserted, in a circular lately published,
don.'' 0, then, he was brought up to busi- that above a thousand children of an age suitness,' I replied.  She rejoined,'God bless able for school, are growing up in total ignoyou, no!  I thought he had told when vou rance. From  a canvass lately instituted by
made his brief that ours was a right sort the Committee of the Herefordshire Auxiliary
of cross family;' adding,'and so was their Bible Society, it appears that out of 41,017
father's father, and good ones they all were; individuals visited, only 24,222, or little more
now there's little Dick, my eldest son's boy; than one-half, were able to read.*  In the
but I think he'll never make the man his Report of the British and Foreign School
father did-he's dull; besides, he's not old Society, for 1831, is the following statement:
enough quite for any good business yet.' "Debasing ignorance prevails to an extent
Some of these pathetic mothers will, when which could not be credited, were it not veriwarmed with the cream, speak of the num- flied by the closest investigation.  The facts
bers which have fallen in their families with which have been elicited respecting the moral
as much pride and exultation as a Spartan and intellectual state of those counties which
mother of old used to do, when numbering have been disgraced by riots and acts of
her sons who had fallen in their country's incendiarism, are truly affecting, and yet they
cause. The increase of these families is daily are but a fair representation of the actual
going on, through intermarriages, and other state of our peasantry.  Out of nearly 700
ramifications offamily connections; and thus, prisoners put on trial in four counties, upin a great measure, is the problem solved, as wards of two hundred and sixty were as
to the increase of crime. This is an epitome ignorant as the savages of the desert-they
of the history of the poor in London and its could not read a single letter. Of the whole
environs, which might have been given of 700, only 150 could write, or even read with
them forty years ago, and will apply, for ages ease; and nearly the whole number were totally
to come, unless the legislature grapple with ignorant with regard to the nature and oblithe subject at once."  Such facts evidently gations of true religion."  In the reports of
show, that neither severity of punishment, the same Society for 1832-3, it is stated, "In
nor any other arrangement yet made by our September, 1831, out of 50 prisoners put on
legislators, is adequate to arrest the progress trial at Bedford, only four could read. In
of crime, and to promote the reformation of January, 1833, there were in the same prison
society.                                   between 50 and 60 awaiting their trials, of
The deficiency ofeducation in our country, whom  not more than ten could read, and
as well as the inefficiency and absurdity of even some of these could not make out the
our penal enactments, will account for the sense of a sentence, though they knew their
increase of crime. Instead of one out of four letters. At Wisbeach, in the Isle of Ely, out
of the population, attending instruction, it is of 19 prisoners put on trial, only six were
estimated that in England only one out of able to read and write, and the capital offences
sixteen, in Scotland one out of ten, and in were committed entirely by persons in a state
Ireland but one out of eighteen, are receiving of the most debasing ignorance.
scholastic instruction, which, in most cases, is   Not only in England, but even in Scotland,
miserably deficient; " every miserable garret we shall find a glaring deficiency in the means
or hovel in which weakness or decrepitude of education. In Glasgow, at the last census,
ekes out a wretched subsistence, by abusing   * Edinburgh Review, No. 117 Oct. 1833.
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172              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
there were, between the ages of 5 and 15, chisms, speeches, psalms and hymns; but the
46,000, that is, between one-fourth and one- imparting of clear and comprehensive ideap
fifth of the population at an age to receive on all those subjects on which man is inteeducaefion. But, in point of fact, it is found rested as a rational, social, and immortal
that there are only one-fourteenth at school, being. There has never yet been a complete
or 14,285, reckoning the whole population and efficient system of education, of this deat 200,000; consequently there are 31,715 scription, established in any country under
children absent from the means of instruction, heaven; the improvements lately introduced
who ought to be attending them; and it is in the United States, Prussia, Wirtemberg,
found that there are about 6000 living by Bavaria; and other places, being only approxicrime, a large proportion of whom are young. mations; and hence society, in such countries,
In the Abbey parish of Paisley, which con- though greatly meliorated, is not yet half
tains nearly one-haff of the whole population, moralized or reformed.-That such a system
only one-twentieth attend school. In this of instruction, universally established and juditown there are 3000 families among whom  ciously conducted, would raise the tone of moral
education does not enter, and where children  feeling, and counteract criminal propensities,
are growing up wholly untaught. " In Perth, no sane mind will presume to call in question.
the proportion attending school is under one- W5e find, from the facts above stated, that
fifteenth; and in Old Aberdeen only one ignorance and crime are intimately connected
twenty-fifth. As to the country districts, in -that those who rendered themselves amenthe 132 parishes in the counties of Banff, able to the laws of their country, had been
Elgin, and Aberdeen, the average,of the allowed to grow up without instruction-and
whole is one-eleventh; and there are in- that "the capital offences were committed
stances of one-twelfth, one-thirteenth, one- entirely by persons in a state of the most
fifteenth, and  one-twentieth, in the other debasing ignorance."  Indeed all the cases
parishes, taken  indiscriminately  over the stated, may be considered as cases of absolute
south and central parts of Scotland. In a ignorance; for although some of the criminals
parish in the county of Berwick, the propor- alluded to, " knew their letters, they could not
tion at school is one-fifteenth; in a parish in make out the sense of a sentence;" and the
the county of Dumbarton one-thirteenth; and, bare circumstance of being able to read, or,
lest it should be surmised that this deplorable in other words, to pronounce the souznds of
state as to education exists only in manu- words and characters, is unworthy the name
facturing parishes, where a dense population of education, though it is too frequently dignihas recently arisen, it is proper to state, that fled with this appellation.
several of these instances are in rural parishes;   If ignorance, then, with all its usual debasing
the two worst instances-those in the counties accompaniments, be one of the chief sources
of Banff and Aberdeen-being entirely coun- of crime, we have only to remove the cause
try parishes. In the 143 Highland parishes, in order to prevent the effect.  Wherever the
out of 500,000, there are 83,000 who cannot mind has been thoroughly enlightened and
read, and have no means of learning; and judiciously trained from  infancy in moral
there are 250,000 who cannot write."* Such habits, the tendency to criminal practices has
is the deplorable deficiency of education even been at the same time subdued.  "Train up
in Scotland, which has been so much lauded a child in the way he should go, and when he
on account of its parochial establishments, is old he will not depart from it."  I question
and the intelligence of its population; and if a single instance can be brought forward
therefore we need not wonder that, even here, inconsistent with this position.  (See page
immorality and crime have of late been on the 61.)  This likewise holds true in the case
increase.                                  of nations as well as individuals-in proporWhat is the remedy, then, which will coun- tion to the extent and the efficiency of the
teract, and ultimately subvert the moral evils means employed.  In Ireland, there is more
to which we have adverted?  I answer, with- crime than in England, and in England more
out the least hesitation-Intellectual, Moral, than in Scotland; and this is corresponding
and Religious instruction, universally ex- to the proportion of the means of instruction
tended-not the formrr of education without in the respective countries. In the Northern
the substance, not merely pronunciation, cy- States of America, particularly New England,
phering, and conning memorial tasks, not where almost the whole population is well
merely committing to memory, formulas, cate- educated, there is perhaps less crime and
misery than in any other country in the
* The above facts are abridged from Mr. Colqu- world.t In regard to New York, it is worthy
houn's statements in Parliament respecting education in Scotland-who deserves no little praise   t In reference to the city of Boston. the Capital
for the labour and attention he has bestowed on of New-England, Mr. Stuart, in his "Three years
the suhject.                              in North America," has the following remarks
172')




EXPENSE OF PUNISHING CRIME.                                   173
of remark, in this point of view, that there support an efficient national education.  It
was no conviction for murder or' any other has been estimated, that the expenses attendcapital offence, in tlhat State, comprising two  ant on the imprisonment, the convicti(n, and
millions of inhabitants-during the year 1832. the punishment of criminals, will average
The number of schools in New York, that more than a hundred pounds for each indiyear, was 9270; the number of scholars about vidual.  According to a statement formerly
500,000, besides those attending academies made, there are yearly  committed  to  jail
and colleges; and the total expenditure for 17,428 persons accused of crimes.  At ~115
common schools the same year, 1,126,486  for each, the annual expense of the whole
dollars, or ~250,329; which is more than  would amount to more than two millions. If
four times the sum  which Mr. Colquhoun  we add to this the interest of the money exsays Scotland would require for the supply  pended in the erection and repair of jails,
of education, although its-population exceeds penitentiaries, bridewells, bulks, and houses
that of New York by 400,000.  In Prussia, of correction-the salaries of jailers, judges,
since an improved system  of education was bailiffs, and all the other- officers connected
established in that c'untry, it is found that with criminal courts, together with the fees
crimes have been greatly diminished, and that of pleaders, attorneys, &c. we shall have, at
newspapers, magazines, and other publica- least other four millions. If we were to make
tions have, in many places, increased more  a rude estimate of the loss of property susthan tenfold. Were we possessed of accurate  tained by criminal depredations, the amount
statistical statements of the progress of educa- would be enormous.  " I have been assured,"
tion and of crime in. the different countries of says " The Schoolmaster in Newgate," " that
Europe and the States of America, 1 have no  ~200 and even ~300 in a week, has been
doubt it would clearly appear, that crime is obtained by one man and a boy, merely by
regularly diminished nearly in proportion to  abstracting the money in shops which is kept
the progress of an enlightened and efficient in tills and desks." But supposing, on an avereducation.  But let no one presume to affirm  age, only ~120 per annum, as the amount of
that the inhabitants of any country are edu- depredation committed by each thief and pickcated, when little more than the form  of pocket-the  number of such  characters in
instruction is imparted, and where less than  London being estimated at 50,000, the loss
one-fourth of the population is actually in- sustained by such depredations will amount
structed.                                       to six millions; and if we reckon the depreHad I not already dwelt too long on this dations in all the other parts of the kingdom
topic, it might have been shown, that the  to amount only to the same sum, we shall
expense of' p.nishing crime, and the losses have twelve millions of loss sustained by deof property to society in consequence of its  predations on' property.  The police estabprevalence, would be more than sufficient to  lishment in London costs above ~200,000
-"This city is clean and well paved, and seems various descriptions; of which there is one pubto be not only entirely free-of beggars, but of any  lished every half y6ar; 7 every quarter, 5 every
population thfit is not apparently living comfort- two months, 3 every fortnight, 22 monthly, and
able. I did not observe a single individual in the  nine annually, including 6 almanacs; being in all,
streets of this city who was not well apparelled, 47 periodicals, in a city containing only 62,000 innor an individual of what we call the lower habitants. These periodicals, it is evident, would
orders."-'- At Boston there is not the semblance  never be published and sold, unless the inhabitof idleness and filth amnong the people anywhere. ants at large were universally given to reading.All are, or seenm to be, in the full enjoyment of the  And where a habit of reading useftil publications
necessaries of life; and all busy, active, and em- is aeneral, the hydra of Crimie will seldom lift up.ployed. What a contrast, in these respects, be- -its head-the mind being preocdiipied with nobler
tween this city and the city of Dublin, which, in  pursuits. As an evidence of the immIense quantity
July, 1827, I saw crowded with beggars almost of literary works distributed in these States, I was
naked, even in the heart of it; and, on thie arrival lately informed by a literary correspondent in
ofa mail-coach is sackville Street, scramnbling for Connecticuit, that one of the printers in  Hartford,
the few halfpence which the passengers threw  the capital of that State, containing only 8000 inamong then." —Itn 1830, the: nutmber of schools in  habitants-had printed, during the year 1833, of
Boston was 235, of which 80 were public, and 155  Georraphies alone, great and small, no less than
private schools, besides about a dozen academies 200.000 copies.-The general state of education in
and classical schools, several of which are excli- Massachilsetts is as follows: The whole number
sively devoted tofe,,tale pupils. The total expense  of towns in the State is 305, and ihe who-le popuof the schools in 1829, for tuition, fuel, books, &c. lation 610.014. The population of 99 towns, froin
196,829 dollars, or a;hout ~43,739, which is more  which returns were lately made, is 201,681. Of
than double the erant for education voted by par- these 57,866 attended public or private schools,
liament in 1833. to be distributed over the whole -which is equal to the proportion of 1 to 31; or
of Britain — Where education. is so general and  three times the nlumnber in proportion to the pcpuwell-conducted,  ilmnost every individual is a lotion of those attending schools in Scotland. In
reader. Hence the number of publications in  addition to which it ought to be considered that
Massachusetts. Connecticut, &c. exceeds that of the education in New-England is far more effiany other country. In Boston, there are regularly  cient and comprehensive than in this country. —
published 10 daily newspapers, 7 twice a —week, The above statetnents are selected fromn the
and 26 weekly, hein!o 43 in all-besides Magazines, "American Quarterly Register" for Mlay, 1833,
Rev'iews, and Religious and Literary Journals of and the " American Almanac" for 1834
P 2              (173)




174              OIN THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
a-year; and if we take'into account the ex- behold, even among this class, ignorance- 
penses connected with all the other police most subjects with which every rational and
establishments of the nation, which may be religious being ought to be acquainted, cornreckoned at seven times that sum, we shall bined with hatred of all religious sects but
have an amount of ~1,400,000 on this head: their own, with wealth-engrossing dispositions,
-whereas, less than one-fifth of that sum  and " covetousness, which is idolatry."
would be suffl:'nt for the preservation of   What a pitiful picture of ignorance and
order among a renovated population. Many degradation would the inhabitants of this
other items might have been stated, but the world present to the view of intelligences of a
above sums, amounting to nearly twenty higher order!  Were an inhabitant of the
millions, would be more than sufficient for planet Saturn to wing his flight to this globe
carrying forward a system of national educa- of ours, and were he capable of communicating
tion on the most ample and splendid scale. his sentiments in language intelligible to man,
It is therefore madness in the extreme to we should expect to learn from him a minute
attempt any longer to repress crime by such detail of tile history and geography of the globe
a machinery as has hitherto been employed, to which he belonged, of the peculiar phenomewhile we neglect the only efficient means by na of nature in that region, of the various aswhich its operations may be controlled, and pects of the moons, the diversified appearances
its principle extirpated.  The very principle of the magnificent rings which encircle that
of economy, if no higher motive impel, should world, and descriptions of the different scenes
induce us to alter our arrangements, and to of nature, the operations of art, the sciences
build on a new foundation. It was lately cultivated by its inhabitants, and the plan of
said to the public of Edinburgh, with great God's moral government among them; and,
propriety, when solicited to contribute to the doubtless, our curiosity to become acquainted
erection of a school,-" Give your pence to with the physical and moral arrangements of
infant schools," (I may add, to well conducted another world, would be abundantly gratified.
seminaries of all descriptions,) "and save your But were an inhabitant of our globe, fiom
pounds on police establishments, jails, bride- among the lower or even from among many
wells, transportations, and executions."  In of the higher classes, to be transported to one
this way we should be enabled, at the same of the planets, what account could he give of
time, both to improve society, and to increase the arts and sciences, of the history, statistics,
our national resources.                    and natural scenery of our world?  What
II. Such an education as now proposed, could he say of its continents, rivers, islands,
universally extended, would improve the men- oceans, and volcanoes; its mountain scenery,
tal faculties, and raise the character of man and the properties of its atmosphere, of the
far beyond the level to which it has hitherto variegated surface of the moon, and the pecuattained.  During almost the whole of the liarities of its motions, of the history of its
past periods of this world's history, the human inhabitants, or the progress they had made in
faculties have been seldom exerted with vigour, knowledge?  What description could he give
except for the purpose of promoting mischief, of the arts and inventions of modern times, of
procuring the means of animal subsistence, or the construction of the instruments by which
indulging in childish and degrading amuse- we view distant objects, and by which we
ments.'Even in the present enlightened age, penetrate into the scenes invisible to the unas it has been termed, what are the pursuits assisted eye, of the principle of air-balloons,
which fascinate and absorb almost the whole steam-engines, air-pumps, mechanical powers,
attention of the higher classes of society  electrical machines, or galvanic batteries 2
Horse-racing, fox-hunting, prize-fighting, gam- Above all, what could he tell them  of the
bling, duelling, coach-driving, "steeple-chases," moral dispensations of the Creator towards
slaughtering moor-fowl " o'er hill and dale," our world, and of what is contained in the rev.
masquerades, theatrical amusements, and dis-, elations of his word?  He could perhaps tell
sipations of all kinds. And what are the em- them that there were hills, and rivers, and fourployments of a great proportion of the lower footed beasts, and men that were employed in
ranks, besides: their stated occupations? Cock- killing each other; but could convey no precise
fighting, gambling, sauntering about the streets, idea of any thing in which this world differed
indulging in drunkenness, licentiousness, and from that to which he had been transported.
crel sports and diversions-while they remain  He would be looked down upon with pity as
in ignorance of all that is grand and beautiful a kind of lusus naturse, unworthy of the
in the Creator's works, and feel no relish for name of a rational being. Of 800 millions
intellectual enjoyments.  Even the acquire- of men that people our globe, there are at
ments and pursuits of professed Christians least 750 millions of this description, who
are far inferior to the standard of intelligence could give little more information respectinc
and morality which religion prescribes; for we the peculiarities of our world to the inhalit
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INTRODUCTION OF THE MILLENNIUM.                            175
ants of another planet, than they coild re- conveyances in' every direction by sea and
ceive from  an elephant or a beaver, if such land; and the carrying forward to perfection
creatures had the faculty of communicating th., various arts and sciences.  But as I have
their ideas.                               elsewhere adverted a little to some of these
Such is the present character of the great objects, I shall only add, in the meantime,
majority of this world's population-and how  that the value and security of property in
is it to be elevated to a standard' befitting a any country, depend, in a great measure,
rational and immortal intelligence?  Only by upon the intelligence and morality of its
the universal extension of such an education population.  If the whole mass of society
as that, the outlines of which we have faintly were thoroughly enlightened and moralized,
sketched. The communication of knowledge we should no longer hear of " strikes" taking
is the first part of that process by which the place among workmen, of servants embezzling
human character is to be raised and adorned, the property of their masters, or of conlbinaas light was the first agent employed in the tions being entered into in opposition to the
arrangement of the material creation; and interests of their employers. Every man's
this knowledge must, in every instance, be house would be his castle; and we should lie
conjoined with religious principle and moral down to rest in the evening in perfect security
conduct, otherwise it will only prove the in- from the incendiary, the insidious pilferer, and
telligence of demons. Man, although, in one the midnight depredator. This security has
point of view, he is allied to the beasts of the already been partially felt in those countries
field, in another, he is allied to superior na- where an enlightened education is general.
tures, and even to the Deity himself; and Mr. Stuart, when describing the New England
therefore ought to be rendered fit for asso- States, remarks, that "robberies very seldom
ciating with such intelligences-for receiving happen in that country, and that the doors
from them communications of knowledge and of houses are frequently left unzlocked during
felicity, and for imparting to them similar night"-the inhabitants having little fear of
benefits in return. If man is destined to a either depredations or annoyance from their
future world, as we profess to believe, he will, neighbours.
doubtless, mingle with beings of various orders   III. Intellectual and religious education,
during that interminable existence which lies universally extended, in combination with
before him; and his preparation for such every other Christian exertion, would be more
intercourses will, in a great measure, depend efficient than any other arrangement hitherto
on the training he receives, and the principles made for hastening the approach of the Milhe imbibes, during his sojourn in this sublu- lennium. That a period is about to arrive,
nary sphere. There is no essential difference when knowledge, holiness, and joy, shall disbetween men on earth, and the highestcreated tinguish the inhabitants of the world in a
beings in any region of the universe, but degree far surpassing what we have yet exwhat consists in the degree of knowledge, and perienced, is clearly predicted in the oracles
the degree of holiness, or moral perfection, of. inspiration. By these oracles we are inwhich they respectively possess. When man formed, that "All the ends of the world shall
is endowed with a competent measure of these remember and turn to the Lord, and all the
qualifications, he is fitted for the highest de- kindreds of the nations worship before him"gree of social enjoyment, both in this life and that "the earth shall be full of the knowledge
in the world to come; and therefore, in so far of Jehovah, as the waters cover the seas,"as we refuse to lend our aid to the cause of and that " all shall know him, from the least
universal instruction, or set ourselves in oppo- to the greatest,"-that " the glory of the Lord
sition to it, we do every thing in our power shall be revealed, and all flesh see it together,"
to debase the character of our fellow men, to -that "the heathen shall be given to Mesprevent them from rising in the scale of in- siah for his inheritance, and the uttermost
telligence, and to interpose a barrier to their ends of the earth for his possession,"-that
present and future happiness.              " all kings shall fall down before him, all naI might likewise have shown the utility of tions serve him, and the whole earth be filled
universal education, from  the tendency it with his glory,"-that during the continuance
would have to induce the mass of mankind of this happy era, "wars shall cease to the
to lend their aid in promoting every scheme ends of the earth, and the nations shall dewhich tends to advance the improvement of light themselves in the abundance of peace,"
the social state of man; the cultivation of the -that "the earth shall yield her increase,
soil, the forming of spacious roads and foot- and be fat and plenteous," —that the inha.
paths, canals, rail-roads, and bridges; the uni- bitants "shall build houses and inhabit them,
versal illumination of towns, villages, and the and plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them,
country at large, by gas-lights and other con- and shall long enjoy the work of their hands,"
trivances; the establishment of expeditious — that "the) shall go out with joy and be led
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176              ON THE MORAL iMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
forth in peace," —that " there shall be nothing mant, because it has not been previously pre.
to hurt or destroy," and that irighteousness pared for its reception; and, to palliate ouw
and praise shall spring forth before all nations." remissness and inactivity, we have sometimes
In what manner, then, may we conceive that had the presumption to ascribe this effect to
such predictions will be accomplished  Are the withholding of Divine influence.  Let it
we to suppose that, by one appalling act of not, however, be imagined that I mean to disOmnipotent power, the wicked will at once courage the preaching of the gospel. No:
be swept from the face of the earth, and that nothing is farther from  niy intention.  Let
the physical aspect of our globe will be in- the gospel be proclaimed still more extenstantly changed and renovated by the same sively, and with far more energy and pathos
Almighty energy, as at the first creation  than have ever yet been displayed; and let
Or, are we to conclude, that this- auspicious missionary exertions, and every other Chrisera will be introduced in consistency with the tian activity now in operation, be carried forestablished laws of nature, and by the agency ward with still greater vigour.  But ]f't; our
of human beings, under the influence and di- chief attention be directed to the preparation.rection of the Divine Spirit?  For the former of the minds of the young for the reception
supposition we have no evidence whatever in  of the truths of religion-to invigorate their
any of the intimations given of this event in rational powers and their principles of action,
the Scriptures, and it would be inconsistent and to counteract, on the first appearance,
with all that we know-of the by-past opera- evSery evil propensity,-and then we may extions of the Divine government; as might be pect that the " Word of God" will soon run
clearly shown, by an induction of facts and like a mighty river through the world, and
arguments of various'kinds, were this the "have free course and be glorified," enlightproper place to enter into such a discussion. ening the understanding, purifying the affecIf, then, we admit the latter conclusion, it will tions, and  "bringing  into captivity every
follow, that the Millennium will be introduced thought to the obedience of Christ."  An inby a concentration of the moral and intellec- tellectual, moral, and religious  education,
tual energies of mankind directed to this great universally extended, constitutes the essence
object-by following out those plans which  of the Millennium; it is one of its chief chaare calculated to promote the renovation of racteristics, and will form the foundation of
the world-by the consecration of a far greater all the happiness which will then be enjoyed;
proportion of our treasures for this purpose for it is one of the distinguishing circumthan has ever yet been thought of-and by  stances connected with that period, that "all
directing our' eyes to the Supreme Disposer shall know Jehovah, from  the least to the
of events for that wisdom which is " profitable greatest."  But how can we expect that the
to direct us" in all our arrangements, acknow- superstructure can be reared, if the foundaledging Him as the original source: of all our tions be not laid, or that " the desert will reactivities, and who alone can render them  joice and blossom as the rose," while the hand
successful.                                 of industry is never applied to root up the
What, then, are those means by which the briers and thorns, and to cultivate the soil?
moral world may be renewed "in knowledge    Is it inquired, when may we expect the Miland holiness, after the image of Him who lennium  to commence?  I reply, just when
created it."  Undoubtedly the eficient train- we please.  Are we willing  that it should
ing of the young from the earliest period of commence in the present age?  We have the
infancy to the age of manhood, is one of the means in our power, if we choose to apply
~first and most important steps to the thorough  them. In the course of forty years from this
renovation of the world-a subject which has date the Millennium  might not only be comhitherto been egregiously trifled with, and al- menced, but in a rapid progress towards the
most' overlooked, in our Christian arrange- summit of its glory,-provided we are willing
ments.  We have all along laid too much at this moment to concentrate all our moral
stress upon the mere preaching of. the gos- and intellectual energies, and to de-ote all
pel, or, in other words, the delivery of a piece our superfluous wealth, or at least a tenth
of human composition to a mixed multitude,
the one-half of whom are unprepared by pre-   * In this and various other parts of this work, I
vious instruction either to understand or to have used the words moral and religiinos, in com.pliance with common usage, as if they conveyed
appreciate its truths; and hence the compara- distinct ideas. But I conceive that mhe ideas they
tively feeble effects which have been produced express are so intimately connected that they can
on tlhe moral characters of men; hence the never be separated.  There can be no trtue moon the moral characters of men; hence the rality but what is founded on religion, or the princonfused conceptions entertained of Divine ciples of Christianity; and religion can hlave no
truth; and hence it happens, in certain cases, real existence but as connected with the 7morality
that the truth delivered rebounds from the of the Bihle-the promotion of which, in lprinciple
and conndict, is the great object of all the revelaheart like a ball of cork from a wall of ada- tions of Heaven.
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EXERTIONS PRECEDING THE MILLENNIUM.                           177
part of it, to the furtherance of this object. of ministers and others aspiring after the
Nay, in the course of half that period, we highest stations and the largest salaries, in
should have a generation rising up in know- order to increase their incomes. Let us now
ledge and holiness, far superior to any race see what sacrifices they will make of the
which has appeared in the world during the wealth which God has given them for the purages that are past.  For, were we just now  pose of promoting his glory in the world.
to commence a universal system of infant in- Let us see whether God or Mammon, whether
struction, and continue the course through all the promotion of the best interests of manthe higher departments formerly specified-in kind or " the lust of the flesh and the pride or
the course of twenty years all the children life," rule supreme in their hearts. That man
who are now about two years of age (if con- who refuses to come forward with his wealth,
tinued in life) would have arrived at the age when it is proved to be requisite for the purof twenty-two, in an enlightened and moral- poses alluded to, ought not to assume the
ized state, and would form the most numerous name of a Christian.  He has never felt the
and influential portion of the population, and influence of that divine maxim of our Saviour,
give a tone to all ranks of society. Even the " It is more blessed to give than to receive."
physical aspect of the globe, within the course He virtually declares, that " laying up treasure
of another century, might be renovated, and on earth," providing fortunes for his family,
adorned with every thing that is beautiful keeping up a certain rank in society, and
and sublime.  The wealth that has been ex- living in luxurious abundance, are matters of
pended in the madness of warfare, even by far greater importance than the approach of
civilized nations, during a century past, had the Millennium and the regeneration of the
it been appropriated to philanthropic improve- world. If a man is in doubt with respect to
ments, would have been sufficient to have the existence of religious principle in his soul,
cultivated all the desolate wastes of our globe, I know not a better test than this, by which
to have made its wilderness like Eden, and to try the sincerity of his Christian profession:
its deserts " like the garden of the Lord,"-in  Is he willing, at the call of God, to give up a
short, to have transformed it into something portion of his possessions to His service, and
approaching to a terrestrial paradise.  We even " to forsake all" to prove himself "a folhave it in our power to accomplish all this in lower of Christ?" There is a certain class of
the century to come, if we -are willing to de- religionists who are continually whining about
vote our energies and our treasures to the the low state of religion, and the wickedness
purposes of philanthropy and general benevo- that prevails among all ranks; and there is
lence.                                    another class who are frequently talking about
But, is it of any avail to address the ma- the calculations that have been made respectjority of our fellow-men on this subject? No: ing the predicted period of the " latter-day
we might as soon speak to the tides and cur- glory;" but when you ask any of these classes
rents of the ocean, and expect them to stop to put their hands in their pockets, in order
at our command, as to expect that the current to supply means for improving society and
of licentiousness, folly, ambition, and avarice, hastening the approach of that glory, they
in which three-fourths of mankind are carried will rebound from you as the north-poles of
headlong, will stop its course, and diverge into two magnets rebound from each other, and
the channel of' religion, philanthropy and will tell you. with an air of apathy and spiribeneficence. But I trust there is still a select tual pride,'that the spirit is not yet poured
band of Christian philanthropists who only out, that man can do nothing of himself, and
require to be convinced of the necessity of that God's time is not yet come.' If Chrisextraordinary exertion, and to receive an ad- tians were universally to act upon such views,
ditional stimulus, in order to excite them to a the predicted  glory of future ages would
godlike liberality. What sacrifice would it be never be realized. " It is not for us to know
to a man who has ~500 a-year to devote an- the times and the seasons which the Father
nually ~100 to the purposes of religious and hath reserved in his own power;" but we
intellectual improvement? to another who know that it is our present duty to consecrate
has ~1000 a-year to devote ~300, and to to the service of God and the good of mananother who has ~10,000 to allot ~4000 an- kind all the powers and faculties with which
nually for the same object? It would not de- we are invested, all the energies we are capapri-e any one of them either of the. necessa- ble of exerting, and all the treasures not esties or of the luxuries of life, or of any thing sential to our - comfort, to carry forward the
that contributes to comfort, honour or sensi- building of the Spiritual Temple, and toW
tive enjoyment.  It is now high time that the " prepare the way of the Lord."
sincerity of a profession of Christianity should   In short, it is now more than time that true
be tried by the test of pounds, shillings, and  Christians were rising above the false maxims
dollars. We have beheld numerous instances of the world, the calculating spirit of com23                                                     (177)




178              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
merce, the degrading views of the sons of "Who, then, is a wise man among us, and
avarice, and the pursuit of earthly honours endowed with knowledge,"-" to whom God
and distinctions, and acting in conformity to hath given riches, and  the power to use
the noble character by which they wish to be them?"-let him come forward with his stores
distinguished. Let them come forward in the of knowledge and his treasures of wealth, and
face of the world, and declare by their conduct, dedicate them to the service of the Most High;
and their noble generosity, that while they and bring along with him a few more conge..
enjoy and relish the bounties of the Creator, nial minds to embark in the same undertakthey despise the vain pageantry of fashionable ing, and great shall be his reward. "For
life, with all its baubles, and are determined to they that be wise shall shine as the brightness
consecrate to rational and religious objects all of the firmament, and they that turn many to
the superfluities of wealth which have been righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."
hitherto devoted to luxury and pride. Every   It is said, that when the town of Calais,
Christian hero should be distinguished in so- after a siege of twelve months, wished to surciety (whether he be sneered at or applauded render to Edward III. he demanded that six
by the men of the world) by his determined of the most considerable citizens should be
opposition-to worldly principles and maxims-  sent to him, carrying the keys of the city in
by his abhorrence of avarice-by his active ex- their hands, bareheaded and barefooted, with
ertions in the cause of philanthropy-and by ropes about their necks, to be sacrificed to his
the liberal portion of his substance which he vengeance. This cruel demand threw the indevotes -to the cause of education and reli- habitants into a state of unutterable constergion; and the Church ought to exclude from  nation. and they found themselves incapable
her pale all who refuse, in this way, to ap- of coming to any resolution in so distressing
prove themselves the disciples of Jesus. Bet- a situation. At last, one of the principal inhabiter have a Church composed of a select band tants, Eustace de St. Pierre, stepped forth, and
of a hundred "right-hearted men," ardent, declared himself willing to encounter death
generous, and persevering, than a thousand for the safety of his friends and companions;
lukewarm professors, who are scarcely dis- another, animated by his example, made a
tinguishable from the world. and who attempt like generous offer; a third and a fourth preto serve both God and Mammon. Such a sented themselves to the same fate, and the
select band of Christian heroes, in different whole number was soon completed. Shall
parts of the Universal Church, "shining as such a sacrifice as this, extending even to life
lights in the world, in the midst of a perverse itself, be cheerfully made; and shall we not
generation," and exerting all their influence find as many Christians in every town willand power in counteracting ignorance and de- iig to sacrifice the third, or fourth, or at
pravity, and promoting the diffusion of every least the tenth part of their property for
branch of useful knowledge, would do more to the good of mankind, and the regeneration
prepare the way for the approach of the Mil- of society?  The offerings, in ancient times,
lennium, than ten times the number of a mixed for the service of God, far exceeded any
multitude of professing Christians who are thing that has yet been attempted under the
sunk into a state of apathy, and have little Christian  economy. The gold and  silver
more of religion than the name. Their in- alone, offered for the rearing of the taberfluence would be poweSful in every circle nacle, amounted to upwards of ~300,000 of
in'which they moved-they would make the the present value of British money, besides
rich professors of religion ashamed of their the brass, the shittim wood, the linen, the emparsimony and their indolence-they would broidered curtains, the oynx stones and jewels,
induce the lukewarm Christian either to come and the regular tithe which every Israelite ancheerfully forward with his wealth and influ- nually paid of all that he possessed. When
ence, or give up the profession of religion al- the temple was about to be erected, David,
together, and take his stand at once among along with his princes and captains, contrithe men of the world; and they would stimu- buted no less than 108,000 talents of gold,
late the young generation around them to con- and 1,017,000 talents of silver, which amountsecrate the vigour of their lives to such holy ed to more than 900 millions of pounds stelactivities. They would doubtless be sneered ling; and the expense of the sacrifices offered
at by the licentious, the avaricious, and the on this occasion amounted to several hundred
gay; and even by the proud and wealthy thousand pounds. —  Chron. xxii. 14.-xxix.
ecclesiastic, who has never imbibed the spirit 3-9.  These offerings were a tribute of graof a Neff or an Oberlin; but every one who is titude to God, the original bestower of every
conscious that "his witness is in heaven, and enjoyment; and hence, David, when  he
his record on high," will look down with a blessed the Lord before all the congregation,
becoming indifference on the scorn of such  declared, "All things come of thee, and of
men, arll "hold on his wav rejoicing."-  thine own have we giren thee. All this store
(17S.




THE PILGRIMS OF NEW  ENGLAND.                            l79
we have prepared to build an house for thy on the advancement they have hitherto made,
holy name cometh of thee, and is all thine and "stretch forwards towards those things
own."  The tithes, or tenth of their income, which are before."  There are, perhaps, few
were designed as an acknowledgment that circumstances in the history of mankind more
they had received their estates from his free remarkable than the landing of the persecuted
gift, and held them  by no other tenure but pilgrims of New England on the rock at
his bounty. They were a kind of quit-rent Plymouth, and the important consequences
annually paid to the Great Proprietor of the'which have been the result of the settlement
sLil, for the maintenance of his worship, and of that small and distressed colony. About a
the instruction of the people.  And why hundred individuals, driven from their native
should not the estates of Christians be viewed land by the demon of persecution, landed at
in the same light, and a similar portion of that point, near the middle of winter in 1620,
them be devoted to the same purpose?  The with prospects the most dismal and discourtenth of the incomes of the inhabitants of aging-fatigued by a long and boisterous voyBritain would annually amount to many mil- age-forced on a dangerous and unknown
lions; yet all that has been collected by the shore On the approach of the most rigorous
British and Foreign Bible Society, the most season of the year-surrounded with hostile
popular of all our religious institutions, during barbarians, without the least hope of human
thirty years of its operation, is only about two aid-worn out with toil and suffering, and
millions of pounds. Notwithstanding, how- without shelter from the rigour of the climate;
ever, the general apathy which exists on this so that, in the course of three or four months,
subject, I am disposed to indulge the hope, forty-six of their number were carried off by
that, ere long, thousands of Christians in dif- mortal sickness. Yet this small band of Chrisferent parts of the Church, will come cheer- tian heroes laid the foundation of all the imnfully forward and consecrate, not merely a provements in kn.rwledge, religion, liberty,
tenth, but in many instances, one-haf of their agriculture and the al.. that distinguish the
substance, for carrying forward the designs of New England States; wnich now contain a
Providence fobr the reformation of the world. population of nearly two millions of souls.
Such offerings are nothing more than what Through their instrumentality, and that of
is requisite for accomplishing this grand ob- their successors, "the wilderness has been
ject; and when such a spirit of liberality ble- turned into fruitful fields," hundreds of cities
comes general in the Christian Church, we and towns have been founded, colleges and
may confidently expect that the happy era is splendid temples have been reared, civil and
fast approaching, when the light of divine religious liberty established on a solid basis,
truth shall shed its radiance on every land-  the education of the young, and mental and
when "The glory of Jehovah shall be re- moral improvement, promoted to an extent
vealed, and, all flesh shall see it together-  beyond that of any other nation upon earth.
when the wilderness and the solitary place These circumstances furnish a proof of what
shall be made glad, and when righteousness a small body of persevering and well-princiand praise shall spring forth before all na- pled men can achieve in the midst of didfi
tions."                                    cullies and discouragements, and a powerful
The inhabitants of New  England, I am  motive to excite us to engage in every holy
confident, will be among the first to set such activity.  And I trust, the descendants of
a noble example to every other nation. From  these pilgrims, animated by their noble examsmall beginnings, they have advanced more pie, will rise to still greater heights of intelrapidly in religious and intellectual improve- ligence and virtue, till knowledge become
ment than any other people under heaven; universal-till moral evil be completely unbut they have not yet attained the acme of dermined-till " righteousness run down their
improvement, "neither are they already per- streets like a river," and till the influence of
fect;" but " must press forward to the mark," such moral movements be felt among all the
without " looking back" with self-complacency families of the earth.
4...  l
CHAPTER XIII.
Principles on which a National System of Education should be established.
Ix attempting to establish any, new system, of education as we have described, one great
however excellent, many obstacles and impe- obstacle would arise in this country from the
diments present themselves, arising from the interests and conflicting opinions of religious
feelings, interests, and preconceived opinions sectaries. Religion, which was intended by
of mankind. In establishing such a system its Author to introduce harmony, and to pro(179)




18O               ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
mote affection among mankind, would, in all imposed upon him -by ".the rector, curate, or
probability, be brought forward to interrupt other minister of the parish."  " lie may at all
the noblest efforts of benevolence in the cause times enter the school,.examine the scholars,
of universal instruction. Every sectary would  question the master touching his government
be apt to insist on its peculiar dogmas being of the school: may..direct, from time to time,
recognized, and especially those which are what portions of Scripture shall be read,
more directly patronized by the State would either for lessorns or for writing in the school,
prefer a double claim for the superintendence which direction the master is. hereby required
and control of all the arrangements connected to follow."  The teacher was also enjoined " to
with the education of the young.  Such con- use select passages [of the Bible] for lessons,
flicting elements and party interests have whereby to teach reading and writing, and
already Prevented the establishment of insti- shall teach no other book of rellgion- withtutions which might have proved beneficial to out consent of the. resident minister of the
the rising generation, and would, doubtless, parish where such school is held, and shall
mingle themselves with any future discussions use no form of prayer or worship in the said
or deliberations that might take place on this school except the Lord's Prayer, or other
subject.                                     select passages of the Scriptures aforesaid."
In the year 1820-21, Mr. Brougham  (now  Such regulations and injunctions reduced the
Lord Brougham) introduced a Bill into the teacher to something very little superior to a;
House of Cornmaons, entitled,," A Bill for mere machine, or to a slave in the hands of
better providir- the means of education for a clerical despot.  He was every day liable to
his Majesty's subjects," which was imbued. be degraded and insulted in the presence of
with a spirit of illiberality and intolerance his scholars, whenever a haughty clergyman
which would have disgraced the darkest ages took it into his head to enter the school, and
of the Christian era. The following were to display his magisterial and consequential
some of its leading provisions. " 1st, No per- airs.:By the regulations enacted in this Bill,
son is capable of being elected as Schoolmaster the children of Dissenters were likewise deby the Parish, who does not produce a certifi- graded.  For, although they were to be percate that he is a member of the Church of mitled to attend the schools to be established,
England, as by -law established."  In this yet they were to be distinguished, in many
sweeping regulation, it is roundly declared, respects, as speckled birds, different from those
that, among all the six or seven millions of of the immaculate churchman, and compelled
respectable dissenters; that, among all that "to learn the liturgy and catechism  of the
class of men who have descended from  the Church, and to attend the Divine service of
congregations formed by Baxter, Owen, Watts,. the Church of England," unless their parents
Doddridge, and a host of other illustrious Di- "proved themselves to be Dissenters fiJom the.
vines, renowned for their sterling piety and Established Church, and notified the same
learning; that, among the whole of that class to the master."  Such is only a specimen of
of men who, for the last forty years, have the spirit and enactments. which pervaded
shown more disinterested zeal and activity for "Brougham's Education Bill;" enactments
the instruction of the poor than any other repugnant to the views of every liberal mind,
class in the British empire! there is not a and pregnant with bigotry and: intolerance.
single individual that deserves to be entrusted  It was a fortunate circumstance that the bill
with the education of youth! and for no other never passed the House of Commons; other.
reason than because they have dared to think wise, it might have prevented the establishfor themselves, and refused to submit to cere- ment of a liberal and efficient system of edumonies and ordinances which are not appoint- cation for a century to come.*
ed in the word of God. In another regulation,   It is to be hoped, that, in any future deliberapower is given to the clergyman of the parish  tions on this subject, a more noble and liberal
"to call before him the person chosen by the
parish, and to examine him  touching his fit-   * Lord Broughaln has displayed more enlightenness for the office, and if he shall npt approve ed views on the subject of education, in his speech
delivered in the House of Lords, on the 21st of
of the person chosen, he may reject his ap- May, 1835, and the resolutions founded upon it,
pointment" as often as he pleases, without than he did in his "Educatlon Bill" of 1821, or
assigning any reason, save his own will and  even in 1833, when he declared, that there are
a  t        sufficient means of education in England. arid that
pleasure, and fron this decision there was to,w    he had become a convert t tthe opinions of those
be no appeal! which rendered nugatory, and who thought it would be unwise to disturb a state
little short of a mere, farce,: the previous elec- of things which prodfced slch aldotirable restilts."
It is to be hoped, for the good'of the nation, that
tion made by the qualified householders of his lordship's suggestions will soon be carried into
the parish.  After the teacher was supposed effect; and that the principles onl which a national
to be.approved of and fixed in his situation, a system of education is establishel, will be such
as to meet the approbation of an enlightened and
*et of arbitrary regulations and restraints were religious public.
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PAROCHIAL SYSTEM.                                 181
spirit will be displayed L.i the arrangements generally imparted in parochial schools, and
connected with education. Indeed, no efficient the plan on which instruction has usually
system of national instruction can be estab- been communicated, are to be considered as
lished on an exclusive or sectarian principle. patterns of excellence, and, consequently, rePersons of all religious denominations ought quire only to be more generally extended. In
to be eligible as teachers, visitors, superintend- the preceding pages, we have endeavoured to
ents, and members of school-committees, on show, that, in common with most other schools
the sole ground of their intelligence, piety, in this country, the parochial system is miserand moral conduct-and of the knowledge ably defective and inefficient as to the great
they have acquired of the true principles of objects which an enlightened education ought
education, and the mode in which they should to embrace; and, in proof of this, we need
be applied.  As, in every country, numerous only appeal to the ignorance and vice which
classes are to be found differing in sentiment have hitherto  prevailed, and  still prevail,
respecting subordinate points in religion, it among the great mass of the population.
could not be expected that they would come That parochial schools have bern, on the
forward either with voluntary subscriptions, whole, of considerable advantage to Scotland,
or submit, without reluctance, to be taxed for none will deny. But they have not produced
such establishments, if any particular sectary the one-tenth part of the moral and intellectual
were to be invested with the sole superintend- effects they might have done, had they been
ence, and all others excluded from a share in established on a more liberal and enlightened
the deliberations and arrangements connected basis; and, consequently, were the system to
with their operation.  Such an arrangement be extended, it would tend to prevent, for an
would be an act of glaring injustice to the indefinite period, the establishment of a more
parties excluded, since they have an equal enlightened, comprehensive, and efficient sysright of management on the ground of their tem of moral and intellectual instruction. Besubscriptions, or of the taxatiofi to which they sides, there is not one out of a hundred of the
would be subjected; it would foster invidious parochial school-houses furnished with the
distinctions between the different parts of the apartments, apparatus, and other accommosame community; it would tend to prevent dations, requisite for carrying forward a plan
independence of thinking on religious subjects, of intellectual instruction.  2. We object, on
and to promote a spirit of hypocrisy and syco- the ground of the exclusive principles on
pliancy in inducing persons to sacrifice the which parochial schools are conducted. They
dictates of conscience to the emoluments of are considered  as so intimately connected
office; it would throw into a state of unmerit- with the established church, that no one but
ed degradation a large portion of the most re- a member of that church is eligible as a parish
spectable characters in Christian society-for teacher.  Consequently, in attempting to exeminent piety, intelligence, and benevolence, tend the parochial system till it is supposed
are not confined to any section of the Chris- capable of affording instruction to the whole
tian church; it would nourish a spirit of population, it is virtually declared, that, among
alienation among the different portions of all the dissenters in this country, amounting
religious society, which has too long rankled to more than one-third of the population, and
in the human breast; it would prevent some whose moral and intellectual character stands
of the most worthy and enlightened characters as high as that of the other two-1'irds, there
from  coming forward as candidates for the is not one who ought to be entrusted with the
office of instructors; it would interpose a bar- education of youth, however respectable the
rier to that harmony and affection which qualications he may possess. Those who
should subsist among all ranks and denonli- countenance a principle of this kind have,
nations of society; and would  ultimately  surely, never studied the principles of religifrustrate, to a very great extent, the grand ous liberty or of natural justice, nor opened
objects which an enlightened education is their eyes to "discern the signs of the times."
intended to accomplish. Nothing but a spirit In so far as the individuals alluded to have it
of selfishness and ambition, of bigotry and for their object to improve the plan of public
intolerance, inconsistent with the harmony instruction, and to raise the qualifications of
of society and the principles of our holy re- the teachers, we wish them every success; but
ligion, will again attempt to establish educa- the community will certainly pause before it
tion on such illiberal and exclusive principles. gives its sanction to a principle which would
In this point of view, we cannot avoid repro- deprive nearly one-half of the nation of all
bating an attempt which is now making by interest and superintendence in regard to an
certain individuals to extend the system of object in which they are all equally concerned.
parochial schools, so that there shall be no occa-   Hitherto, the superintendence of education,
sion for teachers of any other description. We both in Scotland and England, has been
object to this object on the following grounds: chiefly entrusted to the clergy; and, at the
1. Because it is assumed that the education  time when out parochial and other scholastic
Q            i1ell




182              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
institutions were established, there was per- from human formularies, there would soon bt
haps a propriety in this arrangement; since, little differenlce of opinion respecting its main
at that period, clergymen were almost the and leading objects.  The religion of Heaven
only educated persons, and literature was has been communicated to us chiefly in the
chiefly concentrated in their order. But the form of historical narrations, unfolding to us
case is quite different in the present day, the Divine dispensations, in relation to the
when a liberal education is not confined to fall, the,recovery, and the renovation of manany one rank of society, and when classical kind, and embodying certain leading truths
learning is not considered as the most im- and moral precepts, to direct our affections
portant accomplishment.  There is not, there- and conduct-the great end of which is, not
fore, the same reason why the superintendence to engender strife and a spirit of metaphysical
of education should be exclusively entrusted speculation, but to counteract moral evil, and
to clergymen, or to any other class of corn- to promote union, harmony, and love, among
munity.  We should deprecate the idea of all who acknowledge its authority.  There is
the education of the general mass of the no believer in revelation that calls in question
population being entrusted exclusively either the facts of Scripture, the perfections of the
to the established church, or to dissenters of Deity it unfolds-the death, resurrection, and
any denomination.  Clergymen of all de- ascension of Christ-the immortality of the
nominations should be considered as eligible, soul-a future state of punishments and rein common with other intelligent individuals, wards-or the propriety of the moral princias superintendents and members of Educa- ples it inculcates.  These are' the leading
tional Committees; but experience proves topics of revelation; and to insinuate that such
that it is dangerous to the general interests of subjects cannot be taught directly from  the
the community to entrust its affairs, especially  Scriptures themselves, without the aid of huthose which relate to education, to any privi- man formularies, is nothing short of throwing
leged class of society; for in such a case the a reflection on the wisdom of God, on account
general good of the public has frequently  of the manner in which he has communibeen sacrificed to the interests or ambition of cated his will,'and of affixing a libel on the
a party.                                    character of the inspired writers, as if their
One of the chief pretences generally set writings were not sufficientiy plain and perup for exclusive clerical superintendence, is spicuous.
the promotion of the interests of religion. It   The efficiency of religious instruction deis much to be deplored that religion, which duced from  the Scriptures alone, is clearly
was iqtended to promote "peace on earth, proved from the mode of tuition in infant
and good-will among men," should so fre- schools.  In these schools, religion is taught
quently have been used as a pretence for sow- by familiar descriptions and details of scriptural
ing dissensions in society, and violating the facts-by illustrations, taken from  Scripture
principles of natural justice.  Whether "pure and the scenes of nature, of the perfiections
religion and undefiled" is promoted by at- of God-and by enforcing the moral precepts
tempting to raise one portion of the commu- of the Bible on the young, and showing how
nity and to crush another, and to throw a they ought to be exemplified in all their inte7large body of respectable characters into a courses with each other.  Now, I appeal to
state of urnerited degradation, on account every one who has witnessed the religious
of their adherence to the dictates of con- knowledge of the children in these schools,
science-is a question which may be safely  and its influence upon their conduct, if this
left to every unbiassed inquirer to decide.-  mode of tuition is not infinitely preferable, as
With regard to the religious instruction of to its practical effects, to the usual method of
the young, no difficulty could arise fromt the instruction by catechism, or any other formucircumstance of persons belonging to different lary.  Let us take a number of children at
religious parties having the superintendence random  from any common school, who have
of it; since almost every denomination of learned the " Shorter," or any other catechism,
Christians recognizes the essential facts, doc- from  beginning to end, and compare their
trines, and duties of Christianity, which are knowledge and feelings in regard to religion
the only religious topics which ought to be with those of the children of a well-conducted
exhibited. to the young either in public or in infant school, and the superiority of the inprivate.  The man who, overlooking such fant school children will be strikingly appasubjects, would attempt to expatiate before rent, even although they are much younger
the young on sectarian points of controversy, than the former.-Should parents, however,
ought to be considered as destitute of that wish to inculcate upon their children the
prudence and discretion which are requisite  peculiar tenets of the sect to which they befor a public instructor.  If religion were long, they have an opportunity of doing so at
taught, as it ought to be, directly from  its home, or by means of the pastors belonging
Onginal Records, instead of being inculcated  to that denomination to which they are at"
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HARMONY OF SECTARIES IN AMERICA.                           183
tacled; but, in public schools, to attempt the plan of communicating religious truths is by
inculcation of sectarian opinions, would be the narratives, the precepts, and the plainest
equally injurious to the interests of religion announcements of Scripture."  In short, the
and the cause of universal education.  This liberal plan now suggested has been adopted
was attempted by the Church of England, in all its extent in the kingdom of Prussia,
in the enactments contained in Brougham's where a national system of education has
" Education Bill," and the same principle led been established in which all classes of relithe dignitaries of that church to oppose the gjonists, whether Protestants or Catholics,
Lallcasterian system of education, and to pa- have an equal interest, and which, for more
tronlize that of Dr. Bell, in which the peculiar than half a century, has been conducted with
tenets of the Episcopal church were to be tile greatest regularity and harmony.  So that
exclusively inculcated.                   there is no impossibility in persons belonging
That Christians of different denominations to different religious persuasions co-operating
may cordially co-operate in the arrangements in the business of education, where there is a
of education, appears from various existing sincere desire to promote the improvement ot
facts. In the Northern States of America, as the young, and the best interests of general
already noticed, education is far more general society.
than in this country, and conducted on more    But should it be found imp >ssible to induce
rational and enlightened plans; and persons the dominant sect in any country to co-opeof all denominations in religion co-operate in rate with dissenters in the arrangements of
its superintendence. In the 24th "Annual education, perhaps the following might be the
Report of the Trustees of the Public School most eligible plan of procedure:-Let the
Society of New York, for 1829," it is stated, government allot a sum adequate to the erecamong many other interesting facts, that " The tion and endowment of all the schools requiBoard of Education consists of members of site for an enlightened and efficient system
eight or ten religious denominations, all act- of education-let this sum be divided between
inng with entire harmony"-that "they dis- churchmen and dissenters, in a fair proporcharge the important duties of their trust, tion, according to their respective numberswith a single eye to the public good"-and and let the application of this sum, and the
that they received the sanction of " an inde- details respecting the patronage of the schools,
pendent set of examiners, who have repeatedly the qualifications of teachers, and the mode
inspected the schools, and are acquainted with of instruction, be left to the respective parties,
the operations of the Board" —who express to be arranged as their judgment and circumin their Report " their full confidence'that the stances may direct-specifying, however, some
literary, moral, and religious instruction, cal- of the grand and leading principles on which
culated to fit the young for the duties of life, the schools must be established. A plan of
and to prepare them for the happiness of this kind would, indeed, still preserve the
futurity, is properly attended to, and the school invidious distinction between churchmen and
monies strictly and most beneficially applied dissenters; but it would be infinitely preferto their legitimate purposes."  This board has able to bestowing the whole patronage and
the superintendence of "21 schools, with 21  superintendence of education on any one
principal and 24 assistant teachers, and 6007 sectary or class of men whatever.-Should
children," the expense of which amounted to government refuse to grant any pecuniary
62,000 dollars: besides which there were assistance to such an object, dissenters and all
above 450 private, charity, and other schools others have it in their power, by coming forin the city of New  York.-We know, too, ward, in one grand combination, with volunthat the "British and Foreign School Society" tary contributions, to accomplish this noble
is conducted on similar principles-its Di- design, independently of aid from any power
rectors consisting of persons belonging to the under heaven; provided they are willing to
established church and the various denomina- make some of those small sacrifices formerly
tions of dissenters; and the same is the case suggested.  (See page 177.)  And if they
with the institutions for infant education will not stand forward as bold champions,
which have been lately established in many with their purses in their hands, ready to be
of oui populous towns. The hand-bill, an- delivered up for the support of this good
nouncing the objects of the Model Infant cause, they will declare themselves to be
Sc-hool, Glasgow, which was framed by the unworthy of the name of Christians, or of
Rev. Dr. Welsh, then of St. David's church, lovers of their species, and will deservedly be
states, as one of the objects of this institution, deprived of all the advantages, in time and
that it is " for the reception of children from  eternity, which might result from the accomthe age of two to that of six years, with the plishment of this object, to themselves and to
view of imbuing their minds with the know- their offspring, both in the present and future
ledge of religious truths,"-and that "the generations.
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184              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND,
CHAPTER XIV.
Maxims, or First Principles in Education.
I TIE idea should go before the word (if possible) should be assigned to the young
which expresses it —or, in other words, A  merely as tasks.
clear and distinct conception of an object   Every thing prescribed for the exercise of
should be impressed upon the mind, before the faculties, should be represented both as a
the name or terms which express it be com- duty and as a pleasure; and if the young
mitted to memory.                         understand the nature and objects of their
This may be considered as the first and scholastic exercises, and the manner in which
fundamental principle of intellectual instruc- they should be prosecuted, they will find a
tion; and, if admitted, the following rule pleasure in endeavouring to surmount every
should be strictly adhered to in the business apparent difficulty.  I once knew a gentleof education:-Let no passages of any book man, the Rector of a grammar school, who,
be committed to memory before the leading  on his admission to his office, boasted that he
ideas they contain be clearly understood. If would conduct his school without inflicting
this principle were universally introduced into any corporal punishment-instead of which
education, it would overturn almost every sys- he prescribed from twenty to sixty or eighty
tem of instruction which has hitherto prevailed lines of Virgil or Horace, as memorial tasksboth in secular and religious tuition. An  and, when not accurately repeated, increased
opposite principle has almost uniformly been their number. But this practice had no other
acted upon; and hence, catechisms, psalms, tendency than to excite revengeful feelings, and
hymns, grammar rules, chapters of the Bible, to produce disgust at the process of learning.
and speeches in the Roman senate, have been   III. Every thing that is cheerful and exprescribed as menmorial tasks, before any of hilarating to the young should be associated
the ideas contained in them could be appre- with the business of education.
ciated. We may ask, in the name of all that   Hence, school-rooms should be spacious,
is wise and rational, Of what use is it to stock light, and airy-comfortably heated during
and overburden the memories of children with winter, and erected in delightful and coma medley of words to which no correct ideas manding situations. The school-books should
are attached? Although a child could com- be neatly printed, and enlivened with pictures
mit twenty catechisms to memory, or could and engravings coloured from nature-amuseen repeat the whole of the Old and New  ing and instructive experiments should freTestaments, what purpose would it serve, if quently be exhibited-and the pupils should
he did not enter into the spirit and meaning be occasionally gratified with excursions into
of the truths therein recorded?  I have con- interesting parts of the country, to view the
versed with an individual who could repeat beauties of nature and enjoy the bounties of
the whole Bible from beginning to end, and Providence; so that all their scholastic exeryet was entirely ignorant of the meaning of cises may be connected with delightful assoalmost every proposition it contained, and its ciations.
most interesting truths appeared to have made   IV. In the practice of teaching, the prin-.o impression upon his heart. As in the ciple of Emulation should be discarded.
original formation of language, the objects of   By a principle of emulation I mean, the.
nature must first have been observed and exciting of the young to exertion from the
known before words or signs were fixed upon hope of reward when they excel their comto distinguish them; so, in communicating panions in intellectual excellence, or from the
the elements of thought, the objects of thought fear of punishment or degradation when they
must first be recognized and described before fall beneath them  in industry and acquirethe terms and epithets which express their mnents. Many teachers have asserted that
natures and qualities be committed to memory. they could not conduct education with any
Instead of obtruding a medley of words before effect without the aid of this principle. But,:they are understood, upon the memories of whatever effect it may have in an intellectucal
the young, they should be made to feel a desire point of view, it almost uniformly produces an
for terms to express their ideas; and, in this injurious effect on the moral temperament of
case, the ideas and the words which express the young, on their companions whom they
them  will afterwards be inseparably con- excel, and on their parents and guardians,
nected.                                   who are led to form false estimates of their
IL. In the process of instruction, Nothing progress and acquirements by the prizes they
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MAXIMS IN EDUCATION.                                185
receive and the places they occupy in their accomplishing the desired object; it is founded
respective classes.  One grand end of instruc- on injustice, inasmuch as it heaps honours
tion, which has been too much overlooked, is and emoluments on those to whom nature has
to cultivate and regulate the moral powers- already been most bountiful, and whose ento produce love, affection, concord, humility, joyments are multiplied and increasing in a
self-denial, and other Christian graces.  But grehter ratio than others by the more easy
the principle of emulation has a tendency to acquisition of knowledge." " Praise, and it-.
produce jealousy, envy, ambition, hatred, and vidious comparisons, are only other forms of
other malignant passions, and to exhibit intel- the same principle, alike fruitful in envy,
lectual acquisitions as of far greater importance pride, scorn, and bitter neglect.  Ill the curiothan moral excellence.  Besides, it is only a sity of children, there is a sufficient and a
very few ill every class that can be stimulated  natural stimulant of the appetite for knowto exertion by this principle, and these few are ledge, and we live in a world abounding in
generally of such a temperament as to require the means of useful and pleasurable gratificatheir ambitious dispositions to be restrained tions.  All that is required of preceptors is to
rather than excited.  In the "American An- aid the development of the faculties with afnals of Education," for January, 1833, there fection and judgment."  A certificate of diliis an excellent paper on this subject by Miss gence and good conduct seems to be all that
C. E. Beecher, of Newport, Rhode Island, a is necessary to distinguish from the vicious,
lady well known as an efficient teacher. the idle, and slothful, those who have employed
After enumerating the evils which uniformly their time and talents in a proper manner.
flow  from  the principle of emulation, she    V. Corporal punishmentsshould be seldom
states the following motives, as those which or never inlicted-and when they are deter.
she has found "not only equal, but much mined upon as the last resort, they should be
more efficient, in reference to all the objects inflicted with calmness and affection.
to be gained in education:"-1. Personal   There is something revolting and degradinfluence-endeavouring to gain the esteem, ing in corporal punishments, and the necessity
the affection, and the confidence of the pupils," of resorting to them  generally indicates, that
&c. In this connection she justly remarks, there had been a want of proper training in
"that commendation for improvemenzt needs the earlier stages of life. It is vain to imato be practised much more frequently than re- gine, that children can be whipped either into
proof for deficiency.  2. By habitual appeals learning or religion; and, if an enlightened
to the Bible as the rule of rectitude, and to and judicious mode of tuition were universally
conscience as the judge.  3. By cultivating v. adopted, there would seldom be any necessity
love of knowledge for its own sake, that is, for resorting to such a stimulus.  But ili the
for the pleasure it imparts; and also for the modes of teaching which have most generally
sake of the increased good it will enable us to prevailed, corporal punishments are almost indo for our fellow-beings. 4. By efforts to dispensable. In the German "Pedagogric Maform a correct public sentiment in school, so gazine," for 1833, we are told that "there
that it shall be unpopular to do wrong.  5. died lately in Swabia, a schoolmaster, who,
By appeals to parental influence, and that of for 51 years, had superintended an institution
other friends. This is accomplished by trans- with old-fashioned severity. From an average
mitting frequent accounts both of deficiency inferred from recorded observations, one of the
and improvement to the friends of the pupils. ushers calculated, that, in the course of his
6. By cultivating in the pupils a sense of exertions, he had given 911,500 canings, 124,obligation to God, of his constant inspection, 000 floggings, 209,000 custodes, 136,000 tips
and of his interest in all their concerns." with the ruler, 10,200 boxes on the ear, and
These principles, (which are more particu- 22,700 tasks to get by heart.  It was farther
larly explained and amplified in the paper calculated, that he had made 700 boys stand
referred to,) she adds, " I have chiefly de- on peas, 600 kneel on a sharp edge of wood,
pended upon during the last three or four 5000 wear the fool's cap, and 1708 hold the
years of my experience as a teacher.  Every rod,"-amounting in all to 1,421,208 punyear has added to my conviction of their effi- ishments, which, allowing five days fier every
cacy, and every year has increased my satis- week, would average above a hundred punishfaction that the principle of emulation has ments every day. There is something exbeen banished with no consequent evil, and tremely revolting in the idea of such a series
much increase of good."                     of punishments being connected with learnMr. Morgan, in his late "Address to the ing; and we may justly infer, that, however
Proprietors of the University of London," much classical learning may have been adexpresses sentiments in accordance with the vanced, very little useful knowledge or moral
above. Speaking on the subject of prizes, he principle was communicated in that seminary.
says, " A prize is the least effectual mode of For, a system  of moral and intellectual in24                                       Q 2            (185)




186                ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
struction, calculated to allure the minds of exercise of the faculty of attention depenaw
the young, is altogether incompatible with  almost all our improvement in knowledge
such Gothic rudeness and severity.?          and virtue.  Even the senses are improved
VI.  Children should not be long confined by the exercise of this faculty.  Hence the
in School-and never longer than they are peculiar delicacy of touch observable in the
actively employed in it.-A  school ought blind, and the quick-sightedness of the deaf;
never to serve the purpose of a prison.  If hence the distinct perception of distant obh
the junior classes are incapable of preparing  jects acquired by sailors, and of delicate and
their lessons by themselves, they should either minute objects by watchmakers and jewelbe provided with some amusing toys or picture lers,-in  all which cases the attention has
books, or be turned out to romp about in the been specially directed to particular objects.
open air, or under a covered shed in rainy  It was by fixing his attention on the subweather, and called in when their lessons are ject, or " continually thinking about it," that
to be explained.                             Newton, as he himself declared, discovered
VII.  Yotung people should always be the laws of the planetary motions, and was
treated as rational creatures, and their opin- enabled to unfold the true system  of the
ions occasionally solicited as to certain points world.  Hence the propriety of presenting
and scholastic arrangements.  The reasons sensible objects to the view of children —of exof the treatment they receive, and of the ex- hibiting before them interesting experiments,
ercises prescribed, in so far as they are able to and of having their books adorned with lively
appreciate them, should occasionally be stated, and accurate engravings.  Hence too the proand explained and illustrated.               priety of teaching them to notice every object
VIII.  Reproofs should always be tendered within the reach of their vision, and to mark
with the utnmost calmness and mildness.-  every minute change that takes in the form,
When they are uttered in passion, and with  colour, and situation, of the objects around
looks of fury, they seldom produce any good them, and to give an account of what they
effect, and not unfrequently excite a spirit of may have seen or heard in any of their exrevenge against the reprover.                cursions: all which circumstances have a
IX.  One great object of education should tendency to induce a habit of attention, withbe to fix the attention on the subjects we wish  out which there can be no solid improvement
to explain and elucidate.-On the proper in any department of instruction.
CHAPTER XV.
Alechanics' Institutions.
ON these institutions I intended to offer a year 1814-more than eight years before any
few particular remarks, and to suggest some mechanics' institutions were  organized  in
arrangements by which they might be ren- this country.t  Although these papers have
dered more extensively useful than they have seldom been referred to, in the history of mehitherto been, both in a moral and intellectual chanics' institutions, yet the author is aware
point of view, but as this volume has already  that they were the means of suggesting, to
swelled to a considerable size, I shall confine certain individuals, the idea of establishing
myself to a very few general observations.    such societies; and, not above a year or two
It is now more than twenty years sincea I after their publication, a society was organized
had an opportunity of suggesting the estab- in the vicinity of London, on the plan and
lishment of such institutions, under the desig- principles suggested in these papers, of which
nation of " Literary and Philosophical So- the author was elected an honorary member.
cieties, adapted to the middling and lower Instead of inserting, in. this place, the subranks of the community."  The details in  stance of these papers, as was originally inrelation to this subject, consisting of a series tended, I shall merely give a short sketch of
of five successive papers, were published in  their contents.
the London "Monthly  Magazine" for the    In the first communication, after a few in* Corporal punishments have generally a harden-   t See "Monthly Magazine." vol. xxxvii. fo
ing effect on the minds both of young and old. A  April and July, 1814, pp. 219, 507, and volume
blacksmith brought up his son, to whom he was xxxviii. for Auglust and September. 1814, pp. 23,
ver?l severe. to his own trade. The urchin was, 121, and for Januarv, 1815, p. 503  These commu.
nevertheless, an audacious dog. One day the old nications occupy more than 22 closely printed
vulcan was attempting to harden a cold chisel columns, and contain several minute details in
which he had made of foreign steel, but could not relation to what should be the leadin, objects or
succeed. "Horsewhip it, father," exclaimed the euch institutions, and the means by which they
youth, " if that will not harden it, nothing will."   might be established.
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LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETIES.                          1,87
eroduct(xry observations in reference to exist-   1. The Admission of Members.r-In regard
ing associations, and other particulars con- to this circumstance, the two following exnected with the dissemination of knowledge, tremes should be guarded against-the indisthe following, among many other advantages, criminate admission of all who may wish to
were pointed out as likely to flow from the become members, whatever may be their liteextensive establishment of such institutions: rary or moral characters-and the giving an
-1. They would serve to unite ald (;oncen- undue preference to certain individuals on
trate the scattered rays of genius, which might account of their rank, who have not a correotherwise be dissipated, and enable them  to sponding share of common sense and literary
act with combined vigour and energy in the acquirements.  In a literary society, the disdiscovery and the propagation of useful know- tinctions of rank ought to be, in a great mealedge.  2. They would tend to promote the sure, if not altogether, overlooked; while, at
rapid advancement of general science; for if' the same time, the utmost decorum and politethe labours of those societies which already ness ought always to prevail. It is now high
exist have produced a powerful effect on the time that human characters were estimated
progress of science, much more might be ex- according to their real and intrinsic worth,
pected were their number increased to eighty independent of those external and advelntior a hundred fb!d. 3. They would have a tious circumstances with which they may be
tendency to produce all extei;ive dii'usion of accompanied; and it will be highly becoming
rational information among the general mass in rational associations to set an example of
of society, particularly among those in the in- estimating the characters of men on principles
ferior walks of life, by which the narrow con- purely of a moral and intellectual nature. Alceptions, superstitious notions, and vain fears, though money is a useful article in all sociewhich so generally prevail, might be gradually  ties, yet it would be inexpedient to solicit any
removed, and a variety of useful hints and  individuals, not otherwise qualified to become
rational views suggested, which would tend  members, chiefly with a view of their contrito elevate and ennoble the mind, and promote buting to the pecuniary interests of the assodomestic convenience and comfort. 4. They  ciation.  Such persons would not only be a
would induce a taste for intellectual pleasures dead weight upon the society, but, by thl
and rational enjoyment, i.i which those hours undue influence they would have, milght tend
generally spent in listlessness, foolish amuse- to impede its progress, and prevent its chief
ments, and the pursuits of dissipation, might design from  being accomplished.  Besides
be profitably employed, and, consequently, their literary acquirements, the mooral qualithe sum of general happine.,s augmented. 5. fications of those who desire admnis ion ought
If proparly conducted, they could not fail of not to be altogether overlooked.  Knowledle
producing a!benign influence on the state of is chiefly desirable in proportion as it is useful.
morals and of general society.  As vice is the If it does not lead its possessor to propriety of
natural offspring of ignorance, so true virtue moral conduct, its utility, at least to him, may
can only flow from elevated and enlightened be much questioned. In all rational instituprinciples; and where such principles exist, tions, the melioration of the moral characters
their operation, in a greater or less degree, will and dispositions of mankind ought to form as
always appear. The hA lits of order, punctu- promninellt an object as the illumination of their
ality, and politeness, which would prevail in  understandings.
such associations, would naturally be carried    II. The S&bjects of Discussion, and the
into the other departments of life, and produce mode of conductizg/ it. —Every subject which
their corresponding effects. The frequent in- has a tendency to induce a habit of rational
tercourse of men of different parties and profes- thinking, to elevate and ennoble the mind,
sions, associated for the purpose of promoting and to present sublime and interesting objects
one common object, would gradually vanquish  of contemplation-every subject which tends
those mutual prejudices and jealousies which to unfold the wise arranlgements of nature,
too frequently exist even in cultivated minds, and the laws by which the economy of the
and a liberal, candid, and humane spirit, would universe is regulated, which displays the atbe cherished and promoted. Society would tributes of the Divinity, and leads the mind
thus acquire a new polish, and wear a different upwards " from Nature to Nature's God;"aspect from what it now exhibits in the in- every subject which tends to promote the pro.
ferior ranks of life; mnloe especially, if the grass of science, the advancement of the liberal
meoans zow sutggested be combinerd with the and mechanical arts, and the moral improveoperation of Chsiistian prinzciples.        ment of mankind, might occasionally become
The other communications illustrated the topics of discussion in a society constituted on
arrangements and regulations requisite in the the principles to which I have alluded. These
operation of such institutions, particularly in subjects would embrace the prominent parts;elation to the following circumstances.    of natural history, geography, astronomy,
it87)




188              ON tHE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
experimental philosophy, chemistry, natural some essays may occasionally be -read of
theology, ethics, education, arts and manufac- which the society may wish to have copies
tures, physiology, domestic economy, and sim- for future inspection, in order to save the
ilar branches of knowledge.  Although party- trouble of the secretary transcribing them, it
politics, and sectarian views of religion should might be proper to recommend that every
be excluded, yet there are certain general essay be written on paper of the same size, so
topics connected with these subjects, which that they might afterwards be bound in regnmight form legitimate subjects of discussion: lar volumes, to be preserved as part of the
such as the general principles of legislation, records of the society. In this way, the litethe ca,uses of the wealth of nations, the effects rary communications made to the society
of different modes of taxation, and other would be recorded in the hand-writings of
branches of political economy-the character their respective authors, free of those errors
and attributes of the Deity, the principles of which might be occasioned in their transcripmoial action, the immortality of the soul, the tion by another hand.-3. Another method
facts of sacred history, and the evidences by of discussion might be by Forensic. disputa.
which they are supported-the harmony of tions.  In this case, a question is proposed
nature and revelation, and the means by and stated, and opposite sides of the question
which the character of the human race may are supported by different speakers. This
be elevated and improved, and the moral method has its advantages and its disadvanworld regenerated.                        tages. Its disadvantages are, that persons,
In the discussion of such subjects, there in their eagerness to support the side they
are four different modes which might be oc- have taken, are sometimes apt to contend
casionally adopted. —1. The first mode is more for victory than for truth; and, unless
that of public lectures.  A lecture might be they watch over their tempers, are ready to
delivered once a week, or fortnight, or oftener, fall into a spirit of altercation and ill-humour,
according to circumstances, on some inter- and to throw out unhandsome epithets against
esting subject on natural history, chemistry, their opponents. Many persons, too, from
or experimental philosophy, accompanied with  their having ably supported the erroneous
experiments.  In order to raise a sum  for side of a question, have been insensibly led
remunerating an intelligent lecturer, persons to adopt that opinion, though, in the first innot members of the society might be invited stance, they defended it merely for the sake
to attend, on the condition of paying a small of argument. Its advantages are, that it excontribution, the members at the same time cites interest and attention, exercises the reacontributing a little, though in a smaller pro- soning faculty, and affords an opportunity to
portion. In order to excite attention, and to every member of taking a part in the discusstimulate the exercise of the rational faculty, sion. It may, when properly and calmly
an examination of such of the auditors as conducted, suggest useful information, and
chose to submit to it, on the different particu- throw light on many obscure and interesting
lars detailed in the lecture, might take place subjects. It has a tendency to teach persons
either at the conclusion of the lecture, or at not to be too rash in adopting opinions till
some future hour; and, at the same time, an they have weighed the objections that may
opportunity offered of putting questions to the be brought against them. As the discovery
lecturer, and stating any difficulties or objec- of truth ought to be the chief object in all
tions which may have occurred to them, in literary debates-in order to insure this object,
order to their solution.-2. By the more in- an intelligent person, who has taken no direct
telligent members composing essays on par- share in the debate, might be appointed to
ticular subjects, and reading them  to the sum up the arguments on both sides, and ensociety. For the benefit of young writers, it deavour to balance them, in order to ascertain
might be proper, in a candid and friendly  on which side the truth seems to lie.  In cermanner, to point out the grammatical blurn- tain cases, it will be found, that the truth
ders, improper phrases, erroneous statements, does not lie directly on either side, but in a
or other improprieties which may be found in middle position between the two extremes.
the essay; and the writer ought to consider This mode of discussion, when adopted, should
such hints as so much new and useful infor- be used with extreme caution, with an equable
mation, by the help of which he may be en- temper, and with a sincere desire to discover
abled to render his future compositions more truth, wherever it may be found; otherwise, it:orrect.  In  order to make a respectable may be attended with hurtful consequences.
figure as writers of essays, particular atten- -4. Another mode of discussion is, the detertion should be given to' the arts of grammar mining of a question by an induction of
and composition; and exercises and instruc- facts or reasons, in order to illustrate a par.
tions on these subjects might occasionally ticular subject; or, in other words, by an
form a part of the business of the society. As inquiry into causes and effects.  For exampley
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FUNDS OF PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETIES.                         18D
suppose such questions proposed as the follow- which the funds of a literary institution may
ing:-What are the different causes which be applied are such as the following:operate in the production of rain?  On what   1. The purchase of booles.-These are the
principles are we to account for the various grand depositories of human knowledge, and,
phenomena attendant on thunder-storms? By therefore, it should be the first object of every
what means may the stroke of lightning be literary establishment to procure a judicious
averted?  What are the various useful pur- selection of the best books, in every departposes to which the late discoveries respecting ment of science.  In regard to the general
he gases may be applied?  By what means, subjects of the books to be purchased, it may
and on what principles, may human beings be be proper that every member have it in his
transported from one place to another with a power to give his vote and opinion; but the
gore rapid motion than has hitherto been selection of the individual books on any pareffected?  What are the best means for un- ticular science, should perhaps be entrusted to
lermining the principles of avarice, and coun- a committee composed of such members as;eracting its effects?  What are the most are best acquainted with the present state of
efficient methods for diffusing, knowledge and literature.-2. The purchase of philosophical
improving the moral and intellectual powers instruments.  It may perhaps be a consiof man?  On such questions, every member derable time before the funds shall permit the
night be called upon to suggest whatever purchase of an extensive apparatus of this
occurs to him that has a tendency to elucidate kind, yet if a certain portion of the funds be
the subject, and to determine the inquiry; and appropriated to this object, in the course of
the remarks of all the members who deliver 20 years 500 guineas might be devoted to it,
their sentiments, when combined, could not supposing the society to consist of 100 memfail to throw  some light:on an interesting bers, every one contributing annually half a
question, or, at least, they would tend to ex- guinea. and that only one half of the funds
cite to further inquiry at a future period.  are appropriated to this purpose. Nor should
III. The Funds of the Society, and the it be considered as an object too grand and
purposes to which they might be applied.-  extensive, to have ultimately in view  the
Money is a necessary article in every associa- erection of an observatory for astronomical
tion, and is indispensable in the vigorous observations, and a complete apparatus for
prosecution of scientific objects.  Little of it, illustrating the doctrines of chemistry, natural
however, is required for rational and literary philosophy, and all the other departments of
purposes, compared with what is spent in the natural science.  Specimens of interesting
pursuits of folly and dissipation. Although objects in botany, zoology, mineralogy, and
it is not usual in most societies to make any geology, might also be procured, along with
difference in the sums to be paid by every models of useful machines for illustrating
member, yet it appears somewhat unreason- mechanical powers and operations.  Where
able, that a person whose income is known there is an ardent love of science, and an anito be very limited should contribute as much mated perseverance in prosecuting its objects,
as one whose income is five or six times all the ends now stated might, from small begreater. A minimum, however, ought to be ginnings, be in due time accomplished.-3.
fixed, below which the poorest member should Another purpose to which the funds may be
not be permitted to go, except in very singular applied might be, the distribution of precases. Those whose incomes are -known to miums to those who solve any difficult and
be considerable should be requested to give useful problem, or who produce the best essay
separate subscriptions, besides the regular on a given subject. If the propriety of bequarterly or annual fees, for the purpose of stowing premiums in such cases be admitted,
more speedily accomplishing the objects of the the following principle might be adopted as
institution. Two or three different rates of to the nature of the premium; namely, that
annual fees or subscriptions might be fixed it be such as can be procured at a moderate
upon, a maximum, a middle, and a minimum, expense, and, at the same time, be of some
and every member left at liberty to choose utility to the person to whom it is adjudged.
that rate which suits his circumstances.  Nor Instead of a gold or a silver medal,-a pocket
ought those who are unable to pay the maxi- compass, a sun-dial, a pocket telescope, a
mum rate, or to give separate subscriptions, small microscope, a quadrant, a case of matheto be, on this account, considered as inferior matical instruments, a terrestrial or celestial
to their fellows; for it is no disgrace for a globe, a tellurian, or any useful article which
man to be poor, if he is honest, prudent, and may best suit the taste of the successful canindustrious, and bas not wasted.his substance didate, might be given as a premium; and
in folly or dissipation; as it is no honour to along with it a medal of copper, pewter, or
a. fool to possess wealth which he was not brass, or an engraved card, with an appro
instrumental in acquiring.-The purposes to priate inscription.
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190             ON THE MORAL IMIPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
IV. The Publications of the Society.-A  vent the necessity of a circumstantial proof
considerable time would probably elapse be- of their belonging to similar institutions,
fore such a society would have it in its power every member might be furnished by his own
to communicate any new discoveries worthy society with an engraved card or ticket, or
of the attention of the scientific world. Yet rather with a medal of brass or pewter, having
this consideration ought not, perhaps, to deter the society's name and motto engraved on it,
the society from exhibiting some of its trans- and to which the name of the person, at his
actions to public view. In the progress of the admission, might also be appended. The adinstitution, after the lapse of a few years, a vantages which would result from the posselection might be made of the best essays session of such a document are sufficiently
that had previously been communicated, and obvious. It would form, as it were, a bond
published in a neat duodecimo volume, with of union among all the lovers of science in
an historical account of the progress of the different parts of the empire, and enable them
institution since its commencement, and the with facility to recognize each other.  Travelmanner in which its operations are conducted, lers, whether on business or for pleasure,
together with an abstract of the general pro- when visiting the different towns in the line
gress of science during  the same period, of their route, would thus obtain an easy
which might be collected from certain scien- access to the society of persons of congenial
tific journals. It would alsobe useful to give minds; useful hints would be reciprocally
a brief statement of what has hitherto been communicated, and an interesting corresponddiscovered in relation to the different sciences, ence occasionally formed, which might be
with hints respecting the desiderata, or things productive of many pleasing and important
which still remain to be discovered-which consequences, both to the individuals and to
would tend to direct the attention of the ra- the respective societies. They would thus
tional inquirer to those particular investiga- feel themselves more at home, devoid of that
tions by which science might be advanced, ennui which one so frequently feels in strange
and carried forward to perfection. Such a places, and have an opportunity of improving
volume, though it might not embody any those hours which might otherwise be dissinew deductions, or discoveries, might, not- pated in listlessness, to rational and scientific
withstanding, be of considerable utility in purposes. In short, by this means, the idea
different respects. It might convey new and suggested by the celebrated Lord Verulam, of
useful information to those who are just com- uniting the learned world into one great remencing the study of science, and who have public, might be in some measure realized;
no access to the more learned transactions of every person of intelligence carrying along
other societies; it might become a depository with him  his badge of distinction, and thus
for inserting accounts of interesting facts, and indicating to all congenial minds, the grand
of researches that may be made in that part association to which he belongs.
of the country where the society is situated;   The present is an age in which scientific
it might tend to excite the rational part of associations have rapidly increased. The prinmankind in other cities and towns to form  ciple of the division of labour seems now to
similar establishments, and to cultivate a mu- be judiciously acted upon in scientific investitual correspondence; and, as it would proba- gations, by the formation of societies which
bly obtain a considerable circulation in the have chiefly one great object to promote, or
surrounding districts, (being printed in a cheap one particular science which they propose to
and economical form,) it might diffuse new  cultivate; and therefore we have reason to
information in different quarters where more indulge the hope, that the different sciences
expensive volumes would never have found will now make more rapid advances to perfecadmittance..r                             tion than in former times. Still, however.
V. Correspondence and intercourse of the much remains to be accomplished in regard
members of the different societies.-It might to the establishment of literary and rationai
be of considerable use for promoting the ob- associations. The discoveries hitherto made
ject of these institutions, that the societies, in in the various departments of human knowtheir corporate capacity, and individual mem- ledge are entirely unknown to by far the
bers, should correspond with eac'h other, both greatest proportion even of the civilized part
personally and by literary communications-  of mankind. Institutions, therefore, still reand that the members of one society, when quire to be formed, on an extensive scale, fri
occasionally residing in the locality of another, communicating to the great mass of society
should be admitted gratis to all the privileges at least the results of those researches which
of that other society; such as, the use of the have hitherto been made, for eradicating those
library, the inspection of the museum, and erroneous notions which so generally pi evail.
attendance on lectures.  In order to designate and for directing their attention to moral and
the members of all such societies, and to pre- intellectual pursuits.  And should such. cie.
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DEFECTS IN MECHANICS' INSTITUTIONS.                         191
ties be formed, we might indulge the hope mind from that state of degradation in which
that, ere long, they would be enabled to co- it has been so long immersed, and to direct
operate with those respectable societies which its contemplations to objects worthy of the
now exist, in making researches into those dignity of rational and immortal natures.
regions of science which are yet unexplored,   In order to accomplish such objects, it is
and of promoting the moral improvement of essentially requisite that knowledge be preall classes qf the community. They would sented to the understanding in its?most intelikewise have a tendency to advance the in- resting and alluzring forms.  In the first
terests of genuine religion. For, true science instance, all abstract disquisitions, and ab.
and the doctrines of revelation, so far from  struse mathematical investigations, should be
being at variance, perfectly harmonize, and studiously avoided, or postponed to a future
reflect a mutual lustre upon each other. Of period; and those scenes and objects presented
course, the more general information persons to view, which have a tendency to allure the
acquire in relation to the system of nature imagination, to excite inquiry, and to produce
and the economy of the material world, the rational delight. Such are the subjects of
more will they be qualified for studying the Natural History, which, considered in its most
Scriptures in a rational manner; the light of comprehensive sense, has for its object, to
sound philosophy will have a tendency to arrange and describe all the known facts in
guard them from scepticism on the one hand, the material universe.  Facts constitute the
and from superstition and enthusiasm on the foundation of all the sciences-they are most
other, and to prevent them  from  imbibing easily acquired when properly describedthose foolish and erroneous interpretations of their acquisition requires the least exertion of
Scripture, which have tended to bring discredit intellect —and, when presented to the view in
on the oracles of Heaven. If, therefore, the sufficient number and variety, they will always
moral improvement and the intellectual illu- produce pleasurable emotions, and a thirst for
mination of mankind be an object attall de- intellectual enjoyment.  And, therefore. in
sirable, it is to be hoped the intelligent public the natural order of instruction, they ought to
will duly appreciate its importance, and en- constitute the first portions of knowledge to
courage every scheme which has -a tendency be presented to the untutored mind in all
to raise our species to that dignity which they colleges, academies. and mechanics' instituought to hold in the scale of existence, as ra- tions. After the student has acquired a knowtional and immortal beings.               ledge of such facts, the elements of the mathe.
Such is an abridged view of the communi- matical sciences might next occupy his attencations on this subject, which were offered to tion, for enabling him to enter on the discusthe public above twenty years ago, long be- sions of natural philosophy, astronomy, and
fore any such society actually existed. Such the investigation of the causes of the phenoinstitutions have now  been established  in mena of nature. A profound knowledge of
most of the large towns of the British em- the abstruse parts of mathematics, however, is
pire, and in various parts of the United States not absolutely necessary for the acquisition of
of America; but none of them with which I the more useful branches of general knowledge.
am acquainted comprehend in their plan all An acquaintance with the demonstrations of
the objects above stated.  In their present the first book of Euclid, and of a few propostat# they appear defective in the following sitions in some of the other books-the
respects:-1. In these institutions being re- elements of plane trigonometry and conic
garded as chiefly adapted to the instruction  sections, along with practical geometry-is
of artists and mechanics, for rendering them  almost all that is requisite for understanding
more intelligent and expert in their respective the more interesting departments of science,
trades and professions; and hence the instruc- and may be acquired in a very short time, by
tions communicated have been almost exclu- a moderate application of the mental powers.
sively confined to mathematics and mechanical The order I have now stated has, however, in
philosophy. It is highly requisite that me- most instances, been inverted. The abstracchanics should be instructed in the physical tions of mathematical science have been preand mathematical sciences connected with sented to young and untutored minds before
their professions; but this, instead of being they had any conceptions of their utility, or
considered as an ultimate object, should be the investigations to which they are applied,
viewed as only one of the subordinate objects and before they had acquired a relish for subof such institutions. Their grand and ulti- stantial knowledge; and the consequence has
mate objects ought to be, to induce a taste, been, that many have abandoned the pursuit
among the great mass of society, for moral of knowledge, on account of the dry and uninand intellectual improvement-and to diffuse, teresting form in which it was presented to
throughout all ranks, useful knowledge of the mind. In conformity with this practice,
every description, in order to raise the human  the directors of some mechanics' institutions
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192             ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
have selected lecturers chiefly on the ground of moral excellence, unless it be blended with
df their being expert mathematicians without that celestial light which proceeds directly
any knowledge of their accomplishments as from the great Source of intelligence. Dispopular teachers of natural science; and the cussions on some of the leading subjects to
consequence has been, that both the superin- which I allude can easily be conducted, withtendents and the members of the institution out in the least interfering with sectarian
have been disappointed, and the society has, views of religion; and I cannot account for
fallen into disrepute. For, a profound mathe- the almost universal practice of setting aside
matician is not generally the person best such topics in philosophical discussions, vithcalculated to convey a knowledge of the facts out being inclined to suppose that there is a
of natural history and philosophy, in the most certain degree of antipathy entertained towards
simple and alluring manner, to the untutored such subjects, notwithstanding their important
mind,                                      bearings on the present comfort and the future
2. Another defect in these institutions, as happiness of mankind.
presently conducted, is, that they are not ren-   I shall only add farther, that besides the
dered so subservient as they might be to the communication of knowledge by public lecmoral inmprovement of society. Knowledge tures in mechanics' institutions, the melnmbers
of every description ought to be rendered sub- of such societies might have occasional meetservient to the illustration of Divine truth-  ings for mutual instruction. At such meetof the attributes and moral government of the ings, a portion of some standard, scientific, or
Almighty-of the facts and evidences of reve- other work, might be read, and a conversation
lation-and for counteracting evil passions, entered into respecting the subject it discusses.
and promoting the advancement of the human Every member should have an opportunity
race in true morality-and thus preparing of proposing questions in reference to that
them for the employments of that future and subject, and of stating any objections or diffieternal world to which they are destined. culties that may occur to his mind-not for
Unless this object be kept in view, the advan- the purpose of cavilling or of formal disputatages which society will derive from  such tion, but to increase his information, and to
institutions will be comparatively few  and draw forth the remarks of his associates. In
unimportant.  For the mere acquisition of this way the leading branches of any partiscientific knowledge will not of itself counter- cular system of science might be explained and
act the depravity and moral evils which exist elucidated in the course of a session.
in the world, nor raise mankind in the scale
PART II.
MISCELLANEOUS HINTS IN REFERENCE TO THE DIFFUSION OF
KNOWLEDGE AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF SOCIETY.
ON the following subjects I originally in- next place, it would be necessary, not only to
tended to enter into some specific details and investigate the remedies to be applied to such
particular illustrations. But as this volume evils, but to introduce practices which have
has already swelled to a considerable size, I never yet prevailed, and to lay the foundation
can offer, in the meantime, only a few general of institutions which have never yet been
hints.-If we would carry forward the social established.  For, if ever we expect to behold
state of man to that " consummation" which a period when knowledge shall be universal,
is so " devoutly to he wished," we would when "Righteousness shall run down our
require, in the first place, to enter into every streets as a river," and when "Holiness to
department of society, and detect the absurdi- the Lord" shall be inscribed on all the emties, abuses, and immoral principles connected ployments of human life-our existing instiwith it, and expose them to view in all their tutions require to be new modelled, and many
naked deformities and unchristian tendencies. of them  altogether overturned, and a new
For there is scarcely a department of the foundation laid for the advancement of society,
social state, in Europe or Asia, whether civil, and the future progress of the human mind.
political, or ecclesiastical, but is based on self- Notwithstanding the vague and violent decla
ishness, ambition, avarice, tyranny, or other nations of certain politicians and divines about
Rnti-social and malignant principles.  In the the necessity of "preserving unimpaired our
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IMPROVEMENTS IN PREACHING.                              ]93
national institutions," it is evident that some ence to religion.  But it is preposterous to
of them are rotten to the very core, and stand dwell almost perpetually, as some preachers
as obstructions to the rights of mankind-to do, on what may be termed the alphabet, the
the progress of knowledge, and to moral rudiments, or first principles of Christianity,
improvement. There is a continual outcry as if Christians were always to remain "babes
among certain classes against every thing in Christ." " Leaving the first principles of
which has the appearance of "innovation," the doctrine of Christ," but neither forgetting
and which implies a want of confidence in them, nor dwelling exclusively upon them,
"the wisdom  of our ancestors;" as if laws they ought "to go on to- perfection," carrying
and institutions, framed in an age compara. forward and tracing these principles through
tively barbarous and unenlightened, were so all their important bearings and consequences
absolutely perfect that they required no far- in the Christian life, and expanding their
ther correction or improvement.  Without minds with all the views of the Divine operainnovation there can be no thorough reforma- tions which the aids of Revelation, art and
tion. Many existing institutions, laws, and science, can furnish.  This progress towards
usages, have been tried for centuries, and perfection, however, can never be attained, if
have been found of little avail to the renova- Christians are always employed in "laying
tion of the world; and he who insists that again the foundation," and never attempting
they shall be still supported in every iota, as to rear the superstructure; and if Christian
they have hitherto been, virtually declares, instructors are always exercised in attempting
that the moral world ought to stand still, to prove and explain a few of the fundamental
and that no such period as the Scripture- articles of the Christian system, and neglect to
Millennium will ever arrive to bless mankind. carry forward their readers and hearers through
There is an utter inconsistency in maintaining all the different departments of Christian acthat every practice and institution should con- tion and contemplation.  What should we
tinue in its present state, and at the same time think of the teacher of geometry who, after
admitting that the world is to be regenerated, explaining the terms, axioms, and first princiand that "the knowledge of Jehovah shall pies of the science, stopped short, and left the
cover the earth."  The one position appears student either to prosecute his path through
incompatible with the other, and he who the leading propositions ad. higher branches,
tenaciously adheres to the former must give or not, as he deemed proper?  What should
up the latter; and hence we have sometimes we think of the philosopher who spent his
found, that those who are strenuous supporters time merely in explaining the rules of philosoof "things as they are," do not hesitate to phizing, and the general laws of motion,
affirm, that "the world will never be much without ever applying them  to the investigabetter than it has hitherto been, and that tion and explanation of the phcelgm ena of the
wars, and ignorance, and misery, will con- visible world; and who is always defining
tinue to the end of time."  But such a first principles, without tracing them to their
sentiment, as we have already shown, is consequences, or pointing out the manner of
inconsistent with the plainest declarations of their application? We could expect but poor
the oracles of Heaven, and tends to throw a geometers and philosophers from such meagre
dismal gloom over all the future prospects of instructions.  Anti can we expect that the
society; and I trust there is scarcely one Christian instructor who seldom goes beyond
enlightened Christian that would dare to vin'- the axioms of Christianity shall render his
dicate an opinion so inconsistent with the hearers enlightened and practical Christians,
future improvement of our species, and with and bold heroes in promoting the cause of rethe benevolent purposes and arrangements of formation and religion?  If such a plan of
the Governor of the world.-But to enter instruction be wise, then the apostles and
particularly into the subjects to which I allude prophets were fools in directing us so particuwould require a separate volume of no incon- larly in all the practical bearings of religion,
siderable size. I shall therefore, in the mean- and taking such expensive views of the works
time, offer only a few general hints, leaving and the moral government of God. But,
every one to prosecute the subject more par- waiving such general observations, I proceed
ticularly by his own reflections.          to offer two or three particular remarks.
The preacher should take in a more comnI. On Improvements in regard to Preaching. prehensive range of subjects, in his instruce,
tions, than that to which he is usually confined.
In the few remarks which I intend to make The Scriplures contain references to a greater
on this topic it is taken for granted that the variety of objects than any other book-all of
fundamental facts and doctrines of Christianity which must be considered as legitimate subare to be frequently illustrated, and always jects for discussion in the pulpit. The works
recognized in every discussion that has a refer- of creation, as displaying the Power, Wisdn.o,
25                                        R              (19DaI,




194              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
Benevolence, Grandeur, and superintending mercial, political, and religious world, and
care of the Creator-the events recorded in what delightful and harmonious effects would
sacred and civil history, as manifestations of be produced, were the principles of our holy
the character and principles of his moral religion to be universally recognized in all the
government-the history of nations and the transactions of mankind.
revolutions to which they have been subjected,   Had we a preacher endowed with the graas illustrative of his faithfulness and retribu- phical powers of a Sir Walter Scott, with a
tive justice, and of the fulfilment of ancient mind imbued with Christian principles, and
predictions-the harmony which subsists be- ardently desirous to consecrate his faculties to
tween the system  of nature and the system  the advancement of practical Christianity —
of Revelation, and the mutual light they re- he might, by his lively and picturesque deflect upon each other-the depravity of man, scriptions of the scenes of sin and holiness,
-and the proofs and illustrations of it which and their respective effects on the moral world,
are to be found in the constitution and opera- excite attention to such subjects almost to as
tions of nature, and in the wars and devasta- high a pitch as that celebrated novelist did to
tions, and malignant principles which have his tales of warlike encounters, and of knights
prevailed in the world-the truth of Revela- and ferocious chieftains whose names ought
tion, as displayed in its powerful and beneficent now to descend into oblivion. Such were
effects in the case of nations, families, and in- some of the inspired preachers, whose orations
dividuals, and in its transforming influence are recorded in the book of God. Such was
on the state of society and on the physical the prophet Isaiah when he proclaimed to the
aspect of the world —the various active means tribes of Israel the counsels of the Most High.
by which society may -be improved and re- Let us conceive him standing in an elevated
generated, and the blessings of the gospel position in the court of the temple, at one of
diffused among all nations-the multifarious the solemn feasts, surrounded with thousands
ways in which benevolence and general phi- of worshippers,-describing the majesty of
lanthropy may be made to operate in diffusing Him " who measureth the waters in the hollow
knowledge, counteracting misery, alleviating of his hand, meteth out heaven with the span,
distress, and promoting happiniess among all and weigheth the mountains in scales and the
ranks-the rational grounds of those moral hills in a balance"-contrasting the grandeur
laws which God has promulgated in his word, of Jehovah with the vanities of the heathen
which form the basis of the order and happi- and the pitiful images of the idolator —porness of the moral universe,-these, and other traying the destruction of Babylon, and its
topics connected with them, in conjunction hideous and perpetual desolations —depicting
with the leading doctrines of Christianity, and the riches and splendour of Tyre, and the
the views which the Scriptures unfold of the doom which awaited her proud inhabitants —
glories of the Millennial era, the resurrection foretelling the downfall of Egypt and the utter
of the dead, the new heavens and earth, and confusion and despair which would seize upon
the employments and felicities of.the future all ranks-denouncing the wickedness and
world-should be exhibited in a luminous and abominations of the people of Judah-disenergetic manner, and illustrated with all the playing the Messiah, in his character, humiliafacts and scenes which the physical and moral tion, sufferings, and triumphs, and unfolding
world can supply. In particular, the duties of the future glories of his triumphant reign,
practical Christianity, the government of the when "the Gentiles shall come to his light,
temper, the dispositions and principles which and kings to the brightness of his rising,"
should be displayed amidst the scenes and de- and " all the ends of the earth shall see the
partments of human life, the duties incurnm- salvation of God,"-and we. have a represenbent on masters,, servants, parents, children, tation of a sacred orator, animated with the
teachers, scholars, merchants, judges, authors, most sublime conceptions, and delivering his
publishers, neighbours, and other relations in message in language calculated to arrest the
society, should be specifically explained and attention of every hearer.* —The apostle Paul
illustrated.  Graphical descriptions might be at Athens is another example.t  Standing on
given of the scenes of human life and the the summit of Mars hill, under the open
practices which abound in society, delineating canopy of heaven, with the lofty Acropolis
the selfish and malignant principles which towering behind  him, with  islands, seas,
pervade them, drawing them  forth from their mountains, and the peerless city of Athens,
hiding place, and portraying them before every with the Porch, the Lyceum, and the Grove,
eye, in all their contrariety to the principles stretched out before him, and pointing to the
of the gospel, and in all their repulsive features splendid temples of idolatry, and to the altar
and abominations-at the same time showing
/him  the: spirit of Christianity ought to operate )I1i* See Isaiah, chapters xi, xliv, xiii, x iii, xix,
iiii, Ix, lxv. &c.
in every scene and department in the corn-   t Acts, xv1i.
-( 1:94)




DOMESTIC EDUCATION.                               195
erected "To THE UNRvOWx GOD" —he de- ven to make known the will of God to man
scribes that incomprehensible Being "who How very different, both in matter alld man.
dwelleth not in temples made with hands," ner, were those simple and sublime instrucwho is the Source of life to all beings, and tions, from some of the meagre metaphysical
who has " appointed the times of their exist- discourses which are frequently read in our
ence and the boundaries of their habitations" churches, in a dull monotonous tone, and which
-demonstrates the absurdity of idol-worship present scarcely one well-defined or animating
-proclaims the commencement of a new era, idea to the majority of the hearers?  And let
and the command of the Most High to " all the reason of every man, who acknowledges
men every where to repent"-and declares the Scriptures as a Divine Revelation, deterthe certainty of a future state, a resurrection mine which of these modes of preaching is to
from the dead, and a day when "God will be preferred-whether we ought to imitate
judge the world in righteousness" by the man the example of inspired teachers, or that of
Christ Jesus.  There is no doubt that in this fallible and erring..men!
discourse, of which we have only a brief sum-   Again, the subject of the education of chilmary, the apostle would select all the sur- dren, and the proper means to be employed
rounding objects, the facts of history, and the for training them in knowledge and christian
scenes of nature, which could be made to bear morality, should occasionally form: the subject
on the point of discussion, in order to illus- of preaching. Lectures might be delivered on
trate the sublime topics of his address, and this subject on Sabbath. evenings, or on week
to produce an indelible impression on the days, and the general principles and rules laid
minlds of his audience.                   down, particularly illustrating by examples
We have another representation of what taken front the existing scenes and practices
a Christian preacher ought to be, in the exam- of society. With regard to private or famisy
pie of Messiah, the great " Teacher sent from  education, I know no book that would serve
God."  Seated on a mountain, with the vault for a better model, as to the manner in which
of heaven above him for his sounding board, such instructions should be conveyed, than
he expatiates on the happiness of the humble, Mr. Abbott's "Mother at home," with all its
the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, the appropriate facts and examples. Even the
peace-makers, and they who are persecuted mere reading of such a book to a public audi.
for the sake of righteousness, in opposition to ence, with occasional pauses, remarks, and
all the false maxims which had prevailed in the familiar illustrations, might produce a more
world; and, in a long discourse, exposes the  powerful practical effect than many elaborate
hypocritical and carrupt principles of the age, sermons, whose object is merely to prove a
and enforces the true laws of moral action on doctrine which a single text of Scripture is
every class of his hearers-a discourse which, sufficient to establish. This is a subject of parif it were not recorded in the Bible as having amount importance, and which has been too
been delivered by the highest authority, would much overlooked in the business of christian
be considered by some as a specimen of legal instruction.  Most of the evils which abound
preaching.  On other occasions he collected  in society may be traced to the want of proper
multitudes on the sea-shore, and addressed  tuition in early life, under the domestic roof,
them from a ship, illustrating his heavenly  and to the ignorance of parents and servants,
doctrines from the sowing of seed, the tares as to the rational and moral principles on
among the wheat, the gradual progress of which instruction and ofamily government
vegetation, the mustard tree, the pearl of great ought to proceed. Discourses should likeprice, and the net which gathered fishes of wise be occasionally preached on the duty of
every kind. The objects both of the living  Christians devoting a considerable portion
and inanimate creation were presented to his of their wealth for the promotion of educahearers, as conveying sentiments of instruc- tion and universal improvement in society.
tion and piety.. He inculcated: upon them  This is a duty which, in the present age, is
confidence in the care of Providence, from the scarcely understood or appreciated; and yet,
birds of the air and the flowers of the field. upon the universal attention that is paid to it
" Behold the fowls of the air," which are now  will depend the future progress of knowledge
flying around you, "they sow not, neither do and religion, and all the bright scenes to
they reap nor gather into barns, yet your which we look forward in the days of the
heavenly father feedeth them;" " Consider Millennium. But it is needless to enlarge on
the lilies of the field" growing on yonder this topic after what has been stated Ain the
meadow, " they toil not, neither do they spin, preceding pages.  (See p. 176, &c.)
yet Solomon, in all his.glory, was not arrayed    2. The effect of preaching might be inlike one of these."  Such were the subjects creased, by illustrating the facts and reasonillustrated, and the mode of instruction adopt- ings connected wvith religion-in so far as
ed by those who were commissioned from hea- they are.susceptible of it-with sensible re(195'




196              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
presentations. In describing, for example, the object, or an obscure and distorted conTep
the Jewish tabernacle, and its utensils, models tion, or no idea at all. For mere verbal de.
or pictorial representations of such objects, on scriptions can convey no distinct conceptions
a large scale, might be exhibited. I have of the objects to which I allude.
known persons who were considered as intel-   Some worthy Christians, I am aware, would
ligent Christians and mighty in the Scriptures, be apt to imagine, that such illustrations are
who appeared to have no accurate conceptions altogether foreign to the business of religion,
of such objects, and who, when the relative and that they would draw aside the mind from
positions of the altar of burnt offering, the God and spiritual objects.  But, I would ask,
sanctuary, and the Holy of Holies, were re- what do we know of religion except the nopresented on paper, along with the furniture tions we have acquired through the medium
and vessels in the respective apartments, ac- of the senses?  What ideas have we of God
quired ideas on the subject which they never but what we have derived from the history
before entertained.  When we consider the of his dispensations recorded in his word,
frequent allusions made to such objects in the and the contemplation of his visible works.
writings of the prophets, in the Evangelical Every fact contained in the Bible embodies
history, and particularly in the Epistle to the in it a description and exhibition of sensible
Hebrews, it cannot be a matter of mere indif- objects, without the intervention of which we
ference, that Christians should be altogether could have no ideas of religion at all; and the
destitute of clear conceptions of the scenes material creation around us is an adumbraand objects connected with the tabernacle in tion or sensible exhibition of the attributes
the wilderness, or the temple at Jerusalem; of the invisible Divinity.-His ominipresence
and there are comparatively few individuals and agency is manifested in every object we
who are able to form a distinct picture in their behold. Every plant and flower, as it springs
minds of such objects merely from reading the upward to maturity, indicates the presence
descriptions in the books of Moses. I have and incessant operation of Him who formed
heard a preacher attempt to convey an idea to it by his wisdom. Every ray of light descendhis hearers of the Ark of the Covenant, by ing from the solar orb, is an indication of the
telling them it was about the size of a tent-bed, presence and glory of Him who is represented
and somewhat similar to it in form. But it as dwelling "in light unapproachable." Were
would certainly have conveyed a more precise we, in reality, " spiritually minded," were our
and accurate idea, had a large drawing or en- thoughts and affections properly directed, we
graving of it been exhibited to their view, and would see God in every object and in every
the different parts of it pointed out and ex- event-in the instruments of agriculture, by
plained.  Maps, on a large scale, of Palestine, which the earth is cultivated-in the microAsia Minor, and the countries around Judea, scope which discloses to our view the invisible
where the Apostles travelled to propagate the worlds of life-in the Jewish tabernacle, with
gospel, might likewise be exhibited, when the all its furniture and utensils-in the history
preacher is lecturing on the journeyings of of nations, and the revolutions through which
Israel from Egypt, on the. Evangelists, or the they have passed-in the whirlwind, the temActs of the Apostles, for the purpose of eluci- pest, and the refreshing breeze-in the verdure
dating the narrations of the sacred historians, of summer, the storms of winter, the fruits of
and showing the relations of the several towns harvest, and in all the beauties and sublimities
and countries to which a reference or allusion of earth and heaven;-and therefore, whatever
is made; for the interest excited by these artificial representations can assist our minds
narratives, and some of the instructions to be in forming distinct conceptions of such objects
derived from  them, partly depend on our must have a tendency to convey instruction,
knowledge of the geographical positions and and to inspire us with sentiments of piety and
relations of the persons and places to which devotion.
the history refers. Similar exhibitions might   3. In order to diversify the topics of preachlikewise occasionally be made of various ob- ing, and to render it more interesting and
jects alluded to in Scripture connected with instructive, the education of candidates for
the agriculture, antiquities, arts and sciences the ministry ought to embrace a more approof the Eastern nations, —on a knowledge of  priate and extensive range of subjects than
which a clear preception of the meaning and that to which it has been usually confined.
references of many passages in the prophet- It is somewhat strange, that, in reference
ical and historical writings in a great measure to preaching, the simile has been introduced
depends.  The only point to be settled is, into our language, "as dull as a sermon."
whether it be proper, in any case, to introduce There is no class of orators that has such a
such subjects into the pulpit. If this point multiplicity of sublime and interesting objects
be admitted, then the question is, whether we and motives at his command, and so extensive a
ought to convey a clear and distinct idea of range of illustration as the Christian preacher
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SUBJECTS FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP.                               197
He has the boundless field of the universe, in learning, might be sufficient for laying the
all its diversified relations, in which to expa- foundation of knowledge in all tt.ose useful
tiate-all the scenes of Providence which have departments of science and religion, which.
been displayed in every age since time began  when thoroughly studied in after life, would
-eternity, past and to come, with all its awful "make the man of God complete, and thoand glorious realities-the ruin and the reco- roughly fitted for every good work."  It is
very of a fallen world-the virtues, miracles, little short of criminality to waste so much
deakh, resurrection, ascension, and glory, of time in such studies, while subjects of infinitely
Him who is " the image of the invisible God" greater importance are either overlooked, or,
-the operations of the Divine government altogether neglected.  And therefore, if we
in reference both to man and to angels-the  would render the Christian ministry fully effipowers and agencies of superior intelligences cient for all the great purposes it is intended
-the perfections of the Deity, and the gran- to accomplish, we must introduce new arrangedeur of his empire-the moral principles of ments into the plan of our academical instructhe Christian system, and the virtues which, tion. In connection with Biblical criticism,
if practised, would reunite all the tribes and and the study of Greek and Hebrew, in so
families of mankind-the hopes and fears of far as necessary for reading the Scriptures in
human beings both in regard to this world and  the original languages, all the branches of
to the life to come-the felicity and glory of natural history, geology, geography, experithe millennial church —the scenes of the con- mental philosophy, chemistry, physiology, naflagration, the general resurrection, the last tural theology; ancient and modern history,
judgment, and the happiness and employ- sacred, ecclesiastical, and civil; the progress
ments of men and angels throughout an end- of the arts; the physical, moral, and political
less duration,-these, with all the endlessly  state of the nations-in short, all the facts
diversified objects connected with them, form  which can be ascertained in reference to the
so many legitimate topics and sources of illus- operations of the Creator in the physical and
tration to every Christian preacher. And yet, moral universe, ought to be studied, in so far
a sermon is generally characterized as a dull as is practicable; and no one should be sent
and somniferous composition.  If this charac- forth as a preacher (unless in extraordinary
teristic be true, the fault lies, not in the sub- cases).@  Such knowledge would furnish inject, and the narrow range of topics, but in  exhaustible sources of itlustration on divine
the preacher himself.                        subjects, which would both arrest the attenIt is not a little unaccountable, that the tion, and increase the general knowledge of
series of instruction through which students the hearers of the gospel.  I have always confor the ministry usually pass, is every thing  sidered it as a characteristic of a good sermon,
but adapted to produce intelligent and eloquent which the hearers would appreciate, when aln
preachers of the gospel.  Almost the one-half outline of the leading ideas contained in it
of the time devoted to what are called philo- cotld be sketched on paper or canvass.  We
sophical studies is employed in the study of can paint the outlines of our Saviour's instrucLatin and mere classical literature, while they  tions, Paul's sermon at Athens, Moses' fareare never introduced to the knowledge of well address to the Israelites, the speech of
those more interesting and luminous subjects the Almighty addressed to Job, and most of
which have a far more direct bearing on the- the orations of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and
ology and the objects of the Christian minis- the other prophets.  But this can never be
try.  Even the subjects of natural history, done, unless there be interwoven with the
natural theology, geography, popular philoso- texture of the discourse tangible illustrations,
phy, and pulpit oratory, are seldom discussed borrowed from the subjects to which I have
or illustrated in the seminaries where they are alluded.  I may just add, that every candidate
taught; and hence may be traced the limited for the ministry should pay particular attenviews which are entertained respecting the tion to the improvement of his voice and manrange of illustration on subjects of divinity, ner of delivery, so that he may be enabled to
and the little effort which has been made to express his sentiments with a distinct articuexcel in sacred eloquence. A preacher, in so lation, and with becoming energy and pathos,
far as is practicable, should be a man of almost suitable to the nature and solemnity of his
universal knowledge.  Without extensive in- subject,-and not, as is frequently the case,
formation on all the subjects to which I have  like a school-boy reading his lesson with a
alluded, he cannot be supposed to enter with  disgusting monotony.  Where there is any
spirit and energy on the illustration of such    here appears no necessity for courses of
topics, or to exhibit those graphical descrip- mral philosophy in Christian colleges and acadetions, and delineations of physical and moral mies; as every one who takes Revelation for his
scenery to which I late'y adverted.  The time guide, finds the purest and most conmprehensive
svystem  of mioral science explained and illustrated
employed in the study of Latin, and classical l'y the sa(.red writers.
R 2              (197r




198              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
natural or acquired defect in the organs of denominations alluded to, since theyv. acknowspeech, the individual ought to be considered ledge no creed but the Scriptures; and when,
as unfit for the office of a Christian preacher. in fact, there is a creed-in some: instances
4 Divine worship should be so conducted not very consistent-embodied in the: hymn
that praise offered to our Creator and Re- book. The only question to be determined
deemer should be appropriate, and according is, Are inspired writers the best judges of
with the dictates of inspiration. - In order to what we ought to address to God, and ought
this, all the subjects of praise should.be taken we to be directed by them  in our devotions,
directly from the sacred oracles, and the-poeti- or by the flimsy and erring compositions of
cal version into which we throw them should fallible man 1 Private families and individuals
embody, as nearly as possible, the very lan- may be left to their own feelings and discreguage of the inspired writers, and, in every tion in this respect, but it is scarcely fair to
instance, the exact sentiments. The Scottish impose such compositions on a public asversion of the Psalms of David-though-con- sembly.
taining many doggrel rhymes, and susceptible    There is another circumstance, in the exerof considerable improvement-is, perhaps, the cise of praise, which deserves censure, and
nmost accordant of any with the language and that is, foolish and unmeaning repetitions.
sentiments of the inspired penman. It is Some tunes used in public worship require
strictly coincident with the common version the last line of the verse or stanza to be two
of. the Bible, and where that version is incor- or three times repeated, whether it contains a
rect, the poetical version is likewise deficient complete sense or not; other tunes require
in precision and accuracy. But it does not half a line to be repeated three times, alappear to be incumbent upon us either to use though the pause should happen to be in the
the whole of the book of Psalms in our praises, middle of a word; so that a worshipping asor to confine ourselves to that selection of sa- sembly, chiming in with such an absurd praccred poetry. The books of Moses, the book tice, appears " like children babbling nonsense
of Job, the prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, in their sports."  Such a practice is highly
Daniel, and Habakkuk, the Evangelists, the indecorous; it is little short of mocking the
Epistles, and particularly the book of Revela- Great Object of worship; and were an infidel
tion, can supply many appropriate passages entering an assembly when thus engaged, he
to direct our meditations in the exercise of might have some show of reason for declaimpraise.. But I would lay it down as a princi- ing on the absurdities of Christian worship.
ple, that, in translating them  into English Those who abet such a practice would do
verse, we should strictly adhere to the senti- well to consider the import of the Apostle's
ments of the inspired writers, without inter- resolution, " I will sing with the spirit, and I
weaving our own paraphrases and comments. will sing with the understanding also."
I hold it as an axiom, that the inspired writers   II. The Union of the Christian Church
are the best judges of what is proper to be would have a tendency to promote universal
addressed' to God in praise, and that our improvement.
praises ought to contain nothing but the pure   The jealousies and. mutual recriminations
sentiments of inspiration. In opposition to of contending sectaries constitute one of the
this maxim, we find Independents, Methodists, many causes which have prevented the adBaptists, and others, using collections of what vancement of society. They have prevented
are termed hymns in public worship, and al- the harmonious co-operation of all ranks and
most discarding the book of Psalms, as if it parties in establishing seminaries for the inwere too antiquated a composition for direct- struction of the young, and for promoting the
ing Christian worship. Many of the compo- knowledge of religion in our own country
sitions I allude to are vague, enthusiastic, too and in other lands; so that society, instead
familiar in. their language when addressing of moving forward as one great harmonious
the Creator and Redeemer-in many instances body in the path of improvement, has been
exhibit confused and distorted images of di- shattered into a hundred different parties,
vine things, particularly when descanting on each moving in its own direction, sometimes
the joys of heaven; and their style and man- crossing the path of the. others, sometimes
ner as well as some of their sentiments, alto- advancing in an opposite direction, and sonmegether different from those of the prophets times clashing and engaging in mutual warand apostles. To prefer such compositions in  fare. This is a state of Christian society
our addresses to God, to those of inspired which is much to be deplored, and which remen, is little else than to " forsake the foun- quires the most serious and solemn consideratain of living waters, and' to hew out broken tion of all denominations of the religious
cisterns that can hold no water."  I know not world, as to the means which ought to be ema more glaring piece of contradiction than in ployed, and the concessions which ought to
the pertinacious use of such hymns by the be made, in order to produce a cordial union
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SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATED BY ENGRAVINGS.                           199
of all who appear, to be imbued with the spirit Judea, in which the houses are represented
of Christianity.  Were this desirable object with sloping roofs and large arched windows
nearly effected, numerous obstructions to the in the modern style, and the streets crowded
general diffusion of knowledge would be re- with horses, and horsemen, richly caparisoned,
moved, and a new impulse given to the cause like knights-errant or modern dragoons, and
of universal improvement.  A broad and solid holding halberts in their hands. The inhabitfoundation might be laid for the universal in- ants of these countries are represented as wearstruction of all ranks in the leading truths of ing neither shoes, stockings, nor sandals, but
religion, and in every department of useful quite bare from the soles of the feet to the
science, without interruption from those sec- knees. In a picture of the baptism of Christ,
tarian interests and contentions which have he is represented as standing quite naked
hitherto obstructed the rearing of the temple' beside a small rivulet, while John the Baptist
of knowledge and of Christianity.  Liberality is standing on the other side of it, holding a
of views, and a spirit for introducing improve- long cross in the one hand, and pouring water
ments into the social state, would be more from a basin on the head of Christ with the
extensively cherished. National reformation other. In a picture of the Temptation, Christ
would be carried forward with more vigour is represented as sitting in something like an
and effect. Political parties in the State- elbow-chair, with bare feet, a long robe like a
which are frequently based on -sectarian in- surplice, and a glory round his head, while
terests and opinions-would be gradually un- Satan appears addressing him in the attire of
dermined, and all who are " right-hearted men" a modern female, standing upon cloven feet,
disposed to co-operate in every measure that and having wings attached to his shoulders.
has a tendency to promote the general good. Such representations, which may be considered
The influence of such a state of society would  is specimens of most of our Scripture prints,
be powerful in procuring the enactment of instead of conveying ideas of the facts they
laws congenial to the spirit of philanthropy, are intended torepresent, tend only to degrade
and the dictates of revelation.  Missionary and caricature them. Nothing can be more
enterprises to heathen countries would be car- foolish and preposterous than most of the
ried forward on a much more extensive scale, pictures representing the scenes of Scripture
and with far greater energy and effect, than history, particularly in reference to the anacan now be produced by the separate and in- chronisms they display. Burgoyne, in his
sulated operations of sectarian missions. Unity  Travels, notices a painting in Spain, where
of plan and operation would be introduced Abraham  is preparing to shoot Isaac with a
into all such expeditions, and a saving in the pistol, and an angel employed in providing
pecuniary means by which they are carried that it shall miss fire! There is a painting,
forward. Money, for all the purposes now  at Windsor, of Antonio Verrio, in which he
stated, would be collected with less trouble has introduced himself, Sir Godfrey Kneller,
and to a much greater amount; perhaps not and Captain May, surveyor of the works, as
only double or treble the amount now fur- spectators of Christ's healing the sick. There
nished, but even tenfold such sums might be was in the Houghton Hall collection, Velvet
collected, were the spirit of Christian union, Brughels' "Adoration of the Magi," in which
and the liberal views which would accompany  were a multitude of figures, all finished with
it, to pervade the whole range of the religious the greatest Dutch exactness. The Ethiopian
world.                                     king is dressed in a surplice, with boots and
III. The knowledge of the Scriptures spturs, and brings for a present, a gold model
might be promoted by illustrating various of a modern ship.  Poussion's painting of
portions of them with appropriate engrav- Rebecca at the well, has the whole back-?7's,.                                     ground decorated with Grecian architecture.
We have, indeed, Bibles and Commenta- The same artist, in the picture of the Deluge,
ries of all sizes, from a 24mo to a folio, hawked has painted boats, not then invented. Some
through the country, " embellished" with en- of the Saxon painters put our Saviour, Noah,
gravings of different kinds, some of them not Abraham, and king Edgar, all in the same
a little expensive. But these embellishments habit.
are, for the most part, only fit for the amuse-   Many useful ideas respecting  Scriptural
nrent of children, and, instead of elucidating facts may be communicated by means of
the facts recorded in Sacred history, only tend engravings; but such representations as those
to distort them. They consist almost wholly to which I allude, should be for ever discarded
of pictures taken from  fancy, in which the from  our Commentaries and family Bibles.
manners, costume, architecture, and rural Instead of such absurd exhibitions, delineascenery of the Eastern nations, are grossly tions of real objects should be introduced, as
misrepresented. Among these, we find views, illustrative of some of the facts and descdipronnected with Jerusalem, and other cities in tions of Sacred history. For example, the
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200              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
plan of the Jewish tabernacle and temple, the party, between the hours of seven or eight in
altar of incense and of burnt-offering, the ark the morning, and six in the evening, if propel
of the covenant, the tables of showbread, the arrangements were made for that purpose.
golden candlesticks, the brazen laver, and When once the public is aware that certain
other utensils, as described by the sacred shops are shut up at a particular hour, every
historians-the instruments of agriculture and one would endeavour to supply himself with
of music, in so far as they are known, the the articles he required from such shops before
manner of grinding corn, the plan and form  that hour arrived; and though they were to
of the Eastern buildings, the war-chariots be kept open till twelve at midnight, or one
and battering-rams of the ancients-views of in the morning, we know, from experience,
modern Jerusalem, with plans of the relative that certain individuals would postpone their
positions of Mount Zion, Mount Calvary, purchases, till these hours had nearly arrived.
Mount of Olives, the brook Kidron, &c.-  In order to prevent any inconvenience to
views of Bethlehem, Nazareth, Joppa, the society, by the shops of bakers, grocers,
ruins of Tyre, Zidon, Babylon, and other apothecaries, or others, being closed at an
cities mentioned in Scripture, as illustrative early hour, an arrangement might be made to
of the fulfilment of prophecy, which may be have one shop of every class kept open to a
collected from the embellishments contained later hour, in every street or district of a
in the works of modern travellers-delinea- town, so that, on any unforeseen emergency,
tions illustrating the manners and customs articles of provisions, groceries, medicines,
of the Eastern nations-maps of Palestine, &c. might be procured. Every shopkeeper
Egypt, Arabia, Assyria, Idumea, Babylonia, of this description would, of course, have his
Persia, Greece, the islands of the Mediterra- turn, in succession, of keeping open his shop
nean, and the Roman empire, for illustrating during these extra hours, and of reaping,
the journeyings of Jesus Christ, the travels in rotation, the additional profits that might
of the Apostles, the route of the Israelites accrue, so that, in the course of a year or
through the wilderness,'and the descriptions less, all would find themselves on an equal
of the ancient prophets. Engravings might footing in regard to the quantity of business
also be given of the more remarkable animals, transacted, and the advantages gained, by
trees, and flowers, to which allusions are fre- keeping open in rotation their shops till later
quently made in the Sacred writings.  Such hours.
views and delineations might be given at an    There is nothing to hinder the immediate
expense much less than what is generally in- adoption of such arrangements, but that spirit
curred in engraving the paltry and fictitious of jealousy which too much prevails among
representations to which we have alluded; persons of the same profession, and which
and they would certainly be much more con- prevents a friendly intercourse among them
genial to the taste of intelligent readers of the for concerting measures for the good of the
Bible, and much more conducive to the illus- whole. A few obstinate and selfish characters,
tration of the scenes described by the Sacred in the spirit of contradiction, would, doubtless,
prophets and historians.                   set themselves in opposition to such regulaIV. Knowledge and moral improvement tions; but as their sordid and avaricious views
might be promoted by abridging the hours would be apparent to every one, they would
of labour.                                 soon be despised and deserted by the respectOne great objection to the prosecution able portion of the community, and would
of knowledge and general improvement is suffer the natural consequences which almost
founded on the fact, that the bulk of mankind invariably flow from selfishness and avarice.
have not sufficient leisure from their daily There is no man who, in such a case, sets
avocations for such purposes. This is partly himself in opposition to the general good of a
true in regard to merchants' clerks, haber- community, that ought to be regarded as a
dashers, grocers, apothecaries, and their ap- Christian; as such conduct is directly opposed
prentices and shopmen, and those employed to the precept which en joins us "to love our
in spinning-mills and several other manu- neighbour as ourselves," and "to look not
facetories.  In these cases, shops are kept merely on our own things, but also on the
open, and persons employed from six in the things of others."  Such an arrangement,
morning till eight, and even till ten or eleven while it could be injurious to none, would
o'clock in the evening. But there is no neces- be highly beneficial to all. It would afford
sity, in order to carry on the business of life, leisure for public, private, and domestic interthat such long hours of labour and attend- course —for attending philanthropic associaanct on shops should be imposed either on tions, or lectures on any branch of useful
masters or servants. All the business usually knowledge-for improving  their minds in
carried on in shops and manufactories could wisdom  and  virtue-for instructing  their
be transacted, without inconvenience to any children, and enjoying the sweets of domestic
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DIRECTION OF PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS.                              201
intercourse-and for taking an active part in large size, which might be sent up into the
all those schemes which tend to promote the atmosphere either with or without living be.
best interests of society.  In particular, it ings, and might be rendered subservient for
would afford an opportunity to merchants' investigating atmospherical phenomena, the
clerks, shopmen, apprentices, and others, of different currents and electrical states of the
attending societies, lectures, schools, or other air, and other particulars.  At the same tile,
seminaries of instruction, for improving both descriptions and explanations might be given
their intellectual and moral powers-for want to the assembled multitude, of the nature of
of which opportunities many young persons balloons, the principle oil which they ascend,
of this description rise up to manhood in the mode of inflating them, the facts which
comparative ignorance, and easily slide into have been ascertained by means of them  in
the paths of folly and intemperance.  But, regard to the upper regions of the atmosphere,
before such an arrangement is effected, it the nature and use of the parachute, and vari.
would lbe previously requisite that seminaries, ous details in relation to aerial navigation.such as those formerly suggested, be estab- 2. Panoramtas, or perspective exhibitions, on
lished, for promoting the instruction of the a large scale, of ancient and modern buildings,
classes to which I allude, so that their evening cities, towns, ranges of mountains, sea-ports,
hours may not be spent in sloth or licentious- volcanoes, grottos, romantic rural scenery, and
ness.  In regard to weavers, masons, tailors, whatever is grand, beautiful, and interesting,
carpenters, mill-spinners, and common labour- in the scenes of Nature and Art. Such panoers, eight hours a (lay employed in labour, in- ramic scenes, while they could not fail to
stead of ten or eleven, might be sufficient for gratify every spectator, would convey to the
all the purposes of society.  Since the inven- mind ideas which could not be derived from
tion of modern machinery, a much greater any other source, except the actual view of
quantity of labour than  formerly can be the objects represented.-3. Camnera obscuras,
effected in the same time. It appears to me, on a large scale, constructed in the manner
that the Governor of the world, in permitting formerly described, (p. 123.)  If these were
such inventions for facilitating the process of constructed with large lenses of twenty or
manufactures, evidently intends thereby that thirty feet focal distance, their magnifying
the period of human labour should be abridged, power, on distant objects, would be equal to
in order to afford scope to all classes of society that of a telescope magnifying from thirty to
for mental, moral, and religious improvement, about fifty times, which would show the disand in order to prepare the way for that period taunt scenery of a country with great minutewhen " the knowledge of the Lord shall cover ness, and people, sheep, and other animals, at
the earth."  It ought, therefore, to be con- the distance of many miles, while more than
sidered as a misapplication of machinery when a score of persons at one time might contemit is employed chiefly for the purpose of plate such a scene. 4. Telescopes, constructed
enriching and aggrandizing a few individuals, of a single convex lens, or a concave speculum
while the mechanic and labourer are deprived of a long focal distance, for example, from
both of the physical and moral advantages twenty-five to forty feet, might be fixed in
which it was intended to produce.           certain positions, so that several individuals at
V. Knowledge might be promoted by a the same time might perceive their effect on
proper direction of public amusements.      distant objects.  Sir W. Herschel informs us
There can be no impropriety, at certain in- that, by looking with his naked eye on the
tervals, of gratifying the mass of society with speculum of his forty feet telescope, without
an exhibition of public amusements.  But                                    A
such amusements should always be blended,
if possible, with moral and intellectual instruction —be congenial to the dignity and the high
destination of man-and ought never to interfere with the purity of Christian morals. We   C
have public amusements of various descriptions. such as stage-plays, balls, masquerades,
horse-racing, cock-fighting, hull-baiting, equestrian feats and exhibitions, tricks of legerdemain, rope-dancing, &c. &c.; but most, if not
all, of these, have an immoral tendency, and      i   a r
some of them are inconsistent with humanity,  
and degrading to the character of man. In-                                   B
stead of such tuifling and demoralizing amuse- the interposition of any lens or mirror, he
ments, such exhibitions as the following might perceived distinctly one of the satellites of
be adopted:-1. Air balloons, of a pretty  Saturn; so that such an instrument would
26                                                      (201)




202                ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMIENT OF MANKIND.
present a brilliant view either of the moon or theatrical diversions, and similar amusements,
of terrestrial objects.  The manner of looking  and, while they tended to increase rational
at objects with such an instrument is repre- information, and to gratify the principle of
sented p. 201, where A B represents a concave curiosty, would be much more congenial to
mirror or speculum of a long focal distance, the taste of intelligent minds.  There are
C the focal point, a little within which several certain towns in this country whose magisspectators might stand with their faces to the trates give, from  the public funds, more than
specul mo, and view the distant objects behind  a hundred guineas annually for the encourthem.  Were A B a large convex lens of a agement of horse-races, besides the expenses
similar focus, the spectators could stand in a connected with the various preparations and
similar position and view the objects before erections deemed necessary on such occasions.
them.-5. Philosophical and chemical experi. Such sums, along with a small contribution
ments, of various descriptions, on a large scale, from each individual, (for example, an English
might be exhibited-such as the explosion of penny or twopence,) would, in general, be
a bladder full of oxygen and hydrogen gas, adequate to defray the expenses of such exhiby means of an electric spark, which produces bitions.
a tremendous sound-the breaking of a piece    VI. Knowledge and rational enjoyment
of glass or bladder, or a large square bottle, might be increased by erecting observatories
by the pressure of the atmosphere-the burn- in every town and populous village.
ing of charcoal or phosphorus in oxygen gas,   These observatories might be furnished,
which produces a most brilliant illumination  not only with some of the best achromatic
-the ascent of turpentine, when tinged of a telescopes for viewing terrestrial and celestial
red colour, through water in long glass tubes, objects, but likewise with several articles of
which produces a beautiful effect-the burn- philosophical apparatus, and specinmens of
ing of spirits of wine, after having been boiled, natural history.  In studying the science of
which produces an extensive and beautiful jet the heavens, there is nothing more gratifying
or spout of fire-the Chinese lights,* and an to those who have acquired a relish for this
indefinite variety of similar striking experi- subject, than to view the telescopic objects
ments, all of which might, at the same time, described by astronomers, such as the moons
be familiarly explained.                      and belts of Jupiter, the ring of Saturn, the
Such exhibitions might be made either in  crescent of Venus, the mountains and vales
large halls, in'squares, or in open areas in the of the moon, the nebulae, the double stars, and
neighbourhood of towns, according to the na- other interesting celestial phenomena.  Such
ture of the exhibition; and the best instru- views tend to produce a higher relish for asmental music might accompany them, and  tronomical studies and rational investigations;
might occasionally be enlivened by the sur- and no pictorial representations can serve as a
rounding multitudes joining in unison with  substitute, or convey the same ideas as actual
their voices. The expense of such exhibitions observations by good instruments.  But the
would be far less than the sums generally  majority of rational inquirers and of the comwasted in the encouragement of horse-racing,  inunity at large are deprived of such views on
* The Clinese lifhts are prod uced by the follow.. account of the expense of such instruments. An
ing composition: —Take twelve parts of nitre, five establishment of this kind might be set on foot,
and a half of sulphur, one-halfoforpimlent, one- either by a grant of money from a public fund,
half of' indigo, one-half of gunpowder, all finely or y subscription.  All the instruments repounded tad intimately mixed. When this co                             the instruments reposition is set fire to by a burning Inatch, it pro- quisite, in the first instance, would be, a large
duces a most splendid illumination. In the year achromatic telescope for viewing celestial phe1814, when peace with France was proclaimed, a nomena a
friend of mine. at the request of the magistrates
of Paisley, got a large quantityof this composition  trating practical astronomy, and viewing the
prepared, which was ignited on the parapet which  stars and planets in the daytime.  These
surrounded the spire of the High Church of that   it be purchased for about forty guineas,
[own, and which burned for more than half-an
hour, producing the most brilliant illumination  (see article Astronomy, p. 113-14,) and if all
over all the town, and was alln object of curiosity  hundred and twenty individuals were to coat Glasgow, about eight miles distant. It would                  y
be visible from elevated situations, more than  operate in such an undertaking, the subscripthirty miles distant  Such was the splendour of tion would be only seven shillings to each,
the light, that the birds rose from their nests, and  and, if an additional subscription of about two
flew around it, as if it had been the rising sun. At                paid, in the course of a
the same timie, a balloon, made of the allantois of a
talf. was sent up into the atmosphere, and a nurn.- few years the apparatus might be considerably
ber of large bladders, filled with oxygen and hy1dro- increased. One special advantage arising from
gen gas, were exploded, by being held in the Chi- the universal esablishment of observatories
nese lights, which produced sounds that were the universal esablishment of observatories
heard over all the town. The composition ex- would be, that the true time might always be
pended on this occasion, cost about ten pounds; accurately ascertained, and the public clocks
but a quantity sufficient for a common experiment
may be procured for two or three shillings.  regulated accordingly-on which circumstance
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IMPROVEMENTS IN TOWNS AND VILLAGES.                           203
depends, in certain cases, the determinifig of system of warfare has been one of the chief
the altitude of certain atmospherical pheno- causes of the evil of whicn we complain.
mena, such as a fiery meteor, or a luminous Man, living at enmity with his fellow-man,
arch, when seen by different observers in  judged it expedient to surround his habitaplaces distant from each other.            tions with a huge wall for protection against
VII. The inmrovcnent of towns, villages, the inroads of his hostile neighbours;-and
and roads, is intimately connected with the the problem to be solved, in this case seems
advancement of society.                   to have been,' In how small a space can we
There are few circumstances in the state of compress the greatest number of inhabitants,
society which exhibit the folly and-depravity so that our wall and fortifications shall cost
of man in a more striking point of view, than us the least trouble and expense' Small
the state of most of the cities and towns of towns and villages which were afterwards
Europe, and other parts of the world-not built, and which required no fortifications,
even excepting the British empire. In some copied the plan and dimensions of their streets
of our cities we have palaces, churches, col- from fortified towns, and thus the whole of
leges, and public buildings of the most mag- our cities, towns, and villages have been
nificent description, while the great mass of bungled and deranged.
the population around are living in miserable    Great cities, especially when ill-planned,
habitations in ltarrow dirty lanes, which are may be considered as great evils. The Creaseldom or never v.0ited by the rays of the sun, tor evidently intended that the population of
or the refreshing breeze. In the High street the globe should be more -equally distributed
of Edinburgh and its el virons, which contain than it is at present.  We are told that " He
a greater number of human habitations than created it not in vain, but formed it to be
any other spot of the same extent on the sur- inhabited."  But, how monstrous a disproface of the globe, the inhabitants appear to be portion is there in the distribution of its popuhuddled together like so many rabbits in their lation, when we find a mass of human beings,
cells. The houses are from five to eight and as in London, compressed into a space of little
ten stories high, with numerows narrow lanes more than 20 square miles, and a siurilar
or closes, from four to six feet wide, branching mass,. in another part of the same island,
from the street, and running down a great ex- spread over an extent of 20,000 square miles i!
tent towards a hollow on each side. In these There appears to be no reason, except in a
closes there is neither light nor pure air, but very few cases, why any city should extend
a continual gloom and noisome exhalations; beyond a population of a hundred thousand
and the physical filth and darkness which inhabitants; and a city containing such a
aboundt are generally emblems of the moral population should occupy five times the area
pollution and scenes of depravity which are that it does at present.  Towns distributed at
too frequently exhibited in such habitations. nearly equal distances over the face of a counSuch abodes are incompatible, not only with try, would be of far more importance for the
physical comfort, but with any attempts at im- general improvement of society than a few
provement in knowledge; and it is a kind of crowded cities with an overgrown population,
degradation to the nature of man, that any and more conducive to the health and moral.
human beings should be doonlm:d to spend of the inhabitants. There is one cbcumntheir lives in such wretched habitations. It stance that characterizes almost all our cities,
tends, not only to debase the moral character, towns, and villages, except in some recent
blt to prevent the expansion of the haman instances; and that is, the extreme narrowintellect. Instead of an extensive landscape, ness of the streets, some of which do not exadorned with flowers and verlure, and the ceed 15 or 20 feet in width. Even in the
view of the expansive canopy of heaven-the  United States of America, where the towns
inmates of such dwellin(s, for months and have been more recently built, and formed on
years, have nothing presented to the eye but more expansive plans than in Europe, this
a dead murky wall bespattered with filth, evil is found to exist. The street Broadway,
which confines the range of their vision with- in New York, which is so much celebrated,
in the compass of a few feet, and prevents and which is 3 miles in length, is only 80 feet
them  from becoming acquainted even with broad, and most of the other streets are conthe common scenes of nature. What has siderably narrower.  Most of the streets in
been now stated will apply in a greater or less Philadelphia are little more than 50 feet
degree to almost all our cities anid large towns, broad, except Broad street and 1Market street,
and even to some of our villages. Were we the latter being 100, and the former 113 feet
to inquire into the circumstances which led in breadth. Most of the small towns, howmen thus to immure themselves in gloomy ever, in the Northern States, such as Newholes and corners, like bats and owls, we Haven, Northampton, and others, are described
should doubtless find that the abominable by travellers as having broad streets and spa(203)




20t4,ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND..ious squares, and remarkable for their clean- where the houses are constructed with flat
liness and beauty. In Great Britain, most of roofs, they form  the sleeping places of the
the streets, especially in seaport towns, are family during the summer months. The rain
wretchedly narrow  and dirty.  In North- that falls upon them might be so conducted
Shields, county of Northumberland, the main as to supply every family with water for
street is nearly a mile long, but so narrow that washing, and cooking victuals.-6. Squares,
in many places two carriages cannot pass crescents, or octagonal spaces, should be apeach other. The New Town of Edinburgh, propriated in different parts of a town, for
which contains the most spacious and elegant bazaars, or shops where all kinds of merchan.
streets of any city in Europe, is disgraced dise should be sold; each shop having an
with two or three long narrow streets, not apartment or two connected with it, for the
above one-fourth the breadth of the others, temporary accommodation of a family.-7.
intended for the residence of the lower classes; The streets more particularly appropriated for
as if they had no right to enjoy a free light, dwelling-houses, should  have verandas or
pure air, and a cheerful prospect, as well as garden-plots in front of the houses on each
their superiors.-The following hints are sug- side, diversified with shrubs, flowers, and evergested in relation to the improvement of towns greens, and, at certain regular distances, a
and villages; though I have no hope of living few forest trees, so that the street, although
to see them realized in'my native country.    80 feet broad, would require only about 40
1. Most of our crowded towns should be feet of pavement.-8. In every large city,
demolished, or at least their streets ought to open spaces, within the city, should be set
be widened, at an average three times their apart for pleasure walks for the citizens, and
present breadth. Extravagant as this propo- diversified with trees, evergreen, shrubs, scats,
sal may appear, there is nothing that stands and bowers for shelter from the heat or rain.
in the way of its accomplishment but selfish- In small towns, such rural walks should be
ness and avarice. If the promotion of the formed to go quite round them.-9. A square
comfort and happiness of our species were plot of meadow ground, at each end of a town,
the great object of our ambition, all difficul- might be set apart for public meetings, amuseties would soon evanish, and all obstructions ments, or exhibitions, which might also serve
would speedily be removed; and why call for grazing, bleaching, promenading, and other
ourselves Christians, if this object is not kept purposes.-10. Certain streets might be alin view? —2. No street in any town or vil- lotted for houses of one or two stories, for the
lage should be less than 80 feet wide. In accommodation of those who have it not in
large towns, where the houses are above two their power to occupy more stately mansions,
or three stories in height, the streets should so as to preserve uniformity in every street;
not be less than 100 or 120 feet in breadth.-  but such streets should be equally broad, and
3. Narrow lanes and closes, of all descriptions, adorned in the same manner as the other
ought to be for ever banished from all our streets.- 11. Between the different streets
towns and cities.-4. The practice of sinking should be garden-plots for every family, and
stories below the level of a street, unless for accommodation for washing and bleaching.
cellars, should be laid aside. It has become as also for erecting workshops for smiths, caran almost universal practice in Edinburgh, penters, weavers, &c., wherever they are reand other towns, especially in genteel houses, quired.-12. Encouragement should be given
to have a srunk story for the kitchen and ser- in the neighbourhood of large towns, and
vants' rooms, as if they were unworthy of throughout the country at large, for building
enjoying free light and pure air, and their towns on such plans, and for transforming
health in no danger from the dampness of our present hamlets and villages into more
such apartments. There is something absurd convenient and pleasant places of residence.
and preposterous in being at the expense of If mankind were united by the bonds of
digging a hole for the under story of a house, Christian affection, and if all were as anxious
when a kitchen and laundry could be built to promote the happiness of their fellow-men,
b)ehind the house, on the level of the street, as the greater part are to hoard up wealth and
which would be more convenient and salu- riches which they can never enjoy, all the irnbrious.-5. Houses might be built with flat provements now suggested could easily be ac
roofs, with a parapet surrounding them, breast complished within the course of a few years,
high, which would form  a promenade for or, at farthest, within the limits of the next
families in towns, where they would enjoy generation.  But so long as avarice sways its
an, airing and a prospect of surrounding sceptre over the human breast, no extensive
objects, without removing from  their own improvement, either in knowledge, religion,
dwellings. It would also serve for drying or physical comfort can be effected.
clothes, contemplating the heavens, and va-   The following engraving exhibits a plan
zious other purposes. Jr Eastern countries, of a town of' a moderate size, which, with a
(201)




PLAN OF A SMALL TOWN.-ITINERATING  LIBRARIES.                      t20{)
few modlifications, according to circumstances, principal business of the town transacted, in
might be copied, in the formation of new  the squares, crescents, and central circle. The
towns and villages.  In this plan all the spaces between the backs of the houses in
streets cross one another in right angles, and the different streets might be set apart either
are supposed to he at least 80 feet broad. In for gardens, washing-houses, or workshops for
the centre there is a circular space about 240 the different mechanical professions. These
feet diameter, fromn which four streets diverge spaces should be from 120 to 150 feet wide.
Public Walk.                A walk should be made to go round the
whole town, decorated with trees, shrubs, and
bowers; and on each side of the town should
be a large common or bleaching green. The
extent of such a town would be about a mile
and a quarter in circumference, but might be
kK0~ I:~       indefinitely extended  according to circumstances. Such a town would undoubtedly be
X''  SJ rnd  1    1    1   1X1      much more commodious, pleasant, and salud       t                              01 v;    1  brious than most of the small towns and vilI' lages that now exist.,     VIII. Knowledge might be diffused at a.        -Lg                XW  g 12 r cheap ra,'e by means of itinerating  bibraries.
-Of late years small libraries have been esm  5 Aid  W1  1     tablished in most of our populous villages,
51 ~ 1         ~ 5and in connection with christian churches;
but the want of sufficient funds prevents the
1X1   5E ITI   5t 1m1  m        purchase of such a variety of books as is sufficient to keep alive the attention for any
number of years. In the year 1817, the plan
PLAN OFPA STREET              of itinerating libraries was suggested by Mr.
_/ _z,,,,,' /,;,,,        Samuel Brown of Haddington, and, under
tr'den or S'tuberVt Plotst                                  *
~ n A  m or  SIP ~ X- I  s  e his auspices, was commenced in East Lothian
-— C —---— rr'-a — w  y  and the neighbouring districts. The object is,. ——.. —-----------. ——. —. —---—. "to furnish all the towns and villages of the,-"///,,2 /,,,/e/,/,,?,',~/          country with libraries of useful books, and to
plant them at such distances that no individual
to each quarter of the town. The central may be more remote from one than a mile and
part of this circle might be formed into a a half." ".The books are formed into divisions
bowling green, diversified with shrubs and of fifty volumes each.  One of these divisions
flowers; or a circular tower might be erected is stationed in a place for two years, and the
in the midst of it to overtop the surrounding books are issued to all persons above twelve
buildings, on the top of which a large camera years of age who will take proper care of
obscura and some telescopes might be placed, them. After that period it is removed to
for the purpose of surveying the heavenly another town or village, and a new division
bodies, or the surrounding country.  The is sent in its room, which after other two
four openings into this circular space might year' is again exchanged for another."  By
be about 40 feet wide, or half the breadth of ~]'i' means a perpetual succession of new
the streets, which would afford the houses at >'-oks is introduced into each town and village,
each end of the four crescents a commandi.rg'     e principle of novelty is gratified, and the
view, not only of the interior of the civ-esz interest of the readers kept alive. The books
but of the whole street in both dire.t;Vns. are kept for a few years for the use of annual
Instead of a circle, an octagon, if jv'klr' more subscribers of five shillings. They are afterconvenient, might be adoarted. P1}r'e:}y oppo- wards formed into divisions of fifty volumes,
site this central circla, cn tl'h2,r'J and south and are lent the first year for one penny a
extremities of this town, a e two squares, volume, (provided it is not kept longer than
each of whose sides is  bojnt 170 feet long, one month) and gratis the second.  One of
and at the east and west extremities two cres- the principal features of these libraries is their
-cents, about 360 feet diameter. In each of cheapness.  A single library of fifty volumes,
the squares, and in the middle part of the with book-case, catalogue, labels, advertisecrescents, a church or other public building ments, and issuing books may be procured for
might be erected; and the entrance to these about ~10 at an average, as they are pursquares, &c., from the country, might be by a chased on the most economical plan. Were
broad arch-way under one of the buildings. a British and Foreign Itinerating Library
The principal shops might be placed, and the Society established in London, that could
S              (205)




206              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
raise ~10,000 annually, it is calculated that,   IX. Knowledge might be promoted by d&E
in conjunction with the small sums furnished lineations and inscriptions on various articles
by the readers, there could be established, in of furniture.
the course of twenty years, a library for every    We have, for example, many kinds of bowls,
524 persons in Great Britain and Ireland, drinking'vessels, &c., made of porcelain or
taking the population at twenty millions; and earthen ware, on which many foolish inscripin twenty-five years, for every 294 persons. tions and devices are engraved.  We have
which would be a complete supply for the likewise carpets, bed-curtains, handkerchiefs,
wants of the whole population.  And what &c., on which groups of fantastic figures, and
would such a sum be to the British govern- various distorted representations of natural
ment, which is extravagant enough to waste and artificial objects, are depicted, which serve
twenty times that sum every year in bestow- no purpose but that of exhibiting a gaudy
ing pensions on those who neither deserve show.-Now, if,. instead of such paltry dethem nor stand in need of them. The great vices, moral sentiments and maxims, pithy
object of these libraries is to promote the in- sayings, and sentences descriptive of certain
terests of religion, in connection with the historical and scientific facts, such as those
study of history, biography, voyages and tra- formerly specified, (pp. 68, 205,) were invels, and all the popular and useful branches scribed on the articles to which I allude, useful
of science. They have been supported and hints might be communicated and rendered
patronized by the most respectable persons in familiar wherever we turned our eyes, and
the country, and have riet with almost unpre- might occasionally suggest topics for useful
cedented success. They have been introduced conversation. In like manner, were real objects
into several other counties in Scotland and in nature and art depicted on china-ware,
Ireland, and in s6me of the West India islands, drinking vessels, printed cotton handkerchiefs,
and even in South Africa. The number of window-curtains, carpets, and similar articles,
volumes connected with the East Lothian in place of the fantastical figures usually deitinerating libraries now  amounts to nearly lineated, which have no prototypes in nature,
three  thousand.  In some of the divisions a considerable fund of information might in
every volume has been issued about 120 times, this way be imparted. For pictures, when
and many of them much oftener. Mr. Brown, true to nature and correctly delineated, conwho has directed and superintended these vey useful knowledge as well as books, and
libraries for eighteen years, deserves the thanks sometimes in a more pleasant and rapid manof his country for his benevolent and unremit- ner; and there is no more difficulty in engravting exertions.*  In several cities and towns ing real objects than in depicting the distorted
in America, such as Philadelphia and Albany, and fantastic objects which are usually repre.
libraries have been established for the use of sented; and in course of time, every rational
apprentices, both male and female. The ap- person would be induced to consider every
prentices' library in  Philadelphia contains thing as beautiful which is really useful. In
above 8000 volumes. Although well-selected following out these suggestions, we might
libraries are of immense importance for the have paper hangings and carpets deversified
diffusion of knowledge, yet no person, who with maps of the world and of particular
has it in his power to purchase a few good countries —bed and window curtains adorned
books occasionally, ought to confine his read- with public buildings, landscapes, views of
ing to the books of a public library; but in caverns, grottos, volcanic mountains, cataracts,
conjunction with the use of such looks, should steam-carriages, air-pumps, telescopes, foreign
endeavour to furnish himself with selections trees, shrubs, and animals-our plates, teaof some of the best standard books in the cups and saucers decorated with miniature
language, which he may study at leisure, and pictures of similar objects, accompanied with
to which he may immediately refer for any wise sayings, immutable truths and short
particular information of which he is de- statements of important facts. In this way a
sirous. Every general reader should, if possi- fund of sententious wisdom, in. connection
ble, be furnished with an English Dictionary, with views of interesting scenery, might be
a portable Encyclopedia, a summary of uni- introduced into every family; which would
versal history, and some of the best systems tend to excite inquiry, to lead to improving
of popular science.                        conversation, and to deter from the pursuit of
* Mr. S. Brown is a son of the Rev. John Brown, vicious and criminal courses. A king was
of Haddington, well known as the author of the said to have been saved from being poisoned
"Self-lnterpreting Bible,"'"Dictionary of the by his cup-bearer, by the following motto en.
Bible," "Systetm of Divinity," and many other   avd on the cup which contained the poison
works. His exertions, and the beneficial effectsono
which have flowed from them, show how much "Never begin any action of which thou hast
even an individual engrossed in an extensive btsi- not well considered the end."-It is evidenit,
ness has it in his power to perform, when his aims that the above hints might be reduced to pracare directed to promote the good of mankind.
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ABOLITION OF TAXES.                                207
tice with as much ease and cheapness as silly some of whom have vwy little money to spare.
and licentious inscriptions and clumsy castles I have known persons cf this description taxed
m the air; and that almost every article of in this way, to the amount of three or four
dress and furniture, every garden bower, and shillings, and even of half-a-guinea in one
every rural and architectural decoration, might day, when such sums were imperatively rein this way be rendered subservient to human quired for procuring the necessaries of life. —
knowledge and improvement; provided society It is likewise unfair, and absolutely unjust,
would give encouragement to such devices. that the inhabitants of villages, who are genlc
But, hitherto, the foolish and depraved cha- rally poorer than those in towns, should pay
racter of man has displayed itself in this as more for letters and newspapers than others.
Nwell as in almost every other department of While a person in a large town receives a
his actions.                                daily newspaper from  London gratis, the
X. The improvement of society requires villager, only four miles farther distant, pays
that changes and alterations be made in  for the conveyance of the same paper, twentymany of our established laws, regulations, six shillings a years, besides paying an addiand customs.                               tional penny for all his letters.*  The postage
The laws and practices to which I allude of letters should be so regulated that all may
are so numerous, that I shall mention only enjoy an equal benefit-that every facility
two or three as a specimen. 1. All taxes may be afforded for transmitting them  to
connected with the diffusion of knowledge foreign countries, whether belonging to the
s~hould  be wholly and for ever abolished. British dominions or not, —and the charge
These include taxes on the materials and the for letters and packages should be no more
manufacture of paper, which, besides directly than what is suficient to defray all the
adding to the price of this article, are found expenses of the Post-oqfice establishment; as
to be extremely vexatious to the manufacturer, is the case in the United States of America.
andt prevent him  from  getting his articles Under certain regulations all proof sheets of
rapidly conveyed to the market-taxes on any work sent to the author for corrections
newspapers, engravings, pamphlets, periodical should be firee of postage.  In these and
works, and advertisements of books and other many other respects our Post-office regulaarticles of trade-and taxes, too, in the shape tions require a thorough investigation and
of entering books in "Stationers' Hall," de- amendment.t-3. The names of ships and
priving the author or publisher of thirteen steam-vessels  should  be painted in  large
copies of his work, however valuable and characters on the most conspicuous parts
expensive, which in certain cases will amount of these vehicles. If the names of ships are
to the sum of ~200 or ~300.  Were these intended to distinguish them from each other,
and all other taxes connected with literature it appears preposterous and truly ridiculous,
abolished, and an economical mode of printing  to have the name depicted on the lower part
adopted, books might be purchased at little of the stern, which always stands in an
more than one half of their present price. In oblique position, and which is seldom  or
this connection, too, it may be stated, that the never seen, when approaching another vessel
charges demanded for the insertion of adver- or towards the shore. If the name of a vessel'
tisemnents of books in newspapers, magazines, were painted in large characters on each side
and other periodicals, are extravagantly hi'h, of the bow, it might be distinguished by a
and add, in no inconsiderable degree, to the good telescope at the distance of four or five
price of literature. In consequence of the tax miles, whereas it is sonmetimes difficult to
on newspapers there are only 30 millions of read the name of a vessel on the stern at the
them circulated in Great Britain and Ireland, distance of a few yards.  As it is interesting
which is but the one twenty-fifth part of the in many cases, not only to the owners of
number circulated in the United States of ships, but to those who have friends and
America, which contain little more than half relatives on board, to be able to distinguish
the population of the British empire.  In  any particular vessel, when it first makes its
England there is only one newspaper to 46,- appearance, the hint now given cannot be
000 inhabitants.-2. The postage of letters deemed  altogether  unimportant.-4.  The
should be greatly reduced. The conveyance practice of paying waiters, chambermaids,
of letters is scarcely a fair subject of taxation, boot-boys, and ostlers at inns, servant-maids,
if we wish to facilitate the interchange of &c. at private houses, and guards and postilsentiment and friendship among mankind. It lions in stage-coaches, should be universally
tends to prevent the poor man from corre- discarded-as creating unnecessay trouble and
sponding with his friends and relatives at a
distance-to prevent communications being   * Here I allude to the Petny/ posts lately estabsent to periodicals-and to abridge the corre- lished in mrost of our villares.
t In America the postage for any distance under,pondence of men of literature and science, 300 miles, is 5 cents; over 300 miles, 10 cents.
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'208             ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
expense to travellers, and fostering a spirit of frequently lead to almost interminable litigameanness, impudence, and avarice, in the tions, till the whole value of the subject in
persons occupying such situations. It would dispute is more than expended, and the liti.
be conducive both to the moral and pecuniary gants reduced to poverty. Our civil code
interests of all parties concerned, were such requires to be cancelled, and reconstructed,
customs abolished. Mr. Stuart informs us, de novo, on principles similar to the "Code
that no such custom prevails in the Northern Napoleon"-and our penal statutes require
States of America, and that it would be con- to be remodelled in such a manner, that
sidered in almost every instance as an insult, punishments may be proportioned to crimes,
to cffer such persons a gratuity for performing and that they be of such a nature as to
their duty.  This absurd and degrading prac- promote the reformation of the criminal.
tice has been handed down to us by the aris-   The above are merely specimens of customs,
tocracy, the servants of whom are always on laws, and usages, which require to be either
the watch for gratuities from  strangers and modified or abolished, in order to promote the
visitors. A literary gentleman, Dr. —, who advancement of society.
had frequently been invited to dine with Lord    XI. The  diffusion  of knowledge, and
-, was one day accosted by his lordship, the improvement of mankind, are, in some
and asked why he had not for a long time measure, dependent on a friendly interpast complied with his invitation to dinner? course being established among all civilized
"W hy," replied the doctor, " because I can- nations.
riot afford it; I can dine at my own apartments   Hitherto, nations, even those that are adjafor less than two shillings, but when I dine cent to each other, have acted towards other
with your lordship it costs me at least five nations with a spirit of selfishness and jeashillings-every one of your servants, at my lousy, as if they were beings of a different
departure, holding out his hand, and expect- species, and had no common relation as
ing a half-crown or a shilling at least to be brethren, or as children of the same Benevogiven him."-5. Another abominable custom  lent and Almighty Parent. Harassing restricwhich prevails at public meetings, and which tions, duties, excise regulations, and every
should be discarded, is, hissing and groaning other impediment, are thrown in the way of
at certain speakers, or at the sentiments they travellers, when passing from one country to
express. A hiss or a groan may display the another, as if the interests of one class of
malignity of those who utter it, and their human beings were set in opposition to those
antipathy to the opinions expressed, but it of another.  When a traveller passes from
never embodies a reason or an argument to England to France he mast pay for a passconfute the speaker, or convince the audience port, and should he happen to lose it he is
of the futility of his sentiments. In all delibe- treated as a rogue or a spy. When he passes
rative assemblies, every speaker who conducts from Holland to Britain, and carries an old
himself with decorum  should be listened to Dutch Bible along with him, before he can
without interruption, and facts and argu- convey it from the shore he must pay a duty
ments brought forward to confute his posi- to the amount of far more than its value.
tions, if they be untenable. To attempt to When he is about to embark at Liverpool
put down a speaker by hisses or groans is for America, his trunks and packages are
inconsistent with the dignity of an assembly searched, duties demanded, and a host of
of rational beings-is characteristic of a rabble, petty tyrants under the excise vex and harass
or a company of boors, rather than an assem- him in all his arrangements; when he lands
blage of men of intelligence-and generally on the other side of the Atlantic, he is subindicates the weakness of the cause which  jected to a similar ordeal; and when he
such conduct is intended to support.-6. Our returns to England with a few volumes of
civil and criminal codes require to be simpli- American literature, his luggage is again subfled and re-modelled, and formed on the jected to a strict scrutiny, and he must pay a
principles of equity and natural justice. shilling for every pound weight of knowledge
Many of their enactments are repugnant to he has imported.*  Besides the spirit of warreason and religion, and inconsistent with the
dictates of philanthropy and common sense,   * The following instance. among many others,
and with the spirit of an enlightened age. shows the harassing nature of custom-house retrictions:-A. Davidson, A. M.. a celebrated leeThe expense of law processes, as presently tllrer on experimental philosophy and chemistry,
conducted, amounts to a prohibition of a poor after having returned from Ireland to Liverpool,
man's obtaining justice in any case where he had his packages, containing an extensive apparatus, thrown into the custom-house, which were
has suffered an injury; and the multiplicity  not permitted to be removed till they should be
of statutes and precedents, the vagueness of minutely inspected. They consisted chiefly of
their language, and the unintelligible jargon glass cylillers, globes. receivers &c. of all (e.
scriptions, which required several days antd nmiclh
of terms and phrases connected with them, exertion to get packed; and they could not be an
(20S)




INSTRUCTION  OF SEAMEN.                                      q'}
fire, which has so frequently interrupted the  distinguished  for heroism, humanity, and a
correspondence  of nations, —such  harassing  nolble generosity; and, were  they generally
and vexationus restair.tions have a tenldency to  instructed in useful knowledge anld Christiar
foster a principle of antipathy, and to illpele  morals, they mnight be rendered usetul agents
the progress of knowledge. l'hey are tiurlled  in promotirlg the good of mankind both at
on a pricirCiple  of selfishness antl malilgnity, home and llr.)ad.  The " British arld Foreign
alnd, like al1 such principles, they'frustrate  Sailors' Society" was formnerd sometime ago,
even the pecuriary object they were intended  "tbr promoting the moral arid religious imto i)romote; for, in point of fact, so far fTromn  provement of seamen."   Of this soclety, Lor(!
increasingc the wealth of a nation, they tend  Mountsandfbrd is president; Alderman Pirie,
in many ways to dilinirishl its resrurces. Were  aiid G. F. Angas, Esq., treasurers; the Rev.
all such restricti.olls aid exactions abolished, Dr. Cox, and the Rev. T'I.''impsonl, secretaphilalthropic travellers might tmake a tour ries-gentlemen distinguished for their activity
through the nations without being annoyed-  in every department of philanthropic labour.
the nmanufacturi s and natural productions of  The principal scene of their labour is the port
every country coult be afforded at a much  of ILondon, where the gospel is preached, and
cheaper rate tharln at present-and the hundred  prayer-meetings held  on  board ships, every
thousands of pounds and dollars annually ex- evening, ty agents of the society, who distripended in keepinrl, up a numerous retinue of  bute  Bibles, religious books and tracts, and
excise offtic rs anid underlings, woull be saved  enter into conversation with the seamen on
for the  purposes of national improvement. morai antd religious subjects.  They have alThe most enlightened  political economists  reatly spent upwards of ~2000 in titting up'
now  agree that Free Trade should be uni- a chapel and other buildings, and have proversally encoura'ged, and that extraordilsary  vicded 140 " Loan Ship Liliraries," comprising
restrictions upon tire importation of goodus are  4000 volumes, now abrroad in many vessels;
injurious to the wealth  and  prosperity  of  and 50 small libraries for the fishing smacks
nations.                                         sailing from the Thames; besidles the "Vestry
XII. The improvement of society requires  Iibrary," which contains upwards of 3000
that particular attention be paid to tile intel-  volumes, (laily open to the sailors in the depot
lectual, an(l religious instruction of senmen.    of the chaplel;-but the want of atlequate
The  British navy includes about:30,000  funds prevei-ts them  from enlarging the sphere
men; the lBritish nmerchant service labout 220,- of their operations.  To complete such  be000, of whom  about 100,000 are engaged in  nevoleltt arranigements, it would be requisite,
the coasting trlie, and 120,000 in the foreign  could ftlunds be procured, to establish schools
trade.  Th'Ie coast-guard service includes 21,- on a Ilmoral and inltellectual principle, some of
000 individuals; and there are of fishernmlen, them  adapted to the children of sailors, and
watermtna, alid Iboatnmen, probarly  not less others for the rational instruction of adults.
than  5),000  persons, beside their thrllies, Iectures on  popular Science, accompanlied
amounting in all to above 320,000 individuals, with experimlents, might likewise be occasionexclusive of their wives arid childlrenl.  An  ally delivered; and the religious books conimmense nulrlrlrbr of this class of men is like- tained in the libraries blended  with popular
wise connectedl  with the  United  States of  arid  interesting  publications  on  geography,
America, but I have no data on which to form  astronomy, history, voyages, travels, and other
an estimllate of tlheir amount.  A'great plro- departments of knowledge.   Were  sailors
portion of these l[;rsons have been brought well ilstructed and moralized, they might imup  in delbasinrg  ignorance, both  of gentermal prove their own minds by reading and con.
knowledge alld of tihe truths of religion, alnd  versation, dluring  long voyages, and feel a
they are too fre(uently addicted to habrits of  superior degree of enjoyment to what they
profaieness aicl intemperance.  They form, now experience; they might be the means of
however, a nlost important  and  interesting  promotinlg  both  knowledge and  religion in
class of our fe!low-mlen —they are frequently  foreign lands-they imight soon be accustomed
packedl, in silch a situltion, without considerahle  to a fofurth person who could give himr the requiexpense aitd greart loss of time, ani thle risk of site ilnfirrlmationl, but this fourth person could
having a grealt i:)rt of the apliarattis b)rokenl aritl  iever lie oIhll d; and thus le was handlied absout
destroyed.  lie otlr-red to unp:Ack themi in the  fromi one tarlpy to Lnother and r ilciedi oit of four
presence of excise officers, ill tire apartlmeilts lie  or five hiIfi'-crrorvTs.,III thins way, three weeks
had procuredi fir tile  irrpose; buit tilis wvls re- were wastel to no purpose, till bv accideuit he illel
fused. lNei  calledi dl:t aftir lay at the Clirstoil-  with a1 rentlemrian, conilecledtl n Ith tile cuistomhouse atloht tile tllrIiter, It1lt ito  li  purpose.  Orie hlotise, with wvhoin  he was fi)rllerlv acqutainted,
tnerlit,r gave   llil  t sealedl c;ard, conti:iining  wio got hiis lickatges release(l, after le Inr i  seens
abrlot  two lirres of' fwrilint, to cllarry  to llrl.ther sll!jet"e!()  l IriiMCh ttrolule. expers,,,..it anxiety.
lnderliringr, frr wtfiih he ch:rr:re(d half a-crowni; and lost nearly a monlth, durinil wlich rhis lectiree
this Iiast ctr v-' him a sim illr cardr to a thirl pe:rso-,  mi ttili Irlave bieen nearly fitnisielhed.  Rtegulaltions
fir which tile sanit, chc'.re wa   e; ts ni; te  thlird  wrirli lerd to siuch imposilior)s and' perpllexitiea
parson gave another ialf crown card, to be handed  require to be speedily atbolishied.
27                                              s2               (209'




210 ~JON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
to contemi)late with intelligence the various but to gratify a selfish principle and an avair
scenes of nature which pass under their ob- cious propensity-to make a splendid figure in
servation, and record them for the information life, to lay up portions for children, or merely
of others-and thus become contributors to to glory in the idea of having hundreds or
science, and benefactors to their species, in- thousands of guineas or bank-notes deposited
stead of " increasing," as they often do, "the in a chest, in the stocks, or other place of setransgressors among men."                   curity.  Every one seems to think that he
XIII. In order to carry into effect the hints may use his money just as he pleases, without
suggested in the preceding pages, societies being resposible to a higher Power; and even
might be formed for the promotion of educa- many of those who call themselves Christion, and the general improvement of the so- tians, are glaringly guilty of that "covetouscialstate.                                 ness which is idolatry," although they are
From the operations of Bible and Mission- pointedly admonished that " the love of money
ary Associations, it is evident how much may is the root of all evil," and, consequently, the
be' achieved by the formation of societies for prevention of much good; and that " it leads
the accomplishment of a specific object.  The into many snares and temptations, and foolish
societies to which I allude, including the and hurtful lusts, which drown men in deChurch Missionary, Scottish, London, Wes- struction and perdition."  Nothing can be
leyan, and several others, now raise nearly  more irrational and degrading than for an im~300,000 annually. The general object I mortal being to hoard up treasures which he
would propose to accomplish by a new asso- never applies to any useful purpose, and who
ciation, is as important as any other which only feasts his imagination with the idea that
has yet engaged the public attention; for it he has them, to a certain amount, in his poslies at the foundation of all other philanthropic session. Yet thousands of such characters
plans, and they can never be brought into exist even in the Christian world.  What
eiqensive operation till it be accomplished. should we think of the man who took it into
If all ranks were thoroughly instructed in his head to lay up, in a large shed or garret,
knowledge and.cagion, and, consequently, which was carefully locked up from  public
led to appreciate the importance of Christi- view, 5,000 pair of boots, 10,000 tea-cups,
anity, and the necessity of its universal propa- 20,000 coffee-pots, or 30,000 cork-screws,
gation, the funds of our missionary institutions, with no other view than to please his fancy,
and the energies with which they would be and to tell the world that he had such a numconducted, would be increased tenfold more her of articles in his possession?  We should,
tihan they now are, and few individuals would doubtless, consider him as an arrant fool, or
be found altogether indifferent to such noble even as a downright madman. And what is
enterprises. Such an association might be the difference between hoarding thousands of
instrumental in calling the attention of the guineas, dollars, or bank-notes, which are
public to the subject-in diffusing information never brought forth for the benefit of manrespecting it-in detailing plans for accorm- kind, and accumulating fifty or a hundred
plishing the grand object intended-in illus- thousand pair of boots, spurs, or knee-buckles.'trating the noble and beneficial effects which  How ridiculous would it appear if all that
would flow from its accomplishment-and in could be said of a man when he died was, that
exciting the more wealthy members of: the the great object of his life was to lay up in
community to contribute a portion of their store 25,000 tea-kettles, which were never in.:substance for carrying forward the requisite tended for cooking, and 30,000 great-coats,
arrangements. By such a society, with all which were never intended  to be worn?
the auxiliaries that might be formed through- Equally foolish and contemptible is it, to lay
out a nation, it would scarcely be too much up thousands of pounds or dollars that are
to expect that a million of pounds might an- never consecrated to the glory of God or the
nrually be procured, which would render so- good of man. I know individuals who are
P;iety nearly independent of the caprices and worth ~1,000 a year, and whose annual expartialities of civil rulers, or of the grants of penditure does not amount to above ~150;'money which governments mnight either with- and I know others who are worth ten times
hold or bestow.                            that sum, who do not spend above two or
XIV. Before any plan for the improvement three hundreds a year; —yet it is sometimes
of mankind can be brought extensively into ef- difficult to obtain from them a guinea, or even
feet, the principle of avarice, as it now operates a few shillings, for a religious or philanthropic
n society, must be counteracted and subdued. object; and, were you to call in question their
The great object of the majority of man- Christianity, it would be considered as little
kind appears to be, to acquire as much wealth short of an insult.?
as possible, not for the purpose of applying it   * The late distinguished philanthropist, J. B.
to the service of God' and the good of society, Wilson, Esq., of Clapham Common, was once
210)




RECAPITULATION AND CONCLUSION.                           211
It becomes Christianchurches andministers be constructed-the modes of teaching, by
seriously to consider this subject, if they wish which substantial knowledge and moral printo see the principles of pure Christianity re- ciple may be communicated-the branches of
duced to practice, and worldly maxims under- knowledge which should be taught to ait
mined, and if they would be instrumental in classes of the community-the rational and
preparing the way for the universal propaga- intellectual processes by which a knowledge
tion of the gospel, and the arrival of the pre- of them is to be conveyed-the moral and re.
dicted  Millennium.  Were it not for the ligious instruction of the young-the manner
prevalence of the debasing principle of avarice, in which Sabbath schools should be conductwe should, ere long, have seminaries of all ed, and the qualifications requisite for every
descriptions established among us, for training teacher, in such institutions-the seminaries
both the young and the old in knowledge and which require to be established for young
virtue, and ":to glory and immortality" —we persons of both sexes from the age of fifteen
should have our towns and cities cleared of to the age of twenty years or upwards-the
every nuisance-our roads and footpaths im- qualifications requisite for teachers of all deproved-our deserts turned into fruitful fields scriptions, and the seminaries which ought
-new towns and villages erected on spacious to be established for their instruction-the
plans-intelligence speedily and cheaply con- practicability of establishing all such instituveyed-the physical aspect of'the country tions-the utility of such improvements in
beautified and adorned —and the whole frame education, in counteracting crime, raising the
of society transformed and remodelled, in moral and intellectual character of man, and
conformity with the principles of reason and preparing the way for the approach of the
religion. Were I to enter into minute calcu- millennial era-the principles on which nalations on this subject, it might easily -be tional systems of education should be estabshown, that the wealth presently possessed lished-mechanics' institutions, and the imby civilized nations, were it properly distributed provements of which they are susceptibleand applied, would be more than sufficient to with a variety of miscellaneous hints in
introduce every improvement in society, phy- reference to the diffusion of knowledge and
sical, moral, and intellectual, of which the the improvement of general society.
terrestrial state of man- is susceptible-to raise    Were such institutions once established
the degraded mass of this world's population throughout every part of our country and of
to intelligence and virtue-to bring into a the world at large, thoroughly imbued with
state of'cultivation almost every waste on the the spirit of Christianity, and conducted with
face of the globe-to intersect every country activity and zeal-there can be little doubt
with canals and rail-roads —and to transform  that they would, ere long, be accompanied
the whole earth into a paradise, scarcely in- with the most interesting and beneficial results.
ferior in beauty to that which appeared at the We should soon behold ignorance, foolish
first creation. And those who expended their prejudices, superstition, enthusiasm, bigotry,
superfluous wealth in such noble achievements, and intolerance, with all their accompanying
so far friom having any of their sensitive en- evils, gradually evanishing from the world, as
joyments diminished, would enjoy a happi- the shades of night before the rising sun. We
ness, both'physical and mental, far surpassing should behold the human mind aroused from
any -thing which they formerly experienced.  the slumber of ages, exerting its energies on
objects worthy of its high dignity and destiRec3apitulation and Concl~usion.     nation, and conducive to the improvement and
In the preceding pages I have endeavoured the happiness of the social state. We should
to illustrate a variety of topics in reference to behold science enlarging its boundaries, the
the education and general improvement of all useful and ornamental arts carried to perfecclasses of society-particularly the physical, tion, and the universe more fully explored
moral, and intellectual instruction of infants throughout all its departments. For we should
-the advantages which would result from the then have a thousand experimenters, and' a
universal establishment of infant schools-the thousand intelligent observers of the phe"sminaries which require to be erected for the nomena of-nature, for one that exists in the
instruction of youth from the age of six, to present state of intellectual debasement. New
the age'of fifteen years-the plan andariange-:and interesting experiments would be insti3ment of school-rooms, and the objects and ap- tuted, new facts explored, new regions of the
paratus with which they should be furnished universe laid open to view, and a nobleness,
-the principles on which school-books should a vigour, and a lofty spirit of independence,
on every subject of thought, displayed by the
heard to say of one who had been looked up tO as:human mind. We should  behold avarice,
a good man and Christian, "He.died wickedly
rich,"-evidently.implying, that he thought such pride, ambition, revenge, and other malignant
a malnl Christianity was extremely doubtful.    passions, in a great measure extirpated; an2.X.... *.  " -:.           (2l  i




212              ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
a spirit of love, affection, liberality, and har- stored to the dignity of his moral and inteilee
mony, pervading every department of the tual nature, no longer roaming th:2 desert
moral world.  We should behold the Chris- wild and uncultivated like the beasts of prey
tian world approaching to a harmonious union throwing aside his warlike bows and his battle.
-the spirit of jealousy and dissension laid to axes, directing his faculties to the improvement
rest-the demon of persecution chased out of his species, and to the most sublime invesof the world-the truths of religion and its tigations.-I behold men of all nations and
holy principles recogllized in every depart- kindreds cultivating a harmonious and friendly
ment and arrangement in society-the great intercourse;-the  tribes of New  Holland,
realities of the eternal world contemplated in Borneo, Sumatra, and Madagascar, visiting
their true light, and men of all ranks walking the British Isles with the productions of their
hand-in-hand, as brethren of the same family, respective climates, and holding literary and
to the same glorious and incorruptible inheri- religious correspondence with the directors of
tance.                                     our philosophical and missionary associations,
In the progress of such institutions-when  on all the subjects of Christian and scientific
they shall have been brought into full opera- investigation.
tion-I behold, in the prospect of future ages,   I behold the scenery of the heavens more
the most important transformations, and the fully explored, and new prospects opened into
most glorious results, in the improvement the distant regions of the universe-the geoboth of the intellect'ual and of the physical graphy of the moon brought to perfection,
world. I behold the surface of the earth, its mountains and vales thoroughly explored,
at no distant period, adorned with vegetable and traces of the existence and operations of
andt architectural beauties and embellishments its inhabitants exhibited to view —the nature
-our deserts transformed into fruitful fields-  of comets ascertained-the causes of the
our marshes drained-our moors and heath- various phenorena which appear on  the
clad mountains adorned with fruitful trees-our planets explained —the construction of the
gardens producing the fruits of every clime-  sun and the nature of his spots determinedour highways broad and spacious, accompanied the sublime scenes connected with the new
with cleanly footpaths, and at the distance of and variable stars, double and treble stars, and
every half-mile furnished with  seats and the many thousands of nebula  dispersed
bowers for the shelter and refreshment of the through the regions of boundless space, more
passing traveller, and every bower furnished fully displayed-and  the Divine character
with Penny Magazines and other works for arnd perfections appearing with still greater
the instruction and amusement of every one lustre and magnificence throughout the amwho has leisure to peruse them-our abomi- plitudes of creation.
nable lanes and closes, the seats of physical   I behold the ministers of religion expatiatand moral pollution, completely demolished ing, amidst thousands of intelligent worshipand laid open to the light of heaven-our nar- pers, on higher themes and more diversified
row streets expanding into spacious squares, topics than those to which they are now
cheered with the solar beams, and with rural necessarily restricted-not confining their atprospects, and ventilated with the refreshing tention merely to first principles, and to a few
breeze-our densely crowded cities almost fragments of the Christian system, but taking
completely demolished, and new cities arising the whole of Divine Revelation as their textfrom their ruins, on noble and expansive plans, book, and deriving their illustrations of it
corresponding to tile expansive state of the from the records of Providence, and from all
human mind.                                the diversified scenes of the universe.-In fine,
I behold the climates of the earth meliorated I behold the human soul, thus elevated and
by the hand of genius and industry-by the refined, and endowed with multifarious knowcutting  down of, forests, the draining  of ledge, dropping its earthly tabernacle in the
marshes, the improvement of sandy and rocky dust, and, i.l another and a higher region of
wastes, and the universal cultivation of the existence, contemplating the economy of other
soil-the thunderbolts of heaven, wielded by worlds, exploring the wonders of Divine Wisthe philosophic sage, and the forked light- dom and Omnipotence throughout the immennings, directed by the hand of art, to play in sity of creation. prying into the mysteries of
harmless coruscations in the regions of the human redemption, rising nearer and nearer
clouds.-I behold locomotive engines, steam  to the Divinity, expatiating amidst objects of
carriages, and air balloons, brought to perfec- beauty and beneficence, and beholding new
tion, transporting multitudes of human beings scenes of grandeur and felicity rising to view,
from ole city to another, from one nation to in boundless perspective, while ages, numerous
another, and from one continent to another, as the drops of the ocean, are rolling on.
with a degree of velocity which has never   Let none imagine that such views are -ther
yet been attempted.-I behold the savage re- romantic or Utopian-they are the necessary
(212)




PRELUDES OF THE MILLENNIAL ERAS.                                213
re'eults of what will undoubtedly take place, wing, when the light of truth shall irradtate
when knowledge and Christian principles are the inhabitants of every region, and when
universally diffused.  It is owing chiefly to improvements of every descriptlon shall be
ignorance and the prevalence of malignant introduced into every department of the phy
principles, that science has been so slow in  sical and moral world. It only relains, that. as;ts progress, that contention and warfare have agents under the Moral Governor of the world,
wasted asnd demoralized the nations, that the we arouse ourselves from our present lethargy,
earth has been left barren and uncultivated, and devote all our powers, and wealth, and
that savages have been permitted for ages to energies, to the accomplishment tf such gloroam without arts and instruction, that religion  rious designs, resting  assured, that "ouI
has been neglected, and that so many evils, labour," if coducted with wisdomn  and perse
physical and moral, have been introduced into verance, "shall not lbe in vain in the l,ord."
the social state.  Remove the cause of exist-   In fine, if the world is ever to enlightened
ing evils, and opposite effects will be produced  and regeneratedl-if the predictions of anicient
-effects surpassing, in benignity and gran- prophets are to be fulfilledl-if the benevolent
deur, every thing which has occurred since purposes of the Alnilghty, in relation to our
time began. In the present age, distinguished  world, are to be accomplished-if war is to
from  all the  periods of time which have  cease its desolating ravages, and its instrute
hitherto elapsed, these effects are beginning  ments to be transformed into ploughshares
to appear.  All the movements now going  arid  pruning-hooks-if selfishness, avarice,
forward in the moral, political, scientific, and  injustice, oppression, slavery, arid revenge, are
religious world, have an evident beariing on  to be extirpated froln the earth —if tha tribes of
the approach of a more auspicious and en- mankind are to be united i2n the bonds of affeclightened era.  Tlhe rapid progress of scien- tion, andt righteousness and praise spring forth
tific discoveries, and of improvements in the before all nations-if the various ranks of soarts-the numnerous and cheap publications, ciety are to be brought into harmonlious assoon all subjects of useful knowledge, now is- ciation, and united in the bond of' universal
suing from  the press, in hundreds of thou- love-if the heathen world is to be enlightsands at a time, and read by all classes of the ened, and the Christian world cemented in
comnmunity-the erection of public seminaries one grand and harmonious union-if the
on new and improved plans, throughout dif- landscape of the earth is to be adorned with
ferent coulltries both of Europe -and America new beauties, and the wilderness lliade to bud
-the establishment of philosophical institu- and blossom  as the rose-if " the kingdoms
tions, missionary associations, and readinlg so- of this world are to become the killgdorns of
cieties, in every town, and almost in every  our Lord and his Messiah," " the whole earth
parish-the extensive circulation of news- filled with his glory," anrid his scceptre swayed
papers, magazines, and literary and religious over the nationls throughout all succeeding
journals, of all descriptions-the steamli-boats ages —these long-expected  events will, unand carriages which have been constructed, doubtedly, be introduced by the universal
and the numerous canals and rail-roads whllich  inlstruction of all ranks, in every  lillg mrat
have been formed, for the speedy conveyance has a bearilg on their present happiness, and
of passengers from  one place to another, in  their immortal destiny.  If we, therefore, reorder to facilitate the intercourse of hurnan  fuse to lend our helping hand to the accombeings -the application of machinery to the  plishmellt cf this great object, we virtually
different arts and manufactures, for ilncreasing  attempt to frustrate the purposes of the Eterthe productions of human labour-the desire nal, and to prevent the present and future
excited among all ranks, even the lowest, for happiness of mankind.  And while we pray
rational information, and for investigating  to the "Great IJordl of all," that he would
every subject colnected with the hiappinless " appear in his glory to inen," anld hasten the
of the social state-the abolition of sl'azrery, time whlet " his naise shall be great from the
with all its degrading accompanimenits-the  rising to the setting sun,' we only offer an
reformnations going forward both ini Church  insult to the Majesty.  leaven, while we
and State-the spirit of liberty bursting forth  refuse to consecrate our wealth and illuen-ce
among the tlations in both hemispheres of the  to his service, and to engage in holy activity
globe-the conversion  of savage tribes to  as " workers together with Godl."  We may
Christianity, and their advancement in know- legislate as we have hitherto dolle, for ages to
ledge anrl civilization,-these, and Inanly simi- come-we may make, unmaklc, and modify
lar movemnents, viewed in connection with the our civil laws. enforce hundreds of regulations
Divine declarations, that "Wars shall cease and enlactments for the pulnishnlent and preto the ends of the world," and that "the earth  velltionl of crime —we may build thousands
shall be.filled with the knowledge (f Jehovah"'of churches andl colleges, ald academies with-plainly point to a period which is on the out number-we may engage in  profound
2 13)




ON THE MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND.
discussions and investigations, and compass will prove abortive, and our superstuictures
sea and land to make proselytes to our opin- gradually crumble into dust, and, " like -the
ions; but unlless the foundations of society be baseless fiabric of a vision, leave scarce a wreck
laid in the rational and religious education of behind."
all classes of the young, our most specious plans
APPENDIX.
INSANITY FROM  EXCESSIVE STUDY.
Tea following instance of the effects of bursts from  tie side. To escape the fier
excessive study, and the danger of neglecting  deluge I travelled by sea and land, but onward
the animal functions, is extracted from  the it still seemed to move, and ever to rear itself
"American Annals of Education" for Sep- a wall of living fire.  One only thing I can
tember, 1833.                               recollect clearly. Finding myself in a strange
Mr. Joseph Frothingham, from Salem, State street, near a large stone building, I inquired
of' Massachusetts, was a student of the Oneida of a soldier the name of the place, and he tanInstitute.  In April, 1833, he was suddenly svered,' Montreal.'  For a moment 1 wonmissed, and strong suspicions were entertained  dered what could have brought me there, but
of his having been murdered.  Nothing was then came confusion over my mind again, and
heard of him, however, until a letter was re- nzo an idea or, izcident can I recollect until
cently received by his parents, dated "Atlantic yesterday about 10 a. m. when I found myself
Ocean, 12th May, 1833, —50  miles east of in the steerage of a ship bound fiom Quebec
Newfoundland Banks."  The following ex- to Liverpool.  I immediately communicated
tract from his letter will show to what account every thing to my fellow-passengers, (a young
his abduction is to be charged:-" While at man and wife,) and from  them  learned the
the Institute, ha, ig nothing else to do, and following particulars."
wishing to get at, ad, I applied myself very   It appears that he met them  accidentally,
closely to study, (pa qiccularly the Latin grain- and embarked with them, after making most
mar,) leaving of only when absolutely neces- of the necessary preparations; and, after passsary. You recollect I arrived during vacation, ing through various difficulties in his way
before the re-ular course of labour had coln- dow. the river, reached the ship.  In consermenced, and thinking I should have plenty  qu, lce of the small sum of money which Mr.
of it in a fewv days, contented myself with F. nad, he was consigned to the steerage, but
taking very little exercise. The effects of this kindly supplied with necessaries by the captain.
close application frfom sunrise till nine in the It was not until a week's confinement with sea.
evening I soon perceived, and several t;mes sickness (which perhaps was the very remedy
was sensible that my thoughts for a moment v hich a kind Providence saw necessary) that
or two were rather wandering. Yet I did not he recovered his recollection; and then, he
feel at all anxious or discouraged, reasoning ob erves, his " mind, in an instant, was as
with myself, that so sudden a change of pur- clear and as rational as ever."  The conclusuit must necessarily cause me at first to feel sion of his own letter will be more interesting
rather unwell, and that after a few days my than any abridgment.  " The captain remarkmind would recover its wonted tone.  After ed, that he had sometimes suspected me to be
the 5th or 6th of April, the little momentary a little deranged, and my fellow-passengers
aberrations became more frequent, and how I thought my appearance very odd at Quebec;
spent much of the time intervening between but as I was fiequently engaged, while on
that date and the 8th, I am wholly unable to board,'in reading their books, they concluded
say.  Some things which I did I recollect dis- it was owing to' absence of mind, and a natutinctly, and others only as we recall the vaga- rally eccentric character.' They could hardly
ries of a dream.  But after the 8th, every believe me, whenl I first made known to them
thing iswrapt in confusion,-' shadows, clouds, my utter ignorance of every transaction since
and darkness rest upon it.' I have a vague the time T met with them on the St. Lawrence.
dim  recollection of feeling something as *if They told me I had been uniformly courtpstanding near a mountain, when a volcano ous and cheerful; cuald that., vwhlen we walleki
(21 4)




APPENDIX.                                   2 1
from the shore to a nouse during the storm, I ingham's brain, in this case burst forth in a
carried her in my arms about half the way, profuse discharge from the lungs; and, after
she being too cold and wearied to walk. They yeais spent in struggling, by the aid of a fine
were well wrapped up in blankets, but I had constitution, against the diseases and the
nothing but my cloak, and got two of my fin- effects of study, he fell, in the midst of the
gers frozen.  You can better conceive than I brightest prospects of usefulness, a victim to
can express, how strangely I felt when reason his hasty efforts to be a scholar. Would not
first told me I  was in the cabin of a vessel; a thorough knowledge of physiology preserve
and when I knew, from the pitching and toss- both sexes from incalculable evil?"
ing, that that vessel was on the ocean. I am    The very singular case of Mr. Frothing.
in hopes of meeting with some vessel bound ham, described above, suggests, both to the
homeward; and, if I cannot return in her, to philosopher and the divine, a variety of intersend this letter. If we speak no vessel in esting reflections in reference to the action of
which I can return, I shall probably take pas- mind on the corporeal functions, and to the
sage immediately after arriving in Liverpool. goodness and care of a superintending ProviTill then, I leave all other incidents connected dence. He must have travelled more than
with this almost incredible loss of reason. I two hundred miles by land and water, before
do not doubt that study was the cause, and he found himself in Montreal; and, as he
thuls are all my hopes of going through college could not be supposed to have taken the nearblasted-for I should not dare to make a est road to that city, perhaps he may have
second attempt.  But I think nothing of that. travelled more than double that distance, and
I am  lost in wondsr that such a journey crossed several lakes and rivers which abound
should have been performed in safety in such in the territory through which he passed. He
a singular absence of mind; and to think too must have inquired for lodgings, paid for
that I even went through all, without ever victuals, found out the different ferries where
losing my money, is most strange.  My pre- he behoved to cross, and all, without being
servation appears indeed miraculous-but I conscious where he was, or what was his
know not what to say. How thankful should object.  With regard to the effect of study on
I be to the Great Being who has guided and the functions of the body and mind, I have
directed my wanderings-thankful!'t is too every reason to believe, that those studies which
tame a word. Words cannot express my feel- are most abstruse, such as the ancient lanings, and I leave all, for the contemplation guages, metaphysics, and the higher branches
almost overwhelms me."                     of pure mathematics, when closely pursued,
Mr. Frothinghaln has since returned, and have the greatest tendency to injure the orconfirms the whole account.  "o Would that ganic functions, and the mental powers; while
his well-meant but mistaken zeal in study natural and civil history, geography, astrono(says the editor) might be the means of saving my, and the other physical sciences, being
many now in danger from  a result not less conversant about sensible objects, will seldom
fatal to future plans, and of preserving others produce such effects, when prosecuted with
from that partial mania-that predominance  judgment and moderation; so that those
of the body over mind, which we believe gives studies which are in reality most useful, will
rise to not a few of the follies, and errors, and be found in few instances injurious either to
faults, of sedentary men.  We will only add, the animal or mental powers.  Mr. Frothingas an example of a result more deadly, fiom  ham was deeply absorbed in the study of Latin
a similar imprudence, that one of the most grammar when his mental aberration was indiligent and promising students of anll institu- duced. Were he to refrain from such abstract
tionl, returned to his room after a long tour on studies, and apply himself with moderation to
foot, in perfect health, and, as he imagined, the more interesting departments of natural
with a stock laid up on which he might draw. science, I should have nofear of the return cf
lie sat down closely to study. The blood his former insanity.
t1hus accumulated, which rushed to Mr. Frothast2
















ON THE
IMPROVEMENT OF SOCIETY
BY THE
DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE:
AN ILLUSTRATION OF TIIE ADVANTAGES
WHICH WOULD RESULT FROBM A MORE
AMONG ALL RANKS.
I L [, IU S T R A T E D W I T H  E N G RAVI N G S.
BY  T H 0 M AS D I C K,
AUThOIR OF A VARIETY OF LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICA'lr..NS
IN NICIHOLSON S PHILOSOPHICAL JOURNAL, THE ANNALS
OF PHILOSOPHY, ETC. ETC.'Knowledge is Power." —LoRn.3BACON.
ST. LOUIS, Mo.:
EDWARDS & BUSHNELL.
}'C,% SATLT: NY
13BANGS, BROTIHERS & CO., NEW YORK.
1857.








PREFACE.
Tim: plan and outlines of the following work were sketched, and a considerable
portion of'it compposed, about eighteen years ago. It was advertised, as preparing
for the press, in 1823, when the author published the first edition of " The
Christian Philosopher;" but various other engagements prevented its appearance at that period. The Introduction and the first two sections were published
in a respectable quarterly journal in the year 1816; but they are now considerably modified and enlarged.  This circumstance will account fior the date of
some of the illustrative facts to which reference is made in the first part of' the
volume, and in several portions of the Appendix.
Had the present work been published at any of the periods now referred to,
the subject it discusses, and some of the illustrations, would have l)resented a
more novel aspect than they can lay claim to at the present time, when the
diffusion of klowledge has become an object of general attention.  The author,
however, is not aware that any work embracing so full an illustration of the
same topics has yet made its appearance; and is, therefore, disposed to indulge
the hope, that, in conjunction with the present movements of society, it may,
in some  degree, tend to stimulate those exertions which are now making for the
melioration andl mental improvement of mankind. Independently orthe general
bearnia oJ'the facts and illustrations on the several topics they are intended to
elucidate, the author trusts that not a few fragmnents of useful knowledge will be
found incorporated in the following pages, calculated to entertain and instruct
the general reader.
In the numerous illustrations brought forward in this volume, it awas found
impossible altogether to avoid a recurrence to certain facts which the author
had partially adverted to in some of his fornmer publications, without interrupting tile train of thought, and rendering his illustrations partial and incomplete.
But, where the same facts are introduced, they are generally brought forward
to elucidate a different topic. Any statements or descriptions of this kind,
however, which niay have the appearance of'repetition, could all be comprised
within the compass of' three or four pages.
The general subject of the present work will he prosecuted in another volume,
to be entitled "'The Mental Illulmination (o' Manklind(, or an inquiry into the
means by which a general diflusion of knowledge may be promoted."' This




PREFACE.
work will embrace- along with a great variety of other topics —an examination of the present system of e iucation, showin(r its fiutility and inefficiency, and
illustrating thle principles and details of an efficient inteilectual system, capable
of universal apl)lication l; togrether with a variety of suggestions in relation to
the physical, moral, and intellectual improvement ofsociety.
To his numerous correspondents who have been inquiring after the work,
"The Scenery qf the Heavens Displayed, with the view of illustrating thle doctrine
of a Phlrality of tWorlds," which was announced at page 88 ot' tile " Philosophy
of a Future State," - the autil)r begs respectfully to) state, that, it' health plermrit,
he intends to proceed, without delay, to the completion of that work. as soon as
the volume announced ab(ove is readly ()r th:e press.  It will I brm a volume of
considerable size, and will be illustrated with a great number of' engravings.
many of which will be original.
Broughty Ferry, near TIhndee,
18th./ipril, 1833.




CONTENTS.
Page
It'TRoDUCT Iox-Retrospective view of the state of mankind —inorance of the dark agesrevival of learning at the Rleformation. Present intellectual state of the human race.
Causes which have retarded the progress of the human mind. A more general diffusion
of knowledge desirable. Preludes which indicate the approach of the era of intelligence  I I
SECTION I.
INFLUENCE OF KNOWLEDGE IN DISSIPATING SUPERSTITIOUS NOTIONS AND
VAIN FEARS.
Objects and circumstances which ignorance has arrayed with imaginary terrors-eclipses,
comets, aurora borealis, &c. Absurdity of astrology. Belief attached to its doctrines.
Various prevalent sul)erstitioius opinionts-omens-witches-spectres, &c. Proof of such
notions still prevailing. Siuperstitions indulged by men of rank and learning. Banefll
tendency of superstition-leads to deeds of cruelty and injustice. How knowledge would
unllderminle superstition and its usual accompaniments-illustrated at large. Animadversion
on Dr. S. Johnson, &c.' -  17
SECTION I1
ON  THE  UTILITY OF KNOWLEDGE  IN  PREVENTING  DISEASES AND FATAL
ACCIDENTS.
Accidents which have happened from ignorance of the properties of the different gases, and
the means of preventing them. l)isasters which have happened in coal mines. Figure
of Davy's Safety Lamp, with description and remarks. Accidents caused by the stroke
of lightning. Precautions requisite to be attended to during thunder-storms. Accidents
from ignorance of the principles of mechanics. Reasons of such accidents explained by a
figure. Fatal accidents caused frorn ignorance of the effects prodlced by the refraction of
light-illustratel by figures and experimellts. Accidents from the clothes of females
catching fire, artd the means of prevention. Various diseases propagated from ignorance
of their nature. Pernicious effects of contaminated air. Improper mode of treating
children during infancy, and its fatal effects. Importance of temperance. General
remnarks.                                                                    ~1
SECTION III.
ON THE INFLUENCE WHICH A DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE WOULD HAVE ON THE
PROGRESS OF SCIENCE.
Science fotunded-on Jacts. Every person is endowed with faclties for observing facts.
Anecdote of Sir I. Newton. Extraordinary powers of intellect not necessary for taking
discoveries in science. Ample field of investigation still remains. I)iscoveries would




VIll                                CONTENTS.
be nearly in proportion to the number of observers. Various illustrations of these positions.
G(eology, its nmultifarious objects and desiderata. Natural History, how it may be improved,
and its rarge extended.  Meteorology, imperfection of our knowledge in regard to many
of its objects,-thunder-storlms, aurora borealis, meteoric stones, &c. Astronomy, desiderata in reference to, which remain to be ascertained. Illustration taken from Jupiter,
with four different views of this planet. Venus, mode by which the time of its rotation
may be determined-illustrated by a figure. Comets, fixed stars.-Moon, plan by which
our knowledge of the scenery of thiq globe may be extended. Discoveries which have
been made in the heavens by accident. Prospects presented when knowledge shall be
more generally diffused.  Chymistry, its objects, and the means of its improvement.
Futility of framing hypotheses-importance of observing facts-general remarks and
reflections                                  - _                                   33
SECTION IV.
ON THE PLEASURES CONNECTED WITH THE PURSUITS OF SCIENCE.
Pleasures of sense and of intellect. The enjoyments of the ignorant and of the man of
intelligence contrasted, and particularly illustrated. Pleasure annexed to the gratificatior.
of the principle of curiosity. Scientificfacts illustrative of this subject.-Number of effects
produced by a single principle in nature. Surprising resemblances in operations where
we should least of all have expected them. Grand and sublime objects which science
presents before us.  Variety of novel and interesting objects it exhibits. Illustrated from
mechanics, hydrostatics, magnetism, optics, chymistry, &c. Instruments connected with
optics. Figure of the Aerial Telescope. Pleasure in tracinig the steps by which discoveries have been made, and the experiments by which they are illustrated. Beneficial
tendency of scientific pursuits on the heart, and on social and domestic enjoyment. Miscellaneous reflections and remarks          -                     -  46
SECTION V.
ON THE PRACTICAL INFLUENCE OF SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE, AND ITS TENDENCY
TO PROMOTE THE COMFORTS OF GENERAL SOCIETY.
1. A knowledge of science would render mechanics, &c. more skilful in their respective
employments-illustrated from the arts of dying, calico printing, bleaching, brewing,
tanning, agriculture, &c. Chymistry essentially requisite to surgeons and apothecaries.
Utility of practical Geometry, illustrated by a diagram. Utility of Mechanics. Of Hydro.
statics and Hydraulics, illustrated with various figures. Hydrostatical paradox, mode of
conveying water, hydrostatical press, perpendicular pressure of water, and the accidents
it may occasion. Application of these facts to engineering and hydraulic operations.
Disaster occasioned by want of attention to hydrostatic principles. Practical utility of
Pneutmatics-aanecdote illustrative of. Mode of curing smoky chimneys, illustrated by
filgures. Utility of an acquaintanlce with Optics. Explanation of the nature of a
telescope, and the mode of its construction.  Mode of constructing a compound
microscope, with illustrative figures. Burning lenses, Sir D. Brewster's Polyzonal Lens,
reflecting concave mirrors for light-houses, &c., with illustrative figures.  Utility of
Electricity and Galvanism.  Mode of directing lightning as a mechanical power.
Practical applications of Magnetism, and late discoveries in-Magnetized masks, &c.
Practical utility of Geology. Utility of Natural History. Application of steam-stearn
navigation-steam carriages. Carburetted hydrogen gas. Utility of science to daylabourers, house-keepers, kitchen-maids, &c. Instance illustrative of the advantages
of chymical knowledge -  
lI. Scientific knouledge would pave the way for futuzre inventions and improvements in the arts.
Circumstances which led to the invention and subsequent improvement of the telescope,
with a figure of the first telescope. Fratnhofer's telescope-Guinand's experimnents on
the composition of flint glass-Description of an achromatic objecti-lass, with a figure, &e
Historical sketches of certain inventions —s:eam  engine-mariner's compass —galvanic




CONTENTS.                                          vii
pr'ncinpe.-perldalum  clocks-watches-air-prlmp-spinning jennies —safety lanmp, &c.
Fev inerntlrions owing to chance.  Cauttons to be attended to an the construcdtin and use
of the Feaet~y lkrtp.  Mechanics have a greater chance of becomning inventors than niere
philosoplrers.  Prospects of improvement in tfture ages    -    -    -    -               77
Ill.'he eacrtr.nol comforts of mankind promoted by intelligence and improvrweents it the arts.
Contrast between the past and present aspect of the social state.'Wretched acciommiodatios which still exist airong the lower classes.  Mental improvement would lead to
diligence and economry, to cleanliness in person, clothes, and ftirniture-to tasteful decorations of houses and garden-plots-iinprovetnents in foot-paths, narrow lanes, villages, &c.  f2
SECTION VI.
ON THE INFLUENCE OF KNOWLEDGE IN PROMOTING ENLARGED CONCEPTIONS
OF THE CHARACTER AND PERFECTIONS OF THE DEITY.
Grovelling conceptions of the Deity both in heathen and Christian countries. Just con.
ceptliois of the Divinity acquired froin his external manifestations.  Ignorance exhibits
distorted views of the Divine character.  Attr7ibutes of the Deity which science illustrates:
1. The unity of God.  2. IV'isdon of the Deity —mranifesled in Ihe various arrangertentS
of sultlrlnary nature. Particular illustration.  3. Benevolence of the Deity-manifested il
the parts of the human franme, anld ti the surrounding elements-muscles of the eye (hlltitrated with figures)-gratification afforded to our different senses.  Renmedies against.
the evils lo wht(h we are exposed.  Multitudes of animated beings, and the aniple
provision mnade for them. Calculations in relation to the numrber of certain species of
birds, and the velocity with which they fly.  Number of species of plants eaten by
diff,,rerlt animrlals.  4. Science exhibits a view of the multiplicity of conceptions which have
been formed in the Divine mindr.  Exemplified in the differentt construction and ftincrions
of tlhe various species of animals-in the numerous parts which enter into the construction
of an aniririal traire.  Lyonet's descripltio,n of the numerous parts of the cossus caterpillar.
Mtlltiplicity of ideas manifested in the Vegetable kingdom.  Varieties in the JAIineral
kilgdorn.  Varieties in Jicroscmopical obJects-scales of fishes, feathers of birds, wings
of flies, leaves and transverse sections of plants, &c.  Numrbers anrd varieties of animalcurlte.  Immensity of nature.  Description of the engravings of microscopic objects.
Variety in the external aspect of nature-in the sun, planets, comrets, and on the surfalce
of tile moon.  5. Science expands our conceptions of the power qf the De ty, arid of
the magnt/iaence of his empire.  Such views of D)eity in unison with the dictates of
revelatimtl,-arrd calculated to produice many beneficial effects on the understandings and
affections of mlankind                                                                   85
SECTION VIL
ON  THE  BENEFICIAL  EFFECTS OF KNOWLEDGE  ON  MORAL PRINCIPLE  bND
CONDUCT.
Introductory remarks-knowledge  and moral action inseparably connected.  Ignorance
one principal cause of immrorality and crime.  Knowledge requisite for ascertarining tile
true principles of rmoral action.  It leads to inquiries into the reasons of moral laws, and
the Jbinnndatrons on;hich they rest,-to self-examination and self-inspection,-and to a
collptrehenrsive view of the bearings arnd consequences of moral actions.  Miscellalloavus
nenmarks, anrd objections answered-                       -    -    -                   11 9.3
SECTION VIII.
ON THE UTILITY OF KNOWLEDGE IN RELATION  TD A FUTURE WORLD.
Man destined to an eternal state. Knowledge will be carried along with us into that state.
Sclterwific knowledge has a relation to a fuiture world. Evidences of a filture state.
Causes of the indifference which Iprevails on this subject.  Knowledge prepares tihe nutld
for the err,loyments of the future world.  Imlpossibility of enjoylng happiness in that
world withollt knr vledge and moral prinxciple.  General remarks     -    -             10f




2V i i                                 CONTENTS.
SECTION IX.
ON  THE UTILITY OF GENERAL KNOVILEDGE  IN REFERENCE TO THE STUDY
OF DIVINE REYVELATION.
Preliminory remarks.  Summary of the external evidlences ofChristianity.  Evidence from
JlMiracles.  Resurrection of Christ.  Evidelnce from Prophecy.  Predictions In relation
to Babylon, the Arabs, the Jews, &c.  Internal evideices.  Diginity alnd suhlimlltv of
tile Scriptures,-exhibit the most rational and sublime views of the Deity,-give fuil
assurance of a state of inrior:alily,-polinl out the way in which pardon may be obtained,inculcate the purest and most comprehensive system of niorality, —explail certaliln miorar
phlleionena,-coliilrunicate a knowledge of interesting facts and doctrines.  Ben,'real
f'ecta which Christianity has produced in the world,-is adapted to every country.
Harmony of Science and Revelation.  Christianity of the Biile.  Evidenlces of Revelation continually increasing. Reason for givilng the precediiig summary of these evidences.
General knowledge enables us to understand the meaning and references of the sacred
writings.  Figures used in the prophetical writings.  Heathen  iythology illustrative of
Scripture history.' Malners and customns of eastern nations. Utility of ancient geography.
Natulral history and science illustrative of Scrilture.  Evaporati(m-rivers-oceanstorms-anilnated beings-hunian body-the heavens — plurality of worlds. Adva;tiages
which would resCt: from an intelligent study of the Scriptures.  Folly of infidelity, &c.   r lI
SECTION X.
-bISCELLANEOUS ADVANTAGtES OF KNOWLEDGE BRIEFLY STATED.
Knowledge would lead to just estimates of human character and enjoyment —various
rentarlkson this topic.  II. The acqulisition of general inilrniationi wtldl endlle perstrns
to prtfit bhy their attetulance on public irstructions.  Scientific lectures-instruct ions fIron
the pulpit-limited  nature of these irnstrictionis in consequence of the iagnorance of
manlkind-prospects trresented when knowledge is increased.  I1I. Knowledge would
introduce a spirit of tolerance, and prevent persecutionfor conscience' sake.  Persecutions
which have prevailed, and still prevail. Absurdity of persecutioi-ngeineral remarks, &c.
IV. Knowledge would:vanquish the antipathieu s of nations, and produce harmony among
mankind.  Miseries and devasratioiis of war-jealousies aind hostilities of nationsarguments and efforts which enlightened minds would emlloy fur counteracting them.
Advantages which would resul ftrom the union of manrikitid.  Practicablility of effecting it.
V. RA  general diffuision of knowle.ge would promnote the union of the Christian church.
NNumber of seciaries-slight differences of opyinion between ibeim.  Ecils which have
flowed from sectarianisml-proimotes infidelity-retards the progress of (hiristianlity, &c.
Folly of attaching an undue imrportance to sectarian oipinions.  Remedies for the dlivisions
of tile church.  Liberality and bigotry contrasted. Characler of violent party-parl lizans.
Aluspicious effects which would flow  fromn Christian uniotn.  PIresent circurnist'leeas,.awvourable to union. Corcessilons which behooved to be made by all partles,-preparative
measure to union —concludi ng remark                         -                          133
SECTION XI.
ON THE IMPORTANCE OF CONNECTING  SCIENCE WITH RELIGION.
Increase of knowledge, of late years.  Tendenwy to irreligion in certain scientific inquirers,
and the circumtstances which have produced it.  Religion and science cotlinected —
irrationality and inrconsistency of alteimpting to dissever tlhem.  Christian religion overlookedl, Supireine importance of Christianity. Effects of a comp!ete separation of scienice
alid relition.  1'endeicyv of otr present modes of education.  Illustrated from the scenes
ehibited during the French Revolution.  Demoraizat; ion produced by the principles of ule
onrilinental philosophists.  Persecutin2 spirit (,f French infidels and skeptics.  Science,,'ithout religion produces few moral effects.  Subversion of morality in France, a beacon




CONTENTS.                                          ix
to guard us from similar dangers.  Extract from Rev. D. Young.  Ntiture of the proposd connexion between science and religion.  Attributes of the Deitf displayed in his
works.  Authors who have illustrated this subject, wi:h remlarks on somenic of their wratings.
Modern system of physico-theology, a desideratunm.  Newton, Maclaurin, and Robison's
sentiments on this subject.  Truths of revelation ought to te recognised in scieiilfic
instructions.  Squeatmishness of certain philosophers in this respect.  Extract from
Dr. Robison.  Harmony of Natuire and Revelation.  Scientific instructions shotld
produtce a moral inlmpression.  Prayer and recognition of the Deily in philosophlical
associations.  Hypocrisy of skeptics.  Exemnplified in the case of Btflin.  Topics,
connected with religion, which might occasionally be disclssed in scienitific associations.
lnrimortality, its irnportance in a scientific point of view. Skeptical philosophy insiitfi,'ient
to support the nlild in the prospect of dissoluttion-exenyllified in tle case of Voltaire,
Butfow, Gibbon, Hutne, and Didernd   Concluding reflections.             149
APPENDIX.
No. I. Ignorance of the dark ages-scarcity and high price of books                       165
No. II. Superstitious opitlions respecting comtets and eclipses-Description of a solar
eclipse, and its effects on the inhabitants of Barbary -                              166
No. [II. Absutrdi:les of Astrology  -                                                    167
No. IV. Proofs of the belief which is still attached to the doctrines of Astrology    -    - 168
No. V. Illustrations of some of the opinlions atnd practices in relation to witc'hcraft  -   169
History of witchcraft-and the nunibers thlat suffered for this sul)posed crimle  -    - 17C
No. VI. Proofs that the belief in witchcraft is still prevalent aniong certain classes of
society.-171
Tales of sulperstition ptublished by the Jesuits-Anecdote of Alexander Davidson, A. M. 173
No. VII. Circumnstances which have occasionally led to the belief of specires and aptlp;ritions-Indist inct vision-Doses of op)itun-Drtunkenness- Dreatys-Fear-'rricks of
inm)ostors-Vetntriloqtlistlm —'itch of E tdor-Phantiasnagoria-Ghost ofa Flea, &c. 174-18 i
-No. VIII.  Explosionls ofsteam-enlgines-Accidenits in Anlerica-on the Liverpool Railway,.&c. with remarks                             ~ -..181-183
No. IX. C(ircutmstances which led to the invention of the Safety Lamp    -    -    -   13
No. X. On the utility ofthe remarks and observations of Mechanics and Manufilcturers   184
No. XI. Liberality of Religio)ls Sectaries in Arerica, contrasted with BrSitish bigotry    184
No. XII. On the demioralizitlg effects of Infidel Philosophy in France. Gamblitng
C(oticuhinage-Pro{sl it ttioti-Profaltat isn of lhe Sttbhatlh —Dftnr,*  mtia-nioa al rellectious —Cnlsecration of the " Goddess of Reason"-ConcludiIng remarks            - 187- 19f








ON THE
GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
INTRODU C TIO N.
WHs N we take a restrospective view of the  tion and with blood. They made no distinction
state of mankind during the ages that are past, between what was sacred and what was, preo
it presents, on the whole, a melancholy scene  fane-what was barbarous and what was reof intellectual darkness.  Although in every  fined. Amidst the din of war, the burning of
age men have possessed all the mental faculties  cities, the desolation of provinces, the convul.
they now or ever will enjoy, yet those noble  sion of nations, the ruin of empires, and the
powers seem either to have lain in a great mea-  slaughter of millions, the voice of reason and
sure dormant, or, when roused into action, to  of religion was scarcely heard; science was
have been employed chiefly in malignant and  abandoned;useful knowledge was set at naught;
destructive operations.  Hence  the  events  every benevolent feeling and every moral prinwhich the page of history records chiefly pre-  ciple was trampled under foot.  The earth
sent to our view the most revolting scenes of seerned little else than one great field of battle;
war, rapine, and devastation, as if the earth had  anid its inhabitants, instead of cultivating the
been created merely to serve as a theatre for  peaceful arts and sciences, and walking hand in
mischief, and its inhabitants for the purpose of hand to a blessed immortality, assumed the
dealing destruction and misery to all around  character of demons, and gave vent to the most
them.  Such, however, are the natural conse-  fiend-like and ferocious passions, till they apquences of the reign of Ignorance over the  peared almost on the brink of total exterminahuman mind. For the active powers of man  tion.
necessarily follow the dictates of his under-    For nearly the space of a thousand years
standing, ani when the intellectual faculties are  posterior to that period, and prior to the Renot directed to the pursuit and the contempla-  formation, a long night of ignorance overspread
tion of noble and benevolent objects, they will  the nations of Europe, and thetdjacent regions
most frequently be employed in devising and  of Asia, driring which the progress of literature
executing schemes subversive of human happi-  and science, of religion and morality, seems to
ness and improvement.                        have been almost at a stand; scarcely a vestige
Amidst the darkness which, in ancient times,.remlaining of the efforts of the human mind,
so long overspread the world, some rays of in-  during all that period, worthy of the attention or'
tellectual light appeared in Palestine, in Egypt, the imitation of succeeding ages.  The debasand in the Greek and Roman empires; but its  ing superstitions of the Romish church, the
influence on the nations around was extremely  hoarding of relics, the erection of monasteries
feeble, and, like a few tapers in a dark night,  and nunneries, the pilgrimages to the tombs of
served little more than to render the surround-  martyrs and other holy places, the nilmmreries
Vng darkness visible.  The light of science  which were introdulced into the services of reli.
which then shone was, however, doomed to be  gion, the wild and romantic expeditions of cruspeedily extinguished. About the fifth century  saders, the tyranny and ambition of popes and
of the Christian era, numerous hordes of bar-  princes, and the wars and insurrections to which
barians frorn the northern and the eastern parts  they gave rise, usurped the place of every raof Europe, and the north-western parts of Asia,  tional pursuit, and  completely enslaved tue
overran the western part of the Roman ern-  minds of men. So great was the ignorance
pire, at that time the principal seatof know-  which then prevailed, that persons of the most
ledge; and, in their progress, overturned and  distinguished rank could neither read nor write.
almost annihilated every mnonument of science  Even niany of the clergy didl not understand the
and art which then existed.  Wherever they  breviary, or book of common prayer, whict, they
martlled, their route was marked with devasta-  were daily accustomed to recite. and some of




12           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
them  otlold scarcely read it.*  The records of change auspicious of better times and of a mort
past transa'ctions were in a great measure lost,  enlightened era. The diminution of the Papal
and legendary tales and fabulous histories, to  power and influerce, the spirit of civil and relicelebrate exploits which were never performed,  gious liberty which then burst forth, the erec
weore substituted in place of the authenticated  tionl of new seminaries of education, the discohistory of mankind. The learning which then  very of the mariner's compass, the invention o'
prevailed, under the name of philosophy and of the art of printing, the labours of Lord Bacon
scholastic theology, consisted chiefly in vain  in pointing out the true method of philosuphizdisquisitions and  reasonings about abstract  ing, and the subsequent discoveries of Galileo,
truths, and incomprehensible mysteries, and in  Kelpler, Boyle, and Newton, in the physical sciattempts to decide questions and points ofthen-  ences,-gave a new and favourable inmpulse to
logy, which lie beyond the reach of the human  the mlinds of men, and prepared the way for a
mind, and which its limited faculties are unable  more extensive comllmunication of useful knowto resolve. Sophisnls, falsehoods, and bold as-  ledge to persons of every rank. From  this
aeverations were held forth as demonstrations;  period knowledge began to be gradually diffused
a pompous display of words was substituted in  among most of the European nations; but its
the place of things, eloquence consisted  in  progress was slow, atld its influe:ce was chiefly
vague and futile declamations; and true philo-  confined to the higher circles of society, and to
sophy was los' amidst the mazes of wild and  persons connected with the learned professions,
extravag;ant theories and metaphysical subtle-  till after the middle of the eighteenth century.
ties. The sciences, such as they were, were  About this time there began to issue from the
all taught in the Latin tongue, and all books in  press many pr!)tular works on Natural and Civil
relation to them were written in that language;  History, Gw(,gralhy, Astronomy, and Experithe knowledge of them was therefore necessarily  mental Phiosophy, divested of the pedantry ol
confined to the circle of the learned, and it would  former times, and of the technicalities of scihave been considered as a degradation of the  ence, which, along with periodical works that
subject, to have treated of it in any ofthe mo-  were then beginnling to extend their influence,
dern languages which then prevailed. The  conveyed to the minds of the mechanic and the
gates of the temple of knowledge were conse-  artizan various fragmentt of useful knowledge.
quently shut against the great body of the peon  It was not, however, till the era of the French
ple, and it was never once surmised that they  Revolution, that the stream of knowledge' began
had any right to explore its treasures. " Dur-  to flow with an accelerated progress, and to
ing this period," says Dr. Robertson, " the hu-  shed its influence more extensively on the Imidman mind, neglected, uncultivated, and  de-  dling and the lower orders of society.  Though
pressed, continued in the most profound igno-  we cannot look back, without feelings of regret,
rance.  Europe, during four centuries, pro-  and even of horror, at the revolting scenes of
duced few authors who merit to be read, either  anarchy and bloodshed which accompanied that
on account of the elegance of their comnlposition,  political convulsion, yet, amidst all its evils, it
or the justness and novelty of their sentiments.  was productive of many important and beneficial
There are few inventions, useful or ornamental  results.  It tended to undermine that system of
to society, of which that long period can boast."  superstition and tyranny by which most of the
And, if those of the highest ranks, and in the  European nations had been so long enslaved;
most eminent stations in society, were so defi-  it rot.sed millions, from among the mass of the
cient in knowledge, the great mass of the people  people, to assert those rights and privileges, to
must have been sunk into a state of ignorance  which they are entitled as rational beings, and
degrading to human nature.                   which had been withheld from them  by the
About the time of the revival of letters, after  strong hand of power; it stimulated them to inthe dark ages of monkish superstition and igno-  vestigations into every department connected
lance, the moral and intellectual state of the  with the rights and the happiness of man, and
inhabitants of Europe began to experience a  it excited a spirit of inquiry into every subject
of contemplation which can improve or adorn
*As an evidence of the extreme Ignorance ot  the human mind, which, we trust, will never be
those times, it may be stated, that many charters  extinguished, till the light of usetul knowledge
granted by persons of the highest rank are preserved, from which it appears that they could not  shall extend its influence over all the inhabitstubscribe their name. It was usual for persons who  ants of the earth.
could not write, to make the sign oof the roes8, in    Striking, however, as the contrast is, between
confirmnation of a charter. Several of these remain,
where kings and persons of great eminence affix  the state of knowledge in the present and in
signum crucis nmanu propria pro igr)tratione litera-  former ages, much still renmains to be accon.rum, "i he sign of ti-e crosw m=nwdt by ou; own.:and,
orn account of our ignorance of letters." From this  plished, till the great body of mankind.be sticircumstance is dlerived the practice of mrlakiua kg   mulated to the prosecution of intellectual acwhen signing a deed, in the case of those who can-  qtirements.  rhough a considerable pwhrtion of
not subscribe their names. See Robertson's Charles                                   din
V. and Appendix, No. 1.                      rational   rmatio  has of late year  e   di




INTRODUCTION.                                         13
e-mrinatred arngm   a variety of individuals in  verics which have been made respecting light,
dit/erent cla.ses of society, yet, ammng the  heat, electricity, and rnagnetisrn —of he generai,reat inajoriy Of the p'opulation in every coon-  laws which regulat:e the economy of nature —of
try, a degree of tinorance still prevails, de-  the various combina ions anti effects of chynigrading  to the rank of intellectual natures.  cal and mechanical powers-of the motions and
With respect 0o tne great mass cf the inhabit-  magnitudes of the planetary and the starry orbs
ants of the world, it  may still be,aid with pro-  -of the principles of legiiimate reasoning-of
priety, that "darkness covers the earth, and  just conceptions of the attributes and nloral g(gross darkness the people."  The greater part  vernmrent of tlhe Supreme Being-ofthe genuine
of the continernt of America, the extensive Iplains  principles of moral action-of many other subof Africa, the vast regi,ons of Siberia, Tar;ary,  jects interesting to a rational arid immortal beThibet, and the Turkish empire-the irnmsense  ing-they are almost as entirely ignorant as
territories of New Hllantid, Sumatra, Borneo,  the wandering Tartar, or the untutored Indian.
and the Bmrnian empiire, the inumerous islands    Of eight hundred millions of htiman beings
which are scattered throughout the Indian and  which people the globe we inhabit, there are
the Pacific oceans, with many other extensive  not perhaps two millions whose minds are truly
regions inhabited by human beings-still lie  enlightened as they ought to be-who prosecute
within the confines of mental darkness. On the  raional pursuits for their own salke, arid from a
numnerous tribes which people those immense  pure love of science, independently of the
regions of our globe, neither the light of science  knowledge requisite for their respective profesnor of revela'ion has yet shed its benign influ-  sions and employments. For we must exclude
ence; and their minds, debased by superstition,  from the rank of rational inquirers after knowidolatry, and every malignant passion, and en-  ledge all those who have acquired a smattering
slaved by the ctmnning ar;ifices of priests, and  of learning, with no other view than to gain a
the tyranny of cruel despots, present a picture  subsistence, or to appear fas'iiw.able anrd polite.
of human naturre in its lowest stage of degrada-  Anid, if this rule be admitted. i am  afraid that
lion.  Even in Europe, where the light of sci-  a goodly number even of lawyers, physicians,
ence has chiefly shone, how narrow is the cir-  clergymien, teachers, nay, even some authors,
cle which has been enlightened by its beams!  and professors in universities and academies,
The lower orders of society on the continent,  would be struck off firom the list of lovers of
and even in Great Britain itself, notwithstand-  science and rational inqurirers after truth.  Ading the superior means of improvement they  mitting this statement, it will follow, that there
enjoy, are still miserably deficient in that degree  is not one indivilural out of four hundred of the
of knowledge arid information which every hu-  human race, that passes his life as a rational
man being ought to possess; nor are there many  intelligent being, employing his faculties in those
even in the higher spheres of life who cultivate  trains of thought and active exercises which are
science for its own sake, who set a due value  worthy of an intellectual nature! For, in so far
on intellectual acquisitimns, or encourage the  as the attention of mankind is absorbed merely
prosecution of rational inquiries.             in making provision for animal subsistence, and
There is, perhaps, no country in the world  in gratifying the sensual appetites of their na
where the body of the people are better educated   tfre, they can be considered as little superior in
and more intelligent than in North Britain; yet  dignity to the lower ortders of animated existence.
we need not go far, either in the city or in the    The late Frederick, king of Prussia, who was
country, to be convinced, that the most absurd  a correct observer of mankind, makes a still
and superstitious notions, and the gross.st ig-  lower estimate of the actual intelligence of the
rnorance respecting many important subjects in-  human species. In a letter to D'Alembert, in
timately connected with hmnan happiness, still  1770, he says, "Let us take any monarchy you
prevail among the great majority of the popula-  please; —let us suppose that it contains ten
tion.  Of two millions of inhabitants which  millions of inhabitants; from these ten millions
constitute the polpulation of the northern part  let us discount,-first the labourers, the manuof our island, there are not, perhaps, 20,000, or  facturers, the artizans, the soldiers, and there
the hundredth part of the whole, whose know-  will remain about fifty thousand per sons, men
ledge  extends to any subject of importance,  and women; from these let us discount tweuty.,
beyond the range of their daily avocations.  five thousarnd for the female sex, the rest will
With respect to the remaining. 1,800,000, it  compose the nobility and gentry, and the remay perhaps be said with propriety, that of the  spectable citizens; of these, let us examine how
figure and mtgntmude of the -world they live in  many will be incapable of application, how many
— of the seas and Avers, continents and islands,  imbecile, how many pusillanimous, how many
which diversify its surface, and of the various  dissipated,-and from this calculation it will retribems of men and animtals by which it is inha-  sult, that otLit of what is called a civilized nation
mited —of the nature arid properties of the at-  of nearly ten millions, you will hardly find a
tramphere which surroutds them —of the disco-  thousand well-informed persons,and even anminIg




14             ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWVLEDGE.
thetm what nequaity witn regard to genius! If  servility.  Under such governments,!he minds
eight-tenths of the nation, toiling for their sub-  of mIen sink into apathy,-the sparks of genius
sistence, nevei read-if another tenth are inca-  are smothered,-the sciences are neglected —
pable of application, from frivolity, or dissipa-  ignorance is honoured,-and the marl of dis.
tion, or imbecility,-it results, that the small  cernment, who dares to vent his opinions, is
share of good sense of which our species is ca-  proscribed as an enemy to the state. In the
pable, can only reside in a small fraction of a  more enlightened governments on the continent
nation."  Such was tlhe estimate made by this  of Europe, the same eflects have folloswed in
philosophic monarch ofthe intelligence possessed  proportion to the number of those tyranrical
by the nations of Europe, sixty years ago; and  maxims and principles which, enter into their
although society has considerably advanced in  constitution. Hence, we may frequently deter.
intellect:ual acquisitions since that period, the  mine the degree of mental illumination which
great body of the people, in every country, is  prevails atnong any people, from  a considerasstill shroluded in the mists of folly and ignorance.  tion of the nature of the government under
Such a picture of the intellectual state of  which they live.  For the knowledge of a
mankind must, when seriously considered, ex-  people is always in proportion to their liberty,
cite a melancholy train, of reflections in the  and where the spirit of liberty is either crushed
breast both of the philanthropist and the man of  or shackled, the energies of the human mind
science. That such  a vast assemblage of  swill never be exerted with viguour, in the acquibeings, fuirnished with powvers capable of inves-  sition or the propagation of literature and scitigating the laws of nature,-of determining the  ence.  Even in the mildest and most enlightarrangement, the motions, and magniitides of  ened governments of modern Europe, the indistant worlds,-of weighing the masses of the  struclion of the general mass of society fornms
planets,-of penetrating into the distant regions  no pronlinlent feature in their administration,
of the universe,-of arresting the lightning in its  Knowledge on general subjects is simply pcrcourse,-of exploring the pathless ocean, and  milted to be disseminated anlong the people,
the region of the clouds,-and of rendering the  its promoters are not sufficiently patronized and
most stubborn elements of nature subservient  encoulraged,-no finds are regularly approprito their designs: that beings, caplable of fortn-  ated for this purpose,-and its utility, in many
ing a sublime intercourse with the Creator him-  instances, is even called in question.  [t is to
self, and of endless progression in knowledge  be hoped, however, non' that the din of war is
and felicity, should have their minds almost  in sonie measure hushed, that the attention of
wholly absorbed in eating and drinking, itn child-  princes andl their ministers will be niore partiish and cruel sports and diversions, anti in but-  cularly directed to this important object: for it
chering one another, seems, at first view, a  might easily be shown, were it necessary, that
tacit reflection on the wisdomn of the Creator,  an esnlightened population is the 1most solid bain bestowing on our race such nobie powers,  sis of a good government, and the greatest seand plainly indicates, that the current of hunian  clerity for its pernmanence,-that it, will always
intellect has widely deviated from  its pristine  form the strongest bulwark around every throne
course, and that strong and reiterated efforts'where the sceptre is swayed by wisdom  and
are now requisite to restore it to its original  rectitude.  That tlie establishmnent ofthe Popish
channel. Every lover of science and of man-  religion in any state has a tendency to impede
kind must, therefore, feel interested in endea-  the progress of knowledge, it would be almost
vouring to remove those obstructions which  needless to illustrate.  The mummnneries which
have impeded the progress of useful knowledge,  have been interwoven with its services, the
and to direct the intellectual energies of his  grovelling and superstitious notions which it has
fellow-men to the prosecution of olbects worthy  enge:.uered, the ignorance which prevails among
of the high station they hold in the scale of  the population of all those countries over which
existence,                                     its influence extends, the alarms of its priestly
Were we to inquire into the external causes  abettors at the idea of free discussion, and of
which have retarded the progress of the human  enlightening the minds of the people, the recordr
mind, we should, doubtless, find them existing  of its Inquisitions, the history of the dark ages,
in the nature of those civil governmrents which  when it prevailed in all its rigour, and Lt.e recent
have nlost generally prevailed in the world, and  experience of our own timnes, show, that. it is a
inr several of the ecclesiastical establishments  system founded on the darkness atld imbecility
which have been incorporated with themi.  It  of the human intellect, and can flourish only
has been a favourite maximn  with all tyrants,  where the spirit of liberty has fled, and where
that the people nmust be kept in ignorance; and  reason has lost its ascendency in the minds of
hence we find, that in the empires of the East,  men.*
which are all of a despotical nature, the people
are debarred from  the temple of science, and    * Let it be carefully remembered, that in these
remarks it is merely tlie sysen of popery to whicl
su6:k iaOo a staro of the grossest ignoralce aand  the author refers. Hle is aware that ilary ind;vi




INTRODUCTION.                                       15
With regr rd to the internal causes of the ig-  hind. Then stupidity is a blessing: knowledge
noraace which so generally prevails, they will  and foresight are evils.'It is then that, shut.
be found in the general depravity of human na-  ting our eyes against the light, we would hide
ture i in the vicious propensities so prevalent  from ourselves the calamities we cannot pre.
among all ranks; in the indulgence of inordi-  vent."  In every other case, knowledge must
nate desires after riches and power; and in the  prove an inestimable blessing to men of every
general disposition of mankind to place their  nation and of every rank.
chief happiness in sensual gratifications,-evils    That the period when a general diffitsion cf
which the spirit of Christianity only, in con-  knowledge shall take place is hastening on, apjunction with every rational exertion, is calcu-  pears from the rapid progress which has been
iated fully to eradicate. And therefore it is in-  made in almost every department of science
dispensable, that every attempt to diffuse intel-  during the last half century; from the numerous
lectual light over the human race be accompa-  publications on all subjects daily issuing fr:om
nied with the most strenuous exertions to pro-  the press; from the rapid increase of theolomote the moral renovation of mankind.  For  gical, literary, and scientific journals, and the
vice and ignorance, especially among the lower  extensive patronage they enjoy  from the numneorders, generally go hand in hand; and experi-  rous lectures on chymistry, astronomy, experience demonstrates, that indulgence in evil pas-  mental philosophy, political economy, and gesions, and in unhallowed gratifications, destroys  neral science, now delivered in the principal
the relish for mental enjoyments, and is one of  cities and towns of Eulrope; from the adoption
the most powerful obstructions to the vigorous  of new  and improved plans of public instrucexercise of the intellectual powers.          tion, and the erection of new  seminaries of
That the general diffusion of knowledge  education in almost every quarter of the civiamong all ranks is an object much to be desired,  lized world; from the extensive circulation of
will not, I presume, be called in question by any  books among all clasqes of the community;
one who regards the intellectual powers of man  from the rapid formation of bible and missionas the noblest part of his nature,-and who con-  arvy societies; from the increase of literary and
siders, that on the rational exercise of these  philosophical associations; from the establishpowers his true happiness depends. If ignorance  ment of mechanics' institutions in our principal
he one of the chief causes which disturb the  towns, and of libraries and reading societies in
harmonious movements of the machine of so-  almost every village; from the eager desire now
ciety, by removing the cause we of course pre-  excited, even among the lower orders of society,
vent the effects; and if knowledge be one of the  of becoming acquainted with subjects hitherto
mainsprings of virtuous conduct, the more it is  known and cultivated only by persons of the
diffused, the more extensively will be brought  learned professions; and, above all, from the
into action, on the stage of life, those virtues  spirit of civil and religious liberty now bursting
which it has a tendency to produce. A few  forth, both in the eastern and the western heFerdinands and Wyndhams and Don Miguels  mispheres, notwithstanding the efforts of petty
may still remain, who regard the great mass of  tyrants to arrest its progress.  Amidst the conthe people merely as subjects of legislation, or  vulsions which have lately shaken the surroundas the tools of tyranny and ambition, and that,  ing nations, "many have run to and fro, and
therefore, they must be held in the chains of ig-  knowledge has been increased;" the sparks of
norance, lest they should aspire to the ranks of  liberty have been struck from the collision of
their superiors.  But the general current of  hostile armies and opposing interests; and a
public opinion now runs counter to such illiberal  spirit of inquiry has been excited among nuand antiquated notions; and few persons of re-  merous tribes of mankind, which will doubtless
spectability, at least in this country, would ha-  lead to the most important results.  These
zard their reputation in defending a position so  circumstances, notwithstanding  some gloomy
degrading and untenable.  The more learning a  appearances in the political horizon, may be
people have, the more virtuous, powerful, and  considered as so many preludes of a new and
happy will they become; and to ignorance alone  happier era about to dawn upon the world, when
must the contrary effects be imputed. "There  intellectual light shall be diffused among all
is but one case," says a French writer, "where  ranks, and in every region of the globe; when
ignorance caq be desirable; and that is, when  Peace shall extend her empire over the world;
all is desperate in a state, and when, through  when men of all nations, at present separated
the present evils, others still greater appear be-  fiom  each other by the effects of ignorance,
and. of political jealousies, shall be united by
duals, distinguished for learning and piety, have  the bonds of love, of reason, and intelligence
been connected with the Romish church; and while  and conduct temselves as ratioal and immorta
he condemns the spirit and tendency of the peculiar  and conduct themselves as rational and immorta
dogmas and practices of that church, he deprecates  Deings.
every idea of persecution, and every attempt to    In order that such a period may be gradually
deprive its melnbers of those rights and privileges
to which they are entitled as men and as citizens.   ushered in, it is essentially requisite that a con
q.




;16           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
eiction of the utility  nd importance of a general  ledge among all ranks,-and shall afterwards
dtifusion of knowledge be impressed upon the  follow out the investigation, by
minds of the more intelligent and influential'II. An inquiry into the means requisite to
classes of society, and that every exertion and  be used in order to accomplish this important,
every appropriate mean should be used to ac-  object.*
comnplish this desirable object.  In accordance
with this idea, I shall endeavour, in the follow-    * As a particular illustration of the means by
ing work,                                    whi.n a general diffusion of knowledge might be
I. To ilfustrate the advantages which wcsud  otfected would render the present work too bulky
mI. To ilustrate the a dva ntage s which woudd  — this department of tfe subject will be prosecuted,low from a general diffusion of useful know-  in a separate voiume.




ON THE
GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
PART I.
ON THE ADVANTAGES WHICH WOULD FLOW FROM A GENERAL DIJFFUSION OF
KNOWLEDGE.
THAT the intellectual faculties of man have  perstitzon, and remove those groundless fears
never been thoroughly directed to the pursuit of  to which superstitious notions give rise. Ignoobjects worthy of the dignity of rational and  rance has not only debarred mankind from
immortal natures-and that the most pernicious  many exquisite and sublime enjoyments, but
effects have flowed from the perversion of their  has created innumerable unfounded alarms,
mental powers,-are truths which the history  which greatly increase the sum of human mlof past ages and our own experience too plainly  sery. Man is naturally timid, terrified at those
demonstrate. That the state of general society  dangers whose consequences he cannot foresee,
would be greatly meliorated, were the mists of  and at those uncommon appearances of nature
ignorance dispelled, and the current of human  whose causes he has never explored. Thus, he
thought directed into a proper channel, might is led, in many instances, to regard with appreappear, were we to take an extensive survey of  hension and dread those operations of nature
the evils which have been produced by igno-  which are the result of regular and invariable
rance, and its necessary concomitants,-and of  laws. Under the influence of such timid emothe opposite effects which would flow from men-  tions, the phenomena of nature, both in the
tal illumination, in relation to all those subjects  heavens and on the earth, have been arrayed
connected with the improvement and the happi-  with imaginary terrors. In the early ages of
ness of our species. Here, however, a field of  the world, a total eclipse of the sun or of the
vast extent opens to view, which would require  moon was regarded with the utmost consternaseveral volumes fully to describe and illustrate:  tion, as if some dismal catastrophe had been
[ shall, therefore, in the mean time, select, from  about to befall the universe.  Believing that
the multitude of objects which crowd upon the  the moon in an eclipse was sickening or dying
view, only a few prominent particulars,-the  through the influence of enchanters, the trenmelucidation of which shall occupy the following  bling spectators had recourse to the ringing of
sections.                                   bells, the sounding of trumpets, the beating of
brazen vessels, and to loud and horrid exclamations, in order to break the enchantment,
SECTION  I                   and to drown the muttering of witches, that the
moon might not hear them. In allusion to this
Os THE INFLUENCE WHICH A GENERAL DIF-  practice, Juvenal, when speaking of a loud
FUSION OF KNOWLEDGE VOUI,LD HAVE IN  scolding woman, says, that she was able to reDISSIPATING  THOSE  SUPERSTITIOUS  NO-  lieve the moon.
TIONS AND VAIN FEARS WHICH HAVE SO
" Forbear your drums and trumpets if you please,
LONG ENSL-AVED THE MINDS OF MIEN.           Her voice alone the labouring moon can ease."
MY first proposition is, that the diffusion of  Nor are such foolish opinions and customs ye1
k-ow'ledge would undermine the fabric of su-  banished from the world. They are said to be




18            ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
still prevalent in several Mahometan and Pagan  else than mere assumptions, and their preter~
countries.*  Comets, too, with their blazing  sions nothing short of criminal impositions upull
tails, were long regarded, and still are, by the  the credulity of mankind.  &With equally the
vulgar, as harbingers of divine vengeance, pre-  same reason might we assert, that the earth, ir.
saging famines and inundations, or the downfall  different positions in its orbit, would have an
of princes and the destruction of empires.t  influence in producing fools and maniacs in the
The Aurormae Boreales, or northern lights, have  planet Jupiter, or in exciting wars and insurrecbeen frequently gazed at with similar appre-  tions among the inhabitants of Saturn, as to
hensions, and whole provinces have been thrown  suppose, with Mr. Varley, the prince of modern
into consternation by the fantastic coruscations  astrologers, that " Saturn passing through the
of those lambent meteors. Some pretend to  ascendant, causes dulness and melancholy for a
see, in these harmless lights, armies mixing in  few weeks," and that " Jupiter, in the third
fierce encounter, and fields streaming with  house, gives safe inland journeys and agiceable
blood; others behold states overthrown, earth-  neighbours or-kindred."
quakes, inundations, pestilences, and the most    Notwithstanding the absurdity of the docdreadful calamities. Because some one or other  trines of astrology, this art has been practised
of these calamities formerly happened soon after  in every period of tinle. Among the Romans,
the appearance of a comet, or the blaze of an  the people were so infatuated with it, that the
aurora, therefore they are considered either as  astrologers, or, as they were then called, the
the causes or the prognostics of such events.    mathematicians, maintained  their ground in
From  the same source have arisen those  spite of all the edicts of the, emperors to expel
foolish notions, so fatal to the peace of mankind,  them from the capital; and after they were at
which have been engendered by judicial astro-  length expelled ny a formal decree of the senate,
logy. Under a belief that the characters and  they found so much protection from the credu.
the fates of men are dependent on the various  lity of the people, that they still remained in
aspects of the stars and conjunctions of the  Rome unmolested. Among the Chaldeans, the
planets. the most unfounded apprehensions, as  Assyrians, the Egyptians, the Greeks, and the
well as the most delusive hopes, have been ex-  Arabians, in ancient times, astrology was unicited by the professors of this fallacious science.  formly included in the list of the sciences, and
Such impositions on the credulity of mankind  used as one species of divination by which they
are founded on the grossest absurdity, and the  attempted to pry into the secrets of futurity
most palpable ignorance of the nature of things;  The Brahmins in India, at an early period, in.
for since the aspects and conjunctions of the  troduced this art into that country, and, by
celestial bodies have, in every period of dura-  means of it, have rendered themselves the ar.
tion, been subject to invariable laws, they must biters of good and evil hours, and of the forbe altogether inadequate to account for the di-  tunes of their fellow-men, and have thus raised
versified phenomena of the moral world, and  themselves to great authority and  influence
for that infinite variety we observe in the dispo-  among the illiterate multitude.  They are consitions and the destinies of men; and, indeed, suited as oracles, and, like all other impostors,
the single consideration of the immense dis-  they have taken great care never to sell their
tances of the stars from our globe, is sufficient  answers without a handsome remuneration.  In
to convince anly rational mind that their influ-  almost every country in the world this art is still
ence can have no effect an a region so remote  practised, and only a short period has elapsed
from the spaces which they occupy. The pla-  since the princes and legislators of Europe were
netary bodies, indeed, may, in certain cases,  directed in the most important concerns of the
have some degree of physical influence on the  state by the predictions of astrologers.  In the
earth, by virtue of their attractive power, but time of Queen Catharine de Medicis, astrology
that influence can never affect the operation of  was so much in vogue, that nothing, however
moral causes, or the qualities of the mind.  trifling, was to be done without consulting the
Even although it were admitted that the hea-  stars.  The astrologer Morin, in the sevenvenly bodies have an influence over the desti-  teenth century, directed Cardinal Richelieu's
nies of the human race, yet we have no data  motions in some of his journeys, and Louisa
whatever by which to ascertain the mode of  Maria de Gonzaga, queen of Poland, gave
its operation, or to determine the formula or  2000 crowns to carry on an edition of his Asirerules by which calculations are to be made, in  lottia Gallica; and in the reigng of Henry the
order to predict the fates of nations, or the in-  Third and Henry the Fourth of France, the
dividual temperaments and destinies of men;  predictions of astrologers were the common
and consequently, the principles and rules on  theme of the court conversation.  Even in the
which astrologers proceed in constructing horo-  present day, and in the metropolis of the British
coBpe4 and calculating nativities, are nothing  empire, this fallacious art is practised, and its
professors are resorted to for judicial informa.' oe Appendix, No. II.     t Ibid.      tion, not only by the vulgar, but even by mtiny




OMENS.                                          19
In the higher spheres Jf life.  The extensive  most favourable weather for these purposes be
annual sale of more than 240,000 copies of  in this way frequently lost.  In Mvorven, none,
"MAoore's Almanac," which abounds with such  will, upon any account, dig peat or turf for fulel
predictions, and of similar publications, is a  on Friday.  The age of the moon is also much
striking proof of the belief which is still attached  attended to by the vulgar Highlanders; and all
to the doctrines of astrology in our own age and  opinion prevails, that if a house take fire while
country, and of the ignorance and credulity from   the moon is in the decrease, the family will from
which such a belief proceeds.*  Parhelia, par-  that time decline in its circumstances, and sink
selenam, shooting stars, fiery meteors, luminous  into poverty.*
arches, lunar rainbows, and other atmospherical    In England, it is reckoned a bad omen to
phenomena, have likewise been considered by  break a looking-glass, as it is believed the party
some as ominous of impending calamities.       to whom it belongs will lose his best friend.  in
Such are some of the objects in the heavens,  going a journey, if a sow cross the road, it is
which ignorance and superstition have arrayed  believed the party will meet either with a disapwith imaginiary terrors.                       pointment or a bodily accident before returning
On the earth, the objects which have given  home.  It is reckoned unlucky to see first one
rise to groundless fears, are almost innume-  magpie, and then another; and to kill a magpie,
rable. The ignesfatui, those harmless meteors  it is believed, wvill certainly be punished with
which hover above moist and fenny places in  some terrible misfortune.  If a person meet a
the night-time, and emit a glimmering light,  funeral procession, it is considered necessary
have been regarded as malicious spirits, endea-  always to take off the hat, which keeps all the
vouring to deceive the bewildered traveller, and  evil spirits that attend the body in good humour.
lead him to destruction.   The ticking noise  If in eating, a person miss his mouth, and the
of the little insect called the death-watch —a  victuals fall, it is reckoned very unlucky, and
screech-owl screaming at the window-a raven  ominous of approaching sickness.  It is also
croaking over a house-a dog howling in the  considered as unlucky to present a knife Feirnight-time-a hare or a sow crossing the road-   sors, razor, or any sharp cutting instrument, to
the meeting of a bitch with whelps, or a snake  one's mistress or friend, as they are apt to cut
lying in the road —the falling of salt from a table  love and friendship; and to find a knife or razor,
-and even the curling of a fibre of tallow in a  denotes ill luck or disappointment to the party.
burning candle,t have been regarded with ap-    Among the ancient nations, there rwas hardly
prehensions of terror, as prognostics of impend-  any circumstance or occurrence, however triing disasters, or of approaching death.        vial, from  which they did not draw  omens.
In the Highlands of Scotland, the motions and  This practice appears to have taken its rise in
appearances of the clouds were, not long ago,  Egypt, the parent country of almost every suconsidered as ominous of disastrous events.  perstition of pagai.ism; but, from nwhatever
On the avening before new-year's day, if a black  source it may have derived its origin, it slpread
cloud appeared in any part of the horizon, it was  itself over the whole inhabited globe, even
hought to prognosticate a plague, a famine, or  among the most civilized nations, and at this
the death of some great man in that part of the  day it prevails more or less among the vulgar
country over which it seemed to hang; and in  in every country.  Even kings and emperors,
order to ascertain the place threatened by the  sages and heroes, have been seized with alarm,
omen, the motions of the clouds were often  at the most trivial circumnstances, which they
watched through the whole night.  In the same  were taught to consider as ominous of bad forcountry, the inhabitants regard certain days as  tune, or of impending danger.  Suetonils says
unlucky, or ominous of bad fortune.  That day  of Augustus, that he believed implicitly ill cerof the week on which the 3d of May falls, is, tain omens; and that, si mane sibi calceus perdeemed unlucky throughout the whole year. In  peram, cc sinister pro dectero inducereter, eat dithe isle of Mull, ptoughing, sowing, and reap-  rum, "if his shoes were improperly put on in
ing, are always begun on Tuesday, though the  the morning, especially if the left shoe was put
upon his right foot, he held it for a bad omen."
- That the absurdities of astrology are still in  Thus it appears, that the luminaries of hen.rogue among a certain class, appears from the pub-  ven, the clouds, and other meteors that float i
cation of such works as the following: —" A Trease on Zodliacal Physiognomy, illustrated by en-  the atmosphere, the actions of animals, the;ravinlgs of heads and features, and accompanied  seasons of the year, the days of the weeC, the
sy tables of the times of the rising of the twelve                ts in human life, and 
signs of the Zodiac, and containing also new astro-  most trivial incidents in human life, and maly
logical explamnations of some renlarkable portions  other circumstances, have afforded matter of
of ancient mythological history. By John Varley.  false alarm to mankind.  But this is not all:
No. L., large 8vo., pp. 60, to be comprised in four
parts. Longman and Co. t182!' A specimen of  Man, ever prone to disturb his own peace, not.
soime of the fooleries and absiurdlities gravely treated  withstanding the real evils he is doomed to stifof by this sapienrt author, will be found in Nos. III.
uend IV. of the A)piendlix to this volunle.
t Called in Scotland, the deed sipeesl.             C Encyclopedia Britannica, Art. mtnen.




20            ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
for, has been ingenious enough to form imagi-    Nor have such absurd notions been confined
nary monsters which have no existence, either  to the illiterate vulgar; men of consideralle
in heaven or on earth, nor the least foundation  acquirements in literature, from ignorance of
in the scenes of external nature.  He has not  the laws of nature, have fallen into the same
only drawn false conclusions from the objects  delusions. Formerly, a man whowas endowved
which have a real existence, to increase his  with considerable genius and knowledge, was
fears; but has created, in his imagination, an  reckoned a magician.  Doctor Bartolo was
ideal world, and peopled it with spectres, hob-  seized by the Inquisition at Rome, in the six.
goblins, fairies, satyrs, imps, wraiths, genii,  teenth century, because he unexpectedly cured
brownies, witches, wizards, and other fantas-  a nobleman of the gout; and the illustrious
tical beings, to whose caprices he believes his  Friar Bacon, because he was better acquainted
happiness and misery are subjected. An old  with experimental philosophy than most persons
wrinkled hag is supposed to have the power of  of the age in which he lived, was suspected,
rendering miserable all around her, who are the  even by the learned ecclesiastics, of having
objects of her hatred. In her privy chamber, it -dealings with the devil. Diseases were at
is believed, she can roast and torment the absent,  those times imputed tofascination, and hundreds
and inflict incurable disorders both on man and  of poor wretches were dragged to the stake for
beast;* she can transport herself through the  being accessary to them. Mercatus, physician
air on a spit or a broomstick; or, when it serves  to Philip 11. of Spain, relates, that he had seen
her purpose, she can metamorphose herself into  a very beautiful woman break a steel mirror to
a cat or a hare; and, by shaking a bridle over a  pieces, and blast some trees, by a single glance
person asleep, can transform him into a horse;  of her eyes! Josephus relates, that he saw a
and, mounted on this new-created steed, can tra-  certain Jew, named Eleazar, draw the devil out
verse the air on the wings of the wind, and visit  of an old woman's nostrils, by the application
distant countries in the course of a night. A   of Solomon's seal to her nose, in the presence
certain being called a fairy, though supposed to  of Vespasian. Dr. Mynsight is said to have
be at least two or three feet high, is believed to  cured several bewitched persons with a plaster
have the faculty of contracting its body, so as to  of assafmatida.  How the assafwetida was effica.
pass through the key-hole of a door; and though  cious, was much disputed among the learned.
they are a distinct species of beings from nan,  Some thought the devil might consider such an
they have a strong fancy for children; and hence,  application as an insult, and ran off in a passion;
in the Highlands of Scotland, new-born infants  but others very sagely observed, that as devils
are watched till the christening is over, lest they  were supposed to have eyes and ears, it was
should be stolen or exchanged by those fantastic  probable they might have noses too.  James
existences.  The regions of the air have been  VI. who was famed for his polemics and theopeopled with apparitions and terrific phantoms  logical acquirements, wrote a treatise in defence
of different kinds, which stalk abroad at the dead  of witchcraft, and persecuted those who opposed
hour of night, to terrify the lonely traveller. In
ruined castles and old houses, they are said to  having kept a toad in a pot in her garden, her husannounce their appearance by a variety of lolud  band killed it, and she reproached him for it, saying,
r   she intended the next Sunday to have taken the saand dreadful noises; sometimes rattling in the,  crament, for the purpose of getting some of the
old hall like a coach and six, and rumbling up  bread to feed him with, and make him thereby a
and~ own ~the staircase like the trundling of  valuable familiar spirit to her. At Long Ashton, a
an    young farmer has several times predicted his own
bowls or cannon-balls.  Especially in lonely  end, from what he calls being looked over; and his
church-yards, in retired caverns, in deep forests  mother and father informed a friend of mine, (says
and dells, horrid sounds are said to have been  the relater) that they had sent to the White Witch
Doctor, beyond Bridge Water, by the coachman, for
heard, and monstrous shapes to have appeared,  a charm to cure him, (having paid handsomely fui
Iy which whole villages have been thrown into  it;) but that he had now given him over, as her
spells were more potent than his. If not dead, he is
consternation.t                               dying of mrere fear, and all the parish of his class
believe it. There is also, in that parish, an old man
who sells gingerbread to the schools, who is always
The reader will find abundlance of relations of  employed to cure the red'eater in cows, by means
this kind inm "Satan's invisible world discovered,'  of charms and verses which he says to them. In
a book which was long read with avidity by the vul-  the Marsh, we have water doctors, who get rich;
gar in this coutltry, and which has frequently  at the nines, diviners with rods, who find' ores and
caiused emotions of terror among youthful groups  water; and at Weston-super-Mare, they see lights
on winter evenings, while listening to its fearful re-  before funerals, and are agreed that the people in'sations, which could never be eradicated, and has  that parish always die by threes, i. e. three old,
endered them cwvaZrds in the'dark, during all the  three young, three men, three women, &c. Such
tubsequent periods of their lives.            are a part only of the superstitions of the West in' That many of the superstitious opinions and  1813!",.ractices above alluded to, still prevail even within    Every one who is much conversant with the lower
the linits of the British emultre, appears from the  ranks of society, will'find, that such notions are stil'
following extract from the "Monthly Magazine"  current and believed by a-considerable portion of
for july 1813, p. 496.-" In Staffordshire, they burn  the population, which is thelonly atology that canl
a calf in a farmhouse alive, to prevent the other  be made for stating and counteracting such ov0
Ld ves from dying. In the same county, a woman  nions




ABSURDITY OF SUPERSTITION.                                  21
his opinions on this subject. The pernicious  throughout all nature the most striking evidences
effects in mines, occasioned by the explosion of  of benevolent design, and rejoices in the benighydrogen gas, were formerly imputed to the de- nity of the Great Parent of the universe,-while
mons of the mine.  Van Helmont, Bodinus,  he perceives nothing in the arrangements of tha
Strozza, and Luther, attributed thunder and  Creator, in any department of his works, which
meteors to the devil. Socrates believed he was  has a direct tendency to produce pain to any inguided by a demon. Dr. Cudworth, Glanvil,  telligent or sensitive existence,-the superstiand others, wrote in defence of witchcraft and  tious man, on the contrary, contemplates the
apparitions.  But it would be endless to detail  sky, the air, the waters, and the earth, as filled
all the foolish opinions which have been imbibed  with malicious beings, ever ready to haunt him
and propagated even by men who pretended to  with terror, or to plot his destruction  The one
genius and learning.                        contemplates the'Deity directing the movements
Eesides the opinions to which I have now  of the material world, by fixed and invariable
adverted, and which have a direct tendency to  laws, which none but himself can counteract or
fill the mind with unnecessary apprehensions,  suspend; the other views them  as continually
there is also an immense variety of foolish and  liable to be controlled by capricious and maligerroneous. opinions which passed current for  nant beings, to gratify the most trivial and ungenuine truths among a great majority of man-  worthy passions. How very different, of course,
kind.  That a man has one rib less than a wo-  must be their conceptions and feelings respectman,-that there is a certain Jew still alive,  ing the attributes and government of the Siwho has wandered through the world since the  preme Being! While the one views Him as all
crucifixion of Christ,-that the coffin of Maho-  infinitely wise and benevolent Father, whose
met is suspended in the air between two load-  paternal care and goodness inspire confidence
stones,-that the city of Jerusalem is in the  and affection; the other must regard him, in a
centre of the world,-that the tenth wave of the  certain degree, as a capricious being, and offer
sea is greater and more dangerous than all the  up his adorations under the influence of fear.
rest,-that all animals on the land have their    Such notions have likewise an evident tencorresponding kinds in the sea,-that there is a  dency to habituate the mind to false principles
white powder which kills without giving a re-  and processes of reasoning, which unfit it for
port,-that the blood of a goat will dissolve a  forming legitimate conclusions in its researches
aiamond,-that all the stars derive their light  after truth. They chain down the understandfrom the sun,-that a candle made of human  ing, and sink it into the most abjectand sordid;
fat, when lighted, will prevent a person asleep  state; and prevent it from rising to those noble
from  awaking, with many other similar un-  and enlarged views which revelation and modern
founded positions, —are regarded as indispu-  science exhibit, of the order, the extent, and the
table truths by thousands, whose adherence to  economy of the universe. It is lamentable to
tradition and authority, and whose indolence  reflect, that so many thousands of beings enand credulity, prevent them from inquiring, with  dowed with the faculty of reason, who cannot
a manly independence, into the true state and  by any means be persuaded of the motion of the
nature of things.                            earth, and the distances and magnitudes of the
ISuch are a few, and but a very few, of the  celestial bodies, should swallow, without the
superstitious notions and vain fears by which  least hesitation, opinions ten thousand times
the great majority of the human race, in every  more improbable; and find no difficulty in beage and country, has been enslaved. To have  lieving that an old woman can transform herself
attempted a complete enumeration of such hal-  into a hare, and wing her way through the air
lucinations of the human intellect, would have  on a broomstick.
been vain, and could only have produced satiety    But what is worst of all, such notions almost
and disgust. That such absurd notions should  invariably lead to the perpetration of deeds of
ever have prevailed, is a most grating and hu-  cruelty and injustice. Of the truth of this pomiliating thought, when we consider the noble  sition, the history of almost every nation affords
faculties with which man is endowed. That  the most ample proof. Many of the barbaritiee
they still prevail, in a great measure, even in our  committed in pagan countries, both in their reown country, is a striking proof, that we are,  ligious worship and their civil polity, and most
as yet, but just emerging from the gloom of in-  of the cruelties inflicted on the victims of the
tellectual darkness.  The prevalence of such  Romish inquisition, have flowed from  this
opinions is to be regretted, not only on account source.' Nor are the annals of our own counof the groundless alarms they create, but chiefly
on account of the false ideas they inspire with    In the duchy of Lorraine, 900 females were dell
regard to lthe nature of the Supreme Ruler of  vered over to the flames, for being witches, by one
the universe, and of his arrangements in the go-  inquisitor alone. Under this accusation, it is reckvernment of the world. While a man, whose  oned that upwards of thirty thousand women have
enmte w.  Wperished by the hands of the Inquisition.-" Inqut.mind is enlightened with true science, perceives  tan UnnZasked," by Puigblanch.




202           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
try deficient in examples of this kind: The  all the citizens involved in gloomy apprehenbelief attached to the doctrine of witchcraft, led sions. So that superstitious notions, so far fromn
our ancestors, little more than a century ago, to  being innocent and harmless speculations, lead
condemn and to burn at the stake hundreds of  to the most deplorable results, and therefore
unhappy women, accused of crimes of which  ought to be undermined and eradicated by every
they could not possibly have been guilty.*  In  one who wishes to promote the happiness and
New England, about the year 1692, a witchcraft  the good order of general society.
phrensy rose to such excess as to produce com-    Such, then, is the evil we find existing among
motions and calamities more dreadful than the  mankind-false opinions, which produce vain
scourge of war or the destroying pestilence.  fears, which debase the understanding, exhibit
There lived in the town of Salem, in that coun-  distorted views of -the Deity, and lead to deeds
try, two young women, who were subject to  of cruelty and injustice. Let us now consider
convulsions, accompanied with extraordinary  the remedy to be applied for its removal.
symptoms.  Their father, a minister of the    I have all along taken it for granted, that
church, supposing they were bewitched, cast his  ignorance of the laws and economy of nature
suspicions upon an Indian girl, who'lived in the  is the great source of the absurd opinions to
house, whom he compelled, by harsh treatment,  which I have adverted,-a position which, I
to confess that she was a,witch.  Other women,  presume, will not be called in question. For
on hearing this, immediately believed that the  such opinions cannot be deduced from an attenconvulsions, which proceeded only from  the  tive survey of the phenomena of nature, or from
nature of their sex, were owing to the same  an induction of well-authenticated facts; and
cause.  Three citizens, casually named, were  they are equally repugnant to the dictates of
immediately thrown into prison, accused of  revelation. Nay, so far are they from having
witchcraft, hanged, and their bodies left ex-  any foundation in nature or experience, that in
posed to wild beasts and birds of prey. A few   proportion as we advance in our researches
days after, sixteen other persons, together with  into Nature's economy and laws, in the same
a counsellor, who, because he refpsed to plead  proportion we perceive their futility and abagainst them, was supposed to share in their  surdity.  As in most other cases, so in this, a
guilt, suffered in the same maimer.  From   knowledge of the cause of the evil leads to the
this instant, the imagination of the multitude  proper remedy. Let us take away the cause,
was inflamed with these horrid and gloomy  and the effect of course will be removed. Let
*scenes. Children of ten years of age were put  the exercise of the rational faculties be directed
to death, young girls were stripped naked, and  into a proper channel, and the mind furnished
the marks of witchcraft searched for upon their  with a few fundamental and incontrovertible
bodies with the most indecent curiosity; and  principles of reasoning-let the proper sources
~hose spots of the scurvy which age impresses  of information be laid open-let striking and,upon the bodies of old men, were teken for evi-  interesting facts be presented to view, and a
dent signs of infernal power. In default of these,  taste for rational investigation be encouraged
torments were employed to extort confessions,  and promoted-let habits of accurate observadictated by the executioners themselves. For  lion be induced, and the mind directed to draw
such fancied crimes, the offspring of supersti-  proper conclusions from  the various objects
tion  alone, they were imprisoned, tortured,  which present themselves to view,-and then
murdered, and their bodies devoured by the  we may confidently expect, that superstitious
beasts of prey. If the magistrates, tired out  opinions, with all their usual accompaniments,
with executions, refused to punish, they were  will gradually evanish, as the shades of night
themselves accused of the crimes they tolerated;  before the rising sun.
the very ministers of religion raised false vwit-    But here it may be inquired, What kind oJ
tnesses against them, who made them  forfeit  knowledge is it that will produce this effect?
with their lives the tardy remorse excited in  It is not merely an acquaintance with a number
them by humanity. Dreams, apparitions, ter-  of dead languages, with Roman and Grecian
ror, and consternation of every kind, increased  antiquities, with the subtleties of metaphysics,
-these prodigies of folly and horror.  The pri-  with pagan mythology, with politics or poetry:
sons were filled, the gibbets left standing, and  these, however important in other point. of
view, will not, in the present case, produce the,'The Scots appear to have displayed a more than  desired effect; for we have already seen, that
ordinary zeal against witches, and it is said that  many who were conversant in such subjects were,more deranged old women were condemned for this
imaginary crime in Scotland, than in any other coun-  not proof against the admission of superstitious
try. So late as 1t22, a poor woman was burned for  opinions. In order to produce the desired ef-:witchcraft, which was among the last executions in t, the mind must be directed to'the study of,Scotland. A variety of curious particulars in rela- fet, the mind must be directed tothe study of.tion to the trials of witches, may be seen in Pit-  material nature, to contemplate the various
cairn's" Criminal Trials, and otheo proceedings be-nd to mark the uni:fort the High Court of Justiciary in Scotland." —'Part ii. latoyipublished. See also Appendix, No. V.  form results of those invariable laws by which




REMEDIES FOR SUPERSTITION.                                     23
the universe is governed. In particular, the      Divinely great; they in the'r Irs vt s exult;
They see the blazing woenlde rise anew,
attention should be directed to those discoveries  In seeming terror cladcl, but kindly bent
which have been made by philosophers in the       To work the will of all-sustallln Love."
different departmenits of nature and art, during                        Thonsol's  sus7rint.
dthe last two centuries. For this purpose, the    Such are the sublime emotions with which a
study of natural history, as recording the variolis facts respecting the atmosphere, the waters,  pon enlighte        the beams of science' e  h    s c   w  contemplates the return of a comet, or any unthe earth, and animated beings, combined with                                  He will wait
the study of natural philosophy and astronomy,  co      celestial appearne.e 
as..p n  te c s of   a.      the approach of such phenomena with pleasing
as explaining the causes of the phenonmena of                                        
expectation, in hopes of discovering  more of
nature, will have a happy tendency to eradicate                             dis        or 
mind tose fe n     s a, at th   the nature and destination of those distant orbs;
i'om the mind those false notions, and, at the
and will be led to form more enlarged ideas of
same time, willopresent to view objects of de-,.,lt~l,*,    etn9' ation.                    their omnipotent Creator.'ihtfal contemplation.  Let a person be once               t  C
Again, to remove the apprehensions which
thoroughly convinced that Nature is uniform in
her operations, and governed by regular lwsarise from the fear of invisible and incorporeal
her operations, and governed by regular la     beings, let persons be instructed in the various
impressed by an all-wise and benevolent Ben      ing, 
— ha..vilsooi be inspired with cnfdeue   a'   optical illusions to which we are subject, aris— he will soon be inspired with confidence, and'rill not easily be alarmed  at ammy occasional  lng from the intervention of fogs, and the indiswill not easily be alarmed at any occasional  t           of.,.?
tinctness of vision in the night-time, which make
phenomena which at first sight might appear as  t        o
henomena wh    at first sigt   ht appear as  us frequently mistake a bush that is near us for
exceptions to the general rule,                a
xceptions to te n-let ersal rule. a          a large tree at a distance; and, under the influaor e     oample,-let  persons be t*.ght thad  ence of which illusions, a timid imagination
eclipses are occasioned merely by the shadow   will transform the indistinct image of a cow or
of one opaque body falling upon another-that
b                      a horse into a terrific phantom of a monstrous
they aie the necessary result of the inclination
of the moon's orbit to that of the earth-that the                          t
of well-authenticated facts, the powerful influ-,inds ven they take place depend on the new,..ence of the imagination in creating ideal forms,
or full moon happening at or near the points of  especially w   under the donion  of fearespecially when under the dominion of fearinfersection —and that other planets which have  the effects prodced by the 
moons, experience eclipses of a similar hatureo                          th
-that the comets are regular bodies belonging  science, when harassed with ( uil-by  very
finis  their.     lively dreams, by strong doses of opium, by
to our system, which nish their revolutions         enness,  ysteri  passions,
drunkenness, hysteric passions, madness, and
and appear and disappear in stated periods of  other disorders that affct the  ini, and by
time-that the northern lights, though seldom   the cunning artifices of impostors to promote
~seen in southern cli.es, are frequent in the  some sinister or nefarious designs. Let them
regions of the North, and supply the inhabitants  likewise be instructed in the nature of uponwith light in the absence of the sun, and have
C,,,',   taneouscombTustions and detonattons, occasioned
probably a relation to the magnetic and electric  by the accideiial combustion aid explosion of
fluids-that the ignesjfatui are harmless lights,
-      gases, which produce occasional noises and
formed by the ignition of a certain species of   l
Znb.t~~~               lights in chulrchyards and empty houlses. Let
gas produced in the soils above which they  the experiments of optics, and the striking phehover-that the notes of the death-watch, so       ena   produced by  electricity, alvnism,
s     nonlena  produced by  electricity, galvanism,
magnetism, and the different gases, be exhi..
tained to be the notes of love, and presages of    ed to their view, together with details of the
l.    bhteed to their view, toge ther wth details of the
hymeneal intercourses among these little in-  results which hae
sects;* let rational information of this kind be  mechanical contrivances.   In fine, let teir at
e mechanical contrivances.  In fine, let their at.
imparted, and they will soon learn to contem-  tention be directed to the foolish, whimsical, and
plate nature with tranquillity and composure.  extravagant noio     attribute  to apparitions
extravagant notions, attributed to apparitions,
Nay, a more beneficial effect than even this,  and to their inconsistency with the  ise and
will, at the same time, be produced.  Those  and to their inconsistency with the wise and
will, at the same time, be produced.  Those   benevolent arrangements of the Governor of
objects which they formerly beheld with alarm,  the universe.*
wvill now be converted  into sources of enjoy-    That such instructions as those I have now
tnent, and be contemplated with emotions of  hinted at would completely produce the intended
delight,                                       effect, may be argued from  this consideration,
-that they have uniformly produced this cect on
"When from the dread immensity of space,      -that they hae u        proded his   ct on
The rushing comet to the sun descends,      every mind  which has been thus enlightened.
With awful train projected o'er the world;  Where is the man to be found, whose mind is
Tihs enlighten'd few,
Whhe enlie goliktend few,  enlightened in the doctrines and discoveries of
Whose god-like minds philosophy exatts,
The glorious stranger hail. They feel ajoy'See Appendlix, No. VII. for an illustration of some
This fa.ct was particularly ascertainedl by Dr.  of the causes which have concurred to propaglste
Derharm. -Phmiteop/bical Transactions, No. 291.  the belief of apparitions.




241,ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
modern science, and who yet remains the slave  crates, that he' drew the wits of Greece frorn
of superstitious notions and vain fears? Of all the vain pursuit of natural philosophy to moral'he philosophers in Europe, is there one who  inquiries, and turned their thoughts from stare
is alarmed at an eclipse, at a comet, at an ignis  and tides, And matter and motion, upon the va.fatuus, or the notes of a death-watch, or who  rious modes of virtue and relations of life." His
postpones his experiments on account of what  opinions and conduct, therefore, can only be
is called an unlucky day?  Did we ever hear  considered as an additional proof of the proof a spectre appearing to such a person, drag-  priety of the sentiments above expressed.
ging him from bed at the dead hour of midnight to    Nor should it be considered as a thing imwander through the forest trembling with fear?  practicable to instruct the great body of mankind
No: such beings appear only to the ignorant  in-the subiects to which I have alluded. Every
and illiterate; and we never heard of their ap-  man possessed of what is called common sense,
pearing to any one who did not previously be-  is capable of acquiring all the information relieve in their existence. But why should phi-  qllisite for the purpose in view, even without
losophers be freed from such terrific visions, if  infringing on the time allotted for his daily lasubstantial knowledge had not the power of ba-  bours, provided his attention be once thoroughly
nishing them  fiom  the mind?  Why should  directed to its acquisition, and proper means
supernatural beings feel so shy in conversing  used to promote his instruction. It is not inwith men of science?  They would be the fit-  tended that all men should be made profound
test persons to whom they might impart their  mathematicians and philosophers; nor is it neo.
secrets, and communicate information respect-  cessary, in order to eradicate false opinions,
ing the invisible world, but it never falls to their  and to enlarge and elevate the mind. A general
lot to be favoured with such visits.  Therefore,  view of useful knowledge is all that is necessary
it may be concluded, that the diffusion of useful  for the great mass of mankind; and would cerknowledge  would  infallibly  dissipate  those  tainly be incomparably preferable to that gross
groundless fears which have so long disturbed  ignorance, and those grovelling dispositions,
the happiness particularly of the lower orders of  which so generally prevail among the'inrferior
mankind.*                                     ranks of society. And, to acquire such a de.
It forms no objection to what has been now   gree of rational information, requires only that
stated, that the late Dr. Samuel Johnson be-  a taste for it, and an eager desire for acquiring
lieved in the existence of gholts, and in the  it, be excited in the mind. If this were attained,
second sight: for, with all his vast acquirements  I am bold to affirm, that the acquisition of such
in literature, he was ignorant of natural science,  information may be made by any person who is
and even attempted to ridicule the study of na-  capable of learning a common mechanical emltural philosophy and astronomy-the principal  ployment, and will cost him  less trouble and
subjects which have the most powerful tendency  expense than are requisite to a schoolboy for
to dissipate such notions,-as may be seen in  acquiring the elements of the Latin tongue.
No. 24 of his " Rambler;" where he endea-    To conclude this branch of the subject:vours to give force to his ridicule by exhibiting  Since it appears that ignorance produces superthe oddities of an imaginary pretender to these  stition, and superstitious notions engender vain
sciences. He talks of nien of science " lavish-  fears and distorted views of the government of
ing their hours in calculating the weight of the  the Almighty,-since all fear is in itselfpainful,
terraqueous globe, or in adjusting systems of  and, when it conduces not to safety, is painful
worlds beyond the reach of the telescope;" and  without use,-every consideration and every
adds, that " it was the greatest praise of So-  scheme by which groundless terrors may be removed, and just conceptions of the moral attriIt would be unfair to infer from any expressions  butes of the Deity promoted, must diminish the
here used, that the author denies the possibility of  sum of human misery, and add somethiig to
supernatural visions and appearances.  We are
assured, from the records of Sacred History, that  human happiness.  If therefore the acquisition
beings of an order superior to the human race, have  of useful knowledge respecting the laws and
"at sundry times, and in (livers manners," made  the economy of the  niverse would produce this
their appearance to men. But there is the most  the economy of the universe would produce this
marked difference tbetween vulgar apparitions, and  effect, the more extensively such information is
hle eeiestial messengers to which the records of Re-  propagated, the more happiness will be diffused
telation refer. They appeared, not to old women
and clowns, but to patriarchs, prophets, and apos-  among mankind.
ties. They appeared, not to frighlten the timid, and
to create unnecessary alarm, but to declare "tidings
of great jt)y."  They' appeared, not to reveal such           SECTION  II.
paltry secrets as the place where a pot of gold or
silver is concealed, or whiere a lost ring may be  ON THE UTILITY OF KNOWLEDGE IN PREfound, but to communicate intelligence worthly of    VENTING  DISEASES  AND  FATAL  ACCIGodl to reveal, arid of the utmost inmportance for man
to receive. In these, apdlmany other respects, there  DENTS.
is the most striking costrast between itopulac    IT is a conclusion which has been deduced
ghosts, and the supernatural communications and                                    is thei
ippearanres recorded in Scripture.           from long experiene,   that  ankin  i thei




PREVENTION OF DISEASES AND ACCIDENTS.                                 25
opinions and conduct are apt to run from one  to ascertain the cause, and to afford him assistextreme to another.'"  We have already seen,  ance; but by the time he arrives at the samne
that, in consequence of false conceptions of the  depth he shares the same fate. A third person.
Deity, and of his airrangements in the economy  after some hesitation, descends with more cauof nature, the minds of multitudes have been  tious steps. But he soon begins to feel a ceralarmed by the most unfounded apprehensions,  tain degree of giddiness, and makes haste to
and have been "in great fear where no fear  ascend, or is drawn up by assistants. In the
was." On the other hand, from a similar cause,  mean time, the unhappy persons at the bottom
many have run heedlessly into danger and de-  of the well are frequently left to remain so long
struction, when a slight acquaintance with the  in a state of suspended animation, that all means
powers of nature, and the laws of their opera-  of restoration prove abortive; and the cause of
tion, would have pointed out the road to safety.  the disaster remains a mystery, till some medical
This leads me to the illustration of another ad-  gentleman, or other person of intelligence, be
vantage which would be derived from a general  made acquainted with the circumstances of the
diffusion of knowledge,-namely,              accident. Similar accidents, owing to the same
That it would tend to prevent many of those  cause, have happened to persons who have indiseases andfatal accidents whichJlow from igno-  cautiously descended into brewers' vats, or who
rance of the laws which govern the operations of have entered precipitately into wine cellars and
n.ture.                                      vaults, which had been long shut up from the
There are, indeed, several accidents to which  external air, and where the process of fermenmankind are exposed, which no human wisdom  tation was going on:.They have been suddenly
can foresee or prevent. Being filrnished with  struck down, as by a flash 6f lightning; and,
faculties of a limited nature, and placed in the  in some instances the vital spark has been
midst of a scene where so many powerful and  completely extinguished. Many instances, too.
complicated causes are in constant operation,  couldebe produced, of workmen, who have inwe are sometimes exposed, all on a sudden, to  cautiously laid themselves down to sleep in the
the action of destructive causes, of which we  neighbourhood of lime-kilns where they were
were ignorant, or over which we have no con-  employed, having, in a short time, slept the
trol. Even although we could foresee a pesti-  sleep of death.  The burning of charcoal in
lence, a famine, an earthquake, an inundation,  close apartments has also proved fatal to many;
or the. eruption of a volcano, we could not alto-  more especially when they have retired to rest
gether prevent the calamities which generally  in such apartments, while the charcoal was
flow from their destructive ravages. But, at the  burning, and before the rooms had received a
same titne, it may be affirmed with truth, that a  thorough ventilation.
great proportion of the physical evils and acci-    Numerous are the instances in which accidents to which the human race is liable, are the  dents have happened, in the circumstances now
effects of a culpable ignorance, and might be  stated, and which are still frequently recurring;
effectually prevented, were useful knowledge  all which might have been prevented had the
more extensively diffused. But it unfortunately  following facts been generally known and athappens, in almost every instance, that the per-  tended to:-That there exists a certain species
sons who are exposed to the accidents to which  of air, termed.fixed air, or carbonic acid gas,
I allude, are ignorant of the means requisite for  which instantly extinguishes flame, and is deaverting the danger. To illustrate this point, I  structive to animal life; that it is found in conshall select a few examples, and shall inter-  siderable quantities in places which have been
sperse a few hints and maxims for the consider-  shut up from the external atmosphere,-as in
ation of those whom it may concern.          old wells, pits, caverns, and close vaults; that
The first class of accidents to which I shall  it is copiously produced during the fermentation
advert, comprises those which have happened  of liquor, in brewers' vats, where it hovers above
from ignorance of the nature and properties of the  the surface of the liquor; in cellars where wine
different gases, and of the noxious effects which  and malt-liquors are kept; and by the burning
some of them produce on the functions of ani-  of lime and charcoal; and, that being nearly
mal life.                                    twice as heavy as commor air, it sinks to the
We have frequently read in newspapers and  bottom of the place where it is produced.  The
magazines, and some of us' have witnessed, such  following plain hints are therefore all that is
accidents as the following:-A man descends  requisite to be attended to, in order to prevent
into a deep well, which had for some time been  the recurrence of such disasters.  Previous to
shut up.'When he has g6ne down a consider-  entering a well or pit which has been long seable way he suddenly lets go his hold of the  cluded from the external air, let a lighted candle
rope or ladder by which he descends, and drops  or taper be sent down; if it continues to burn
to the bottom in a state of insensibility, devoid  at the bottom there is no danger, for air that will
of utterance, and unable to point out the cause  support flame, without an explosion, will also
of his disasier. Another hastily follows him,  support animal life; but, should the tarer be




26i           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
extihguished Lefore it reaches the bottom, it  and set the mine on fire, forcing up an immense
woild be attended with imminent danger to ven.  volume of smoke, which darkened the air tu o
ture (down till the foul air be expelled.  The  considerable distance, and scattered an immense
noxious air may be destroyed by throwing down  quantity of small coal from the upeast shaft. ]n
a quantity of quick lime, and gradually sprin-  this calamity ninety-three men and boys pekling it with water; for as the lime slakes it will  rished.  The mine was obliged to be closed up
abzsorb the mephitic air, and a person may  on the following Saturday, in order to extinguish
afterwards descend in safety. nWhere lime is  the fire, which put an end to all hopes of saving
not at hand, a bush, or such like bulky sub-  any of the sufferers. On the 6th October, in
stance, may be let down and drawn up several  the same year, and in the same county, (Durtimes; or some buckets of water may be thrown  ham,) a coal-pit, at Shiney Row, suddenly took
into it, till the air be so purified, that a lighted  fire, by explosion of the inflammable air; in
taper will continue to burn at the bottom. These  consequence of which seven persons were seprecautionary hints will apply to all the other  verely scorched. And on the Saturday followcases referred to, where this species of gas may  ing, (October 10th,) the Harrington Mill pit,
happen to exist. To which I may also add, as  distantfrom the other about two or three hundred
another hint, that in every situation where fixed  yards, also took fire; by which four men and
air is supposed to exist, it is more dangerous to  nineteen boys were killed on the spot, and many
sit or to lie down, in such places, than to stand  people severely wounded and burned, and two
erect; for, as this gas is the heaviest of all the  boys were missing.  This dreadful catastrophe
gases, it occupies the lowvest place; and there-  was likewise occasioned by the explosion of firefore, a person lying on the ground may be suffo.  damp.f  The above are only two or three excated by it, while another standing at his side  amples of a variety of similar accidents which
would feel no injury, his mouth being raised  have happened, of late years, in the coal disabove the stratum of the noxious fluid.* —-I shall  tricts in the northern part of our island.  That
only remark farther on this head, that several  all such accidents could have been prevented by
disorders have been contracted by persons sleep-  means of the knowledge we have hitherto acing under the branches of trees in the night-  quired, would perhaps be too presumptuous to
time, and in apartments where great quantities'affirm; but that a great proportion of them were
of fruit, or other vegetable matter, are kept, —  the effects of ignorance on the part of the mifrom ignorance of the fact, that during the night,  nels, and might have been prevented by a ge.
the leaves of trees, and all vegetable matter  neral knowledge of the nature and causes of
perspire a deleterious air, which, when it has  such explosions, and by taking proper precau..
accumulated to a certain degree, may induce a  tionary measures, there is every reason to bevariety of serious complaints, and sometimes  lieve. That this is not a mere random asserprove fatal.                                 tion, will appear from the following extract from
The disasters which have happened in coal the Monthly Magazine for February 1814, p.
mines, and other subterraneous apartments, form  80:-" Mr. Bakewell, in his late lectures at
another class of accidents, many of which have  Leeds, stated the following circumstance, which
been the effects of ignorance.  Of late years  strongly evinces the benefits which arise from
an immense number of men, boys, and horses,  educating the working classes-that, in the coal
has:been destroyed by the explosion of inflanm-  districts of Northumberland and Durham, accimable air in the coal mines in this country, par-  dents are constantly taking place from explo.
ticularly in the north of England, where the  sions in the mines; so that not less than six
most affecting and tragical scenes have been  hundred persons have been destroyed in the last
presented to view. On the forenoon of Monday,  two years. But, in one of the mines which was
25th May, 1812, a dreadful accident took place  frequently subject to explosion, not an accident
at Felling, near Gateshead, in the mine belong-  of any consequence had taken place for the last
ingto C. T. Branding, Esq. When nearly the  twelve years; the proprietors, besides other
whole of the workmen were below,-the second  precautions, having for a considerable time past
set having gone down before the first had come  educated the children of the miners at their ownr
up,-a double blast of hydrogen gas took place,  expense, and given them proper information respecting the nature of the danger to be avoided.'"I'The grotto del Cant, a small cavern in Italy,
atollut four leagues from Naples, contains a stratum' See Monthly Magazine, vol. xxxiii. p. 580, and
of carbonic acid gas. It has been a common prac-  vol. xxxiv. p. 462.
tice to drive dogs into the cavern, where they suffer    i This section of the present work was written in
a tenmporary death, for the entertainment of stran-  1816, and the facts referred to in it happened within
gers. Buta man enters with perfect safety, and feels  three or four years of that date. Since that period
no particular inconvenience by stalnding in it, be- Sir Humphrey Davy's ingenious contrivance, called
c.ause his mouth is considerably above the surface  the safety kwmp, has been invented, by means ci
of the stratum of deleterious air; but were he to  which, we have every reason to believe, Inany acci
he downr he would be instantly suffocated. The  dents in coal mines have been prevenlted, and many
same precaution may also be useful in walking  livespreserved from destrucition. The peculiar pro.
tliroughl certain caverns in our own country.  perty of this lanmp is, that the miner rbay move about




PREVENTION OF DISEASES AND ACCIDENTS.                                      27
WTere the working miners carefully instructed  imagined.  From an induction of a variety of
inr, the nature and composition of the atmos-  facts of this kind, as stated in the public papers
phele, and its chymical properties, and particu-  and other periodical works, in the year 1811,
larly in the nature and composition of the dif-  the author ascertained that more than twenty
ferentgases,-were such instructions illustrated  persons were killed by lightning,  or at the rate
by a Judicious selection of chymical experi-  of a thousand persons every fifty years, durinl
ments, and were the proper practical hints and  the summer months of that year, within the
precautions deduced and clearly exhibited, there  limits of our island; besides the violent shocks
cannot be the least doubt that it would be at-  experienced by others, which did not immeditended with numerous beneficial results. When  ately prove fatal, and the damage occasioned to
a person is ignorant of the noxious principles
that may be secretly operating within the sphere  light, and when it is extinguished, which happens
when the foul air constitutes one-third of the volume
of his labours, he will frequently rush heed-  of the atmosphere, the air is no longer proper for
lessly within the limits of danger; whereas, a  respiration, for though animal life will continue
man who is thoroughly acquainted with all the  wfferame is extinguished, yet it is always wit
variety of causes which may possibly be in action around him, will proceed in every step with             )AVY'S SAFETY LAMP.
iudgment and caution, and, where danger is
apparent, will hasten his retreat to a place of
safety.
The injuries which are produced by the stroke               P
of lightningform another class of accidents which
are frequently owing to ignorance.  It is still to
be regretted, that, notwithstanding the discoveries of modern philosophy, respecting the               G 
electric fluid and the laws of its operation, no
hunderguard has yet been invented, which, in
all situations, whether in the house, in the              A'   ii1            A
street, in the open field, in a carriage, or on                 lI! LHi E   i
horseback, shall serve as a complete protection,?iii?.'.:i
from the ravages of lightning.  Till some contrivance. of this kind be effected, it is probable
that the human race will still be occasionally                 llii.: 
subjected to accidents from  electrical storms.                i]p:l
Such accidents are more numerous and' fatal,..5 
even in our temperate climate, than is generally               IiLliii'![li
with it, and even work by its light in the midst of               i'il  l
those explosive mixtures which have so oftenti..I
proved fatal.when entered with a common lamp or! 
a candle. It transmits its light, and is fed with air,    F' L'ii! - ij
through a cylinder of copper wire-gauze.'rhe aper-. F    iiiit
lures in the gauze are about one-twentieth or onetwenty-fifth of an inch square, and the thickness
or the wire from one-fortieth to one-sixtieth of an
inch diameter. The parts of the lamp are:-l. The
brass cistern which contains the oil. 2. The rim In
which the wire-gauze' cover is fixed, and which is          CI          
fastened to the cistern by a moveable screw. 3. An
aperture for supplying oil, fitted with a screw or
cork, and a central aperture for the wick. 4. The
wire-gauze cylinder, which consists of at least 625
apertures to the square inch. 5. The second top,
three-fourths of an inch above the first, surmounted    The following are the principal parts of the safety
by a brass or copper plate, to which the ring of sus-  lamp:-F is the lamp throwing tip a brilliant flame.
pension is fixed. 6. Four or six thick vertical  C is the reservoir, supplied with oil by timhe tube DI.
wires, joining the cistern below with the top plate,  E E is a frame of thick wire to protect the wireand serving as protecting pillars round the cage.  gauze, A A A A, which has a double top G H. The
When the wire-gauze safety lamp is lighted and  frame has a ring P attached to it for the convenience
introduced into an atmosphere gradually mixed  of carrying it. The wire-gauze is well fastened to
with fire-damp, the first effect of the fire-damp is to  the rim B.
increase the length and size of the flame. When    Notwithstanding the utility of this invention, such
the inflammable gas forms one-twelfth of the vo-  is the carelessness and apathy of the working mi
lume of the air, the cylinder becomes filled with a  ners, that they either neglect to use their safety
feeble blume flame, but the flame of the wick appears  lamps, or to attend to the means requisite to keep
burning brightly within the blue flame, and the light  them in order,-which carelessness and apathy are
of the wick increases, till the fire-damp increases to  the effects of that gross ignorance into which sc
one-fifth, when it is lost in the flame of the fire-  many of them are sunk. Hence we find, that seldamp. which fills the cylinder with a pretty strong  dom a year passes in which we do not hear of delight. As long as any explosive mixture of gas ex-  structive explosions happening in our coal nintes,
isms in contact i'ith the lamp, so long will it give its  particularly in England.




28            ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
sheep and cattle, and to public and private edi-  grate or not. For when there is a fire in the
fices; and it is worthy of notice, that most of  grate, the fire contains the following conduc.
the individuals who were killed by the lightning  tors,-flame, smoke, rarefied air, and soot.
had either taken shelter under trees, or were in  Even when there is no fire, the soot with which
situations adjacent to bells or bell-wires.  The  the flue is lined is a conductor; and from the
experience of succeeding years proves that a  superior height of the chimney-shaft above
similar number of disasters of this kind annu-  every other part of the building, it is more
ally take place. It is, however, more than pro-  liable than any other part of the house to be
bable, that at least half the number of accidents  struck with lightning.  In a house, too, gilt
arising from the same cause might have been  mirrors or picture-frames, lustres or burning
averted, had the nature of lightning, and the  candles, bell-wires, and all metallic substances,
laws which regulate its movements, been gene-  should be carefully avoided, as they afford so
rally known. Seldom a year passes but we are  many points of attraction, which might deterinformed by the public prints of some person or  mine the course of an electric discharge. The
other having been killed by lightning, when  safest position is in the middle of the room, if
taking shelter under a large tree,-of whole  not near a lustre, a bell, or any thing hanging
families have been struck down when crowding  from the ceiling; and if we place the chair on
around a fire-place, during a thunder-storm,-   which we sit on a bed or mattress, almost every
of one person having been struck when stand-  possible danger may be avoided *  Such are a.ng beside a bell-wire, and another while stand-  few maxims easy to be recollected and put in
ing under a bell connected with the wire, or  practice, by attending to which, not a few
under a lustre hanging from the ceiling.     accidents from electrical explosions might be
There can be little doubt, that a considerable  averted.
number of such accidents would have been pre-    In the next place, various accidents have hapvented, had the following facts respecting the  pened from ignorance of certain plain mechanical
nature of lightning been extensively known:-  principles. For example, serious accidents have
That lightning is a fluid of the same nature,  sometimes occurred from the want of acquaintand is directed in its motions by the same laws  ance with the laws of molion. Persons have
which regulate the motions of the electric fluid  heedlesslyJumped out of moving vehicles, and
in our comnlon electrical machines;-that it is  got their legs and arms sprained or dislocated,
attracted and conducted by trees, water, mois-  and from one boat to another when both were in
ture, flame, and all kinds of metallic substances;  rapid motion, and run the risk of being either
-that it is most disposed to strike high and  bruised, drenched, or drowned. - But had the
pointed objects; and that, therefore, it must be  effects of compound motion been generally known
dangerous to remain connected with or in the  and attended to, in all those cases where it ocimmediate neighbourhood of such objects when  curs, it would have prevented many of those
a thunder-cloud is passing near the earth.   accidents which have happened from persons
Hence the following precautionary maxims  rashly jumping out of carriages when in rapid
have been deduced, by attending to which the  motion, or attempting to jump from the top of a
personal accidents arising from thunder-storms  moving cylinder, in which cases they are always
might be in a great measure prevented. In the  precipitated with violence in a direction difopen air, during a storm, rivers, pools, and  ferent from what they expected, from the obevery mass of water, even the streamlets aris-  vious effects of a combination of forces. Boats
ing from a recent shower, should be avoided,  and carriages have been sonletimes overset by
because water being an excellent conductor,  persons rising hastily when they were in danger
might determine the course of an electrical dis-  of such accidents,-from ignorance of the princharge towards a person in contact Nwith it, or  ciple, that the centre of gravity of the moving
in its immediate.neighbourhood. All high trees  vehicle, by such a practice, is raised so as to
and similar elevated conductors should also be  endanger the line of direction being thrown beavoided, as they are in more danger of being  yond the base, when the vehicle must, of course,
struck than objects on the ground; and, there-  be overturned; whereas, -had they clapped down
fore, a person in contact with them exposes him.  to the bottom, they would have brought down
self to imminent danger, should the course of  the line of direction, and consequently the centre
the lightning lie in that direction.  But, to take  of gravity, farther within the baise, so as to have
our station at the distance of thirty or forty  prevented the accident and secured their safety.
paces from such objects, or, at such a distance
as may prevent us from being injured by the    ~ It has been generally thought that the cellar is
splinters of wood, should the tree be struck, is  the most secure situation during a thunder-storm,
but this is true only in certain cases. When the
more secure than even in the midst of an open  lightning proceeds from the clouds, it is unquesotionplain. Persons in a house not provided with  ably the most secure position; but in the case of a
thunder-rods, should avoid sitting near a chim-   etTrning stroke, or when the lightuin, proceeds
from the earth, it is less secure than the higher parts
hey or fire-place, whether there be a fire in the  of the building.




PREVENTION OF DISEASES AND ACCIDENTS.                                 29
The reason of this will perhaps more plainly  for three hundred years. But wer- an additional
appear from the following explanations:-The  erection, of any considerable elevation,, to be
centre of gravity is that point of a body about placed upon its top, it would undoubtedly soon
which all its parts are in equilibrio, or balance  tumble into ruins.
each other; and consequently, if this point be    To a somewhat similar cause, in combination
supported, the whole body will be at rest, and  with heedlessness and ignorance, may be ascannot fall. An imaginary line drawn from the  cribed many of those accidents which so frocentre of gravity of any body towards the centre  quently happen at' spinning mills and other
of the earth is called the line of direction. Bo-  pieces of machinery, by which legs and arms
dies stand with firmness upon their bases, when  are torn asunder, and the human frame some.
this line falls within the base; but if the line of  times mangled and destroyed.
direction falls without the base, the body will be    Fatal accidents have likewise happenedfrom
overturned.  Thus, the inclining body ABCD,  ignorance of the effects produced by the refraction
whose centre of gravity is E, stands firmly on  of light.  It is a well-known optical fact, that
its base CDKF, because'the line of direction  when a ray of light passes from air into water,
EM- falls within the base. But if a weight, as  and is again refracted, the sine of the angle of
ABGH, be laid upon the top of the body, the  incidence is in proportion to the sine of the angle
centre of gravity of the whole body and weight  of refraction as four to three. From this cirtogether is raised up to I; and then as the line  cuinstance it happens, that pools and rivers apof direction ID falls without the base at D, the  pear shallower than they really are-their chancentre of gravity I is not supported, and the  nels, when viewedfriom their brink, being appawhole body and weiaht must tumble down to-  rently higher than their true position, in the
gethor.                                      proportion of three to four; so that a river eight
feet deep will appear from its bank to be only
six. This fact may be at any time perceived in
__________  B       a tub or pail full of water, where the bottom of
G    the vessel will obviously appear to be raised a
Il~7/71'z/4Y//I, 7  5/   considerable space above its true position, and
its apparentdepth consequently diminished. In
consequence of this optical illusion, which is not
/A,/ //' generally known, many a traveller as wvell as
A/       I/           B        many a schoolboy has lost his life, by supposing
7/jI-///l YJ     the bottom  of a clear river to bh  within his
depth, as, when he stands or, the bank, the bot/l/ilillIYIIG  y    tom will appear one-fourth nearer the surface
than it really is.
This will appear evident from  the follow.
ing illustrations:-If a ray of light AC passes
//XI    /           //l///,! /I  //////, /obliquely from air into water, instead of continui
The tower of Pisa, in Italy, leans sixteen feet
afraid to pass under it; but as the plummet or
fine of direction falls within its base or foundation,             P
it is in no danger of falling, if its materials keep  direction (C [, ai d appl oaches th e pepenidiculaz
together; and hence it has stood in this state  PP, in such a manner, that the angle of refiracel~~~~~~~~




30            ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
tion POH  is less than its angle of incidence  see the moon, on her rising, totally eclipsed,
ECA. AE is the sine of the angle of inci-  while the sun is still seen in the opposite part of
dence, and HP the sine of the angle of refrac-  the horizon; and that the stars and planets ar'.
tion; and the proportion they bear to each other  never seen in the places where they really are,
is as four to three.. If a small body, therefore,  except when they are in the zenith, or point diwere placed at H and viewed from the point A,  rectly over our head.
it would appear as if it were raised to the point    Many affecting and fatal accidents have hap.
B, or one-fourth higher than it really is.   pened, and are fiequently recurring, particularly to children, and females in the higher ranks
of life, from their clothes catching fire, most of
which might be prevented, were the two following simple facts universally known and pract;
cally applied, that flame has a tendency to mouan
upwards; and that air is essentially requisite for
supporting it.  When the clothes of females
take fire, as the fire generally begins at the
lower parts of their dress, so long as they con~ ~.....___                       tinue in an upright posture the flames naturally
ascend, and meeting with additional fuel as
C                                   they rise; become more powerful in proportion;
This may be farther illustrated by the follow-  whereby the neck, the head, and other vital
ing common experiment. Put a shilling into the  parts of the body are liable to be most injured;
bottom of an empty bason, at C, and walls back-  and, by running from one part of the room to
wards till it appear completely hid by the inter-  another, or from one apartment to another, as is
ception of the edge of the bason; then cause  most frequently the case, the air, which is the
water to be poured into the bason, and the shil-  fuel of fire, gains- free access to every part of
ling will instantly appear as if placed at the  their apparel, and feeds the increasing flame.
point D; for, being. now in a denser medium,  In such cases, the sufferer should instantly
it appears raised, or nearer to its surface. Be-  throw her clothes over her head, and roll or lie
fore the water was poured in, the shilling could  upon them, in order to prevent the ascent of the
not be seen where.it was; now it is seen where  flames and the access of fresh air. 5When this
it is not. It is not the eye that has changed its  cannot conveniently be effected, she may still
place, but the ray of light has taken a new di-  avoid great agony, and save her life, by throwrection, in passing from the water to the eye,  ing herself at full length on the floor, and rolling
and strikes the eye as if it came from the piece  herself thereon. Though this method may not,
of money. This experiment may be varied as  in every case, completely extinguish the flame,
follows:-Take an empty bason, and, along the  it will to a certainty retard its progress, and preodiameter of its bottom, fix marks at a small dis-  vent fatal injury to the vital parts.  When astance from each other, then take it into a dark  sistance is at hand, the by-standers should imroom, and let in a ray of light; and where this  mediately wrap a carpet, a hearth-rug, a great
falls upon the floor, place the bason, so that its  coat, or a blanket, around the head and body of
marked diameter may point towards the win-  the sufferer, who should be laid in a recumbent
dow, and so that the beam may fall on the mark  position, which will prove a certain preventive
most distant from the window. This done, fill from danger. During the year 1813, the author
the bason with water, and the beam which be-  noted down more' than ten instances, recorded
fore fell upon the most distant mark, will now,  in the public prints, of females who were burned
by the refractive power of the water, be turned  to death by their clothes catching fire, all of
out of its straight course, and will fall two or  which might have been prevented, had the simthree or more marksnearer the centre of the  ple expedients now stated been resorted to and
bason.                                       promptly applied.
It is owing to the circumstance now stated,    It may be remarked, in the next place, that
that an oar partly in and partly out of the water  many of the diseases to which mankind are sub.
appears broken; that objects appear distorted  iect-particularly fevers, smat:-pox, and other
when seen throuigh a crooked pane of glass; that  infectious disorders —might be prevented by the
a fish in the water appears much nearer the sur-  diffusion of knowledge in relation to their naface than it actually is; and that a skilful marks-  ttre, their causes, and the means of prevention.
man, in shooting at it, must aim considerably  It cannot have been overlooked, in the view of
below the place which it seems to occupy. It  the intelligent observer, that fevers and other
is owing to the refractive power of the atmos-  infectious disorders generally spread with the
phere, that the sun is seen before he rises above  greatest facility and make the most dreadful
the horizon in the morning, and after he sinks  havoc among the lower orders of society. This
beneath it in the evening; that we sometimes  is owing, in part, to the dirty state in whicl.




PREVENTION OF DISEASES AND ACCIDENTS.                                  31
their houses are kept, every part of which af- substarce, and makes little irupressi.n on tilhe
folds proper materials for the production and  organs of sense, they seem to act as if it hlad ns,
detention of pestilential effluvia, and-their igno-  existence. Hence we find, that no attention is
rance of the impurtance of pure atmospherical  paid by thie lower orders of society to the proair to animal life, and the consequent necessity  per ventilation of their apartments.  In sonme
of daily ventilating their apartments. It is also  cases, the windows of their houses are so fixed
owing in a great measure to the custom of per-  in the walls as to be incapable of being opeied,
sons crowding into the chambers of those who  and in other cases, where the windows are
tare labouring under such infectious diseases,  moveable, they are seldom  opened, except by
and thereby not only increasing the strength of  accident, for weeks and months together; and
the infectious virus, but. absorbing a portion of  were it not that a door and a chimney are to be
it in their own bodies, to spread its balefill in-  found in every habitable apartment, the air
fluence in a wider circle. Such a conduct fre-  would be rendered in many instances absoluitely
quently proceeds from a want of conviction of  unfit for respiration. Crowds of tailors, weathe infeictious nature of such disorders, and  vers, shoemakers, and other mechanics, em&roni ignorance of the rapid manner in which  ployed in sedentary occupations, are frequently
they are sometimes communicated from one to  pent up in close, and sometimes danmp apartanother. as well as from that obstinacy and from   ments, from morning till evening, without ever
those inveterate prejudices which are always  thinking of opening their windows for a single
the accompaniments of ignorance.  Though the  half hour for the admission of fresh air; and
cow-pox inoculation has been proved by experi-  consequently, are continually breathing an atence to be an effectual preventive of that loath-  mosphere highly impregnated with the noxious,some and often fatal disorder, the small-pox, yet  gas emitted from the lungs, and the effluvia pernumbers in the lowe-r anks of life cannot yet be  spired fioln their bodies, which is most sensibly
persuaded to use this;mplle preventive, and  felt by its hot suffocating smell, when a person
will rather run the risk of experiencing all its  from the open air enters into such apartments.
disagreeable and dangerous effects both on their  The sallow complexion of such persons plainly
own persons and on those of their offspring.  indicates the enervating effects produced bythe
Their obstinate preiudices, in this and similar  air they breathe; and although its pernicious
respects, are increased by their false views and  effects may not be sensibly felt, it gradually
reasonings respecting the doctrine of the divine  preys upon their constitutions, and often prodecrees, and the providence of the Almighty.  duces incurable asthmas, fevers, consumptions,
They imagine, that to induce one species of  and other dangerous disorders, which are fredisease for the prevention of another is attempt-  quently imputed -to other causes. Nothing is
ing to take the government of the world out of  more easy than to open the windows of an
the hands of the Creator, and that no means of  apartment, and other apertures that communipreventing disorders can be of any avail, if the  cate with the external air, at meal hours, when
Deity has otherwise decreed; not considering  the room is empty, in order to expel the contathat the Almighty governs the world he has  minated air, and admit the pure vital fluid. No
created by regular and invariable laws, and ac-  meAicine or restorative is cheaper or of more
complislies his decrees through the intervention  importance to health and vigour than pure atmosof those secondary causes, both natural and  pherical air; yet, because it costs nothing, it is
moral, which are'continually operating in the  little regarded. Hints and admonitions in rephysical and intellectual world. Were general  ference to this point are seldom attended to;
knowledge more extensively diffused, and the  for ignorance is always proud and obstinate,
minds of the multitude habituated to just prin-  and the inconveniences supposed, in certain
ciples and modes of reasoning, such fallacious  cases, to flow from the practice of ventilating
views and opinions would be speedily dissipated,  particular apartments are seldom attempted to
and consequently those physical evils and disor-  be remedied. It is, therefore, presumed, that
ders which they produce would be in a great  were a knowledge of the nature of the atmosmeasure prevented.                           phere, of the ingredients that enter into its comn
Again, to ignorance we must likewise attri-  position, of its indispensable necessity for the
bute, in a great measure, the pernicious efects  support and invigoration of animal lifb, of the
of contaminated air in dwelling-houses.  Pure  circumstances by which it is deteriorated, and
air is essentially requisite to the health and  of the baneful effects which are produced by its
vigour of the animal system as wholesome food  contamination, nore widely diffused, its use an4
and drink.  When contaminated by stagnation,  importance would be more dulv appreciated, and
by breathing, by fires or candles, it operates as  the disorders which flow from the circumstances
a slow poison, and gradually undermines the  now stated effectually prevented.*
iltnman constitution; yet nothing is less attended
to in the economy of health by the great majo-     The following fact shows, li an impressive man
ithnoy oher, the danger arising from the want of a free cirrity of mankind. Because air is an invisible  culation and frequent change if air. "in the  liing
3




32            ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDG:E.
MIuch benefit might also be prevented, were  warmth, an opposite course is most frequentlY
a knowledge of the means of reetoring suspended  pursued, which is supposed to be one among the
animation, in cases of drowning, strangulation,  many existing causes of hydrocephalus or water
&c., generally disseminated.  As prompt mea-  in the brain.  Instead of allowing the first milk
sures in such cases are absolutely necessary,  that is secreted, which nature has endowed with
many fatal effects have happened from the delay  a purgative quality, to stimulate the bowels, it
occasioned by medical assistance having been  is a common practice, immediately on the birth
at a distance; which might have been prevented,  of a child, to administer a variety of purgative
had the proper means of resuscitation been  medicines in close succession, "as if," says a
known and immediately resorted to by the per-  modern writer, " to prove that it has arrived in
sons present at such ajuncture. Were the na-  a world of physic and of evils."  Instead of
ture and importance of the function ofperspira-  being exposed to the invigorating effects of pure
lion generally known and attended to, it might  air, and kept in a moderate degree of temperalikewise be the means of preventing those dis-  ture, they are too frequently confined to a hot
eases and disasters which flow from making  contaminated atmosphere, which relaxes their
sudden transitions from heat to cold, which are  solids, impedes their respiration, and frequently
the origin of many fatal disorders among the  induces fatal convulsions.* These are buta few
labouring classes. If a man is thoroughly con-  examples out of many which could be produced
vinced that more than the one-half of what he  of the improper treatment of children, from
eats and drinks is thrown off by insensible per-  which multitudes of painful complaints and danspiration, he will at once see the importance of  gerous disorders derive their origin.  It is
avoiding every practice and every circumstance  therefore reasonable to believe, that were gewvhich has a tendency to obstruct the operations  neral information on such topics extensively disof this important function.                   seminated, and a more rational mode of nurture
The last example I shall mention, though not  during the first years of infancy adopted, not
of the least importance, is the fatal effects pro-  only fatal disorders, but many subsequent. disduced by ignorance of the prper mnode of treating  eases in life, might either be wholly prevented,
children during thefirst stages of infancy. It is a  or at least greatly mitigated.
fact deduced from the annual registers of the   WAre have likewise reason to conclude, that a
dead, that one-half the number of children born,  general dissemination of knowledge, by direct.
die under seven years of age.  This extraordi-  ing the mind to intellectual enjoyments, and
nary mortality is universally imputed, by medi-  lessening the desire for sensual pleasures, would
cal writers, to wrong management during the  lead to habits of sobriety and temperance.  In-,first and second years of their infancy, and the  temperance has perhaps been productive of;practice of giving anodyne aromatic medicines.  more diseases, misery, and fatal accidents, than
instead of clothing infants in such a manner as  all the other causes I have now specified. It
to give free scope for the exercise of all the vital  has benumbed the intellectual faculties, debased
functions, as soon as they are ushered into the  the affections, perverted the moral powers, deworld, the midwives and officious matrons fre-  graded man below the level of the brutes, and
quently vie with each other to improve upon na-  has carried along with it a train of evils deture, by attempting to model the head and to  structive to the happiness of families, and to the
-strengthen the limbs by the application of fillets,  harmony and order of social life. Wherever,rollers, and swaddling-bands, of several yards  intemperance prevails, a barrier is interposed
in length; thus loading and binding them with  to every attempt for raising man from the state
clothes equal to their own weight, to the mani-  of moral and intellectual degradation into which
rest injury of the motions of their bowels, lungs,  he has sunk, and for irradiating his mind with
limbs, and other animal functions. Instead of  substantial knowledge. But were the mind in
covering the head with a thin single cap, and  early life imbued with a relish for knowledge
eceping the extremities in a moderate degree of  ar;d mental enjoyments, it would tend to withdraw it from those degrading associations and
In hospital of Dublin, two thousand nine hundred  Puruits which lead to gluttony, debauchery,
and forty.four infants, out of seven thousand six  and drunkenness, and consequently prevent
hundred and fifty, died in the year 1782, within the  those diseases, accidents, and miseries, which:first fortnight from their birth. They almostall  invariablyfollow in their train. Asthehuman
expired in convulsions; many foamed at the mouth;
their thumlbs were drawn into the palms of their  mind is continually in quest of happiness of one
hands;their jaws were locked; their faces swelled;  description or another, so multitudes of the
and.they presented, in a greater or less degree,  
every appearance of suffocation. This last circum-  young and inexperienced have been led to destance at last produced an inquiry whether the  vote themselves to the pursuit of sensual plea.
-rooms were not too close and insufficiently venti-  sures as their chief and ultimate object, because
lated. The apartments of the hospital were rentered more airy; and the consequence has been,  they have no conception of enjoyment from any
that the proportion of deaths, according to the reglst. rs of-succeeding.years, is dimmrnised from three'to oZc."                      ~                           See the oreceding note.




PROGRESS- OF GENERAL SCIENlCE                                 33
other quarter, and are altogether ignorant of the  is the most easily procured, so that kind of
refined gratification which flows from intellec-  knowledge which is the most beneficial to man-'tutal pursuits. In the prosecution of knowledge.  kind at large, is in general the most easily acthe rational faculties are brought into exercise,  quired.  Its acquisition would not in thie least
and sharpened and invigorated; and when rea-  interfere with the performance of their regular
son begins to hold the ascendancy over the de-.  avocations, as it could all be acquired at leisure
sires and affections, there is less danger to be  hours.  It would habituate them  to rational
apprehended that the mind will ever be com-  reflections and trains of thought, and gradually
pletely subjected to the control of the sensitive  unfold to their view new and interesting obiects
appetites of our nature.                     of contemplation.  It would have a tendency to
I mright also ha're stated, that many physical  prevent them from spending their hours of leievils might be prevented, were mankind at large  sure in folly or dissipation, and would form an
acquairled with the characteristics of poisonous  agreeable relaxation from the severer duties of
plants; —the means of detecting mineral poi-  active life.
sons, and the mode of counteracting their effects;-the proper mode of extinguishing fires,
and of effecting an escape, in cases of danger,
from that element;-the precautions requisite to            SECTION III
be attended to' in the management of steamengines,* &c. &c.'But, as a minute acquaintance with some of these subjects supposes a  ON THE INFLUENCE WHICH A GENERAL DIZ..
greater degree of knowledge than could reason-    FUSION OF KNOWLEDGE WOULD HAVE ON
ably be expected in the general mass of society,    THE PROGRESS OF GENERAL SCIENCE,
I shall not further enlarge.  The few examples
I have selected will, it is presumed, be sufficient    WE have already seen, that the diffusion of
to prove and illustrate the position stated in the  knowledge among the general nass of society
beginning of this section, " that knowledge  would eradicate those false and superstitious
would, in many cases, prevent dangers, diseases,  opinions which have so long degraded the huand fatal accidents."  If it be admitted, that  man intellect, would introduce just conceptions
several hundreds of persons are annually de-  of the attributes of the Deity, and of his operastroyed by noxious gases, by the explosions of  tions in the system of nature, and would avert.
fire-darmp in coal-mines, by the stroke of light-  or at least greatly mitigate, many of those phyning, by their clothes catching fire, and other  sical evils to which the human race has been
accidents; and that several thousands are, dur-  subjected. Although these were the only ading the same period, carried off by infectious  vantages to be derived from the general dissediseases, and by those diseases which are the  mination of knowledge, they would be sufficient
effects of contaminated air, and an improper  to warrant every exertion which the friends of
mode of treatment during the first stages of in-  scmence and of humanity can make to accomfancy; and if a general diffusion of knowledge  plish such an important object.' But these are
respecting the principles and facts adverted to  only a few of the many beneficial results which
above would have a tendency to prevent one-half  would, doubtless, flow from the progress of rathe number of such physical evils as now hap-  tional investigations and scientific pursuits.
pen, it wiil follow, that several hundreds, if not Knowledge, in its progress through the general
thousands, of useful lives might annually be  mass of society, and among the various tribes
preserved to the community, and a great pro-  of mankind, could not long remain confined
portion of human suffering prevented; and if  within its present boundaries, but would, in all
so, the cause of humanity, as well as of sciences,
so, the cause of humanity, as well as of scien~te, probability, enlarge its circumference nearly in
is deeply interested in the general diffusion of  proportion to the extent of its diffusion. The
useful knowledge among persons of every na-  man of erudition and of science, who now extion, and of every rank.                     erts his influence and his talents to enlighten the
In the conclusion of this topic, it may be re-  minds of his fellow-men, would be laying a
marked, that the knowledge requisite for the  foundation for the expansion of his own intellecpurpose now specified is of easy acquisition.  tual views, and of those of his successors in the
It requires no peculiar strength or superiority  same pursuits, in future generations.  As a
of genius, nor long and intricate trains of ab-  small body of snow, by rolling, gradually accustract reasoning; but is capable of being ac-  mulates to a large mass. so that portion of knowquired by any person possessed of common  ledge we already possess, in its progress through
sense, when his attention is once thoroughly  the various ranks of mankind, would have its
directed to its acquisition. As the food of the voltme increased, and its present boundaries
body which is the most salutary and nourishing  extended, so that new scenes of intellectual
vision and enjoyment would -be continually
+see Appendix No VIII.            openingtothe view.  In accordancewiththese
5




354           OuON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
viewsv  I shall now proceed to illustrate the  arefacts: deduced either from  simple observa.
Ililition,                                    tion and experiment, or from a comparison of' a
That a general diflusion of knowledge would  series of phenomena and experinlents vith eacr
end to the rapid advancement of universal ei-  other. Now, every comparison we make be.
ence.                                         tween two or more objects or ideas, is an act oe
We are placed in the midst of a scene where  the mind affirming a resemblance or a di..
a vast multiplicity of objects solicits our atten-  greement between the objects compared; whicr,
tion.  Whether we look around on the surface  affirmation, if deduced from a clear view of tks
of the earth, or penetrate into its bowels, or  objects presented to the mind or senses, is the
turn our eyes upwards to the surrounding at-  declaration of a fact.
mosphere and the vault of heaven, we perceive    If the above sentiments are just, it will fol
an immeilse variety of beings, celestial and  low, that every person possessed of an ordinary
terrestrial, animated and inanimated, continu-  share of understanding, and whose organs of
ally varying their aspects and positions, all dif- sensation are in a sound state, is capable of acfering from each other in certain points of view,  quiring all the leading truths of the most useful
yet connected together by various relations and  sciences, since he enjoys the senses and faculresemblances.                                 ties requisite for the observation of facts, and
Science, in the most general and extensive  for comparing them with one another. And if
sense of the term, consists in a perception of  such a person is capable of receiving into his
the resemblances and differences, or the rela-  mind truths already ascertained, he is also, for
tions which these objects have to one another,  the same reason, qualified for discovering new
and to us as rational beings.  To ascertain the  truths or facts, provided he be placed in suchb
almost infinite number of relations which sub-  circumstances as shall have a tendency to pre.
sist among the immense variety of objects which  sent the objects of his pursuit in the clearest
compose the material and intellectual universe,  point of view; that he have an opportunity ci
requires an immense multitude of observations,  surveying them on all sides, and that his atter.
comparisons, and deductions to be made by a  tion be firmly riveted on their several aspecs
vast number of observers placed in various cir-  and relations.  That one man, therefore, excels
umnlstances and positions; or, in other words,  another in these respects, is chiefly owing to
t/e discovery of an immense number of facts.-  his mind being more particularly directed to the
All science may, therefore, be considered as  contemplation of certain objects and relations,
Illnded on FACTS; and perhaps there would be  and his mental faculties concentrated upon them
few exceptions to the truth of the position, were  When a person, devoted to scientific investiga.
we to assert, that the most sublime truths and  tion, discovers a new fact, it is not, in the mamdeductions, in every science, when stripped of  jority of instances, because he possesses powers
all their adventitious circumlstances, simplified,  of intellect and organs of sensation superior to
and expressed in the plainest and most perspi-  the ordinary endowments of humanity, but be.
cuous terms, may be reduced to so many,,facts.  cause he was placed in different circumstances,
This position might be illustrated, were it ne-  and had his attention directed to different ob.
cessary, by an induction of particulars from the  jects, and was thus enabled to perceive rela
various branches of mathematical and physical  tions and combinations which had been either
science.  That " a whole is greater than any  unnoticed by others, or which were placed beof its parts," —that "the square described on  yond the range of their observation.  Genius,
the hypothenuse of a right-angled triangle is  then, which is generally attributed to such chaequal to the sum of the squares described on its  racters, may be considered as consisting in'a
remaining sides," are facts, the one deduced  concentration of the rays of intellect upon any
from  observation or simple intuition, the other  particular object, art, or science, arising from a
from a series of comparisons.  That the sun is  lively taste we feel for that particular study. It
the centre, around which the planetary bodies  may be compared to a burning lens, where the
revolve,-that a projectile describes a parabo.  scattered rays of light are rendered powerful
lic curve,-that the velocities of falling bodies  by being collected into a point.
ire in proportion to the spaces run over,-that    In so far, then, as we are able to direct the
fluids press in all directions,-that the pressure  faculties of the mind-however moderate a de.
of the atmosphere will support a column of  gree of vigour they may possess-to the fixed
water to the height of above thirty feet, —that  contemplation of scientific objects, in so far may
the elastic spring of the air is equivalent to the  we expect that new relations will be discovered,
force which conlpresses it,-that the angle of  and new truths elicited.  Sir Isaac Newton was
incidence of a ray of light is equal to the angle  one day asked, " How he had discovered the
if refilection.-that the north pole of one mag-  true system of the universe?"  He replied.
net will attract the south pole of another,-that  " By continually thinking upon it."  He' was
thie air we.reathe is a composition of oxygen  frequently heard to declare, that " if he had
and nitrogen; and a variety of similar truths, —  done the world any service, t was dule to no



ON THE PROMOTION OF SCIENCE.                                    35
dLhng but induasry and patient thought, that he  by the circumstance of an apple falling upon the
kept the subject under consideration constantly  head, as he was sitting under a tree in his gart
bei're him, and waited till the first dawning  den, which led to the discovery of the grand
otened gradually, by little and little, into a full  principle which unites the great bodies of the
and clear light."  Had this illustrious philoso-  universe.  The well-known M.-. James Fer.
pher been born of barbarous parents in the wilds  guson, author of several popular treatises on
of Africa,-had he been placed in circumstances  astronomy and mechanical philosophy, invented
widely different from those in which he actually  a system  of mechanics, and ascertained the
existed, or had not his attention, by some casual  laws of the different mechanical powers, when
occurrence, been directed to the grand object  only eight years of age, and before he knew
which he accomplished, in all probability, his  that any treatise had ever been written on that
mind would never have ranged through the ce-  subject.  The accidental circumstance of see.
lestial regions, nor have discovered the laws of  ing his father lift up the roof of his cottage, by
the planetary motions.                        means of a prop and lever, first directed his
Many important scientific facts require only  mind to these subjects, in which he afterwards
a certain combination of circumstances to bring  made many useful improvements.
them to the view of any common observer. To    If, then, it be admitted, that an extraordinary
discover the phases of the planet Venus, the  degree of intellectual energy and acumen is no.
satellites of Jupiter, and the elliptical figure of  necessary, in every instance, for making useful
Saturn, after the. telescope was invented, re-  discoveries,-that the concentration of the menquired no uncommon powers either of vision or of tal faculties on particular objects, and the vaintellect in Galileo, who first brought these facts  rious circumstances in which individuals may
to view, however superior the faculties he ac-  be placed, have led to the discovery of importually possessed.  It only required, that he had  tant facts,-it will follow, that the exertion of
a previous knowledge of the existence of these  the ordinary powers of intellect possessed by
planetary bodies, that his mind was interested  the mass of society is sufficient for the purpose
in the extension of science, and that he foresaw   of prosecuting scientific discoveries, and that the
a probability that new  and interesting facts  more the number of scientific observers and expemight be discovered by directing his new in-  rimenters is increased among the inferior ranks
vented instrument to the starry regions. And  of society, the more extensively will interesting
when once he had descried from his observatory  facts and analogies be ascertained, from which
such new celestial wonders, every other person  new and important principles of science may be
whose organs of vision were not imparled, with  deduced.
a similar tube, might discover the same objects.    An ample field still remains for the exertion of
Yet, for want of the qualifications which Galileo  all the energies of the human mind.  The scipossessed, the telescope might have long re-  ences are, as yet, far removed from perfection;
mained in the hands of thousands before such  some of them  have but lately commenced their
discoveries had been made; and it is a fact,  progress, and some of their elementary printhat though the,..cope was in use a consider.  ciples still require to be established by future
able time before Galileo made his discoveries,  observations.  The objects of nature which
no person had previously thought of directing it  science embraces are almost infinite; the exto the planets; at any rate, no discoveries had  istence of many of these objects has not yet
been made by it in the heavens.               been discovered, and much less their multiplied
The discovery of new truths in the sciences,  relations and combinations.  The researches of
therefore, is not, in most instances, to be as-  ages are still requisite, in order thoroughly to
cribed to the exertions of extraordinary powers  explore the universe, and bring to view its hidof intellect; but, in a great majority of cases,  den wonders.  In order to bring to light, as
to the peculiar series of events that may occur  speedily as possible, the undiscovered truths of
in the case of certain individuals, to the various  science, we must endeavour to increase the
circumstances and situations in which they may  number of those who shall devote themselves,
be placed, to the different aspects in which cer-  either wholly or in part, to scientific investigatain obhiects may be presented totheir view, and  tion and research. And, were this object ate
sometimes to certain casual hints or occur-  tained, in all probability, the number of useful
rcnces which directed their attention to parti-  truths and facts which would be discovered,
cular objects. A spectacle-maker's boy, by an  would be nearly in proportion to the number of
accidental experiment, led to the invention of  those whose attention is directed to such re.
the telescope; the remark of a fountain-player,  searches.
who observed that water could rise only to thirty-    This might be illustrated from the history of
two feet in the tubes of a forcing engine, led  the past progress of science. In those ages,
Galileo to calculate the gravity of the air.  when only a few solitary individuals, here and
Newton's attention was first directed to a pro-  there, directed their attention to such pursuits,
Ioumnd research into the laws of falling bodies,  little or no progress was made in the various




5F6           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDG;E.
departments of human knowledge; nay, some-  tific investigators now existing, twenty thousand
times they appeared to have taken a retrograde  were employed in surveying the various localscourse.  Durinig the dark ages, when the hu-  ties, aspects, and operations of nature,.in tile
man mind, fettered by papal tyranny and super-  animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms, on
stition, and absorbed in sensual gratifications,  the surface of the earth and the ocean, and in
seldom made excursions into the regions of sci-  the celestial regions,-hundreds of new facts
ence, no useful discoveries were brought to  would, in all probability, be brought to light,
light,-science was riot only at a stand, but the  for one that is now discovered by the present
knowledge and improvements of preceding ages  contracted circle of scientific Inen; front which
were even in danger of being entirely oblite-  new and important conclusions in the arts and
rated. But no sooner had the human intellect  sciences might be deduced.
burst its fetters, and the number of rational in-    Nor let it be objected, that the great bulk of
vestigators begun to increase,-no sooner had  mankind, particularly the middling and  the
they formed themselves into  regular associ-  lower ranks of society, are incapable of making
ations for scientific purposes, than Science and  any important discoveries in science. If what
Art were aroused from  the slumber of ages,  we have already stated be correct, they are
and began to move forward towards perfection  possessed of all the essential requisites, not only
with accelerated progress.  This may easily  for acquiring the elementary principles of knowbe traced by those who have attended to the  ledge, but also for penetrating beyond the circle
history of science during the last 160 years.  which marks the present boundaries of science.
About the commencement of this period, the  They are all organized in nearly the same mar.nAcademy of Sciences at Paris, and the Royal  her, (a few insulated individuals only excepted,)
Society of London, were established.  These  and, consequently, have nearly an equal aptisoon gave birth to similar societies in almost  tude for the exercise of conception, judgment,
every country in Europe; and there can be no  and ratiocination.  They have the same organs
doubt, that the advanced state of knowledge in  of sensation, and the same powers of intellect,
the present day is chiefly to be attributed to the  as persons in the highest ranks of society.
investigations and discoveries made by the  The grand scene of the universe is equally open
members of those associations, to their joint co-  to peasants and mechanics, as to princes and
operation in the propagation of useful know-  legislators; and.they have the same opportuledge, and to the stimulus they afforded to intel-  nities of making observations on the phenomena
lectual pursuits.                            of nature, and the processes of art,-nay, in
Would we then accelerate the march of sci-  many instances, their particular situations, and
ence far beyond the rate of its past and present  modes of life, afford them peculiar advantages
progress,-would we wish to extend its range  in these respects, which are not enjoyed by perfar beyond its present boundaries, nothing is so  sons of a superior rank. In short, they have
likely to effectuate this end, as an increase of  the same innate curiosity and taste for relishing
the number of scientific experimenters and ob-  such investigations, provided the path of know.
servers. Let a certain portion of rational in-  ledge be smoothed before them, and their at.
formation be imparted tothe great mass of man-  tention  thoroughly directed to intellectual aokind,-let intellectual acquirements be exhi-  quisitions.
bited to them as the noblest objects of pursuit,    Nor, again, should it be objected, that an at.
and letthem be encouraged to form associations,  tention to such objects, and an exquisite relish
for the purpose of mutual improvement and sci-  for mental enjoyments, would unfit them for tne
entlfic research. By these means their atten-  ordinary duties of active life. Every man,
tion would De directed to intellectual improve-  under a well-regulated government, enjoys a
ment, a taste would be excited for rational in-  certain portion of leisure from the duties of his
vestigations, which would stimulate them  to  station, which, in too many instances, is wasted
make farther progress; they would soon feel an  either in listless inaction, or in the pursuits of
interest in the objects of science; they would  folly and dissipation. This leisrr e is all that is
listen with pleasure to the accounts of disco-  requisite for the purpose in view. It would
veries which  are gradually brought to light  only be requisite that, during its continuance,
throughout the different regions of physical in-  the train of their thoughts should be directed
vestigation; and would be stimulated, from a  into a channel which would lead them to more
laudable ambition of distinguishing themselves  pleasing associations, and  more substantial
as discoverers, as well as from an innate love  pleasures, than the general current of human
to the pursuit of knowledge, to observe those  thought is calculated to produce. That those
facts, to make those researches, and to institute  who are in the habit of exercising their faculties
those experiments, that might have a tendency  on rational subjects are thereby rendered more
to enlarge the circle of human knowledge.  unfit for the comnlon business of life, it would
Were the number of such persons increased but  be absurd to suppose. He who habtituallv exa thousand-fold, so that for every twenty scieo-  ercises his judgment on scientific objects. is




ON THIE PROMOTION OF SCIENCE.                                   37
grallnailly improving his mental powers, and  materials have undergone since its original for.
must, friom this very circumstance, be better  mation,-and the causes which have operated
qualified than others for exercising them in his  in the production of these changes.  To deterparticular trade or profession.  For the habit of  mine such objects, it is requisite that an imexerting the intellectual faculties in any one  mense variety of observations be'made on tne
department, must necessarily fit them for vigor-  form, position, and arrangement of mountains,
ous exertion on any other object, whether me-  -on  the beds of rivers,-the interior of ca.
chanical, agricultural, social, or domestic, to  verns,-the recesses of ravines,-the subterra.
which the attention may be directed.  The  neous apartments of mines,-the fissures and
evils which at present derange the harmony of  chasms which abound in Alpine districts, —and
society, so far from arising firom a vigorous ex-  even on the bottom of the ocean, in so far as it
ertion of intellect, are to be ascribed, for the  can be explored; and that a multitude of facts
most part, to an opposite cause.  The intellec-  be collected in relation to the materials and potual powers, in the case of the great bulk of  sition, the elevation and inflexion, the fraction
mankind, lie in a great measure dormant, their  and dislocation of the earth's strata-calcareous
energies are not sufficiently exerted in any de-  petrifactions —metallic veins-decomposed rocks
partment of active life; and when occasionally  - mosses - rivers - lakes-sand-banks-searoused from their inactivity, they are too fre-  coasts —the products of volcanoes-the com.
quently exercised in the arts of deception, of  position of stone, sand, and gravel-the organic
r.ischieT, and of human destruction. To direct  remnains of animal and vegetable matter,-in
the current of human thought, therefore, into a  short, that the whole surface of the terraqueous
different channel, besides its influence on the  globe, and its interior recesses, be contemplated
progress of science, would be productive of  in every variety of aspect presented to the view
many happy effects on the social and moral  of man.  The observations hitherto made in
condition of mankind; and, as far as my expe-  reference to such multifarious objects have been
rience goes, with a very few exceptio-s, I have  chiefly confined to a few regions of the earth,
found, that those who are addicted to rational  aid the facts which have been ascertained with
pursuits are the most industrious and respect-  any degree of precision, have been collected,
able members of civil and Christian society.  chiefly by a few individuals, within the last fifty
The above hints have been thrown out with  or sixty years. From such partial and limited
the intention of showing, that, as all science is  researches, general principles have been derounded on facts, and as everyperson possessed  duced, and theories of the earth have been
of the common organization of human nature is  firamed, which could only be warranted by a
capable of observing facts, and of comparing  thorough examination of every region of the.them  with one another,-as the discovery of  globe. Hence one theory of the earth has sucnew truths is owing more to the concentration  cessively supplanted another for more than a
ofthe mental faculties on particular objects, and  century past.  The theories of Burnet, Whisto several accidental circumstances, than to the  ton, Woodward, Buffon, and Whitehurst, have
exertion of extraordinary powers o(f intellect,-  each had its day and its admirers, but all of
and as the sciences 4lave generally improved in  them are now fast sinking into oblivion, and in
proportion to the number of those who have de-  the next age will be viewed only as so many
voted themselves to their cultivation,-so there  philosophical rhapsodies, and ingenious fesions
is every reason to conclude, that the diffusion  of the imagination, which have no solid foundaof general knowledge and of scientific taste,  tion in the actual structure of the earth. Even
and consequently, the increase of scientific ob-  the foundations of the Huttonian and W-ernerian
servers, would ensure the rapid advancement of  systems, which have chiefly occupied the attenthe different sciences, by an increase of the  tion of geologists during the last thirty years,
facts in relation to them which would thus be  are now beginning to be shaken, and new sysdiscovered.                                   tems are constructing composed of the fragments of both.  One principal reason of this
I shall now endeavour to illustrate the posi-  diversity of opinion respecting the true theory
tions stated above, by a few examples in relation  of the earth, undoubtedly is, that all the facts
to two or three of the physical sciences.     in relation to the external and internal structure
Geology. —This science is yet in its infancy;  of our globe have never yet been thoroughly exand some of its first principles require to be con-  plored. Instead of retiring to the closet, and
firmed and illustrated by an induction of an im-  attempting to patch up a theory with scattered
mense number of facts of various descriptions.  and disjointed fragments, our province, in the
It is a branch of knowledge altogether founded  mean time, is, to stand in the attitude of surupon facts palpable to the eyje of every common  -evors and observers, to contemplate every asobserver.  Its object is, to investigate the inter-  pect which terrestrial nature presents, to collect
nal structure of the earth.-the arrangement of  the minutest facts which relate to the object in
its component parts,-the changes which its  siew, and then leave to succeeding generations




8             ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
the task of constructing a theory from the ma-    Natural History.-It is evident that th esx.
terials we thus prepare.                      tension and improvement of this department of
Were we now to suppose, that, instead of one  knowledge depends almost entirely on observaobserver of geological facts that now exists,  tion. Although a considerable accession has
thousands were distributed throughout the dif- of late years been made to our knowledge in this
ferent continents and islands, having their minds  branch of study, yet much still remains to be
occasionally directed to such investigations;  accomplished before all the objects it em races
that the miners and labourers in coal-pits, iron-  be thoroughly explored. Our acquaintance with
mines, and quarries, not only in Europe, but  the zoology, botany, and mineralogy of New
throughout Mexico and Peru, in the East and  Holland, Polynesia, Birmah, China, Tartary,
West Indies, in Canada, in' New Holland, in  Thibet, Africa, and America, is extremely li.
Southern Africa, in the ranges of the Alps, the  mited; and even within the limits of Europe,
Andes, the Himalayas, and other quarters, obh-  numerous unexplored regions still lie open to the
served with attention the various phenomena of  future researches of the natural historian.  So
nature subject to their inspection, with this ob..  numerous are the objects and investigations
iect in view; that sailors, missionaries, and tra-'which natural history presents, that although its
vellers of every description, contemplated the  cultivators were increased ten thousand-fold,
different aspects of nature in the regions through  they would find sufficient employment in the
which they passed, and recorded the facts which  prosecution of new discoveries for many centucanme under their observation, for a similar pur-  ries to come. Even those minute objects, in the
pose; and could we still farther suppose, that  animal and vegetable kingdoms, which lie be.
the great body of mankind in every clinme might,  yond the natural sphere of human vision, and
at no distant period, have their minds directed  which the microscope alone can discover, would
to similar subjects, there cannot be the least  afford scope for the investigations of thousands
doubt but an immense multitude of important  of ingenious inquirers, during an indefinite series
facts would soon be accumulated, which would  of ages.  And it ought never to be forgotten,
throw a striking light on the constitution of our. that every new object and process we are enaolanetary globe, and on the changes and revolu-  bled'o trace in this boundless field of observations through which it has passed, which would  tion, presents to us the Deity in a new aspect,
lorm a broad basis for the erection of a true  and enables us to form more enlarged concep.
theory of the earth, and tend either to establish  tions of that power and intelligence which pro.
or to overthrow the hypotheses which have hi-  duced the immense assemblage of beings with
therto been framed.   Persons in the lower  which we are surrounded.
spheres of life have, in many cases,-more fre-    Independently of the additions that might be
quent opportunities of ascertaining facts of the  made to our knowledge of animals, vegetables
description to which I allude, than many others  and minerals, there are several facts in natural
who are placed in an elevated rank. Colliers,  history which might be more precisely ascer.
quarriers, miners of every description, and the  tained and explained, were common labourers
inhabitants of Alpine districts, are almost daily  and others in the same rank of life inspired with
in contact with objects connected with geolo-  the spirit of philosophical observation. For the
gical research; and it is only requisite that their  illustration of this, I shall state only one partiattention be directed to such inquiries-that the  cular circumstance.  It is a fact, which, howknowledge of a few elementary terms and prin-  ever inexplicable, must be admitted, that toads
ciples be imparted to them-that they be di-  have been found alive in the heart of solid rocks,
rected to classify the fcets which fall under their  and in the trunks of trees, where they have
observation-and that a systematic list of que-  been supposed to have existed for ages without
ries, such as those published some years ago by  any apparent access to nourishment or to air.
the London "'Geological Society," be put into  Such facts are supported by so numerous and
their hands.*                                 so respectable authorities, that it would be vain
to call in question their reality; and they asThe queries to which I refer may be seen in the  sume a more mysterious aspect, from the cir"Monthly Magazine" for June 1817, pp. 436-9. A  cumstance, that toads, when placed in the exfew years ago, some interesting fossil remains, sup   hausted receiver of an air-pump, lie all other
posed to be the teeth and other bones of the extinct  hausted receiver of an air-pump, like all other
animal designated by the name of Mammoth, Were  animals, soon lose their existence.  That the
almost entirely destroyed through the ignorance of
some labourers in the parish of Horley, who happeled to hit upon them when digging gravel. After  have been a thigh-bone; a huge blade-bone; and a
-ceaving them to pieces with their pick-axes, and  tusk of' ivory, perfect in its form, described as being
finding it added nothing to their store of knowledge,  about half a rod in length." Had these labourers
they threw away the fragments among the heaps  been aware of the int eresting nature of such fossils,
of gravel, and the subject Wvas consigned to obli-  they might have been all preserved entire; and thei
vion; ant it was only by accident that two entire  circumstance shows how important such occur
teeth were found by a gentleman in the neighbour-  rences, and the observations and researches of corn,
hood. The bones supposed to have been either de-  mon labourers, might sometimes prove to the geolo
teroyed or lost, are a very large bone, supposed to  gist and the general s;udent of nature.




ON THE PROMOTION OF SCIENCE.                                    89
toad is not the only animal which has been found  production.  Although the general cause of
in similar instances, appears from a notice in  thiunds-storms is in some measure ascertained,
the Monthly Magazine for April 1817, which  yet we are ignorant of the causes of a variety of
states, that " a large lizard or serpent was found  phenomena with *i hich they are sometimes acby some miners, imbedded in a stratum of mi-  companied, and of somne of the chymical agents.eral substance, and lived for some time after it  by which they are produced.  To determine the
was extricated."  As the mineral substance in  origin of meteoric stones, the particular regions
which this animal was found was at the bottom  in which they are produced, the caluses of their'of a deep mine, and connected with the surround-  extreme velocity, the oblique direction of their
ing strata, we are almost under the necessity of  motion, and the agents which concur in their
concluding, that it must have existed in that state  formation, has hitherto baffled the researches of
fhr many years.  Now, it is proper to take into  the whole philosophical world. Even the nature
consideration, that such facts have been disco-  of the clouds, their various modifications, their
vered, in the first instance, by labourers, quar-  different electric states, the causes which comriers, miners, and others engaged in laborious  bine to produce their precipitation into rain, the
cecupations, who, with the limited knowledge  nature of evaporation, together with an immense
they presently possess, are unqualified for at-  number of facts requisite for laying the foundatending to all the circumstances which require  tion of a correct theory of the weather, are still
to be noticed in conducting philosophical re-  hid in obscurity.
searches.  Were persons of this description    It is obvious, that a thorough knowledge of
accustomed to examine every uncommon occur-  atmospherical phenomena cannot be acquired,
rence of this kind with a philosophic eye; were  before we have ascertained not only the partithey, in such cases as those to which I have  cular facts and appearances connected with the
now referred, to examine, with accuracy, whe-  atmosphere, but all the preceding, concomitant,
ther chinks or fissures, either horizontal or per-  and consequent circumstances with which they
pendicular, existed in the rocks, or were con-  are generally accompanied; and to determine
nected with the holes or vacuities of the old  such particulars requires animrnense variety of
trees, where toads were found alive; and were  observations, both by day and by night, through
every other circumstance, which a scientific in-  all the regions of the earth.  Before such facts
vestlzator woulh take into account, accurately  be more fully ascertained, our attempts to acabherved and recorded, such observations might  count for various atmospherical phenomena must
ultimately lead to some rational explanations of, prove unsatisfactory and abortive. Hence, the
such unaccountable facts.  At any rate, as  causes assigned by philosophers of the last centhose who belong to that class of society to  tury for the production of rain, hail, dew, firewhich I allude, have many opportunties of con-  balls, and other meteors, are now considered nutemplating the various objects and operations of  gatory and erroneous; and few will be bold
the material world, their accumulated observa-  enough to maintain that we have yet arrived at
tions, when scientifically directed, could not fail  the knowledge of the true causes.  If these
of enlarging our knowledge of facts in several  sentiments be admitted, it will follow, that an indepartments of the history of nature.          creased nu/nber of observers of the scenery of
lWfetearolory. —In this department of physical  the atmosphere, in different climates, with a sciscience, numerous facts still remain to be ascer-  entific object in view, could not fail of increasing
tained, before we can attempt to explain the  our knowledge both of the phenomena which
causes of various interesting phenomena.  We  take place in the regions of the atmosphere, and
have hitherto been unable to collect with preci-  of the powers of nature which operate in their
sion all the facts in relation to the diversified  production
phenomena: of the atmosphere, and are still at    With respect to the aurora horeales, socme
a loss to explain, on known principles, the causes  data might be ascertained for determining their
which operate in producing many atmospherical  height above the surface of the earth, which
appearances.  We are still in a great measure  might lead to a discovery of their true cause,
ignorant of the aurora borealis, with respect to  were a multitude of observers, in different places,
its nature and origin, its distance from the sur-  at the same monlent, to take the altitude and
face of the earth, what precise connexion it has  bearing of any particular coruscation, particuwith the magnetic and electric fluids, and why  larly of the modification of this phenomenon
it has been frequently seen at some periods, and  which assumes the form of a rainbow or lumibeen invisible at others.  We are in a similar  notes arch, which can instantly be done by noting
state of ignorance in regard to luminous and  the series of stars which appear about the midfiery meteors,-as to their different species and  die or sides of the arc at any particular instant.
varieties, the velocity and direction of their mo-  By this means the parallactic angle might be
tions, their influence on other atmospherical phe-  found, and the distances of the places of obserncomena, on vegetation, and on the weather, and  vation, or their difference of latitude, if directly:he principles in nature which operate in their  north and south of each other, would formbase




40            ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
lines for determining the perpendicular elevation  precision than those of almost any other depart.
oe't te phenomenon. In reference to luminous  rnent of science, yet many desiderata requisite
meteors, as they are most fiequently seen in the  to its perfection, still remain to be ascertained.
night-time, men of science and persons of ele-  The late discovery of several new planets, both
vated rank have seldom opportunities of observ-  primary and secondary, leads us to conclude,
ing their diversified phenomena, and the circum-  that other globes of a similar nature, belonging
stances with which they are preceded and ac-  to our system, may still lie hid in the distant
companied.  But while persons of this class  spaces of the firmament. The spheroidalfigure
are reclining on beds of down, or regaling them-  of some of the planets-their periods of rotas
selves at the festive board, hemmed in from the  tion-the nature of the changes which appear to
view of the surrounding sky by the walls and  take place on their surfaces or in their atmoscurtains of their splendid apartments, many in  pheres-the precise nature of the solar spots,
the lower walks of life are " keeping watch by  the causes of their changes, and the influence
night," or travelling from place to place, who  which those changes produce on our earth or athave thus.an opportunity of observing every  mosphere-the parallax of the fixed stars-the
variety of atmospherical phenomena; and it is  rate of motion of the planetary system in absonot unlikely may have seen several species of  lute space-the gradual formation of nebuielunlinous and fiery meteors unknown to the sci-  the natare of variable stars-the number of coentific world.  Were persons of this descrip-  mets, their periods, the nature of their tails and
tion, particularly watchmen, soldiers, sailors,  atmospheres, and their uses in the system of
mail-coach guards, policemen, and such like,  nature-with many other interesting particulars
capable of observing such appearances with  of a similar description, still remain to be ascerscientific interest and accuracy, and of record-  tained. To determine such objects, requires a
ing their observations, various important addi-  multiplicity of long-continued observations in
tions might be made to the facts which compose  every region of the heavens; and it must be
the natural history of the atmosphere.       evident, that the more we increase the number
Similar additions might be made to our know-  of astronomical observers, the greater chance
ledge of thunder-storms, were their phenomena  we shall have of acquiring a more accurate and
and concomitant circumstances accurately noted  comprehensive knowledge of the bodies which
by a vast number of persons in different places.  roll in the distant regions of the universe, and
ft might, for example, be determined, from a  of the relations they bear to one another, and to
multitude of observations made with this special  the whole system of nature.
object in view,-at what distance from the earth  This position might be illustrated by a few
a thunder-cloud may explode without danger?  examples.  The surface of Jupiter has been
-in what circumstances, and at what elevation  found to be diversified with a variety of spots
it generally attains its striking distance, and  and belts: the belts, which are considerably
brings us within the range of its destructive in-  darker than the general surface of the planet,
fluence?-what particular effects, hitherto un-  are observed to vary in their number, distance,
observed, are produced by lightning on animal,  and position. Sometimes only one or two, and
vegetable, and mineral substances?-to  what  sometimes seven or eight belts have been ob.
practical purposes its agency might be applied,  served; sometimes they are quite distinct, and
-and how its destructive ravages might be  at other times they seem to run into each other;
averted or diminished?  The same remarks  and, in some instances, the whole surface of this
wvil apply to the singular phenomenon of mete-  planet has appeared to be covered with small
nric stones. These have seldom been observed  curved belts that were not continuous across his
at the instant of their'descent by men addicted  disk.
to philosophical research; but chiefly by pea-    The following figures represent some of the
sants, labourers, and mechanics, who, at pre-  diversified views which Jupiter sometimes ex.
sent, are generally unqualified for attending to. hibits.
every circumstance in the preceding and conco-, Fig. 1, is copied from Dr. Long, and appears
mritant phenomena connected with their descent,  to be one of the views of this planet taken by
with the discerning eye of a philosopher; and  the celebrated Cassmini. It consists of about
therefore, we may still be ignorant of certain  nine different belts. Fig. 2, is copied from
important facts in the history of the fall of these  Schroeter, and exhibits a view of Jupiter about
bodies, which may long prevent us from form-  the time of its occultation by the moon, on the
iug any rational theory to explain their causes,  7th of April 1792. Fig. 3, is one of Sir W.
or to determine the regions whence their. origin  Herschel's views of this planet, as it appeared
is derived.                                  on the 28th May 1 80), when the whole disk of
Asl.ronomny.-My next illustration shall be  Jupiter appeared covered with small curved
taken tfrom the science of astronomy. Though  belts, or rather lines, that were not continuous
this is among the oldest of thle sciences, an'd its  across his disk.  Fig. 4, contains a view whici
general principles are established with greater  is nearly the appearance which Juniter exhiuslw




ON THE PROMOTION OF SCIENCE.                                   4]
at present, and which is not much different from   that the deficlencles of one might be supplied by
his appearance for several years past.  These  another, and the general conclusions deduced
appearances may be seen by a good achroma-  from a comparison of all the observations taken
tic telescope, magnifying from 80 to 150 times.  together; and it would be requisite, that the
These views demonstrate, that changes of con-  places of observation be in different countries,
siderable magnitude are occasionally  taking  that the deficiency of observations in one place,
place, either on the surface or in the atmosphere  occasioned by a cloudy atmosphere, might be
of this planet, which it would be of some impor-  compensated by those made in the serene sky
tance to ascertain, in order to our acquiring a  of another.  Such a series of observations, altoure intimate knowledge of the physical consti-  though they should not lead to satisfactory con.
tution of this globe. Now, were a number of  clusions in relation to the particulars now stated,
observers, in different places, to mark these ap-  could scarcely fail of throwing some additional
pearances, and to delineate the aspect of this  light on the nature and constitution of this
planet during the space of twio or three periodi-  planet.
cal revolutions,* marking the periods of the dif-    With respect to the planet Venus, the author
felent changes, and noting at the same time the  some time ago ascertained fromn observationl,
positions of his satellites-it might be ascer-  that this planet may be distinctly seen in the
tained, whether these changes are occasioned  day-time, at the time of its superior conjunction
by tides, which are differently affected accord-  with the sun, when it presents to the earth a
ing to the position of his moons, or, by immense  full enlightened hemisphere; provided its geo.
strata of clouds, or other changes that take  centric latitude, or distance fiom  the sun's
place in his atmosphere, or by some great phy-  centre at the time be not less than 10 43t. This
sical revolutions which are occasionally agita-. is the only position (except at the tinie of a
ting the surface of this planet.  The observers  transit, which happens only once or twice it a' such facts behooved to be numerous, in order
+ See Nicholson's Phil. Journal, vol. xxxvi. for
Oct. 1813.-Edin. Phil. Journal, No v. for July tlS,.
^The annual or periodical revoiution of Jupiter is  - -Monthly Mag. Feb. 1814, and August 1820, p. 62completed in about eleven years and ten months.   Scots Magazine for 1814, p. 84, &c.
6




42             ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE,
hundred ybars) in which the polar and equato-  next observation cannot be made till about ithe
rial diameters of this planet can be measured,  same time, on the following evening, when it Ir
and their difference, if any, ascertained, so as  found that the spot has moved from A to B.
to determine whether its figure, like that of the  But itis still uncertain whether the spot has only
earth and several other planets, be spheroidal.  moved from A to B, since the last observation,
But as this planet may not happen for a series  or has finished a complete revolution, and moved
oI years to be in the precise position for such an  the distance A B as part of another revolution
observation, the attempt to determine the points  round the axis of the.planet.  This point can
now stated, even when the planet happens to be  only be ascertained by tracing the motion of the
placed in the requisite circumstances, would, in  spot without interruption for 10, 12, or 14 hours,
all probability, fail, if a number of observers at  when, if the rotation is performed in 23i h)urs,
the same time, in different places, were not en-  the motion of the spot could be traced without
gaged in the observation; on account of the  interruption across the whole disk of the planet.
uncertainty of enjoying a serene sky at one par-  But such an observation could only be made in
ticular place, during the moments when the ob-  the day-time, in a serene sky, and by meains of
servation behooved to be made.  Whereas, by  equatorial instruments, and by numbers of oba multitude of observations in different places,  servers in different places, where the attention is
ihe object in view could not fail of being deter-  directed to the same object. But the limits to
mined.  The disputes respecting the period of  which I am confined, in throwing out these currotation of this planet (whether it be 23 hours  sory hints, prevent me from entering into minute
20 minutes, or 24 days 8 hours) might also hbe  details.
settled, were a number of persons to observe its    In regard to comets, it is scarcely necessary
surface with equatorial telescopes in the day-  to remark, that were the number of those whose
time; particularly in those southern climes  attention is directed to a survey of the heaverun
where the air is serene, and the sky exhibits a  considerably increased, many of those eccentric
dleep azure, where, in all probability, spots  bodies, which pass and repass within the orbits
would be discovered, which could be traced in  of the planets without being perceived, could not
their motions for successive periods of twelve  fail of being detected. Were multitudes of such
hours or more, which would determine to a cer-  persons engaged in exploring the celestial re-!ainty the point in question.                 gions, on opposite sides of the globe, those coThe following figure and explanation will per-  mnets which pass within the limits of our view,
haps tend to schow the reason of the dispute  and which are above our horizon only in the
which -has arisen in reference to this point. Let  day-time, and consequently invisible, would be
& represent a spot on the surface of Venus.  detected, during the night, by our antipodes in
the opposite regions of the globe.  By this
-X-~                              means the number of those bodies belonging to
our system, the diversified phenomena they prosent, the form of their trajectories, the periods
of their revolutions, the nature of their tails, and
__________ -~~~-their ultimate destination, might be more accurately determined.  With respect to the fred
stars, particularly those termed variable stars,
the results of a multitude of observations made
by different persons, might lead us to deternmine,
whether those changes in brightness which they
B..                f                  undergo, arise from the transits of large planets
revolving around them, and thus furnish direct
evidence of their being the centres of systenls
analogous to our own,-or whether they be occasioned by large spots which periodically interpose between our sight, and then disappear in
the course of their rotation,-or whether the
distance of such stars be changed by their revolving in a long narrow ellipse, whose transAs this planet is seen, by the naked eye, only  verse axis is situated nearly in our line of vltn the morning a little before sun-rise, or in the  sion.  In the several instances now stated, an
evening a short time after sun-set —the motion  immense variety of successive observations, by
of the spot cannot be traced above an hour or  numerouis observers at different stations, are retwo in succession; and, consequently, during  quisite to accomplish the ends in view; but the
that time, its progressive motion is almost im-  limits of this section prevent me from entering
perceptible. Suppose the observation to have  into those details requisite for rendering the
been made in the evening, after sun-set the  hints now suggested perspicuLous to those whe




ON THE PROMOTION OF SCIENCE.                                   43
havel not devoted their attention to this sub-  surface, were such minuto observations as thee
ject.                                        now suggested to be continued for a series o,f
The 3Moon beina the nearest celestial body' years, which might afford sensible and demonto the earth, it, might have been expected that  strative evidence'of the moon's being a habithe, variety of scenery on her surface, and even  table world. But before attention to such obhsome parts of her physical constitution, might jects become general, and the number of astrchave been ascertained and delineated. Yet all nomical observers be increased far beyond what
that has hitherto been discovered with certainty  it is at present, such discoveries can scarcely Do
in relation to this body is, that her surface is  expected.
3trikinglyv diversified with mountains and valleys,    I shall only remark farther on this head, that,
with vast caverns or hollows surrounded with  several discoveries have been made by accidentmountainous ridges, and with several elevated  ally directing,a telescope to certain parts of the
peaks, which rise, like a sugar loaf, from the  heavens. It is well known that Miss Herschell,
middle of the plains. We have no accurate  while amusing herself in looking at the heavens
delineation of the lunar scenery, as exhibited in  through Sir William Herschell's telescope, disthe various stages of the moon's increase and  covered at different times a variety of comets,
decrease, except those which have been pub-  which might otherwise have passed unnoticed
lished by Hevelius and Schroeter, which have  by the astronomical world; and several of the
never been translated into our language, and,  new planets which have been discovered within
consequently, are very little known. Most of  the last 50 or 60 years, were detected when the
our English books on astronomy contain nothing  discoverers were employed making observations
more than a paltry and inaccurate view of the  with a different object in view. The splendid
full moon, which has been copied by one en-  comet which appeared in our hemisphere in
graver from another, without any improvements,  1811, was first discovered in this country by a
ever since the days of Ricciolus, and long before  sawyer,* who, with a, reflecting telescope of his
the telescope was brought to its present state of  own construction, and from his sawupit as an obimprovement. It is not from a telescopic view  servatory, descried that celestial visitant before~
of the full moon that any specific deductions  it had been noticed by any other astronomer in
can be made respecting the appearance and  North Britain. The author of this work dearrangement of her diversified scenery; but  tected this comet a day or two afterwards, befrom long-continued observations of her surface  fore he had been informed of the discovery,
about the period of the quadratures, and at the  while he was taking a random sweep over the
times when she assumes a crescent or a gibbous  northern region of the heavens. He had diphase; for it is only at such times that the sha-  rected his telescope to a certain star in the
dows of her cavities and mountain-ridges can  neighbourhood of Ursa Major, and immediately
be distinctly perceived. As there is none of the  afterwards, taking a general sweep upwards and
celestial bodies whose constitution and scenery  downwards, and to the east and west, an unwe have so excellent an opportunity of inspect-  common object appeared in the field of view,
ing, had we a sufficient number of astronomical  which, after a little inspection, was perceived to
observers, furnished with good telescopes, the  be a comet, and he naturally concluded that he
surface of this globe might be almost as accu-  had made the first discovery, till the newspapers
rately delineated as that of the earth, and the  afterwards informed him that it had been demost prominent changes that take place on its  tected a day or two before.  It was while Sir
surface plainly detected. In order to bring to  W. Herschell was inspecting some small stars
light the minute parts of its scenery, it would  near the foot of Castor, with a different object
only be requ:isite to distribute the entire surface  in view, that he discovered the planet which
of this luminary among a hundred or a thousand  bears his name, and which he at first took for a
observers, allotting to each one or more spots as  comet. It had been seen thirty years before,
the particular object of his attention, with the  but for want of numerous observers to mark its
understanding, that he is to inspect them with  motions, it had been marked in catalogues as a
care through every variety of shade they may  fixed star.  It was while Mr. Harding of Liliexhibit, and during the different stages of the  enthal, near Bremen, was forming an atlas of
moon's increase and decrease, and delineate  the stars so far as the eighth magnitude, that,
the different aspects they may present. When  on the 1st September 1804, he discovered in
we consider that, by means of a telescope which  the constellation Pisces the planet Juno, one of
magnifies 200 times, an object on the moon that  the four asteroids situated between the orbits of
measures only 600 yards may be perceived as a  Mars and Jupiter.
visible point, and by one which magnifies 800    If, therefore, instead of a few individuals oc.
times, an object not larger than 150 yards in  casionally engaged in surveying celestial phlie
diameter may be distinguished-we can scarcely
entertain a doubt, that a number of interesting     The name of this gentleman is Mr. Veitch, and
discoveries nfight soon be made on the lunar  I believe lie resides in the neighbourhood of Ke"So.




44            ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
niome na, and chiefly confined to a small portion the processes of the arts, in instituting anal7of Europe,-were thousands and ten thousands.tical experiments, and in prosecuting every iun.
of telescopes daily directed to the sky from every  quiry which has a tendency to promote its inmregion of the' earth, and were distinct portions  provement. It is chiefly in consequence of the
of the heavens allotted to distinct classes of ob- increased number of its cultivators that mhis sciservers, as the object of their more immediate  ence has risen to the distinguished rank it now
research, every portion of that vast concave,  holds among the useful departments of human
with the numerous globes which roll within its  knowledge, and that so many brilliant discowide circumference, as far as human vision as-  veries have rewarded the investigations of its
sisted by art can penetrate, would ere long be  votaries. Wrenched firom the grasp of emni-,thoroughly explored, and its hidden worlds dis-  rics and alchymists, and no longer confined to
closed to view. No comet could pass within the  the paltry object of searching for the philosoorbit of Jupiter without being detected,-the  pher's stone, it extends its range over every obundiscovered planets belonging to our system, ject in the material world, and sheds its influif any still remain, would be brought to view,-  ence over all the other departments of physical
the periodical changes on the surfaces and in  science; and as its votaries increase in numbers
the,atmospheres of the planets already disco-  and in perseverance, it will doubtless bring to
vered, with all their diversified phenomena,  light scenes and discoveries still more interest_irould be more accurately ascertained and deli-  ing and brilliant than those which have hitherto
nea.ted,-the path of the solar system in abso-  been disclosed. Illustrations of the same delute space, the velocity of its motion, the dis-  scription might also have been taken from optant centre about which it revolves, and the  tics, electricity, magnetism, galvanism, pneumacentre of gravity of the nebula to which it be-  tics, and other departments of natural science;
longs, might be determined,-the changes and  but having protracted this section to a disprorevolutions that are taking place among the  portionate length, the instances already stated
fixed stars,-the undiscovered strata of nebulce,  will, I presume, be sufficient to prove the truth
e-the old systems that are going into decay,-  of the position, " that a general diffusion of
the new creations that may be emerging into  knowledge would have a powerful influence on the
existence, and many other sublime objects  progress of science."
which at present lie concealed m the unex-    From the few hints now given, and from many
p!ored regions of space, might be brought within  others that might have been suggested, had my
the range of human contemplation, and astro-  limits permitted, it will appear, that much still
nomy, the sublimest of all the sciences, ap-  remains to be accomplished till any science,
proximate towards perfection.                even those which are farthest advanced, arrive
For, making the observations now supposed,  at perfection.  The reason is obvious; the
a profound knowledge of the physical and ma-  scene of universal nature has never yet been
thematical principles of astronomy is not abso-  thoroughly surveyed, and never will be, till the
lutely necessary. All the qualifications essen-  eyes and the intellects of millions be fixed in the
tially requisite are,-a general knowledge of the  contemplation of its multifarious and diversified
elements of the science, of the celestial pheno-  objects and relations. Till the universe, in all
mena which have already been explored, and of  its aspects, so far as it lies within the range of
the method of determining the right ascension  human inspection, be more particularly explored,
and declination of any observed phenomenon,-  clouds -nd darkness will continue to rest or
qualifications, which every person of common  many interesting departments of knowledge, and
understanding can easily acquire.            many of our most specious theories in the sciI might next have illustrated the general po-  ences must be considered as reposing on slender
sition laid down in the beginning of this section  and unstable foundations.  Prior to the intro.
from the science of chymistry.  This science,  duction of the inductive method of philosophizhaving for its object to ascertain the ingredients  ing, men of science were extremely prone to the
that enter into the composition of bodies, the  framing of hypotheses, before they had attennature of those ingredients, the manner in which  tively surveyed and collected the requisite facts,
they combine, and the properties resulting from   and when only a few scattered fragments of
their combination; or, in other words, an analy-  nature were present to their view. Theory was
tical examination of the material world, and the  reared upon theory, and system upon system;
principles which concur to produce its diversi-  each of them obtained its admirers and its pefied phenomena; it is apparent, at first view,  riod of applause, but, in consequence of modern
that an immense number and variety of experi-  researches, they have now passed away like a
ments are indispensably requisite for accom-  dream or a vision of the night.  The crystal.
plishing suce  objects; and, consequently, that  line spheres with which Ptolemy had enclosed
its progress towards perfection cannot be acce-  the heavens are now dashed to pieces; the vorlerated, unless multitudes of experimenters con-  tices of Des Cartes have long since ceased their
cur in observing the phenomena of nature, and  whirling; the terraqueous globe which Tyche




ON THE PROMOTION OF SCIENCE.                                   45
had fixed in the centre of the universe is now set departments of the same science nlarkled out
in repiod motion through the heavens, in corm-  fox distinct classes of individuals, as the Inure
pany with the planetary orbs; and the abyss of  immediate field of their investigation, on tile
water with which Burnet had filled the internal  principle of the division of labour, every leadcavity of the earth is now converted into a mass  ing principle and fact in relation to that science
denser than the solid rock. The TerraAustra-  would soon be detected and illustrated in all its
ats Incognito, which served as a prop to certain  practical bearings. Even as matters presently
theories, has completely evani3hed, and is now   stand, were the whole literary and scientific
transformed into a dreary mass of water and  world to form itself into one great repulhlic, and
ice.  The subtile ether, which formerly ac-  to allot the several branches of every departcounted for so many phenomena, is now evapo-  ment of knowledge to the different classes of
rated into electricity and heat. Whiston's idea  such a community, according to their respective
of the cometary origin of our globe, and Buffon's  tastes and pursuits, as the object of their more
fancy of the earth's being a splinter struck from   particular attention, it might be followed by
the body of the sun, are fast sinking into obli-  many interesting results, and important discovion; and sach will be the fate of every theory,  veries and improvements. But we live in too
however specious, which is not founded on the. early a period in the history of science to expect
broad basis of inductive evidence.            a general interest to be taken in such objects;
Even in the present day, there is still too  we are but just emerging from the gloom of iggreat a propensity to generalize, without sub-  norance and superstition; the great body of
mitting to the trouble of observing phenomena,  mankind still suffer their faculties to lie in a
and noting their various modifications and at-  state of languor and inactivity, and those who
tendant circumstances.  The human mind is  are more vigorous and alert are too much enimpatient, and attempts to reach the goal by the  grossed in commercial speculations, in grasping
shortest and nlost rapid course, while observa-  at power and opulence, and in the indulgence
tion and experiment are tedious and slow. In-  of sensual gratifications, to think of attending
stead of surveying the material world with his  to the interests of science and the progress of
own eyes, and investigating, by observation and  the human mind. Much, however, might be
experiment, its principles and laws, the man of  accomplished in this respect, with ease and
genius frequently shuts himself up in his closet,  pleasure, by various classes of society, arld
and from a few scattered fragments of nature,  without interfering with their ordinary avocaconstructs, in his imagination, a splendid theory,  tions, were their minds inclined and their atwhich makes a noise and a blaze for a little,  tention directed to such pursuits..  Sailors, in
iike an unsubstantial meteor, and then evanishes  crossing the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Ininto air.'  The system of nature, though di-  dian oceans, have frequently excellent opporturected in its general movements by a few simple  nities of observing the phenomena of the waters,
laws, is too grand and extensive, and too com-  the atmosphere, and the heavens, peculiar to
plex in many of its parts, to be grasped by a  the climates through which they pass; and were
few individuals, after a cursory survey; and,  the facts presented to their view observed with
therefore, to attempt to comprehend its multi-  care, classified, and recorded, they might, in
farious revolutions, phenomena  and objects  many instances, contribute to the advancement
within the range of theories founded on a par-  of science.  But thousands of such persons
tial view of some of its detached parts, is not  can sail twice " from Indus to the frozen pole,
only an evidence of presumption and folly, but  as ignorant as their log, and as stubborn as their
tends to damp our ardour in prosecuting the only  compass," without importing one intellectual
sure path which leads to discovery, and to frus-  acquisition.  The observations made during a
trate what appears to be one or the designs of  single voyage across the Atlantic, by a single
the Creator, namely, to grant to the intelligent  observer, M. Humboldt, on the aspect of the
inhabitants of our globe a gradual display of his  Antarctic region of the heavens-the peculiar
stupendous plans in the universe as the reward of  azure of the African sky-the luminous meteors
their incessant and unwearied contemplation of his  of the atmosphere-the tides, the currents, and
uondrous works.                               the different colours of the oce,:., and other
WeVcre the period arrived (and of its arrival I  phenomena which happened to present thementertain no doubt, from the present movements  selves to his view-are of more value to the
of the human mind) when the majority of man-  scientific world than the observations of ten
kind shall devote a portion of their time and at-  thousands o' other beings who, for a series of
tention to the purposes of science, and to the  years, hayv traversed the same region s.  Yet
cori emplation  of nature-then the different  these possessed, on an average, the same sentastes of individuals, and the various situations  tient organs, the  same intellectual powers,
in which they may be placed, would lead them  though somewhat differently modified and dito cultivate more particularly the science most  rected, the same natural capacities for observa.
ngenial to their minds; and were distinct  tion as this distinguished philosopher, which re



46             ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
quired only an impulse to be given in a certain  duce of foreign lands, might regularly import,
direction, in order to accomplish the same ends.  without the least injury to their commercial in.
And was Humboldt inore burdened and per-  terests, interesting facts, both physical and nlm.
plexed, or did he feel less comfortable and happy  ral, scientific observations, chymical experi.
than his ignorant and grovelling associates in  ments, and various other fragments of uselhi
the ship that wafted them across the ocean?  information for rearing the Temple of Science,
No.  He felt emotions of delight and intellec-  and extending the boundaries of human knowtual enjoyments to which  they  were utter  ledge.
strangers. While they were lolling on their
hammocks, or loitering  upon deck, viewing
every object with a "brute unconscious gaze,'"
and -finding no enjoyment but in a glass of grog,            SECTION  IV.
-a  train of interesting reflections, having a
relation to the past, the present, and the future,  ON IRlE PLE.SURES AND ENJOYMENTS CON.
passed through the mind of this philosopher.   NECTED W.TH TIlE PURSUITS OF SCIENCE.
He felt those exquisite emotions which arise
ftorm perception of the beautiful and the sub-    MAN is a compound being; his nature conlime; he looked forward to the advancement of sists of two essential parts, body and mind,
natural science as the result of his observations,  Each of these parts of the human constitution
and beheld a display of the wisdom and gran-  has its peculiar uses, and is susceptible of pe.
deur of the Almighty in the diversified scenes  culiar gratifications.  The body is furnished
through which he passed.  Such observations  with external senses, which are both the sources
and mental employments as those to which I  of pleasure and the inlets of knowledge, aind
allude, so far from distracting the mind, and un-  the Creator has furnished the universe with obfitting it for the performance of official duties,  jects fitted for their exercise and gratification.
would tend to prevent that languor and ennui  While these pleasures are directed by the dicwhich result from mental inactivity, and would  tates of reason,'and confined within the limits
afford a source of intellectual enjoyment amidst  prescribed by the Divine law, they are so far
the uniformity of scene, which is frequently  from being' unlawful, that in the enjoyment of
presented in the midst of the ocean.           them we fulfil one of the purposes for which our
From the whole that has been now stated on  Creator brought us into existence.  But the
this subject, it appears, that in order to make  pursuit of sensitive pleasures is not the ultimate
science advance with accelerated steps, and to  end of our being; we enjoy sluch gratifications
multiply the sources of mental enjoyment, we  in common with the inferior animals; and in so.have only to set the machinery of the human  far as we rest in them as our chief good, we
mind (at present in a quiescent state) in mo-  pour contempt on our intellectual nature, andl
tion, and to direct its movements to those ob-  degrade ourselves nearly to the level of the
jects which are congenial to its native dignity  beasts that perish.
and its high destination.  The capacity of the    Man is endowed with intellectual powers, as
bulk of mankind for learning mechanical em-  well as with organs of sensation,-with faculties
ployments, and for contriving and executing  of a higher order, and which admit of more va.
plans of human destruction, proves that they  ried and sublime gratifications than those which
are competent to ilake all the researches requi-  the senses can produce. By these faculties we
site for the improvement of science. The same  are chiefly distinguished from the lower orders
mental energies now exerted in mechanical la-  of animated existence; in the proper exercise
bour and in the arts of mischief, if properly di-  and direction of them, we experience the highrected, and acting in unison, and accompanied  eat and most refined enjoyments of which our
with a spirit of perseverance, would accomplish  nature is susceptible, and are gradually premany grand and beneficent effects, in relation  pared for the employments of that immortal ex.
both to the physical and moral world, and would  istence to which we are destined.  The corpo.
amrply compensate the occasional want of ex-  real senses were bestowed chiefly in subser.
traordinary degrees of'mental vigour. Were  viency to the powers of intellect, and to supply
only a hundred millions of eyes and of intellects,  materials for thought and contemplation; and
(or the tenth part of the population of our  the pleasures peculiar to our intellectual nature,
globe) occasionally fixed on all the diversified  rise as high above mere sensitive enjcyments,
aspects, motions and relations of universal na-  as the rank of man stands in the scale of ex.
ture, it could not fail of.being followed by the  istence, above that of the. fowls of the air, or
most noble and interesting results, not only in  the beasts of the forest. Stlch pleasures alre
relation to science, but to social and moral or-  pure and refined; they are cong:nial to the
der, and to the general melioration of mankind.  character of a rational being; they are more
Were this supposition realized, our travellers,  permanent than  mere sensitive  etnjoymenrts
merchants, and mariners, along with the pro-  they can be enjoyed when worldly clmforts are




PLEASURES CONNECTED WITH SC(IENCE.                                 47
withdrawn, and when sensual gratifications can  in ages past, of the wonders of creation which
afford no delight; they afford solace in the  they have unfolded to view, of the instruments
nours of retirement from the bustle of business, which have been invented for exploring the uniand consolation amidst the calamities and afflic-  verse, and of the improvements which are now
tions to which humanity is exposed; and the  going forward in every department of science
more we acquire a relish for such pleasures, the  and art, and the prospects they are opening to
better shall we be prepared for associating with  our view, he is almost as entirely ignorant as if
intelligences of a higher order in the future  he had been fixed under the frozen pole, or
world.                                       chained to the surface of a distant planet. He
Before proceeding to the more particular il-  considers learning as consisting chiefly in the
lustration of this topic, let us consider the state  knowledge of grammar, Greek and Latini; and
and the enjoyments of the man whose mind is  philosophy and astronomy, as the arts of telling
shrouded in ignorance.  He grows up to man-  fortunes and predicting the state of the weahood like a vegetable, or like one of the lower  ther; and experimental chymistry, as'allied to
animals that are fed and nourished for the  the arts of magic and necromancy.  He has no
slaughter.  He exerts his physical powers, be-  idea of the manner in which the understanding
cause such exertion is necessary for his sub-  may be enlightened and expanded; he has no resistence; were it otherwise, we should most lish for intellectual pursuits, and no conception
frequently find him dozing over the fire, or, of the pleasures they afford, and he sets no
basking in the sun, with a gaze as dull and stu-  value on knowledge but in so far as it may tend
pid as his ox, regardless of every thing but the  to increase his riches and his sensual gratificagratification of his appetites. He has perhaps  tions. He has no desire for making improvebeen taught the art of reading, but has never  ments in his trade or domestic arrangements,
applied it to the acquisition of knowledge. His  and gives no countenance to those useful in
views are chiefly confined to the objects imme-  ventions and public improvements which are
liately around him, and to the daily avocations  devised by others. He sets himself against
in.which he is employed.  His knowledge of  every innovation, whether religious, political,
society is circumscribed within the limits of his  mechanical, or agricultural, and is determined
parish, and his views of the world in which he  to abide by the " good old customs" of his foredwells are confined within the range of the  fathers, however irrational and absurd.  Were
country in which he resides, or of the blue hills  it dependent upon him, the moral world would
which skirt his horizon. Of the aspects of the  stand still as the material world was supposed to
globe in other countries-of the various tribes  do in former times; all useful inventions and
with which they are peopled-of the seas and  improvements would cease, existing evils would
rivers, continents and islands which diversify  never be remedied, ignorance and superstition
the landscape of the earth-of the numerous  would universally prevail, the human mind would
orders of animated beings which people the  be arrested in its progress to perfection, and man
ocean, the atmosphere and the land,-of the re-  would never arrive at the true dignity of his involutions of nations, and the events which have  tellectual nature.
taken place in the history of the world, he has    It is evident that such an individual, (and the
almost as little conception as the animals that  world contains thousands and millions of such
range the forest, or bound through the lawns. characters) can never have his mind elevated
In regard to the boundless regions that lie be-  to those sublime  objects and contemplations
yond him in the firmament, and the bodies that  which enrapture the man of science, nor feel,
roll there in magnificent grandeur, he has the  those pure and exquisite pleasures which cultimost confused and inaccurate ideas; and he  vated minds so frequently experience; nor can.
seldom troubles himself with inquiries in relation  he form those lofty and expansive ideas of the
to such subjects.  Whether the stars be great  Deity which the grandeur and magnificence of,
or small, whether they be near us or at a dis-  his works are calculated to inspire. He is left
tance, or whetherthey move or stand still, is to  as a prey to all those foolish notions and vain
him a matter of trivial importance. If the sun  alarms which are engendered by ignorance and
give him light by day, and the moon by night,  superstition; and he swallows, without the least
and the clouds distil their watery treasures upon  hesitation, all the absurdities and childish tales
his parched fields, he is contented, and leaves all  respecting witches, hobgoblins, spectres and apsulch inquiries and investigations to those who  paritions, which have been handed down to hIimi
have little else to engage their attention. He  by his forefathers in former generations. Abdi
views the canopy of heaven as merely a ceiling  while he thus gorges his mind with fooleries and
to our earthly habitation, and the starry orbs as  absurdities, he spurns at the discoveries of' sci.
only so many luminous studs or tapers to diver-  ence as impositions on the credulity ofimankind,
sity its aspect, and to afford a glimmering light  and contrary to reason and common sense. That
Lo the benighted traveller. Of the discoveries  the sun is a million of times larger than that
which have been made in the physical sciences  earth, that light flies from his body. aLthe rate'
4




48            ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGEof two hundred thousand miles in a moment of  from its mouth and rolling down its sides like a
time, and that the earth is whirling round its  flaming river-descend into the subterranean
axis from day to day, with a velocity of a thou-  grotto, survey, from the top of the Andes, the
sand miles every hour, are regarded by him as  lightnings flashing and the thunders rolling far
notions far more improbable and extravagant  benea.h him-stand on the brink of the dashing
than the story of the" Wonderful Lamp," and  cataract and listen to its roarings-contemplate
all the other tales of the " Arabian Night's En-  the ocean rearing its billows in a storm, and the
tertainments."  In his hours of leisure from his  hurricane and tornado tearing up forests by
daily avocations, his thoughts either run wild  their roots, and tossing there about as stubble.
among the most grovelling objects, or sink into  Sitting at his fireside, during the blasts of win.
sensuality or inanity, and solitude and retire-  ter, he can survey the numerous tribes of manment present no charms to his vacant mind. kind scattered over the various climates of the
While human beings are thus immersed in ig-  earth, and entertain himself with views of their
norance, destitute of rational ideas, and of a  manners, customs, religion, laws, trade, manusolid substratum of thought, they can never ex-  factures, marriage ceremonies, civil and eccle.
perience those pleasures and enjoyments which  siastical governments, arts, sciences, cities,
flow from the exercise of the understanding,  towns and villages, and the animals peculiar to
and which correspond to the dignity of a rational  every region. In his rural walks he can not
and immortal nature.                         only appreciate the beneficence of Nature and
On the other hand, the man whose mind is  the beauties and harmonies of the vegetable
irradiated with the light of substantial science, kingdom, in their exterior aspect, but can also
has views, and feelings, and exquisite enjoy-  penetrate into the hidden processes which are
ments to which the former is an erftire stranger.  going on in the roots, trunks and leaves of
In consequence of the numerous and multifa-  plants and flowers, and contemplate the nu,
rious ideas he has acquired, he is introduced,  merous vessels through which the sap is flowing
as it were, into a new world, where he is enter-  from their roots through the trunks and branches,
tained with scenes, objects, and movements, of  the millions of pores through which their odori.
which a mind enveloped in ignorance can form  ferous effluvia exhale, their fine and delicate
no conception. He can trace back the stream  texture, their microscopical beauties, their orof time to its commencement; and, gliding  ders, genera, and species, and their uses in the
along its downward course, can survey the most  economy of nature.
memorable events which have happened in    With the help of his microscope, he can elevery part of its progress from  the primeval ter into a world unknown to the ignorant, and
ages to the present day-the rise of empires,  altogether invisible to the unassisted eye. In
the fall of kings, the revolutions of nations, the  every plant and flower which adorns the field, in:battles of warriors, and the important events  every leaf of the forest, in the seeds, prickles
which have followed in their train-the progress  and down of all vegetables, he perceives beauof civilization, and of arts and sciences-the  ties and harmonies, and exquisi e contrivances,
judgments which have been inflicted on wicked  of which, without this instrument, he could
nations-the dawnings of Divine mercy towards  have formed no conception. In every scale of
our fallen race-the manifestation of the Son  a haddock he perceives a beautiful piece of
of God in our nature-the physical changes and  net-work, admirably contrived and arranged,
revolutions which have taken place in the con-  and in the scale of a sole a still more diversified
stitution of our globe-in short, the whole of  structure, which no art could imitate, termi-'the leading events in the chain of Divine dis-  nated with pointed spikes, and formed with ad.:pensation from the beginning of the world to  mirable regularity. Where nothing but a speck
the period in which we live. With his mental  of mouldiness appears to the naked eye, he beeye he can survey the terraqueous globe in all holds a forest of' mushrooms with long stalks,
-its variety of aspects.; contemplate the conti-  and with leaves and blossoms distinctly visible.
nents, islands and oceans which compose its  In the eyes of a common fly, where others can
exterior, the numerous rivers by which it is in-  see only two small protuberances, he perceives
dented, the lofty ranges of mountains which di-  several thousands of beautiful transparent
versify its surface, its winding caverns, its  globes, exquisitely rounded and polished, placed
forests, lakes, sandy deserts, ice-islands, whirl-  with the utmost regularity in rows, crossing
pools, boiling springs, glaciers, sulphuric moun-  each other like a kind of lattice-work, and
tains, bituminous lakes, and the states and em-  forming the most admirable piece of mechanism
pires into which it is distributed, the tides and  which the eye can contemplate. The small
currents of the ocean, the ice-bergs of the polar  dust that covers the wings of moths and butterregions, and the verdant scenes of the torrid  flies he perceives to consist of an infinite multizone. He can climb, in imagination, to the  tude of feathers of various forms, not much un-':ummit.of the flaming volcano, listen to its sub-  like the feathers of birds, and adorned with the;rrtmeeous bellowings, behold its lava bursting  most bright and vivid colours. In an animal so




PLEASURES CONNECTED WITH SCIENCE.                                  49
small that the naked eye can scarcely distin- mind,,to stimulate its faculties, and to produce
guish it as a visible point, he perceives a head, rational enjoyment.
mout4h, eves, legs, joints, bristles, hair, and    Again,-the man of knowledge, even when
otner animal parts and functions, as nicely  shrouded in darkness, and in solitude, where
formed and adjusted, and endowed with as much  other minds could find no enjoyment, can entervivacity, agility and intelligence as the larger  tain himself with the most sublime contemplaanimals. In the tail of a small fish or the foot tions. He can trace the huge globe on whif.h
of a frog, he can perceive the variegated branch-  we stand flying through the depths of space,
ings of the veins and arteries, and the blood  carrying along with it its vast population, at the
circulating through them with amazing velocity. rate of sixty thousand miles every hour, and,
In a drop of stagnant water he perceives thou-  by the inclination of its axis, bringing about the
sands of living beings of various shapes and  alternate  succession of summer and winter,
sizes, beautifully formed, and swimming with  spring and harvest. By the aid of his telescope
wanton vivacity like fishes in the midst of the  he can transport himself towards the moon, and
ocean. In short, by this instrument he perceives  survey the circular plains, the deep caverns, the
that the whole earth is filll of animation, and  conical hills, the lofty peaks, the shadows of the
that there is not a single tree, plant or flower,  hills and vales, and the rugged and romantic
and scarcely a drop of water that is not teeming  mountain scenery which diversify the surface
with life and peopled with its peculiar inhabi-  of this orb of night. By the help of the same
tants.  He thus enters, as it were, into a new  instrument, he can range through the planetary
world, invisible to other eyes, where every ob-  system, wing his way through the regions of
iect in the animal, vegetable and mineral king-  space along with the swiftest erbs, and trace
doms, presents a new and interesting aspect,  many of the physical aspects and revolutions
and.unfolds beauties, harmonies, contrasts and  which have a relation to distant worlds.  He
exquisite contrivances, altogether inconceivable  can transport himself to the planet Saturn, and
by the ignorant and unreflecting mind.       behold a stupendous ring 600,000 miles in cirIn the invisible atmosphere which surrounds  cumference, revolving in majestic grandeur
him, Where other minds discern nothing but an  every ten hours, around a globe nine hundred
immense blank,'he beholds an assemblage of  times larger than the earth, while seven moons,wonders, and a striking scene of Divine Wis-  larger than ours, along with an innumerable
dom and Omnipotence. He views this invisible  host of stars, display their radiance, to adorn
agent not only as a material but as a compound  the firmament of that magnificent world. I-le
substance-compounded of two opposite prin-  can wing his flight to the still more distant reciples, the one the source of flame and animal  gions of the universe, leaving the sun and all his
life, and the other destructive to both, and pro-  planets behind him, till they appear like a
ducing by their different combinations, the most  scarcely discernible speck in creation, and condiversified and beneficent effects.  He per-  template thousands and millions of stars and
ceives the atmosphere, as the agent under the  starry systems, beyond the range of Lle unasAlmighty, which produces the germination and  sisted eye, and wander among suns and worlds
growth of plants, and all the beauties of the  dispersed throughout the boundless dimensions
vegetable creation-which preserves water in a  of space.  He can fill up, in his imagination,
liquid state-supports fire and flame, and pro-  those blanks which astronomy has never directly
duces animal heat, which sustains the clouds,  explored, and conceive thousands of systems
and gives buoyancy to the feathered tribes-  and ten thousands of worlds, beyond all that is
which is the cause of winds-the vehicle of  visible by the optic tube, stretching out to infinity
smells-the medium of sounds-the source of  on every hand, -new creations incesce ntly startall the pleasures we derive from the harmonies  ing into existence-peopled with intelligences of
of music-the cause of that universal light and  various orders, and all under the superintensplendour which is diffused around us, and of  dence and government of " the King Eternal,
the advantages we derive from the morning and  Immqrtal and Invisible," whose power is omnievening twilight.  In short, he contemplates it  potent, and the limits of his dominions past find.
as the prime mover in a variety of machines,-  ing out.
as impelling ships across the ocean, blowing our    It is evident that a nlind capable of such exfurnaces, grinding our corn, raising water from   cursions and contemplations as I have now supthe deepest pits, extinguishing fires, setting  posed, must experience enjoyments infinitely supower-looms in motion, propelling steam-boats  perior to those of the individual whose soul is
along rivers and canals, raising balloons to the  enveloped in intellectual darkness.  If substanregion of the clouds, and performing a thousand  tial happiness is chiefly seated in the mind, if it
other beneficent agencies without which our  consists in the vigorous exercise of its faculties,
globe would cease to be a habitable world. All  if it depends on the multiplicity of objects which
which views and contemplations have an evi-  lie within the range of its contemplation, if it is
dent tendency to enlarge the capacity of the  augmented by the view of scenes of beauty and




50           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWIEDGE.
sublinity, and displays of infinite -intelligence  the ocean to its appointed channels —retains the
and power, if it is connected with tranquillity of  inhabitants of the earth to its surface, and pre.
minrd, which generally accompanies intellectual  vents them from flying off in wild confusion
pursuits, and with the subjugation of the plea-  through the voids of space —itproduces the de.
sures of sense to the dictates of reason-the en-  scent of the rains and dews, and the alternate
lightened mind must enjoy gratifications as far  flux and reflux of the tides-regulates the various
superior to those of the ignorant, as man is su-  movements of all animals-forms mechanical
perior, in station and capacity, to the worms of  powers-gives impulsion to numerous machines
the dust.                                    -rolls the moon round the earth, and prevents
In order to illustrate this topic a little farther,  her from flying off to the distant regions of space
I shall select a few facts and deductions in rela-  -extends its influence from the moon to the
tion to science which demonstrate the interesting  earth, from the earth to the moon, and from the
nature and delightfii tendency of scientific pur-  sun to the remotest planets, preserving surroundsuits.                                       ing worlds in their proper courses, and connectEvery species of rational information has a  ing the solar system with other worlds and systendency to produce pleasing emotions. There  terns in the remote spaces of the universe.
is a certain gratification in becoming acquainted  When a stick of sealing wax is rubbed with a
with objects and operations of which we were  piece of flannel, it attracts feathers or small bits
formerly ignorant, and that, too, altogether inde-  of paper; when a long tube of glass, or a cat's
pendent of the practical tendency of such know-  back is rubbed in the dark, they emit flashes of
ledge, of the advantages we may expect to reap  fire, accompanied with a snapping noise. Now
from it, or the sensitive enjoyments with which  is it not delightful to a rational mind to knows
it may be accompanied.  A taste for knowledge,  that the same principle which causes wax or
a capacity to acquire it, and a pleasure accom-  amber to attract light substances, and glass
panying its acquisition, form a part of the con-  tubes or cylinders to emit sparks of fire, prostitution of every mind. The Creator has im-  duces the lightnings of heaven, and all the subplanted in the human mind a principle of curi-  lime phenomena which accompany a violent
osity, and annexed a pleasure to its gratification,  thunder-storm, and, in combination with other
to excite us to investigations of t.ie wonders of  agents, produces also the fiery meteor which
creation he has presented before us, to lead us  sweeps through the sky with its luminous train,
to just conceptions of his infinite perfections,  and the beautiful coruscations of the aurora hboanld of the relation in which we stand to him as  realis?  There are more than fifty thousand difthe subjects of his government. We all know,  ferent species of plants in the vegetable kingwith what a lively interest most persons peruse  dom, all differing from one another in their size,
novels and romances, where hair-breadth es-  structure, flowers, leaves, fruits, mode of propacapes, mysterious incidents, and tales of wonder  gation, internal vessels, medicinal virtues, and
are depicted with all the force and beauty of  the odours they exhale. Who would imagine
language. But the scenes detailed in such wri-  that this immense assemblage of vegetable protings produce only a momentary enjoyment.  ductions which adorns the surface of the earth
Being retraced as only the fictions of a lively  in every clime, with such a diversity of forms,
imagination, they pass away like a dream or a  fruits and colours, are the result of the combinavision of the night, leaving the understanding  tion of four or five simple substances variously
bewildered, and destitute of any solid improve-  modified by the hand of the Creator?  Yet it is
nent. In order to improve the intellectual facul-  an undoubted fact, ascertained from  chymical
ties while we gratify the principle of curiosity,  analysis, that all vegetable substances, from the
it is only requisite, that we direct the attention  invisible mushroom which adheres to a spot of
to faoes  instead of fictions; and when the real  mouldiness, to the cedar of Lebanon and the
scenes of the universe are presented in an in-  Banian-tree, which would cover with its shade
teresting aspect, they are calculated to produce  an army of ten thousand men,-are solely com.
emotions of wonder and delight even superior to  pnsed of the following natural principles,-Ca.
those excited by the most highly wrought tales  loric, Light, Water, Air and Carbon.
of fiction and romance.  The following facts    Again, is it not wonderful, that the invisible
and considerations will pthAaps tend to corro-  atmosphere should compress our bodies every
borate this position.                        moment with a weight of more than thirty thou.
In the first place, the number of fectsproduceti  sand pounds without our feeling it, and the whole
by a single principle in nature, is calculated to  earth with a weiht of 12,043,468,800,000,000,
excite emotions of admiration and delight. From   000 of pounds, or five thousand billions of tons
the simple principle of gravitation, for instance,  that this pressure is essentially necessary to ou;
proceed all the beauties and sublimities which  existence, and that a small quantity of air withit
arise from the meandering rills, the majestic ri-  us, which would not weigh above a single ounce
vers, and the roaring cataracts-it causes the  by its strong elastic force, counteracts the efforet
mountains to rest on a solid basis, and confines  of this tremendous pressure upor our bodies,




PLEASURES CONNECTED WITH SCIENCE.                                   51
and prevents our being crushed to pieces-that  the same which causes a balloon to rise above
the salne cause prevents our habitations from  the clouds, and likewise extinguishes flame when
f.lling, upon us and crushing us to death, without it is immersed in a body of this gas-that the
which our glass windows would be shattered to  leaves of vegetables which rot upon the ground
liecms, and our most stately edifices tumbled into  and appear to be lost for ever, are converted by
ruins!-that this atmosphere is at the same time  the oxygen of the atmosphere into carbonic acid
performing an immense variety of operations in  gas, and this very same carbon is, in process of
Nature and Art-insinuating itself into the pores  time, absorbed by a new  race of vegetables,
and sap-vessels of plants and flowers-produc-  which it clothes with a new foliage, and again
iag respiration in all living beings, and support-  renews the face of nature-and that the same
ing all the processes of life and vegetation  principle which causes the sensation of heat is
throughout the animal and vegetable creation-  the cause of fluidity, expands bodies in every
that its pressure produces the process of what is  direction, enters into every operation in nature,
called suction and cupping-causes snails and pe-  flies from the sun at the rate of 195,000 miles in
ri-;vinkles to adhere tothe rocks on which they are  a second of time, and, by its powerful influence,
found-gives effect to the adhesion of bodies by  prevents the whole matter of the universe from
means of mortar and cements-raises water in  being converted into a solid mass!
our forcing-pumps and fire-engines-supports the    What, then, can be more delightful, to a being
quicksilver in our barometers-prevents the  furnished with such powers as man, than to trace
water of our seas and rivers from boiling and  the secret machinery by which the God of nature
evaporating into steam —and promotes the ac-  accomplishes his designs in the visible world, and
tion of our steam-engines while raising water  displays his infinite power and intelligence-to
from  deep pits, and while propelling. vessels  enter into the hidden springs of Nature's operaalong seas and rivers!                       tions, to follow her through all her winding reIn the next place, science contributes to the  cesses, and to perceive, from what simple pringratification of the human mind by enabling us  ciples and causes the most sublime and diverto trace, in many objects and operations, surpris-  sified phenomena are produced! It is with this
ing resemblances, where we should least of all view that the Almighty hath set before us his
have earpected them.  Who could, at first sight,  wondrous works, not to be overlooked, or beheld
imagine, that the process of breathing is a spe-  with a " brute unconscious gaze," but to be incies of combustion, or burning-that the dia-  vestigated, in order that they may be admired,
mond is nothing else than carbon in a crystal-  and that in such investigations we may enjoy a
lized state, and differs only in a very slight  sacred pleasure in contemplating the results of
degree from a piece of charcoal- -that water is  his Wisdom and Intelligence.
a compound of two invisible airs or gases, and    In the third place, science contributes to our
that one of these ingredients is the principle of  enjoyment by the grand and sublime objects she
flame!-that the air which produces suffocation  presents before us. In consequence of the invesand death in coal-mines and subterraneous  tigations which have been made to determine the
grottos, is the same substance which gives  distances andmagnitudes of the heavenly bodies,
briskness to ale, beer, and soda water, and the  objects of magnificence and grandeur are now
acid flavour to many mineral springs-that the  presented to the view of the enlightened mind of
air we breathe is composed of the same ingre-  which former ages could form no conception.
dients and nearly in the same proportions as  These objects are magnificent in respect ofmagnitric acid or aqua fortis, which can dissolve al-  nitude, of motion, of the vast spaces which intermost all the metals, and a single draught of  vene between them, and of the noble purposes for
which would instantly destroy the human frame  which they are destined.
-that the colour of white is a mixture or coin-    What a sublime idea, for example, is presented
pound of all the otlier colours, red, orange, yel-  to the view by such an object as the planet Jupi.
low, green, blue, indigo, and violet, and conse-  ter,-a globe fourteen hundred times larger than
quently, that the white light of the sun produces  the world in which we dwell, and whose surface
all that diversity of colouring which adorns the  would contain a population a hundred times more
face of nature-that the same principle which  numerous than all the inhabitants that have excauses our fires to burn, forms acids, produces isted on our globe since the creation! And how
the rust of metals, and promotes the growth of  is the sublimity of such an idea augmented when
plants by night-that plants breathe and perspire  we consider, that this immense body is revolving
as well as animals-that carbonic acid gas, or  round its axis at the rate of twenty-eight thoufixed air, is the product both of vegetation, of  sand miles in an hour, and is flying, at the same
burning, of fermentation and of.breathing-that  time, through the regions of space, twenty-nine
it remains indestructible by age, and, in all its  thousand miles every hour, carrying along with
diversified combinations, still preserves its iden-  it four moons, each of them larger than the earth,
tity-that the air which burns in our street-lamps  during its whole course round the centre of its
and illuminates our shops and manufactories, is  motion! And if this planet, which appears only




52            ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
like a luminous speck on the nocturnal sky, pre-  not reach that luminary in twenty years; *ad a
selnts such an august idea, when its mragnitude  mail-coach, moving at its utmost speed, would
and motions are investigated, what an astonish-  not arrive at its surface in less than twelve huning idea is presented to the mind when it contem-  died years; and, were it to proceed from the stue
plates the size and splendour of the sun,-a body  towards the planet Herschel, it would not arrive
which would contain within its bowels nine hun-  at that body after the lapse of twenty-two thoudred globes larger than Jupiter, and thirteen hun-  sand years. And yet the sun, at that immense
dred thousand globes of the bulk of the earth,-  distance, exerts his attractive energy, retailns
which darts its rays, in a few moments, to the re-  that huge planet in its orbit, and dispenses lighlt
motest bounds of the planetary systemn producing  and colour, life and animation over every part of
light and colour, and life and vegetation through-  its surface. But all such spaces, vast as at first
out surrounding worlds! And how must cur as-  sight they appear, dwindle, as- it were, into a
tonishment be still increased, when we consider  span, when compared with those immeasurable
thle number of such globes which exist through.  spaces which are interposed between us and the
out the universe; that within the range of our  regions of the stars. Between the earth and
telescopes more than eighty millions of globes,  the nearest fixed star a space intervenes so vast
similar to the sun in size and in splendour,.are  and incomprehensible, that a ball flying with the
arranged at immeasurable distances from each  velocity above mentioned, would not pass through
other, diffusing their radiance through the ir-  it in four. millions and five hundred thousand
mensity of space, and enlivening surrounding  years; and as there are stars, visible through
worlds with their benign influence, besides the  telescopes, at least a hundred times farther disinnumerable multitudes, which our reason tells  tant from our globe, it would require such a body
us, must exist beyond all that is visible to the  four hundred millions of years, or a period 67,OCO
eyes of mortals!                            times greater than that which has elapsed since
But the motions, no less than the magnitudes  the Mosaic creation, before it could arrive at
of such bodies, present ideas of sublimity. That  those distant regions of immensity.
a globe* as large as the earth should fly through    The grand and noble designs for which the
the celestial regions with a velocity of seventy-  great bodies, to which I have adverted, are insix thousand miles an hour,-that another globet  tended, suggest, likewise, a variety of interestshould move at the rate of one thousand seven  ing and sublime reflections. These designs unhundred and fifty miles in a minute, and a hun-  doubtedly are, to display the ineffable glories of
dred and five thousand miles an hour,-that even  the Eternal Mind,-to demonstrate the immenSaturn, with all his assemblage of rings and  sity, omnipotence and wisdom  of Him  who
moons, should be carried along his course, with  formed the universe,-and to serve as so many
a velocity of twenty-two thousand miles an hour,  worlds for the residence of incalculable numbers
-that some of the comets, when near the sun,  of intelligent beings of every order. And, what
should fly with the amazing velocity of eight  an immense variety of interesting objects is prehundred thousand miles an hour, —that, in all sented to the mind when its views are directed
probability, the sun himself, with all his attend-  to the numerous orders and gradations of intelliing planets, besides their own proper motions,  gences that may people the universe,-the magare carried around some distant centre at the  nificent scenes that may be displayed in every
rate of more than sixty thousand miles every  world,-their moral economy, and the important
hour; and that thousands and millions of sys-  transactions that may have taken place in their
tems are moving in the same rapid manner, are  history under the arrangements of the Divine
facts so astonishing, and so far exceeding every  government!
thing we behold around us on the surface of the    Such are some pf the scenes of grandeur
earth, that the imagination is overpowered and  which science unfolds to every enlightened mind.
confounded at the idea of the astonishing forces  The contemplation of such objects has an eviwhich are in operation throughout the universe,  dent tendency to enlarge the capacity of the
and of the power and energy by which they are  soul,-to raise the affections above mean anr.
produced; and every rational being feels a sub-  grovelling pursuits, to give man a more impreslime pleasure in the contemplation of such ob-  sive idea of the dignity of his rational and imiects which is altogether unknown to the ignorant  mortal nature, and of the attributes of that Almind.                                        mighty Being by whom he is upheld, and to make
The vast and immeasurable spaces which inter-  him rejoice in the possession of faculties capable
vene between the great bodies of the universe  of being exercised on scenes and objects so maglikewise convey august and sublime conceptions.  nificent and sublime.
Between the earth and the sun there intervenes    In thefourth place, science administers to our
a space go vast, that a cannon ball, flying with  enjoyment by the variety of novel and interesting
tihe velocity of five hundred miles an hour, would  objects it exhibits. Almost every department of
natural science presents to the untutored mind ao'the plnet Venus     T The planet Mercury  assemblage of objects, new and strange, whlic




PLEASUJRES CONNECTED WITH SCIENCE.                                  53
tend to rouse its faculties, and to excite to impor-  a space less than half an inch in diameter,-that
tant inquiries and interesting reflections. The  the eye can perceive objects distinctly at the disscience of mechanics presents us with many cu-  tance of six inches, and likewise at the distance
rious combinations of mechanical powers, which,  of ten, fifty, or an hundred miles, ser'ing the
from the simplest principles, produce the most purpose both of a microscope and a telescope,
powerful and astonishing effects.  "What can  and can be instantaneously adjusted to serve
be more strange (says a profound and energetic  either as the one or as the other,-and that the
writer*) than that an ounce weight should ba-  variegated colouring which appears in the scelance hundreds of pounds by the intervention of  nery of nature is not in the objects themselves,
a few bars of thin iron?"  And when we consi-  but in the light which falls upon them, without
der that all the mechanical powers may be re-  which all the scenes of creation would wear an
duced to the lever, the wheel and axle, the pulley, uniform aspect, and one object would be undisthe inclined plane, the wedge and the screw, how  tinguishable from another!
astonishing are the forces exerted, and the effects    The instruments which the science of optics
produced, by their various combinations in wheel-  has been the means of constructing, are also adcarriages, mills, cranes, thrashing-machines, and  mirable in their effects and productive of ratipile-engines! Hydrostatics teaches us the won-  onal entertainment. How wonderful, that, by
derful fact, that a few pounds of water, without  means of an optic lens, an image is depicted in a
the aid of any machinery, will, by mere pres-  dark chamber, on a white table, in which we
sure, produce an almost irresistible force;'or, in  may perceive the objects of an extensive landother words, that any quantity of fluid, however  scape delineated in all their colours, motions and
small, may be made to counterpoise any quan-  proportions, and so accurately represented, that
tity, however large; and hence a very strong  we even distinguish the countenances of indivihogshead has been burst to pieces, and the water  duals at the distance of a mile,-that we canr see
scattered about with incredible force, by means  objects distinctly when a thick board, or a piece
of water conveyed through a very small perpen-  of metal, is interposed between.them and our
dicular tube of great length. On the same prin-  eye,-that the images of objects can be made to
ciple, and by the same means, the foundations of  hang in the air either upright o. inverted, and
a large building might be shattered, and the  that representations either of the living or of the
whole structure overthrown..Magnetism  dis-  dead can be made to startup instantly before the
closes to us such singular facts as the following:  view of a spectator in a darkened room,-that,
-that a small piece of steel, when rubbed by  by admitting into a chamber a few rays of white
the loadstone, and nicely poised, will place itself  light from the sun through a prism, all the coin a direction nearly north and south, so as to  lours of light may be seen beautifully painted on
point nearly towards the poles of the world,-  a piece of paper,-that a single object may be
that the north and south poles of two loadstones  multiplied to an indefinite number, and that a
will attract, and two north or two south poles re-  few coloured bits of glass may be made by repel each other; and that the power of a magnet  flection to exhibit an infinite diversity of beautiwill pass through a thick board, and turn round  ful and variegated forms! How admirable the
a compass-needle, with great velocity, though  effects of the telescope, by which we may see
placed at a considerable distance.            objects as distinctly at the distance of two or
The science of optics likewise disclose a va-  three miles as if they were placed within a few
riety of astonishing truths, and is no less replete  yards of us, by which we can penetrate into the
with wonders. How wonderful the fact, that  celestial regions, and behold the distant wonders
light proceeds from the sun, and other luminous  of the planetary system, and the millions of stars
bodies, with a velocity of 195,000 miles in a mo-  dispersed through infinite space, as distinctly as
ment of time; that myriads of myriads of rays  if we were actually transported by a supernatuare flying off from visible objects towards every  ral power several hundreds of millions of miles
point of the compass, crossing each other in all  into the regions of the firmament! And how cu.
directions, and yet accurately depicting the  rious the circumstance, that we can, by this in.
same images of external objects in thousands of  strument, contemplate such objects in all direceyes at the sane moment,-that the thousands  tions and positions,-that we can view them
of millions of rays of light which proceed from   either as erect, or as turned upside dowen,-that
any particular object must be compressed into a  we can perceive the spires, houses and windows
space not more than one-eighth of an inch in di-  of a distant city when our backs are turned diameter, before they can enter the pupil of the  rectly opposite to it, and our faces in a contrary
eye, and produce vision,-that the images of all  direction-the rings of Saturn and the moons of
the objects which compose an extensive land-  Jupiter, when we are looking downwards with our
scape are depicted on the bottom of the eye, in  backs turned to these objects,-that we can niake
all their colours and relative proportions, within  an object on our right hand or our left, appear as
if directly before us, and can cause a terrestrial
~ Lord Brougham                 landscape to appear above us, as if it were sus



54             ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
pended in the sky.*  By the help of the micros-  the magnetic needle, and promotes ther vegeta,
cope we can exhibit to a number of spectators at  tion of plants and the perspiration of animals —
the same moment, a small animal scarcely distin-  which can be drawn in vivid sparks from differguishable by the naked eye, magnified tothe size  ent parts of the human body, and made to deof ten or fifteen inches in length, and distinguish  scend from the clouds in streams of fire! And
not only its limbs, joints, mouth and eyes, but how powerfill and astonishing the effects of the
even the motions of its bowels, and other inter- galvanic agency-which makes charcoal burn
nal movements; and in every department of na-  with a brilliant white flame, decomposes water
ture can contemplate an assemblage of beauties,  into its elementary parts, and causes piatina, the
delicate contextures, and exquisite contrivances,  hardest and heaviest of the metals, to melt as
which excite the highest admiration, and which  readily as wax in the flame of a candle-which
would otherwise have appeared incredible and  produces the most violent convulsions on the
incomprehensible to the human mind.           muscular system, causes a hare to inove its feet,
The sciences of electricity and galvanism like-  and a fowl to clap its wings, with force and
wise display facts both curious and astonishing.  energy, after life is extinct-throws the counteHow wonderful the operations of the electric  nance, even of a dead man, into appalling grifluid, which can suddenly contract the muscles  maces and contortions, and excites the most rapid
of animals, and give a violent shock to a hundred  movements in his hands and limbs, to the horror
or a thousand persons at the same moment-  and astonishment of all beholders!
which moves with such amazing rapidity, that,    The science of chymistry, throughout all its
in a few seconds of time, it might be made to fly  departments, is no less replete with wonders.
to the remotest regions of the globe-which  How astonishing are many of the facts which it
melts iron wire, sets fire to gunpowder and other  discloses, of which the following are merely speinflammable substances, destroys the polarity of  cimens!-That all the productions of nature in' This is effected by means of the " aerial reflect-  sion. G is the brass tiube which receives the eyeing telescope," lately invented by the author. The  pieces. In looking through this telescope, the right
following is a general representation of this teles- eye is applied at the point H, the back is directly tocope in profile. -                            wards the object, and the observer's head is underAB is atube ol mahogany about three inches long, stood to be uncovered. When a diagonal eye-piece
which serves as a socket for holding the speculusm;  is applied, the object may be seen either to the right
CD an arm attached to the tube, about the length of  or to the left, or at right angles to its true position;
the focal distance of the mirror, consisting of two  or, it may be made to appear either upwards, as if
separate pieces C and D, the latter of which slides  hanging in the air, or downwards, as if below the
under the former, through the brass sockets EF.  surface of the earth. A particular description of
To the under part of the socket Fis attached a brass  this instrument may be seen in "The Edinburgh
nut with a female screw, in which the male screw   New Philosophical Journal" for July 1826, pp. 41,ab acts by- applying the hand to the nob c, which  -52, and in the "' London EncyclopEdia." Art. Tt',
serves for adjusting the instrument to distinct vi-  lescope.
K




PLEASURES CONNECTED WITH SCIENCE.                                   55
the anitla! and vegetable kingdoms, are corn-  cence and glories of the universe, and all the
posed of a very few simple substances, many of  beauties of terrestrial natqre lie before him, aid
which ar-e invisibWe gases- -that water is chiefly  are at all times ready to minister to his enjoycomposed of an inflammable principle-that the  ment. In investigating the admirable arrangeacids, such as aquafortis and oil of vitriol, are  ments which appear in the economy of creation,
formed of different kinds of air-that an invisi-  in tracing throughout that economy the perfecble fluid, one of the ingredients of the air we  tions of his Creator, and in looking forward to a
breathe, will cause a rod of iron to burn with  nobler state of existence where his views of the
brilliancy, and phosphorus to produce a splen-  divine empire shall be expanded, he can enjoy a
dour which dazzles the eyes of every beholder  satisfaction and delight which the wealth of this
-that the diamond, notwithstanding its value  world cannot bestow, and which its frowns and
and brilliancy, is composed of the same materials  calamities cannot destroy.
as coal-that oxymuriatic acid, or the bleaching    Besides the pleasures derived from a contenlgas, discharges all vegetable colouts, and, in the  plation of the doctrines and the facts of science,
course of a few minutes, will chance a piece of  -there is a positive gratification in tracing thi
printed calico into a pure white; and likewise  steps by which the discoveries of science have been
burns all the metals, dissolves gold and platina,  made,-the  reasonings and demonstrations bh,
and suffocates all animals that breathe it, after  which its doctrines are supported, and the exp3erione or two inspirations-that there are metals  ments by which they are proved and illustrated.
much lighter than water, which swim in that  In  this point of view, the study of several
fluid and burn spontaneously with a bright red  branches of mathematical science, however ablight, and when thrown into the mineral acids,  struse they may.at first sight appear, will afford
inflame and burn on the surface, and in. oxygen  a high degree of gratification  to the mind.
and oxymuriatic acid gas, produce a white flame,  WlAhen it is announced as a proposition in geoand throw out numerous bright sparks and scin-  metry, " that the square described on the hypotillations,-that a certain kind of air, called the  thenuse, or longest side of a right angled trinitrous oxide, when inhaled into the lungs, pro-  angle, is equal to the sum of the squares deduces an extraordinary elevation of the animal  scribed on the other side,"* —it is pleasing to
spirits, an irresistible propensity to laughter, a
rapid flow of vivid ideas, and a thousand de-'The following figure will convev an idea to the.ightful emotions, without any subsequent feel-   learned reader of the meaning ot this proposi
irmgsof debility or exhaustion-and, that it is not
altogether improbable, according to the deductions of some modern chymists, that " oxygen                          /',,
and hydrogen, with the assistance of the solar/                                 %
light, are the only elementary substances employed in the constitution of the whole universe;".
so that Nature, in all her operations, works the           B,!          D 
most infinitely diversified effects, by the slightest  D, —//D
modifications in the means she employs.
Such are only a few specimens of the curious,/
and interesting subjects which the physical sciences present to the reflecting mind. And is it.....~
conceivable that a rational being can make such'C             JA
objects as those I have now specified the subject
of his frequent study and contemplation, and not                   E        i
feel pleasures and enjoyments far superior to                i
those of the mass of mankind, who are either'
immersed in sensuality, or enveloped with the
mists of ignorance?  The man who. has such
subjects to study and investigate, and such ob-   A B C is a right angled triangle, having the right
jeets to contemplate, can never be destitute of  angle at C, and A B is the hypothenuse, or longest
side. By geometrical reasoning it can be demonenjoymeat. If happiness depends on the activity  strated, that the square D,described on the longest
of the mind, and the range of objects presented  side A B, is exactlb equal to the sum of the squares
before it, wherever he is placed, —whether at  E and F, described on trLe other two sides.-One of
before it, wherever he is placed,-wether at  the uses of this proposition will appear fromn the
hb-me or abroad, in the city or in the country, he  following example. Suppose A C the height of a
can never be at a loss for means of mental grati-  wall = 24 feet, B C the width of a trench = 18 feet;
fitin and of increasing his stock ofintellectual  it is required to find the length of a ladder B A which
fication. and of increasing his stock ofintellecal  will reach from the outside of the trench to the top
wealth. Ile needs not envy the rich and the noble,  of the wall.'lie square of 18 is 324; the square of
on accotmnt of the elegance of their mansions and  24 is 576, which added together make 90a, equal to
the square D; the square root ot which is 30 = the
the splendour of their equipage; for the magnifi-  length of the ladder. On this principle we can find




56            ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
perceive, how every step of the demonstration  sure of the atmosphere,-and from a comparison
proceeds with unerring certainty, and leads the  of the weight of mercury suspended in a tube
mind to perceive the fruth of the conclusion to  with the diameter of its bore, to be able to calwhich it leads, with as high a degree of demon-  culate the atmospherical pressure on the bodly
strative evidence as that 3 added to 6 make 9,  of a man, or even on the whole earth. Wheln
or that 5 multiplied by 4 make 20. JIn like  he is told that one ingredient of atmospheric air
manner, when it is clearly demonstrated by ma-  is the principle of flarme, is it not curious and
thematical reasoning, that "the three angles of  highly interesting to behold a piece of iron burnevery triangle, whatever be its size or the incli-  ing in this gas, throwing out brilliant sy arks of
nation of its sides, are exactly equal to two right  white flanme, and illuminating a large ha:.l with a
angles, or 180 degrees," and that " the sides of  dazzling lustre?-and when he is informed that
a plane triangle are to one another as the sines  fixed air is the heaviest of the gases, and.deof the angles opposite to them," the utility and  structive to flame and animal life,-is it not graimportance of these truths may not at first view  tifying to perceive this invisible fluid poured from
be appreciated, however convincing the evi-  one vessel to another, and when poured on the
dence from which the conclusions are deduced.  flame of a candle that it instantly extinguishes
But when the student comes to know that on  it? Many of the deductions of natural science
these demonstrated properties of a triangle de-  are so wonderful, and so unlike every thing we
pends the mode of measuring the height of  should have previously conceived, that to the unmountains, and the breadth of rivers,-of deter-  tutored mind they appear almost incredible, and
miuing the circumference of the earth, the dis-  little short of unfounded and extravagant assertance of the sun and moon, the magnitudes of  tions.  When such a one is told that "any
the planets, and the dimensions of the solar sys-  quantity of liquid, however small, will countertem,-it cannot but afford a positive gratification  poise any quantity, however great,"-that the
to perceive the important bearings of such truths,  rubbing of a glass cylinder against a cushion
and that the astronomer, when he announces his  will produce the effect of setting fire to spirits
sublime deductions respecting the sizes and dis-  of wine, or of bursting a bladder of air at the
tances of the heavenly bodies, does not rest on  distance of a hundred feet from the machinevague conceptions, but on observations con-  that the galvanic agency will produce a violent
ducted with the nicest accuracy, and on calcu-  and uncommon effect upon the nervous and muslations founded on principles susceptible of the  cular system-and that in certain vegetable instrictest demonstration.' fusions, myriads of animals of various forms,
" To follow a demonstration of a grand ma-  may be seen a thousand times less than the
thematical truth," says a powerful and enlight-  smallest visible point-such assertions are apt
ened writer,-" to perceive how clearly and how  to stagger his belief as improbable and extravainevitably one step succeeds another, and how  gant. But when he actually sees in the first
the whole steps lead to the conclusion,-to ob-'case, a large hogshead that would hold above a
serve how certainly and unerringly the reason-  hundred gallons, filled with water, and a long
ing goes on from things perfectly self-evident,  tube'whose bore is not half an inch in diameter,
and by the smallest addition at each step, every  firmly inserted into its top, and a small quantity
one being as easily taken after the one before as  of water scarcely exceeding a quart, poured into
the first step of all was, and yet the result being  the tube-and  then beholds the top rapidly
something, not only far from self-evident, but so  swelling, and in a few moments, the whole cask
teneral anrd strange, that you can hardly believe  burst to pieces, and the water scattered in every
it to be true, and are only convinced of it by  direction,-or in the second case, when he sees
going over the whole reasoning,-this operation  alcohol suddenly taking fire, and a bladder filled
of the understanding, to those who so exercise  with oxygen and hydrogen gas, exploding with a
themselves, always affords the highest delight."  tremendous report, merely by the turning of the
It is likewise a source of enjoyment to con-  electrical machine at the other end of a lone
template the experiments by which the doctrines  hall, and the interposition of a wire,-or, when
of science are supported, and the reasonings and  in the third case, he sees a person drink a glass
deductions founded on experimental investiga-  of porter which has a wire aroun(d it connected
tions.  Wrhen a person is told that the atmos-  with a galvanic battery, and at a certain stage
ifhere presses on every part of the surface of the  of the operation, receive a tremendous concusearth with a force equal to two thousand one  sion, which makes him  start and roar like a
hundred and sixty pounds on every square foot,  madnman, or, in the last case, when he looks
it must surely be gratifying to behold a column  through a powerful microscope, and perceives
of water supported in a glass tube, open at the  hundreds of mites like so many young pigs,
ower end,-and a square bottle connected with  clamlbering atnong rocks of cheese, and thouan air-pump, broken to pieces by the direct pres-  sands of fishes in a drop of water-such experi
the height of the imountains in the moon, when the  mental illustrations of the truths of science, caneagth lo their shadows is known.             not fail to prove highly satisfactory, and to afobrd




PLEASTTRES COINNECTED WITH SCIENCE.                                  57
no mconsiderable: degree of entertainment and  tween looking back upon time unprofitaLly
delight.                                      wasted, and time spent in self-improvement; he
The occasional performance of scientific experi-  will feel himself in the one case listless and dismsnts, as opportunlty offers, and the construction  satisfied, in the other, comfortable and happy;
of philosophical instruments, may also be con-  in the one case, if he do notappear to himself
verted into a source of enjoyment. In the one  humbled, at least he will not have earned any
case, the student of nature may derive gratifica-  claim to his own respect; in the other case, he
tion, in being the means of communicating en-  will enjoy a proud consciousness of having by
tertainment and instruction to others; and in the  his own exertions, become a wise, and therefore
other, he may whet his ingenuity, and increase  a more exalted creature."
his mental vigour, and be enabled, at a small expence, to gratify his curiosity in contemplating    The subjects to which I have now adverted,
the various processes, and the beauties and sub-  may be considered not merely in reference to the
limities of nature. Many of the instruments of  gratification they afford to the understanding,
science, when elegantly constructed, are beyond  but likewise in reference to the beneficial influthe reach of the general mass of mankind, on  ence they wouldproduce on the heart, and on social
-zcount of their expense; but a person of mode-  and domestic enjoyment.
rate reflection and ingenuity, during his leisure    All the truths relative to the Creator's opera
hours, can easily construct at an inconsiderable  tions in the universe, when properly contemplaexpense, many of the most useful instruments  ted, are calculated to produce a powerful and inwhich illustrate the facts of science. For ex-  teresting impression upon the affections. Is a
ample, a powerful compound microscope, capa-  person gratified at beholding symmetry and beauty
ble of enabling us to perceive the most interest-  as displayed in the works of art,-what a high
ing minute objects in the animal, vegetable, and  degree of delightful emotion must be felt in surmineral kingdoms, may be constructed at an ex-  veying the beautiful arrangements of Infinite
pense of little more than a crown, provided the  Wisdom, in the variety of forns, the nice proindividual constructs the tubes and other appa-  portions, the exquisite delicacy of texture, and
ratus of pasteboard, wood, or other cheap mate-  the diversified hues which adorn the vegetable
rials; and the occasional exercise of the mental  kingdom,-in the colours of the morning and
powers in such devices, so far from being irk-  evening clouds of a summer sky, the plumage of
some or fatiguing, are generally accompanied  birds, the admirable workmanship on the bodies
with satisfaction and pleasure.               of insects, the fine polish of sea-shells, the vaIt is true, indeed, that the study of some of  riegated wavings and colouring of jaspers, tothe subjects above mentioned, particularly the  pazes, and emeralds, and particularly in those
first principles of the mathematics, may, in the  specimens of divine mechanism  in  insects,
outset, be attended with some difficulties, and to  plants, and flowers, which the unassisted eye
some minds may wear a dry and uninteresting  cannot discern, and which the microscope alone
aspect. But as the mind proceeds onwards in  can unfold to view! Has he a taste for the sub..
its progress, and acquires clearer conceptions of  lime?  How nobly is he gratified by an enlightwhat at first appeared difficult or obscure-  ened view of the nocturnal heavens, where suns
every difficulty it is enabled to surmount gives a  unnumbered shine, and mighty worlds run their
new relish to the subject of investigation, and  solemn rounds! Such contemplations have a
additional vigour to the intellect, to enable it to  natural tendency, in combination with Christian
vanquish the difficulties which still remain,-till  principles and motives, to raise the affections to
at len.gth it feels a pleasure and an interest in the that'Almighty Being who is the uncreated source
pursuit, which no difficulties, nor even the lapse  of all that is sublime and beautiful in creation,of time can ever effectually destroy. " Let any  to enkindle the fire of devotion,-to excite adoraman," says Lord Brougham, " pass an evening  tion of his infinite excellences, and to produce
in vacant idleness, or even in reading some silly profound humility in his prscence. Such studies
tale, and compare the state of his mind when he  likewise tend to preserve the mind in calmness
goes to sleep or gets up next morning, with its  and serenity under the moral dispensations of
state some other day when he has passed a few   Him  whose wisdom is displayed in all his arhours in going through the proofs, by facts and  rangements, and whose "tender mercies are
reasonings, of some of the'great doctrines in  over all his works,"-and to inspire it with hope
Natural Science, learning truths wholly new to  and confidence in relation to the future scenes of
him, and satisfying himself by careful examina-  eternity, from a consideration of' his power, betion of the grounds on which known truths rest,  nevolence, and intelligence, as displayed throughso as to be not only acquainted with the doc-  out the universe, and of the inexhaustible sources
trines themselves, but able to show why he be-  of felicity he has it in his power to distribute
lieves them, and to prove before others that they  among numerous orders of beings throughiout an
are true;-he will find as great a difference as  immortal existence. Contemplating the nu'ltmecan exist in the same being, —the difference be-  rous displays of Divine munificence aroundt uis




58            ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDCE
-the diversified orders of delighted existence  have adverted. For want of' qualitications for
tiut peole the air, the waters, and the earth, rational conversation, a spirit of listlessness and
the nice adaptation of their organs and faculties  indifference frequently insinuates itself into tile
to their different situations and modes of life, the  intercourses of families, and between married
ample provision made for their wants and enjoy-  individuals, which sometimes degenerates into
ments, and the boundless dimensions of the di-  fretfulness and impatience, and even into jars,
vine empire, where similar instances of beneti-  contentions, and violent altercations; in wnich
cence are displayed-the heart is disposed to  case there san never exist any high degree of
rest with confidence on Him who made it, con-  affection or domestic enjoyment. It is surely
vinced that his' almighty power qualifies him to  not unreasonable to suppose, that were the minds
make us happy by a variety of means of which  of persons in the married state possessed of a
we have no adequate conception, and that his  certain portion of knowledge, and endowed with
fait;hfulness and benevolence dispose him to with-  a relish for rational investigations-not only
hold no real good "from them  that walk up-  would such disagreeable effects be prevented,
rightly."                                    but a variety of positive enjoyments would be
Such studies would likewise tend to heighten  introduced. Substantial knowledge, which leads
the delights of social enjoyment.  There is no-  to the proper exercise of the mental powers, has
thing more grating to the man of intelligence than  a tendency to meliorate the temper, and to prethe foolish and trifling conversation which pre-  vent those ebullitions of passion, which are the
vails in the various intercourses of social life, results of vulgarity and ignorance.  By invigoeven among the middling and the higher circles  rating the mind, it prevents it from sinking into
of society, and in convivial associations.  The  peevishness and inanity. It affords subjects for
ribaldry and obscenity, the folly and nonsense,  interesting conversation, and augments affection
and the laughter of fools which too frequently  by the reciprocal interchanges of sentiment and
distinguish such associations, are a disgrace to  feeling, and the mutual communication of inour civilized condition, and to our moral and in-  struction and entertainment. And in cases where
tellectual nature. Without supposing that it will malignant passions are ready to burst forth, raever be expedient to lay aside cheerfulness and  tional arguments will have a more powerful influrational mirth, the lively smile; or even the loud  ence in arresting their progress, in cultivated
laugh, it is surely conceivable, that a more ra-  minds, than in those individuals in whose constitional and improving turn might be given to gene-  tution animal feeling predominates, and reason
ral conversation than what is frequently exem-  has lost its ascendancy.  As an enlightened
plifiedinoursocial intercourses. And what can  mind is generally the seat of noble and liberal
we suppose better calculated to accomplish this  sentiments-in those cases where the parties beend than the occasional introduction of topics  long to different religious sectaries, there is more
connected with science and general knowledge, probability of harmony and mutual forbearance
when all, or the greater part, are qualified so take  being displayed, when persons take an enlarged
a share in the general conversation?  It would  view of the scenes of creation, and the revelatend to stimulate the mental faculties, to suggest  tions of the Creator, than can be.expected in the
useful hints, to diffuse general information, to. case of those whose faculties are immersed in
improve science and art, to excite the ignorant to  the mists of superstition and ignorance.
increase in knowledge, to present interesting ob-    How delightful an enjoyment is it, after the
jects of contemplation, to enliven the spirits, and  bustle of business and the labours of the day are
thus to afford a source of rational enjoyment. over,-when a married couple can sit down at
It would also have a tendency to prevent those  each corner of the fire, and, with mutual relish
shameful excesses, noisy tumults, and scenes of  and interest, read a violume of history or of pointemperance which so frequently terminate our  pular philosophy, and talk of the moral govern.
festive entertainments.  For want of qualifica-  ment of God, the arrangements of his providence,
tions for such conversation, cards, dice, childish  and the wonders of the universe! Such interquestions and amusements, gossiping chit-chat, esting conversations and exercises beget a mutual
and tales of scandal are generally resorted to, in  esteem, enliven the affections, and produce a
order to consume the hours allotted to social en- friendship lasting as our existence, and which no
joyment.  And how melancholy theoreflection,  untoward incidents can ever effectually impair.
that rational beings capable of investigating the  A Christian pastor, in giving an account of the
laws and phenomena of the universe, and of pro- last illness of his beloved partner, in a late perio..
secuting the most exalted range of thought, and  dical work, when alluding to a book she had read
who are destined to exist in other worlds, through-  along with him about t;-,.o months before her de.
out an endless duration-should be impelled to  cease, says, "I shall never forget the pleasure
resort to such degrading expedients, to wheel with which she studied the- illustrations of the
away the social hours!                      divine perfections in that interesting book. Ris.
Domestic enjoyment might likewise be height-  ing from the contemplation of the variety, beauty,
ened and improved by the studies to which we  immens;it, and order of the creation, she ex




PLEASURES CONNECTED WITH SCIENCE.                                   59
wuted in the assurance of having the Creator for  improving conversation.  Then  those family
her father, anticipated with great joy the vision  feuds, contentions, and separations, and those
of him in the next world- and calculated with un- prosecutions for matrimonial infidelity which are
hesitating confidence on the sufficiency of his  now so common, would be less frequently ohboundless nature to engage her most intense in-  truded on public view, and examples of virtue,
terest, and to render her unspeakably happy for  affection, and rational conduct, would be set bet
ever."  It is well known that the late lamented  fore the subordinate ranks of the ccmnlmunity,
Princess Charlotte, and her consort Prince Leo-  which might be attended with the most beneficial
pold, lived together in the greatest harmony and  and permanent results, not only to the present,
affection; and from what her biographers have  but to future generations.
stated respecting her education and pursuits, it   In short, the possession of a large store of
appears that the mutual friendship of these illus-  intellectual wealth would fortify the soul in the
trious individuals was heightened and cemented  prospect of every evil to which humanity is
by the rational conversation in which they in-  subjected, and would afford consolation and
dulged, and the elevated studies to which they  solace when fortune is diminished, and the
were devoted.  Her course of education em-  greater portion of external comforts is withbraced the English, classical, Fren'ch, German,  drawn. Under the frowns of adversity, those
and Italian languages; arithmetic, geography,  worldly losses and calamities which drive unastronomy, the first six books of Euclid, algebra, thinking men to desperation and despair, would
mechanics, and the principles of optics and per-  be borne with a becoming magnanimity; the
spective, along with history, the policy of govern-  mind having within itself the chief resources of
ments, and particularly the principles of the  its happiness, and becoming almost independent
Christian religion. She was a skilful musician, of the world around it. For to the individual
had a fine perception of the picturesque in na-  whose happiness chiefly depends on intellectual
ture, and was fond of drawing. She took great  pleasures, retirement from general society, and
pleasure in strolling on the beach, in marine ex-  the bustle of the world, is often the state of his
cursions, in walking in the country, in rural  highest enjoyment.
scenery, in conversing freely with the rustic inhabitants, and in investigating every object that    Thus I have endeavoured briefly to illustrate
seemed worthy of her attention. She was an  the enjoyments which a general diffusion of
enthusiastic admirer of the grand and beautiful knowledge would produce-from a considerain nature, and the ocean was to her an object of  tion of the limited conceptions of the untutored
peculiar interest.  After her union with the  mind contrasted with the ample and diversified
prince, as their tastes were similar, they engaged  range of view presented to the enlightened unin the same studies. Gardening, drawing, mu-  derstanding-from  the delightful tendency of
sic, and rational conversation, diversified their  scientific pursuits, in enabling us to trace, from
leisure hours. They took great pleasure in the  a single principle, an immense variety of effects,
culture of flowers-in the classification of them   and surprising and unexpected resemblances
-and in the formation, with scientific skill, of a  where we least expected to find them,-from
hortus siccus. But the library, which was fur-  the grand and sublime objects it presents before
aished with the best books in our language, was  us-from  the variety of novel and interesting
their favourite place of resort; and their chief  scenes which the different departments of phy.
daily pleasure, mutual instruction. They were  sical scienceunfold-from the exercise of tracing
seldom apart either in their occupations or in  the steps by which scientific discoveries have
their amusements; nor were they separated in  been made-and from the influence of such
their religious duties. " They took sweet coun-  studies on the affections and on social and dosel together, and walked to the house of God in  mestic enjoyment.
company;" and it is also stated, on good autho-    For want of the knowledge to which I have
rity, that they had established the worship of  alluded, it happens that few persons who have
God in their family, which was regularly attended  been engaged in commercial or agricultural purby every branch of their household. No won-  suits feel much enjoyment, when, in the decline
der, then, that they exhibited an auspicious and  of life, they retire from the active labours in
a delightful example of private and domestic vir-  which they had been previously engaged. Retue, of conjugal attachment, and of unobtrusive  tirement and respite from the cares of business
charity and benevolence. In the higher circles  afford them little gratification, and they feei a
of society, as well, as in the lower, it would he of  vacuity within which nothing around them or
immense importance to the interests of domestic  within the range of their conceptions can fill up.
happiness, that the taste of the Princess Char-  Being destitute of a taste for intellectual purlotte was more closely imitated, and that the  suits, and devol2 of that subs,.',tum of thought
fashionable frivolity and dissipation which so  which Is the ground-work of mentba activity and
generally prevail were exchanged for the pursuits  of rational contemplation, they enjoy nothing of
of knowledge, and the delights of rational and  that mental liberty and expansion of soul wmven




60           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KiNOWLEDGE.
the retreats of solitude afford to the contempla-  and directed in its operations by the exDeri.
tLive nund; and, when not engaged in festive  mental deductions of philosophy, it follows, that
associations, are apt to sink into a species of list-  a knowledge of the principles of science must be
tessress and ennui.  They stalk about from  conducive to a skilful practice of the arts, and
one place to another without any definite ob-  must have a tendency to direct the genius of the
ject in view-look at every thing around with a  artist to carry them to their highest pitch of imkind of unconscious gaze-are glad to indulge  provement. In illustrating this topic, I shall
in trifling talk and gossip with every one they  endeavour to show that an acquaintance with
meet —and, feeling how little enjoyment they de-  science would render mechanics, manufacturers,
rive from their own reflections, not unfequently  and labourers more expert and skilful in their
slide into habits of sensuality and intemperance.  different departments-would pave the way for
From what we have stated on this topic, it  future discoveries and improvements-and that
evidently appears that the pursuits of science  the knowledge and spirit which produced such
are fitted to yield a positive gratification to every  improvements would promote the external comrational mind. It presents to view, processes,  forts of mankind.
combinations, metamorphoses, motions, and ob-    I.'A knowledge of the principles of science
jects of various descriptions calculated to arrest  would render manufacturers, mechanics, and
the attention and to astonish the mind, far more  common labourers of all descriptions more skilful
than all the romances'and tales of wonder that  in their respective professions and employments.
were ever invented by the human imagination.    In the arts of dyeing and calico-printing,
When the pleasures arising from such studies  every process is conducted on the principles of
are rendered accessible to all, human happiness  chymistry. Not a colour can be imparted but
will be nearly on a level, and the different ranks  in consequence of the affinity which subsists
of mankind will enjoy it nearly in an equal de-  between the cloth and the dye,-or the dye' and
gree. As true enjoyment depends chiefly on  the mordant employed as a bond of union bethe state of the mind, and the train of thought,  tween them; and the colours will be liable to
that passes through it, it follows, that when a  vary, unless the artist take into account the
man prosecutes a rational train of thought,  changes which take place in them by the absorpand finds a pleasure in the contemplation of in-  tion of oxygen;-a knowledge of which and of
tellectual objects, his happiness is less dependent  the different -degrees of oxidizement which the
on mere sensitive enjoyments, and a smaller  several dyes undergo, requires a considerable
portion of external comforts will be productive  portion of chymical skill; and such knowledge
of enjoyment than in the case of those whose  is absolutely necessary to enable either the
chief pleasure consists in sensual gratifications.  dyer or the calico printer to produce in all cases
When intellectual pursuits, therefore, shall oc-  permanent colours of the shade he intends. To
rupy the chief attention of mankind, we may in-  chymistry, too, they must be indebted for the
dulge the hope, that those restless and insatiable  knowledge they may acquire of the nature of the
desires which avarice and ambition never cease  articles they use in their several processesto create, will seldom torment the soul, and that  for the artificial production of their most valuaa noble generosity of mind in relation to riches  ble mordants-and for some of their most beauwill distinguish persons. of every rank, and be  tiful and brilliant colours. As an evidence of
the means of producing enjoyment wherever its  this, it is sufficient to state, that, to produce
influence extends.                           such colours as an olive ground and yellow
figures, a scarlet pattern on a black ground, or a
brown ground with orange figures, formerly
required a period of many weeks; but by means
SECTION V.                    of chymical preparations the whole of this work
may now be done in a few days, -and patterns
ON THE PRACTICAL INFLUENCE OF SCIEN-  more delicate than ever produced, with a degree
TIFIC KNOWLEDGE, AND ITS TENDENCY TO'of certainty of which former manufacturers could
PROMOTE THE EXTERNAL COMFORTS OF  have no idea; and all this is effected by dyeing
GENERAL SOCIETY.'' the cloth a self-colour in the first instance, and
afterwards merely printing the pattern with a
IN the preceding section I have considered the  chymical preparation, which discharges a part
beneficial tendency of knowledge and the plea-  of the original dye, and leaves a new colour in
sores it affords, chiefly in reference to the un-  its stead.
derstanding and the affections. In the present    The art of bleaching has likewise received so
section I shall consider it more particularly, in  many important improvements from chymical sci.
regard to its practical effects on the active em-  ence, that no one is now capable of conducting its
ployments and, the external comforts of the  processes to advantage who is ignorant of the
middling e ad lower orders of the community. —  scientific principles on which the present pracEvery art, being founded on scientific principles,  tice of that art is founded.  Till about the close




UTILITY OF CHYMICAL KNOWLEDGE.                                   61
of the eghteenth century, the old tedious process  English, which, by chymical rneans may be
of bleaching continued in practice. But, about purified at a very small expense, and by the
that period the introduction of the oxymuriatic  proper application of chymical agents, other
ancd, combined with alkalis, lime and other in-  brown tallows may be rendered  beautifully
gredients, in bleaching cottons and linens, has  white, and fit for the best purposes.'
given an entirely new turn to every part of the    The tanning of hides is now ascertained to
process, so that the process which formerly re-  consist in impregnating the animal matter with
quired several months for its completion can  that peculiar"principle taken from the vegetable
now be accomplished in a few days, and with a  kingdom, called tan, the effect of which is exdegaree of perfection which could not previously  plained entirely on chymical principles. It is
be attained.  Even in a few hours, that which  now known that many substances besides oakformerly required nearly a whole summer, can  bark, contains tan, and to chymistry we are
now be effected, and that, too, merely by the  indebted for the means of discovering with
action of an almost invisible fluid. As tte  accuracy the quantity of tan which the several
whole process of bleaching, as now practised,  astringent vegetables contain. It is supposed
consists almost entirely of chymical agerrts and  not to be improbable, when the manufacturers
operations, every person employed in this art, shall have paid proper attention to chymical
ought to possess a certain portion of chymical science, that the article in question may be pre.
knowledge, otherwise many of its processes  pared in chymical laboratories, so as entirely to
would run the risk of being deranged, and the  supersede the use of oak bark, since the princitexture of the materials undergoing the process  ple of tanning has already been formed artii-.
of being either materially injured or completely  cially by a modern chymist.t-It is also well
destroyed.                                   known, that to chymical research, the manufacThe operation of brewing fermented liquors  tures of earthen-ware and porcelain are indebted
is likewise a chymical process. The student for the improved state in which they are now
of chymistry will learn how the barley in the  found. For, the successful nmanagement of all
first instance is converted into a saccharine  their branches, from the mixture of the materials
substance by malting; how  the fermentative  which form the body of the ware, to the producprocess converts the saccharine to a spirituous  tion of those brilliant colours with which such
substance, and how the latter, by continuing the  articles are adorned-is dependent on the prin.
process, becomes changed into vinegar. He  ciples of chymical science.  The celebrated
will also learn the means of promoting and  W5edgewood, to whom this branch of manufacencouraging this process, and how to retard and  ture is so highly indebted, devoted his whole
check it, when it is likely to be carried too far,  attention to the improvement of his art by the
so as to be sure of uniformly obtaining satisfac-  application of his chymical knowledge, of which
tory results. In this and in every other process,  few'men possessed a larger share; and he has
it must therefore be of importance to acquire  been heard to declare, " that nearly all the diver.
some knowledge of the principles of natural sub-  sified colours applied to his pottery were pro.
stances, and of the nature of those changes  duced only by the oxides of iron."
which take place in the materials on which we    There are few persons to whom a knowledge
operate. In the manufacture of soap, it is  of chymistry is of more importance than to the
reckoned by those intimately acquainted with the  Agriculturist. It will teach him to analyse the
process, that many thousands per annum, now  soils on the different parts of his farm, and to
lost to the community, might be saved, were the  subject to experiment the peat, the marle, the
trade carried on upon scientific principles.  lime and other manures, in order to ascertain
When a soap boiler is an accomplished chymist,  the advantages to be derived from them, and
he knows how to analyze barilla, kelp, potass,  the propriety of applying them in particular inand other materials, so as to ascertain the pro-  stances. It will teach him when to use lime
portion of alkali in each; and when these arti-  hot from the kiln, and when slacked, how to
cles are at an exorbitant price, he will have  promote the putrefactive process in his comrecourse to various residuums, which he will posts, and at what period to check it, so as to
decompose by chymical means, and use as sub-  prevent the fertilizing particles becoming unstitutes.  He will know how to oxydize the  prolific and of little value. It will also teach
common oils and oil-dregs, so as to give them   hin the difference in the properties of marle,
consistence, and render them good substitutes  lime, dung, mud, ashes, alkaline salt, soap.
for, tallow-and how to apportion his lime so as  waste, sea-water and other manures, and, conto make his alkali perfectly caustic, without  sequently, which to prefer in all varieties of
using an unnecessary quantity of that article.  soil. It is said that the celebrated Lavoisier
The manufacture of candles might also derive
advantage from chymical science. It is found   F* or most of the above hints the author is In
that foreign tallows frequently contain a large  debted to Mr. Parkes.
orSegerin. See Nicolson's Phil. Journal, 4to vol.
portion of acid rendering them inferior to the  i. p. 27?l.




62           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
cultivated 240 acres of land in La Vendee, on  have both been administered, and either of them
chymical principles, in order to set a good ex-  may be taken separately without injury to the
ample to the farmers; and his mode of culture  animal economy,-yet if a medical practitioner,
was attended with so much success, that he oh-  ignorant of the chymical affinities of such sub.
tailed a third more of crop than was procured  stances, and of the quality of the compound,
by the usual method, and in nine years his an-  should give both of them in conjunction, the most
nual produce was doubled.                     dreadful consequences might ensue: since the
I might also have illustrated the practical ad-  product of this mixture, oxygenized muriate of
vantages of chymical science in relation to the  mercury, is known to be a most corrosive polart of extracting metals'from their ores,-the con-  son; and there can be little doubt that hundreds
version of iron into steel, and the metallic ore  of lives have been destroyed, by ignorant pre.
into malleable iron-the manufacture of gluss,  tenders to medical science, in consequence of
alum, copperas, blue vitriol, soda, potash, J2oroc-  the injudicious administration of such deleteco-leather, paper, starch, varnish, and Prussian-  rious preparation s.
blue-the refining of sugar, saltpetre, gold and    But chymistry is not the only science which
silver-the artificial formation of ice-the method  is of utility in the arts which minister to the
of preserving fish, meat, and other articles of  comfort and pecuniary interests of society.
food, and various other processes connected  Geometry, trigonometry, conic sections, and
with the practical departments of life, all of  other branches of mathematical knowledge; hywhich are strictly chymical operations, and can  drostatics, hydraulics, mechanics, optics,. botabe improved and brought to perfection chiefly  ny, mineralogy and the other departments of the
by the knowledge and application of the doc-  physical sciences, may be rendered of essential
trines and facts of chylnical science.       service to artisans and mechanics of various deWith regard to the professions of the physi-  scriptions., All the sciences are, in some decian, surgeon, and apothecary, it is now univer-  gree, connected, and reflect a mutual light upon
sally admitted, that an extensive acquaintance  one another; and consequently the man who
with the principles and facts of chymistry is es-  has the, most extensive acquaintance with
sentially requisite to the successful practice of  science, is best qualified for carrying to perthese arts. The human body may be considered  fection any one department of the useful arts.
as a species of laboratory, in which the various    Practical Geometry is highly useful to almost
processes of absorption, secretion, fermenta-  every mechanic and artisan, particularly to
tion, composition and decomposition are in-  mill-wrights, bricklayers, carpenters and macessantly going forward. Every article of food  sons. It teaches them to form angles of any
and drink we throw into the stomach, every  assigned number of degrees, to draw parallel
portion of atmospheric air we receive into the  and perpendicular lines, to proportion circumfelungs, every impression we derive from the sur-  rences to dianleters, to divide circular rims into
rounding elements, every motion of the heart  any number of parts, to estimate the square or
and lungs, and every pulse that vibrates within  cubical contents of any piece of workmanship,
us, may be considered as effecting a chymical  and to calculate the price they ought to receive
change in the vital fluids, and in every part of  for any work they, perform, according to its
the animal system; the nature of which it is of  solid or superficial dimensions. In forming esthe utmost importance to the medical practi-  timates of the expense of any proposed undertioner thoroughly to investigate and understand.  talking, the carpenter, bricklayer, and architect
For, how can he be supposed to be successful  must find such knowledge essentially requisite,
in his attempts to counteract the disorders to  and even the common labourer who undertakes
which the human frame is incident, and to pro-  the formation of roads, the digging of'pits, and
duce a chymical effect on the constitution of his  the clearing away of rubbish, will find the prinpatient, if he is ignorant either of the processes  ciples of arithmetic and geometry of important
which are going on in the system, of the chy-  service in estimating the rate at which he can
mical properties of the substances which he  perform such operations. The following geomethrows into it, or of the effects which they will  trical theorems, besides many' others, are capacertainly produce?  If he is ignorant of the  ble of a variety of practical applications, in
chymical affinities that subsist between the va-  many departments of the arts. " If, from the
rious articles of the Materia Medica, he may  two ends of any diameter of the circle, two lines
often administer preparations which are not  be drawn to meet in any one point of the circle
only inefficacious, but even poisonous and de-  whatever, such lines are perpendicular to each
structive to his patient. When two chymical  other," or, in other words, they form a right
substances, each of which might be adminis-  angle at the point of contact.*  Again, " The
tered separately with safety, are combined, they
sometimes produce a substance which is highly    - For example, if from the two ends ofthe diamem
deleterious to the animal system. For example,  ter A and B, the lines A C, B C be drawn to the point
C, these lines will be perpendicular to each other
although mercury and oxygenized muriatic acid  and consequently the angle at C will be a right an




PRACTICAL UTILITY OF MECHANICAL PRINCIPLES.                               63
areas of all circles are in exact proportion to    The physical sciences are also of the greatesi
the squares of their radii, or half diameters."  utility in almost every department of art. To
If, for example, we draw a circle with a pair of  masons, architects, ship-builders, carpenters
compasses whose points are stretched 4 inches  and every other class employed in combining
asunder, and another with an extent of 8 inches,  materials, raising weights, quarrying stones,
the large circle is exactly four times the size or  building piers and bridges, splitting rocks, or
area of the small one. For the square of 4  pumping water from the bowels of the earth, —a
Is =16, and the square of 8 is = 64, which is  knowledge of the principles of mechanics and
four times 16. And as the circumferences of  dynamics is ofthe first importance.  By means
the circles are in proportion to the radii, it will  of these sciences the nature of the lever and
follow, that the length of a string which would  other mechanical powers may be learned, and
go round the curve of the larger circle is ex-  their forces estimated-the force produced by
actly double the length of one which would go  any particular combination of these powers calround the lesser. Mechanics, in recognising  culated-and the best mode of applying such
such theorems, will meet with many opportuni-  forces to accomplish certain effects, ascertained.
ties of reducing them to practice.-Again, there  By a combination of the mechanical powers the
is a figure which Geometricians term a parabola,  smallest force may be multiplied to an almost in.
which is formed every time we pour water for-  definite extent, and with such assistance man hats
cibly from the mouth of a tea-kettle, or throw a  been enabled to rear works and to perform ope.
stone forward from the hand. One property of  rations which excite astonishment, and which
the parabola is, that if a spout of water be di-  his own physical strength, assisted by all that
rected at half a perpendicular from the ground,  the lower animals could furnish, would have
or at an angle of elevation of 45 degrees, it will  been altogether inadequate to accomplish. An
come to the ground at a greater distance than  acquaintance with the experiments which have
if any other direction had been given it, a slight  been made to determine the strength ofmaterials,
allowance being made for the resistance of the  and the results which have been deduced from
air. Hence the man who guides the pipe of a  them, is of immense importance to every class
fire-engine may be directed how to throw the  of mechanics employed in engineering  and
water to the greatest distance, and he who aims  architectural operations. From  such experi.
at a mark, to give the projectile its proper di-  ments, (which have only been lately attended tc
rection. —To surveyors, navigators, land-mea-  on scientific principles) many useful deductions
surers, gaugers and engineers a knowledge of  might be made respecting the best form of morthe mathematical sciences is so indispensably  tises, joints, beams, tenons, scarphs, &c.; the
requisite; that without it, such arts cannot be  art of mast making, and the manner of disposing
skilfully exercised.                         and combining the strength of different substances in naval architecture, and in the realing of our buildings. For example,-from the
experiments now alluded to it has been deduced,
that the strength of any piece ofmaterial depends
chiefly on its depth, or on that dimension which
is in the direction of its strain. A bar oftimber
of one inch in breadth, and two inches in depth
is four times as strong as a bar of only one inch
deep; and it is twice as strong as a bar two
A inches broad and one deep, that is, a joint or.   lever is always strongest when laid on its edge.
I....      Hence it follows, that the stfrongest joist that''-~htys, "(       yf  can be cut out of a round tree is not the one
which has the greatest quantity of timber in.it,
but such that the product of its breadth by the'square of its depth shall be the greatest. possible.-Again, from the same experiments it is
Ago                    -            found, that a hollow tube is stronger than a solid
rod containing the same quantity of matter. This
property of hollow tubes is also accompanied
gle. In like mannerthe ines A D, and B D,A B and  with greater stiffness; and the superiority in
B E, will stand at right angles to each other; and  strength and stiffness is so much the greater as
the same will be the case to whatever potint of the  the surrounding shell is thinner in proportion to
circle such lines are drawn. The practicat application of this principle, in various operations, will,  its diame er. Hence we find that the bones of
at once, be obvious to the intelligent mechanic.es-  men and other animals are formed hollow, which
pecially when he intends the two ends or sides of  renders them incomparably stronger amd stiffer,
eay pice of machinery to stand perpendicular torer                the inrton       se,
each other.                                  gives more room for the insertion of muscles,




64            ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
and makes them lighter and more agile, than if                  Fig. 1.
they were constructed of solid matter. In like       D.          -        E
manner the bones of birds, which are thinner
than those of other animals, and the quills in
-their wings, acquire by their thinness the
strength which is necessary, while they are so
light as to give sufficient buoyancy to the aninal in its flight through the aerial regions. Our'
engineers and carpenters have, of late, begun to
imitate nature in this respect, and now make
their axles and other parts of machinery hollow,
which both saves a portion of materials and renders them stronger than if they were solid.*
The departments of hydrostatics and hydrau-       F
lics, which treat of the pressure and motion of
fluids, and the method of estimating their velo-                Fi  2.
city and force, require to be thoroughly understood by all those who are employed in the
construction of common and  forcing-pumps,
water-mills, fountains, fire-engines, hydrostatical presses, and in the formation of canals, wetdocks, and directing the course of rivers; otherwise they will constantly be liable to commit
egregious blunders, and can never rise to emi-'
nence in their respective professions. Such
principles as the following:-that fluids press
equally in all directions,-that they press as
ntuch upwards as downwards,-that water, in          B           -
several tubes that communicate with each other,                 Fig. S.
will stand at the same height, in all of them,
whether they be small or great, perpendicular or   H                            I
sP4lique,-that the pressure of fluids is directly
as their perpendicular height, without any regard
to their quantity,-and that the quantities of
water discharged at the same time, by different
apertures, under the same heigtb of surface in
the reservoir, are to each other nearly as the
areas of their apertures,-will be found capable
e extensive application to plumbers, engineers,
purrip-makers, and all who are employed in
conducting water over hills or vallies, or in
using it as a mechanical power, by a recogni-                K
tion of which they will be enabled to foresee,  the pressure upon the bottom of the vessel DE
with certainty, the results to be exrected from   FG, when they are filled with water, or any
their plans and' operations; for want of which  other liquid, notwithstanding that there will be a
knowledge many plausible schemes have been  much greater quantity of water in the cylindrifrustrated, and sums of money expended to no  cal than in the conical vessel; or, in other words,
purpose.                                     the bottom BC will sustain a pressure equal to
The following figures and explanations will tend  what it would be if the vessel were as wide at
to illustrate some of the principles now stated:  the top as at the bottom. In like manner, the
-1. Fluids press in proportion to their perpen.  bottom of the vessel HIKL, fig. 3, sustains a
dicular heights, and the base of the vessel con-  pressure only equal to the column whose base is
taining them, without regard to the quantity.  KL, and height KM, and not as the whole
Thus, if the vessel ABC, fig. 2, has its base  quantity of fluid contained in the vessel; all the.BC equal to the base FG of the cylindrical ves-  rest of the fluid being supported by the sides.
sel DEFG, fig. l, but is much smaller at the top  The demonstration of these positions would oc.
A than at the bottom, and of the same height;  cupy too much room, and to many readers would
the pressure upon the bottom BC is as great as  appear too abstract and uninteresting; but they
will be found satisfactorily demonstrated in most
"The mechanical reader who wishes particular  books which treat of the doctrines of hydros.
inferirmatian on this subject is referred to the article  tatics,PtreP7gtlh. (f masterks in Ency. Brit. 3d edit. which
wva written by the late Professor Robison.     2. The positions now stated form the founda



UTILITY OF HYDROSTATICS.                                  65
tivn of the hydrostatical paradox, namely, " that Whatever be the inclination of the tube EF, still
a quantity of fluid, however small, may be made  the perpendicular altitude will be the same ab
to counterpoise a quantity, however great."  that of the other tubes, although the column of
Thus, if to a wide vessel AB, we attach a tube  water must be much longer than those in the up.
CD, communicating with the vessel, and pour  right tubes. Hence it is evident, that a small
quantity of a fluid may, under certain circumA     Fig. 4.                    stances, counterbalance any quantity of the same
fluid. Hence also the truth of the principle in
hydrostatics, that " in tubes which have a communication, whether they be equal or unequal, short or
oblique, the fluid always rises to the same height.2"
From these facts it follows, that water cannot be
conveyed by means of a pipe that is laid in a reservoir to any place that is higher than the reservoir.
These principles point out the mode of conveying water across valleys without those expensive aqueducts which were erected by the ancients for this purpose. A pipe, conforming to
the shape of the valley, will answer every purpose of an aqueduct. Suppose the spring at A,
Dl)'                                         fig. 5, and water is wanted on the other side of'
the valley to supply the house'H, a pipe of lead
or iron laid from the spring-head across the valley will convey the water up to the level of the
spring-head; and if the house stand a little lower
water into it, the water will run into the larger  than the spring-head, a constant stream will pout
vessel AB, and will stand at the same height C  into the cisterns and ponds where it is required,
and G in both. If we affix an inclined tube EF,  as if the house had stood on the other side of the
likewise communicating with the large vessel, valley; and, consequently, will save the expense
the water will also stand at E, at the same height of the arches BB, by which the ancient Romans
a in the other two; the perpendicular altitude  conducted water frbm one hill to another. But,
eing the same in all the three tubes, however  if the valley be very deep, *he pipes must be
mall the one may be in proportion to the other. made very strong near its'bottom, otherwise they
This experiment clearly proves that the small co-  will be apt to burst; as the pressure of water
lumn of water balances and supports the large  increases in the rapid ratio of 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, &c.
column, which it could not do if the lateral pres-  and is always in proportion to its perpendicular
sures at bottom were not equal to each other. height.
Fig. 5. 
3. Fluids press in all directions, laterally and  sists of two thick oval boards. about 18 inches
upwards, as well as downwards. That fluids  long and 16 inches broad, united to each other
prezs laterally may be seen by boring a hole in  by leather, so as to open and shut like a pair of
the side of a cask containing any liquid, when  common bellows, but without valves. Into this
the liquid will run out in consequence of the  instrument a pipe B, several feet high, is fixed
lateral pressure.  The upward pressure is not  at D. If we pour water into the pipe at its top
so obvious, but is clearly proved by the following  C, it will run into the bellows and separate the
experiment, with an instrumnent generally termed  boards a little. If A e then lay three weights,
the hvydrostatic bellows.-This machine con-  each weighing 100 pounds, upon the upper




66           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
Fig. 6.                                       Fig. 7.
L
oord, and pour more water into the pipe, it of art dependent upon it appear to be yet intheir
will run into the bellows, and raise up the  infancy. By the application of this power the
board with all the weights upon it. And though  late Mri. Bramah formed what is called the Hy.
the water in the tube should weigh in all only a  drostatic Press, by which a prodigious force is
quarter of a pound; yet the pressure of this  obtained, and by the help of which, hay, straw,
small force upon the water below in the bellows  wool, and other light substances, may be forced
shall support the weights, which are 300 pounds;  into a very small bulk, so as to be taken in
nor will they have weight enough to make them  large quantities on board a ship. With a madescend, and conquer the weight of water, by  chine, on this principle, of the size of a tea-pot,
forcing it out of the mouth of the pipe.'Ihe  standing before him on a table, a man is enabled
reason of this will appear from what has been  to cut through a thick bar of iron as easily as he
already stated respecting the pressure of fluids  could clip a piece of pasteboard with a pair of
of equal heights, without any regard to the  sheers. By this machine a pressure of 500 or
quantities. For, if a hole be made in the upper  600 tons may be brought to bear upon any subboard, and a tube be put into it, the water will stances which it is wished to press, to tear up,
rise in the tube to the same height that it does  to cut in pieces, or to pull asunder.
in the pipe; and it would rise as high (by sup-    Upon the same principle, the tun or hogshead
plying the pipe) in as many tubes as the board  HI, fig. 7, when filled with water, may be
would contain holes. Hence, if a man stand  burst, by pressing it with some pounds addiupon the upper board, and blow into the bellows  tional weight of the fluid through the small tube
through the pipe, he will raise himself upward  KL, which may be supposed to be from 25 to
upon the board; and the smaller the bore of the  30 feet in height. From what has been already
pipe is, the easier will he be able to raise him-  stated, it necessarily follows, that the small
self. And if he put his finger on the top of the  quantity of water which the tube KL, contains,
pipe he may support himself as long as he  presses upon the bottom of the tun with as much
pleases.                                    force as if a column of water had been added as
The uses to which this power may be applied  wide as the tun itself, and as long as the tube,
are of'great variety and extent; and the branches  which would evidently be an enormous weight.




UTILITY OF HYDROSTATICS.                                    67
A few years ago, a friend ofmine, when in Ire-  pipe, and then, after having flowed horizontarlly
land, performed this experiment to convince an  in a succession of pipes under the pavement, is
English gentleman, who called in question the  raised up again through another pipe, as high as
Principle, and who laid a bet of fifty pounds that  the fountain in the Temple Garden. It is upon
it would not succeed. A hogshead, above 3 feet  the same principle that a vessel may be filled
high, and above 2 feet wide, was filled with  either at the mouth or at the bottom indifferently,
wvater; a leaden tube, with a narrow bore, be-  provided that it is done through a pipe, the top
tween 20 and 30 feet long, was firmly inserted  of which is as high as the top of the vessel to be
into the top of the hogshead; a person, from the  filled. Hence, likewise, it follows, that when
upper window of a house, poured in a decanter  piers, aqueducts, or other hydraulic works for
of water into the tube, andj before the decanter  the retention of water, are to be constructed, it
was quite emptied, the hogshead began to swell,  becomes necessary to proportion their strength
and, in two or three seconds, burst into pieces,  to the lateral pressure which they are likely to
while the water was scattered about with im-  sustain, which becomes greater in proportion to
mense force.                                 the height of the water to be sustained. Walls,
Hence, we may easily perceive what mischief  likewise, designed to support terraces, ought to
may sometimes be done by a very small quantity  be sufficiently strong to resist the lateral pressure
of water, when it happens to act according to its  of the earth and rubbish which they are to susperpendicular height. Suppose, that in any  tain, since this pressure will be greater as the
building, near the foundation, a small quantity  particles of earth, of which the terraces are
of water, only of the extent of a square yard, has  composed, are less bound together, and in prosettled, and suppose it to have completely filled  portion as the terraces are more elevated. The
up the whole vacant space, if a tube of 20 feet  increase of pressure in proportion to the depth
song were thrust down into the water, and filled  of any fluid likewise shows the necessity of formwith water from above, a force of more than 5  ing the sides of pipes or masonry in which fluids
tons would be applied to that part ofthe building,  are to be retained, stronger towards the bottom,
which would blow it up with the same force as  where the pressure is greatest. If they are no
gunpowder.*  The same effect may sometimes  thicker than what is sufficient for resisting the
be produced by rain falling into long narrow   pressure near the top, they will soon give way by
chinks, that may have inadvertently been left in  the superior pressure near the bottom; and if
building the walls of a house; which'shows the  they are thick enough in every part to resist the
importance of filling up every crevice and open-  great pressure' below, they will be stronger than
ing of a building, and rendering the walls. as  necessary in the parts above, and, consequently,
close and compact as possible. Hence, like-  a superfluous expense, that might have been
wise, similar processes in nature, connected  saved, will be incurred in the additional materials
with pools of water in the bowels of the earth,  and labour employed in their construction. The
may occasionally produce the most dreadful  same principle is applicable to the construction
devastations. For, should it happen, that, in  of flood-gates, dams, and banks of every dethe interior of a mountain, two or three hundred  scription, for resisting the force of water. Wjhen
feet below the surface, a pool of water thirty or  the Strength and thickness requisite for resisting
forty square feet in extent, and only an inch or  the pressure at the greatest depth is once ascertwo in depth, was collected, and a small crevice  tained, the walls or banks may be made to taper
or opening of half an inch in breadth were con-  upwards, according to a certain ratio founded on
tinued from the surface to the water in the  the strength of the materials, and the gradual
pool; and were this crevice to be filled with  decrease of pressure from the bottom upwards;
rain or melted snow, the parts around the layer  or, if one side be made perpendicular, the other
of water would sustain a pressure of more than  may proceed in a slanting direction towards the,ix hundred tons; which might shake the moun-  top.
tain to its centre, and even rend it with the    From  the principles and experiments now
greatest violence. In this way, there is every  stated, we may also learn the reason why the
reason to believe, partial earthquakes have been  banks of ponds, rivers, and canals blowo up, as it
produced, and large fragments of mountains  is termed. If water can insinuate itself under
detached from their bases.                   a bank or dam, even although the layer of water
The principles now illustrated are capable of  were no thicker than a half-crown piece, the
the most extensive application, particularly in all pressure of the water in the canal or pond will
engineering and hydraulic operations. It is on  force it up. In fig. 8, let A represent the section
the principle of the lateral and upward pressure  of a river or canal, and BB a drain running under
olf fluids that the water, elevated by the New   one of its banks; it i evident, that, if the bank
River water-works, in, the vicinity of London,:C is not heavier than the. column of water BB,
after having descended from a bason in a vertical  that part of the bank must inevitably give way.
This effect may be prevented in artificial canals'See fig. s. p. ss.          by making the sides very tight with clay heavily




60.           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSIOIN OF KNOWLEDGE.
rammed down, or by cutting a trench EF, about even make the signal concerted to indicate 4aL
a foot and a-hlf wide, along the bank of the river  distress."*
or canal, and a little deeper than the bottom of    Many other applications of the principles of
the canal, which being filled up with earth or clay  hydrostatics might have been mentioned, but
what has been now stated may serve to exemplify
Fig. 8.            E      the practical utility of an acquaintance with Such
principles, not only to. engineers and superinten.
Dl                     dants of public works, but tu mechanics and artificers of every description.
The science of Pneumatics, which treats of
the mechanical properties of the atmosphere,
will likewise be -found useful to mechanics and
artists of various descriptions, to whom it is, in
many cases, of importance to know something
of the effects of the resistance, the pressure, and
the elasticity of air. The construction of baro.
meters, syphons, syringes, and air-pumps, de/. llll                llif~il lil' pends upon the pressure of the atmosphere, and
likewise water-pumps, fire-engines, and many
F       other hydraulic machines; and, consequently,
well moistened with water, forms, when dry, a  the constructors of such instruments and enkind of wall through which the water cannot pe-  gines must frequently act at random, if they are
netrate. By inattention to such circumstances  unacquainted with the nature and properties of
many disasters have happened, and much ex- the atmosphere, and the agency it exerts in such
pense needlessly incurred; and, therefore, the  mechanical contrivances.f  Even the carpenter
scientific principles to which I have now adverted  and the mason may be directed, in some of their
ought to be known, even by labourers of the  operations, by an acquaintance with the doclowest rank employed in operations carried on  trines of pneumatics. When two pieces of
for the improvement of the country.           wood are to be glued together, they are first
To the want of a recognition of these prin-  made as even and smooth as possible; the glue
ciples may be attributed the failure of the follow-  is then applied to one or both of the surfaces;
ing scheme, and the disaster with which it was  they are then pressed together till the glue has
attended:-After the diving-bell was invented,  become thoroughly dry. The use of the glue is
it was considered desirable to devise some means  to fill up every crevice in the pores of the wood,
of remaining for any length of time under wa-  so as to prevent the admission of any portion of
ter, and rising at pleasure without assistance.  air between the pieces; and then the atmos*
" Some years ago, an ingenious individual proposed a project, by which this end was to be ac-     Herschel's "Discourse on the Study of Nat.
complished. It consisted in sinking the hull of a  Philosophy."
t As an illustration of the importance of being
ship made quite water-tight, with the decks and  acquainted with the atmospheric pressure, the folt
sides strongly supported by shores, and the only  lowing anecdote may be here inserted:-A respecta
entry secured by a stout trap-door, in such a  ble gentleman, of landed property, in one of the
middle counties of Scotland, applied to a friend of
manner, that, by disengaging from within the  mine, a Lecturer on Chymistry and Natural Philoweights employed to sink it, it might rise of itself  sophy, in order to obtain his advice respecting a
to the surface. To render the trial more satis-  pump-well which hie had lately constructed at conto the surface. To render the trial more satis-  siderable expense. He told him, that, notwithstandfactory and the result more striking, the projec-  tmg every exertion, he could not obtain a drop of
tor himself made the first essay. It was agreed  water from the spout, although he was quite sure
there was plenty of water in the well, and althrugI,.
that he should sink in twenty fathoms water, and  he had plastered it all aro ind, athe d  b aeld   t eveoy
rise again without assistance at the expiration of  crevice. When my friend inspected the pump, re
24 hours.  Accordingly, making all secure  Suspected that the upper part of the well was airs  tight, and, consequently, that the atmospheric presfastening down his trap-door, and provided with  sure could not act on the surface of the water in the
all necessaries, as well as with the means of mak-  well. He immediately ordered a hole to be bored
py  adjacent to the pump, when the air rushed in with
ing signals to indicate his situation, this unhappy  considerable force; and, on pumping, the waterflowvictim of his own ingenuity entered, and was  ed copiously from the spout. The gentleman was
sunk. No signal was made, and the time ap-  both overjoyed and astonished; but it is somewhat
astonishing, that neither he, nor his neighbours, nor
pointeA  elapsed.  An immense concourse of  any of the workmen who had been employed in its
people had assembled to witness his rising, but construction, should have been able to point out the
in vain;  for the vessel was never seen more. The  cause of the defect; but, on the other hand, should
have taken the very opposite means for remedying
ptessutie ofthe.water at so great a depth had, no  it, namely, by plastering up every crevice, so as to
doubt, been completely under-estimated, and the  produce a kind of vacuum within the well. This
and sinfiler facts show how little progress sciontitle
sides of the vessel being at once crushed in, the  knowledge hmas yet  made, even among the mniddle
unfortunate projector perished before he could  classes of the community




PRACTICAL UTILITY OF PNEUMATICS.                                  69
phere, with a force equal to 15 pounds on every  condensed view of some of the rules given on
square inch, presses the pieces firmly together.  this subject, by this ingenious practical philoA knowledge of this principle will suggest the  sopher, and which are founded on the principles
propriety of filling up every opening or crevice,  of science, and on numerous experiments:-1.
and continuing the pressure for some time, as  The throat of the chinmey should be perpendithe air, wherever it gains admission, has a ten-  cularly over thefire; as the smoke and hot vadency, by its elastic force, to loosen every spe- pour which rise from a fire naturally tend up.
cies of cement.  The same principle might di-  wards. By the throat of a chimney Is meant the
rect bricklayers and masons, in building either  lower extremity of its canal, where it unites
stone or brick-walls, in suggesting the propriety  with the upper part of its open fire-place. 2.
of filling up every crevice with the most tena-  The nearer the throat of a chimney is to the
cious cements, so as to prevent the access of  fire the stronger will be its draught, and the less
the external air to the interior of the walls. danger of its smoking; since smoke rises insconFor there can be no question that the firmness  sequence of its rarefaction by heat, and the heat
and stability of our houses and garden-walls de-  is geater nearer the fire than at a greater dispend, in part, upon the pressure of the atmos-  tance from it.  But the draught of a chimney
phere, after the interior crevices are thoroughly  may be too strong, so as to consume the fuel
filled up.  An extensive knowledge of this  too rapidly; and, therefore, a due medium must
science would likewise direct them to the proper  be fixed upon, according to circumstances. 3.
mode of constructing the flues of chimneys, so  Thatfour inches is the proper width to be given
as to prevent that most disagreeable of all cir-  to the throat of a chimney, reckoniang across
cumstances in dwelling houses, smoky chimneys.  from the top of the breast of the chimney, or the
From ignorance of the effects of heat, of the  inside of the mantle to the back of the chimney,
experiments that have been made on rarefied  and even in large halls, where great fires are
air, and their relation to our common fires,-of  kept up, this width should never be increased
the proper dimensions of funnels,-of the effects  beyond 43 or-5 inches.  4. The width griven to
of winds and currents of air,-of the proper  the back of the chimney should be about oneheight and width of chimneys,-of the method  third of the width of the opening of the fire-place
of promoting a good draught, and making the  in front.  In a room of a middling size, thirteen
air pass as near the fire as possible, and various  inches is a good size for the width of the back,
other particulars requisite to be attended to ill  and 3 times 13 or 39 inches for the width of the
the construction of fire-places and their flues;  opening of the fire-place in front. 5. The angle
many dwelling-houses have been bungled, and  made by the back of the fire-place and the sides
rendered alhnostuninhabitable.  The workmen,  of it, or covings, should be 135 degrees, which
in such operations, without any rational princi-  is the best position they can have for throwing
ple to guide them, carry up funnels in the easiest  heat into the room. 6. The back of the chimnway they can, according to the practice of " use  ney should always be built perfectly upright.  7.
and wont," and leave the tenants or proprie-  Where the throat of the chimney has an end,
tors of the houses they erect to get rid of their  that is to say, where it enters into the lower
smoke in the best way their fancy can con-  part of the open canal of the chimney, there the
trive. Whereas, were chimneys and their flues  three walls which form the two covings and the
constructed  according to the principles of  back of the fire-place should all end abruptly,
science, they might be rendered, almost with  without any slope, which will render it more
certainty, completely  efficient for the  pur.  difficult for any wind from above to force its
pose intended.                               way through the narrow passage of the throat
To all who are acquainted with the nature  of the chimney. The back and covings should
and properties of elastic fluids, it must be ob-  rise 5 or 6 inches higher than the breast of the
vious, that the whole mystery of curing smoky  chimney. 8. The current of air which, passing
chimneys consists in finding out and removing  under the mantle, gets into the chimney, should
the accidental causes which prevent the heated  be made gradually to bend its course upwards,
smoke from being forced up the chimney by the  by which means it will unite quietly with the
pressure of the cool or heavier air of the room. ascending current of smoke. This is effected
These causes are various; but that which will with the greatest ease and certainty, merely by
be found most commonly to operate is, the bad  rounding Qof the breast of the chimney, or back
construction of the chimney in the neighbourhood  part of the mantle, instead of leaving it fiat or
ofthefire-place. "The greatfault," saysCount  full of holes and corners. Fig. 1 sh.iws the
Rumford, "of all the open fire-places now in  section of a chimney on the common construccommon use is, that they are much too large,  tion, in which d e is the throat. Fig. 2 shows
or rather it is the throat of the chimney, or the  a section of the same chimney altered and imlower part of its open canal, in the neighbour-  proved, in which d i is the reduced throat, four
hood of the mantle, and immediately over the  inches in the direction of d i, and thirteen inchtsi
fire, which is too large."  The following is a  in a line parallel to the mantle.




7/0           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEIDGE.
Fig. 1.              Fig. 2.         lescopes, and the narrow field of view by which
they are distinguished, which a slight acquaint.
j  I gi'lllj j1f  ancew vith the properties of lenses vould teach
Ii (;    lli~tjiiiIthem to obviate. By a moderate acquaintance
1  1   1iPI I ~jI|   Illil  i'Ji i$71| 1]gll,   nious mechanic might, at a small expense; bhe
l~j jI I it').ii)    j II~I~tt(~I( enabled to construct for himself many of those
I~ith~lo ~ttl lIIl'j I   miil  w Fl 1optical instruments by which the beauties of the
I'' I( it            II                Although, in ther  o  hiemands of mathematicians,
the science of optics has assumed somewhat of
i}111111          I itigrasjb which its dtnes  have beenillsIi~~ij(IIII~i  FluFF             by the apparently complex and intricate dia-,1!l1         &''~   /il      1       anil a tforidding  appearande to the untuwored rind.
I; Ul j1 @;))  IFrams byIwhich its doctrines have been illued.
i;Klti i/"}'    "     11\i\'trated, yet it requires only the knowledge of a few
ent mechanic in his experiments, and in the
construction of its instruments. In order to the
construction of a refracting telescope, it is only
pii {{i ll      I!   requisite to know, that the rays of light, passing
through a convex-glass, paint an image of any
object directly before it, at a certain point beMasons, bricklayers and others, who are in-  hind it, called its focus; and that this image
terested in this subject, would do well to pro-  may be viewed and magnified by another convexcure and study Count Rumford's   Essay,"  glass, placed at a certain distance behind it.
which was originally  sdld for two shillings.  Thus, let CD, fig. 1, represent a convex-glass,
His directions have seldom  been accurately  whose focal distance CE is 12 inches; let AB
attended to in this country by those who have  represent a distant object directly opposite; the
pretended to improve chimneys on the princi-  rays of light passing from this object, and crosspies he has laid down, partly fiom carelessness,  ing each other, will form an image of the object
and partly from ignorance of the elements of AB, at EF, in an inverted position. Let GH
science. When the grate is not set in its proper  represent another convex-glass, whose focal
place, when its sloping iron back is retained,-  distance is onlyone inch. Ifthis glass isplaced
when no pains have been taken to make its ends  at one inch distant from the inage EF, or 13
coincide with the covings of the fire-place, —
when the mantle, instead of having its back
rounded of, is a vertical plane of iron, cutting a                   P
column of siooke which rises beneath it; and,
above all, when the throat of the chimney, in.-                  0        N
stead of four, is made, as we often see,fourteen                         I
inches wide,-not one of the Count's directions                   K
has been attended to, and his principles have as
little to do with the construction of such a chimn 
ney as with the building cf the dykes of Hol 
land, or the pyramids of Egypt.
A lmowlodge  of the science of Optics, which                   F         \E
explains  the nature of vision, and the laws by
which light is refracted and reflected, is essentially requisite to the makers of telescopes, microscopes,' and all other dioptric and catoptric
instruments, in order to carry them forward to
their highest pitch of improvement. And yet
how often do we find many of those employed
in the construction and manufacture of such in.
struments glaringly deficient in the first principals of optical science?  One maker imitates 
the instruments of another without discrimination, and while he sometimes imitates the excellencies, he as frequently copies the defects.
Hence the glaring deficiencies in the construc- 
ti:n of the eye-pieces of most of our pocket to.




APPLICATIONS OF OPTICAL KNOWLEDGE.                                 71
inches. from the glass CD, and the eye applied at magnifying power will be IS times, &c.-LM
thi point S, the object AB will be seen turned  is the telescope fitted up for use.
upside down, and magnified in the proportion of   A compound microscope might likewise be
1 to 12, or twelve times in length and breadth. easily constructed by any ingenious artizan or
This forms what is called an Astronomical tele-  mechanic, by attending to the following illustrascope; but, as ever) thing seen through it ap-  tions and directions. Fig. 2 represents the
pears inverted, it is not adapted for viewing ter-  glasses of a compound microscope.  AB is the
restrial objects. In order to fit it for viewing  glass next the object; CD  is the amplifying
land objects, two other eye-glasses, of the same  glass for enlarging the field of view.; EF is tlhe
focal distance, (namely, one inch,) are reqtui-  glass next the eye. When a small object, as
site; the second eye-glass IK  is placed at 2  GH, is placed below the object-glass AB, at a
inches from G H, or double their focal distance,  little more than its focal distance from it, a magand the glass NO at the same distance from IK.*  nified image of this object is formed by the glass
By this means a second image IM is formed in  AB at GH, which is magnified in proportion as
an upright position, which is viewed by the eye  the distance GG exceeds the distance of AG.
at P, through the glass NO, and the object ap-  This magnified image of the object is magnified
[ears magnified in the same proportion as before. a second time by the glass EF, to which the eye
The magnifying power of a telescope of this  is applied at K. This instrument, when fitted
construction is found by dividing the focal dis-  up for use, is represented in fig. 3, where LM
tance of the object-glass by the focal distance  represents a box or pedestal on which it stands,
of the eye-glass.  Thus, if the object-glass be                 Fig. 3.
36 inches in focal distance, and the eye-glass
1 inch, the magnifying power will be 24 times; 
if the focus of the eye-glass be 2 inches, the                     V
Fig. 2.                                  S
iT,
NO the stage on which the objects are placed)
over the opening i, which is supported by 3 pillars
fixed to the top of the box. P is a tube which is
supported by 3 pillars fixed into the stage. Into
this tube the tube R slides up and down for adjusting the focus. The small tube u, which carries.S'                  the object-glass, is connected with the tube R, and
G        HIE]                slides up and down along with it. S is the tube
which contains the two eye-glasses, and which
This Is not the best form of a terrestrial eye-  may be made to slide up and down into the tube
pilce; but it may serve for the purpose of illustra-  R, for increasing the magnifying power when oclion. The eye-piece now most generally used, con-  casion requires. T is a mirror, fixed on the pedestts of fosr lenses, combined on a diffarent prin-  
lople.                                       tal, capable of moving up and down, and to the




72            O)N THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
right or left, for throwing light upon the object their intensity more than seventeen thousand
placed over the hole i, which may be laid upon a  times, and to produce a heat more than four
slip of thin glass. The object-glass AB, fig. 2, is  hundred times greater than that of our common
placed at u, fig. 3. The glass CD is placed oppo-  fires, which would serve for the combustion alnd
site W, fig. 3, and the eye-glass EF opposite V. fusion of numerous substances, which are inllSuch are the essential parts of a compound  sible in the greatest heat that can be produccd
microscope. Any common mechanic may con-  in our common furnaces. The property of a
struct one for himself by attending to the follow-  convex lens, by which rays proceeding from its
ing directions: The object-glass AB, fig. 2,  focus are refracted into parallel directions, has
may be about 2, 2, or 1 inch focal distance, and  enabled us to throw, from light-houses, a strong
the aperture, or hole which lets in the light from  light to great distances at sea.  The large
the object, should not exceed 1-10th of an inch, polyzonal, or built up lenses, contrived by Sir
otherwise it will cause a glare, which will pro-  D. Brewster, which may be made of any magduce an indistinct image of the object. The  nitude, and the elegant lamp of Lieutenant
amplifying glass CD may be 2j inches focal Drummond,-the one producing the most intense
distance, and 11 inch in diameter. This glass  light yet known, and the other conveying it
is not essentially necessary, but it serves to  undispersed to great distances,-promise  to
enlarge the field of view, and to render it more  introduce improvements hitherto unthought of,
distinct near the border. The eye-glass EF   and to diversify the nocturnal scenery both of
should be about I inch focus, and about i inch in  sea and land. For, in the progress of extensive
diameter.  With respect to the distances at national improvements, they might be made
which they should be placed from each other, subservient, in connexion with carburetted hythe glass CD may be placed at about 5 or 6  drogen gas, in enlivening and decorating the
inches from  AB, and the glass EF about 2  rural scene, in the absence of the sun, and in
inches, or 17 inch from CD. The object-glass  guiding the benighted traveller in all his jour.
shoule be a double convex-the eye-glasses may  neyings. For, when we consider the improvebe plano-convex; that is, plane on the one side  ments, in almost every department of the social
and convex on the other, with the plane sides  state, which have been lately carried forward, it
turned next the eye; but double convexes will is surely not too much to expect, that, in the
do, if these cannot be procured. The tubes  course of a century hence, our highways, vil.
which contain the glasses may be made of  lages, hamlets, and even some of our moors and
pasteboard, and the stage, pillars, and box, of  mountains, shall be lighted up with gas lamps,
wood. The glasses may be procured for about connected with mirrors and lenses, analogous to
4 shillings; and if the individual fit them into the  those which illuminate our cities and towns, and
tubes, and perform all the other operations re- which direct the mariner, when approaching our
q iisite, the expense of all the other materials  shores. The following figure shows the manner
will not exceed other four shillings. Suppose, in which a large lens throws a light to great disnow, that the object-glass AB is i inch focal tances. Let AB, fig. 4, represent one of Sir D.
distance, and the image GH is formed at the
distance of 6 inches from it, this image will be               Fig. 4.
larger than the object, nearly in the proportion  E             A
of 6-to 1, or 12 times. Suppose the glass EF,
considered in connexion with CD, to possess a                                    C
magnifying power equal to 5 times, then the
whole magnifying power will be 5 x 12, or 60
times. The object, therefore, will be magnified                  l
60 times in length and in breadth, and, conse-                  1
quently, the surface will be magnified 3600
times, which is the square of 60. With such a
microscope, the animalcule in water, the circulation of the blood in frogs and fishes, the small
feathers which compose the dust on butterflies' F
wings, and all the most interesting appearances                 B                K
of the minute parts of animals and vegetables,
may be distinctly perceived.                Brewster's polyzonal lenses, or any other large
Besides the discoveries in the heavens and in  lens, and GK its focal distance; if a luminous
the minute parts of creation, to which the study  body CK, as the flame of a lamp, be placed at
of the science of optics has led,-its principles  the focal point K, the rays of light, diverging
are capable of being directed to many important from CK, after passing through the lens AB.
purposes in human life and society. By means  will proceed in a parallel direction, AE, GH,
of large burning mirrors and lenses the rays of  BF, and may illuminate objects at very consithe sun have been condensed, so as to increase  derable distances. AB, fig. 4, represents a




UTILITY OF ELECTRICITY AND GALVANISM.                               75
qection ofthe lpoyzonallens builtof ten different splitting large stones into shivers. This has
pieces. L, fig. 6 exhibits a front view of the  been effected in the following manner. Suppose
Fig. 5.                   AB to represent a stone or portion of a rock.
which is intended to be split into a number of
L                       pieces. Into the midst of this stone a long rod
of iron, or conductor CD, is inserted, which ter.
minates in a point. When a thunder-cloud, as
EF, passes over the stone, within its striking
same lens. Could such lenses be constructed
of the size of 6, 8, 10 or 12 feet diameter, they
would produce a degree of heat from the solar
rays far surpassing what has hitherto been
effected, and be capable of throwing a brilliant
light to immense distances.
Fig. 6, shows the manner in which a concave
mirror TU reflects the light of a lamp VW,.placed in its focus, to great distances. It is in               D
this way that the light of the Bell Rock, and
other light-houses, is reflected to more than
thirty or forty miles distant., \
Fig. 6.
distance of the earth,  the lightning from  the
distance of the earth,  the lightning from  the
cloud strikes the upper part of the pointed con.
ductor, and is conducted downwards to the heart
of the stone, which either rends it in different
places, or splits it at once into a multitude of
fragments. This experiment, which appears to
have been first made in Prussia in 1811, was
||| |V||W  U   attended with complete success, during the first
storm that passed over, after the bar of iron was
inserted in the stone.
Even the sciences of Etectricity and Galva-    To braziers, tinsmiths, coppersmiths, and
nism might, in some instances, be rendered sub-  other workers in metals, a knowledge of Galservient to the operations of art. By means of  vanism might suggest a variety of useful hints,
the electrical fluid, models of corn-mills, water.  especially where it is an object of importance to
pumps, and orreries, showing the diurnal motion  secure any piece of metallic workmanship from
of the earth, and the age and phases of the  rust. It is found that when metals are pure
moon, have been set in motion; and there can  and kept separate from each other, they remain
be no question, that, in the hands of genius, it for a long time untarnished; but when alloyed,
tnight be directed to accomplish much more  or placed in contact with other metals, they
important effects.  Even the lightning of the  soon undergo oxidation. Coins composed of
clouds, which is only the electrical fluid acting  one metal are found more durable than those
on an ample scale, has been guided by the hand  composed of two; and the copper sheathing of
of art, to perform mechanical operations, by  ships which is fastened with iron nails soon un10




74L           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
dergoes corrosion. These effects are now ex-  man to prosecute his observations still more expiained on the principles of galvanism. When  tensively on this subject, and his industry will,
two metallic substances of different kinds are  doubtless, be rewarded with the discovery of
connected by moisture, they form what is called  new relations, laws, and combinations, which
a galvanic circle; and, therefore, when one kind  may be susceptible of the most important practiof metal is placed in contact with another, if cal applications in the arts which minister to
either water or the moisture of the atmosphere  the comfort and convenience of mankind. Ever
adheres to them, a galvanic circle is formed, in its present state, the attractive property of
and oxidation is'roduced. On this ground the  magnetism is capable of being applied as a melate Sir Humphrey Davy suggested the propriety  chanical power, in certain pieces of machinery,
of fastening the upper sheathing of ships with  although its application in this way has never
copper instead of iron nails. The same princi-  yet been attempted on an extensive scale.
pie may be rendered of extensive application,    The following fact shows how  its attractive
and may afford many useful hints to every arti-  power has lately been applied to the prolongazan employed in working and combining metals.  tion of life, and the warding off of incurable
A  knowledge of magnetism  might also, in  disease, in the case of a useful class of our
many cases, be directed to useful practical  fellow men. "In needle manufactories the workapplications.  This mysterious power, in con-  men are constantly exposed to excessively minexion with its polarity, has already enabled the  nute particles of steel which fly from the grindminer and surveyor to traverse the remotest  stones, and mix, though imperceptible to the
corners of the largest mines, and to trace their  eye, as the finest dust in the air, and are inhaled
way back in safety through all the windings of with their breath. The effect, though imper..
those subterraneous'apartments, and has direct-  ceptible, on a short exposure, yet being constantly
ed the navigator to steer his course with cer-  repeated from day to day, produces a constitainty, through the pathless ocean, to his " de-  tutional irritation, dependent on the tonic prosired haven."  Throughout all the regions of perties of the steel, which is sure to terminate in
the globe the magnetic power extends its influ-  pulmonary consumption; insomuch, that persons
ence; and, it is now found to have an intimate  employed in this kind of work used scarcely ever
connexlon with heat, electricity, and galvanism. to attain the age of forty years. In vain was it
Of late years, it has been ascertained that iron  attempted to purify the air, before its entry into
with its oxides and alloys are not the only sub-  the lungs, by gauzes or linen guards; the dust
stances susceptible of magnetic influence. The  was too fine and penetrating to be obstructed
magnetism of nickel, though inferior to that of by such coarse expedients, till some ingenious
iron, is found to be considerable; and that of person bethought him of that wonderful power,
cobalt and titanium is quite perceptible. Nay,  which every child that searches for its mother's
the recent discoveries of Arago have shown, needle with a magnet, sees in exercise. Masks
"that there is no substance but which, under  of magnetized steel wire are now constructed
proper circumstances, is capable of exhibiting  and adapted to the faces of the workmen. By
unequivocal signs of the magnetic virtue."  In  these the air is not merely strained but searched
consequence of a recent discovery of 1i1. Oer-  in its passage through them, and each obnoxsted, " we are now enabled to communicate, at ious atom arrested and removed."*
and during pleasure, to a coiled wire, of any    This interesting fact affords a striking proof
metal indifferently, all,the properties of a mag-  of the useful purposes to which the powers and
net-its attraction, repulsion, and polarity, and  properties of natural substances may be applied,
that even in a more intense degree than was  when the mind is directed to contemplate them
previously thought to be possible in the best in all their bearings, and to trace them to all
natural magnets."  This discovery tends to en-  their legitimate consequences.  The attractive
large our views of the range of magnetic influ-  power of the magnet, considered not only in its
ence, and to lead us to the conclusion that its  relation to iron and steel, but to all other subipowers mnay hereafter be applied to purposes of stances in which magnetical virtue is found in a
which at present we can have no conception. greater or less degree to reside-might, thereAlthough the polarity of the magnet has been  fore, in the hands of an ingenious mechanic, lead
of incalculable service to mankind, particularly  to many interesting experiments, which might
in promoting  navigation and enlarging our  pave the way for the most important practical
knowledge of the globe, yet we have no reason  results.
to believe that this is the only practical purpose    The facts connected with the science of Geoto which its powers may be applied, or the only  logy may likewise, in many instances, be directreason why the Creator has so widely diffused  ed to practical purposes. From the researches
its influence in the system of nature; since, in  which, of late years, have been made in the inhis diversified operations in the material world, terior of the earth, geologists are now pretty well
he so frequently produces a variety of effects
from one and the same cause.  It remains with'Herschel's Prelim. 1st. on Nat. Philos.




STEAM NAVIGATION.                                      75
acquainted with the position and alternation of  rials of our globe,-the earthy, saline, inflam..
its strata, and with the different fossils which  mable, and metallic substances of which it is
may be expected to abound in any particular  composed, must be interesting to lapidaries,
district. Although these researches were un-  jewellers, iron-founders, and all who are emdertaken chiefly with a view to ascertain the  ployed in working various metals.  To know
chanres which have happened in the structure  the nature of those substances on which they
of our globe, and to support certain theories of  are operating, the materials with which they are
the earth-yet they may frequently be of use to  united in their native ores, their combination
landed proprietors, to engineers, and to specula-  with phosphorus, sulphur, and carbon, thu
tors in mining operations;, so as to direct them in  changes produced upon them by oxygen and the
their investigations, and prevent them from em-  different acids, their relations to heat, and the
barking in schemes that may ultimately blast their  liquids with which they may come in contact,
expectations, exhaust their resources, and lead to  and the various compounds into which they may
irretrievable ruin. The ruinous effects some-  be formed, will have a direct tendency not only
times produced by ignorance of this subject  to increase their stock of general knowledge, but
are strikingly illustrated by the following fact:-  to render them more skilful and intelligent in
" It is not many years since an attempt was  their respective professions. 2Jeteorology, which
made to establish a colliery at Bexhill, in Sussex.  treats of the weather and the variable phenoThe appearance of thin seams and sheets of  mena of the atmosphere, will, in many instances,
fossil wood, and wood-coal, with some other in-  be found a useful study to mariners, fishermen,
dications similar to what occur in the neighbour-  travellers, and farmers, by which they may frehood of the great coal beds in the north of Eng-  quently be directed in their movements, and
land, having led to the sinking of a shaft, and  avoid many inconveniences and dangers. By
the erection of machinery, on a scale of vast ex-  carefully attending to the motions of the barometent, —not less than eight thousand pounds are  ter and thermometer, and comparing them with
said to have been laid out on this project, which,  the electrical state of the atmosphere, the direcit is almost needless to add, proved completely  tion of the winds, and the appearances of the
abortive, as every geologist would have at once  clouds, the farmer may be warned of the condeclared it must, the whole assemblage of geo-  tinuance of rain or drought, and direct his opelogical facts being adverse to the existence of a  rations accordingly, so as to protect his produce
regular coal bed in the Hastings' sand; while  from danger.;
this on which Bexhill is situated, is separated    There is no application of science to the arts
from the coal strata by a series of interposed  of more importance, and more extensive in its
beds of such enormous thickness as to render all  effects, than that of the employment of Steam
idea of penetrating through them absurd.-The  for driving all kinds of machinery, and for prohistory of mining speculations is full of similar  pelling vessels along rivers and across the
cases, where a very moderate acquaintance  ocean. "It has armed," says Mr. Jeffrey,"the
with the usual order of na:tre, to say nothing of  feeble hand of man with a power to which no
theoretical views, would have saved many a  limits can be assigned-completed the dominion
sanguine adventurer from utter ruin."*        of mind over the most refractory qualities of
The study of the various branches of Natural  matter, and laid a sure foundation for all those
History might also be rendered productive of  future miracles of mechanic power, which are
utility in different departments of the arts. It  to aid and rewvard the labours of after generais quite evident that a scientific knowledge of  tions."  The first person who appears to have
Botany must be highly useful to gardeners and  entertained the idea of employing steam for protheir labourers, and to all who take an interest  pelling vessels, was Mr. J. Hulls, in the year
in horticultural and rural operations. Not only  1736. But it was not till 1807, when Mr. Fula knowledge of the classification and arrange-  ton launched, at New-York, the first steam-boat
ment of plants, but also of their physiological  he had constructed, that navigation by steam
structure and functions, of their medicinal quali-  was introduced to general practice, which may
ties, and of the chymical properties of soils and  therefore be considered as the epoch of the inthe different manures, will be found of conside-  vention.  In a few years every river and ba)
rable utility to such individuals.-Zoology and  in the United States became the scene of steam
Comparative Anatomy, which describe the pe-  navigation. In 1822 there were more than 350
culiar structure and habits of animals, both  steam  vessels connected with these States,
foreign ahd domestic, will convey various por-  some of them of eight and nine hundred tons
tions of interesting information to shepherds,  burden, and by this time, doubtless, they are
cattle-dealers, and agriculturists of every de-  more than doubled. In 1819 an expedition left
scriptionr. An acquaintance with Mineralogy,  Pittsburg, descended the Ohio in steam-boats
which treats of the solid and inanimate mate-  for 1100 miles, and then ascending the rapid'
Missouri, proceeded to the distance of no less
* Herschel's Dicouree, &c.       than two thousand five hundred miles. They




I'll,          ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
have now neen introduced into every country in  fully qualified for their respective departmeitts..
Europe. On the principal rivers and seas con-  that they understand the scientific principles
nected with the British Isles, and even in the  which enter into the construction of such maScottish lakes, these vessels are sweeping along  chines and engines, the peculiar uses of every
in majestic pomp, against wind and tide,,diver-  part, the manner in which the chymical agents
sifying the scenery through which they pass,  employed operate, and the effects which, in any
and transporting travellers and parties of plea-  given circumstance, they must necessarily pro.
sure to their destination, with a rapidity unex-  duce. In particular, it is indispensably neces,
ampled in former ages. On the Clyde alone  sary, that engine-men, and others employed for
more than fifty or sixty steam vessels are con-  directing these machines, when in operation,
stantly plying.  The scenery of the Rhine, the  should be acquainted with every part of their
Rhone, the Elbe, the Seine, the Danube, the  structure, and the principles on which their
Wolga, the lakes of Constance and Geneva, and  movements depend; for the comfort and safety
of many other rivers and inland seas, is now en-  of the public are dependent on the caution and
livened by these powerful machines, conveying  skill with which they are conducted. How could
goods and passengers in every direction. Even  any man be qualified for such an office without
the Atlantic ocean, an extent of more than three  some portion of scientific knowledge? and how
thousand miles, has been traversed by a steam-  could travellers in such vehicles consider their
boat in twenty days; and the period, we trust,  lives and property secure, if they were not
is not far diskant, when the Red Sea, the Per-  guided by men of intelligence and prudence?
sian Gulph, the Bay of Bengal, the Indian  To the want of such caution and skill are
Ocean, the Mediterranean, the Euxine, the  chiefly to be attributed most of the disasters and
Gulph of Mexico, and even the wide Pacific,  fatal accidents, connected with such operations,
will be traversed by these rapid vehicles, con-  which have hitherto taken place.
veying riches, liberty, religion and intelligence    Besides the agriculturists, manufacturers, me.
to the islands of the ocean, and forming a bond  chanics, and artificers alluded to above, there
of union among all nations.                  are numerous other classes to which similar
The admirable improvements in the construc-  remarks will apply. In short, there is scarcely
tion of steam carriages which are now going for-  an individual, however obscure, in any departward, are no less worthy of attention. The  ment ofsociety, but may derive practical benefit
rapid movements of these machines, which have  from an acquaintance with science. " The farmbeen lately introduced on the Liverpool and  servant or day labourer," says Lord Brougham,
Manchester railway, and the security and comn-  "whether in his master's employ, or tending the
fort with which they are attended, have excited  concerns of his own cottage, must derive great
the astonishment of every beholder. And no  practical benefit,-must be both a better servant,
wonder, —since goods and passengers are now   and a more thrifty, and, therefore, comfortable
conveyed between these cities, with a velocity  cottager, for knowing something of the nature of
of nearly thirty miles an hour! so that it may  soils and manures, which chymistry teaches, and
be said, with the strictest propriety, that the  something of the habits of animals, and the quasteam engine is the most brilliant present ever  lities and growth of plants, which he learns
made by philosophy to mankind.              from natural history and chymistry together.
The discovery of carburetted hydrogen gas,  In truth, though a man is neither a mechanic nor
and its application to the purpose ofilluminating  a peasant, but only one having a pot to boil, he
our dwelling-houses, streets, and manufactories,  is sure to learn from science lessons which will
may also be considered in reference to the arts.  enable him to cook his morsel better, save his
Every city, and every town of a moderate size,  fuel, and both vary his dish and improve it.
is now enlivened with the splendid brilliancy pro-  The art of good and cheap cookery is intimately
duced from this invisible substance; pipes for  connected with the principles of chymical philoits conveyance have been laid, of many hundred  sophy, and has received much, and will yet
miles in extent, and diverging into numerous  receive more, improvement from their applicaramifications, and thousands of artists are em-  tion."-Nay, even the kitchen maid, the laundry
oloyed in conducting its manufacture, and form-  maid, and the mistress of every family, may deing tubes and other devices for distributing it in  rive many useful hints from the researches of
all directions.                              science. The whole art of cookery is a chymicta
Now, since the inventions to which I am   operation, and so are the arts of washing, dresadverting are founded on chymical and mecha-  sing, bleaching, and dyeing. By a kfiowledge
nical principles, and on the discoveries of modern  of the nature and properties of the acids and
science, and since many thousands of'mechanics  other chymical substances, they would learn
are now employed in constructing the machinery  how to eradicate stains of ink, grease, &c. from
connected with these inventions, and in con-  cotton, linen, woollen, and silks, in the safest
ducting its operations both by sea and land, it is  and most effectual manner, and many other proof the utnrost importance, in order to their being  cesses of great utility in domestic life, Even




GENERAL UTILITY OF SCIENCE.                                   77
the art of kindling a fire, and of stirring it when  rules, without a knowledge oT the principles on
kindled, depends on philosophical principles.  which they are founded, is to degrade their
For example, the stirring of a fire is of use, be-  intellectual nature, to reduce them to something
cause it makes a hollow, where the air being  like mere machines, to render them less useful
rarefied by the adjacent heat, the surrounding  both to themselves and to their employers, and
air rushes into the partial vacuum, and impart-  to prevent the improvement of the liberal and
ing its oxygen, gives life to the fire and carries  mechanical arts.
the flame along with it. On this principle the    The following instance nlay be stated as a
following rules are founded.  1. Never stir a  specimen of the advantages of chymical knowfire when fresh coals are laid on, particularly  ledge, and of the practical purposes to which it
when they are very small, because they imme.  may be applied in different regions of the globe.
diately fall into the vacuum, and prevent the  A young Parisian, of the name of Leger went
access of the oxygen'of the atmosphere, which  on a commercial adventure to Egypt in the year
is the principle of combustion. 2. Always keep  1822 * but during some of the convulsions of that
the bottom bar clear, because it is there chiefly  unsettled country, he lost the littlepproperty with
that the air rushes in to nourish the fuel.  3.  which he was intrusted, and was forced to make
Never begin to stir at top, unless when the  a precipitate retreat from Suez to Alexandria.
bottom is quite clear, and the top only wants  He remained some time at Alexandria, destitute
breaking, otherwise the unkindled fuel may be  and almost hopeless. But the talent of observapressed down in a body to the bottom, and the  tion, and the social habits characteristic of his
access of atmospheric air prevented.         countrymen, came to his aid: in a lucky moIllustrations, of a similar kind,, of the practical  ment he formed the resolution of retrieving his
applications of science, might have been given  fortune by introducing the luxury of ice into the
to an almost indefinite extent; but the above spe-  parched land ofthe Ptolemies. This common procimens may suffice as corroborative of the gene-  duct of wintry regions is known to be as grateful to
ral position-that scientific knowledge would  the languid natives of tropical climates as ardent
render mechanics and manufacturers of all de-  spirits are to the benumbed inhabitants of the
scriptions more skilful in the prosecution of their  Polar circle. Having succeeded in effecting a
respective employments.                      return to his family, the enterprising Parisian
Some, however, may be disposed to insinuate,  was enabled by the friendly assistance of Gay
that it is quite enough for philosophers to ascer-  Lussac and Thenard, to adopt the best means
tam principles, and to lay down rules founded  that chymistry could devise for the preservation
upon them, for the direction of the mechanic or  of ice, both during the voyage, and after its arartizan;-or, that it is only requisite that the  rival in a sultry latitude; and at length set out
directors and superintendents of chymical pro-  from Paris with his inventions, and arrived safely
cesses and mechanical operations, should be  at Alexandria, in April 1823. The sovereign
acquainted with that portion of science which is  of Egypt, Mahommed Ali, was delighted at this
necessary for their peculiar departments.  But  novel addition to oriental luxuries; and, besides
it is easy to perceive, that a mechanic who  valuable presents, gave the inventor the exclu.
works merely by rules, without knowing the  sive right for five years of importing ice into his
fbundation or reasons of them, is only like a  dominions. This privilege is estimated to be
child who repeats his catechism by rote, without  worth one million of francs, or nearly 50,0001.
attaching a single idea to the words he utters, or  In ancient times the world was enlightened by
like a horse driving a thrashing machine, without  the learning of Egypt; the greatest philosophers
deviating from the narrow circle to which he is  travelled thither, as to the fountain-head of scinecessarily confined. When any accident oc-  ence; but the land of Sesostres and Alexander
curs, when the circumstances of the case are  has now become the prey of the ferocious Mossomewhat changed, when the same principle on  lem; and whatever she enjoys of art, knowwhich he, generally proceeds requires to be ap-  ledge or civilization, she is compelled to receive
plied to a new object or mode of operation, he  from the once barbarous regions of the West.*
either blunders his work, or feels himself utterly
at a loss how to proceed. The least deviation    II. Scientific knowledge will not only render
from  his accustomed trammels puts him  out,  persons more ski:Lul in their respective employbecause he has no clear and comprehensive  ments, but will enable them to make improveview of the principles on which his'practice  ments in the arts, and in the physical sciences with
depends. Hence we uniformly find, that a man  which they are connected.
ofscientific acquirements will easily comprehend    It has frequently been affirmed that many
the plan of any new machine or architectural  useful inventions have been owing to chance,
operation, and be able to execute it, while he  and that persons ignorant of science have stunm
who works only by square and rule, will hesitate  bled upon them without any previous movestiga.
ast every step, and perceive innumerable diffimultles ni his way. Tc confine artists to mere             * Scots Mechan. Mag. l2si.




78             ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
tion.  It is not denied, that several inventions  at a considerable distance, when he perceived,
have originated in this way, but they are much  on looking through them, the spire of a neigh.
fever than is generally imagined; and, in al-  bouring church turned upside down, and much
most every instance, where chance suggested  larger than its usual size.  The father of the
the first hint of any invention, the future im-  boy, amazed at this singular appearance, beprovements were directed by the hand of ge-  thought himself of adjusting two glasses on a
nius and the aids of science.  It is said, that the  board, supporting them in two brass or wooden
invention of the telescope was owing to a spec-  circles, which might be removed nearer to, or
tacle-maker's boy having accidentally taken up  farther from each other at pleasure, as in the
two convex glasses of different focal distances,  following figure, where A represents the object,
and placed the one near his eye and the other  B1 the lens next the object, a the inverted image
formed by'it, C the glass next the eye, and D   scope will chiefly depend on ascertaining the
the sliding board on which it was fixed, for ad-  true chymical composition of flint glass for achrolusting the focus. Such appears to have been  matic purposes, and the proper mode of conductthe first rude construction of a telescope.  But  ing its manufacture, which may lead to the conso long as the invention remained in this state,  struction of instruments of this kind, on a more
it was of little benefit to society.  It was not  extensive scale than has ever yet been attempted,
before Galileo, a philosopher of Tuscany, heard  and to discoveries in the celestial regions far
of the circumstance, and entered into investiga-  beyond those which have hitherto been made.
tions on the refraction of light, anld the proper-  But such improvements can never be effected,
ties of lenses, that this noble instrument was  unless by numerous experimental investigations,
improve4 and directed to the heavens for the  conducted by those whose minds are thoroughly
purpose of making astronomical discoveries;  imbued with the principles of chymical and op
and all the subsequent improvements it has re-  tical science.*
ceived, have been the result of reasonings, and
*xperimenta investigations...en |....... One of the latest improvements on Achromatic
experimental investigations, conducted by men  object-glasses was made by a foreigner of the name
of science.  Sir Isaac Newton, in consequence  of Geinand, who was originally a cabinet-maker.
of his experiments and discoveries respecting light  After acquiring a knowledge of the principles of
optics, and of the mode of constructing telescopes,
and colours, detected the true cause of the im-  he applied himself particularly to ascertain the
perfection of the common refracting telescope,  proper composition of flint-glass for achromatic
and stggested the substitution of metalline se-  purposes; and, after spending twenty or thirty
and sugested  the substitution ofmetaine spe-  years in making experiments-casting one pot of
ctda instead of lenses, which led him to the in-  glass after another, and meeting with frequent
vention of the reflecting telescope; and Mr.  disappointments,-ie at length succeeded in obtaining glass for achromatic telescopes, of larger dimen.
Dollond, in consequee.ce of his investigations and  sions and of a quality superior to what could foreaperiments respecting the dfferent degrees of re-  merly be procured. Of this glass was for.ed the
fraction and divergency of colour produced b   largest triple achromatic telescope ever constructed,
which was lately erected in the observatory of the
dijferent kinds of glass, e!ffected the greatest im-  university at D)orpat, under the direction of M
provement that had ever been made on the re-  Fraunhofer. This glass is perfectly free front veins
and has a greater dispersive power than any obfiracting telescope, by producing an image free  tained before. Tlhe diameter'of this object glass is
of the imperfections caused by the blending of  almost ten inctes, and its focal distance 15 feet.
the prismatic colours.  And we have reason to  It has four eye-pieces, the lowest magnifying 175
that the further improvement ofthis tele-  times, and the highest 708 times. Mlr. Tulley of
believe, that the further improvement ofthiIs tele-  Islington lately constructed, of similar materials,




ORIGIN OF USEFUL INVENTIONS.                                   79
With regard to the invention and improve-  Mr. James Watt, were,Sing no less to the
ment of the steam-engine-a story has been told  scientific knowledge which adorned his mind,
6 that an idle boy being employed to stop and  than to his mechanical ingenuity.  He was a
open a valve, sawv that he could save himself the  man of a truly philosophical mind, eminently
trouible of attending and watching it, by fixing a  conversant in all branches of natural knowledge,
plug upon a part of the machine which came to  and the pupil and intimate friend of Dr. Black,
the place at the.proper times, in consequence of  and had attended the lectures of that distin-'
the general movement."  Whether or not this  guished philosopher in the university ofGlasgow.
story has any foundation in truth-certain it is, And he often acknowledged " that his first sdeas
that all the most useful improvements in this  on this subject were acquired by his attendance
engine have been the result of the most elaborate  on Dr. Black's chymical lectures, and from the
researches and investigations of scientific truths.  consideration of his theory of latent heat, and
The first distinct notion of the structure and  the expansibilityof steam."  We may therefole
operatioh of this powerful machine appears to  rest assured, that all the future improvements
have been given by the Marquis of Worcester,  and new applications of this noble invention wiill
in 1663, in his " Century of Inventions."  Its  be the result of physical and chymical knowledge
subsequent improvements by Savary, Blackey,  combined with mechanical skill; and conseNewcomen, Beighton and Fitzgerald, were the  quently, no artizan can ever expect to be instruresults of physical knowledge, of mechanical  mental in bringing the steam-engine to its highest
skill, and of the most laborious investigations.  pitch of improvement, and in directing its nerlIts latest and most important improvements by  gies to all the purposes to which they may be
applied, unless the pursuits of science occupy a,
manufactured by the same artist, a telescope whose  coniderable share of his attention.
object-glass is about seven inches diameter, and its
focal length twelve feet, which is now in the pos-    The first hint of the mariner's compass is
session of Dr. Pearson. The piece of flint-glass of  generally supposed to have been owing to chance.
which the concave lens was formed, cost Mr. Tulley
about thirtyguineas. Unfortunately for science, the  Some persons may have accidentally observed,
ingenious artist (Guinand) is. now deadi and it is  that when a small loadstone is suspended in
uncertain whether he has left any particular details  water on apiece of wood or cork, its ends pointed
of his process:behind him. The possibility, however, of procuring glass for the construction of very  towards the south and north. Such experiments
large achromatic telescopes is now put beyond a  seem  to have been applied at first for mere
Thdoe unscientn  reader may acquire   a gesetic  amusement, and to excite astonishment in the
idea of an achromatic object-glass from the follow.  minds of the ignorant and illiterate. But it was
ingfigure,-where A D represents adouble unequally  not till some genius possessed of science and of
convex lens of cro-wn glass, C B a double concave
offlint glass, and E F another convex lens of crown.  reflecting powers seized the hint thus given, that
glass. These are placed together in the manner  it was applied to the important purpose of directrepresented in the figure, and form what is called  ing the mariner in his course through the pathless ocean. And to science we are indebted
A                                      D    for the manner of determining the declination of
the needle, in all parts of the world, by means
of the azimuth compass, and thus rendering it
cI/l    /t11!!f   Jl;J//f               B   an accurate guide to the navigator in every
region through which he moves. The discovery
of that peculiar principle termed galvanism, was
E!               _: —_                  F   partly owing to accident. Whilst Galvani, professor of anatomy at Bologna, was one day em.
ployed in dissecting a frog, in a room where
anrachrolnatic object-glass, the term achromatic sig-  some of his friends were amusing themselves
nifyingfree of colour. sometimes only two lenses,   ith electrical experiments, one of them havin
a convex of crown, and a concave of flint-glass are  w   elect rical experments one of them havin
combined for the sanie purpose. In the case of a  happened to draw a spark from the conductor, at
single convex glass, the image formed is blended  same time that the professor touched one of the
with the prismatic colours which come to foci at
different distances from the lens, and consequently  nerves of the animal, its whole body was inproduce a comparatively indistinct image, which  stantly shakenby a violent convulsion. Having
Will not admit of a high magnifying power. But tie  ahe i-n
achromatic lens, forming an image without colour,  afterwards suspended some frogs
will bear a larger aperture, and a higher magnifying  palisades which surrounded his garden, by
power, than a common refractor of the samelength.  means of metallic hooks fixed in the spines of
So.great is the difference-that an achromatic tele-  th acks, he observed that 
scope of Dollond, only three feet ten inches in  their backs, he observed that ther muscles conlength, was found to equal, and even excel the  tracted frequently and involuntarily, as if fromi a
famous aerial telescope of Huygens of 123 feet focal shock of electricity.  Such facts, presented to
length, and the gentlemen present at the trial agreed
that "the dwarf was fairly a match for the giant."  the view of unscientific persons, might have proThe principal obstacle to their construction on a  duced nothing more than a gaze of wonder;
large scale, is, the difficulty of procuring large pieces  perhaps supernatural powers might have been
of flint-glass free of veirms, and of a proper dispersiv perhaps supernatural powers might have been
quality,                                      resorted to in order to account for the pheno6,




80            ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
mena, and in a shout time they might have been  object of his pursuit before his mind, he plied
forgotten as a vision of the night. But such  his, mechanical ingenulty in adapting the mascientific minds as those of Valli, Volta, Monro,  chinery of a clock to the maintaining of the viFowler, Davy, Humboldt and Wollaston, having  brations of a pendulum, and by his mathemati.
seized upon these facts, having contemplated  cal knowledge investigated the theory of its
them in every point of view, and instituted ex-  motion. By the aid of a new department of
periments of every description in relation to  geometrical science, invented by himself, he
them-most astonishing discoveries in science  showed how to make a pendulum swing in a cyhave been brought to light-the whole aspect of  cloid, and that its vibrations in this curve are all
chymistry has been changed, and numerous im-  performed in equal times, whatever be their exprovements introduced into the practice of the  tent. The ingenious Mr. Robert Hoole, who
useful arts. Alkalis have been decomposed,  was the inventor of spring or pocket watches,
new metallic substances discovered, the cause  and of several astronomical instruments for makof the corrosion of metals ascertained, and the  ing observations both at sea and land-was
mneans determined by which it may be effectu-  eminently distinguished for his philosophical and
ally prevented.                             mathematical acquirements. From his earliest
It is a truth which the whole history of sci.  years he discovered a genius for mechanics, and
ence fully corroborates, that very few important  all his other knowledge was brought to bear upon
discoveries have been made by accident or by  his numerous inventions and contrivances.ignorant persons,, whose minds were not di-  Otto Guerieke, who invented the Air-pump, was
rected to the particular object of research.  On  one of the first mathematicians of his time; and
the other hand, we have every reason to believe,  the Honourable Robert Boyle, who improved this
that there are many facts and circumstances  valuable' instrument, was one of the most illuswhich have passed under the inspection of un-  trious philosophers of the age and country in
tutored minds, which, had they come within the  which he-lived.-Mr. Ferguson, the inventor of
range of men of science, would have led to many  several orreries, the astronomiaal rotula, the
useful inventions which are yet hid in the womb  eclipsarian, the mechanical paradox, and other
of futurity, and which will reward the industry  astronomical machinery, had, from his earliest
of more enlightened generations. The inven-  years, devoted the greatest part of his time to
tions to which we have now adverted, and many  the study of mechanics, and the physical and
others, where chance suggested the first rude  mathematical sciences with which it is conhints, would, in all probability, have lain for ages  nected, as appears from the numerous popular
in obscurity, without any realutility to mankind,  works which he published on these subjects;had not the genius of science seized upon them,  which are still in extensive circulation.-The
viewed them in all their bearings, and traced  late Mr. Arkwright, the inventor of the spinning:them to all their legitimate consequences and re- jennies, devoted many years. to the study of me.
suIts.  Had the telescople, the steam  engine,  chanics and to the improvement of his invenand the mariner's compass, in their first embryo  tion, till he was perfectly conversant in every
state, remained solely in the hands of ignorant  thing that relates to the construction of maemlpirics, they might have been reserved merely  chinery. This admirable invention, by which a
as play-things for the purpose of vulgar amuse-  pound of the finest cotton has been spun by mament, or exhibited by cunning impostors to aid  chinery into a yarn extending more than 119
4their deceptions, or to produce a belief of their  miles, was not the result of chance, but of the
supernatural powers.  But science snatched  most unwearied study and attention in regard to
them from the hands of the ignorant and the de-  every circumstance which had a bearing on the
signing, and having added the requisite improve-  object of his pursuit: and as he had not oriments, bequeathed them to mankind as the  ginally received any thing like a regular scienmeans of future advancement in the paths of  tific education, his acquirements were the result,knowledge, and in the practice of the arts.  of his own application and industry.-" The
at may be laid down as a kind of axiom, to  new process of refining sugar, by which more
which few exceptions will occur, that great dis-  money has been made in a shorter time, and with
coveries in science and improvements in art are  less risk and trouble, than was ever perhaps
-never to be expected but as the result of know-  gained from an invention, was discovered by an
ledge combined with unwearied investigation.  accomplished chymist, E. Howard, brother of
This axiom might be illustrated, were it neces-  the Duke of Norfolk, and was the fruit of a long
sary, from what we know of the past history of  course of experiments, in the progress of which,
our most useful inventions. The celebrated M.  known philosophical principles were constantly.Huygens, who first discovered the means of ren-  applied, and one or two new principles ascerdering clocks exact by applying the pendulum,  tained."
and rendering all its vibrations equal by the cy-    There are few inventions of modern times
cloid-was one of the first mathematicians and  t)lat have been more directly the result of phi~astrormrnnrsof ais.age. He had long kept the  losophical knowledge and experiment, than the




ORIGIN OF USEFUL INVENTIONS.                                       81
3aafcty3ap, invented by that accomplished chy-    We may farther remark, that the mechanic
mist, the late Sir Humphrey Davy.  He insti-  whose mind is enlightened with scientific knowtuted a series of philosophical experiments, with  ledge, has a much greater chance of being instruthe express purpose of constructing, if possible,  mental in improving the arts, than the mere chya lamp by which the miner might walk through  mist or philosopher.  While the mere philosoa body of fire-damp in his subterraneous apart-  pher is demonstrating principles and forming
ments without danger of an explosion; and the  theories in his closet, and sometimes performing
success with which his investigations were at-  experiments, only on a small scale,-the work.
tended, led to one of the most beautiful and use-  man, in certain manufactories, has a daily opful inventions which distinguish the period in  portunity of contemplating chymical processes
which we live.*  Had this ingenious philoso-  and mechanical operations on an extenszve scale,
pher been ignorant of the nature and properties of  and of perceiving numberless modifications and
carburretted hydrogen gas, of the composition of  contrivances, which require to be attended to,
atmospheric air, of the nature of combustion, and  of which the mere scientific speculator can formn
of the general principles of chymical science,  but a very faint and inadequate conception.
he could never have hit upon the construction  Being familiar with the most minute details of
of this admirable instrument, and the useful mi-  every process and operation, he can perceive
ner would still have been left to grapple with his  redundancies and defects imperceptible to other
invisible enemy (the fire-damp) without any  observers; and, if he has an accurate knowledge
means of escaping from its destructive agency.t  of the general principles on which his operations
depend, he must be best qualified for suggesting' See Appendix, No. IX.                        and contriving the requisite improvements. As
tIt is more than probable, that fatal accidents  the mechanic is constantly handling the tools
have occurred in coal mines where these lamps have
been used, owing to the ignorance and inattention  and materials with which new experiments and
of some of those artists who have been employed in  improvements may be made.-observing the efforming the wire-gauze with which they are sur-ects of certain contrivances, and of deviations
rounded. A friend of mine, who performed a great
variety of experiments with this instrument, with  from  established practice-and witnessing the
every combination of explosive gas, informed me,  chymical and mechanical actions of bodies on
that, with a lamp surrounded with wire-gauze, ma-            he has more opportunities of obsernufactured by an artist in a town in the north of  each otherhe has more opportunities of obserEngland, and who supplied itfor the use of the mi-  vation in these respects, and, consequently, is
netrs-an explosion uniformly took place when the  more likely than any other class of society to
instrument was placed in a body of inflammable
gas. He suspected that the apertures in the wire-  strike out a new path which may lead to some
gauze were too large, and remonstrated with the  useful invention in the arts, or discovery in the
artist on his want of accuracy; and it was not be-            But if his mind is 
fore he procured gauze with smaller apertures that
his experiments succeeded; and they were attended  knowledge, he trudges on, like a mill-horse, in
with complete success in every future experiment,  the same beaten track, and may overlook a thouafter the gauze was changed. So small was the difference in the contexture of the two pieces of the  sand opportunities of performing experiments,
gauze, that, to a common eye, it was scarcely per  and a thousand circumstances which  might
ceptible. It is found by experiment, that the aper-  suggest new improvements.
tures in the gauze should not exceed one twentieth
of an inch square, and that wire from one fortieth    In short, in so far as chance is concerned in
to one sixtieth of an inch diameter, is the most con   new discoveries and improvements in the arts,
venient. Had the artist allulded to, known how to  the scientific mechanic has a hundred chances
perform experiments with this instrurnenlt, and tried
the effects of his gauze before he sold it for the pur-  to one, compared with the ignorant artificer, that,
pose intended, sulch serious blunders would not  in the.course of his operations, he shall hitupon
have been committed. Who knows but the deficiency in the gauze alluded to milght have been the  a new principle of improvement: his chances
cause of the destruction of several lives in the pits  of such results are even superior to those of the
where it was used? for it is a certain fact that acci-  most profound philosophers who never engage in
dents from explosions are occasionally recurring
even in mines where these lamps are generally in
use. Hence the necessity of chymical knowledge  formed with the greatest care, and with every posand attention to scientific accuracy in those who are  sible combination of explosive gas, and frequently
the manufacturers of instruments of this descrip-  exhibited in private, and before large public au(lition-on the accurate construction of which the  ences —the efficiency of this lamp for resisting the eflives and comforts of a useful body of the commu-  fects of fire-damp is put beyond the shadow of a
nity may depend. I know not whether it be custo-  doubt. It is known to be the practice of some mim-try to put the safety-lamp into the hands of the  ners, occasionally to screw off the top oftheirlamp,
miner, without first trying its efficiency for resisting  in order to enjoy the benefit of more light than what
tie efftrects of explosive gases. If it is not, it is a  shines through the wire-gauze. Such a practice
most glaring and dangerous oversight; and there  ought to be strictly prohibited, and the instrument,
can be no cuestion, that to the neglect of this pre-  if possible, rendered incapable of being opened at
cautionl are to be attributed many of those explo-  top-a practice which may probably have been the
sions which have taken place in the mines where  occasion of several explosions. If the workmen
this lamp has been introduced. Besides, such ne-  in mines were carefully instructed in the general
glects have a direct tendency to detract from the  principles of chymistry, and particularly in the namerits of this noble invention, to prevent its univer-  ture of combustion, explosions, and the qualities of
sal ad(option, and to render uncertain its efficiency  the different gases, they would not dare to hazard
far warding off destructive explosions. But from   such dangerous experiments.
the experilmernts alluded to above, which were per-             See Appendix No. X
11




t8 1.)        ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
practical operations, as he is constantly in the  physical universe shall be more extensive y ex.
way of perceiving what is useless, defective, or  plored, and the gates of the temple of knowledlge
in any way amiss in the common methods of  thrown open to all. Future Watts, Davys aol
procedure.  To use a common expression, " he  Arkwrights will doubtless arise, with minds still
is in the way of good luck, and if he possesses  more brilliantly illuminated with the lights of
the requisite information, he can take the ad-  science, and the splendid inventions of the prevantage of it when it comes to him."  And  sent age be far surpassed in the "future miracles
should he be so fortunate as to hit on a new in-  of mechanic power," which will distinguish the
vention, lie will probably enjoy not merely the  ages which are yet to come. But, in order to
honour which is attached to a new discovery, but  this " wished for consummation," it is indispenalso the pecuniary advantages which generally  sably requisite that the mass of mankind be
result from it.                              aroused from their slumbers, that knowledge be
We have, therefore, every reason to hope,  universally diffused, and that the light of science
that, were scientific knowledge universally dif-  shed its influence on men of every nation, of
fused among the working classes, every depart-  every profession, and of every rank. And if,
ment of the useful arts would proceed with a  through apathy or avarice, or indulgence in senrapid progress to perfection, and new arts and  sual propensities, we refuse to lend our helping
inventions, hitherto unknown, be introduced on  hand to this object, now that a spirit of inquiry
the theatre of the world, to increase the enjoy-  has gone abroad in the world-society may yet
ments of domestic society, and to embellish the  relapse into the darkness which enveloped the
face of nature. No possible limits can be as-  human mind during the middle ages, and the
signed to the powers of genius, to the resources  noble inventions of the past and present age,
of science, to the improvement of machinery, to  like the stately monuments of Grecian and Roethe aids to be derived from chymical researches,  man art, be lost amidst the mists of ignorance,
and to the skill and industry of mechanics and  or blended with the ruins of empires.
labourers when guided by the light which scientific discoveries have diffused around  them.    III. The knowledge and mental activity conAlmost every new discovery in nature lays the  nected with the improvement of the arts, would
foundation bf a new art; and since the recent  promote the external comforts of mankind, par.
discoveries of chymistry lead to the conviction,  ticularly of the lower orders of society.
that the properties and powers of material sub-    Since the period when the arts began to be
stances are only beginning to be discovered-the  improved, and a spirit of inquiry after knowledge:esources of art must, in some measure, keep  was excited among the middling and lower orpace with our knowledge of the powers of na-  ders, many comforts and conveniencies have
tare. It is by seizing on these powers, and  been introduced, and a new lustre appears on the
employing them in subserviency to his designs,  face of general society. In many places the asthat man has been enabled to perform operations  pect of the country has been entirely changed;
which the whole united force of mere animal  the low thatched cottage of the farmer has arisen
strength could never have accomplished. Steam,  into a stately mansion, the noisome dunghill
galvanism, the atmospheric pressure, oxygen,  which stood within two yards of his door, has
hydrogen, and other natural agents, formerly  been thrown into a spacious court at a distance
unnoticed or unknown, have been called into  from his dwelling, and his offices display a neatattion by the genius of science; and, in the  ness and elegance which seem to vie with those
form of steam-boats and carriages, Voltaic bat-  of the proprietor of the soil. The gloomy pateries, gasometers and air-balloors, have gene-  rish church with its narrow aisle and tottering
rated forces, effected decompositions, diffused  belfrey, has been transformed into a noble lighrtthe most brilliant illuminations, and produced a  some edifice, and adorned with a stately spire
celerity of motion both on sea and land which  towering above all surrounding objects; and the
have astonished even the philosophical world,  village school, within whose narrow walls a hun.
and which former generations would have been  dred little urchins were crowded, like sheep in a
disposed to ascribe to the agencies of infernal  fold, has now expanded into a spacious hall.
demons. And who shall dare to set boundaries  Narrow dirty paths have been improved, roads
to the range of scientific discovery-or to say,  formed on spacious plans, canals and railways
that principles and powers of a still more won-  constructed, streets enlarged, waste lands culderful and energetic nature, shall not be disco-  tivated, marshes drained, and the interior of
vered in the system'of nature, calculated to  houses decorated and rendered more comfortable
perform  achievements still more striking and  and commodious.  In'districts where nothing
magnificent?  Much hag, of late years, been  formerly appeared but a dreary waste, prln-.
performed by the application and combination  fields have been established, cotton mills, foun.
of chymical and mechanical powers, but much  deries, and other manufactories erected, villages
more, we may  confidently expect, will be  reared, and the noise of machinery, the tolling
achieved in generations yet to come, when the  of bells, the sound of hammers, the buzz of reeli,




EXTERNAL COMFORT CONNECTED WIIH SCIENCE.                                   83
anl the hulm of human voices and of ceaseless  affairs. Now, the habits of application which
activity, now diversify the scene where nothing  the acquisition of knowledge necessarily prowas formerly heard but the purling stream or the  duces, would naturally be carried into the vanowlings of the tempest. In certain parts of the  rious departments of labour peculiar to their stacountry where the passing of a chariot was a  tions, and prevent that laziness and inattention
kind of phenomenon, mails and stage-coaches  which is too common among the working classes,
crowded with travellers of all descriptions, within and which not unfrequently lead to poverty and
and without, now follow each other in rapid suc-  disgrace.  Their knowledge of the nature of
cession, conveying their passengers with unin-  heat, combustion, atmospheric air, and combusterrupted rapidity, and at one-half the expense  tible substances, would lead them to a proper
formerly incurred. Even on the inland lake,  economy in the use of fuel; and their acquaintwhere scarcely a small skiff was formerly seen,  ance with the truths of chymistry, on which the
steam-vessels are now beheld sweeping along in  art of a rational cookery is founded, would lead
majestic style, and landing fashionable parties,  them to an economical practice in the preparation
heroes, divines, and philosophers, to enliven the  of victuals, and teach them to extract from every
rural hamlet, the heath-clad mountain, and the  substance all its nutritious qualities, and to imromantic glen.                               part a proper relish to every dish they prepare:
Much, however, is still wanting to complete  for want of which knowledge and attention, the
the enjoyments of the lower ranks of society.  natural substances intended for the sustenance
In the country, many of them live in the most  of man will not go half their length in the hands
wretched hovels, open to the wind and rain, with-  of some as they do under the judicious manageout a separate apartment to which an individual  ment of others.  Their knowledge of the strucmay retire for any mental exercise; in towns, a  ture and functions of the animal system, of the
whole family is frequently crowded into a single  regimen which ought to be attended to in order
apartment in a narrow lane, surrounded with  to health and vigour, of the causes which produce
filth and noxious exhalations, and where the light  obstructed perspiration, of the means by which
of day is scarcely visible. In such habitations,  pestilential effluvia and infectious diseases are
where the kitchen, parlour, and bed-closet are  propagated, and of the disasters to which the huall comprised in one narrow apartment, it is  man frame is liable in certain situations, would
next to impossible for a man to improve his mind  tend to prevent many of those diseases andJfatal
by reading or reflection, amidst the gloom  of accidents to which ignorance and inattention have
twilight, the noise of children, and the prepara-  exposed so many of our fellow-men.  For want
tion of victuals, even although he felt an ardent  of attending to such precautions in these redesire for intellectual enjoyment. Hence the  spects, as knowledge would have suggested,
temptation to which such persons are exposed to  thousands of families have been plunged into
seek enjoyment in wandering through the streets,  wretchedness and ruin, which all their future
in frequenting the ale-house, or in lounging at  exertions were inadequate to remove. As the
the fire-side in mental inactivity. In order that  son of Sirach has well observed, " Better is the
the labourer may be stimulated to the cultivation  poor being sound and strong in constitution, than
of his mental powers, he must be furnished with  a rich man that is afflicted in his body. Health
those domestic conveniencies requisite for at-  and good estate of body are above all gold; there
taiinag this object. He must be paid such wages  are no riches above a sound body, and no joy
as will enable him to procure such conveni-  above the joy of the heart."
encies, and the means of instruction, otherwise    As slovenliness and filth are generally the
it is next thing to an insult to exhort him to pro- characteristics of ignorance and vulgarity, so an
secute the path of science.  The long hours of  attention to cleanliness is one ofthe distinguishing
labour, and the paltry remuneration which the lan-  features of cultivated minds.  Cleanliness is
bourer receives in many of our spinning-mills and  conducive to health and virtuous activity, but unother manufactories, so long as such domestic  cleanliness is prejudicial to both. Keeping the
slavery and avaricious practices continue, form  body clean is of great importance, since more
an insurmountable barrier to the general diflusion  than the one half of what we eat and drink is
of knowledge.                                evacuated by perspiration, and if the skin is not
But were the minds of the lower orders im-  kept clean the pores are stopped, and perspira.
bued with a certain portion of useful science, and  tion consequently prevented, to the great injury
did they possess such a competency as every  of health. It is highly necessary to the health
numan being oughlt to enjoy, their knowledge  and cheerfulness of children; for where it is
would lead them to habits of diligence and eco-  neglected, they grow pale, meagre, and squalid,
omry. In most instances it will be found, that  and subject to several loathsome and trouble
gnorance is the fruitful source of indolence,  some diseases.  Washing the hands, face,
waste, and extravagance, and that abject poverty  mouth, and feet, and occasionally the whoeis
is Jle result of a want of discrimination and pro-  body, conduces to health, strength, and ease,
1pcr arrangement in the management of domestic  and tends to prevent colds, rheumatism, cramps,




84             ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
tihe palsy, the itch, the tooth-ache, and many  pools of stagnant water scattered in every di'e,.
other maladies. Attention to cleanliness of body  tion, with scarcely the vestige of a pathway to,vould also lead to cleanliness in regard to  guide the steps of the passenger. In winter,the
clothes, victuals, apartments, beds and'furniture.  traveller, in passing along, is bespattered with
A knowledge of the nature of the mephitic gases,  mire and dirt, and in summer, he can only drag
of the necessity of pure atmospheric air to health  heavily on, while his feet at every step sink into
and vigour, and of the means by which infection  soft and parched sand. Now, such is the apathy
is produced and communicated, would lead per-  and indifference that prevail among many villasons to see the propriety of frequently opening  gers as to improvement in-these respects, that
doors and windows to dissipate corrupted air,  although the contribution of a single shilling or
and to admit the refreshing breeze, of sweeping  of half a day's labour might, in some instances,
cobwebs from the corners and ceiling of the  accomplish the requisite improvements, they
room, and of rempving dust, straw, or filth of any  will stand aloof from such operations with a
kind which is offensive to the smell, and in which  sullen obstinacy, and even glory in being the
infection might be deposited. By such attention,  means of'preventing them. Nay, such is the
fevers and other malignant disorders might be  selfishness of many individuals, that they will
prevented, vigour, health, and serenity promoted,  not remove nuisances even from the front of
and the whole dwelling and its inmates present  their own dwellings, because it might at the
an air of cheerfulness and comfort, and become  same time promote the convenience of the public
the seat of domestic felicity.               at large. In large towns, likewise, many narrow
Again, scientific knowledge would display it-  lanes are rendered filthy, gloomy, and unwholeself among the lower orders, in the tasteful de-  some by the avarice of landlords, and the obsticuratmons of their houses and garden plots.  The  nate and boorish manners of their tenants, and
study of botany and horticulture would teach  improvements prevented which would tend to
them to select the most beautiful flowers, shrubs,  the health and comfort of the inhabitants.  But
and evergreens; to arrange their plots with  as knowledge tends to liberalise the mind, to
neatness and taste, and to improve  their  subdue the principle of selfishness, and to prokitchen-garden to the best advantage, so as to  duce a relish for cleanliness and comfort, when
render it productive for the pleasure and suste-  it is more generally diffused, we may expect that
nance of their families. A genius for mecha-  such improvements as those to which I allude
nical operations which almost every' person may  will be carried forward with spirit and alacrity.
acquire, would lead them to invent a variety of  There would not be the smallest difficulty in acdecorations, and to devise many contrivances for  complishing every object of this kind, and every
the purpose of conveniency, and for keeping  other improvement conducive to the pleasure
every thing in its proper place and order-which  and comfort of the social state, provided the manever enter into the conceptions of rude and  jority of a community were cheerfully to come
vulgar minds.  Were such dispositions and  forward with their assistance and contributions,
mental activity generally prevalent, the circum-  however small, and to act with concord and harstances which lead to poverty, beggary, and  mony. A whole community or nation acting in
drunkenness, would be in a great measure re-  unison, and every one contributing according to
moved, and home would always be resorted to as  his ability, would accomplish wonders in reiaa place of comfort and enjoyment.            tion to the improvement of towns, villages, and
Again the study of science and art would in-  hamlets, and of every thing that regards the
dine the lower classes to enter into the spirit of  comfort of civil and domestic society.
every new improvement, and to give their assist-   In short, were knowledge generally diffused,
ance in carrying itforward.  The want of taste  and art uniformly directed by the principles of
and of mental activity, and the spirit of selfish-  science, new, and interesting plans would be
ness which at present prevails among the mass  formed, new  improvements set on foot, new
of mankind, prevent the accomplishment of a  comforts enjoyed, and a new lustre would ap.
variety of schemes which might tend to promote  pear on the face of nature, and on the state of
the' conveniences and comforts of general society.  general society. Numerous conveniencies, deFor example; many of our villages which might  corations, and useful establishments never yet
otherwise present the appearance of neatness  attempted, would soon be realized. Houses on
and comfort, are almost impassable, especially  neat and commodious plans, in airy situations,
in the winter season, and during rainy weather,  and firnished with every requisite accommodaon account of the badness of roads and the want  tion, would be reared for the use of the peasant
of foot-paths. At almost every step you en-  and mechanic; schools on spacious plans for
counter a pool, a heap of rubbish, or a dunghill,  the promotion of useful knowledge would be
and in many places feel as if you were walking  erected in every village and hamlet, and ir every
in a quagmire. ~ In some villages, otherwise  quarter of a city where they were found expe.
well planned, the streets present a grotesque  dient; asylums would be built for the reception
appearance of sandy hillocks and mounds, and  of the friendless poor, whether young or old i




ATTRIBUTES OF THIE DEITY                                   85
manufL:.ctories established for supplying employ-  greater number of pagan nations, the most abnlent to every class of labourers and artizans,  surd and grovelling notions are entertained reand lectlzre-roomls prepared, furnished with re-  specting the Supreme Intelligence, and the
quisite apparatus, to which they might resortfor  nature of that worship which his perfections deimprovement in science. Roads would be cut  nand. They have formed the most foolish and
in all convenient directions, diversified with rural  degrading representations of this august Being,
decorations, hedge-rows, and shady bowers,-  and have "changed the glory of the incorruptible
foot-paths, broad and smooth, would accompany  God into an image made like to corruptible
them  in all their windings, and gas-lamps,  man, and to four-footed beasts and creeping
erected at every half-mile's distance, would va-  things."  Temples have been erected and filled
riegate the rural scene and cheer the shades of  with idols the most hideous and obscene; bulls
night.  Narrow lanes in cities would be either  and crocodiles, dogs and serpents, goats and
widened or their houses demolished; streets on  lions have been exhibited to adumbrate the
broad and spacious plans would be built, the  character of the Ruler of the universe.  The
smoke of steam-engines consumed, nuisances  most cruel and unhallowed rites have been perremoved, and cleanliness and comfort attended  formed to procure his favour, and human victo in every arrangement. Cheerfulness and  tirns sacrificed to appease his indignation. All
activity would everywhere prevail, and the idler,  such grovelling conceptions and vile abominathe vagrant, and the beggar would disappear  tions have their origin in the darlkness which
from society. Allthese operations and improve-  overspreads the human understanding, and the
ments, and hundreds more, could easily be ac-  depraved passions which ignorance has a tencomplished, were the minds of the great body of  dency to produce. Even in those countries
the community thsoroughlly enlightened and mora-  where Revelation sheds its influence, and the;ized, and every individual, whether rich or poor,  knowledge of the true God is promulgated, how
who contributed to bring them into effect, would  mean and contracted are the conceptions which
participate in the general enjoyment. And what  the great bulk of the population entertain of the
an interesting picture would be presented to  attributes of that incomprehensible Being whose
every benevolent mind, to behold the great body  presence pervades the immensity of space, who
of mankind raised from  a state of moral and  " metes out the heavens with a span," and suphysical degradation to the dignity of their ra-  perintends the affairs of ten thousand worlds
tional natures, and to the enjoyment of the  The views which many have acquired of the
bounties of their Creator!-to behold the country  perfections of the Deity, do not rise much higher
diversified with the neat and cleanly dwellings  than those which we ought to entertain of the
of the industrious labourer,-the rural scene,  powers of an archangel, or of one of the seraduring the day, adorned with seminaries, manu-  phim; and some have been known, even in our
factories, asylums, stately edifices, gardens,  own country, whose conceptions have been so
fruitful fields and romantic bowers, and, during  abject and grovelling, as to represent to themnight, bespangled in all directions with varie-  selves " the King eternal, immortal, and invisigated lamps, forming a counterpart, as it were,  ble," under the idea of a " venerable old man."
to the lights which adorn the canopy of heaven! Even the more intelligent class of the commuSuch are only a few specimens of the improve-  nity fall far short of the ideas they ought to form
ments which art, directed by science and mora-  of the God of heaven, owing to the limited
lity, could easily accomplish.               views they have been accustomed to take of the
displays of his wisdomn and benevolence, and
the boundless range of his operations.
We can acquire a knowledge of the Deity
SECTION  VI.                   only by the visible effects he has produced, or
the external manifestations he has given of himON THE INFLUENCE OF KNOW(WLEDGE IN PRO-  self to his creatures; for the Divine Essence
MOTIltNG ENLARGED CONCEPTIONS OF THE  must remain for ever inscrutable to fir.ite minds.
CHARACTER  AND PERFECTIONS OF THE  These manifestations are made in the Reve!aDEITY.                                     tions contained in the Bible, and in the scene of
the material universe around us. The moral
ALL the works of God speak oftheir Author,  perfections of God, such as his justice, mercy,
in silent but emphatic language, and declare the  and faithfulness, are more particularly delineglory of his perfections to all the inhabitants of  ated in his word; for, of these the system  of
the earth.  But, although "' there is no speech  nature can afford us only some slight hints and
nor langusa. ie" where the voice of Deity is not  obscure intimations.  His natural attributes,
heard, how gross are the conceptions generally  such as his immensity, omnipotence, wisdom,
entertained of the character of Him  "in whom   and goodness, are chiefly displayed in the works
we live and move," and by whose superintending  of creation; and to this source (of information
provdlece allevents are directed! Amongthe  the inspired writers unillbrtn' li:  our atten



86            ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
rion, in order that we may acquire the most declare, that as "the, orks of Jehovah are
anple and impressive views of the grandeur of great," they mustbe " soughtout," or thoroughly
the Divinity, and the magnificence of his ope-  investigated, "by all those who have pleasure
rations. "Lift up your eyes on high and behold! therein;" and a threatening is denounced against
who hath created these orbs? who bringeth forth  every one who "disregards the works of the
their host by number?  The everlasting God  Lord," and "neglects to consider the operations
the Lord, by the greatness of his might, for that of his hand."
he is strong in power. He measureth the ocean    Such declarations evidently imply, that we'n the hollow of his hand, he comprehends the  ought to make the visible works of God the sub-.
dust of the earth in a measure, he weigheth the  ject of our serious study and investigation, and;nountains in scales, and hath stretched out the  exercise the rational powers he has given us for!-heavens by his understanding. Allnations be-  this purpose; otherwise we cannot expect to
fore him are as the drop of & bucket, and are  derive from them a true and faithful exhibition of
counted to him less than nothina, and vanityv  his character and purposes. For, as the chaThine, 0 Lord, is the greatness, and the giory,  racter of God is impressed upon his works, that
and the majesty, for all that is in heaven and'character cannot be distinctly traced unless those
earth is thine."  The pointed interrogatories  works be viewed in their true light and actual
proposed to Job,' and the numerous exhorta-  relations-not as they may appear to a rude and
tions in reference to this subject, contained in  inattentive spectator, but as they are actually
the book of Psalms and other parts of Scripture,  found to exist, when thoroughly examined by the
plainly evince, that the character of God is to  light of science and of revelation. For example,
be contemplated through the medium of his visi-  a person unaccustomed to investigate the system
ble works. In order to acquire a just and com-  of nature imagines that the earth is afixed mass
prehensive conception of the perfections of  of land and water in the midst of creation, and
Deity, we must contemplate his character as  one of the largest bodies in nature, and, consedisplayed both in the system of Revelation and  quently, that the sun, moon, and stars, and the
in the system of nature, otherwise we can ac-  whole material universe revolve around it every
quire only a partial and distorted view of the  twenty-four hours. Such a conception of the
attributes of Jehovah. The Scriptures alone,  material system might, indeed, convey to the
without the medium of his works, cannot con-  mind an astonishing idea of the power of the
vey to us the most sublime conceptions of the  Deity in causing such an immense number of
magnificence of his empire, and his eternal power  orbs to revolve around our world with so prodiand Godhead; and the works of nature, without  gious a velocity as behoved to take place, were
the revelations of his word, leave us in profound  the earth in reality a quiescent body in the
darkness with regard to the most interesting  centre of the universe.  But it would give us a
parts of his character-the plan of his moral most strange and distorted idea of his, intelligence.
government, and the ultimate destination of man.  While it tended to magnify'his omnipotence, it
Would' we, then, acquire the most sublime  would, in effect, deprive him of the attribute of
and comprehensive views of that invisible Be-  wisdom. For, in the first place, such a conceplng, who created the universe, and by whom all tion would represent the Almighty as having dethings are upheld, we must, in the first place,  vised a system of means altogether superfluous
apply ourselves, with profound humility and  and preposterous, in order to accomplish the end
reverence, to the study of the Sacred oracles; intended; for it is the characteristic of wisdom
and, in the next place, direct our attention to the  to proportionate the means to the nature of the
material works of God as illustrative of his  design which is to be accomplished. The deScriptural character, and of the declarations of sign, in the case under consideration, is to prohis word. And, since the sacred writers direct duce the alternate succession of day and night.
our views to the operations of the Almighty  This can be effected by giving the earth itself a
in the visible universe, in what manner are we  rotation round its axis, as is the case in other
to contemplate these operations? Are we to  globes of much larger dimensions.  But accordview them  in a careless, cursory manner, or  ing to the conception to which we are now adwith fixed attention?  Are we to gaze on them   verting, the whole material creation is considered
with the vacant stare of a savage, or with the  as daily revolving around this comparatively
penetrating eye of a Christian philosopher?  little globe of earth, an idea altogether extravaAre we to view them through the mists of igno-  gant and absurd, and inconsistent with every
rance and vulgar prejudice, or through the light notion we ought to entertain of infinite wisdonm.
which science has diffused over the wonders of In the next place, were the earth considered as,:reation?  There can be no difficulty to any  at rest, the motions of the planets would present
reflecting mind in determining which of these  a series of looped curves without ary marks of
modes ought to be adopted. The Scriptures  design, a scene of inextricable confusion, and
the whole of the solar system would appear de-'Job. ch xxxviii. &c.            void of order and harmony; and, conseouentlyb




UNITY OF THE DIVINE BEING.                                   87
witherll the marks of wisdom and intelligence.  ledge, when properly directed, must nave a ten,So that, when the arrangements of nature are  dency to direct our conceptions and to amplify
contemplated through the mists of ignorance,  our views of his adorable attributes, and of his
they tend to obscure the glory of the Divinity,  providential arrangements.
and to convey a distorted idea of his character.    Here it will naturally be inquired,-What are
Whereas, when the system of the universe is  some of those views of the divine character
contemplated in its true light, all appears ar-  which scientific investigation has a tendency to
ranged with the most admirable harmony, sim-  unfold?  Our limits will not permit a full and explicity, and order, and every mean proportionate  plicit answer to this inquiry, the illustration of
to the end it is intended to accomplish. Again,  which would require a volume of no inconsiderin so far as we consider the earth as the prin-  able size, and therefore, we shall attempt no.
cipal body, or among the largest bodies of the  thing more than the statement of a few general
universe; in so far do we narrow our conceptions  hints.
of'the extent and magnificence of creation, and,    1. The phenomena of the material world, as
consequently, limit our views of the plans and  investigated by science, evince the unity of the
perfections ofthe Creator. For our conceptions  Divine Being. There is such a harmony that
of his attributes must, in some measure, corre-  prevails through the whole visible universe, as
spond to the views we have acquired of the am-  plainly shows it to be under the government of
plitude and grandeur of his empire.          one Intelligence. Amidst the immense compli.
Now, what is it that enables us to investigate  cation that surrounds us, we perceive one set of
the works of God, and to contemplate the system  laws uniformly operating in accordance with
of nature in its true light?  It is Science com-  which all things proceed in their regular courses.
bined with observation and experiment. And  The same causes uniformly produce the same
what is science considered in a theological point  effects in every region of the world, and in every
of view? It is nothing else than a rational in-  period of time. " Vegetables spring from the
quiry into the arrangements and operations of  same seed, germinate by the same means, asthe Almighty, in order to trace the perfections  sume the same form, sustain the same qualities,
therein displayed. And what are the truths' exist through the same duration, and come to tie
which science has discovered?  They may be  same end."  Animals, too, of the same species,
regarded as so many rays of celestial light de-  are brought into existence in the same manner,
scendina from the Great Source of Intelligence  exhibit the same life and vital functions, display
to illuminate the human mind in the knowledge  the same active powers and instinct, and hasten
of the divine character and goyernment, and to  to the same dissolution. Man has one origin,
-stimulate it to still- more vigorous exertions in  one general form, the same corporeal structure,
similar investigations, just as the truths of reve-  the same vital functions, the same system of inlation are so many emanations from the " Father  tellectual faculties, and comes to the same termiof lights," to enlighten the darkness and to  nation. All the elements around him, and every
counteract the disorders of the moral world; and  arrangement in this sublunary sphere, are made,
bpth these lights must be resorted to to direct  in one regular manner, subservient to his sensiour inquiries, if we wish to attain the clearest  tive enjoyment, and are evidently fitted, by one
and most comprehensive views of the attributes  design, and directed by one agency, to promote
of the Divine Mind. Revelation declares, in so  his happiness.  The connexion and harmony
many distinct propositions, the character of God,  which subsist between the animal and vegetable
and the plans i;f his moral government. Science  kingdoms, plainly evince that one and the same
explains and illustrates many of those subjects to  Being is the former of both, and that in his con.
which revelation refers. It removes the veil  trivances with respect to the one, he had in view
from the works of the Creator; it dispels the  the necessities of the other. We know, that dif.
mists which ignorance and superstition have  ferent sorts of plants, herbs, and flowers, are apthrown around them; it conducts us into the  pointed for food to the several tribes of animals.
secret ch: mbers of nature, and discloses to us  That which is hurtful to one species is salutary
many of those hidden springs which produce the  to another.  One creature climbs the highest
diversified phenomena of the material world;  rocks for herbs, another digs in the earth for
It throws a light on those delicate and minute  roots, and we scarcely know a plant or leaf but
objects which lie concealed from the vulgar eye,  what affords nourishment, and a place of nativity
and brings within the range of our contempla-  to some species or other of the insect tribes.
tion the distant glories of the sky; it unveils the  This is the foundation of innumerable relations
taws by which the Almighty directs the move-  and connexions between these two departments
ments of his vast empire, and exhibits his ope-  of creation, which show the work to be one, and
rations in a thousand aspects of which the un-  the result of the same Power and Intelligence.
enlightened mind can form no conception.  If,  In like manner, day and night uniformly return
then, science throws a light on the works and the  with the utmost regularity, and by the operation
ways of God, the acquisition of scientific know-  of the same cause, and with the sa we regularity




838           ON TIlE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
and harmnony the seasons revolve and appear in  of water'in the act of freezing, and the nature
constant succession.  The composition' of the  and properties of heat and flame,-in the pou cr
atmosphere is the same under every latitude, and  of steam, the properties of the gases, the qualilight and heat are diffused by the same law in  ties of the magnet, and the agencies of the galevery region of the earth. One law causes a  vanic and electric fluids,-in the structure of
stone to fall to the ground, and by the operation  vegetables, the adaptation of their seeds, roots,
of the same law, the moon is retained in her  fibres, vessels, and leaves to the purpose of vegeorbit around the earth, the planets'directed in  tative life,-the curious processes which are
their revolutions round the sun, and the whole  continually going on in their internal parts, their
universe compacted into one harmonious system.  delicate contexture and diversified hues, and
In short, all the arrangements and operations of  the important purposes they serve in the system
nature, so far as our knowledge extends, present  of nature,-in the structure of the various anito our view a single design, regularly executed  mated beings which traverse the air, the waters,
by a single agency.  The fair inference, there-  and the earth-the provision made for the confore, is, that every part of'the world in which we  tinuance of the species, their architective faculdwell, and every department of the solar system,  ties, their wonderful instincts, and the infinite
are under the government of one Intelligence,  diversity of organization which appears among
which directs every movement throughout the  them, suited to their varioues wants and modes of
universal system. And the more extensively  existence,-in the admirable organization of the
our views of the universe are enlarged, the  human frame, the numerous bones, muscles,
marks of unity in operation and design become  ligaments, membranes, arteries, and veins which
more strikingly apparent. Now, if two or more  enter into its construction, the apt disposition of
intelligences had the government of the universe  all its parts, the means contrived for the recepin their hands, and if they had equal power and  tion and distribution of nutriment, the effect
contrary designs, their purposes would clash,  which this nutriment produces in bringing the
and they could never become the parents of that  body to its full growth and expansion,-its selfharmony which we clearly perceive throughout  restoring power when dise'ased or wounded, tho
the system of nature. Thus the operations of  provision made against evil accidents and inconthe visible world confirm and illustrate the decla-  veniences, the variety of muscular movements
ration of the inspired oracles, that " there is none  of which it is susceptible, the process of respiraother God but one."                           tion, the circulation of the blood, the separation
2. A scientific investigation of the material  of the chyle, the exquisite structure of the difworld opens to us innumerable evidences of  ferent senses, and the nice adaptation of every
Divine Wisdom.                                organ and movement to the ends it was intended
Wherever we turn our eyes in the visible  to subserve.  The same wisdom is perceptible
world around us, and survey with attention the  in the position'which the sun holds in the solar
various processes ofnature, we perceive at every  system, in order to a due distribution of light and
step the most striking marks of intelligence and  heat to surrounding worlds; in the distance at
design. We perceive the wisdom of the great  which the earth is placed from this luminary,Author of nature, in the admirable constitution  in the order and harmony of all the celestial moof the atmosphere, and the wonderful properties  tions, and in the wonderful and beautiful scenery,
of the constituent principles of which it is com-  invisible to the unassisted eye, which the microposed,-in the motions of light, the inconceiva-  scope displays, both in the anneal and vegetable
bie smallness of its particles, its adaptation to  world. In short, there is not an object within
the eye, and the admirable manner in which  us or around us, in the mountains or the plains,
vision is performed,-in the nature of sound, the  in the air, the ocean, or the sky,-among the
laws by which it is propagated, and the various  animal or the vegetable tribes, when steadily
modifications of which it is susceptible,-in the  contemplated in all its aspects and relations, but
process of evaporation, and the rains, dews, and  displays to the eye of reason and devotion the
fertility which are the results of this admirable  consummate intelligence and skill of its almighty
part of the economy of nature,-in the utility of Author, and calls upon every intelligent agent,
the mountains and valleys with which the earth  in silent but emphatic language, to praise him
is diversified. and the beautiful colouring which  " who made the earth, the sea, the founta'ns of
is spread over the face of nature,-in the morn-  water, and all that live in them, for whose pleaing and evening twilight, and the gradual ap-  sure they are and were created."
proaches of light and darkness,-in the vast    Let us just select one example out of the
expanlse of the ocean and its numerous produc-  many thousands which might be brought fortions,-in the grand, andpicturesque, and beau-  ward on this subject.  This example shall he
tiful landscapes with which our globe is adorned,  taken from an invisible department of nature.
-in the composition and specific gravity of In consequence of modern scientific discovery.'water, and in the peculiar structure and density  it has been ascertained that the atmosphere, ior
of the solid parts of the earth,-in the expansion  the air we breathe, is compounded of two invi



W[SDOM OF TIIE DEITY.                                     89
sible substances, termed oxygen gas and nitro-  balanced and proportioned. All nature might
gen gas. Oxygen, as formerly stated, is the  soon be thrown into confusion, and all the tribes
principle of vitality and combustion, nitrogen is  of the living world either be reduced to misery
destructive both to flame and animal life. Were  or swept into the tomb. A material difference
we to br-athe oxygen by itself, it would cause  in the proportion of the two airs which compose
our blood to circulate with greater rapidity, but  the atmosphere, might be productive of the most
it would soon waste and destroy the human  dreadful and destructive effects. One of the
frame by the rapid accumulation of heat. Were  most corrosive acids, aquafortis, is composed of
the nitrogen to be extracted from the atmo-  75 parts oxygen and 25 parts nitrogen.  Were
sphere, and the oxygen left to exert its native  this the proportion of these fluids in the atmoenergies,,it would melt the hardest substances  sphere, every breath wve drew would produce the
and set the earth on flames. If the oxygen were  most excruciating pain, and, after two or three
extracted and the nitrogen only remained, every  inspirations, the vital powers would be overspecies of fire and flame would be extinguished,  come, and life extinguished. Here then we perand all the tribes of animated nature instantly  ceive an admirable adjustment of means to ends,
destroyed.  The proportion of these two gases  and an evidence of that comprehensive knowto each other is nearly as one tofour.  Were  ledge which penetrates into the energies of all
this proportion materially altered, a fluid might  substances, and foresees all the consequences
he produced which would cause a burning pain  which can follow from the principles and laws
and instantaneous suffocation. The  specific  of nature, in every combination and in every
gravity of these two substances is nearly as 37  mode of their operation.  This is only one into 33, that is, the nitrogen is a small degree  stance out of a thousand which the researches of
lighter than the oxygen. Were this proportion  science afford us of the admirable economy of
reversed, or, in other words, were the oxygen  the wisdom of God. From ignorance of such
of the atmosphere a small degree lighter than  facts, the bulk of mankind are incapable of apthe nitrogen, so that the nitrogen might become  preciating the blessings they enjoy, under the
a little heavier than common air,-as this gas. is  arrangements of infinite wisdom, and unqualified
thrown off continually by the breathing of men  for rendering a grateful homage to Him  "in
and other animals, it would perpetually occupy  whom they live and move, and have their being."
the lower regions of the atmosphere, and be    3. The contemplation of nature through the
productive of universal pestilence and death.  medium of science, affords innumerable displays
Again, oxygen gas is separated from the nitro-  of the benevolence of the Deity. Benevolence,
gen in the lungs; it is absorbed by the blood,  or goodness, is that perfection of'God which
and gives it its red colour, and is the source of  leads him, in all his arrangements, to communianimal heat throughout the whole system. It  cate happiness to every order of his creatures.
forms the basis of all the acids; it pervades the  This attribute, though frequently overlooked is
substance of the vegetable tribes, and enables  so extensively displayed throughout the scene
them to perform their functions, and it forms a  of creation, that we feel at a loss to determine
constituent part of the water which fills our  from what quarter we should select instances
rivers, seas, and oceans. And as the atmosphere  for its illustration. Wherever we find evidences
is daily liable to be deprived of this fluid by  of wisdom and design, we also find instances of
combustion, respiration, and other processes, the  benevolence; for all the admirable contrivances
leaves of trees and other vegetables give out a  we perceive in the system of nature, have it as
large portion of it during the day, which, uniting  their ultimate end to convey pleasure, in one
with the nitrogen gas thrown off by the breathing  shape or another, to sensitive beings. If there
of animals, keeps up the equilibrium, and pre-  are more than 240 bones in the human body
serves the salubrity of the air in which we move  variously articulated, and more than 440 musand breathe.                                 cles of different forms and contextures, such a
These facts demonstrate the infinite know-  structure is intended to produce a thousand moledge and the consummate wisdom of the Con-  difications of motion in the several members of
tsiver of the universe,-in the exquisitely nice  which it is composed, and to facilitate every
adjustment of every minute circumstance, so as  operation we have occasion to perform. If the
to preserve the balance of nature and secure the  ear is formed with an external porch, a hammer,
happiness of his sensitive and intelligent off-  an anvil, a tympanum, a stirrup, and a labyrinth,
spring. What an all-comprehensive intelligence  this apparatus is intended to convey pleasure to
does it indicate in the Divine Mind, to cause  the soul by communicating to it all the modifiore single principle in different combinations  cations of sound. If the eye is composed ofthree
to produce so immense a variety of important  coats, some of them opaque and some transpaeffects! What dreadful havoc would be pro-  rent, with three humours of different forms and
duced through aut the whole of our sublunary  refractive powers, and a numerous assemblago
system, if a substance like oxygen gas, which  ofminute veins, arteries, muscles, nerves, glands,
pervades every part of nature, were not nicely  and lymphatics, it is in order that the imames of
12




90             ON THIE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
oqjects may be accurately depicted on the re-    There is a striking display of benevolence in
tina, that the ball of the eye may be easily  the gratification afforded to our dfferent senses.
uirned-in every direction, and that we may enjoy  As the eye is constructed of the most delicate
all the entertainments of vision.*  If an atmo-  substances, and is one of the most admirable
sphere is thrown around the earth, it is for the  pieces of mechanism connected with our frame,
purpose of attempering the rays of the sun, giv-  so the Creator has arranged the world in such a
ing a lucid brightness to every part of the hea-  manner as to afford it the most varied and detens, producing the morning and evening twi-  lightful gratification.  By means of the solar
light, promoting evaporation and the respiration  light, which is exactly adapted to the structure
of animals, and causing the, earth to bring forth  of this organ, thousands of objects of diversified
abundance of food, by means of the rains and  beauty and sublimity are presented to the view.
dews; all which effects produce happiness in a  It opens before us the mountains, the vales, the
thousand different ways to every sentient being.' woods, the lawns, the brooks and rivers, the ferIf this atmosphere presses our bodies with a  tile plains and flowery fields, adorned with every
weight ofthirty thousand pounds, it is in order to  hue,-the. expanse of the ocean and the glories
counterpoise the internal pressure of the circu-  of the firmament.  And as the eye would be
lating fluids, and to preserve the vessels and  dazzled, were a deep red colour or a brilliant
animal functions in due tone and vigour, without  white to be spread over the face of nature, the
which pressure the elastic fluids in the finer yves-  divine goodness has clothed the heavens with
sels would inevitably burst them, and the spark  blue and the earth with green, the two colours
of life be quickly extinguished.  Thousands of  which are the least fatiguing and the most pleas.
examples of this description, illustrative of divine  ing to the organs of sight, and at the same time
benevolence, might be selected from every part  one of these colours is diversified by a thousand
of the material system connected with our world,  delicate shades which produce a delightful variet
all of which would demonstrate that the commu-  upon the landscape of the world.  The ear is cunication of enjoyment is the great end of all the  riously constructed for the perception of sounds,
contrivances of infinite wisdom.               which the atmosphere is fitted to convey; and
what a variety of pleasing sensations are pro.
* As an evidence of the care of the Creator to promote our enjoyment, the following instance may be  n, the depressor oculi, for pulling the globe of the
selected in regard to the mnuscles of the eye. Nothing  eye down; f. adductor oculi, for turning the eye
canl be m.rre manifestly an evidence of contrivance  towards the nose; g, cdulctor octli, for -novingthe
globe of the eye outwards, to the right or left; h,
Fig. 1.                    obliquus inferior, for drawing the globe of the eye
forwards, inwards, and downwards; i, part of the
Fig. 2.
b  e           g
a                                     a
and design, and at the same time of benevolent in-  superior maxillary bone, to which it is fixed; k, the
tention, than these muscles, which are admirably  eyeball. Fig. a. represents the same musc;es in a
adapted to move the ball of the eye in every direc-  different point of view, where the same letters refer
tion, upwards, downwards, to the right nand, to the  to the same muscles.
left,. and in whatever direction we please, so as to    All these opposite and antagonist muscles preopreserve that parallelism of the eye which is neces-  serve a nice equilibrium, which is effected partly by
sary to distinct vision. In fig. i. is exhibited the eye-  their equality of strength, partly by their peculiar
Dall with its muscles; a, is the optic nerve; b, the  origin, and partly by the natural posture of the body
quncsculus trochlearis, which turns the pupil down-  and the eye, by which means the eye can be turned
wards and outwards, and enables the ball of the eye  instantaneously towards any. object, preserved in
to roll about at pleasure; c, is part of the os frontis,  perfect steadiness, and prevented from rolling about
to which the trochlea or pulley is fixed, through  in hideous contortions. This is only one out of a
which d, the tendon of the trochlearis, passes; e, is  hundred instances in relation to the eye, in which
hea attolens ofuli f r raising up the globe of the eye;  the same benevolent design is displayed.




BENEVOLENCE OF THE DEITY.                                     91
duced hyv tlhe objects of external nature intended  on the other hand, its capacity of expansion, so
to attfect this orgar! The murmurings of the  as to take in a greater qu'antity of rays, prevents
brooks, tho whispers of the gentle breeze, the  us from being in absolute darkness even in the
hum of bees, the chirping of birds, the lowing  deepest gloom, without which we could scarcely
of the herds, the melody of the feathered song-  take a step with safety during a cloudy night.
sters, the roarings of a stormy ocean, the dash-  Again, in the construction of the human body,
ings of a mighty cataract, and, above all, the  and of the various tribes of animated beings,
numerous modulations of the human voice and  however numerous and complicated their organs,
the harmonies of mlusic, produce a variety of  there is no instance can be produced that any
delightful emotions which increase the sum of  one muscle, nerve, joint, limb, or other part, is
human enjoyment.  To gratify the sense of  contrived for the purpose of producing pain.
smelling, the air is perfumed with a variety of  When pain is felt, it is uniformly owing to some
delicious odours, exhaled from innumerable plants  derangement ofthe corporeal organs, but is never
and flowers.  To gratify the feelinge, pleasing  the necessary result of the original contrivance.
sensations of various descriptions are connected  On the other hand, every part of the construcwith almost every thing we have occasion to  tion of living beings, every organ and function,
touch; and to gratify the sense of taste, the earth  and every contrivance, however delicate and
is covered with an admirable profusion of plants,  minute, in so far as its use is known, is found
herbs, roots, and delicious fruits of thousands of  to contribute to the enjoyment of the individual
lifferent qualities and flavours, calculated to con-  to which it belongs, either by facilitating its
vey an agreeable relish to the inhabitants of  movements, by enabling it to ward off dangers,
every clime. Now, it is easy to conceive, that  or in some way or another to produce agreeable
these gratifications were not necessary to our  sensations.
existence.  The purposes of vision, as a mere   In short, the immense multitude ofhuman beings
animal sensation for the use of self-preservation,  whicn people the earth, and the ample provision
might have been answered, although every trace  which is made for their necessities, furnish irreof beauty and sublimity had been swept from the  sistible evidence of divine goodness.  It has
universe, and nothing but a vast assemblage of  been ascertained, that more than sixty thousand
dismal and haggard objects had appeared on the  species of animals inhabit the air, the earth, and
f'ace of nature.  The purpose of hearing might  the waters, besides many thousands which have
have been effected although every sound had  not yet come within the observation of the natubeen grating and discordant, and the voice of me-  ralist. On the surface of the earth there is not
lody for ever unknown. We might have had  a patch of ground or a portion of water, a single
smell without fragrance or perfume; taste with-  shrub, tree, or herb, and scarcely a single leaf
out variety of flavour; and feeling, not only  in the firest, but what teems with animated bewithout the least pleasing sensation, but accom-  ings. How  many hundreds of millions have
panied with incessant pain. But, in this case,  their dwellings in caves, in the clefts of rocks, in
the system of nature would have afforded no  the bark of trees, in ditches, in marshes, in the
direct proofs, as it now does, of divine benevo-  forests, the mountains and the valleys! What
lence.                                        innumerable shoals of fishes inhabit the ocean
The remedies which the Deity has provided  and sport in the seas and rivers! What milagainst the evils t, which we are exposed, are  lions on millions of birds and flying insects, in
likewise a proof of his benevolence. Medicines  endless variety, wing their flight through the
are provided for the cure of the diseases to which' atmosphere above and around us!  Were we
we are liable; heat is furnished to deliver us  to suppose that each species, at an average,
fromn the effects of cold; rest from the fatigues  contains four hundred millions of individuals,
of labour; sleep from the languors of watching;  there would be 24,000,000,000,000, or 24 billions
artificial light to preserve us from the gloom of  of living creatures belonging to all the known
absolute darkness, and shade from tile injuries  species which inhabit the different regions of
of scorching heat. Goodness is also displayed  the world, besides the multitudes of unknown
in the power of self-restoration which our bodies  species yet undiscovered,-which is thirty thou6possess, in recovering us from sickness and dis-  sand times the number of all the human beinms
ea3e, in healing wounds and bruises, and in  that people the globe.*  Besides these, there
recovering our decayed organs of sensation,
without which power almost every human being     As an instance of the immense number of aniwould present a picture of deformity, and a body  mated beings, the following facts in relation to two
species of birds may be stated. Captain Flinders,
fill of scars and putrefying sores. The pupil of  in his voyage to Australasia, saw a compact stream
the eye is so constructed, that it is capable of con-  of stormy petrels, which was from 50 to 80 yards
deep and 300 yards or more broad. This stream for
tracting and dilating by a sort of instinctive power.  a full hour and a half continued to pass without inBy this means the organ of vision defends itself  terruption with nearly the swiftness of the pigeon.
from  the blindness which might dnsue from the  Now, taking the column at 50 yards deep by 300 in
breadth, and that it moved 30 miles an hour, and
admission of too grea t a quantity of light; while, allowing nine cubic inches of space to each bird, the




98            ON TIlE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
are multitudes of animated beings which no man  eats 262 and rejects 212; and the hog, moro
can number, invisible to the unassisted eye, and  nice in its taste than any of these, eats but. 72
dispersed through every region of the earth, air,  plants and rejects all the rest. Yet such is the
and seas. In a small stagnant pool which in  unbounded munificence of the Creator, that al
summer appears covered with a green scum,  these countless myriads of sentient beings are
there are more microscopic animalcules than  amply provided for and nourished by his bounty!
would outnumber all the inhabitants of the earth.  " The eyes of all these look unto Him, and he
How immense then must be the collective num-  openeth his hand and satisfieth the desire of
ber of these creatures throughout every region  every living being."  He has so arranged the
of the earth and atmosphere! It surpasses all  world, that every place affords the proper food
our conceptions. Now, it is a fact that, from  for all the living creatures with which it abounds.
the elephant to the mite, from the whale to the  He has furnished them with every organ and apoyster, and from the eagle to the gnat, or the  paratus of instruments for the gathering, premicroscopic aniinalcula, no aninlal can subsist  paring, and digesting of their food, and has enwithout nourishment.  Every species, too, re-  dowed them wisth admirable sagacity in finding
quires a different kind of food. Some live on  out and providing their nourishment, and in engrass, some on shrubs, some on flowers, and  abling them  to distinguish between what is
some on trees. Some feed only on the roots of salutary and what is pernicious. In the exercise
vegetables, some on the stalk, some on the leaves,  of these faculties, and in all their movements,
some on the fruit, some on the seed, some on  they appear to experience a happiness suitable
the whole plant; some prefer one species of to their nature; The young of all animals in
grass, some another. Linnaeus has remarked,  the exercise of their newly acquired faculties, the
that the cow eats 276 species of plants and re-  fishes sporting in the waters, the birds skimming
jects 218; the goat eats 449 and rejects 126;  beneath the sky and warbling in the thickets, the'the sheep eats 387 and rejects 141; the horso  gamesome cattle browsing in the pastures, the
wild deer bounding through the forests, the innumber would amount to 151 millions and a half.ding  through  the  
The migratory pigeon of the United States flies in  sects gliding through the air and along the
still more amazing multitudes.  Wilson, in his  ground, and even the earth-worms wriggling in
"American Ornithology," says, "Of one of these  the dust,-proclaim, by the vivacity of-their
immense flocks, let us attempt to calculate the
numbers, as seen in passing between Ftrankfort on  movements and the various tones and gesticulathe Kentucky and the Indian territory. If we sup-  tions, that the exercise of their powers is conpose this column to have been one mile in breadth,  nected with enjoyment. Inthisboundlessscen
an~i I believe it to have been much more, and that it
moved four hours at the rate of one mile a minute,  of beneficence, we behold a striking illustration
the time it continued in passing would make the  of the declarations of the inspired writers, ehat
whole length 240 miles. Again, supposing that each
square yard of this moving body comprehended three
pigeons, the square yards multiplied by S would  full of his riches," and that " his tender mercies
give 2:230,272,000," that is, two thousand two hun-  are over all his works."
t.red and thirty millions and two hundred and sefverty-two thousand, nearly three times the number    Such are a few evidences of the benevolence
of all the human inhabitants of the globe, but which  of the Deity as displayed in the arrangements of
Mr. Wilson reckons to be far below the actual  the materialworld. However plainand obvious
amount. Were we to estimate the number of animals by the scale here afforded, it would amount to  they may appear to a reflecting mind, they are
several hundreds or thousands of times more than  almost entirely overlooked by the bulk of man.
what I have stated in the text. For if a single flock  kind owing to their ignorance of the facts of na.
of pigeons now alluded to in only one district of ther ignorance of the facts of n
earth, amounts to so prodigious a number, how  tural history and science, and the consequent
many thousand times more must be the amount of  inattention and apathy with which they are acthe same species in all the regions of the globe! In
the above calculations, it is taken for granted that  customed to view  the objects of the visible
pigeons fly at the rateof from 30 to 60 miles an houlr,  crention. Hence they are incapacitated for
and it is found by actual experiment that this is the  apeciating  the benefi
case. In 183o, 110 pigeons were brought from Brus-  appreccent character of the
sels to London, and were'let fly on the 19th July,  Creator, and the riches of his munificence; and
at a quarter before nine A. M. One reached Ant-  incapable of feeling those emotions of admirawerp, 1S6 miles distance, at 18 minutes past 2, or inich   enlightened
5 1-2 hours, being at the rate of 34 miles an hour.  lion and gratitude which an enlightened contemFive more reached the same place within eight mi-  plation of the scene of nature is calculated to
nutes afterwards, and thirteen others in the course  inspire.
of eight hours after leaving London, Another went
from London to Maestricht, 260 miles, in six hours    4. An enlightened and comprehensive survey
and a quarter, being at the rate of nearly 42 miles  of the universe presents to us a view of the vast
an hour. The golden eagle sweeps through the at-  multiplicity of conceptions and the infinitely dive,mosphere at the rate of 40 miles an hour, and it has
been computed that the Swift flies, at an average,  sified ideas which have beenformed in the Divine
I6o miles a day, and yet finds time to feed, to clean  JMind.
itself, and to collect materials for its nest with apparent leisure. Such are the numbers of this species    As the conceptions existing inthe mind of art
of aniirated beings, andtl such the powers of rapid  artificer are known by the instruments he conmotion which the Creator has conferred upon them,  structs, or the operations he performs, so the
— powers which man, with all his intellectual faculties and inventions, has-neveryet been able to attain.  id'as which have existed from eternity in the




VARIETY OF ANIMAL FUNCTIONS, 9.
mnind of the Creator are ascertained from the  and beetles, and others above twenty thousarss,
ojiects he has created, the events he has pro-  as the dragon-fly and several species of butter.
duced, and the operations he is incessantly con-  flies. In regard to the ear,-some have it large,
ducting.'The formation of a single object is an  erect and open, as in the hare, to hear the least
exhibition'of the idea existing in the Creating  approach of danger; in some it is covered to
Mind,,,f which it is a copy.  The formation of  keep out noxious bodies; and, in others, as in
a second or a third object exactly resembling the  the mole, it is lodged deep and backward in the
first, would barely exhibit the same ideas a  head, and fenced and guarded from external insecond or a third time, without disclosing any  juries. With regard to their clothing,-some
thing new concerning the Creator; and, conse-  have their bodies covered with hair, as quadruquentlp, our corn eptions of his intelligence would  peds; some with feathers, as birds; some with
not be enlarged, even although thousands and  scales, as fishes; some with shells, as the tormillions of such objects were presented to our  toise; some only with skin; some with stout and
view,-just as a hundred clocks and watches,  firm armour, as the rhinoceros; and others with
exactly of the same kind, constructed by the  prickles, as the hedgehog and porcupine-all
same artist, give us no higher idea of his skill nicely accommodated to the nature of the animal,
and ingenuity than the construction of one. But,  and the element in which it lives. These coverevery variety in objects and arrangements ex-  ings, too, are adorned with diversified beautis,
hibits a new discovery of the plans, contrivances  as appears in the plumage of birds, the feathers
and intelligence of the Creator.              of the peacock, the scales of the finny tribes, the
Now, in the universe we find all things con-  hair of quadrupeds, and the variegated polish
structed and arranged on the plan of boundless  and colouring of the tropical shell-fish-beauties
and unitersal variety. In the animal kingdom   which, in point of symmetry, polish, texture,
there have been actually ascertained, as already  variety, and exquisite colouring, mock every atnoticed, about sixty thousand different species of  tempt of human art to copy or to imitate.
living creatures. There are about 600 species    In regard to respiration-some breathe through
of mammalia, or animals that suckle their yo,-ng,  the mouth by means of lungs, as men and quad.
most of which are quadrupeds-4000 species of  rupeds; some by means of gills, as fishes; and
birds, 3000 species offishes, 700 species of rep-  some by organs placed in other parts of their
tiles, and 44,000 species of insects.*  Besides  bodies, as insects.  In regard to the circulation
these, there are about 3000 species of shell-fish,  of the blood, some have but one ventricle in the
and perhaps not less than eighty or a hundred  heart, some two, and others three.  In some
thousand species of animalcules invisible to the  animals, the heart throws its blood to the renaked eye; and new species are daily discover-  motert parts of the system; in some it throws
lng, in consequence of the zeal and industry of  it only into the respiratory organs; in others,
the lovers of natural history. As the system of  the blood from the respiratory organs is carried
animated nature has never yet been thoroughly  by the veins to another heart, and this second
explored, we might safely reckon the number of  heart distributes the blood, by the channel of its
species of animals of all kinds, as amounting to  arteries, to the several parts.  In many insects,
at least three-hundred thousand. We are next  a number of hearts are placed at intervals on the
to consider, that the organical structure of each  circulating course, and each renews the impulse
species consists of an immense multitude of  of the former, where the momentum  of the
parts, and that all the species are infinitely diver-  blood fails. In regard to the movements of their
sified-differing from each other in their forms,  bodies,-some are endowed with swift motions,
organs, members, faculties and motions.-They   and others with slow; some walk on two legs,
are of all shapes and sizes, from the microscopic  as fowls; some on four, as dogs; some on eight,
animalculum, ten thousand times less than a  as caterpillars'; some on a hundred, as scolomite, to the elephant and the whale.-They are  pendrae or millepedes; some on fifteen hundred
different in respect of the construction of their  and twenty feet, as one species of sea-star; and
sensitive organs. In regard to the eye, some  some on two thousand feet, as a certain species
have this organ placed in the front, so as to look  of echinus.*  Some glide along with a sinuous
directly forward, as in man; others have it so  motion on scales, as snakes and serpents; some
placed, as to take in nearly a whole hemisphere,  skim through the air, one species on two wings,
as in birds, hares and conies; some have it  another on four; and some convey themselves
fixed, and others, moveable; some have two  with speed and safety by the help of their webs,
globes or balls, as quadrupeds; some havefour,  as spiders; while others glide with agility through
as snails, which are fixed in their horns; some  the waters by means of their tails and fins.have eight, set like a locket of diamonds, as  But it would require volumes to enumerate and
spiders; some have several hundreds, as flies
* See Lyonet's notes to Lesser's Insecto-TheoSpecimens of all these species are to be seen in  logy, who also mentions that these Echirai have
the masrificent collections in the Museum of Na-  1300 horns, similar to those of snails, which they can
tural History at Paris.                       put out and draw in at pleasure.




94              ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
explain all the known varieties which distinguish  in addition to the 14,200 adaptations stated
the different species of animated beings. Besides  above, that there are 10,000 veins great and
the varieties of the species, there are not, per-  small, 10,000 arteries, 10,000 nerves,* 1000 lihaps, of all the hundreds of millions which com-  gaments, 4000 lacteals and lymphatics, 100,000
pose any one species, two individuals precisely  glands, 1,600,000,000 vesicles in the lungs,
alike in every point of view in which they may  1,000,000,000 scales, and 200,000,000,000 of
be contemplated.                              pores, the amount would be 202,600,149,200 difAs an example of the numerous parts and  ferent parts and adaptations in the human body;
functions which enter into the construction of an  and if all the other species were supposed to be
animal frame, it may be stated, that, in the hu-  differently organised, and to consist of a sirniman body there are 445 bones, each of them  lar number of parts, this number multiplied by
having forty distinct scopes or intentions; and  300,000, the supposed number of species-the
246 muscles, each having ten several intentions;  product would amount to 60,780,044,760,000,000,
so that the system of boltes and muscles alone  or above sixty thousand billions,-the number
includes above 14,200 varieties, or different in-  of distinct ideas, conceptions or contrivances, in
tentions and adaptations.  But, besides the  relation to the animal world-a number of which
bones and muscles, there are hundreds of tendons  we can have no precise conception, and which,
and ligaments for the purpose of connecting them  to limited minds like ours, seems to approximate
together; hundreds of nerves ramified over the  to something like infinity; but it may tend to
whole body to convey sensation to all its parts;  convey a rude idea of the endless multiplicity
thousands of arteries to convey the blood to the  of conceptions which pervade the Eternal Mind.
remotest extremities, and thousands of veins to    That many other tribes of animated nature
bring it back to the heart; thousands of lacteal  have an organization no less complicated and
and lymphatic vessels to absorb nutriment from   diversified than that of man, will appear from
the food; thousands of glands to secrete hu-  the following statements of M. Lyonet.  This
mours from  the blood, and of emunctories to  celebrated naturalist wrote a treatise on one
throw them  off from the system-and, besides  single insect, the cossus caterpillar, which lives
many other parts of this variegated system, and  on the leaves of the willow,-in which he has
functions with which we are unacquainted, there  shown, from the anatomy of that minute animal,
are more than sixteen hundred millions of mem-  that its structure is almost as comlplicated as that
branous cells or vesicles connected with the  of the human body, and many of the parts which
lungs, more than two hundred thousand millions  enter into its organization even mole numerous.
of pores in the skin, through which the perspira-  He has found it necessary to em'ploy twenty
tion is incessantly flowing, and above a thousand  figures to explain the organization of the head,
millions of scales, which according to Lqeuwenm-  which contain 228 different muscles. There are
hoek, Baker, and others, compose the cuticle or  1647 muscles in the body, and 2066 in the inoutward covel mg of the body. We have also to  testinal tube, making in all 3941 muscles; oi
take into the account, the compound organs of  nearly nine times the number of muscles in the
life, the numerous parts of which they consist,  human body. There are 94 principal nerves
and the diversified functions they perform; such  which divide into  innumerable ramifications.
as the brain, with its infinite number of fibres  There are two large tracheal arteries, one at
and numerous functions; the heart, with its au-  the right, and the other at the left side of the
rides and ventricles; the stomach, with its  insect, each of them communicating with the air
juices and muscular coats; the Over, with its  by means of nine spiracula.  Round each spiralobes and glands; the spleen, with its infinity of  culum the trachea pushes forth a great number
cells and membranes; the pancreas, with its  of branches, which are again divided into smaller
juice and numerous glands; the kidneys, with  ones, and these further subdivided and spread
their fine capillary tubes; the intestines, with all  through the whole body of the caterpillar; they
their turnings  and convolutions; the organs of  are naturally of a silver colour, and make a
sense, with their multifarious connexions; the  beautiful appearance.  The principal trachael'
mesentery, the gall-bladder, the ureters, the  vessels divide into 1326 different branches. All
pylorus, the duodenum, the blood, the bile, the  this complication of delicate machinery, with
lymph, the saliva, the chyle, the hairs, the.nails,  numerous other parts and organs, are comand numerous other parts and substances, every  pressed into a body only about two inches in
one of which has diversified functions to per-  length.
form.  Wre have also to take into consideration  ~  The amazing extent of the ramification of the
the number of ideas included in the arrangement  veins and nerves may be judged of from this circumsail aonnexion of all these parts, and in the lnan-  stance, th at neither the point of the smallest needle,
nor the infinitely finer lance of a gnat can pierce
ner in which they are compacted into one systen  any part without drawing blood, and causing an un.
of small dimensions, so as to afford free scope  easy sensation, consequmently without wounding, by
for all the intended functions. If, then, for the  so sjall a pImmcture, both a nerve amid a veii: ana
therefore the numher of these vessels here assumed
sake of a rude calculation, we were to suppose,  may be considered as far,elow the truth.




VARIETY IN THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM.                                    95
NWvrere we to direct our attention to the vegeta-  and seem to reign over their iellows mn the same
Me kingdom, we might contemplate a scene no  parterre, others are lowly or creep along the
less variegated and astonishing than what ap-  ground; some exhibit the most dazzling colours,
pears m the animal world. There have already  others are simple and blush almost unseen. some
been discovered more than fifty-six thousand  perfume the air with exquisite odours, while
species of plants, specimens of all which may be  others only please the sight with their beautiful
seen in the Museum  of Natural History at  tints. Not only the forms and colours of flowers
Paris.  But we cannot reckon the actual num-  but their perfumes, are different.  The odour
ber of species in the earth and seas at less than  of southernwood differs from that of thyme, that
four orfive hundred thousand.  They are of all  of peppermint from balm, and that of the daisy
sizes, from the invisible forests which are seen  from the rose, which indicates a variety in their
in a piece of mouldiness, by the help of the mi-  internal structure, and in the juices that clrcucroscope, to the cocoas of Malabar fifty feet in  late within them.  The leaves of all vegetables,
circumference, and the banians, whose shoots  like the skin of the human body, are diversified
cover a circumference of five acres of ground.  with. a multitude of extremely fine vessels, and
Each of them is furnished with a complicated  an astonishing number of pores. In a kind of
system of vessels for the circulation of its juices,  box-tree called Palma Cereres, it has been obthe secretion of its odours, and other important  served that there are above an hundred and sefunctions somewhat analogous to those of ani-  venty-two thousand pores on one single side of
mals. Almost every vegetable consists of a  the leaf. In short, the whole earth is covered
root, trunk, branches, leaves, skin, bark, pith,  with vegetable life in such profusion and variety
sap-vessels, or system  of arteries and veins,  as astonishes the contemplative nind. Not only
glands for perspiration, flowers, petals, stamina,  the fertile plains, but the rugged mountains, the
farina, seed-case, seed, fruit, and various other  hardest stones, the most barren spots, and even
parts; and these are different in their construe-  the caverns of the ocean, are diversified with
tion and appearance in the different species.  plants of various kinds; and, from the torrid to
Some plants, as the oak, are distinguished for  the frigid zone, every soil and every climate has
their strength and hardness; others, as the elm  plants and flowers peculiar to itself.  To attempt
and fir, are tall and slender; some are tall, like the  to estimate their nlumnber and variety would be
cedar of Lebanon, while others never attain to  to attempt to dive into the depths of infinity.
any considerable height; some have a rough and  Yet, every diversity in the species, every variety
uneven bark, while others are smooth and fine, as  in the form  of the individuals, and even every
the birch, the maple, and the poplar; some are so  difference in the shade and combination of coslight and delicate that the least wind may over-  lour in flowers of the same species, exhibits a
turn them, while others can resist the violence  distinct conception which must have existed in
of the northern blasts; some acquire their full.the Divine Mind before the vegetable kingdom
growth in a few years, while others grow to a  was created.
prodigious height and size, and stand unshaken   Were we to take a survey of the mineral kingamidst the lapse of centuries; some drop their  dom, we should also behold a striking exhibition
leaves in autumn, and remain for months like  of the "manifold wisdom of God."  It is true,
blighted trunks, while others retain their verdure  indeed, that we cannot penetrate into the inteamidst the most furious blasts of winter; some  rior recesses of the globe, so as to ascertain the
have leaves scarcely an inch in length or breadth,  substances which exist, and the processes which
while others, as the tallipot of Ceylon, have  are going on near its central regions.  But,
leaves so large that onenof them, it is said, will  within a few hundreds of fathoms of its surface,
shelter fifteen or twenty men from the rain.  we find such an astonishing diversity of mineral
Tne variety in the vegetable kingdom in re-  substances as clearly shows, that its internal
spect of flowers, is apparent even to the least  parts have been constructed on the same plan of
attentive observer.  Every species is different  variety as thaL of the animal and vegetable kingfrom another in the form and hues which it exhi-  doms.  In the classes of earthy, saline, inflambits.  The carnation differs from the rose, the  mable, and metallic fossils, under which minerose from the tulip, the tulip from the auricula,  ralogists have an,.nged the substances of the
the atiricula from the lily, the lily from the nar-  mineral kingdom, are contained an immense
cisaus, and the rununculus from the daisy. At  number of genera and species. Under the earth3
the same time each rununculus, daisy, rose or  class offossils are comprehended diamonds, chrytulip, has its own particular character and beauty,  solites, menilites, garnets, zeolites, corundums,
something that is peculiar to itself, and in which  agates, jaspers, opals, pearl-stones, tripoli, clay
it is distinguished from its fellows. In a bed of slate, basalt, lava, chalk, limestone, ceylanite,
rununculuses, or tulips, for example, we shall  strontian, barytes, celestine, and various other
scarcely find two individuals that have precisely  substances. The saline class comprehends such
the same aspect, or present the same assemblage  substances as the following, rratron or natural
of c(.ours. Some flowers are of a stately size,  soda. rock. salt. nitre, alum, sal-ammoniac, Ep7




Ad;          ~ON T'IE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE. /
some salt &c. The class of inflammable sub-  and other stones, we cannot fail to be struck with
stancet comprehends sulphur, carbon, bitumen,  admiration, not only at the exquisite polish and
coal, amrber, charcoal, naphtha, petroleum, as-  the delicate wavings which their surfaces pre.
plhalt, caoutchouc, mineral tar, &c. The metallic  sent, but at the variety of design and colouring
class comprehends plalina, gold, silver, mercury,  exhibited even by individuals of the same spe.
copper, iron, lead, tin, bismuth, zinc, antimony,  cies, the latent beauties and diversities of which
cobalt, nickel, manganese, molybdenum, arsenic,  require the,assistance of a microscope to dis.
scheele, nlenachanlte, uran, silvan chromium,  cern, and are beyond the efforts of:.e most ex.
tungsten, uranium, titanium, tellurium, sodium,  quisite pencil fully to imitate.
potassium, &c. All these mineral substances'   Not only in the objects which are visible to
are distinguished by nmany varieties of species.  the unassisted eye, but also in those which can
l'here are eight genera of earthy fossils.  One  only be perceived by the help of microscopes, is the.,f these genera, theflint, contains 34 species,  characteristic of variety to be seen.  In the
besides numerous varieties, such as chrysobe-  scales of fishes, for example, we perceive an inryls, topazes, agates, beryls, quartz, emery,  finite number of diversified specimens of the'diamond spar, &c. Another genus, the clay,  most curious workmanship.  Some of these are
contains 32 species, such as opal, pitch-stone,  of a longish form, some round, some triangular,
felspar, black chalk, mica, hornblende, &c. and  some square; in short, of all imaginable variety
another, the calc, contains 20 species, as lime-  ofshapes. Someare armed with sharp prickles,
stone, chalk, slate, spar, fluor, marle, boracite,  as in the perch and sole; some. have smooth
loam, &c. There are ten species of silver, five  edges, as in the tench and cod-fish; and even
of mercury, seventeen of copper, fourteen of iron,  in the same fish there is a considerable variety;
ten of lead, six of antimony, three of bismuth, &c.  for the scales taken from the belly, the back, the
All the bodies of the mineralkingdom differ from   sides, the head and other parts, are all different
one another as to figure, transparency, hardness,  from each other. In the scale of a perch we
lustre, ductility, texture, structure, feel, sound,  perceive one piece of delicate mechanism, in the
smell, taste, gravity, and their magnetical and  scale of a haddock another, and in the scale of
electrical properties;. and they exhibit almost  a sole, beauties different from both. We find
every variety of colour. Some of those sub-  some of them  ornamented with a prodigious
stances are soft and pulverable, and serve as a  number of concentric flutings, too near each
ned for the nourishment of vegetables, as black  other and too fine to be easily enumerated,
earth, chalk, clay, and marl. Some are solid,  These flutings are frequently traversed by others,as lead and iron; and some are fluid, as mer-  diverging from the centre of the scale, and pro-,cury, sodium, and potassium. Some are brittle,  ceeding from thence in a straight line to the ciras antimony and bismuth, and some are nlallea-  cumference. On every fish there are many thou.:ble, as silver and tin. Some are subject to the  sands of these variegated pieces of mechanism.
attraction of the magnet, others are conductors  The hairs on the bodies of all animals are found,
of the electric fire; some are easily fusible by  by the microscope, to be composed of a number
heat, others will resist the strongest heat of our  of extremely minute tubes, each of which has a.common fires. Some are extremely ductile, as  round bulbous root, by which it imbibes its pro-.olatina, the heaviest of the metals, which has  per nourishment from the adjacent humours, and
been drawn into wires less than the two thou-  these are all different in different animals. Hairs,sandth part of an inch in dialneter,-and gold,  taken from the head, the eye-brows, the nostrils,:the parts of which are are so fine and expansi-  the beard, the hand, and other parts of the body,
ole, that an ounce of it is sufficient to gild asil-  are unlike to each other, both in the construc%er wire more than 1300 miles long.          tion of the roots and the hairs themselves, and
In order to acquire the most impressive idea  appear as varied as plants of the same genus but
of the mineral kingdom, we must visit an exten-  of different species. The parts of which the
sive mineralogical museum, where,ne spectator  feathers of birds are composed, afford a beautiwill be astonished both at the beauty and the  ful variety of the most exquisite workmanship.'infinite diversity which the Creator has exhibit-  There is scarcely a feather but contains a mil-:edin this department of nature. Here it may  lion of distinct parts, every one of them regularly
it, aiso noticed, that not only the external aspect  shaped. In a small fibre of a goose-quill, more
ot minerals, but also the interiorcosqfiguration of  than 1200 downy branches or small leaves have
many of them, displays innumerable beauties  been counted on each side, and each appeared
and varieties.  A rough dark-looking pebble,  divided into 16 or 18 small joints. A small part'which to an incurious eye appears only like a  of the feather of a peacock, one-thirtieth of an
Ifragment of common rock, when cut asunder and  inch in length, appears no less beautiful than the
polished, presents an assemblage of the finest  whole feather does to the naked eye, exhibiting
veins and most brilliant colours. If we go into  a multitude of bright shining parts, reflecting first'a lapidary's shop and take a leisurely survey of  one colour and then another in the most vivid,sis japers, toepazes, cornelialls, agates, garnets,  manner.  The wings of all kind of insects, tVo




MISCROSCOPIC ANIMALCUL-A.                                    97
present tn infin'te variety, no less captivating  round white spot."  This gives us'an idea of
I:o the mind than pleasing to the eye. They  the existence of shell-fish which are invisible to
appear strengthe. ed and distended by the finest the naked eye, and, consequently, smaller than,Ilnes, and covered with the lightest membranes.  a mite.
So:nfe of them are adorned with neat and beau-    The variety of forms in which animal life
tifal feathers, and r.any of them provided with  appears, in those invisible departments of creathel finest articulations and foldings for the wings,  tion which the microscope has enabled us to exwiihen they are withdrawn and about to be folded  plore, is truly wonderful and astonishing. Microup in their cases.  The thin membranes of the  scopic animals are so different from those of the
Vwiags appear beautifully divaricated with thou-  larger kinds, that scarcely any analogy seems to
slxnds of little points, like silver studs. The  exist between them; and one would be almost
vwilags of some flies arejfilmy, as the dragon-fly;  tempted to suppose that they lived in conseoelears have them stuck over with short bristles,  quence of laws directly opposite to those which
as the flesh-fly; some have rows of feathers  preserve man and the other larger animals in
along their ridges, and borders round their edge,  existence. When we endeavour to explore this
as in gnats; some have hairs and others have  region of animated nature, we feel as if we were
hooks placed with the greatest regularity and  entering on the confines of a new world, and
ortder. In the wings of moths and butterflies  surveying a new race of sentient existence. The
there are millions of small feathers of different number of these creatures exceeds all human
shapes, diversified with the greatest variety of  calculation. Many hundreds of species, all difbright and vivid colours, each of them so small fering in their forms, habits, and motions, have
as to se altogether invisible to the naked eye.    already been detected and described, but we
The leaves of all. plants and flowers when ex-. have reason to believe, that by far the greater
amined by the microscope, are found to be full part is unexplored, and perhaps for ever hid from,,f innumerable ramifications that convey the  the view of man. They are of all shapes and
p.rspirable juices to the pores, and to consist of  forms: some of them appear like minute atoms,
barenchymous and ligneous fibres, interwoven  some like globes and spheroids, some like hand.
i: a curious and admirable manner.  The  bells, some like wheels turning on an axis, some
s nallest leaf, even one which is little more than, like double-headed monsters, some like cylinvnible to the naked eye, is found to be thus di-  ders, some have a worm-like appearance, some
varicated, and the valiegations are different in  have horns, some resemble eels, some are like
the leaves ofdifferentvegetables.-A transverse  long hairs, 150 times as long as they are broad,
section of aplant not nmore than one-fourth of an  some like spires and cupolas, some like fishes,
rnch in diameter, displays such beauties and va-  and some like animated vegetables. Some of
ieties, through a powerful microscope, as can-  them are almost visible to the naked eye, and
not be conceived without ocular inspection. some so small that the breadth of a human hair'rhe number of pores, of all sizes, amounting to  would cover fifty or a hundred of them, and
handreds of thousands (which appear to be the  others so minute, that millions of millionspf them
vessels of the plant cut asunder,) the beautiful  might be contained within the compass of a
curves they assume, and the radial and circular  square inch. In every pond and ditch, and
configurations they present, are truly astonish-  almost in every puddle, in the infusions of pepper,'ng; and every distinct species of plants exhibits  straw, grass,. oats, hay and other vegetables, in
a different configuration. I have counted in a  paste and vinegar, and in the water found in
(-mall section of a plant, of the size now stated,  oysters, on almost every plant and flower, and in
6000 radial lines, each containing about 250  the rivers, seas and oceans, these creatures are
pores, great and small, which amount to one mil-  found in such numbers and variety as almost
lion twt hundred and fifty thousand of these va-  exceed our conception or belief. A class of
tiegated apertures.-Even the particles of sand  these animals, called.Mudusse, has been found
(,n the sea-shore, and on the banks of rivers,  so numerous as to discolour the ocean itself.
dlifter in the size, fortn, and colour of their grains;  Captain Scoresby found the number in the olives:ne being transparent, others opaque, some  green sea to be immense. A cubic inch contains
having rough and others smooth surfaces; some  sixty-four, and consequently a cubic mile would
are spherical or oval, and some pyramidal, co-  contain 23,888,000,000,000,000; so that, if one
nical or prismatical. Mr. Hook, happening to  person should count a million in seven days, it
view some grains of white sand through his mi-  would have required that 80,000 persons should
croscope, hit upon one of the grains which was  have started at the creation of the world to have
exactly shaped and wreathed like'a shell, though  completed the enumeration at the present time.
it was no larger than the point of a pin. " It  Yet, all the minute animals to which we now
resembled the shell of a small water-snail, and  allude are furnished with numerous organs of
had twelve wvreathings, all growing proportiona-  life as well as the larger kind, some of their inb!v one less than the other towards the middle or  ternal movements are distinctly visible, their
uentre of the sllel!, where there was a very small motions are evidently voluntary, and some of




98              ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
them appear to be possessed of a considerable  generally not above 1-60th of an inch, with scomn
degree of sagacity, and to be fond of each other's. of the laxge trees in Guinea and Brazil of twen40,ciety.*                                       ty feet diameter, we shall find the bulk of the
in short, it may be affirmed without the least  one will exceed that of the other no less than
hesitation, that the beauties and varieties which  2,985,984,000,000 times, which multiplied by
exist in those regions of creation which are in-  1000 will produce 2,985,984,(i00,000,000, the
visible to the unassisted eye, are far more nu-  number of times, which the large tree exceeds
merous than all that appears to a common ob-  the rose-leaf plant.  Yet this immense interval
server in the visible economy of nature.  How   is filled up with plants and trees of every form and
far this scene of creating Power and Intelligence  size!  With good reason, then, may we adopt
may extend beyond the range of our microscopic  the language of the inspired writers,-" How
instruments, it is impossible for mortals to deter-  manifold are thy works, O Lord!  In wisdom
mine; for the filler our glasses are, and the  hast thou made them  all.  O the depth of the
higher the magnifying powers we apply, the  riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of
more numerous and varied are the objects which  God! Marvellous things doth He which we canthey exhibit to our view. And as the largest  not comprehend."*
telescope is insufficient to convey our views to
tle boundaries of the great universe, so we may    * The figures of microscopical objects contained
justly conclude, that the most powerful micros-  in the engravings Nos. I. and Il., will convey a rude
cope that has been or ever will be constructed,  idea of some of the obects to which I have now alt
will be altogether insufficient to guide our views    No. I. Fig. 1. represents the scale of a sole-fish as
to the utmost limits of the descending scale of  it appears through a good microscope. CDEF, recreation. But what we already know of these  presents that part of the scale which appears on the
outside of the fish, and ABCD, the part which adunexplored and inexplorable regions, gives us an  heres to the skin, being furrowed, that it may hold
amazing conception of the intelligence and wis-  the faster. It is terminate(l by )ointed spikes, every
is  alternate one being longer than the interjacent ones.
dom  of the Creator, of the immensity of his  Fig. 2, is the scale of a haddock, which appears dinature, and of the infinity of ideas which, during   varicated like a piece of net-work. Fig. 3, repreevery portion of past duration, must have been   vents a small portionor fibre of the feather of a pea.
cock, only 1-30th of an inch in extent, as it appears in
present before his All-Comprehensive Mind.  the microscope. The small fibres of these feathers
What an immense space in the scale of animnal  appear, through this instrument, no less beautiful
life intervenes between an onimalcule which  thanthe whole feather does to the naked eye. Each
of the sprigs or hairs on each side of the fibre, as CD,
appears only the size of a visible point, wheri   DC, appears to consist of a  multitudeof bright shinmagnified 500,000 times, and a whals, a bun-  ing parts which are a congeries of small plates, as
eee, &c. The under sides of each of these plates are
dred feet long and twenty broad! The proportion  very dark and opaque, reflecting all the rays thrown
of bulk between the one of these beings and the  upon them like the foil of a looking-glass; but their
other is neiarly as 34, ~560n  00,0 0, non @nc l00   upper sides seem to consist of a multitude of exceed~~~~vvv ) vvvv~. 7   2   x are rinlgly thin plated bodies, lying close together, which,
to 1.  Yet all the intermediate space is filled  by various positions of the light, reflect first one
up with animated beings of every form and order!  colour and then another, in a most vivid and surprising manner. Fig. 4, 5, 6, 7, represent some of
A similar variety obtains in the vegetable king-  the different kinds of feathers which constitute the
dom.  It has been calculated, that some plants  dust which adheres to the wings of moths and hutwhich grow on rose leaves, and other shrubs, are  terflies, and which, in the microscope, appear tinged
with a variety of colours. Each of these feathers is
so small that it would require more than a thou-  an object so small as to be scarcely perceptible to the
sand of them to equal in bullk a single plant of  naked eye.
moss; and if we compare a steni ofmoss, which is    E.eplanatzon. of thiregures on No. 1I.-Fig. 1. re~X                   X ~~~~~ presents a mite, which has eight legs, with five or
six joints in each, two feelers, a small head in pro
The following extract from Mr. Baker's descrip-  portion to its bodty, a sharp snout and mouth like
tion of the hair-like anrinralcube will illustrate sone  that of a mole, and two little eyes. The body is of an
of these positions. A small quantity of the matter  oval form, with a number of hairs like bristles iscontaining these animalcules having been put into  suing fronm it, and the legs terminate in two hooked
a jar of water, it so happenied, that one part went  claws.  Fig. 2. represents a microscopic animal
d.own immediately to the bottom, while the other  which was found in an infusion of anem.ony. The
continued floating on the top. When tililngs had  surface of its h:tck is covered with a fine mask in tls
remained for some time in this condition, each of  form of a hiuna.nfc'ce, it has three feet on each side,
these swarms of animalcules began to grow weary  and a tail which comes out from under the mask.
of its situation, and had a mind to change its quar-  Fig. 3, is an animalcula found in the infusion of rid
ters. Both armies, therefore, set out at the same  hay. A, shows the head, with the mouth opened
time, the one proceeding upwards and the other  wide, and its lips furnished with numerous hairs;
downwards; so that after some time they met in the  B, is its forked tail, D, its intestines, and C, its heart,
middle. A desire of knowing how they would be-  which may be seen in regular motion. T'he circullnhave on this occasion, engaged the observer to  ference of the body appears indented like the teeth
watch them carefully; and to his surprise, he saw- of a saw.  Fig. 4, shows the Wheel animal or Vortt.e army that was marching upwards, open to the  ticella. It is found in rain-water thatihas stood solle
right and left, to make room for those that were  days in leaden gutters, or in hollows of lead on the
descending. Thus, without confusion or intermix-  tops of houses. The most remarkable part of this
ture, each held on its way; the army that was going  animalcula is its wheel work, which consists of two
up marching in two columns to the top, and the  semicircular instruments, round the edges of which
other proceeding in one column to the bottom, as if  many little fibrille move themselves very brisktly
each had. been under the Direction of wise leaders.   sometimes with a kind of rotation, and sometimes




VARIETY' IN THE SYSTEM OF NATUIRE.                                        99
Even the external aspect of nature, as it ap-  another in its size, in its spheroidal shape, in its
pears to a superficial observer, presents a scene  diurnal rotation, in the aspect of its surface, irn
of variety. The ranges of mountains with sum-  the constitution of its atmosphere, in the nummits of different heights and shapes, the hills  ber of moons with which it is surrounded, in the
arid plains, the glens and dells, the waving  nature of its seasons, in its distance from  the
curves which appear on the face of every land-  sun, in the eccentricity of its orbit, in the period
sc:ape, the dark hues of the forests, the verdure  of its annual revolution, and in the proportion
of the fields, the towering cliffs, the rugged pre-  it receives of light and heat.  Every comet, too,
cipices, the rills, the rivers, the cataracts, the  differs from another in its form  and magnitude,
lakes and seas; the gulphs, the bays and penin-  in the extent of its nucleus and tail, in the period
sulas; the numerous islands of every form and  of its revolution, in the swiftness of its motion,
size which diversify the surface of the ocean,  and in the figure of the curve, it describes around
and the thousands of shades of colouring which  the sun; and "one star differeth from another
appear on every part of sublunary nature, pre-  star in glory."  But could we transport ourselves
sent a scene of diversified beauty and sublimity  to the surfaces of these distant orbs, and survey
to the eye of every beholder.-And if we lift  every part of their constitution and arrangeour eyes to the regions of the firmament, we  ments, we should, doubtless, behold beauties.likewise behold a scene of sublimity and gran-  and varieties of divine workmanship far more
deur mingled with variety.  The sun himself  numerous, and surpassing every thing that apappears diversified with spots of various shapes  pears in our sublunary system.  We have every
and sizes, some a hundred, some a thousand,  reason to believe, from the infinite nature of the
and some ten thousand miles in dianleter-indi-  Divinity, and from what,we actually behold,
eating operations and changes of amazing ex-  that the mechanism and arrangements of every
tent-and almost every new  revolution on his  world in the universe are all different from each
axis presents us with new and varied clusters.  other; and we find that this is actually the case,
Every planet in the solar system  differs from   in so far as our observations extend.  The
In a trembling or vibratory manner. Sometimes the  proteus, so named on account of its assuming agreat
wheels seem to be entire circles, with teeth like  numberof different shapes. Its most common shape
those of the balance-wheel of a watch: but their  bears a resemblance to that of a swan, and it
figure varies according to the degree of their pro-  swims to and fro with great vivacity.  When it is
trusion, and seems to depend upon the will of the  alamnyed, it suddenly draws in its long neck, transanimal itself; a, is the head and heels; b, is the heart,  forming itself into the shape represented at in, and,
where its systole and diastole are plainly visible, and  at other times it puts forth a new head and neck
the alternate motions of contraction and dilatation   with a kind of wheel machinery, as at n.  Fig. 12,
anB performed with great strength and vigour in  exhibits a species of asnimalcula shaped like bells
about the same time as the pulsation of a man's ar-  with long tails, by which they fasten themselves to
ter.. This animal assumes various shapes, one of  the roots of duck weed, in which they were found.
which is represented at fig. 5, and becomes occasion-  They dwell in colonies, from ten to fiftp.-n in numally a case for all the other parts of the body.  ber. Fig. 13, is the globe anirmazl, which appears exFig. 6, represents an insect with net-like armms. It  actly globular, having no appearance of either head,
is found in cascades where the water runs very  tail or fints. It moves in all directions, forwards or
swift. Its body appears curiously turned as on a. backwards, up or down, either rolling over and over
lathe, arid at the tail are three sharp) spines, by  like a bowl, spinning horizontallylike a top, or glidwhicih it raises itself and stands upright in the water;  ing along smoothly without turning itself at all.
bilt the most curious apparatus is about its head,  When it pleases, it can turn round, as it were upon
where it is furnished with two instruments, like  an axis very nimbly without removing out of its
fans or nets, which serve to provide its food. These  place. It is transparent, except where the circular
it frequently spreads out and draws in again, and,  black spots are shown; it sometimes appears as if
when drawn up, they are folded together with the  dotted with points, and beset with short moveable
nlmost nicety and exactness. When this creature  hairs or bristles, which are probably the instruments
does not emlJloy its nets, it thrusts out a pairof sharp  by which its motions are performed. Fig. 14, shows
horns, and puts on a different appearance, as in fig.  a species of animalcule called soles, found in infu7, where it is shown magnified about 400 times. Fig.  sions  of straw and the ears of wheat; o, is the
8, is the representation of an animalcula found in  mouth, which is sometimes extended to a great
the infusion of thle barls of an oake. Its body is com-  width, p, is the tail. Fig. 15, represents an anima.
posed of several ringlets, that enter one into another,  found in an infusion of citron flowers. Its head is
as the animal contracts itself. At a b, are two lips  very short, and adorned with two horns like those
furnisled with moveable hairs; it pushes out of its  of a deer;' its body appe.rs to be covered with
mouth a snout composed of several pieces sheathed  scales, and its tail long, and swift in motion. Fig.
in eacll other, as at e. A kind of horn, d,. is some-  16, represents the eels which are found in paste and
times protruded from the breast, composed of furbe-  stale vinegar. The most remarkable property of
lows, which slide into one another like'". drawers  these animals is, that they are viviparous. If one
f a pocket telescope. Pig. 9, is another animalr;ula,  of them is cut through near the middle, several oval
obundi in the same infusion, called a tortoise, with an  bodies of different sizes issue forth, which are young
umbilical tail. It stretches out and contracts itself  anguillto, each coiled up in its proper membrane
very easily, sometimes assuming a round figure,  An hundred and upwards of the young ones have
which it retains only for a momenlt, then opens its  been seen to issue froml the body of one single eel,
mouth to a surprising width, forming nearly the cir-  which accounts for their prodigious increase.
cumference ofa circle. Its motion is very surprising    It may not be improper to remark, that no enand singular. Fig. 10, is an animalcula. called great  graving can give an adequate idea of the objects
mnoth, which is found in several infusions. Its  referred to above, and, therefore, whoever wishes
mouth takes up half the length of its body; its inside  to inspect nature in all her minute beauties and
is filled with darkish spots, and its hinder part ter-  varieties, must htave recourse to the microscope
minated with a singular tail. Fig. 11, represents the  itself.




100           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
mraol is the principal orb on whose surface par-  implies an exertion of power which surpasses
tiull.ar observations can be made; and we find  finite comprehension; —how much more the crearhat Its arrangements are materially different  tion and arrangement of such a vast multiplicity
from those of the earth. It has no large rivers,  of objects as those to which we have just now
seas; or oceans, nor clouds such as ours to di-  adverted!  For, all that immense variety of
versify its atmosphere. It has mountains and  beings which exists in the animal, vegetable,
plains, hills and vales, insulated rocks and ca-  and mineral kingdoms, and in the invisible reverns of every size and shape; but the form and  gions which the microscope has explored, evin.
arrangement of all these objects are altogether  ces the omnipotence of the Deity, no less than
different from what obtains in our terrestrial  his wisdom and intelligence. But the magni.sphere.-While, on our globe, the ranges of  tude, as well as the number and variety of the
mountains run nearly in a line from east to west,  objects of creation, displays the almighty power
or from north to south,-on the surface of the  of the Creator. In this point of view, the dismoon they are formed for the most part into cir-  coveries of modern astronomy tend to aid our
oudar ridges, enclosing, like ramparts, plains of  conceptions of the grandeur of this perfection,
all dimensions, from half a mile to forty miles in  and to extend our views of the range of its opediameter. While on earth, the large plains are  rations far beyond what former ages could have
nearly level, and diversified merely with gentle  imagined. W'hen we take a leisurely survey
wavings —in the moon, there are hundreds of  of the globe on which we dwell, and consider the
plains of various dimensions sunk, as it were,  enormous masses of its continents and islands,
nearly two miles below the general level of its sur-  the quantity of water in its seas and oceans, the
face. On this orb we behold insulated moun-  lofty ranges of mountains which risd from its
tains, more than two miles in elevation, standing  surface, the hundreds of majestic rivers which
alone, like monuments, in the midst of plains,-  roll their waters into the ocean, the numerous
circular basins or caverns, both in the valleys,  orders of animated beings with which it is peoand on the summits and declivities of mountains,  pled, and the vast quantity of matter enclosed
and these caverns, again, indented with smaller  in its bowels from every part of its circumference
ones of a similar form, at the same time, there  to its centre, amounting to more than two hunare plains far more level and extensive than on  dred and sixty thousand millions of cubical miles
the earth. On the whole, the mountain-scenery  — we cannot but be astonished at the greatness
on the lunar surface is far more diversified and  of that Being who first launched it into existence,
magnificent than on our globe, and differs as  who " measures its waters in the hollow of his
much from terrestrial landscapes as the wastes  hand, who weighs its mountains in scales, and
and wilds of America from the cultivated plains  its hills in a balance;" and who has supported
of Europe. In short, while on the earth, the  it in its rapid movements, from age to age. But,
highest mountains are little more than four miles  how must our conceptions of divine power be
in heighi, on some of the planets mountains  enlarged when we consider, that this earth,
have been discovered, which astronomers have  which appears so great to the frail beings which
reckoned to be twenty-two miles in elevation,    inhabit it, is only like a small speck in creation,
If then, it is reasonable to believe, that all or like an atom in the immensity of space, when
the worlds in the universe are different in their  compared with the myriads of worlds of superior
construction and arrangements, and peopled  magnitude which exist within the boundaries of
with beings of diversified ranks and orders-  creation!  When we direct our views to the
could we survey only a small portion of the uni-  planetary system, we behold three or four globes,
versal system-what an amazing scene would  which appear only like small studs on the vault
it display of the conceptions of the Divine Mind  of heaven, yet contain a quantity of matter more
and of " the manifold wisdom of God!"  Such  than two thousand four hundred times greater
views, therefore., of the variety of nature are evi-  than that of the earth, besides more than twenty
dently calculatedto expand our conceptions of the  lesser globes, most of them  larger than our
divine character, to excite us to admiration and  world,* and several hundreds of comets, of vrreverence, to extend o,v views of the riches ofdi-  rious magnitudes, moving in every direction
vine beneficence, and to enlarge our hopes of the  through the depths of space. The Sun is a
glories and felicities of that future' inheritance  body of such magnitude as overpowers our feewhich is incorruptible andwhich fadeth not away.' ble coneortions, and fills us with astonishment.
5. The contemplation of nature, through the  Within the wvide circumference of this luminary
medium  of science, is calculated to expand our  more than a million of worlds as large as ours
conceptions of the power of the Deity, and qf the  could be contained. His body fills a cubical
magnificence of his empire. The power of God  space equal to 681,472,000,000,000,000 miles.
is manifested by its effects; and in proportion  and his surface more than 40,000,000,000, or
as our knowledge of these effects is enlarged,  forty thousand millions of square miffs. Atthe
will our conceptions of this attribute of the Divi-'The satelites of Jupiter, Saturn and Herschel
nity be expanded.  To create a sinjle obiect  arc all reckoned to be iarger than the Earth.




MAGNITUDE OF THRE UNIVERSE.                                    IOJ
ate of' sixty miles a.-na.y, it would require more the nearest star, there is. an interval, extending
than a hundred millions of years to pass-over  in every direction, of more than twenty billions
every square mile on his surface. His attrac-.of miles; and, it is highly probable, that a similar
tive energy extends to several thousands of mil-  space surrounds c.very other system. And, if
lions of miles from his surface, retaining in their  we take into consideration the immense forces
orbits the most distant planets and comets, and  that are in operation throughout the universedispensing light and heat, and fructifying influ-  that one globe, a thousand times larger than the
ence to more than a hundred worlds.*  What  earth, is flying through the regions of immensity
an astonishing idea, then, does it give us of the'at the rate of thirty thousand miles an hour,
power of Omnipotence, when we consider, that  another at the rate of seventy thousand, and
the universe is replenished with innumerable  another at a hundred thousand miles an hour,
globes of a similar size and splendour!  For  and that millions of mighty worlds are thus traeverv star which the naked eye perceives twink-  versing the illimitable spaces of the firmamentung on the vault of heaven, and those more dis-  can we refrain from exclaiming in the language
tant orbs which the telescope brings to view   of inspiration, " Great and marvellous are thy
throughout the depths of immensity, are, doubt-  works, Lord God Almighty!  Who can by
less, suns, no less in magnitude than that which  searching find out God?  Who can find out the
" enlightens our day," and surrounded bya reti-  Almighty to perfection?  Who can utter the
nue of revolving worlds. Some of them have  mighty operations of Jehovah? Who can show
been reckoned by astronomers to be even much  forth all his praise?"
larger than our sun. The star Lyra, for exam-    Such a scene displays, beyond any other view
ple, is supposed, by Sir W. Herschel,'to be  we can take of creation, the magnificence and
33,275,000 miles in diameter, or thirty-eight  extent of the divine empire.  Those countless
times the diameter of the sun; and, if so, its  worlds to which we have now adverted, are not
cubical contents will be 36,842,932,671,875,  to be considered as scenes of sterility and deso000,000,000 miles, that is, more than fifty-four  lation, or as merely diffusing an useless splenthousand times larger than the sun. The num-  dour over the wilds of immensity, nor are they
ber of such bodies exceeds all calculation. Sir  to be viewed as so many splendid toys to amuse
W. Herschel perceived in that portion of the  a few astronomers in our diminutive world.
milky way which lies near the constellation  Such an idea would be altogether inconsistent
Orion, no less than 50,000 stars large enough  with every notion we ought to form of the wisto be distinctly numbered, pass before his tele.  dom and intelligence of the Deity, and with
scope in an hour's time; besides twice as many  every arrangement we perceive in the scenes
more which could be seen only now and then  of nature immediately around us, where we beby faint glimpses. It has been reckoned that  hold every portion of matter teeming with innearly a hundred millions of stars lie within the  habitants.  These luminous and opaque globes
range of' our telescopes. And, if we suppose   dispersed  throughout the regions of infinite
as we justly may, that each of these suns has a  space, must, therefore, be considered as the
hundred worlds connected with it, there will be  abodes of sensitive and intellectual existence.
found ten thousand millions of worlds in that  where intelligences of various ranks and orders
portion of the universe which comes within the  contemplate the glory, and eqloy the bounty of
range of human observation, besides those which  their Creator. And what scenes of diversified
lie concealed from mortal eyes in the unexplored  grandeur must we suppose those innumerable
regions of space, which may as far exceed all  worlds to display! What numerous orders and
that are visible, as the waters in the caverns of  gradations of intellectual natures must the unithe ocean exceed in magnitude a single particle  verse contain, since so much variety is disof vapour!                                   played in every department of our sublunary
Of such numbers and magnitudes we can form  system! What boundless intelligence is implied
no adequate conception. The mind is bewil-  in the superintendence of such vast dominions!
dered, confounded, and utterly overwhelmed  On such subjects the human mind can form no
when it attempts' to grasp the magnitude of the  deqfinite conceptions.  The most vigorous imauniverse, or to form an idea of the omnipotent  gination, In its loftiest flights, drops its wing
energy which brought it into existence.  The  and sinks into inanity before the splendours of
amplitude of the scale on which the systems of the  the " King eternal, immortal, and invisible, who
universe are constructed tends likewise to ele-  dwells in the light unapproachable," when it
vate our conceptions of the grandeur of the  attempts to form a picture of the magnificence.Deity.  Between every one of the planetary  ofthe universe which he has created.  But of
bodies there intervenes a space of many mil-'this we are certain, that over all this boundless
lions of miles in extent. Between the sun and  scene of creation, and over all the ranks of be-,*The planetary system, incltding the comets  ings with which it is replenished, his moral gootn'ain more than a hundred bodies dependant onextends. Every motion ofthe material
the sun.                                     svystem. everv movement among the rational




102           ON TIIE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
and sentient beings it contains, and every  ceptions of the Divinity to which we have otttilought and perception that passes through the  verted, unless we comply with the requisitions
minds of the Unnumbered intelligences which  of the sacred writers, to "meditate on all his
people all worlds, are intimately known, and for  works, to consider the operations of his hands, to
ever present to his omniscient eye, and all di-  speak of the glory of his kingdom," and to talk
rected to acconiplish the designs of his universal  of his "power," in order that we may be qualiprovidence and the eternal purposes of his will.  fled " to make known to the, sons of men his
"He hath prepared his throne in the heavens, his  mighty operations, and the glorious majesty of
kingdom ruleth over all," and ",he doth accord-  his kingdom."
ing to his will among the armies of heaven," as    How very different, then, from the views now
well as " among the inhabitants of the earth."  stated, must be the conceptions formed of the
"g The host of heaven worshippeth him,-all his  Divinity, by those whose range of thought is
works, in all places of his dominions, praise him.  chiefly confined to the objects that lie within a
His kirngdom is an everlasting kingdom, and of  few miles of their habitation, and how limited
his government there shall be no end."  At the  ideas must they entertain of divine perfection!
same moment he is displaying the glory of his  For the view that any one entertains of the
poiwver andl intelligence to worlds far beyond the  nature and attributes of God, must, in some dereach of mortal eyes,-presiding over the coun-  gree, correspond to the knowledge he has accils of nations on earth, and supporting the in-  quired of the visible effects of his power, wisdom,
visible animalcula in a drop of water.  "In  and benevolence; since it is only bythe sensible
him" all beings, from the archangel to the  manifestations of Deity, either through the me.
worm, " live and move," and on him they de-  dium of nature or revelation, that we know any
pend for all that happiness they now possess,  thing at all about his nature and perfections.
or ever will enjoy, while eternal ages are roll-  And, therefore, if our views of the manifestaing on.                                      tions of the Divinity be limited and obscure, such
Such views of the omnipotence of the Deity  will likewise be our views of the Divinity him.
and of the grandeur of his empire, are calculated  self. It is owing to the want of attention to such
not only to expand our conceptions of his attri-  considerations, that many worthy Christians
butes, but to enliven our hopes in relation to  are found to entertain very confused and distortthe enjoyments ofthe future world. For we be-  ed ideas of the character of the Deity, of the rehold a prospect boundless as immensity, in  quisitions of his word, and of the arrangementa
which the human soul may for ever expatiate,  of his universal providence. And is it not an
and contemplate new scenes of glory and feli-  object much to be desired, that the great body of
city continually bursting on the view, " world  mankind should be more fully enlightened in the
without end."                                knowledge of their Creator?  The knowledge
Such are some ofthe views of the Deity which  of God lies at the foundation of all religion, and
the works ofnature, when contemplated through  of all our prospects in reference to the eternaJ
the medium of science, are calculated to unfold.  world, and it must surely be a highly desirable
They demonstrate the unity of God, his wisdom   attainment to acquire as glorious and expansive
and intelligence,-his boundless benevolence,-  an idea of the object of our adoration, as the
the vast multiplicity of ideas which have existed  finite capacity of our intellects is capable of comin his mnind from eternity,-his almighty power,  prehending.  Such views as we have now ex.
and the magnificence of his empire.  These  hibited of the wisdom, power, and beneficence of
views are in perfect unison with the declarations  the Deity, and of the magnificence and variety
of the sacred oracles; they illustrate many of  of his works, were they communicated to the
the sublime sentiments of the inspired writers;  generality of nlankind and duly appreciated,
they throw a light on the moral government of  would not only interest their affections and inGod, and elevate our conceptions of the extent  crease their intellectual enjoyment, but would
of his dominions; they afford a sensible repre-  enable them to understand the meaning and resentation of the infinity and immensity of the  ferences of many sublime passages in the volume
divine nature, in so far as finite minds are ca-  of inspiration which they are apt either to overpable of contemplating such perfections; and,  look or to misinterpret.  Such views, likewise,
when considered in connexion with the scriptu-  would naturally inspire them with reverence and
ral character of Deity and the other truths of  adoratson of the Divine Majesty, with gratitude.revelation, are calculated " to make the man of  for his wise and benevolent arrangements,-with
God perfect and thoroughly firnished unto every  complacency in his administration as the moral
good work."  As the works of God without the  Governor of the world,-with a firm reliance on
assistance of his word, are insufficient to give us  his providential care for every thing requisite to
a. complete view of his character and the princi-  their happiness, and with an earnest desire to
ples of his moral government, so the bare read-  yield a cordial obedience to his righteous laws.
ing of the Scriptures Is insufficient to convey to  At the same time, they would be qualified to de.
3,ur uminds those diversified and expansive con-  clare to others " the glorious honour of his




INFLUENCE OF KNOWLEDGE ON MORALS.                                  103
Mtajesty, to utter abundantly the memory of his  tions, so that none of them be incoherent with
great goodness, and to speak of all his wonderful  the rest. They must all be performed on the
works."                                       same principles, with the same designs, and by
the same rule. To a man who perceives truth
and loves it, every incongruity and every want
of consistency between sentiment and action,
SECTION  VII.                    produces a disagreeable and painful sensation;
and, consequently, he who clearly perceives the
ON THE  BENEFICIAL  EFFECTS OF KNOW-  rule of right, and acts in direct opposition to it,
LEDGE ON MORAL PRINCIPLE  AND CON.  does violence to his nature, and must be subject.
DUCT.                                       ed to feelings and remorses of conscience far
more painful than those of the man whose mind
KNOWLE)DGE is valuable chiefly In propor-  is shrouded in ignorance.  It is true, indeed,
lion as it is IPractical and useful. It dispels the  that proficiency in knowledge and in the praclarkness which naturally broods over the human  tice of true morality, do not always proceed with,rnderstanding, and dissipates athousand super-  equal pace. But, it is nevertheless true, that,titious notions and idle terrors by which it has  every action that is truly virtuous is founded on;ieen frequently held in cruel bondage. It in-  knowledge, and is the result of scrutiny and.rigorates and expands the intellectual faculties,  choice directed by truth; otherwise, what is
and directs them  to their proper objects.  It  termed virtue, would be only the effect of nee!evates the mind in the scale of rational exist-  cessity, of constraint, or of mechanical habits.
snce, by enlarging its views and refining its  We need not, therefore, fear, that the dominion
pleasures. It gratifies the desire of the soul  of virtue* will be contracted, or her influence
tor perpetual activity, and  renders its acti-  diminished, by an enlargement of the kingdom
vities subservient to the embellishment of  of light and knowledge.  They are inseparably
life and the improvement of society.  It un-  connected, their empire is one and the same,
veils the beauties and sublimities of nature, with  and the true votaries of the one will also be the
which the heavens and the earth are adorn-  truevotaries ofthe other. And, therefore, every
ed, and sets before us the " Book of God," in  one that sincerely loves mankind and desires
which we may trace the lineaments of his cha-  their moral improvement,will diffuse light around
racter and the ways of his providence.  It ag-  him as extensively as he can, without the least
grandizes our ideas of the omnipotence of Deity,  fear of its ultimate consequences; since he
and unfolds to us the riches of his beneficence,  knows for certain, that in all cases whatever,
and the depths of his wisdom and intelligence.  wisdom  excels folly, and light is better than
Anid, in the exercise of our powers on such ob-  darkness.  The following observations will per-'jects, we experience a thousand delightful emo-  haps tend more particularly to cornfirm and elutions and enjoyments to which the unenlightened  cidate these positions.
multitude are entire strangers.  All such acti-    1. Ignorance is, oneprincipal cause of the want
vities and enjoyments may be reckoned among  of virtue, and of the immoralities which abound
the practical advantages of knowledge.       in the world.  WVere we to take a survey of the
But there is no application of knowledge more  moral state of the world, as delineated in the
interesting and important than its practical bear-  history of nations, or as depicted by modern
ings on moral principle and action. If it were  voy.gers and travellers, we should find abundant
not calculated to produce a beneficial effect ohi llustiation of the truth of this remark. We
the state of morals and the intercourses of gene-  should find, in almost every instance, that ignoral society, the utility of its general diffusion  rance of the character of the true God, and false
inight, with some show of reason, be called -in  conceptions of the nature of the worship and
question.  But, there cannot be the slightest,  service he requires, have led not only to the
doubt, that an increase of knowledge would be  most obscene practices and immoral abominaproductive of an increase of moral order, and an  tions, but to the perpetration of the most horrid
improvement in moral conduct.  For truth, in  cruelties.  We have only to turn our eyes to
thought and sentiment, leads to truth in action.  Hindostan, to Tartary, Dahomy, Benin, Ashan.
The man who is in the habit of investigating  tee, and other petty states in Afiica; to New
truth, and who rejoices in it when ascertained,  Zealand, the Marquesas, the Sanlwich islands,
cannot be indifferent to its application to conduct.  and to the Society isles in the Southern Pacific,
There must be truth in his actions; they must  prior to their late moral transformation, in order
be the expression, the proof, and the effect of
his sentiments and affections, in order that he  By virte, in this place, and whrever the term
mllay approve of them, and be satisfied that they  occurs, I understand, conduct regulated by the law
re virtuous, or accordant with the relations  of God, including both the external action and the
which subsist among moral agents.  The~remust  pminrciple whence it flows; in other words, Christian
which subsist among moral agents. There must  morality, or that holiness which the Scriptures
lilKewise be a truth or harmony between his ac-  enjoin.




104           ON' THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
to be convinced of'this melancholy truth. The  and crime, it appears a natutal and necessary
destruction of new-born infants,-the burning of  inference, that the general diffusion of know.
living women upon the dead bodies of their hus-  ledge would tend to counteract its influence and
bands, —the drowning of aged parents,-the  operations. For when we remove the cause of
offering of human victims in sacrifice,-the tor-  any evil, we, of course, prevent the effects; and
turing to death of prisoners taken in battle,-tthe  not only so, but at the same time bring into cpemurder of infants and the obscene abominations  ration all those virtues which knowledge has a
of the societies of the Arreoy in Otaheite and  tendency to produce.
other islands, and the dreadful effects of ambi-   2. Knowledge is requisite for ascertaining the
tion, treachery, and revenge, which. so fre-  true principles of moral action, and the duties
quently accompany such practices, are only a  we ought to perform. Numerous are the teafew specimens of the consequences of ignorance  tises which have been written, and various the
combined with human depravity. It is likewise  opinions which have been entertained, both in
to ignorance chiefly that the vices of the ancient  ancient and modern times, respecting the founl
pagan world are to be attributed. To this cause  dation of virtue and the rules of human conduct.
the apostle of the Gentiles ascribes the immora-  And were we to investigate the different theolities ofthe heathen nations. "The Gentiles,"  ries which have been formed on this subject, to
says Paul, " having the understanding darkened  weigh the arguments which have been brought
through the ignorance that is in them, have  forward in support of each hypothesis, and to
given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to  balance the various conflicting opinions which
work all manner of uncleanness with greedi-  different philosophers have maintained, a conness."*  And, in another part of his writings,  siderable portion of human life would be wasted
he declares, " Because they did not like to re-  before we arrived at any satisfactory conclutain God in their knowledge, they were given  sions. But if we take the system of revelation
up to a reprobate mind," or a mind void of for our guide in the science of morals, we shall
judgment; and the consequence was, " they  be enabled to arrive, by a short process, at the
were filled with all unrighteousness, fornication,  most important and satisfactory results. We
wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, envy,  shall find, that, after all the theories which have
murder, deceit, and malignity;" they were  been proposed, and the systems which have
"backbiters, haters of God, proud, boasters, in-  been reared by ethical philosophers, the Suventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  preme Lawgiver has comprised the essence of
without understanding, without natural affection,  true morality under two commands, or fundaimplacable, and unmerciful."t And, if we turn  mental principles, "Thou shalt love the Lord
our eyes to the state of society around us, we  thy God with all thy heart," and " Thou shalt
shall find that the same cause has produced the  love thy neighbour as thyself."  On these two
same effects. Among what class do we find  commandments rests the whole duty of man.
sobriety, temperance, rectitude of conduct, ho-    Now, although the leading ideas contained in
nesty, active beneficence, and abstinence from  these commands are sinmple and obvious to every
the grosser vices most frequently to prevail? Is  one who considers them attentively, yet it reit among ignorant and grovelling minds? Is it quires certain habits of reflection and a considenot among the wise and intelligent, those who  rable portion of knowledge, to be enabled to
have been properly instructed in their duty, and  trace these laws or principles to all their legiin the principles of moral action?  And, who  timate consequences, and to follow them in all
are those that are found most frequently engaged  their ramifications, and in their bearings on huin fighting, brawling, and debauchery, in the  man conduct, and on the actions of all moral
commission of theft and other petty crimes, and  intelligences. For, it can easily be shown, that
in rioting in low houses of dissipation?  Are  these laws are so comprehensive as to reach
they not, for the most part, the rude, the igno-  every possible moral action, to prevent every
rant, and untutored,-those whose instruction  moral evil, and to secure the happiness of every
has been neglected by their parents or guardi-  moral agent,-that all the duties inculcated in
ans, or whose wayward tempers have led them  the Bible, which we owe to God, to our fellowto turn a deaf ear to the reproofs of wisdom'  creatures, and to ourselves, are comprehended
From all the investigations which of late have  in them, and are only so many ramifications of
been made into the state of immorality and  these general and fundamental principles,-that
crime, it is found, that gkoss ignorance, and its  they are equally adapted to men on earth and to
necessary concomitant, grovelling affections, are  angels in heaven,-that their control extends to
the general characteristics of those who are en-  the inhabitants of all worlds,-that they form
gaged in criminal pursuits, and most deeply sunk  the basis ofthe order and happiness of the whole
in vicious indulgence. Now, if it be a fact that  intelligent system —and that their authority and
ignorance is one principal source of immorality  influence will extend not only through all the
revolutions of time, but through all the agek of
Ephes. iv. is, 9.     t Rom. i. i. a,'.    eternity. Here, then, we have a subject caicu.




KNOWLEDGE. INFLUENTIAL ON MORALS.                                1 5
lated to exercise" the highest powers of intelli-  those moral precepts which are laid before thein
gence, and the more we investigate it the more  as the rule of their conduct, they would perceir,
rhall we admire the comprehensive nature of  a most powerful motive to universal obedience.
that " law which is exceeding broad," and the  They would plainly see, that all the laws of God
more shall we be disposed to comply with its  are calculated to secure the happiness of every
divine requisitions. But unless we be, in some  moral agent who yields obedience to them,measure, acquainted with the first principles of'that it is their interest to yield a voluntary submoral action, and their numerous bearings upon  mission to these laws,-and that misery both
life and conduct, we cannot expect to make rapid  here and hereafter, is the certain and necessary
advances in the path of virtue, or to reach the  consequence of their violation.  It'is a common
sublimer heights of moral improvement.       feeling with a considerable portion of mankind,
3. Knowledge, combined with habits ofthink-  though seldom expressed in words, that the laws
ing, would lead to inquiries into the reasons of  of heaven are too strict and unbending,-that
those moral laws which the Creator has pro-  they interfere with what they corpider their
mulgated, and the foundations on which they  pleasures and enjoyments, and that if one or
rest. It is an opinion which very generally pre-  more of them could be a little modified or revails, even among the more respectable portion  laxed, they would have no objections to attempt
of mankind, that the moral laws given forth to  a compliance with the rest. But such feelings
men are the mere dictates of Sovereignty, and  and sentiments are altogether preposterous and
depend solely on the will of the Deity, and, con-  absurd.' It would be inconsistent not only with
sequently, that they might be modified, or even  the rectitude, but with the benevolence of the
entirely superseded, were it the pleasure of the  Deity, to set aside or to relax a single requisi.
Supreme Legislator to alter them or to suspend  tion of that law which is "perfect," and which,
their authority.  But this is a most absurd and  as it now stands, is calculated to promote the
dangerous position. It would take away from   happiness of all worlds. Were he to do so, and
the inherent excellence of virtue, and would re-  to permit moral agents to act accordingly, it
present the Divine Being as acting on princi-  would -be nothing less than to shut up the path to
ples similar to those of an Eastern despot. If  happiness, and to open the flood-gates of misery
such a position were true, it would follow, that  upon the intelligent universe. Hence we are
all the immoralities, cruelties, oppressions, wars,  told by Him who came to fulfil the law, that,
and butcheries that have taken place in the  sooner may " heaven and earth pass away," or
world, are equally excellent and amiable as  the whole-frame of nature be dissolved, than that
truth, justice, virtue, and benevolence, and that  " one jot or one tittle can pass from this law."
the character of infernal fiends is just as lovely  For, as it is founded on the nature of God, andi
and praiseworthy as that of angels and archan-  on the relations which subsist between Him and
gels, provided the Deity willed that such a change  created beings, it must be absolutely perfect and
should takeplace. Were such a change possible,  ofeternal obligation; and, consequently, nothing
it would not only overturn all the notions we are  could be taken from it, without destroying its
accustomed to entertain respecting the moral  perfection, nor any thing added to it, without
attributes of God, but might ultimately destroy  supposing that it was originally imperfect.
our hopes offuture enjoyment, and endanger the  Were the bulk of mankind, therefore, capable
happiness of the whole moral universe. But,  of entering into the spirit of such investigations,
there is an inherent excellence in moral virtue,  and qualified to perceive the true foundations of
and the Deity has willed it to exist, because it is  moral actions; were they, for example, clearly
essential to the happiness and order of the intel-  to perceive, that truth is the bond of society, and
lioent system. It might be shown, that not only  the foundation of all delightful intercourse among
the two fundamental principles of religion and  intelligent beings in every world, and that, were
morality stated above, but all the moral precepts  the law which enjoins it to be reversed, and rawhich flow from them, are founded on the nature  tional creatures to act'accordingly, all confiof God, and on the relations which subsist  dence would be completely destroyed,-the in.
among intelligent agents, and that, were they  habitants of all worlds thrown into a state of
reversed, or their influence suspended, misery  universal anarchy, and creation transformed
would reign uncontrolled through the universe,  into a chaos, —such views and sentiments could
and in the course of ages the whole moral and  not fail of producing a powerful and beneficial
intelligent system would be annihilated.*    influence on the state of morals, and a profound
Now, it men were accustomed to investigate  reverence and respect for that law " which is
the foundations of morality, and the reasons of  holy, just, and good."
4. Knowledge, in combination with habits of
For a full illustration of these positions, and a  reflection, would leadto self-examinatwon and self.
variety of topics connected with them, the author  inspection.  The indolent and untutored mind
begs to refer his readers to a work which he lately  shuns all exertion of its intellectual faculties, and
published, entitled "The Phila.ophy of Religion, or 1
ae l~ustratiom of the Moral Laws of the Univerte."  all serious reflection on what nasses within IL




M06           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
or has a relation to moral character and conduct.  seriously conducted, would necessarily lead te
It is incapable of investigating its own powers,  the most beneficial moral results. In leading us
of determining the manner in which they should  to a knowledge of our errors and defects, they
alerate, or of ascertaining the secret springs of  would teach us the excellency of humility, the
its actions. Yet, without a habit of reflection  reasonableness of this virtue, and the foundation
and self-examination, we cannot attain a know-  on which it rests, and of course, the folly of
ledge of ourselves, and, without self-knowledge,  pride, and of all those haughty and( supercilious
we cannot apply aright our powers and capaci-  tempers which are productive of so much misties, correct our failings and defects, or advance  chief and unhappiness, both in the higher and
to higher degrees of improvement in knowledge  the lower spheres of life. Pride is uniformly the
and virtue. In order to ascertain our state, our  offspring of self-ignorance. For, if a mnan will
character, and our duty, such inquiries as the  but turn his eyes within, and thoroughly scrlltifollowing must frequently and seriously be the  nize himself, so as to perceive his errors and
subject of consideration.  What rank do I hold  follies, and the germs of vice which lodge in his
in the scale of being, and what place do I occupy  heart, as well as the low rank he holds in the
in the empire of God?,Am I merely a sensi-  scale of creation, he would see enough to teach
tive creature, or am I also endowed with moral  him humbleness of mind, and to render a proud
and intellectual powers?  In what relations do  disposition odious and detestable, and inconsis1 stand to my fellow-creatures, and what duties  tent with the relations in which he stands to his
do I owe them?  What is my ultimate destina-  Creator, to his fellow-creatures, and to the unition? Is it merely to pass a few years in eating  verse at large. Such mental investigations
and drinking, in motion and rest, like the lower  would also lead to self-possession, under affronts
animals, or am 1 designed for another and a  and injuries, and amidst the hurry and disorder
higher sphere of existence?  In what relation  of the passions,-to charity, candour, meekness,
do I stand to my Creator, and what homage,  and moderation, in regard to the sentiments and
submission, and obedience ought I to yield to  conduct of others, to the exercise of self-denial,
him?  What are the talents and capacities  todecorum  and consistency of character, to a
with which I am endowed, and how shall I ap-  wvise and steady conduct in life, and to an intelply them to the purposes for which they were  ligent performance of the offices of piety and the
given me?  What are the weaknesses and de-  duties of religion. But how can we ever expect
ficiencies to which I am subject, and how are  that an ignorant uncultivated mind, unaccusthey to be remedied?  What are the vices and  tomed to a regular train of rational thought, can
follies to which I am inclined, and by what  enter, with spir-it and intelligence, on the process
means may they be counteracted?  What are  of self-examination?  It requires a certain porthe temptations to which I am exposed, and how  tion, at least, of information, and a habit of re.
Shall they be withstood?  What are the secret  flection, before a man can be qualified to engage
springs of my actions, and by what laws and  in such an exercise; and these qualifications
motives are they regulated?  What are the  can uony be attained by the exercise which the
tempers and dispositions which I most frequently  mind receives in the acquisition of general knowindulge, and are they accordant with the rules  ledge.-If, then, it be admitted, that self-ignoof rectitude and virtue?  What are the preju-  rance is the original spring of all the follies and
dices I am apt to entertain, and by what means  incongruities we behold in the characters of
may they be subdued? What are the affections  men, and the cause of all that vanity, censoriand appetites in which I indulge, and are they  ousness,. malignancy, and vice which abound
regulated by the dictates of reason and the law  in the world; and, if self-knowledge would tend
of God?  What are my great and governing  to counteract such immoral dispositions, we
views in life?  Are they correspondent to the  must endeavour to. commutnicate a certain porwill of my Creator, and to the eternal destina-  tion of knowledge to mankind, to fit them for the
tion that awaits me?  Wherein do I place my  exercise of self-examination and self-inspection,
highest happiness?  In the pleasures of sense,  before we can expect that the moral world will
or in the pleasures of intellect and religion,-in  be renovated, and " all iniquity, as ashamed,
the creature or in the Creator?. How have I  hide its head, and stop its mouth."
hitherto employed my moral powers and capa-    5. Knowledge, by expanding the mind, will
cities?  I-low do I stand affected towards my  enable it to take a clear and comprehensive view
brethren of mankind?  Do I hate, or envy, or  of the motives, bearings, tendencies, and consedespise any of them? Do I grudge them pros-  quences of moral actions. A man possessed of
perity, wish them evil, or purposely injure and  a truly enlightened mind, must have his moral
affront them?'Or do I love them as brethren of  sense, or conscience, much more sensible and
She same.amily, do them all the goou in rqy  tender, and more judiciously directed, than that
power, acknowledge their excellencies, and re-  of a person whose understanding is beclouded
joice in their happiness and prosperity?    with ignorance. When he has';o choose beSuch inquiries and self-examinations, when  tween good and evil, or between good and bet



KNOWLEDGE LEADS TO MORAL ACTION.                                    107
ter, or oetween any two actions he has to per-  dermined.  The spirit of warfare and contenform. ne is enablea to bring before his mind  tion would be subdued; rioting, drunkenness,
many more arguments, and much higher and  and debauchery, would be held in abhorrence by
noller arguments and motives, to determine the  all ranks; kindness and affection would unites
choice he ought to make. When he is about to  the whole brotherhood of anklind; peace, halrperforls any particular action, his mental eye is  mony, and subordination would be displaved in
enabled to pierce into the remote consequences  every department of social life; "our jtdc"-S
%which may result from it. He can, in some  would be just, and our exactors righteous; wsrc
measure, trace its bearings not only on his  would be turned into peace to the ends of the
friends and neighbours, and the community to  earth, and righteousness and praise spring fiorth
which he belongs, but also on surrounding na-  before all the nations."  Were moral principle
tions, on the world at large, on future genera-  thus diffused among the different classes of sotions, and even on the scenes of a fut are eter-  ciety, it could not fail of producing a beneficial
nity. For an action, whether good or bad, per-  influence on the progress of the arts and sciformed by an individual in a certain station in  ences, and on every thing that might tend to mesociety, may have a powerful moral influence on  liorate the condition of our fellow-creatures, and
tribes and nations far'beyond the sphere in  to promote the general improvement of mankind.
which it was performed, and on millions who  For, in endeavouring to promote such objects,
may people the world in the future ages of time.  we meet with as great a difficulty in the moral
We know that actions, both of a virtuous and  as in the intellectual condition of mankind. The
vicious nature, performed several thousands of  principles of selfishness, pride, ambition, and
years ago, and in distant places of the world,  envy, and similar dispositions, create obstacles
have had an influence upon the men of the pre-  in the way of scientific and philanthropic imsent generation, which will redound either to the  provements, tenfold greater than any which arise
honour or the disgrace of the actors, " in that  from  pecuniary resources or physical impediday when God shall judge the world in righte-  ments.  But were such principles undermined,
ousness, and reward every man according to his  and a spirit of good-will and affection pervading
works."  We also know, that there are certain  the mass of society, the machinery of the moral
actions which to some minds may appear either  world would move oneward with smnoothness and
trivial or indifferent, and to other minds bene-  harmonyv  and mankind, acting in unison, and
ficial, which nevertheless involve a principle  every one cheerfully contributing to the good of
which, if traced to its remoter consequences,  the whole, would accomplish objects, and benewould lead to the destruction of the intelligent  ficial transformations on the physical and moral
creation. Now, it is the man of knowledge and  condition of society, far superior to any thing
of moral perception alone, who can recognise  that has hitherto been realized.
such actions and principles, and trace them to    To what has been now stated, with regard to
all their natural and legitimate results.  He  the influence of tnowledge on moral conduct, it
alone can apply, with judgment and accuracy,  may, perhaps, be objected, that many instances
the general laws of moral action to every parti-  occur of men of genius and learlinlg indulging in
cular circumstance, connect the present with the  dissolute and imrnmoral habits, and that the higher
future, and clearly discern the mere seumblance  classes of society, who have received a better
of truth and moral rectitude from the reality.    education than the lower, are nearly  as immoral
In short, the lmowledge of divine revelation,  in their conduct.  In replying to such an objecand a serious study of its doctrines and pre-  tion, we have to consider, in the first place, what
cepts, must accompany every other species of  is the natsure of the education such persons have
information, if we wish to behold mankind re-  received.  Most of the higher classes have reformed and moralized. Itis in the sacred ora-  ceived a grammar-shcool education, and, percles alone, that the will of God, the natural cha-  haps, attended a fewsessions at an academy or an
racter of man, the remedy of moral evil, the  university. There cannot, however, be reckoned
rules of moral conduct, and the means of moral  above one in ten who pursues his studies with
improvement, are clearly and fully unfolded.  avidity, and enters into the spirit of the instrucAnrid the man who either rejects the revelations  tions communicated at such seminaries; as it is
of heaven, or refuses to study and investigate  well known to every one acquainted with the
the truths and moral requisitions they contain,  general practice of such students in colleges and
can never expect to rise to the sublime heights  academies, that a goodly number of them spend
of virtue, and to the moral dignity of his nature.  their time as much in folly and dissipation, as in
ulot, were the study of the scriptures uniformly  serious study. But, althoumgh they had acqluredl
conjoined with the study of every other branch  a competent acquaintance with the ditferent
of usefuil knov'.edge, we should, ere long, behold  branches to which their attention was directed,
a wonderfil'ransformation upon the face of the  what is the amount of their acquisitionsi  A
moral world. Pride, selfishness, malice, envy,  knowledge of the Greek ani Latin Glassi(cs,
ambition, and revenge, would gradually be un-  and of pagan mythology, in the acquismton of




to~i           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEIDGE.
which five years are generally spent at the' tion; since they neglect an attention to those
granmmar-school, and two at the university-and  departments of knowledge which alone can guide'
the elements of logic, ethics and mathematical  them in the paths of rectitude. We may as soon
ohilosophy.  But such departments of know-  expect to gather "grapes from thorns or figs
ledge, in the way in which they have been generally  from thistles," as to expect pure morality front
taught, ilave no necessary connexion with reli-  those, however high they may starnd in literary
gion and moral conduct. On the contrary, by  acquirements, who either neglect or oppose the
keeping the principles of Christianity carefully  great truths of religion. —We do not mean, howout of view, and even insinuating objections  ever, to insinuate, that the subjects alluded te
against them, some professors of these sciences  above are either trivial or unworthy'of being
have promoted the cause of infidelity, and con-  prosecuted. On the contrary, we are fully persequently impeded the progress of genuine mo-  suaded, that there is not a subject which has
rality.  What aid can be expected to morality  ever come under human investigation, when profrom a mere grammar-school education, when  secuted with proper views, and in connexion
the acquisition of words and phrases, and the  with other parts of knowledge, but may be renabsurd notions and impure practices connected  dered subservient, in some way or another, both
with Roman and Grecian idolatry, form the pro-  to the intellectual and the moral improvement of
minent objects of attention; and when, as too  man. But, when we speak of diffusing useful
frequently happens, no instructions in Christi-  knowledge among the mass of mankind, yve do
anity are communicated, and not even the forms  not so much allude to the capacity of being able
of religion attended to in many of those semina-  to translate from one language into another, of
ries?  The mere acquisition of languages is not  knowing the sentiments of the ancient Greeks
the acquisition of useful knowledge: they are,  and Romans, and the characters and squabbles
at best, but the means of knowledge; and al-  of their gods and goddesses, or to the faculty of
though we would not discourage any one, who  distinguishing ancient coins, fragments of vases,
has it in his power, from prosecuting such stu'  or pieces of armour-as to the facts of history,
dies, yet it is from other and more important  science, and revelation, particularly in their
branches of study that we expect assistance in  bearing upon the religious views and the moral
the cause of moral improvement.              conduct of mankind. And, if the attention of
WTith regard to mend of learningi and genius,  the great body of the people were directed to
we have likewise to inquire into the nature and  such subjects, from proper principles and motendency of their literary pursuits, before we can  tives, and were they exhibited to their view in a
ascertain that they are calculated to prevent the  lucid and interesting manner, there cannot be the
influence of immoral propensities and passions.  smallest doubt, that the interests of virtue and of
Persons are designated men of learning, who  pure and undefiled religion would be thereby prohave made proficiency in the knowledge of the  moted to an extent far beyond what has ever yet
Greek, Latin, French, German and other lan-  been realized.
guages,-who are skilled in mythology, antiquities, criticism, and metaphysics, or who are profound students in geometry, algebra, fluxions,
and other branches of the mathematics. But it             SECTION  VIII.
is easy to perceive, that a man may be a profound linguist, grammarian, politician, or anti-  oN THE UTILITY OF KNOWLEDGE IN RELAquarian, and yet not distinguished for virtuous     TION TO A FUTURE WORLD.
conduct; for such departments of learning have
no direct bearing upon moral principle or con-    MAN is a being destined for eternity. The
duct.  On the contrary, when prosecuted exclu-  present world through which he is travelling is
sively, to the neglect of the more substantialparts  only a transitory scene, introductory to a future
of knowledge, and under the influence of certain  and an immortal existence. When his corporeal
opinions and prejudices, they have a tendency  frame sinks into the grave, and is resolved into
to withdraw the attention from the great objects  its primitive elements, the intellectual principle
of religion, and consequently from the most  by which it was animated shall pass into another
powerful motives which excite to moral action.-  region, and be happy or miserable, according te
We have likewise to inquire, whether such per-  the governing principles by which it was acsons have made the Christian revelation one  tuated in the present life. The world in which
great object of their study and attention, and  we now reside may be considered as the great
whether they are frequently employed in serious  nursery of our future and eternal existence, as a
contemplations of the perfections oftthe Creator,  state of probation in which we are educating for
as displayed in the economy of the universe. If  an immortal life, and as preparatory to our ensuch studies be altogether overlooked, we need  tering on higher scenes of contemplation and
not wonder that such characters should frequent-  enjoyment. In this point of view, it is of imly slide into the paths of infidelity and dissipa.  portance to consider that our present views and




KNOWLEDGE OF A FUTURE STATE.                                     109
recollections will be carried along with us into  or be trained up in the knowledge of every thing
that future world, that our virtues or vices will  that has a bearing on its eternal destination.
oe as immortal as ourselves, and influence our  On the contrary, nothing can be of higher value
future as well as our present happiness, and,  and importance to every human being, considerconsequently, that every study in which we en-  ed as immortal, than to be trained to habits of
gage, every disposition we now cultivate, and  reasoning and reflection, and to acquire mat
every action we perform, is to be regarded as  knowledge of his Creator, of himself, of his duty,
pointing beyond the present to an unseen and  and of the relations in which he stands to this
eternal existence.                            world and to the next, which will qualify him for
If, then, we admit that the present state is con-  the society in which he is hereafter to mingle,
nected with the fiture, and that the hour of death  and the part he has to act in a higher scene of
is not the termination of our existence, it must  action and enjoyment. For, as gross ignorance
be a matter of the utmost importance, that the  is the source of immoral action, and as imnloral
mind of every candidate for immortality be tutor-  principles and habits unfit the soul for the pleaedl in those departments ofknowledge which have  sures and employments of an immortal state, the
a relation to the future world, and which will  man who is allowed to remain amidst the natural
tend to qualify him for engaging in the employ-  darkness of his understanding, can have little
ments, and for relishing the pleasures and enjoy-  hope of happiness in the future world since he
rments of that state.  The following remarks are  is destitute of those qualifications which are rentended to illustrate this position.         quislte in order to his relishing its enjoyments.
We may remark, in the first place, in general,    Scientific knowledge, as well as that which is
that the knowledge acquired in the present state,  commonly designated theological, is to be eonwhaterer be its nature, will be carried along with  sidered as having a relation to the future world.
uts where we wing our flight to the eternal world.  Science, as I have already had occasion to noIn passing into that world we shall not lose any  tice, is nothing else than an investigation of the
of the mental faculties we now possess, nor shall  divine perfections and operations as displayed
we lose our identity, or consciousness of being  in the economy of the universe; and we have
the same persons we now feel ourselves to be;  every ground to conclude, both from reason and
otherwise, we behoved to be a different order of  from revelation, that such investigations will be
creatures, and consequently could not be the  carried forward, on a more enlarged scale, in
subjects either of reward or of punishment for  the future world, where the intellectual powers,
any thing done in the present state.  A destruc-  freed from the obstructions which now impede
tion of our faculties, or a total change of them,  their operation, will become more vigorous and
or the loss of consciousness, would be equivalent  expansive, and a more extensive scene of divine
to an annihilation of our existence. But, if we  operation be presented to the view.  There are
carry into the future state all our moral and in-  certain applications of scientific principles, intellectual powers, we must also, of necessity,  deed, which may have a reference solely to the
carry along with them all the recollections of the  condition of society in the present life, such as,
present life, and all the knowledge, both physical  in the construction of cranes, diving-bells, speak.
and moral, which these faculties enabled us to  ing-trumpets, steam-carriages and fire-engines;
Acequire.  We have ate exemplification of this  but the general principles on which such main the parable of our Saviour respecting the rich  chines are constructed, may be applicable to
enan and Lazarus, where Abraham is represent-  thousands of objects and operations in other
ed as addressing the former in these words;  worlds with which we are at present unacquaint" Son, remember, that thou in thy lifetime re-  ed.  The views, however, which science has
ceivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus  opened of the wisdom and benevolence of the
evil things;" evidently implying, that the rich  Deity, of the multiplicity of ideas and concepman retained the power of memory, that he pos-  tions which have existed in his infinite mind, of
sessed a consciousness that he was the same  his almighty poiver, and of the boundless range
thinking being that existed in a former state, and  of his operations-will not be lost when we enter
that he had a perfect recollection of the conduct  into the eternal world.  They will prepare the
he pursued, and the scenes in which he was  soul for higher scenes of contemplation, for acplaced in this sublunary world. If, then, it be  quiring more expansive views of divine perfecadmitted, that we shall be, substantially, the  tion, and for taking more extensive and sublime
same intellectual beings as at present, though  excursions through the boundless empire of Ompiaced in different circumstances, and that the  nipotence.  The same may be affirmed of the
ideas and moral principles we now acquire will  principles of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, conic
pass along with us into futurity, and influence  sections, and other departments of the matheour conduct and happiness in that state,-it can-  matics, which contain truths that are eternal and
not be a matter of indifference whether the mind  unchangeable, and that are applicable in every
of at immortal being be left to grope amidst the  mode of existence, and to the circumstances of
mists of tgnorance, and to sink into immorality,  all worlds. Such knowledge may form the ground




110          UON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
work of all our future improvements in the world  conversation in the social circle, the topic ora
beyond the grave. and give to those who have  future world, and our relation to it, is studiously
acquired it, in conjunction with the cultivation  avoided. While a person may talk with the
of moral principle, a superiority over others in  utmost ease about a projected voyage to Amle.
the employments and investigations peculiar to  rica, the East Indies, or Van Diemen's Land.
that higher sphere of existence; and, conse-  and the geographical peculiarities of these requently, a more favourable and advantageous  gions, and be listened to with pleasure —were he
outset into the new and unknown regions of the  to talk, in certain respectable companies, of his
invisible state. To suppose, that the leading  departure to another world, and ofthe important
principles of scientific knowledge are of utility  realities to which he will be introduced in that
only in the present world, is not only contrary to  state,-were he even to suggest a hint, that the
every enlightened idea we can form of the future  scene of our eternal destination ought occastate, either from reason or revelation, but would  sionally to form the subject of conversation,remove some of the strongest motives which  either a sarcastic sneer or a solemn gloom
should induce us to engage in the prosecution of  would appear on every face, and he would be
useful knowledge.  If science is to be considered  regarded as a wild enthusiast or a sanctimo.
as altogether confined in its views and effects,  nious hypocrite.  But why should men manifest
to the transitory scene of this mortal state, its  such a degree of apathy in regard to this topic,
attainment becomes a matter of cornparatively  and even an aversion to the very idea of it, if
trivial importance.  To a man hastening to the  they live under solemn impressions of their converge of life, there could be no strong induce- nexion with an immortal existence? Every one
ment to listen to its deductions or to engage in  who admits the idea of a future world, must also
its pursuits.  But, if the principles of science,  admit, that it is one of the most interesting and
when combined with the truths of revelation, ex-  momentous subjects that canl occupy his atten.
tend to higher objects than the construction of  tion, and that it as far exceeds in importance the
machinery and the embellishment of human  concerns of this life, as the ages of eternity ex.
life,-if they point beyond the present to afuture  ceed the fleeting periods of time. And, if so,
world, if they tend to expand our views of the  why should we not appear as eager and inter.
attributes of the Divinity, and of the grandeur  ested in conversation on this subject, as we
of his kingdom,-and if they prepare the mind  sometimes are in relation to a voyage to some
for entering into more ample views and profound  distant land?  Yet, among the majority of our
investigations of his plans and operations, in that fellow-.men, there is scarcely any thing to which
state of immortality to which we are destined,-  their attention is less directed, and the very idea
it must be a matter of importance to every hu-  of it is almost lost amidst the bustle of business,
man being, that his mind be imbued with such  the acquisition of wealth, the dissipations of soknowledge, as introductory to the employments  ciety, and the vain pageantry of fashionable life.
of that eternal world which lies before him.-  Among many other causes of the indifference
But, we may remark more particularly          which prevails on this subject, ignorance and
In the second place, that the acquisition of ge-  mental inactivity are none of the least.  lmneral knowledge, and habits of mental activity,  mersed in sensual gratifications and lursuits,
would induce persons to serious inquiries into the  unacquainted with the pleasures of intellect, and
evidences of afuture state. Although there are  unaccustomed to rational trains of reflectlon,
few persons, in a Christian country, who deny  multitudes pass through life without any serious
the existence of a fulture world, yet we have too  consideration of the future scene of another
much reason to believe, that the great majority  world, resolved, at the hour of dissolution, to
of the population in every country are not thoe-  take their chance with the generations that have
roughly convinced of this important truth, and  gone before them. But, were men once aroused
that they pass their lives just as if the present  to mental activity, and to the exercise of their
were the ultimate scene of their destination.  reasoning powers on important objects, they
Notwithstanding all the" church-going" which  would be qualified for investigating  the evriis so comlnon among us, both among the higher  dences which demonstrate the immortality of
and the lower classes, and the numerous ser-  man, which could not fail to impress their mills
nlois which are preached in relation to this sub-  with a strong conviction of the dignity of their
ject, it does riot appear, that the one-half of our  intellectual natures, and of their high destin,population have any fixed and impressive belief  tion.  Those evidences are to be found in the
of the reality of an eternal ivorld. If it were  Christian revelation swhich has "brought life;
otherwise, it would be more frequlently mani-  and immortality to light," and thrown a radiance
fested in their general temper, conversation and  on the scenes beyond the grave. But, even mdl-t'
conduct.  But we find the great mass ofsociety  pendently of revelation, the evidences whicls
as keenly engaged in the all-engrossing pursuit  prove the immnortal destiny of man, from the:f wealth-  and honoulrs, as if the enjoyments of  light of nature, are so strong and powertul, thar.,
this.world wsere-.to last for ever. In general  when welghed with seriolsness and impartiality,




KNOWLED)GE PREPARATORY TO A FUTURE STATE.    111
they must appear'satisfactory to every candid  and join in their sublime conversation on the
and inquiring niind. When we consider the  most exalted subjects. One of the employments
universal belief of the doctrine of man's immor-  in which they will be incessantly engaged,. will
tality which has prevailed in all ages and na-  be, to contemplate the divine works and admitions-when we consider the desire offuture ex-  nistration, and to investigate the wonders of
istence implanted in the human breast-the noble  creating power, wisdom, and goodness, as' disintellectzal faculties with which man is endowed,  played throughout the universe. For such are
and the strong desire of knowledge which forms a  the representations given in scripture of the expart of his constitution —the capadity of making  ercises of the heavenly world. Its inhabitants
perpetual progress towards intellectual and moral are represented as raising the following song of
perfection-the unlimited range of view which is  praise to their Creator, " Great and marvellous
opened to the human faculties throughout the  are thy works, Lord God Almighty! Just and
immensity of space and duration-the moral  true are thy ways, thou King of saints," which
powers of action with which man is endowed,  evidently implies, that both the wonders of his
and'their capacity of perpetual expansion and  creation, and the plan of his moral government,
activity-the apprehensions and forebodings of  are the subjects of their intense study and investhe mind, when under the influence of remorse-  tigation. And, in another scene exhibited in
the disordered state of the moral world when con-  the book of Revelation, they are represented in
trasted -with the systematic order of the mate-  the sublime adorations they offer. to "Him who
rial-the unequal distribution of rewards and  liveth for ever and ever," as exclaiming, "Thou
punishments wher viewed in connexion with the  art worthy, 0 Lord, to receive glory, and honour,
justice of God-the absurdity of admitting tha'  and power; for thou hast created all things, and
the thinking principle in men will ever be annihi-  for thy pleasure they are and were created,"
lated-and the blasphemous and absurd conse-  plainly indicating, that the scenes of'the matequences which would follow, if the idea of a fu-  rial universe, and the divine perfections as disture state of retribution were rejected; when, played in them, are the objects of their inces.
we attend to these and similar considerations,  sant contemplation.
we perceive an assemblage ofarguments, which,    Now, in order to our being prepared for such
when taken in combination with each other,  intercourses and employments, two grand qualicarry irresistible evidence to the mind of every  fications are indispensably requisite.  In the
unbiassed inquirer, that man is destined to an  first place, the cultivation of moral principle and
immortal existence-an evidence amounting to  conduct, or in other words, the attainment of
d moral demonstration, and no less satisfactory  that holiness which the scriptures enjoin, " withthan that on which we rest our belief of the ex-  out which," we are assured, "no man can see
istence of the Eternal Mind.*  But the greater  the Lord," that is, can hold no delightful interpart of mankind, in their present untutored state,  course with him through the medium of his work's
are incapable of entering into such inquiries and  and providential dispensations.  Without this
investigations. For want of moral and intel-  qualification, we are altogether unfit for being
lectual instruction, they may be said to " have  introduced into the assembly of angels and other.
eyes, but see not, ears, but hear not, neither do  pi re intelligences, and for joining with them in
they understand,''" and hence, they pass through  their holy services and sublime adorations-as
the scenes of mortality, almost unconscious of  unfit as an ignorant Hotentot, a wild Bosheman,.
their relation to the eternal world, and altoge-  or the lowest dregs of society, would be to take,
ther unprepared for its exercises and enjoyments.  a part in an assembly of learned divines, states-.
In the next place, the acquisition of knowledge,  men, or philosophers. In order to a delightfuil
in connexion with the cultivation of moral prin-  association with anr. rank of intelligences, there
ciples and Christian qffiections, would tend to pre-  must exist a certain congeniality of disposition
pare the mind for the intercourse and employments  and sentiment, without which, an intimate in-.
of thefuture world. From divine revelation, we  tercourse would be productive of happiness to.
are assured, that in the future state of happiness,  neither party. Persons of proud and revenge —
the righteous shall not only join the company of  ful dispositions, and addicted to vicious indul"the spirits of just men made perfect," but  gence, could find no enjoyment in a society
shall also be admitted into "the general assem-. where all is humility and affection, harmony and.
bly of angels.  With these pure and superior  love; nor could pure and holy beings delight irn
intelligences, and, doubtless too, with the inha-  associating with them, without supposing the
bitants of other worlds, shall the redeemed in-  moral laws of the Creator, and the constitution
habitants of our globe hold delightful intercourse,  of the intelligent universe entirely subverted.
Such characters are as opposite to each other:
Fr)r a full illustration of these and other evl-.  as light and darkness; and, therefore, we.may
dences of a future state, along with various topics  as soon expect to make the East and West
connected with this subject, the author respectfully   to meet
refers his readers to a work which he lately pub-  points   to gether, or to stop the planets in
lished, entitled " The Philosophy of a Future State."  their career, as to form a harmonious.uniona ba
8




112           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
ewoen the ignorant and vicious, and the en-  cealed from mortals the reasons of its proceddne
lightened and virtuous inhabitants of the cele's. for ever withdrawn!  Having taken a cursory
tial world. In the next place, a knowledge of  survey of the displays of divine wisdom and
the character of God, of his moral dispensa-  goodness, in the arrangement of our sublunary
tions, and of his works of creation, must form a. system, and in the construction of the animal
preparation for the exercises of the heavenly  and vegetable tribes with which it is furnished;
state; since these are some of the subjects  having directed his views, by the light of sciwhich occupy the attention of "the innumer-  ence, to the celestial regions; having caught a
able company of angels and the spirits of just  glimpse of the astonishing operations of almighty
men made perfect."  But how could'we be sup-  power in the distant spaces of the firmament;
posed to engage in such studies, and to relish  having been overwhelmed with wonder and
such employments, if we remain altogether un-  amazement at the extent and grandeur of the
acquainted with them till our spirits take their  divine empire; having cast many a longing look
flight from these tabernacles of clay?  How   towards distant worlds, mingled with many anxcould a man whose mind is continually grovelling  ious inquiries into their nature and destination
among the meanest and the most trivial objects,  which he was unable to resolve, and having felt
whose soul never rises above the level of his  an ardent desire to learn the history of their
daily labours, which necessity compels him to  population, and to behold the scene of the uniperform, whose highest gratification is to carouse  verse a little more unfolded-what transporting
with his fellows, to rattle a set of dice, or to  joys must be felt by such an individual, when
shuffle a pack of cards, and who is incapable of  he shall enter into a world where "he shall
prosecuting a train of rational thought-how   know even as also he is known;" where the veil
could such a one be supposed qualified for enter-  which intercepted his view of the wonders of
ing, with intelligence and delight, into the sub-  creating power shall be removed; where the
lime investigations, and the lofty contemplations  cherubim and the seraphim, who have winged
which arrest the attention, and form the chief  their flight through regions of immensity imexercises " of the saints in light?"  There is  passable by mortals, shall rehearse the history
an utter inco.gruity in the idea, that a rude and  of other worlds; where the sphere of vision will
ignorant mind could relish the enjoyments of the  be enlarged, the faculties invigorated, and the
heavenly world, unless it be enlightened and  glories of divine goodness, wisdom and omrnipotransformed into the image of its Creator; and  tence displayed in all their effulgence! Having
we have no warrant from revelation to conclude  familiarized such objects to his mind, during
that such a transformation will be effected, after  this first stage of his existence, he will enter on
the spirit has taken its flight to the invisible  the prosecution of new discoveries of divine
state.                                       perfection, with, a renovated holy ardour, of
But it is easy to conceive what transporting  which rude and grovelling minds are incapable,
pleasures will be felt by an enlightened and  which will fill his soul with extatic rapturevirtuous individual when he is ushered into a  even " with joy unspeakable and full of glory."
scene where his prospects will be enlarged, his. Let us suppose, for the sake of illustration,:'faculties expanded, and the causeswhich now  two individuals of opposite characters entering
obstruct their energies for ever removed. He  the future world at the same time-the one rude,
will feel himself in his native element, will re-  ignorant, and vicious, and the other "renewed
sume his former investigations on a more en-  in the spirit of his mind," and enlightened with
larged scale, and with more vigour and activity,  all the knowledge which science and revelation
~ and enjoy the prospect of perpetually advancing  can furnish-it is evident, that, although they
ifrom one degree of kr....edge and felicity to  were both ushered into the same locality, their
-another throughout an interminable succession  state and enjoyments would be altogether diffeoof existence. Having studied the moral charac-  rent. The one would sink, as it were, to his
ter of God as displayed in his word, and in the  natural level, following the principles, propensi-:;dispensations of his providence; having ac-  ties and passions which he previously indulged;
-quired, after all his researches, only a faint and  and, although he were admitted into the society
imperfect glimpse of his moral attributes; havy  of pure and enlightened spirits, he would remain,ing met with many difficulties and labyrinths in  as a cheerless, insulated wretch, without intel.
tnlhemovements of the divine government which  lectual activity, and destitute of enjoyment.'he was altogether unable to unravel, which pro-  Finding no pleasures suited to his benighted
zduced an ardent longing after a more enlarged  mind and his grovelling affections, he would be.sphere of vision-how gratifying to such a mind  fain to flee to other regions and to more conge-must it be, to contemplate the divine character  nial associates, as the owl flies from the vocal
-in the:fulness of its glory, to behold the apparent  grove and the society of the feathered choir, and
imconsistencies of the divine government recon-  prefers the shades of night to the beams of day.. iled, its intricate mazes unravdelled, its wisdom   Like this gloomy'bird, which delights in obscure
"adi rcatitude displayed, and:the veil vwhich con.  retreats and rugged ruins, and has no relish fot




KNOWLEDGE PREPARATORY TO A FUTURE STATE.    111!
blooming gardens and flowery meads-the unen-,  If, then, it appears, that we shall carr7 the
lightened and unsanctified soul would feel itself  knowledge and moral habits we acquire in this
unhappy and imprtsoned, as it were, even amidst  life along with us into the other world,-and if a
triumphant spirits, and the splendours of inimor-  certain portion ofrational and religious informa.
tal day.  Whereas the other, having ardently  tion and moral principle is essentially requisite
tonged for such a state, and having previously  to prepare us for the employments and felicities
undergone the requisite preparation for its en-  of that state-by refusing to patronise every
loyments, feels himself in a region suited to his  scheme by which a general diffusion of knowtaste, mingles with associates congenial to his  ledge may be promoted, we not only allow our
disposition, engages in exercises to which he  fellow-men to wander amidst the mists of superwas formerly accustomed, and in which he de-  stition, and to run heedlessly into numerous danlighted, beholds a prospect, boundless as the  gers, both physical and moral, we not only deuniverse, rising before him, on which his facul-  prive them of exquisite intellectual enjoyments,
ties may be exercised with everlasting improve-  and prevent the improvement of the arts and
ment and everlasting delight, and, consequently,  sciences, but we deprive them, in a certain deexperiences a " fulness of joy" which can never  gree, of the chance of obtaining happiness in a
be interrupted, but will be always increasing  state of immortality. For as ignorance is the
" world without end."                        parent of vice, and as vicious propensities and
Such are the views we must necessarily  indulgences necessarily lead to misery, both
adopt respecting the state and enjoyments of here and hereafter, the man whose mind is left
these two characters in-the life to come; and  to grope amidst intellectual darkness, can enjoy
there is no resisting of the conclusion we have  no well-founded hope of felicity in the life to
deduced respecting the ignorant and vicious  come, since he is unqualified for tile associaindividual, without supposing that something,  tions, the contemplations, and the employments
equivalent to a mniracle, will be performed in  of that future existence. As in the material
his behalf, immediately after his entrance into  creation, light, was the first substance created
the invisible world, to fit him for the employ-  before the chaos was reduced to beauty and
ments of a state of happiness. But, for such  order, so, in the intellectual world, knowledge,
an opinion we have no evidence, either from   or light in the understanding, is the first thing
scripture or from reason. It would be contrary  which restores the moral system to harmony and
to every thing we know of the moral government  order. It is the commencement of every proof God; it would strike at the foundation of all  cess that leads to improvement, comfort, and
religion and morality; it would give encourage-  moral order in this life, and that prepares us for
ment to ignorance and vice; it would render  the enjoyments of the life to come. But ignonugatory all the efforts of a virtuous character  rance is both the emblem and the prelude of
to increase in knowledge and holiness during  " the blackness of darkness for ever."  This is
the present life, and it would give the ignorant  one of the most powerful considerations which
and the licentious an equal reason for expecting  should induce every philanthropist to exert every
eternal happiness in the world to come, as the  nerve, and to further every scheme which has for
most profound Christian philosophers, or the  its object to diffuse liberty, knowledge and moral
most enlightened and pious divines. Besides,  principle among all the inhabitants of the earth.
we are assured by the "Faithful and True
Witness," that, as in the future world, "he
who is righteous shall remain righteous still,"
so',' he who is unjust shall remain unjust still,         SECTION  IX.
and he who is filthy shall remain filthy still;"
which expressions seem evidently to imply, that  ON THE UTILITY OF GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
no more opportunities will be granted for reform-    IN RELATION TO THE STUDY OF DIVINE
ing what had been amiss, and recovering the    REVELATION.
polluted and unrighteous soul to purity and rectitude. *                                      OF all the departments of knowledge to which
the human mind can be directed, there is none
Whatever opinion we may form as to the doc-  of greater importance than that which exhibits
trine of Universatl Restoration,-it will be admitted, the real character and condition of man as a
even by the abettors of that doctrine, that an unholy
and unenlightened soul is unfit for celestial happi-  moral agent-his relation to the Deity-his eterness, on its first entrance into the future world, and  nal destiny-the way in which he may be delithousands or millions of years, or a period equivalent to what is included in the phrase, "ages of  vered from the effects of moral evil-and the
ages," may elapse before it is fit for being restored  worship and service he owes to his Almighty
to the dignity of its nature, and the joys of heaven. 
Even on this supposition, (although it were warranted by Scripture) the preparation of human beings in the present life for a state of future happi-  ing fire, weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth,"
ness, must bea matter of the highest importance, during the indefinite and lone-continued period it
since it prevents the sufferings denoted by " devour-  " ages of ages.'




114           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSIOAN OF KNOWLEDGE.
Christian revelation affords the most clear and  those convictions impressed upon tne mindl i y
satisfactory information, and the details which it  the agency of the Divine Spirit.
fiurnishes on these subjects are of the highest   In regard to the external evidences, the fot,
moment, and deeply interesting to every inha-  lowing propositions can be supported both from
bitant of the globe. But ignorance, leagued  the testimonies of profane writers, the Scrip.
with depravity and folly, has been the cause  tures of the New Testament, and other ancient
that the sacred oracles have so frequently been  Christian writings; viz. 1, " That there is satreated with indifference and contempt; and  tisfactory evidence that many professing to be
that those who have professed to recognise them   original witnesses of the Christian miracles,
as the intimations of the will of Deity have been  passed their lives in labours, dangers, and sufprevented from studying them with intelligence,  ferings, voluntarily undergone in attestation of'
and contemplating the facts they exhibit in all the accounts which they delivered, and solely in
their consequences and relations.            consequence of their belief of those accounts;
In order to a profitable study.ofthe doctrines,  and that they also submitted, front the same
facts and prophecies contained in the Bible, it  motives, to new rules of conduct."  And, 2,
is requisite, in the first place, that'a. deep and  " That there is not satisfactory evidence, that
thorough conviction be produced in the milhd,  persons pretending to be original witnesses of
that they are indeed the revelations of heaven,  any other miracles, have acted in the same manaddressed to man on earth to direct his views  ner, in attestation of the accounts which they
and conduct as an accountable agent, and a  delivered, and solely in consequence of their hbecandidate for immortality.  From ignorance of  lief of the truth of these accounts."  These prothe evidences on which the truth of Christianity  positions can be substantiated to the conviction
rests, multitudes of thoughtless mortals have  of every serious and unbiassed inquirer; they
been induced to reject its authority, and have  form the basis of the external evidence of the
glided down the stream of licentious pleasure,  Christian religion; and, when their truth is
"sporting themselves with their own deceiv-  clearly discerned, the mind is irresistibly led to
ings," till they landed in wretchedness and ruin.  the conclusion, that the doctrines and facts proThe religion of the Bible requires. only to be  mulgated by the first propagators of Christianity
examined with care, and studied with humility  are true.
and reverence, in order to produce a fill con-    The following propositions can also be satis.
viction of its celestial origin; and wherever  factorily proved, viz. That the Jewish religion is
such dispositions are brought into contact with  of great antiquity, and that Moses was its fouu.
a calm and intelligent investigation of the evi-  der-that the books of the Old Testament were
dences of revelation, and of the facts and doc-  extant long before the Christian era; a Greek
trines it discloses, the mind will not only discern  translation of them having been laid up in the
its superiority to every other system of religion,  Alexandrian library in the aays of Ptolemy Phi.
but will perceive the beauty and excellence of  ladelphus-that these books are in the main geits discoveries, and the absolute necessity of their  nuine, and the histories they contain worthy of
being studied and promulgated in order to raise  credit-that many material facts which are rethe human race from  that degradation into  corded in the Old Testament are also mentioned
which they have been so long immersed, and to  by very ancient heathen writers-that Christipromote the rtnovation of the moral world.  anity is not a modern rgeigion, but was professed
And, those objections and difficulties which pre-  by great multitudes nearly 1800 years ago-that
viously perplexed and harassed the inquirer will  Jesus Christ, the founder of this religion, was
gradually evanish, as the mists of the morning  crucified at Jerusalem during the reign of Tibebefore the orb of day.                       rius Caesar-that the first publishers of this reThe evidences of Christianity have been ge-  ligion wrote books containing an account of the
nerally distributed into the external and the in-  life and doctrines of their master, several of
ternal. The external may again be divided into  which bore the names of those books which now
direct or collateral. The direct evidences are  make up the New Testament-that these books
such as arise finom the nature, consistency, and  were'frequently quoted and referred to by nilprobability ofthe facts; and from the simplicity,  merous writers from the days of the apostles to
uniformity, competency and fidelity of the testi-  the fourth century and downwards-that they are
monies by which they are supported. The col-  genuine, or written by the authors whose names
lateral evidences are those which arise from the  they bear-that the histories they contain are in
concurrent testimonies of heathen writers, or  the main agreeable to those facts which were
others, which corroborate the history of Chris-  asserted by the first'preachers and received by
tianity and establish its leading facts.  The  the first converts to Christianity-that the facts,
ints'wnaJ evidences arise, either from the con-  whether natural or supernatural, which they
formity of the announcements of revelation to  record, are transmitted to us with as great a dethe known character of God, from their aptitude  gree of evidence (if not greater) as any historito the frame and circumstances of man, or from   cal fact recorded by historians of allowed chari




EVIDENCE OF MIRACLES.                                    1i5
raeter and reputation-and that these books were  glers and impostors.  They were performed in,titten  under a superintendant inspiration.  the open face of day, in the presence of multi-'rhese and a variety of similar propositions inti-  tudes of persons of every description; they were
mately connected with them can be fully sub-  level to the comprehension of every man whose
stantiated; and the necessary conclusion of the  faculties and senses were in a sound state; and
whole is, that Christianity is a revelation from   the conclusion which every unbiassed mind be.
God to man, and that its truths are to be believed,  hooved to draw from them, was, that " no man
and its precepts practised by all to whom they  could do such miracles unless God was with
are addressed.                                him;" arcd, consequently, that the truths de-.Miracles form  one part of the external evi-  dared by those who were empowered to perform
dence by which revealed religion is supported.  them, are the revelations of heaven; for it
If God, in compassion to our benighted and be-  would be inconsistent with the nature of the Diwilderea race, has thought fit to communicate a  vine Being to suppose, that he would interpose
revelation of his will, there is no conceivable  his almighty power to control the laws of nature,
mode by which that revelation could be more  for the purpose of giving his sanction to falsepowerfully attested, than by empowering the  hood or imposture.
messengers whom he inspired to work miracles,    Of the reality of the miraculous events to
as attestations of the truth of the doctrines they  which I have alluded, we have as high a degree
declared.  Accordingly we find, that at the in-  of evidence as we have for the reality of any
troduction both of the Jewish and the Christian  other fact recorded in the scriptures or in the
dispensations, a series of uncontrolled miracles  history of the world.  The single fact of the rewas exhibited to those to whom the messengers  surrection of Christ, a fact so important in the
of revelation were sent, as evidences that they  Christian system, and with which all its other
acted under the authority of the Creator of the  facts and doctrines are essentially connected,
universe.  Under the administration of Moses,  rests upon a weight of evidence so great that
who founded the Jewish economy, the waters of  the rejection of it would be almost equivalent to
Egypt were turned into blood, darkness covered  the adoption of universal scepticism.  This fact
all that country for three days, thunders and hail  does not rest upon the testimony of an unknown
terrified its inhabitants and destroyed the fruits  individual, or even of an unknown multitude,
of their ground, and all their first-born were slain'but on the twelve apostles who had been preby a celestial messenger in one night-the Red  viously chosen for this purpose, who had accomSea'was parted asunder, the tribes of Israel  panied their Master in all his journeys, who had
passed in safety through its waves, while their  been the witnesses of his miracles, sufferings,
enemies "sank as lead in the mighty waters;"  and crucifixion, and who affirmed, without the
water was brought from the flinty rock, manna  least hesitation, and in the face of every threatfrom  heaven was rained down to supply the  ening and persecution, that they had seen him
wants of two millions of human beings in a  alive at different times, and held intimate conbarren wilderness; mount Sinai was made to  verse with him after he had risen from the dead.
tremble to its centre, and was surrounded with  It rests likewise on the testimony of the seventy
flames and smoke; Korah, Dathan, and Abi-  disciples, and on that of the five hundred breram, with all the thousands that joined their  thren who had seen the Lord after his resurrecconspiracy, were by a miraculous earthquake  tion. Thuse persons had full opportunity of inswallowed up in a moment; Jordan was divided  formation as to the fact they asserted; they
when its waters overflowed its banks, and at the  could not be deceived, for it was brought within
sound of horns the strong walls of Jericho fell  the evidence of their senses. They saw the
prostrate to the ground. When Jesus Christ  body of the Lord Jesus after he had been cruciintroduced the gospel dispensation, he gave in-  fled and laid in the tomb-not with a passing
controvertible proofs of his divine mission, by  glance, but at different times and in divers
curing diseases of every description merely by  places; they had an opportunity of handging it
his word, causing the lame to walk, the deaf to  to convince them it was no phantom; they heard
hear, the dumb to speak, and the blind to see;  him speak, and entered into intimate conversaraising the dead to life, stilling the tempestuous  tion with him on the subject of their future miwaves and the stormy wind; turning water into  nistry.  They saw him, not only separately, but
wine, feeding five thousand men-in a wilderness  together; not only by night, but by day, lot at
on a few loaves and fishes; and, particularly, by  a distance, but iinmmediately before thllen. Arid
his own resurrection fromn the dead, after he had  as they could not be deceived themselves, they
been " crucified and slain."  These, as well as  could have no motive for deceiving others; for
the miracles wrought by Moses, were demon-  they were aware that, by so doing, they exposed
strative evidences of the agency and interfer-  themselves to scorn, persecution, sufferings, and
ence of the Most High;,they were completely  death itself, without the most distant hope of rebeyornd the power of mere human agency, and  compense either in this world or in another.
were altogether different from the tricks of jug-  Their character and conduct were strictly




116             ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OP KINOWLEDC.rE.
watched and scrutinized. Their enemies had  the world; and the narrations of the evangelists
taken every precaution which human wisdom   maybe considered as a commentary upon these
could devise, to prevent the dead body of their  ancient prophecies.  The deliverance of the
Master from be ng removed from the sepulchre,  Jews from the Babylonish captivity, and its aceither by fraud or by violence, and to secure the  complishmentby Cyrus,-the conquest of Egypt
public from being deluded by any attempt at by Nebuchadnezzar, foretold by Jeremiah,-the
imposture. And yet, only a few days after he  succession of the Assyrian, Persian, Grecian,
was buried, and in the very place where he was  and Roman monarchies,-the persecution of the
crucified, his resurrection was publicly asserted  Jews under Antiochus Epiphanes, and the erecand proclaimed; and no attempt was made on  tion of the papal kingdom foretold by Daniel,the part of the Jewish rulers to invalidate the  and the destruction of Jerusalem and the dreadtestimony of the apostles, by producing the dead  ful miseries which should befall its inhabitants,
body of him whom they had crucified-on whose  foretold by Jesus Christ, have all received their
tomb they had set a seal and a guard of Roman  accomplishment, according to the spirit and imsoldiers. For it is evident, that if his body  port of the original predictions, and this accomcould have been found, they would have pro-  plishment is embodied in the history of nations.
duced it as the shortest and most decisive con-    But there are prophecies which were uttered
fiutation of the story of the resurrection. All  several thousands of years ago, of the accomthese circumstances being considered, to sup-  plishment of which we have sensible evidence at
plose that the apostles either were deceived, or  the present moment, if we look around us and
attempted to deceive the world, would be to ad-  consider the state of the nations and empires of
ihit a miracle as great as that of the resurrec-  the world. For example, it was prophesied
tion itself. But if the fact of Christ's resurrec-  respecting Ishmael, the son of Abraham, " that
tion be admitted, the truth of the evangelical  he should be a wild man; that his hand should
history and of the doctrines of Christianity fol-  be against every man, and every man's hand
lows as a necessary consequence.             against him; that he should dwell in the presProphecy forms another branch of the external  ence of all his brethren; that he.should be millevidences of religion. As God alone can per-  tiplied exceedingly, beget twelve princes, and
ceive with certainty the future actions of free  become a great nation."  This prediction has
agents, and the remote consequences of those  been literally accomplished in the Arabs, the
laws of nature which he himself established-   undoubted descendants of Ishmael, who, for time
prophecy, when clearly fulfilled, affords the most  immemorial, have been robbers by land and piconvincing evidence of an intimate and super-  rates by sea; and though their hands have been
natural communion between God and the per-  against every man! and every man's hand
son who uttered the prediction. It is evident,  against them, they have always dwelt, and at
however, that prophecy was never intended as  this day, still dwell, in " the presence of their
an evidence of an original revelation. From   brethren," a free and independent people. The
its very nature it is totally unfit for such a pur-  greatest conquerors in the world have attempted
pose, because it is impossible, without some  to subdue them, but their attemrnts uniformly
extrinsic proof of its divine origin, to ascertain  failed of success. When they appeared on the
whether any prophecy be true or false, till the  brink of ruin, they were signally and providenperiod arrive when it ought to be accomplished.  tially delivered. Alexander was preparing an
But when it is fulfilled, it affords complete evi-  expedition against them, when he was cut off
dence, that he who uttered it spake by the spirit  in the flower of his age. Pompey was in the
of God, and that the doctrines he taught were  career of his conquest, when urgent affairs called
dictated by the same spirit, and, consequently,  him to another quarter. Gallius had penetratrue. To us, therefore, who live in an age pos-  ted far into their country, when a fatal disease
terior to the fulfilment of many of the ancient  destroyed great numbers of his menr, and obliged
prophecies, and while some of them are actually  him to return.  Trajan besieged their capital
accomplishing, the fulfilment of these predic-  city; but was defeated by thunder, and lighttions forms a powerful and striking evidence of  ning, and whirlwinds. Severus besieged the
the divine authority of the writers both of the  same city twice, and was twice repelled from
Old and the New Testament.                   before it. Even the Turks have been unable
The first prophecy which was given forth in  to subdue the Arabs, or even to restrain their
the garden of Eden, that " the seed of the woman  depredations; and they are obliged to pay them
should bruise the head of the serpent," and the  a sort of annual tribute for the safe passage of
predictions of the Jewish prophets respecting the  the pilgrims who go to Mecca to pay their devo.
appearance, the miracles, the sufferings, the  tions.  The curse pronounced upon Ham; the
death, resurrection, and subsequent glory of Mes- father of Canaan, could also be shown to have
siah, and the opposition he was to endure from  been signally accomplished in the case of the
the people to whom he was sent, were literally  Canaanites, and the Africans, their descendants,
accomplished, when Jesus Christ appeared in  who have been literally " a servant of servants




INTERNAL EVIDENCES OF REVELATION.                                    117
to thevi brethren."  They were under the do-  fights, or be devoured by wild beasts. So strong
minion. first of the Romans, then of the Sara-  were popular prejudices and suspicions against
cens, and now of the Turks.  And in what themn, that in the year 1348, on suspicion of their
ignorance, barbarity, slavery, and misery do  having poisoned the springs and wells, a million
most of them  remain?  Many thousands of and a half of them were cruelly massacred. In
them are every year bought and sold, like beasts  1492, 500,000 of them were driven out of Spain,
~in the market, and conveyed from one quarter  and 150,000 from Portugal, and even at the preof the world to do the work of beasts in another.  sent moment they are, in most places, subjected
The present state of Babylon is also a striking  both to civil incapacities and unchristian severiac. omplishment of the denunciations of ancient ties. Yet, notwithstanding the hatred and conprophecy.  When we consider the vast extent  tempt in which they are held, wherever they
and magnificence of that ancient city, " the glory  appear, they are most obstinately tenacious of
of kingdoms and the beauty of the Chaldee's  the religion of their fathers, although their ancesexcellency," we should have thought it almost tors were so prone to apostatize from it; and
impossible that it should have become " an utter  although most of them seem to be utter strangers
desolation," that " the wild beasts should cry  to piety, and pour contempt on the moral precepts
in its desolate houses, and dragonsin its pleasant  of their own law, they are most obstinately atpalaces," and that " it should never be inhabited  tached to the ceremonial institutions of it, burdennor dwelt in from generation to generation," as  some and inconvenientas they are.  They have
the prophet Isaiah had foretold, several hundreds  never been amaigamated with any of the nations
of years prior to its destruction, and when it was  among which they awelt; they remain a distinct
flourishing in the height of its glory.*  Yet we  people, notwithstanding their numerous disperknow  for certain, that'this once magnificent  sions; their numbers are not diminished; and,
metropolis, whose hanging gardens were reck-  were they collected into one body,they would form
oned one of the seven wonders of the world, has  a nation as numerous and powerful as in the most
become so complete a desolation, that the besom  flourishing periods of the Jewish commonwealth.
of destruction has left scarcely a single trace of  The existence of the Jews in such circumstances,
its former grandeur; and it is a subject of dis-  as a distinct nation, so contrary to the history of
pute among travellers, whether the exact site on  every other nation, and to the course of human
which it was built be yet ascertained.       affairs in similar cases, may J ustly be considered
In short, the present state of the Jews, com-  as a standing miracle for the truth of divine repared with ancient predictions, is one of the  velation. Such a scene in the conduct of the
most striking and convincing proofs of the literal  divine government, cannot be paralleled in the
fulfilment of the Old Testament prophecies. The  history of any other people on the face of the
following prediction respecting them was uttered  earth; and their being permitted so long to surmore than 1700 years before the commencement  vive the dissolution of their own state, and to
of the Christian era: " The Lord shall scatter  continue a distinct nation, is doubtless intended
thee among all people from the one end of the  for the accomplishment of another important preearth even unto the other. And among those  diction, viz. that " they may return and seek the
nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the  Lord their God, and David their king, and fear
sole of thy foot have rest, but the Lord shall give  the Lord and his goodness in the latter days." In
thee a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and  the present day, we perceive a tendency towards
sorrow of mind."-" And thou shalt become an  this wished-for consummation.  Within these
astonishment, a proverb, and a by-word among  last thirty years, a greater number of Jews has
all the nations whither the Lord shall lead you."t  been converted to the profession of the Christian
The whole history of the Jewish nation since the  faith than had happened for a thousand years
destruction of Jerusalem, as well as the present  before. And when they shall be collected from
state of that singular people, forms a striking com-  all the regions in which they are now scattered,
mentary upon these ancient predictions, and  and brought to the acknowledgment of Jesus
shows, that thev had been fully and literally ac-  Christ as the true Messiah, and to submission
complished.  The Jews, it is well known, have  to his laws, and reinstated either in their own
been dispersed almost over the whole face of the  land or in some other portion of the globe, such
globe for more than seventeen hundred years;  an event will form a sensible demonstration of
they have been despised and hated by all nations;  the divinity of our religion, level to the comprethey have suffered the most cruel persecutions;  hension of all nations, and which all the sneers
" their life has hung in doubt before them,  and sophisms of sceptics and infidels will never
and they have reared day and night," both for  be able to withstand.
meir property and their lives; they have been    The internal evidences of Christianity are
sold in multitudes, like cattle in the market; they  those which are deduced from the nature of the
asve been exposed on public theatres, to exhibit  facts, doctrines and moral precepts which it re* Isaiah xiii. 19.22.           veals, and from the harmony and consistency of
~ Deut. ch. xxviii.             all its parts. The followhig is a brief summary




1138          ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
of the leading views which may be taken of this  sumed to heighten the expressions by a poetica.
subject.                                     translation or paraphrase, have failed in the at1. TIhe dignity and majesty of the style in  tempt. It indicates an utter want of true taste
which many portions of the Scriptures are writ-  in any man to despise or undervalue these written, and the sublimity of many of the ideas and  ings. Were it not that the sacred penmen lay
sentiments they contain, are strong presumptions  claim to the inspiration of the Almighty, and,
of their divine original. This is strikingly ex-  consequently, set themselves in direct opposition
hibited in all those cases in which the perfections  to pride, lasciviousness, revenge, and every other
and operations of the Deity are brought into view,  unholy principle and passion, the bible, in point
as in such passages,as the following,-" He  of the beauty and sublimity of its sentiments, and
hangeth the earth upon nothing; he bindeth up  the variety of interesting information it conveys,
the waters in his thick clouds; he hath compass-  would be prized more highly by every man of
ed the waters with bounds, until the day and  taste than all the other writings either of poets,
night come to an end; the pillars of heaven  philosophers or historians, which have descended
tremble and are astonished at his reproof. He  to us from the remotest ages of antiquity.
divideth the sea by his great power; by his    2. The Christian religion exhibits the most raspirit he hath garnished the heavens. Lo, these  tional, sublime, and consistent views of the Divine
are only parts of his ways, but how little a por-  Being.  It represents him as self-existent and
tion is heard of him, and the thunder of his power  independent, and as "the high and lofty One
wno can comprehend?" —" By the word of the  who inhabited eternity," before the universe
Lord were the heavens made; he spake and it  was brought into existence, in whose sight "a
was done, he commanded and it stood fast."  thousand years are as one day, and one day as
" Great is Jehovah and of great power, his great-  a thousand years."  It represents him as filling
ness is unsearchable, his understanding is infi-  the immensity of space with his presence, as
nite; marvellous things doth he which we can-  having the most intimate knowledge of all creanot comprehend."   "The heaven, even the  tures and events throughout the vast creation, as
heaven of heavens cannot contain him; he hath  the Creator of heaven and earth, as possessed
prepared his throne in the heavens, and his king-  of uncontrollable power, infinite wisdom and indomn ruleth over all. He doth according to his  telligence, boundless benevolence and mercy,
will in the army of heaven and among the inha-  perfect rectitude and holiness, and inviolable
bitants of the earth, and none can stay his hand,  faithfillness and truth. It represents his'provior say unto him, what dost thou?"  "W'ho hath  dential care as extending to all the creatures he
measured the ocean in the hollow of his hand, has formed, and to all their movements, however
and meted out heaven with a span, and com-  numerous or minute; animating the vegetable
prehended the dust of the earth in a measure,  and animal tribes, setting bounds to the raging
and weighed the mountains in scales and the  billows, " thundering marvellously with his voice.
hills in a balance.  Who hath directed the  sending lightnings with rain," having " his way
spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath  in the whirlwind and the storm," making " the
taught him?  Behold, the nations are as a drop  earth to quake at his presence," shining in the
of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of  stars, glowing in the sun, and moving with his
the balance.  Behold, he taketh up the isles as  hands the mighty worlds which compose the
a very little thina. All nations before him are  universe. It represents him as governing the
as nothing, and they are counted to him less than  universe of minds which he has formed, as havnothing and vanity."  These, and many similar  ing the " hearts" and purposes " of all men in his
passages to be found in the sacred writings, far  hand," and as directing all the mysterious and
surpass, in dignity of language and sublimity of  wonderful powers of knowledge and moral action
sentiment, every thing that is to be found in the  to fulfil his purposes throughout the whole extent
writings of the most celebrated poets and philo-  of his immense and eternal empire.  Such a
sophers of Greece and Rome. If we take the  being, when properly contemplated, is calculated
most animated poems of Homer, Virgil, or Ho-  to draw forth the love and adoration of all rational
race, and read them in a prose translation, as we  beings; and wherever Christianity has imparted
dio the Scriptures, they appear flat and jejune,  a knowledge of these attributes of the divinity,
and their spirit is alnlost evaporated; and the  idolatry and superstition, with all their absurdiwords they put into the mouths of their deities,  ties, abominations, and horrid cruelties, have
and the actions they ascribe to them, are fre-  gradually disappeared.
quently both ridiculous and absurd, calculated to    S. Christianity has given us full assurance of
excite hatred and contempt, instead of adoration  the immortality of man and of a future state oJ
and reverence.  But the Scriptures preserve  punishments and rewvards.  Nothing can be of
their sublimity and glory even in the most literal  more importance to every human being than to
translation, and such a translation into any lan-  be assured of his eternal destination. Without
guage is always found to be the best; and it has  the discoveries of Christiarity, we can attain to
nlliformly happened, that those who have pro   no absolute certainty on this momentous subiect,




MORAL LAWS OF REVELATION.                                     119
The greatest philosophers of the heathen world  for our offences, and rose again for our justificonsidered the arguments in favour of man's  cation;" that "God hath set him  forth as a
immortal destiny as amounting only to a certain  propitiation to declare his righteousness in the
degree of probability, and their minds were con-  remission of sins," and that, having made so
tinually hanging in doubt and uncertainty, as to  costly a sacrifice for the sins of the world, he
what might befall them at the hour of dissolu-  will refuse nothing that can contribute to the
tion.  The most powerful arguments in proof present and everlasting happinessof the believer
of a future retribution, are founded on the justice,  in Jesus.  " He who spared not his own Son,
tie beneyolence, and the wisdom of the Deity;  but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not
but it is questionable whether we should ever  with him also freely give us all things?" Such dehave acquired clear conceptions of these at-  clarations, when cordially received, are sufficient
tributes of the Divinity without the aid of the  to allay all the fears of a guilty conscience, to
revelations of the Bible. On this most important  inspire the soul with holy love and gratitude,
point, however, Christianity dissipates every ob-  and to produce " a peace of mind that passeth
scurity, dispels every doubt, and sets the doctrine  all understanding."
of " life and immortality" beyond the grave, in    5. Christianity inculcates the purest and most
the clearest light, notbymetaphysical reasonings,  comprehensive system of morality. Its moral reunintelligible to the bulk of mankind, but by the  qui'itions are all comprehended under the two
positive declarations of him who hath" all power  foti -wing rules or principles, " Thou shalt love
in heaven and on earth." It gives full assurance to  the Lord thy God with all thy heart," and " thou
all who devote themselves to the service of God,  shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," which diand conform to his will, that " when their earthly  verge into numberless ramifications.  It could
tabernacles are dissolved, they have a building  easily be shown, that these principles are suffiof-God, an house not made with hands, eternal  cient to form the basis of a moral code for the
in the heavens;" and that " the afflictions " to  whole intelligent creation, that they are calculatwhich they are now exposed " work out for  ed to unite the creature to the Creator, and all
them an eternal weight of glory."  And, to con-  rational beings with one another, wherever they
sole them in the prospect of dropping their bo-  may exist throughout the boundless empire of
dies into the grave, they are assured, that the  the Almighty; and that peace, order, and happiperiod is approaching, when their mortal frame  ness would be the invariable and necessary re"shall put on immortality," and when "all who  suits wherever their influence extended.  If the
are in their graves shall hear the voice of the  love of God reigned supreme in every heart,
Son of God, and shall come forth, they that  there would be no superstition or idolatry in the
have done good to the resurrection of life, and  universe, nor any of the crimes and abominations
they that have done evil to the resurrection of  with which they have been accompanied in our
condemnation."                                 world,-no  blasphemy or profanation of the
4. Christianity clearly points out the way by  name of Jehovah,-no perjury, hypocrisy, arrowhich pardon of sin may be obtained by the guilty.  gance, pride, ingratitude, nor murriurings under
Reason discovers that man is gpiltv, and at the  the allotments of Divine Providence. And, if
same time perceives that a sinner deserves  every moral intelligence loved his fellow-creatures
punishment.  Hence, the remorse and the fears  as himself, there would be no rivalships and anwith which the consciences of sinners in every  tipathies between nations, and, consequently, no
age have been tormented. " Wherewithal shall  wars, devastation, nor carnage,-no  tyranny,
I come before the Lord? Shall I come with  haughtiness, or oppression among the great, nor
thousands of burnt offerings? Shall I offer my  envy, discontent, or insubordination among the
first-born for my transgressions, the fruit of my  lower classes ofsociety,-no systems of slavery,
body for the sin of my soul?" are the anxious  nor persecutions on account of religious opinions,
inquiries of every sinner who feels conscious  -no murders, thefts, robberies, or assassinathat he has violated the laws of Heaven.  Hence,  tions,-no treacherous friendships, nor fraud and
the numerous modes by which Pagan nations  deceit'in commercial transactions,-no implahave attempted to appease the wrath of their  cable resentments among friends and relatives,
deities; hence, their sacrifices, their burnt-of-  and no ingratitude or disobedience among childferings, their bodily tortures, their human vic-  ren or servants. On the other hand, meekness,
tims, and the rivers of blood which have flowed  long suffering, gentleness, humility, temperance,
in their temples and upon their altars. But  fidelity, brotherly  kindness, and sacred joy,
reason could never prove, that by any of these  would pervade every heart, and transform  our
modes sin could be expiated, and the Deity ren-  world from a scene of contention and misery to
dered propitious.  Christianity alone unfolds  a moral paradise.  The comprehensive nature
the plan of redemption, and the way by which  of these laws or principles, and their tendency
guilty men may obtain forgiveness and aeccep-  to produce universal order and happiness among;ance in the sight of him whose laws they have  all intelligences, form, therefore, a strong proe
violated.  It declares, " that Christ Jesus died  sumptive argument of their divine original.




120             ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
Tl.,,re are certain Christian precepts, dif-  character. The apostlesc and first Christians,
ferenl from all that were ever taught by the sages  who uniformly practised these virtues, were dim.
of the Pagan world, andin direct opposition to  tinguished by undaunted fortitude and almost
their most favourite maxims, which might be  unparalleled intrepidity.  They advocated their
shown to have the same beneficial tendency.  cause, before princes and rulers, with the utmost
For example, it is one of the precepts laid down  dignity and composure; they were ready to sutfby the Founder of our religion, " Resist not evil,  fer the greatest persecutions, and even the most
but whosoever shall smite thee on the right  excruciating torments, rather than betray the sacheek, turn to him the other also," &c.; and in  cred cause in which they had embarked; and one
accordance with this precept he propounds the  of them had the boldness, when brought before
following, "' Love your enemies, do good to them  the Roman governor as a prisoner, to arraign
that hate you, and pray for themr  who despite-  the very vices for which he was notorious, and to
fully use you and persecute you."  And he en-  make the profligatejudge tremble in his presence.*
forces it by one of the most sublime and beautiful  So far from these virtues being mean or unmanly,
motives, " That ye may be the children of your  they are the principal qualities that are justly enFather who is in heaven, for he maketh the sun  titled to the epithet heroic; for they are the most
to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth  difficult to be acquired and sustained, as they run
rain on the justand on the unjust."  Now, these  counter to the general current of human passion
precepts of morality are not only original, and  and feeling, and to all the corrupt propensities of
peculiar to the Christian system, but they are in  the nature of man. A man may have sufficient
direct opposition to all the virtues generally de-  heroism to bombard a town, or to conquer an
nominated heroic, and which are so much cele-  army, and yet be altogether unable to regulate
brated by the poets, philosophers, and historians  his temper, or subdue his boisterous passions.
of antiquity.  While the annals of history pro-  But, " he that is slow to anger, is better than the
claim, that the exercise of the heroic virtues  mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that
(among which are classed implacability and re-  taketh a city." In the one case, we strive against
venge,) has banished peace from the world, and  the corrupt affections of our nature, in the other,
covered the earth with devastation and bloodshed,  (as in giving vent to implacability and revenge,)
it could easily be shown, that, were the virtues  we give loose reins to our malignant passions.
inculcated by our Saviour universally practised,  In the one case, we struggle against the stream,
there would not be an enemy on the face of the  in order to obtain safety and repose; in the other,
globe, wars would cease to the ends of the earth,  we allow ourselves to be hurried along with the
and the whole world would form one vast com-  current, regardless of the rocks against which we
munity offriends and brethren.  Whereas, were  may be dashed, or the whirlpools in which we may
the opposite dispositions universal, an  uncon-  be engulfed.  In proportion, then, as the Chris'
trolled by any counteracting  principle, they  tian virtues prevail in any community, will quar,
would produce a scene of universal contention  rels and contentions, and every thing destructive
and misery throughout the moral universe.-  of human ernjoyment, be effectually prevented
Another disposition peculiar to the Christian   and happiness diffused among all ranks of so;
system, and which is enforced throughout both  ciety.
the Old and the New Testament, is humility.    In short, Christianity, in its moral requisitions,
So little was this disposition regarded by the  enjoins' every relative and reciprocal duty beancient heathen world, that, in the classical lan-  tween parents and children, masters and servants,
guages of Greece and Rome, there is no word to  husbands and wives, governors and subjects,
denote the virtue of humility. It is a quality,  and, not only enforces the practice of justice and
however, which results so naturally out of the re-  equity in all such relations, but inspires the most
lation in which man stands to his Maker, and is  sublime and extensive charity,-a boundless and
so correspondent to the low rank which he holds  disinterested effusion of tenderness for the whole
in the scale of universal being, that the religion  species, which feels for their distress, and opewhich so powerfully enjoins it may be said to  rates for their relief and improvement. It prehave "a sign from heaven" that it proceeds from   scribes no self-denial, except with regard to sinful
God. And, in his intercourses insociety, aman  lusts and depraved passions; no mortification,
will always find, that there is a far higher degree  except of evil affections; it gives full scope to
of quiet and satisfaction to be enjoyed, by hum-  every feeling that contributes to the real enjoy.
bling hiniself, than by endeavouring to humble  ment of life, while it guards, by the most awful
others; for every arrogant and haughty spirit  sanctions, every duty the observance of which is
will uniformly smart under the feelings of wound-  necessary for our present and future happiness.
ed pride, and disappointed anmbition.          It extends our views beyond the limits of the
The Christian virtues to which I have now   present state, and shows us, that the future hap.
adverted, ought not to be considered as the cha-  piness of man is connected with his present conracteristics of a mean and unmanly spirit, or as
contrary to tm e dignity' and energy of the human             * Acts xxiv. 25.




BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF CHRISTIANITY.                                 121
dtict, and that every action of our lives should  and equity of his procedure will be.fully displayhave a reference to that inlnortal existence to  ed and vindicated in the future world, where
wllicrl we are destined. But it never insinuates,  " every man will be rewardea according to his
that earth and heaven are opposed to each other,  works."  And as Christianity explains the cause
as to their duties and enjoyments, or that we  of the physical and moral evils which exist in our
must be miserable here, in order to be happy  world, so it affords strong consolation to the minds
hereafter.  For while it prescribes rules which  of its votaries under the afflictions to which they
nave for their ultimate object our happiness in a  are now exposed.  For, what is death to that
future world, the observance of these rules is cal-  mind which considers immortality as the career
culated to secure our highest enjoyment even in  of its existence?  What are the frowns of forthe present life; and every one who has devoted  tune to him who claims an eternal world as his
himself to the practice of genuine Christianity  inheritance?  What is the loss of friends to that
has uniformly found, that;' godliness is profitable  heart which feels that it shall quickly rejoin
unto all things, having the promise both of the  them in a more intimate and permanent interlife that now is, and of that which is to come."  course than any of which the present life is susOn the characteristics of the moral code of Chris-  ceptible?  What are the changes and revolutions
tianity, then, I should scarcely hesitate to rest  of earthly things to a mind which uniformly analmost the whole of the internal evidence of its  ticipates a state of unchangeable felicity? As
divine original. For laws, which have a tendency  earth is but a point in the universe, and time but
to unite in a bond of affectionate union the whole  a moment in'infinite duration, such are the hopes
intelligent creation,-which, if practised, would  of the Christian in comparison of every subltUary
undermine every species of moral evil, and pro-  misfortune.
mote peace and happiness over all the earth, and    7. Revelation communicates to us a knowwhich are equally calculated to produce true en-  ledge of facts and doctrines which we could not
joyment in this world, and to prepare us for the  otherwise have acquired.  It informs, us that
higher felicities of the world to come,-must  the Deity existed alone innumerable ages before
have had their origin in the mind of that Al-  Time began-that the material universe was
mighty Being whose omniscient eye perceives all  brought into existence, at his command, and by
the effects of every principle of action, and all  the exertion of his Almighty power-and that
the relations which subsist throughout the moral  the earth, in its present form, had no existence
universe.                                      at a period seven thousand years beyond the
6. Christianity explains certain  moral phe-  present. It informs us of the manner in which
nomena, which would otherwise have been inex-  this globe was first peopled, of the primeval
plicable, and affords strong consolation under the  state of its first inhabitants, of their fall from the
evils of life. It throws a light on the origin of  state of innocence and purity in which they
evil, and the disorders both of the physical and  were at first created, of the increase of wickedmoral world, by informing us, that man has lost  ness which followed the entrance of sin into the
his original happiness and integrity, that the earth  world, of the Deluge which swept away its inhas been defiled by his sin and rebellion, and  habitants, and of which the most evident traces
that it is no longer the beautiful and magnifi-  are still visible on the surface, and in the bowels
cent fabric which it appeared during the period  of the earth,-and of the manner in which Noah
of primeval innocence. On the same ground, it  and his family were preserved from this unidiscovers the reason, why death has been permit-  versal destruction, for the re-peopling of the
ted to enter our terrestrial system, and the cause  world. It informs us of the time, manner and
of all those afflictions and calamities to which  circumstances in which the various languages
mankind are subjected.  It presents before us  which now exist had their origin-a subject
principles, sufficient to explain most of the ap-  which completely puzzles,;. the ancient philosoparent irregularities and mysterious operations  phers, which they could Pever explain, and on
which appear in the moral government of the Al-  which no other history or tradition could throw
mighty,-why storms and tempests, earthquakes  the least degree ofli".t.  It unfolds to us views
and volcanoes are permitted to produce their rav-  of the state of society in th#e -.es that succeeded
ages,-why the wicked so frequently enjoy pros-  the deluge, of the cou-'";s into which mankind
perity, while the virtuous groan under the pres-  were dispersed, and of the empires wnich they
sure of adversity,-why tyranny is established  founded. It records the history of Abraham,
and vice enthroned, while virtue is despised, and  the legislation of Moses, the deliverance of the
love to truth and righteousness sometimes expo-  tribes of Israel tiom  Egypt, their passage
ses its votary to intolerable calamities. All such  through the Red-sea, their journeyings through
occurrences, under the government of God, are  the deserts of Arabia, under the guidance of the
accounted for on these general principles,-that  pillar of cloud and of fire, and their conquest of
they fulfil his counsel,-that they are subservient  the land of Canaan. It informs us of a succesto the accomplishment of some higher designs of  sion of prophets that were raised up to announce
which we are partly ignorant, and that the justice  the coming of Messiah, and to foretel the most




122            ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KINOWLEDGE.
remarkable events that were to take place in the  crosses, and the most dreadful punishments you
filttre ages of the world-of the appearance of can invent."
Jesus Christ, ofthe promugation of his gospel,   Its influence on communities and nations is
and the miraculous effects with which it was  no less evident, in the changes it has introducea
accompanied.  All which events, as explained  in the circumstances of domestic life, and the
and illustrated in the Sacred History, form one  barbarous practices it has completely abolished.
grand series of dispensations which is, in the  When it made its way through the Roman emhighest degree, illustrative of the Power, Wis-  pire, it abolished the unnatural practice of polydom, Goodness and Rectitude of the Supreme  gamy and concubinage, reduced the number of
Being,-and of which no other records can give  divorces, and mitigated the rigour of servitude,
us any certain information.                   which, among the Romans, was cruel and severe
8. The beneficial qfects which Christianity has  -masters being often so inhuman as to remove
produced in the world constitute a most power-  aged, sick or infirm slaves into an island in the
fill evidence of its divinity. One striking effect  Tiber, where they suffered them to perish withit has produced, is, the superior light it has  out pity or assistance. Polished and polite, as
thrown on the great objects of religion, and the  the Romans have been generally considered, they
knowledge it has communicated respecting its  indulged in the most barbarous entertainments.
moral requisitions.  Wherever it has been  They delighted to behold men combating with
received, it has completely banished the absurd  wild beasts and with one another; and we are insystems of polytheism and pagan idolatry, with  formed by respectable historians, that the fights
all the cruel and obscene rites with which they  of gladiators sometimes deprived  Europe of
were accompanied; and in their place, has sub-  twenty thousand lives in one month. Neither
stituted a system of doctrine and practice, not  the humanity of Titus, nor the wisdom and vironly pure and rational, but level to the compre-  tue of Trajan, could abolish these barbarous spechension of the lowest class of society. A me-  tacles, till the gentle and humane spirit of the
chanic or peasant, instructed in the leading  gospel put a final period to such savage pracprinciples of Revelation, now entertains more  tices, and they can never again be resumed in
just and consistent notions ofGod, of his perfec-  any nation where its light is diffused, and its
tions, his laws, and the plan of his universal  authority acknowledged. It humanized the barprovidence, thais the most renowned philoso-  barous hordes that overturned the Roman empire,
phers of ancient times ever acquired.  Chris-  and softened their ferocious tempers, as soon as
tianity has produced an influence even on the  they embraced its principles and yielded to its
progress of the arts and ofrational science; for  influence. It civilized, and raised from moral
wherever it has been established, they have  and intellectual degration, the wild Irish, and
uniformly followed in its train; and the latest  our forefathers the ancient Britons, who were
discoveries in philosophy, so far from  being  classed among the rudest of barbarians till the
repugnant to its doctrines and facts, are in per-  time when they were converted to the religion of
Fect consistency with all its revelations, and  Jesus; so that the knowledge we now see diffused
tend to illustrate many of its sublinie anrnuncia-  around us, the civilization to which we have adtions. With regard to practice-it has intro-  vanced, the moral order which  prevails, the
duced many virtues which were altogether  beauties which adorn our cultivated fields, the
unknown in the heathen world.  Instead of comforts and decorations connected with our
sottish idolatry, lasciviousness, unnatural lusts,  cities and towns, and the present improved
pride, ostentation, and ambition, it has intro-  state of the arts and sciences, may all be considuced, among all who submit to its authority,  dered as so many of the beneficial effects which
rational piety, humility, moderation, self-denial,  the Christian religion has produced among us.
charity, meekness, patience under affronts and    In ourown times, we have beheld effectsno less
injuries, resignation to the will of God, brotherly  powerfill and astonishing, in the moral revolution
kindness, and active beneficence.  In the first  which Christianity has lately produced in Tahiti,
agesof Christianity, such virtues were eminent-  and the adjacent islands in the Southern ocean
ly conspicuous..-' See," said the heathen, " how  In this instance, we behold a people who, a few
these Christians love one another."  Lactanti-  yearsiago, were among the most degraded of the
us, one of the early Apologists, was able to say,  human race-who were under the influence ofthe
in the face of his antagonists, " Give me a man  most cruel superstitions and idolatries-who adorwho is wrathful, malicious, revengeful, and, with  ed the most despicable idols-who sacrificed on
a few words of God, I will make him calm as a  their altars multitudes of human victims, and
lamb; give me one that is a covetous, niggard-  were plunged into all the vices and debauchely miser, and I will give you him again liberal,  ries, and vile abominations which can debase the
bountiful, and dealing out of his money by hand-  character of man-we behold them  now transfuls; give me one that is fearful of pain and death,  formed into civilized and Christian:societies —
and immediately he shall despise racks and  their minds enlightened in the knowledge of the




BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF CHRISTIANITY.                                123
true God. tneir tempers moulded into the spirit of destruction of people and cities by the famous contle religion of Jesus, —-their savage practices  querors Timur Beg, and Jenghis Kan, who t avag
abolished,-industry, peace and moral order  ed Asia, and we shallperceive, that we owe to
spreading their benign influence on all around,  Christianity in government a certain political law,
and multitudes rejoicing in the prospect ofa bless-  and in war a certain law of nations, which allows
ed immortality. Where barrenness and desola-  to the conquered the great advantages of liberty,
tion formerly prevai',ed, ana where only a few sa-  laws, wealth, and always religion, when the convage huts appeared, open to the wind and rain,  queror is not blind to his own interest."
beautiful villages are now arising, furnished with    But Christianity has not only abolished many
all the comforts and accommodations of civilized  barbarous practices, it has likewise given birth
life. Where pagan altars lately stood, and hu-  to numerous benevolent institutions and establishlnan victims were cruelly butchered, spacious  nlents altogether unknown in Pagan countries.
temples are now erected for the worship of " the  Let us consider the numerous schools fbr the ins.od and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," and  struction of youth in useful knowledge and in the
seminaries for the literary and religious instruc-  principles of religion, which are erected in all
tion of the young. Where sanguinary battles  towns and villages in Christian countries, the nuwere fought, amidst the furious yells of savage  merous churches and chapels devoted to the worcombatants, who cruelly massacred every prison-  ship of God, and to the instruction and comfort of
or of war-the voice of rejoicing and of thanks-  individuals of every condition, age, and sex,-the
giving is now heard ascending to Heaven from   colleges and caademies which have been founded
the peaceable " dwellings of the righteous,"-all  for imparting rknow!edge in literature, and in arts
which effects have been produced, within less  and sciences,-the numerous philanthropic socithan twenty years, by the powerful and benign  eties which have been formed for the relief of the
agency of the Gospel of peace.*               aged, the infirm, and the destitute sick,-the eduEven war itself-the most disgraceful and dia-  cation of the deaf and dumb,-the reformation of
bolical practice in which mankind have indulged,  the criminal code,-*the improvement of prison
and which will affix an eternal stigma on the hu-  discipline,-the reformation of juvenile offendman character-even war has assumed something  ers,-the aiding of the friendless, the orphan, and
of the spirit of mildness and humanity, compared  the widow,-the literary and moral instruction
with the savage ferocity with which it was con-  of the children of the poor,-the relief of desti-.
ducted during the reign of heathenism. Prison-  tute imprisoned debtors,-the improvement of
ers are no longer massacred in cold blood; the  the domestic condition of the labouring classes,conquered are spared, and their liberty frequent-  the promotion ofpermanent'and universal peace,
ly restored; and, were the principles of Christi-  -the diffusion of the knowledge of the Christian
anity recognised, and universally acted upon by  religion throughout every region of the globe,
professing Christian nations, the spirit of warfare  and for various other benevolent purposes, all
would soon be wholly exterminated, and Peace  calculated to alleviate the distresses of suffering
would extend its benign influence over all the  humanity, to extend the blessings of knowledge,
uIngdoms and families of the earth.  The cele-  and to communicate enjoyment to all ranks of
brated Montesquieu, in his'" Spirit of Laws,"  mankind; and we may challenge the enemies of
has observed, " The mildness so frequently re-  our religion to point out similar institutions in
commended in the gospel is incompatible with  any pagan country under heaven that has never
the despotic rage with which an arbitrary tyrant  felt the influence of Christianity. And if such
punishes his subjects and exercises himself in  beneficent effects are the native result of the becruelty. It is the Christian religion which, in  nevolent and expansive spirit of Christianity,
spite of the extent of empire and the influence of they form a strong presumptive evidence, indeclimate, has hindered despotism from being esta-  pendently of any other consideration, that it de.
blished in Ethiopia, and has carried into Africa  rived its origin from that Almighty Being who
the manners of-Europe. The heir to the throne  is good to all, and whose " tender mercies are
of Ethiopia enjoys a principality, and gives to  over all his works."
other subjects an example of love and obedience.    In fine, Christianity is adapted to every counNot far from hence may be seen the Mahometan  try and every clime. Its doctrines and precepts
shutting up the children of the king ofSenaar, at  are equally calculated to promote the happiness
whose death the council sends to mu'rder them in  of princes and subjects, statesmen and philosofavour ofthe prince who ascends the throne."-  phers, the high and the low, the rich and the
" Let us set before our eyes, on the one hand,  pool. It is completely adapted to the nature
the continual massacres of the kings and generals  arnd necessities of man; its rites are few and
of the Greeks and Romans, and on the other, the  simple, and may be observed in every region of
the globe. It forbids the use of nothing but
Fora particular account of this moralrevolution  what is injurious to health of body or peace of
which has recently taken place in the society and  mind and it has a tendency to promote a friendly
other islands of the Pacific, the reader is referred
to "El11s' Polynesian Researches," 2 vols. 8vo  and affectionate intercourse amtnng men of' al




124             ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
pations.  Arid, as it is calculated for being uni-  most comprehensive system of morality, —it exn
versally extended, so its prophets have foretold  plains certain moral phenomena which woavl
that its blessings shall ultimately be enjoyed by  otherwise  have been inexplicable,-it affords
all nations.  In the period in which we live, we  strong consolation under the evils of life,-it conm
behold such predictions more rapidly accomplish-  municates the knowledge of interesting facts and'
ing than in former times, in consequence of the  doctrines which can be found in no other record:
spirit of missionary enterprise which now per-  -it has produced the most beneficial effects on
vades the religious world. And when it shall  the state of society wherever it has been receivhave extended a little farther in its progress, and  ed,-it is completely adapted to the necessities
shall have brought a few more kingdoms and  of man, and calculated for being universally exislands under its authority, its beneficent effects  tended over the world; —to which we might
will be more "clearly discerned, and the eviden-  have added, that it is consistent in all its parts,
cesof its celestial origin will appear with a  when viewed through the medium of enlightened.force and power which its most determined ad-  criticism, and harmonises with the principles of
versaries will not be able to gainsay or resist.    soufnd reason, and the dictates of an enlightened
In proportionas the physical sciences advance,  conscience.  These are characteristics which
and the system of nature is explored, will the  will apply to no other system of religion that was
harmony between the operations of the Creator  ever proposed to the world; and if Christianity,
in the material world and the revelations of his  accompanied with such evidences, is not divine
word, become more strikingly apparent.  Ever  in its original, we may boldly affirm that there is
since philosophy began to throw aside its hypo-  no other religion known among men that can lay
thetical assumptions and theoretical reasonings,  claim to this high prerogative.  But we do not
and to investigate nature on the broad basis of  think it possible that the mind of man can receive
induct-ion, its discoveries have been found com-  a more convincing demonstration of the truth of
nletely accordant with the Scriptures of truth,  Christianity than is set before us in the authenand illustrative of many of the sublime senti-  tic facts on waich it rests, in its tendency to proments they contain.  Geology, when in its in-  duce universal happiness, and in the intrinsic
fancy, was eagerly brought forward by a few   excellence for which it is distinguished.  That
sceptical and superficial minds, to subserve the  man, therefore, by whatever appellation he may
cause of infidelity. A few pretended facts, of an  be distinguished, who sets himself in opposition
insulated nature, were triumphantly exhibited, as  to the spirit of this religion, and endeavours to
insuperable objections to the truth of the Mosaic  counteract its progress, must be considered as
history and chronology.  But later and more  not only destitute of true taste and of moral exaccurate researches have completely disproved  cellence, but as an enemy to the happiness of
the allegations of such sceptical philosophers, and  his species. If the religion of the Bible is diswere they now alive, they would feel ashamed  carded, we are left completely in the dark with
of their ignorance, and of the fallacious state-  regard to every thing that is most interesting to
ments by which they attempted to impose on the  man as an intellectual being, and as a moral
credulity of mankind. As geology advances in  and accountable agent.'We should, in this
its investigations, along with its kindred scien-  case, have the most imperfect conceptions of the
ces, the facts which it is daily disclosing appear  attributes of Deity, and should know nothing of
more and more corroborative of the description  his designs in giving us existence, and placing
given in the Bible of the original formation and  us in this part of his empire,-we should remain
arrangement of our globe, and of the universal  in ignorance whether the world had a beginning
deluge. And, therefore, we have every reason  or had existed from eternity, or whether we shall
to conclude, that when science and art shall have  ever have an opportunity of beholding the grand
arrived at a still higher point of perfection, and  system  of the universe a little more unfolded,our terrestrial system shall have been more tho-  we should be destitute of any fixed moral laws to
roughly explored throughout all its departments,  direut us in our social transactions and interarguments will be derived from philosophy itself  courses,-we should be entirely ignorant of the
in support of the divinity of our religion, which  principles and objects of the moral government ot
will carry irresistible conviction to every mind.  the Almighty, —we should be destitute of any
Such is a very brief summary of the internal  consolation under the afflictions and calamities oi
evidences of the Christian religion.  It is distin-  life,-we should hang continually in doubt whethguished by the dignity and sublimity of the style  er death is to put a final termination to our being,
and sentiments of the writings which contain its  or convey us to another and an eternal state of
revelations,-it exhibits the most rational and  existence; and, at length, we should be plunged
consistent views of the attributes of the Divine  into the gulf of universal scepticism, into which
Being,-it gives us full assurance of a future  every rejecter of revelation ultimately sinks.
state of immortality,'-it points out the way by    It may not be improper to remark, that the rewhich pardon of sin and deliverance from moral  ligion- to whose characteristics I have now adevii may be obtained,-it exhibits the purest and  verted, is not to be considered as precisely that




EVIDE NCES OF CHRISTIANITY INCREASING.                                1E~
fromii of Christianity which has been established  grounds. —The evidence from prophecy, from its
in Italy, in Germany, in Russia, or in Britain;  very nature, is continually progressive; and, in
or as it is professed by Episcopalians, Presbyte-  proportion as Scripture predictions are studied
rians, Independents, or any other sectary; or as  with judgment and intelligence, and compared
it is expounded in the catechisms, confessions, or  with the history of past ages and the present state
systems of divinity, which have been published  of the nations, will a new light be thrown on the
by the different denominations of the Christian  prophetical writings,which will cause the evidence
world. In all these cases, its true glory has been  of their divinity to shire forth with a brighter,
aolscured, its beauty defaced, and its purity con-  lustre, and enable every intelligent observer to
tamlnated, by passing through the atmosphere of  read, in passing events and in the revolutions of
human folly and corruption; and opinions and  empires, the faithfulness of the Almighty in acpractices have been incorporated with its leading  complishing those declarations, which, "at sun.
principles altogether repugnant to the liberal and  dry times and divers manners, he spake to the
expansive spirit for which it is distinguished. It  fathersby the prophets."-The internal evidence,
is to the Christianity of the Bible alone to which I  which has been more overlooked than it ought to
refer.  It is there alone that it is to be seen in  have been, is likewise increasing, and will contiits native purity, simplicity, and glory; and he  nue to increase, in proportion as the Scriptures
who neglects to study the Scriptures, unfettered  are perused with judgment and care, as nature is
by the trammels of human systems, will never be  contemplated with humility and reverence, and
sAble fully to perceive or to appreciate the true  as useful knowledge is diffused over the world.
excellence of that religion, which is " pure and  When the holy principles of our religion shall
peaceable, full of mercy and good fruits," and  have acquired a greater influence over the termwhich breathes "' good will towards men." For,  pers and conduct of its professors; when the de.
in some of the forms which Christianity has as -  liberations of statesmen and the conduct of states
sumned in certain countries, it has been so much  and empires shall be directed by its maxims and
blended with human inventions, as to be scarcely  laws; when Christianity shall be divested of the
distinguishable from  heathenism; and, conse-  false drapery with which its pretended friends
quetly, in such cases, it has seldom  been ac-  have attempted to adorn it, and freed from the
companied with those beneficial effects which it  corruptions which human folly has incorporated
is calculated to produce. And, among almost  with its institutions; when all who recognise its
all the sectaries in every country, either some of  leading doctrines, throwing aside party disputes
its distinguishing features have been overlooked,  and animosities, shall form  themselves into one
or its doctrines mixed up with metaphysicaldog-  grand and harmonious association; when a few
mas, or its practical bearings disregarded, or opin-  more portions of the heathen world shall have
ions respecting its forms and circumstantials set  been brought into subjection to the Prince of
in competition with its fundamental truths and  Peace, and when the general happiness resultmoral requisitions.  "Nevertheless, the founda-  ing from such events shall be felt and aclnow.
tion of God standeth sure,"-and the Divine  ledged-then, all who behold such blessed trans..
fabric of Christlanity will remain unshaken and  formations will be enabled to read, in characters
unimpaired, so long as the Scriptures are preserv-  that cannot be mistaken, that the Creator of the
ed uncontaminated and entire.                  universe is the original author of Christianity,
The evidences to which I have now adverted  and that the promotion of the best interests of
are continually increasing in their clearness and  mankind is the great end of all its revelations.
force. Tinle, which is gradually undermining
the foundation of error, is enlarging the bulwarks
of truth, and adding to their strength and stability. Opposition has tended only to clear away    My intention in giving the preceding summary
the rubbish which has been thrown around the  of the evidences of Christianity is, to show, that,
Christian fabric, but is has shown its foundations  without habits of rational thinking and a certain
to be firm and impregnable.  The historical evi-  portion of general information, these evidences
dence has been gaining strength ever since the  cannot be thoroughly  investigated, nor their
davs of the apostles, and since the time when  weight and importance duly appreciated. For,
Herbert, Chubb, Tindal, Morgan, and other in-  how can a mind unaccustomed to reading and refidel writers attempted to undermine the cause  flection be supposed capable of entering into all
of -evealed religion.  The defences which were  the topics and considerations requisite to be atpublished by Grotius, Stillingfleet,Butler, Leland,  tended to in such investigations,- of balancing
Watson, Paley, and others, have shown, that the  arguments,-of comparing prophecies with their
more the arguments for Christianity have been  accomplishment in the history of nations,-of
opposed, sifted, and examined, the more irresisti-  detecting sophisms, or of feeling the force of reable have they appeared, and the more have they  sonings, however clear or powerfill?  It is desshllone with increasing brightness; so that no in-  titute of those fundamental principles and general
fidel has ever attempted to meet them on fair  ideas on which all moral ratiocinations are




126            ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
grounded.  On such a mind, the most, weighty  the leading events which the history of the world
arguments and the most cogent reasonings make  records, we should be enabled, when reading the
no sensible impression.  It may be susceptible  prophetical writings, to perceive, at every step,
of being biassed against religion by the sneers  the ideas and purposes of that All-Comprehenand sarcasms of jovial companions, and the ri-  sive Mind that " knoweth the end from the bedicule with which they may treat the truths of ginning," and his faithfulness in accomplishing
revelation, but it is unqualified either to rebut  the promises, and executing the threatenings of
such impertinences, or to appreciate the excel-  his word.-A knowledge of Chronology is also
lencies of Christianity, the foundation on which  requisite, in order to ascertain the time in which
it rests, and the benignant tendency of' its doc-  predictions were uttered, and the periods to
trines and precepts. And if, in the present day,  which they refer-and of Ancient Geography,
a man has no acquaintance with the grounds and  to determine the localities of those tribes or lnareasons of revealed religion, and the evidences  lions to which the prophecies have a reference,
on which its truth and divinity rest, he will not  and their relative positions with regard to each
only be indifferent to the observance of its pro-  other. —In particular, it is necessary to be accepts, and destitute of its supports and consola-  quainted with the Figurative style in which protions, but will be constantly liable to be turned  phecy is conveyed, in order to understand the
aside to the paths of folly and intemperance, and  writings of the ancient prophets.  These writto become the prey of unthinking fools and scoff-  ings, in common with those of most of the Easing infidels.  Whereas, when a man can give a  tern nations, are highly poetical, and abound in
reason of the hope that is in him, his religion be-  Allegories, Parables and Metaphors.  The Alcomes a delightful and a rational service, and he  legory is that mode of speech in which the writ.
is enabled to put to silence the scoffs and vain  er or speaker means to convey a different idea
cavillings of foolish and unreasonable men.    from what the words in their primary signification
Besides assisting us in investigating the evi-  bear.  Thus, " Break up your fallow-ground,
dences of religion-a certain portion of general  and sow not among thorns,"* is to be underinfornmatioti is highly useful, and even necessary  stood, not of tillage, but of repentance; and these
frn enabling us to understand the Sacred writings.  words, "Thy rowers have brought thee into
Et is true, indeed, that the leading doctrines of  great waters, the east wind hath broken thee in
revelation, respecting the attributes of God, the  the midst of the seas,"t allude, not to the fate
mediation of Christ, the way in which salvation  of a ship, but to the fate of a city,-Of all the
is to be obtained, the grand principles of moral  figures used by the prophets, the most frequent is
action, and the duties connected with the several  the.Metaphor, by which words are transferred
relations of life, are detailed with such plainness  from their plain and primary, to their figurative
and perspicuity as to be level to the comprehen-  and secondary meaning.  One of the most cosion of every reflecting mind, however unskilled  pious sources of those metaphors to which the
in literature or science. But there are certain  sacred writers resort, is the scenery of Nature.
portions of Revelation, necessary " to make the  The Sun, Moon, and Stars, the highest and
man of God perfect," the study of which requires  most splendid objects in the natural world, figuthe exertion of all our faculties, and the applica-  ratively represent kings, queens, and princes or
tion of every branch of human knowledge we  rulers, the highest in the political world, as in
can possibly acquire.  This arisesfrom the very  the following passages, " The moon shall be
nature of the subjects treated of, and from the li-  confounded, and the sun ashamed."I  " I will
mit!ed faculties of the human mind. To illus-  cover the heavens, and make the stars thereof
trate this idea is the object of the following re-  dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the
marks.                                         moon shall not give her light."~  Light and
1. A considerable portion of Scripture is oc-  darkness are used figuratively for joy and sorcupied with prophetical declarations,-in refe-  row, prosperity and adversity; as, " We wait
rence to events which have long since taken  for light, but behold obscurity, for brightness,
place, to those which are now happening, and to  but we walk in darkness;"I —and likewise for
those which will hereafter happen in the future  knowledge and ignorance;-" The people that
ages of the world. It contains a series of pre-  walked in darkness have seen a great light," &c.
dictions which embra'ce the leading outlines of  Immoderate rains, hail, floods, torrents, inunthe history of the world, from its commencement  dations, fire and storms, denote judgments and
to its final consurnmation. Now, in order to trace  destruction; Lebanon -emarkable for its height
the accomplishment of these predictions, and to  and its stately cedars, is used as an image of
perceive clearly the events to which they refer,  majesty and strength; Carrmel, which abounded
a minute acquaintance with ancient and modern  in vines and olives, as an image of fertility and
history is indispensably requisite: for it is in  beauty; and bullocks of Bashan, rams,'.ions,
nistory, either sacred or civil, that their accon,piishment is recorded.  And, could we, with       Jer. v. 3.    zek. xxvt. 26.   I Isalab xxIV
one comprehensive glance, take a survey of all  23.   ~ Ezek. xxxii.?.  I-saiah lix. o.




KNOWLEDGE OF SCRIPTURE HISTORY.                                 127
etles, and sea-monsters, as images of cruel and  With regard to the deluge, we find most of the
oppressive conquerors and tyrants. Metaphors  Greek and Roman writers, Ovid, Lucian. Bevre likewise borrowed from history, from the see-  rosus the Chaldean, Abydenus the Assyrian, and
nery of the temple and its various utensils and  many others referring to that great event, and
services, and from the ordinary customs and oc-  detailing the particular circumstances connected
cupations of life-the meaning and application  with it, in language nearly similar to that of the
of which require to be distinctly understood, in  Sacred historian; such as, the preservation of
order to perceive the spirit and references of an-  Noah, the ark in which he was preserved, the
cient prophecy. Those who would wish to stu-  mountain on which it rested, the dove and the
dy this subject with intelligence, would do well  raven which he is said to have sent out, and the
to consult the works of Lowth, Hurd, Sherlock,  wickedness of the Antediluvians, as the cause oi
Kennicot, Newcome, and particularly " New-  that dismal catastrophe. We find, also, that the
ton's Dissertations on the Prophecies."       whole mythology of India is full of allusions to
2. In studying the historicalparts of Scripture —  the general deluge, which appears to be the
a knowledge of ancient history, and even of Pa-  commencement of their present era; and that acgan Mythology, tends, in many instances, to  counts of the same event are to be met with in
throw light on the narratives of the Sacred wri-  China and Japan.*
ters.  We find, from heathen writers, who were    An acquaintance with ancient history is necesstrangers to the Jewish religion, that the most  sary for enabling us to fill up the blanks left by
ancient tradition of all nations, respecting the  the Sacred historians. From the time of Ezra
early history of the world, is exactly agreeable to  and Nehemiah to the birth of Christ, there is an
the relation of Moses, though expressed in a  interval of about four hundred and fifty years, of
more abstruse, doubtful and imperfect manner.  the events which happened during which we
The description of the origin of the world, in the  have no account in any part of the inspired writancient Phenician history, translated by Philo  ings. A knowledge of the events which happenBiblius from  Sanchoniathon's. collection, and  ed during this interval is necessary, in order to
transmitted to us by Eusebius, is materially the  complete our views of the scheme of Divine Prosame, with that which is recorded in the Book of vidence, and to unfold to us the series of God's
Genesis, when separated from the fabulous no-  dispensations in relation both to the Jews and
tions with which it isblended.  The Egyptians,  the surrounding nations. During this period,
according to Laertius, acknowledged, " that ori-  too, many of the predictions of Daniel and the
ginally the world was a confused chaos, from   other prophets received their accomplishment,whence the four elements were separated, and  particularly those which relate to the Medes and
living creatures made; and that the world had a  Persians, the Macedonian empire, the times of
beginning, and consequently would have an end."  Alexander the Great, Ptolemy Philadelphus,
Hesiod, the most ancient writer whose works  Antiochus Epiphanes, Philip of Macedon, and
have reached us, says, that "all things had  the persecutions in the days of the Maccabees.
their origin from a rude chaos;" and Ovid, in  In order, therefore, to obtain a clear and comprethe first book of his " Metamorphoses," tells us,  hensive view of the ways of Providence during
" that before the seas, and the land, and the ca-  this interval, such works as Shuckford's " Connopy of heaven existed, there was one appear-  nexion of Sacred and Profane History," and
ance throughout the whole of nature, which  Prideaux's "Connexions of the Old and New
they called chaos-a rude and indigested mass,  Testament," require to be studied with care, in
in which earth and air, fire and water were in-  many parts of which will be seen a running comdiscriminately  mixed."  In  short, Thales,  mentary on Daniel's vision of the "Raln and
Anaxagoras, Aratus, Virgil and Homer, speak  He-Goat," and of " the things noted in the
of the original of all things, comformable to the  Scripture of truth," which have a reference,
account given by Moses, though in a different  among other things, to the kings of Persia, to
phraseology; and we learn from Josephus, Philo,  Alexander and his successors, and the warlike
Tibullus, Clemens Alexandrinus, and Lucian,  expeditions in which they were engaged. For
that the memory of the six days work was pre-  an elucidation of the general train of events from
served, not only among the Greeks and Italians,  the Mosaic creation to the establishment of
by honouring the seventh day, but also among  Christianity, " Stackhouse's History  of the
the Celtte and Indians, who all measured their  Bible," in six volumes 8vo, or in three volumes
time by weeks.-Manetho, who wrote the his-  4to, with the additional notes and dissertations
tory of the Egyptians, Berosus, who wrote the  of Bishop Gleig, will be found an invaluable treaChaldean history, Hierom, who wrote the his-  sure, and will amply repay the reader who gives
tory of Phenicia, and Hecatmus, Hillanicus and  it a diligent perusal.f
Ephorus, who wrote the history of Greece, all
agree in asserting, " that those who descended' See MaurIce's "Indian Antiquities" and Itry"rom the first mnen, in the first ages of the world,  ants System of Mythology."
lived many of them nearly a thousand vears."-    t In Bishop Gleit's edition of Starckhouse's History,
lived man of them nearly a thousand years."-   a long and useful dLssertation, entitled, "An Afpa-.9




128          ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
S. A enow,edge of the manners and customs,  uniform.  When the south wind begins to blow,
climate and seasons, arts and sciences of the  the sky becomes dark and heavy, the air grey
Eastern nations, is essentially requisite, in many  and thick, and the whole atmosphere assumes a
instances, in order to understand the allusions of most alarming aspect. The heat produced by
the sacred writers, and the meaning of various  these southern winds has been compared to that
portions of Scripture.  For example, when an  of a huge oven, at the moment of drawing out
untutored reader peruses the account given in  the bread, and to that of a flame blown upon the
the Evangelists of the cure of the paralytic who  face of a person standing near the fire that exwas carried by four men on a bed, and who, find-  cites it.
ing it impossible to pass through the throng, as-    Thousands of illustrations of Sacred Scripture
cended to the top of the house in which Jesus  may be derived from such sources; and he who
was, and let him down bed and all, " through  is unacquainted with them must remain a stranthe tiling," into the very room  where he was  ger to the beauties of the style of the.inspired
sitting-he is apt to entertain a very confused  writers, and to the precise meaning of many
and erroneous idea of the circumstances of the  portions both of the historical and the prophetical
case, when his attention is directed solely to the  writings. The manners and customs of the Eastmode of building in this country. But, when he  ern nations have remained nearly the same for
is informed, that the houses in the country of  several thousand years; so that those which are
Judea were low-built and flat-roofed, and sur-  found existing in the present day are exactly, or
rounded with a parapet breast-high, that there  nearly the same, as those which prevailed in the
was a ladder or pair of stairs which led to the  times when the books of the Old and New Testatop of the house from the outside, and a trap-door  ments were written. Modern oriental travellers,
or hatchway in the middle of the roof-he will  in their descriptions of the arts, sciences and
soon acquire a clear idea of the circumstances  manners of the East, have furnished us with a
stated in this and other parts of the Evangelical  mass of invaluable materials for the elucidation of
history, and of the ease with which the paralytic  holy writ, and they have proved, in many cases,
man might be conveyed to the top of the build-  unintentionally, better commentators than  the
ing and let down through the roof. The same  most profound critics and philologists. Manly of
facts likewise illustrate the circumstance of their insulated remarks of this kind have lately
Peter's going to the top of the house to pray, and  been classified and arranged by various writers,
the custom of making proclamations from the  particularly by Harmer, in his " Observations,"
house-tops, to which there are several allusions  Burder in his " Oriental Customs," Paxton in
in Scripture. —A knowledge of the weather and  his " Illustrations," and Taylor, the late learned
seasons of Judea, is frequently of use to illustrate  editor of the new editions of Calmet's Dictionary,
the force of certain expressions of the sacred wri-  in his Fragmenta, appended  to that work,
ters. It may seem to us nothing extraordinary  which  contains an immense number of such
that there should be c" thunder and rain in har-  observations, illustrated with a great variety of
vest,"or in the months of June and July, when  engravings.
Samuel said, " Is it not wheat harvest to day?    4. An acquaintance with Ancient Geography,
I will call unto the Lord, and he shall send thun-  especially that part of it which relates to the
der and rain."*  But Jerome, who lived in Ju-  Eastern countries, would enable a person to pe-.dea many years, says, it never rained there at  ruse many portions of Scripture with much greater
that season; so that the thunder and rain which  interest and intelligence, than if he were altohappened at the intercession of Samuel were  gether ignorant of this branch ofknowledge.  In
truly miraculous, and as such, " the people greatly  the history of the Old Testament, and in the
feared the Lord and Samuel." —Again, in Luke  Prophetical writings, there are frequent references
xii. 55, it is said, "' When ye see the south wind  and allusions to Mesopotamia, Idumea, Egypt,
blow, ye say there will be heat, and it cometh to  Assyria, Chaldea, Arabia, Ethiopia, Lybia
+pass." In our climate, where the south wind' sel-  Parthia, Scythia, Persia, and other countriesdom blows, this may not be alwaysthecase. But  to the cities of Jerusalem, Babylon, Nineveb,
in Syria, Egypt, Judea and the adjacent coun-  Damascus, Tadmor, Tyre, Sidon, &c.-to the
tries, the effect here mentioned is striking and  great Sea, or the Mediterranean, the Dead Sea,
the Sea of Tiberias, the Red Sea-the isles of
ratus to the History of the Bible," has been left out,  Chittim, Cyprus, Crete, Melita-the rivers Jor.
without any reason being assigned forthe omission.  dan, Kishon, Jabbok, Euphrates, Hiddekel, Pi.
In other respects the original work appears to be  son Ulai, Abana Pharpar, &c.-Now, a know.
complete. Bishop Gleig's improvements consist
chiefly in bringing forward the discoveries of modern  ledge of the positions of such places with respect
science for the purpose of elucidating certain Scrip-  to the country of Judea their relative situations
tural facts, and repelling the objections of infidels- -:and in various dissertations on some of the leading  with regard to each other, and of the outlines of:toctrines and historical facts of revelation, which  their history, and of the warlike achievements
Frmn valable aditio~ns to thel original workle oi  and commerce of their inhabitants-is frequenti.Al~csi ho.se. See also fiorne's oLnaroductiocn, &c.
ti'aim.hoit. S17.  aorerit,                ly necessary, in order to attain a clear and corn




SCIENCE ILLUSTRA rIVE OF SCRIPTURE.                                 129
preltnsive view of tne passages In which there  means it rises and mixes with the atmosphere,
are allusions to such localities.-In  reading the  where it remains either tnvisibie, or assumes the
FEvangelists, it is highly expedient to know, for  appearance of clouds. In this state it occupies
example, the position of Samaria, Galilee, the  a space fourteen hundred times greater thar in its
lake of Gennesareth, and the river Jordan, with  ordinary liquid state, and consequently is mruch
respect to that portion of the Holy Land, denorni-  lighter than the atmospheric air into which it
nated Judea-the situations of Bethlehem, Na-  rises. It has been calculated, that, from an acre
zareth, Jericho, Nain, Sychar, Bethsaida, Cana,  of ground, during twelve hours of a summer's
Tyre and Sidon, with respect to Jerusalem, and  day, more than 1600 gallons of water' have been
their respective distances from that metroplis-  drawn up into the air in the form ofvapour. From
and the characteristics of the inhabitants of these  the whole surface of the ocean there arise, every
places; for, upon a knowledge of such circum-  twelve hours, no less than 30,320,500.000,000 or
stances, bur perception of the beauty and appro-  more than thirty millions of millions of cubic feet
priateness of our Saviour's discourses, and of the  of water, which is more than sufficient to supply
propriety of his actions, will, in a great measure,  all the rivers that intersect the four quarters of
depend.-In reading the history ofthejourneyings  the globe. This immense body of vapour is form.
of the Apostles, it is no less expedient that we  ed into clouds, which are carried by the winds
have lying before us maps of Asia Minor, of An-  over every part of the continents; and, by a
cient Greece, of Palestine, of the Eastern parts  process with which we are still unacquainted, is
of Africa, and of the islands of the Mediterrane-  again condensed into rain, snow or dews, which
an, and that we have some accquaintance with   water and fertilize the earth.  Now, if this wonthe history and character of the tribes which in-  derful and extensive process of nature were to
habited these countries in the days of the Apos-  cease-we might wash our clothes, but centuries
tles. Without such knowledge and assistances,  would not dry them, for it is evaporation alone
we must, in many instances, read theirnarratives  that produces this effect-there would be no rains
without ideas-and shall be unable to appreciate  nor dews to fertilize our fields, and the consetheir labours, the long journeys they undertook,  quence would be, the earth would be parched,
the fatigues they endured, the dangers to which  and the vegetable productions which afford us
they were exposed by sea and land, and the allu-  subsistence would wither and decay,-the rivsions made to such circumstances in the Aposto-  ers would swell the ocean, and cause it to overlie Epistles.*                                flow a portion of the land, while, at the same time,
5. An acquaintance with the facts of Natural  their sources would soon be completely exhaustHistory and Science, and with the general pheno-  ed, and their channels dried up. In such a state
mena of Nature, would tend to throw  a light on  ofthings, the whole system of terrestrial nature
many passages of Scripture, and would enable  would be deranged, and man, and all the other
persons to perceive a beauty and an emphasis in  tribes ofaniniated nature-deprived of those comcertain expressions, which they would otherwise  forts which are essential to their existenceDe apt to overlook.  For example, in the begin-  would, in a short time, perish from the earth. So
ning of the hundred and thirty-fifth psalm, the  that it forms a powerful and impressive motive to
servants of God are exhorted to " praise the name  excite us to praise the name of Jehovah, when we
of Jehovah;" and in the sequel of the Psalm va-  call'to remembrance, that it is He " who causeth
rious reasons are assigned why we should engage  the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth,"
in this exercise. One of these reasons is, that  and thus preserves the harmony ofnature, and se" He causeth the vapours to ascendfrom the ends  cures to all living creatures the blessings they
f the earth."  Many persons who read or who  now enjoy.
may sing this portion of sacred poetry, would be  Again, we are informed by Solomon, (Ecalpt to overlook the circumstance now stated as an  cles. i. 7.) that " all the rivers run into the sea;
argument of very inferior importance. But if yet the sea is not full; unto theplacefrom whence
we examine the subject attentively, we shall find,  the rivers come, thither they return again."  It
tat this physical operation of the Almighty is  appears, at first sight, somewhat unaccountable,
not only very wonderful in its nature, but that  that the ocean has not long ere now overflown
upon it most of our comforts, and even our very  all its banks, when we consider that so many
existence, depend. Evaporation is a process by  majestic streams are incessantly rolling into its
which water and other liquids are converted into  abyss, carrying along with them into its caverns
vapour. The matter of heat, combining with  no less than thirteen thAusand six hundred cubiwater, renders it specifically lighter, by which  cal miles of water- every year.  Solomon partly
solves the difficulty, by informing us, that, " to
~ The student of ancient geography will be assist.  the place whence the rivers come, thither they
ed in his researches by a perusal of Wells' "Set of  return again."  But how do they return? Many
Maps of Ancient Geography," twenty-three in num-  expositors of Scripture attempt to explain this
b)rthe Editor of Calmet's Dictionapy,which is one of circumstance, by telling us that the waters of the
by the Editor           of Calmet's    kind    oceanictionary, which is one ofsome
ak most accurate and complete works of the kind    ocean percolate through the earth, and in some




130            ON THE GENERAL DIFT'USION: OF KNOWLEDGE.
way i,r another, arrive near the tops of mountains, by his word? We are presented by the inspires
where springs generally abound. But such a  penmen with expressions in which to vent ot,
supposition is not only highly improbable, when  emotions.    He holds its waters in the hollow~
we consider the vast mass of earth and rocks,' of his hand; he taketh up its isles as a very litseveral hundreds of miles in thickness, through  tle thing."  "He gathereth the waters of the sea
which the waters would, have to percolate, but together as a mass; he layeth up the depth as IIn
directly contrary to the known laws of nature;  storehouses."  ".He divideth the sea by hi.s
tor nofluid can rise in a tube above the level of its  power; he hath compassed the waters with
source, which in this case it'behoved to do. Mo-  bounds, until the day and night come to an end."
dern experiments and discoveries, however, have  " Thou coveredst the earth with the deep as
satisfactorily accounted for this fact, on the prin-  with a garment; the waters stood above the
ciple of evaporation, to which I have just now   mountains:* At thy rebuke they fled; at the
adverted.  Fromn the surface of the ocean and of  voice of thy thunder they hasted away. Thou
the rivers themselves, there is carried up into  hast set a boundary that they may not pass over,
the atmosphere, in the form of vapour, nearly  that they turn not again to cover-the earth."
three times the quantity of water sufficient to re-  " He hath placed the sand for the bounds of the
plenish the sources of all the rivers in the world.  sea, by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass
The vapour thus raised is carried by the winds,  it; and though the waves thereof toss them..
in the form of clouds, over every region of the  selves, yet they cannot prevail; though they
globe, and falls down in rains to carry on the va-  roar, yet can they not pass over it."  He hath
rious processes ofnature. One partfalls into the  said to its rolling billows, " Hitherto shalt thou
sea, another on the lowlands, and the remaining  come, and no farther; and here shall thy proud
part is sufficient to replenish the sources of all  waves be stayed." —Are we spectators of storms
the rivers.  So that the assertion of Solomon is  and tempests, especially in the terrific grandeur
strictly and philosophically correct, that " to the  they display in southern climes? Our emotions
place whence the rivers come, thither they return  will be expressed with the greatest emphasis in
again."  They first fall into the ocean; a por-  the language of inspiration, in which we are
tion of their waters is then raised by evaporation  uniformly directed to view the agency of God in
into the atmosphere; this portion of vapour, ai.  such phenomena.  " Clouds and darkness are
ter traversing the regions of the air, falls down  round about him: He hath his way in the whirlin rain, mists, and dews, and supplies the nume-  wind and the storm, and the clouds are the dust
rous springs " which run among the hills."    of his feet."  " When he uttereth his voice,
Such illustrations, which might be indefinitely  there is a sound of waters in the heavens; he
extended, not only throw a light on the meaning  causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of
of the sacred writers, but tend likewise to show  the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and
the harmony that subsists between the discove-  bringeth forth the winds out of his treasuries."
ries of science and the truths of revelation. As ", The God of glory thundereth; the voice of the
the Author of Christianity and the Author of the  Lord is full of majesty; the voice of the Lord
system  of nature is one and the same Being,  divideth the flames of fire; yea, the Lord breakthere must exist a harmonious correspondence  eth the cedars of Lebanon."  " Who can stand
between truth in the one, and fact in the other;  before his indignation? The mountains quake
and the more they are studied with intelligence,  before him, the hills melt, and rocks are shivered
and m connexion with each other, the more will  at his presence."
their harmony be apparent.                    IAgain, when we contemplate the immense
It is a circumstance that has frequently forced  number and variety of animated beings which
itselfupon my attention, that whatever scene of  glide through the waters, move along the earth,
nature we contemplate, and however brilliant and  and wing their flight through the air; together
unexpected the discoveries which modern science  with the ample provision which is made for
has brought to light,-however far they have  their accommodation and subsistence,-where
carried our views into the wonders of the minute  can we find language more appropiate to express
parts of creation, and into the immeasurable re-  our feelings than in these words of the Psalmist?
gions of space, where myriads of suns are light-  " How manifold are thy works, O Lord! In
ed up,-and however much the mind may be  wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is
lost in astonishment and wonder, at the magnifi-  full of thy riches;, so is the great and wide sea,
cent scenes which they disclose,-we shall find  wherein  are  things creeping  innumerable,
sentiments and expressions in Scripture adequate  both small and great beasts. These all wait
to express every emotion of the soul when en-  upon thee, that thou mayest give them their meat
gaged in such contemplations.-Are we contem-  in due season. Thou givest them,-they gaplating the expanse of the ocean, and the vast  ther; thou openest thine hand,-they are filed
mass of waters which fill its mighty caverns? and  with good." —When we survey the structure oA
do we wish to raise our thoughts in adoration of
the no ver of that Almighty Being who formed it            Referring to the deluge.




I ARMONY OF SCIENCE AND REVELATION.                                131
the human frame, and consider the vast number  art great, and dost wondrous things- thou Sat
of bones, muscles, veins, arteries, lacteals, lyr-  God alone."
phlatics, and other parts, all curiously combined,    When we contemplate the amazing structure
and calculated to facilitate every motion of our  of the heavens-the magnitude of the bodiest
bodies, and to produce sensitive  enjoyment,-   which compose the planetary system, and the
along with the organs of sense, the process of numerous orbs which adorn the nocturnal skyrespiration, and the circulation of -the blood  when we penetrate with the telescope into the
through the whole frame every four minutes,-  more distant regions of space, and behold ten
can we refrain from  adopting the expressive  thousand times ten thousand more of these bright
langrlage of the Psalmist?  "I will praise thee,  luminaries rising to view from every region of the
for I am  fearfully and wonderfully made! mar-  firmament-when we consider that each of these
vellous are thy works. My substance was not  twinkling luminaries is a sun, equal or superior
hid from thee when I was made in secret, and  to our own in size and in splendour, and surroundcuriously wrought," —or variegated like needle-  ed with a system of revolving worlds-whetl we
work,-" in my mother's womb.*  Thine eyes  reflect, that all this vast assemblage of suns and
did see my substance when it was yet imperfect;  worlds, forms, in all probability, but a very small
and in thy book all my members were written,  portionof Jehovah's empire, and when our minds
which in continuance were fashioned when as  are bewildered and astonished at the incompreyet there was none of them. How precious are  hensible grandeur of the scene-where shall we
thy thoughts (or, thy wonderful contrivances)  find language to express our emotions more enerconcerning me, 0 God! How great is the sum   getic and appropriate than in such passages as
of them! If I should count them, they are more  these? " Canst thou by searching find out God?
in number than the sand."  To which may be  Canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection?
added the words of Job, " Thine hands have  He is glorious in power, his understanding is inmade and fashioned me: thou hast clothed me  finite, his greatness is unsearchable.  The heawith skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with  vens declare the glory of Jehovah, and the firmabones and sinews; and thy visitation preserveth  nent showeth his handy-work. All nations before
my spirit."-When we contemplate the minute  him are as nothing, and they are counted to him
wonders of creation, and are struck with aston-  as less than nothing and vanity. He meteth
ishment at the inconceivable smallness of certain  out the heavens with a span, and compreanimated beings,-how can we more appropri-  hendeth the dust of the earth in a measure. Beately express our feelings than in the language  hold! the heaven and the heaven of heavens
of Scripture, " He is wonderful in, counsel, and  cannot contain him. By the word of the Lord
excellent in working; his wisdom  is unsearch-  were the heavens made, and all the host of them
able, his understanding is infinite; marvellous  by the spirit of his mouth. He spake, and it
things doth he which we cannot comprehend.  was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
There is none like unto thee, O Lord, neither  Ile doth great things past finding out, and wonare there any works like unto thy works. Thou  ders without number.  Great and marvellous
are thy works, Lord God Almighty! Touching'In our translation, the beauty and emphasis of  the Almihty we cannot find him out; he is
this passage are partly lost. The expression," curiouslywrought," literally translated, signifies "flow-  excellent in power, and his glory is above the
ered with a needlle." The process of the formation  earth and the heavens. Who can utter the
of the human body in the womb is compared to that
in a piece of delicate work wrought with a fine  mighty operations of Jehovah? Who can show
needie, or fashioned with peculiar art in the loom;  forth all his praise?"
which, with'all its beautiful proportion of figure    Are we led, from  th discoveries of modern
and variety of colouring, rises by degrees to perfection under the hand of the artist, from a rude mass  astronomy, to infer, that numerous worlds besides
of silk or other materials, and according to a pattern  our own exist throughout the universe? This
lying before him. In accordance with this idea, thend embodied in numerous passaDivine Being is here represented as working a
shapeless mass, after a plan delineated in his book,  ges of Scripture, sttch  as the following;into the most curions texture of muscles, bones,  i" Through faith we understand that the worlds
veins, ligaments, membranes, lymphatics, &c. most          thword  ofuGodr   "  "h t   these
skilfullyinterwoven and connected with each other,  were framed by theword of God.   "I  tese
till It. becomes a structure with all the parts, linea-  last days he hath spoken to us by his Son, whom
ments, and functions of a man,-no one of which is  he hath appointed heir of all things by whom
to be seen at first, any more than the figures in a
ball of silk, before it is fashioned with the needle.  also he made the worlds."  " Thou hast made
The wonders of this workmanship are farther en-  heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all thetr hist,
hanced from the consideration, that, while human        pre    t 
artificers require the clearest light for accomplish-  and thou preservest them all, and the host of hea.
ing their work, the Divine Artist performs it "in yen worshippeth thee,"  " He sitteth upon the
secret," within the dark and narrow recess of the  circle
wotnb. The expression, "'How precious are thy       of the earth, and the' inhabitants thereof
Ahaug.ts to me," should be rendered, "i Howprecious  are as grasshoppers.  All the Innabitants of the
are thy contrivance -respecting me," namely, in  earth are reputed as nothing in his sight, Tile
reference to the exquisite structure and organala- tions are as the drop 
tton of'he corporeal frame, on which the Psalmist  nations are as the drop w f a bucket; and ie
iad fixed his meditations.                    doth according to his will in the armies of healen,




I32           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF ENOWLEDGE.
and amor.ng the inhabitants of the; earth."  " He  moral precepts; and, by familiarizing theirmin,hath prepared his throne in the heavens, and his  with the numerous and multifarious facts they exkingdom ruleth over all."  " When I consider  hibit, and comparing them with the history of na
thy heavens-what is man, that thou art mind-  tions, and with passing events, they would grafull of him?"  It would be easy to show, were it  dually acquire an enlightened and comprehensive
expedient in the present case, that all such ex-  view of God's superintending providence.  The
pressions and representations, embody in them   study of the Scriptuies, in their native simplicity,
the idea of a plurality of worlds, without which  with the helps now alluded to, and without interthey would appear either inexplicable, or as  mixture of the technical language of theologians,
a species of bombast, unworthy of the character  and of party opinions, wou:ld be of vast importof inspired writers. So that, to whatever de-  ance in religion. It would convince the unbiasspartinent of nature we direct our contemplations,  ed inquirer how little foundation there is in the
we perceive its correspondence with the senti-  Scriptures themselves, for many of those numeensts expressed in the sacred writings, and find  rous disputes about metaphysical dogmas, which
in these writings the most sublime and appropr -  have rent the Christian world into a number of
ate language in which to express those emotions  shreds and patches, and produced jealousy and
which the diversified scenes of the material world  animosity, where love and affection should have
are calculated to inspire.                    appeared predominant. He would soon be enaWe may pow ask, if such an assertion can be  bled to perceive, that the system  of Revelation
made, in truth, with regard to any other writ-  chiefly consists of a series of importantfacts,
ings, ancient orl modern, whose sentiments have  connected with the dispensations of God towards
not been derived from the sacred oracles?  Can  our race, and interwoven with a variety of practiwe find in the writings of all the poets, philoso-  cal and interesting truths  and that the grand
phers and orators of Greece and Rome, senti.  design of the whole is to counteract the effects of
ments so dignified, appropriate and sublime, in  moral evil, to display the true character of Deity,
relation to the objects to which we have alluded?  to promote love to God and man, to inculcate the
Do not such writers frequently misrepresent and  practice of every heavenly virtue, and to form
even caricature the system of nature?  Are not  mankind into one harmonious and affectionate
their descriptions of the god's, and the actions  society. He would find none of the technical
they attribute to them, in many instances, mean,  terms and phraseology which the schoolmen and
ridiculous, unworthy of the character of superior  others have introduced into their systems of thebeings, and even in the highest degree immoral  ology; nor any of those anathemas, which one
and profane? And, if we turn to the literature  sectary has so frequently levelled at another, apand the sacred books of the Chinese, the Per-  plied to any one, excepting to those " who love
sians, the Hindoos or the Japanese, shall we find  not our Lord Jesus in sincerity."  TIe would
any thing superior? And is not the circumstance  naturally be led to the conclusion, that what is
to which we have adverted, a strong presumptive  not clearly and explicitly stated in the Scriptures,
evidence that the Scriptures of the Old and New   or but obscurely hinted at, in reference to the
Testament were written under the inspiration of external government of the church or any other
the Almighty; and consequently, that they are  subject, cannot be a matter of primary Import" profitable for doctrine, for reproof, and for in-  ance, and consequently, ought never to be the
struction in righteousness, that the man of God  subject of virulent dispute, or the cause of dismay be made perfect, and thoroughly furnished  sension or separation among Christians-and
unto all good works?"                        that those things only are to be considered as the
Such is a brief view of some of the advanta-  prominent and distinguishing truths of religion
ges which may be derived from history and gene-  which are the most frequently reiterated, and exral science in the study  of the Scriptures.  pressed with such emphasis, and perspicuity, that
There is, indeed, scarcely a branch of useful  "he who runs may read them."
lnowledge, of whatever description, but may be    Again, such an intelligent study of the Scriprendered in some way or another, subservient to  tures as would accompany the acquisition of genthe elucidation of the sacred oracles, and in ena-  eral knowledge, would have a tendency to pro.
bling uis to take a wide and comprehensive view   mote the union of the Christian church. Ignorance
of the facts and doctrines they declare. Were-  and distorted views of the truths of revelation
the great body of mankind, therefore, instructed  are almost uniformly accompanied with illiberalin general knowledge, and accustomed to ratio-. ity and self-conceit; and where these prevail,
nsal investigations, they would be enabled to study  silly prejudices are fostered, and party opinions
the Scriptures with much greater interest and  tenaciously adhered to, and magnified into undue
inwelligence than they can now be supposed to do.  importance.  But an enlightened  mind,-the
They would perceive the beauty and sublimity' farther it advances in the path of knowledge and
of their language. the dignity and excellence of  in the study of the Sacred Oracles, the more will
the sentiments they.contain, the purity of their  it perceive the limited nature of its faculties, and,(octrintes, and the beneficent tendency of their  the difficulty of deciding on certain mysterious




MISCELLANEOUS ADVANTAGES OF KNOWLEDGE.                                   133
doctrines, and consequently, the more will it be  who presume to act in this manner should never
dlspose LO grant to every other mind a liberty of  come to the knowledge of the truth?  What
thought on subordinate religious subjects, and to  book in the world would stand such an ordeal?
makle every allowance for those educational pre-  There is no treatise on any subject whatever,
judices and other causes which have a tendency  which, if treated in this -manner, might not be
to.warp the mind to certain favourite opinions,  made to appear a mass of absurdities and conAnd, when such a disposition more generally pre-  tradictions.  If the Bible is to be read at all, it
vails, and is accompanied with the exercise of  must be perused both with reverence and with inChristian love and moderation —the spirit of party  telligence; and there is no one who enters on the
willbe gradually undermined, and all who recog-  study of it, in such a state of mind, but will soon
nise the grand and essential features of genuine  perceive, that it contains'" the witness in itself,"
Christianity will unite in one lovely and harmo-  that it is from God, and will feel, that it is " quick
nious society. But, so long as ignorance and  and powerful:' in its appeals to the conscience,
habits of mental inactivity prevail among the  and a " searcher of the thoughts and intents of
great body of the population, such a happy con-  the heart."  But he who reads it either with
summation cannot be expected.*                scorn, with negligence, or with prejudice, needs
In short, were the Sacred writings studied with  not wonder if he shall find himself only confirmreverence and attention, and those departments  ed, in his folly and unbelief. "For a scorner
of knowledge to which I have alluded brought  seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not; but knowforward to assist in their investigation, Infidelity  ledge is easy unto him that hath understanding.
would: soon feel ashamed of its ignorance and    I have dwelt, at considerable length, on the toimpertinence, and hide its head in retirement and  pie of Christianity, because it is a subject of peobscurity.  It is owing, in a great measure, to  culiar interest and importance to every individual.
ignorance of the Scriptures, that so many avow-  If, in systenms of education, and in the means by
ed infidels are to be found in society. "T'They  which mankindat large may be enlightened and
speak evil of the things- which they know not;"  improved, the knowledge of religion be overlook"their mouth speaketh great swelling words " of  ed, and its moral requisitions disregarded, more
vanity against truths which they never investi-  evil than good may be the result of the dissemigated, and which, of course, they do not under-  nation of general and scientific knowledge. We
stand. Even some of those who have attempted  have a proof of this in the scenes of anarchy,
to write against revelation are not ashamed. to  licentiousness and horror which succeeded the
avow, that they have never either read or studied  first French revolution, when revealed religion
the writings it contains. Paine, one of the most  was publicly discarded, and atheism, infidelity
virulent adversaries of Christianity, had the ef-  and.fatalism, accompanied with legalized plunfrontery to affirm, that, when he wrote the first  dering, became "the order of the day."  If
part of his " Age of Reason," he was without a  knowledge is not consecrated to a moral purpose,
Bible. "A fterwards," he tells us, in schoolboy  and prosecuted with a reference to that immortal
language, "I procured a Bible and a Testament."  existence to which we are destined, the utility
Who, but an arrant fool would have made such a  of its general diffusion might be justly called in
declaration, and thus have proclaimed his own  question. But, when prosecuted in connexionr
impertinence and folly? and who would have lis-  with the important discoveries of revelation, it
tened with patience to such an impudent avowal,  has a tendency to raise man to the highest dighad it been made in relation to any other subject?  nity of which his nature is susceptible, and to
For, to attempt to answer a book which one had  prepare him for more exalted pursuits and enjoy.
not read, is surely the height of presumption and  ments in the life to come.
impudence, and plainly indicates, that the mind
was previously prejudiced against it, and determined to oppose its sentiments. Others have
looked into the Bible, and skimmed over its con-            SECTION X.
tents, with the express purpose of finding faults
and contradictions. Emerson the mathemati-  JMiscellaneous Advantages of Knowledge briefly
cia's, having imbibed a disrelish for the Scrip-                 stated.
turea,. endeavoured to satisfy his mind that they
were not divine, by picking out a number of in-    In this section, I shall briefly advert to sevesulated passages, which he conceived to be; con-  ral advantages which would flow from a general
tradictions, and set them, one opposite to anoth-  diffusion of knowledge, not directly included in
er, in two separate columns, and then was bold  those which have already been stated.
enough to aver that he had proved the Bible to    I. Minds tutored in knowledge and habits of
be an imposture. Is it any wonder that men  reflection, would be led to form just estimates of
human character and enjoyment.'Foramore full Illustration of this topic, see See-    The bulk of mankind are apt to form a false
tron V.                                        estimate of the characters of men. from consider




184           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.;.lg only those adventitious circumstances in  Hence the ruling passion, which distingashces
Ahich they are placed, and those external trap-  the majority of mankind, to aspire after elevated
pings witn which they are adorned. Wherever  station and rank, and to accumulate riches, aIwealth and splendour, and high-sounding titles  though it should be at the expense of trampling
have taken up their residence, the multitude fall  under foot every social duty, and every nmora
1down and worship at their shrine.  The natural  principle, and even at the risk of endangering
and acquired endowments of the mind are seldom  life itself.  Hence, the idle and the vicious are
appreciated and respected, unless they are cloth-  led to imagine, that if they can but lay hold of,?fi with a dazzling exterior. A man of genius,  wealth, whether by fraud, by deceit, or by open
tf virtue and of piety, is not distinguished from   violence, they will be able to administer nutrithe common herd of mankind, unless he can af-  ment to those desires which, when gratified, will
Ifrd to live in an elegant mansion, to entertain  complete their happiness..rnvivial parties, and to mingle with the fashion-    It is evident, that nothing can be supposed
able and polite. The poor and ignorant peasant  more effectual for counteracting such fallacious
looks up with a kind of veneration to my lord and  tendencies of the human mind, than the cultiva.
my lady, as if they were a species of superior  tion of reason, the expanding of the intellectual
beings, though, perhaps, with the exception of a  faculties, and the habit of applying the princifew trifling accomplishments, they are scarcely  piles of knowledge to the diversified phenomena
raised above the level of the vulgar whom they  of human character and conduct.  The man
despise, in respect to intellectual attainments;  whose mind is accustomed to investigation, and
and they are often far beneath them in those mo-  to take an extensive range through the regions or
ral accomplishments which constitute the true  science, and who considers his mental powers as
glory of man,-being too frequently the slaves of  the chief characteristic by which he is distinmany foolish caprices and unhallowed passions.  guished in the scale of animal existence, will naTo pay homage to mere titles, rank or riches,  turally be guided in his estimates of human chahas a tendency to degrade the human mind, and  racter, by moral and intellectual considerations.
has been the source of all that vassalage, slavery  His eye will easily penetrate through the thin
and despotism which have prevailed in the world.  veil ofexterior and adventitious accompaniments,
On the other hand, the man of rank and fashion  and appreciate what alone is worthy of regard in
looks down with a species of disdain, and con-  the characters of men, whether they be surroundsiders as unworthy of his notice, the man of ta-  ed by wealth and splendour, or immersed in polent, or the rational inquirer after truth, if he is  verty or obscurity.  And with respect to human
clad in a homely dress, and possessed of only a  happiness, a person of this description will easily
small share of wealth; because, forsooth, he is  enter into such a train of reasoning as the followunqualified to accompany him to horse-races,  ing,, and feel its force:-That, in respect oh
assemblies, masquerades, and other fashionable  wealth, what we cannot reach may very well be
entertainments. Many an individual of superla-  forborne; that the inequality of happiness on this
tive worth and merit has been thus overlooked by  account is, for the most part, much less than it
his superiors in rank, and even by the great body  seems; that the greatness which we admire at
of his fellow-men, and has passed through the  a distance, has much fewer advantages, and
world almost unnoticed and unknown, except by  much less splendour, when we are suffered to
a few minds congenial to his own. For the beau-  approach it; that the happiness which we imaties and excellencies of mind can only be perceiv-  gine to be found in high life, is much alloyed
ed and appreciated by those whose mental facul-  and diminished by a variety offoolish passions
ties have been, in some degree, enlightened  and domestic cares and anxieties, of which we
and improved, and who are qualified to estimate  are generally ignorant; and that the apparent inthe value ofa jewel, although its casket may be  felicity of the lower stations in society.is freformed of coarse materials, and besmeared with  quently moderated by various moral and domestic
sand and mud.                                 comforts, unknown to many of those who occupy
The multitude form no less erroneous esti-  the highest ranks of social life.  There is a cermates in regard to human happiness.  Having  tain portion of external enjoyment without which
felt little other misery than that which arises  no man can be happy; and there is a certain
from poverty, want, or excessive labour, they are  portion of wealth to procure this enjoyment
apt to imagine, that where riches abound, and the  which every rank of society ought to possess, and
avenues to every sensitive enjoyment are free  which even the lowest ranks would obtain, were
and unobstructed, there misery can scarely gain  the movements of the social machine properly
admittance, and the greatest share of human hap-  conducted. But, to pursue riches, with all the
hiness must be found; that where there is wealth  violence of passion, as the chief end of our being,
there can be little sorrow, and that those who  is not only degrading to our intellectual natures,
glide along in splendour and affluence cant scarcely  and tends to block up the avenues to tranquil enm'Je acquainted with the cares and anxieties which  joyment, but is fraught with toil and anxiety
mross so heavily upon the rest of mankind.  and innumerable hazards. V"Wealth," says a




PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS.                                      135
certain moral writer, " is nothing in itself; it is  were it devoted to such purposes, would be of lin
rot usefitl but when it departs from us; its value  calculable service to the interests both of hu.
is found only in that which it can purchase,  manity and of science.
which. if we suppose it put to its best use by
those that )ossess it, seems not much to deserve    II. The acquisition  of general knowledge
the desire or envy of a wise man. It is certain,  would enable persons to profit by their attendance
that with regard to corporeal enjoyment, money  on public instructions.
can neither open new avenues to pleasure, nor
b ock up the passages of anguish.  Disease and    In the present day, lectures on popular philosoinfirmity still continoeo to torture and enfeeble,  phy, astronomy, chemistry, geology, and political
perhaps exasperated b7 luxury, or promoted by  economy are occasionally delivered in the princisoftness. With respect to the mind, it has rare-  pal cities and towns of Great Britain; but, out
ly been observed, that wealth contributes much  of a popluLation of thirty or forty thousand, it freto quicken the discernment, enlarge the capa-  quently happens, that scarcely thirty or forty incity, or elevate the imagination; but may, by  dividuals can be collected to listen to instructions
hiring flattery, or laying diligence asleep, confirm   on such subjects.  This, no doubt, is partly owerror and harden stupidity."                    ing to the fee demanded for admission, which is
Such are some of the views and principles by  sometimes beyond the reach of many intelligent
which an enlightened mind will naturally esti-  persons in the lower walks of life.  But it is
mate the characters and enjoyments of mankind.  chiefly owing to the want of taste for such branchViere the great body of the population in every  es of knovledge-to ignorance of the elements of
country qualified to enter into such reasonings,  general science-and to unacquaintance with the
and to feel the force of such considerations, it  terms which require to be used in the explanation
could not fail of being accompanied vwith many  of such subjects, arising from the want of intelbeneficial effects. It would temper that foolish  lectual instruction in early life. Even of the few
adulation which ignorance and imbecility so fre-  who generally attend such lectures, there is not
quently offer at the shrine of wealth and spilen-  perhaps the one half who can enter with intellidour; and would undermine those envious and  gence into the train of reasoning and illustration
discontented dispositions with which the lower  brotught forward by the lecturer, or feel much inranks are apt to view the riches and possessions  terest in the discussions, excepting when their
ofthe great. As moral principles and conduct,  eyes are dazzled with some flashy experiment.
associated with intelligence, are the only proper  Hence it follows, that very little knowledge comobjects of respect in the human character, it  paratively can be comrmaunicated in this way to
would lead persons to form a judgment of the  the population at large, owing to the deficiency of
true dignity ofnman, not by the glitter ofaffluence,  previous instrtuction,-and that systems of intelor the splendour of equipage, but by those moral  lectual education, more extensive and efficient
and intellectual qualities and endowments, which,  than those which have hitherto been in operation,
in every station, demands our regard, and which  require to be adopted, before the great body of the
consliturte the real glory of the human character.  people can be supposed to profit by attendance on
It would tend to counteract the principle of Ava-  courses of lectures on any departmeni of lnowrice, which has produced so many miseries and  ledge.
mischiefs in society, and to promote that Con-    The same remark will apply, with a few moo
tentment under the allotments of Divine Provi-  difications, to the instructions, delivered by the
dence in which consists the chief part of the  teachers of religion. For vant of a proper founhappiness of mankind.   And while it would  dation being previously laid, in the exercise of
counteract the tendency to foolish and immoral  the rational faculty, and the acquisition of generpurrsuits, it would direct to those rational pur-  al information, comparatively little advantage is
suits and enjoyments which are pure and per-  derived from the sermons and expository lectures
manent. and congenial to the high dignity and  delivered by the mninisters of the Gospel.  Of a
destination of nan.  In short, were the attention  thousand individuals which may compose aworof the higher and influential classes turned away  shiplping assemnbly where religious instructions
from  hounding and horse-racing, masquerades,  are imparted, there are seldom above two hnndred
gambling, and such like frivolous amusements,  (and most frequently much fewser) that can give
and directed to the study of usefrul science. we  any intelligent account of the train of thought
might expect to behold them patronising philan-  which has been pursued, or the topics which have
trophic and scientific characters in their plans  been illustrated in the discourses to which they
and investigations, and devoting a portion of  have professed to listen. This may be owing, in
their wealth to carry for ward those improve-  many instances, te the dry and abstract method by
ments by which thie coniforts of mankind would  which certain preachers construct their discours.
bh increased, and science and art Carried nearer  es, and to the want of energy, and the dull and
to petfection.  The twentieth part of that wealth  monotonous nmanner in which they are delivered.
whih is too frequlentiy spent in fashionable follies,  But, in the majority of instances, it is obviousl,




f36           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOVL)EDGE.
owing to habits of inattention to subjects of an in-  of his providence towards nations and commnuuiteliectual nature-to an incapacity for following  ties, in a connected series, from the cornmmence
a train of illustration or reasoning-and lo -the  ment of timne, through the successive periods of
want of acquaintance with the meaning of many  history-and of comparing the desolations of citerms which theological instructors find it expe-  ties and the ruin of empires with the declaradient to use in the construction of their discours-  tions- of ancient prophecy?  Where do we find
es-and such deficiencies are to be ascribed to the  one out of a hundred capable of expatiating on
mental faculties'not having been exercised from  the " power" of Jehovah, and on the most strik.
infancy in the pursuit of knowledge and in ration-  ing displays of this perfection which are exhi.
al investigations..                           bited througlhout the vast creation?  Or where
This deficiency of knowledge and intellectual  shall we find those who are qualified to display
culture seems to be virtually acknowledged by the  the magnificence of that empire which is "esministers of religion; since, in their general dis-  tablished in the heavens," embracing within its
courses, they confine themselves, for the most  boundaries thousands of s-uns and ten thousands
part, to the elucidation oftheyfrstprinciplesof re-  of worlds-or'" to speak," with intelligence, " of
ligion. Instead of exhibiting a luminous and  the glory of that kingdom which ruleth over all,"
comprehensive view of the whole scenery ofdi-  and thus " to make known to others the mighty
vine revelation, and illustrating its various parts  operations" carried on by Jehovah, "and the
from the history of nations; the system ofnature,  glorious majesty of his kingdom?"  It is obvious
and the scenes ofhuman life-they generally con-  that no such qualifications yet exist among the
fine their, discussions to a few topics connected  majority of members which compose the visible
with what are termed the.fundamental doctrines  church.  And yet the predictions to which we
of the Gospel. Instead of" going on to perfec-  refer must be realized, at some period or another.
tion," as the Apostle Paul exhorts, by tracing the  in the history of the divine dispensations.  And
elements of Christianity in all their bearings on  is it not desirable that they should, in some de.
moral conduct and Christian contemplation, and  gree, be realized in our own times?  And, if so.
endeavouring to carry forward the mind to the  ought we not to exert all our influence and enermost enlarged views of the perfections of God and  gies in endeavouring to accomplish so important
the cc glory of his kingdom"-they feel them-  and desirable an object?  And, in what manner
selves under the necessity of recurring again and  are our energies in this respect to be exerted,
again to" the first principles of the doctrine o,  but in concerting and executing, without delay,
Christ"-feeding their hearers " with milk" in-  plans for the universal intellectual instruction of
stead of" strong meat." And the reason assign-  mankind?  For, without the communication of
ed for waiving the consideration of the more  knowledge to a far greater extent, and much more
sublime topics of natural and revealed religion,  diversified than what has even yet beenp considered
and thus limiting the subject oftnelr discussions,  necessary for ordinary Christians, we can never
is that their hearers are unqualified to follow them   expect to behold in the visible church " saints'
in the arguments arid illustrations which behoved  endowed with such sublime qualifications as those
to be brought forward on such subjects-that such  to which we have alluded, or the approach ot
an attempt would be like speaking to the winds  that auspicious era when " all shall know  the
or beating the air, and would infallibly mar their  Lord," in the highest sense of the expression,
edification. If this reason be valid, (and that it  " from the least even to the greatest."
is partly so there can be little doubt) it implies,    To obtain a comprehensive, and as far as posthat some glaring deficiency must exist in the  sible, a complete view of the system of revelation
mental culture of the great body of professing  in all its parts and bearings, and to be enabled to
Christians, and that it ought to be remedied by  comply with all its requirements, is both the duty
every proper mean, in order that they may be  and the interest of every man.  But, in, order
qualified to advance in the knowledge of the at-  to this attainment, there must be acquired a certributes, the works, and the ways of God, and to  tain habit of thinking and of meditating.  In
"' go on unto perfection."                     vain does a person turn over whole volumes, and
It is foretold in the sacred oracles, that " men  attempt. to peruse catechisms, bodies of divinity,
shall speak of the might of God's terrible acts,"  or even the Scriptures themselves,-he can never
that " his saints shall speak of the glory of his  comprehend the dependencies, connexions and
kingdom, and talk,,f his power, to make known to  bearings of divine truth, and the facts they ex.
the sons of men his mighty operations and the glo-  plain and illustrate, unless he acquire a habit of
rious majesty of his kingdomn."  Thispredicti6n  arranging ideas, of laying down principles, and
has never yet been fillfilled in reference to the. deducing conclusions. But this habit cannot be
great body of the Christian chu ch. For, where  acquired without a continued series of instrucdo we find one out of twenty among the hearers  tions, especially in the early part of life, accomof the Gospel capable of rehearsing the "'ter-  panied with serious attention and profound appli.
rible acts" of God, either in his moral or his  cation. For want of such pre-requisites the
physical operations-of tracing the dispensations  great body of Christians do not reap half tihe be




CRUELTY AND FOLLY OF PERSECUTION.                                   1 37
nefit they otherwise might from the preaching of  the operation of his moral governmren  armong
tl e Gospel; and "' when for the time they ought the nations, descanting on his glorious att-ibtes,
to be teachers of others, they have still need that  exhibiting his wisdom in the arrangements ofn.aone teach thenl again, which be the first princi-  ture and the movements of his providence, illusples of the oracles of God."  "Hence it is,"says  trating his omnipotence and grandeur from the
a celebrated preacher, " that the greatest part of  glories of the firmament, and the magnitude of
our sermons produce so little fruit, because ser-  the universe-directing their hearers to the conmons are, at least they ought to be, connected  templation of the works of his. hand as illustradiscourses, in which the principle founds the con-  tions of the declarations of his word-demonsequence, ana the consequence follows the princi-  strating the truth of revelation from its powerful
pie: all wrlich supposes in the hearers a habit of  and beneficient effects-enforcing theholy tern
meditation and attention.  For the same reason,  pers and the duties which religion requires from
we are apt to be offended when any body attempts  every rational and scriptural motive-illustrating
to draw us out of the sphere of our prejudices,  the effects of moral evil from  the history of naand are not only ignorant, but ignorant fi-om gra-  tions and the miseries in which it has involved
vity, and derive, I know not what glory from our  individuals and societies-expatiating on schemes
own stupidity.  Hence it is, that a preacher is  of philanthropy for the improvement of mankind,
seldom or never allowed to soar in his sermons,  and the conversion of the heathen, and disto rise into the contemplation of some lofty and  playing the love and mercy of God towards our
rapturous objects, butnust always descend to dhe  race, and the connexions and bearings of tile
first principles of religion, as if he preached for  work of redemption, in its relation to the. angelic
the first timne, or as if his auditors for the first  tribes and other beings, and in its glorious and
time heard.  Hence our preachers seem to lead  happy consequences on unnumbered multitudes
us into obscure paths, and to lose us in abstract  of mankind, throughout the ages of eternity.
speculations, when they treat of some of the at-  In such a state of Christian society we should
tributes of -God, such as his faithfillness, his love  have no dull monotonous preachers, skimming
of order, his regard for his intelligent creatures.  over the surface of an abstract subject, in a
It is owing to this that we are, in some sense,  twenty minutes' sermon, and leaving their hearwell acquainted with some truths of religion,  ers as dull, and lifeless, and uninformed as they
while we remain entirely ignorant of others.  found them; but all our public services would be
Hence also it is, that some doctrines which are  conducted with life, and energy, and pathos,
truein themselves, demonstrated in our Scrip-  and by men of sanctified dispositions and entures, and essential to religion, become errors,  lightened understandings, "not given to" idleyea sources of many errors in our mouths, be-  ness and " filthy lucre," but having their whole
cause we consider them only in themselves, and  faculties absorbed in the study of the word, the
not in connexion with other doctrines, or in the  ways, and the works of God.  And, in order to
proper places to which they belong in the system   expand the minds of the Christian people, and
of religion."                                  to prepare them for listening with intelligence to
Were we then, without delay, to set on foot  such instructions, we should have Courses of
plans of universal instruction, on a rational prin-  Lectures on Natural History, Philosophy, Asciple-were the young generation to be univer-  tronomy, and General History, attended by thousally trained up in rational exercises and habits  sands of anxious inquirers, instead of the tens
of reflection, first at Infant Schools, and after-  which can now be induced to attend on such
wards at seminaries of a higher order, conducted  means of ins!ruction. For knowledge, when it
on the same intellectual principle, and this sys-  is clearly exhibited, and where a previous desire
tem of tuition continued to the age of manhood,  has been excited for its acquisition, is a source
we should, ere long, behold a wonderful change  of enjoyment to the human mind in every stage
in the state of society, in the intelligence of the  of its progress, from the years of infancy to the
Christian people, and in the illustrations of re-  latest period of mortal existence.
ligion which would be introduced into the pulpit.
We should behold thousands of intelligent wor-    III. Such a diffulsion of knowledge as that tc
shippers crowding our religiolts  assemblies,  which we have now adverted, would introduce a
with minds preparea;,r receiving instruction,  spirit of tolerance and mod.eration, and prevent
and eagerly listening to arguments and illustra-  the recurrence of those persecutionsfor conscience'
tions in reference to the most sublime and im-  sake, which have so much disgraced the world.
portant subjects. We should behold our preachers explaining the first principles of religion with    It is a striking and most melancholy tact in
such clearness and energy, that they should sel-  the history of man, that the most dreadful sufferdom need to recur to the subject, " soaring in  ings and tortures ever felt by human beings: have
their sermons," rising into " the contempla-  been inflicted on account of differences of opmntion cv some lofty and rapturous objects"-  ion respecting the dogmas and the ceremonies
displaving the ma'esty and supremacy of God in  of religion. Men have been suffered to remnacn
18




i 8          O:ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNt'WLEDGE.
vi'la.m4s, cheats and robbers, deceitful, profligate  being eligible as teacher of a parochial school, if
tuld profane, to invade the territories of their un-  he is not connected with the established church'!',.meuding neighbours, to burn cities and towns,  and in many other ways attempts to degrade thou.
to lay waste provinces, and slaughter thousands  sands of individuals on account of their thinking
of their fellow-creatures, and to pass with lmpu-  and acting according to the dictates of their con..
illy; while, in numerous instances, the most  science?  It is true, indeed, that fires,and racks,
pious, upright, and philanthropic characters have  and tortures, and gibbets, and thumb-screws are
been hurried like criminals to stakes, gibbets,  no longer applied as punishments for differences
racks, and flames, merely for holding an opinion  of opinion inr religion, for the strong hand of the
different from their superiors respecting a doc-  civil law interposes to prevent them. But were
tir.re in religion, or the manner in which the Di-  no such power interposed, the principle which
vine Being ought to be worshipped.  In the  sanctions such deprivations as those now menearly ages of Christianity, under the emperor  tioned, if carried out to all its legitimate conseNero, the Christians were wrapped up in the  quences, might soon lead to as dreadful perseciskins of wild beasts, and some of them in this  tions as those which have already entailed idelible
state worried and devoured by dogs; others were  disgrace on the race of man.
crucified, and others dressed in shirts made stiff    Such a spirit of intolerance and persecution is
with wax, fixed to axle itrees, and set on fire, and  directly opposed to every rational principle, to
consumed in the gardens at Rome.  Such dread-  every generous and humane feeling, to every preful persecutions continued, uinder the heatlhen  cept of Christianity, and to every disposition inemperors, with a few intervals, to the time of' cuicated by the religion of Jesus.  It is the height
Constantine, a period of more than two hundred  of absurdity to enforce belief in any doctrine or
and thirty years. It might not be so much to  tenet, by the application of physicalpower, for it
be wondered at that pagans should persecute the  never can produce the intended effect; it may
followers of Christ; but it was not long before  harden and render persons more obstinate in
pretended Christians began to persecute one  their opinions, but it can never convey copanother on account of certain shades of differ-  viction to the understanding.  And if men had
ence in their religious opinions.  The persecu-  not acted like fools and idiots, as well aslike detions to which the Waldenses and Albigenses  mons, such a force, in such cases, would never
were subjected by the Popish church, and strang-  have been applied. And, as such an attempt
ling and burning of supposed heretics, and the  is irrational, so it is criminal in the highest detortures inflicted on those suspected of favouring  gree, to aim at producing conviction by the apthe doctrines of Protestantism by the Spanish  plicati6n of flames,.orby the point of the sword;
inquisition —a court whose history. is written in  being at direct variance both with the precepts'flames, and in characters of blood,-exhibit a  and the practice of the Benevolent Founder of
series of diabolical cruelties, the recital of which  our holy religion.
is enough to make." the ears of every one to    We have, therefore, the strongest reason to
tingle," and to make him feel as if he were de-  conclude, that were the light of science and of
graded in belonging to a race of intelligences ca-  Christianity universally diffused, the hydra of
pable of perpetrating such dreadful enormities.   persecution would never dare, in any shape, to
Even in the British isles such persecutions have  lift up its heads again in the world.  As it was
raged, and such cruelties have been perpetrated,  during the dark ages that it raged in its most
and that, too, in the name of the benevolent reli-  horrific forms, so the light of intelligence would
gion of Jesus Christ.  In our times, themore  force it back to the infernal regions whence it
appalling and horrific forms which persecution  arose, as the wild beasts of the forests betake
formerly assumed, have been set aside by the  themselves to their dens and thickets at the ap.
civil, laws of the country, but its spirit still re-  proach of the rising sun.  Wrherever reason
mains, and manifests itself in a variety of dif-  holds its ascendancy in the mind, and the beneferent shapes. What other name can be given  volence of Christianity is the great principle of
to a power which prevents, a numerous and re-  human action, persecution will never be resorted
spectable body of men from holding certain civil  to, either for extirpating error or enforcing belief
offices and emoluments, because they do not be-  in any opinions. An enlightened mind wall at
long to an established church, and yet compels  once perceive, that in punishing erroneous opin.
them  to contribute to the maintenance of the  ions by fines, imprisonment, racks, and flames,
ministers of that church, although they do not  there is no.fitness between the punishment and the
recognise them  as their religious instructors?  supposed crime. The crime is a mental error,
that denies to a dissenter, or his children, the  but penal laws have no internal operation on the
privilege of being interred in what.is called con-  mind, except to exasperate its feelings against
secrated ground, and refuses to allow a bell to be  the, power that enforces them, and to confirm it
tolled at their funerals?-that, in Scotland. r-e-  more strongly in the opinions it has embraced,
vents a person, however distinguished for moral  Errors of judgment, whether religious or politi
qualifications and intellectual acquirements, from   cal, can only be overturned by argumtets antd




CONTENTIONS AMONG MANKIND.                                      139
calm'easoning, and all the civil and ecclesiasti-  which all Christians agree are much more numecal despots on earth, with all their edicts, and  rous, and of far greater importance, than,nose
bulls. and tortures, will never be able to extir-  about which they differ,-that there are suolects
pate them in any other way. For the more that  on which the limited faculties of human beings
force is resorted to to compel belief in any sys-  are unable to form  any clear or decisive opintern of opinions, the more will the mind revolt at  ions,-that the mind must form its opinions,-in
such an attempt, and the more will it be con-  accordance with the limited or the expansive
vinced, that such a system is worthless and un-  range of its intellectual vision,-that where its
tenable, since it requires such irrational meas-  mental view isnarrowandconfined,its conclusions
ures for its support.. It can only tend to pro-  must be somewhat different from those which are
duce dissimulation, and to increase the number of  deduced by a mind qualified to take in a more
hypocrites and deceivers. An enlightened mind  extensive field of vision,-that the philosopner
will also perceive, that such conduct is no less  whose mind takes in at a grasp the general system
irreligious than it is irrational; for, where per-  of the world, and the diversified phenomena or the
secution begins religion ends.  Religion pro-  universe, must have ideas and modes of thinkclaims " peace on earth and good will to men;"  ing materially different from those of the peasant,
all its doctrines, laws, and ordinances are in-  whose views are limited chiefly to the confines of
tended to promote the happiness of mankind,  his parish, and the objects immediately around
both in " the life that now is and that which is to  him,-that there are are few men wilfully errocome."  But actions which tend to injure men  neous, and that ignorance and vice are thie prinin their persons, liberty, or property, under the  cipal qauses of false and untenable opinions,pretence of converting them from error, must be  that due allowance ought always to be made for
directly repugnant to the spirit of that religion  educational biasses, local prejudices, social inwhich is " pure, and peaceable, gentle, and easy  fluence, and the range of thought to which indito be entreated," and to the character of that  viduals have been accustorned, —that the exerBenevolent Being whose " tender mercies are  cise of love towards God and man is of infinitely
over allhis works." Ifour religion required'for its  greater importance than mere coincidence in
establishment in the world, the infliction of civil  opinion, and that a complete unanimity of opinpains and penalties on those who oppose it, it  ion on every subject is not to be expected in the
would be unworthy of being supported by any  present state, perhaps not even in the future
rational being; and it is a sure evidence that it  world. Were such considerations taken into
is not the genuine religion of the Bible, but error  account, (and they would be all recognised in an
and human inventions, under the mask of Chris-  enlightened state of society,) those contentions
tianity, that are intended to be established,when  and animosities which now rankle in the Chris-.uch means are employed for its propagation and  tian church, and separate the different sectaries,
support.  It requires very little reflection to  would be laid to rest, persecution in every shape
perceive, that religion does not consist in mere  would be held in universal abhorrence, and peace,
opinions or ceremonial observances, but in the  moderation, and candour would distinguish the
cultivation and excercise of those heavenly vir-  friends of religion and all classes of society.
tues and dispositions which tend to cement the
family of mankind in brotherly affection, and to    IV.-A  universal diffusion  of knowledge
prepare them for the intercourses and employ-  would vanquish the antipathies of nations, and
ments of the celestial world; and if these are  tend to produce union and harmony among manwanting or disregarded, religion becomes a  Eknd.
mere inanity, and it is of little consequence
what opinions men profess to entertain respect-  "God hath made of one blood all nations of
ing it.                                        men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth."
In short, in an enlightened state of society,  But although they are all the offspring of one
men would be disposed to allow the utmost free-  Almighty Being, and descended from one origidom of thought on every subject, not inconsistent  nal human pair, they have hitherto lived, for the
with the good order of society, and would never-  most part, in a state of strife and variance, of
theless hold the most friendly intercourse with  contention and warfare.  The history of the
each other.  They would clearly discern, that  world contains little else than details of the disthe best way to reclaim the vicious, and to con-  sensions of nations, the feuds of chieftains," the
ve-t the erroneous, is, not to rail and to threaten,  tumults of the people," the revolutions of enlbut to be affable and gentle, to bring forward co-  pires, and the scenes of devastation and carnage
gent arguments, and " in meekness to instruct  which have followed in their train.  If we go as
those who oppose themselves tothe truth."  They  far back in our researches as the earliesl historiwould'see, that many ofthose opinions and dog-  cal records can carry us, we shall find that wars
mas, ir regard to religion, which have created  have prevailed, almost without intermission, in
heart-burnings and dissensions, are comparative-  every age, in every country, and among every
ly of trivial imr'ortance, —that the doctrines in  tribe. No sooner has one series of battles tel.




140          ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE,
mirnated than preparations have been -made for  the other hurled with fury into the infernal rte
anlother; andi, in such' contests, magnificent ci-  gions.*
~tes hlave been tumbled into ruins, proviinces de-    Is thereno prospect, then, that such:antipsa.
solated, kingdoms rent asunder, and thousands of  thies' shall ever be extirpated, and harmony retlousands of hlmrnan beings slaughtered with all  stored to the distracted nations? Shall the earth
the ferocity of infernal demons. It is nor beyond  be for ever swept with. the besom of destrtction'!
the bounds of probability to su'ppose, that, in  Shall war continue its ravages without intermisthose scenes of warfare, the eighth part of the hu6  sion? Shall hatred still rankle among all nations,
mian race, in every age, ha's been destroyed, or, a  and Peace never wave its olive branch, over the
number of'mankind amounting to nearly twenty  world? Are we to sit do wn in hopelems despair,
thpuscand millions, which is-equal to twenty-five  that a union among the nations willever be ef.times the number of inhabitants presently exist-  fected, because wars have continue- since the
ing in the world.  And the leaders in such diaz  beginning of the world? No,-we haver no reabolical exploits, so far from repenting of their at-  son to despair of ultimate success, when the mo.
trocities, have generallybeen disposed to glory in  ral machinery, calculated to effeccuate the obhtheir crimnes.                                ject, shall be set in motion. As ignorance is thei
Hence the jealousies, the antipathies, and the  parent of vice, the nurse of pride, avarice, amrnhatrled which have subsisted, and which still  bition, and other unhallowed passions, from
subsist, between  neighbouring nations.  The  which wars derive their origin, so, when the'Turks hate the Greeks, and, as far as in their  strongholds of ignorance shall be demolished,
power, inflict upon them every species of cruelty  and the light of intelligence shall shed its influ.
and injustice.  The Chinese hate the Europe-  ence over the world, and the opposite principles
ans, cheat -them  if they can, and pride them-  of humility, moderation, and benevolence shall
selves in their fancied superiority over all other  pervade the minds of men, the foundations of the
nations.  The Moors of Africahate the negroes, -system of warfare will be shaken, and a basis
plunder their villages, and reduce- them to slave-  laid for the establishment of universal peace.
ry; the' King of Dahomey wages almost conti-  However long the ravages ofwar have desolated
nual war with the neighbouring tribes, and adorns  and convulsed the world, it is announced in the
the walls of his palace with the skulls of prison-  decree of heaven,that a period shall arrive " when
ers'taken in battle.  The Algerines and the'em-  wars shall cease unto the ends of the earth." And
perors of Morocco live in a state of continual  the era when warriors "shall beat their swords
warfare with Christian nations, seize upon their  into ploughshares and their spears into pruning
ships, and reduce their crews~'to slavery.  The  hooks, and learn the art of war no more," is coelfionucaboes, who inhabit the inland part of Ma-  val with the period foretold in ancient prophecy,
lacsca, live at variance.with all around them, and  when I" the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the
never ifail to set fire to the-ripening grain in every  earth, and when all shall know him  from  the
field' that is unprotected' and uninclosed.  The  least to the greatest."
Arabians are set against every other nation, and  Knowledge has a tendency to unite the hearts
roam through their'deserts, attacking caravans  of all who are engaged in its pursuit;' it forms a
and travellers of every description.  The inha-  bond of union among its'votaries more firm and
bitants of one part of New Zealand are almost  permanent than that which unites princes and
in a continual state of enmity against those of  statesmen; especially if it is conjoined with
ansother, and: the'natives of almost every island  Christian principles and virtuous dispositions
in the Indian and Pacific oceans, if not engaged  Congeniality of sentiments, and similarity of
in actualcontests, are in a state of warlike atti-  pursuits, gradually weaken the force of vulgar
tude with regard to each other. Even nations  prejudices, and tend to demolish those barriers
advanc'ed'"to high' degrees of civilization, are  which the jealousies of nations have thrown
found indulging the meanest and most unreason-  around each other.  True philosophers, whether
able jbalousies and an tip)athies in relation to -one  English, Swedish, Russian, Swiss, German, or
another.  The French and the English, whom   Italian, maintain an intimate and affectionate
nature has separated only by a narrow channel  correspondence with each other on every subject'
of the sea', and who are distinguished above all  of literature and science, notwithstanding the
other nations for their discoveries and' improvements in the arts, have, -for centuries, fostered a    * During the wars allllde to, a gentleman, (conwhih haspodu-   veirsing with the author on the subject,) who was
spirit ofjealousy andrivalship which has podu-  uttering the most virulent invectives against the
ced political animosities, hatred, wars, and ruin  French, concluded by saying, "After all I wish no
to the financial and commercial interests of both' great evil to the French, I  lony wish they eere al
-stion., ~During the wars whih succeeded'thesafety landed in heaven," plainly intimating, that he
nations. During the waris which succeeded'the  considered them unworthy to live upon the earth
French. revolution,- this spirit of hatred and en-  and that the sooner they were cut off from it and
mity rose to such a pitch, that a large portion of  sent to the other world, so much the better, whether
mnity   -,,e                           to such,,ich~ that alarge portion otheir fate should beto dwell in the shades of Tarts.each nation would have, with pleasure, beheld  rus or the abodes of Elysium.




ANTIPATHIES OF NATIONS UNDERMINED.                                   141
antipalhieq ol their respective nations. During  me'nt of the same Omnipotent Being, who " hath
the late long-continued and destructive warfare  made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on
between the French and English, which was  the face of all the earth, who hath deternmined
carried on with unprecedented hostility and ran-  the boundaries of their habitations," who carl ies
cour, the naturalists, mathematicians, astrono-  them yearly around the centre of light and heat,
emers, and chemists of the two cquntries, held the  and who "gives them rain from heaven and
most friendly correspondence in relation to the  fruitful seasons, filling their hearts with food and
subjects conneoted with their respective depart-  gladness."  How  various, thdn, the ties, how.nents, tn so far as the jealousies of their politi- sacred and indissoluble the bonds, which should
cal rulers would permit.  In the communication  unite men of all nations! Every man, whether he
of the French and English philosophers respect-  be aJew or a Greek, a Barbarian or a Scythian,
ing the progress of scientific discovery, we find  a Turk or a Frenchman, a German or a Swede, a
few traces of nationality, and should scarcely be  Hottentot or an Indian, an Englishman or a Chiable.to learn from such communications that:their  nese, is to be considered as our kinsman and our
respective nations were. engaged in warfare, un-  brother, and, as such, ought to be embraced with
less when they'lament the obstructions which  benevolence and affection.  In whatever region
interrupted their regular'correspondence, and  of the globe he, resides, whatever customs or
their injurious effects on the interests of science.  manners he adopts, and to whatever religious
It is a well known fact, that, during the late war,  system he adheres, he is a member of the same
when political animosities ran so high,'theNa-  family to which we all belong. And shall we feel
tional Institute of France announced prizes for  indifferent to our brethren, shall we indulge rethe discussion of scientific questions, and invited  sentment and hostility towards them, because
the learned in other nations, not even excepting  they are separated from us by a river, by a chan
the English, to engage in the competition; and  nel, by an arm of the sea, by a range of mounone of oulrcountrymen, Sir Humphrey Davy, ac-  tains, or by an arbitrary line drawn by the jeatually obtained one of the most valuable and dis-  lousy of despots, or because their government
tinguished of these honorary awards.           and policy are different from ours?  Ought we
When knowledge is conjoined with a recogni-  not, on the contrary, to take'a cordial interest in
tion of the Christian precept, " Thou shalt love  every thing that concerns them —to rejoice in
thy neighbour as thyself," its possessor,will easi-  their prosperity, to feel'compassion on account
ly be made to enter into such considerations as  of the ravages, desolation, and misery which erthe:following, and to feel their force: —That all  ror andfolly, vice and tyranny may have produced
men,.to whatever nation or tribe they belong, are  among them; and to alleviate, to the utmost of
the children, of one Alnighty Parent, endowed  our power, the misfortunes and oppressions under
with -the same corporal organs, the same intellec-  which they groan?  Reason, as well as Christual powers, and the same lineaments of the Di-  tianity, spurns at that narrow-minded patriotism
vine- image-that they are subject to the same  which confines its regards to a particular counanimal and intellectual wants, exposed to the same  try, and would promote its interests by any
accidents and calamities, and susceptible of the  means, although it should prove injurious to every
same pleasures and enjoyments-that they have' other nation. Whatever tends to the general good
the same capacities for attaining to higher de-  of the whole human family, will ultimately be
greas of knowledge and felicity, and enjoy the  found conducive to the prosperity and happiness
same hopes and prospects of a blessed immortal-  of every particular nation and tribe; while, on
ity-that God distributes among them all, thou-  the other hand, a selfish and ungenerous conduct
sands of benefits, embellishing their habitations  towards other communities, and an attempt to inwith the same rural beauties, causing the same  jureor degrade them, will seldom fail to deprive us
sun to enlighten them, the same vital air to make  of the benefits we wished to secure, and to expose
their lungs.play,'and the same rains and dews to  us to the evils we intended to avert. Such- appear
irrigate:their ground, and ripen their fields to  in fact to be the principles of God's moral governharvest —that they are all capable of performing  ment among the nations, and such the sanctions by
noble achievements, heroic exploits, vast enter-  which the laws of natural justice- are enforced.
prises; of displaying illustrious virtues, and of    Were such sentiments universally recognised
making important discoveries and improvements  and appreciated, the antipathies of nations would
— that they are all connected -together by nu-'speedily be vanquished, and union and harmony
merous ties. and relations, preparing for each  prevail among all the kindreds of the earth. And
aother the'bounties of Nature and the productions  what a multitude of advantages would ensueof art, and conveying them by sea and land from   what a variety of interesting scenes would be
one country to another; one nation fuirnishing  presented-what an immense number of delighttea, another sugar, another wine, another silk,  ful associations would be produtced,were such a
another cotton, and, another distributing its ma-  union effected among mankind!  Were men
nufictures in both hemispheres of the globe-in  over all the globe living in peace and harmony,
shuort, tnat they are all under the moral govern-  every sea would be navigated, every region e;x



142              ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
plored, its scenery described, its productidns  improveinents.  "We should behold the-taiwny
collected, itsbotanical p-eculiarities ascertained,  Indians of Southern Asia  forcing  their way
and its  geological structure investigated.  The  up its niighty rivers in their leathern. canoes, to
geography of the globe would be brought to per-  the, extremities of the north, and displaying on
fection; its beauties, harmonies, and sublimijies  the frozen shores of the icy sea, the riches of the
displaye'd and tile useful productions of every  Ganges; the Laplander covered with warm fur
clime. transported to every country, and culti-  arriving in.southern markets, in his sledge drawn
vated in -every land. Science would,, of course,  by rein-deer, and exposing for sale the sable skins
be improved; andits. boundaries en/larged; new   and furs of Siberia; and the.copper-coloured
-physical facts would be discovered for confirming  American Indian traversing'the Antilles, and
and'ill.ustrating its principles, and a'broad fo,;n-  conveying from isle to isle his gold and emeralds."'
dation laid for carrying it to perfection.  While,  We should occasionally behold numerous caraat present, every traveller -iin' quest of scientific  vans of Arabians, mounted on their dromedaries
knowledge inforeign lan'ds, is limited in his ex-  and camels,-and tribes of Tartars, Bedouins, and
cursions, and even exposed to imminent danger,  Moors visiting the civilized countries of Europe,
by the rancour of savage tribes and the jealousy  laden with' the rarities and riches of their resof despotic governments-in such a state of  prctive countries, admiring the splendour ofour
things, every facility would be given to his  cities'and public edifices, learning our arts and
researches, and all the documents of history, and  -manufactures, acquiring a knowledge of our.he treasures of nature and art, laid open to his  literature.and sciences, purchasing our commoinspection.  -He would be conducted, as a friend  dities, procuring speciniens of our philosophical;and:brother, through every city and rural scene;  instruments, steam-engines, and  mechanical
the' processes of arts and manufactures, the  powers-inviting agriculturists, artists, niechan.
curiosities of nature, and the archives of litera-  ics, teachers, ministers of religion, mathemati-'ure and science, would be laid open to his view;  cians and philosophers, to settle among them, for
and he would return to his native'land loaded  the purpose ofimproving:heir system of husbandwith whatever is curious and useful in nature  ry, rearing cities, towns and villages, disserninatand art, and enriched with -new accessions to  ing useful knowledge, and introducing the arts and
his' treasures of knowledge.  The knowledge  enjoyments of civilized society-at the same
and arts of: one country would thus be quickly  time inviting then  to contract marriages with
transported to another'; agricultural, manufactur-  their sisters and daughters, and thus, by new
ing and- mechanical improvements woulld'be  alliances, to reunite the branches of the human
gradually introtluced into every region; barren  family, which, though descended from one comwastes would be cultivated, forests cut down,  mon parent, have been so long disunited,-and
marshes drained, cities founded, temples, schools  which disunion, national prejudices and antipaand academies elected, modes of rapid commu-  thies, as well as climate and complexion, have
nication'between distant countries'established,  tended to perpetuate.  And, while we were thus
mutual interchanges of affection- promoted, and  instrumental' in imparting knowledge and im.
"the'once barren deserts made to rejoice and  provements to other nations, we outrselvo;s should
blossom as the rose."                            reap innumerable advantages.. Our- travellers
We should then behold  the inhabitants of  and navigators, into whatever regions they might
distant countries arriving on our shores-not  wish to penetrate, would feel secure frbm every
with tomahawks,' clubs, spears, muskets, and  hostile attack, and would -recognise in every one
other hostile weapons, but with the gymbols of  they met a friend and a' brother, ready to, relieve
peace and the production's of their respective  their necessities, to contribute to their comfort,
climes.  We should behold the Malayans, the  and to direct them in their mercantile arrangeChinese, the Cambodians, the Burmiese, the  mentsand scientific researches.  Our merchants
Persians and the Japanese, unfurling their ban-  and manufacturers would find numerous empo.
ners on our coasts and rivers, unloading their  riumns for' their goods, and new  openings for
cargoes of tea, coffee, silks, nankeens, em-  con-imercial enterprise, and would'import from
broideries, carpets, pearls, diamonds, and gold  other countries new conveniences and comforts
and silver ornaments and utensils-traversing   for the use of their countrymen at home.
our streets and squares in the costume of their    From  such friendly intercourses we should
respective countries, gazing-'at our shops hand  learn, more particularly than we have yet done,
edifices, wondering at our manners and customs,  the history of other naitions, and the peculiar
mingling in'our assemblies, holding intercourse  circumstances in Which they have existed, parwith our artists and philosophers, attending, our  ticularly of those tribes which have been consiscientific lectures and experiments, acquiring a  dered as moving'beyond the range of civilizes
knowledge of our arts and sciences, and return-  society.  All that we: at present know of the
ing to their native climes to report to their coun-  history of many foreign nations, consists of a
trymen the information they had received, and  few insulated sktetches and -anecdotes,, picked
to introduce among them  our discoveries and  up at random by travellers who passed only a few




UNION IN IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.                              143
days at weeks in the countries they describe,  ing crowds of needy adventurers, fre., witn the
who were beheld with suspicion, and were im-  cursed love of sold, to plunder and t? kill, like the
perfectly acquainted with the languages of the  Spaniards in their conquest of Mexico and Peru.
inhabitants.  But, from a familiar and confiden-  -we must send forth armies of enlightened betial intercourse, we should become acquainted  nefactors, to traverse the benighted nations, to
with the whole series of their history, so far as  carry the knowledge of divine truth within the
it is known, which might not only be curious  region of Pagan darkness, to impart to them the
and interesting in itself, but might throw a light  blessings of instruction, and the comforts and
on the records of other nations,-on the facts of conveniences of civilized life. Instead of landing
sacred history, and on the general history of the  on their shores swords and spears and musketry,
world.'We might thus know something of the  -ploughshares, pruning hooks, and every other
circumstances which attended the early disper-  agricultural implement, must be plentifully supsion of mankind,-the motives which determined  plied to all the inhabitants. Instead of carrying
each tribe to choose its separate habitation in an  into slavery their children and relatives, and imunknown region, and which induced them to  bittering theirlives with cruel treatment, like the
cross unknown arms of the sea, to traverse moun-  Spaniards and the Portuguese, in reference to the
tains which presented no path, and rivers which  African negroes, we must, proclaim " liberty to
had not yet received a name, and whose com-  the captives, and the opening of the prison-doors
mencement and termination were alike un-  to them that are bound." In short, our conduct
known.  The information which distant tribes  mustbe almost diametrically opposite to that
refuse us, when we approach them like warlike  which political intriguers have generally pursued
adventurers or ambitious merchants, would be  towards other states, if we would promote union
freely communicated, when we mingled with  among the nations. Our selfishness must be
them as frMends and benefactors, and especially,  changed intobeneficence, our pride into humility,
after we had been instrumental in meliorating  our avarice into generosity, and our malignity
their physical and moral condition, and in com-  into kindness and benevolence. Kindness and
municating to them our improvements.          benevolent attentions will sometimes subdue even
And, in the name of all that is sacred and be-  the most ferocious animals, and will seldom fall to
nevolent, what should hinder such harmonious  soften the breast of the most savage people, and
and affectionate intercourses between nations  to win their affections. There is scarcely an iln
from being universally realized? Are we not all  dividual within the range of the human species,
brethren of one family? Have we not all one  or even within the range of animated nature, but
Father? Has not one God created us? Does not  is susceptible of the impressions of love; and if
the same planet support us, and the same atmos-  such principles and affections were to direct the
phere surround us? Does not the same sun cheer  future intercourses of nations, we might expect,
and enlighten us? H:ave we not the same physi-  ere long, to behold the commnencement of that
cal organization, the same mental powers, and  happy era, when "the wilderness and solitary
he same immortal destination? And is it not the  place shall be glad, when nation shall no longer
interest of every individual of the human family  lift up sword against nation, when righteousness
that such a friendly intercourse should be esta.  and praise shall spring forth before all the nablished? Are there anyinsuperable obstructions,  tions, and when there shall be nothing to hurt
any impassable barriers, any natural impossibili-  or destroy" among all the families of the earth.
ties, that prevent such a union among the nations? No,-knowledge, combined with moral    V.-A  general diffusion of knowledge would
principle and true religion, if universally diffused,  be one general mean of promoting union in the
would speedily effectuate this wonderful trans-  Christian Church.
formation.  Enlighten the understandings, direct
the moral powers of man, extend the knowledge    It is a lamentable fact, that throughout the:f Christianity through the world, and a broad  whole world, there is no system of religion, the
foundation will belaid for universal improvement,  votaries of which are subdivided into so many
and universalfriendship among all nations.    sectaries as Adose who profess an adherence to
But, in order that we may be instrumental in  the Christian faith. Within the limits of Great
preparing the way for so desirable an event, our  Britain, there are perhaps not much fewer than
conduct towards other nations, and particularly  a hundred different denominations of Chlistians
towards uncivilized tribes, must be very different  belonging to the Protestant church.  We have
from what it has generally been in the ages that  Calvinists, Arminians, Baxterians, Amntillommiare past.  We must become, not he plunderers  ans, Arians  and  Unitarians, Episcopalians,
and destroyers, but the instructors and the bene-  Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, and Indefactors of mankind.  Instead of sending forth the  pendents,-Seceders, Brownists, Sandemanians,
artillery of war, for the subjugation of distant na-  Quakers, Moravians, Swedenborgians, Mille.
tions, we must uniformly display the banner of narians, Sabbatarians, Universalists, Snblapsalove and the branch ofPeace; instead of'despatch-  rians, Supralapsarians, Dunkers, Kilhanmli(!s,,
10




144           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
Shakers, &c.  Of some of these there are  why then should they separate from each other,
several subdivisions. Thus, there are three or  and remain at variance on account of matters oi
four denominations of Seceders, four or five of' doubtful disputation?"
Baptists, three or four of Methodists, and two    The evils which flow from  such a divided
or three of Glassites or Sandemanians. Most  state of Christian society, are numerous and
of these denominations recognise the leading  much to be deplored.  A sectarian spirit has
truths of divine revelation,-the natural and  burst asunder the bonds of Christian love, and
moral attributes of the Deity,-the fall of man,  prevented that harmonious and affectionate in-the necessity of a Saviour,-the incarnation  tercourse among Christians which is one of the
of Christ,-the indispensable duty of faith in  chief enjoyments of social religion. It has in.
him for the remission of sins,-the necessity of  fused jealousies, fanned the flame of animosity
regeneration, and of holiness in principle and  and discord, set friends, brethren and families at
practice,-the obligation of the moral law,-the  variance, and shattered even civil communities
doctrine of a resurrection from the dead, and of a  into factions and parties. It has kindled conffiture state of rewards and punishments,-in  tentions and heart-burnings, produced envyings,
short, every thing by which Christianity is dis.  animosites, and hatred of brethren, burst asun.
tinguished from Mahomedanism, Pagan idola-  der the strongest ties of natural affection, and
tary, and all the other systems of religion that  has led professed Christians to violate the
prevail in the world.  Yet, while agreeing in  plainest dictates of humanity and of natural justhe leading doctrines of the Christian faith,  tice. It has excited a feverish zeal for the pethey continue in a state of separation from each  culiarities of a sectary, while the distinguishing
other, as if they had no common bond of union,  features of Christianity have either been overand, as rival sects, are too frequently in a state  looked or trampled under foot. It has wasted
of alienation, and even of open hostility.  The  money unnecessarily in erecting separate places
points in which they differ are frequently so mi-  of worship, which might have been devoted to the
nute as to be incapable of being accurately de-  promotion of the interests of our common Christifined, or rendered palpable to an impartial in-  anity.  It has even corrupted our very prayers,
quirer. Where the difference is most apparent,  infused into them human passions, and a spirit of
lit consists chiefly in a diversity of opinion res-  party, and confined them to the narrow limits of
)pecting  such questions as the following: —  our own sectary, as ifthe Omnipotent, whom  we
Whether the election of man to eternal life be  profess to adore, were biassed by the same pre-,absolute or conditional,-whether Christ died  judices as ourselves, and dispensed his favours
tfor the sins of the whole world, or only for a li-  according to our contracted views. Could we.mited number,-whether there be a gradation  fly with the swiftness of an angelic messenger
or an equality among the ministers of the Chris.  through the various assemblies convened on the'tian church,-whether every particular society  Christian Sabbath, while they are offering up
of Christians has power to regulate its own af.  their prayers to heaven, what a repulsive and'fairs, or ought to be in subjection to higher  discordant scene would present itself, when we
courts ofjudicature,-whether the ordinance of  beheld the leaders of certain sectaries confining
the Lord's Supper should be received in the pos-  their petitions to their own votaries, imploring a
tture of sitting or of kneeling,-whether Baptism   special blessing upon themselves, as if they were
s:hould be administered to infants or adults, or be  the chief favourites of heaven, lamenting the
performed by dipping or sprinkling, &c.  Such  errors of others, throwing out inuendos against
are some of the points of dispute, which have  rival sectaries, taking credit to themselves as
torn the Christian  church into a number of the chief depositories of gospel truth, and thankshreds, and produced among the different secta..  ing God for their superior attainments in Chrisries jealousies, recriminations and contentions.  tian perfection! How unlike the noble, beneWhen we consider the number and the impor-  volent and expansive spirit which Christianity
rtance of the leading facts and doctrines in which  inculcates!-Nay, the intolerance which the dithey all agree, it appears somewhat strange and  visions of the Christian church have engendered,
even absurd, that they should stand aloof from   has established Inquisitions for the purpose of
each other, and even assume a hostile attitude,  torturing and burning supposed heretics,-has
on account of such comparatively trivial differ-  banished, imprisoned, plundered, hanged and
ences of opinion, especially when they all pro-  committed to the flames, thousands and ten thoufess to be promoting the same grand object,  sands, on account of their religious opinionss; and
travelling to the same heavenly country, and  many eminent characters, illustrious for piety
expect, ere long, to sit down in harmony in the  and virtue, have fallen victims to such unchrismnansions above. The grand principles of hu-  tianbarbarities.
man action, whichit'is the chief object of Re-    In particular, the divisions and contentions of
velation to establish, and'the precepts of morality  Christians have been one of the chief causes of
which ought to govern the;affections and conduct  the progress of infidelity.  The truth and excel,of,veryvChristian, are,recognised by all; and  lence of our religion can only be exhibited to the




EVILS OF SECTARIANISM.                                    145
woi'tl by its effects.  And when, instead of love,  have followed fi'om the divisions of Christians. It
union and harmony among its professors, we be-  becomes an important inquiry, whether they have
hold bitter envyings, schisms, contentions and  ever been productive of advantages sufficient to
animosities, there appears nothing to allure vi.  counterbalance such pernicious effects. Is an
cious and unthinking minds to examine its evi-  obscure question, in relation to church-governdences, and to give it an impartial hearing.  ment, to be set in competition with Christian' First agree among yourselves," infidiels reply,  union?  Is a metaphysical opinion about thie
" and then we will consider the truth and impor-  sovereignty of God, and his councils during etero
tance of your opinions."  Such a mode of rea-  nity past, to be obstinately maintained, although
soning and conduct is indeed both absurd and  the strongest bonds of Christian love should therunfair, when the genuine doctrines and requisi-  by be burst asunder?  Is the rigid adherence to
tions of Christianity are clearly stated in its ori-  an opinion respecting dipping or sprinkling in
ginal records, and which they ought to examine  baptism, or the maintenance of a dogma in refefor themselves; but it is a circumstance much to  rence to the extent of Christ's redemption, under
be deplored, that Christians, by their sectarian  pretence of bearing a testimony in behalf of
animosities, should throw  a stumbling-block in  Divine truth, to be considered as sufficient to
the way of rational investigation into the truths  counterbalance the numerous evils which have
andl foundations of religion, and cause thousands  flowed from a sectarian spirit? Can we suppose,
to stumble and fall to their destruction. But, what  that He whose law is love, who hath commanded
is perhaps worst of all, it has greatly retarded, and  us to " keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond
still retards, the universal propagation of Chris-  of peace," and who hath declared, again and
tianity through the world. Something has indeed  again, in the most explicit terms, " By thtis shall
been effected, of late years, by various sections  all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love
of the Christian church, in the different Mis-  one another;" are ws to suppose, that He will
sionary enterprises which they have conducted,  consider the maintenance of such opinions, unin their separate capacities; but it is not too  der such pretences, as a warrant for the infringemuch to affirm, that, had they acted in combina-  ment of the law of charity, or the breach of Christion and in harmony, in the missionary cause,  tian union, or that he sets a higher value on inten times more good would have been effected  tellectual subtleties and speculative opinions, than
than has ever yet been accomplished.  Besides,  on the practical requisitions of his word, and the
in our present mode of propagating the Gospel  manifestations of Christian temper and conduct?
among the heathen, we are to a certain extent,  To answer these questions in the affirmative,
sowing the seeds of those unhappy dissensions  would be little short of offering an insult to the
which have so long prevailed among ourselves.  King of Zion.  Whatever is not so clearly reAnd, therefore, till the different religious deno-  vealed in Scripture, that every rational and seminations, in this and other Christian lands, be  rious inquirer does not plainly perceive it to be
brought into a more general and harmonious  truth or duty, can scarcely be supposed to be oi
union, we cannot expect to behold a rapid and  such importance, as to warrant the breach of the
extensive propagation of primitive Christianity  unity of the church. For the inspired writers,
throughout the Pagan world.                    who were the vehicles of a revelation from heaSuch are some of the evils which a sectarian  ven, can never be supposed to have used vague
spirit has produced in the Christian Church. It  or ambiguous language in explaining and enforis almost needless to say, that they-do not origi-  cing matters of the first importance.
nate in the genius of the Gospel, which is direct-    If we consider the temper and conduct of many
ly opposed to such a spirit, but in the corruption  of those who are sticklers upon phrases, and
of human nature, and the perversion of true re-  zealous about matters of mere form, we shall be
ligion.  They have their rise in ignorance,-in  convinced how few beneficial practical effects are
ignorance both of the revelations of the Bible,  the result of a narrow sectarian spirit. While
considered as one whole, and of those truths of  they appear fired with a holy zeal lest the purity
history, philosophy, and general science, which  of divine ordinances should be tainted by unhave a tendency to liberalize and to enlarge the  washen hands, you will sometimes find them imcapacity of the human mind. This ignorance  mersed in the grossest sensualities and immoralinaturally leads to self-conceit, and an obstinate  ties of conduct. While they are severe stickattachment to preconceived opinions and party  lers for what they conceive to be the primitive
prejudices, to attaching an undue importance to  form  and order of a Christian church, you will
certain subordinate and favourite opinions, and  not unfrequently find disorder reigning in their
overlooking the grand essentials of the Chris-  families, the instruction of their children and
tian scheme; and thus prevents the mind from   servants neglected, and a sour and boisterous
expanding its views, and taking a luminous and  spirit manifested in all their intercourses witb
corilprehensive ssuvey of the general bearings  their domestics. Yea, you will find, in numerand distinguishing features of the religion of the  ous instances, that they scrupe not to practise
l$ible.  And, if such numerous and serious evils frauds inr the course of their business,.and taut




:46            ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGIE.
you can have less dependance on their promises  fested among all who bear the Christian natme,
thilan on those of the men of the world, who make  and the practical injunctions of Christianity ulat.
no pretences to religion. As an excellent writer  formly exenmplified in their conduct, we snotwd
has well observed.  "An ardent temperament  soon behold a general coincidence of opinion i;:
courverts the enthusiast into a zealot, who, while  every thing that can be deemed important inll re-.
he rs laborious in winning proselytes, discharges  liglon, and a mutual candour and forbearance, in
common duties very remissly, and is found to be  regard toWall subordinate opinions, that do noi
a more punctilious observer of his creed than of  enter into the essence of'religion, and waiich
his word. Or, if his imagination is fertile, he  ought to be left to the private judgment of every
becomes a visionary, who lives on better terms  inquirer.
with angels and with seraphs, than with his    But I entertain little hope that such measures
children, servants, and neighbours; or, he is one  will be adopted, and an object so desirable accomwho, while he reverences the' thrones, domi-  plished, while so much ignorance still pervades
rnions, and powers' of the invisible world, vents  the minds of the majority of Christians, and while
his spleen in railing on all' dignities and powers  the range of their intellectual views is so much
on earth.' "*                                 contracted. It is only when the effects of a geneWhat are the remedies then, which may be  ral diffusion of knowledge shall be more extenapplied for healing the unhappy divisions which  sively felt, that a more general and cordial union
have arisen in the Christian church?  It is evi-  of the Christian world is to be expected. Light in
dent, in the first place, that we must discard the  the understanding is the source of all reformations,
greater part of those human systems of divinity,  the detector of all evils and abuses, the correcand those polemical writings and controversies,  tor of all errors and misconceptions, and the
which have fanned the flame of animosity, and  stimulus to every improvement. It dispels the
which have so frequently been substituted in the  mists which prevented our distinct vision of the
room of the oracles of God. We must revert to  objects of our contemplation, discovers the stumb.
the Scriptures as the sole standard of every reli-  ling-blocks over which we had fallen, points out
gious opinion, and fix our attention chiefly on  the devious ways into which we had wandered,
those matters of paramount importance which are  and presents before us every object in its just
obvious to every attentive reader, and which enter  magnitude and proportions.  The knowledge to
into the essence of the Christian system. For,  which I allude consists, in the first place, in a
to maintain, that the Scriptures are not suffici-  clear and comprehensive view of the whole systenl
ently clear and explicit in regard to every thing  of divine revelation, in all its connexions and
that has a bearing qn the present comfort and the  bearings,-and, in the next place, in an acquaineverlasting happiness ofmankind, is nothing short  tance with all those historical, geographical, and
of a libel on the character of the sacred writers,  scientific facts which have a tendency to expand
and an indignity offered to Him by whose Spirit  the capacity of the mind, and to enlarge our conthey were inspired. We must also endeavour to  ceptions of the attributes of God,and of the ways of
discard the " vain janglings," the sophistical  his providence. Wherever the mind is ttoroughreasonings, and the metaphysical refinements of  ly enlightened in the knowledge of such subjects,
the schools, and the technical terms of polemical  the tendency to bigotry and sectarianism  will
theology, such as trin'ty, ypostatical union, sacra-  quickly be destroyed, and the partition walls
ments, &c. and, in our discussions. especially on  which now separate the different sections of the
mysterious or doubtful subjects, adhere as nearly  church will gradually be undermined and crumble
as possible to the language of the inspired writ-  into dust. This might be illustrated from the
ers. In particular, more attention ought tobe  very nature of the thing. A man whose mind
paid to the manifestation of Christian love, and  is shrouded in comparative ignorance, is like a
the practtce of religion, than to a mere coinci-  person who lands on an unknown country in the
dence of view with regard to certain theological  dusk of the evening, and forms his opinion of its
dogmas. For it is easy to conceive, that a man  scenery and inhabitants from the obscure and
aay be animated by holy principles and disposi-  limited view he is obliged to take of them, during
tions, although he may have an obscure concep-  the course of a few hours,-while he whose mind
tion, or may even entertain an erroneous opinion,  is enlightened in every department of human and
of some of the doctrines of religion; and we know   divine knowledge, is like one who has taken a
by experience, that men may contend zealously  minute and comprehensive survey of the same
bfor what are considered orthodox doctrines, and   country, traversed its length and breadth, minyet be destitute of the spirit of religion, and tram-  gled with every class of its inhabitants, visited its
ple on its most important practical requirements.  cities, towns, atnd villages, and studied its arts
And, were tne spirit of our holy religion thorough-  and sciences, its laws, customs, and antiquities.,y to pervade the different sections of the church  The one can form but a very imperfect and inac-were Christian affection more generally mani-  curate conception of the country he has visited,
and could convey only a similar conception ct
~Natural Hist. of Enthusiasm, p. 14.    others,-the other has acquired a correct idea of




BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF CHRISTIAN UNION.                                  147
Vie scene he has surveyed, and can form anaccu-  the globe, nor contemplates the remote wonders
rate judgment of the nature, the tendency, and  ofthe Creator's empire. His reading is chiefly
bearings of the laws, institutions, and political  confined to the volumes and pamphlets publisheconomy which have been the subject of his inves-  ed by the partisans of his own sect; he can run
tigations.  So that the accounts given by these  over the scriptures and arguments which suptwo visiters, of the same country, behoved to be  port his opinions, like a racer in his course, but,
materially different.  The sectarian bigot is one  if you break in upon his train of thought, and rewho has taken a partial and limited view of one  quire him  to prove his positions, as he goes
or two departments of the field of revelation, who  along, he is at a stand, and knows not how to
fixes his attention on a few of its minute objects,  proceed.  While he magnifies, with a microscoand who overlooks the sublimity and the grand  pic eye, the importance of his own peculiar views,
bearings of its more magnificent scenery.  The  he almost overlooks the grand and distinguishing.nan of knowledge explores it throughout its length  truths of the Bible, in which all true Christians
and breadth, fixes his eye upon its distinguishing  are agreed. On the other hand, there is scarcely
features, and brings all the information he has  one instance out of a hundred, of men whose
acquired from other quarters, to assist his concep-  minds are thoroughly imbued with the truths of
tio)ns of the nature, the bearings, and relations of science and revelation,being the violent abettors
the multifarious objects presented to his view.  of sectarian opinions, or indulging in party aniThe lumninous views he has taken of the leading  mosities; for, knowledge and liberality of sentiobjects and design of revelation, and the expansive  ments almost uniformly go hand in hand. While
conceptions he has acquired of the perfections of we ought to recognise and appreciate every porHim by whom it was imparted,-will never suf-  tion of divine truth, in so far as we perceive its
foer him to believe, that it is agreeable to the will  evidence,-it is, nevertheless, the dictate of an
of God that a Christian society should be rent  enlightened understanding, that those truths which
asunder in the spirit of animosity, because one  are of thefirst importance, demand our first and
party maintains, for example, that dipping is the  chief attention.  Every  controversy, agitated
true mode of performing baptism, and the other,  among Christians on subjects ofinferior importthat it should be administered by sprinkling, while  ance, has a direct tendency to withdraw the atthey both recognise it as a divine ordinance, and  tention from the great objects which distinguish
symbolical of spiritual blessings,-or that such  the revelations of the Bible; and there cannot be
conduct can have a tendency to promote the  a more absurd or fatal delusion, than to acquire
glory of God, and the best interests of men. He  correct notions on matters comparatively unimcan never believe that that incomprehensible Be-  portant, while we throw into the shade, or but
ing who inhabiteth eternity, who superintends the  faintly apprehend, those truths which are essenaffairs often thousand worlds, and who hath ex-  tial to religion, and of everlasting moment. Every
hibited in his word the way to eternal life in the  enlightened Christian perceives the truth and
clearest light-should attach so great a degree of  importance of this position; and were it to be
importance to such questions, that either the one  universally acted upon, sectarian divisions and
party or the other should be considered as exclu-  contentions would soon cease to exist; for they
sive supporters of divine truth, while they in-  have almost uniformly taken place in consefringe the law of Christian love, and forbear " to  quence of attaching too great a degree of importkeep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace."  ance to matters of inferior moment.
For, in reference to the example now stated, a    Were the minds ofthe members of the Christian
few drops of waterare equally asymbol or emblem   church, therefore, thoroughly enlightened, and
as the mass of liquid in a mighty river;-and to  imbued with the moral principles of the religion
consider the Almighty as beholding with appro-  of Jesus, we should soon behold, among all denobation such speculations, and their consequent  minations, a tendency to union, on the broad baeffects, would be little short of affixing a libel on  sis of recognising the grand essential truths of
his moral character.  The man of knowledge is  Christianity, which formed the principal subjects
disposed to view in the same light, almost all the  of discussion in the sermons of our Saviour and
minute questions and circumstantial opinions,  his apostles-and a spirit of forbearance maniwhich have been the cause of separating the  fested in regard to all opinions on matters of infechurch of Christ into its numerous compartments.  rior importance. Were this period arrivedIf we attend to facts, we shall find, that, in  and, from the signs of our times, its approach
ninety-nine cases out ofa hundred, the man who  cannot be very distant-it would be attended
is a violent party-partisail. is one whose ideas run. with a train of the most glorious and auspicious
in one narrow track, and who has taken a very  effects. A merging of party differences, and a
limited and partial survey of the great objects of consequent union of enlightened  Christians,
religion.  He is generally unacquainted with the  would dissipate that spirit of trifling in religion
range of history, the facts of science, the philo-  by which so much time has been absorbed in dis.
sophy of nature, and the physical and moral state  cussing sectarian opinions, to the neglect of the
of distant nations.  His nmind never ranges over  great objects of the Christian faith; for when




148          (ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
Irivial controversies are quashed, the time and  of Jehovah should cover the earth as the waters
attention they absorbed would-be devoted to more  cover the channels of the seas.
aublime and important investigations.  It would    The disunicn of the Christian church is not to
have a powerful influence on the propagation of  be perpetual.  We are certain, that a period is
Christianity throughout the heathen world; for  hastening on, when its divisions shall he healed,
the whole Christian world would then become  when its boundaries shall be enlaraed, and wher
one grand Missionary Society, whose operations  " the name of Jehovah shall be one throughout al.
would be conducted with more efficiency and  the earth."  At solne period or other, therefore,
skill, whose funds would be mnuch more ample,  in the lapse of time, a movement towards such a
and whose Missionaries would be better educat-  union must commence.  It cannot take place be.
ed than they now are-and those sectarian differ-  fore the attention of the religious world is directences of opinion, which now produce so many  ed to this object. And why should not such a
unhappy dissensions, for ever prevented from   movement commence at the present mnoment?
disturbing the harmony of converts in distant  Why should we lose another year, or even anolands. It would cherish the principle of Chris-  ther month, before we attempt to concert meatlan love, detach it from every unholy jealousy,  sures, in order to bring about a consummation so
and render it more ardent and expansive in its  devoutly to be wished?  The presen' eventful
philanthropic operations.  It would produce a  period is peculiarly auspicious for this purpose;
powerful and beneficial influence upon the men  when the foundations of tyranny, injustice, and
of the world, and even Wapon infidels themselves;  error are beginning to be shaken; when knowit would snatch from them one of their most pow-  ledge is making progress among every order of
erful arguments against the religion of the Bible,  society; when reforms in the state, and in every
and would allure them to the investigation of its  subordinate department of the community, are
evidences, by the exhibition it gave of its harmo-  loudly demanded by persons of every character
nious and happy effects.  It would have an influ-  and of every rank; when the evils attached to
ence on the minds of the Roman Catholics, in  our ecclesiastical institutions are publicly deleading them to an unbiassed inquiry into the  nounced; when the scriptures are translating
grounds on which the Protestant church is esta-  into the languages of every tribe; and when misblished.  At present, when called upon to ex-  sionary enterprises are carrying forward in every
amine the doctrines of Protestantism, they retort  quarter of the habitable globe. To attempt a
upon us-" You are divided into a hundred dif-  union of all true Christians, at the present crisis,
feront sectaries, and are at variance among  would, therefore, be nothing more than falling in
vourselves; show us which of these sects is in  with the spirit of the age, and acting in harmony
possession of the truth, and we will then examine  with those multifarious'movements, which are
your pretensions, and perhaps come over to your  destined to be the means of enlightening and
standard."  It would have an influence on the  renovating the human race; and at no period
Jewish people, in removing their prejudices  since the Reformation could such an attempt
against the religion of Jesus of Nazareth, espe-  have been made with more sanguine expectacially, were it followed, as it likely would be,  tions, and greater prospectsof success.  All eyes
with a repeal of all those statutes which have  are now turned towards some eventful and ausimposed upon them disabilities, deprived them   picious era, when the light of science shall shine
of the rights of citizenship, and subjected them to  refulgent, when abuses shall be corrected, evils
unchristian severities. In short-r-in connexion  remedied, society meliorated, and its various
with the general manifestation of Christian prin-  ranks brought into more harmonious association.
ciple-it would produce a benign influence on  And shall Christians alone remain shut up in
surrounding nations, and on the world at large.  their little homesteads, apart from  each other,
For a body of Christians, in such a country as  stickling about phrases, and contending about
ours, formed into one grand association, and act-  forms, without ever coming forth to salute each
ing in harmony, must exert a powerful influence  other in the spirit of union, and to give an imon the councils of the nation; and our political  pulse to the moral machinery that is hastening
intercourses with other states, being conducted  forward the world's improvement and regeneraon the basis of Christian principles and laws,  tion?  Such a surmise cannot be indulged: it
would invite their attention to a religion pro-  would be a libel on the Christian world, and a
ductive of so much harmony and so many bene-  reproach on the religion of which they profess
ficial effects. Peace and unity in the church  themselves the votaries.  I trust there are thouwould have a tendency to promote peace and  sands in every department of the church, who
friendship among nations; the cause of univer-  are ardently longing to break down the walls of
sal education would be promoted, without those  partition, which separate them  from their breobstructions which now arise from sectarian pre-  thren, and anxiously waiting for an opportunity
judices; and a general diffusion of useful know-  of expressing their sentiments, and of giving the
ledge would soon be effected throughout every  right hand of fellowship " to all who iove out
quarter of the civilized world, till the knowledge  Lord Jesus in sincerity."




CONNEXION OF S(3IENCE AND RELIGION.                                 149
In any attempts that may be made to promote  very time they are planning missionary enterpriIhts great object, mutual concessions behoved to  ses, they will refuse their pulpits to each other.
be made by all patres.  One general principle,  for the purpose ofaddressing their fellow-men on
that requires to be rocognised, is this:-that eve-  subjects connected with their everlastinginterests,
ry opinion and practice be set aside, which is ac-  and refrain from joining in unison in the ordirnan-r
knowledged on all hands to have no direct founda-  ces of religion, although many of them expect, ere
tion in scripture, but is a mere human fabrication,  long, to join in harmony in the services of the
introduced by accident or whim; such as, the  sanctuary above! It is to be hoped, that such a
observance of fast and preparation days pre-  disgrace to the Christian cause will soon be wipvious to the participation of the Lord's Supper,  ed away, and its inconsistency clearly perceivkneeling in the act of partaking ofthat ordinance,  ed by all who are intelligent and " right-hearted
repeating the Athanasian Creed in the regular  men."
services of the church, &c. &c. It is a striking    Such a friendly intercourse and corresponand remarkable fact, that the chief points about  dence as now suggested, would be far more effiwhich Christians are divided, are points on  cient in preparing the way for a cordial union
which the volume of inspiration is silent, and  of Christians, than the deliberations and discuswhich the presumption and perversity of men  sions of a thousand doctors of divinity, delegated
nave attached to the Christian system, and in-  to meet in councils to settle the points in disterwoven with the truths and ordinances of reli-  pute between the different sectaries. This object,
gion; and, therefore, were the line of distinction  I presume, will never be accomplished by theoclearly drawn between mere human opinions and  logical controversy, or by any attempt to conceremonials, and the positive dictates of revela-  vince the respective parties of the futility or
tion, and the one separated from the other, the  erroneousness of their peculiar opinions; but, on
way would be prepared for a more intimate and  the ground of their being brought nearer to each
harmonious union in the church of Christ. As a  other, and more firmly united in the mutual expreparative measure to such a union, a friendly  ercise of the Christian virtues, and in the bonds
intercourse between the different sectaries*  of Christian affection. And, when such a harshould be solicited and cherished. Enlightened  monious intercourse shall be fully effected, it
ministers of different denominations should occa-  will form a more glorious and auspicious era in
sionally exchange pulpits, and officiate for each  the history of the Christian church, than has
other in the public exercises of divine worship.  ever occurred since the "good tidings of great
This would tend to show to the world, and to  joy" were proclaimed in the plains of Bethlehem,
each other, that there is no unholy jealousy or  or since the day of Pentecost, when " the whole
hostile animosity subsisting between them, which  multitude of them that believed were of one heart,
their present conduct and attitude too frequently  and of one soul, and had all things common."*
indicate. It would also be productive of many
conveniences, in the case of a minister being indisposed, or absent from home, as his place could
frequently be supplied, without the least expense            SECTION  XI.
or inconvenience, by his brethren of other denominations. It would likewise show to the mass of   On the importance of connecting Science with
professing Christians, that the doctrines promul-                Religion.
gated, and the duties enforced, by ministers of
different denominations, are substantially the    IR several of the preceding sections, I have
same. WVhat a disgrace to the Christian name,, exhibited sketches of the outlines of some of the
that such a friendly intercourse has never yet  branches of science, and of the objects towards
been established; or, when it occasionally hap-  which its investigations are directed.  I have
pens, that it should be considered as an extraor-  all along taken it for granted, that such knowledge
dinary and unlooked-for phenomenon!  What a  and investigations ought to be combined with
strange and unexpected report must be received  just views of religion, and an attention to its
by Christian converts in heathen lands, when they  practical acquirements, and have occasionally
alre told, that Christian ministers in this country,  interspersed some remarks on this topic.  But
who were instrumental in sending missionaries  as the subject is of peculiar imnportance, it may
to communicate to them the knowledge of salva-  not be inexpedient to devote a section to its more
tion, are actuated by so much jealousy, and stand  particular elucidation.
so much aloof from each other, that even at the    Of late years, knowledge has increased, among
the middle and lower ranks of society, with
- By sectarise, in this place, and elsewhere, I un-  greater rapidity than in any preceding age, and
aerstand, not only the different denominations of  Mechanics' Institutions, and other associations,
Dissenters, but the Church of England, the Church  have been formed, to gtve an tmpulse to the reof Scotland, and all other national churches, which
are all so many sectaries, or differentcompartments
of the universal christian church.                         t See Appendix, Note XL.




1650          ON THE GENERAL T)IFFUSION OF KNOWILEDGE.
newed vigour of the human mind, and to gratify  firmament-which notions are now proved to be
tile desires which are now excited for intellectual  erroneous-therefore they are apt to surmise,
pleasures and acquirements. Reason is arous-  that the religion they professed rested on no betiilg from the slumber of ages, and appears deter-  ter a foundation.  Because their notions of that
iined to make aggressions on the world of sci-  religion were blended with erroneous opinions
ence, and to employ its faculties on every object  and foolish superstitions, they would be dispos.
NIwhich comes within the range of human inves-  ed to throw aside the whole, as unworthy of the
tigation.  The labourer, the mechanic and arti-  attention of men of enlightened understandings,
san, —no longer confined to trudge in the same  whose minds have been emancipated from  the
beateli track in their respective professions, and  shackles of vulgar prejudice and priestly dominato the limited range ofthought which distinguish-  tion. Such irreligious propensities have their
edl their predecessors in former generations-  origin, for the most part, in a principle of vanity
aspire after a knowledge of the principles on  and self-conceit, in that spirit of pride congenial
which their respective arts are founded, and an  to human nature, which leads the person in
acquaintance  with those scientific  subjects,  whom it predominates to vaunt himself on his
which were formerly confined to the cloisters of superiority to vulgar opinions and fears-and,
colleges and the higher orders of society. Lec-  in the want of discriminating between what is
tures have been delivered in most of our towns  of essential importance in religion, and the
and even villages, on the practice of the arts  false and distorted notions which have been incorand the principles of the physical sciences,  porated with it by the ignorance and perversity
which have extended their intellectual views, and  of men.
given them a higher idea of the nobleness and    This tendency to irreligion has likewise been
sublimity of the mental faculties with which they  promoted by the modes in which scientific knoware endowed. This excitement to rational in-  ledge has been generally communicated. In the
quiry has partly arisen from the spirit of the age,  greater part ot the best elementary treatises on
and the political movements which have distin-  science, there seldom occurs any distinct referguished our times; butit has also been produced  ence to the perfections and the agency of that
by the exertions of men of erudition, in concert-  Omnipotent Being, under whose superintendence
ing plans for the diffusion of knowledge, in giving  all the processes of nature are conducted. Ina popular form to works of science, and divest-  stead of directing the young and untutored mind
ing it of that air of mystery which it formerly as-  to rise'" from nature up to nature's God"-it is
sumed. And, should such excitement be pro-  considered by many, as unphilosophical, when
perly directed, it cannot fail to raise the lower  explaining natural phenomena, to advert to any
ranks of the community from intellectual degra-  but proximate causes, which reason or the senses
dation, and to prevent them from  indulging in  can ascertain; and thus a veil is attempted to
intemperance, and other sensual vices, which  be drawn between the Deity and his visible
have so long debased our rational nature. At  operations, so as to conceal the agency of Him
no former period has the spirit of science been so  whose laws heaven and earth obey. In the acafully awakened, and so generally disseminated.  demical prelections on physical science, in most
On every side the boundaries of knowledge have  of our colleges and universities, there appears a
been extended, the system of nature explored, studied anxiety to avoid every reflection that
the labours of philosophy withdrawn from hypo-  wears the semblance of religion. From the first
thetical speculations to the investigation of facts,  announcement of the properties of matter and the
and the liberal and mechanical arts carried to a  laws of motion, through all their combinations
pitch of perfection, hitherto unattained.     in the system of nature, and their applications
But, amidst all the intellectual movements  to dynamics, hydrostatics, pneumatics, optics,
around us, it is matter of deep regret, that the  electricity, and magnetism, the attention of the
knowledgeof true religion, and the practice of student is kept constantly fixed on secondary
its moral precepts, have not kept pace with the  causes and physical laws, as if the universe were
improvements and the diffusion of science. Not  a self-existent and independent piece of mechaa few of those who have lately entered on the  nism; and it is seldom that the least reference
prosecution of scientific pursuits,-because their  is made to that Almighty Being who brought it
ideas have not been expanded a little beyond the  into existence, and whose laws and operations
limited range of thought to which they were  are the subject of investigation.  It is almost
formerly confined-seem now to regard revealed  needless to add, that the harmony which subsists
rt:ligion as little else than a vulgar superstition,  between the works of God, and the revelations
or, at most, as a matter of inferior moment.  of his word-the mutual light which they reflect
Because their forefathers thought that the earth  upon each other-the views which they open o)
was the largest body in nature, and placed in a  the plan of the Divine government,-and the
quiescent state in the centre of the universe,  moral effects which the contemplation of nature
and that the stars were merely brilliant spangles  ought to produce upon the heart —are never. sc
fixed in the concave of the sky, to diversify the  far as we have learned. introduced, in such




FOLLY OF OVERLOOKING RELIGION.                                   151
seminaries, as subjects whiil demand particular  that we might acquire, from the contemplation
attention.  Thus the Deity is carefully kept out  of it, enlarged conceptions of the attributes of his
of view, and banished, as it were, from his own  nature, and the arrangements of his providence,
creation; and the susceptible mind of the youth-  and be excited to " give unto nim the glory due
Ful student prevented from feeling those ilnpres-  to his name."  And, if we derive such impressions of awe and reverence, of love and gratitude,  sions from  our Investigations of the material
which the study of the material world, when  system, shall it be considered as inconsistent
properly conducted, is calculated to produce.  with the spirit of true philosophy, to endeaThe same principles and defects are percepti-  vour to coninminica.te the same impressions to
ble in the instructions communicated in most of  the minds of those whom we are appointed to
the Jtlechanics' Institutions, which have been  instruct?'I'here can be little doubt, that the
lately formed for the improvement of the middle  practice of setting aside all references to the chaand lower classes ofsociety. It has been public-  racter and perfections of the Deity, in physical
ly announced, in the speeches of gentlemen of  discussions, has tended to foster a spirit of irreliscience and erudition, who, with a laudable zeal,  gion in youthful minds, and to accelerate their
took a part in the organization of these institu-  progress towards the gulf of infidelity and sceptions,-and the announcement has been re-echo-  ticism.
ed in every similar association, and transcribed    Again, philosophy, as well as religion, reinto every literary journal,-that, " Hencefor-  quires that the phenomena of nature be traced
ward the discussions of science are to be complete-  up to their first cause.  There are no causes
ly separated from religion."  I do not mean to  cognizable by the senses, which will account for
accuse the highly respectable characters alluded  the origin of the universe, and the multifarious
to, as being hostile either to natural or revealed  phenomena it exhibits; and therefore we must
religion, from the circumstance of their having  ascend in our investigations to the existence of
made this announcement; as I presume they  an invisible and eternal Cause, altogether impalonly intended by it to get rid of those sectarian  pable to the organs of sense, in order to account
disputes about unimnportant points in theology,  for the existence and movements of the material
which have so long disturbed the peace of the  world.  To attempt to account for the harmony
church and of the world.  But, when I consider  and order, and the nice adaptations which appear
the use that will be made of it by certain cha-  throughout creation, merely from  the physical
racters and societies, and the bearing it may have  properties of matter, and the laws of motion, is
on the mode of communicating scientific know-  to act on the principles of atheism; and is clearly
ledge, I am constrained to pronounce the decla-  repugnant to every dictate of reason, which deration as no less unphilosophical, than it is impi-  clares, that to every effect we must assign an
ous and immoral in its general tendency.  It is  adequate cause.  And, if in our physical invesurnphilosophical; for science, when  properly' tigatons, we are necessarily led to the admission
Lonsidered in relation to its higher and ultimate  of a self-existent and eternal Being, the original
objects, is nothing else than an investigation of  source of life and motion, it must be deeply inthe power, wisdom, benevolence, and superin-  teresting to every one of us to acquire as much
tending providence ofthe Almighty, as displayed  information as possible respecting his perfecin the structure and movements of the universe,  tions, and the character of his moral government.
-of the relation in which we stand to this Great  From Him we derived our existence,-on Him
leing,-and of the duties which we owe him.  we depend every moment " for life, and breath,
To overlook such objects, is evidently contrary  and all things."  Our happiness or misery is in
to the plainest dictates of reason and philosophy.  his hands, and our eternal destiny, whether conIs it possible that an intelligent mind can contem-  nected with annihilation or with a state of conplate the admirable and astonishing displays of  scions existence, must be the result of his sovedivine perfection and munificence, *hroughout  reign and eternal arrangements. Our comfort in
every part of creation, and not be excited to the  the present life, and our hopes and prospects in
exercise of love, and gratitude, and reverential  relation to futurity, are therefore essentially conadoration?  Such feelings and emotions lie at  nected with the conceptions we form of the atthe foundation of all true religion,-and the man  tributes of Him who made and who governs the
who can walk through the magnificent scene of  universe; and, consequently, that philosophy
the universe, without feeling the least emotion of  which either overlooks or discards such views
reverence and adoration, or of gratitude for the  and considerations, is unworthy of the name,-is
wise and benevolent arrangements of nature,  inconsistent with the plainest deductions of reamay be pronouncesd unworthy of enjoying the  son, and, wherever it is promulgated, must prove
beneficence of his Creator. It was doubtless for  inimical to the best interests of mankind. To
this end, among others, that the Almighty open-  regard science merely in its applications to the
ed to our view such a magnificent spectacle as  arts of life, and to overlook its deductions in re.
the universe displays, and bestowed upon us  ference to the Supreme Disposer of events, is
faculties capable of investigating its structure,-  preposterous and absurd, and unworthy of the




152           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
character of the man who assumes to himself the  poses of the Creator, to whose laws and moral
name of a philosopher; for, in doing so, he vio-  government we are all amenable. It disclose
lates the rules which guide him in all his other  to us our state and condition, as depraved crea.
researches, and acts inconsistently with  the  tures and violators of his righteouslaws, ana the
maxim, that the most interesting and important  doom which awaits the finally impenitent m the
objects denland our first and chief attention.  world to come. It informs us of the only method
But the evil to which I have now adverted, is  by which we may obtain forgiveness of sin, and
not the only one of which we have reason to  complete deliverance from  all the miseries and
complain.  While the deductions of natural re-  moral evils to which we are exposed.  It inaulligion are but slightly adverted to in physical  cates those divine principles and moral precepts
discussions, and in many instances altogether  which are calculated to unite the whole human
overloolked,-the truths of Christianity are virtu-  race in one harmonious and affectionate society,
ally set aside; and it seems to be considered by  and to promote the happiness of every individual,
some as inconsistent with the dignity of science,  both in " the life that now is, and in that which is
to make the slightest reference to the declara-  to come."  It presents before us sources of contions of the sacred oracles. In many of our' solation, to cheer and support the mind, amidst
grammar schools, academies, and colleges, where  the calamities and afflictions to which we are
the fbolish and immoral rites of pagan mytholo-  subjected in this mortal state. It unfolds to us,
gy:are often detailed, no instructions are impart-  in part, the plan of God's moral government of
ed, to counteract the baneful influence which  the world, and the reasons of certain dispensaheathen maxims and idolatry may produce on  tions and moral phenomena, which would otherthe youthful mind.  The superior excellence of  wise have remained inexplicable. In short, it
the Christian religion, and the tendency of its  proclaims the doctrine of a resurrection from the
principles and precepts to produce happiness,  dead, and sets in the clearest light the certainty
both here and hereafter, are seldom exhibited;  of a future state of punishments and rewards, suband in too many instances the recognition of jects in which every individual of the human race
a Supreme Being, and of our continual depend-  is deeply interested-giving full assurance to all
ance upon him, and the duty of imploring his  who comply with its requisitions, that when their
direction and assistance, are set aside, as incon-  corporeal frames are dissolved, they " shall have
bistent with the spirit of the age, and with the  a building of God, an house not made with hands,
mode of conducting a fashionable education.  eternal in the heavens," where they shall inherit
The superintendents of mechanics' institutions,  "' fulness of joy and pleasures fer evermore."
following the prevailing mode, have likewise    These are only some of the important revelaagreed to banish from their institutions and dis-  tions which Christianity unfolds.  And, if it be
cussions, all references to religion, and to the pe-  a truth which cannot be denied, that we are naculiarities of the Christian system.           turally ignorant of God, can we be happy without
Now, we maintain, that Christianity in every  being acquainted with his moral attributes, purpoint of view in which its revelations may be  poses, and laws?  If we be guilty and depraved
considered, is a subject ofparamount importance.  -which the whole history of our race clearly deIt is every thing, or it is nothing. It must reign  monstrates-can we feel true enjoyment, if our
supreme over every human pursuit, over every  guilt is not cancelled, and our depravity not
department of science, over every passion and  -counteracted?   Is it a matter of indifference,
affection, or be discarded altogether, as to its  whether we acquire a knowledge of those moral
authority over man. It will admit ofno compro-  principles, which will guide us in the path to
maises; for the authority with which it professes  wisdom and felicity, or be hurried along by heedto be invested, is nothing less than the will of the  less passions, in the devidus ways of vice and
Eternal, whose sovereign injunctions the inhabi-  folly?  Is it of no importance, whether we obtents of earth and the hosts of heaven are bound  tain information respecting our eternal destiny,
to obey. If its claims to a divine origin can be  or remain in uncertainty whether death shall
disproved, then it may be set aside as unworthy  transport us to another world, or finally ternnllanL
of our regard, and ranked along with the other  our existence?  Can any man, who calls himself
relligions which have prevailed in the world.  a philosopher, maintain, with any show  of reaB!tt, if it is agomitted to be a revelation from the  son, that it is unphilosophical, or contrary to the
Creator of the universe to man on earth, its claims  dictates of an enlightened understanding, that
are irresistible, it cannot be rejected with impli-  sulch subjects should form one great object of out
nity, and its divine principles and maxims ought  attention-that they should be interwoven with all
to be interwoven with all our pursuits and asso-  our studies and active employments-and that
ciations.                                      they should constitute the basis of all those inThe importance of Christianity may be evin-  structions, which are intended for tlhe melioration
eed by such considerations as the following:-It  and improvement of mankind?  To maintain
communicates to us the only certain information  such a position, would be to degrade philosophy
we possess of the character, attributes, and pur-  in the eyes of every intelligent inquirer, and ta




EFFECTS OF DISCARDING CHRISTIANITY.                                  153
roerler it unworthy of the patronage of every one  carded, every one would conbider himself as at
who has a regard to the happiness of his species.  liberty to act according as his humour and pas-'rhat philosopn) which truly deserves the name  sions might dictate; and, in such a case, a scene
will at once admit, that concerns of the highest  of selfishness, rapacity, and horror, would quickly
moment ought not to be set aside for matters of  ensue, which would sap the foundation of social
inferior consideration;  but that every thing  order, and banish happiness from the abodes of
should be attended to in its proper order, and ac-  men.
cording to its relative importance. If such con-    Such would be the necessary effects of a comsiderations have any weight, they prove, beyond  plele renunciation of revealed religion, and such
dispute, that there is a glaring deficiency in our  a state of things our literary and scientific mode
methods of education, where a foundation is not  cfeducation has a natural tendency to produce,
laid in the truths of Christianity, and where  in sofar as the truths of Christianity are set aside,
its authority is overlooked, and its claims disre-  or vLerlooked, in our plans of instruction. Where
gardel.                                        should our youths receive impressions of the DeLet us consider for a moment what would be  ity, and of the truth of religion, unless in those
the natural effects of a complete separation be-  seminaries where they are taught the elements of
tween science and religion-betwveen the general  general knowledge? Shall they be left to infer,
diffusion of knowledge and the great objects ot  that religion is a matter of trivial importance,
the Christian faith.  Science might still continue  from tne circumstance, that it is completely overto prosecute discoveries, to enlarge its bounda-  looked throughout the whole range of their instrucries, and to apply its principles to the cultivation  tions? I may be said, that they have opportuniof new arts, and to the improvement of those  ties of receivina Christian instruction elsewhere,
which have hitherto been practised.  Its studies  particularly from the ministers of religion; but
might give a certain degree of polish to the mind,  will their minds be better prepared for relishing
might prevent certain characters from running  such instructions, because the religion of the
the rounds offashionable dissipation, and, in every  Bible has been carefully kept out of view in the
gradation in society, might counteract, to a certain  other departments of tuition? Will they not radegree, the tendency to indulgence in those mean  ther come to such instructions, with their minds
and ignoble vices to which the lower ranks in  biassed against the truths of revelation; espeevery age have been addicted. But, although  cially when we consider, that, in almost every inthe standard of morals would be sormewhat raised,  stance, w'ere religion is discarded in the process
and the exterior of life polished and improvea, the  of secular instruction, Pagan maxims are introlatent principles ofmoral evil might still remain  auced. and insinuations occasionally thrown out
rankling in the breast. Pride, ambition, avarice,  hostile to the interests of genuine Christianity?
and revenge, receiving no counteraction from re-  Notwithstanding all that I have stated itn the preligious principle, might be secretly harboured and  ceding pages, respecting the beneficial effects
nourished in the heart, and ready to burst forth,  of a universal diffusion of knowledge, I am fully
on every excitement, in all the diabolical energies  persuaded, that, unless it be accompanied with a
in which they have so frequently appeared amidst  diffusion of the spirit of the Christian religion,
the contests of conmmunities and nations. The  and a corresponding practice, it will completely
recognition of a Supreme intelligence, to whom   fail in promoting the best interests of mankind.
we are accountable, wouldsoon be considered as  If scriptural views ofthe character of the Deityunnecessary in scientific investigations, and his  if the promlotion of love to God and to man-if
natural perfection's overlooked; and, consequent-  the cultivation of heavenly tempers and disposily, all the delightful affections of love, gratitude,  tions, and the practice of Christian morality, be
admiration, and reverence, which are inspired by  entirely overlooked in seminaries devoted to the
the view of his moral attributes, and the trans-  instruction of the great body of the communitycendent excellence of his nature, would be under-  such institutions, instead of being a blessing,
mined and annihilated.  There would be no  would ultimately become a curse to the human
reliance on the superintending care of an un-  species; and we should soon behold a vast aserring  Providence, ordaining  and  directing   semblage of intelligent demons, furnished with
every event to the most beneficial purposes, and  powers and instruments of mischief superieor to
no consolation derived, amidst the ills of life,  any that have hitherto been wielded, and which
from a view of the rectitude and benevolence of  might, ere long, produce anarchy, injustice, and
the Divine government.  The present world  horror throughout every department of the moral
would be considered as the only scene of action  world.
and enjoyment; the hope of immortality, which     That these are not mere imaginary forebodings,
supports and gladdens the pious mind, would be  might be illustrated fromn the scenes which were
exterminated,and every thing beyond the shadow  lately exhibited in a neighbouring nation.. The
of death involved in glocm and uncertainty. The  first revolution in France In 1789, was a revoluonr)lv true princi ples of moral action, which reveal-  tion not merely in politics and government, but in
ei  religion inculcates, being overlooked or dis-  religion, in manners, in moral principle, awl in




154           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
the common feelings of human nature. The way  state."  The carved work of all religious belief
frr sch a revolution was prepared by the writ-  anfd moral practice was boldly cut down by Carings of Voltaire, Mirabeau, Diderot, Helvetius,  not, Robespierre, and their atheistical associates,
D'Alembert, Condorcet, Rousseau, and others  and the following inscription was ordered to be,of the same stamp-in which, along with some  displayed in all the public burying-groundsuseful discussions on the subject of civil and re-  "Death is only an eternal sleep;" so that the dying
iigious liberty, they endeavoured to disseminate  need no longer be afraid to step out of existence.
principles subversive both of natural and revealed  Nature was investigated, by these pretendle?'
religion.  Revelation was not only impugned,  philosophers, only with a view  to darken the
tbur entirely set aside; the Deity was banished  mind, to prevent mankind from considering any
from the universe, and an imaginary phantonm,  thing as real but what the hand could grasp or
under the name of the Goddess of Reason, sub-  the corporeal eye perceive, and to subvert the esstituted in his place. Every thing was reduced  tablished order of society.
to a system  of pure materialism; the celestial    The consequences of the operation of such
spark of intelligence within us was assimilated  principles were such as might have been expectto a piece of rude matter, and the fair prospects  ed.  They are written in characters of blood,
of immortality, which Christianity presents,  and in crimes almost unparalleled in the history
transformed into the gloom of an eternal night.  of nations.  A  scene of inhumanity, cruelty,
Every previous standard of morals was discard-  cold-blooded malignity, daring impiety, and inled; every one was left to act as selfishness,  satiable rapacity, was presented to the world,
avarice, and revenge might dictate; religion of which excited in the mind of every virtuous
every description fled from the torch of the pre-  spectator amazement and horror. Savage atrovailing philosophy; and, while "' justice and mo-  cities were perpetrated which would have been
ralitv" were proclaimed as " the order of the  shocking in the most barbarous and unenlightenday," every moral principle, and every human  ed age; and, perhaps, at no era has there been
feeling, were trampled under foot.  It is stated,  more wretchedness occasioned by licentious
on good authority, that a little before the revolu-  principles and moral degeneracy.  The ties of
tion, a numerous assembly of French Literati,  friendship were cut asunder, the claims of conbeing asked, in turn, at one of their meetings, by  sanguinity disregarded, and a cold-blooded selftheir president, "VThether there was any such  ishness pervaded the great mass of society.
thing as moral obligation," answered, in every  " The kingdom appeared to be changed into one
instance, that there was not. Soon afler that  great prison; the inhabitants converted into
revolution, the great body of French infidels, who  felons, and the comrmon doom of man commuited
then ruled the nation, not only denied all the ob-  for the violence of the sword, and the bayonet,
ligations which bind us to truthtjustice, and kind-  and the stroke of the guillotine."  Such was the
ness, but pitied and despised, as a contemptible  rapidity with which the work of destruction was
wretch, the man who believed in their existence.  carried on, that, within the short space of ten
Atheism  was publicly preached, and its mon-  years, not less than three millions of human bestrouls doctrines disseninated among the mass of ings (one half more than the whole population
the people, an occurrence altogether novel in the  of Scotland) are supposed to have perished in
history of man. A professor was even named by  that country alone, chiefly through the inflJence
Chaumette,. to instruct the children of the state  of immoral principles, and the seductions of a
in the mysteries of Atheism. De la Metherie,  false philosophy.   The following is a briet
the author of a Philosophical Journal, when dis-  siketch of some of the scenes to which we allude,
cussing the doctrine of crystallization, made the  drawn by one who was an eye-witness of the
wild and hideous assertion, " that the highest and  whole, and an actor in several parts of that hormost perfect form of crystallization is that which  rid drama.  " There were," says this writer,
is vulgarly called God."  In the National Con-  " multiplied cases of suicide; prisons crowded
vention, Gobet, archbishop of Paris, the rector  with innocent persons; permanent guillotines;
Vangirard, and several other priests, abjured the  perjuries of all classes; parental authority set at
Christian religion; and for this abjuration they  nought; debauchery encouraged by an allowance
received applauses and thefraternal kiss. A priest  to those called unmarried mothers; nearly six
from Melun stated, that there is no true religion  thousand divorces in the city of Paris within a
bit that of nature, and that all the mummery with  little more than two years; in a word, whatever
which they had hitherto been amused, is only  is most obscene in vice and most dreadful in
old wives' fables; and he was heard with loud  ferocity."*
tzpplause.  The Convention decreed, that " all   Notwithstanding  the  incessant shouts of
the churches and temples of religious worship,  " Liberty and Equality," and the boasted illuirnown to be in Paris, should be instantly shut  minations of philosophy, the most barbarous per.
up, and that every person requiring the opening  secutions were carried on against those whoie
of'a church or temple should be put under arrest,
as a suspected person, and an enemv to the                         Gregoire.




EFFECTS OF IRRELIGION IN FRANCE.                                 155
religious opinions differed  from  the system   combined with religion, it cannot, ofitself, meiiop
adopted by the state.  While infidelity was  rate the morals of mankind, or counteract the lienthroned in power, it wielded the sword of ven-  centiousness of society.  Though it may be congeance with infernal ferocity against the priests  sidered as a ray of celestial light proceeding fr(nm
of the Roinish church, who were butchered  the original Source of intelligence, yet it will
wherever found-hunted  as wild beasts —fie-  fail in producing its most beneficial effects, unquently roasted alive, or drowned in hundreds  less it be combined with " the light of the knowtogether, without either accusation or trial. At ledge of the glory of God," as it shines in the
Nantz, no less than 360 priests were shot, and  word of Divine Revelation. Had such a con460 drowned. In one night, 58 were shut up in  nexion been formed between science and religion,
a barge, and drowned in the Loire. Two hun-  certain it is, that the bonds which unite the social
dred and ninety-two priests were massacred  system would never have been burst asunder,
during the bloody scenes of the 10th August,  nor the foundations of morality overturned by
and the 2d September, 1792; and 1135 were  such a violent explosion as happened at the
guillotined under the government of the Na-  French revolution. And, although I am aware,
tional Convention, from the month of September  that a variety of political causes combined to
1792, till the end of 1795, besides vast numbers,  produce that great convulsion, and the effects
hunted by the infidel republicans, like owls and  which flowed from it, yet it cannot be denied,
partridges, who perished  in different ways,  that the principles of atheism, and a false philothroughout the provinces of France.           sophy which had thrown off its allegiance to
Such were some of the dismal effects which  Christianity, were the chief causes which produc.
flowed from the attempt to banish religion from   ed the licentiousness and impiety which characscience, from government, and from the inter-  terized the rulers and citizens of France, under
courses and employments of society.  Wele  "the reign ofterror."
such principles universally to prevail, the world    It is therefore to be hoped, that those who now
would soon become one vast theatre of mischief patronise the intellectual improvement of manand of misery-an immense uen of thieves and  kind, and who wish to promote the best interests
robbers-a sink of moral pollution-a scene of of society, will take warning from the occurrenimpiety, injustice, rapine, and devastation; a  ces which so lately happened in the French naGolgotha, strewed with carcasses and "dead  tion, during the reign of infidel philosophy and
men's bones."  All confidence and friendship  impiety, and not suffer religion to be dissevered
between intelligent beings would be destroyed;  from those pursuits which should lead the mnind
the dearest and most venerable relations would  to the contemplation of a Supreme Intelligence,
be violated by incestuous pollutions; appetite  andofthegloriesofan immortalexistence.  The
would change every man into a swine, and pas-  moral Governor of the world has set before us
sion into a tiger; jealousy, distrust, revenge,  the horrid scenes to which we have alluded, as a
murder, war, and rapine would overspread the  beacon to guard us from similar dangers, that soearth, and a picture of hell would be presented  ciety might not again be exposed to a ship vreck
wherever the eye roamed over the haunts of men.  so dreadful and appalling.  We have, surely, no
During the period when the atrocities to which  reason to repeat the experiment, in order to aswe are adverting were perpetrating, the ruffians  certain the result. It is written in characters
who bore rule in France were continually imput-  conspicuous to every eye, and legible even to the
ing to the illumination of philosophy, the ardour  least attentive observer, and may serve as a
which animated them in the cause of liberty; and,  warning both to the present age, and to every
it is a truth, that science was enlarging its boun-  future generation. Its effects are felt even at
daries even amidst the horrors with which it was  the present moment, in the country where the
surrounded.  Chemistry was advancing in its  experiment was tried, in the irreligion and prorapid career of discovery, and the celebrated  fligacy which, in its populous cities, still abound,
Lavoisier, one of its most successfill cultivators,  especially among the middle and higher ranks of
was interc-pted in the midst of some interesting  society. Its effects are apparent even in our
experiments, and dragged to the guillotine, where  own cotlntry; for the sceptical principles and imhe suffered in company with 28 farmers-general,  moral maxims of the continental philosophy
merely because he was rich. Physical astrono-  were imported into Britain, at atn early period of
my, and the higher blanches of the mathematics  the French Revolution, when the Bible was
were advancing under the investigations of La  discarded by multitudes, as an antiquated impos.
Place; geodetical operations were carrying for-  ture, and committed to the flames; and it is,
ward, on an extensive scale; and the physical  doubtless, owing in part, to the influence of these
sciences, in general, under the hands of nume-  principles, that, in organizing institutions for
rrus cultivators, were going on towards perfec-  the diffusion of knowledge amlong the lower ranks,
tion. But, while this circumstance shows, that attempts have been made to separate science
science mav advance in the midst of irreligion-  from its references to the Creator, and fionn ail
it proves, at the same time, that, without being  its connexions with revealed religion.  it is,




156           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDUE;.
therefore, the duty of every man who loves his  too many instances, have exposed the Christian
species, and who has a regard for the welfare and  world to the sneers of infidels, and the scoffs of the
orosperity of his country, to use his influence in  profane.-Nor, in the next place, would we colnendeavouring to establish the literary and scien-  sider it as either judicious or expedient, to attific instruction of the community on the broad  tempt to foist in even the essential doctrines of
basis of the doctrines of revelation, and of those  Christianity, on' every occasion, when the sub.
moral laws which have been promulgated by the  ject of discussion did not naturally and directly
authority of the Governor of the universe, which  lead to their introduction, or to some allusions to
are calculated to secure the moral order, and to  them.  Such attempts generally frustrate the end
promote the happiness of intelligent agents,  intended, and are equally displeasing to the man
throughout every province of the Divine empire.  c ftaste, and to the enlightened Christian. —What
"When we look at plans of education," (says  we understand by connecting science with relian intelligent writer) " matured, or in progress,  gion, will appear in the following observations:
which are likely to concentrate the national intellect, and form the national taste, and engross    I. As science has it for one of its highest obhthe daily leisure of the peasant or artisan, on  jects to investigate the works of the Creator,principles of virtual exclusion to every thing spe-  an opportunity should be taken, when imparting
cifically Christian, when we see this grievous  scientific instructions, of adverting to the attri.
and deadly deficiency attaching to schemes of be.  butes "f the Deity as displayed in his operation.
nevolence, which are otherwise pure and splen-  The character of the Divine Being, and the per.
did, receiving the sanction of public recognition,  fections he displays, are, in every point of view,
countenanced or winked at by the mightiest of  the most interesting of all human investigations.
scholars, and most illustrious of statesmen, and  Tile system of nature, in all its parts and process.
thus put in condition for traversing the land,  es, exhibits them to our view, and forces them,
fiom the one end to the other, we do feel alarmed,  as it were, upon our attention, if we do not wilin no ordinary degree, at the effects that are  fully shut our eyes on the light which emanates
likely to follow it; and could we influence the  from  an invisible Divinity through his visible
consultations in which the whole originates, would  operations.  The contemplation of this system,
entreat its projectors to pause and deliberate,  even in its trost prominent and obvious appearlest they stir the elements of a latent impiety,  ances, has a natural tendency to inspire the most
instead of dispensing a national blessing. We  profound emotions of awe and reverence, of gradread not the light of science, nor anty light of  titude and admiration, at the astonishing displays
any kind which emanates from God to man. it exhibits of Omnipotent energy, unsearchable
On the contrary, we. hail it as a precious acqui-  wisdom, and boundless beneficence. Such stusition, provided it be mingled and seasoned with  dies, when properly directed, are, calculated to
that which is revealed, as " the true light which  make a powerful and interesting impression on
lighteth every man that cometh into the world;"  the minds of the young; and it is doing them an
but, ir a state of separation from this better light, incalculable injury, when their views are never
and anattempered by its restoring influence, we  elevated above proximate causes and physical
are constrained to dread it, by all the concern we  laws, to the agency of Him  who sits on the
ever felt for the eternal well-being of our human  throne of the universe. —" If one train of thinkkindred."*                                    ing," says Paley, " be more desirable than anTo prevent any misconceptions that may arise  other, it is that which regards the phenomena of
respecting our views of the connexion of science  nature, with a constant reference to a supreme
and religion, it may be proper to remark, in the  intelligent Author.  To have made this the rulfirst place,-that we would consider it prepos-  ing, the habitual sentiment of our minds, is to
terous in the highest degree, to attempt the in-  have laid the foundation of every thing which is
troduction of sectarian opinions in religion into  religious.  The world from  henceforth becomes
the discussions connected with science and phi-  a temple, and life itself one continued act of adolosophy.  It would be altogether irrelevant to  ration.  The change is no less than this, that
the objects of scientific associations, to introduce  whereas formerly  God  was seldom  in our
the subjects of dispute between Calvinists and  &houghts, we can scarcely look upon any thing
Arminians, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and  without perceiving its relation to him."  And is
Independents; and we are of opinion, that the  such a train of thinking to be considered as unsloner such controversies are banished, even  philosophical?  Is it not, on the contrary, the
fiom theology, and from  the Christian world at  perfection of philosophy to ascend to a cause that
large, so much the better; for they have with.  will account for every phenomenon-to trace its
arawn the minds of thousands from the essentials  incessant agency, and to acknowledge the perto the mere circumstantials of religion; and, in  fectionls it displays?  Bishop Watson has well
observed, " We feel the interference of the Deity
Rev. D. Y~ ning-I ntres utory Essayto Str M   everywhere, but we cannot apprehend the nature
Tales' Conltemplations.                        of his agency anywhere. A blade of grass tan.




PHYSICO-THEOLOGICAL WRITINGS.                                   157
not spring up, a drop of rain cannot fall, a ray of  The voluminous work of Le Pluche comprcrlight cannot be emitted from the sun, nora parti-  hends interesting descriptions of quadrupeds,
cle of salt be united, with a never-failing sympa-  birds, fishes, insects, plants, flowers, gardens,
thy to its fellow, without him; every secondary  olive-yards, cornfields, woods, pasturle-grounds,
cause we discover, is but a new proof of the  rivers, mountains, seas, fossils, minerals, the atnecessity we are under of ultimately recurring  mosphere, light, colours, vision, the heavenly
to him, as the one primary cause of every thing."  bodies, globes, telescopes, microscopes, the hisIllustrations of the position for which we are  tory of navigation, systematic physics, &c.-in~aow contending will be tound in such works as  terspersed with a variety of beautiful reflections
the following:-Ray's " Wisdom of God in the  on the Wisdom and Beneficence of the Deity in
Creation,"-Boyle's "Philosophical and Theo-  the arrangements of nature. Euler's Letters
loneical works," -Derham's Astro and Physico-  comprehend popular descriptions of the most inTheolozy,"*-Nieuwentyt's Religiols Philoso-  teresting subjects connected with natural philopher," —Le  Pluche's " Nature Displayed,"-  sophy and ethics, interspersed with moral reflecBaxter's "' Matho," or the principles of natural  tions, and frequent references to the truths of rereigaion deduced from the phenomena of the ma-  velation.  Cosndorcet, in his French translation
terial world,-Lesser's Insecto-Theology, or a  of this work, carefully omitted almost all the pidemonstration of the Being and Attributes of ous and moral reflections of this profound and
God, fron the structure and economy of insects,  amiable Philosopher, as inconsistent with the inwith notes by Lyonet,-Bonnet's " Contempla-  fidel and atheistical philosophy which then preti)n of Nature,"-iEuler's " Letters to a German  vailed.  " The retrenchmnents," says he " affect
Princess,"  translated  by  IHunter,-Pierre's  reflections which relate less to the sciences and
"Studies of Nature,"-" Paley's Natural The-  philosophy, than to theology, and frequently even
ology,"-Adam's "Lectures on NaturalPhiloso-  to the peculiar doctrines of that ecclesiastical
phy,"-Parkes' "Chemical Catechism," and  communion in which Euler lived. It is unneseveral others.  The chief onject of Ray is to  icessary to assign a reason for omissions of this deillustrate the wisdom of the Deity in the figure  scription."  These omissions were supplied, and
and construction of the earth, in the structure and  the passages alluded to restored, by Dr. Hunter,
symmetry of the human framne, and in the econo-  in his English translation, but they have been
my of the animal and vegetable tribes.  The ob-  again suppressed in the late edition, published in
ject of Derham, in his Astro-Theology, is to dis-  Edinburgh, in two volumes, 12mo.*
play the wisdom  and omnipotence of Deity, as    It is much to be regretted, that we have no
they appear in the structure, arrangement, and  modern Rays, Derhalms, Boyles, or Nieuwennmotions of the heavenly bodies; and his Physico-  tyts, to make the light of our recent discoveries
Theology, a work of much greater extent, demon-  in science bear upon the illustration of the
strates the being and attributes of God from the  perfections of the Deity, and the arranlgements
constitution of the earth and atmosphere,-the  of his providence. Since the period when those
senses-the structure, motions, respiration, food,  Christian philosophers left our world, many of
and habitations of animals-the body of man-  the sciences which they were instrumental in
the economy of insects, reptiles, and fishes, and  promoting, have advanced to a high degree of
the structure of vegetables.  Though this excel-  perfection, and have thrown additional light on
lent work is now considered as somewhat anti-  the wisdom and intelligence of the Divine mind,
quated, yet we have no modern work that can
fully supply its place. Paley's Natural Theolo-    * As a specimen of the omissions to which we al
gy, however excellent in its kind, does iot ern-  lude, the following passage may suffice:-" But the
eye which the Creator has formed, is subject to no
brace the same extensive range ofobjects. Nic:u-  one of all the imperfections under which the imagi
wentyt enters into a minute anatomical investi-  nar' construction of the freethinker ltours  In
this we discover the true reason why infinite wisdom
gation of the structure of the human body, which  has employed several transparent suhbstances in the
occupies the greater part of his first volume; and  formation of the eye. It is thereby seoured against
in the two remaining volumes, illustrates the Di-  all the defects which characterize every work of man.
ith e          tworemainngolumsllute  D- What a noble subject of contemplation! How pertivine perfections from a survey of the atmosphere,  nent that question of the Psalmist! He whoformed
meteors, water, earth, fire, birds, beasts, fishes,  the eye, shaU he notsee? and ITe who planted the ear,
plants, the physical and chemical laws of nature,  piece that far transcends the hu nan unda maserstanding
the inconceivable smallness of the particles of  what an exalted idea must we form of Him who has
matter, and the structure of the starry heavens.  bestowed this wonderful gift, and that in the highest
perfection, not on man only, but on the brute cpeation, nay, on the vilest of insects!" The French
~ An edition of Derham's Physico-Theology, in  philosopher and statesman seems to feel ashamed of
two vols. Svo. (which is not very generally known)  the least alliance between philosophy and religion,
was publislhed in London in 1798, which contains  when he is induced to discard such reflections. *He
additiona notes illustrative of modern discoveries, a  seems apprehensive, as Dr. Hunter'remarks, that a
translation of the Greek and Latin qluotations of the  single drop of water from Scripture would contamloriginal work, a life of the author, and sixteen cop- nate the whole mass of philosophy. We would hoDe
perplate engravings, illustrative of many curious  our British philosophers are not yet so deeply tine
eubjects in the anima' and vegetable kingdoms.  tured with the spirit of infidelity.




I 58          ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOW'tLEDGE.
and the?.conomy of the universe. Natural his-  what is supremely perfect, finitude to tnfintpy,
tory nas widely enlarged its boundaries; our  what is narrow and weak to what is unlimited
views of the range of the planetary system have  and almighty, and what is perishing to what el,
been extended; the distant regions of the starry  dures for ever.  Such who attend not to so manifirmament have been more minutely explored,  fest indications of supreme wisdom and goodand new objects of magnificence brought within  ness, perpetually appearing before them wherever
the reach of our observation. The nature of they turn their views or inquiries, too much relight has been more accurately investigated, the  semnble those ancient philosophers who made
composition of the atmosphere discovered, the  Night, Matter, and Chaos, the original of all
properties of the different gases ascertained, the  things."  Similar sentiments were expressed by
powers of electricity and galvan ism detected, and  the late Professor Robison, one of the most prochemistry-a science completely new modelled  fcund mathematicians and philosophers of his
-has opened up the secret springs of nature's  age.  " So far from banishing the consideration
operations, arid thrown a new light on the econo-  of final causes from our discussions, it would look
my of Divine wisdom in the various processes  more like philosophy, more like the love of true
which are going on in the material system. Is  wisdom, and it would taste less of an idle curtiit not unaccountable, then, that no modern sys-  osity, were we to multiply our researches in those
tem of Physico-Theology, embracing the whole  departments of nature where final causes are the
range of modern discoveries, should have pro-  chief objects of our attention —the structure and
ceeded from the pens of some one or other of our  economy of organized bodies in the animal and
nlostdistinguished philosophers?  Does this cir-  vegetable kingdoms."-" It is not easy to accumstance seem to indicate, that, since the early  count for it, and perhaps the explanation would
part of the last century, the piety.of philosophers  not be very agreeable, why many naturalists so
has been declining, t;nd the infidel principles of fastidiously avoid such views of nature as tend
the continental school gaining the ascendency?  to lead the mind to the thoughts of its Author.
Infidelity and fatalism very generally go hand in  We see them  even anxious to weaken every
hand. When the truths of Revelation are once  argument for the appearance of design in the
discarded, a species of universal scepticism, dif-  construction and opetations of nature.  One
fering little or nothing from atheism, takes pos-  would think, that, ou the contrary, sulch appear.
session of the mind; and hence we find, that in  ances would be most welcome, and that nothe writings of such men as Buffon, Diderot,  thing would be more dreary and comfoirtless than
and La Place, there is not the slightest reference  the belief that chance or fate rules all the events
to Final Causes, or to the agency of an All-per-  of nature."-Elements of JMechanical Philosovading Mind that governs the universe.        phy, vol. i. pp. 681-2. We know not whether
That the connexion between science and theo-  such sentiments were inculcated from the chair
logy, we have been recommending, is not a  of Natural Philosophy, which Dr. Robison so
vague or enthusiastic idea, appears from  the  long occupied. by the distinguished philosopher
sentiments which have been expressed on this  who has lately deceased.
subject by the most eminent philosophers.    II. Besides the deductions of natural religion,
Throughout the whole of the works of the immor-  to which we have now adverted-in our scienti.
tal Newton, we perceive a constant attention to  fic instructions there ought to be a reference, on
Final causes, or to the great purposes of the  every proper occasion, to the leading truths ol
Deity. It was the firm opinion of this philoso-  revelation.  There are many scientific inquirers
pher, " that, as we are everywhere encountered  who would have no objections occasionally to adin our researches by powers and effecls, which  vert to final causes, and the wisdom of the Deity,
are unaccountable upon any principles of mere  who consider it altogether irrelevant, in the dismechanism, or the combinations of matter and  cussions of science, to make the slightest refermotion, we must for ever resort to a Supreme  ence to the facts and doctrines detailed in the
power, whose influence extends over all Nature,  Sacred Oracles.  The expediency, or the imartd who acconlplishes the wisest and most bene-  propriety of such a practice, must depend on the
volent ends by the best possible mneans."  Mac-  views we take of the,,ature of the communicalaurin, the friend of Newton, and the commen-  tions which the Scriptures contain. If the Bible
tator on his Priuncipia, expresses the following  is acknowledged as a revelation from  God, its
sentiments on this subject, in his "Account of truths must harmonize with the system of nature,
Sir I. Newton's Discoveries."   " There is  -they must throw a mutual lighton each other,nothing we meet with more frequently and con-  and the attributes of the Divinity they respecstantly in Nature, than the traces of an all-  tively unfold must be in perfect accordance; and
egoverning Deity.  And the philosopher who  therefore it can never be irrelevant, when enoverlooks these, contenting himself with the  gaged in the study of the one, -to refer for illustraappearances of the material universe only, arnd  tions to the other. On the contrary, to omit dothe mechanical laws of miotion, neglects what is  ing so, from a fastidious compliance with what
most ex,.ellent; and prefers what is imperfect to  has too long been the established practice, would




MORAL TENDENCY OF SCIENCE.                                     159
be a piece of glaring inconsistency, either in the  human mind is almost overpowered with such a
tnemoogian' on the one hand, or the philosopher  thought. When the soul is filled with such coun
on tne other.  We have too much reason to sus-  ceptions of' the extent of created nature, we can
pect,'that the squeanlshness ofcertain scientific  scarcely avoid exclaiming,' Lord, what then is
characters, in omitting all references to the  man, that thou art mindful of himV'  Under
Christian system, arises either from a secret  such impressions, David shrunk into nothing,
disbelief of its atlthority, or from a disrelish.of and feared that he should be forgotten among so
the truths and moral principles it inculcates.  many great objects of the Divine attention.
Takin g for granted, then, what has never yet  His comfort and ground of relief from  this debeen disproved, that Christianity is a,'revelation  jecting thought are remarkable.' But,' says he,
from heaven, and recollecting, that we live in a' thou hast made man but a little lower than
country whkre this religion is professed, it follows,  the angels, and hast crown'ed him with glory and
as a matter of crmsistency as well as of duty, that  honour.' David corrected himself, by calling to
all our systems of instruction, whether literary or  mind how high he stood in the scale of God's
scientific, whnether in colleges, academies, me-  works. Herecognised his own divine original,
ehanics' institutions, or initiatory schools, ought  and his alliance to the Author of all. Now,
to be founded on the basis of the Christian reve-  cheered and delighted, he cries out,' Lord, how;'ation-that, in the instructions delivered in such  glorious is thy name!"'-Elements of.Meseminaries, its leading doctrines should be recog-  chanical Philosophy, vol. i. p. 565.
nised, and that no dispositions or conduct be     Again, every proper opportunity should be
encouraged. which are  inconsistent with its  taken of illustrating the harmony which subsists
moral principles.                              between the system  of revelation and the sysMore-particularly, in describing the processes  tem of nature-between the declarations of the
or phenomena of nature, an opportunity should  inspired writers and the facts which are found to
frequently be taken of quoting the sublime and  exist in the material universe.  This subject
energetic sentiments of the inspired writers, and:  presents an extensive field of investigation which
of referring:to the facts they record, when they    has never yet been thoroughly explored, and
are appropriate, and illustrative of the subject in   which admits of the most extensive and diversihand. This would tend to connect the operations  fied illustrations. The facts of geology-some
of nature with the agency of the God of nature;  of which were formerly set in array against the
and would showv to the young, that their instruct-  records of revelation-are now seen to be corroers feltu a veneration for that Book which has  borative of the facts stated in the Mosaic hisGod for its Author, and our present and future  tory;* and in proportion as the system  of riahappiness as tile great object of its revelations.  ture is minutely explored, and the physical sc-iW'hy should the Bible be almost the only book  ences in general approximate to perfection, the
frort which certain modern philosophers never  more striking appears the coincidence between
condescend to borrow a quotation?  They feel  the revelations of the Bible and the revelations
no hesitation —nay, they sometimes appear to  of Nature.  And one principal reason why this
pride themselves in being able to quote from   coincidence at present does not appear complete,
Plato, Aristotle, and Zeno, or from'Ovid, Virgil,  is, that the Scriptures have never yet been thoand Lucretius. They would feel ashamed to be  roughly studied in all their references, nor the
considered: as unacquainted with the works of  system ofthe material world thoroughly explored.
Bacon, Galileo, Newton, Halley,, Huygens,  The facts of modern science, of which many of
Boscovich, Black, Robison, Buffon, orLa Place,  our commentators were ignorant, have seldom
and unable to quote, an illustrative sentiment  been brought to bear upon the elucidation of the
from their writings; but they seem to feel, as if it  inspired writings, and the sentiments of the sa.
would lessen the dignity of science to borrow   cred writers have seldom been illustrated by an
an illustration  of a  scientific position from   appeal to the discoveries of science.-The views
Moses or Isaiah, and to consider it as in nowise  which the system of nature exhibits of the plan
disrespectful to appear ignorant of the contents  and'principles of the divine government, the.
of the Sacred Volume. Such were not the sen-  reasons of the operation of those destructive
timents and feelingsof'the philosophers to whose  agents which frequently exert their energy withworks' I lately  referred, which abound  with  in the bounds of our sublunary system, and the
many beautiful and appropriate sentiments from   connexion which subsists between physical and.
the inspired'writings. Such were not the feel-  aoral evil, might also form occasional subjects
ings of the celebrated Euler, whose accomplish-  of investigation; as they are all deeply interestments in science were adm'ired by all the philoso-  ing to man considered as a moral agent, andas
phers of Europe; nor were- such the feelings of the subject of the moral administration of the
the late Dr. Robisonj who was scarcely his infe-  Governor of the Universe.
rior. When describing the'numerous nebule.in
the distant regions of the heavens, he closes his    t For illustrations of this position, see Dr;. Um'Jg
remarks with the following reflection: —" The  Geology, Parkinson's Organic Remains, &ct.




160           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
In the next place we hoid it as a matter of tribute of adoration, are dictates of natural as
particular importance, that the instructions of well as of revealed religion, and that a deist, were
science be conducted in such a manner as to  he to act in consistency with his avowed princi.
make a moral impression upon the heart. An  ples, would engage in daily prayer to the Great
objection has frequently been raised by religious  Author of his existence. It is expressly enjoined
people against the study of science, from its ten-  in the Scriptures, " In all thy ways acknowledge
dency to produce a spirit of intellectual pride;  God, and he shall direct thy steps;' and it is deand it can scarcely be denied that there is some  clared to be one of the characteristics ofthle wickground for the objection, when the pursuits -of  ed man, " that God is not in all his thoughts,"
general knowledge are entirely separated from   and that, " through the pride of his countenance
religion. But the objects: of science, when pro.  he will not call upon God."  If we firmly believe
perl# exhibited, and accompanied with appropriate  there is a God, we must also believe that'he is
reflections, have a very different tendency. When  present. in all places, and privy to all our thoughts,
we' consider the numberless multitudes of beings  that all our circumstances and wants are open to
which exist in the universe, and the immense  his Omniscient eye, and that " he is able to do
variety of processes incessantly going forward  for us above all that we can ask or think."  Al.
in every department of nature; when we con-  though we are ignorant of the precise physical
sider the infinite wisdom' and intelligence, far  connexion between prayer and the bestowment
surpassing'human comprehension, which they  of a favourby God, yet we ought to engage in
display; when we consider the immense magni-  this duty, because it is accordant with the idea of
tude and'extent of the universal system of created  a Supreme Being on whom we are every moment
beings, and the probability that man stands near  dependent, and has therefore been acknowledged
the lower part of the scale of rational existence,  by the untaught barbarian, as well as by the en.
and is only like an atom  in the immensity of  lightened Christian; because it is positively en.
creation,-we perceive the most powerful mo-  joined; because there is aconnexion established
tives for humility and self-abasement. When  by the Creator between asking and receiving 
we consider the benevolent arrangements in the  because it tends to fix our thoughts on the Omni.
elements around us, and in the structure and  presence of the Divine Mind, to impress our
functions of animated beings, and the provision  hearts with a sense of the blessings of which we
made for their subsistence, it has a natural ten-  stand in need, and to excite earnest desires after
dency to inspire the heart with gratitude and af-  them; and, because it is one way in which we
fection-towards Him from whom all ourcomforts  may hold a direct intercourse with our Creator.
flow. And when we reflect on the grandeur-of  I would not envy the Christian feelings of that
the Deity as displayed in the magnificence of  man who can habitually engage in literary comhis empire, and in his incessant agency through-  positions or scientific discussions, without acout'all its provinces, should it not inspire us  knowledging his Maker, and imploring his direcwith reverence and adoration, and with a lively  tion and assistance. Religion degenerates into
hope, that a period will arrive when we sitall. something approaching to a mere inanity, when
behold the wonders and glories of his creation  its spirit and principles are not carried into every
more clearly unfolded?  Such sentiments and  department of human life and society, nor its re.
emotions, the works of God, when rightly con-  quisitions attended to in every secular business in
templated, are fitted to produce; and to overlook  which we engage.  Till the principles of Christhem in our instruction to the young, is to de-  tianity be made to bear in all their force on every'prive them of some of the purest enjoyments,  department of human actions, and especially on:and some of the greatest advantages, which flow  the business of education, we can scarcely ex-.from scientific knowledge. When their' minds  pect, that its benign tendency will be generally,are deeply impressed with such emotions, they  appreciated, or that society will reap all the be.
<are in some measure prepared for listening with  nefits which it is calculated to impart..reverence to the declarations of the inspired    There are, however, certain descriptions of
volume, and'for perceiving the force and subli-  literary characters, who, although they consider'mity of the description'it gives of the character it expedient to pay an occasional compliment to.-of God.                                      Christianity, would consider such remarks as
It would: perhaps excite a smile of contempt  bordering on superstition or fanaticism. When
in some, who would spurn at the idea of being  we talk to them about the Christian revelation;ranked in the class ofinfidels, were I'to insinuate,  in general terms, they do not choose to say any
that our scientific meetings and lectures should  thing directly against its excellence ordivine au-:be opened with prayer, and adoration of the Di-  thority; but if we descend into particulars, and,vine Being. It might indeed admit of a doubt,  expatiate on any of its fundamental doctrines, or
l"whether it would be expedient to attempt such a  attempt to reduce to practice its holy requisitions,
practice in the present state of society. But I  we are frequently met with a contemptuous sneer,'have no hesitation in affirming, that, to acknow-  or a cry of enthusiasm,' and sometimes with'ar
i.ledge God in all our pursuits. and to pay Him a  harangue against the follies of Methodism, or of




IMPORTANCE OF RELIGIOUS TRUTHS.                                  161
Btile eand Missionary Societies. We are thus  a system of hypocrisy, Buffon kept a father Co'-'ed to infer, with some degree ofreason, that such  fessor almost constantly with him, to whom he
characters have no impressive belief of the Di-  was in the habit ofconfessing, in the same apartvine origin of the Christian system; and it would  ment where he had developed the Principles e.
be much more honourable and consistent, at once  Materialism, which, according to his system, was
to avow their infidelity, than to put on the mask  an abnegation of immortality. He also regularly
of dissimulation and hypocrisy. No individual  attended mass on Sundays, unless prevented by
ought to be subjected to any civil penalties on  indisposition, and communicated in the Chapel
account ofthe opinions he holds, as for these he  of the Glory, every Whitsuntide. Though he
is accountable only to his Maker; nor should  heartily despised his priestly confessor, he flatany opinions be attempted to be extirpated by any  tered and cajoled him with pompous promises,
other weapons than the strength of reason and, and condescending attentions.  " I have seen
the force of arguments. But, at the same time,  this priest (says Sechelles,) in the absence of the
it is requisite, that society'should know the lead-  domestics, hand over a towel to the count, set the
ing principles of any one who proposes himself as  dining table before him, and perform  such-like
a public instructer of his fellow-men, in order  menial services. Buffon rewards these attenthat they may judge whether it would be proper  tions with, I thank you my dear child."  Such
to place their relatives under the instructions of was the habitual hypocrisy of this philosopher;
one, who might either overlook Christianity al-  and, said he, " it has been observed by me in all
together, or occasionally throw out insinuations  my writings: I have published the one after the
against it. To act the hypocrite, to profess a  other in such a manner, that men of vulgar capsdecent respect for the Christian religion, while  cities should not be able to trace the chain of my
the principles of infidelity are fixed in the mind,  thoughts."  His intolerable vanity and pompoaccompanied with a secret wrish to undermine its  sity, his breach of promises; the grossness of his
foundations, is mean and contemptible, unworthy  conversation, and his numerous amours and inof the man who wishes to be designated by the  trigues, were in perfect correspondence with such
title of philosopher. Yet such hypocrisy is not  prinlciples, and the natural result ofthem.  "His
at all uncommon; it was particularly displayed  pleasantries (says Sechelles) were so void of deb;y the sceptical philosophers on the continent,  licacy, that the females were obliged to quit the
prior to the French revolution, and avowed to  room."*  What a scene of moral anarchy would
their most intimate associates.               be introduced, were such principles to be uniBuffion, the natural historian, who appears to  versally inculcated and acted upon in sociehave been an atheist, was also, according to his  ty! All confidence  between man and man
own confession, a consummate hypocrite.  In a  would be shaken, and the foundations of the soconversation with JM. Herault Sechelles, in 1785,  cial system  undermined and destroyed.  Yet
about four years before his death, and when he  such was the morality which almost universally
was in the seventy-eighth year of his age, he de-  prevailed among the continental philosophers, in
clared, " In my writings i have always spoken of consequence of the scepticaland atheistical printhe creator; but it is easy to efface that word, and  ciples they had imbibed.  Truth, sincerity, mosubstitute in its place, the powers of nature,  desty, humility, and moral obligation, formed no
which consist in the two grand laws of attraction  part of the code of their morality; and such, in
and repulsion.  When the Sorbonne* become  all probability, would soon be the result in our
troublesome to me, I never scruple to give them   own country, were the pursuits of science and phievery satisfaction they require.  It is but a  losophy to be completely dissevered from  reliRound, and men are foolish enough to be content-  gion.
ed with it. Upon this account, if r were ill, and    In the last place, there are several topics confound my end approaching, I should not hesitate  nected with religion, which might occasionally
to receive the sacramen..  Helvetius was my in-  be made the subjects of discussion in scientific
timate friend, and has frequently visited me at  associations: such, for example, are the'evidenMontbart.  I have repeatedly advised him  to  ces and importance ofthe Christian Revelationuse similar discretion; and, had he followed my  the physical and moral facts to which it occasionadvice, he would have been much happier."  ally adverts-the attributes of the Divinity-the
"c My first work (continued he) appeared at the  general principles of moral action-the laws
same time with L'Esprit desLois. MJontesquieu  which the Creator has promulgated for preservand myself were tormented by the Sorbonne.  ing the order of the intelligent system, and the
The president was violent.' What have you  foundation on which they rest-the evidences for
to answer for vourself?' says he to me, in an angry  the immortality of the soul, and the eternal desti.
tone.' Nothing at all,' was my answer, and he  ny of man.  These, and similar topics'might, on
was silenced and perfectly thunderstruck at my
indifference."  In perfect accordance with such' See an account of some particulars in the private
life of Buffon, by M. Sechelles, one of his admirers,
in the Monthly Magazine fos July 1797, supplemean-' The faculty of Theclogy at Paris.    tary No. vol. 3, pp. 493-501.




162           ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
certain occasions, become subjects of investiga-  most, although I were to prosecute my researlch
tion, as they can be illustrated without entering on  es as far as the most distinguished geniutses
the arena of theological controversy, or descend-  have ever advanced; and I must quit the fielha
iltg within the hemits of sectarian opinions.  I do  of investigation before the ten thousandth part d
not mean to say, that they should be discussed  it is half explored.  Had I a prospect of enlargaccording to the method of Forensic disputations,  ing my faculties and resuming my researches in
by opposaie parties taking different sides of a  a future state of being, I might engage in them
question-a mode of communicating knowledge,  with some degree of interest and vigour, 13-at to
the tendency of which is very questionable —but  one who is uncertain whether his connexion with
that certain positions in reference tothem should  the intelligent universe shalf be continued f)r
be proved and illustrated, in a direct manner, in  another day, it appears quite preposterous, atnd
the form of essays, lectures, or oral instructions.  tends to deprive me of many sensitive gratificaThe topics now  specified, and those which are  tlons which I find essential to my present enjoyintimately related to them, are subjects of the  ment."  What'is affirmed of happiness, in gedeepest interest and importance to every indivi-  neral, may be applied to knowledge, one of its
dual of the human race; and, therefore, no valid  ingredients, that the expectation of itspermanency
reason can be assigned why such subjects should  is indispensably requisite to its perfection..
not be occasionally elucidated in literary and  is the prospect of science being prosecuted in a
scientific seminaries, if it be one object of such  future world and carried to perfection, that coninstitutions to promote the happiness-and what  fers a dignity on its objects, and forms the most
is essentially requisite to it-the moral improve-  powerful motive to engage in its pursuits; and,
ment of mankind.                               in this point of view, it may be considered as
For example, is it not in the highest degree  forming a part of that training which is requisite
Important to every human being, that he should  to prepare us for the activities, the contemplabe convinced of his immortal destiny, and have  tions, and enjoyments of that higher sphere of
his mind impressed with the realities of a future  existence. But where no such hopes are indulgworld-that he should ascertain whether, at death,  ed, intellectual pursuits are deprived of their
he is to be reduced for ever into the same situa-  chief excellence and importance, and the best aft
tion as the clods of the valley, or transported to  fections of the heart of their sublimest objects and
a more expansive sphere of existence?  Take  most exalted pleasures; and the more the powers
away from man the prospect of immortality, and  of the mind have been exercised and improved,
you throw a veil of darkness and mystery over  and the more it feels itself prepared for a series of
all the scenes of creation; you reduce the moral  rational enjoyments, the more chagrined and disworld to a scene of confusion, and involve the  appointed must it feel when years roll oAway atid
ways of Providence in a dark inextricable maze;  it approaches the point where it is to sink into
you inwrap the character of the Deity in awful  eternal oblivion.  Without the hopes of admisobscurity, and terminate every prospect of be-  sion to future sources of enjoyment, at the hour
cotning more fully acquainted with the magnifi-  of dissolution, we may assume an air of compocence of the universe; you reduce man to an  sure, because we are unable to resist, or an air
enigma-to the- most inexplicable phenomenon  of fortitude from the last efforts of pride; but,
in creation, and annihilate the strongest motives  in point of fact, we can await the extinction of
to the practice of virtue.  But this is not all, you  our being only with a mournful and melancholy
remove the most powerful motives to the pursuit  gloom.
of scientific knowledge; for, in this case, you  This i:tpresentation has frequently been realizconfine its beneficial results merely to the promo-  ed, in the case of men of cultivated minds, who
ti-on of the comforts and conveniencies of the pre-  had thrown aside the obligations of religion and
sent transitory life; and the discoveries of the  the idea of a future world, when-they approached
order and extent of the universe it unfolds, and  the confines of the tomb,-of which the following
the speculations to which they lead, tend onrly to  instances may suffice: Voltaire, when approachbewilder and perplex the mind, when it is cut off  ing his dissolution, looked back upon protracted
firom all hopes of prosecuting its inquiries beyond  years with remorse, and forward with dismay.
the grave, and of beholding the mysterious scenes  He wished for annihilation, through the dread of
of creation more fully displayed.   On this  something worse. He attempted to unburden
ground, a man who is exhorted to cultivate an  his troubled mnind by confessing to a priest; and
acquaintance with science, might, with some  he placed his hopes of peace with heaven, ill an
reason, exclaim,." Of what avail is it, to spend  eager conformity to those rituals which he incesanxious days and sleepless nights in acquiring  santly treated with contempt.  In a previous inscientific knowledge, when it may be all lost be-  disposition, he insisted upon sending for a priest,
fore to-morrow's dawn, or, at the farthest, after  contrary to the warmest remonstrances of his
the lapse of a few short years, when my intel-  friends and attendants. On recovery, he was
lectual faculties shall be annihilated?  I can  ashamed of his conduct, and ridiculed his own
- awouire but a few scattered fiagments of it at  pusillanimity.  This pusillanimity, however,




GLOOMY PROSPECTS fF INFIDELITY.                                  163
returned lpon a relapse; and he had again re-  mortgage part of his estate, he thus expresses
course to the miserable remedy. He acknow-  himself: "I regret that I had not embraced the
tehived to Dr. Tronchin, his physician, the ago-  lucrative pursuits of the law or of trade, the
ales of his mind, and earnestly entreated him to  chances of civil office or India adventure, -oreen
procure for his perusal a treatise written against  the fat slumbers of the church."  Such is too
the eto nity of future punishment.  These facts  frequently the morality displayed  by infidels,
were communicated to Dr. Cogan, by a gentle-  and there is reason to suspect that the church is
man highly respected in the philosophical world,  not altogether purged of them even in the prewho received them directly from Dr. Tronchin;  sent day. That Gibbon's principles were not
and they concur with many others, in demon-  sufficient to support his mind in the prospect of
strating the impossibility of enjoying permanent  dissolution, appears from  many expressions in
felicity without the hopes and consolations of  the collection of his letters published by Lord
religion. MlI. Sechelles, to whose narrative I  Sheffield, in which are to be traced many inlately referred, relates, that, in one of his conver-  stances of the high value which he placed upon
sations with Bubon, the Count declared, " I existence, and of the regret with which he perhope to live two or three years longer, to indulge  ceived his years to be rapidly passing away.
my habit of working in literary avocations.  I  His letter on the death of Mrs. Posen, bears
am not afraid of death, and am consoled by the  every mark of the despondent state of his mind
thought, that my name will never die. I feel  at the idea, that, " all is nosi lost, finally, irremyself fuilly recorrlp'nsed for all my labours, by  coverably lost!"  He adds, "I will agree with
the respect which Europe has paid to my talents,  my lady, that the immortality of the soul is, at
and by the flattering letters I have received from  some times, a very comfortable doctrine."  The
the most exalted personages."  Such were the  announcement of his death, in the public prints,
consolations which this philosopher enjoyed in  in January 1794, was acconlpanied with this
the prospect of the extinction of his being. His  remark, " He left this world in gloomy desponname would live when he himself was char ever  dency, without those hopes and consolations
blotted out from  that creation which it was the  which cheer the Christian in the prospects of
object of his writings to describe!  But, that  immortality."-Dr. A. Snmith, in the account he
his mind was not altogether reconciled to the  gives of the last illness of Hume, the historian,
idea of sinking into eternal oblivion, may be in-  seems to triumph in the fortitude which he marerred from  another anecdote, related by the  nifested in the prospect of his dissolution, and he
same gentleman.  " One evening I read to Buf-  adduces a playfillness of expression as an cvifin the verses of Thomas'on the immortality of  dence of it, in his jocular allusion to Charon
the soul. He smiled.'Par dieu,' says he,  and his boat. But, as Dr. Cogan, in his treatise' religion would be a valuable gift if all this were  on the passions, very properly remarks," A motrue.'" This remark evidently implied,-that the  ment of vivacity, upon the visit of a friend, will
system he had adopted was not calculated to pre-  not conduct us to the recesses of the heart, br
sent so cheerful a prospect of futurity as the  discover its feelings in the hours of solitude."
system of Revelation.                          It is, indeed, altogether unnatural for a man who
Gibbon, the celebrated historian of the Rise  set so high a value upon his literary reputation,
and Fall of the Roman Empire, had his mind  and certainly very unsuitable to the momentous
early tinctured with the principles of infidelity;  occasion, to indulge in such childish pleasantries,
and his historical writings are distinguished by  as Hume is represented to have done, at the
several insidious attacks on Christianity, by un-  moment when he considered himself as just about
fair and unmanly sneers at the religion of his  tobe launched intonon-existence; and, therefore,
cotuntry, anti by the loose and disrespectful man-  we have some reason to suspect, that his apparer in which he mentions many points of morali-  rent tranquillity was partly the effect of vanity
ty regarded as important, even on the principles  and affectation.  He has confessed, says Dr.
of natural religion. Such appears to have been  Cogan, in the most explicit terms, that his prinhis eagerness in this cause, that he stooped to  ciples were not calculated to administer consolathe most despicable pun, or to the most awkward  tion to a thinking mind.  This appears from the
perversion of language, for the pleasure of turn-  following passage in his treatise on Human
ing the Scripture into ribaldry, or calling Jesus  Nature.  "I am  affrighted  and  confounded
an impostor. Yet he appears to have been ac-  with that forlorn solitude in which I am placed
tuated by the same spirit of hypocrisy which  by my philosophy.  When Ilook abroad, 1 foredistinrjuished Buffon and his philosophical asso-  see, on every side, dispute, contradiction, and
ciates; for, notwithstanding  his aversion to  distraction.  When I turn my eye inward, I find
Christianity, he would have felt no scruple in  nothing but doubt and ignorance.  Where am IX
accepting an office in the church, provided it had  or what?  From what causes do I derive my,'ontributed to his pecuniary interests.  On the  existence, and to what condition shall I.return?
occasion of his father having been obliged to  I am confounded with these questions, and be.




164          CON THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE.
gin to fancy myselfin the most deplorable condi-  was at no great distance. he desired that a prirst
tion imaginable, environed with the deepest  might be brought, and the Cure de St. Sulpice
was introduced to him.  He saw this ecclesias.
Diderot, one of the French philosophists, was  tic several times, and was preparing to make a
a man  of very considerable acquirements in  public recantation of his errors, but Condorcet
literature and in the physical sciences.  The  and the other adepts now  crowded about hi:l,
first publication by which he attracted public  persuaded him that his case was not dangerous,
cotice, was a voiume written against the Chris-  and that country air would restore him to health.
tian religion, entitled Pensees Philosophzques.  For some time he resisted their attempts to
Afterwards, in company  with Voltaire  and  bring him back to atheism, bult they secretly hurD'Alemrnbert, he conducted the publication of the  ried him to the country, where he died, and a
Dictionnaire Encyclopddique, the secret object of  report was spread that he died suddenly on riswhich was to sap the foundations of all religion,  ing from  the table, without remorse, and with
while the reader, at the same time, was present-  his atheist unshaken.
ed with the most splendid articles on the Belles   Such are the native effects of the highest inLettres, mathematics, and the different branches  tellectual accomplishments, and the most brilliant
of physical science.  Whilst a weak divine, to  acquirements in science, when unaccompanied
whol the theological department of the work  with the spirit of true religion and of Christian
was committed, was supporting, by the best  morality.  They cannot improve the moral order
arguments he could devise, the religion of his  of society; they cannot procure for their possesscountry, Diderot and D'Alembert were overturn-  ors substantial enjoyment, even in the present
ing  those arguments under titles which properly  life, and they are altogether inadequate to supallowed of no such disquisitions; and that the  port and tranquillize the soul in the prospect of
object of these digressions might not pass unno-  the agonies of dissolving nature.  Notwithstandticed by any class of readers, care was taken to  ing the rational gratifications such persons may
refer to them from the articles where the ques-  have occasionally enjoyed in philosophical purtion was discussed by the divine.  Here was an  suits, they must be obliged to confess, that they
example of that hypocrisy to which I have alrea-  have acquired no equivalent for those joys which
dy adverted, as characteristic of the sect of  fiequently animate the hearts of the most illiteinfidel philosophers; and the following anecdote  rate, who are sometimes enabled to look forward
is illustrative of similar disingenuity, coupled  to the king of terrors without dismay, and to dewith almost unparalleled impudence.  In the  part in peace with hopes full of immortality,course of his correspondence with the late Em-  when the philosophist is obliged to exclaim, "All
press of Russia, Diderot mentioned his own li-  is now lost, finally and irrecoverably lost."  Yet
brary, as one of the most valuable in Europe,  such is the tendency of the principles which are
although it is supposed not to have contained  now in operation in our literary and scientific
above a hundred volumes.  WiTen Catharine  seminaries, and such the result to which we must
wanted to purchase it and make him librarian, he  ultimately look forward, should the principles o4
said, that his constitution could not support the  religion be discarded from the pursuits of knowcold climate of Petersburgh.  She offered to let  ledge.
him keep it during his lifetime at Paris; and the    It is therefore to be hoped, that all who have
library was sold for an immense price.  When   a sincere regard for the promotion of science, for
her ambassador wanted to see it, after a year or  the interests of religion, and for the welfare ot
two's payments, and the visitation could no long-  their country, will devote a portion of their attener be put off, he was obliged to run in a hurry,  tion to this important subject, and set their faces
through all the booksellers' shops in Germany,  in opposition to the spirit of that sceptical philoto fill his enlpty shelves with old volumes.  It  sophy which has so long debased and demoralized
was customary for Diderot and D'Alembert to  the continental philosophists. Were all the instrucfrequent the coffee-hous6s of Paris, and to enter  iotns delivered itn our seminaries, from   infant
with keenness into religious disputes, the former  schools, through all the gradations of glammas
attacking Christianity, and the latter, under the  and parochial establishments, mechanics' institumask of piety, defending it, but always yielding  tions, academies, and universities, judiciously
to the arguments of his opponent.  This practice  amalgamated with the principles of pure and unde.
was put a stop to by the police; and Diderot,  filed religion, it would doubtless be accompanied
when reproached by the lieutenant for preaching  with a variety ofpleasing and beneficial effects. It,theism, replied, "It is true, I am  an atheist,  would tend to remove the prejudices which a conrsiand I glory in it."   But such principles will  derable portion ofthe religious world sill entertain
not always support the mind, nor did they sup-  against the pursuits Df science —it would lead to
port the mind of Diderot, when his dissolution  correct and rational views of the Christian system,
tpproached.  When   he perceived that death  and tend to dissipate those foolish and superstitious
notions which have too firequently been grafted
reatlse on Human Nature. vol i o- 458.    upon it,-it would promote the interests ofgenuine




IGNORANCE OF THE DARK AGES.                                   165
morality among society at large,-it would fit derive their origin,-it would introduce a general
the inferior ranks of the community for taking a  spirit of philanthropy, and give efficacy to the
part in the elective franchise and government of means employed for promoting the knowledge of
their country, and the higher ranks for promoting  Christianity throughout the world, and would, ere
the enactment of laws congenial to the spirit of long, usher in the period foretold in ancient protrue religion, and promotive of the best interests of phecy, when " the knowledge of Jehovah shall
the nation,-it would tend to secure the peace and  cover the earth, as the waters cover the channels
tranquillity of nations by undermining the ma- of the deep," and " when righteousness and praise
lignant passions from which wars and contentions  shall spring forth before all nations."
A P P E N D I X.
No. I.-Ignorance of the Dark Ages. Pagel2..  parchment, or on paper made of the Egyptian papyrus. The latter being the cheapest, was, of
THE following facts, chiefly extracted from Dr.  course, the most commonly used. But after the
Robertson's history of Charles V., will show the  communication between Europe and Egypt was
low state of literature, and the deplorable igno-  broken off, on account of the latter having been
rance which characterized the period to which  seized upon by the Saracens, the papyrus was no
the text refers. In the ninth century, Herbaud  longer in use in Italy and other European counComes Palatii, though suipremejudge of the em-  tries. They were obliged, on that account, to
pie, by virtue of his office, could not subscribe  write all their books upon parchment, and as its
his name. As late as the fourteenth century,  price was Iigh, books became extremely rare, and
Du Guesclin, constable of France, the greatest  of great value. We mayjudge of the scarcity of
man in the state, could neither read nor write. the materials for writing them from one circumNor was this ignorance confined to laymen,-the  stance. There still remain several manuscripts
greater part even of the clergy were riot many  of the eighth, ninth, and following centuries, writdegrees superior to them in science. Many dig-  ten on parchment, from which some former writnified ecclesiastics could not subscribe the ca-  ing had been erased, in order to substitute anew
nons of those councils of which they sat as  composition in its place. In this manner, it is
members. One of the questions appointed by  probable, several works of the ancients perishthe canons to be put to persons who were candi-  ed. A book of Livy, or of Tacitus might be
dates for'oly orders was this-" Whether they  erased, to make room for the legendary tale of a
could read the Gospels and Epistles, a-id explain  saint, or the superstitious prayers of a missal.
the tenor ofthem, at least literally?"-Alfred the  Many circumstances prove the scarcity of books
Great complained, that from the Humber to the  during these ages.  Private persons seldom posThames, there was not a priest who understood  sessed any books whatever. Even monasteries of
the liturgy in his mother tongue, or who could  considerable note had only one missal. Lupus, abtranslate the easiest piece of Latin; and that  hot ofFerriers, in a letter to the Pope, A. D. 855,
froui  the Thames to the sea, the ecclesiastics  beseech eshim to send him a copy of Cicero De
were still amore ignorant.  The ignorance of the  Oratore, and Quintilian's " Institutions," " for,"
clergy is quaintly described by Alanus, an author  says he, " although we have part of those books,
of the dark ages, in the following words:-" Po-  there is no complete copy of them in all France."
tills dediti gulae quam glossae; potius colligunt The price of books became so high, that persons
libras quam  legunt libros; libentius intuentur  of a moderate fortune could not afford io purchase
Martham quamrMarcurn; malunt legere in Sal-  them. The Countess of Anjou paid for a copy
mone quam in Solomone," i. e. They gave them-  of the Homil ies of Haimon, bishop of Alberstadt,
selves more willingly to the pleasures of gluttony  two hundred sheep, five quarters of wheat, and
than to the learning of languages; they chose  the same quantity of rye and millet.  Even so
rather to collect money than to read books; they  late as the year 1471, when Louis XI. borrowed
looked upon JMlartha with a more affectionate eye  the works of Racis, the Arabian physician, from
than upon Mark. arid they found more delight in  the faculty of medicine in Paris, he not only dereading in Salmon than in Solomon.            posited in pledge a considerable quantity of plate,
One of the causes of the universal ignorance  but was obliged to procure a nobleman to join
which prevailed during that period, was the scar-  with him as surety in a deed, binding himself.un.
city of books, along with their exorbitant price,  der a great forfeiture to restore it.  When any
and the difficulty of rendering them  more com-  person made a present of a book to a church of
lotn. Thie Rlomans wrote their books either on  monastery, in which were the only libraries dur.




16fiB6                               APPENDIX.
ing several ages, it was deemed a donative of  met, in 1456, with a long tail turned towards the
such value, that he offered it on the altar pro re-  east, created reciprocal and still greater alarms
mredio anime sua3, in order to obtain the forgive-  on the part of the Christians. Pope Calixtus be.
ne.ss of his sins. In the eleventh century, the art  lieved it to be at once the sign and instrument of
ot'making paper, in the nmanner now become  divine wrath; he ordered public prayers to be
universal, was invented; by means of which, not  offered up, and decreed, that, in every town, the
only the number of manuscripts increased, but  bells should be tolled at mid-day, to warn the peos1e study of the sciences was wonderfully facili-  pie to supplicate the mercy and forgiveness of
t ted.                                        heaven: "ut omnes de precibus contra Turcarum tyrrannidem fundendis admonerentur.
No. II. —Foolish and Superstitious Opinions re-  That all people may be admonished to pour out
specting Comets and Eclipses. P. 18.     supplications against the tyranny of the Turks.See Milne's Essay on Comets.
Aristotle held comets to be fiery exhalations,    Even in modern times, many foolish and pre.
rising from the lower atmosphere to the upper or  posterous opinions have been entertained respectfiery region, condensing during their rapid de-  ing these anomalous bodies. In a late periodiscent, kindling on their near approach to the  cal publication, the writer ofan article on comets,
Empyreum, and burning until exhausted. Leo-  when alluding to the comet of 1811, proceeds to
nard Diggves, an Almanack maker of the four-  state " some singular changes and circumstanteenth century, affirmed ofcomets-" That they  ces," which its influence occasioned.  " The
signific corruption of the ayre; they are signes of  winter," says he, "was very mild, the spring
earthquake, of warres, chaunging of kingdomes,  was wet, the summer cool, and very little apgreat dearth of come, vea a common death of man  pearance of the sun to ripen the produce of the
and beast."-Bodin supposed them spirits,which,  earth; yet the harvest was not deficient. and
having lived on the earth innumerable ages, and  some fruits were not only abundant, but delicioushaving at last completed their term of existence,  ly ripe, such as figs, melons, and wall-fruit. Vecelebrate their last triumphs, or are recalled to  ry few wasps appeared, and the flies became
heaven in the form of shining stars. In the re-  blind, and disappeared early in the season. No
cords of former ages, we read of a comet " com-  violent storms of thunder and lightning, and little
ing out from an opening in the heavens, like to a  or no frost and snow the ensuing winter. Venidragon with blue feet, and a head covered with  son, which has been supposed to be indebted for
snakes."  And we are told, that" in the year  its flavour to a dry and parched summer, was by
1527, about four in the morning, not only in the  no means deficient in fat or in flavour. But
Palatinate of the Rhine, but nearly over all Eu-  what is very remarkable," continues this sage
rope, appeared for an hour and a quarter, a most  observer, " in the metropolis, and about it, was
horrible comet in this sort. In its length it was of the number of females who produced twins; some
a bloody colour, inclining to saffron. From  the  had more; and a shoemaker's wife, in Whitetop of its train appeared a bended arm, in the  chapel, produced four at one birth, all of whom,"
hand whereof was a huge sword, in the instant  &c. &c. And all such c" singular changes and
posture of striking. At the point of the sword  circumstances," it would appear, according to
was a star. From the star proceeded dusky rays,  the fancy of this sapient Essayist, " were occalike a hairy tail; on the side of them other rays  sioned by the influence of the comet which aplike javelins, or lesser swords, as if imbrued in  peared in theiautumn of 1811!!"
blood; between which appeared human faces of    The poets, likewise, by their bombastic de-.
the colour of blackish clouds, with rough hair and  scriptions, have tended to perpetuate supersti.
beards. All these moved with such terrible spark-  tious feelings. The following is Du Barta's
ling and brightness, that many spectators swoon-  description of one of these visiters.
ed with fear."-Rosenburgi " Exampla Cometarum."                                        "Here, in the night, appears a flaming spire,
The comet of 1454, seen at Constantinople,    There, a fierce dragon, folded all on fire;
Here, with long bloody hairs, a blazing star
seemed there to be moving in the firmament, from    Threatens the world with famine, plague, and war;
west to east, and to present the aspect of a flam-    To princes death, to kingdoms many crosses;
ing sword.  From its great magnitude, it is said    To all estates inevitable losses;
To herdsmen rot, to ploughmen hapless seasons;
even to have eclipsed the moon, and created    To sailors storms, to cities civil treasons."
among the Turks the utmost consternation, as
it was thought to prognosticate nothing less than    The following extract from " Tully's Letters
a crusade from all the kingdoms of Christendom, from  Tripoli," contains a picturesque descripand forbode the certain overthrow of the cre-  tion of a solar eclipse, and the effects it produced
scent. Only two vears afterwards, when, not-  on the inhabitants of Barbary.
withstanding these direful omens, the Turkish    "I cannot here omit describing what an extraarims had proved eminently victorious, and were  ordinary impression an eclipse makes on the un-spreading dismay over all Euroue, Halley's co-  informed part of the inhabitants of this country




ABSURDITIES OF ASTROLOGY.                                     167
Of this we had ocular proof during the great  vinced of by his great earnestness, considerably
eclipse of the sun, on the 4th of this month,  abated their fears. To the ambassador it was a
which was almost total, and  occasioned, for  serious case, as Lilla Amnani is in a very delisome minutes, a gloomy darkness, resembling  cate state of health; but the account he gave her
that of midnight.  The beginning of the eclipse  of the phenomenon entirely pacified her."
was seen at Tripoli, at half past seven in the    The above description presents a melancnoly
morning; at half past eight, when it was at the  picture of the gross ignorance even of the ladies
height, the face of nature was changed frotn day  of modern Barbary, and of the consequent shalto night.  The screech-owl, not long retired to  lowness of their understandings; since their fa-;ts rest, re-appeared, and disturbed the morning  thers and husbands considered it useless to enter
with its shrieks. Lizards and serpents were  into a rational account of the phenomenon, and
seen prowling about the terraces; and flights of since they were pleased with such an absurd and
evening birds, here called marabats, and held sa-  extravagant explanation of it. And, since the
cred by the Moors, flew about in great numbers,  higher ranks, in that country, are so grossly igand increased the darkness. The noisy flitting of norant of the order of nature, and of the causes
their wings roused the Moor, who had been stupi-  of so common phenomena, in what.a state of
fled by fear; and, when one of these heavy birds  mental darkness must the lower classes of soci(which often drop to the ground by coming in  ety be placed!  Nor is Barbary the only country
contact with each other) chanced to fall at his  in wvhich such ignorance prevails. Among the
feet, the African would start aghast, look at it  middling and lower ranks, in many European
with horror, and set up a hideous howl. About  countries, supposed to be in a moderate state of
eight o'clock, when the lustre of the morning was  civilization, a similar degree of intellectual decompletely faded, the common Moors were seen  basement will be found to exist.  The Croaassembling  in clusters in the streets, gazing  tians, who inhabit a certain district of the Austriwildly at the sun, and conversing very earnestly.  an empire, make the whole of their religion conWhen the eclipse was at its height, they ran  sist in the hearing of mass and the observance of
about distracted, in companies, firing volleys of Lent; and robbery or murder are considered as
muskets at the sun, to frighten away the monster  more venial crimes. than to eat, during Lent,
or dragon, as they called it, by which they sup-  with a spoon that has been dipped in broth. The
posed it was being devoured.  At that moment,  Morlacchi, who occupy another district of the
the Moorish song of death and walliak-woo, or  same empire, are described by geographers, as
the howl they make for the dead, not only re-  extremely superstitious in their religious opinions,
sounded from the mountains and valleys of Tri-  and as firmly believing in ghosts and witches,
poli, but was undoubtedly re-echoed throughout  in sorceries and enchantments, and in every
the continent of Africa.  The women brought  species of supernatural agency, while they are iginto the streets all the brass pans, kettles, anrd  norant of the causes of the most common phenoiron utensils, they could collect; and, striking on  mena of nature.
them with all their force, and screaming at the
sanre time, occasioned a horrid noise, that was  No. III.-A-bsurdities of Astrology. P. 19, &c.
heard for miles. Many of these women, owing
to their exertions and fears, fell into fits, or faint-    Mr. Varley's " Zodiacal Physiognomy," reed.  The distress and terror of the Moors did  ferred to in a note, p. 19, pretends to decide, that
riot in the least abate, till near nine o'clock, when  the various signs of the zodiac create a great dithe sun assured them, by his refulgent beams, that  versity in the features and complexions of human
-11 his dangers were passed.                   beings; and have, in fact, such influence over'Durtng the morning and the day, the atlnos-  *hte destinies of the hilman race, that the system
phere was uncommonly clear, even for a Barba-  may be fairly styled, " the phrenology of the
ry sky, which rendered the effects of this great  skies."  The following extracts exhibit a few
"clipse more striking.  We learned, from Hadgi   specimens of the positions maintained by this
Abderrahman, who paid us a visit when it was  profound and erudite writer.  1' It has been disover, that the first ladies in the place had trembled  covered," says Mr. Varley, " that each sign con.
at the event, and several were seriously ill. The  fers a specific style of countenance, feature, and
ladies of his own family, he sal,. had suffered  complexion, by which appearances, alone, the
mitch less at the appearance of tb eclipse, from   sign which was rising at the east, at birth, can,
the circumstance of his being at home with them;  often without any other help, be ascertained."f)r, though he considered it would be useless to  " The fiery trigon, consisting of Aries, Leo, and
enter into a philosophical account of it to them,  Sagittarius, contains the spirited, generous, magy't he assured them that the moon went occa-  nanirnous, and princely natures.  The earthy
siona!ly to see the sun; and when they met, by  trigon, Taurus, Virgo, atnd Capricorn, contain
their being so close together, the moon always  the careful, sordid, and pernicious qualities; the
interrupted more or less of his light.  This ac-  aerial trigon, Gemini, Lib a, and Aquarius, concutunt he said, the truth of which they were con-  tain the humane, harmonious, and courteous




168                                  APPENDIX.
principles, and the watery  trigon, Cancer,  other unique and precious relics, he will be pre.
Scorpio, and Pisces, the cold, prolific, cautious, sented with an engraving of the Ghost of a Foea.
and severe qualities."  " Sagittarius, the house  together with an account of the manner in which
of Jupiter, is the only sign under which no per-  it appeared to Mr. Blake the artist, who drew it,
sons are born having black or dark hair, eyes,  and of its astrological correspondency and sigand eye-brows."  " I have always uniformly  nification.  That such absurdities should be
found," says the author, "those born under Sa-  published by the first bookselling establishment
gittarius, to be very fair, with gray eyes, and, in  in London, in the twenty-eighth year of the
general, of a lively, forgiving-hearted, and free  nineteenth century, and be purchased by hundispositions."  Again, " Five minutes' differ-  dreds, perhaps by thousands, is a proof, that
elice of the lime of their birth, renders the mnem-  strong efforts are still requisite to extirpate the
hers of the same family red-haired, or black-hair-  superstitions of astrology from the minds of many
ed, blue-eyed or black-eyed, sordid or generous."  of our countrymen.
-' Saturn, at any period of life, passing through
the ascendant, which he does every thirty years,  No. IV.-Proofs of the belief which is still attachcauses dulness or melancholy, for a few weeks,    ed tothe doctrines of Astrology, and of theperto the native, and when Jupiter passes over it,   niciouseffPects it produces. P. 19,
the party feels cheerful and healthy; and should
a party of antiquarians, hundreds of years after a    That the predictions of astrologers are still
person's death, discover his grave, there must be  believed by many of our countrymen in the midsome planet or the sun in conjunction, olr some  dling ranks of life, appears from the following reother aspect with his ascendant."-" Jupiter in  cent occurrences.
the third house gives safe inland journeys, and    On the 2d September, 1829, Joseph Hyatt, a
agreeable neighbours or kindred.  The moon in  journeyman printer, was summoned before Sir
this house will give constant trudging firom  one  Peter Laurie, at the Guildhall, London, charged
place to another, and is often so posited in the  with assaulting his wife, Philips, on the precednativities of postmen and travellers.  Jupiter in  ing Saturday. In his defence, Hyatt declared,
the fourth,with Venus, gives fixed or landed pro-  that all their unhappiness proceeded from his
perty, and a house ornamented with matters of wife (a pretty young woman of eighteen years,)
taste, or of the fine arts. Jupiter in the fifth,  continually haunting the fortune-tellers, and paygives a family of good or clever children,and much  ing attention to their predictiones.  He produced
pleasure in life and its amusements. In the  a paper he had recently found, written by an assixth, he signifies good servants and assistants,  trologer, to whom his wife had applied. After
good health, and that the native will be fortunate  laying down the position of the planets on the
in small cattle and animals. Jupiter in the se-  third of June, at the moment she applied to him,
venth, signifies a good wife or husband, and * the astrologer proceeds, " The querant must not
agreeable dealings with mankind in making good  expect any thing to be very kind to her until late
bargains,"&c. "ChildrenbornunderMarshave  in this year, say October next. This day will
wellformed chtns,-under Aquarius, are fair and  not prove any thing kind or pleasant. The 28th
amiable,-under Scorpio, are dark with aquiline  day of this mionth also will not be friendly. July
noses, and greenish or gray eyes." " Lord Byron,  2d, mind your phunny, and take no Journey, and
who was born tinder Scorpio, received elnough of trust to no relative.'The eighth day will not
the reflected Taurus principle to prevent his  be unkind I hope. Look to it.  The thirteenth
nose from being aquiline, and to give to his cha-  day also promises you pleasure and also profit.
racter a degree of perverseness or eccentricity."  Attend it; and avoid all dark sallow persons.
" Persons born under Aries, with Jupiter in the  (Her husband nearly answered this description.)
first house, are likely to succeed and be appreci-  From  such your disappointments must come.
ated in England: If he be posited in Taurus, the  August 2, 6, 23, avoid them days-may be qua
native is likely to succeed well in Ireland; if in  lified to give you vexation,-avoid them. Sept.
Gemini, in London, of which this sign is the sig-  1, 6, will be un.ind, but pray avoid 15, 20.
nificator.  Jupiter in Cancer will give him  suc-  October 4, avoid it, may be vexatious.  The 20,
cess in Scotland or Holland, or concerns connect-  21, 27, 28, 29, 30, will be more kind, pray ated with the water, unless Jupiter should be af-  tend to them and make good use of them, they
flicted by any malevolentplanet, or be incombus-  will not be unkind."  The husband said, this
tion by being too near the sun."              fellow had predicted their separation for three
By this time the reader will be sufficiently  months; what other things he had put in ier
satiated with the sage doctrines of Mr. John  head he did not know, but he led a misetable
Varley, in relation to " Zodiacal Physiognomy"  life with her.-JMorning  Chronicle, Sept. 3d.
and the Phrenology of the heavens. If he has  1829.
a desire to pick up any more of such precious    On the same day as above stated, (Sept. 2
fragments of wisdom, he will be abundantly gra-  1829) Ann Wheeler, a servant girl, was brought
tified in perllsing the work itself, where, among  to the Mansion-house, charged with having at




WITCHCRAFT.                                      169
tempted to enter the house of her master, at two  herself through the air, on a broomstick, or a spit,
G'clock in the morning, over the rails. She was  to distant places to attend the meetings of tWn
exquisitely dressed, and wore an elegant satin  witches. At these meetings the devil always
donnet, which belonged to her mistress, and put  presided. They were enabled also to transform
on her curls and finery; in order to attend a"' hop"  themselves into various shapes, particularly to
In the neighbourhood, and acknowledged that she  assume the forms of cats and hares, in which
had been walking for an hour or two up and down  they most delighted; to inflict diseases on whomthe streets in conversation with her friend.  In  soever they thought proper, and to punish their
the course of the investigation it was stated, that  enemies in a variety of ways.  Witchcraft was
there was found in the corner of her box, wrapped  universally believed in Europe, till the sixteenth
up carefully, a document which might have led to  century, and maintained its ground with tolerable
those unseasonable and unfortunate assignations,  firmness till the middle of the seventeenth, nay,
which at last terminated in her being brought to  in some countries on the continent, till the midthe watch-house. A  paper was handed to the  dle of the eighteenth century. Vast numbers of
Lord Mayor, in which was folded a card, on  reputed witches were convicted and condemned
which was written the following words,-       to be burnt every year.  The methods of dis"lMrs. Smith, No. 49, Wentworth Street,  covering them were various. One was to weigh
Dress Maker."                                 the supposed criminal against the church Bible,
"Lawful questions resolved."                which, if she was guilty, would preponderate;
The paper was an answer to the question,  another, by making hel attempt to say the Lord's' What sort of a husband shall I have, and how  Prayer,-this no witoh was able to repeat ensoon shall I have him?"  It stated, that the  tieely, but would omit sonme part, or sentence
" interroator should have a nice respectable  thereof. It is remarkable, that all witches did
tradesman, who should be a most tender husband,  not hesitate at the same part,-some leaving out
and be the father of six children, of which she  one part, and some another.  Teats, through
should be  the happy mother;-that  certain  which the imps sucked, were indubitable marks
planets were visible at their birth, and, in conjunc-  of a witch; these were always raw, and also
tion at the time, a symptom that betokened felicity,  insensible, and, if squeezed, sometimes yielded a
and that the union should take place as surely as  drop of blood.  A  witch could not weep more
he or she (the person who wrote the paper) had  than three tears, and that only out of the left eye.
the power of predicting."-Jflorning Chronicle,  This want of tears was, by the witch-finders,
Sept. 3d, 1829.                               and, even by some judges, considered as a very
The above are only specimens of many similar  substantial proof of guilt.  Swimming a witch
occurrences which are occasionally recorded in  was another kind of popular ordeal generally
the daily papers. The pernicious tendency of  practised.  For this she was stripped naked,
astrological predictions on those who are weak  and cross-bound,-the right thumb to the left toe,
enough to give them credit, is sufficiently appa-  and the left thumb to the right toe. Thus pre..
rent in the cases now stated; having in the one  pared, she was thrown into a pond or river, in
case alienated the affections of a young woman  which, if guilty, she could not sink; for havfrom her hu'-and, and produced contention and  ing, by her compact with the devil, renounced
family discorn, and in the other, tantalized a  th?, benefit of the water of baptism, that elevain young female, and brought her into suspi-  ment, in its turn, renounced her, and refused to
cious and disgraceful circumstances, which may  receive her into its bosom.  There were two
lay the foundation of her ruin, and render her  other ordeals by fire, by which witches were
miserable for life.                           discovered; the first by burning the thatch of the
No. V.-Illustrations of some of the opinions and  house of the suspected  witch,-the other, by
practices of our ancestors in relation to witch-  burning any animal supposed to be bewitched by
craft. P. 22.                               her, as a hog or an ox. These, it was held, would
force a witch to confess.
By witchcraft was generally understood,-a    The trial by the stool was another method used
supernatural power, of which persons were sup-  for the detection of witches.  It was thus maposed to obtain the possession; by entering into  naged:-Having taken the suspected witch, she
a compact with the devil.  They gave them-  was placed in the middle of a room, upon a
selves up. to him, body and soul: and he engag-  stool, or table, cross-legged, or in some other,itned that they shou'd want for nothing, and that he  easy posture; to which, if she did not submit, she
would avenge them upon all their enemies. As  was then bound with cords,-there  she was
soon as the bargain was concluded, the devil de-  watched, and kept without meat or sleep for
livered to the witch an imp, or familiar spirit,  twenty-fou:r hours, (for, they said, that within
to be ready at a call, and to do whatever it was  that time they should see her imp come and
directed.  By the assistance of this imp, and of suck.)  A little hole was likewise made in the
the devil together, the witch, who was almost door for imps to come in at, and, lest it should
aiways an old woman, ivas enabled to transport come in some less discernible shape, they that




P 70                                  APPENDIX.
watcned were taught to be ever and anon sweep-  craft is far greater than most persons, wvh have
tg ince room, and, if they saw any spiders or  not studied the history of demonology, can form.ies, to kill them,-if they could not kill then,  any idea. From the period in which Pope Inthen they might be sure they were imps.  If  nocent VIII. in 1484, issued his bull against
wiltches, under examination or torture, would not  witchcraft, to the middle of the seventeenth cenconfess, all their apparel was changed, and every  tury, if we believe the testimonies of contempohair of their body shaven off with a sharp razor,  rary historians, Europe was little better than a
lest they should secret magical charms to prevent  large suburb or outwork of Pandemonium, one
their confessing. It was a maxim, too, in these  half of the population being either bewitching or
proceedings, that witches were most apt to con-  bewitched. Delrio tells us, that five hundred
fcss on Fridays.  By such trials as these, and  witches were executed in Geneva, in three
by the accusations of children, old women, and  months, about the year 1515. "A thousand,"
fools, were thousands of unhappy women, con-  says Bartholomeus de Spina, "were executed
demned for witchcraft, and burned at the stake.  in one year, in the diocese of Coro, and they
A work, written by JA  Thoest, was published  went on burning at the rate of a hundred per
a few years ago at Mentz, entitled, " The His-  annum for some time after. In Lorraine, from
tory of Magic, Demons, Sorcerers," &c. which  1580 to 1595, Remigius boasts of having burnt
contains an affecting narrative of the numbers  nine hundred.  In France, the executions for
that have suffered for the pretended crime of  the same crime were fifteen hundred and twenty.
magic and witchcraft. The cases enumerated  In Wurtzburg and Treves, the amount of execuare proved from unequivocal authority. In these  tions in the course of the century preceding
excesses of the magistrates, it appears. that fe-  1628, is reckoned to be 15,700. It has been
male sorcerers have been the greatest sufferers.  calculated that in Germany alone, the number of
Among other curious articles in the collection, we  victims that perished, from the date of Innocent's
learn, that Christopher de Runtzow, a gentleman  bull to the eighteenth century, considerably exofHolstein, whose heated imagination had misled  ceeds one hundred thousand.  The executions
his understanding, consigned eighteen persons to  were at first confined to crazed old women, or
theflames at one time, the victims of a merciless  unhappy foreigners, but at length the witchcraft
superstition.  In a village called Lindheiln, con-  phrenzy rose to such a pitch, and spread so extaining about six hundred inhabitants, not less  tensively, that the lives of more exalted victims
than thirty were destroyed by fire, in the narrow   were threatened. Noblemen and abbots, presiinterval between the years 1661 and 1665, mak-  dents of courts and professors, began to swell the
ing a twentieth part of the whole population con-  catalogue, and no man felt secure that he might
sumed in four years. In this inhuman conduct  not suddenly be compelled, by torture, to bear
towards an unhappy class of persons, the author  witness against his own innocent wife and chilpoints out Wurtzburg as having frequently been  dren. In the Catholic canton of Glarus, in
subject to well-merited reproach. It appears  Switzerland. it is said, that a witch was burnt,
B-om the Acta lMagicaof Naubers, that between  even so late as the year 1786! It is impossible
the years 1627 and 1629, one hundred and twen-  for any rational and humane mind to peruse such
tv-seven individuals perished in similar instances  a list as the above, without shuddering and horof cruelty practised by their brother men. The  ror. How  dreadful the results to which ignoprincipal objects of such nefarious dealings were  rance and superstition have led!-and how asold women, or travellers, and frequently poor  tonishing the consideration,-that judges, lawchildren, from nine to ten years of age. Occa-  yers, ministers of religion, nobles, and persons of
sionally such outrages have been perpetrated on  all ranks should have given their sanction, withpersons of some consequence,-proficients in  out the least remorse, to such cruelties and legalknowledge above the general standard of the  ized murders!
age, or such as had acquired property by their   In Pitcairn's " Criminal Trials," referred to
industry and genius. Among many others in  in the text, a variety of curious documents is contthese shocking details, are the respectable names  tained, respecting the proceedings of the Justiof fourteen vicars, two young gentlemen, some  ciary Court in Scotland against witchcraft, sorcecounsellors, the largest or most corpulent man  ryj and incantation. One of these trials relates
in Wurtzburg, and his wife, the handsomest  to a gentleman of family, Mr. Hector Monro
woman in the city, and a student or scholar en-  of Fowies, who was'! indytit and accusit " or
gaged in the study of foreign languages. Those  "sorcerie, incantationnis, or wichecraft." This
innocent sufferers were frequently put to the tor-  trial contains a complete specimen of the superture. But what must our feelings and princi-  stition of the age. Mr. Hector, it would appear,
ules incline us to think of an enormity here  had sent for c" Johe M'Connielly.-gar and his
orought to our recollection, in the instance of a  wyffes, and Johne Bunes wyffe, in Lytell Alteis,
poor girl, Maria Renata, who suffered so late as  thre notorious and commoune witches."'Ihey
in the year 1749!                            had been sent for to assist in restoring the health
The extent of the judicial murders for witch-  of Robert Monro, a brother of the said Mr.




PREVALENT BELIEF 1 DEMONOLOGY.                                  171
fctor, who entertained them for five days. It ous and even ridiculous.  That there ever were
is said in the i(ndictment, that they " poillit the  witches, that is, persons endowed with siuch
hair of Robert Monro, his brotheris head, and  powers as are usually ascribed to witches, is
plait the nailiis of his fingeris and tais," and  what no rational and enlightened mind can for a
" socht be thair develisch meanes to have cureit  moment admit.  The actions imptted to them
him of his sickness;" hut it would appear, that  are either absurd or impossible.  To suppose
the weird sisters were by no means successful,  an ignorant old woman, or indeed any human
and were compelled to decamp, for " they wald  being, capable of transforming herself into a cat
haif vsit furth the rest of thair develisch craft was  or a hare, is to suppose her capable of counterrocht they ferit to tarie with him (Hector Mon-  acting the laws of nature, which is competent to
ro) be ressone of his fader, quha wald haif ap-  none but the Supreme Ruler of the world.  We
prehendit thame; and they declarit to him that  might almost as soon believe that such a being
he was owre lang in sending for thame, swa  is capable of creating the universe. It presents
that they cald do na guid to the said Robert  a most humiliating picture of the imbecility of
Monro."  Mr. Hector, however, fell sick him-  the human mind, that such absurdities should
self, and had recourse to the hags for a cure;  ever have been believed; and certainly conveys
and as he had an eye to the patrimony of his  no very favourable idea of the humanity of our
father, to which he could notsucceed as he was  ancestors, when they inflicted, without remorse,
a younger son, he began some incantations, in  so many shocking cruelties, especially on the
concert with the hags, to deprive his elder bro-  tender sex, for such fancied crimes. Yet, absurd
ther, George Monro, of life, and for this he was  as the doctrine of witchcraft certainly is, it is a
"delatit," also of " slaughter."  The indict-  lamentable fact, that vast multitudesofour fellow-,.lent, which is a most remarkable document, is  men, both in our own country and in other lands,
toolong for insertion.  Jonett Grant, Jonett  are still believers in sorcery and witchcraft, of
Clark, and Bessie Roy, nurse to the "Laird of  which an instance or two is stated in the follow.
Boquhave," are the three next ladies who were  ing note.
called to account for being "fylit" of witchcraft.
The two Jonetts seeln to have been in partner-  No. VI.-Proofs that the belief in witchcraft is
ship; and if the indictments are to be credited,   still prevalent among certain classes of society.
they were guilty of no fewer than six " crewal
murthers," by witchcraft, of the " slavchter and    Notwithstanding the degree of information
destructionne of saxtene heid of nolt, of raising  which prevails in the nineteenth century, it is a
the devil, of making men eunuchsby witchcraft,"  melancholy consideration that superstition, and
&c. For such hardened sinners as the two  a belief in the efficacy of certain incantations,
Jonetts, no mercy was to be expected, and ac-  still prevail to a considerable extent, even in the
cordingly they were condemned to be " tane to  most enlightened countries.  The following re.
the Castle hill of Edinburg, and there werriet  cent occurrences will tend to corroborate this
at ane staik, and their body to be burnt to assis."  position, and at the same time show the perniBessie Roy, however, came off with flying co-  cious consequences which frequently result from
lours, although she was also indicted as   ane  such a belief.
commoune thief," by means of the " enchant-    On the 2d September 1829, Laurent Raimment and slicht of the diuill."-The following is  boult, a farmer in the hamlet of Redoire, Cornthe title of a pamphlet republished by Mr. Pit-  mune of Champtre, in France, spent the day in
cairn, containing a moat extraordinary narrative.  measuring wheat at the house of Poirier, his
" Newes from Scotland, declaring the damnable  brother-in-law.  About eight o'clock in the evenlife of Doctor Fean, a notable sorcerer, who was  ing, he left to go to his own house, which was
burned at Edinburg in Janurie last, 1591, which  about half a league from Poirier's house. He
doctor was register to the denill, that sundrie  carried a bag containing the measure he had
times preached at  t'nrth Barricke kirk, to a num-  been using, and a box holding his dinner, which
berof notorious witches," &c.  The poor wo-  he had not opened; for he had stated his intenman who was most (;rllelly treated was Euphane  tion not to eat till he returned home.  The
Mackalsane, a nctable witch, who appears to  next morning his corpse was found in a meadow,
have been so notorious as to be " bound to ane  bordered by a wood, and not very far from his
staik, and brunt to assis, quick to the death."  own house. His body was horribly mutilated,
" This," says Mr. Pitcairn, "' was:he severest  his clothes stained with blood, and there was a
sentence ever pronounced by the court, even in  large wound on the back part of his head. All
the most atrocious cases," but poor Euphane  the wounds showed that he had been struck by
died, nevertneless, with all the heroism  and  several persons armed with contusive weapons.
devotedness of a martyr. See Edin. Lit. Gaz.  Near him the ground had not been trod upon; his
July 1829.                                    bag and the things it contained were carefullyv
To attempt a serious refiltation of the doc-  laid by his side: all proved that he had not beeln
trines ofwitchcafl, would be altogether superflu-  robbed. Poirier. who has alwvays had a g,,awk




172                                  APPENDIX.
character in that part of the country, was on very  cloth, ard two lighted candles placed on it; there
ead terms with Raimboult, who passed for a sor-  was even an end of wax that had been used in
terer. Some time ago, the wife of Poirier had  the church; a hammer was placed symmetrical.
fallen sick, as well as severalof his cattle. Poit-  ly between the two candles,and on one side of the
rier did not doubt for aninstant, that these sickl  table the witch laid, with a grave and mysterious
nesses were the effect of sorcery. He came to  air, the formidable book of magic, so well known
Angers, and consulted a pretended diviner, a  by the name of Little Albert. She still wanted
miserable victim  of monomania, who gave him  one thing; it was a plate filled with water, in
a full water-bottle, and told him to take it home  which a sum of 400 francs (161. sthrling) was to
with him, and put it in the very best place of his  be deposited. The plate was brought;-as to
house. " At such an hour," said the diviner,  the sum, we may remark, how difficult magic
" you should recite such and such prayers before  must be to practise, and what attention is requimy water-bottle, and then you will see in the  site to its details. Crown pieces of six francs
water it contains, the likeness of him  who has  were about to be put into the water, when the
bewitched your wife and your cattle."  Poirier  witch called out,' Take care what you are dofollowed these orders precisely; and it is only  ing; it is crown pieces offive francs that are
too probable that his imagination being pre-oc-  wanted.' She was instantly obeyed,-the crowns
cupied with the idea, this wretched man fancied  of five francs are at the bottom of the plate.
he saw his brother-in-law in the water-bottle of," Things being in this state, every body left
the guilty diviner, and thought he was doing a  the house. The witch remained alone for about
service to his country in delivering it from a being  half an hour; she then re-opened the doors, and
whom he regarded as the friend and favourite of said they might re-enter. She added, that all
the devil.-Copiedfrom a Paris paper, in,Morn-  had succeeded, but that the malignant spirit that
ing Chron. Sept. 23, 1829.                    had appeared had carried away the 400 francs on
The following occurrence, in another Depart-  withdrawing. The witch's husband then arriment of France, happened nearly about the same  ved; his wife told him  that the assembly was
time as the preceding,                        made.' It's all well,' said he;'but thy sister
" It appears that in the department of Lot  is at thy house, and she wvants to see you. and'we
and Garonne, and particularly in some of the  must go there. They went accordingly; Sabacommunes of the district of Marmande, the  the and his family a little stupified, and the pabelief of sorcery is commn!on among the people.  tient in the same state as before.-These were
John Sabathe, a peasant, with plenty of money,  the facts which were made known to the Court
living in the vicinity of Clairac, had a sick  by indirect evidence, for these good folks took
daughter: medicine had failed, which is nothing  care to make no complaint,for fear of the witches.
extraordinary; but there remained magic, and  The Court sentenced her to imprisonment fob
Sabathe greatly relied upon it.  He applied to  three years, and a fine of fifty francs. She had
Rose Peres, who enjoyed the reputation of being  been charged before the Royal Court of Agen for
a witch. He stated the condition of his daugh-  swindling,under pretence ofpractising witchcraft.
ter;-the witch replied, she would go and visit  -Some years ago, the same Court sentenced
her. She went the next morning to Sabathe's  to close imprisonment threeor four women, living
residence, saw the sick girl, and declared she  in the neighbourhood of Villereal, for having put
was bewitched. [Perhaps she was not so far  on the fire and half-burned a pretended witch,
wrong either, for some witnesses, who were no  who would not cure them of a disease she had
doubt very spiteful, gave it as their opinion that  given them."-Gazettedes Tribunaux, as quoted
love had entered a little into this affair.] What-  in JMorn. Chron. Sept. 28,1829.
ever was the cause of her illness, the witch pro-    Tn both the above cases we perceive an immised to relieve her, and said, that the thing was  plicit belief in the powers of divination and sornot without a remedy. She told them  to light  cery, a belief which appears to be general among
a great fire, and they would see why afterwards.  the lower ranks of society; and it would appear
Little as we are initiated into the secrets of  that the profession of witch or sorcerer is pretty
magic, we know that odd numbers, especially  common in the principal towns in France. In the
the number three, have singular virtues; there-  one instance this belief led tc a most atrocious
fore 3 multiplied by S must be a number prodi-  murder, and in the other to a dexterous robbery;
giously powerful. It was apparently for this  and, in this latter case, it would seem, that, not-'ason that the witch required nine large pebble  withstanding the palpable imposture that was
stones, which she put into the fire, and kept there  practised on Sabathe and his family, these simtill they were red hot: she then threw them into  pie people still believed in the supernatural powa kettle full of water, and the mysterious vapour  ers of the sorceress who had so barefacedly robthat arose served to perfume the patient that was  bed them, for " they took care to make no con,ying over it. But this was only the preamble  plaint, for fear of the witches."-Nearly akin to
of cerenoniLts much more important. She had  the notions under consideration, is the following
a tah;e brought to her; it was covered with a  superstition relating to bees.




PREVALENT BELIEF IN DEMONOLOGY.                                   173
The praintice of informing bees of any death  it dangerous to have the slightest Intercourse
that takes place in a family, is well known, and  with his family, even in the way of buying and sell.
still prevails among the lower orders in England.  ing. One morning his servant-maid was sent
The disastrous consequences to be apprehended  out for bread and groceries for breakfast.  After
from non-compliance with this strange custom   a considerable time, she returned with a pitiful
is, that the bees will dwindle and die. The man-  countenance and a heavy heart, and declared that
ner of communicating the intelligence to the lit-  not an article of any description could be obtaintie cornlnmunity, with due form and ceremony, is  ed. " What," says Mr. D., " is there no tea,
this-to take the key of the house, and knock  sugar, or bread in the whole village?" "Oyes,"
with it three times against the hive, telling the  replied the maid, " there is plenty of every thing
inmates, at the same time that their master or  we want, but nobody will sell us an article; they
mistress, &c. (as the case may be) is deadl  say we are all witches and wizards and necroMr. Loudon says, when in Bedfordshire lately,  imancers, and it's no canny to tak ony o' your
we were informed of an old man who sung a  money." Mr. Davidson and family, in this case,
psalm  last year in front of some hives which  might have starved, had he not bethought himself
were not doing well, but which, he said, would  of employing the servant of an acquaintance, who
thrive in consequence of that ceremony.-Ma-  was one of his auditors, to procure, in her masgazine of Nat. Hist. for 1828.                ter's name, the requisite provisions; and this
the Constitutionnel (January 1828) states,  plan he was obliged to adopt during the remainthat under the influence of the Jesuits, and with  der of his stay in that place. At another time his
the countenance of the authorities, &c. the most  boots required to be repaired; the servant tookt
brutifying tales of superstition and fanaticism are  them  to a shoemaker, and they were received
printed and circulated in the provinces ofFrance.  by one of the female branches of his family; but
One of the ridiculous narratives to which it al-  when the shoemaker understood to whom they
ludes, details the fate of a blaspheming baker,  belonged, he stormed, and was indignant at their
who, being infected with the heresies of the Re-  receiving any thing from such a dangerous indivolution, had addicted himself to the commission  vidual. The servant soon after returned to
of every kind of impiety.  While his oven one  inquire if the boots were repaired. " Is the astro.
day was heated, and he was about to put the  loger's boots mendit-?" one of the family vocifebread into it, he vented his usual oaths in the  rated. "No," was the reply, "they are not
presence of two neighbours; when, lo! the dough  mendit, nor do we intend to mend them, or have
miraculously refused to enter, and the baker was  any thing to do with them."  The shoemaker's
seized with a cold shivering, of which he died in  wife desired the servant to come in, and l:fi
two days.  In his will he left 600 francs to the  the boots herself; " for," said she, " I will not
church, confessed his enormities, and besought  touch them;" and it appears that both the shoethe prayers of his friends.-In another, we are  maker and his family had been afraid even to put
told ofthe discovery of a miraculous image, which  their fingers upon them, and doubtless imagined
will be a permanent source ofecclesiastical reve-  that the very circumstance of their having been
nue. This image is that of a saint, which has  received into the house would operate as an evil
been for the last two centuries concealed in a  omen.-On the day previous to his leaving that
rock. It was discovered by means of a little  place, he sent his servant to engage a chaise to
white bird perched upon a brilliant crucifix, which  carry them to the next town. The servant told
guarded the spot. Since the discovery, the lame  the landlady of the inn (which was the only one
valk, the sick are healed, and the blind recover from which a carriage could be procured) that her
their sight, by resorting  to the consecrated  master wished to hire a chaise for to-morrow to
ground.                                       carry them to N-.  The landlady told her it
It is not above fifteen or sixteen years ago since  could not be granted. " For what reason?" said
the late Alexander Davidson, A. M., lecturer on  the maid. " You know very well whatt is the reaexperimental philosophy and chemistry, whenin  son," said the landlady, in a very emphatical
Ireland, was much annoyed by the superstitious  tone. After the servant returned with this reply,
belief in necromancy and infernal agency which  Mr. Davidson himself went to the inn, when the
still prevails among a large portion of the lower  following dialogue took place between him  and
orders in that country. When delivering a  the Ian!lady:-"' Well,madam, can you give me a
course of lectures in a small town not far from   chaise to-morrow to carry me to Newry?" " No;
Londonderry, the rumour of the experiments he  for our horses are very tired, as they have been
performed spread among the body of the people,  out all day, and they cannot go to-morrow." "0 
many of whom had listened at the outside of the  dear, madam, is that the only reason? You know
hall in which he lectured, to the loud detonations  very well Ican make them go."  The landlady,
produced by electrical and other experiments,  putting on a grave countenance, repliea with ernparticularly ths explosions of hydrogen gas. The  phasis, " We all know that very well. We know
great majority of the inhabitants believed he was  that you col'd sink the town, ifyou chose to do it.
at' astrologer and necromancer, and considered  But I shalt give you the chaise, to carry you out




1 74                                   APPENDIX
cfllhe place, and make the town rid of you; butit  the southern shore, till it approached very near it;
is rlore forfear of you than love to you that Icon-  he then saw to his great surprise, a large per.
sent to grant you my chaise."-Sulch were the ab-  pendicular rock, where he knew the shore wau
surd and superstitious notions prevalent among  low and almost flat. As the boat advanced a
the lower class of the Irish in 1814 or 1815; and  little nearer, the rock seemed to split perpendithese were not the only instances in which they  cularly into portions, which separated at little,were rianifested, but only specimens of what fre-  distances from one another; he next saw these
qrlently occurred in other parts of that country.    perpendicular divisions move, and upon approachHowever clearly persons of education and in-  ing a little nearer, found it was a number of
teiligence may perceive the absurdity and filtility  peoplestanding on the beach, waiting the arrival
ofthe superstitious notions and practices to which  of the ferry boat."
I have now referred,-it is a fact, well known to    Spectres are frequently occasioned by opium.
those who have been conversant among the lower  Gassendi, the philosopher, found a number of
orders of society, that they still prevail to a very  people going to put a man to death for having
considerable extent among the untutored ranks,  intercourse with the devil, a crime which the
even of our own country.  Nothing but a more  poor wretch readily acknowledged.  Gassendi
assiduous cultivation of the rational powers, and  begged of tle people, that they would permit him
a universal diffusion of useful knowledge among  first to examine the wizard, before pua ting him
the inferior classes of society, can be expected  to death.  They did so, and Gassendi, upon exthoroughly to undermine and eradicate such opi-  amination, found, that the man firmly believed
nions, and to prevent the baneful and perilicious  himself guilty of this impossible crime; he even
consequences to which they lead.               offered to Gassendi to introduce him to the devil.
The philosopher agreed, and when midnight
No. VII.-Circumstances which have occasion-  came, the mail gave him a pill, which he said it
ally led to the belief of Spectres and Appari-  was necessary to swallow  before setting off.
tions. P. 23.                                Gassendi took the pill, but gave it to his dog:
The man having swallowed his, fell into a proIt is certain, that indistinct vision and optical  found  sleep, during which he seemed much
illusions have, in many instances, been the sour-  agitated by dreams; the dog was affected in a
ces of terror, and have produced a belief of su-  similar manner. When the man awoke he conpernatural appearances.  When we have no  gratulated Gassendi on the favolrable reception
other mode of judging of an unknown object but  he had met with from his sable highness.  It
by the angle it forms in the eye, its magnitude  was with difficulty Gassendi convinced him that
will uniformly increase in proportion to its near-  the whole was a dream, the effect of soporific
ness. If it appears, when at the distance of  medicines, and that he had never stirred from
forty or fifty paces, to be only a few feet high, its  one spot during the whole night.
height, when within three or four feet of the    Drunkenness has also the power of creating ap.
eye, will appear to be above forty times greater,  paritions.  Drunkenness seldom or never excites
or many fathoms in dimension. An object of  fear; and, therefore, it may at first sight seem
this kind, must naturally excite terror and asto-  strange, that persons should imagine they see.
nishment in the spectator, till he approaches and  ghosts when under the influence of intoxication.
recognises it by actual feeling; for the moment  But it is observable, that the ghosts which the
a man knows an object, the gigantic appearance  drunkard imagines he sees, he beholds not with
it assumed in the eye, instantly diminishes, and  the same terror and alarm, as men that are sober;
its apparent magnitude is reduced to its real  he is not afraid of them; he has the courage to
dimensions.  But if, instead ofapproachingsuch   converse with them, and even to fight them, if
an object, the spectator flies from it, he can have  they give him provocation.  Like Burns' Tam
no other idea of it, but from the image which it  o' Shanter," give him " fair play-he cares na'
f)rrned in the eye; and in this case, he may af-  de'ils a bodle." A man returning home intoxicatfirmr with truth, that he saw an object terrible in  ed, affirmed, that he had met with the devil; and
its aspect, anrd enornlmous in its size. Such illu-  that, after a severe encounter, he had vanquished
bions frequently occur, when persons are walking  him, and brought him to the ground, to which he
through desert and unfirequented tracts ofcountry,  had nailed him fast, by driving his staff through
surrounded with a fog, or in the dusk of the  his body. Next morning, the staff was found
evening, when a solitary tree, a bush, an old  stuck with great violence into a heap of turfs!
wall, a cairn of stones, a sheep or a cow, may    Dreams may be considered as another source oJ.pp"ear as phantoms of a monstrous size.  The  apparitions. While the mind is under the influwriter of an article in the "c Encyclopasdia Bri-  ence of a dream, it considers it as much a reality,
tannica," states, that " he was passing the Frith  as it does any particular action when awake:
of Forth at Queensferry, one morning which was  and, therefoLre, if a person of a weak superstitious
extremely foggy.  Though the water is only two  mind should have a very livelv dream which inmiles broad the boat did not get withini sight of  terests his passions, it ma, make so deep an ins



CAUSES OF APPARITIONS.                                   175
pression, that he may be firmnly convinced he has about him, should imagine he sees ghosts in those
actually seen with his eyes, what has only pass-  places where he believes they hover, especially
ed betore his imagination; especially whent we  at the hour of midnight, when the slightest aid of
consider, that there are tinies of slumber when we'the imagination can transform a cow into a mollare not sensible of being asleep. On this prin-  strous phantom, and the reflection ofthe beams of
ciple, sonie have endeavoured to account for the  the moon from a little water into a ghost with a
suecere which is said to have appeared to Brutus.  winding-sheet; or a sound which is near, such as
It is related, that at Philippi, the night before he  the rustling of the leaves of a tree, the noise of
gave battle to Augustus Caesar, he saw a fearful  falling waters, or the screams of animals, when
apparition; it was in the dead of night, when  referred to a great distance, may be magnified
the  whole camp  was perfectly quiet, that  into horrid and unearthly voices; for, in sutich
Brutus was employed in his tent, in reading by  cases, a timid and untutored mind seldom stops to
a lamp that was just expiring; on a sudden he  inquire into the cause of its alarms. The celethought he heard a noise as if sonlebody entered,  brated historian De Thou, had a very singular
and looking towards the door, he perceived it  adventure at Saumnur, in the year 1598, which
open; a gigantic figure with a frightful aspect,  shows the happy effects of a calm inquiry into the
stood before hin, and continued to gaze upon  cause of any alarming or extraordinary appearhim  with. silent severity. At last, Brutus had  ance. One night, having retired to reet very
courage to speak to it: " Art thou a demon or a  much fatigued, while he was enjoying a sound
mortal man? and why comest thou to me?"  sleep, he felt a very extraordinary weight upon
The phantom is said to have replied, " Brutus,  his feet, which, having made him turn suddenly,
I ant thy evil genius, thou shalt see me again at  fell down and awakened him. At first he imaPhilippi."  "Well then," answered Brutus,  gined that it had been only a dream, but hearing
without being discomposed, "we shall meet  soon after some noise in his chamber, he drew
again;" upon which the phantom vanished, and  aside the curtains, and saw, by the~help of the
Brutus, calling to his servants, asked them  if  moon, which at that time shone very bright, a
they had seen any thing; to which replying in  large white figure walking up and down, and at
the negative, he again resumed his studies.  the same time observed upon a chair some rags,
This circumstance is related by historians as a  which he thought belonged to thieves who had
viion, but considering the circumstances, one  c6me to rob him.  The figure then approaching
may easily judge it to have been but a short  his bed, he had the courage to ask it what it was.
dream; for, sitting in his telut, pensive and trou-  " I am (said the figure)the Queen of Heaven."
bled with the horror of his late rash act, it was  Had such a figure appeared to any credulous ignot hard for him, slumbering in the cold, to dream   norant man, he would, doubtless, have trembled
of that which most affrighted him; which fear,  with fear, and frightened the whole neighbouras by degrees it made him wake, so it must have  hood with a marvellous description of it. But De
made the apparition by degrees to vanish; and  Thou had too much understanding to be so imhaving no assurance that he slept, he could have  posed upon. On hearing the words which dropno cause to think it a dream, or any thing else  ped from the figure, he immediately concluded
than a vision. Whatever may be said as to  that it was some mad woman, got up, called his
this solution of the case, certain it is, that vivid  servants, an, ordered them, to turn her out of
dreams in certain states of mind, have been  doors; after which he returned to bed and fell
mistaken for real apparitions, of which various  asleep. Next morning, he found that he had not
instances could be adduced, did ourlimits permit.  been deceived in his conjecture, and that having.ear is another fertile source of Spectres. As  forgot to shut his door, this female figure had es
partial darkness and obscurity are the most com-  caped from her keepers, and entered his apartmon circumstances by which the sight is deceiv-  ment. The brave Schomberg, to whom De Thou.
ed, so night is the season in which apparitions  related his adventure some days after, confessed
are most frequently said to be seen.  The state  that in such a case he would not have shown so
of the mind at that time, especially when a person  much courage.  The King likewise, who was
is alone, prepares it for the admission of such  informed of it by Schomberg, made the same acdelusions of the imagination. The fear and cau-  knowledgment.-See Ency. Brit., Art. Speetre.
tion which night naturally inspires, the opportu-    The following relation contains a description
nity it affords for ambuscades, robberies, and as-  of an apparition of a different kind, no less appalsassinations, the deprivation ofsocial intercourse,  ling. Mr. Schmidt, mathematical teacher at
and the interruption of many pleasing trains of  the school of Pforte, near Naumblurg, which had
ideas which objects in the light never fail to pro-  formerly been a cloister, once happened to awake
duce, are all circumstances of terror, and favotlr-  suddenly as the morning began to lawn. On
able to the illusions of a timid imagination; and  opening his eyes, he beheld with astonishment a
therefore, it is by no means strange, that an igno.  monk standing at the foot of his bed. Looking
rant person with a mind uncultivated and unin-  at him steadfastly, he appeared to be wsll-fed'
formned, and with all the prejudices of the nursery  and his head, far from small, was sunk a- little
12




176                                   APPENDIX.
between a pair of very broad shoulders.  The  History ofOxfordshire, relates a marvellous stoty
chamber was sufficiently secured; Mr. Schmidt  which will illustrate this position.  Soon after
alone slept in it; and he was very certain that  the murder of King Charles I., a commission was
no one would attempt to put a trick upon him inr  appointed to survey the King's house at Woodest. He knew also, that no part of his clothes or  stock, with the manor, park, woods, and othes
any thing else was hanging at his bed's foot.  denmesnes belonging to that manor. One Coli
Th3 figure exactly resembled that of a monk,  lins, under a feigned name, hired himself aa
clothed in a white surplice, the falling folds of secretary to the commissioners, who, upon the
which were very clearly to be distinguished. Had  13th October 1649, met, and took up their res..
an ignorant and timid man beheld this appear-  dence in the King's own rooms. His majestyS
ance, he would probably have covered himselfup  bed-chamber they made their kitchen, the coun.
with the bed clothes, and firmnly maintained that  cal-hall their pantry, and the presence-chamber
the ghost of a monk had appeared to him. As  -was the place where they met for the despatch oe
the school had formerly been a cloister, many  business. His majesty's dining-room they made
monks had been buried both in the church and  their wood-yard, and stored it with the wood of
church-yard, and it was currently reported among  the famous royal oak from the High Park, which,
the vulgar that the place was haunted. Mr.  that nothing might be leftwith the name of King
Schmidt, however, was neither ignorant: nor ti-  about it, they had dug up by the roots. and split
mid, and he immediately conjectured that his eyes  and bundled up into fagots for their firing.
were deceived, though he could not imagine in  Things being thus prepared, they sat on the 16th
what manner.  He raised himself up a little in  for the despatch of business; and, in the midst ot
his bed, but t. e apparition did not move, he only  their first debate, there entered a large black dog
saw somewhat tmore of it, and the folds of the  (as they thought) which made a dreadful howlsurplice were still more conspicuous.  After a  ing, overturned two or three of their chairs, and
little while he moved towards the right, yet the  then crept under a bed and vanished. This gave
apparition remained, and he seemed to have in  them the greater surprise, as the doors were kept
part a side view of it; but as soon as he had  constantly locked, so that no real dog could get in
moved his head so far as to have a slight glimpse  or out,  The next day their surprise was in.
of the bed's foot, the apparition retreated back-  creased, when sitting at dinner in a lower room,
ward, though still with its face to the bed. Fol-  they heard plainly the noise of persons walking
lowing the apparition quickly with his eyes, it re-  over their heads, though they well knew  the
treated with speed, swelled as it retreated to a  doors were all locked, and there could be nobody.gigantic form, arustling noise was heard, and  there. Presently after, they heard also all the
-   at once the apparition was changed into the  wood of the King's oak brought by parcels front.gothic window with white curtains which was  the dining-room, and thrown with great violence
opposite the bed's foot, and about six or seven  into the presence chamber, as also all the chairs,:feet distance from it. Several times after this  stools, tables, and other furniture forcibly hurled
Mr. Schmidt endeavoured when he awoke to see  about the room; their papers, containing the:the same appearance, but tono purpose, the win-  minutes of their transactions, were torn, and the
dow always looking like a window only. Some  ink-glass broken.  When all this noise had
weeks after, however, on awakening, as the day  ceased, Giles Sharp, their secretary, proposed to
*began to dawn, he again perceived the monk's  enter first into these rooms; and in presence of,apparition at the bed's foot. Being now aware  the commissioners, from whom he received the
what occasioned it, he examined it narrowly.  key, he opened the doors, and sound the wood
-he great arch of the window formed the monk's  spread about the room, the -chairs tossed about
-shoulders, a smaller arch, in the centre ofthis,  and broken, the papers torn, but- not the least
his head, and the curtains the surplice. The  track of any human creature, nor the least reason
f,)lds of these appeared much stronger than they  to suspect one, as the doors were all fast, and the
-lid atthe same distance by day-light. Thus the  keys in the custody of the commissioners. It;figure of the monk appeared plainer, nearer, and  was therefore unanimously agreed that the power
-smaller, than the window would have done. This  that did this mischief must have entered at the
apparition, therefore, like hundreds of others,  key-hole. The-night following, Sharp, the secre-,was merely an optical deception. The reader  tary, with two of the commissioners' servants,
-will find a more particular description of it, with  as they were in bed in the same room, which
-an optical and mathematical explanation of the  room was contiguous to that where the commisphenomenon, in vol. i. of " The Pleasing Pre-  sioners lay, had their beds' feet lifted up so much
ceptor," translated from the German of Gerhard  higher than their heads, that they expected to,Ulrich Anthony Vieth.                        have their necks broken, and then they were let
Another cause of apparitions, and of the belief fall at once with so much violence as shook the;in supernatural appearances, is to be found in  whole nouse, anu more tnan ever terrified the,the artifices and collusions of impostors, and the  commissioners. On  the night of the 19th, a'tricks of the wan guosn.  Dr Plot, in his Natural  they were alt in bed in the the same roonl for




CAUSES OF APPARITIONS.                                   17
greater safety, and lights burning by them, the  ing like a bear; it walked many times about,
candles in an instant went out with a sulphurous  then threw the warming-pan violently on the
smell, and that moment many trenchers of wood  floor; at the same time a large quantity of broken
~were hurled about the room, which next morning  glass, accompanied with great stones and horse
were fotund to be the same their honours had  bones, came pouring into the room with uncomeaten out of the day before, which were all remov-  mon force.  On the 1st of November the most
ed from the pantry, though not a lock was found  dreadfili scene of all ensued.  Candles in every
opened in the whole house. The'next night they  part of the room were lighted up, and a great fire
fared still worse; the candles went out as before,  made; at midnight, the candles all yet burning, a
the curtains of their honours' beds were rattled to noise litke the bursting of a cannon was heard in
and fro with great violence, they received many  the room, and the burning billets were tossed
cruel blows and bruises by eight great pewter  about by it even into their honours' beds, who
dishes, and a number of wooden trenchers being  called Giles and his companions to their relief,
thrown on their beds, which, being heaved off,  otherwise the house had been burnt to the ground;
were heard rolling about the room, though in the  about an hour after, the candles went out as
morning none of these were to be seen,        usual, the crack as of many cannon was heard,
The next night the keeper of the king's house  and many pailfuls of green stinking water were
and his dog lay in the commissioners' room, and  thrown upon their honours' beds, great stones
then they had no disturbance.  But on the night  were also thrown in as before, the bed-curtains
of the 22d, though the dog lay in the room as be-  and bedsteads torn and broken, the windows
fore, yet the candles went out, a number of brick-  shattered, and the whole neighbourhood alarmned
bats fell from the chimney into the room, the  with the most dreadful noises; nay, the very rabdog howled piteously, their bed-clothes were all  bit-stealers, that were abroad that night in the
stripped off, and their terror increased. On the  warren, were so terrified, that they fled for fear,
24th they thought all the wood of the king's oak  and left their ferrets behind them.  One of their
was violently thrown down by their bed-sides;  honours this night spoke, and, in the name oJ
they counted 64 billets that fell, and some hit  God, asked what it was, and why it disturbed
and shook the beds in which they lay; but in the  them so?  No answer was given to this; but
morning none was found there, nor had the door  the noise ceased for a while, when the spirit
been opened where the billet-wood was kept.  came again; and, as they all agreed, brought
The next night the candles were put out, the  with itseven devils worse than itself.  One of the
curtains rattled, and a dreadful crack like thun-  servants now lighted a large candle, and set it in
der was heard; and one of the servants running in  the doorway between the two chambers, to see
haste, thinking his master was killed, found  what passed; and as he watched it, he plainly
three dozen of trenchers laid smoothly under the  saw a hoof striking the candle and candlestick
quilt by him. But all this was nothing to what  into the middle of the room, and afterwards,
succeeded afterwards.  The 29th, about mid-  making three scrapes over the snuff, scraped it
nighti the candles went out, something walked  out. Upon this the same person was so bold as
majestically through the room, and opened and  to draw a sword, but he had scarce got it out
shut the windows; great stones were thrown  when he felt another invisible hand holding it
violently into the room, some of which fell on  too, and pulling it from  him, and at length prethe beds, others on the floor; and at about a  vailing, struck him so violently on the head with
quarter after one, a noise was heard as of forty  the pummel, that he fell down for dead with the
cannon discharged together, and againrepeatedat  blow. At this instant was heard another burst
about eight minutes interval.  This alarmed and  like the discharge of the broadside of a ship of
raised all the neighbourhood, who. coming into  war, and at the interval of a minute or two betheir honours' room, gathered up the great stones,  tween each, no less than 19 such discharges.
fourscore in number, and laid them by in the  These shook the house so violently that they excorner of a field, where, in Dr. Plot's time, they  pected every moment it would fall upon their
were to be seern. This noise, like the discharge heads. The neighboursbeing all alarmed, flockof cannon, was heard over the country for several  ed to the house in great numbers, and all joined
miles round. During these noises the commis-  in prayer and psalm-singing; during which the
sioners and their servants gave one another over  noise continued in the other rooms, and the disfor lost and cried out for help; and Giles Sharp,  charge of cannons was heard as from without,
snatching up a sword, had well nigh killed one  though no visible agent was seen to discharge
of their honours, mistaking him for the spirit, as  them.  But what was the most alarming of all,
he came in his shirt from his own room to theirs.  and put an end to their proceedings effectually,
While they were together the noise was continu-  happened the next day, as they were all at dinner,
ed, and part of the tiling of the house was strip-  when a paper, in which they had signed a me.
ped off, and all the windows of an upper room  tual agreement to reserve a part of the premises
were taken away with it.  On the 30th, at mid-  out of the general survey, and afterwards to share
night, something walked into the chamber tread-  it equally among themselves, twhich paper they




178                                   APPENDIX.
had hlid for the present under the earth in a pot  fused her to him. If you obey this admonition
in one corner of the room, and in which an orange  I shall soon be delivered from this place of to,ltree grew,) was consumed in a wonderful man-  ment. You will at the same time provide a
ner by the earth's taking fire with which the pot  worthy husband for your daughter, and procure
was filled, and burning violently with a blue  everlasting repose to the soul of' your poor lhustame and an intolerablestench, so that they were  band."  The widow could not for a moment
all driven out of the house to which they could  resist this dreadful summons, which had not the
never be again prevailed upon to return.       most distant appearance of proceeding from
This story has been somewhat abridged from   Louis Brahant, whose countenance exhibited no
the Encyclopaedia Brittannica, where it is quoted  visible change, and whose lips were close and
from Dr. Plot's history. If I recollect right, it  motionless during the deliveryof it. Accordingis embodied in the book entitled " Satan's Invi-  ly, she consented immediately to receive him for
sible World Discovered," and the extraordinary  her son-in-law.-Louis's  finances, however,
occurrences it relates ascribed to Satanic influ-  were in a very low situation, and the formalities
ence. At the time they happened, they were  attending the marriage-contract rendered it neviewed as the effects of supernatural powers;  cessary for him to exhibit some show of riches,
and even Dr. Plot seems disposed to ascribe  and not to give the ghost the lie direct. He, acthem to this cause.' Though many tricks,"  cordingly, went to work on a fresh subject, one
says the Doctor, " have been often played in  Cornu, an old and rich banker at Lyons, who had
affairs of this kind, many of the things above re-  accumulated immense we'alth by usury and exlated are not reconcileable with juggling; such as  tortion, and was known to be liauntedhby remorse
the loud noises beyond the powers of man to  of conscience, on account of the manner in which
make without such instruments as were not there;  he had acquired it. Having contracted an intithe tearig and ~"eaking the beds; the throwing  mate acquaintance with this man, he, one dav,
about the fire; the hoof treading out the candle;  while they were sitting together in the usurer s
and the striving for the sword; and the blow the  little back parlour, artfully turned the conversaman received from the pummel of it."  ft was at  tion on religious subjects, on demons, and speclength ascertained, however, that this wonderful  tres, the pains of purgatory, and the torments ot
contrivance was all the invention of the memora-  hell. During an interval of silence between
ble Joseph Collins of Oxford, otherwise called  them, a voice was heard, which, to the astonished
Funny Joe, who, having hired himself as secre-  banker, seemed to be that of his deceased father,
tary under the name of Giles Sharp, by knowing  complaining, as in the former case, of his dreadthe private traps belonging to the house, and by  ful situation in purgatory, and calling upon him
the help of Pulvis Fulminans, and other chemical  to deliver him instantly from thence, by putting
preparations, and letting his fellow-servants into  into the hands of Louis Brahant, then with him,
the scheme, carried on the deceit without dis-  a large sum  for the redemption of Christians
covery to the very last.                       then in slavery with the Turks; threatening him,
Ventriloquism is another source whence a belief  at the same time, with eternal damnation, if heoJ apparitions has been induced.  By this art, cer-  did not take this method to expiate, likewise,
lain persons can so modify their volce as to make  his own sins. Louis Branant, of course, af:
it appear to the audience to proceed from any dis.  frcted a due degree of astonishment on the occatance, and in any direction, and by which impos-  sign; and further promoted the deception by actors have sometimes accomplished their nefa-  knowledging his having devoted himself to the
rious designs, of which the following are instan-  prosecution of the charitable design imputed to
ces.                                           hin by the ghost. An old usurer is naturally
Louis Brahant, a dexterous ventriloquist,valet-  suspicious., Accordingly, the wary banker made
de-chambre to Francis I., had fallen desperately  a second appointment with the ghost's delegate
in love with a young, handsome, and rich heir-  for the next day: and, to render any design of
ess; but was rejected by the parents as an un-  imposing upon hin utterly abortive, took him
suitable match for th-ir daughter, on account of  into the open fields, where not a house or a tree,
the lowness of his circumstances.  The young  or even a bush, or a pit were in sight, capable of,ady's father dying, he made a visit to the widow,  screening any supposed confederate.  This exwho was totally ignorant of his singular talent.  traordinary caution excited the ventriloquist to
Suddenly, on his first appearance in open day, in  exert all the powers of his art. YWherever the
her own house, and in the presence ofseveral per-  banker conducted him, at every step, his ears
sons who were with her, she heard herself accost-  were saluted on all sides with the complaints,
ed in a voice perfectly resembling that of her dead  and groans, not only of his father, but of all his
nusband,and which seemed toproceed from above,  deceased relations, imploring him for the love of
exclaiming,'" Give my (laughter in marriage to  God, and in the name of every saint in the calenLouis Brahant. He is a man of great fortune and  der, to have mercy on his own soul and theirs,
of an excellent character. I now suffer the inex-  by effectually seconding with his Ipurse the intentpressible torments of purgatory for having re-  tio(nsofhis worthy companion. Cornu culd nea




APPARITIONS CAUSED BY VENTRILOQUIISM,                                179
longer resist the voice of heaven, and, accord-  ed upon them to return with him into the church,
ingly, carried his guest home with him, and paid  and there be witnesses of' the manner in which
him down ten thousand crowns; with which the  he had conducted this ludicrous deception." Had
honest ventriloquist returned to Paris, and mar-  not the ventriloquist, in this case, explained the
ried his mistress.  The catastrophe was fatal.  cause of the deception, a whole body ofmen might
The secret was afterwards blown, and reached  have sworn, with a good conscience, that they
the usurer's ears, who was so much affected by  had heard the ghost of a departed brother address
the loss of his money. and the mortifying raille-  them again and again in a supernatural voice.
ries ofhis neighbours, that he':ok to his bed and    It is highly probable, that many of those perdied.                                         sons termed witches and necromancers in ancient
Another trick of a similar kini was played off  times, who pretended to be invested with superabout sixty or seventy years ago, on a whole com-  natural powers, performed their deceptions by
munity, by another French ventriloquist.  "M.  the art of ventriloquism.  The term  literally
St. Gill, the ventriloquist, and his intimate friend,  means, speaking from the belly; and, in accord
returning home from a place whither his husi-  ance with this idea, we find that the Pythoness,
ness had carried him, sought for shelter from an  or witch of Endor, to whom  Saul applied for
approaching thunder-storm in a neighbouring  advice in his perplexity, is designated in the Sepconvent. Finding  the whole  community in  tuagint translation of the Old Testament, "a
mourning, he inquired the cause, and was told  woman that speaks from her belly or stomach,"
that one of the body had died lately, who was the  as most magicians affected to do; and some auornament and delight of the whole society.  To  thors have informed us, that there were women
pass away the time, he walked into the church,  who had a demon which spake articulately from
attended by some of the religious, who showed  the lower part of their stomachs, in a very loud,
him the tomb oftheir deceased brother, and spoke  though hoarse tone. Umbrae cum sagan& resofeelingly of the scanty honours they had bestowed  narent triste et acutum. Hor. Sat. viii. lib. i.
on his memory.  Suddenly a voice was heard,    Our English translation " familiar spirit," in
apparently proceeding from the roofof the choir,  Hebrew, signifies " the spirit of Ob or Oboth."
lamenting the situation of the defunct in pllrga-  The word Ob in its primitive sense, denotes a
tory, and reproaching the brotherhood with their  bottle or vessel of leather, wherein liquors were
lukewvarniness and want of zeal on his account.  put; and it is not unlikely that this name was
The friars, as soon as their astonishment gave  given to witches, because, in their fits of enthuthem power to speak, consulted together, and  siasm, they swelled in their bellies like a bottle.
agreed to acquaint the rest of the community  The occasion of this swelling is said by some
with this singular event, so interesting to the  authors to proceed from a demon's entering into
whole society. M. St. Gill, who wished to car-  the sorcerers per partes genitales, and so ascendry on the joke a little farther, dissuaded them  ing to the bottom of her stomach, from whence,
from  taking this step, telling them that they  at that time, she uttered her predictions; and
would be treated by their absent brethren as a  for this reason, the Latins call such persons Venset of fools and visionaries.  He recommended  triloqui, and the Greeks Eyya'arpimvOot, that is,
to them, however, the immediately calling the  people who speak out of their bellies.  CEelius
whole community into the church, where the  Rhodiginus (Antiq. lib. 8. c. 10.) says, In referghost of their departed brother might probably  ence to such cases, " While I am  writing conreiterate his complaints. Accordthgnly, all the  cerning ventriloquous persons, there is, in my -wn
friars, novices, lay-brothers, and even the do-  country, a woman of a mean extract, who has an
mestics of the convent, were timmediately sum-  unclean spirit in her belly, from whence may be
moned and call!ed together, In a short time the  heard a voice, not very strong indeed, but very
voice from the roof renewed its lamentations and  articulate and intelligible. Multitudes,f people
reproaches, and the whole convent fell on their  have heard this voice, as well as myee.,, and all
faces, and vowed a solemn reparation.  As a  imaginable precaution has been used in examinfirst step, they chanted a Deprofundis in a full  ing into the truth of this fact:"-" Quando futuri
choir; during the intervals of which the ghost  avida portentus mens, sawpe accersitum ventrilooccasionally expressed the comfort he received  quam, ac exutam amictu, ne quid fiaudis occulfiunm  their pious exercises and ejaculations on  taret, inspectare et a}idire concupivit."  The
his behalf. When all was over, the prior enter-  author adds, " This demon is called Cincinnatued into a serious conversation with M. St. Gill;  lus, and when the wontan calls upon him by his
and on the strength of what had just passed, sa-  name. he irnmediately answers her."-Several
gaciously inveighed against the absurd increduli-  ancient writers have informed us, that in the
ty of our modern sceptics and pretended philoso-  times of Paganism, evil spirits had communion
phers, on the article of ghosts or apparitions.  with these ventriloquae per partes secretiores.
M. St. Gill thought it high time to disabuse the  Chrysostom  says, —" Traditur Pythia fmmina
good fathers. This purpose, however, he found  fuisse, qus  in Tripodes sedens expansa malignum
it extremely niflicult to effect, till he had prevail-  spiritum per interna immissum, et per genlitales




ISO                                   APPENDIX.
partes s.ubeuntem  excipiens, furore repleretur,  peared to Blake, and afforded him a viewv of hi!
ipsaque resolutis crinibus baccharetur, ex ore  whole figure, an engraving of which I snail give
spumam emittens, et sic furoris verba loqueba-  in this work."
tur," &c.                                         N. B.-Blake, who died only two or three
Spectres have also been produced by such opti-  years ago, was an ingenious artist, who illustratcalexhibitionsas the phantasmagoria.  By means  ed Blair's Grave, and other works, and was so
of this instrument, a spectre can be made appa-  much of an enthusiast, that he imagined he could
rently to start up from a white mist, and to rush  call up from the vasty deep, any spirits or corpoforward towards the spectator with a horrific as-  real forms. Were it not a fact, that a work
pect.  If a thin screen were placed in a dark  entitled " Zodiacal Physiognomy," written by
room, and the lantern of the phantasmagoria,  John Parley, and illustrated with engravings. was
with its light properly concealed, the most terri-  actually published in the year 1828, by Longmaln
fic phantoms might be exhibited, which would  and Co., we should have deemed it almost imposconfound and appal every one previously unac-  sible, that amidst the light of the present age, any
quainted with the contrivance, especially if the  man capable of writing a grammatical sentence,
exhibition was suddenly made at the dead hour of  would seriously give such a description as that
night.  By means of such exhibitions, combined  quoted above, and attach his belieftosuch absur.
with the art of ventriloquism, and the assistance  dity and nonsense. But amidst all our boasted
of a confederate, almost every thing that has been  scientific improvements and discoveries, it ap..
recorded  respecting spectres and apparitions  pears, that the clouds of ignorance and supersti.
might be realized.                             lion still hang over a large body of our population,
and that the light of the millennial era, if it have
I shall conclude these illustrations of appari-  yet dawned, is still far from its meridian splendour.
tions, by presenting the reader with a description
of the ghost of a flea; by Mr. Varlev, formerly,alluded to, as a specimen of the folly and super-    After what has been now stated respecting the
stition that still degrade the present age.    circumstances which may have led to the popular
" With respect to the vision of the ghost of the  belief of spectres and apparitions, it would be alflea, as seen by Mr. Blake, it agrees in counte-  most needless to spend time in illustrating the
nance with one class of people under Gemini,  futility ofsuch a belief. There is one strong obwhich sign is the significator of the flea, whose  jection against the probability of apparitions, and
brown colour is appropriate to the colour of the  that is,-that they scarcely appear to be intellieyes, in some full-toned Gemini persons, and the  gent creatures, or at least, that they possess so
neatness, elasticity, and tenseness of the flea, are  small a degree of intelligence, that they are unsignificant of the elegant dancing and fencing sign  qualified to act with prudence, or touse the
Gemini.  The spirit visited his imagination in  means requisite to accomplish an end. Ghosts
such a figure as he never anticipated in an insect.  are said often to appear in order to discover
As I was anxious to make the most correct inves-  some crime that had been committed; but they
tigation in my power of the truth of these visions,  never appear to a magistrate, or some person
on hearing of this spiritual apparition of a flea, I  of authority and intelligence, but to some illiteasked him if he could draw for me the resem-  rate clown, who happens to live near the place
blance of what he saw. He instantly said,' I see  where the crime was committed, to some perhim now before me.' I therefore gave him paper  son who has no connexion at all with the afand a pencil with which he drew the portrait, of  fair, and who, in general, is the most improper
which a fac-simile is given in this number. I felt  person in the world for making the discovery.
convinced by his modeof proceeding, that he had  Glanville, who wrote in defence of witchcraft and
a real image before him; for he left off and be-  apparitions, relates, for instance, the following
gan on another part ofthe paper, to make a se-  story: " James Haddock, a farmer, was married
parate drawing of the mouth of the flea, which  to Elenor Welsh, by whom he had a son. After
the spirit having opened, he was prevented from  the death of Haddock, his wife married one
proceeding with the first sketch, till he had closed  Davis; and both agreed to defiaud the son bv the
it. During the time occupied in completing the  former marriage, of a lease bequeathed to him by
drawing, the flea told him that all fleas were in-  his father.  Upon this the ghost of Haddock aphabited by the souls of such men as were by na-  peared to one Francis. Taverner, the servant of
ture blood-thirsty to excess, and were, therefore,  Lord Chichester, and desired him to go to Elenor
providentially confined to the size and form of Welsh, and to inform her that it was the will of
such insects; otherwise, were he himself, for in-  her former husband that their son shoulc  enjoy
stance, the size of a horse, he would depopulate  the lease. Taverner did not at first execute this
a great part of the country. He added, that,,' if  commission, but he was continually hauntea by
in attempting to leap from one island to another,  the apparition in the most hideous shapes, which
he should fall into the sea, he could swim, and  even threatened to tear him  in pieces, till at last
could not be lost.' This spirit afterwards ap-  he delivered the message." Now, had this spect u




EXPLOSION OF STEAM-ENGINES.                                  181
possessed the least common sense, it would have  of day their Inessage would be delivered wit} as
appeared first to Elenor Welsh, and her husband  much ease, and with more chance of success.
Davis, and frightened them into compliance at  As it would excite less fear, it would be listened to
once, and not have kept poor Taverner, who had  with more calmness and attention; and were
no concern in the matter, in such constant dis-  they to exhibit themselves before a number of.quietude and alarm.                          intelligent witnesses in the full blaze of day, the
Another odd circumstance respecting appari.  purposes for which they were sent would be more
ions, is, that they have nopower to speak, till they  speedily and securely accomplished.  The ceare addressed.  InGlanville's relations, weread  lestial messengers whose visits are recorded in
of an old woman, that appeared often to David  Scripture, appeared most frequently during the
Hunter, a neat-herd, at the house of the Bishop  light of day, and communicated their messages,
-of Down.  Whenever she appeared, he found  in many instances, to a number of individuals at
himselfobliged to follow her; and, for three quar-  once-messages, which were of the utmost imters of a year, poor David spent the whole of al-  portance to the individuals addressed, and even
most every night in scampering up and down  to mankind at large.  To give credit, therefore,
through the woods after this old woman. How  to the popular stories respecting ghosts and aplong this extraordinary employment might have  paritions, embodies in it a reflection on the chacontinued, it is impossible to guess, had not  racter of the All-wise Ruler of the world, and
David's violent fatigue made him one night ex-  a libel on the administrations of his moral goclaim, " Lord bless me!-would I were dead!-  vernment.
shall I never be delivered from this misery?" On
which the phantom replied, " Lord bless me too!    No. VIII. —Explosions of Steam-Engines.
-It was happy you spoke first, for till then I                 Pp. 33, 76.
had no power to speak, though I have followed
you so long!" Then she gave him a message to    As steam-engines are now applied to the purher two sons, though David told her he remem-  pose of impelling vessels along seas and rivers,
bered nothing about her. David, it seems, ne-  as well as to many important manufacturing proglected to deliver the message, at which the old  cesses, and are capable of still more extensive
beldam was somuch provoked, that she returned  applications, and of higher improvements than
and hit him a hearty blow on the shoulder, which  they have yet attained-it is of the utmost immade him cry out and then speak to her. Now,  portance that every circumstance should be careif she could not speak till David addressed her,  fully guarded against, which has the remotest
why might she not have applied this oratorial  tendency to endanger the bursting of the boiler,
medicine, the first time she appeared to him? It  -and that no person be intrusted with the diwould have saved both herself and him many a  rection of such engines who is not distinguished
weary journey, and certainly David would much  for prudence and caution, or who is unacquainted
rather have had half a dozen blows froml her chop-  with their construction and the principle of their
py fists, than have wanted so many nights' sleep.  operation. For, to ignorance and imprudence
To complete the story, it must be added, that  are to be ascribed many of those accidents which
when David's wife found it impossible to keep him  have happened from the bursting of the boilers
from following the troublesome visiter, she trudged  of these engines. This remark is strikingly ilafter him, but was never gratified with a sight of lustrated by the following and many other tragical
the enchantress.-See Ency. Brit. Art. Spectre.  occurrences:What imaginable purpose can be served by    In the month of August 1815, the following
such dumb spectres that cannot speak till they are  melancholy accident happened at Messrs. Nesaddressed, or by sending apparitions from the  ham and Co's colliery at Newbottle.  The proinvisible world that appear destitute of common  prietors had formed a powerful locomotive steamsense? It is remarked by Glanville, that ghosts  engine for the purpose of drawing ten or twelve
are generally very eager to be gone; and, indeed, coal wagons to the staith at one time: and en the
they are frequently so much so, that like children  day it was to be put in motion, a great number
and thoughtless fools, they do not stay to tell  of persons belonging to the colliery collected to
their errand.  It appears altogether inconsistent  see it; but, unfortunately, just as it was going off,
with any rational or scriptural ideas of the over-  the boiler of the -machine burst.  The engineruling providence of the Almighty, to suppose  man was dashed to pieces, and his mangled rethat such beings would be selected for adminis-  mains blown 114 yards. The top of the boiler,
tering the affairs of his kingdom, and for main-  nine feet square, weighing nineteen  hundred
taining an intercourse between the visible and  weight, was blown 100 yards, and the two cyinvisible worlds. It is also stated to be one pe-  linders 90 yards. A little boy was also thrown to
culiarity of spectres that they appear only in the  a great distance. By this accident fifty-seven
night.  But if they are sent to this sublunary  persons were killed and wounded, of whom eleven.
region on affairs of importance, why should they  died on Sunday night; several remaining danbe afraid of the light of the sun?  In the light gerously ill. The cause of the accident is ac



1 SP}                                 APPENDIX.
counted for as follows:-The engine-man said,  cylinders could no longer contain it, and gave.; As there are several owners and viewers here, I way with great violence. Six of the-unfortunate
suill make her (the engine) go in grand style;"  sufferers died on Wednesday night, and one or
and he had scarcely got upon the boiler to loose  two others are not expected to survive."-loui..
ine screw  of the safety valve, but, brin.2 over-  siana Gazette and New Orleans JMercantile Ad.
heated, it exploded.-MonthlyJMagazine, vol.40,  vertiser, July 8th, 1816.
). 181.                                         Since the above accidents happened, many
From what is here stated, it appears, that this  others of a similar nature have occurred, which
tragical accident was occasioned by a combina-  have ultimately been ascertained to have been
tion of vanity, ignorance, and imprudence in the  owing either to ignorance, or to carelessness and
person to whom  the direction of the engine was'inattention, which are the natural results of
commnitted.-The following accident which hap-  ignorance.  As steam-boats are now navigat1ened to the Washington steam-boat, belonging  ing all our Friths and rivers, and even ploughing
to Wheeling, N. America, is attributed to a  the ocean itself; and as steam  carriages, are
somewhat similar cause.                       likely soon to come into general use for the con" This boat started from Wheeling on Mon-  veyance of passengers and goods, it is of the
iday, June 10th, 1816, and arrived at Marietta on  utmost importance to their success, and to the
Tuesday evening at 7 o'clock, and came safely  safety of the public, the& every precaution be
to anchor, where she remained till Wednesday  adopted to prevent those explosions, and disarmorning.  The files had been kindled and the  rangements of the machinery, which might be
boilers sufficiently hot, preparatory to her depar-  attended with fatal effects. But, although science
ture, when the anchor was weighed and the  and art may accomplish all that seems requisite
helm put to larboard, in order to wear her in a  for the prevention of danger, unless persons
position to start her machinery; but only having  of prudence and intelligence be obtained for the
one of her rudders shipped at the time, its influ-  superintendence and direction of such machines,
ence was not sufficient to have the desired effect,  the efforts of their projectors to prevent accidents
and she immediately shot over under the Virgi-  may prove abortive.  And until the tone of innia shore, where it was found expedient to throw  tellect, among the middling and lower orders, be
over the kedge at the stern to effect it.  This  somewhat more elevated than it is at present, it
being accomplished, the crew were then required  may be difficult to obtain persons for this purpose
to haul it on board, and were nearly all collected  of the requisite qualifications.
in the quarter for that purpose.  At this un-    The following recent accidents from steamhappy fatal moment, the end of the cylinder to-  boat explosions, in all probability originated from
wards the stern exploded, and threw the whole  causes similar to those to which I have now
contents of hot water among them, and spread  alluded.
death and torture in every direction. The captain,    The boiler of the steam-boat Caledonia, plymate, and several seamen were knocked over-  ing on the Mississipi, exploded on the 11th
board, but were saved, with the exception of  April 1830, killing and wounding about fifteen oi
one man,' by boats from the town, and by swim-  the passengers and seven of the crew,-seven or
ming to the shore. The whole town was alarm-  eight of whom were blown overboard and lost.
ed by the explosion, and all the physicians, with  It was expected that some of the wounded would
a number of citizens, went immediately to their  recover, although badly scalded.  The boiler
relief. On going on board, a melancholy and  burst in the side while the boat was under weigh,
truly horrible scene was presented to view.  Six  and about two hours after being wooded. There
or eight persons were nearly skinned from head  were on board about 400 deck, and sixty cabin
to foot, and others scalded, making in the whole,  passengers, besides the crew, being altogether
seventeen.  In stripping off their clothes the  about 500 souls. The hull of the boat was unskin pealed off with them to a considerable depth.  injured.  It is said that the accident arose
Added to this melancholy sight, the ears of the  from the passengers crowding to one side of the
pitying spectators were pierced by the screams  boat, by which one side of the boiler was exposand groans of the agonizing sufferers, rendering  ed to the direct action of the fire, and when the
the scene horrible beyond description.        boat righted, a quantity of steamn was suddenly
"The cause of this melancholy catastrophe  generated greater than the safety valve could
may be accounted for by the cylinder not having  carry off. —The number of persons who have lost
vent through the safety valve, which was firmly  their lives by explosions in America, since the
stopped by the weight which hung on the lever,  commencement of the season(1830,) is not muck
having been unfortunately slipped to its extreme,. short of one hundred,-sixty in the Helen JYacwithout its being noticed, and the length of time  gregor, four in the tHuntress, nine in the Justice
occupied in wearing before her machinery could  Marshall, and fourteen in the Caledonia, bebe set in motion, whereby the force of the steam   sides those of the latter, who, it was feared,
would have been expended; these two causes  would not recover from  lie injuries they had
united, confined the steam till the strength of tie  sustained.




INVENTION OF THE SAFETY LAMP.                                  183
In these and other instances, it is more than  the next place, it was most imprudent to venture
rrobable, that a want of attention to the natural  upon the other line of rail-way, more especially
lanrs of the universe, and to the obvious effects  when a cloud of steam prevented them from sewwhich an enlightened mind should foresee they  ing what was passing around them.-In regard to
would produce, was the chief cause of the de-  the person who had the command of the Bolton
struction of so many human beings, and of the  train, it was incautious and imprudent in the
sufferings of those whose lives were preserved.  highest degree, to urge his machinery forward,
The same remark may be applied to the cir-  when ho beheld a volume of smoke immediately
cumstances connected with a late fatal accident  before him; the least consideration must have
which happened on the Liverpool and Manches-  convinced him, that some accident must have
ter rail-road.                                happened, and that the cloud of steam would preOn Fridav afternoon, February 1, 1833, as  vent those enveloped in it from perceiving the
the second-class train, which leaves Livertool at  approach of his vehicle; and, therefore, he ought
three o'clock, was proceeding over Parr Moss, a  immediately to have abated hisspeed, so as to
little on the other side of Newton, one of the  have acquired a complete command of the entubes which passes longitudinally through the  gine by the time it arrived at the spot where the
boiler, burst   The consequence was, that a  steam was floating. Hence the importance-in
quantity of water fell into the fire, steam was  conducting steam-engines and other departments
generated in abundance, and the engine stopped.  of machinery-of having as superintendents, men
Several of the passengers alighted to see what  of prudence and of enlightened minds, capable of
was the matter, and they incautiously got upon the  foreseeing the probable effects of every combinaline of rail-way talken by the trains in going to  tion of circumstances that may happen to occur.
Liverpool,-the contrary to that on which the dis-  For Ignorance is generally proud, obstinate,
abled engine stood.  While they were in this  incautious, precipitate in its movements, and
situation, a train of wagons from Bolton, pro-  regardless of consequences; so that, through its
ceeding to Liverpool, came up.  The persons  heedlessness and folly, the most splendid invenwho had alighted did. not see the advancing train,  tions are often impeded in their progress, and
being enveloped in a dense cloud of vapour; and,  their value and utility called in question.
from the same cause, they were by the conduct-    The Liverpool and Manchester Rail-way,
or also unseen.  They accordingly came upon  and the locomotive powers of the machinery and
them with fearful violence; several were knocked  engines which move along it, constitute one ol
down, and the wheels of the train passed over four  the most splendid and useful improvements or
of therm. Three of the unfortunate party were  modern times. From the last half-yearly Re.
killed upon the spot; their bodies being dread-  port of the Directors, from June 30 to December
fully crushed; the fourth survived, and was taken  31, 1832, it it satisfactorily proved, that this railforward to the infirmary, but his recovery was  way is completely efficient and applicable to all
considered hopeless.  Two of the three killed  the greatobjects forwhich it wasdesigned. Durwere elderly persons, whose names were un-  ing the period now specified, there were carried
known; the third, an interesting young man,  along the rail-way 86,842 tons goods, 39,940 tons
who had formerly been in the employ of the Comn-  coals, and 182,823 passengers, which is 73,498
pany as a fireman, and whowas married only three  fewer than in the corresponding six months of
weeks before. The survivor was a boy about  1831, owing to the prevalence of cholera in Dub.
sixteen years of age, who was proceeding from  lin, artd in the towns of Manchester and LiverBelfast to Halifax, where his parents reside.-  pool. Were this rail-way continued to London,
The  ca nalty, which  was the  occasion of it is calculated, that the journey from Liverpool
this serious result, was itself but trifling, as the  to the Metropolis, a distance of more than 200
train went forward to Manchester after a short  miles, might be performed in eight or ten hours.
delay.
This shocking catastrophe was evidently cans-  No. TX.-Circumstances which led to the invert
ed by rashness and imprudence-by not foresee-    tion of the Safety Lamp. Pp. 27, 81.
ing what might probably arise from a certain
combinration  of circumstances-or, in  other    This lamp, by means of which hundreds of
words, by inattention to certain natural laws,  lives have been preserved, was invented in the
both on the part of those who were connected  autumn of 1815. Sir Humphry Davy, the invenwith the Liverpool train of wagons, and of those  tor, was led to the consideration of this subject,
who conducted the Bolton train. In regard to  by an application from Dr. Gray, now Bishop
the passerngers in the Liverpool train, it was  of Bristol, the chairman of a society established
highly improper that they should have left their  in 1813, at Bishop-Wearmouth, to consider and
seats on the carriage.  The accident which befel  promote the means of preventing accidents by
the  nifortunate Mr. Huskisson, at the opening  fire in coal-pits. Being then in Scotland, he
of t:e rail-way, should have operated as an inl-  visited the mines on his return southward, and
pressive warning against such a practice. T's  was supplied %with specimens offire-damp, which,




184                                  APPENDIX.
on reaching London, he proceeded to examine  mately to the sea-water itself. It was thence
and analyze. He soon discovered that the car-  hunted through nature, discovered in salt mine.
ourretted hydrogen gas, called fire-damp by the  arid springs, and pursued into all bodies whi'r.
miners, would not explode when mixed with less  have a marine origin; among the rest, into
than six, or more than fourteen times its volume  sponge. A medical practitioner then called to
of air; and, further, that the explosive mixture  mind a reputed remedy for the cure of one of the
could not be fired in tubes of small diameters and  most grievous and unsightly disorders to which
proportionate lengths. Gradually diminishing  the human species is subject-the goitre-which
these, he arrived at the conclusion, that a tissue  infests the inhabitants of mountainous districts to
of wire in which the meshes do not exceed a  an extent which in this favoured land we have
certain small diameter, which may be considered  happily no experience of, and which was said to
as the ultimate limit of a series of such tubes, is  have been originally cured by the ashes of burnt
impervious to the inflamed air; and that a lamp  sponge. Led by this indication, he tried the efcovered with such tissue may be used with per-  fect of iodine on that complaint, and the result
fect safety, even in an explosive mixture, which  established the extraordinary fact, that this sintakes fire and burns within the cage, securely  gular substance, taken as a medicine, acts with
cut off from the power of doing harm.  Thus,  the utmost promptitude and energy on goitre, dis.
when the atmosphere is so impure that the flame  sipating the largest and most inveterate in a short
of a lamp itself cannot be maintained, the Davy  time, and acting (of course with occasional failstill supplies light to the miner, and turns his  ures, like all other medicines) as a specific or
worst enemy into an obedient servant.  This in-  natural antagonist, against that odious deformity.
vention, the certain source of large profit, he  It is thus that any accession to our knowledge of
presented with characteristic liberality to the  nature is sure, sooner or later, to make itself felt
public. The words are preserved in which,  in some practical application, and that a benefit
when pressed to secure to himself the benefit of  conferred on science, by the casual observation
a patent, he declined to do so, in conformity with  or shrewd remark of even an unscientific or illitethe high-minded resolution which he formed,  rate person, infallibly repays itself with interest,
upon acquiring independent wealth, of never  though often in a way that could never have been
making his scientific eminence subservient to  at first contemplated."*
gain.  " I have enough for all my views and    Iodine was accidentally discovered (as above
purposes, more wealth might be troublesome,  stated) in 1812, by M. De Courtois, a manufacand distract my attention from  those pursuits  turer of saltpetre at Paris, and derived its first
in which I delight. More wealth could not  illustrations from M. Clement and M. Desorincrease my fame or happiness. It might un-  mes. Its name literally signifies a violet colour. Its
doubtedly enable me to put four horses to my car-  specific gravity is about 4. It becomes a violotriage, but what would it avail me to have it said,  coloured gas at a temperature below that of boiling
that Sir Humphry drives his carriage and four?"  water; it combines with the nmetals, with phos.
Gallery of Portraits.  phorus and sulphur, with the alkalis and metallic
oxides, and forms a detonating compound with
No. X.-On the Utility of the Remarks and  ammonia.  Dr. Coindet of Geneva first recomObservations of Mechanics and MJanufac-  mended the use of it, in the form of tincture, for
turers. P. 81.                             the cure of goitres. Somne readers may perhaps
require to be informed that the goitre is a large
That the remarks of experienced artists and la-  fleshy excrescence that grows from the throat,
bourers, may frequently lead to useful discoveries,  and sometimes increases to an enormous size.
may be illustrated by the following facts:-" A   The inhabitants of certain parts of Switzerland,
soap manufacturer remarked that the residuum   especially those in the republic of Valais, are
of his ley, when exhausted of the alkali for which  particularly subject to this shocking deformity.
he employed it, produced a corrosion of his copDer boiler for which he could not account. He  No. XI.-Liberality  of Religious Sectaries in
put it into the hands of a scientific chemist for  America, contrasted with  British bigotry.
analysis, and the result was the discovery of one  P. 149.
of the most singular and important chemical elemnents, iodine.  The properties of this, being   The following sketches are taken from Stuart's
studied, were found to occur most appositely in  " Three Years in North America." When at
illustration and support of a variety of new, curi-  Avon, a village in the north-west part of the State
ous, and instructive views, then gaining ground in  of New York, Mr. Stuart went to attend a church
<chemistry, and thus exercised a marked influence  about a mile distan t, ofwwhich he gives the follow.
over the whole body of that science. Curiosity  ingdescription.-"I The horses and carriages wora
was excited; the origin of the new substance was  tied up in great sheds near the church-doors, dur
traced to the sea-plants from  whose ashes the
principal ingredient of soap is obtained, and ulti-  * Herschel's Prelim. Discourse to Nat. Phi!.




LIBERALITY OF SECTARIES IN AMERICA.                                183
Ing the time of service.  The day was hot, and  The t vo following I have preserved: — Thle
the precentor, as usual, in the centre of the front  corner-stone of a new Baptist church was laid a:
gallery, opposite to the minister, officiated, not  Savannah in Georgia, and the ceremonial seronly without a gown, but without a coat upon his  vices were performed by clergymen of the Methoback. There was some sort of instrumental  dist, German, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopal.
music-hautbovs anld bassoons, I think, against  and Baptist churches.''The sacrament of the
which there are no prejudices in this country.  Lord's supper was administered in the Rev. Mr.
The clergyman, a very unaffected, sincere-look-  Post's church (Presbyterian church at Washinging person, delivered a plain sensible discourse,  ton) and, as usual, all members of other churches
in which he introduced the names of Dr. Erskine  in regular standing were invited to unite with
and Dr.'halmers, which sounded strange to us,  the members of that church, in testifying their
considering where we were, on the western side  faith in, and love to, their Lord and Saviour.
of the Atlantic, not very far from the falls of Ni-  The invited guests assembled around the table;
agara.  At the close of his sermon, he addressed  and it so happened that Mr. Grundy, a senator
his hearers in some such terms as these,-' My  from Tennessee, and two Cherokee Indians, were
friends, the sacrament of the Lord's supper is to  seated side by side.' Nothing is more astoundbe dispensed here this evening. This is a free  ing in the stage-coach intercourse with the peochurch, open to all-Presbyterians, Methodists,  pIe of this country, as well as in the bar-rooms
Baptists, and all other denominations ofChris-  where travellers meet, than the freedom  and
tians. This is according to our belief. All are in-  apparent sincerity of their remarks, and the pervited; the risk is theirs.' Such liberality is, we  fect feeling of equality with which the conversafind on inquiry, not unusual among the clergymen  tion  is maintained, especially on  religious
and congregations ofdifferent sects, with the ex-  matters. I have heard the most opposite creeds
ception in general of Unitarians.  I observe an  maintained, without any thing like acrimonious
example recorded in Hosack's Life of Clinton;  discussion orsarcastic remark, by persons in the
and as it relates to the great Father of the United  same stage, professing themselves undisguisedly,
States, and is of unquestionable authority, Ithink  Calvinists, Episcopalians, Methodists,  and
it of sufficient interest for insertion.' While the  Unitarians," &c.
American army, under the command of Wash-    If such are the liberal views entertained in
ington, lay encamped in the vicinity of Morris-  America on religious subjects, and if such dispotown, New-Jersey, it occurred that the service of  sitions are more congenial to the spirit of the
the communion (then observed semi-annually  Christian system, than the fiery and uuhallowed
only) was to be administered to the Presbyterian  zeal and unholy jealousies which many religionchurch in that village. In a morning of the pre-  ists display-why are they not more frequently
vious week, the General, after his accustomed  manifested in our own country?  For, the differinspection of the camp, visited the house of the  ence of localities and customs cannot alter the
Rev. Dr. Jones, then pastor of that church, and,  nature and obligation of moral principles and
after the usual preliminaries, thus accosted him:  actions.  What a striking contrast to the scenes
-' Doctor, I understand that the Lord's supper  now exhibited are such facts as the following;is to be celebrated with you next Sunday. I would  " The Rev. J. T. Campbell, rector of Tilston,
learn, if it accords with the canons of your church  in the diocese of Chester, has been suspended
to admit communicants of another denomination.' from  his clerical function, for twelve months,
The Doctor rejoined,' Most.certainly. Ours is with a sequestration of his benefice, for that time,
not the Presbyterian table, General, but the  for preaching in a methodist meeting-house in
Lord's table, and we hence give the Lord's invi-  Nantwich, and in other similar places within
tation to all his followers, of whatever name.'  the diocese."  " The Rev. Dr. Rice, curate of
The General replied,' I am glad of it; that is as  St. Lukes, London, who made himself conspicuit oight to be, btut as I was not quite sure of the  ous the other day, at Mr. Wakely's dinner, and
fact, I thought I would ascertain it from yourself,  who, in consequence of the liberal sentienllts he
as I propose to join with you on that occasion.  then expressed on the subject of Church Reform,
Though a member ofthe church of England, I  has fallen under the censure of his diocesan."
have no exclsive partialities.' The Doctor re-  Both these notices appeared in most of the
assured him of a cordial welcome, and theGene-  newspapers in January 1833, and were never
ral was found seated with the communicants the  contradicted!; If such conduct in the rulers of
next Sabbath,                                 the church were warranted by the doctrines or
" During my residence in the United States,  precepts of the New Testament, Christianity
subsequent to this period, I was frequently wit-  would be unworthy of any man's attention or
ness to the good understanding which generally  support.  If the principles and  persecuting
prevails among clergylmen professing different  spirit involved in such decisions, were counopinions on church forms and doctrinal points,  tenanced and supported by the laws of the state,
In this country; and I occasionally observed  we should soon be subjected to al' the burnings,
Oo:ices in the newspapers to the same purport.  hangings, maimings, tortures, a.-.d horrid cruei



186                                   APPENDIX.
ties, which distinguished'the dark ages of Pope-  the cause of the rapid increase of Dissenters'
ry, ana the proceedings of the Star Chamber.  The Vicar of Pevensey. in Sussex (as appears
How,ong will it be ere professed Christians  from a petition of the parishioners, dated Februa.
display a Christian spirit! and what is the utility  ry 1, 1833) derives an income from the parish of
of Christianity to the world, unless candour,  about 12001. a-year, and yet has never once per.
forbearance, love, meekness, and otherChristian  formed divine service, since his induction, about
virtues, be the characteristics of its professed  seventeen years ago. He has another living at
votaries! We dare any person to bring forward  Guestling, about fifteen miles distant, from which
a single instance of a man's being converted to  he derives a revenue of400l. per annum.  Whethe faith of our holy religion, by the display of  ther he does duty there is not known; but it is
unhallowed zeal, furious bigotry, sectarian con-  not absurd to suppose, that a parson who will not
tentions, or the manifestation of a domineering  so much as read prayers for 12001. is not very
and persecuting spirit. But, thousands of in-  likely to preach for 4001.-R. Hodgson, Dean
stances could be produced of such dispositions  of Carlisle, is also Vicar of Burg-on-Sands, Recbeing the means of recruiting the ranks of infi-  tor of St. Georges in Hanover Square, Vicar of
delity and licentiousness.  The following state-  Hellington, and yet at none ofthese places is he
ment, sent to the Editor of the Liverpool NJercu-  found officiating.  The tithes received by the
ry, Feb. 14th, 1833, displays the liberality of Dean and Chapter for Heshet, amount to 10001.
certain British clergymen, in the thirty-third  or 15001. a-year; they pay the curate that does
year of the nineteenth century.  "'I have been  the duty 181. 5s., or at the rate of one shilling
recently called on by death to part with one of  a-day-the wages ofa bricklayer's labourer.  In
my children.  I waited upon the Rev. ---      Wetheral and Warwick, the Dean and Chapter
of   -  church (where I buried a child a short  draw about 10001. a-year for tithes, and 10001.
time ago,) to arrange with him about its inter-  a-year from the church lands, and they pay the
ment near the other.'But, to what place of  working minister the sum of 501. a-year.  The
worship do you go?' inquired most seriously the  tithes of the parish of St. Cuthberts and St. MaReverend divine.' The Methodists, Sir, of the  ry amount to about 15001. a-year; and the two
New Connexion,' I replied.' As you do not  curates, who do the duty, receive each the sum
attend my church, I cannot, therefore, bury your  of 21. 13s. 4d. a-year!! Three brothe:s of the
child.-Where was your child baptized?' was  name of Goodenough, monopolize thirteen pieces
his second inquiry.' At the church of which I  of church preferment. One of them is Prebend
am  a member,' I answered.'How can you  of Carlisle, Westminister and York, Vicar of
think,' exclaimed the liberal and pious, but indiag-  WVath All-Saints on Dearn, chaplain of Adwick,
nant minister,' that I shall bury your child,  and chaplain of Brampton Bierlow. Those prewhich has been baptized by a Dissenter?  Take  ferments produce, of course, several thousands,
your child to be buried where it was baptized.'-  for which the incumbents perform absolutely no-'But, Sir, we have no burial-ground connected  thing.  And yet, one of the persons above alludwith our chapel.'' No matter; the church-  ed to, had lately the effrontery to come to Carlwardens of my church have determined not to  isle and preach up " the Church is in danger,"
bury any that do not belong to the church. Go,' because these shocking enormities are now exsaid the minister,' to   ~, and arrange with  posed to public reprobation.  See Times newshim.'-So saying, he turned his back and left me.  paper for March 7, 8, 1833.  It would be no
R. Emery."                                    great breach of charity to suppose, that it is such
The Duke of Newcastle-so notorious for do-  doctrines and practices as those now stated, that
tng what he pleases swith his own-has the follow-  the Duke of Newcastle is determined to support
ing clause introduced into certain leases in the  with such a degree of persecuting zeal-and that
neighbourhood of Nottingham:-" That in none  pure Christianity, detached from its connexions
of the houses to be built, shall be held prayer-meet-  with the state, is the object of his hatred and coning., or any conventicles for the diffusion of senti-  tempt.
ments contrary to the doctrines of the Church of    As a corroboration of Mr. Stuart's statemlents
England."  A fine specimen, truly, of Chris-  respecting the liberality of Religious Sectalses
tian liberality in the nineteenth century! If his  in America, the following extract of a letter,
Grace the Duke of Newcashde attended to his  dated 18th February 1833, which the author
prayers asfrequently andfervently as the Liturgy  received from  the Rev. Dr. S-, a learned
enjoins, he would be disposed to display a little  and pious Presbyterian minister in the State of
more candour in reference to the': prayer-meet-  New York, may be here insertedings"' of his dissenting brethren.  With regard  " I deeply regret to hear that so much of the
to the leadipngdoctrines of the Church of England,  spirit of sectarianism preva.i's among the differthere are few dissenters disposed to find much  ent religious denominati.,s of your country.
fatlt with them.  But what will his Grace say  We, too, have enough of it; but it is here manif the indolence and avaricious condruct of many  festly on the decline. You may possibly think it
of the ministers of that church, which have been  an unreasonable stretch cf liberality when [ tell




EFFECTS OF INFIDEL PHILOSOPHY.                                   187
uvot, tl;at, within a few weeks, I suffered an  gambling houses-rerndezvouses the more sedueI.piscopaliat, to preach in my pulpit, and to use  tive to youth, as being free from some cf those
hi. own forms of prayer.  Bvt such is the state  dangers which would alarm timidity in places of
of feeling in my congregation, that, though such  avowedly scandalous resort. In the Sallon des
a thing had never before occurred among them,  Etrangers, the most celebrated haunt of this
yet it,net with their universal and unqualified  Dom-Daniel, which I had the curiosity to visit,
approbation.  On the other hand, I expect, in  the scene was decent and silent to a degree of
the course of a week or two, to preach a charity  solemnity.  An immense hall was filled with
sermon here in one of our Episcopal churches,  gamesters and spectators.  Those who kept tha
and to perform the whole service in my own way.  bank, and managed the affairs of the establishThis, it must be confessed, is a little uncommon  ment, were distinguished by the green shades
even in this country; but every thing indicates,  which they wore to preserve their eyes; by their
that such expressions of good will, even between  silent and grave demeanour, and by the paleness
Presbyterians and Episcopalians, will soon be-  of their countenances, exhausted by their concome frequent.  Independents and  Presbyte-  stant vigils.  There was no distinction of perrians here occupy nearly the same ground. They  sons, nor any passport required for entrance,
are indeed distinct denominations, but are repre-  save that of a decent exterior; and, on the long
sented in each other's public bodies."  The au-  tables, which were covered with gold, an artisan
thor has perused an excellent sermon of the cler-  was at liberty to hazard his week's wages, or a
gyman now alluded to, which was preached in  noble his whole estate.  Youth and age were
an Independent church when introducing an In-  equally welcome, and any one who chose to play
dependent minister to his charge immediately after  within the limits of a trifling sum, had only to
ordination, which shows that we have still much  accuse his own weakness, if he was drawn into
to learn from our transatlantic brethren, in relation  deeper or more dangerous hazard.  Every thing
to a friendlv and affectionate intercourse with  appeared to be conducted with perfect fairness.
Christians ofdifferent denominations.          The only advantage possessed by the  bank
(which is however, enormous) is the extent of
No. XII.-On the Demoralizisng Efects of Infi-  the funds, by which it is enabled to sustain any
del Philosophy. P. 153-156.           reverse of fortune; whereas, most of the individuals who play against the bank, are in cire
With the view ofcorroborating and illustrating  cumstances to be ruined by the first succession
more fuilly the statements made in the pages re-  of ill luck; so that, ultimately, the small venturer
ferred to, the following facts may be stated in re-  merge in the stock of the principal adventurers,
lation to the moral character of the inhabitants of  as rivers run into the sea.  The profits of the
France particularly those of Paris.            establishment must, indeed, be very large, to
In the first place, the vice of gambling pre-  support its expenses. Besides a variety of atvails in the capital of France to an extent un-  tendants, who distribute refreshments to the
known in almost any other country.  The Pa-  players gratis, there is an elegant entertainment,
lais Royale is the grald focus of this species of in-  with expensive wines, regularly prepared, about
iquity, which is the fertile source of licentious-  three o'clock in the morning, for those who
mess, and ofalmrnost every crime. Mr. J. Scott,  choose to partake of it.  With such temptations
who visited Paris in 1814, thus describes this  around him, and where the hazarding an insignisink of moral pollution.: The Palais Royale  ficant sum seems at first venial or innocent, it is
presents the most characteristic feature of Paris;  no wvonder that thousands feel themselves graduit is dissolute, gay, wretched, elegant, paltry,  ally involved in the vortex, whose verge is so litbusy, and idle-it suggests recollections of atro-  tle distinguishable, until they are swallowed up,
city, and supplies sights of fascination-it dis-  with their time, talents, fortune, and frequently
plays virtue and vice living on easy terms, and  also both body and soul.
in immediate neighbourhood of each other. Ex-    " This is vice with herfairest vizard; but the
citements, indulgences, and privations-art and  same unhallowed precinct contains many a soe
vulgarity-science and ignorance-artful con-  cret cellfor the most hideous and unheard of despiracies and careless debaucheries-all mingle  baucheries; many an open rendezvous of infamy,
here, forming an atmosphere of various exhala-  and many a den of usury and treason; the whole
tions, a whirl of the smost lively images-a sti-  mixed with a Vanity Fair of shops for jewels,
mulating melange of what is most heating, in-  trinkets, and baubles; that bashfiulness may not
toxicating, and subduing."  Sir W. Scott, who  need a decent pretext for adventuring into the
visited Paris in 1815, gives the following de-  haunts of infamy. It was here that the preachscription of this infamous establishment. " The  ers of revolution found, amidst gamblers, despePalais Royahe, in whose saloons and porticoes  radoes, and prostitutes, ready auditors of their
vice has establisned a public and open school for  doctrines, and active hands to labour in their
gambling and licentiousness, should be levelled  vineyard.  It was here that the plots of the
to the ground witti all its accursed brothels and  Buonapartists were adjusted; and from hence




1 88                                 APPENDIX.
the seduced soldiers, inflamed with many a bum-  1815. In the grand square there were statiorlet
ipr to the health of the exile of Elba, under the  two theatres of dancers and rope-dancers: two
mystic names of Jean de l'Epee, and Corporal  theatres of amusing physical experiments; str
Violet, were dismissed to spread the news of his  bands for dancing; a theatre of singers; a display
approaching return. In short, from this central  of fire-works; a circus where Francone's troops
pit of Acheron, in which are openly assembled  were to exhibit; and above all, that most delecand mingled those characters and occupations  table sport called Matts de Cocagne. The Matts
which, in all other capitals, are driven to shroud  de Cocagne consists of two long poles, near the
themselves in separate and retired recesses; from  tops of which are suspended various articles of
this focus of vice and treason have flowed forth  cookery, such as roast beef, fowls, ducks, &c.
those waters of bitterness of which France has  The poles are soaped and rendered slippery
drunk so deeply."                             at the bottom; and the sport consists in the luThe state of marriage in this country since the  dicrous failures of those who climb to reach the
revolution is likewise the fertile source of im-  eatables. Two Matts de Cocagne were also
morality and crime. Marriage is little else than  erected in the square Marjury; as also four bands
a state of legal concubinage, a mere temporary  for dancing, a theatre of rope-dancers; a theatre
connexion, from which the parties can loose them.  of amusing experiments; a theatre of singers,
selves when they please; and women are a'&c.; and fire-works.  These amusements were
species of mercantile commodity. Illicit con-  to commence at 2 o'clock, P. M. and to last till
nexions and illegitimate children, especially in  night. Along the avenue of the Champ de ElyParis, are numerous beyond what is known in  sees, there were erected 36 fountains of wine, 12
any oher country.  The following statement of tables for the distribution of eatables, such as
the affairs of the French capital, for the year  pies, fowls, sausages, &c. The distribution of
ending 22d September 1903, given by the Pre-  the wine and eatables took place at three o'clock.
feet of Police to the Grand Judge, presents a  At nine o'clock there was a grand fire-work at
most revolting idea of the state of public morals:  the Place de Concorde.  Immediately after-During this year 490 men and 167 women  wards a detonating balloon ascended from the
committed suicide; 81 men and 69 women were  Champ de Elysees. The detonation took place
murdered, of whom 55 men and 52 women were  when the balloon was at the height of 500 toises,
foreigners; 644 divorces; 155 murderers exe-  or above 3000 feet.  In the evening all the the.
cured; 1210 persons condemned to the galleys,  atres were opened gratis, and all the public edi&c.; 1626 persons to hard labour, and 64 mark-  fices were illuminated. Such was the mode in
ed with hot irons; 12, 076 public women were  which the Parisians worshipped the " goddess of
registered; large sums were levied from these  Reason" on the day appointed for the Christian
wretched creatures, who were made to pay fi'om   Sabbath.
5 to 10 guineas each monthly, according to their    That such profanation of the Sabbath is still
rank, beauty, or fashion; 1552 kept mistresses  continued, and that it is not confined to the city
were noted down by the police, and 380 brothels  of Paris, but abounds in most of the provincial
licensed by the Prefect. Among the criminals  towns of France, appears from the following exexecuted were 7 fathers for'poisoning their  tract of a letter inserted in the Eevangelical
children; 10 husbands for murdering their wives;  Magazine for January 1833, from a gentleman
6 wives that had murdered their husbands; and  who recently resided in different parts of that
15 children who had poisoned or otherwise de-  country:-" Could every pious reader of this
stroyed their parents.                        letter be awakened, on the morning of that sacred
The glaring profanation of the Sabbath is an-  day, as I have been, by the clang of the anvil,
other striking characteristic of the people of and, on his entrance into the streets and markets,
France, especially as displayed in the capital.  observe business prosecuted or suspended accordEntering Paris on the Sabbath, a Briton is  ing to the tastes of the tradesmen; could he
shocked at beholding all that reverence and so-  mark the workmen on seasons of religious festilemnity with which that sacred day is generally  val, erecting the triumphal arch on the Sabbath
kept in Christian countries, not only set aside,  morning, and removing it on the Sabbath even.
but ridiculed and contemned, and a whole people  ing; and notice the labourers, at their option,
apparently lost to every impression of religion.  toiling all day at the public works; could he see
The shops are all alive, the gaming.houses fill-  the card-party in the hotel, and the nine-pins
ed, the theatres crowded,.the streets deafened  before every public house, and the promenaders
with ballad-singers and mountebanks; persons  swarming in all the suburbs; could he be comDf all ages, from the hoary grandsire to the child  pelled to witness, on one Sunday, a grand reof four or five years, engaged in balls, routs, and  view of a garrison; and on another be disturbed
dancings,-the house of God alone deserted, and  by the music of a company of strolling players 
the voice of religion alone unheard and despised.  and could he find, amidst all this profanation, as
rhe Sabbath was the day appointed for cele-  I have found, no temple to which to retreat, save
orating the return of Buonaparte from Elba in  the barreh cliff or the ocean-cave, surely he




MANIA FOR DANCING IN PARIS.                                   IS9
would feel and proclaim the truth,'This people  danso-mania of both sexes seems rather to in.
is destroyed for lackof knowledge."' The same  crease than decrease with the warm weather.
gentleman shows, that this profanation is chiefly  Sixty balls were advertised for last Sunday; and
occasioned by " the destitution of Scriptual in-  for to-morrow sixty-nine are announced.  Any
formation which exists in France," which the  person walking in the Elysian fields, or on the
Coi!owlng facts, among many others that came  Boulevards, may be convinced that these temples
under his own observation, tend to illustrate.  of pleasure are not without worshippers. Besides
" On the road to M —--— on a market-day, I  these, in our own walks last Sunday, we counted
stopped about a dozen persons, some poor, others  no less than twenty-two gardens not advertised,
cf the better classes, and showing them the New   where there was fiddling and dancing. Indeed,
Testament, begged them to inform  me if they  this pleasure is tempting, because it is very cheap.
possessed it.  With a single exception, they all  For a bottle of beer, which costs 6 sous (3d.,)
replied in the negative. In the townofM  --  and 2 sous (id.,) to the fiddler, a husband and
I entered, with the same inquiry, many of the  wife, with their children, may amuse themselves
most respectable shops. Only one individual from  three o'clock in the afternoon  till eleven
amnong their occupiers was the owner of a New   o'clock at night.  As this exercise both diverts
Testament.  One gentleman, who, during a  the mind and strengthens the body, and as Sunweek, dined with me at my inn, and wil. avow-  day is the only day of the week which the most
ed himself a deist and a materialist, said that he  numerous classes of people can dispose of, withhad not seen a Testament for many years. In-  out injury to themselves or the state, government
deed, I doubted whether he had ever read it; for, encourages, as much as possible, these innocent
on my presenting one to him, he asked if it con-  amusements on that day.  In the gardenof Chautained an account of the creation.  A journey-  mievre, on the Boulevard Neuf, we observed, in
mani bookbinder, having expressed a wish to  the same quadrilles, last Sunday, four generaobtain this precious book, remarked, on receiving  tions, the great grandsire dancing with his greatit, in perfect ignorance of its divine authority,  great granddaughter, and the great-grandmamma
that he dared to say it was' a very fine work.'  dancing with her great-great-grandson.  It was
A student in a university, about 20years of age,  a satisfaction impossible to be expressed, to see
told me, that although he had seen the Vulgate  persons of so many different ages, all enjoying the
(Latin) version of the New Testament, he had  same pleasures for the present, not remembering
never met with it in a French translation. A   past misfortunes, nor apprehending future ones.
young woman, who professed to have a Bible,  The grave seemed equally distant from the girl
produced instead of it a Catholic Abridgment of of ten years old, and from her great-grandmamma
the Scriptures, garbled in many important por-  of seventy years, and from the boy that had not
tions, and interlarded with the comments of the  seen three lustres, as from  the great grandsire
Fathers."                                     reaching nearly fourscore years.  In  another
Such facts afford a striking evidence of the  quadrille, were four lovers dancing with their
hostility of the  Roman Catholic  clergy in  mistresses. There, again, nothing was observed
France to the circulation of the Scriptures, and  but an emulation who should enjoy the present
the enlightening of the minds of the community  moment. Not an idea of the past, or of time
in the knowledge of Divine truths; and therefore  to come, clouded their thoughts; in a few words,
it is no wonder that Infidelity, Materialism, and  they were perfectly happy. Let those tormentimmorality, should very generally prevail. "Even  dd by avarice or ambition frequent those places
among the Protestants," says the same writer,  on a Sunday, and they will be cured of their vile
" a large number of their ministers are worldly  passions, if they are not incurable."*
mnen, frequenting, as a pious lady assured me,    Such are a few sketches of the moral state'the chase, the dance, and the billiard table.' and character of the people of Paris, which, there
As to the public worship of God, the case is  is every reason to believe, are, with a few moequally deplorable.  In two large towns, and a  difications, applicable to the inhabitants of most
population of 25,000. I found no Protestant sane-  of the other large towns in France. Among the
tuary.  In a third town, containing about 7000  great mass of the population of that country,
inhabitants, there was an English Episcopal  there appears to be no distinct'ecognition of the
chapel for the British residents, but no French  moral attributes of the Deity,.' the obligation
Protestant service. At a fourth, in which there  of the Divine law, or of a future and eternal state
was a Protestant church, the minister, who sup-  of existence.  Whirled about incessantly in the
plied four other places, preached one Sabbath in  vortex of vanity and dissipation, the Creator is
five weeks."                                  lost sight of, moral responsibility disregarded,
The mania for dancing, which pervades all and present sensual gratifications pursued with
classes and all ages, is another characteristic of
the people of Paris, of which some idea may be    * Several of the above sketches are extracted from
formed irom the following extract from a French  the " GlRsgow Geography," a work which contains
ottblic JournPal dated Algust 2, 1804:-" The  an immense mass of historical, geographical, anmd
blic Journal dated August, 1804:-   The  miscellaneous information




190                                   APPENDIX.
the utmost eagerness, regardless whether death  rous procession, which filed off in the hall no.
shall prove the precursor to permanent happiness  companied by national music. Surrounded byV
or misery, or to a state of" eternal sleep." lNeveri  them, appeared a young woman* of the ialest
perhaps, in a Pagan country, was the Epicu-  figure, arrayed in the robes of liberty, and beated
rean philosophy so systematically reduced to prac-  in a chair, ornamented with leaves and festoons.
tice as in the country of Voltaire, Buffon, Mi-  She was placed opposite the President, and
rabeau, Condorcet, Helvetius, and Diderot. It  Chaumette, one of the members, said,' Fanaticism;annot be difficult to trace the present demorali-  has abandoned the place of truth; squint eyed,
tation of France to the sceptical and atheistical  it could'not bear the brilliant light. The people
principles disseminated by such writers, which  of Paris have taken possession of the iemple,
were adopted in all their extent, and acted upon  which they have regenerated; the Gothic arches
by the leaders of the first Revolution.  Soon  which, till this day resounded with lies, now echo
after that event, education was altogether pro-  with the accents of truth; you see we have not
scribed. During the space of five years, from   taken for our festivai-..Qanimate idols, it is a
1791 to 1796, the public instruction of the young  chef d'ceuvre of nature whom we have arrayed in
was totally set aside, and, of course, they were  the habit of liberty; its sacred form hasinflamed.eft to remain entirely ignorant of the facts and  all hearts.  The public has but one cry, " No
doctrines of religion, and of the duties they owe  more altars, no more priests, no other God but
to God and to man. It is easy, therefore, to con-  the God of nature."  We, their magistrates, we
ceive what must be the intellectual, the moral,  accompany them from the temple of truth to the
and religious condition of those who were born a  temple of the laws, to celebrate a new libertv, and
little before this period, and who. now form a con-  to request that the cidevant church of Notre Dame
siderable portion of the population arrived at the  be changed into a temple consecrated to reason and
years of manhood. A gentleman at Paris hap-  truth.' This proposal, being converted into a
pened to possess a domestic of sense and general  motion, was immediately decreed; arid the Conintelligence above his station. His master, upon  verntion afterwards decided, that the citizens of
some occasion, used to him the expression, " It  Paris, on this day, continued to deserve well of
is doing as we would be done by," —the Christian  their country.  The Goddess then seated herself
maxim.  The young man looked rather surpris-  by the side of the President, who gave her afraed: " Yes," (replied the gentleman) " I say, it  ternalkiss. The secretaries presented themselves
is the doctrine of the Christian religion, which  to share the same favour; every one was eaget
teaches us not only to do as we would be done  to kiss the new divinity, whom so many salutaDy, but also to return good for evil." " It may be  tions did not n the least disconcert. During the
so Sir," (rep'ied he) " but I had the misfortune  ceremony, the orphans of the country, pupils of
to be born during the heat of the revolution, when  Bourdon (one of the members) sang a hymn to
it would have been death to have spoken on the  reason, composed by citizen Moline.  The nasubject of religion; and so soon as I was fifteen  tional rnasic played Gosset's hymn to liberty.
years old, I was put into the hands of the drill-  The Convention then mixed with the people, to
serjeant, whose first lesson to me was, that as a  celebrate the feast of reason in her new temple. A
French soldier, I was to fear neither God nor  grand festival was accordingly held in the chutch
devil."  It is to be hoped, that the rising genera-  of Notre Dame, in honour of this deity.  In the
tion in France is now somewhat improved in  middle of the church was erected amount, and on
intelligence and morality beyond that which  it a very plain temple, the facade of which bore
sprung  up during the demoralizing scenes of  the following inscription-' a la Philosophie.'
the first revolution; but, in spite of all the coun-  The busts of the most'celebrated philosophers
teracting efforts that can now be used, another  were placed before the gate of this temple. The
generation, at least, must pass away, before the  torch of truth was in the sulnrmit of the mount,
immoral effects produced by infidel philosophy,  upon the altar of Reason; spreading light.  The
and the principles which prevailed during the  Convention and all the constituted authorities
"' reign of terror," can be nearly obliterated.  assisted at the ceremony. Two rows of young
I shall conclude these sketches with the follow-  girls, dressed in white, each wearing a crown ol
ing account of the consecration ef the " Goddess  oak leaves, crossed before the altar of reason, at
of Reason,"-one of the nlost profane and pre-  the sound of republican mnusic; each of the girls
sumptuous mockeries of every thing that is ra-  inclined before the torch, and ascended the stumtionai or sacred,:o be found in the history of  mit of the mount. Libertythen came outofthe
mankind.                                       temple of philosophy, towards a throne made of
" The section of the Sans Culottes, declared at  turf, to receive the homage of the republicans o,
the bar of the Convention, November 10, 1793,  both sexes, who sang a hymn in her praise, ex.
that they would no longer have priests among  tending their arms at the same time towards her.
them, and that they required the total suppression
of al salaries paid to the ministers of religious
orsh  The  titio    as fllowed         Ma nuame       Desmoulines, who wasn aterwardse.i
worship; The petition was followed by a nume-   otined.




CONSECRATION OF A FEMALE DEITY.                                  191
Liberty ascended afterwards, to return to the  of the whole of this procedure,-which is almost:emple, and, in re-entering it, she tlrned about,  without a parallel in the annals of the world,-asting a look of benevolence upon her friends;  there was an imbecility and a silliness in it, altowhen she got in, every one expressed with enthu.  gether incompatible with those sublime ideas of
giasm the sensations which the Goddess excited  creation and Providence, which true philosophy,
in them by songs of joy; and they swore never,  when properly directed, has a tendency to inspire.
never to cease to be faithful to her."        And-how incon.istently,as well as inhumanely,did
Such were the fest'vities and ceremonies which  these worshippers of " liberty," "reason," and
were prescribed for the installation of this new   " truth," conduct themselves to the representative
divinity, and such the shameless folly and daring  of their goddess,when, soon after, they doomed tile
imnpiety with which they were accompanied!-  lady, whom they had kissed and adored in the
quch is the Religimon of what has been presump-  "temple of truth," to expire under tie stroke cf the
tounsly called Philosophy, when it has shaken off  guillotine I Such occurrences appear evidently
its allegiance to the Christian Revelation-a reli.  intended, by the moral Govet nor of the world, to
gion as inconsistent with the dictates of reason  admonish us of the danger of separating science
and the comtnon sense of mankind, as it is with  from  its connexions with revealed religion, and
the religion of the Bible. Never, in any age,  to show us to what dreadful lengths, in impiety'
was Philosophy so shamefully degraded, and ex.  and crime, even men of talent will proceed, when
posed to the contempt of every rational mind, as  tne truths of Revelation are set aside, and the
when it thus stooped to such absurd foolery and  principles and moral laws of Christianity are
Heaven-daring profanity. Besides the impiety  trampled under foot.'3








THE
PHILOSOP P II Y
A F J UTURE  S T AT E.
B Y  T H O M A S DICK,
AUTHOR OF A VARIETY OF LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC COMIMUNICATIONS
IN NICHOLSON'S PHILOSOPHICAL JOURNAL, TIIE ANNALS
OF PI-IILOSOPHY, ETC. ETC.
ST. LOUIS, Mo.:
EDWARDS & BUSHNELL.
FOR SALE BY
BANGS, BROTHERS & CO., NEW YORK.
1857.








TO
THOMAS CHALMERS, D.D.
PlROFERSORI OF MORAL PHILOSOPHY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF
ST. ANDREWS.
SIR,
In dedicating to you this volume, which has for its object to exhibit a popuOr view of the Philosophy of a Future State, as deduced from the light of
science and revelation,-a consideration of a far higher nature than the Firmal
and customary honour of addressing a man of literary and scientific attainments,
induced me to shelter it under your patronage.
In the several vocations in which Divine Providence has called you to officiate, you have proved yourself the warm and disinterested patron of all that
is benevolent and good —of every thing that concerns the present and eternal
welfare of mankind: and your praises have been re-echoed from one corner
of the land to another, as the champion of the Christian religion,-the doctrines
of which, your voice and your pen have done so much to illustrate.
Your writing furnish ample testimony to the world of your earnest, active,
and unwearied solicitude for the moral and religious improvement of mankind
~-a solicitude which is not abated by any minor differences of opinion in those
ivith whom you co-operate, where the great object is, to diffuse knowledge and
happiness over the face of the earth.
Your kind indulgence to me, on the slight acquaintance I have of you personally, and your approbation of some of my labours, in endeavouringr to
connect Science and I(eligion, induce me to hope, that, if the views taken of
the present subject in any measure correspond with your own, you will countenance my humble attempts to dispel the prejudices which many well-meaning
Christians may entertain, as to the beneficial tendency of exhibiting the sciences
of a present, as applicable to the circumstances and relations of a future world.
That you may long be spared as the advocate of vital Cllristianlty-as a
blessing and ornament to your country —and as a zealous instructor of those
who are destined to promote its best interests; and that you may enjoy, wvithout interruption, the pleasures arising from a consciousness of the esteem and
approbation of the wise and the pious, is the sincere prayer of,
Your much obliged,
and humble Servant,
THOMAS DICK.
Broughty Ferry, near Dundee,
Dec. 28, 1827.








PREFACE.
TniF  reasonings and illustrations contained in the fo)llowing pages are intended
to direct the intelligent Christian in some of' those trains of th-uflghit which ne
oulght to prosecute, when looking fbrward to the scene of'llis liuturre destination.
1T1. Author was induced to engrage in the discussion of this subject, from a
consideration, that many vague anid erroneous conceptions are still entertained
among Christians in retard to the nature fr heavenly felicity, and the employnients of the future worid.  In elucidating the train of thoug-rht which is here
prosecuted, he has brougrht forward, without hesitation, the discoveries of
modern science, partlcuarny tnose whlich relate to the scenery of the heavens;
convinced, that all the manifestations of himself which the Creator has per
mitted us to contemplate, are inten(le(l to throw light on the plan of his moral
government in relation both to our present and our fiture destiny.  He has
carefiully avoided every thing that might appear like vague or extravagant coljecture; and he trusts that tile opiniolns he ilas broaclled", and the conclusiols
hfe;has deduced, will generally be found accordlanlt with the analogies of' Nature
and the dictates of Revelation.  He is aware,' that fhe has manny prejudices to
encounter, arisingr from tile vague and indefinite manner in w vici such subjects have been hitherto treated, arid fron the want of thlose expansive views
of the Divine operations which tile professors of' Christianity should endeavour
to attain; but lie leels confident that those wvho are best qullified to appreciate
his sentimllents, will treat with candour an attenlip)t to elucidate a sufbject hlitiert.o
overlooked, and in which every individual in the human race is deeply interested.
It was originally intended to publish what is contained in Parts II. and II1.
without any dissertation on the evidences of' a fiiture state as deduced fi'ro  the
light of nature —talking the inilmortality of' man ftr grianrted o! the authority of
Revelation.  Bult, on second thoulght, it was judge(d expedienlt, for the sake of
general readers, to exhibit a condensed view of' those argunlentt s which even
the light of reasoii can produtce in fvoulr or the immnortality of nian.  In this
departnlent of the volumrte, the Author fias broungllt for'ward severalf arrguments
which hle is not aware have been taken no)tice of by ethical writers, whell
treating on this sublject. He has endleavotiredi to illustrate tllese land the otaner
arguments here adduced, in miiiute detail, andt in a pol)ilar imanner, so as to
It level to the comprehelnsion of' every reader; anrd lie trusts, that the force ol
the whole comibined, will be fol.ruld to a[nolnlt to as hilgh a dletgree of mn1or'd
derrmonstration as can be expected in relation to objects which are tiot coFgnL
m.:tbhl by the eye of sense.




vi                            PREFACE.
The greater portion of what is contained in Part III. having been written
above eigrht years ago, several apparent repetitions of facts alluded to in the
preceding Parts may perhaps be noticed by the critical reader; but, in general
it will be found, that where the same facts are repeated, they are either exhibited in a new aspect, or brought forward to elucidate another subject.
The practical reflections and remarks imbodied in the last Part of this work,
will not, the Author is persuaded, be considered by any of his readers, as either
unnecessary, or unapplropriate to the subjects treated of in the preceding parts
of this volume. It is of the utmost importance that every individual be convinced, that he cannot be supposed a candidate for a blessed immortality, unless
the train of his affections, an.. the general tenor of his conduct, in some measure correspond to the tempers and dispositions, and the moral purity which
prevail in the heavenly state.
The favourable reception which the public have given to the volumes he has
formerly published, induces the Author to indulge the hope,.that the present
volume may not be altogether unworthy of their attention. That it may tend
to convince the skeptical of the reality of an immortal existence-to expand
the believer's conceptions of the attributes of the Divinity, and the glory ot
" that inheritance which is reserved in heaven" for the faithliul-and- to excite
in the mind of every reader an ardent desire to cultivate those dispositions and
virtues which will prepare him  for the enjoyment of celestial bliss-is the
Author's most sincere and ardent wish, as it was the great object he had ilt
view when englaged in its composition.: 




CONTEIN rs.
INTRODUCTION.
Importance of the question which relates to the reality of a Future World-Folly
of the Indifference which prevails in relation to this point,.        -  I
PART I.
CHAPTER I.
PROOFS OF A FUTURE STATE FROM THlE LIGHT OF NATURE,  13
SECTION I.
On the universal belief which the doctrine of Immortality has obtained in all
ages. -.                            13'SECTION II.
On the desire of Future Existence implanted in the human mind      - ^  7
SECTION IIL
On the Intellectual Faculties of man, and the strong desire -of knowledge implanted in the human mind                      -                         20
SECTION  IV.
On the perpetual progress of the mind towards Perfection,                  24




Vilt                            CONTENTS.
SECTION t.
On the unlimited Range of View which is opened to the human faculties thrimgh
out the unnmensity of space and duration         -                      5
SECTION VI.
On the Moral Powers of man.    -9
SECTION VII.
On the apprehensions and forebodings of the mind when under the influence of
Remorse....                              3
SECTION VIII.
On the disordered state of the Mo a;V World, when contrasted with the regular and
systematic oraer of the Matenal.36
SECTION ISX
On the equal distribution of Rewards and Punishments in the present state- -  40
SECTION X.
)n the absurdity of supposing that the Thinking Principle in man will ever he
annihilated... e44
SECTION XI.
On the gloomy considerations and absurd consequences involved in the Denial ot
a Future State..  - 46
CHAPTER  It.
PROOFS OF ii FITURE STATE FROM  DIVINE REVELATION.    53
Practical influence which the doctrine of a Future State ought to have upon our
Affections and Conduict.....       57




CONTENT&                                     ix
PART II.
ON TIlE CONNEXION OF SCIENCE WITH A FUTURE STATE,  Go
Object of Scientific Investigation   -..                      0  l
Objects on which the faculties of celestial inteiligences will be employed   6Extent of the general conflagration                                            63
Sciences which will be prosecuted in a future state                            68
Arithmetic, its objects - utility of numbers and their combinations - illustrations
from     Scripture............. 
Mathematical sciences, their utility - angels recognise the principles of these sciences - the Creator has laid the foundation of these sciences in his works   70
Astronomy, its objects - presents an immense field of contemplation    -    - 71
Natuiral P'hilosophlly,- its objects and discoveries,74
A natoiny and Physiology, their objects — wonders of the human frame — resurrection-'body, &c.                 -                                         70
hihstory - contains a record of the ways of Providevnce - our ignorance wf many
important facts m hlstory - history of angels anld other ntelli'ence   -    77
PART II1.
ON TIIE  AIDS WHTHICH  THE  DISCOVERIIES OF  SCIENCE    AFFORD
FOit ENAH I.ING  US TO FORMI   A CON(*EP'rION OF THF. PERPETITAL  I'l'RtVl.NEMEt NT  OP' THE  CELESTIAL  INHAit ITANTS  IN
KNOWLEDii    E AND FELICITY.                                                 4 -
Vague and distorted Conceptions in regard to the Employments of lHeaven   -    S4,
PART IV.'ON TIlE MORAL. QTUALIFICATIONS REQUISITE TO THIE ENJOYMENT
OP THE FELICITY O(  TiE FUTUR.E WORLD.-    -                                10o.
xarn ples of Depravity - Buonaparte..                       121
Lo,)rd Tlvron       —.-o -.-                                   -    -.2
Eiprl;l'h  from Cochrane's Travels                    _ _                     I:21
lMicry r  esusllting froll the associaton of malignant characters'     122,  IJ3
Goelera l    co-clsI aon..                                        1 -.



x                                CONTENTS.
APPENDIX.
Mr. Shepherd's Letter to Lord Byron, -   -                                 - 125
His lordship's Reply-his last sentiments in reference to Religion and Eternity,  125
Buonaparte's Ooinion of the         of-,.zL. (~f tho New Testament. &c.  -   - 127




THE
PHILOSOPHY
OF A
FUTURE STATE.
PART I.
PROOFS OF A FUTURE STATE
INTRODUCTION.
THE sKetches:contained in Parts II. and [II.  few fleeting years, man appears an enigma, an
of this work, being chiefly intended to illustrate  inexplicable phenomenon in the universe, human
the connexion of science with the scenes of %: life.a mystery, the world a scene of confusion,
fiuture world, and the aids which its discoveries  virtue a mere phantom, the Creator a capricious
afford, for enabling us to form some conception  being, and his plans and arrangements an inexof the perpetual improvement of its inhabitants  tricable maze.
in knowledge and felicitv —I shall endeavour, in    There is too much reason to believe, that the
this First Part, to exhibit a condensed view of  indifference to religion which so generally presome of those evidences which prove the immor-  vails, especially among those who are raised &
tality of the soul, and the eternal destination..of  little above the vulgar throng, and the unhallowed
man.                                         propensities and vicious practices to which it
This, is an inquiry far more interesting and  gives rise-are owing, in a considerable degree,
important, to every individual of mankind, than, to the want of a full conviction of the reality of
any other which comes within the range of the  a future existence, or to some doubts which hover
human mind. Next to the being of a God, the  about the mind, in relation to this important
doctrine of the immortality of man lies at the  point. There is no man, however insensible to
foundation of all religion, and,of all the animat-  the obligations of religion, that can fully satisfy
ing prospects which can cheer us in this land of  his own mind, or the minds of others, that the
our pilgrimage. Remove from the mind the be.  idea of a future world is a mere chimera.  On
lief of a future existence, and the hope of im-  the contrary, the possibility,: and even the pro..
mlotality, and religion becomes a shadow, life a  bability, of the truth of man's eternal destiny,
dream, and the approach of death a scene of  will, at certain seasons, force themselves upon
darkness and despair. Upon this short question,  the minds even of the most careless and profane.'Is man immortal, or is he not?" depends all Yet, it is amazing to consider, with what ease and
that is valuable in science, in morals, and in the-  indifference multitudes of this description can
ology, and all that is most interesting to man  glide down the stream of time, under the awfut
as a social being, and as a rational and account-  uncertainty whether it will land them  in tho
ible intelligence.  If he is destined to an eternal  shades of annihilation, the realms of bliss, or the
existence, an itmmense importance must attach  regions of endless wo.-"- Between us and these
to all his present affections, actions, and pur-  three periods or states," says a celebrated French
suits; and it must be a matter of infinite moment,  writer, " no barrier is interposed but life, the
that they be directed in such a channel, as will  most brittle thing in all nature; and the happi.
tend to carry him forward, in safety, to the foli-  ness of heaven being certainly not designed for
cities of a future world. But if his whole ex-  those who doubt whether they have an immortal
tstence be circumscribed within the circle of a  part to enjoy it, such persons have nothing let,




12                   THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
but the miserable chance of annihilation, or of look forward to the immeasurable extent, and
hell.  There is not any reflection which can have  the unfithomllable depth of eternity to come;
more reality titan this, as there is none which  when we behold Timne, and all its circling years,
has greater terror.  Let us set the bravest face appearing only like a point on the surface of that
on our condition, and play the hlernesas artfuilly  vast and boundless ocean; when we consider
as we can, yet see here the issue wh:ch attetids the immense spaces of the universe with which
the goodliest life upon earth!  It is in vain for we ate surrounded, and the innutrlerable worlds
men to turn aside their thoughts from this eterni- which lie dispersed in every direction throughout
ty which awaits them, as if they were able to  the immeasurable tracts of creation; when we
destroy it, by denying it a place in their imagina. consider that our existence, as thinking beings,
tion.  It subsists in spite of them; it advances may run parallel with interminable ages; and
unobserved; and death, which is to draw the  that, in the revolutions of eternity, we may exist
curtain fromt'it, will, in a short time, infallibly  in regions of space immeasurably distant from
reduce them to the dreadful necessity of being  our present habitation, associate with other orfirever nothling, or forever miserable."      ders of intelligent beings, and pass through new
To treat a subject so interesting and moment. scenes and changes in distant worlds: and, when
ius, with levity or indifierence; to exert all the  we consider that our relation to time may be
energies of the soul in the pursuit of objects, dissolved, and our connexion with eternity comwhich a few years, at most, will snatch forever nience, within the space ofa few mnonths or years,
froma their embrace; and never to spend one or even before the sun shall have described
serious hour in reflecting on what may possibly  another circuit around the earth-no inquiry can
succeed the present scenre of existence, or in  appear so mn-nentouls and interesting, as that
endeavoring to find some light, to clear up the  which leads te'he determination of our future
doubts that may hang over this important in- and eternal destiny, and of those realities which
quiry, and to treat with derision and scorn those  await us beyond the tomb.  To remain insensiwho would direct theml in this serious investiga. ble to the importance of such an inquiry, and
tion, is not only foolish and preposterous, but unaffected at the prospect of tile result to which
the height of inifatuation and of madness.  It is it may lead; while we are feelingly alive to all
contrary to every principle on which reasonable  the paltry concerns and little ills of life, would
men act, in relation to the affairs of the present argue the most unaccountable stupidity, inconworld.  To retain the profits of a lucrative busi. sistency and infatuation.
ness, or to prevent the loss of fortune, or of honor,    The man whose heart pants after substantial
a man will sometimes srtain every nerve, stretch  knowledge and felicity, whose affections centre
every faculty, deprive'.tliiself of sleep, submit on the Author of his existence, and who delights,o numerous privations, encounter the raging  to contemplate. his character and  perfections,.elements, and brave the danrgers of the ocean. will enter, with pleasure, on every investigation
Nay, he will often be overwhelmed with despond- which has a tendency to throw a light on the
ency at the slilghtest inconveniences, and will scene of his future destination.  He will weigh,
pass whole weeks and months iln sullenness and  with inlpartiality, every consideration, and will
cilagrin, for an imaginary affront, or for the  seize, with delight, upon every argument by
toss of a few poundS, while, at the same tine, which a full conviction of his immortal desti.,y
he remains perfectly indifferent, and without the  may be indelibly riveted upon his mind; and he
Ileast emotion, in regard to the unknown scenes will endeavor to cheer his soul amidst the sorL
of the eternal world, and the danger of endless  rows of mortality, with the consideration that
misery towhich heis eposed.  Such aconduct, "when the earthly house of his tabernacle is
and such dispositions, which are too frequently  dissolved, he has a building of God, an house
realized in the case of thousands who occasion. not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
ally mingle in our religious assemblies, are
obvioilsly inconsistent with the dictates of pru-   In illustrating the evidences of a future state,
dence and ofcornton sense, and with every thing  I shall, in the first place, state some of those
that ought to characterize a rational and an  proofs which reason, or the light of nature, fur.
aceeuntable rreatur'e.                        nishes, of mian's eternal destination; and see.
W heln we look back into the inex plorable abyss  oedly, those which are derived from the systers
of that eternilty which is already past; when we  of revelation.




CHAPTER I.
PRCOOFS OF A FUTURE STATE FROM THE LIGHT OF NATUTRE
T'nt evidences of a future state which the light  most every other ancient nation and tribe whos-e
of reason atfifrds, though not so clear and de-  records have reached our times. The notions.
cisive as those which are derived from divine  indeed, which many of themtr entertained of the
rcvelation, are worthy of the serious considera-  scenes of futurity were very obscure and impertion of every one in whose mind the least doubt  fect; but they all emhraced the idea, that death
remains on this important subject.  The con-  is rnot the destruction of the rational soul, but
viction they are calculated to produce, when  only its introduction to a new and unknown state
attentively weighed, is sufficient to leave every  of existence.  The ancient Scythians believed
one without excuse who trifles with the concerns  that death was only a change of habitation; and
of his future destiny, and overlooks his relation  the MNiagan sect, which prevailed in Babylonia.
to the eternal world.  Though the Deity is in-  Media, Assyria, and Persia, admitted the docvisible to mortal eyes, yet his existence and per-  trine of eternal rewards and punishments.  The
fections are clearly demonstrated by his visible  doctrines taught by the second Zoroaster, who
operations, and he has not left himself without a  lived in the time of Darius, were, " that there
witness to his beneficence, in any age,'" in his  is one Supreme Being, independent and self-exgiving rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons,  istent from all eternity; that under him there are
and filling our hearts with food and gladness."  two angels, one the angel of light, who is the
In like manner, though the realities of a fiture  author of all good; and the other the angel of
world are not presented directly to the eye of  darkness, who is the author of all evil: that they
sense, yet the faculties with which man is en-  are in a perpetual struggle with each other; that
dowed, when properly exercised on all the phy-  where the angel of light prevails, there good
sical and moral scenes which the universe dis-  reigns; and that where the angel of darkness
plays, are sufficient to evince the high degree of  prevails, there evil takes place; that this strugprobhability, if not absolute certainty, that his  gle shall continue to the end of the world: that
duration and his sphere of action are not con-  then there shall be a general resurrection and a
fined to the narrow limits of the present world,  day of judglnent, wherein all shall receive a just
but have a relation to a future and an immortal  retribution, according to their works.  After
existence —In illustrating this topic, I shall  which, the angel of darkness and his disciples
waive the consideration of several of those meta-  shall go into a world of their own, where they
physical arguments which have been adduced by  shall stiuffer, in everlasting darkness, the punishphilosophers and divines, founded on the immna-  itent of their evil deeds; and the angel of light
teriality of the human soul, and confine myself  and his disciples shall also go into a world of
chiefly to those popular considerations, which  their own, where they shall receive, in everlastare level to every capacity, and, perhaps, more  ing light, the reward due to their good deeds;
convincing than the subtle and refined disquisi-  that after this they shall remain separated for
tions of metaphysical minds.                   ever, and light and dalkness be no more mixed
to all eternity."*  The remains of this sect,
which are scattered over Persia and India, still
SECTION  I.                     hold the same doctrines, without any variation,
O>  THE  UNIVERSAL BELIEF WHICH  THE   even at this day.
DOCTRINE OF IMMORTALITY HAS  TAINED  I is well known, that Plato, Socrates, and other
INt ALL AGE.                                 Greek philosophers, held the doctrine of the
soul's immortality. In his admirable dialogue,
It forms a presumptive proof of the immor-  entitled, " The Phadon," Plato represents Soo.lity of man, that this doctrine has obtained  crates, a little before his death, encompassed with
universal belief among all nations, and in every  a circle of philosophers, and discoursing with
period of time.                                them on the arguments which prove the eternal
That the thinking principle in man is of an  destiny of man.  " When the dead," says he,
immortal nature, was believed by the ancient  " are arrived at the rendezvous of departed souls,
Egyptians, the Persians, the Phenicians, the  whither their angel conducts them, they are al
Scythians, the Celts, the Drtlids, the Assyrians, juLdged. Those who have passed their lives in a
-— by the wisest and the tioest celebrated charac-  mannter neither entirely criminal, nor absolutely
rers among the Greeks and Romanis, and by al-          * Rollins' Ancient History, voL It




'14                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
innocent, are sent into a place where they suffer  Their notions of future punishment are set forth
pains proportioned to their faults, till, being  in the descriptions they give of Ixion, whc was
purged and cleansed of their guilt, and after-  fastened to a wheel, and whirled about coltinu.
wards restored to liberty, they receive the reward  ally with a swift and rapid motion-of Tantalus,
of the good actions they have done in the body.  who, for the loathsome banquet he made for the
Those who are judged to be incurable, on ac-  gods, was set in water up to the chin, with apples
count of the greatness of their crimes, the fatal  hanging to his very lips, yet had no power either
destiny that passes judgment upon them, hurls  to stoop to the one to quench his raging thirst, or
them into Tartarus, from whence they never de-  to reach to the other to satisfy his craving appetite
part. Those who are found- guilty of crimes,  — of the fifty daughters of Danaus, who, for the
great indeed, but worthy of pardon, who have  barbarous massacre of their husbands in one
committed violences, in the transports of rage,  night, were condemned in hell to fill a Darrel full
against their father or mother, or have killed  of holes with water, which ran out again as fast
some one in a like emotion, and afterwards re-  as it was filled-of Sisyphus, who, for his. robpented-suffer the same pulnishment with the last,  beries, was set to roll a great stone up a steep
out tor a timne only, till by prayers and supplica-  hill, which, when it was justat the top, suddenly
tions, they have obtained pardon from those they  fell down again, and so renewed his labour-and
have injured.'But those who have passed through  of Tityus, who was adjudged to have a vulture
life with peculiar sanctity of manners, are re-  to feed upon his liver and entrails, which still
ceived on high.into a pure region, where they  grew and increased as they were devoured.live without their bodies to all eternity, in a  Their notions of future happiness are imbodied
series of joys and delights which cannot be de-  in the descriptions they have given of the Hesscribed."  From such considerations, Socrates  perian gardens, and the Elysian fields, where the
concludes,- "if the soul be immortal, it requires  souls of the virtuous rest secure from every danto be cultivated with attention, not only for what  ger, and enjoy perpetual and uninterrupted bliss.
we call the tinmhe of life, but for that which is to    And as the nations of antiquity recognised
follow, I mean eternity; and the least neglect in  the doctrine of a future state of existence, so
this point-may be attended with endless conse-  there is scarcely a nation or tribe of mankind,
quences.  If death were the final dissolution of  presently existing, however barbarous and untubeing, the wicked would be great gainers by it,  tored, in which the same opinion does not preby being: delivered at once from their bodies, their  vail. The natives of the Society Isles believe,
souls, and their vices; but as the soul is immor-  that after death, there is not only a state of contal, it has no other means of being freed from its  scious existence, but degrees of eminence and
evils, nor any safety for it, but in becoming very  felicity, according as men have been more or
good and very wise; for it carries nothing with  less pleasing to the Eatova, or Deity, while upon
it, but its good or bad deeds, its virtues and vices, earth. The chiefs of the Friendly slands bewhich are commonly the consequences of the  lieve in the immortality of their soull, which, at
education it has received, and the causes of eter- death, they say is immediately conveyed in a
nal happiness or misery."  Having held such  fast-sailing canoe, to a distant country, called
discourses with his friends, he kept silent for  Doobludha, which they describe as resembling
some time, and then drank off the whole  of the  the Mahometan paradise,-that those who are
poisonous draught which had been put into his  conveyed thither are no nlore subject to death,
hand; with amazing tranquillity, and an inex-  but feast on all the favourite productions of thei.
pressible serenity of aspect, as one who was  native soil, with which this blissful abode is
about to exchange a sh6rt and wretched life, for  plentifully furnished.  The  New  Zealanders
a blessed and eternal existence.  -           believe, that the third day after the interment of
The descriptions and allusions, contained in  a man, the heart separates itself from the corpse,
the writings of the ancient poets, are a convin-  and that this separation is announced by a gecing proof, that the notion of the soul's immortal-  neral breeze of wind, which gives warning of
ity was a universal opinion in the times in which  its approach, by an inferior divinity that hovers
they wrote, and among the nations to whom their  over the grave, and who carries it to the clouds.
writings were addressed. Homer's account of  They believe that the soul of the man whose
the descent of Ulysses into hell, and his descrip-  flesh is devoured by the enemy, is doomed to a
tion of Minos in the shades below, distributing  perpetual fire, while the soul of the man whose
justice to the dead assembled in troops around  body has been rescued from those that killed
his tribunal, and pronouncing irrevocable judg-  him, and the souls of all who die a natural death,
ments, which decide their everlasting fate, de-  ascend to the habitations of the gods.  The inmonstrate, that they entertained the belief, that  habitants of the Pelew Islands, according to the
virtues are rewarded, and that crimes are puln-  account of Captain Wilson. although they have
ished, in another state of existence.  The poems  few religious rites and ceremonies, believe in
of Ovid and Virgil contain a variety of descrip-  one Supreme Being, and in a future state of
tions, in which the same opinions are involved.  rewards and punishments.  In the religion of




PROOFS FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE.                                   lb
the  iasmnuc Tartars, the doctrine of a filture  entertain the same belief; and hence, it is a
sltate holds a conspicuous place.  They believe  common practice with the sovereign of that
tiat hell is situated in the middle region, be-  country, to send an account to his forefathers of
tween heaven and earth, and their devils are re-  any remarkable event, by delivering a message
presented with all sorts of frightful forms, of a  to whoever may happen to be near him  at thu
black and hideous aspect, with the heads of goats,  time, and then ordering his head to be chopped
lions, and unicorns.  Their holy lamas, who  off immediately, that he may serve as a courier,
have obtained a victory over all their passions,  to convey intelligence to the world of spirits.*
are supposed to pass immediately into heaven,    The Persians are said to leave one part of theil
where they enjoy perfect rest, and exercise  graves open, from a belief that the dead will be
themselves in divine service. The Samoiedians  reanimated, and visited by angels, who will apof Northern Tartary believe, that there is one  point them to their appropriate abodes in a future
Supreme Being, that he is our all-merciful and  state. From a similar belief, thousands of Hincommon Parent, and that he will reward with a  doo widows annually sacrifice themselves on the
happy state hereafter, those who live virtuously  funeral piles of their deceased husbands, in the
in this world.  The Birmans believe in the  hope of enjoying with them the felicities of etertransmigration of souls, after which, they main-  nal life. —The Japanese believe, that the souls
tain, that the radically bad will be sentenced to  of men and beasts are alike immortal; that a
lasting punishment, while the good will enjoy  just distribution of rewards and punishments
eternal happiness on a mountain called Meru.   takes place after death; that there are different
The various tribes which inhabit the continent  degrees of happiness, as well as of punishmnent,
-f Africa, in so far as we are acquainted with  and that the souls of the wicked transmigrate,
their religious opinions, appear to recognise the  after death, into the bodies of animals, and at
doctrine of a future state. " I was lately dis-  last, in case of amendment, are translated back
coursing on this subject," says Mr. Addison, in  again into the human form.t From aconviction
one of his Spectators, " with a learned person,  of the reality of a future world, the Wahabes
who has been very much conversant among the  Arabs regard it as impious to mourn for the
inhabitants of the most western parts of Africa.  dead, who, they say, are enjoying felicity with
Upon his conversing with several in that coun-  Mahomet in paradise; and the Javanese make
try, he tells me, that their notions of heaven or  several feasts, on the decease of their friends and
of a future state of happiness, is this-that every  relations, to commemorate their entrance into a
thing we there wish for will immediately present  world of bliss.-The North American Indians
itself to us. We find, say they, that our souls  believe that, beyond the most distant mountains
are of such a nature that they require variety,  of their country, there is a wide river; beyond
and are not capable of being always delighted  that river a great country; on the other side of
with the same objects. The Supreme Being,  that country, a world of water; in that water
therefore, in compliance with this state of hap-  are a thousand islands, full of trees and streams
piness which he has implanted in the soul of  of water, and that a thousand buffaloes, and ten
man, will raise up, from time to time, say they,  thousand deer, graze on the hills, or ruminate in
every gratification which it is in the human na-  the valleys. When they die, they are persuaded
ture to be pleased with. If we wish to be in  that the Great Spirit will conduct themt to this
groves or bowers, among running streams or falls  land of souls.
of water, we shall immediately find ourselves in    Thus it appears, that not only the philosophers
the midst of such a scene as we desire.  If we  of antiquity, and the most civilized nations prewould be entertained with music, and the melody  sently existing on the globe, have recognised
of sounds, the concert arises upon our wish, and  the doctrine of the immortality of man, but that.
the whole region about us is filled with harmony.  even the most savage and untutored tribes fortify:
In short, every desire will be followed by frui-  their minds in the prospect of death, with the,
tion; and whatever a man's inclination directs  hope of a happiness commensurate to their de —
him to, will be present with him."-The Ne-  sires, in the regions beyond the grave.
groes, and other inhabitants of the interior of
Africa, according to the account of Mr. Park,  "E'en the poor Indian whose untutord mind
Sees God in clouds, or hears him in the wind,
believe in one Supreme Ruler, and expect here-   Whose soul proud science never taught to stray,
after to enter into a state of misery or felicity.    Far as the solar walk or milky wayThe Gallas of Abyssinia, though they reject   Yet simple nature to his hope has given
Behind the cloud-topt hill an humbler heaven
the doctrine of future punishment, admit the    some safer world in depth of woods embraced;
reality of a future state. The Mandingoes, the    Some happier island in the watery waste,
aWhere slaves once more their native land beholdi.
Jaloffs) the Feloops,. the Foulahs, the Moors, and    No fiends torment, no Christians thirst for gold,-'
all the other tribes who have embraced the Ma-   And thinks, admitted to yon equal sky,
hometan faith, recognise the doctrine of the    His faithful dog shall bear him company."-Pp.
immortality of the soul, and of future rewards in   ~    M'Leod's Voyage to Africa, 1810, p. el
a celestial paradise.  The natives of Dahomv       t Thunberg's Travels.
14




16                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
Among the numerous and diversified tribes  his understanding fortified against delusion and
that are scattered over the different regions of  error. If it be a sentiment which was originally
the earth, that agree in scarcely any other senti-  impressed on the human soul by the hand of its
ment or article ofkreligious belief, we here find  Creator, we do violence to the law of our nature,
the most perfect harmony, in their recognition of when we disregard its intimations, or attempt to
a Supreme Intelligence, and in their belief that  resist the force of its evidence. If it ought to be
the soul survives the dissolution of its mortal  considered as originally derived from Revelation,
frame. And, as Cicero long since observed,  then it is corroborative of the truth of the Sacred
" In every thing the consent of all nations is to  Records, in which " life and immortality" are
be accounted the law of nature, and to resist it,  clearly exhibited. And, if it be regarded as likeis to resist the voice of God."  For we can  wise one of the deductions of natural reason, we
scarcely suppose, in consistency with the divine  are left without excuse, if we attempt to obscure
perfections, that an error, on a subject of so  its evidence, or to overlook the important consevast importance to mankind, should obtain the  quences which it involves.-As the consent of all
universal belief of all nations and ages, and that  nations has been generally considered as a powGod himself would suffer a world of rational  erful argument for the' existence of a Deity, so
beings, throughout every generation, to be car-  the universal belief of mankind in the doctrine of
ried away by a delusion, and to be tantalized by  a future state ought to be viewed as a strong prea hope which has no foundation in nature, and  sumption that it is founded upon truth. The
which is contrary to the plan of his moral govern-  human mind is so constituted, that, when left to
ment. It is true, indeed, that several of the  its native unrbiassed energies, it necessarily inopinions to which I have now adverted, and  fers the existence of a Supreme Intelligence, from
many others which prevail among the uncivilized  the existence of matter, and the economy of the.tribes of mankind, in regard to the condition of  material world; and, from the nature of the hudisembodied spirits, and the nature of future  man faculties, and the moral attributes of God,
happiness, are very erroneous and imperfect; it is almost as infallibly led to conclude, that a
lhut they a11 recognise this grand and important  future existence is necessary, in order to gratify.tl th, that death is not the destruction of the  the boundless desires of the human soul, and to
rational soul, and that man is destined to an im-  vindicate the wisdom and rectitude of the Inoral:nor't.l existence. Their erroneous conceptions  Governor of the world. These two grand truths,
in respect to the rewards and punishments of  which constitute the foundation of all religion,
the future world may be easily accounted for,  and of every thing that is interesting to man as
from  a consideration of the imperfect concep-  an intelligent agent, are interwoven with the theitions they have formed of the Divine Being,  ological creed of all nations; and, in almost every
and of the principles of his moral government;  instance, where the one is called in question, the
*from their ignorance of those leading principles  other is undermined or denied: so that the docand moral laws, by which the Almighty regulates  trine of the immortality of man may be consithe intelligent universe; from the false ideas they  dered as resting on the same foundation as the
have been led to entertain respecting the nature  existence of a Supreme Intelligence.
of substantial happiness; from the cruel and    It must indeed be admitted, that individuals
absurd practices connected with the system of  have appeared in every age, who have endeavour.
pagan superstition; from the intellectual dark-  ed to call in question, or to deny, this fundamen.
-ness which has brooded over the human-race  tal truth. But this circumstance forms no valid
ever since the fall of man; and from the univer-  objection to the force of the argument to which I
sal prevalence of those depraved dispositions  have now adverted.  For the number of such
and affections, which characterize the untutored  persons has been extremely small, when compar-:tribes on whom the light of revelation has never  ed with the mass of mankind; and their opinions
shone.                                        on this subject have generally originated either
To whatever cause this universal belief of a  from wilful ignorance; from an affectation of sinfuture existence is to be traced-whether to a  gularity and of appearing superior to vulgar fears;
universal tradition derived from the first parents  or front indulging in a course of wickedness and
of the human race; to an ilnate sentiment ori-  impiety, which has led them to wish, and if posginally impressed on the soul of man; to a divine  sible to believe, that there are neither punishrevelation disseminated and handed down from   ments nor rewards beyond the grave. If it ap.
one generation to another, or to the deductions of  pear strange and unnatural that any man should
human reason-it forms a strong presumption,  wish his soul to be mortal, Hierocles assigns the
and a powerful argument, in favour of the posi-  true reason of it: " A wicked man," says he.
*tion we are now endeavduring to support. If it  " is afraid of his judge, and therefore wishes his
is to be traced back to the original progenitors of  soul and body niay perish together by death,
mankind, it must be regarded as one-' f those  rather than it should appear before the tribunal
truths which were recognised by man in a state  of God."  If a number of fools should think fit
of inuocence, when his affections were pure, and  to put out their own eyes, to prevent them from




PROOFS FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE.                                    17
feeling the eftWcts of light, as Democritus, the  at the discovery, when he leaped from the bath,
ancient philosopher, was said to have done, it  and ran naked through the streets of Syracuse,
would form rno argument to prove that all the rest  crying, "I have found it, I have found it"-soo)
of the world was blind. And, if a few sceptics subsided into indifference, and his mind pushed
and profligates endeavour to blind the eyes of forward in quest of new discoveries. When
their understanding by sophistry and licentious-  Newton ascertained the law of universal graviness, it cannot prevent the light ofreason, which tation, and Franklin discovered the identity of
unveils the realities of a future world, from shin-  lightning and the electric fluid, and felt the transing on the rest of mankind, nor constitute the ports which such discoveries must have excited,
slightest argument to prove the fallacy of the  did they slacken their pace in the road of sciendoctrine they deny.                            tific discovery, or sit down contented with their
past researches? No. One discovery gave a
stimulus to the pursuit of another, and their career of improvement only terminated with their
SECTION  II.                   lives. After Alexander had led his victorious
armies over Persia, Babylonia, Syria, Egypt,
ON THE DESIRE OF FUTURE EXISTENCE IM-  and India, and had conquered the greater part of
PLANTED IN THE HUMAN MIND.              the known world, did he sit down in peace, and
enjoy the fruit of his conquests? No. His deThose strong and restless desires after future sires after new projects, and new expeditions,
existence and enjoyment, which are implanted  remained insatiable; his ambition rose even to
in the soul of man, are a strong presumptive  madness;and when the philosopher Anaxarchus
proof that he is possessed of an immortal na-  told him, there was an infinite number of worlds,
ture.                                         he wept at the thought that his conquests were
There is no human being who feels full satis- confined to one.
faction in his present enjoyments. The mind    These restless and unbounded desires are to be
is for ever on the wing in the pursuit of new ac-  found agitating the breasts of men of all nations,
quirements, of new objects, and, if possible, of of all ranks and conditions in life. If we ascend
higher degrees of felicity, than the present mo- the thrones of princes, if we enter the palaces of
ment can afford.'However exquisite any par-  the great, if we walk through the mansions of
ticular enjoyment may sometimes be found, it  courtiers and statesmen, if we pry into the abodes
soon begins to lose its relish, and to pall the in- of poverty and indigence, if we mingle with poets
tellectual appetite. Hence the voracious desire,  or philosophers, with manufacturers, merchants,
apparent among all ranks, for variety of amuse-  mechanics, peasants, or beggars; if we survey
ments, both of a sensitive, and of an intellectual  the busy, bustling scene of a large city, the senature. Hence the keen desire for novelty, for questered village, or the cot which stands in the
tales of wonder, for beautiful and splendid exhi-  lonely desert-we shall find, in every situation,
bitions, and for intelligence respecting the pas-  and among every class, beings animated with
sing occurrences of the day. Hence the eager.  desires of happiness, which no present enjoyness with which the daily newspapers are read  ment can gratify, and which no object within the
by all ranks who have it in their power to procure limits of time can fully satiate. Whether we
them. However novel or interesting the events  choose to indulge in ignorance, or to prosecute
which are detailed to-day, an appetite for fresh the path of knowledge; to loiter in indolence, or
intelligence is excited before to-morrow. Amidst  to exert our active powers with unremitting enerthe numerous objects which are daily soliciting gy; to mingle with social beings, or to flee to the
attention, amidst the variety of intelligence which haunts of solitude, —we feel a vacuum in the
newsmongers have carefully selected for the grati- mind, which nothing around us can fill up; a
fication of every taste, and amidst the fictitious longing after new objects and enjoyments, which
scenes depicted by the novelist and the poet-  nothing earthly can fully satisfy.  Regardless
"the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear of the past, and unsatisfied with the present, the
with hearing."  Hence, too, the insatiable de-  soul of man feasts itself on the hope of enjoysires of the miser in accumulating riches, and  ments which it has never yet possessed
the unremitting career of ambition, in its pur-    Hop springs eternal in- the human breast;
suit of honours and of famne. And hence the       Man never is, but always to be blest.
ardour with which the philosopher prosecutes      The soul uneasy, and confined from home,
came discovery after another, without ever ar-    Rests and expatiates in a life to come.'
riving at a resting-point, or sitting down con-    That the desire of immortality is common,
tented with his present attainments. When  and natural to all men, appears from a variety of
Archimedes had discovered the mode of deter-  actions, which can scarcely be accounted for on
imining the relative quantities of gold and silver any other principle, and which prove that the
t'n H1iero's crown, did he rest satisfied with this mind feels conscious of its immortal destiny
new  cquiremrnent?  No.  The ecstacy he felt Why, otherwise, should men be anxious about




THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
their reputation, and solicitous to secure their  of all our desires, and of all the plans we form
nanes fror. oblivion, and to perpetuate their  in life.  Annihilation cannot be an object o(
famne, after they have descended into the grave?  desire to any rational being.  We desire someTo accomplish such objects, and to gratify such  thing that is real, something that is connectua
ilesires, poets, orators, and historians, have been  with happiness or enjoyment, but non-existence
flattered and rewarded to celebrate their actions;  has no object nor concern whatever belonging to
monuments of marble and of brass have been  it.  When a wicked man, under a consciousness
erected to represent their persons, and inscrip-  of guilt, indulges a wish for annihilation after'ions engraved in the solid rock, to convey to  death, it is not because non-existence is in
future generations a record of the exploits they  itself an object of desire, but he would choose i;
had achieved. Lolty columns, triumphal arches,  as the least of two evils: he would rather be
towering pyramids, magnificent temples, palaces,  blotted out of creation, than suffer the punisllhand mausoleums have been reared, to eternize  nient due to his sins in the eternal world.
their fame, and to make them live, as it were,    It may also be remarked, that the desire of
in the eyes of their successors, through all the  immortality, however vigorous it may be in or.
future ages of time.  But, if the soul bedestined  dinary minds, becomes still more glowing and
to destruction at the hour of death, why should  ardent in proportion as the intellect is cultivated
manl be anxious about what shall happen, or  and expanded, and in proportion as the soul
what shall not happen hereafter, when he is re-  rises to higher and higher degrees of virtue and
duced to a mere non-entity, and banished for  moral excellence.  It forms a powerful stimulus
ever from the universe of God?  He can have no  to the performance of actions which are noble,
interest in any events that may befall the living  generous, public-spirited, benevolent, and hu.
world when he is cancelled from the face of crea-  mane, and which have a tendency to promote the
tion, and when the spark of intelligence he pos-  intellectual improvement, and the happiness of
sessed is -uenched in everlasting night. If any  future generations.  Hence the most illustrious
man be tully convinced that the grave puts a  characters of the heathen world, the poets, the
final period to his existence, the only consistent  orators, the moralists and philosophers of antiaction he can perform, when he finds his earthly  quity, had their minds fired with the idea of imwishes and expectations frustrated, is to rush  mortality, and many of them were enabled to
into the arms of death, and rid himself at once  brave death without dismay, under the conviction
of all the evils connected with his being. But  that it was the messenger which was to waft their
we find, the great majority of mankind, notwith-  spirits to the realms of endless bliss.  WThen
standing thie numerous ills to which they are sub-  Demosthenes had fled for shelter to an asylum
jected, still clinging with eagerness to their  from the resentment of Antipater, who had sent
mortal existence, and looking forward, with a  Archias to bring him by force, and when Archias
certain degree of hope, to a termination of their  promised upon his honour that he should not lose
sorrows.                                       his life, if he would voluntarily make his personal
appearance: —" God forbid," said he,: that after
-" They rather choose to bear those ills they have            God forbid," said he,  that after
Than fly to others that they know not of."     I have heard Xenocrates and Plato discourse so
divinely on the immortality of the soul, I should
There is, I presume, no individual in a sound  prefer a life of infamy and disgrace to an hostate of mind, who can entirely throw aside all  nourable death."  Even those who were not
concern about his poslhumous reputation, and  fully convinced of the doctrine of immortality,
about the events that may happen in, the world  amidst all their doubts and perplexities on this
after his decease. And if so, it clearly demon-  point, earnestly wished tha; it might prove true,
strates, not only that he does not wish, but that  and few, if any of them, absolutely denied it.
ne does not even suppose that his existence will  Hence, too, the noble and disinterested actions
oe for ever extinguished at death.  The idea of  which Christian heroes have performed, under
the shame of being exposed naked after their  the influence of unseen and everlasting things.
death, produced such a powerful effect upon the  They have faced dangers and persecutions in
minds of the Milesian virgins, that it deterred  every shape; they have endured "cruel mockthem from putting an end to their lives, after all  ings, scourgings, bonds, and imprisonments;"
other arguments had been tried in vain.*  The  they have triumphed under the torments of the
desire of existence-and of existence, too, which  rack, and amidst the raging flames; they have
has no termination, appears to be the foundation  surmounted every obstacle in their benevolent
* "I beseech men forGod's sake, (says Hale,) that  exertions to communicate blessings to their fel.
If at any time there arise in them a desire or a wish  low-men; they have braved the fury of the raging
that others should speak well of their death; then  elements, traversed sea and lana, and pushed
at that time they would seriously consider, wheter       to distant barbarous imes, in order to
those motions are not from some spirit to continue their way to distant barbarous climes, in order to
a spirit, after it leaves its earthly habitation, rather  point out to their benighted inhatlmants the path
tnan from an earthly spirit, a vapour which cannot  that leads to eternal life. Nor ao they think 11
act, or imagine, or desire, or fear things beyond
ats cuntintance."                              me dear to sacrifice their lives in bach service,




PROOFS FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE.                                   1)
since "they desire a better country," and feel  world. A Being possessed of perfect tenevo.
assured that death will introduce them to " an  lence cannot be supposed to harass his intelligent
exceeding great and an eternal.weight of glory."  creatures, and to render their lives bitter with
Since, then, it appears that the desire of im-  alarming apprehensions, for which there is not
mortality is common to mankind, that the soul is  the slightest foundation.  But, if there is no
incessantly looking forward to the enjoyment of  state either of punishment or reward beyond the
some fiuture good, and that this desire has been  grave, those desires of immortal duration, which
the spring of actions the most beneficent, and  seem  at first view to elevate man above the
heroic, on what principle is it to be accounted  other inhabitants of this globe, actually place
for?                                          him below the level of the beasts, which bound'Whence springs this pleasing hope, this fond desire, through the forests and lawns, and find their
This longing after immortality?              chief enjoyment in browsing on the grass. They
Or, whence this secret dread, and inward horror,   are alive to present enjoyment, but appear to
Of falling into nought? —Why shrinks the soul  have no anticipations of the future; they fee
Back on herself, and startles at destruction  have no anticipations of the future; thefeel
present pain, but there is no reason to believe
Whence proceeds the want we feel amidst. the  that they are ever tormented with fears or forevariety of objects which surround us?  Whence  bodings of future punishment. They are conarises the disgust that so quickly succeeds every  tented with the organs with which Nature has
enjoyment?  Wherefore can we never cease  furnished them; they appear fully satisfied with
firom wishing for something more exquisite than  ranging the fields and feasting on the herbage;
we have ever vet possessed?  No satisfactory  their desires need no restraint, and their wishes
answer can be given to such questions, if our  are completely gratified; and what pleased them
duration be circumscribed within the limits of  yesterday will likewise give them pleasure totime; and if we shall be blotted out of creation  morrow, without being harassed with insatiable
when our earthly tabernacles are laid in the  desires after novelty and variety. Theylive didust. The desires to which I now refer appear  vested of those innumerable cares and anxieties
to be an essential part of the human constitution,  which harass and perplex the children of men,
and, consequently, were implanted in our nature  and they never wish to go beyond the boundary
by the hand of our Creator;-and, therefore,  which nature prescribes.  ".The ingenious bee
we must suppose, either that the desire of im-  constructs commodious cells, but never dreams
mortality will be gratified, or that the Creator  of rearing triumphal arches or obelisks to decotakes delight in tantalizing his creatures with  rate her waxen city."  Through ignorance of
hopes and expectations which will end in eternal  the future, they pass from life to death, with
disappointment.  To admit the latter supposi-  as much indifference as from watchingto sleep,
tior,, would be inconsistent with every rational  or from labour to repose. But man, amidst all
idea we can form of the moral attributes of the  the enjoyments and prospects which surround
Divinity..It would be inconsistent with his  him, feels uneasy and unsatisfied, because he
veracity; for to encourage hopes and desires  pants after happiness infinite in duration. His
which are never intended to be gratified, is the  hopes and desires overstep the bounds of time
characteristic of a deceiver, and therefore con-  and of every period we can affix to duration,
trary to every conception we can form of the  and move onward through a boundless eternity.
conduct of" a God of truth."  It would be in-  And if he is to be for ever cut off from existconsistent with his rectitude; for every such de-  ence when his body drops into the grave, how
ception implies an act of injustice towards the  dismal the continued apprehension of an everindividual who is thus tantalized. It would be  lasting period being put to all his enjoyments
inconsistent with his wisdom; for it would imply  after a prospect of immortality has been opened
that he has no other means of governing the in-  to his view!
telligent creation, than those which have a ten-    How, then, shall we account for these anomadency to produce fallacious hopes and feats in  lies?  How shall we reconcile these apparent
the minds of his rational offspring. It would  inconsistencies?  In what light shall we exhibit
be inconsistent with his benevolence; for as " the  the conduct of the Creator, so as to render it
desire accomplished is sweet to the soul," so  consistent with itself?  There is but one condisappointed hopes uniformly tend to produce  clusion we can form, in consistency with the
misery.  Yet the/benevolence of the Deity, in  moral attributes of God, which will completely
every other point of view, is most strikingly dis-  unravel the mystery of man being animated with
played in all his arrangements in the material  unbounded desires, and yet confined to a short
universe, and towards every species of sensitive  and limited duration in the present world, and
existence.                                    that is,-that this world is not the place of our
W'hat has been now stated in relation to desire  final destination, but introductory to a more gloand hope, will equally apply to those fears andl rious and permanent state of existence, where
apprehensions, which frequently arise in the  the desires of virtuous minds will be completely
mind in reference to the punishments of a future  gratified, and their hopes fully realized. I do




20                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
not see how any other conclusion can be drawn,  instances, to be less ardent in after life, it is
witnout denying both the moral character, and  owing in a great measure to the methods of our
even the very existence of the Deity.         education, and the false principles on which we
attempt to convey instruction to the youthltu,
mind. Our initiatory instructions, hitherto, present the young with little more Ihan the key of
SECTION  III.                   knowledge, instead of knoswledge itself. We lead
them to the threshold of the temple of scienc-s':  THrHE INTELLECTUAL FACULTIES OF MAN, without attempting to unfold its treasures. We
AND THE STRONG DESIRE OF KNOWLEDGE  deem it sufficient that they be taught to proWHICH IS IMPLANTED IN  THE  HUMAN  nounce, like a number of puppets, a multitude
MIND.                                       of sounds and terms to which thev attach no distinct conceptions, while we decline to communiThe principle of curiosity, or the strong desire  cate clear and well-defined ideas. We load their
of knowledge which is implanted tn the mind of
menmories with technical phrases and propositions
man, and the noble intellectual faculties for acuiri  it with which he is endowed, are evi-  which they do not understand, while the objects
dequiringces ad proofs of his immortal destination.    of substantial science are carefully concealed
eThough thia s arguent immay be considered, by  both from the eye of sense and from the eyes of
Though tis arguent may be considered, by  their understandings.  Instead of leading them
some, as only a branch of the preceding, it may.                 a
not be inexpedient, for the sake of i mpression   by gentle steps, in the first stage of their proto consider it separately, as it will admit of rea-  gress, over the grand, and beautiful, and variesonings and illustrations distinct from  those  gated scenery of Nature and Revelation, where
which...have now been brougict forwar.d.   thosealmost every object is calculated to arrest their
which have now been brought forward.                        
The desire of knowledge Is natural to every          a ttention, and to excite admiration,-we on 
rational being, and appears to be a fundamental found them  with an unintelligible jargon of
part of the constitution of the human mind. It is  grammar rules, of metaphysical subtleties, and
perceptible even in the first stage of its pro-  of dead languages, associated with stripes, conperceptible even in the first stage of its progress, and has a powerful influence over the  finement, and painfull recollections, which fremovements and the enjoyments of the youne  quently produce a disgust at every thing which
n a  has acquired the name of learning, before they
Present to a child a beautiful landscape, as ex-  has acuir ed   the n ame of learning, before they
hibited through an optical machine, and it will       e 
be highly delighted with the exhibition. Present  knowledge consists  Yet, notwithstanding th
a second and a third of a different description,  injudicious methods  by which we attempt to
in succession, and its delight will be increased; train the youthful itellect, it is impossible to
eradicate the desire of knowledge from the
it will anxiously desire exhibitions of new and eradicate the desre of knowledge from the
varied objects, and its curiosity will never be  human mind   When substantial knowledge is
satisfied but with a constalt succession of scenes  presented to the mind, in a judiciouis and al.
and objects which tend to widen the circle of its  luring manner, it wil not only be relished, bt
knowledge, and enlarge the capacity of its mind.  prosecuted with ardour, by every one whose
Hence the keen desires of the young for shows,  faculties are not altogether immersed in the
Hence        mire of sensuality. Let a man, however igspectacles, processions and public exhibitions of                 Let a man, however i
every description, and the delight which they feel  norant and untutored, be made acquainted with
in making excursions from one scene to another   some  of the  interesting details of Geography,
Hence the delight with which travellers traverse  with the wonders of the ocean, and the ume
the Alpine scenes of nature, cross seas and  rols rivers continually rolling into its abyss,
oceans, descend into the gloomy subterraneous  with the lofty ranges of mountains which stretch
cavern, or climb to the summit of the flaming        the continents, and project their sum
volcano, notwithstanding the fatigues and perils  mits beyond the clouds, with the volcanoes,
to which they are exposed.                   the tornadoes, the water-spouts, and the sub..
lime and beautiful landscapes which diversify
"For such the bounteous providence of Heaven  the different climates of the earth; with the
In every breast implanting the desire       numerous tribes of animated beings which peoOf objects new and strange, to urge us on
With unremitted labour to pursue            pie its surfitce, and the manners and customs
Those sacred stores that wait the ripening soul,   of its human inhabitants-he will feel an eager
In Truth's exhaustless bosom. 
For this the daring youth   desire to know every thing else that appertains
Breaks from his weeping mother's anxious arms,  to this subject, and will prosecute his inquiIn foreign climes to rove; the pensive sage  ries with avidity, in so far as his means and
Heedless of sleep, or midnight's hannful damp,
Hangs o'er the sickly taper; and muntired   opportunities permit. Acquaint bin! with some
The virgin follows with enchanted step      of the most striking facts in ancient and mo.
The miazes of some wild and wondrous tale,  dern history, and he will feel a desire to know
every thing of importance that has occurred is
If the desire of knowledge appears, in many  the annals of the world since:he commence



PROOFS FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE.                                    2l
ruent of time.  Unfold to him some of the dis-  sive landscape, and penetrate even to the regions
coveries which have been made in relation to  of distant worlds. To this sense we are indebted
the constitution of the atmosphere, the electric, for our knowledge of the sublimest objects which
Inagnetic, and galvanic fluids, and the chymi-  can occupy the mind, and for the ideas we have
cal changes and operations that are constantly  acquired of the boundless range of creation.
going on in the animal, vegetable, and mineral And, while it is fitted to trace the motions of
kingdoms, and his curiosity will be strongly  mighty worlds, which roll at the distance of a
excited to penetrate still farther into the mys-  thousand millions of miles, it is also so conteries of nature. Direct his views to the con-  structed, as to enable him, with the assistance
cave of the firmament, and tell him of the vast of art, to survey the myriads of living beings
magnitude of the sun, and the planetary globes,  which people a drop of water. All his other
the amazing velocity with which they run their  senses are likewise calculated to extend the range
destined rounds, and of the immense number and  of his knowledge, to enable him to communicate
distances of the stars-and he will eagerly pant  his ideas to others, and to facilitate the mutual
after more minute information respecting the  interchanges of thought and sentiment between
great bodies of the universe, and feel delighted  rational minds of a similar construction with his
at hearing of new discoveries being made in the  own.
unexplored regions of creation.                 His understanding is capable of taking in a
I never knew an instance in which knowledge  vast variety of sentiments. and ideas in relation
of this description was communicated in a ra-  to the immense multiplicity of objects which are
tional, distinct, and alluring manner, where it was  perceived by his external senses. Hence the
not received with a certain degree of pleasure,  various sciences he has cultivated, the sublime
and with an ardent desire to make further inves-  discoveries he has made, and the noble inventigations into the wonders of creating wisdom  tions he has brought to light. By the powers of
and power. Such appears to be the original con-  his understanding, he has surveyed the terraquestitution of the human mind, that it is necessa-  ous globe, in all its varieties of land and water,
rily gratified with every thing that gives scope  continents, islands and oceans; determined its
to the exercise of its faculties, and which has a  magnitude, its weight, its figure and motions;
tendency to extend the range of their action. It  explored its interior recesses, descended into the
is true, indeed, that, in some men, the desire of  bottom of its seas, arranged and classified the
knowledge appears to be blunted and almost an-  infinite variety of vegetables, minerals, and aninihilated, so that they appear to be little superior  mals which it contains, analysed the invisible
in their views to the lower orders of sensitive ex-  atmosphere with which it is surrounded, and doistence. But this happens only in those cases  termined the elementary principles of which it is
where the intellectual faculties are benumbed  composed, discovered the nature of thunder, and
and stupified by indolence and sensuality. Such  arrested the rapid lightnings in their course, aspersons do all they can to counteract the original  certained the laws by which the planets are dipropensities of their nature; and yet even in the  rected in their courses, weighed the masses of
worst cases of this kind that can occur, the ori-  distant worlds, determined their size and disginal desire is never altogether extirpated, so  tances, and explored regions of the universe invilong as the senses are qualified to perform their  sible to the unassisted eye, whose distance exceeds
functions. For the most brutish man is never  all human calculation and comprehension. The
found entirely divested of the principle of curi-  sublime sciences of Geometry, Trigonometry,
osity, when any striking or extraordinary object  Conic Sections, Fluxions, Algebra, and other
is presented to his view. On such an occasion,  branches of Mathematics, evince the acuteness
the original principles of his constitution will be  and perspicacity of his intellect; and their aproused into action, and he will feel a certain de-  plication to the purposes of Navigation and
gree of wonder and delight in common with other  Geography, and to the determination of the laws
rational minds.                               of the celestial motions, the periods of their reAnd, as man has a natural desire after know-  volutions, their eclipses, and the distances at
ledge, and a delight in it-so, he is furnished  which they are placed from our sublunary manwith noble faculties and vast capacities of intellect  sion, demonstrate the vigour and comprehension
for enabling him to acquire, and to treasure it  of those reasoning faculties with which he is enup. He is furnished with senses calculated to  dowed.
convey ideas of the forms, qualities, and relations    By means of the instruments and contrivances
of the various objects which surround him. His  which his inventive faculty has enabled him  to
sense of vision, in particular, appears to take in  form and construct, he can transport ponderous
a wider range of objects, than that of any other  masses across the ocean, determine the exact
sensitive being. While some of the lower ani-  position in which he is at any time placed upon
mals have their vision circumscribed within a  its surface, direct his course along pathless decircle of a few yards or inches in diameter, the  serts and through the billows of the mighty deep;
eye of man can survey, at one glance, an exten-  -transform a portion of steam into a mechanical




22                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
Dower for impelling waggons along roads, and  Could trace the secret hand of Providenoe,
large vessels with great velocity~ against wind and  Wide-working through this universal frame.
arg vessels  ith great velocity against wind and  — All intellectual eye, our solar round
tide; and can even transport himself through the  First gazing through, he, by the blel ded power
yielding air beyond the region of the clouds. He  Of Gravitation and Projection, saw
The whole in silent harmony revolve.
can explore the invisible worlds which are con-  — Then breaking hence, he took his ardent flight
tained in a putrid lake, and bring to view their  Through the blue infinite, and every star
numerous and diversified inhabitants;  and the  Which the clear concave of a winter's night
Pours on the eye, or astronomic tube,next moment he can penetrate to regions of the                 -  at his approach
universe immeasurably distant, and contemplate  Blazed into suns, the living centre each
the mountains and the vales, the rocks and the  Of an harmonious system    -
plains which diversify the scenery of distant sjr-  Such minds as those of Socrates, Plato, Archirounding worlds. He can extract an invisible  medes, Locke, Boyle, La Place, and similar ilsubstance from a piece of coal, by which he can  lustrious characters, likewise demonstrate the
produce, almost in a moment, the most splendid  vast capacity of the human intellect, the extenillumination throughout every part of a large and  sive range of thought it is capable of prosecutpopulous city,-he can detach the element of  ing, and the immense number of ideas it is
fire from the invisible air, and dause the hardest  capable of acquiring. And every man, whose
stones, and the heaviest metals to melt like wax  faculties are in a sound state, is endowed with
under its powerful agency; and he can direct the  similar powers of thought, and is capable of belightnings of heaven to accomplish his purposes,  ing trained to similar degrees of intellectual ekin splitting immense stones into a multitude of  cellence.
fraagments. He can cause a splendid city, adorn-    And as man is endued with capacious inteled with lofty columns, palaces, and temples, to  lectual pcowers for the acquisition of knowledge,
arise, in a spot where nothing was formerly be-  so he is furnished with a noble faculty by which
held but a vast desert or a putrid marsh; and can  he is enabled to retain, and to treasure up in his
make " the wilderness and the solitary place to  intellect the knowledge he acquires. He is enbe glad, and the desert to bud and blossom as  dowed with the faculty of memory, by which the
the rose."  He can communicate his thoughts  mind relains the ideas of past objects and percepand sentiments in a few hours, to ten hundred  tions, accompanied with a'persuasion, that tile
thousands of his fellow-men; in a few weeks, to  objects or things remembered were formerly real
the whole civilized world; and, after his decease,  and present.  Without with faculty we could
he can diffuse important instructions among  never advance a single step in the path of menmankind, throughout succeeding generations.-  tal improvement. If the information we oriIn short, he can look back, and trace the most me-  ginally derive through the medium of the senses
morable events which have happened in the world  were to vanish the moment the objects are resince time began; he can survey the present as-  moved from  our immediate perception, we
pect of the moral world among all nations;-he  should be left as devoid of knowledge as if we
can penetrate beyond the limits of all that is  had never existed. But, by the power of memovisible in the immense canopy of heaven, and  ry, we can treasure up, as in a storehouse, the
range amidst the infinity of unknown systems  greater part, if not the whole of the ideas, noand worlds dispersed throughout the boundless  tions, reasonings, and perceptions which we
regions of creation, and he can overleap the  formerly acquired, and render them subservient
bounds of time, and expatiate amidst future  to our future progress in intellectual attainments.
scenes of beauty and sublimity, which " eye  And it is probable, that even a human spirit, in
hath not seen," throughout the countless ages of  the vigorous exercise of the faculties with which
eternity.                                     it is now furnished, may go forward, through an
What an immense multitude of ideas, in rela-  interminable duration, making continual accestion to such subjects, must the mind of such a  sions to its stores of knowledge, without losing
person as Lord Bacon have contained! whose  one leading idea, or portion of information which
mental eye surveyed the whole circle of human  it had previously acquired.
science, and who pointed out the path by which'   The power of memory in retaining past imevery branch of knowledge may be carried towards  pressions, and its stlsceptibility of improvement,
perfection! How sublime and diversified must  are vastly greater than is generally imagined.
have been the range of thought pursued by the  In many individuals, both in ancient and in
immortal Newton! whose capacious intellect  modern times, it has been found in such a state
seemed to grasp the vast system of universal na-  of perfection, as to excite astonishment, and alture, who weighed the ponderous masses of the  most to transcend belief. It is reported of Seneplanetary globes, and unfolded the laws by which  ca, that he could repeat two thousand verses at
their diversified phenomena are produced, and  once, in their order, and then begin at the end
their motions directed!                      and rehearse them backwards, without missing a
1 Hes while on this dim spot, where mortals toll,    single syllable.  Cyrus is said to have been able
Cloaled in dust,-from Motion's simple laws    to call every individual of his numerous army by




PROOtFS FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE.                                 23
his own name.  Cyneas, who  was sent by  who was born blind, and who could repeat the
Pyrrhus to the Senate at Rome, on an expedi-  whole of the Old and New Testaments from betiol,, the very next day after his arrival, both  ginning to end; and not only so, but could repeat
knew and also saluted by their names, all the  any particular chapter or verse that might be
Senate, and the whole order of the gentlemen in  proposed to him, the moment afier it was speciR'onie.  Mithridates, who governed twenty-  fled.
three nations, all of different languages, could    Thus it appears that man is not only possessed
converse with every one of them in their own  of an ardent desire after knowledge, but is enlanguage.*  An ancient author mentions one  dued with the nlost penetrating and capacious
Oritus, a Corsican boy, to whom he dictated a  powers of intellect, both for acquiring and for
great number of words both sense and nonsense,  treasuring it up in his mind-powers which apand finding he could rehearse a considerable  pear susceptible of indefinite iniprovement in
number without missing one, and in the same  this world; and the legitimate inference that may
order-in which he dictated them, increased them   be drawn from this, is, that they will continue to
to the number of forty thousand, and found, to  be exerted with uninterrupted activity, throughhis astonishment, that he could repeat them  all  out an unceasing duration. And, is it possible
from beginning to end, or from the end back-  to suppose, in consistency with the moral attriwards to the beginning, in the order in which  butes of the Deity, that the exercise of such
they were dictated.                           powers is intended to be confined within the n;rIn modern times, there have likewise been  row limits of time, and to the contracted sphere
many instances of extraordinary powers of re-  of the terraqueous globe?
tention. Dr. Wallis, in a paper in the Philosophical Transactions, informs us that he extracted            "Say, can a soul possess'd
the cube root of the number three, even to thirty    Of such extensive, deep, tremendous powers
Enlarging still, be but a finer breath
places of decimals, by the help of his memory    Of spirits dancing through their tubes a while,
alone. Maglia Bethi, an Italian, had read all   And then'for ever lost in vacant air?"
the books that were published in his life time,
and most of those which were published be-  Such a conclusion never can be admitted while
fore, and could not only give an account of  we recognise the divinity as possessed of boundwhat was contained in each author, but could  less goodness and unerring wisdom. It is the
likewise, from memory, quote the chapter, sec-  province of goodness to gratify those pure and
tion, and page of any book he had read, and  ardent desires which it has implanted in the soul;
repeat the author's own words, in reference to  and it is the part of wisdom  to proportionate
any. particular topic. A gentleman, in order to  means to ends.  But if the whole existence
try his memory, lent him a long manuscript he  of human beings had been intended to be conwas about to publish, and after it had been re-  fined to a mere point in duration, is it rational
turned, called upon him soon afterwards, pre-  to suppose, that Infinite Wisdom would have entending he had lost it, and desired him to write  dowed the human soul with powers and capaci.
as much of it as he could remember; when,  ties so marvellous andsublime, and madeso many
to his surprise, he wrote it over accurately  great preparations and arrangements for promot.
word for word, the same as in the manuscript  ing its physical and moral perfection? To acqui.
he had lent himn. M. Euler, a late celebrated  esce in such a supposition, would be to degrade
mathematician and philosopher, who died in  the divine wisdom and intelligence below the level
1783, having lost his sight by too intense ap-  of the wisdom of man, and to impute imperfecplication to study, afterwards composed his "Ele,  tioel and folly.o Him who is " the only wise
ments of Algebra," and a work " On the ine-  God."  For, in the conduct of human beings,
qualities of the planetary motions," that required  we uniformly regard it as an evidence of folly,
immense and complicated calculations, which he  when they construct a complicated and an extraperformed by his memory alone, to the admira-  vagant machine, which either accomplishes no
tion and astonishment even of the philosophic  end, or no end worthy of the expense and labour
world.  His memory seemed to retain every  bestowed on its construction. And, therefore,
idea that was conveyed to it, either from reading  if we would not ascribe imbecility or want of
or from nmeditation, and his powers of reasoning  design to the adorable Creator of the universe,
and of discrimination were equally acute and  we must admit, that he has not formed the soul
capacious.  He was saldo an excellent classical  of man for this terrestrial scene alone, but has
scholar, and could roceal  tie._Eneid of Virgil  destined it to a state of progressive improvefrom the beginnting to thc eixd, and indicate the  ment, and of endless duration.
first and last line of every P. age of the edition he    This conclusion will appear still more evident,
used.'-  I have converaod with an individual,  if we consider the endless round of business aai
care, and the numerous hardships to which the
~Seneo, Controvers. Lib. 1. Pliny'sNat. Hist. &c.  bulk of mankind are subjected in the present
I Encyclopedia iritan. Art. Euler.     state, which prevent the full and vigorous exai



24                  THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
ciso of the intellectual powers on those objects  all beyond, in the universal system, which exwhicht are congenial to the ardent desires, and  tends through the immeasurable tracts of infinite
the noble faculties of the human soul. The  space, is darkness and uncertainty.
greater part of malnkivd, in the present circum-    Can it, then, be supposed, that a soul furnish.
stances of their tereetriai existence, have their  ed with such noble powers and capacities, capa.
time and attention almost wholly absorbed in  ble of traversing the realm of creation, of opening
counteracting the evils incident to their present  new prospects into the unbounded regions of
condition, and in making provision for the wants  truth that lie before it,. and of appreciating the
of their animal natures; and, consequently, the  perfections of the Sovereign of the universe-a
full gratification of the appetite for knowledge,  soul fired with ardent desires after knowledge,
is an absolute impossibility, amidst the pursuits  panting after new discoveries of truth and of the
and the turmoils connected with the present scene  grandeur of the Divinity, unsatisfied with all its
of things. If we likewise consider the difficulty  past attainments, and contemplating a boundless
of directing the mind in the pursuit of substan-  unexplored prospect before it-should be cast off
tial knowledge, and the numerous obstructions  from existence, and sink into eternal annihilawhich occur in our researches after truth, amidst  tion, at the moment when its capacities were
the contradictory opinions, the jarring interests,  just beginning to expand, when its desires were
and the wayward passions of men,-if we con-  most ardent, and when the scenes of immensity
sider the imperfections of our senses, and the  and eternity were just opening to its view?  If
fallacies to which they are exposed-the preju-  such a supposition could be admitted, man would
dices and the passions which seduce us into er-  be the most inexplicable phenomenon in the uniror-how readily we embrace a glittering phan-  verse; his existence an unfathomable mystery;
tom for a substantial truth-and how soon our  and there could be no conceivable mode of reconspirits faint under the pressure of intense appli-  ciling his condition and destination with the wis.
cation to mental pursuits,-we shall be convine-  dom, the rectitude, and the benevolence of his
ed,- that, in this sublunary sphere, there is no   Creator.*
scope for the full exercise of the intellectual
powers, and that the present world must be only
a preparatory scene to a higher state of existence. Besides, even in those cases where every              SECTION  IV
requisite for the acquisition of knowledge is possessed-where ieisture, wealth, education, books,
ON TEIE PERPETUAL PROGRESS OF THE MI'D
instruments, and all the assistances derived from
TOWARDS PERFECTION.
learned associations, are conjoined with the most
splendid intellectual'endowments, how feeble are
the efforts of the most penetrating and energetic t may be sppement  t  the soul of man apears gum t
it may be stated, that the soul of man appears to
mind, and how narrow the boundary within which
mind,.and how narrow te boundary within which  be capable of making a perpetualprogress towards
its views are confined! The brightest genius,  i
intellectual and moral perfection, and of enjoying
standing on the highest eminence to which sci- felicity is eve  stage  f its career, wit/out tha
ence can transport him, contemplates a bound-                           at a boundary to i
less prospect of objects and events, the knowledge   ecursions.   In the present
excursions. In the present state we perceive no
of which he can never hope to attain, while he  limits to the exrsions of the intellect, but
limits to the excursions of the intellect, but
is chained down to the limits of this terrestrial
those which arise from its connexion with an
ball. His mental eye beholds an unbounded and  unwieldy corporal franle, which is chained down,
diversified scene of obJects, operations, relations,  as it were to a mere point, in the ibmenichanges, and revolutions, beyond the limits of  ty of creation.  Up to the latest period of its
all that is visible to the eye of sense: he catches  connexion with time, it is capable of acquiring
an occasional glimpse of objects and of scenes  new  accessions of knowledge, higher attainwhich were previously involved in obscurity, he  ments in virtue, and more ardent desires after
strains his mental sight, stretches forward with
eagerness to grasp at new discoveries, descries     Such considerations, as those which I have now
sonle openings which direct his view into the re-  adduced, seem to have madle a powerful impression
gions of infinity and eternity-is still restless and  upon the minds of the philosophers of antiquity.
"When I consider," says Cicero, "the wonderful
unsatisfied-perceives all his knowledge to be  activity of the mind, so great a memory of what is
mere shreds and patches, or like a few dim tapers  past, and such a capacity of penetrating into the
amidst the surrounding gloom-is convinced that  future; when I behold such a number of arts and
sciences, and such a multitude of discoveries thence
his present faculties are too weak and limited,  arising; I believe, and asn firmly persuaded, that a
and that he must be raised to a sublimer station,  natue which contains so many things within itself
cannot be mortal." Cicero de Senectute. Cap. 21
before he can fully grasp the magnificent objects  And if this argument appeaired strong even in Cice
which lie hid in the unexplored regions of im-  roe's time, it has received a vast accession of strength
oensity. All his present views, and prospects  from the numerous arts, sciences, inventions, and
discoveries, which are peculiar to the age in which
re confined within a circle of a few miles, and  we live.




PROOFS FROM THE LIGHT OF NA rURE.                                  25
mora; perfection; and the infinity of the Creator,  quick successions, a e only to receive their first
and the immensity of that universe over which he  rudiments of existence here, and afterwards to
presides, present a field in which it may for ever  be transplanted into a more friendly climate,
expatiate, and an assemblage of objects on which  where they may spread and flourish to all eternity I
its powers may be incessantly exercised, with-    " There is not, in my opinion, a more pleLs
out the most distant prospect of ever arriving at  ing and triumphant consideration in religion than
a boundary to interrupt its intellectual career.    this, of the perpetual progress which the soul
As I cannot illustrate this topic in more beau-  makes towards the perfection of its nature, withtifill and forcible language than has been already  out ever arriving at a period in it. To look ups
done by a celebrated Essayist, I shall talke the  the soul as going on from strength to strength,
liberty of quoting his words.-" How can it en-  to consider that she is to shine for ever with new
tet into the thoughts of man," says this elegant  accessions of glory, and brighten to all eternity,
writer, " that the soul, which is capable of such  that she will be still adding virtue to virtue, and
immense perfections, and of receiving new im-  knowledge to knowledge, carries in it something
provements to all eternity, shall fall away into  wonderfully agreeable to that ambition which is
nothing almost as soon as it is created?  Are  natural to the mind of man. Nay, it must be a
such abilities made for no purpose?  A brute  prospect pleasing to God himself to see his creaarrives at a point of perfection which he can  tion for ever beautifying in his eyes, and drawing
never pass.  In a few years he has all the en-  nearer to him by greater degrees of resemblance.
dowments he is capable of; and wete he to live    " Methinks this single consideration of the
ten thousand more, would be the same thing he  progress of a finite spirit to perfection will be
is at present. Were a human soul thus at a  sufficient to extinguish all envy in inferior nastand in her accomplishments, wereher faculties  tures, and all contempt in superior.  That cheto be full blown, and incapable of further enlarge-  rubim, which now appears as a god to a human
ments, I could imagine it might fall awvv insen-  soul, knows very well that the period will come
sibly, and drop at once into a state of annihila-  about in eternity, when the human soul shall be
tion. But can we believe a thinking being, that  as perfect as he himself now is: nay, when she
is in a perpetual progress of improvements, and  shall look down upon that degree of perfection as
travelling on from perfection to perfection, after  much as she now falls short of it. It is true the
having just looked abroad into the works of the  higher nature still advances, and by that means
Creator, and made a few discoveries of his infi-  preserves his distance and superiority in the scale
nite goodness, wisdom and power, must perish in  of being; but he knows how high soever the staher first setting out, and in the very beginning of  tion is, of which he stands possessed at present,
her inquiries?                               the inferior nature will at length mount up to it,
" A man, considered in his present state,  and shine forth in the same degree of glory.
seems only sent into the world to propagate his    " With what astonishment and veneration
kind. He provides himself with a successor,  may we look into our own souls, where there are
and immediately quits his post to make room for  such hidden stores of virtue and knowledge, such
him:-                                        inexhausted sources of perfection?  We know
Heir urges nn his predecessor heir,     not yet what we shall be, nor will it ever enter
Like wave impelling wave,               into the heart of man to conceive the glory that
He does not seem born to enjoy life, but to deli-  will be always in reserve for him.  The soul
ver it down to others. This is not surprising to  considered with its Creator, is like one of those
consider in animals, which are formed for our  mathematical lines that may draw nearer to anuse, and can finish their business in a short life.  other for all eternity  without a possibility of
The silk-worm, after having spun her task, lays  touching it: and can there be a thought so transher eggs and dies. But a man can never have  porting, as to consider ourselves in these pertaken in his full measure of knowledge, has not  petual approaches to Him who.s not enly the
time to subdue his passions, esablish his soul in  standard of perfection but of hal pirness "'*
virtue, and come up to the perfection of his nattire, before he is hurried off the stage. Would
an infinitely wise Being make such glorious creatures for so mean a purpose?  Can he delight                 SECTION  V.
in the production of such abortive intelligences,
such short-lived reasonable beings?  Would he  ON THIE UNLIMITED RANGE OF VIEW WlnICH
give us talents that are not to be exerted? capa-    Is OPENED TO THE HUMAN FACULTIES
cities that are never to be gratified?  How can  THROUGHOUT THE IMMENSITY OF SPACE
we find that wisdom, which shines through all his  AND OF DURATION.
works in the formation of man, without looking
onl this world as a nursery for the next? and he-    The unlimited range of view which is opened
Iteving that the several generations of rational  to thehuman imaginationthroughout the immencreatures, which rise up and disappear in such'Spectator,vol. 2.




26                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
sit of space and of duration, and the knowledge    Our views of the universe, however, aru not
we are capable of acquiring respecting the dis-  confined to the system with whicn we are more
umt regions of the universe, are strong presump-  immediately connected. Every star which twin.
tlons and evidences of the eternal destination of  kles in the canopy of heaven, is, on good grounds,
man.                                          concluded to be a sun, and the centre of a magIf the universe consisted solely of the globe on  nificent system similar to our own; and perhaps
which we dwell, with its appendages, and were  surrounded with worlds more spacious and splen
the spaces with which it is surrounded nothing  did than any of the planetary globes which we
more than an immense void, it would not appear  are permitted to contemplate. Nearly a thousurprising were the existence of man to terminate  sand of these systems are visible to every obin the tomb. After having traversed this earthly  server, when he directs his eye, in a clear winter's
ball for eighty or a hundred years, and surveyed  night, to the vault of heaven. Beyond all that is
all the varieties on its surface; after having ex-  visible to the unassisted eye, a common telescope
perienced many of the physical and moral evils  enables us to discern several thousands more.
connected with its present constitution, and felt  With higher degrees of magniifying power, ten
that " all is vanity and vexation of spirit," and  thousands more, which lie scattered at immeathat no higher prospect, and no further scope for  surable distances beyond the former, may still be
the exercise of his faculties were presented to  described. With the best instruments which art
view; he would be ready to exc.alln with Job,  has hitherto constructed, many millions have
"I loathe it, I would not live alway; let me  been detected in the different regions of the sky
alone, for my days are vanity: my soul chooseth  -leaving us no room to doubt, that hundreds of
strangling  and  death, rather than my life."  millions more, which no human eye will ever disTo run the same tiresome round of giddy plea-  cern in the present state, are dispersed throughsures, and to gaze perpetually on the same un-  out the illimitable tracts of creation. So that no
varied objects, from  one century to another,  limits appear to the scene of Creating Power, and
without the hope of future enjoyment, would af-  to that vast empire over which the moral governford no gratification commensurate with the de-  ment of the Almighty extends. Amidst this
sires and capacities of the human mind. Its  boundless scene of Divine Wisdom ald Omnipopowers would languish, its energies would be  tence, it is evident, that the soul might expatiate
destroyed, its progress to perfection would be for  in the full exercise of its energies, during ages
ever interrupted, and it would roam  in vain  numerous as the drops of the ocean, without
amidst the surrounding void in quest of objects  ever arriving at a boundary to interrupt its exto stimulate its activity.                    cursions.
But, beyond the precincts of this earthly scene,    Now, it ought to be carefully remarked, in the
" a wide and unbounded prospect lies before us;"  first place, that God endowed the mind of man
and the increasing light of modern science has  with those faculties by which he has been enaenabled us to penetrate into its distant regions,  bled to compute the bulk of the earth, to deterand to contemplate some of its sublime arid  mine the size and distances of the planets, and to
glorious ob jects. Within the limits'of the solar  make all the other discoveries to wvhich I now
system of which our world forms a part, there  allude. In the course of his providence he led
have been discovered twenty-nine planetary bo-  the human mind into that train of thought, and
dies, which contain a mass of matter more than  paved the way for those inventions by means of
two thousand five hundred times greater than the  which the grandeur and extent of his operations
earth, besides the numerous comets, which are  in the distant regions of space have been opened
traversing the plenetary regions in all directions,  to our view. it, therefore, appears to have been
and the immense globe of the sun, which is like  his will and intention, that the glories of his ema universe in itself, and which is five hundred  pire, in the remote spaces of creation, should be,
times larger than the earth and all the planets  in some measure, unveiled to the inhabitants of
and conmets taken together. These bodies differ  our world.
from each other in their magnitude, distances    Again, when the soul has once got a glimpse
and motions, and in the scenery with which their  of the magnificence and immensity of creation,
surfaces are diversified; and some of them  are  it feels the most ardent desire to have the veil,
encircled with objects the most splendid and su-  which now interposes between us and the reblime. They appear to be furnished with every  mote regions of the universe, withdrawn, and
thing requisite for the accommodation of intel-  to contemplate at a nearer distance.the splenlectuai beings,-are  capable of containing a  dours of those worlds whose suns we behold
population many thousands of times greater than  twinkling from afar.  A thousand conjectures
that of our world, and are doubtless replenished  and inquiries are suggested to the mind, in reo
witn myriads of rational inhabitants.  Within  lation to the systems and worlds which are dis.
the limits of this system the soul of man would  persed through the immensity of space. Are
find fulll scope lbr the exertion of all its powers,  all those vast globes peopled with inhabitants7
capacities and activities, during a series of ages.  Are they connected together, untler the govern




PROOFS FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE.                                  27
* meat of God, as parts of one vast moral sys-  to its population and grandeur, while eternity
tern?  Are their inhabitants pure moral intel-  rolls on?  What are the grand and ultrimate do
ligences, or are they exposed to the inroads of  signs to be accomplished by this immense assemphysical and moral evil?  What are the gra-  blage of material and intellectual beings, and is
dations of rank or of intellect which exist arnono  man never to behold this wondrous scene a little
them?  What correspondence do they carryon  more unfolded?,vith other provinces of the Divine empire?    Inquiries o.'his description, to which no satis
WVhat discoveries have they made of the per-  factory answers can be expected ini the present
fections of Deity, of the plan of his government,  state, might be multiplied to an indefinite extent.
and of the extent of his dominions? With what  The soul of man is astonished, overwhelmed,
species of corporeal vehicles do they hold a  and bewildered at the immensity of the scene
correspondence with the material world? With  which is opened before it,-and at once perwhat organs of perception, and with-what pow-  ceives, that, in order to acquire a comprehensive
ers of intellect are they furnished?  What fa-  knowledge of the character and attributes of the
culties and organs different from those of man  Divinity-to penetrate into the depths of his
do they possess, and by what laws are their  plans and operations-and to contemplate the full
social intercourses regulated?  Do benignity  glory of his empire,-ages numerous as the stars
and love for ever beam from their countenances,  of heaven are requisite, and that, if no future exand does ecstatic joy perpetually enrapture their  istence awaits it beyond the grave, its ardent
hearts?  What capacities for rapid movement  desires after progressive improvement and felido they possess?  Are they confined within the  city, and its hopes of becoming more fully aclimits of a single globe like ours, or can they  quainted with the universe and its Author, must
fly from one world, to another, on the wings of  end in eternal disappointment.
a seraph?  What magnificent landscapes adorn    Again, the mind of man is not only animated
the places of their residence?  What celestial  with ardent desires after a more full disclosure
glories are hung out for their contemplation in  of the wonders of this boundless scene, but is
the canopy of heaven?  What visible displays  endowed with capacities for acquiring an indefiof the presence and agency of their Creator are  nite extent of knowledge respecting the distant represented to their view?  By what means are  gions of the universe and the perfections of its
they carried Coward in their progress towards in-  Author.  Those who have taken the most exten.
tellectual and moral perfection?  What sciences  sive excursions through the field of science, still
do they cultivate,-what objects engage their  find, that they are capable of receiving an addichief attention-in what solemn and sublime  tion to all the knowledge they ltave hitherto acforms of worship and adoration do they join?  quired on every subject, and of prosecuting inWhat changes or revolutions have taken place  quiries beyond the range of' the visible system,
among them?  What transactions does their  provided the means of investigation were placed
history record?  What scenes of glory or of ter-  within their reach.  Were a human soul transror have been displayed towards any particular  ported to a distant world, for example, to tile
system or province of this immense empire? Are  regions of the planet Saturn,-were it permitted
sin, disease, and death altogether unknown, and  to contemplate at leisure the sublime movements
do their inhabitants bask for ever in the regions  of its rings, and the various phenomena of its
of immortality?  What knowledge do they pos-  moons; the variety of landscapes which diversify
sess of the character and condition of the inha-  its surface, and the celestial scenery which its
bitants of our globe, and of the system of which  fitmament displays, —were it to mingle with its
it forms a part?  What variety of sensitive and  inhabitants, to learn the laws by which their sointellectual beings is to be found in the different  cial intercourse is directed, the sciences which
systems of the universe? What diversity of ex-  they cultivate, the worship in which they engage,
ternal scenery, superior to all that the eye of man  and the leading transactions and events which
has seen or his imagination can conceive, is dis-  their history records-it would find no more difplayed throughout the numerous worlds which  ficulty in acquiring and treasuring up such inforcompose this vast empire?  What systems ex-  mation, than it now does in acquiring, from the
ist, and what scenes of creating power are dis-  narrative of a traveller, a knowledge of the cusplayed in that boundless region which lies beyond  toms and manners of an unknown tribe of manthe limits of human vision? At what period in  kind, and of the nature of the geographical terriduration did this mighty fabric of the universe  tory it possesses. Were angelic messengers.
first arise into existence?  What successive  from a thousand worlds, to be despatched, at
creations have taken place since the first material  successive intervals, to our globe, to describe the
world was launched into existence by the Omnipo-  natural and moral scenery, and to narrate the
tent Creator?  What newworldsandbeings are  train of Divine dispensations peculiar to each
still emerging into existence from the voids of  world-there would be ample room in the human
space?  Is this mighty expanse of creation to  mind for treasuring up such intelligence, notenrdure for ever — and to receive new accessions  withstanding all the stores of science which it




,28                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
may have previously acquired., Such informsa-  seem to have been only like a boy playing on the
Lion would neither annihilate the knowledge we  sea shore, and diverting myself in now and then
had formerly attained, nor prevent our further  finding a pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary,
progress in intelluctual acquisitions.  On the  while the great ocean of truth lay all undiscover..
contrary, it would enlarge the capacity of the  ed before me."  And is it reasonable to believe.
mind, invigorate its faculties, and add a new  that after a glimpse of the boundless treasures
stimulus to its powers and energies. On the  of divine science has flashed upon the mind, it
basis of such information, the soul could trace  is to pass only a few months or years in anxious
new aspects, and new displays of Divine wisdom,  desire and suspense, and then be extinguished
intelligence, and rectitude, and acquire more  for ever?
comprehensive views of the character of God-    It may be farther observed, in connexion with
just as it does, in the mean time, from a contem.  the preceding remarks-that the creation of such
plation of those objects and dispensations which  a vast universe must have been chiefly intended to
lie within its-grasp. To such researches, inves-  display the perfections of the Deity, and to afford
tigations, and intellectual progressions, no boun-  gratification and.felicity to the intellectual beings
dary can be assigned, if the soul be destined to  he has formed.  The Creator stands in no need
survive the dissolution of its mortal frame. It  of innumerable assemblages of worlds and of
odtly requires to be placed in a situation where  inferior ranks of intelligences, in order to secure
its powers will be permitted to expatiate at large,  or to augment his felicity. Innumnerable ages
and where the physical and moral obstructions  before the universe was created, he existed alone,
which impede their exercise shall be completely  independent of every other being, and infinitely
removed.                                      happy in the contemplation of his own eternal
It may be farther remarked, on the ground of  excellences. No other reason, therefore, can be
what has been now stated, that all the knowledge  assigned for the production of the universe, but
which can be attained in the present state, is but  the gratification of his rational offspring, and that
as a drop to the ocean, when compared with  he might give a display of the infinite glories of
" the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" that  his nature to innumerable orders of intelligent.say be acquired in the eternal world.  The pro.  creatures.  Ten thousand times ten thousand
portion between the one and the other may bear  suns, distributed throughout the regions of ima certain analogy to the bulk of the terraqueous  mensity, with all their splendid apparatus of
globe, when compared with the immensity of the  planets, comets, moons, and rings, can afford no
worlds and systems which compose the universe.  spectacle of novelty to expand and entertain the
If an infinite variety of designs, of objects, and  Eternal Mind; since they all existed, in their
of scenery, exist in the distant provinces of cre-  prototypes, in the plans and conceptions of the
ation, as we have reason to believe, from  the  Deity, during the countless ages of a past etervariety which abounds in our terrestrial system,  nity. Nor did he produce these works for the
-if every world be peopled with inhabitants of  improvement and information of no being. This
a different species from those of another, if its  amazing structure of the universe, then, with all
physical constitution and external scenery be  the sensitive and intellectual enjoyments connectpeculiar to itself, if the dispensations of the Cre-  ed with it, must have been chiefly designed for
tor towards its inhabitants be such as have not  the instruction and entertainment of subordinate
been displayed to any other world, if " the ma-  intelligences, and to serve as a magnificent thenifold wisdom of God," in the arrangement of  atre on which the energies of divine power and
its destinies, be displayed in a manner in which  wisdom, and the emanations of divine benevoit has never been displayed to any other class of  lence mightbe illustriously displayed.  And can.
intelligences;-and, in short, if every province  we suppose that the material universe will exist,
of creation exhibit apeculiar manifestation of the  while intelligent minds, for whose improvement
Deity —we may conclude, that all the knowledge  it was reared, are suffered to sink into annihiof God, of his works and dispensations, which  lation?
can be attained in the present life, is but as the    Again, it cannot be admitted, in consistency with
faint glimmering of a taper when contrasted with  the attributes of God, that he will finally disapthe effulgence of the meridian sun. Those who  point the rational hopes and desires of the human
have made the most extensive and profound in-  soul, which he himself has implanted and cherished.
vestigations into the wonders of nature, are the  If he had no ultimate design of gratifying rationmost deeply convinced of their own ignorance,  al beings with a more extensive display of the
and of the boundless fields of knowledge which  immensity and grandeur of his works, it is no.
remain unexplored.  Sir Isaac Newton had em-  conceivable, that he would have permitted them
lovyed the greater part of his life in some of the  to make those discoveries they have already
sublimrest investigations which can engage the  brought to light respecting the extent and the
attention of the hluman mind,-and yet he de-  glory of his empire. Such discoveries could not
elared, a little before his death, " I do not know   have been made without his permission and diwhat I lmay appear to the world, but to myself I  rection, or without those faculties and meanw




PROOFS FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE.                                    29
which he himself had imparted.  And, there-  his faculties wvill arrive at their fill expansion,
fore, in permitting the inhabitants of our world  and there will be ample scope for their exercise
to take a distant glimpse of the boundless scene  on myriads of objects and events which are just
of his operations, he must have intended to ex-  now veiled in darkness and mystery.  He will
cite those ardent desires which will be gratified  be enabled to penetrate nlore fully into the plans
in a future world, and to commence those trains  and operations of the divinity-to perceive new
of thought which will'be prosecuted with increas-  aspects of the Eternal Mind, new evolutions of
ing ardour, through eternity, till we shall be able  infinite wisdom and design, new displays of omto perceive and comprehend the contrivance and  nipotence, goodness, and intelligence-and to
skill, the riches of divine munificence, the vast  acquire a more minute and comprehensive view
designs, and the miracles of power and intelli-  of all the attributes of the Deity, and of the congence which are displayed throughout every part  nexions, relations, and dependencies, of that vast
of the universal system.-To suppose that the  physical and moral system  over which his goCreator would unfold a partial and imperfect view  vernment extends.
of the wonders of creation, and enkindle a rational longing and desire, merely for the purpose
of mocking and tantalizing our expectations, would
be to represent tile moral character of the Deity            SECTION  VI.
as below the level of that of a depraved mortal.
It would argue a species of deceit, of envy, and   ON THE MORAL POWERS OF MAN.
of malignity, which is altogether repugnant to
the character of a Being of infinite benevolence.    The moral powers with which man Is endued
As his goodness was the principal motive which  forim a strong presumptive proof of his immortal
induced him to bring us into existence, his con-  destiny.
duct must be infinitely removed from every thing    Man is formed for action, as well as for conthat approaches to envy, malignity, or a desire, templation. For this purpose there are interto mock or disappoint the rational hopes of his  woven in his constitution, powers, principles,
creatures. His general character, as displayed  instincts, feelings, and affections, which have a
in all his' works, leads us to conclude, that, in so  reference to his improvement in virtue, and which
far from tantalizing the rational beings he has  excite him to pronmote the happiness of others.
formed, he is both able and willing " to do to and  These powers and active principles, like the infor them exceeding abundantly above all that they  tellectual, are susceptible of vast improvement,.
can ask or think."  If he had intended merely  by attention, by exercise, by trials and difficul.
to confine our desires to sensitive enjoyments and  ties, and by an expansion of the intellectual
to the present life, the habitation of man would  views. Such are filial and fraternal affection,
have required no more contrivance nor decoration  fortitude, temperance, justice, gratitude, generothan what are requisite for the lion's den and the  sity, love of friends and country, philanthropy,
retreats of the tiger, and no farther display of  and general benevolence. Degenerate as our
the grandeur of his empire would have been un-  world has always been, many striking examples
folded to view.                               of such virtues have been displayed both in anSince, therefore, it appears, that the universe  cient and modern times, which demonstrate the
is replenished with innumerable systems, and is  vigour, expansion, and sublimity of the moral
vast and unlimited in its extent-since God en-  powers of man.
dued the mind of man with those faculties by    When we behold men animated by noble senwhich he has explored a portion of its distant  timents, exhibiting sublime virtues, and performregions-since the soul feels an ardent desire to  ing illustrious actions,-displaying generosity
obtain a more full disclosure of its grandeur and  and beneficence in seasons of calanmity, and tranmagnificence-since it is endued with faculties  quillity and fortitude in the midst of difficulties
capable of receiving an indefinite increase of  and dangers-desiring riches only for the sake
knowledge on this subject-since all the know-  of distributing them-estimating places of powledge it can acquire in the present state, re-  er and honour, only for the sake of suppressing
specting the operations and the government of  vice, rewarding virtue, and promoting the prosGod, is as nothing when compared with the  perity of their country-enduring poverty and
prospects which eternity may unfold-since the  distress with a noble heroism-suffering injuuniverse and its material glories are chiefly in-  ries and affronts with patience and serenitytended for the gratification of intelligent minds  stifling reseh.ient when they have it in their
-and since it is obviously inconsistent with the  power to inflict vengeance-displaying kindness
moral character of the Deity, to cherish desires  and generosity towards enemies and sianderers:anu expectations which he will finally frustrate  -vanquishing irascible passions and licentious
tnd disappoint-the conclusion appears to be un-  desires in the midst of the strongest temptaavoidable, that mnan is destined to an immortal  tions-submitting to pain and disgrace in order
e:rsstence.  During the progress of that existence,  to promote the prosperity of friend, and rela



30                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
tives-and sacrificing repose, honour, wealth,  portunity for revenge, instead of resenting toe
and even life' itself, for the good of their coun-  ill treatment he had received from him, he cono
try, or for promoting the best interests of the  stantly' refused to join with his enemies, beinio
human race,-we perceive in such examples  as far from  secretly rejoicing over the misforfeatures of the human mind, which mark its dig-  tune of his adversary as he had been before
nity and grandeur, and indicate its destination  from being afflicted at his good success. Such
to a higher scene of action and enjoynent.     virtues reflect a dignity and grandeur on every
Even in the annals of the Pagan world, we  mind in which they reside, which appear infind many examples of such illustrious. virtues.  compatible with the idea, that it is destined to
There we read of Regtdus exposing himself to  retire for ever from the scene of action at the
the most cruel torments, and to death itself,  hour of death.
rather than suffer his veracity to be impeach-    But the noblest examples of exalted virtue are
ed, or his fidelity to his country to be called ill  to be found anmong those who have enlisted themquestion-of Phocion, who exposed himself to  selves in the cause of Christianity.  The Aposthe fury of an enraged assembly, by inveighing  tie Paul was an illustrious example of every thing
against the vices, and endeavouring to promote  that is noble, heroic, generous, and benevolent in
the best interests of his countrymen, and gave  human conduct. His soul was inspired with a
it as his last command to his son, when he was  holy ardour in promoting the best interests of mangoing to execution, " that he should forget how   kind.  To accomplish this object, he parted with
ill the Athenians had treated his'father"-of  filiends and relatives, relinquished his native
Cyrus, who was possessed of wisdom. niodera-  country, and every thing that was dear to him
tion, courage, magnanimity, and noble senti-  either as a Jew or as a Roman citizen, and exments, and who employed them  all to promote  posed himself to persecutions ald dangers ofevery
the happines of his people-of Scipio, in whose  description. During the prosecution of his benevoactions the virtues of generosity and liberality,  lent career, he was" injourneyings often, in perils
goodness, gentleness, justice, magnanimity, and  of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils. by his own
chastity, shone with distinguished llstre —and  countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils
of Damon and Pythias, who were knit together  in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils
in the bonds of a friendship which all the ter-  in the sea, in perils among false brethren: in
rors of an ignominious death could not dis- w.eariness and painfulness, in watchings often,
solve. But of all the characters of the heathen  in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in stripes
world, illustrious for virtue, Aristides appears to  above measure, in cold and nakedness."  Yet
stand in the" foremost rank. An extraordinary  none of these things moved him, nor did he count
greatness of soul, (says Rollin) made him supe-  his life dear to him, provided he might finish his
rior to every passion.  Interest, pleasure, ambi-  course with joy, and be instrumental in accomtion, resentment, jealousy, were extinguished in  plishing the present and eternal happiness of his
hinm by the love of virtue and his country. The  fellow-men.  In every period of the Christian
merit of others, instead of offending him, be-  era, similar characters have arisen to demonstrate
came his own by the approbation he gave it.  the power of virtue and to bless mankind. Out
He rendered the government of the Athenians  own age and country have produced numerous
ainiable to their allies, by his mildness, good-  philanthropic characters, who have shone as lights
ness, humanity, and justice.  The disinterest-  in the moral world, and have acted as benefactors
edness he showed in the management of the  to the human race. The names of Alfred, Penn,
public treasure, and the love of poverty which  Bernard, Raikes, NqTeilde, Clarkson, Sharpe,
he carried almost to an excess, are virtues so  Buxton, Wilberforce, Venning, and many others,
far superior to the practice of our age, that they  are familiar to every one who is in the least acscarce seem credible to us. His conduct and  quainted with the annals of benevolence.  The
principles were always uniform, steadfast in the  exertions which some of these individuals have
ptlrsuit of whatever he thought just, and inca-  made in the cause of liberty, in promoting the
pable of the least falsehood, or shadow of flat-  education of the young, in alleviating the distory, disguise, or fraud, even in jest. He h.ad  tresses of the poor, in ameliorating the condition
s ch a control over his passions, that he uni-  of the prisoner, and in counteracting the abomina(; rmly sacrificed his private interest, and his  ble traffic in slaves, will be felt as blessings conprivate resentments, to the' good of the public.  ferred on mankind throughout succeeding geneThemistocles was one of the principal actors who  rations, and will, doubtless, be held in everlasting
procured his banishment from  Athens;-but,  remembrance.
after being recalled, he assisted him on every   But among all the philanthropic characters of
occasion with his advice and credit, joyfully  the past or present age, the labours of the late
taking pains to promote the glory of his great-  Mr. HOWARD, stand pre-eminent. This illustri.
est enemy, through the motive of advancing the  ous manl, from a principle of pure benevolence,
oublic good.  And when afterwards the dis-  devoted the greater part of his life to aetlve bene.
2race of Themistocles gave him a proper op-  ficence, and to the alleviation of hurtnl, wretch



PROOFS FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE.                                     31
ednest, in every country where he travelled,-  are confined to laborious cmployments. and have
diving into the depth of dungeons, and exposing  their attention almost entirely absorned in prove.
hirnself to the infected atmospheres of hospitals  ding for their families, and in anxious solicitude
and jails, in order to meliorate the condition of  for their animal subsistence and success in life,
the unfortunate, and to allay the sufferings of the  so that they find no scope for their moral powers
mournful prisoner.  In prosecuting this labourbf  beyond the circle of the family mansion, and of
love, he travelled three times through France,  their own immediate neighbourhood. 2. The pe-:fiur times through Germany, five times through  riod within which the most energetic powers call
Holland, twice through Italy, once through Spaiin  be exerted is extremely limited. It is not before
and Portugal, and also through Denmark, Swe-  man has arrived near the meridian of life that
den, Russia: I-o,and, and part of the Turkish  his moral powers begin to be fully expanded,empire, surveying the haunts of misery, and dis-  and it frequently happens, in the case of ardent
tributing benefits to mankind wherever lie ap-  benevolent characters, that, at the moment when
peared.                                        their philanthropic schemes were matured, and
they had just c nlmenced their career of benefi"From  realm to realm with cross or crescent    they had just c.aumenced their career of benefitf crowmrealmtd,  realm with cross or crescent    cence, death interposes, and puts a period to all
Where'er mankind and misery are found,         their labours and designs. 3. In the present
t'er burning sands, deep waves, or wilds of snow,   state of the wdrld, numerous physical obstrucMild Howardjourneying seeks the house of woe.  tions interpose to prevent the exertion of the
Down many a winding step to dungeons dank,     tons interpose to prevent the exertion of the
Where anguish wails aloud and fetters-clank,   moral powers, even in the most ardent philanTo caves bestrewed with manya mouldering bone,   thropic minds.  The want of wealth and influAnd cells whose echoes only learn to groan,
Where no kind bars a whispering friend disclose.   ence; the diseases and infirmities of an enfeebled
No sun-beam enters, and no zephyr blows;       corporeal frame; the impediments thrown in the
P-He treads, inemutous of flame or wealth,     way by malice and envy, and the political arProfuse of toil and prodigal of health;
Ieads stern-ey'd Justice to the dark domains,  rangenrents of states; the difficulty of penetrating
If not to sever to relax the chains,           into every reuion of the globe where human beGives to her babes the self-devoted wife,                            the  ob rhumn   e
To her fond husband liberty and life.          ings reside, and many other obstructions, pre-Onward he moves! disease and death retire;   vent the full exercise of that moral energy which
And nlurmuring demons hate him and admire."    resides in benevolent and heroic minds, and confine its operations within a narrow span. But
Such characters afford powerful demonstra-  can we ever suppose, in consistency with Divine
tions of the sublimity of virtue, of the activity of  Wisdom and Benevolence, that God has implanthe human mind, and of its capacity for contri-  ted in the human constitution benevolent active
buting to the happiness of fellow intelligences to  powers, which are never to be fully expanded,
an unlimited extent.  We have also, in our own  and tihat those godlike characters that have octimes, a class of men who have parted from their  casionally appeared on the theatre of our world,
friends and native land, and have gone to the  are never to re-appear on the field of action, to
" uttermost ends of the earth," to distant barba-  expatiate, in the full exercise of their moral powrous climes, exposing themselves to the frosts of  ers, in the ample career of immortality? To
Labrador and Greenland, to the scorching heats  admit such a supposition would be in effect to
of Africa, and to the hostile attacks of savage  call in question his Wisdom  and Intelligence.
tribes, in order to publish the salvation of God,  It is the part of Wisdom to proportionate means.
and to promote the happiness of mten of all lan-  to ends, and to adapt the faculties of any being.
gtlages and climates. Some of these have felt  to the scene in which it is to operate.  But.
their minds inspired with such a noble ardour in  here, we behold a system of powers which can;
the cause of universal benevolence, that nothing  never can be brought into fiall operation in the.
but insurmountable physical obstructions prevent-  present state; and, therefore, if death is to put,
ed them from making the tour of the world, and  a final termination to the activity of man, the
imparting benefits to men of all nations, kindreds,  mighty powers and energies with which he isand tongues.                                   endowed have been bestowed in vain,-and. we
Can we then imagine, that such active powers  are led to conceive of the Divine Being as de-.
as those to which I have now alluded-powers  ficient in Wisdom and Intelligence in his governs
which qualify their possessors for diffusing hap-  ment of the intellectual beings he has formed.
plness to all indefinite extent among surround-    This will, perhaps, appear still more obvi-*
ing intelligences-will be for ever extinguished  ous, if we attend to the following considerations.
by the stroke of death? and that, after a few fee-  -Throughout the universe we perceive traces
ble efforts during the present transitory scene,  of a system  of universal benevolence.  This is
they will never again exert their energies through  distinctly perceptible in relation to our own globe'
all eternity? This will appear in the highest de-  in the revolution of day and night; in the constigree improbable, if we consider, 1. The limited  tution of the atmosphere; in the beautiful and
sphere of action to which the generality of man-  sublime scenes presented to the eye in every
kind are ccnfinedin the present state.  Most men  country; in the agencies of light and.heat, and4
15




S2                 THE PHILOSOPHY (OF A FUTURE STATE.
of the electrical and galvanic fluids; in the splen-  virtuous benevolent characters which have tap
dour of the sun, and the glories of the midnight  peared in our world, have been only in the act o(
sky; in the organization of the body of man, and  training for a short period, preparatory to their
the different senses with which he is endowed;  being transported to a nobler scene of action, and
in the general adaptation of the mineral and ve-  that their moral powers, which could not be
getable kingdoms, and of every element around  brought into full exercise in this terrestrial
us, to the wants of man and other sensitive be-  sphere, were intended to qualify them for mingings; and in the abundant supply of fod and drink  ling with more exalted intelligences, and co-opewhich is annually distributed to every rank of rating with them in carrying forward that vast
animated existence. We perceive traces of the  system of universal benevolente, to which all the
same benevolent agency in the arrangements  arrangements of the Creator evidently tend.
connected with distant worlds-in the rotation    Whether then, it may be asked, does it appear
of the planetary globes around their axes, in the  most consistent with the moral powers of man,
assemblages of rings and moons with which they  and with the wisdom and goodness of God, to
are environed, and in the diversified apparatus  suppose that such illustrious characters as Penn,
by which light and heat are distributed in due  G. Sbarp, Clarkson, Venning, Howard, and the
proportion to the several bodies which compose  apostle Paul, are now for ever banished from
the solar system.  And, in other systems, in the  creation, or that they are expatiating in a higher
distant regions of space, we perceive that it is  scene of action and enjoyment, where all their
one great end of the Creator, to diffuse light and  benevolent energies find ample scope, and where
splendour throughout all the provinces of his im-  every blossom of virtue is fully expanded?  1f.lense empire, in order to, unveil his glorious  there is a God, and if wisdom, benevolence, and
-works to the eyes of unnumbered intelligences.  rectitude, form an essential part of his character,
But, although a system of benevolence is abun-  we cannot doubt for a moment that such characdantly manifest in the mechanical fabric of the  ters are still in existence, and shall re-appear on,universe, yet it does not appear that happiness  a more splendid theatre of action in the future:can be fully enjoyed without the benevolent agency  scenes of eternity.
of intelligent beings. We have abundant proofs
of this positibn in the world in which we dwell.    I shall conclude my illustrations of the preFor although the goodness of the Creator is dis-  ceding arguments with the following extract from
played throughout all its regions, yet the greater  a judicious and elegant writer:part of the human race is in a state of comparative    " In tracing the nature and destination of any
misery, nriot owing to any deficiency in the Divine  being, we form the surest judgment from  his
bounty, but to the selfishness, ambition, and  powers of action, and the scope and limits of
nmalevolence of men. With the blessings which  these compared with his state or that field in
Heaven provides from year to year, the whole  which they are exercised.  If this being passes
population of our globe, and a thousand millions  through different states or fields of action, and
nmore, would be amply supplied, and happiness  we find a succession of powers adapted to the
extensively diffused, were benevolence a promi-  different periods of his progress, we conclude,
nent and universal trait in the character of man-  that he was destined for those successive states,
kind. Even in those places where only a few   and reckon his nature progressive. If, besides
energetic and benevolent individuals bestir them-  the immediate set of powers which fit him for
selves in the cause of general philanthropy, a  action in his present state, we observe another
wonderful change Is rapidly produced in the  set which appear superfluous if he were to be
condition of society. Disease, and misery, and  confined to it, and which point to another or
want, fly away at their approach,-the poor are  higher one, we naturally conclude that he is not
supplied, the wretched relieved, the prisoner re-  designed to remain in his present state, but to
leased, the orphan provided for, and the widow's  advance to that for which those supernumerary
heart made to sing for joy.                   powers are adapted. Thus, we argue, that the
Now, we have every reason to conclude, that  insect, which has wings forming or formed, and
moral action extends over the whole empire of  all the apparatus proper for flight, is not destined
God-that benevolence exerts its noblest ener-  always to creep on the ground, or to continue in
gies among the inhabitants of distant worlds-  the torpid state of adhering to a wall, but is
mand that it is chiefly through the medium of re-  designed in its season to take its flight in air.:cipron al kindness and affection that ecstatic joy  Without this farther destination, the admirable
pervades the hearts of celestial intelligences.  mechanism of wings and the other apparatus,
For we cannot conceive happiness to exist in any  would be useless and absurd.
region of space, or among any class of intellec-    " The same kind of reasoning may be applied
tual beings, where love to the Creator, and to one  to man, while he lives only a sort of vegetative
another, is not a prominent and permanent affec-  life in the wonlb. He is furnished even there,ttU.                                         with a beautiful apparatus of organs, eyes, ears.
iAt is, therefore, reasonable to believe that those  and other delicate senses, which derive nourish



PRtOOFS FROM THE LIGHT OF NATrURE.                                  38
ment indeed, but are in a manner folded up, and  gression?  Is tnis the utmost extent of her plot,
have no proper excrcise or use in their present  where she wines up the drama, and dismisses the
confinlement. Let us suppose some intelligent  actor into eternal oblivion?  Or does he appear
spectator, who never had any connexion with  to be invested with supernumerarypovvers, which
man, nor the least acquaintance with human af.  have not full exercise and scope even in the last
fairs, to see this odd phenomenon, a creature  scene, and reach not that maturity or perfection
formed after such a manner, and placed in a si-  of which they are capable, and therefore point
tuation apparently unsuitable to such various  to some higher scene, where he is to sustain an.
machinery, must he not be strangely puzzled  other and more important character, than he has
about the use of his complicated structure, and  yet sustained?  If any such there are, may we
reckon such a profusion of art and admirable  not conclude from analogy, or in the same way
workmanship lost on the subject: or reason by  of anticipation as before, that he is destined for
way of anticipation, that a creature endued with  that after part, and is to be produced upon a
such various yet unexerted capacities, was des-  more august and solemn stage, where his subtined for a more enlarged sphere of action, in  limer powers shall have proportioned action, and
which those latent capacities shall have full play?  his nature attain its completion."*
The vast variety and yet beautiful symmetry and    In illustrating the preceding arguments, I have
proportions of the several parts and organs with  shown that man is possessed of desires which
which the creature is endued, and their apt co-  cannot be fully gratified, and of moral and intelhesion with and dependence on the curious re-  lectual powers which cannot be fully exercised in
ceptacle of their life and nourishment, would  the present world, and consequently, we have the
forbid his concluding the whole to be the birth of  same reason to conclude, that he is destined to a
chance, or the bungling effort of an unskilful ar-  higher scene of existence, as we would have,
tist; at least, would make him demur a while at  from beholding the rudiments of eyes and ears in
so harsh a sentence.  But if, while he is in this  the embryo in the womb, that it is destined to
state of uncertainty, we suppose him to see the  burst its confinement, and to enter into a world,
babe, after a few successful struggles, throwing  where sounds, and light, and colours will afford
off his fetters, breaking loose from his little dark  ample scope for the exercise of these organs.
prison, and emerging into open day, then unfoldina his recluse and dormant powers, breathing
in air, gazing at light, admiring colours, sounds,
and all the fair variety of nature; immediately his          SECTION  VII.
doubts clear tip, the propriety and excellence of
the workmanship dawn upon him with full lustre,  ON THE APPREHENSIONS AND FOREBODINGS
and the whole mystery of the first period is un-    OF THE MIND, IWHEN UNDER THE INFLUra velled by the opening of this new scene. Though  ENCE OF REMORSE.
in this second period the creature lives chiefly a
kind of animal life, that is, of sense and appetite,    The apprehensions of the mind, and its fearyet by various trials and observations he gains  ful forebodings of futurity, when under the inexperience, and by the gradual evolution of the  fluence of remorse, may be considered as intipowers of the imagination he ripens apace for  mations of a state of retribution in another
an higher life, for exercising the arts of design  world.
and imitation, and of those in which strength or    As the boundless desires of the human mind,
dexterity are more requisite, than acuteness or  the vast comprehension of its intellectual facul.
reach of judgment. In the succeeding rational  ties, and the virtuous exercise of its moral powor intellectual period, his understanding, which  ers, are indications of a future state of more
formerly crept in a lower, mounts into an higher  enlarged enjoyment, so, those horrors of consphere. canvasses the natures, judges of the re-  science which frequently torment the minds of
lations of things, forms schemes, deduces con-  the wicked, may be considered as the forebodsequences from what is past, and from present as  ings of future misery and wo. For it appears
well as past collects future events. By this suc-  as reasonable to believe, that atrocious deeds
cession of states, and of correspondent culture,  will meet with deserved opprobrium and punishhe grows up at length into a moral, a social, and  ment in a future state, as that virtuous actions
a political creature. This is the last period at  will be approved of and rewarded; and, oonsewhich we perceive him to arrive in this his mor-  quently, we find, that all nations who have betal career.  Each period is introductory to the  lieved in a future state of happiness for the
next succeeding one; each life is a field of ex-  righteous, have also-admitted that there are. fuercise and improvement for the next higher one;  ture punishments in reserve for the workers of
the life of the fetsus for that of the infant, the  iniquity. Every man has interwoven inhisconlitb of the infant for that of the child, and all the  stitution a moral sense which secretly condemns
kmwer for the highest and best.
" Bt is this the last period of nature's pro..                  Fordyce.




34                  THE PHILOSCPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
hint when he has committed an atrocious action,  as an emperor, nor the solitary retreats to whicd
even when the perpetration of the crime is un-  he retired, could shield him from the accusationi
known to his fellow-men, and when he is placed  of his conscience, but he himself was forced to
In clrcumstances which raise him above the fear  confess the mental agonies he endured as a p(uof human punishment.  The, - have been nume-  nishment for his crimes.-Antiochus Epiphianes
rous individuals, both in the higher and lower  was another tyrant remarkable for his cruelty and
ranks of life, who, without anw external cause, or  impiety. He laid siege to the city of Jerusalem,
apprehension of punishment fiom men, have been  exercised the most horrid cruelties upon its inha.
seized with inward terrors, and have writhed  bitants, slaughtered forty thousand of them in
under the agonies of an accusing conscience,  three days, and polluted, in the most impious
which neither the charms of music, nor all the  manner, the temple, and the worship of the God
other delights of the sons of men, had the least  of Israel. Some time afterwards, when he was
power to assuage. Of the truth of this position,  breathing out curses against the Jews for having
the annals of history furnish us with nlany im-  restored their ancient worship, and threatening to
pressive examples. The following may suffice  destroy the whole nation, and to make Jerusalem
as specimens:-                               the common place of sepulture to all the Jews,
While Belshazzar was carousing at an impious  he was seized with a grievous torment in his inbanquet with his wives and concubines and a  ward parts, and excessive pangs of the colic,
thousand of his nobles, the appearance of the  accompanied with such terrors as no remedies
fingers of a man's hand, and of the writing on  could assuage.  ", Worms crawled from every
an opposite wall, threw him into such consterna-  part of him; his flesh fell away piece-meal, and
tion, that his thoughts terrified him, the girdles  the stench was so great that it became intoler.
of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one  able to the whole army; and he thus finished an
against another. His terror, in such circum-  impious life, by a miserable death."t  During
stances, cannot be supposed to have proceeded  this disorder, says Polybius, he was troubled
from a fear of man; for he was surrounded by  with a perpetual delirium, imagining that spechis guards and his princes, and all the delights of  tres stood continually before him, reproaching
music, and of a splendid entertainment. Nor  him with his crimes.-Similar relations are given
did it arise from the sentence of condemnation  by historians, of Herod who slaughtered the inwritten on the wall; for he was then ignorant  fants at.Bethlehem, of Galerius Maximianus the
both of the writing and of its meaning. But he  author of the tenth persecution  against the
was conscious of the wickedness of which he  Christians, of the infamous Philip II. of Spain,
had been guilty, and of the sacrilegious impiety  and of many others whose names stand conspi.
in which he was then indulging, and, therefore,  cuous on the rolls of impiety and crime.
the extraordinary appearance on the wall, was    It is related of Charles IX. of France, who
considered as an awful foreboding of punishment  ordered the horrible Bartholomew massacre, and
from that almighty and invisible Being whom he  assisted in his bloody tragedy, that, ever after,
had offended.-Tiberius, one of the Roman em-  he had a fierceness in his looks, and a colour in
perors, was a gloomy, treacherous, and cruel  his cheeks, which he never had before;-that lie
tyrant. The lives of his people became the sport  slept little and never sound; and waked frequentof his savage disposition. Barely to take them  ly in great agonies, requiring soft music to comrn
away was not sufficient, if their death was not  pose him to rest; and at length died of a lingertormenting and atrocious. He ordered, on one  inig disorder, after having undergone the most
occasion, a general massacre of all who were  exquisite torments both  of body and mind.
detained in prison, on account of the conspiracy  D'Aubigne informs us that Henry IV. frequentof Sejanus his minister, and heaps of carcasses  ly told, among his most intimate friends, that
were piled up in the public places. His private  eight days after the massacre of St. Bartholovices and debaucheries were also incessant, and  mew, he saw a vast number of ravens perch and
revolting to every principle of decency and vir-  croak on the pavilion of the Louvre; that the
tue.  Yet this tyrant, while acting in the pleni-  same night Charles IX. after he had been two
tude of his power. and imagining himself beyond  hours in bed, started up, roused his grooms of the
the control of every law, had his mind tortured  chamber, and sent them out to listen to a great
with dreadful apprehensions. We are informed  noise of groans in the air, and among others,
by Tacitus, that in a letter to the Senate, he  some furious and threatening voices, the whole
opened the inward wounds of his breast, with  resembling what was heard on the night of the
such words of despair as might have moved pity  massacre; that all these various cries were so
in those who were under the continual fear of his  striking, so remarkable, and so articulate, that
tyranny.*  Neither the splendour of his situation  Charles believing that the enemies of the Montmorencies and of their partisans had surprisee
and attacked them, sent a detachment of his
~Tiberlum non fortuna, non solltudines protege
bant, quin tormenta peotoris suasque pcenas ipse
fateretur, &c.-Tacitu-.                                       Rollin's An. Hist




PROOFS FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE.                                   85
guards to preves' this new  massacre.  It is  not how to extinguish, nor how to bear the lignht
scarcely necessar? to add, that the intelligence  of " the candle of the Lord" within him. He is
brought from Paris proved these apprehensions  said to have left the world, with great reluctance
to be groundless, and that the noises heard, must  under terrible apprehensions of a dark and unhave been the fanciful creations of the guilty con-  known futurity.
science of the king, countenanced by the vivid
rennbrane of tose around  im of te orrors   Conscience, the torturer of the soul, unseen,
Does fiercely brandish a sharp scourge within.
of St. Bartholomew's day.                     Severe decrees may keep our tongues in awe,
King Richard III. after he had murdered his  But to ourthoughts what edict can give law?
Even you yourself to your own breast shall tell
innocent royal nephews, was so tormented in  Your crimes, and your own conscience be, your eleL
conscience, as Sir Thomas More reports from
the gentlemen of his bed chamber, that he had    Many similar examples of the power of conno peace or quiet in himself, but always carried  science in awakening terrible apprehensions of
it as if some imminent danger was near him.  futurity, could be brought forward from the reHis eyes were always whirling about on this  cords of history both ancient and modern;-and
side, and on that side; he wore a shirt of mail,  there can be no question, that, at the present
and was always laying his hand upon his dagger,  moment, there are thousands of gay spirits im.
looking as furiously as if he was ready to strike.  mersed in fashionable dissipation, and professing
Hoe had no quiet in his mind by day, nor could  to disregard the realities of a future world, who,
take any rest by night, but, molested with terri  if they would lay open their inmost thoughts,
fying dreams, would start out of his bed, and run  would confess, that the secret dread of a future
like a distracted man about the chamber.*     retribution is a spectre which frequently haunts
This state of mind, in reference to another  them while running the rounds of forbidden pleacase, is admirably described, in the following  sure, and embitters their most exquisite enjoylines of Dryden.                             ments.
Now, how are we to account for such terrors
Amidst your train this unseen judge will wait,    of conscience, and awful forebodings of futurity,
Examine how you came by all your state;
Upbraid your impious pomp, and in your ear   if there be no existence beyond the grave? espeWill halloo, rebel! traitor! murderer!     cially when we consider, that many of those who
Your ill-got power, wan looks, and care shall bring,  have been thus tormented have occupied stations
Known but by discontent to be a King.
Of crowds afraid, yet anxious when alone,    of rank and power, which raised them above the
You'll sit and brood your sorrows on a throne."    fear of punishment from man? If they got their
Bessus the Pteonian being reproached with  schemes accomplished, their passions gratified,
and their persons and possessions secured from
ill nature for pulling down a nest of young spar-  and their persons ad  possessions secured from
rows and killing them, answered, that he had  temporal danger, why did they feel compunction
reason so to do, " Because these little birds ne-  or alarm  in the prospect of filturity? for every
ver ceased falsely to accuse him  of the mur-  mental disquietude of this description implies a
der of his father."  This parricide had been till  dread  of something future. They had no great
then concealed and unknown; but the revenging   son to be afraid even of the Almihty himself
revengig  if his vengeance dolnotyom   self,
fury of conscience caused it to be discovered   h               not extend beyond the p
by himself, who was justly to suffer for it. That  sent world. They beheld the physical and moral
lotorious sceptic and senui-atheist, Mr. Hobbes, world moving onward according to certain fixed
author of the " Leviathan," had been the means  and immutable laws. They beheld no miracles
of poisoning many young gentlemen and others,  of vengeance-no Almighty arm visibly hurling
with his wicked principles, as the Earl of Ro-  the thunderbolts of heaven against the workers
chester confessed, with extreme compunction, o of iniquity. They saw that one event happened
his death-bed. It was remarked, by those who  to all, to the righteous as well as, to the wicked,
narrowly observed his conduct, that " though in  and that death was an evil to which they behoved
a humour of bravado he would speak strange  sooner or later tb submit. They encountered
and unbecoming things of God; yet in his stu-  hostile armies with fortitude, and beheld all the
dy, in the dark, and in his retired thoughts,  dread apparatus of war without dismay. Yet
he trembled before him."  He could not endure  in their secret retirements, in their fortified reto be left alone in an empty house. He could  treats, where no eye but the eye of God was
not, even in h;s old age, bear any discours:e of  upon them, and when no hostile incursion was
death, and seemed to cast off all thoughts of it.  apprehended, they trembled at a shadow,and felt
He could not bear to sleep in the dark; and if his  a thousand disqtietudes from the reproaches of
candle happened to go out in the night, he would  an inward monitor which they could not escape.
awake in terrcr and amazement,-a plain indica-  These things appear altogether inexplicable if
tion, that he was unable to bear the dismal re. there be no retribution beyond the grave.
dections of his dark and desolate mind, and knew  We are, therefore, irresistibly led to the conclusion, that the voice of conscience, in such
S Stow's Annals p. 460n.          cases, is the voice of God declaring his abhor



3~3                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
rence of wicked deeds and the punishment which  at its appointed time, or were the planets to
they deserve, and that his providence presides  dash one against another, and to run lawless.v
over the actions of moral agents, and gives inti-  through the sky, the system of Nature would run
mations of the future destiny of those ha ughty  into conflusion, its inhabitants would be thrown inspirits who obstinately persist in their trespasses.  to a state of anarchy, and deprived of all their enAnd, consequently, as the peace and serenity of  joyments.  But, in consequence of the order
virtuous minds are preludes of nobler enjoyments  which now prevails, the whole presents to the eye
in a future life, so those terrors which now assail  of intelligence an admirable display of beauty
the wicked may be considered as the beginnings  and harmony, and of infinite wisdom and design.
of that misery and anguish which will be con-    In like manner, if we attend to the arrangesuilmated in the world to come, in the case of  ments of our sublunary system-to the revoluthose who add final impenitence to all their other  tions of the seasons, the course of the tides, the
crimes.                                       motions of the rivers, the process of evaporation, the periodical changes of the winds, and
the physical economy of the animal and vegetable tribes-the same systematic order and harSECTION  VIII.                   niony may be perceived.-In the construction
and movements of the human frame, there is a
ON THE DISORDERED STATE OF THE MORAL  striking display of systematic order and beauty.
WORLD, WHEN CONTRASTED  WITH  THE  Hundreds of muscles of different forms, hundreds
REGULAR AND SYSTEMATICAL ORDER OF  of bones variously articulated, thousands of lacTHE MATERIAL.                               teal and lymphatic vessels, and thousands of
veins and arteries all act in unison every moThe disordered state of the moral world, con-  ment, in order to produce life and enjoyment.
trasted with the regular and systematical order  Every organ of sense is admirably fitted to reof the material, affords a strong presumption of  ceive impressions from its corresponding objects.
another state in which the moral evils which  The eye is adapted to receive the impression of
now exist will be corrected.                   light, and light is adapted to the peculiar conWhen we take a general survey of the great  struction of the eye; the ear is adapted to sound,
fabric of the universe, or contemplate more mi-  and the constitution of the air and its various
nutely any of its subordinate arrangements, the  undulations are fitted to make an impression on
marks of beauty, order and harmony, are stri-  the tympanum of the ear. Even in the conkingly apparent. Every thing appears in its pro-  struction of the meanest insect we perceive a
per place, moving onward in majestic order, and  series of adaptations, and a system of organizaaccomplishing the end for which it was intended.  tion no less regular and admirable than those of
In the planetary system, the law of gravitation  man; —and as much care appears to be bestowis found to operate exactly in proportion to tile  ed in bending a claw, articulating a joint, or
square of the distance, and the squares of the pe-  clasping the filaments of a feather, to answer its
riodic times of the planets' revolutions round  intended purpose, as if it were the only object on
the sun are exactly proportionate to the cubes of  which the Creator was enlployed.-And it is
their distances.  Every body in this system fin-  worthy of remark, that our views of the harmony
ishes its respective revolution in exactly the same  and order of the material world become more
period of time, so as not to deviate a single mi-  admirable and satisfactory, in proportion as out
nute in the course ofa century.  The annual re-  knowledge of its arrangements is enlarged and
volution of the planet Jupiter was ascertained two  extended.  Whether we explore, with the telecenturies ago, to be accomplished in 4330 days,  scope, the bodies which are dispersed through
14 hours, 27 minutes, and 11 seconds, and his  the boundless regions of space, or pry, by the
rotation round his axis in 9 hours, 56 minutes,  help of the microscope, into the minutest parts
and these revolutions are still found to be per-  of nature, we perceive traces of order, and of exformed in exactly the same times.  The earth  quisite mechanism and design which excite ad
performs its diurnal revolution, from one century  miration and wonder in every contemplative
to another, bringing about the alternate succes-  mind. Before the invention of the microscope,
sion of day and night. in exactly the same period of we might naturally have concluded, that all be23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds.  Through-  yond the limits of natural vision was a scene of
out the whole of this system, there is none of the  confision, a chaotic mass of atoms without life.
bodies of which it is composed that stops in its  form, or order; but we now clearly perceive.
motion, or deviates from the path prescribed.  that every th:ng is regular. and systematic, that
No one interrupts another in its course, nor in-  even the dust on a butterfly's wing, every disterferes to prevent the beneficial influences of  tinct particle of which is invisible to the naked
attractive power, or of light, and heat.  Were  eye, consists of regularly organized feathersit otherwise —were the earth to stop in its di-  that in the eye of a small insect, ten thousand
urnal revolution, and delay to usher in the dawn   nicely polished globules are beautifully arranged




PROOFS FROM THE LIGHT OF NIATURE.                                   37
on a transparent net-work within the compass of  ing the kingdoms of Eastern Asia, to an extent:jne-twentieth ot an uich-and that myriads of  of 15 millions* of square miles, beheading
Lvirng beings exist, invisible to the unassisted  100,000 prisoners at once, convulsing the world
sight, with bodies as curiously organised, and  with terror, and utterly exterminating from the
as nicely adapted to their situations as the bodies  earth fourteen millions of human beings. At
of men and of the larger animals. So that the  one period, we behold the ambition and jealousy
whole frame of the material world presents a  of JMarius and Sylla embroiling the Romans in
scene of infinite wisdom and intelligence, and a  all the horrors of a civil war, deluging the city
display of systematic order, beauty, and propor-  of Rome for five days with the blood of her citition.  Every thing bears the marks of benevo-  zens, transfixing the heads of her senators with
lent design, and is calculated to produce happi-  poles, and dragging their bodies to the Forum to
ness in sentient beings.                      be devoured by dogs. At another, we behold a
On the other hand, when we take a survey of  Nero trampling on the laws of nature and societhe moral world in all the periods of its history,  ty, plunging into the most abomninable debauchewe perceive throughout almost every part of its  ries, practising cruelties which fill the mind with
extent, an inextricable maze, and a scene of  horror, murdering his wife Octavia, and his
clashing and confusion, which are directly op-  mother Agrippina, insulting Heaven and manposed to the harmony and order which pervade  kind by offering up thanksgivings to the gods on
the material system. When we take a retro-  the perpetration of these crimes, and setting
spective view of the moral state of mankind, fire to Rome, that he might amuse himself with
during the ages that are past, what do we behold,  the universal terror and despair which that cabut a revolting scene of perfidy, avarice, injus-  lalnity inspired.  At one epoch, we behold the
tice, and revenge,-of wars, rapine, devastation,  Goths and Vandals rushing like an overflowing
and bloodshed; nation rising against nation, one  torrent, fiom  east to west, and from north to
empire dashing against another, tyrants exercis-  south, sweeping before them every vestige of
ing the most horrid cruelties, superstition and  civilization and art, butchering all within their
idolatrv immolating millions of victims, and a  reach without distinction of age or sex, and
set of desperate villains, termed heroes, prowling  marking their path with rapine, desolation, and
-over the world, turning fruitful fields into a wil-  carnage. At another, we behold the emissaries
derness, burning towns and villages, plundering  of the Romish See slaughtering, without dispalaces and temples, drenching the earth with  tinction or mercy, the mild and pious Albigenhuman gore, and erecting thrones on the ruins  ses, and transforming their peaceful abodes into
of nations? Here we behold an Alexander, with  a scene of universal consternation and horror,
his numerous armies, driving the ploughshare of  while the inquisition is torturing thousands of
destruction through surrounding nations, levelling  devoted victims, men of piety and virtue, and
cities with the dust, and massacring their inof-  committing their bodies to the flames.
fensive inhabitants in order to gratify a mad    At one period of the worll,f almost the whole
ambition, and to be eulogised as a hero,-there  earth appeared to be little else than one great
we behold a Xerxes, fired with pride and with  field of battle, in which the human race seemed
the lust of dominion, leading forward an army of  to be threatened with utter extermination.  The
three millions of infatuated wretches  to be  Vandals, Huns, Sarmnatians, Alans, and Suevi,
slaughtered  by the victorious and indignant  were ravagilg Gaul, Spain, Germany, and other
Greeks. Here we behold an Alaric, with his  parts of the Roman empire; the Goths were
barbarous hordes, ravaging the southern coun-  plundering Rome, and laying waste the cities of
tries of Europe, overturning the most splendid  Italy; the Saxons and Angles were overrunning
monuments of art, pillaging the metropolis of  Britain and overturning the government of the
the Roman empire, and deluging its streets and  Romans. The armies of Justinian and of the
houses with the blood of the slain,-there we  Huns and Vandals were desolating Africa, and
behold a Tamerlane overrunning Persia, India,  butchering mankind by millions. The whole
and other regions of Asia, calrying slaughter and  forces of Scythia were rushing with irresistible
devastation in his train, and displaying his spor-  impulse on the Roman empire, desolating the
tive cruelty, by pounding three or four thousand  countries, and almost exterminating the in} abipeople at a time in large mortars, and building  tants wherever theycame.  The Persian armies
their bodies with bricks and mortar into a wall.  were pillaging Hierapolis, Aleppo, and the surOn the one hand, we behold six millions of  rounding cities, and reducing them to ashes; and
Crusaders marching in wild confusion through  were laying waste all Asia, from the Tigris to
the eastern parts of Europe, devouring every  the Bosphorus.  The Arabians under Mahomet
thing before them, like an army of locusts,
breathing destruction to Jews and infidels, and  "were supposed to extend above eighteen hundred
massacring the inhabitants of Western Asia  leagues from east to west, and a thousand from
with infernal fury. On the other hand, we be-  south to north"-Mlodern Hislory,vol. 1.
t About the fifth, sixth and seventh centuries of tih
tiold the immense forces ofJenghiz K'an ravag-  Christian era.




58                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
and his successors were extending their conquests  to our view, features which are directly opposite
over Syria, Palestine, Persia, and India, on the  to every thing we should expect to contemplate
east, and over Egypt, Barbary, Spain, and the  in a world of systematic order, harmony, and
islands of the Mediterranean, on the west; cut-  love. If we cast our eves towards Asia we shall
ting in pieces with their swords all the enemies  find the greater part of five hundred millions of
of Islamism. In Europe, every kingdom  was  human beings involved in political commotions,
shattered to its centre; in the Mahommedan em-  immersed in vice, ignorance, and idolatry, and
pire in Asia, the Caliphs, Sultans, and Emirs  groaning under the lash of tyrannical despots.
were waging continual wars;-new sovereignties  In Persia, the cruelty and tyranny of its rulers
were daily rising, and daily destroyed; and Af-  have transformed many of its most fertile prorica was rapidly depopulating, and verging to-  vinces into scenes of desolation.  In Turkey,
wards desolation and barbarism.                the avarice and fiend-like cruelty of the Grand
Amidst this universal clashing of nations,  Seignior and his Bashaws have drenched the
when the whole earth became one theatre of shores of Greece with the blood of thousands,
bloody revolutions,-scenes of horror were dis-  turned Palestine into a wilderness, and rendered
played, over which historians wished to draw a  Syria, Armenia, and Kurdistan scenes of injusveil, lest they should transmit an example of  tice and rapine.  In China and Japan a spirit
inhumanity to succeeding ages-the most fertile  of pride and jealousy prevents the harmonious
and populous provinces were converted into  intercourse of other branches of the human fadeserts, overspread with the scattered ruins of  mily, and infuses a cold-blooded selfishness into
villages and cities-every thing was wasted and  the breasts of their inhabitants, and a contempt
destroyed with hostile cruelty-famine raged'to  of surrounding nations.  Throughout Tartary,
such a degree that the living were constrained to  Arabia, and Siberia, numerous hostile tribes are
feed on the dead bodies of their fellow-citizens-  incessantly prowling among deserts and forests
prisoners were tortured with the most exquisite  in quest of plunder, so that travellers are in concruelty, and the more illustrious they were, the  tinual danger of being either robbed, or murdermore barbarously were they insulted-cities were  ed, or dragged into'captivity.-If we turn our
left without a living inhabitant-public buildings  eyes upon Africa, we behold human nature sunk
which resisted the violence of the flames were  into a state of the deepest degradation-the states
levelled with the ground-every art and science  of Barbary in incessant hostile commotions, and
was abandoned-the Roman empire was shatter-  plundering neighbouring nations both by sea and
ed to its centre and its power annihilated-ava-  land-the petty tyrants of Dahomy, Benin, Asrice, perfidy, hatred, treachery, and malevolence  hantee, Congo, and Angola, waging incessant
reigned triumphant; and virtue, benevolence, and  wars'with neighbouring  tribes, masssacring
every moral principle were trampled under foot.  their prisoners in cold blood, and decorating their
Such scenes of carnage and desolation have  palaces with their skulls-while other degraded
been displayed to a certain extent and almost  hordes, in conjunction with civilized nations, are
without intermission, during the whole period of carrying on a traffic in man-stealing and slavery,
this world's history. FQr the page of the histo-  which has stained the human character with
rian, whether ancient or'modern, presents to our  crimes at which humanity shudders.-If we turn
view little more than revolting details of ambi-  our eyes towards America, we shall find that war
tious conquerors carrying ruin and devastation  and hostile incursions are the principal employin their train, of proud despots trampling on the  ments of their native tribes, and that the maligrights of mankind, of cities turned into ruinous  nity of infernal demons, is displayed in the torheaps. of countriesdesolated, of massacres per-  tures they inflict upon the prisoners taken in
petrated with infernal cruelty, of nations dashing  battle, while anarchy, intolerance, and political
one against another, of empires wasted and de-  commotions, still agitate a great proportion of
stroyed, of political and religious dissensions,  its more civilized inhabitants.-If we take a surand of the general progress of injustice, immo-  vey of the Eastern Archipelago, and of the islrality, and crime. Compared with the details on  ands which are scattered over the Pacific Ocean,
these subjects, all the other falcts which have oc-  we shall behold immense groups of human beings,
curred in the history of mankind are considered  instead of living in harmony and affection, disby the historian as mere interludes in the great  playing the most ferocious dispositions towards
drama of the world, and almost unworthy of  each other, hurling stones, spears and darts on
being recorded.                                every stranger who attempts to land upon their
Were we to take a survey of the moral world  coasts; offering up human sacrifices to their in.
as it now stands. a similar prospect, on the whole,  fernal deities, and feasting with delight on the
would be presented to our view. Though the  flesh and blood of their enemies.
shades of depravity with which it is overspread    If we direct our attention towards Europe, the
are not so thick and dark, nor its commotions so  most tranquil and civilized portion of the globenumerous and violent as in ancient times, yet  even here we shall behold numerous symptoms of
Vie aspect of every nation under heaven presents  nolitical anarchy and moral disorder. During




PROOFS FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE.                                   39
the las thirty years, almost every nation in this  fomenting incessant insurrvctions,-the Greeks
quarter of the world has been convulsed to its  engaged in a contest for liberty, sulrroundea
centre, and become the scene of hostile cornmo-  with blood-thirsty antagonists, and slaughtered
tions, of revolutions, and of garments rolled in  without mercy,-Portugal the scene of intestine
blood.  We have beheld France thrown from a  broils and revolutions,-Spain under the control
state of aristocratical tyranny and priestly do-  of a silly priest-ridden tyrant, to gratify whose
mination into a state of popular anarchy and  lust of absolute power, thousands of human
confusion-her ancient institutions razed to the  beings have been sacrificed, and hundreds of
ground, her princes and nobles banished from   eminent patriots exiled from their native land,her territories, and her most celebrated philoso-  the Inquisition torturing its unhappy victims,phers, in company with the vilest miscreants,  the Romish church thundering its anathemas
perishing under the stroke of the guillotine.  against all who are opposed to its interests,We have beheld a Buonaparte riding in triumph  the various sectaries of Protestants engaged in
through the nations over heaps of slain, scat-  mutual recriminations and contentions,-and the
tering  " firebrands, arrows, and death," and  princes and sovereigns on the Continent almost
producing  universal commotion wherever he  all combined to oppose the progress of liberty,
appeared; overturning governments, "changing  and to prevent the improvement of the human
times," undermining the thrones of emperors,  mind.
and setting up kings at his pleasure.  We have    If we come nearer home, and take a view of
beheld his successors again attempting to en-  the every-day scenes which meet our eye, what
twine the chains of tyranny around the necks  do we behold?  A mixed scene of bustling and
of their subjects, and to hurl back the moral confusion, in which vice and malevolence are
world into the darkness which overspread the  most conspicuous, and most frequently triumphnations during the reign of Papal superstition.  ant. When we contemplate the present aspect
We have beheld Poland torn in pieces by the  of society, and consider the prominent disposiinsatiable fangs of Russia, Austria, and Prus-  tions and principles which actuate the majority
sia, her fields drenched with blood, her patriots  of mankind,-the boundless avaricious desires
slaughtered, and her name blotted out from the  which prevail, and the base and deceitful means
list of nations.  We have beheld Moscow   by which they are frequently  gratified-the
enveloped in flames, its houses, churches, and  unnatural contentions which arise between huspalaces tumbled into ruins, the blackened car-  bands and wives, fathers and children, brothers
cases of its inhabitants blended with the frag-  and sisters-the jealousies-which subsist betreen
ments, and the road to Smnolensko covered with  those of the same profession or employmentthe shattered remains of carriages, muskets,  the bitterness and malice with which law-suits
breast-plates, helmets, and garments strewed in  are commenced and prosecuted-the malevolence
every direction, and thousands of the dying and  and caballing which attend electioneering conthe dead heaped one upon another in horrible  tests-the brawlings, fightings, and altercations,
confuision, and swimming in blood. We have  which so frequently occur in our streets, alebeheld the demon of war raging at Borodino,  houses, and taverns-and the thefts, robberies,
Austerlitz, the Tyrol, Wilna, Smolensko, Tra-  and murders, which are daily committed,-when
falgar, Camperdown, Eylau, Jena, La Vendee,  we contemplate the haughtiness and oppression
Cadiz, Warsaw, Friedland, Talavera, Sebas-  of the great and powerful, and the insubordinatian, Lutzen, Leipsic, and Waterloo, demo-  tion of the lower ranks of society-when we see
lishirlg cities, desolating provinces, and blending  widows and orphans suffering injustice; the
the~ carcasses of horses and cattle with the  virtuous persecuted and oppressed; meritorious
mangled remains of millions of human beings.  characters pining in poverty and indigence;
5W5e have beheld Spain and Portugal thrown into  fools, profligates, and tyrants, rioting in wealth
anarchy and commotion, and become the scenes  and abundance; generous actions unrewarded;
of bloody revolutions-Turkey waging war with  crimes unpunished; and the vilest of men raised
religion and libertv-Greece overrun with blood-  to stations of dignity and honour-we cannot but
thirsty Mahometans, and her shores and islands  admit, that the moral world presents a scene of
the theatre of the most sanguinary contests.  discord and disorder, which mar both the sensiAnd what do we just now behold when we  tive and intellectual enjoyments of mankind.
cast our eyes on surrounding nations?  Russia    Such, then, are the moral aspects of our world,
pushing forward her numerous armies into the  and the disorders which have prevailed during
confines of Persia for the purpose of depredation
atid slaughter,-the Grand Seignior ruling his  tain Pacha to Constantinople, after the taking of
subjects with a rod of iron, and decorating the  Ipsara, were exposed on the gate of the seraglio,
gates of his palace with hundreds of the heads  on the 20th of July, with the following inscription:
" God has' blessed the arms of the Mussulmans. and
and ears of his enemies,* while his Janizaries are  the detestable rebels of Ipsara are extirpated from
the face of the world," &c. It was added, "AUA
In a communication from Odessa, dated August  friendly powers have congratulated the Sublitm
S, 1t,1, it was stated, that the five hundred heads and  Porte on this victory."




40                  THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
every period of its history. They evidently  a small part of the great plan of God's moral go.
present a striking contrast to the beauty and  vernment-the commencement of a series of
harmony which pervade the general constitution  dispensations to be comp!eted in a future scene
of the material system-to the majestic move-  of existence, in which his wisdom, as well as all
ments of the planetary orbs, the regular succes-  his other attributes, will be fully displayen before
sion of day and night, and the vicissitudes of the eyes of his intelligent (ffspring.  If this conjthe seasons; the changes of the moon, the  elusion be admitted, it is easy to conceive, how
ebbing and flowing of the sea; the admirable  the moral disorders which now exist may be rec.
finctions of the human system; and the harro-  tified in a future world, and the intelligent uninious adaptations of light and heat, air and  verse restored to harmony and happiness, and
water, and the various objects in the mineral and  how those moral dispensations which now appear
vegetable kingdoms to the wants and the comfort  dark and mysterious, will appear illustrative of
ofanimatedbeings. And can we, for a moment,  divine wisdom and intelligence, when contemsuppose that this scene of moral disorder and  plated as parts of one grand system, which is to
anarchy was the ultimate end for which the' run parallel in duration with eternity itself. But,
material system was created?  Can we suppose  if this be rejected, the moral world presents to
that the earth is every momebt impelled in its  our view an inextricable maze, a chaos, a scene
annual and diurnal course by the hand of Omni-  of interminable confusion, and no prospect appotence-that it presents new beauties every  pears of its being ever restored to harmony and
opening spring-brings forth the treasures of order.  The conduct of the Deity  appears
autumn, and displays so many sublime and vari-  shrouded in impenetrable darkness; and there
egated landscapes-that the sun diffuses his  is no resisting of the conclusion, that imperfeclight over all its regions, that the moon cheers  tion and folly are the characteristics of the Althe shades of night, and the stars adorn the ca-  mighty-a conclusion  fiom  which the mind
nopy of the sky, from one generation to another  shrinks back with horror, and which can never
-merely that a set of robbers and desperadoes,  be admitted by any rational being who recognises
and the murderers of nations, might prowl over  a supreme intelligence presiding over the affairs
the world for the purpose of depredation and  of the universe.
slaughter, that tyrants might gratify their mad
ambition, that vice might triumph, that virtue
might be disgraced, that the laws of moral order            SECTION  IX.
might be trampled under foot, and that the successive generations of mankind might mingle in  ON  THE UNEQUAL DISTRIBUTION  OF REthis bustling and discordant scene for a few    WARDS AND PUNISHMENTS IN  THE PRFEyears, and then sink for ever into the shades of    SENT STATE.
annihilation? Yet such a conclusion we are
obliged to admit, if there is no future state in    The unequal distribution of rewards and puwhich the present disorders of the moral world  nishments in the present state, viewed in conwill be corrected, and the plan of the divine go-  nexion with the justice and other attributes of
vernment more fully developed.  And if this con-  the Deity, forms another powerful argument in
clusion be admitted, how shall we be able to  support of the doctrine of a future' state.
perceive or to vindicate the wisdom of the Cre-    It is admitted, to a certain extent, that " virator in his moral administration?  We account  tue is its own reward, and vice its own punishit folly in a human being when he constructs a  ment."  The natural tendency of virtue, or an
machine, either for no purpose at all, or for no  obedience to the laws of God, is to produce hap.
good purpose, or for the promotion of mischief.  piness; and were it universally practised, it
And how can we avoid ascribing the same iom-  would produce the greatest degree of happiness
perfection to the Deity, if the present state of  of which human nature in the present state is
the moral world be the ultimate end of all his  susceptible. In like manner, the riatural ten.
physical arrangements?  But his wisdom  is  dency of vice is to produce misery; and were its
most strikingly displayed in the adaptations and  prevalence universal and uncontrolled, the wvorla
arrangements which relate to the material sys-  would be transformed into a society of demons,
tem,-and a Being possessed of boundless intel-  and every species of happiness banished from
ligence must necessarily be supposed to act in  the abodes of men. By connecting happiness
consistency with himself. He cannot display  with the observance of his laws, and misery with
wisdom in the material system, and folly in those  the violation of them, the Governor of the world,
arrangements which pertain to the world of mind.  in the general course of his providence, gives a
To suppose the contrary,' would be to divest him  display of the rectitude of his character, and the
of his moral attributes, and even to call in ques-  impartiality of his allotments towards the subtion his very existence.                      jects of his government.
We are therefore necessarily led to conclude,    But, although these positions hold true, in the
that the present state of the moral world is only  general course of human affairs, there a:* is;




PROOFS FROM THE LIGHT 01F NATURE.                                  41
merable cases in which the justice of God, and  burned for heresy, their trees to be rooted  ulp
the impartiality of his procedure, would be liable  and their houses to be razed to the gtound.
to be impeached, if this world were the only  Afterwards a violent persecution coninienced
scenA of rewards and punishments.  We behold  against the whole of this intorusting people, and
a poor starving.  wretch, whom hunger has im-  an army of banditti was sent to carry the hellish
pelled to nreak open a house, in order to satisfy  purpose into effect.  The soldiers began with
his craving appetite, or to relieve the wants of a  massacring the old men, women, arid children,
helpless family, dragged with ignominy to the  all having fled who were able to fly; and then
scaffold, to suffer death for his offence. W'e be-  proceeded to burn their hotses, barns, corn, and
hold, at the same time, the very tyrant by whose  whatever else appertained to them. In the town
order the sentence was executed, who has plun-  of Cabriere sixty men and thirty women, who
dered provinces, and murdered millions of human  had surrendered upon promise of life, were butbeings, who has wounded the peace ofa thousand  chered each of them  without mercy.  Some
families, anA produced universal consternation  women, who had taken refuge in a chbrch, were
and despair wherever he appeared-regaling  dragged out and burnt alive. Twenty-two vilhimself in the midst of his favourites, in perfect  lages were reduced to ashes; and that populous
security from human punishments.  Instead of  and flourishing distirict was again turned into a
being loaded with fetters, and dragged to a dun-  cheerless desert. Yet, after all these atrocities
geon, to await in hopeless agony the punishment  had been committed, the proud pampered priests,
of his crimes, he dwells amidst all the luxuries  at whose instigation this prosecution was comand splendours of a palace; his favour is courted  menced, were permitted to live in splendour, to
by surrounding attendants; his praises are chant-  exult over the victims of their cruelty, to revel
ed by orators and poets; the story of his exploits  in palaces, and to indulge in the most shameful
is engraved in brass and maible; and historians  debaucheries.-If the present be the only state
stand ready to transmit his fame to future gene-  of punishments and rewards, how shall we vinrations.  How does the equity of the divine go-  dicate the rectitude of the Almighty, in such
vernment appear, in such cases, in permitting an  dispensations?
undue punishment to be inflicted on the least of-   In the reign of Louis XIV. and by the orders
fender, and in loading the greatest miscreant  of that despot, the Protestants of France were
with unmerited enjoymrrents?                 treated with the most wanton and diabolical cruAgain, in almost every period of the world,  elty.  Their houses were rifled, their wives and
we behold men of piety and virtue who have  daughters ravished before their eyes, and their
suffered the most unjust and cruel treatment from   bodies forced to endure all the torments that inthe hands of haughty tyrants and blood-thirsty  genious malice could contrive. His dragoons
persecutors.  It would require volumes to de-  who were employed in this infamous expediscribe the instruments of cruelty which have  tion, pulled them by the hair of their heads,
been invented by these fiend-like monsters, and  plucked the nails of their fingers and toes, prickthe excruciating torments which have been en-  ed their naked bodies with phis, smoked them in
dured by the victims of their tyranny, while  their chimneys with wisps of wet straw, threw
justice seemed to slumber, and the perpetrators  them into fires and held thenl till they were alwere permitted to exult in their crimes.  The  most burnt, slung them into wells of water, dipWaldenses, who lived retired from the rest of  ped them into ponds, took hold of them with red
the world, among the bleak recesses of the Alps,  hot pincers, cut and slashed them with knives,
were a people distinguished for piety, industry,  and beat and tormented them to death in a most
and the practice of every moral virtue.  Their  unmerciful and cruel manner. Some were hanged
incessant labour subdued the barren soil, and  on the gallows, and others were broken upon
prepared it both for grain and pasture.  In the  wheels, and their mangled bodies were either left
course of two hundred and fifty years they in-  unburied, or cast into lakes and dunghills, with
creased to the number of eighteen thousand, oc-  every mark of indignation and contempt. Ma,
cupying thirty villages, besides hamlets, the  reschal Montrevel acted- a conspicuous part in
workmanship of their own hands.  Regular  these barbarous executions.  He burnt five hun.
priests they had none, nor any disputes about  dred men, women, and children, who were asreligion; neither had they occasion for courts of  sembled together in a mill to pray and sing
justice; for brotherly love did not suffer them to  psalms; he cut the throats of four hundred of the
go to law.  They worshipped God according to  new converts at Montpelier, and drowned their
the dictates of their conscience and the rules of  wives and children in the river, near Aignes
his word, practised the precepts of his law, and  Mortes. Yet the haughty tyrant by whose orenioved the sweets of mutual affection and love.  ders these barbarous deeds were committed,
Yet this peaceable and interesting people be-  along with his mareschals and grandees, who ascame the victims of the most cruel and bloody  sisted in the execution-instead of suffering the
persecution. In the year 1540, the parliament  visitations of retributive justice, continued, for
of Provence condemned nineteen of them to be  thirty years after this period, to riot in all the




42                  THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
splendours of absolute royalty, entering into so-  same conclusion forces itself upon the minl,
enmn treaties, and breaking them when he plea-  When we behold, on the one hand, the virtuous
sed, and arrogating to himself divine honours;  and upright votary of religion struggling with:lla his historians, instead of branding his me-  poverty and misery, treated with scorn and con.
mlory with infamy, have procured for him the  tempt, persecuted on account of his integrity and
appellation of LoUIS THE GREAT.               piety, despoiled of his earthly enjoyments, or
A thousand examples of this description might  condemned to an ignominious death; and on tha
be collected from the records even of modern  other, the profligate and oppressor, the insolent
history, were it necessary for the illustration of  despiser of God and religion, passing his days
this topic.  The horrible cruelties which were  in affluence and luxurious ease, prosecuting with
committed on the Protestarit inhabitants in the  impunity his unhallowed courses, and robbing the
Netherlands by the agents of Charles V. and  widow and the fatherless of their dearest comPhilip II. of Spain, where more than a hundred  forts-when we behold hypocrisy successful in
thousand persons of respectable characters were  all its schemes, and honesty and rectitude overbutchered without mercy by the Dukes of Alva  looked and neglected-the destroyers of our speand Parma, for their adherence to the religion  cies loaded with wealth and honours, while the
of the Reformers,-the dreadful massacres which  benefactors of mankind are pining in obscurity
took place, on St. Bartholomew's day, in Paris  and indigence-knaves and fools exalted to posts
and throughout every province of France-the  of dignity and honour, and men of uprightness
persecutions of the Protestants in England, du-  and intelligence treated with scorn, and doomed
ring the reign of Queen Mary, when the fires  to an inglorious obscurity-criminals of the deepof Smithfield were kindled to consume the bodies  est dye escaping with impunity, and generous
of the most pious and venerable men-the Irish  actions meeting with a base reward-when we
massacre in the reign of Charles I. when more  see young men of virtue and intelligence cut off
than 40,000 inoffensive individuals were slaugh-  in early life, when they were just beginning to
tered without distinction of age, sex, or condi-  bless mankind with their philanthropic labours,
tion, and with every circumstance of ferocious  and tyrants and oppressors continuing the pests
cruelty-the persecutions endured by the Scot-  of society, and prolonging their lives to old age
tish Presbyterians, when they were driven from  in the midst of their folly and wickedness-hutheir dwellings, and hunted like wild beasts by  man beings torn from their friends and their nathe blood-thirsty Claverhouse and - his savage  tive home, consigned to perpetual slavery, and
dragoons-the many thousands of worthy men  reduced below the level of the beasts, while their
who have fallen victims to the flames, and the  oppressors set at-defiance the laws of God and
cruel tortures inflicted by the Inquisitors of  man, revel in luxurious abundance, and prosper
Spain, while their haughty persecutors were per-  in their crimes;-when we' behold one nation
mitted to riot on the spoils of nations-the fiend-  and tribe irradiated with intellectual light, ano.
like cruelties of the Mogul emperors in their  ther immersed in thick darkness; one enjoying
bloody wars-the devastations and atrocities com-  the blessings of civilization and liberty, another
mitted by the Persian despots-the massacre of  groaning under the lash of despotism, and doomed
the Gardiotes by Ali Pacha, and of the inhabi-  to slavery and bondage,-when we contemplate
tants of Scio by the ferocious Turks-are only  such facts throughout every department of the
a few instances out of many thousands, which  moral world, can we suppose, for a moment, that
the annals of history record of'human beings suf-  the Divine administration is bounded by the visifering the most unjust and cruel treatment, while  ble scene of things, that the real characters of
their tyrannical persecutors were permitted to  men shall never be brought to light, that vice is
prosecute their diabolical career without suffer-  to remain in eternal concealment and impunity,
ing the punishment due to their crimes. When  and that the noblest virtues are never to receive
the mind takes a deliberate review of all the re-  their just " recompence of reward?"  To admit
volting details connected with such facts, it is  such conclusions would be in effect to deny the
naturally led to exclaim, " Wherefore do the  wisdom, goodness, and rectitude of the Ruler of
wicked live, become old, yea are mighty in-power?  the wor'ld, or to suppose, that his all-wise and
Is there. no reward for the righteous? Is there no  benevolent designs may be defeated'by the folly
punishment for tile workers of iniquity,? Is there  and wickedness of human beings. But such conno God that judgeth in the earth?"  And, in-  clusions are so palpably and extravagantly abdeed, were there no retributions beyond the limits  surd, that the only other alternative, the reality
of the present life, we should be necessarily  of a future state of existence, maybe pronounced
obliged to admit one or other of the following con-  to have the force of a moral demonstration.  So
clusions,-either that no Moral Governor of the  that, had we no other argument to produce in
world exists, or, that justice and judgment are  support of the doctrine of a future state of retriant the foundation of his throne.             bution, this alone would be sufficient to carry
When we take a survey of the moral world  conviction to every mind that recognises the ex
rxoulnd us, as it exists in the present day, the  istence of a Supreme. Inte!ligence, and entertains




PROOFS FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE.                                    43
just views of the attributes which must neces-  in numerous instances, permitted vice to tri.
sarily be displayed in his moral administra-  umph, and virtue to be persecuted and oppresstion.                                         ed, to convince us, that his government of hu.
When this conclusion is once admitted, it  man beings is not bounded by the limits of time,
removes the perplexities, and solves all the  but extends into the eternal world, where tile
difficulties which naturally arise in the mind,  system of his moral administration will be comwhen it contemrplates the present disordered state  pleted, his wisdom and rectitude justified, and
of the moral world, and the apparently capricious  the mysterious ways of his Providence commanner in which punishments and rewards are  pletely unravelled.
dispensed. Realizing this important truth, we    This argument might have been farther illusneed not be surprised at the unequal distribution  trated from a consideration of those moral bet.
of the Divine favours among the various nations  ceptions implanted in the human constitution.
and tribes of mankind; since they are all placed  and which may be considered as having the
on the first stage of their existence, and eternity  force of moral laws Proceeding from the Goveris rich in resources, to compensate for all the  nor of the universe.  The difference between
defects and inequalities of fortune which now  right and wrong, virtue and vice, is founded upon
exist.  We need not be overwhelmed with an-  the nature of things, and is perceptible by every
guish when we behold the pious and philanthro-  intelligent agent whose moral feelings are not alpie youth cut down at the commencemlent at his  together blunted by vicious indulgences.  Were
virtuous career, since those buds of virtue which  a nlan to affirm that there is no difference bebegan to unfold themselves with so much beauty  tween Justice and injustice, love and hatred,
in the present life, will be fully expanded and  truth and falsehood; that it is equally the same
bring forth nobler fruits of righteousness in that  whether we be faithful to a friend or betray him
life which will never end. We need not wonder, to his enemies, whether servants act with fidewhen we behold tyrants and profligates triumph-  lity to their masters or rob them of their proing, and the excellent ones of the earth trampled   perty, whether rulers oppress their subjects or
under foot, since the future world will present a  promote their interests, and whether parents
scene of equitable administration, in which the  nourish their children with tenderness, or smosorrows of the upright will be turned into joy,  ther them in their cradles —he would at once
the triumphs of the wicked into confusion and  be denounced as a fool and a madman, and hisshame, and every one rewarded according to his  sed out ofsociety. The difference between such
works. We need not harass our minds with  actions is eternal and unchangeable, and every
perplexing doubts, respecting the wisdom and  moral agent is endued with a faculty which enequity of the dispensations of Providence; since  ables him to perceive it.  We can choose to
the moral government of God extends beyond  perform the one class of actions and to refrain
the limits of this world, and all its dark and in-  from the other; we can comply with the voice
tricate mazes will be fully unravelled in the light  of conscience which deters us from the one,
of eternity.                                  and excites us to the other, or we can resist
"1 The great eternal schenze    its dictates, and we can judge whether our acInvolving all, and in a perfect whole         tions deserve reward or punishment.  Now,
Uniting, as the prospect wider spreads,       if God has endued us with such moral percepTo Reason's eye witl then ctear up apace.     tions and capacities, is it reasonable to suppose,
--           Then shall we see the cause
Why unassuming Worth in secret liv'd,         that it is equally indifferent to him whether we
And died neglected; why the good man's share  obey or disobey the laws he has prescribed?
In life was gall and bitterness of soul;
Why the lone widow and her orphans pin'd      Can we ever suppose, that He who governs the
In starving solitude, while Luxury,           universe is an unconcerned spectator of the good
III palaces, lay strainiongher tlow thoug-ht,' or evil actions that happen throughout his doTo form unreal wants; why heaven-born Truth
Anid Moderation fair, wore the red marks      mninions? or that he has left man to act, with
Of Superstition's scourge; why licens'd Pain,  impunity, according to his inclinations, whether
That cruel spoiler, that imbosom'd foe,
tmbitter'd all our btiss. —Ye good distrest,  they be right or wrong?  If such suppositions
Ye noble Few! who here unbending stand        cannot be admitted, it follows that man is acBeneath life's pressure, yet bear up awhite,  countable for his actions, and that it must be an
And what your bounded view, which only saw    essential part of the Divine government to bring
A little part, deemed evil, is no more:       esse               Divine government to bring
The storms of Wintry time will quickly pass,  every action into judgment, and to punish or reAnd one unbountded Spring eirele all.- Winter. ward his creatures according to their worls.
And if it appear, in point of fact, that such retriThus it appears, that, although God, in the  butions are not fully awarded in the present
general course of his providence, has connected  state, nor a visible distinction made between the
nappiness with the observane of his laws, and  righteous and the violators of his law, we rtust
misery with the violation of them, in order to  necessarily admit the conclusion, that the fuli
display the rectitude of his nature, and his ha-  and equitable distribution of punishments and
tred of moral evil, vet he has, at the same time,  rewards is reserved to a future world: whtoe  a




44                  THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FtTURE STATE.
visible and everlasting distinction will be made,  Between the plants and the seeds ofr vegetables
and the whole intelligent creation clearly dis-  there is not the most distant similarity.  A
cern between him that served God and him that small seed, only one-tenth of an inch in diame.
served him not,                               ter, after rotting for a while in the earth, shoots
forth a stern ten thousand times greater in size
than the germ from which it sprung, the branches
of which afford an aniple shelter for the fowls of
SECTION  X.                    heaven.  The tribes of animatbd nature are
likewise in a state of progressive change, either
ON THE  ABSURDITY OF SUPPOSING THAT  from infancy to maturity and old age, or from
THE THINKING PRINCIPLE IN MAXN WILL  one state of existence to another. The caterEVER BE ANNIHILATED.                        pillar is first an egg, next, a crawling worm,
then a nymph or chrysalis, and afterwards a
It is highly unreasonable, if not absurd, to  butterfly adorned with the most gaudy colours.
suppose that the thinking principle in man will  The may-bug beetle burrows in the earth where
ever be annihilated.                          it diops its egg, firom which its young creeps
In so far as our knowledge of the universe  out in the shape of a maggot, which cast its
extends, there does not appear a single instance  skin every year, and, in the fourth year, it
of annihilation throughout the material system.  bursts from the earth, unfolds its wings, ann
There is no reason to believe, that, throughout  sails in rapture " through the soft air."  The
all the worlds which are dispersed through the  animal and vegetable tribes are blended, by a
immensity of space, a single atom has ever yet  variety of wonderful and incessant changes.
been, or ever will be annihilated. From a va-  Animal productions afford food and nourishriety of observations, it appears highly probable,  ment to the vegetable tribes, and the various
that the work of creation is still going forward  parts of animals are compounded of matter dein the distant regions of the universe, and that  rived from  the vegetable kingdom.  The wool
the Creator is replenishing the voids of space  of the sheep, the horns of the cow, the teeth of'with new worlds and new orders of intelligent  the lion, the feathers of the peacock, and the
beings; and it is reasonable to believe, from   skin of the deer-nay, even our hands and feet,
the incessant agency of Divine Omnipotence,  our eyes and ears, with which we handle and
that new systems will be continually emerging  walk, see and hear, and the crimson fluid that
into existence while eternal ages are rolling on.  circulates in our veins —are derived from plants
But no instance has yet occurred of any sys-  and herbs which once grew in the fields, which
tern or portion of matter either in heaven or  demonstrate the literal truth of the ancient sayearth having  been reduced  to annihilation.  ing, "All flesh is grass."
Changes are indeed incessantly taking place,    Still, however, amidst these various and unin countless variety, throughout every depart-  ceasing changes and transformations, no examment of nature. The spots of the sun, the  pie of annihilation has yet occurred to the eye
belts of Jupiter, the surface of the moon, the  of the most penetrating observer.  When a
rings of Saturn, and several portions of the  piece of coal undergoes the process of combusstarry heavens, are frequently changing or vary-  tion, its previous form disappears, and its coming their aspects, On the earth, mountains are  ponent parts are dissolved, but the elementary
crumbling down, the caverns of the ocean filling  particles of which it was composed still remain
up, islands are emerging from the bottonm of the  in existence.  Part of it is changed into caloric,
sea, and again sinking into the abyss; the  part into gas, and part into tar, smoke, and
ocean is frequently shifting its boundaries, and  ashes, which are soon formed into other combitrees, plants, and waving grain  now  adorn  nations.  WThen vegetables die, or are decom.
rlmany tracts which were once overwhelmed with  posed by heat or cold, they are resolved into
the foaming billows. Earthquakes have pro-  their primitive elements,caloric, light, hydrogen,
duced  frequent devastations, volcanoes have  oxygen, and carbon,-which immediately enter
overwhelmed fruitful fields with torrents of burn-  into new combinations, and assist in carrying
ing lava, and even the solid strata within the  forward the designs of Providence in other debowels of the earth have been bent and dis-  partments  of nature.  But such  incessant
rupted by the operation of some tremendous  changes, so far from militating against the idea
power.  The invisible atnlosphere is likewise  of the future existence of man, are, in reality,
the scene of perpetual changes and revolutions,  presumptive proofs of his immortal destination.
by the mixture and decomposition of gases, the  For, if amidst the perpetual transformations,
respiration of animals, the process of evapora-  changes, and revolutions that are going forward
tihn, the action of winds, and the agencies of  throughout universal nature in all its departlight, heat, and the electric and magnetic fluids.  ments, no particle of matter is ever lost, ol re.
The vegetable kingdom is either progressively  duced to nothing, it is in the highest degree
advancing to maturity or falling into decay.  improbable, that the thinking principle in man




PROOFS FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE.                                     45
will be destroyed. by the change which takes  it fill to pieces, and enjoy:he spectacle of the
ptace at the moment of his dissolution.  That  fabric lying in ruins " —would such a design be
change, however great and interesting to the in-  worthy of infinite Wisdom, or conformable to
dividual, mlay be not more wonderful, nor more  the ideas we ought to entertain of a Being etermysterious Ihan the changes which take place in  nal and immutable in his nature, and possessed
thl, different states of existence to which a ca-  of boundless perfection?  But suppose, farther,
terpillar is destined. This animal, as alteady  that he will annihilate that rational nature for
stated, is first an egg, and how different does its  whose sake he created the universe, while the
form appear when it comes forth a crawling  material fabric was still permitted to remain in
norm?  After living some time in the cater-  existence, would it not appear still more incompillar state, it begins to languish, and apparently  patible with the attributes of a-Being of uriboundies; it is incased in a tomb, and appears devoid  ded goodness and intelligence?  To blot out
of life and enjoyment. After a certain period it  from existence the rational part of his creation,
acquires new life and vigour, burst its confine-  and to cherish desolation and a heap of rubbish,
Inent, appears in a more glorious form, mounts  is such an act of inconsistency, that the mind
upward on expanded wings, and traverses the  shrinks back with horror at the thought of attriregions of the air.  And, is it not reasonable,  buting it to the All-Wise and Benevolent Crefioom analogy, to believe, that man, in his pre-  ator.
sent state, is only the rudimzents of what he    We are, therefore, necessarily led to the folshall be hereafter in a more expansive sphere of  lowing conclusion: " That, when the human
existence? and that, when the body is dissolved  body is dissolved, the immaterial principle by
in death, the soul takes its ethereal flight into a  which it was animated, continues to think and
celestial region, puts on immortality, and be-  act, either in a state of separation from all body,
comes " all eye, all ear,,.altethereal and divine  or in some material vehicle to which it is intifeeling?"                                      mately united, and which goes off with it at
Since, then, it appears that annihilation forms  death; or else, that it is preserved by the Father
no part of the plan of the Creator in the material  of spirits for the purpose of animating a body in
world, is it reasonable to suppose, that a system   some future state."  The soul contains no prino3 annihilation is in incessant operation in the  ciple of disolution within itself, since it is an
world of mind? that God is every day creating  immaterial lncompounded substance; and, there.
thousands of minds, endued with the most capa-  fore, although the material creation were to be
cious powers, and, at the same time, reducing to  dissolved and to fall into ruins, its energies might
eternal destruction thousands of those which he  still remain unimpaired, and its faculties " flou.
had formerly created?  Shall the material uni-  rish in immortal youth,
verse exist amidst all its variety of changes, and
shall that noble creature, for whose sake the uni- The wrUnhurt, of amst ther wahecrushof worlds.ements,
verse was created, be cut off for ever in the infancy
of its being, and doomed to eternal forgetful-  And the Creator is under no necessity to annihiness?  Is it consistent with the common dic-  late the soul for want of power to support its
tates of reason to admit, that matter shall have a  faculties, for want of.objects on which to exerlonger duration than mind, which gives motion  cise them, or for want of space to contain the
and beauty to every material scene?  Shall the  innumerable intelligences that are  incessantly
noble structures of St. Paul and St. Peter sur-  emerging into existence; for the range of imvive the ravages of time, and display their beau-  mnensity is the theatre of his Omnipotence, and
tifil proportions to successive generations, while  that powerful Energy, which has already brought
Wren and Angelo, the architects that planned  nlillions of systems into existence, can as easily
them, are reduced to the condition of the clods of replenish the universe with ten thousand millions
the valley?  Shall the "Novtum Organum" of  more. If room were wanted for new creations,
Bawn, and the, Optics" and "Principia" of  ten thousand additional worlds could be compri-.
Newton, descend to future ages, to unfold their  sed within the limits of the solar system, while
sublime conceptions, while the illustrious minds  a void space of more than a hundred and eighty
which gave birth to these productions, are en-  thousand miles would still intervene between the
veloped in the darkness of eternal night?  There  orbits of the respective globes; and the immeaappears a palpable absurdity and inconsistency  surable spaces which  intervene between  our
in admitting such conclusions.  We might al-  planetary system and the nearest stars, would afmost as soon believe that the universe would  ford an ample range for the revolutions of milcontinue in its present harmony and order, were  lions of worlds. And, therefore, although every
its Creator ceasing to exist. " Suppose that the  soul, on quitting its mortal frame, were clothed
Deity, through all the lapse of past ages, has  with a new material vehicle, there is ample
supported the universe by such miracles of power  scope in the spaces of the universe, and in the
and wisdom  as have already been displayed-   omnipotent energies of the Creator, for the full
merely that he mriight please himself with letting  exercise of all its powers, and for every ertnjo



46                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
ment requisite to its happiness.  So that in  want Ifeel amidst all my enjoyments?  Wheresevery point of view in which we can contemplate  fore can I never cease from wishing for something
the soul of tnan and the perfections of its Crea-  in addition to what I now possess?  Whence
tor, it appears not only improbable, but even  arises the disgust that so quickly succeeds every
absurd in the highest degree, to suppose that the  sensitive enjoyment, and the want I feel even in
spark of intelligence in man will ever be extin-  the midst of abundance?  I ask why I was callguished.                                      ed into existence at this point of duration, rather
than at any other period of that incomprenensible
eternity which is past, or of that which is yet to
comle? why, amidst the vast. spaces with which
SECTION  XI.                    I am encompassed, and the innumerable globes,
which surround me, I was chained down to this
ON THE GLOOMY CONSIDERATIONS AND AB-  obscure corner of creation from which I feel unSURD  CONSEQUENCES INVOLVED IN  THE  able to transport myself? why I was ushered
DENIAL OF A FUTURE STATE.                   into life in Britain, and not ill Papua or New
Zealand? and why I was formed to walk erect
The denial of the doctrine of a future state in-  and not prone, as the inferior animals?  To all
volves in it an immense variety of gloomy con-  such inquiries I can find no satisfactory answers,
siderations and absurd consequences.          -the whole train of circumstances connected
If the doctrine of a future existence be set  with my existence appears involved in impeneaside, man appears an enigma, a rude abortion,  trable darkness and mystery.   Of one thing
and a monster in nature, his structure is inex-  only I am fully assured, that my body shall, ere
plicable, and the end for which he was created  long, be dissolved and mingle with the dust, and
an unfathomable mystery; the moral world is a  my intellectual faculties, desires, and capacities
scene of confusion, the ways of Providence a  for knowledge be for ever annihilated in the tomb.
dark impenetrable maze, the universe a vast,  I shall then be reduced to nothing, and be as
mysterious, and inexplicable system, and the De-  though I never had been, while myriads of beity a Being whose perfections and purposes can  ings, like myself, shall start into existence, and
never be traced nor unfolded.                 perish in like manner, in perpetual succession
Let us suppose, for a few moments, that there  throughout an eternity to come.
is no state of existence beyond the grave, and    I look backward through ages past-I behold
consequently, that the supposed discoveries of every thing wrapped in obsciurity, and perceive
Revelation are a mere delusion; and consider  no traces of a beginning to the vast system
some of the gloomy prospects and absurd conse-  around me,-I stretch forward towards futurity,
quences to which such a supposition necessarily  and perceive no prospect of an end. All things
leads.  I shall suppose myself standing in an at-  appear to continue as they were from generation
titude of serious contemplation, and of anxious  to generation, invariably subjected to the same
inquiry respecting the various scenes and objects  movements, revolutions, and changes, without
which surround me, and the events that pass un-  any distinct marks which indicate either a beder my review:-                              ginning or an end.-I look around on the scene
I first of all look into myself, and inquire,  of terrestrial nature-1 perceive many beauties
whence I came? whither I am going? who pro-  in the verdant landscape, and many objects the
duced me? of what my body is composed? what  mechanism of which is extremely delicate and
is the nature of my senses? of the thinking  admirable-I inhale the balmy  zephyrs, am
principle I feel within me? and for what purpose  charmed with the music of the groves, the splenwas I ushered into being? I perceive in my body  dour of the suan, and the variegated colouring
a wonderful mechanism which I cannot compre-  spread over the face of creation.  But I behold
hend: I find by experience, that nly will exerci-  other scenes, which inspire melancholy and terses a sovereign power over my muscular system,  ror. The tempest, the hurricane and the torso that my hands, feet, arms, and limbs, are dis-  nado; the sirocco, the samiel and other poisonous
posed to obey every imlpulse, and, at the signal  winds of the desert; the appalling thunderof a wish, to transport my body from one place  cloud, the forked lightnings, the earthquake
to another.  I find my thinking principle inti-  shaking kingdoms, and the volcano pouring fiery
mately connected with my corporeal frame, and  streams around its base, which desolate villages
both acting reciprocally on each other; but I can-  and cities in their course.-I behold in one
not fathom the manner in which these operations  place a confiused assemblage of the ruins of naare effected. I feel ardent desires after enjoy-  ture in the form of snow-capped mountains,
ments in which I never shall participate, and ca-  precipices, chasms and caverns; in another,
pacities for knowledge and improvement which I  extensive marshes and immense deserts of barnever can attain.  I feel restless and uneasy,  ren sanld; and, in another, a large proportion of
even amidst the beauties of nature, and the plea-  the globe a scene of sterile desolation, and
sures of the senses. I ask whence proceeds the  bound in the fetters of eternal ice. I know not




PROOFS FROM THE LIGHT OF NATJRE.                                   47
what opiriasn to form of a world where so many  only to sink into deeper perplexities and sorrows,
beauties are blended with so much deformity,  oppressed with cares and difficulties only to enter
and so many pleasures mingled with so many  on a new scene of danger and suffering. No
sorrows and scenes of terror,-or what ideas to  drop of comfort mingles itself with the bitter cup
entertain of Him  who formed it. But I need  of sorrow: no affliction is sweetened and allevigive myself no trouble in inquiring into such  ated by the prospect of a better world; for the
subjects; for my time on earth is short and un-  gloomy mansions of the grave bound my views
certain, and when I sink into the armsof death,  and terminate all my hopes and fears. How,
I shall have no more connexion with the uni-  then, can I be easy under my sufferings? how
verse.                                v       can I be cordially resigned to the destiny which
I take a retrospective view of the moral world  appointed them? or how can I trace the benevoin past ages, in so far as authentic history serves  lence of a superior Being in permitting me thus
as a guide, and perceive little else but anarchy,  to be pained and tormented for no end?  I will
desolation and carnage-the strong oppressing  endeavour to bear them with resolute desperathe weak, the powerful and wealthy trampling  tion, merely because I am borne down by necesunder foot the poor and indigent-plunderers,  sity to pain and affliction, and cannot possibly
robbers, and murderers, ravaging kingdoms, and  avoid them.
drenching the earth with human gore. I behold    I lift my eyes to the regions above, and conthe virtuous and innocent persecuted, robbed and  template the splendours of the starry frame.
massacred, while bloody tyrants and oppressors  What an immensity of suns, and systems and
roll in their splendid chariots, and revel amidst  worlds burst upon my view, when I apply the
the luxuries of a palace. In such scenes I per-  telescope to the spaces of the firmament! How
ceive nothing like regularity or order, nor any  incalculable their number! how immeasurable
traces of justice or equity in the several allot-  their distance! how immense their magnitude!
ments of mankind; for since their whole exist-  how glorious their splendour! how sublime their
ence terminates in the grave, the virtuous sufferer  movements! When I attempt to grasp this stucan never be rewarded, nor the unrighteous  pendous scene, my imagination is bewildered,
despot suffer the punishment due to his crimes.  and my faculties overpowered with wonder and
The great mass of human beings appear to be  amazement. I gaze, I ponder; I feel a longing
the sport of circumstances, the victims of op-  desire to know something farther respecting the
pression, and the dupes of knavery and ambi-  nature and destination of these distant orbs; but
tion, and the moral world at large an assemblage  my vision is bounded to a general glimpse, my
of discordant elements tossed about like dust  powers are limited, and when I would fly away
before the whirlwind. I hear virtue applauded,  to those distant regions, I find myself chainei
and vice denounced as odious and hateful. But  down, by an overpowering force, to the diminuwhat is virtue?  A  shadow, a phantom, an  tive ball on which I dwell. Wherefore, then,
empty name! Why should I follow after virtue  were the heavens so beautifully adorned, and so
if she interrupts my pleasures, and why should  much magnificence displayed in their structure%
r forsake vice if she points out the path to pre-  and why were they ever presented to my view
sent enjoyment?  It is my wisdom to enjoy life  since I am never to become farther acquainted:
during the short period it continues; and if  with the scenes they unfold?  Perhaps this is
riches be conducive to my enjoyment of happi-  the last glance I shall take of the mighty conness, why should I fear to procure them either  cave, before my eyes have closed in, ens: ss light.
by deceit, perjury, or rapine?  If sensual in-  " Wherefore was light given to him that is in
iulgence contribute to my pleasure, why should  misery,-to a man whose way is hid, and whom
I refrain from drunkenness and debauchery, or  God hath hedged in?"  Had I been enclosed in
any other action that suits my convenience or  a gloomy dungeon my situation had been tolergratifies my passions, since present enjoyments  able, but here I stand as in a splendid palace,
are all I can calculate upon, and no retributions  without comfort and without hope, expecting
await me beyond the grave.                   death every moment to terminate my prospects;
I feel myself subjected to a variety of suffer-  and when it arrives, the glories of the heavens
ings, disappointments and sorrows-to poverty  to me will be annihilated for ever.
and reproach, loss of friends, corporeal pains and    I behold science enlarging its boundaries, and
mental anguish. I am frequently tortured by the  the arts advancing towards perfection; I see nurecollection of the past, the feeling of the present,  merous institutions organizing, and hear lectures
and the dread of approaching sufferings. But  on philosophy delivered for the improvement of
I see no object to be attained, no end to be ac-  mankind, and I am invited to take a part in those
complished by my subjection to such afflictions:  arrangements which are calculated to produce a
1 suffer merely for the purpose of feeling pain,  general diffusion of knowledge among all ranks.
wasting my body and hastening its dissolution:  But of what use is knowledge to beings who are
I am sick only to languish under the burden of'a  soon to lose all consciousness of existence?  It
feeble emaciated framo- perplexed and downcast  requires many weary steps and sleepless might.
16




48                  THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
to eiirb the steep ascent of science; and when  the operation of uncontrollable power, directed
we have arrived at the highest point which mor-  by no principle but caprice, and accomplishing
tals have ever reached, we descry still loftier  nothing that can inspire ardent affection, or se-'egions which we never can approach,-our foot-  cure the permanent happiness of rational beings.
ing fails, and down we sink into irretrievable    Such are some of the gloomy reflections of a
ruin. If' our progress in science here were in-  hopeless mortal whose prospect is bounded by
troductory to a future scene of knowledge and  the grave; and such are some of the horrible conenjoyment, it would be worthy of being prose-  sequences which the denial of a fiuture state necuted by every rational intelligence; but to beings  cessarily involves. It throws a veil of darkness
who are uncertain whether they shall exist in the  over-the scenes of creation, and wraps in impeuniverse for another day, it is not only superflu-  netrable mystery the purposes for which man was
ous, but unfriendly to their present enjoyments.  created,-it exhibits the moral world as a chaotic
For, the less knowledge they acquire of the  mass of discordant elements, accomplishing no
beauties and sublimities of nature, and the more  end, and controlled by no intelligent agency,-it
brutish, ignorant and sottish they become, the  represents mankind as connected with each other
less they will feel at the moment when they are  merely by time and place, as formed merely for
about to be launched into non-existence. Let  sensual enjoyment, and destined to perish with
the mass of mankind, then, indulge themselves  the brutes,-it subverts the foundations of moral
in whatever frivolous amusements they may  action, removes the strongest motives to the pracchoose; do not interrupt their sensual pleasures,  tice of virtue, and opens the flood-gates of every
by vainly attempting to engage them in intellec-  vice,-it removes the anchor of hope from the
tual pursuits; let, them eat and drink, and revel  anxious mind, and destroys evey principle that
and debauch, for to-morrow they die. All that  has a tendency to support us in the midst of sufis requisite, is, to entw'ine the chains of despo-  ferings,-it throws a damp on every effort to raise
tism around their necks, to prevent them  from   mankind to the dignity of their moral and intelaspiring after the enjoyments of their superiors.  lectual natures, and is calculated to obstruct the
In short, I endeavour to form some conceptions  progress of useful science,-it prevents the mind
of the attributes of that great unknown Cause  firom investigating and admiring the beauties of
which produced all things around me. But my  creation, and involves in a deeper ~loom the ruins
*thoughts become bewildered amidst a maze of  of nature which are scattered over the globe,
unaccountable operations, of apparent contradic-  -it terminates every prospect of becoming more
tions and inconsistencies. I evidently perceive  fully acquainted with the glories of the firmathat the Creator of the universe is possessed of  ment, and every hope of beholding the plans of
boundless power, but I see no good reason to  Providence completely unfolded,-it involves the
conclude that he exercises unerring wisdom, un-  character of the Deity in awful obscurity, it debounded goodness and impartial justice. I per-  prives Him of the attributes of infinite wisdom,
ceive, indeed, some traces of wisdom, in the  benevolence and rectitude, and leaves him little
construction of my body and its several organs  more than boundless omnipotence,' acting at ranof sensation; and of goodness, in the smiling  dom, and controlled by no beneficent agency. In
day, the flowery landscape, and the fertile plains;  short, it obliterates every motive to the performbut I know not how to reconcile these with some  ance of noble and generous actions, damps the
other parts of his operations. How can I attri-  finest feelings and affections of humanity, leads to
bute the perfection of wisdom  to one who has  universal scepticism, cuts off the prospect of
implanted in my constitution desires which will  every thing which tends to cheer the traveller in
never be gratified, and furnished me with moral his pilgrimage through life, and presents to his
and intellectual faculties which will never be fully  view nothing but an immense blank, overspread
exercised, and who has permitted the moral world  with the blackness of darkness for ever.
in every age to exhibit a scene of disorder?  I    Such being the blasphemous and absurd conperceive no evidences of his benevolence in sub-  sequences which flow from the denial of the
jecting me to a variety of sorrows and sufferings  doctrine of a future state of retribution-the
which accomplish no end but the production of  man who obstinately maintains such a position,
pain; in tantalizing me with hopes, and alarming  must be considered as unworthy not only of the
me with fears of futuritv which are never to be  nanle of a philosopher, but of that of a rational
realized, and in throwing a veil of myvsterv over  being, and as one who would believe against
all his purposes and operations. Nor can I trace  demonstration, and swallow any absurdity, howany thing like impartial justice in the bestow-  ever extravagant, which quadrates with his
ment of his favours, for disappointments and  grovelling appetites and passions. Mathemasorrows are equally the lot of the righteous and  ticians frequently demonstrate a truth by' show.
the wicked. and frequently it happens that the  ing that its contrary is impossible, or involves
nlmocent are punished and disgraced, while vil-  an absurdity. Thus, Euclid demonstrates the
la,ns and debaudnees are permitted to glory in  truth of the fourth proposition of the first boos
%heir crimes. All that I can plainly perceive, is,  of his Elements, bv showing that its contrary




PROOFS FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE.                                   49
lmrpiies this obvious  absurdity-" that two  Eternal Mind as an object of ineffable sublimity,
straight lines may enclose a space."  This  grandeur, and loveliness, invested with unerring
~node of proving the truth of a proposition is  wisdom, impartial justice, and boundless beneconsidered by every geometrician, as equally  volence, presiding over an endless train of intel.
sonclusive and satisfactory, as the direct method  ligent minds formed after his image, governing
Df demonstration; because the contrary of every  them with just and equitable laws, controlling
falsehood must be truth, and the contrary of  all things by an almighty and unerring hand,
every truth, falsehood.  And if this mode of  and rendering all his dispensations ultimately
demonstration is conclusive in mathematics, it  conducive to the happiness of the moral uniought to be considered as equally conclusive in  verse.  It presents before us an unbounded
moral and theological reasoning. If, for exam-  scene, in which we may hope to contemplate the
ple, the denial of a future existence involves in  scheme of Providence in all its objects and
it the idea that God is not a Being possessed of  bearings, where the glories of the divine per*
impartial justice, and of perfect wisdom and  fections will be illustriously displayed, where
goodness-notwithstanding the striking displays  the powers of the human mind will be perpe.
of the two last-mentioned attributes in the sys-  tually expanding, and new objects of sublimity
temr of nature-we must, I presume, either ad-  and beauty incessantly rising to the view, in
mit the doctrine of the immortality of man, or  boundless perspective, world without end.  I?
deny that a Supreme Intelligence presides over  dispels the clouds that hang over the present and
the affairs of the universe. For, a Being di-  future destiny of man, and fully accounts for
vested of these attributes, is not entitled to the  those longing looks into futurity which accomname of Deity, nor calculated to inspire intelli-  pany us at every turn, and those capacious
jent minds with adoration and love; but it is  powers of intellect, which cannot be fully exieduced to something like uncontrollable fate, or  erted in the present life. It presents the most
mere physical force, impelling the movements  powerful motives to a life of virtue, to the perof universal nature without a plan, without dis-  formance of beneficent and heroic actions, to
crimination, and without;ntelligence. On the  the prosecutionof substantial science, and tothe
same principle (the reductio ad absurdum,) we  diffusion of useful knowledge among all ranks
demonstrate the earth's annual revolution round  of mankind.  It affords the strongest consolathe sun.  The motions of th.e planets, as viewed  tion and support, amidst the trials of life, and
from the earth, present an inexplicable maze   explains the reasons of those sufferings to which
contrary to every thing we should expect in a  we are here exposed, as being incentives to the
well arranged and orderly system. These bo-  exercise of virtue, and as " working out for us a
dies appear sometimes to move backwards,  far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
sometimes forwards, sometimes to remain sta-  It affords us ground to hope that the veil which
tionary, and to describe looped curves, so ano-  now intercepts our view of the distant regions
malous or confused, that we cannot suppose an  of creation, will be withdrawn, and that the
Infinite Intelligence the contriver of a system of  amazing structure of the universe, in all its subsuch inextricable confusion.  Hence the astro-  lime proportions and beautiful arrangements,
nomer concludes, on good-grounds, that the earth  will be more clearly unfolded to our view., It
is a moving body; and no one thoroughly ac-  dispels the terrors which naturally surround the
quainted with the subject ever calls it in ques-  messenger of death, and throws a radiance over
tion: for when our globe is considered as revolv-  the mansions of the tomb. It cheers the gloomy
ing round the centre of the system in concert  vale of death, and transforms it into a passage
with the other planetary orbs, all the apparent  which leads to a world of perfection and happiirregularities in their motions are completely ac-  ness, where moral evil shall be for ever abolished,
counted for, and the whole system appears re-  where intellectual light shall beam with effulduced to a beautiful and harmonious order, in  gence on the enraptured spirit, and where celesaccordance with every idea we ought to form of  tial virtue, now so frequently persecuted and
the wisdom and intelligence of its author. ~  contemned, shall be enthroned in undisturbed
In the same way, the admission of the doc-  and eternal empire.
trine of a future state accounts for the apparent    Since, then, it appears, that the denial of a
irregularities of the moral world, and affords a  future state involves in it so many difficulties,
key for a solution of all the difficulties that may  absurd consequences and blasphemous assumparise in the mind respecting the equity of the  tions, and the admission of this doctrine throws
Divine administration in the present state. In  a light over the darkness that broods over the
opposition  to the desponding reflections and  moral world, presents a clue to unravel the
gloomy views of the sceptic, it inspires the vir-  mazes of the divine dispensations, and solves
tuous mind with a lively hope, and throws a  every difficulty in relation to the present condi.
glorious radiance over the scenes of creation,  tion of the human race-the pretended philoso.
and over everv part of the government of the  pher who rejects this important truth must be
Almighty   It exi1bits the Self-existent and  considered as acting in direct opposition to those
7




50                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
principles of reasoning which he uniformly  of a future state of retribution.  These twe
admits it. his physical and mathematical inves-  fundamental propositions are so int;lnlately conr
tigatlons, and as determined to resist the force  nected, and the latter is so essentially depenaent
of every evidence which can be adduced in proof on the former, that they must stand or fall
of his immortal destination.                  together. And, consequently, we find, that the
man who obstinately rejects the doctrine of a
fu- ture state, either avows himself a down-right
atheist, or acts precisely in the same way as a
Thus I have endeavored, in the preceding  person would do, who believes that a Supreme
pages, to prove and illustrate the immortality of  Moral Governor has no existence.
man, from a consideration of the universal be-    But even the principles of atheism  itself,
lief which this doctrine has obtained among all  though frequently embraced by vicious characnations-the desire of immortality implanted in  ters to allay their fears, are not sufficient to rethe human breast-the strong desire of know-  move all apprehensions in regard to a future exledge, and the capacious intellectual powers with  istence.  For, if the universe be the production
which man is furnished-the capacity of making  merely of an eternal succession of causes and
perpetualprogress towards intellectual and moral  effects, produced by blind necessity impelling the
perfection-the unlimited range of view which is  atoms of matter through the voids of immensity
opened:to the human mind throughout the im-  -what should hinder, that amidst the infinite
mensity of space and duration-the moral powers  combinations arising from perpetual motion, men
of action with which man is endued-the fore-  should be created, destroyed, and again ushered
bodings and apprehensions of the mind when  into existence, with the same faculties, remi-,nder the influence of remorse-the disordered  nisctnces, perceptions and relations as in their
state of the- moral world when contrasted.with  former state of existence? And, although thou.
the systematical order of the material-the une-  sands or millions of years should intervene be.
qual distribution of rewards and punishments,  tween such transformations, yet such periods
viewed in connection with the justice of God-   might appear as short and imperceptible as the
the absurdity of admitting that the thinking prin-  duration which passes while our faculties are
ciple in man will be annihilated-and the blas-  absorbed in a sound repose.  The idea of infiphemous and absurd consequences which would  nity, immensity, and an endless succession of
follow if the idea of a future state of retribution  changes, renders such a supposition not altowere rejected.                                gether impossible. But what a dreadful futurity
Perhaps there are some of these arguments,  might not the mind be left to picture to itself in
taken singly, that would be insufficient fully to  such a case?  If the movements of the universe
establish the truth of man's eternal destiny; but  were the productions of chance, directed by no
when taken in combination with each other,  intelligent agency, we should  incessantly be
they carry irresistible evidence to the mind of  haunted with the most dreadful anticipations.
every unbiassed inquirer. They all reflect a  We should see the images of death, annihilation,
mutual lustre on each other; they hang together  and reproduction advancing before us in the
in perfect harmony; they are fully consistent  most terrific forms, and should find it impossible
with the most amiable and sublime conceptions  to determine on what foundation the hopes and
we can form of the Deity; they are congenial  the destiny of intelligences reposed. We should
to the sentiments entertained by the wisest and  be uncertain whether mankind were doomed to
best of men in every age; they are connected  perish irrecoverably, or, by the operation of some
with all the improvements and discoveries in the  unknown cause, or accident, to be reproduced, at
moral and physical worlds; and, like the radii  some future period in duration, and devoted to
of a circle, they all converge to the same point,  endless torments. The comparative order and
and lead directly to the same conclusion. It  tranquillity which now subsist, or have subsisted
appears next to impossible, that such a mutual  for ages past, could afford us no ground of hope
harmony, consistency, and dependence, could  that such consequences would not take place:
exist among a series of propositions that had no  for all the revolutions of time to which we can
foundation in truth; and, therefore, they ought  look back, are but as a moment in the midst of
to be considered, when taken conjunctly, as  infinite duration, and the whole earth but a point
having all the force of a moral demonstration.  in the immensity of space. So that, during the
They rest on the same principles and process of lapse of infinite ages, changes, revolutions and
reasoning from which we deduce the k.ring of a  transformations might be effected, which might
God; and I see no way of eluding their force,  overwhelm all the intelligent beings that eve.
but by erasing froin the mind every idea of a  existed, in eternal misery. Hence it apnr.ars,
Supreme Intelligence. Hence, it has generally,  that even atheism itself, with all its mass of conI might say, uniformly been found, that all na-  tradictions and absurdities, cannot entirely shel
tions that have acknowledged the existence of a  ter its abettors from the terrors of an unknown
Divine Being, have likewise recognised the idea  futurity.




PROOFS FROM THE LIGHT OF NATURE.                                    51
t shall onl'y remark farther, on this part of  evil, and would revive the downcast spirit, when
my subject,-that, although the arguments now  overwhelmed with the disappointments and sot
adduced in support of the immortality of man  rows which-are unavoidable in our present conaere less powerful than they really are, they  dition. So that, even in this case, we might
uight to make a deep impression on the mind  adopt the sentiment of an ancient philosopher,*
of every reflecting person, and determine the  and say-" If I am wrong in believing that the
line of conduct which he ought to pursue. If  souls of men are immortal, I please myself in
they were only probable-if they possessed no  my mistake; nor while I live will I ever choose
greater degree of weiglt than simply to over-  that this opinion, with which I am so much debalance the opposite arguments, still, it would be  lighted, should be wrested from me. But if, at
every man's interest to act on the supposition,  death, I am to be annihilated, as some minute
that a future world has a real existence. For,  philosophers suppose, I am not afraid lest those
in the ordlnary affairs of human life, and even in  wise men, when extinct too, should laugh at my
the sciences, our opinions and conduct are gene-  error."
rally determined by a series of probabilities, and  But, if the arguments we have brought fora concurrence of reasons, which supply the want  ward, amount, not only to bare probability, but to
of more conclusive evidence on subjects which  moral certainty, or, at least, to something nearly
are not susceptible of strict demonstration. A   approximating to moral demonstration-if the
merchant, when he purchases a certain commo-  opposite opinion involves a train of absurdities,
dity, has no demonstrative evidence that the sale  if it throws a dismal gloom over the destiny of
of it shall ultimately turn to his advantage; but,  man, and over the scenes of the universe, and if
from a consideration of its price and quality, of  it robs the Almighty of the most glorious and
the circumstances of trade, and of his immedi-  distinguishing attributes of his nature-no words
ate prospects, he determines on the purchase;  are sufficient to express the folly and inconsistenand, by acting on the ground of similar proba-  cy of the man, by whatever title he may be
bilities, he conducts his affairs, so as to issue in  distinguished, who is determined to resist conhis prosperity and success. A philosopher has  viction, and who resolutely acts, as if the idea of
no demonstrative arguments to support the one-  a future world were a mere chimera.  To pass
half of the opinions he has formed, in relation  through life with indifference and unconcern, to
to the phenomena of hunman society, and of the  overlook the solemn scenes of the invisible world,
material world. His deductions respecting the  and to brave the terrors of the Almighty, which
causes of the winds, of thunder and lightning, of  may be displayed in that state-in the face of such
volcanic eruptions, of the nature of light, sound,  powerful arguments as even reason can produce
electricity, galvanism, and other operations in  -is not only contrary to every prudential princithe system of nature, are grounded on that spe-  pie of conduct, but the height of infatuation and
cies of reasoning which is termed analogical,  madness. Such persons must be left to be arouand which, at best, amounts to nothing more  sed to consideration, by the awfill conviction
than a high degree of probability.  Notwith-  which will flash upon their minds, when they are
standing, he feels no hesitation in prosecuting  transported to that eternal state which they now
his experiments and researches, under the gui-  disregard, and find themselves placed at the bar
dance of such reasoning, confident that it will ul-  of an almighty and impartial Judge.
timately lead him to the innermost recesses of the    Among the considerations which have been
temple of truth; for we know, that the most  adduced to prove the immortality of man, I have
splendid discoveries of modern times, have ori-  taken no notice of an argument, which is almost
ginated from inquiries and observations, con-  exclusively dwelt upon by some writers, namely,
ducted on the ground of analogical reasoning. In  that which is founded on the immateriality of the
like manner, in the important subject under con-  human soul. I have declined entering upon any
sideration, we ought to be determined in our  illustration of this topic, —. Because the proof
views and conduct, even byprobabilities, although  of the soul's immateriality involves a variety
the arguments adduced should leave the question  of abstract metaphysical discussions, and reat issue in some measure undetermined. For,  quires replies to various objections which have
if ail eternal world has a real existence, we not  been raised against it, which would tend oniy to
only embrace an error i. rejecting this idea, but,  perplex readers endowed with plain  common
by acting in conformity with our erroneous con-  sense. 2. Because the doctrine of the immateceptions, run the risk of exposing ourselves to  riality of the thinking principle, however clearthe most (lreadfil and appalling consequences.  ly it may be proved, can add nothing to the weight
Whereas, if there be no future state, the belief  of the considerations already brought forward;
of it, accompanied with a corresponding conduct,  nor, when considered by itself, can it afford any
can produce no bad effect either upon our own  conclusive argument in favour of the soul's im.
minds or those of others. On the contrary, it  mortality.  It simply leads usto this conclusionr
would prove a pleasing illusion during our passage, through a world of physical and moral                        Cicero.




52                THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
-that, since the soul is an uncompounded sub-  endued it with so many noble faculties, can con
stance, it cannot perish by a decomposition of tinue its existence, through an unlimited extent
its parts; and consequently, may exist, in a se-  of duration, in a thousand modes incomprehenoarate. state, in the full exercise of its powers, af-  sible to us. If a material system of organlca
ter its corporeal tenement is dissolved. But its  powers be necessary for the exercise of its enimmortality cannot necessarily-be inferred from   ergies, he can either clothe it with a fine etheits natural capacity of existing in a state of se-  real vehicle, at the moment its present tenement
paration from the body; for that being who crea-  is dissolved, or connect it, in another region of
ted it may, if hie pleases, reduce it to annihilation,  the universe, with a corporeal frame of more ex.
since all the works of God, whether material or  quisite workmanship, analogous to that which
immaterial, depend wholly on that power by which  it now animates. For any thing we know to
they were originally brought into existence.  Its  the contrary, there may be some fine material
immortality depends solely on the will of its Cre-  system, with which it is essentially connected,
ator, without whose sustaining energy the whole  and which goes off with it at death, and serves
creation would sink into its original nothing. If  as a medium through which it may hold a direct
it could be proved that God will employ his  communication with the visible universe. Even
power to annihilate the soul, in vain should we at-  although its consciousness of existence were to
tempt to demonstrate that it is naturally immor-  be suspended for thousands of years, its Creator
tal.  But whether God'willsthat the soul should  can afterwards invest it with a new organical
be destroyed at death, is a very differentquestion  frame, suited to the expansive sphere of action
from that which relates to its nature as an imma-  to which it is destined; and the intervening peterial substance.  The whole train of argument  riod of its repose may be made to appear no
illustrated in the preceding pages, affords, I pre-  longer than the lapse of a few moments. In
sume, satisfactory evidence that the Creator will  short, if God has sustained the material universe
never annihilate the human soul, but has destined  hitherto, and will, in all probability, continue it
it to remain in the vigorous exercise of its noble  for ever in existence, so that not a single atom
faculties to all eternity.                    now existing, shall at any future period be anniHence it follows, that it is a matter of trivial  hilated-the same Power and Intelligence can,
tmportance, when considering the arguments  with equal ease, support the thinking.principle
which prove our immortal destiny, whether we  in man, whatever may be its nature or substance,
view the soul as a material, or as an immaterial and however varied the transformations through
substance. Suppose I were to yield to the scep-  which it may pass.  If the Creator is both able
tic, for a moment, the position, " that the soul  and willing to perpetuate the existence of the
is a material substance, and cannot exist but in  rational spirit through an endless duration, and'
connexion with a material frame," what would  if his wisdom, benevolence and rectitude require
he gain by the concession?  It would not sub-  that this object should be accomplished, all diffitract a single atom from the weight of evidence  culties arising from its nature or the mode of its
which has already been brought forward toprove  subsistence, must at once evanish. The prethe immortality of man. For, if we can prove  ceding arguments in support of a future state,
that God has willed the immortality of the soul are, therefore, equally conclusive, whether we
and, consequently, has determined to interpose  consider the soul as a pure immaterial substance,
his almighty power, in order to support its fa-  or as only a peculiar modification of matter; so
culties throughout an eternal existence, in vain  that the sceptic who adopts the absurd idea of the
shall he have proved that it is not immortal in  materiality of mind, cannot, even on this ground
sts nature  He who created the human soul and  invalidate Ihe truth of man's eternal destination.




CHAPTER II.
PROOFS OF A FUTURE STATE FROM DIVINE REVELATION.
Tnn: evidences of a future state, which w,    In illustrating this topic, it would be quite un.
have endeavoured, in the preceding pages, to in-  necessary to enter into any lengthened details.
vestigate on the principles of human reason, are  When the divine authority of the Scriptures
amply confirmed and illustrated in the Revela-  is recognised, a single proposition or assertion,
tion contained in the Sacred Scriptures.  It is  when it is clear and express, is sufficient to deone of the distinguishing characteristics of that  termine the reality of any fact, or the truth of
revelation, that, in every important point, it  any doctrine; and therefore, 1 shall do little
harmonizes with the deductions of sound reason,  more than bring forward a few passages bearing
and the principles of common sense. This was  on the point tinder consideration, and internaturally to be presumed; since God is the au-  sperse some occasional remarks. As some have
thor both of the reasoning faculty, and of the  called in question the position, " that the docdeclarations contained in the volume of inspi-  trine of a future state was known to the Jews,"
ration; and this consideration forms a strong  I shall, in the first place, bring forward a few paspresumptive argument in support of the divine  sages and considerations to show that the doctrine
authority of the Scriptures, and should excite us  of immortality was recognised under the Jewish
to receive, with cordial veneration and esteem,  as well as under the Christian dispensations.
a revelation which confirms the law of nature,    As the belief of a future state lies at the very
and is congenial to the sentiments of the wisest  foundation of religion, it is impossible to suppose,
and the best of mankind in all ages. If any  that a people whom the Almighty had chosen to
serious inquirer, who had entertained doubts  be his worshippers, and the depositories of his
on this subject, has been led to a conviction  revealed will, should have remained ignorant of
of the reality of his immortal destiny, by such  this interesting and fundamental truth, and have
arguments as the preceding, he will naturally re-  had their views confined solely to the fleeting
sort to the Sacred Records for more full informa-  scenes of the present world. " Faith," says
tion on this important point; and I should have  Paul, in his Epistle to the Hebrews, "is the
no fear of any one remaining long an enemy of  confident expectation of things hoped for, and
Revelation, when once a powerful conviction of  the conviction of things not seen."* It includes
a future state has been deeply impressed on his  a belief in the existence of God, and of the remind. If a man is fully convinced that he is  wards of a life to come; for, says the same
standing every moment on the verge of an eter-  apostle, " He that cometh to God must believe
nal state, he cannot but feel anxious to acquire  that he is, and that he is the rewarder of them
the most correct information that can be obtained  that diligently seek him."  Havin  stated these
respecting that world which is to constitute his' principles, he proceeds to show, that the ancient
everlasting abode; and if he is altogether care-  patriarchs were animated in all their services by
less and insensible in this respect, it is quite  their conviction of the realities of a future and
clear, that he has no thorough conviction of the  invisible world. With respect to Abraham  he
realities of a life to come.                  informs us, that " he expected a city which had
The Christian Revelation has " brought life  foundations, whose builder and maker is God."
and immortality to light," not so much on ac-  He obtained no such city in the earthly Canaan;
count' of the express assurance it gives of the  and therefore we must necessarily suppose, that
reality of a future world, but chiefly, as it clear-  his views were directed to mansions of perpetuily exhibits the nature and the employments of  ty beyond the confines of the present world.
that state, its endless duration, the ground on  With respect to Moses, he says, that under all
which we can expect happiness in it, and the  his persecutions and afflictions, " he endured as
dispositions and virtues which qualify us for  seeing Him  who is invisible; for he had a rerelishing its exercises and enjoying its felicities;  spect to the recompense of reward."  That re.
and particularly, as it opens to our view the glo-  ward did not consist in temporal grandeur, otherrious scene of a " resurrection from the dead,"  wise, he might have enjoyed it in much more
and the re-union of soul and body in the mansions of bliss.                                   ~ Doddridge's Translation of Heb. 1d. I




54                 THE PHILOSOPHy OF A FUTURE STATE.,splendour and security in Egypt, as the son of  immortality. " I know," says he, " that my
Pharaoh's daughter; nor did it consist in the  Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the
possession of Canaan, for he was not permitted  latter day upon the earth: and, after I awake;
to enter into that goodly land. It must, there-  though this body shall be destroyed, yet out of
tre, have been the celestial inheritance to which  my flesh shall I see God."  In various other pasthe eye of his faith looked forward, as the object  sages of the prophets, not only a future state,
of his joyful anticipation. With regard to all  but aresurrection from the grave and the solemthe other patriarchs whose names stand high on  nities of the day of judgment are plainly inti..
the records of the Old-Testament Church, he  mated.  "' The dead men shall live, together
declares, that " they confessed that they were  with my dead body shall they rise. Awake and
strangers and pilgrims on earth," that " they de-  sing, ye that dwell in dust; for thy dew is as the
clared plainly that they sought a better country,  dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the
that is, an heavenly,;" and that those who " were  dead."  " Rejoice, 0 young man, in thy youth,
tortured" to induce them to renounce their re-  and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the
iigion, endured their sufferings with invincible  sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all
fortitude, " not accepting deliverance" when it  these things God will bring thee into judgment."
was offered them, " that they might obtain a bet-  "' For God shall bring every work into judgment,
ter.resurrection."                            with every secret thing, whether it be good, or
In accordance with these declarations, the  whether it be evil."  "Many of them that sleep
prophets, in many parts of their writings, speak  in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to
decisively of their expectations of a future life,  everlasting life, and some to shame and everand of the consolation the prospect of it afforded  lasting contempt. And they that be wise shall
them, under their sufferings. " As for me,"  shine as the brightness of the firmament; and
says the Psalmist, "I shall behold thy face in  they that turn many to righteousness as the stars
righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake  for ever and ever."
with thy likeness."  "My flesh shall rest in    One reason, among others, why the doctrine
hope; for thou wilt not leave my soul in the  of a future state is not frequently adverted to,
grave. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in  and treated in detail, in the writings of the Old
thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand  Testament, undoubtedly is, that it was a truth
are pleasures for evermore."  " Yea, though I  so well understood, so generally recognlised,'and
walk through the valley of the shadow of death,  so essential to the very idea of religion, that it
I will fear no evil; for thou art with me. Surely  would have been superfluous to have dwelt upon
goodness and mercy will follow me all the days  it in detail, or to have brought it forward as a
of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the  new discovery.  This doctrine is implied in the
Lord for ever."  "God will redeem  my soul  phraseology ofthe Old Testament, in many cases
from the grave; for he will receive me." " Whom   where there is no direct reference to a future
have I in heaven but thee? and there is none  world, as in such passages as the following: " I
upon earth that I desire besides thee.  Thou  am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham,
wilt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward  the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob:" Exreceive me to glory,, My flesh and my heart  od. iii. 6. Our Saviour has taught us to consishall fail; but God is the strength of my heart  der this and similar passages as embodying the
and my portion for ever."  Nothing can be more  doctrine of a future life. " For God is not the
clear and express than such declarations. If the  God of the dead, but of the living."  If the holy
psalmist had mio belief in a future state, and no  patriarchs whose names are here commemohopes of enjoying its felicities, after the termi-  rated with so much honour, were reduced to the
nation of his earthly pilgrimage, his language is  condition of the clods of the valley, and if their
absolutely without meaning. What rational in-  intellectual part were not in existence, Jehovah
terpretation can be given to the expressions of  would never own the high relation of a God to
" dwelling in the house of God for ever," after  those whom he has finally abandoned, and sufhis days on earth are numbered-of " Jehovah  fered to sink into non-existence. Consequently,
being his everlasting portion," after his heart had  Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were living and inceased to beat-and of his being " redeemed from   telligent beings, in another state, when this dethe grave," and put in possession of" fulness of  claration was made to Moses at the burning bush.
joy," and " everlasting pleasures,"-if his views  The phrase, " He was gathered to his people,'`
were confined to the narrow limits of time, and  implies a similar sentiment. In Gen. xxv. it is
the boundaries of the earthly Canaan?  Such  said, " Abraham gave up the ghost, and was
expressions would be a species of bombast and, gathered to his people."  This expression is not
hyperbole altogether inconsistent with the dig-  to be viewed as importing that he was buried
nity and veracity of an inspired writer.      with his fathers; for the fathers of Abraham were
Job, that illustrious example of patience under  buried several hundreds of miles from the cave
affliction, consoled his spirit in the midst of ad-  of Machpelah, in which Abraham's mortal reversity by the h.pes he entertained of a blessed  mains were deposited, —some of them in the




PROOFS FROM DIVINE REVELATION.                                     55
land of Chaldea, and some of them in the country  ish."  " In my Father's house are many man.
of Mesopotamia, which lay at a considerable  sions: if it were not so I would have told you.
distance from the land of Canaan. The true  I go to prepare a place for you. And I will come
meaning must therefore be, that he was " ga-  again, arid receive you to myself, that where I
thered" to the assembly of the righteous, to the  am there you may be also." And again, " Many
blessed society of those congenial spirits, eni-  shall come from the east and the west, and shall
nent for their piety, who had passed before him  sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob,
into the invisible world. Hence, says the Psal-  in the kingdom of heaven."  " Then shall the
mist, " Gather not my soul with sinners."-   righteous shine forth as the su' in the kingdom
Hence, says Job, when describing the miseries  of their Father."
of the wicked, " The rich man shall lie down"    While these and similar passages clearly diin the grave, "but he shall not be gathered;"  monstrate the certainty of an eternal world, and
and the prophet, when personating the Messiah,  the future happiness of the righteous-the aposdeclares," Though Israel be not gathered, yet  ties and evangelists are equally explicit in asshall I be glorious in the eyes of Jehovah."  serting the future misery of the wicked. " The
These remarks may suffice to show, that the  unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God,"
doctrine of a future state was known, and gene-  but "shall go away into everlasting punishment."
rally recognised, by the venerable patriarchs and  " The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven,
other illustrious characters that flourished under  with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking venthe Jewish dispensation.                      geance on them them that know not God, and who
That this doctrine is exhibited in the clearest  obey not the Gospel: who shall be punished with
light in the Christian Revelation, has never been  everlasting destruction from the presence of the
disputed, by any class of religionists, nor even  Lord, and from the glory of his power."  "At
by infidels theniselves.  In this revelation, how-  the end of the world, the angels shall come forth
ever, the doctrine of immortality is not attempted  and sever the wicked from among the just, and
to be proved by any laboured arguments or su-  shall cast them into a furnace of fire, where she,
pernatural evidences, nor is it brought forward  be weeping and gnashingof teeth."  "The fearas a new discovery. It is evidently taken for  fuil and unbelieving, and murderers, and whoregranted, and incidentally interwoven through all  mongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars,
the discourses of our Saviour and his apos-  shall have their part in the lake which burneth:les, as a truth which lies at the foundation of with fire and brimstone.  There shall in nowise
religion, and which never ought for a moment  enter into the heavenly Jerusalem any thing that
to be called in question. In elucidating this to-  defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination,
pic, it will be quite sufficient simply to quote a  or maketh a lie."
few passages from the New-Testament writers.    The way by which happiness in the future world
Paul, when looking forward to the dissolution may be obtained is also clearly exhibited. " Ethe,
of his mortal frame, declares, in his own name,  nal life is the gift of God, through Jesus Christ
and in the name of all Christians-" Our light  our Lord."  " For God so loved the world, that
affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh  he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
out for us a far more exceeding and eternal  believeth in him should not perish but have everweight of glory; while we aim  not at things  lasting life."  " This is the record, that God
which are visible, but at those which are invisi-  hath given to us eternal life, and this life is, in
ble; for the things which are visible are tempo-  his son."  " The God of all grace hath called
rary, but those which are invisible are eternal.  us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus."-The
For we know, that, if this earthly house of our  dispositions of those on whom this happiness will
tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of  be conferred, and the train of action which preGod, an house not made with hands, eternal in  pares us for the enjoyment of eternal bliss, are
the heavens."  When the time of his departure  likewise distinctly described.  "Whatsoever a
from the body was at hand, he declared, " I have  man soweth, that shall he also reap.  He that
fought the good fight, I have finished my course,  soweth to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corI have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up  ruption, but he that soweth to the spirit, shall cf
for me a crown of righteousness, which the right-  the spirit reaplife everlasting."  "To them who,
eous Judge shall give me at that day; and not to  by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for
me only, but to all them that love his appearing."  glory, honour, and immortality, God will recomThe apostle Peter declares, that believers " are  pense eternal life."  " The pure in heart snail
regenerated to the lively hope of an inheritance  see God."  " He that doeth the will of God abiincorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away,  deth for ever."   "Him  that overcometh will I
reserved in heaven for them." " When the chief  make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he
Shepherd shall appear, we shall receive a crown  shall go no more out."  " Blessed are they that
of glory, which iadeth not away."  Our Saviour  do his commandments, that they may have a right
declares, in reference to his servants, " I give  to the tree of life, and may enter through thegotev
unto them eternal i/, and they shall never per-  into the city."




56                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
The nature of the heavenly felicity, and the  never to have formed the most distant conception,
employments of the future world, are likewise in-  that the bodies of men, after putrefying in the
cidentally stated and illustrated.  The founda-  grave, would ever be reanimated; and hence,
lion of happiness in that state is declared to con-  when Paul declared this doctrine to the Atnenian
sist in perfect freedom from moral impurity, and  philosophers, he was pronounced to be a babbler.
in the attainment of moralperfection.  "No one  This sublime and consoling truth, however, is
who worketh abomination can enter the gates of  put beyond all doubt by our Saviour and his
he New Jerusalem."  "Christ Jesus gave him-  apostles. —" The hour is coming," says Jesus,
se!f for the church, that he might sanctify and  " when all that, are in the graves shall hear the
cleanse it, and that he might present it to himself voice of the Son of God, and shall come forth:
a glorious church, holy, and without blemish."  they that have done good. to the resurrection of
The honour which awaits the faithful, in the hea-  life; and they that have done evil, to the resurvenly world, is designated " a crown of righteous-  rection of condemnation."  " I am the resurrecness."  The inheritance to which they are desti-  tion and the life: he that believeth in me, though
ned is declared to be " undefiled" with moral  he were dead, yet shall he live."  "Why should
pollution; and it is " an inheritance among them  it be thought a thing incredible that God should
that are sanctified."  "When Christ, who is our  raise the dead?"  "We look for the Saviour,
life, shall appear," says the Apostle John, "we  who shall change our vile body, that it may be
shall be like him," adorned with all the beauties  fashioned like unto his glorious body, according
of holiness which he displayed on earth as our  to the energy by which he is able even to sub.
pattern and exemplar. The employments of that  due all things to himself."  "We shall all be
world are represented as consisting in adoration  chaiiged, in a moment, in the twinkling of an!of the Creator of the universe, in the celebration  eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall
of his praises, in the contemplation of his works,  sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,
and in those active services, flowing from the  and we shall be changed."-The nature of this
purest love, which have a tendency to promote the  change, and the qualities of the resurrectionharmony and felicity of the intelligent creation.  body, are likewise particularly described by Paul
" I beheld," said John, when a vision of the  in the fifteenth chapter of the first epistle to the
future world was presented to his view, " and, lo,  Corinthians.  " It is sown," or committed to
a great multitude, which no man could number,  the grave " in corruption; it is raised in incorof all nations, and kindreds, and people, and  ruption," —liable no more to decay, disease and
tongues, stood before the throne, clothed in white  death, but immortal as its Creator. "It is raised
robes, crying with a loud voice, Salvation to our  in Power,"-endued with strength and vigour
God that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the  incapable of being weakened or exhausted, and
Lamb. Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and  fitted to accompany the mind in its most vigor.
thanksgiving, and honour, and power, be ascribed  ous activities. —"It is raised in glory"-destined
to our God for ever and ever."  That the con-  to flourish in immortal youth and beauty, and
templation of the works of God is one leading  arrayed in a splendour similar to that which
part of the exercises of the heavenly inhabitants,  appeared on the body of Christ when " his face
appears, from the scene presented to the same  did shine as the sun, and his raiment became
apostle, in another vision, where the same celes.  white and glittering."-" It is raised a spiritual
tial choir are represented as falling down before  body"-refined to the highest pitch of which
Him that sat on the thronte, and saying, " Thou   matter is susceptible, capable of the most viart worthy, 0 Lord, to receive glory, and honour,  gorous exertions and of the swiftest movements,
and power; for thou hast created all things, and  endued with organs of perception of a more exfor thy pleasure they are, and were created."  quisite and sublime nature than those with which
Such sublime adorations and ascriptions of praise,  it is now furnished, and fitted to act as a suitable
are the natural results of their profound investi-  vehicle for the soul in all its celestial services
gations of the wonderful works of God.  In  and sublime investigations.
accordance with the exercises of these holy intel-    Such is a brief summary of the disclosures
ligences, another chorus of the celestial inhabi-  which  the  Christian Revelation  has made
tants is exhibited as singing the song of Moses,  respecting the eternal destiny of mankind-a
The servant of God, and the song of the Lamb,  subject of infinite importance to every rational
saying, "Great and marvellous are thy works,  being-a subject of ineffable sublimity  and
Lord God Almighty, just and true are thy ways,  grandeur, which throws into the shade the most
thou King of saints."                         important transactions, and the most splendid
The resurrection of the body to an immortal  pageantry of this sublunary scene-a subject
life, is also declared, in the plainest and most  which should be interwoven with all our plans,
decisive language.  This is one of the peculiar  pursuits and  social intercourses, and which
discoveries of Revelation; for, although  the  ought never for a moment to be banished fronm
ancient sages of the heathen world generally  our thoughts.-I shall, therefore, conclude this
admitted the immortality of the soul, they seem   department of my subject with a remark or twv




PROOFS FROM DIVINE REVELATION.                                   57
01N T]B PRACTICAL INFLUENCE WHICH TIlIs  every thing around them were unchangeaote, ard
DOCTRINAI OF A FUTURE STATE OUGHT TO  as if their present enjoyments were to Last
HAVE UPON OUR AFFECTIONS AND COPN  for ever.
tDUCT.                                         If this representation be founded on fact, we
may assuredly conclude, that the great bulk of
When we look around us on tne busy scene of mankind have no fixed belief of the reality of a
numan life, and especially when we contemplate  future world, and that more than the one half of
the bustle and pageantry which appear in a  those who profess an attachment to religion, are
populous city, we can scarcely help concluding,  as little influenced in their general conduct by
that the great majority of human beings that  this solemn consideration, as if it were a matter
pass in review before us, are acting as if the  of mere fancy, or of " doubtful disputation."  It
present world were their everlasting abode, and  is somewhat strange, and even paradoxical, that,
as if they had no relation to an invisible state of  amidst the never-ceasing changes which are
existence.  To indulge in sensual gratifications,  taking place among the living beings around us,
to acquire power, wealth and fame, to gratify  men should so seldom look beyond the grave to
vanity, ambition and pride, to amuse themselves  which they are all advancing, and so seldom
with pictures of fancy, with fantastic exhibitions,  make inquiries into the certainty and the nature
theatrical scones and vain shows,and to endeavour  of that state into which the tide of time has carto banish every thought of death and eternity  ried all the former generations of mankind. If
from the mind, appear to be in their view the  a young man were made fully assured that, at
great and ultimate ends of existence.  This is  the end of two years, he should obtain the sovethe case, not merely of those who openly avow   reignty of a fertile island in the Indian ocean,
themselves " men of the world," and call in  where he should enjoy every earthly pleasure his
question the reality of a future existence; but  heart could desire,-his soul would naturally
also of thousands who regularly frequent our  bound at the prospect, he would searchhis maps
worshipping assemblies, and profess their belief  to ascertain the precise position of his future
in the realities of an eternal state. They listen  residence, he would make inquiries respecting it
to the doctrines of eternal life, and of future  at those travellers who had either visited the
punishment, without attempting to question  spot or passed near its confines; he would peeither their reality or their importance, but as  ruse with avidity the descriptions which geogra.
soon as they retire from  "the place of the  phers have given of its natural scenery, its soil
holy," and mingle in the social circle, and the  and climate, its productions and inhabitants; and,
bustle of business, every impression of invisible  before his departure, he would be careful to pro-.
realities evanishes from their minds, as if it had  vide every thing that might be requisite for his
been merely a dreamn or a vision of the night.  future enjoyment. If a person, when setting out
To cultivate the intellectual faculties, to aspire  on a journey which he was obliged to underafter moral excellence, to devote the active  take, were informed that his road lay through a
powers to the glory of the Creator, and the bene-  dangerous territory, where he should be exposed,
fit of mankind; to live as strangers and pilgrims  on the one hand, to the risk of falling headlong
upon earth, to consider the glories of this world  into unfathomable gulfs, and, on the other, to the
as a transient scene that will soon pass away,  attacks of merciless savages,-he would walk
and to keep the eye constantly fixed on the reali-  with caution, he would look around him at every
ties of an immortal life-are characteristics of  step, and he would welcome with gratitude any
only a comparatively small number of indivi-  friendly guide that would direct his steps to the
duals scattered amidst the swarming population  place of his destination. But, in relation to a fuar.)und us, who are frequently regarded by their  ture and invisible world, there exist, in the minds
fellows as a mean-spirited and ignoble race of  of the bulk of mankind, a most unaccountable
beings. Though death is making daily havoc  apathy and indifference; and not only an indifaround them, though their friends and relatives  ference, but, in many instances, a determined
are, year after year, dropping into the grave,  resolution not to listen to any thing that may be
though poets and orators, princes and philoso-  said respecting it. To broach the subject ofinmphers, statesmen and stage-players, are continu-  mortality, in certain convivial circles, would lie
ally disappearing from the living world; though  considered as approaching to an insult; and the
sickness and disease are raging around and lay-  person who had the hardihood to do so, wouJd
ing their victims of every age prostrate in the  be regarded as a rude, sanctimonious intruder
dust, and though they frequently walk over  How unaccountably foolish and preposterous is
the solemn recesses of the burying ground, and  such a conduct! especially when we consider
tread upon the ashes of " the mighty man, and  that those very persons who seem to be entirely
the man of' war, the judge and the ancient, the  regardless whether they shall sink into the gulf
cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator,"-yet  of annihilation, or into the regions of endless
they prosecute the path of dissipation and vanity  perdition, will pass whole days and nights iu
with as much keenness and resolution, as if  chagrin and despair for the loss of some employ.
8




58                 THE. PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURPh STATh.
merit, for a slight iffront, or for some imaginary  workers of iniquity, who runs from one scene of
rNflection on their reputation and honour!    dissipation to another, who wastes his time in
Were it necessary to bring forward additional  folly and extravagance, and whose life is but one
proofs that the greater part of mankind have no  continued crime?  Or can we even suppose
belief in a future state, or, which amounts near-  that that clergyman, who is unremittingly aspily to the same thing, that it has no influence  ring after preferment, who is mercilessly fleecing
whatever on the general tenor of their thoughts  his flock, yet neglecting their instruction, and
and actions-the prominent features of their con-  engaged in incessant litigations about some palduct afford abundant evidence of this melancholy  try tythes, seriously believes, that the treasures
truth. Would a man, who firmly believes that  of this world are unworthy to be compared with
lie is destined to an everlasting state, pass  that "exceeding great and eternal weight of glory
fifty or sixty years of his life without spending  which is about to be revealed in the life to come?'
one serious thought about that unknown futu-  Such conduct plainly indicates, whatever prority into which he is soon to enter, or making  fessions certain descriptions of these characthe least inquiry respecting its nature and em-  ters may make, that the solemn realities of the
ployments?  Would he toil from  morning to  eternal world have no more practical influence
night, with incessant care, to lay up a few fleet-  on their minds than if they regarded them  as
ing treasures, and never spend a single hour in  unsubstantial phantoms, or as idle dreams.
considering what preparations are requisite for    The doctrine of a future state is not a mere
an endless existence?  Would he spurn at that  speculative proposition, to serve as a subject of
book which has unveiled the glories and the  metaphysical investigation, or to be admitted
terrors of eternity, and;' brought life and immor-  merely to complete a system of philosophical or
tality to light?"  Would he sneer at the person  theological belief. It is a truth of the highest
who is inquiring the way to a blessed immortality,  practical importance, which ought to be interand count him as an enemy when he wished to  woven with the whole train of our thoughts ant.
direct his attention to the concerns of an unseen  actions. Yet how many are there, even of
world?  Can that man be supposed to believe  those who bear the Christian name, who are
that a crown of glory awaits him in the heavens,  incessantly engaged in boisterous disputes rewhose whole soul is absorbed in the pursuits of  specting the nature of faith, who have never felt
ambition, and who tramples on every principle  the influence of that faith which is ": the confiof truth and justice, in order to gain possession  dent expectation of things hoped for, and the
of a post of opulence and honour?  Can those  conviction of things which are not seen," and
parents believe that in heaven there is " a trea-  which realizes to the mind, as if actually present,
sure that fadeth not," while they teach their  the glories of the invisible world! If we really
children to conclude, that the acquisition of a  believe the doctrine of immortality, it will mani.
fortune, and the favor of the great, are the grand  fest itself in our thoughts, affections and purobjects to which they should aspire?  Can that  suits. It will lead us to form  a just estimate oJ
old hoary-headed votary of pleasure consider  the value of all earthly enjoyments. For, in the
himself as standing on the verge of an eternal  light of eternity, all the secular pursuits in which
world, who still indulges himself in all the fashion-  men now engage, appear but as vanity, and all
able follies and frivolities of the age, and never  the dazzling objects which fascinate their eyes,
casts an eye beyond the precinctsof the grave?  as fleeting shadows. A  realizing view of an
Can that hard-hearted worldling, who shuts his  eternal state dissipates the illusion which the
ears at the cry of the poor and needy, and who  eye of sense throws over the pageantry and
grasps his treasures with eagerness even amidst  the splendours of this world, and teaches us
the agonies of dissolution-believe that " a re-  that all is transitory and fading, and that our
compense of reward" awaits the benevolent " at  most exquisite earthly enjoyments will ere long
the resurrection of the just?"  Can that man  be snatched from our embrace. For, not a sinbe impressed with the solemnities of the eternal  gle mark of our sublunary honours, not a single
world,- who, the moment after he has committed  farthing of our boasted treasures, not a single
the remains of a relative to the grave, violates  trace of our splendid possessions, nor a single
every humane end friendly feeling, and for the  line of the beauty of our persons, can be carried
sake of a few paltry pounds or shillings, deprives  along with us to the regions beyond the grave.
the widow and the orphan of every earthly en-  It will stimulate us to set our affections on things
joyment?  Can that courtly sycophant, who is  above, and to indulge in heavenly contemplations
continually hunting after places and pensions,  " Where our treasure is, there will our hearts
fawning upon his superiors,. and whose whole  be also."  Rising superior to the delights of
Aife is a continued course oftreachery, adulation  sense, and to the narrow boundaries of time, we
and falsehood-believe that "all liars shall have  will expatiate at large in those boundless retheir portion ir the lake that burneth with fire  gions which eye hath not seen, and conteam.
and brimstone?'*  Can that thoughtless de-  plate, in the light of reason and of revelation;
tsucnee believe that future punishment awaits the  those scenes of felicity and grandeur, which wib




PROOFS FROM DIVINE REVELATION                                     59
burst upon the disembodied spirit, when it has  world should excite us to the exercise of condropped its earthly tabernacle in the dust. Like  tentment, and reconcile our minds to whatever
Seneca, when he contemplated, in imagination, privations or afdlictions Providence may allot to us
the magnitude and beauty of the orbs of heaven,  in the present world.  "For the sufferings of
we will look down, with a noble indifference, on  the present time are not worthy to be compared
the earth as a scarcely distinguishable atom, and  with the glory which is to be revealed."  If we
say, "Is it to this little spot thatthe great designs believe that the whole train of circumstances
and vast desires of men are confined?  Is it for  connected with our present lot, is arranged by
this there is such disturbance of nations, so  Infinite Wisdom  and Benevolence, every thing
much carnage, and so manv ruinous wars?  O  that befalls us here must have a certain bearing
folly of deceived men!  to imagine great king-  on the future world, and have a tendency to
doms in the compass of an atom, to raise ar-  prepare us for engaging in its exercises and for
mies to divide a point of earth with their swords! relishing its enjoyments. In short, if we recogIt is just as if the ants should divide their mole-  nise the idea of an immortal life, we will endeahills into;rovinces, and conceive a fidld to be  vour to acquire clear and comprehensive views
several kin.,o>ms, and fiercely contend to enlarge  of its nature, its pleasures, and its employments.
their bordere  and celebrate a triumph in gain-  We will not rest satisfied with vague and coning a foot of earth, as a new province to their  fused conceptions of celestial bliss; but will enempire."  In the light of heaven all sublunary  deavour to form as precise and definite ideas on
glories fade away, and the mind is refined and  this subject as the circumstances of our subluennobled, when, with the eye of faith, it pene-  nary station will permit. We will search the
trates within the veil, and describes the splen-  Oracles of Divine Revelation, and the discovedours of the heaven of heavens.               ries of science, and endeavour to deduce from
Again, if we believe the doctrine of immor   both the sublimest conceptions we can form of the
tality, we will be careful to avoid those sins  glories of that " inheritance which is incorruptiwhich would expose us to misery in the future  ble, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, which
world, and to cultivate those dispositions and  is reserved in heaven for the faithful."
virtues which will prepare us for the enjoyment    In a word, if our minds are as deeply imof eternal felicity.  Between virtue and vice,  pressed with this subject as its importance desin and holiness, there is an essential and eter-  mands, we shall experience feelings similar to
nal distinction; and this distinction will be fully  those which affected the mind of Hyeronvmus
and visibly displayed in the eternal world.  He  when he contemplated the dissolution of the
whose life is a continued scene of vicious In-  world, and the solemnities of the last judgment.
dulgence, and who has devoted himself to "work  — " Whether I eat or drink, or in whatever
all manner of uncleanness with greediness,"  other action or employment I am engaged, that
becomes, by such habits, " a vessel of wrath  solemn voice always seems to sound in my ears,
fitted for destruction;" and, from the very con-'Arise ye dead and come to judgment!'-As
stitution of things, there is no possibility of  often as I think of the day of judgment, my
escaping misery in the future state, if his exist-  heart quakes, and my whole frame trembles. If
ence be prolonged. Whereas, he who is de-  I am to indulge in any of the pleasures of the
voted to the practice of holiness, who loves his  present life, I am resolved to do it in such a way,
Creator with supreme affection, and his neigh-  that the solemn realities of the future judgment
bour as himself, who adds to his faith " virtue,  may never be banished from my recollection."*
knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherlykindness) and charity," is, by such graces, ren-' Sive comedam, sive bibam, sive aliquid aliud
dered fit for everlasting communion with the  faciam, semper vex ilia in auribus meus sonare
videtur: Surgite Mortui, et venite ad judicium.
Father of spirits, and for delightful association  Quotius diem judicii cogito, totus corde et corpore
with all the holy intelligences that people his  contremisro. Si qua enim prasentis vita est 1wtitia, ita agenda est, ut nunquam amasx-udo futus'
immense empire.  Again, the belief of a future  judicUi recedat a memoria.




PART TI.
ON THE CONNEXION OF SCIENCE WITH A FUTURE STATE.
A G BEAT outcry has frequently been made, range of thought. It is rather a melancholy reby many of those who wish to be considered, flection, that any persons, particularly preachers
as pious persons, about the vanity of human  of the gospel, should endeavour to apologize for
science. Certain divines in their writings, and  their own ignorance by endeavouring to undervarious descriptions of preachers in their pulpit  value what they acknowledge they never have ac.
declamations, not unfrequently attempt to em-  quired, and therefore, cannot be supposed to unbellish their discourses, and to magnify the truths  derstand and appreciate. For, although several
of Scripture, by contrasting them  with what  well-informed and judicious ministers of religion,
they are pleased to call " the perishing treasures  have been led, from the influence of custom, and
of scientific knowledge."  " T e knowledge we  from copying the expressions of others, to use a
derive from the Scriptures," say they, " is able  phraseology which has a tendency to detract from
to make us wise unto salvation; all other know-  the utility of scientific knowledge, yet it is geledge is but comparative folly. The knowledge  nerally the most ignorant, those whose reading
of Christ and him crucified will endure for ever; and observation have been confined within the
but all human knowledge is transitory, and will  narrowest range, who are most forward in their
perish for ever when this world comes to an end. bold and vague declamations on this topic. We
Men weary themselves with diving into human  never find, in any part of the Sacred Records,
science, while all that results to them is vanity  such comparisons and contrasts as those to which
and vexation of spirit. Men may become the  Iallude.  The inspired writers never attempt to
greatest philosophers, and have their understand-  set the word of God in opposition to his works,
ings replenished with every kind of human  nor attempt to deter men from the study of the
knowledge, and yet perish for ever. What have  wonders of his creation, on the ground that it is
we to do with the planets and the stars, and  of less importance than the study of his word.
whether they be peopled with inhabitants?  Our  On tile contrary, they take every proper opporDusiness is to attend to the salvation of our  tunity of directing the attention to the mechansouls."                                       ism and order, the magnificence and grandeur of
Now, although some of the above, and simi-  the visible world; and their devotional feelings
lar assertions, when properly modified and ex-  are kindled into rapture by such contemplations.
plained, may be admitted as true, the greater  When the Psalmist had finished his survey of
part of them, along with hundreds of similar  the different departments of nature, as described
expressions, are either ambiguous or false. But,  in the civ. Psalm, he broke out into the following
although they were all admitted as strictly true,  devotional strains:  "How  manifold are thy
what effect can the frequent reiteration of such  works, 0 Lord! in wisdom hast thou made them
comparisons and contrasts have on the mass of  all: the earth is full of thy riches, so is the great
the people to whom they are addressed, who are  and wide sea.  The glory* of the Lord shall
already too much disinclined to the pursuit of  endure for ever, the Lord shall rejoice in all his
general knowledge-but to make them imagine,  works. I will sing unto the Lord as long as I
that it is useless, and in some cases dangerous,  live; I will sing praises to my God while I have
to prosecute any other kind of knowledge than  my being."  For the visible works of God diswhat is derived directly from the Scriptures?  play the same essential attributes of Deity, and
And what is the knowledge which the great  of his superintending providence, as the revelamajority of those who attend the public services  tions of his word, and it is one great design of
of religion have acquired of the contents of the  that word to direct men to a rational and devout
sacred oracles?  It is too often, I fear, exceed-  contemplation of these works in which his glory
ingly vague, confused and superficial; owing, in  is so magnificently displayed.  And, therefore,
a great measure, to the want of those habits of  to attempt to magnify the word of God by degramental exertion, which a moderate prosecution  ding his works, or to set *the one in opposition
Df useful science would have induced.        to the other, is to attempt to set the Deity in op.
Such declamations as those to which I have
now adverted, obviously proceed from a very'That is, the display of the Divmine perfections In
the material world, as the connexion of the passago
limited sphere of information anu a contracted  plainly intimates.




INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.                                         61
position to himself, and to prevent mankind from  reasoning and of action in a future state as
offering a certain portion of that tribute of adora-  well as in the present.  That a whole is greater
tion and thanksgiving which is due to his name.  than any of its parts; that the three angles ol
It is true, indeea, that the mere philosopher  a triangle are eqdal to two right angles; that
has frequently been disposed to contemplate the  the sides of a plain triangle are to one anouniverse as if it were a self-acting and indepen-  ther, as the sides of the angles opposite to
dentmachine. He hassometimes walkedthrough  them: these and many similar propositions are
the magnificent scenes of creation, and investi-  equally true in heaven as on earth, and may
gated the laws which govern the motions of the  probably be as useful truths there as in our pre.
celestial orbs, and -the agencies which produce  sent abode.
the various phenomena of our sublunary system,
without offering up that tribute of thanksgiving    OBJECT OF SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION.
and praise which iv due to the great First Cause,
or feeling those emotions of adoration and reve-    In order to avoid misconception, and a confurence which such studies have a tendency to in-  sion of thought on this subject, it may not be
spire. But it is no less true, that the mere theo-  improper, in the first place, to define and illuslogian has, likewise, not unfrequently, walked  trate what is meant by the term Science.
through the field of revelation, studied its doc-    Science, in  its most general acceptation,
trines, and facts and moral requisitions, written  denotes knowledge of every description; in a
volumes in support of its heavenly origin, and  more restricted sense, it denotes that species of
defended its truths against the cavils of adversa-  knowledge which is acquired chiefly by the exerries, without feeling that supreme love to God and  cise of the human faculties; and in a still more
affection towards his neighbour which it is the  restricted sense, it denotes  that systematic
great object of the Scriptures to produce, and dis-  species of knowledge which consists of rule and
playing a disposition and conduct directly repug-  order,-such as geometry, arithmetic, algebra,
nant to its holy precepts. An argument founded  natural philosophy, geography, astronomy, chyon the impiety of certain pretended philosophers,  mistry, mineralogy and botany.-In the observato dissuade us front the study of the material  tions which follow, the term may be taken in any
world, would, therefore, be equally powerful to  one of these senses; but particularly in the last,
deter us from the study of divine revelation, when  which is the most common and appropriate
we consider that many who profess to receive its  meaning. By means of scientific investigation,
doctrines live in open defiance of its most sacred  the powers of the human mind have been wonrequisitions. In both cases, such examples merely  derfully -strengthened and expanded, and our
show, that man is a frail inconsistent being, and  knowledge of the operations of the Creator
too frequently disposed to overlook his Creator,  extensively enlarged. Science has enabled us
and to wander from the source of happiness.    to transport ourselves from  one continent to
In a work entitled, " The Christian Philoso-  another, to steer our course through the pathless
pher," I have endeavoured to illustrate this  ocean, and to survey all the variety of scenery
subject at considerable length, and to show, that  which the terraqueous globe displays; it has
the investigation of the works of creation, under  taught us to mount upwards to the region of the
the guidance of true science, has a tendency to  clouds, and to penetrate into the bowels of the
expand our conceptions of the power, wisdom,  earth, to explore the changes which the earth has
benevolence, and superintending providence of  undergone since the period of its creation. It
God,-and that the various sciences and the  has laid open to our view the nature and constiinventions of art may be rendered subservient in  trution of the atmosphere, the principles of which
promoting the objects of true religion, and diffus-  it is composed, and its agency in supporting fire
ing its influence among the nations.-At present,  and flame, and vegetable and animal life. On
I shall confine my views, in the few following  the principles which science has established, we
remarks, to the illustration of the following posi-  have been enabled to ascertain the distances of
tion-" That scientce has a relation to a future  many of the heavenly bodies, to compute their
state."                                        magnitudes, and to determine the periods of their
It is a very vague, and, in many points of  revolutions; and by means of the instruments it
view, a false assertion, which has so frequently  has invented, we have been enabled to take a
been reiterated-that, what is generally termed  nearer survey of distant worlds-to contemplate
human knowledge, or the sciences, have no con-  new wonders of creating power in regions of tie
nexion with an immortal existence, and that they  sky which lie-far beyond the utmost stretch of the
will be of no utility whatever when this world  unassisted eye,-and to explore those invisible
comes to an end.-Truth, of every description, is,  regions, where myriads of living beings are confrom its very nature, eternal and unchangeable;  centrated within the compass of a visible nollt.
and. consequently, it cannot be supposed a pre-  -In consequence of such discoveries, we nave
posterous opinion, that the established principles  been enabled to acquire more clear and anmole'se,veral of our sciences will be the basis of  conceptions of the amazing energies of omnlpo.




62                  THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
tence, of the inscrutable depths of infinite  OBJECTS  ON  WHICH, THE  FACULTIES  Of
wisdom, of the overruling providence of the    CELESTIAL INTELLIGENCES WILL BE X:oAlmighty, of the benevolent care he exercises    PLOYED.
over all his creatures, and of the unlimited extent
of those dominions over which he eternally pre-    Let us now consider the objects on which tia
sides.                                        faculties of celestial intelligences will be employed
The faculties by which man has been enabled  in the way of scientific investigation.
to make the discoveries to which I have alluded,    The grand scene of universal nature-that
were implanted in his constitution by the hand  august theatre on which the Almighty displays,
of his'Creator; and the objects on which these  to countless myriads, his glorious perfectionsfaculties are exercised, are the works of the  will remain substantially the same as it is at
Creator, which, the more minutely they are  present, after all the changes in reference to our
investigated, the more strikingly do they display  globe shall have taken place; and the clear and
the glory of his character and perfections. Con-  expansive view of its economy, its movements,
sequently, it must have been the intention of the  and its peculiar glories, which will then be laid
Creator that man should employ the powers he  open to their inspection, will exercise the faculties,
haq given him in scientific researches; other-  and form a considerable portion of the felicity of
wise, he would neither have endowed him with  renovated moral agents.
such noble faculties, nor have opened to his    That the general system of nature will remain
view so large a portion of his empire. Scientific  materially the same, when the present fabric of
investigations, therefore, are to be considered as  our globe is dissolved, may be argued, 1. From
nothing less than inquiries into the plans and  the immense number and magnitude of the booperations of the Eternal, in order to unfold the  dies of which it is composed. In every direction
attributes of his nature, his providential proce-  to which we can turn our eyes, the universe apdure in the government of his creatures, and the  pears to be replenished with countless orbs of
laws by which he directs the movements of uni-  light, diffusing their splendours from regions imversal nature.  It is true, indeed, that every one  measurably distant.  Nearly one hundred milwho calls himself a philosopher may not keep  lions of these globes are visible through telescopes
this end in view in the prosecution of scientific  of the greatest magnifying power; and it is more
acquirements.  He may perhaps be actuated  than probable, that beyond the reach of the finest
merely by a principle of curiosity, by a love of  glasses that art has ever constructed, thousands of
worldly gain, or by a desire to acquire reputation  millions exist in the unexplored regions of imamong the learned by the discoveries he may  mensity, which the eye of man, while he remains
bring to light, just in the same way as some theo-  in this lower world, will never be able to descry.
logians are actuated in prosecuting the study of  All these luminous globes, too, are bodies of irnthe Christian system.  But the discoveries  mense magnitude; compared with any one of
which have been made by such persons, are,  which, the whole earth dwindles into an inconnotwithstanding, real developements of the plans  siderable ball.' It is probable that the smallest of
of the Deity, and open to a devout mind a more  them  is at least one hundred thousand times
expansive view of the power, wisdom, and be-  larger than the globe on which we live. —2. All
nevolence of Him who is " wonderful in council,  these bodies are immensely distantfrom the earth.
and excellent in working."  It is our own fault  Although we could wing our course with a swiftif we do not derive useful instruction from the  ness equal to ten thousand miles a-day, it would
investigations and discoveries of philosophy; it  require more than five millions of years before
is owing to our want of intelligence to discrimi-  we could reach the nearest star; and the more
nate between the experiments of men, and the  distant of these orbs are placed in regions so imoperations of God, and to the want of that reve-  mensely distant, that the imagination is newilrence, humility, and devotion; which ought to  dered and overpowered when it attempts to grasp
accompany us in all our studies and contem-  the immeasurable extent which intervenes beplatlons of nature.  Science, therefore, from   tween us and them. This circumstance proves,
whatever motives it may be prosecuted, is,  that these bodies are of an immense size and
in effiect, and in reality, an inquiry after God:  splendour, since they are visible at such disit is the study of angels and other superior  tances; and consequently demonstrates, that each
intelligences; and we cannot suppose there is  of them  is destined, in its respective sphere, to
a holy being throughout the universe that is not  accomplish some noble purpose, worthy of the
employed, in one mode or another, in scien-  plans of a Being of infinite wisdom  and goodtific research and investigation; unless we can  ness.-3. The whole of this vast assemblage of
suppose that there are moral intelligences who  suns and worlds has no immediate connexion with
are insensible to the displays of the divine glo-  the present constitution and arrangement of out
ry, and altogether indifferent, whether or not  globe.  There are no celestial bodies that have
they make progress in the knowledge of their  any immediate connexion with the earth, oidts..reator.                                    rect influence upon it, except the sun, the moon,




EXTENT OF THIE GENERAL CONFLAGRATION                                      63
and several of the planets; and therefore, those  heavens is meant here the aerial heavens. For
more distant orbs, to which I allude, cannot be  the heavens and the earth arte here spoken of
supposed to be involved in the physical evils  in opposition to those of the old world, which
which the fall of man"has introduced into our  could mean nothing more than the earth and its
world; or to have the least connexion with any  former atmosphere, the state of which underwent
fiiture change or catastrophe that may befall the  a great alteration by the flood."-" By the Ite..
terraqueous globe.  Though this globe, and " all  vens and the earth, in such passages as these,"
that it inherits," were dissolved; yea, although the  says the learned Dr. Mede, " is to be understood,
sun himself and his surrounding planets were set  that part of nature which was subjected to the
in a blaze, and blotted for ever out of creation;  curse, or that is inhabited by Christ's enemies,
the innumerable and vast bodies which replenish  and includes in it the earth, water, and air, but
the distant regions of the universe, would still  not the heavenly bodies, which are not only at a
exist, and continue to illuminate the voids of vast distance from it, but it is little more than a
creation with undiminished splendour.          point, if compared to them for magnitude."Dr. Dwight, when adverting to this subject, ex-.EXTENT OF THE GENERAL CONFLAGRATION.  presses the same sentiment: " The phrase heavens and earth (says he) in Jewish phraseology
From the considerations now stated, it is evi-  denoted the universe.  In the present case,
dent, that the changes which are predicted to  however, (2 Peter iii. 10, 12, 13.) the words
take place at the general conflagration, will not  appear to be used with a meaning less extended,
extend beyond, the environs of our globe, or at  where it is declared, that that which is intended
farthest, beyond the limits of the solar system.  by both terms, shall be consumed, dissolved, and
There is, indeed, no reason to conclude, that  pass away.  This astonishing event, we are
they will extend beyond the terraqueous globe it-  taught, shall talke place at the final judgment;
self and its surrounding atmosphere; for since  and we have no hint in the Scriptures, that the
all the revelations of Scripture have a peculiar  judgment will involve any other beings besides
reference to the inhabitants of this globe, the  angels and men."
predicted changes which are to take place in its    From the preceding considerations, it is obviphysical constitution, at the close of the present  ous, that when the inspired writers use such
economy of Providence, must be considered as  expressions as these,-" The stars shall fall from
limited to the same sphere.  As the world was  heaven," "the powers ofheaven shall beshaken,"
formerly destroyed by a deluge of waters, in  and, " the heaven departed as a scroll," they are
consequence of the depravity of man, so its de-  to be understood not in a literal, but in a.igurastruction by fire will take place, for the same  tive sense, as denoting changes, convulsions, and
reason, in order that it may be purified from all  revolutions in the moral world.  And when, in
the effects of the curse which was originally pro-  reference to the dissolution of our globe and its
nounced upon the ground for man's sake, and  appendages, it is said, that "the heavens shall
restored to its former order and beauty.  But  passawaywithamightynoise,"theaerialheaven,
there is not the smallest reason to conclude,  or the surrounding atmosphere is to be understood.
either from Scripture or the general constitution  How this appendage to our world may be disof the universe, that this destruction will extend  solved, or pass away with a mighty noised it is not
beyond that part of the frame of nature which  difficult to conceive, now that we have become
was subjected to the curse, and is physically  acquainted with the natutre and energies of its
connected with the sin of man; and consequently,  constituent parts. One essential part of the atwillbe entirely confined to certain changes which  mosphere contains the principle of flame; and:if
will be effected throughout the continents, islands,  this principle were not counteracted by its conand oceans, and in the higher and lower regions  nexion with another ingredient, or were it let
of the atmosphere.                            loose to exert its energies without control, instantly
This appears to be the sense in wlich tne  one immense flame would envelope the terraquemost judicious expositors of Scripture interpret  ous globe, which would set on fire the foundathose passages which have a particular reference  tions of the mountains, wrap the ocean in a
to this event. Dr. Guyse, in his "Paraphrase  blaze, and dissolve, not only coals, wood, and
on the New Testament," interprets 2 Peter iii.  other combustibles, but the hardest substances in
7, 12, precisely in this sense: 1" When that final  nature.  It is more than probable, that when the
decisive day of the Lord Jesus shall come,-the  last catastrophe of our globe arrives, the oxygen
aerial heavens, being all in a flame, shall be de-  and nitrogen, or the two constituent principles of
stroyed, and the constituent principles of the  the atmosphere, will be separated by the interatmosphere, together with the earth and all things  position of Almighty power. And the moment
in it, shall be melted down by an intense dissolv-  this separation takes place, it is easy to conceive,
ing heat into a confused chaos, like that out of  that a tremendous concussion will ensue, and the
which they were originally formed."  And in a  most dreadful explosions will resound throughout
note on this paraphrase he remarks, "By the  the whole of the expanse which surrounds the
17




64                  THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
gloei, which will stun the assembled world, and  tence, is a sentiment so absurd and extravagat
shake the earth to its foundations.   For, if, in  and so contrary to the general tenor of Scripture,
chymical experiments conducted on a small scale,  and the character of God, that it is astonishing it
the separation of two gases, or their coming  should ever have been entertained by any man,
in contact with the principle of flame, is fre-  calling himself a divine or a Christian preacher.*
quently accompanied with a loud and destructive  I have already had occasion to remark, that there
explosion,-it is impossible to form an adequate  is no example of annihilation, or entire destrucidea of the loud and tremendous explosions which  tion of material substances, to be found in the
would ensue were the whole atmosphere at once  universe, and that it is to the last degree improba.,dissolved, and its elementary principles separated  ble, that any one particle of matter which now
fromn each other and left to exert their native en-  exists will ever be completely destroyed, howergies. A sound as if creation had burst asun-  ever numerous the changes that may take place
Jer, and accompanied the next moment with a  in the universet  We have noreason to belies 3,
universal blaze, extending over sea and land,  that even those changes to which our world is
would present a scene of sublimity and terror,  destined, at the general conflagration, will issue
which would more than realize all the striking  in its entire destruction. The materials of which
descriptions given in Scripture of this solemn  the earth and its atmosphere are coinposed will
scene.                                         still continue to exist after its present structure
Again, when in reference to this tremendous  is deranged, and will, in all probability, be em.
event, it is said, that " the earth and the heaven  ployed in the arrangement of a new system, purlfled away," (Rev. xx. 11.) we are not to imagine,  fled from the physical evils which now exist, and
that the distant bodies of the universe shall be  which may continue to flourish as a monument
either annihilated, or removed from  the spaces  of divine power and wisdom, throughout an inthey formerly occupied; but that all sublunary  definite lapse of ages.
nature shall be thrown into confusion and disor-    In accordance with these sentiments, we find
der, and that the celestial orbs, during this univer-  the inspired writers asserting the stability and
sal uproar of the elements, will be eclipsed from   perpetuity of the material universe.  In a pasthe view, and appear as if they had fled away.  sage formerly alluded to, the Psalmist, after
The appearance of the heavens whirling with a  having contemplated the scenes of the material
confused and rapid motion, at this period, would  creation, declares, in reference to these visi.
be produced, were the Almighty (as will proba-  ble manifestations of the divine perfections,bly be the case) suddenly to put a stop to the  " The glory of the Lord shall endurefor ever, the
diurnal rotation of the earth, or to increase the  Lord shall rejoice in all his works."  And the
rate of its motion; in which case, the celestial  Apostle Peter, when describing the dissolution of
luminaries would appear either to stop in their  the elementary parts of our globe, intimates, at
courses, or to be thrown into rapid and irregular  the same time, the continued existence of the
agitations. And the appearance of the heavens  visible fabric of nature. " We look," says he,
in reality receding from the view, would be pro-   "for new  heavens and a new  earth, whereinr
duced, were the earth to leave its present station  dwelleth righteousness."  The same truth is inamong the planets, and to be impelled with a  cidentally declared in many other portions of
rapid motion towards the distant parts of the  Scripture.  In  the prophecies respecting the
solar system, or beyond its boundaries; iit which  Messiah and the duration of his kingdom, it is
case, the sun would appear to fly off with a rapid  declared, that " His name shall endure for ever,
snotion to A distant part of space, till he had di-  his name shall be continued as long as the sun.
sminished to the size of a twinkling star, and
the moon and the nearest planets would, in a    ~ As a specimen of the vague and absurd declamashort time, entirely disappear.-Whether these  tions on this subject, which have been published both
suppositions exactly correspond with the arrange-  from the pulpit and the press, the following extract
suppositions exactly correspond  -  from "a modern and elegantly printed volume of
snents which Divine Wisdom has made in refer-  sermons may suffice.,-" The blast of the seventh
ence to the general conflagration, I do not take  trumvpet thundering with terrific clangour through
pon me positively to determine   But I have  the sky, and echoing from world to world, shall fill
upon me positively to determine.  But I have  the universe, and time shall be no more! The six
stated them in order to show, that all the descrip-  trumpets have already sounded: when the seventh
tions contained in Scripture, of the dissolution of  shall blow, a total change shall take place throughout
the creation; the vast globe which we now inhabit
our globe, and of the circumstances connected  shall dissolve, and mingle with yen beautoous azure
with it, can be easily accounted for, and may be  firmament, with sun, and moon, and all the immense
lly realizedwithout supposing any change to  luminaries flaming there, in one undistinguished
fully realized, without supposing any change to  ruin; all shall vanish away like a fleeting vapour,
take place in the universe beyond the limits of  a visionary phantom of the night, and not a sing/s
the earth and its atmosphere.                  trace of them befound! Even the last enemy, Death,
shall be destroyed, and time itself shall be no more!"
To suppose, as some have done, that the whole  &c. &c. When such bombastic rant is thurslered in
fabric of creation will be shattered to pieces,  the ears of Christian people, it is no wonder that
that the stars will literally fall from  their orbs)  their ideas on this subject become extremely itcor
fret, and even extravagantly absurd.
aund the material universe be blotted out of exis-  S See Sect. x. page 44.




PERPETUITY OF THE MATERIAL UNIVERSE.                                  61
His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as  the course of ages, appear to be gradually a%,.
the sun before me;" which expressions evidently  menting its splendour, and the countless myriads
imply that the sun will not be blotted out of cre-  of exalted intelligences which doubtless people its
ation, but continue to hold a station in the uni-  expansive regions-when we consider that it converse as long as the Redeemer and his subjects  stitutes the principal portion of the empire of the
exist. It is aiso stated, in reference to the same  Eternal, the most astonishing scene of his operaelustrious personage, " His seed will I make to  tions, and the most striking display of his omendure for ever, and his throne as the days of  nipotence and wisdom,-it would be one of the
heaven," which intimates, that the heavens will  most extravagant notions that can possibly be enendure as long as the government of Immanuel.  tertained., and inconsistent with every rational
In reference to the stability and perpetuity of  and Scriptural idea we can form of the good.
the celestial luminaries, it is declared, that  ness and intelligence of the Deity, to suppose,
" Jehovah hath prepared hIs THRONE in the hea-  that these vast dominions of his, in which his pert
vens."  And when the Psalmist calls upon all  fections shine with a splendour so ineffable, will
the beings in the universe to celebrate the praises  ever be suffered to fall to pieces, or to sink into
of the Creator, he says, in reference to the orbs  non-existence. With almost equal reason might
of heaven, " Praise ye him, sun and moon, praise  we suppose, that the Creator himself would cease
him all ye stars of light-Let them  praise the  to exist, and infinite space be left as a bound.
same'of the Lord; for he commanded, and they  less blank without matter and intelligence.
were created. He hath also established them for    If the considerations now adduced be admitted
ever and ever; he hath made a decree which  to have any force, and if the position I have en.
shall notpass;* which expressions evidently im-  deavoured to establish, cannot be overthrown,
ply, that, whatever changes may happen in par-  either on Scriptural or rational grounds —many'ticular systems, the great body of the celestial  of our sermons and poems which profess to give
orbs, which constitute some of the grandest  a description of the scenes of the " Last day,"
scenes of the universe, will remain stable and  must be considered as containing a species of
permanent as the throne of the Eternal. —But,  bombast which has a tendency to bewilder the
not to multiply quotations,-tbe following de-  mind, and to produce distorted views of the perclaration of Jehovah by the prophet Jeremiah  fections of the Creator, and of the wise arrangeis quite decisive on this point. " Thus saith  ments he has established in the system  of the
the Lord, who giveth the sun for a light by day,  universe. A celebrated poet, when expatiating
and the ordinances of the moon and of the  on this subject, in order to give effect to his destars for a light by night: The Lord of Hosts  scriptions, breaks out into the following extravais his name. If these ordinances depart from   gant exclamations, when alluding to the starry
before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of  firmament:
Israel also shall cease from being a nation before
me for eVer,))t which words plainly imply that  1 How far from east to west? The lab'ring eye
me for ever,"f which words plainly imply, that  Can scarce the distant azure bounds descryif these luminaries continue in existence, the  So vast, this world's a grain; yet myriad. grace
accomplishment of the divine promise is se-  With golden pomp the throng'd etherial spce.
How great, how firm, how sacred all appears!
cured to all the spiritual seed of Israel; but should  How worthy an immortal round of years!
they be blotted out of creation, or depart from   Yet atl must drop, as autumn's sickliest grain,
before Jehovah, the happiness of the "ran-  And earth and firmamen be sought in vain.
Time shall be slain, all nature be destroy'd,
orned of the Lord," and their relation to him   Nor leave an atom in Mtse mighty void.
as the source of their felicity, would be ter-  One universal ruin spreads abroad,
minated for ever. And have not these lumina-  Nothing is safe beneath the throne of God."
ries continued in their stations, since the pre-    Again,
diction was announced, during a period of more
than two thousand years? And do they not still  "The flakes aspire, and make the heavens their prey
The sun, the moon, the stars, all melt away;
shine with undiminished lustre?  Yes, and they  All, all is lost, no monument, no sign,
will still continue to display the glory of their  Where once so proudlyblazd the gay machine.",C.
Creator while countless ages are rolling on.
Hence it is declared, with respect to the " saints    If such descriptions were to be literally realof the Most High," "They that be teachers of  ized, a resurrectionfrom the dead woela be as d
d alute impossibility-mthe universe would be rea
wisdom shall shine as the brightness of the firma-  soute imposibilty-the universe would be r
ment, and they that turn many to righteousness,  duced to an immense blankand the visible
a the starsfor ever alnd 0ever."              glories of the Creator, by which alone his per.
In short, when we c;ansider the boundless ex-  fections are recognised by finite intelligences,
tent of the starry firmament, the scenes of gran- would be eclipsed in the darkness of ternal
deur it displays, the necw luminaries, which, in night. Poetical scraps of this description, are,
I See Psalm lxxii. 17. lxxxix. 55, &C. ciii. 19. however, frequently reiterated by flaming orators,
xlvsiii 3-7.                            *  * in order to give effect to their turgid declamai Jeremiah yxxi. 85, se,                     tions, while theyShave no other tenlency than




60                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
to lead their hearers into a maze of error and ex-  lapse of infinite duration, according to the do,
travagancy, to prevent them from thinking sober-  signs which his wisdom has determined to accomlu
ber;y and rationally on the scenes predicted in  plish.
Scripture, and to excite the sneer of philosophical    That all material objects are subject to decom.
infidels.                                     position and changes, we have abundance of
The only passage of Scripture which, at first  evidence in every department of nature. With
view, seems to militate against the position I  respect to the earth on which we tread, we perhave endeavoured to establish, is that contained  ceive the soil in the higher grounds gradually
in Psalm cii. 25, 26. " Of old hast thou laid the  washed down by the action of winds and rains,
foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the  and carried by the rivers to the bed of the ocean.
work of thy hands: they shall, perish, but thou  Banks are accumulating at the mouths of rivers,
shalt endure; yea, all of them shall wax old like  and reefs in the midst of the seas, which are the
a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them,  terror of mariners and obstructions to navigation.
and they shall be changed: but thou art the same,"  In every pit and quarry, and on the face of every
&c. Some commentators, as Mr. Pierce and  crag and broken precipice, we perceive the marks
others, suppose, that by " the earth and hea-  of disorder, and the effects of former changes
vens," in this passage, are to be understood, go-  and convulsions of nature; while around the
vernments, or civil and eccleszastlcal states, as  bases of volcanic mountains, we behold cities
these words, in their figurative sense, sometimes  buried under a mass of solid lava, orchards and
denote. But this does not appear to be the sense  vineyards laid waste, and fertile fields transformin which they are here used. Taken in their  ed into a scene of barrenness and desolation.
literal sense, they may refer to the same objects  Observation likewise demonstrates, that even the
and events alluded to by the Apostle Peter, in  luminaries of heaven are not exempted from re.
his Second Epistle, chap. iii. 7, 10. formerly ex-  volutions and changes. The law of gravitation,
plained; namely, to the dissolution of the earth  which extends its influence through all the celes.
and the aerial heavens, at the close of time. But,  tial orbs, has a tendency, in the course of ages,
supposing that the words were taken in their  to draw together all the spacious globes in the
most extensive sense, as denoting the whole fa-  universe, and to condense them  into one solid
brie of the material universe, it would not in the  mass; and, were it not for the counteracting and
least invalidate the proposition I am now sup-  sustaining hand of God, this effect, at some disporting.  The main design of the passage is to  tant period in duration, would inevitably take
assert the eternity and immutability of God, in  place, and creation be reduced to one vast and
opposition to the mutable nature of created be-  frightful ruin. Many of the stars are ascertained
incgs. All material things are liable to change;  to be subjected to periodical changes, varying
but change does not imply destruction or annihila-  their lustre, and appearing and disappearing at
Lion. When itissaid," the righteousperishand  certain intervals; while others, which formerly
no man layeth it to heart;" and "they that  shone with superior brilliancy, have gradually
are far from God shall perish," it is not to be un-  disappeared, and their place in the heavens is
derstood, t.at either the one or the other shall  no longer to be found. Other stars, unknown to
be blotted out of existence. So, when it is said  the ancients and to preceding observers, have
that the heavens and the earth shall perish, a  made their appearance in modern times; and
change or revolution is implied, but not an en-  various nebulous spots, in the distant regions of
tire destruction. It is farther said, " As a ves-  space, appear to be increasing both in lustre and
ture they shall be folded up," &c. This appears  extent. These, and many other similar facts,
to be spoken in allusion to the custom which ob-  indicate changes and revolutions as great, and
tains in the Eastern nations, among the grandees,  even much greater than those which are predicted
of frequently changing their garments as a mark  to befall the earth when its atmosphere shall be
of respect; and seems to import, the ease and ce-  dissolved, its " elements melt with fervent heat,"
lerity with which the Divine Being call accom-  and a new world rise out of its ruins. It is pro.
plish important changes inthe universe. He can  bable, that, in the lapse of infinite duration, all
accomplish the revolutions of worlds and of sys-  the systems which now exist, some at one period
tems with an ease similar to that of a prince  and some at another, will undergo changes and
changing his apparel, or laying aside his vest-  transformations which will astonish the intelliments. BTut his changing any particular system   gent creation, and open new and sublimer scenes
fiom its originalstate, implies only his opening a  of divine operation to an admiring universe.
new scene, and varying the course of his dispen-  But such changes will be altogether different
sations in relation to a certain order of his crea-  from annihilation or utter destruction-altogether
tures. Nor does the passage under consideration  different from the ideas embodied in the language,ead us to conclude, that the changes alluded to  of poets, when they tell us that "' not one atom
shall all take place throughout the whole universe  shall be left in the mighty void," and that  earth
at the same period but they may be considered as  and firmament will be sought in vain."  Those
happening at different periods throughout the  stars which appeared, the one in 1572, and the




PERMANENCY OF THE UNIVERSE.                                       67
other in 1604, which shone with a brightness  1,000,000,000,000,000* of miles distant from
superior to Venus, and afterwards disappeared,  the earth, as they now do from the sphere in
we have no reason to believe, are blotted out of  which we are placed.t-Extension, magnitude,
creation. They may either have been changed,  relative position, attraction, gravitation, central
from flaming suns, to opaque globes like the pla-  forces, rectilineal and circular motions, and other
nets, and may still be existing in the same region  properties and relations of matter, will still subof space; or they may have been carried forward  sist in the universe, after we are transported
with a rapid motion, to a region of the universe  to another state and to a different regiot.;-and,
altogether beyond the utmost limits of our vision,  consequently the sciences founded on the various
or some other transformation, beyond the reach  combinations of these properties and of the laws
of human conception, may have been effected.  which govern them, will be cultivated by intelFor the annihilation of matter appears to form  ligent beings, and carried forward to that meano part of the plan of the Creator's arrange-  sure of perfection which they cannot attain in
ments; at least, we have no proof of it, in any  the present state; unless we suppose, what is
one instance, and the very idea of it seems to  evidently absurd and contrary to Scripture, that
imply an inconsistency, which is repugnant to  our knowledge will be more limited in the future,
what we already know of the divine character  than in the present world.
and operations.                                  For example, the laws which direct the motions
Such changes, then, so far from diminishing   of falling bodies, the appearances produced by
the visible glory of the universe, will present to  bodies in the heavens moving with different dethe view of the intelligent creation a greater va-  grees of velocity, the apparent motions of the
riety of sublime scenery than if all things " con-  sun and of the starry heavens, and the general
tinued as they were from the beginning of the  principles of geography and astronomy, on the
creation," and will exhibit the attributes of the  planet Jupiter, or any other similar globe, with
Almighty in all their varied aspects and diver-  the exception of a few local modifications, are
uified modes of operation.  While they demon-  materially the same as on the surface of the
strate the mutable nature of created beings, and  earth;-which is evident from the consideration
the immutability of the Creator, they will en-  of his spheroidal figure, his diurnal and annual
liven the scenes of the universe, and excite the  motions, and from the consideration that gravitaadmiration and praises of countless multitudes of  tion is regulated by the same general laws on that
enraptured intelligences.                      body, and on similar globes, as on the surface of
From  the considerations now stated, it will  the earth or the moon.-The laws of vision, and
ollow, that the various relations which now sub-  the nature and properties of light and colours, are
sist among the great bodies which compose the  essentially the same throughout all that portion
universe, will not be materially altered by any  of the universe which lies within the sphere of
changes or revolutions which may take place  our observation; and we have no reason to bein our terrestrial sphere: nor will the general  lieve, that the general laws of the universe will
aspect of creation be sensibly altered by any  be unhinged for the sake of man, or on account
charges that may occasionally happen among the  of any changes that happen in his present abode,
celestial luminaries.  Whatever may be the na-  or in reference to his future destination.  For, to
ture of such changes, or however important they   use the words of a late eminent Scottish philosomay be to the inhabitants of the systems in  pher, " The light by which the fixed stars are
which they happen, they bear no sensible propor-  seen, is the same with that by which we behold
tion'to the whole fabric of the universe. Though  the sun and his attending planets.  It moves
stars have, at different periods, disappeared from   with the same velocity, as we observe by compa.the visible concave of the firmament, and have,  ring the aberrations of the fixed stars with the
doubtless, undergone amazing revolutions, yet  eclipses of Jupiter's satellites. It is refracted
the general appearance of the heavens in all  and reflected by the same laws.  It consists of
ages has been nearly the same, and will probably
continue so for an indefinite lapse of ages yet to'That is, a thousand billions; a billion being equal
come. Althoughourearthwereustnowtrans to ten hundred thousand millions.
come.  Although our earth were Just now trans-    t This will appear quite evident to any one who
ported to a point of space a hundred thousand   considers the immense distance of the stars from
millions of miles beyond the sphere we presently  the earth and from one another. We know, by ex.
perience, that a change of place equal to 190 millions
occupy, the general aspect and the relative po-  of miles, or the diameter of the earth's annual orbit,
sitions of the starry orbs, and the figures of the  produces no sensible difference in the appearance of
different  onstellations  would appear on  the starry heavens, and it is certain that if this disdifferent constellations, would appear, on the  tance were multiplied by ten hundred thousand, the
tance were multiplied by ten hundred thousand, the
whole, the same as they now do when we lift our  case would be nearly the same. The nearest star
eyes to the nocturnal sky.  The constellations  is, at least, 20 billions of miles distant, and remoter
~ Charles's Iin, for example, would  stars several thousands of billions; and therefore,
of Orion and Charles's WVain, for example, would  the relative positions of bodies so widely dispersed
present the same shape, the same number of  from each other, would not be sensibly altered by a
stars, and the same relations to neighbouring  lchange of place equal in extent to a thousand bit.
uEste'lations, when viewed from  a  region




6Sf                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
the same colours. No opinion therefore, can be  Creator in the works which his almighty powea
formed of the solar light which must not also be  has produced.
adopted with respect to the light of the fixed
stars. The medium of vision must be acted on
in the same manner by both, whether we sup-  sCIENCES WHICH WILL BE CULTIVATED  bii
pose it the undulations of an ether, or the emis-          A FUTURE STATE.
sion of matter from the luminous body." —From
these facts we may conclude, that the general and    In order to illustrate this subject a little far.
fundamental principles of the science of Optics  ther, I shall offer a few brief remarks on some
are recognised and acted upon in the remotest re-  of those sciences which will be recognised and
gions which the telescope has explored, and front prosecuted in a future world.
aportion of that knowledge which is possessed
by the intelligences which occupy those distant               ARITHMETIC.
provinces of the Creator's empire-always, however, making proper allowances for those local    Arithmetic, or the knowledge of numbers, and
varieties and modifications, which must produce  their various powers and combinations, is a scian infinite diversity of scenery throughout the  ence which must be understood in a greater or less
universe, although the same general laws operate  degree by all intelligent beings wherever existthroughout the whole.                         ing; without some knowledge of which, no exWhat has been now stated in reference to light,  tensive progress could be made in the study of
gravitation, and other affections of matter, might  the works of God, and in forming just concep.
be extended to various other properties, and to  tions of the immense number and variety of bethe sciences which have been founded upon them;  ings which exist within the limits of his empire.
such as, the pressure and motions of fluids, the  By the application of the science of numbers
properties of gaseous bodies, the phenomena of the bulk of the earth has been ascertained; the
electricity and magnetism, and all those affinities,  distances and magnitudes of many of the headecompositions and changes, which are the ob-  venly bodies have been computed; the propor.
Jects of chymical research. For, in a material  tion which one part of the universe bears to
fabric, in whatever portion of space it may be  another has been determined; the inconceivable
placed, there must, from the very nature of things,  minuteness of the particles of effluvia, of anibe a diversity of objects for the investigation of malculm, and of the atoms of light, has been
the naturalist, the chymist, and the philosopher,  brought within the limits of our contemplation;
in which the wisdom and goodness of the Deity  and we have been enabled to. form some faint
will always be displayed. Every system of mat-  conceptions of the amazing velocities with which
ter, wherever existing in infinite space, has a  the celestial orbs are carried forward in their
determinate size and figure; it is composed of an  courses.  The universe presents to our view an
infinite number of atoms, variously modified and  assemblage of objects, relations, and movements
arranged; it has certain diversities of surface  calculated to draw  forth into exercise all the
and internal arrangement; it is susceptible of knowledge of numbers we can possibly acquire.
certain motions; it stands in certain relations to  We are presented with magnitudes so stupend.
surrounding bodies, and it is destined to accom-  ous, and with spaces and distances so vast, that
plish some wise designs corresponding to the  the mind is obliged to summon up all its powers
eternal plan of the infinite Creator. There is  of calculation, and all its knowledge of proporno portion of organized matter now existing, or  tions, progressions and equations, and to add one
which may hereafter exist, but which must be  known magnitude to another, in a long mental
considered in these and similar points of view.  process, before it can approximate to any thing
Now  the object of every rational intelligence,  like a well-defined idea of such sublime and exwhether designated by the appellations of philo-  pansive objects; and, after all its mental efforts,
sopher, astronomer or chymist, when contemplat-  computations and comparisons, it is frequently
ing any material system, is, or ought to be, to  under the necessity of resting satisfied with ideas
trace the various properties and arrangements  which are vague, inaccurate, and obscure. With
which exist in that system, in order to perceive  regard to the multiplicity and variety of the obthe intelligence, wisdom and benevolence that jects which creation contains, our present knowappear in its construction, and thus to acquire a  ledge of the powers of numbers is altogether
more correct and comprehensive view of the plans  inadequate to convey to the mind any thing apand perfections of his Creator.  But such con-  preaching to a distinct and comprehensive contemplations necessarily suppose, the cultivation  ception. The number of systems in the heavens
of those sciences which will enable him to make  which lie within the range of our telescopes, is
such investigations with spirit and effect, with-  reckoned to be at least a hundred millions (100,
out which he would be unable to'trace either the  000,000.)  In the regions of infinite space, be.
qualities and relations of material objects, or to  yond the boundaries of all these, it is not illn
nerceive the admirable designs of the all-wise  probable, that ten thousand times ten thousanu




ARITHMETIC.                                        69
millions of other systems are running their am-  out some faint conception at least, of such ohpile rounds. With each of these systems, it is jects, the perfections of the Creator and the
probable, that at least a hundred worlds are con-  glories of his kingdom cannot be appreciated.
nected.* Every one ofthese worlds and systems,   It is evident, therefore, that superiol intelliwe have reason to believe, differs from another,  gences, such as angels, and redeemed men in a
in its size, splendour and internal arrangements,  future state, must have their attention.directed
in the peculiar beauties and sublimities with  to the science of numbers, unless we suppose,
which it is adorned, and in the organization and  what is contrary to Scripture, that their knowcapacities of the beings with which it is fulr-  ledge and capacities of intellect will be more
nished. The immense multitude of rational be-  limited than ours are in the present state. They
ings and other existences with which creation is  may not stand in need of the aids of any thing
replenished, is an idea which completely over-  similar to slates, pencils or numerical characters
powers the human faculties, and is beyond the  to direct them in their computations, or to give
power of our arithmetical notation to express.  permanency to the results of their arithmetical
Even the multiplicity of objects in one world or  processes. The various steps of their calculasystem, is beyond our distinct conception. How   tions may be carried forward with inconceivable
very feeble and imperfect conceptions have we  rapidity, by a mental process which will lead
attained of the immensity of radiations of light  to unerring certainty; but the same generalprinincessantly emitted from the sun and falling upon  ciples on which we proceed in our notations
our globe, and of the innumerable crossings and  and calculations, must, from the nature of things,'ecrossings ofthese rays from every object around, be recognised in all their numerical processes
in order to produce vision to every beholder! of,and sublime investigations.
the incalculable myriads of invisible animalculte    The Scriptures occasionally give us some inwhich swim in the waters and fly in the air, and  timations of objects and scenes calculated to
pervade every department of nature; of the par-  exercise the numerical powers of the heavenly
tides of vapour which float in the atmosphere,  inhabitants.  When Daniel beheld the vision
and of the drops of water contained in the ca-  of the " Ancient of Days" sitting on his throne,
verne of the ocean! of the many millions of in-  a numerous retinue of glorious beings appeared
dividuals belonging to every species ofvegetables,  in his train to augment the grandeur of the
of which 50,000 different species have already  scene. " Thousand thousands ministered unto
been discovered, and of the number of trees,  him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood
shrubs, flowers and plants of every description  before him."  We are told in the sixty-eighth
which have flourished since the creation! of the  Psalm. that " the chariots of God are twenty
countless myriads of the lower animals, and of  thousand, even many thousands of angels?" and
the human species, which have been brought into  in the Epistle to the Hebrews, we read of " an
existence since the commencement of time, and  innumerable company of angels."  The apostle
of those which are yet to appear in regular sue-  John, when narrating his visions of the celestial
cession till time shall be no more! of the im-  world, tells us, that he " beheld and heard the
mense variety of movements, adjustments and  voice of many angels round about the throne,
adaptations connected with the structure of an  and the number of them was ten times ten thouanimal body, of which fourteen thousand may be  sand, and thousands of thousands."  And again,
reckoned as belonging to the system of bones and  " After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude
muscles comprised in the human frame, besides  which no man could number, of all nations and
a distinct variety of as numerous adaptations in  kindreds, and people, and tongues-and all the
each of the 60,000 different species of animals  angels stood round about the throne, and fell on
which are already known to exist! of the count-  their faces and worshipped God."  These exless globules contained in the eyes of the nume-  pressions are the strongest which the inspired
rous tribes of beetles, flies, butterflies and other  writers make use of in order to express a countinsects of which 27,000 have been counted in a  less multitude of objects; and they lead us to
single eye! And, if the multiplicity of objects  conclude, that, in the heavenly world, vast asin one world overwhelms our powers of concep-  semblages of intelligent beings will be occasion.
tion and computation, how much more the num-  ally presented to the view; and consequently, a
ber and variety of beings and operations con-  countless variety of scenes, objects and circumnected with the economy of millions of worlds!  stances connected with their persons, stations
No finite intelligence, without a profound know-  and employments. And, therefore, if celestial
ledge of numbers in all their various combina-  beings were not familiarized with numerical
tions, can form even a rude conception of the  calculations and proportions, such scenes, instead
diversified scenes of the universe; and yet, with-  of being contemplated with intelligence and ra.
tional admiration, would confound the inteiiect,' With the solar system to which we belong, there  and produce an effect similar to that which is felt
are connected more than a   hundred globes of dffe-  b a savaghundred globe holds, for the first time,
rent sizes, if we take into account the planets both   y        he beholds, for the first time
prniatry and secondary, and likewise the comets    some of the splendid scenes of civilized life.




70                  THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
It is owing, in a great measure, to ignorance  their movements; and have been led to form
of the powers of numbers, and the mode of ap-  more correct ideas of the immense distances and
plying them, that we find it impossible to convey  the vast extent of the starry heavens. It was
any distinct ideas of the velocities, distances,  owing to his profound knowledge of the truths of
and magnitudes of the heavenly bodies to the  this science that the illustrious Sir Isaac Newton
illiterate ranks of mankind. We are told by  determined the properties and the composition of
travellers, that there are some untutored tribes  light, the causes of the alternate movements of
whose knowledge of numbers is so limited, that  the ocean, and the mechanism of the planetary
they cannot count beyond a hundred, and that  system; and expanded our views of the grandeur
there are others whose notation is limited to  of the universe and the perfections of its Altwenty, or the number of fingers and toes on their  mighty Contriver.
hands and feet. While such ignorance of num-    Some of the truths of this science may appear,
bars exists, it is quite evident, that such persons  to a superficial thinker, as extremely trivial, and
are entirely unqualified for surveying, wiih an  almost unworthy of regard.  The properties of
eye of intelligence, the grand and diversified ope-  a triangle, such as, " that the square of the hyrations of the Creator, and for appreciating their  potenuse of a right-angled triangle, is equal to
number and magnificence. Even the most cul-  the squares of the other two sides"-" that the
tivated minds, fiom an imperfect knowledge of three angles of a triangle are equal to two right
this subject, find it difficult to form distinct con-  angles"-and, " that the sides of a plane trianceptions of the plans of the Creator, and of the  gle are to one another as the sines of the angles
various relations which subsist in the universe.' opposite to them"-may appear to some minds
After familiarizing our minds to the classification  as more curious than useful, and scarcely deservand arrangement of numbers, we can form a to-  ing the least attention. Yet these truths, when
lerable notion of a thousand, or even of a hun-  applied to the relations of the universe, and
dred thousand; but it is questionable, whether  traced to all their legitimate consequences, have
we have any distinct and well-defined idea of a  led to the most important and sublime results.
million, or ten hundred thousand. And if our  On the ground ofsuch truths we have ascertained,
conceptions of such a number be imperfect, how  that the moon is 240,000 miles distant from the
exceedingly vague must be our ideas of a thou-  earth, that the sun is thirteen hundred thousand
sand mnillions, of billions, trillions, and quartil-  times larger than our globe, that the planet Herlions, when used to express the number or dis-  schel is removed to the distance of eighteen hun.
tances of the heavenly bodies?-It is evident,  dred millions of miles, and that the nearest star
then, that beings of a superior order, or in a  is at least two hundred thousand times farther
higher state of existence, must have a more pro-  from us than the sun. When the length of-any
found and comprehensive knowledge of numbers  one side of a triangle is known, however large
than man: in consequence of which they are  that triangle may be, and the quantity of its anenabled to survey the universe with more intelli-  gles determined, the length of the other sides can
gernce, and to form more distinct and ample con-  easily be found: we know the extent of the
ceptions of the designs and operations of infinite  earth's diameter; we can ascertain under what
wisdom and omnipotence.                       angle that diameter appears at the moon, and
from these data we can, by an easy calculation,
MATHEMATICS.                    determine the length of any of the other two
sides of this triangle, which gives the distance of
JMathematics, including geometry, trigonome-  the moon.
try, conic sections, and other branches, is another    We have every reason to conclude, that an.
department of science which will be recognised  gels and other superior intelligences proceed on
by superior beings in a future state. It is the  the same general principles in estimating the
science of Quantity, and treats of magnitude, or  distances and magnitudes of the great bodies of
local extension, as lines, surfaces, solids, &c.  the universe. They may not, indeed, require to
The demonstrated truths of this science are  resort to the same tedious calculations, nor to
eternal and unchangeable, and are applicable to  the same instruments and geometrical schemes
the circumstances of all worlds, wherever they  which we are obliged to use. Without, such
may exist, and in every period of duration, so  aids, they may arrive at the proper results with
long as the material fabric of the universe re-  unerring precision, and their computations may
mains. Guided by the truths which this science  be performed almost in the twinkling of an eye;
unfolds and demonstrates we have been enabled  and while we are obliged to confine our calcula
to determine the figure and dimensions of the  tions to lines and triangles of only a few thouearth, to direct our course from one continent to  sands or millions of miles in extent, they may be
another across the pathless deep, to ascertain the  enabled to form triangles of inconceivable extent,
distance and magnitude of the sun and planets,  on base lines of several thousands of trillions of
and the laws which the Almighty has ordained  miles in length. We are informed, in the bat
for preserving their order and directing them in  of Daniel, that " the angel.abriel, being corn.




ASTRONOMY.                                         71
manded to fly swiftly from the celestial regions,  ty and order of his works, cannot be fully underreached the prophet about the time of the even-  stood without such investigations,-it is evident
ing sacrifice."  This fact implies, not only that  that he must have intended, that men should be
angelic beings are endued with powers of rapid  occasionally exercised in such studies; in order
motion, but that they are intimately acquainted  to perceive the depths of his wisdom, and the adwith the directions, distances, and positions of  mirable simplicity and harmony of his diversified
the bodies which compose the material universe. operations. And as the applications of this sciThis heavenly messenger, having been previous-  ence are extremely limited in the present world,
ly stationed far beyond the limits of our planeta-  its more extensive applications, like those of
ry system, had to shape his course in that direc-  many other branches of knowledge, must be contion, to discriminate the orbit of the earth from   sidered as reserved for the life to come.-To
the orbits of the other planets, and the particular  suppose, therefore, that such studies will be abanpart of its orbit in which it was then moving;  doned, and such knowledge obliterated in a fuand having arrived at the confines of our atmos-  ture state, would be to suppose, that the works
phere, he required to discriminate the particular  of God will not be contemplated in that state,
region in which Daniel resided, and to direct his  and that redeemed men in the heavenly worlc
flight to the house in which he was offering up  will lose a part of their rational faculties, and rehis devotions. Now, since angels are neither  main inferior in their acquirements to the inhabiomniscient nor omnipresent, as they are limited  tants of the earth, even in their present imperbeings, possessed of rational faculties, and as it  fect and degraded condition.;s probable are invested with bodies, or fine material vehicles,* —they must be guided in such                 ASTRONOMY.
excursions by their reasoning powers, and the
faculty of rapid motion with which they are en-    Astronomy is another science which will oc
dued. Stich excursions imply the recognition of  cupy the attention of pure intelligences in the
certain mathematical principles, and I have al-  future world.  Tile object of this science is, to
ready had occasion to notice, that these princi-  determine the distances and magnitudes of the
ples are applicable throughout every part of the  heavenly bodies, the form of the orbits they deuniverse, and must be recognised, more or less,  scribe, the laws by which their motions are
by all intelligent beings.                     directed, and the nature and destination of the
The Creator himself has laid the foundation  various luminous and opaque globes of which
of the mathematical sciences. His works con-  the universe appears to be composed. It is the
sist of globes and spheroids of all different dimen-  most noble and sublime of all the sciences, and
sions, and of immense concentric rings revolving  presents to our view the most astonishing and
with a rapid motion.  These globes are carried  magnificent objects,-whether we consider their
round different centres, sonime of them in circles,  immense magnitude, the splendour of their ap.
some in ellipses, and others in long eccentric  pearance, the vast spaces which surround them,
curves.  Being impelled in their courses by dif-  the magnificent apparatus with which some of
ferent degrees of velocity, their real notions can-  them are encompassed, the rapidity of their monot be traced, nor the beautiful simplicity and  tions, or the display they afford ofthe omnipotent
narmony of the different systems made apparent,  energy and intelligence of the Creator.  In conwithout theapplication of mathematical investi-  sequence of the cultivation of this science, out
gations. To an observer untutored in this sci-  views of the extent of creation, and of the subence, many of the celestial motions would ap-  lime scenery it unfolds, are expanded far beyond
pear to display inextricable confusion, and lead  what former ages could have conceived.  From
him to conclude, that the Framer of the universe  the discoveries of astronomy it appears, that our
was deficient in wisdom and intelligent design.-  earth is but as a point in the immensity of the
The principles of mathematics are also exhibited  universe-that there are worlds a thousand times
in the numerous and  diversified figures into  larger, enlightened by the same sun which
which diamonds, crystals, salts, and other bodies,  " rules our day"-that the sun himself is an
are formed; in the hexagonal cells of bees, wasps  immense luminous world, whose circumference
and hornets, in the polygons and parallel lines  would inclose more than twelve hundred thouwhich enter into the construction of a spider's  sand globes as large as ours-that the earth and
web, and in many other objects in nature.-Now,  its inhabitants are carried forward through the
since God has exhibited the elements of this sci-  regions of space, at the rate of a thousand miles
ence before us in his works; since he has endued  every minute-that motions exist in the great
us with rational faculties to appreciate and ap-  bodies of the universe, the force and rapidity of
ply these elements to useful;nvestigations; and  which astonish and overpower the imaginationsince his wisdom and intelligence, and the beau-  and that beyond the sphere of the sun and planets,
creation is replenished with millions of luminous'The Author will afterwards have an opportunity  globes, scattered over immense regions to which
of 11iluxtating this position, in Part II. of this work.  the human mind can assign no boundaries.




72                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
Theee objects present an immense field for the  spring. over which he will continue eternally te
contemplation of every class of moral intelli-  preside. Hence the numerous allusionsto "the
gences, and a bright' mirror in which they will heavens," by the inspired writers, when tMe
behold the reflection of the divine attributes.  majesty of God and the glory of his dominions
Of this vast universe, how small a portion has  are intended to be illustrated. " All the gods of
yet been unveiled to our view! With respect  the nations are idols; but Jehovah made the hea
to the bodies which compose our planetary sys-  vens."  " The Lord hath prepared his throne in
tem, we know only a few general facts and rela-  the heavens, and his kingdom ruleth over all."
tions. In regard to the fixed stars, we have  " By his Spirit he hath garnished the heavens."
acquired little more than a few rude conceptions  " The heavens declare the glory of Jehovah."
of their immense distance and magnitudes. In  " When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy
relation to the comets9 we only know that they  fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast
move in long eccentric orbits, that they are im-  ordained-what is man, that thou art mindful
pelled in their courses with immense velocity,  of him? or the son of tnan, that thou visitest
and appear and disappear in uncertain periods  him?"  " The heavens, even the heaven of
of time. Of the numerous systems into which  heavens, cannot contain thee."  " By the word
the stars are arranged, of the motions peculiar  of Jehovah were the heavens made, and all the
to each system, of the relations which these mo-  host of them by the spirit of his mouth."  "The
tions have to the whole universe as one vast  heavens shall declare his righteousness.' " Our
machine, of the nature and arrangement of the  God is in the heavens, he hath done whatsonumerous nebulae which are scattered through-  ever he hath pleased."  " The heavens shall deout the distant regions of space; of the worlds  clare thy wonders, 0 Lord!"  "I lift up mine
which are connected with the starry orbs; of  eyes to thee, O thou that dwellest in the heavens."
the various orders of beings which people them    " Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the
of the changes and revolutions which are taking  heavens and stretched them out."  " The hea.
place in different parts of the universe, of the  vens for height are unsearchable."  " As the
new creations which are starting into existence,  heaven is high above the earth, so great is his
of the number of opaque globes which may exist  mercy toward them  that fear him."  He is
in every region of space, of the distance to which' the God of heaven,-he rideth on the heaven
the material world extends, and of the various  of heavens which he founded of old; heaven is
dispensations of the Almighty towards the di-  his throne, and the earth his footstool."-When
versified orders of intelligences which people his  the folly of idolaters is exposed, when the coming
vast empire-we remain in almost profound ig-  of Messiah is announced, and when motives are
noranee, and must continue in this ignorance, so  presented to invigorate the faith and hope of the
long as we are chained down to this obscure  saints, Jehovah is represented as that omnipo.
corner of creation.-There will, therefore, be  tent Being who " meteth out the heavens with a
ample scope in the future world for further re-  span, who spreadeth them out as a curtain, and
searches into this subject, and for enlarging our  bringeth forth their hosts by the greatness of his
knowledge of those glorious scenes which are at  might."  " Thus saith God the Lord, he that
present so far removed beyond the limits of  created the heavens and stretched them out-1
natural vision, and.the sphere of human investi-  will give thee for a covenant of the people, for a
gation.                                      light of the Gentiles."*  "Thus saith the Lore
The heavens constitute the principalpart of the  that created the heavens-I said not to the seed
divine empire-compared with which our earth is  of Jacob, seek ye me in vain," &c.t  These,
but as an atom, and " all nations are as nothing,  and hundreds of similar passages, evidently imand are accounted to Jehovah as less than no-  ply, that we ought to contemplate the attributes
thing and vanity."  Vast as this world may  of God chiefly in relation to the display which is
appear to the frail beings that inhabit it, it pro-  given of them in the firmament of his powerbably ranks among the smallest globes in the  that the heavens are by far the most extensive
universe; but although it were twenty thousand  portion of his dominions-and that the power
times more spacious than it is, it would be only  and intelligence displayed in the formation and
as a grain of sand when compared with the  arrangement of the hosts of heaven, lay a sure
immensity of creation, and all the events that  foundation for the hope and joy, and the fiture
have passed over its inhabitants as only a few of  prospects of the people of God.
those ephemeral transactions which crowd the    In order to form just conceptions cf the neauty
annals of eternity. It is throughout the bound-  and grandeur of the heavens, and of the intelliless regions of the firmament that God is chiefly  gence of Him who arranged their numerous hosts
seen, and his glory contemplated by unnumbered  some of the fundamental facts and principles o!
intelligences. It is there that the moral gran-  astronomny require to be understood and recogdeur of his alspensations, and the magnificence  nised. The order of the bodies which compmse
of his works are displayed in all their variety
and lustre to countless orders of his rational off-  s Isa. xliv 5 6     Ism  v. s, 189.




ASTRONOMY.                                         73
the solar system, or other systems which exist in  striking scenes which the universe displays.
the universe-the ferm of their orbits, their pro.  And, since they have occasionally ming.ed in
portional distances and periods of revolution-  the society of men, and communicated intellihtheir magnitudes, rotations, velocities, and the  gence from heaven to earth, it is reasonable to
various phenomena which are observed on their  believe, that they will have more frequent intersurfaces-the arrangement and positions of the  course with redeemed men in a future state, and
different clusters of stars-of the stellar and plan.  communicate the discoveries they have made
etary nebulme, of double, triple, and variable stars, respecting the economy and grandeur of God's
and many other general facts, require to be known  universal empire. But, at the same time, it
before the mind can receive farther information  ought carefully to be observed, that such comnrespecting the structure of the universe.  It  munications would neither be fully understood
may be also necessary, even in a higher state  nor appreciated, unless the mind had a previous
of existence, to be acquainted with those contri-  acquaintance with the leading facts, and the
vances or artificial helps by which very distant  grand outlines of astronomical science. To enobjects may be brought near to view. We know  ter into the spirit of those sublime details which
by experience, in our present state, that by  angels or archangels might communicate respect.
means of telecsopes, millions of stars, which  ing other systems and worlds, the mind must be
the unat:sisted eve cannot discern, are brought prepared by a knowledge of those principles
within  the sphere of our observation, and  which have already been ascertained, and of
numerous other splendid objects, which, with-  those discoveries which have already been made
out the aid of these instruments, would have  in relation to the system of the universe.  Supbeen altogether concealed from our view. The  pose a group of the native tribes of New Holorgans of vision, indeed, of the redeemed in-  land or Van Diemen's Land, were assembled
habitants of our globe, after the resurrection,  for the purpose of listening to a detail of the
there is every reason to believe, will be capable  principal discoveries which modern astronomer
of taking in a much more extensive range of have made in the heavens-it would be impossiview than at present. They may be endowed  ble to convey to their minds a clear conception
with qualities which will enable them to pene-  even of the prominent and leading facts of this
trate into the depths of space far beyond the.science, from  the want of those general ideas
reach of our most powerful telescopes, and to  which are previously necessary in order to the
perceive with distinctness, objects at the dis-  right understanding of such communications.
tance of many billions of miles.  Still, however,  Such would be the case of men in a fiuture state,
they may require artificial aids to their natural  in regard to the communications of angelic mesorgans, in order to enable them  to contemplate  sengers from distant worlds, were their minds not
objects at still greater distances. And although  imbued with a certain portion of astronomical
suc" helps, to natural vision, analogous to our  knowledge.  They might stare, and wonder at
telescopes, may be conceived as incomparably  some of the facts detailed; but their ideas would
superior to ours, yet the same general principles  be vague and confused, and they would be unable
must be recognised in their construction. For,  to form clear and comprehensive conceptions of
as has been already noticed, the light which  the various circumstances connected with the
emanates from the most distant stars consists of  scenes described, in all their bearings, aspects,
the same colours, and is refracted and reflected  and relations, and of the indications they afford
by the same laws, as the light which is emitted  of exquisite skill and intelligent design.
from the sun, and which illuminates our terres-    As the objects which astronomy explores are
trial abode; and, consequently, must operate on  unlimited in their range, they will afford an inexthe organs of sentient beings, in those remote  haustible subject of study and contemplation to
regions, in a manner similar to its effects on the  superior beings, and to mankind when placed in
eyes of man.                                  a higher sphere of existence. Astronomical sciIt is highly probable, that, in the ftiture world,  ence, as having for its object to investigate and
a considerable portion of our knowledge respect-  explore the facts and relations peculiar to all the
ing the distant provinces of the divine empire,  great bodies in the universe, can never be exwill be communicated by superior beings who  hausted; unless we suppose that finite minds
have visited the different systems dispersed  will be able, at some future period in duration,
through the universe, and have acquired infor-  to survey and to comprehend all the plans and
tion respecting their history, and their physical  operations of the infinite Creator. But this is
and moral scenery.  We learn from Scripture,  evidently impossible; for " who can by searching
that there are intelligences who can wing their  find out God?  Who can find out the Almighty
way, in a short period of time, from one world to  to perfection?" After millions of centuries have
another.  Such beings, in the course of a thou-  run their rounds, new scenes of grandeur will be
sand centuries, must have made many extensive  still bursting on the astonished mind, new regions
toulrs through the regions of creation, and ac-  of creation, and new displays of divine power
quired a comprehensive knowledge of the most  and wisdom  will still remain to be explored;




74                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
arld, consequently, the science of astronomy will phers, we have been made acquainted with a
never arrive at absolute perfection, but will he  variety of striking facts and agencies in the sysin a progressive course of improvement through  tern of the universe, which display the amazing
all the revol Itions of eternity.  In the prosecu-  energies of the Creator, and which tend to extion of such investigations, and in the contem-  cite our admiration of the depths of his wisdom
plation of such objects as this science presents,  and intelligence. We learn that the light emitthe grand aim of celestial intelligences will be,  ted from the sun and other luminous bodies
to increase in the knowledge and the love of God; moves with a velocity equal to 200,000 miles in
and, in proportion as their views of the glories of  a second of time-that every ray of white light
his empire are enlarged, in a similar proportion  is composed of all the colours in nature, blendwill their conceptions of his boundless attributes  ed in certain proportions-that the immense
be expanded, and their praises and adorations  variety of shades of colours which adorns the
ascend in sublimer strains to Him who sits upon  different landscapes of the earth, is not in the
the throne of the universe, who alone is "worthy  objects themselves, but in the light that falls
to receive glory, honour, and power," from every  upon them-and that thousands of millions of
order of his creatures.                       rays are incessantly flying off from all visible
Since then, it appears, that astronomy is con-  objects, crossing and recrossing each other in an
versant about objects the most wonderful and  infinity of directions, and yet conveying to every
sublime-since these objects tend to amplify our  eye that is open to receive them, a distinct picconceptions of the divine attributes-since a  ture of the objects whence they proceed. We
clear and distinct knowledge of these objects  learn that the atmosphere which surrounds us
cannot be attained without the acquisition of a  presses our bodies with a weight equal to thirty
certain portion of astronomical science-since  thousand pounds, that it contains the principles
the heavens constitute the principal part of God's  of fire and flame-that, in one combination, it
universal empire-since our present views of the  would raise our animal spirits to the highest
magnificence of this empire are so obscure and  pitch of ecstacy, and in another, cause our imcircumscribed-since even the information that  mediate destruction-that is capable of being
may be communicated on this subject, by other in-  compressed into 40,000 times less space than it
telligences, could not be fully understood without  naturally occupies-and that the production of
some acqnaintance with the principles of this  sound, the lives of animals, and the growth of
science-and since the boundless scenes it un-  vegetables, depend upon its various and unceasfolds present an inexhaustible subject ofcontem-  ing agencies. We learn that a certain fluid
plation, alid afford motives to stimulate all holy  pervades all nature, which is capable of giving a
beings to incessant adoration-it would be ah-  shock to the animal frame, which shock may be
surd to suppose that renovated men, in a supe-  communicated in an instant to a thousand indirior state of existence, will remain in ignorance  viduals-that this fluid moves with inconceivaof this subject, or that the study of it will ever  ble rapidity-that it can be drawn from  the
be discontinued while eternity endures.       clouds in the form of a stream of fire-that it
melts iron wire, increases the evaporation of
NATURAL PHILOSOPHY.                 fluids, destroys the polarity ofthe magnetic needle
and occasionally displays its energies among the
Natural Philosophy is another subject which  clouds in the form of fire-balls, lambent flames.
will doubtless engage the attention of regenera-  and forked lightnings.  We learn that the bodies
ted men in a future state.                    of birds, fishes, quadrupeds, and insects, in relaThe objects of this science is to describe the  tion to their eyes, feet, wings, fins, and other
phenomena of the material world, to explain  members, are formed with admirable skill, so as
their causes, to investigate the laws by which  to be exactly adapted to their various necessities
the Almighty directs the operations of nature,  and modes of existence, and that they consist of
and to trace the exquisite skill and benevolent  an infinite number of contrivances and adapta.
design which are displayed in the economy of  tions in order to accomplish the purpose intendthe universe.  It embraces investigations into  ed-and that the beaver, the bee, the ant, and
the several powers and properties, qualities and  other insects, construct their habitations, and
attributes, motions and appearances, causes and  perform their operations with all the skill and
effects, of all the bodies with which we are sur-  precision of the nicest mathematical science.
rounded, and which are obvious to our senses,-   The bee, in particular, works, as if it knew the
such as light, heat, colours, air, water, sounds,  highest branches of mathematics, which required
echoes; the electrical and  magnetical fluids;  the genius of Newton todiscover.-In short, the
hail, rain, snow, dew, thunder, lightning, the  whole of nature presents a scene of wonders
rainbow, parhelia, winds, luminous and fiery  which, when seriously contemplated, is calcumeteors, the Aurora Borealis, and similar oh-  lated to expand the intellectual powers, to refine
jects in the system of nature.                the affections, and to excite admiration of the
Froln the discoveries of experimental philoso-  attributes of God, and the plan of his providenco




NATURAL PHILOSOPHY.                                       wNatural Philosophy may, therefore, be consi-  the eye, the ear, or the imagination, and illus
dered as a branch both of the religion of nature,  trate the manifold wisdom of God; and of course
and of the religion of revelation. It removes,  will present a boundless field for the most sub'
in part, the veil which is spread over the mnys-  lime investigations of science.  This world, in
terious operations of nature, and discloses to  many of its arrangements, will doubtless present
our view the wonders which lie concealed from   a variety of objects and scenes altogether diflbthe sottisn multitude, " who regard not the works  rent from those we now behold, even although the
of the Lord, nor consider the operations of his  same physical laws which govern our terrestrial
hands." It enables us to perceive the footsteps of  system should still continue in operation.  The
the Almighty both in his majestic movements  inflection, refraction and reflection of light will
and in his most minute designs; for there is not  be directed by the same general laws, and will
a step we can take in the temple of nature, under  produce effects analogous to those we now perthe guidance of an enlightened philosophy, in  ceive in the scene around us; but the mediums
which we do not behold traces of inscrutable  through which it passes, and the various objects
wisdom and design, and of a benevolence which  by which it is refracted and reflected, and many
extends its kind regards to every rank of sensi-  other modifications to which it may be subjected,
tive and intelligent existence.  It shows us the  may produce a variety of astonishing effects,
beauty and goodness of the divine administra-  surpassing every thing we now behold, and oxtion; and demonstrates, that the communication  hibit scenes of beauty and magnificence of whicn
of happiness is the final cause of all the admi-  we can, at present, form no distinct conception.
rable arrangements which pervade the material  The science of optics, in unfolding to us the nasystem.  It teaches us, that the several opera-  tureoflight, and the various properties ofprisms,
tions of nature are carried on, by means uncon-  mirrors, and lenses, has enabled us to exhibit a
trollable by human power, and far transcending  variety of beautiful and surprising effects, and
finite skill to plan or to execute.  It discovers  to perceive traces of infinite intelligence in relathose laws by which the sovereign of the universe  tion to this element, beyond what former ages
governs his vast dominions, and maintains them   could have believed. And, therefore, we have
in undecaying beauty and splendour, throughout  reason to conclude, that, in the hand of Omniall ages. It thus enables us to consecrate the  potence, when arranging other worlds, the eleuniverse into one grand temple, and, from the  ment of light is capable of being modified in a
contemplation of every object it presents, to ele-  thousand forms of which we are now ignorant,
vate our minds, and to raise our voices in grate-  so as to produce the most glorious and transportful praises to Him  " who created all things, and  ing effects. There will probably be no such
for whose pleasure they are and were created."  phenomena as thunder, lightning, and fiery meIn the future world there will be abundant scope  teors in the world to which I allude, but the
for the prosecution of this subject to an indefi-  electrical fluid, which is the principal agent in
nite extent. With respect to the state of sepa-  producing these appearances, and which pervades
rate spirits, after their departure fromthis world,  every part of nature, may operate in that world
the employments in which they engage, and the  in a different manner, and, instead of producing
connection in which they stand to the material  effects that are terrific and appalling, may be an
system, we can form no distinct conception, and  agent for creating scenes which will inspire the
must remain in ignorance till the period arrive  soul with admiration and delight. Some of the
when.we shall be actually ushered into that mys-  mechanical, pneumatical, and hydrostatical printerious scene of existence. But, we are assured,  ciples which enter into the construction of mills,
that, after the resurrection, a material world will  wheel-carriages, forcing pumps, and stearn-enbe prepared for the habitation of the just, in  gines, may not be applied to the same purposes
which their connection with the visible universe  in the future world; but they may be applicable
will doubtless, be far more extensive than it is  to a variety of other unknown purposes corresat present; and wherever a material system ex-  ponding to the nature of that world, and the chaists, it affords scope for physical investigations,  racter and employments of its inhabitants.
and for the application of the principles of Na-    In such cases as those now alluded to, and ir
tural Philosophy.  This new world will be pre-  thousands of others, there will be ample scope
pared and arranged by divine wisdom; and  for the application of all the principles of natural
consequently, will exhibit scenes of beauty and  science; and thousands of facts and principles, to
grandeur, of exquisite contrivance and benevo-  us unknown, will doubtless be brought to light by
lent design.  For, if the world we now inhabit,  the superior sagacity of the heavenly inhabitarts.
amidst all the deformities and physical derange-  To maintain the contrary, would be, in effect,
ments which sin has introduced, displays so  to suppose, that the inhabitants of heaven are enmany beautiful arrangements and marks of in-  dowed with powers of intellect inferior to th6se
telligence and skill, much more may we conclude,  of the inhabitants of the earth.-that their knowthat the world in which "righteousness shall  ledge is less extensive than ours.-that they numle
dwell," will abound in every thing that can charm   no progress ih moral and intellectual attair rllents.




7t6                THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
-and that they have no desire to explore " the  thousands of veins and arteries distributed
works of the Lord, and to consider the operations  throughout every part of this wonderful system
of his hands."                                — that the whole mass of blood rushes with intWhat has been now stated in relation to Natu-  mense velocity,through these vessels, and through
ral Philosophy, will equally apply to the science  the heart, fourteen times every hour-that respi~
of Chymistry. This science has for its object to  ration is nothing else than a species of combusascertain the first principles of all bodies, their  tion, in which the oxygen of the atmosphere is
various properties and combinations; their mode  absorbed by the blood, and diffuses heat and viof operation, and the effects they produce in the  gour throughout the system-that the lungs are
economy of'nature. Its discoveries have not only  composed of an infinite number of membranous
unfolded many of the admirable processes which  cells or vesicles variously figured, and full of air,
are going forward in the animal, vegetable, and  communicating on all sides with one another, and
mineral kingdoms, but have opened to our view  that their number amounts to at least 1,700,000,many striking displays of the wisdom and good-  000-that there are above three hundred thouness of God, in producing, by the most simple  sand millions of pores in the glands of the skin
means, the most astonishing and benevolent ef-  which covers the body of a middle-sized man
fects. The principles of this science must, there-  through which the sweat and insensible perspifore, be applicable, wherever matter eissts, under  ration are continually issuing-that thousands of
whatever shape or modification it may present  lacteal and lymphatic tubes are absorbing and
itself; and as all the worlds throughout the uni:  conveying nutriment to the blood-that the heart,
verse are composed of matter compounded into  in the centre of the system, is exerting an imvarious forms, they must afford an ample range  mense muscular force, and giving ninety-six
for the investigations and researches of chymical  thousand strokes every twenty-four hours;-and
science.                                      that all this complicated system  of mechanism,'&N&TOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY,              and hundreds of other functions of which we are
ignorant, must be in constant action, in order to
Anatomy and Physiology are subjects whlcn we  preserve us in existence, and secure our enjoymay reasonably conclude, will occasionally occupy  ment.
the attention of the inhabitants of heaven.  The    This subject frequently engaged the attention
object of these sciences is, to investigate the ge-  of the pious Psalmist. With an eye of intellineral structure and economy of the animal frame,  gence and devotion, he surveyed the curious orand especially the parts and functions of the hu-  ganization of the human frame, from the rude
man body. The systemoforganization connected  embryo in the womb to the full developenlent ot
with the human frame is the most admirable  all its functions;-and, struck with the wisdom
piece of mechanism which the mind can contem-  and goodness displayed in its formation, he raised
plate-whether we consider the immense num.  his thoughts to God in grateful adoration.  "I
ber and variety of its parts —the numerous fiunc.  will praise thee," he exclaims, " for I am feartions they perform-the rapid movements which  fully and wonderfully made; marvellous are thy
are incessantly going forward throughout every  works! How precious are thy wonderful contripart of this system-the amazing force exerted  vances in relation to me, O God!  How great
by the heart and muscles-the processes of diges-  is the sum of them! If I should count them, they
tion and respiration-the system of veins and  are more in numbei than the sand."  This body,
arteries-the articulation of the bones-the struc.  however, wonderful as its structure is, is liable
ture and course of the lymphatics-the ramifica-  to decay, and must soon be dissolved in the grave.
tions of the nerves-the circulation of the blood  But we are assured that a period is approaching,
-the wonderful changes, dissolutions and com-  when, " all that are in their graves shall hear the
binations continually going on —the chymical ap.  voice of the Son of God, and shall come forth;"
-paratus adapted for effecting these purposes-   when this mortal frame " shall put on immortal.
the organs of sense by which an intercourse is  ity," and when that which was sown in corrupmaintained with the external world-or, the har-  tion "shall be raised in glory."  If the human
*monious correspondence of all its parts antd  body, even in its present state of degradation, exfunctions with the agencies of the surrounding  cited the pious admiration of the Psalmist, mnuch
elements.  From the researches of physiologists  more will it appear worthy of our highest admiwe learn, that there are in the human body, two  ration, when it emerges from darkness and corhundred and forty-five bones variously articu-  ruption to participate in the glories of an imlated, each of them having above forty distinct  mortal life. Its faculties will then be invigorated,
scopes or intentions; and four hundred and forty-  its tendency to dissolution destroyed, every primn
six muscles of various figures and magnitudes,  ciple of disease anntihilated, and every thing that
connected with the bones, for producing the nu-  is loathsome and deformed for ever prevented.
inerous movements of the animal frame-that  Being "fashioned like unto Christ's glorious
more than a hundred of these muscles are em-  body," its beauty will be exquisite, its symmetry
ployed every time we breathe-that there are  perfect, its aspect bright and refulgent, and its




1ISTOTRY.                                        77
motions vigorousand nimble. Itssensitiveorgans  of the world. At present wae can contemplate
will be refined and improved, and the sphere of only a few scattered fragments of the history of
their operation extended. Its auditory organs  mankind. Of the history of some nations we
will be tuned to receive the most delightful sen.  are altogether ignorant; and of the history of
sations from  the harmonies of celestial music,  others we have only a few unconnected details,
and its visual powers rendered capable of per-  blended with fabulous narrations and extrava.
ceivina the minutest objects, and penetrating into  gant fictions.  Of no nation whatever have we
tile most distant regions.  New senses and facul-  an entire history composed of authentic mateties of perception, and new powers of motion,  rials; and consequently, we perceive only some
fitted to transport it with rapidity from one por-  broken and detached links in the chain of the
tion of space to another, will, in all probability,  divine dispensations, and are unable to survey
be superadded to the powers with which it is  the whole of God's procedure towards our race,
now invested.  And, surely, the contrivances and  in one unbroken series, from the creation to the
adaptations which must enter into the structure  present time. We know nothing decisively reof such an organical frame, cannot be less curi-  specting the period during which man remained
ous and exquisite, nor display less wisdom and  in a state of innocence, nor of the particular
intelligence than those which we now perceive  transactions and events that happened previdus
in our mortal bodies. On the contrary, we must  to his fall. And how little do we know of the
necessarily suppose thousands of the most deli-  state of mankind, of the events which befell
cate contrivances and compensations, different -'them, and of the civil and religious arrangements
from every thing we can now conceive, to be es-  which existed, during the period of sixteen
sentially requisite in the construction of an or-  hundred years which intervened between the
ganized body intended for perpetual activity, and  creation and the deluge, though the worid was
destined to an IMMORTAL duration.-To inves-  then more fertile and populous than it has ever
tigate and to contemplate the contrivances of since been?  How little do we know of the
divine wisdom, by which the elements of disease  state of mankind immediately previous to the
and death are for ever prevented from  entering  flood, of the scenes of consternation and terror
into this renovated frame, and by which it will  which must have been displayed over all the
be preserved in undecaying, youth and vigour  earth, when the fountains of the great deep were
throughout the lapse of innumerable ages, we  broken up, and the cataracts of heaven opened,
must necessarily conclude, will form  a part of and of the dreadful concussion of the elements of
the studies of renovated man in the future world;  nature, when the solid strata of the earth were
-nor can we help thinking, that the knowledge  rent asunder, when the foundations of the mounof the wonders of the human frame we now  tains were overturned, and the whole surface of
acquire, may be a preparatory qualification, for  the globe transformed into one boundless ocean?
enabling us to form an enlightened and com-  How  little do we know of the circumstences
prehensive conception of the powers, qualities,  which attended the gradual rise of idolatry, and
and peculiar organization, of the bodies of the  of the origin of the great empires into which the
saints after the period of the resurrection.   world has been divided?  How little do we know
even ot the history ofthe Jewish nation, posterior
HISTORY.                    to the period of the Babylonish captivity?
Whither were the ten tribes of Israel scattered
Another branch of study in which the saints  among the nations, what events have befallen
in heaven will engage, is History.  History  them, and in what countries are they now to be.ontains a record of past facts and events; and  found?  Of the history of all the nations in the
makes us acquainted with transactions which  world (the Jews only excepted) from the time of
happened hundreds or thousands of years before  the deluge to the days of Hezekiah, a period of
we were brought into existence.  When viewed  nearly two thousand years, we remain in proin its proper light, it may be considered as no.  found ignorance. And yet, during that long
thing else than a detail of the operations of  period, God had not forsaken the earth; his disDivine Providence in relation to the moral in-  pensations towards his rational offspring were
telliaences of this world. It illustrates the cha-  still going forward, empires were rising and deracter of the human race, and the deep and  clining, one generation passing away, and another
universal depravity in which they are involved;  generation coming, and thousands of millions of
and displays the rectitude of the character of  mankind ushered into the eternal world.-Those
God, and the equity of his moral administra-  chasms in the history of mankind, which hide
tion.                                         from our view the greater portion of God's moral
History, therefore, will form a prominent ob-  dispensatioris, will, doubtless, be filled up in the
ject of study among the celestial inhabitants, as  eternal state, so that we shall be enabled to take
furnishing those materials which will illustrate  a full and comprehensive view of the whole of the
the ways of Providence and display the wisdom   divine procedure, in all its connections and
"lid righteousness of Jehovah in his government  bearings towards every nation upon earth




78                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
But the history of man is not the only topic in  mate connexion with each other; so that an acthis department of knowledge, that will occupy  quaintance with one department of knowledge is
the attention of the inhabitants of heaven. The  essentially requisite to a clear and comprehenhistory of angels-of their faculties, intercourses,  sive view  of another.  Astronomy supposes a
and employments-of their modes of communi-  knowledge of arithmetic, geometry, trigonomecation with each other-of their different embas-  try, conic sections, and other parts of mathemasies to distant worlds-of the transactions which  tics; experimental philosophy supposes a previous
have taken place in their society-and of the  acquaintance with natural history and physiology,
revolutions through which they may have passed  and is intimately connected with chymistry, mi-the history of apostate angels-the cause of neralogy and botany; and anatomy and physiology
their fall and the circumstances with which it  suppose a knowledge of the leading principles
was attended-the plans they have been pursuing  of hydrostatics, pneumatics, and optics. The
since that period, and the means by which  principles of one science run into another, and
they have endeavoured to accomplish their in-  reflect a mutual lustre on each other, so that all
fernal devices-will doubtless form  a portion of the sciences, when properly  conducted, asd
the history of divine dispensations, which " the  viewed in their true light, have but one object in
saints in light" will be permitted to contemplate.  view, namely, to ascertain the facts existing in
Over this part of the divine economy a veil of the universe, their connexions and relations, the
darkness is spread, which, we have reason to  laws by which they are governed, and the illus.
believe, will be withdrawn, when that which isa trations they afford of the power, wisdom and
perfect is come, and, " when we shall know even  benevolence of the Creator.
as also we are known."-It is also probable, that
the leading facts in relation to the. history of other    In order to elucidate this topic a little farther,
worlds will be disclosed to their view. The his-  the following brief remark!s may be stated.-It is
tory of the different planets in the solar system,  admitted, by every believer in Revelation,* that,
and of those which are connected with other  at the close of the present arrangements respectsystems in the universe-the periods of their  ing our world, " All that are in their graves shall
creation, the character of their inhabitants, the  be raised to life;" and that, however different
changes through which they have passed, the pe-  the constitution of these new-modelled bodies
culiar dispensations of Providence towards them,  may be from their present state of organization,
and many other particulars, may be gradually  they will still be materialvehicles, furnished with
laid open to the "redeemed from among men,"  organs of sensation as the medium of perception
for enlarging their views of the divine govern-  to the immaterial spirit. In what manner the
ment.  By means of such communications they  disembodied spirit views material objects and rewill acquire a clearer and more distinct con-  lations, and applies the-knowledge of them which
ception of the moral character and attributes of  it acquired while united to an organical structure,
God, of the rectitude of his administrations, and  we can have no conception whatever, till we be
of " his manifold wisdom " in the various modes  actually ushered into the separate state; and
by which he governs the different provinces of  therefore, the observations already made, or
his vast empire.  Under the impressions which  which may yet be thrown out on this subject, are
such views will produce, they will rejoice in the  not intended to apply to the intermediate state
divine government, and join with rapture in the  of the spirits of good men. That state, whatsong of Moses, the servant of God, and the song  ever may be the modus of perception and enjoyof the Lamb, saying, " Great and marvellous  ment in it, is a state of imperfection, and, in
are thy works, Lord God Almighty! Just and  some respects, an unnatural state, if we suppose
true are thy ways, thou King of saints!"     that the spirit is not connected with any material
vehicle.-Now, if it be admitted, that the spirits
Thus I have briefly stated, in the preceding  of the just, at the general resurrection, are to be
pages, some of those branches of science which  reunited to material organical structures, it must
will be recognised by the righteous in a future  also be admitted, that those structures must have
state.  Several other departments of scientific  some material substratum on which to rest, or,
knowledge might have been specified; but my  in other words, a material world or habitation in
intention simply was, to present to the view of  which they may reside.  This last position is
the reader, a few specimens as illustrations of my  also as evident, from the declarations of Scripgeneral position, " that science must be consi-  ture, as the first. For, while we are informed
dered as having a relation to a future world."  If  that the elementary parts of our globe shall be
it be admitted that any one science will be cul-  dissolved, we are at the same time assured, that
tivated in heaven, it will follow, that the greater  " new heavens and a new earth" shall be pre.
part if not the whole, of those sciences which  pared, " wherein the righteous shall dwell;" —
bing to light the treasures of useful knowledge,  that is, a world purified from physical and mort.
will likewise be prosecuted by superior intelli-   *The followers of Baron Swedenberg onty eR.
gences. For all the useful sciences have an inti-  cepted.




LOCALITY OF HEAVEN.                                      79'
evil, and fitted to the renovated faculties of the  figure-which appears to be the general from of
redeemed, will be prepared in some part of the  all the great bodies in the universe with which
universe, for the residence of the just.      we are acquainted-there would then exist cerIn reference to the locality, and the circum-  tain properties and relations between circles cut.
stances ofour futuredestination, there appear to be  ting each other at right angles, or in any other
only four or five suppositions that can be formed.  direction; or, in other words, between an equaEither, 1. The world we now inhabit will be  tor and poles, parallels and meridians, &c. as at
sew-modelled, after the general conflagration,  present. The direction of its motion, the incliand furnished as a proper place of residence for  nation of its axis, the component parts of its
Its renovated inhabitants;-or, 2. Some of the  surface and atmosphere, and other circumstances
globes now existing in other regions of space, to  might be changed, which would produce an
which the holy inhabitants of our world will be  immense variety of phenomena, different from
transported, may be allotted as the more perma-  what now  takes place; but the same general
nent habitation of the just;-or, S. Some new   principles of geography, astronomy, arithmetic,
globe or world will be immediately created,  geometry, chymistry and mechanics, which apply
adapted to the circumstances of redeemed men,  to all the various relations of material objects
and adorned with scenery fitted to call forth into  wherever existing, would also be applicable in
exercise their renovated powers;-or, 4. The  the present case; and, consequently, such sciredeemed inhabitants of heaven may be permit-  ences would be recognised and cultivated, and
ted to transport themselves from one region or.the principles on which they are built, reasoned
world to another, and be furnished with faculties  and acted upon, though in a more perfect manand vehicles for this purpose;-or, 5. After re-  ner than at present, in this new world and new
maining for a certain lapse of ages in that parti-  order of things.  Such sciences, therefore, as
cular world to which they shall be introduced  flow from the natural and necessary relations of
immediately after the resurrection, they may be  material objects, and which tend to direct us in
transported to another region of the universe, to  our conceptions of the wisdom and power of the
contemplate a new scene of creating power and  great Architect of nature, must be known and
intelligence, and afterwards pass, at distant in-  cultivated in a future world, where rational spirits
tervals, through a successive seriesof transporta-  are united to an organical structure, and related
tions, in order to obtain more ample prospects of  to a material system; and consequently, if the
the riches and glory of God's universal kingdom.  elementary and fundamental principles of such
In all these cases, whatever supposition we  sciences be not acquired now, they will remain
may adopt as most probable, the general laws  to be acquired hereafter.
which now govern the universe, and the general    The remarks now stated, with a few modificarelations of the great bodies in the universe to  tions, will apply to any of the other suppositions
each other will remain, on the whole, unchanged;  which may be made in reference to the place and
unless we adopt the unreasonable and extrava.  circumstances of our future destination.-Even
gant supposition, that the whole frame of Jeho-  although the relations of external objects and
vah's empire will be unhinged and overturned,  their various properties, in the future world, were
for the sake of our world, which, when compared  altogether different from those which obtain in
with the whole system of nature, is but an un-  the present state of things, still, it would be
distinguishable atom  amidst the immensity of  useful and highly gratifying to the mind, to be
God's works. With equal reason might we sup-  enabled to compare the one with the other, and
pose, that the conduct of the inhabitants of a  to perceive how the divine wisdom is displayed
planet which revolves around the star Sirius, or  in every mnode and variety of existence.  No
the catastrophe which may have befallen the  possible mode of material existence, however,
planets Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta, must  can be conceived to exist, to which some of the
necessarily involve in them the destruction of  elementary principles of scientific knowledge do
the terraqueous globe.                        not apply.
Let us suppose, for a moment, that the globe    There are, indeed, several arts and sciences
we now inhabit, with its surrounding atmosphere,  which more immediately respect the present
shall be cleared from the physical evils which  world, and our relations in it, which cannot be
now exist, and undergo a new arrangement to  supposed to be subjects of investigation in a fa..
render it fit for being ihe abode of holy intelli-  tre state of happy existence. The study of
gences in a future state.  On this supposition,  languages-which forms a prominent object of
would not the general relation of things in the  attention with many of those who declaim on the
universe remain materially the same as at pre-  vanity of human-science-the study of medicine
sent?  The wide expanse of the firmament, and  as a practical art; the study of civil and muni~
all the orbs it contains, would present the same  cipal law; the study of political economy, he.
general arrangement and relation to each other  raldry and fortification, the arts of war, farrierr,
which they now do. Supposing this new-mo-  falconry, hunting and fishing; the arts of the
Jelled world to bei of a spherical or spheroidal  manufacturer, clothier, dyer, &c.-in.short, all
18




so0                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
those arts and sciences which have their bound4-  matics, philosophy and law, with universal ip.
tion in the moral depravity of our nature, will, of  plause. At the age of fourteen, he ventured to
course, pass away, as exercises which were pe-  form literary plans which required an amazing
culiar to the deranged state of our terrestrial  extent of knowledge; and he executed them in
habitation, and the degraded condition of its  such perfection, that the literary world was struck
inhabitants; and which, therefore, can have no  with astonishment.  At this early ago he pub;
place in a scene of moral perfection;  But the  lished an edition of JMartianus Capella, ad4
principles of the mathematics, and the axioms  acquitted himself of the task in a manner whic|h
on which they are built, the truths of natural  would have done honour to the greatest scholli
philosophy, astronomy, geography, mechanics,  of the age. At the age of seventeen he entemrd
and similar sciences, will be recognised, and  on the profession of an advocate, and pleaded
form the basis of reasoning and of action, so  his first cause at Delf, with the greatest-reputk.
long as we are sentient beings, and have a rela-  tion, having previously made an extraordinary
tiontothe material system oftheuniverse. Ma-  progress in the knowledge of the sciences,.-.
ny truths, indeed, which now require much study,  The Admirable Crichion, who received his eda.,
and long and intricate trains of reasoning before  cation at Perth and St. Andrews, by the time
they can be acquired, may be perceived by sim-  he had reached his twentieth year, was master Af
pie intuition, or, at least, be more easily atnd  ten languages, and had gone through the whole
rapidly apprehended than at present. If a genius  circle of the sciences as they were then undee
like that of Sir Isaac Newton, could perceive at  stood. At Paris he one day engaged in a dl.
a glance, the truth of Euclid's propositions in  putation, which lasted nine hours, in the presence
geometry, without attending to every part of the  of three thousand auditors, against four doctoredof
process requisite for ordinary minds, we may  the church and fifty masters, on every subje'o
reasonably conclude, that, in a world where the  they could propose, and having silenced all his #E0
physical and moral obstructions to intellectual  tagonists, he came offaamidst the loudest acclnm*
energy are removed, every science, and every  tions, though he had spent no time in previotu
relation subsisting among corporeal and intellec-  preparation for the contest.-Gassendi, a cOlItN
tual beings, will be more clearly, rapidly, and  brated philosopher of France, at the age otffautcomprehensively perceived and understood.     declaimed little sermons of his own composi.
Many striking instances have occasion; at the age of seven, spent whole nights it
curred, of the capacity and vigour of the human  observing the motions of the heavenly bodies, d
mind, even amidst the obscurities, ard the oh-  which he acquired a considerable knowledge
structions to mental activity which exist in the  at sixteen, he was appointed professor of rho,
present state ofthings.  The illustrious Pascal,  toric at Digne, and at the age of ninete"ll
no less celebrated for his piety than for his intel-  was elected professor of philosophy in the une.
lectual acquirements, when under the age of  versity of Aix. His vast knowledge of philosophy
twelve years, and while immersed in the study  and mathematics was ornamented by a sincere
of languages, without books, and without an in-  attachment to the Christian religion, and a life
structor, discovered and demonstrated most of  formed upon its principles and precepts. —Jers.
the propositions in the first book of Euclid, be-  miah I1orroex, a name celebrated in the annals
fore he knew  that such a book was in exist-  of astronomy, before he attained the age of
ence-to the astonishment of every mathemati-  seventeen, had acquired, solely by his own indus
gian; so that, at that early age, he was an in-  try, and the help of a few Latin authors, a most
renter of geometrical science.  He afterwards  extensive and accurate knowledge of astroolomy,
Mad  some experiments and discoveries on the  and of the branches of mathematical learning
naturb of soulnd, and on the weight of the air,  connected with it. He composed astronomical
and demonstrated the pressure of the atmos-  tables for himself, and corrected the errors of tle
phere: and, at the age of sixteen, composed a  most celebrated astronomers of his time. He
treatise on Conic Sections, which in the judg-  calculated a transit of the planet Venus across
m- osof men of the greatest abilities, was viewed  the sun's disk, and was the first of mortals who
as an astonishing effort of the human mind. At  beheld this singular phenomenon, which is now.nineteen years of age, he invented an arithme.  considered of so much importance in astronomti
tical machine by which calculations are made,  cal science. Sir Isaac Newton, the fame of
not only without the help of a pen, but even with-  whose genius has extended over the whole ciL
out a person's knovwing a single rule in arithme-  vilized world, made his great discoveries in gee.
tic; and by the age of twenty-four, he had  metry and fluxions, and laid the foundation of his
acquired a proficiency in almost every branch  two celebraled works, his " Principia" and" Opof human knowledge, when his mind became  tics," by the tinle he was twenty-four yvers ofage;
entirely absorbed in the exercises of religion. —  and yet these works contain so many abstract
The celebrated Greoius, at the age of thirteen,  profound and sublime truths, that only the first rats
only a year alter his arrival at the university of mathematicians are qualified to understand and
Leyden, maintained public theses in mathe.  appreciate them. In learning mathematics,h,




GENERAL REMARKS.                                         S1
di not study the geometry of Euclid, who seem-  al dispensations in reference not only to the human
|.Xk n!: ttco p-ain and simple, and altrworthy of:;e.!-ut'o hie i-ihabitants of numerouls w.orlC
Ating up his time. He understood him aimost
before he read him; and a cast of his eye upon    I shall conclude this part of my subject with
the contents of his theorems, was sufficient to  an observation or two, which may tend to illus.
make him master of their demonstrations. —-  trate and corroborate the preceding remarks.
Amidst all the sublime investigations of phy-    In the first place, it may be remarked, that
elc1l and mathematical science irt which he en-  our knowledge in the future world, will not be
aged, and amidst the variety of books he had  diminished, but increased to an'indefinite extent.
eostanrtly before him, the Bible was that which  This is expressly declared in the Sacred Records.
he studied with the greatest application; and  "Now we see through a glass darklyf but then
his meekness and modesty were no less admira-  face to face. Now we know  in part, but then
ble than the variety and extent of his intellectual  shall we know, even as also we are known" Il
sequirements.-J. Philip Barrtier, who died  Cor. xiii. 12. This passage intimates, not only
at Halle in 1740, in the twentieth year of his  that our knowledge in a future state shall be
age, was endowed with extraordinary powers of  enlarged, but that it shall be increased to ain
memory and comprehension of mind. At the  extent to which we can, at present, affix no limits.
age of five, he understood the Greek, Latin,  And if our intellectual views shall be immensely
German and French languages; at the age of  expanded in the realms of light, we may rest ae.
nine he could translate any part of the Hebrew   sured that all those branches of useful science
Scriptures into Latin, and could repeat the  which assist us in exploring the operations of the
whole Hebrew Psalter; and before he had comrn-  Almighty, will not only be cultivated, but carried
peted his tenth year, he drew up a Hebret lexi-  to their highest pitch of perfection.  For the,en "funcommon and difficult words, to which he  faculties we now possess will not only remain
added many curious critical remarks. In his  in action, but will be strengthened and invigora.
thirteenth year he published, in two volunmes oc-  ted; and the range of objects on which they will
tavo, a translation from the Hebrew  of Rabbi  be employed will be indefinitely extended.  To
Benjamin's"  Travels in Europe, Asia and Af-  suppose otherwise, would be to suppose man to
rica," with historical and critical notes and dis-  be deprived of his intellectual powers, and of
srtations; the whole of which he completed in  the faculty of reasoning. as soon as he entered
fiOm months. In the midst of these studies, he  the confines of the eternal world.*  When we
prosecuted philosophical and mathematical pur-  enter that world we carry with us the moral and
arits, and in his fourteenth year invented a me-  intellectual faculties, of which we are now con.
thod ofdaNcovering the longitude at sea, which ex-  scious, and, along with them, all those ideas and
hibited the strongest marks of superior abilities.  all that knowledge which we acquired in the
In one winter he read twenty great folios, with  present state.  To imagine that our present faall the attention of a vast comprehensive mind.  culties will be essentially changed, and the ideas
Such rapid progress in intellectual acquire-  we have hitherto acquired totally lost, would be
tments strikingly evinces the vigour and compre-.  netrly the samte as to suppose that, on entering
nension of the human faculties; and if such  the invisible state, men will be transformed into
varied and extensive acquisitions in knowledg   a new order of beings, or be altogether annihican be attained, even amidst the frailties an'  lated.  And, if our present knowledge shall not
physical Impediments of this mortal state, it is  be destroyed at death, it must form the ground-:.Pasy to conceive, with what energy and rapidity  work ot all the lutture improvements we may
lthe most sublime investigations may be prosecu-  make, and of all the discoveries that may be unted in the future world, when the spirit is con-  folded to our view in the eternal state.
nected with an incorruptible body, fitted to ac-    Again, the superior intellectual views which
company it in all its movements; and when every  some individuals shall possess beyond others,
moral obstruction which now impedes its activity  will constitute the principal distinction between
hall be completely removed. The flights of the  redeemed men in the heavenly state.  The prinloitest genius that ever appeared on earth, when  cipal preparation for heaven will consist in recompared with the rapid movements and com-  newed dispositions of mind-in the full exercise
prehensive views of the heavenly inhabitants,         old Welch minister whie one day pursuing
may be no more than as the flutterings of a mi-  his studies, his wife being in the room, wdas suddenly
reoscopic insect, to the sublime flights of the  interrupted by lier askling him a question,which has
roating eagle. When endowed with new  and  not always been so sattifactorily answered-" John
Evans, do you think we shall be known to each other
vigorous senses, and full scope is afforded for ex-  in heaven?" Without hesitation he replied, —" To be
erting all the energies of their renovated facrl-  sure we shall,-do you think we shall be greaterfools
enabled to trace out the hidden  there, than we are here." —If the reader keep in mind
ties, they may be enabled to trace out the hidden  that our knowledge In heaven will be Increased, and
springs ofnature's operations, to pursue the courses  not diminished, or, in other words, that we shall
of the heavenly bodies, in their most distant and  notbe "greater foolS there than we are here" he
will be at no loss to appreciate all that I have hbither
mapid career, and to survey the whole chain of mor-  to stated on this subjest.




832                  THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
of love to God, and love to atl suoordinate holy  we suppose, for a moment, that an ignorant pro.
intelligences, and in all the diversified ramifica-  fligate, who has been brought to repentance~,
tions of action into which these grand principles  and to " the knowledge of the truth," only a tew
necessarily diverge.. When arrived at that happy  hours before his entrance into the world of spt.
world the saints will feel themselves to be all rits, shall, at the moment he has arrived in tile
equal,-as they were once ", children of disobe-  world of bliss, acquire those enlarged concep.
dience even as others," as they were all redeemed  tions of divine truth, which an Owen, a Watts,
" by the precious blood of Christ," as they were  a Doddridge, or a Dwight, attained at the same
renewed by the influence of the Spirit of grace,  stage of their existence? or that a Hottentot.
-as they stand in the relation of brethren in  who had been brought to the knowledge of ChrisChrist, and " sons and daughters of the Lord  tianity only during the last month of his life,
God Almighty," as they are the companions of  shall enter into heaven wit}. the expansive views
angels, and kings and priests to the God and  of a Newton or a Boyle?  Such a supposition
Father of all. Without the exercise of holy dis-  would involve a reflection on the wisdom of the
positions, heaven could not exist, although its  divine administration, and would lead us to coninhabitants had reached the highest pitch of in.  clude, that all the labour bestowed by the illustellectulal improvement;-and all who shall ulti-  trious characters now alluded to, in order to itmately be admitted into that happy state, will  prove in the knowledge of divine subjects, was
feel that they are eternally indebted for the pri-  quite unnecessary, and even somewhat approachvileges and the felicity they enjoy, to " Him that  ing to egregious trifling.
sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb who was    Not only will the views of the saints in heaven
slain, and redeemed them to God by his blood."  be different in point of expansion and extent, but
But, notwithstanding, there will be a consider-  their love to God, and the virtues and graces
able difference, at least in the first instance, in  which flow from this principle, will be diminished
regard to the expansion of their intellectual views.  or increased, or, at least, somewhat modified by
In this point of view, it is impossible to suppose.the narrowness or expansion of their intellectual
that they. can be all equal.  Suppose a Negro  views.  If it be admitted, that the more we
slave, who had been recently converted to Chris-  know of God the more ardently shall we love
tianity, and a profound Christian philosopher, to  him,-it will follow, that, in proportion as we
enter the eternal world at the same time, is it  acquire a comprehensive and enlightened view
reasonable to believe, that there would be no dif-  of the operations of God in the works of creation,
ference in the amplitude of their intellectual  in the scheme of providence, and in the plan of
views?  They would both feel themselves deli-  redemption, in a similar proportion will our love
vered firom sin and sorrow, they would he filled  and adoration of his excellencies be ardent and
with admiration and wonder at the new scenes  expansive.  In this point of view, "the saints
which opened to their view, and would be inJ  in light" will make improvement in holiness
spired with the most lively emotions of humility  throughout all the ages of eternity, though, at
and reverence; but if each oflhem carried along  every stage of their existence, they will enjoy
with him  that portion of knowledge which he  pure and unmingled bliss. Every science they cul.
acquired in the present life, there behoved to be  tivate, and every stage to which they advance in
a considerable difference in the ccrlmprehension  intellectual improvement, will enable them to disof their views and the range of their intellectual  cover new glories in the divine character, which
faculties; unless we suppose that a change  will raise their affections to God still higher,
amounting to a miracle was effected in the mind  and render their conformity to his moral image
of the Negro, whose mental views were pro-  more complete.
viously  circumscribed  within  the narrowest    It has frequently been a subject of discussion
limits.  And, to suppose such a miracle wrought  among theologians, " Whether there shall be
in every individual case, would not only be con-  degrees of glory in heaven."  This question
trary to every thing we know of the general plan  may be easily settled, if there be any weight in
of the divine procedure, but would destroy  the remarks and considerations now stated. In,
almost every motive that should now induce us  so far as there is a difference in the vigour and
t,) make progress " in the knowledge of our Lord  expansion of the intellectual powers, and in the
and Saviour Jesus Christ," and in our views of  amplitude of objects they are enabled to embrace,
the works and dispensations of the Almighty.  in so far may there be said to be'' degrees of
In the course of ages, indeed, the Negro may  glory:" and a superiority, in this respect, may be
equal the philosopher in the extent of his intel-  consideredl as the natural reward which accomnlectual acquisitions; but, in the first instance,  panics the diligent improvement of our time and
both Scripture* and reason declare, that a dif-  faculties upon earth, though such adistinction can
ference must exist, unless the laws which govern  never be supposed to produce any disposition
the intellectual world be entirely subverted. Can  approaching to envy, as so frequently happens in
the present state. On the contrary, it may be
Steeian. xtL 3. I Cor. xv. 41, 42. Matt. xxv. 14, &c-  supposed to produce a holy emulation to imlprov.e




OBJECTION OBVIATED.                                      S8
every faculty, to cultivate every branch of celes-  only to which I refer.-Nor should it be consis
tial science, and to increase in the knowledge of  dered as presumption, to endeavour to ascertain
God. In corroboration of these views, we are  these general principles or necessary relations or
told in Scripture, that the reward bestowed on  things.  The Creator evidently intended we
those servants to whom talents were intrusted,  should know them; since he has exhibited such
was in proportion to the improvement they had  an immense variety of his works before us, and
made; and that, at the close of time, the saints  has bestowed upon us faculties adequate to exwill present an appearance analogous to that of plore their magnitude and arrangement, to inthe spangled firmament; for " as one star dif-  vestigate the laws which direct their motions,
fereth from another star in glory, so also is the  and to perceive their connection and dependency,
resurrectin from the dead."  And thereason of  and some'of the grand designs for which they
this difference is intimated by the prophet Da-  were intended.
niel, " They that excel in wisdom shall shine as
the brightness of the' firmament; and they that    To every thing that has just now been stated
turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever  in relation to the prosecution of science in the
and ever."                                    celestial world, I am aware it will be objected
by some, that such knowledge, if it be requisite
If the remarks row stated have any solid foun-  in a future state, will be acquired by immediate
dation, it will follow, that what is generally term-  intuition, or communicated in a direct maner by
ed human science, ought not to be indiscriminately  the Creator himself.-For such an assumption,
considered as having a relation merely to the  however, though frequently reiterated, there is
present world. Such an idea would tend to  no foundation in any passage of Scripture when
damp our ardour in the prosecution of scientific  rationally interpreted; and it is repugnant to the
knowledge, and immensely to lessen its value.  clearcstdictates ofreason. It is contrary to eveHe who prosecutes science as a subject of specu-  ry regular mode with which we'are acquainted,
lation merely in reference to the contracted span  by which rational beings are conducted to knowof human life, acts from very mean and narrow   ledge and happiness; it would imply a continued
views, and may be considered, in some points of  miracle-it would supersede the use of the intelview, as little superior to the avaricious man  lectual faculty-and it would ultimately detract
wVhose mird is completely absorbed in the acqui-  from the felicity of intelligent agents.  For,
sition of the perishing treasures of this world.  a great part of the happiness of finite intelliThe Christian philosopher, who traces the per-  gences arise from the gra dual evolution oftruth,
fections and the agency of God in every object  in consequence of the exercise of their rational
of his investigation, ought to consider his present  powers.  Were all our knowledge in a future
pursuits as the commencement of a course of  state to be acquired by immediate intuition, or
improvement which will. have no termination-   by direct supernatural communications from the
as introductory to the employments and the  Deity, our rational faculties would, in many
pleasures of a higher state of existence-and as  respects, be bestowed in vain. It appears tobe
affording him a more advantageous outset into  one of the main designs for which these faculties
that better world than happens to those who are  were bestowed, that we might be directed in the
destitute of his enlarged views. For the more  prosecution of knowledge, and led to deduce,
we know  at present of the wonders of infinite  from the scenes of the visible universe, those
power, wisdom, and goodness, in the material  conclusions which will gradually expand our views
works of the Almighty, it is obvious, that the  of the plans and perfections of its Almighty Aubetter prepared we shall be for more enlarged  thor. Adam, when in a state of innocence,
contemplations of them  at a future period, and  (and his condition in that state, as a moral agent
the greater pleasure shall we feel in beholding  was precisely similar to the state of good men
those objects and operations, which are now hid  in a fixture world, except his liability to fall)
in obscurity, unveiled to view.               was not acquainted, in the first instance, with
In throwing out the preceding reflections, I  every object in the world in which he  was
am far from pretending to determine the particu-  placed, and their various relations to each other.
lar arrangements which the Almighty has form-  He could not know, for exaniple, the peculiar
ed in relation to-our future destination, or the  scenery of nature which existed on the side of
particular circumstances which may exist in  the globe opposite to that on which  he was
other worlds. These things lie altogether be-  placed.  He must have exercised his senses, his
yond the range of our investigation, and must,  locomotive faculties, and his reasoning powers,
therefore, remain inscrutable in our present state.  and made observations and experimental re.
But there are certain general principles or re-  searches of various kinds, before he became
lations which necessarily flow from the nature of  thoroughly acquainted with the structure, the
things, which must be considered as included  order and beauty of his terrestrial habitation.within any particular arrangements which may  For to suppose man, in any state, a mere pasbe formed; rand, it is such general principles  sive subject of intellectual and externa. itpres



84               THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
sions, would be, to reduce him to something like  tion on the divine dispensations, and the exer.
a mere machine; and would imply a subversion  cise of their mental powers, it is unreasonable
of all the established laws which regulate the  to suppose, that man, even in a higher sphere of
operations of matter and intellect throughout the  existence, will acquire all his knowledge at once,
universe.                                    or without the exertion of those intellectual enWe know, likewise, that truth is gradually  ergies with which he is endowed.
developed even to superior intelligences. The    In short, were the saints in heaven to acquire
manifold wisdom of God in reference to the  all their knowledge as soon as they entered on
church, and the plans of his grace in relation to  that scene of happiness, we must suppose them
the Gentile world, werej in some measure, veiled  endowed with capacities, not only superior to the
to the angels, till the facts of the death and re-  most exalted seraphim, but even approximating
surrection of Christ, and the preaching and mir-  to the infinite comprehension of the Deity himacles of the Apostles were exhibited to their  self. For the range of investigation presented
view;* and hence they are represented as " de-  to intelligent beings is boundless, extending to all
siring to look into," or prying with avidity into  the objects and moral dispensations of God,
the mysteries of redemption; which evidently  throughout the immensity of his empire. And
implies, the active exertion of their powers of could we suppose finite minds capable of ermreason and intelligence, and their gradual ad-  bracing the whole of this range of objects at one
vancement in the knowledge of the purposes and  comprehensive grasp, their mental energy would
plans of the Almighty. And, if beings far su-  soon be destroyed, and their felicity terminate;
perior to man in intellectual capacity, acquire  for they could look forward to no farther expan.
their knowledge in a graduad manner, by reflec-  sion of their views, nor to a succession of a new
range of objects and operations through all the'Ephes. iii. -11.              future ages of eternity.
PART III.
ON THE AIDS WHICH THE DISCOVERIES OF SCIENCE AFFORD, FOR ENABLING US TO FORM
A CONCEPTION OF THE PERPETUAL IMPROVEMENT OF THE CELESTIAL INHABITANTS iN
KNOWLEDGE AND FELICITY.
Oe the subject of a future world, and the exer-  the mind assumes the semblance of a splendid
cises and enjoyments of its inhabitants, many  chaotic mass, or of a dazzling but undefined mefoolish and inaccurate conceptions have prevail-  teor. The term Glory, and its kindred epithets,
ed, even in the Christian world. We are as-  have been reiterated a thousand times in descripsured, that the foundation of the felicity to be  tions of the heavenly state;-the redeemed have
enjoyed in that world, rests on the absence of been represented as assembled in one vast crowd
every evil, and the attainment of moral perfec-  above the visible concave of the sky, adorned
tion-that the principle of depravity must be  with "starry crowns," drinking at "crystal
destroyed, and the affections purified and refined,  fountains," and making " the vault of heaven
before we can enjoy " the inheritance of the  ring" with their loud acclamations.  The Resaints in light."  These are principles which  deemer himself has been exhibited as suspended
are clearly exhibited in the Scriptures, which are  like a statue in the heavens above this immense
accordant to the dictates of sound reason, and  crowd, crowned with diadems, and encircled
which are generally recognised by the various  with a refulgent splendour, while the assembly
sections of the religious world. But the greater  of the heavenly inhabitants were incessantly gazpart of Christians rest contented with the most ing on this object, like a crowd of spectators
vague and incorrect ideasofthe felicity of heaven,  gazing at the motion of an air balloon, or of a
and talk and write about it in so loose and figu-  splendid meteor. Such representations are re.
rative a manner, as can convey no rational nor  pugnant to the ideas intended to be conveyed by
definite conception of the sublime contemplations  the metaphorical language of Inspiration, when
and employments of celestial intelligences. In-  stripped of its drapery.  They can convey nothstead of eliciting, from the metaphorical language  ing but a meagre and distorted conception of the
of Scripture, the ideas intended to be conveyed,  employments of the celestial state, and tend only
they endeavour to expand and ramify the figures  to bewilder the imagination, and to "darken
employed by the sacred writers still farther, counsel by words without knowledge."
heaping metaphor upon metaphor, and epithet    Hence it has happened, that certain infidel scof
ltpon epithet, and blending a number of discord-  fers have been led to conclude, that the Christian
ltat ideas, till the image or picture presented to  Heaven is not an object to be desired; and have




WORK OF REDEMPTION.                                          85
frequer.tly declated, that 1" they' could feel no  glory, and to the Lamb who was slain, for.ter
pleasure in being suspended for ever in an ethe-  and ever. But, at the same time, thile rnge of
teal region, and perpetually singing psalms and  objects comprised within the scheme of redemnphymns to the Eternal "-an idea of'heaven which  tion, in its reference to human beings, cannot be
is too frequently conveyed, by the vague and  supposed, without the aid of other objeats dcort
distorted descriptions which have been given of  templation, to afford full and uninterrupted scope
the exercises and entertainments of the future  to the faculties of the saints in heaven, through.
world.                                         out an unlimited duration. —This will appear, if
There. is an intimate connection between the  we endeavour to analyze some of the objects
word and the works of God: they reflect a mutual  presented to our view  in the economy of relustre on each other; and the discoveries made  demption.
in the latter, are calculated to expand our coIn-    In the first place, it may be noticed, that a
ceptions and to direct our views, of the revela-  veil of mystery surrounds several parts of the
tions contained in the former.  Without taking  plan of redemption. "' God manifested in the
into account the sublime manifestations of the  flesh," the intimate union of the eternal selfDeity, exhibited in his visible creation, our ideas  existent Deity with'" the man Christ Jesus,"of celestial bliss must be very vague and confu-  is a mystery impenetrable to finite minds. But
sed, and our hopes of full and perpetual enjoyment  the eternity, the omnipresence, and the omin the future state, extremely feeble and languid.  niscience of the Deity, are equally mysterious;
From the very constitution of the human mind,  for they are equally incomprehensible, and must
it appears, that in order to enjoy uninterrupted  for ever remain incomprehensible to all limited
happiness, without satiety or disgust, it is requi-  intelligences.  It is equally incomprehensible,
site that new objects and new trains of thought  that a sensitive being should exist, furnished with
be continually opening to view. A perpetual re-  all the organs and functions requisite for animal
currence of the same objects and perceptions,  life, and yet of a size ten thousand times less
however sublime in themselves, and however in-  than a mite.  These are facts which must be
teresting and delightful they may have been felt  admitted on the evidence of sense and of reason,
at one period, cannot afford uninterrupted grati-  but they lie altogether beyond the sphere of our
fication to minds endowed with capacious powers,  comprehension. —Now, an object which involves
and capable of ranging through the depths of a mystery cannot be supposed to exercise and
immensity. But all the objects in this sublunary  entertain the mind through eternity, considered
world and its environs, and all the events record-  simply as incomprehenszble, without being assoed in sacred and profane history, are not suffi-  ciated with other objects which lie within the
cient to occupy the expansive minds of renovated  range of finite comprehension; otherwise, reintelligences for a million of ages, much less  flections on the eternity and omnipresence of
throughout an endless duration of existence. A   God, considered purely as abstractions of the
series of objects and of moral dispensations,  mind, might gratify the intellectual faculties, in
more extensive than those immediately connect-  the fuiture world, in as high a degree as any
ed with the globe we inhabit, must, therefore,  thing that is mysterious in the scheme of robe supposed to engage the attention of "the  demption. But it is quite evident, that perpespirits of just men made perfect," during the re-  tual reflection on infinite space and eternal dura.
volutions of eternal ages; in order that their fa-  tion, abstractly considered, cannot produce a
culties may be gratified and expanded-that new   very high degree of mental enjoyment, unless
views of the divine character may be unfolded-   when considered in their relation to objects more
and that in the contemplation of his perfections,  definite and comprehensible  Such contemplae
they may enjoy a perpetuity of bliss.         tions, however, will, doubtless, be mingled with
It has been, indeed, asserted by some, that  all the other views and investigations of the saints
"the mysteries of redemption will be sufficient  in the heavenly world.  In proportion as they
to afford scope for the delightful investigation of advance through myriads of ages in the course of
the saints to all eternity."  It is readily admitted,  unlimited duration, and in proportion to the enthat contemplations of the divine perfections, as  larged views they will acquire, of the distances
displayed in human redemption, and of the stu-  and magnitudes of the numerous bodies which
pendous facts which relate to that economy, will  diversify the regions of the universe, their ideas
blend themselves with all the other exercises of of infinite space, and of eternal duration, will be
redeemed intelligences. While their intellectual  greatly expanded. For we can acquire ideas of
faculties are taking the most extensive range  the extent of space, only by comparing the disthrough the dominions of Him who sits upon the  tances and bulks of material objects with one
throne of universal nature, they will never forget  another,-and of duration by the trains of thought,
that love " which brought them from darkness to  derived from sensible objects, which Fass through
light," and firom the depths of misery to the  our minds. and, from the periodical revolutions
Wplendours of eternal day. Their grateful and  of material objects around us.-The same things
triumphant praises will ascend to the Father of may be affirmed in relation to all that is myste.




s8                  THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
fious in the economy of human redemption; and,  about to return to our terrestrial sphere, to sum.
If' what has been now said be admitted, it will  mon all the tribes of men to the general judg.
follow that such mysteries, considered merely as  ment? The facts in relation to these, and simiincomprehensible realities, could not afford a  lar circumstances, still remain to be disc.usec,
rapturous train of thought to entertain the mind  and the future details which may be given of
throughout the ages of eternity. It is definite  such interesting particulars, cannot fail to be
and tangible objects, and not abstract mysteries,  highly gratifying to every one of the " redeemed
that constitute the proper subject of contempla-  from among men."  But still, it must be admittion to a rational mind. For although we were  ted, that although the details respecting each of
to, ponder on what is incomprehensible, such as  the facts to which I allude, were to occupy the
dhe eternity of God, for millions of years, we  period of a thousand years, the subject would
should be as far from comprehending it, or acqui-  soon be exhausted, if other events and circumring any new ideas respecting it, at the end of stances, and another train of divine dispensations
such a period, as at the present moment.      were not at the same time presented to view;
In the next place, redemption may be consi-  and the future periods of eternal duration would
dered in reference to the importantfacts connect-  be destitute of that variety and novelty of prosed with it, in which point of view, chiefly, it be-  pect which are requisite to secure perpetual encomes a tangible object for the exercise of the  joyment.
moral and intellectual powers of man.These    The other class of facts relates to the redeemfacts relate either to the " man Christ Jesus, the  ed themselves, and comprehends those diversified
Mediator between God and man," or to the  circumstances in the course of providence, by
saints whose redemption he procured.  The  means of which they were brought to the knowgeneral facts which relate to Christ, while he  ledge of salvation, and conducted through the
sojourned in our world, are recorded in the New   scenes of mortality to the enjoyment of endless
Testament by the Evangelists.  These compre-  felicity.  These will, no doubt, afford topics of
hend his miraculous conception, and the circum-  interesting discourse, to diversify and enliven
stances which attended his birth; his private  the exercises of the saints in heaven. But the
residence in Nazareth; his journies as a public  remark now made in reference to the other facts
teacher through the land of Judea; his miracles,  alluded to above, is equally applicable here.
sufferings, crucifixion, resurrection. and ascension  The series of divine dispensations towards every
to heaven. There is doubtless a variety of inter-  individual, though different in a few subordinesting facts, besides those recorded in the Gos-  ate particulars, partakes of the same character,
pels, with which it would be highly gratifying to and wears the same general aspect. But although
become acquainted: such as, the manner in which  the dispensations of Providence towards every
he spent his life, from the period of the first dawn-  one of the redeemed were as different from anoings of reason, to the time of his commencing his  ther as it is possible to conceive, and although a
public administrations-the various trains of hundred years were devoted to the details furthought that passed through his mind-the men-  nished by every saint, eternity would not be extal and corporeal exercises in which he engaged  hausted by such themes alone.
-the social intercourses in which he mingled-   Again, it has been frequently asserted, that
the topics of conversation he suggested-the  the saints in heaven will enjoy perpetual rapture
amusements (if any) in which he indulged-the  in continually gazing on the glorified humanity
pious exercises and sublime contemplations in  of Christ Jesus.  The descriptions sometimes
which he engaged, when retired from the haunts  given of this circumstance, convey the idea of a
and the society of men;-and particularly those  vast concourse of spectators gazing upon a regrand and important transactions in which he  splendent figure placed upon an eminence in the
has been employed, since that moment when  midst of them,-which, surely, must convey a very
a cloud interposed between his glo ified body,  imperfect and distorted idea of the sublime employand the eyes of his disciples, afiel his ascent  ments of the saints in light. The august splenfrom Mount Olivet-What regions of the mate-  dours of the " man Christ Jesus," the exalted
rial universe he passed through in his triumphant  station he holds in the upper world, the occasionsascent-what intelligence of his achievements he  al intercourse which all his saints will hold with
conveyed to other worlds-what portion of the  him, the lectures on the plans and operations of
immensity of space, or what globe or material  Deity with which he-may entertain them-the
fabric is the scene of his more immediate resi-  splendid scenes to which he may guide them
dence-what are the external splendours and pe-  -and many other circumstances-will excite
culiarities of that glorious world-what inter-  the most rapturous admiration of Him  who is
course he has with the spirits of just men made  " the brightness of the Father's glory."-But,
perfect; with Enoch and Elijah, who are already  since the glorified body of Christ is a *material
furnished with bodies, and with other orders of substance, and, consequently, limited to a certain
celestial intelligences-what scenes and move-  portion of space, it cannot be supposed to be at
rlentts vill take place in that world, when he is  all times within the view of every inhabitant of




STARRY SYSTEMS.                                          $7'leaven; and although it were, the maderiat splcel-  pounded suestance, naving no visible form, nor
dours of that body, however august and asto-  sensible quantities, " inhabiting eternity," and
nishing, cannot be supposed to afford new and  filling immensity with his presence-his essenvaried gratification, throughout an endless suc-  tial glory, cannot form an object for the direct
cession of duration.  He will bechiefly recogni-  contemplation of any finite intelligence.  His
sed as the Head of the redeemed family of man,  glory, or, in other words, the grandeur of his'in whom  are hid all the treasures of wisdom   perfections, can be traced only in the external
and knowledge," who will gradually reveal the  manifestation which he gives of himself in the
secret counsels of God, and direct his saints to  material creation which his power has brought
ghose displays of divine glory which will enligh-  into existence —in the various orders of inteilitell and entertain their mental powers.  This  gences with which he has peopled it-and in his
seems to be intimated in such representations as  moral dispensations towards all worlds and bethe following,-" The Lamb that is in the midst  ings which now  exist, or may hereafter exist,
of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead  throughout his boundless empire.
them to living fountains of water."  By direct-    It is in this point of view, that our knowledge
ing their attention to those objects in which  of the material universe assists our conceptions
they may behold the most august displays of  of the scenes of a future state, and throws a re.
divine perfection, and teaching them  in what  fulgence o,f light on the employments, and the
points of view they ought to be contemplated, and  uninterrupted pleasures of the redeemed in heawhat conclusions they ought to deduce from them,  ven. By the discoveries of modern science, in
" he will feed" the minds of his people with divine  the distant regions of space, we are fully assured,
knowledge, and "lead them" to those sublime  that the attributes of the Deity have not been
and transporting trains of thought, which will fill  exercised solely in the construction of our subthlem with "joy unspeakable and full of glory."   lunary spherei and of the aerial heavens with
Thus it appears, that neither the mysteries,  which it is encompassed, nor his providential
nor the leading facts connected with the plan of  regards confined to the transactions of the frail
redemption, when considered merely in relation  beings' that dwell upon its surface, but extend to the
to human beings-can be supposed to be the prin-  remotest spaces of the universe. We know, that
cipal subjects of contemplation in the heavenly  far beyond the limits of our terrestrial abode, the
s.ate, nor sufficient to produce those diversified  Almighty has displayed his omnipotence in framgratifications which are requisite to insure per-  ing worlds which, in magnitude, and in splendour
petual enjoyment to the expanded intellects of re-  of accompaniments, far surpass this globe on
deemed men in the future world-though such  which we dwell. The eleven planetary bodies
contemplations will undoubtedly be intermingled   which, in common with the earth, revolve about
with all the other intellectual surveys of the saints  the sun, contain a mass of matter two thousand
in glory.                                      five hundred timles greater, and an extent of surface sufficient to support an assemblage of inhaI now proceed to the principal object in view,  bitants three hundred times more numerous than
namely, to inquire, what other objects will erm-  in the world which we inhabit. The divine wis-.ploy the attention of good Illen in the world to  dorn is also displayed in reference to these vast
come, and what light the material works of God,  globes,-in directing their motions, so as to prowhich have been unfolded to our view, tend to  duce a diversity of seasons, and a regular succesthrow upon this subject.                       sion of day and night-in surrounding some of
The foundation of the happiness of heavenly  them with moons, and with luminous rings of a
intelligences being laid in the destruction ofevery   magnificent size, to adorn their nocturnal heaprinciple of moral evil,-in the enjoyment of  vens, and to reflect a mild radiance in the absence
r:moral perfection-and in the removal of every  of the sun-in encompassing them with atmos.
physical impediment to the exercise of their in-  pheres, and  diversifying  their sutrface  with
teliectual powers-they will be fitted for the most  mountains and plains. These and other arrange.
profound investigations, and for the mrost enlarged  merits, which indicate special contrivance and
contemplations.  And one of their chief ermploy-  design, show, that those bodies are destined by
meunts, of course, will be, to investigate, con-  the Creator to be the abodes of intellectual beterrplate, and admire the glory of the divine  ings, who partake of his bounty, and offer to him
perfections.  Hence it is declared in Scripture  a tribute of adoration and praise.
as one of the privileges of the saints in light,    Although no other objects we-re presented to
that " they shall see God as he is" —that " they  our view, except those to which I now allude,
shall see his face"-and that " they shall behold  and which are contained within the limits of our
his glory,"-which expressions, and others of  system, yet even here-within this small prosimilar import, plainly intimate, that they shall  vince of the kingdom of Jehovah-a grand and
enjoy a clearer vision of the divine glory than in  diversified scene is displayed for the future conthe present state.  But how is this vision to be  templation of heavenly intelligences.  But it is
obtained?  The Deity, being a spiritual uncom-  a fact which cannot be disputed, that tile sun and




s8                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
elf his attendant planets form but a small speck  ligent beings; since in every part of the material
tn tie map of the universe.  How great soever  system which lies open to our minute inspection,
this earth, with its vast continents and mighty  it appears, that matter exists solely for the poroceans, may appear to our eye,-how stupendous  pose of sentient and intelligent creatures. As
soever the great globe of Jupiter, which would  the Creator is consistent in all his plans and tpecontain within its bowels a thousand worus as  rations, it is beyond dispute, that those great globes
large as ours-and overwhelming as the con-  which are suspended throughout the vast spaces
ception is, that the sun is more than a thousand  ofthe universe are destined to some noble purposes
times larger than both,-yet, were they this mo-  worthy of the infinite power, wisdom, and intellirnent detached fionm their spheres, and blotted out  gence, which produced them. And what may
of existence, there are worlds within the range of  these purposes be?  Since most of these bodies
the Almighty's empire where such an awful ca-  are of a size equal, if not superior, to our sun, and
tastrophe would be altogether unknown. Nay,  shine by their own native light, we are led by anawere the Whole cubical space occupied by the  logy to conclude, that they are destined to subserve
solar system-a space 3,600,000,000 miles in  a similar purpose in the system of nature-to pour
diameter-to be formed into a solid globe, con-  a flood of radiance on surrounding worlds, and
taining 24,000,000,000,000,000,0)00,000,000,000  to regulate their motions by their attractive incubical miles, and overspread with a brilliancy  fluence. So that each of these luminaries may
superior to that of the sun, to continue during  be considered,'not merely as a woild, but as the
the space of a thousand years in this splendid  centre of thirty, sixty, or a hundred worlds,
stale, and then to be extinguished and annihi-  among which they distribute light, and heat, and
lated-there are beings, who reside in spaces  comfort.*
within the range of our telescopes, to whom its   If, now, we attend to the vast number of those
creation and destruction would be equally un-  stupendous globes, we shall perceive what an exknowni: and to an eye which could take in the  tensive field of sublime investigation lies open to
whole compass of nature, it might be altogether  all the holy intelligences that exist in creation.
unheeded, or, at most, be regarded as the appear-  WVhen we lift our eyes to the nocturnal sky, we
ance and disappearance of a lucid point in an  behold several hundreds of these majestic orbs,
obscure corner of the universe-just as the de-  arranged in a kind of magnificent confilsion,
tachment of a drop of water from'the ocean, or  glimmering from afar on this obscure corner of
a grain of sand from the sea shore is unheeded  the universe.  But the number of stars, visible
by a common observer.                         to the vulgar eve, is extremely small, compared
At immeasurable distances from our earth and  with the number which has been descried by
system immense assemblages of shining orbs dis-  means of optical instruments. In a small porplay their radiance.  The amazing extent of that  tion of the sky, not larger than the apparent
space which intervenes between our habitation  breadth of the moon, a greater number of stars
and these resplendent globes, proves their im-  has been discovered than the naked eye can dismense magnitude, and that they shine not with  cern throughout the whole vault of heaven. In
borrowed but with native splendour. From what  proportion as the magnifying powers of the telewe know of the wisdom and intelligence of the  scope are increased, in a similar proportion do
divine Being, we may safely conclude, that he  the stars increase upon our view.  They seem
has created nothing in vain; and consequently,  ranged behind one another in boundless perspecthat these enormous globes of light were not dis-  tive, as far as the assisted eye can reach, leaving
persed through the universe, merely as so many  us no room to doubt, that, were the powers of
splendid tapers to illuminate the voids of infinite  our telescopes increased a thousand times more
space.  To admit, for a moment, such a suppo-  than they now are, millions beyond millions, in
sition, would be inconsistent with the marks of  addition to what we now behold, would start up
intelligence and design which are displayed in  before the astonished sight. Sir William  Herall the other scenes of nature which lie within  schel informs us, that, when viewing a certain
the sphere of our investigation. It would repre-  portion of the JMilky Way, in the course of sever.
sent the Almighty as amusing himself with  minutes, more than fifty thousand stars passed
splendid toys,-an idea altogether incompatible
with the adorable Majesty of heaven, and which   The Author will have mn opportunity of illus
trating this subject, in minute detail, in a work enwould tend to lessen our reverence of his cha-  titled, The scenery of the heavens displayed, with
racter, as the only wise God.-If every part of  the view of provingar d illustratingw the doctrine of
in    sublunary system is destined to  aplusallty r(f 2vorlds;" in which the positions here
nature in our sublunary system is destined to  assumed will he shown to have the force of a moral
some particular use in reference to sentient be-  demonstration, on the same general principles by
ings —if even the muddy waters of a stagnant  which we prove the being of a God, and the immortality of uman. In this work, all the known facts in
pool are replenished with myriads of inhabitants,  relation to descriptive astronomy, and the structur
should we for a moment doubt, that so many  of the heavens, will be particularly detailed, and arthousands of magnificent globes have a relation  companied with original remarks and moral a&-,
religious reflections, so as to form a comprehenslve
tO the accommodation and happiness of intel-  compend of popular astronomy




DIVERSITY OF SCENERY IN THE HEAVENS.                                  89
across the field of his telescope,-and it has been  scenes of sublimity and of exquisite contrivance
saiculated, that within the range of such an in-  worthy of the contemplation of every rational
strumnent, applied to all the different portions of  being. If this earth, which is an abode of aposthe firmament, more than eighty millions of stars  tate men, and a scene of moral depravity, and
wotid be rendered visible.                    which, here and there, has the appearance of
Here, then, within the limits of that circle  being the ruins of a former world-presents the
which human visiqps has explored, the mind per-  variegated prospect of lofty mountoins, romantic
ceives, not merely eighty millions of worlds, but,  dells, and fertile plains; meandering rivers,
at least thirty times that number; for every'star,  transparent lakes, and spacious oceans; verconsidered as a sun, may be conceived to be  dant landscapes, adorned with fruits and flowers,
surrounded by at least thi"'v planetary globes;*  and a rich variety of the finest colours, and a
so that the visible system of th.e universe may be  thousand other beauties and sublimities that
stated, at the lowest computation, as compre-  are strewed over the face of nature-how grand
hendinog within its vast circumference, 2,400,-  and magnificent a scenery may we suppose,
000,000 of worlds! This celestial scene pre-  must be presented to the view, in those worlds
sents an idea so august and overwhelming, that  where moral evil has never entered to derange
the mind is confounded, and shrinks back at the  the harmony of the Creator's works-where love
attempt of forming any definite conception of a  to the Supreme, and to one another, fires the
multitude and a magnitude so far beyond the  bosoms of all their inhabitants, and produces a
limits of its ordinary excursions. If we can  rapturous exultation, and an incessant adoration
form no adequate idea of the magnitude, the va-  of the Source of happiness! In such worlds,
riety, and economy of one world, how can we  we may justly conceive, that the sensitive enform a just conception of thousands?  If a sin-  joyments, and the objects of beauty and grangle million of objects of any description presents  deur which are displayed to their view, as far
an image too vast and complex to be taken in at  exceed the scenery and enjoyments of this world,
one grasp, how shall we ever attempt to compre-  as their moral and intellectual qualities excel
hend an object so vast as two thousand four hun-  those of the sons of men.
dred millions of worlds!  None but that Eter-    In the next place, it is highly reasonable to benal Mind which counts the number of the stars,  lieve, that an infinite diversity of scenery ewists
which called them from nothing into existence,  throughout all the worlds which compose the
and arranged them  in the respective stations  universe; that no one of all the millions of systhey occupy, and whose eyes run to and fro  tems to which I have now adverted, exactly rethrough the unlimited extent of creation-can  sembles another in its construction, motions,
form a clear and comprehensive conception of  order, and decorations.  There appear, indeed,
the number, the order, and the economy of this  to be certain laws and phenomena which are
vast portion of the system of nature.         common to all the systems which exist within
But here, even the very feebleness and obscu-  the limits of human vision. It is highly probarity of our conceptions tend to throw a radiance  ble that the laws of gravitation extend their
on the subject we are attempting to illustrate.  influence through every region of space occupied
The magnitude and incomprehensibility of the  by material substances; and, it is beyond a
object, show us, how many diversified views of doubt, that the phenomena of vision, and the
the divine glory remain to be displayed; what  laws by which light is reflected and refracted,
an infinite variety of sublime scenes may be af-  exist in the remotest regions which the telescope
forded for the nmind to expatiate upon; and what  has explored. For the light which radiates from
rapturous trains of thought, ever various, and  the most distant stars (as formerly stated) is
ever new, may succeed each other without in-  found to be of the same nature, to move with the
terruption, throughout an unlimited duration.    same velocity, to be refracted by the same laws,
Let us now endeavour to analyze some of the  and to exhibit the same colours as the light which
objects presented to our mental sight, in this  proceeds from the sun, and is reflected from survast assemblage of systems and worlds, which  rounding objects.  The medium of vision must,
lie within the sphere of human vision.        therefore, be acted upon, and the organs of sight
The first idea that suggests itself, is, that they  perform their functions, in those distant regions,
are all material structures-in the formation of in the same manner as takes place in the system
which, infinite wisdom and goodness have been  of which we form a part, or, at least, in a manemplo) ed; and consequently, they must exhibit ner somewhat analogous to it. And this circumstance shows, that the Creator evidently
The solar system consists of eleven primary and  atended we should form some faint ideas, at
eiaehiteen secondary planets; in all twenty-nine,  least, of the general procedume of nature ii disbesides more than a hundred comets; and it is probable that several planetary bodies exist within the  tant worlds, in order to direct our conceptions of
limits of our system which have not yet been disco-  the sublime scenery of the universe, even whiie
vered. Other systems may probably contain a more  we remain in this obscure corner of creation.
nummerous retinue of worlds, and perhaps of r larger
size ti;.an those belonging to the system. ef the sun.  But, although the visible systems of the universe




90                  THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
appear to oe connected by ce tain general prin-  versified landscapes which the surface of the
cioles and laws which operate throughout the  earth and waters presents to the traveller, ant
whole, yet the indefinite modifications which  the student of nature.
these laws may receive in each particular system,    If, from the earth, we direct our views to the
may produce an almost infinite diversity of phe-  other bodies which compose our planetary sysnomena in different worlds, so that no one de-  tem, we shall find a similar diversity, so far as our
partment of the material universe may resemble  observations extend. From the starface of one of
another.  Nor is it difficult to conceive how  the planets, the sun will appearseven timeslarger,
such a diversity of scenery may be produced.  and from the surface of another, three hundred
With regard to the terraqueous globe,-were its  and sixty times smaller than he does to us. One
axis to be shifted, so as to point to a different  of those bodies is destitute of a moon; but from
quarter of the heavens, or were the angle which  its ruddy aspect, either its surface or its atmoit forms with the ecliptic to be greater or less  sphere appears to be endowed with a phosphothan it now is, the general appearance of the  rescent quality, to supply it with light in the
firmament would be changed, the apparent mo-  absence of the sun.  Another is surrounded by
tions of the sun and stars, the days and nights, four resplendent moons, much larger than ours
the seasons of the year, and an immense variety  a third is supplied with six, and a fourth, with
of phenomena in the earth and heavens would  seven moons, and two magnificent rings to reassume a very different aspect from what they  flect the light of the sun, and diversify the scenenow wear. Were the component parts of the  ry of its sky.  One of these globes revolves
atmosphere materially altered, were its refrac-  round its axis in ten, and another in twenty-three
tive power much increased, or were a greater  hours and a half. One of them  revolves round
portion of caloric or of electricity introduced into  the sun in eighty-eight, another in two hundred
its constitution, the objects which diversify the  and twenty-four davys; a third in twelve vears,
landscape of the earth, and the luminaries of a fourth in thirty, and a fifih in eighty-two years.
heaven, would assume such a variety of new and  From all which, and many other circumstances
uncommon appearances, as would warrant the  that have been observed, an admirable variety of
application of the Scripture expression, "' a new   phenomena is produced, of which each planet:ry
heaven and a new earth."  It is, therefore, easy  globe has its own peculiarity. Even our moon,
to conceive, that, when infinite power and wis-  which is among the smallest of the celestial bodom are exerted for this purpose, every globe in  dies, which is the nearest to us, and which accomthe universe, with its appendages, may be con-  panies the earth during its revolution round the
stfucted and arranged in such a manner as to  sun, exhibits a curious variety of aspect, different
present a variety of beauties and sublimities pe-  from  what is found on the terraqueous globe.
culiar to itself.                             The altitude of its mountains, the depths of its
That the Creator has actually produced this  vales, the conical form of its insulated rocks,
effect, is rendered in the highest degree proba-  the circular ridges of hills which encompass its
ble, from the infinite variety presented to our  plains, and the celestial phenomena which are
view in those departments of nature which lie  displayed in its firmament-present a scenery
open to our particular investigation.  In the ani-  which though in some points resembling oar own,
mal kingdom we find more than a hundred thou-  is yet remarkably different, on the whole, from
sand different species of living creatures, and  the general aspect of nature in our terrestrial
about the same variety in the productions of ye-  habitation.
getable nature; the mineral kingdom presents to    If, therefore, the Author of nature act on the
us an immense variety of earths, stones, rocks,  same general principles, in other systems, as he
metals, fossils, gems, and precious stones, which  has done in ours-which there is every reason
are strewed in rich profusion along the surface,  to believe, when we consider his infinite wisdom
and throughout the interior parts of the globe.  and intelligence-we may rest assured, that evOf the individuals which compose every distinct  ery one of the two thousand four hundred milspecies of animated beings, there is no one  lions of worlds which are comprehended within
which bears an exact resemblance to another.  the range of human vision, has a magnificence
Although the eight hundred millions of men that  and glory peculiar to itself, by which it is disnow people the globe, and all the other millions  tinguished from all the surrounding provinces of
that have existed since the world began, were to  Jehovah's empire. In this view, we may colthe compared, no two individuals would be found  sider the language of the Apostle Paul as ~;Bxto present exactly the same aspect in every point  pressing not only an apparent, but a real fact.
of view in which they might be contemplated.  4' There is one glory of the sun, and another
in like manner, no two horses, cows, dogs, lions,  glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars,
elephants, or other terrestrial animals will be  "for one star dif'ereth from another star in glory."
found bearing a perfect resemblance.  The same  To suppose that the Almighty has exhausted his:bservation will apply to the scenery of lakes, omnipotent energies, and exhibited all the mansr:,ers, grottos, and mountains, and to all the di-  festations of his glory which his perfections car




FACULTIES OF SUPERIOR BEINGS.                                      91
produce, in one system, or even in one million of ther with a swiftness equal or superior to that of
systems would be to set limits to the resources  light; to preserve one's self by the mere force
of his wisdom  and intelligence which are in-  of nature, and without the assistance of any other
finite and incomprehensible.  Hence we find  created being; to be absolutely exempted from
the sacred writers, when contemplating the nu-  every kind of change; to be endowed with the
merous objects which creation exhibits, breaking  most exquisite and extensive senses; to have
out into such exclamations as these, " How   distinct perceptions of all the attributes of matter,
manifold, 0 Jehovah, are thy works I In wis-  and of all its modifications; to discover effects
dent hast thou made them all."                 in their causes; to raise one's self by a most
rapid flight to the most general principles; to
In the next place,-Besides the magnificence  see in the twinkling of an eye these princiand variety of the material structures which  ples;-to have at the same time, without'confuexist throughout the universe, the organized and  sion, an almost infinite number of ideas; to see
intelligent beings with which they are peopled,  the past as distinctly as the present, and to penepresent a vast field of delightful.contemplation.  trate into the remotest futurity; to be able to
On this general topic, the following ideas may  exercise all these faculties without weariness:
be taken into consideration:-                 these are the various outlines froln which we may
1.' The gradations of intellect or the various  draw  a portrait of the perfections of superior
orders of intelligences which may people the  natures." *
universal system. That there is a vast diver-    A being possessed of faculties such as these,
sity in the scale of intellectual existence, may be  is raised as far above the limited powers of man,
proved by considerations similar to those which  as man is raised above the insect tribes.  The
I have already stated.  Among sentient beings,  Scriptures assure us, that beings, approximating,
in this world, we find a regular gradation of  in their powers and perfections, to those now
intellect, from the muscle, through all the orders  stated, actually exist, and perform important ofof the aquatic and insect tribes, till we arrive  fices under the government of the Almighty.
at the dog, the monkey, the beaver and the ele-  The perfections of the angelic tribes, as reprephant, and last of all, to man, who stands at the  sented in Scripture, are incomparably superior
top of the intellectual scale, as the lord of this lower  to those of men.  They are represented as pos.
world.  We perceive, too, in the individuals  sessed of powers capable of enabling them  to
which compose the human species, a wonderful  wing their flight with amazing rapidity from world
diversity in their powers and capacities of intel-  to world.  For the angel Gabriel, being comlect, arising partly from their original constitu-  manded to fly swiftly, while the prophet Daniel
tion of mind, partly from the conformation oftheir  was engaged in supplication, approached to him,
corporeal organs, and partly from  the degree of  before he had made an end of presenting his re.
cultivation they have received.  But it would be  quests. During the few minutes employed in
highly unreasonable to admit, that the most ac-  uttering his prayer, this angelic messenger decomplished genius that ever adorned our race,  scended from the celestial regions to the country
was placed at the summit of intellectual perfec-  of Babylonia.  This was a rapidity of motion
tion. On the other hand, we have reason to  surpassing the comprehension of the most vigorbelieve, that man, with all his noble powers,  ous imagination, and far exceeding even the amastands nearly at the bottom of the scale of the  zing velocity of light.-They have power over
intelligent creation.  For a being much inferior  the objects of inanimate nature; for one of them
to man, in the powers of abstraction, conception,  " rolled away the stone from the door of the seand reasoning, could scarcely be denominated  pulchre," at the time of Christ's resurrection.
a rational creature, or supposed capable of be-  They are intimately acquainted with the springs
ing qualified for the high destination to which  of life, and the avenues by which they may be
man is appointed.  As to the number of species  interrupted; for an angel slew, in one night,
which diversify the ranks of superior intellectual  185,000 of the Assyrian army.-They are pernatures, and the degrees of perfection which dis-  fectly acquainted with all the relations which
tinguish their different orders, we have no data,  subsist among mankind, and can distinguish the
afforded by the contemplation of the visible uni-  age and character of every, individual throughout
verse, sufficient to enable us to form a definite  all the families of the earth. For one of these
conception.  The intellectual faculties, even of powerful beings recognised all the first-born in the
finite beings, may be carried to so high a pitch  land of Egypt, distinguished the Egyptians from
of perfection, as to baffle all our conceptions and
powers of description.-The following descrip-     This writer, in addition to these, states the followtion in the words of a celebrated Swiss natu-  ing properties: —" To be invested with'a power eapable of displacing the heavenly bodies, or of changing
Talist, may perhaps convey some faint idea of the  the course of nature, and to be possessed of a power
powers of sole of the highest order of intelli-  and skill capable of organizing matter, of forming a
plant, an animal, a world."-But I can scarcely think
genceb: —                                      that such perfections are competent to any being
Ad To convey one's self fiom one muace to ano-  tbut the Supremne.




92.                  THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
the children of Israel, and exerted his powers in  gradations of nature and of oqlce; since thare
tiualr destruction.  And as they are " minister-  are among them, "seraphim  and cherubim,
ing spirits to the heirs of salvation," they must  archangels, thrones, dominions, principalities
have a clear perception of the persons and cha-  and powers," which designations are evidently
racters of those who are the objects of the Divine  expressive of their respective endowments, oftho
favour, and to whom they are occasionally sent  stations they occupy, and of the employments for
on embassies of mercy.-They are endowed with  which they are qualified.
great physical powers and energies; hence they    Hence it appears, that although we know but
are said " to excel in strength:" and the phrase,  little in the mean time of the nature of that diver"a strong angel," and "a mighty angel," which are  sity of intellect which prevails among the higher
sometimes applied to theml, are expressive of the  orders of created beings-the intimations given
same perfection. Hence they are represented,  in the sacred volume, and the general analogy
in the book of the Revelation, as 6" holding the  of nature, lead us to form the most exalted ideas
four winds of-heaven," as executing the judg-  of that amazing progression and variety which
ments of God upon the proud despisers of his go-  reign throughout the intellectual universe.
vernment, as " throwing mountains into the sea,"    2. Not only is there a gradation of intellect
and binding the prince of darkness with chains,  among superior beings, but it is highly probable,
and " casting him into the bottomless pit."   that a similar gradation or variety obtains, in
They are endowed with unfading and in,-  the form, the organization, and the movements
mortal youth, and -experience no decay in the  of their corporeal vehicles.
vigour of their powers. For the angels who    The human form, especially in the vigour of
appeared to Mary at the tomb of our Saviour,  youth, is the most beautiful and symmetrical of
appeared as young men,- though they were then  all the forms of organized beings with which we
more than four thousand years old. During the  are acquainted; and, in these respects, may
long succession of ages that had passed since.probably bear some analogy to the organical
their creation, their vigour and animation had  structures of other intelligences. But, inother
suffered no diminution, -nor decay,-they are  worlds, there may exist an indefinite variety, as
possessed of vast powers of intelligence' Hence  to the general form of the body or vehicle with
they are exhibited in the book of Revelation,  which their inhabitants are invested, the size,
as being "full of eyes," that is, endowed with  the number, and quality of'their organs, the
" all sense, all intellect, all consciousness; turn-  functions they perform, the splendour and beauty
ing their attention every way; beholding-at once  of their aspect, and particularly, in'the number
all things within the reach of their understand-  and perfection of their senses. Though there
ings; and discerning them with the utmost clear-  are more than a hundred thousand species of
ness of conception'"  The various other quali-  sensitive beings, which traverse the earth, the
ties now stated, necessarily suppose a vast com-  waters, and the air, yet they all exhibit a mark.
prehension of intellect; and the place of their  ed difference in their corporeal forms and organresidence, and the offices in which they have  ization. Quadrupeds exhibit a very different
been employed, have afforded full scope to their  structure from fishes, and birds from reptiles;
superior powers. They dwell in a world where  and every distinct species of quadrupeds, birds,
truth reigns triumphant, where moral evil has  fishes, and insects, differs from  another in its
never entered, where substantial knowledge ir-  conformation and functions.  It is highly probaradiates the mind of every inhabitant, where the  ble, that a similar variety exists, in regard to
mysteries which involve the character of the  the corporeal vehicles of superior intelligencesEternal are continually disclosing, and where  accommodated to the'regions in which they rethe plans of his providence are rapidly unfolded.  spectively reside, the functions they have to per.They have ranged through the- innumerable re-  form. and the employments in which they are
gions of the heavens, and visited distant worlds,  engaged; and this we find to be actually the
for thousands of years; they have beheld the un-  case, so far as our information extends. When
ceasing variety, and the endless multitude of  any of the angelic tribes were sent on embasthe works of creation and providence, and are,  sies to our world, we find, that, though they
doubtless, enabled to compare systems of worlds,  generally appeared in a shape somewhat rewith more accuracy and comprehension than  sernblinig a beautiful human form, yet, in every
we are capable of surveying villages, cities and  instance, there appeared a marked difference
provinces.  Thus, their original powers and  between them  and human beings.  The angel,'apacities have been expanded, and their vigour  who appeared at the tomb of our Saviour, exand activity strengthened; and, consequently,  hibited a bright and resplendent form: " His
in the progress of duration, their acquisitions of  countenance was like the brightness of lightwisdom and knowledge must indefinitely sur-  ning, and his raiment as white as snow," glitpass every thing that the mind of man can con-  tering with an extraordinary lustre beyond what
celve. —We have likewise certain intimations,  mortal eyes could bear.' The angel who delivorthat, among these celestial beings, there are  ed Peter from the prison to which he had been




SENSES OF SUPERIOR BEINGS.-                                       93
confinedlby the tyranny of Herod, was arrayed in  quicker perception of sounds, and the eagle and
such  splendour, that a glorious light shone  the lynx more acute visual organs than mankind.
through the whole apartment where the apostle  The same diversity is observable in the form
was bound, dark and gloomy as it was.  That  and the number of sensitive organs.  In man,
these beings bave organs of speech, capable of  the ear is short and erect, and scarcely susceptiforming articulate sounds and of joining in mu-  ble of motion' in the horse and the ass, it is long
sical strains, appears form the words they utter-  and flexible; and in the mole, it consists simply
ed on these and other occasions, and from the  of a hole which perforates the skull.  In man
song they sung in the plains of Bethlehem, when  there are two eyes; in the scorpion and spider,
they announced the birth of the Saviour. They  eight; and in a fly, more than five thousand.
appear to possess the  property of rendering       That superior beings, connected with other
themselves invisible at pleasure; for the angel  worlds, have additional senses to those which
that appeared to Zacharias in the sanctuary of  we possess, is highly probable, especially when
the temple, was invisible to the surrounding mul-  we consider the general analogy of nature, and
titudes without, both at the time of his entrance  the gradations which exist among organized beinto, and his exit firom the' holy place."*     ings in our world.  It forms no reason why we
In particular, there is every reason to con-  should deny that such senses exist, because we
clude, that there is a wonderful variety in the  can form no distinct conceptions of any senses
numtler and acuteness of their organs of sensa-  besides those which we possess.  If we had been
tion.  We find a considerable variety, in these  deprived of the senses of sight and hearing, and
respects, among the sensitive beings which in-  left to derive all our information merely through
habit our globe. Some animals appear to have  the medium of feeling, tasting and smelling, we
only one sense, as the muscle, and the zoophytes;  could have had no more conception of articulate
many have but two senses; some have three;  language, of musical harmony and melody, of
and man, the most perfect animal, has onlyfive.  the beauties of the earth, and of the glories of
These senses, too, in different species, differ  the sky, than a muscle, a vegetable, or a stone.
very considerably, in point of vigour and acute-  To limit the number of senses which intelligent
ness.  The dog has a keener scent, the stag a  organized beings may possess to the five which
To what is stated in this paragraph respecting  fested themselves to men, through the medium of
angels, it will doubtless be objected, "that these  three principal senses by which we recognize the
inltelligences are pure spirits, and assume corporeal  properties of material objects; and why, then,
forms only on particular occasions." This is ain  should we consider them as purely immaterial subopinion almost universally prevalent: but it is a  stances, having no connection with the visible unimere assumption, destitute of any rational or scrip-  verse? We have no knowledge of angels but from
tutral argument to substantiate its truth. There is  revelation; and all the descriptions it gives of these
no passage in Scripture, with which I am acquaint-  beings leads us to conclude, that they are connected
ed, that makes such an assertion.'The passage in  with the world of matter, as well as with the world
Psalm civ. 4, " Who maketh his angels spirits, and  of mind, and are furnished with orcanical vehicles,
his ministers a flaming fire," has frequently been  composed of some refined material substance suita
quoted for this purpose, but it has no reference to  ble to their nature and employments
any opinion that may be formed on this point; as    When Christ shall appear the second time, we are
the passage should be rendered, " Who malketh the  told that he is to come, not only in the glory of his
winds his messengers, and a flaming fire his minis-  Father, but also in "the glory of his holy angels,"
ters."  Even although the passage were taken as  who will minister to him and increase the splen
it stands in our translation, and considered as re-  dour of his appearance. Now, the glory which the
ferring to the angels, it would not prove, that they  angels will display, must be visible, and, consequentare pure immaterial substances; for, while they  ly, material; otherwise it could not be contemplated
are designated spirits, which is equally applics-  by the assembled inhabitants of our world, ald could
ble to men as well as to angels —they are also  present no glory or lustre to their view. An assemsaid to be " a flaming fire," which is a materal sub-  bage of purely spiritual beings, however numerous
stance. This passage seems to have no particular  and however exalted in point of intelligence, would
reference to either opinion; but, if considered as  be a mere inanity, in a scene intended to exhibit a
expressing the attributes of angels, its meaning  visible display of the divine supremacy and granplainly is,-that they are endowed with wonderful  dear.-The vehicles or bodies of angels are doubtless
activity-that they move with the swiftness of the  of a much finer mould than the bodies of men; but,
winds, and operate with the force and energy of  although they were at all tines invisible through
flaming fire;-or, in other wordls, that He, in w tose  such organs of visionl as we possess, it would form
service they are, and who directs their movements,  no proof that they were destitute of such corporeal
employs them " with the strength of winds, and  frames. The air we breathe is a sueterial suistance,
the rapidity of lightnings."                     yet it is invisible; and there are substances whose
In every instance in which angels have been sent   trity is more than ten times greater than that of
on embassies to mankind, they have displayed sen-  tie air of our atmosphere. Hydrogen gas is more
sible qualities. They exhibited a definiteform some-  than twelves times lighter than coinmmon atlnowhat analogous to that of man, and colour and  spheric air. If, therefore, an organized body were
splendour, which were perceptible by the organs of  formed of a material substance similar to air, or to
vision-they emitted sounds which struck the organ  hydrogen gas, it would in general be invisible; but,
of hearing-they produced the harmonies of music,  in certain circumstances, might reflect the rays of
and sung sublime sentiments which were uttered in  light, and become visible, as certain of the lighter
articulate wcrds, that were distinctly heard and re-  gaseous bodies are found to do. This is, in some
rognized by the persons to whom they were sent,  measure, exenplified in the case of animalemAs.
Luke ii. 14.-and they exerted their power over the  whose bodies are imperceptible to the naked ey,,
sense of feeling; for the angel who appeared to  and yet, are regularly organized material sub
Peter in the prison, "smote him on the side, and  stances, endowed with all the functions requisite to
rautrd lhin up." In these instances, angels mani-  life, motion, and enjoyment.




.44                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
have been bestowcd upon man, would be to set  tain it is, that angels are endowed with sens
bounds to the infinite wisdom and skill of the  or faculties which enable them to take a'minute
Creator, who, in all his works, has displayed an  survey of the solar system, and of the greater
endless variety in the manner of accomplishing  part of our globe, even when at a vast distance
his designs. While, in the terrestrial sphere in  from our terrestrial sphere; otherwise, they cOt ld
which we move, our views are limited to the  not distinguish the particular position of our
external aspects of plants and animals —organ-  earth in its annual course round the sun, in their
ized beings, in other spheres, may have the  descent from more distant regions, nor direct
faculty of penetrating into their internal (and to  their course to that particular country, city, or
us, invisible) movements-of tracing an animal  village, whither they are sent on any special
from its embryo-state, through all its gradations  embassy.
and evolutions, till it arrive at maturity-of per-    What has been now said in reference to the
ceiving, at a glance, and, as it were, through a  organs of vision, is equally applicable to the
transparent medium, the interior structure of an  organs of hearing, and to several of the other
animal, the complicated movements of its cu-  senses; and since faculties or senses, sucn as
rious machinery, the minute and diversified  those I have now supposed, would tend to unramifications of its vessels, and the mode in  veil more extensively the wonderful operations
which its several functions are performed-of  of the Almighty, and to excite incessant admidiscerning the fine and delicate machinery which  ration of his wisdom and beneficence, it is reaenters into the construction, and produces the  sonable to believe that he has bestowed them on
various motions of a microscopic animalculumn,  various orders of his creatures for this purpose
and the curious vessels, and the circulation of  -and that man may be endowed with similar
juices which exist in the body of a plant-of  senses, when he arrives at moral perfection, *nd
tracing the secret processes which are going on  is placed in a higher sphere of existence.
in the mineral kingdom, and the operation of    Besides the topics to which I have now adchyrnical affinities among the minute particles  verted, namely, the gradation of intellect, aid
of matter, which produce the diversified pheno-  the diversity of corporeal organization-a still
mena of the universe. And, in fine, those senses  more ample and interesting field of contemplawhich the inhabitants of other worlds enjoy in  tion will be opened in the HISTo ltY of the nucommon with uls, may be possessed by them  in  merous worlds dispersed throughout the'universe,
a state of greater acuteness and perfection.  -including the grand and delightful, or the awWhile our visuial organs can perceive objects  fulaand disastrous events which have taken place
distinctly, only within the limits of a few yards  in the several regions of intellectual existence.
or miles around us, their organs may be soi mo-    The particulars under this head which may
dified and adjusted, as to enable them to perceive  be supposed to gratify the enlightened curiosity
objects with the same distinctness, at the dis-  of holy intelligences, are such as the following:
tance of a hundred miles-or even to descry the  -the different periods in duration at which the
scenery of distant worlds.  If our powers of  various habitable globes emerged from nothing
vision had been confined within the range to  into existence-the changes and previoefs arwhich a worm or a mnite is circumscribed, we  rangements through which they passed before
could nave formed no conception of the ampli-  they were replenished with inhabitants-the distude of our present range of view; and it is by  tinguishing characteristic features of every speno means improbable, that organized beings ex-  cies of intellectual beings-their modes of exisist, whose extent of vision as far exceeds ours,  tence, of improvement, and of social intercourse
as ours exceeds that of the srhallest insect, and  -the solemn forms of worship and adoration
that they may be able to perceive the diversified  that prevail among them-the laws of social, and
landscapes which exist in other worlds, and the  of moral order peculiar to each province of the
movements of their inhabitants, as distinctly as  divine ermpire* —the progress they have Tnade
we perceive the objects on the opposite side of
a river, or of a narrow arn of the sea.          * There are certain general laws which are corn.m
defec r, o.   b-  men to all the orders of intellectual beings through.
After Stephen had delivered his deferice be-  out the universe  The two principles which form
fore the Sanhedrim, we are told " he looked up  the basis of our moral lawo are of this nature:steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory rc  "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine
steadfastly  into heaveandsaheart, and with all thine understanding," and "thou
God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of  shalt love thy neighhour as thyself." For we can.
God; and said, Behold I see the heavens open-  not suppose the Deity, in consistencywith the sane
ad, and the Son of man standing on the right  tity and rectitude of his nature, to reverse these ltes,
ed, and the;Son )of man standing on the right  in relation to any class of intelligences, or to ex
hand of God."  Some have supposed that the  empt them from an obligation to obey them; and,
eyes of Stephen, on this occasion were so rodi-  therefore, they may be considered as the two grand
-',,                              moral Drinciples which direct the affections and
fied or strengthened, that he was enabled to pe-  conduct of all holy beings throughout the immen
netrate into that particular region where the glo-  sityof God's erire, and which unite them to one
rifled body of Christ more immediately resides.  another, andt to their conmon Creator. But, in sub
ordination to these principles or laws, there may
But whether his opinion be tenable or not, cer-  be a variety of special moral laws, adapted to tho




MORAL HISTORY OF OTHER WORLDS.                                    95'
Ina  hnotledge, and the discoveries they have  moral disorders in those worlds been overrultd'
brought to light, respecting the works and the  and counteracted by the providential dispen
ways of God-the peculiar manifestations of  sations of the Almighty?  Here, a thousand
himself which the Divine Being may have made  questions would crowd upon the mind, a variety
to them, " at sundry times and in divers man-  of emotions of opposite kinds would be excited,
ners"-the  most remarkable civil and moral  and a most interesting field of investigation would
events which have happened since the period of be laid open to the contemplation of the redeemed
their creation-the visible emblems of the Divine  inhabitants of such a world as ours. And, it is
Presence and glory which are displayed before  easy to conceive, with what kindred emotions and
thenm-the information they have obtained respect-  sympathetic feelings, and with what transporting
inug the transactions and the moral government of gratulations, the renovated inhabitants of such
other worlds —the various stages of improvement  worlds, would recognise each other, should they
through which they are appointed to pass-the  ever be brought into contact, and permitted to
different regions of the universe to which they  mingle their ascriptions of praise to the Creator
may be transported, and the final destination to  and Redeemer of worlds.
which they are appointed.                        Even in those worlds where the inhabitants
In particular, the facts connected with their  have retained their primeval innocence, there
moral history, in so far as they may be unfolded,  may be an almost infinite variety in the divine diswill form an interesting subject of discourse and  pensalions, both in amoral, and intellectual point
of contemplation.  It is highly probable, when  of view.-As finite intelligences, from their very
we consider the general benignity of the Divine  nature, are progressive beings, and, therefore,
Nature, and the numerous evidences of it which  cannot be supposed to acquire all the treasures of
appear throughout the whole kingdom of anima-  wisdom  and knowledge, and to comprehend all
ted nature-that the inhabitants of the greatest  the multifarious displays of divine perfection,
portion of the universal system, have retained  during the first stages of their existence-ther",
the moral rectitude in which they were created,  may be an admirable diversity of modes, corresand are, consequently, in a state of perfect hap-  peonding to their peculiar circumstances and stages
piness. But, since'we know, from painful expe-  of improvement, bywhich the Creator may grarience, that one world has swerved firom its allegi-  dually unfold to them the glory of his nature, and
ance to the Creator, and been plunged into the  enable them to take a more extensive survey of:
depths of physical and moral evil, it is not at all  the magnitude and order of his dominions. Some
improbable, that the inhabitants of several other  may be only emerging fromn the first principles
worlds have been permitted to fall into a similar  of science, like Adam soon after his creation, and
calamity,-for this purpose among others-that  may mlave arrived but a few degrees beyond the
the importance of moral order might be demon-  sphere of knowledge which bounds the view of
strated, that the awful consequences of a violation  man; others may have arrived at a point where they
of the eternal laws of heaven might be clearly  can take a more expansive survey of the order,
manifested, and that a field might be laid open  economy, and relations of material and intellecfor the displayofthe rectitude and mercy of God as  tual existences,-while others after having conthe moralGovernor of the universe. In reference  templated, for ages, a wide extent of creation,
to such cases (if any exist) the points of inquiry  in one district of the empire of God, may be
would naturally be-What is the ultimate desti-  transported to a new and a distant province of'
nation of those beings who, in other regions of  the universe, to contemplate the perfections of'
creation, have acted the part of rebellious man?  Deity in another point of view, and to investigate
Has their Creator interposed for their deliver-  and admire a new scene of wonders.-If every.
ance in a manner analogous to that in which he  individual of the human race, from  his birth to.
has accomplished the redemption of mankind?  his death, passes through a train of providences.
If so, wherein do such schemes of mercy dif-  peculiar to himself, it appears at least highly
fer, and wherein do they agree with the plan of probable, reasoning from the analogies to which,
salvation by Jesus Christ?   What scenes of we have already adverted, and from the variety.
moral evil have been displayed, and how have the  that every where appears in the natural and moralworld, that the divine dispensations- towards
peculiar economy, circumstances, and relations,    
which exist in each distinct world. As we have every distinct' class of intelligent beings, have
certain special laws, in our moral code, such as the  some striking peculiarities, which do not exactly
fifth and seventh precepts of the Decaloaue, whtch,  coincide with those of any other.
In all probability, do not apply to the inhabitants
of some other worlds, so they may have various    That some portion, at least, of the natural and
specific regulations or laws, which cannot apply  moral history of other worlds will be laid- open
to us in our present state. The reader will find  to the inspection of redeemed men in the-fture
a particular illustration of the two fundamental!aws to which I have now adverted, and of their  world, may be argued from this considerationR —
application to; the inhabitants of all worlds, in a  that such views will tend to unfold the moral chawork which I lately published, entitled, TThe Philosophy of Religion; or, an Illustration of the Mo-  rater of the Deity and to display more fully his
tal Laws  of the Universe."                   intelligence, wisdom, and rectitude, in.theadiver19




96                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
sified modes of his administration, as the Gover-  rapture added to their song of praise. —The
nor of the universe. We have reason to believe  knowledge of the saints In heaven is representthat the material creation exists solely for the  ed as being very accurate and comprehensive.
sake of sentient and intelligent beings; and that  Hence it is declared, that, in that state of perit has been arranged into distinct departments,  fection, " they shall know, even as also they are
and peopled with various ranks of intellectual  known." This expression certainly denotes a venatures, chiefly for the purpose of giving a dis-  ry high degree of knowledge respecting the works
play of the n-oral attributes of God, and of de-  and the ways of God; and, therefore, most commonstrating the indispensable necessity and the  mentators explain it as consisting in such an
cternal obligation of the moral laws he has enact-  intuitive and comprehensive knowledge " as
ed, in order to secure the happiness of the whole  shall bear some fair resemblance to that of the
intelligent system.  And, if so, we may reason-  Divine-Being, which penetrates to the very cenably conclude, that a certain portion of the divine  tre of every object, and sees through the soul,
dispensations towards other classes of the intel-  and all things, as at one single glance;" or, at
ligent creation, will ultimately be displayed to  least, that " their knowledge of heavenly objects
our view.-This position may likewise be argued  shall be as certain, immediate and familiar, as
from the fact that other intelligences have been  any of their immediate friends and acquaintances
made acquainted with the affairs of our world,  now have of them."*  And, if such interpretaand the tenor of the dispensations of God towards  tions be admitted, this knowledge must include
our race. The angelic tribes have been frequently  a minute and comprehensive view of the dispensent on embassages to our terrestrial sphere. On  sations of the Creator towards other worlds, and
such occasions they have indicated an intimate  other orders of moral and intelligent agents.
acquaintance with the most interesting transac-    In regard to the manner in which informatior
tions which have taken place among us; and we  respecting the structure, the inhabitants, and the
are informed, that they still " desire to pry into"  history of other worlds may be communicated,
the scheme of redemption, and " to learn " from   our limited knowledge affords no certain data on
the divine dispensations towards the church " the  which to ground a definite opinion.  We may,,manifold wisdom of God."*  Some notices of  however, reasonably suppose, that an intercourse
the history, the employments, and the destination,  and correspondence will be occasionally opened
of these celestial beings have likewise been con-  up, by means of celestial beings endowed with
veyed to us. We know that they hold an eleva-  faculties of rapid motion, who may communicate
ted station in the kingdom of Providence; that  particular details of the intelligence they acquire
they are possessed of great power and wisdom,  in the regions they are accustomed to visit
of wonderful activity, of superior intellectual  Such correspondence has already partially taker,faculties, and of consummate holiness and recti-  place in our world, by means of those beings
tude of nature; that they are employed on cer-  termed, in Scripture, "the angels," or " thf
tain occasions as ambassadors from God to nlan,  messengers of Jehovah;" and, it is highly proba,
in executing hisjudgments upon the wicked, and  ble, had man continued in his state of origina
ministering to the heirs of salvation; and that a  integrity, that such angelic embassies woulh
certain number of them fell from the high station  have been much more frequent than they have
in which they were originally placed, and plunged  ever been, and we might have been made ac.
themselves into a state of sin and perdition.  We  quainted, in this way, with some outlines of the
have therefore reason to believe, that it is one part  physical and moral scenery of other worlds, par.
of the plan ofthegovernrnent ofGod, to disclose the  ticularly of those which belong to our own sys.
history of one species of intellectual beings to an-  tem —of which we must now:be contented to
~other, in such portions, and at such seasons, as  remain in ignorance; and must have recourse to
may seem most proper to Infinite Wisdom, and  the aids of reason, and science, and observation,'best suited to the state and character, and the  in order to trace some very general outlines of
gradual improvement of his intelligent offspring.  their physical economy. This is, doubtless, one
In conformity to what has been now advanced,  deplorable effect, among others, of the apostacy of
we find the saints in heaven represented as utter-  man-that intelligences endowed with moral per-'ing a song of praise to God, in consequence of the  fection can no longer hold familiar intercourse
survey they had taken of his moral administra-  with the race of Adam, but in so far as they are
tion, and of the admiration it excited.  " They  employed by their Creator in communicating cc-.sing the song of Moses, and the song of the  casional messages, which have a respect merely:Lamb, saying, Just and true are thy ways, thou  to their moral renovation.t-We may likewise,
tAiang of saints."  And, in proportion as the dis-  See Doddrtdge's and Guyse's paraphrase on:pensations of Providence towards other worlds  Cor. xiii. 12..are unfolded, in the same proportion will their    t It is probable that the celestial beings who have
-iews of Jehovah's " eternal righteousness" he  occasionally hetd a communication with our race,.,iews of Jehovah's "eternal' "   are not all of the same species, or Inhabit the same'expanded, and a new  note of admiration and  regions: since they are distinguished In Scriptura
by different names, as Seraphim, Cherublm,Thrones,
See Ephes. iii. 10. I Peter i. 12.  Dominions, Anlgels, Archangels, &c.




MOtRAL HISTORY OF OTHER WORLDS.                                   97
with some degree of probability, suppose, that ant with his office as the "Mediator between
every distinct order of holy intelligences, after  God and man," and to his character as the
having resided for a certain number of ages, in  "' Messenger of Jehovah," and the " Revealer"
one region of the universe, may be conveyed to  of the divine dispensations.
al.t'hei province of creation, to investigate the    Pointing to some distant world, (which, even
new scenes of wisdom  and omnipotence there  to the acute visual organs of heavenly beings,
unfolded,-and so on, in a continued series of may appear only as a small lucid speck in their
tranlsportations, throughout the ages of eternity.  sky,) we may suppose him giving such a descant
We know that nlan is destined to undergo such  as the following: —" That world presents a very
a change of locality; and although sin has made  differen' aspect from what yours once did, owing,
the passage from one world to another, assume a  chiefly to the moral purity and perfection of its
gloomy and alarming aspect, it may nevertheless  inhabitants,  There, the most grand and variebe an example, (though in a different manner)  gated objects adorn their celestial canopy; and
of those removals which take place with respect  the scenes around their habitations are interto other beings, from one province of creation to  mingled with every thing that is beautiful to the
another. Nor have we any reason to believe,  eye, and gratifying to the senses and the imagithat the locality in which we s-all be placed,  nation. Neither scorching heats, nor piercing
after the general resurrection, will form our per-  colds,'nor raging storms, ever disturb the tranmanent and everlasting abode; otherwise, we  quillity of those happy mansions.  The fine
should be eternally chained down, a;v we are at  etherial fluid which they breathe produces a perpresent to a small corner of creation.        petual flow. of pleasing emotions, and sharpens
In regard to the redeemed inhabitants of our  and invigorates their intellectual powers for
world, there is every reason to believe, that the  every investigation. The peculiar refractive and
Redeemer himself, he, " in whom dwell all the  reflective powers possessed by the atmospheric
treasures of wisdom  and knowledge," will be  fluid which surrounds them, produce a variety of
one grand medium through which information  grand and beautiful effects, sometimes exhibiting
will be communicated respecting the distant glo-  aerial landscapes, and scenes emblematical of
ries of Jehovah's empire. This seems to be  moral harmony and perfection,-sometimes a
directly intimated, though in metaphorical lan-  magnificent display of the riches and most vaguage, in the following passage from the book of  riegated colouring, and sometimes reflecting the
Revelation: " The Lamb who is in the midst of  images of the celestial orbs in various aspects
the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them   and degrees of magnitude.  Their vegetable
to fountains of living water."  Knowledge is  kingdom is enriched with a variety of producthe food of the mind; and in this sense the term  tions unknown in your former world, diversified
is frequently applied in the Scriptures:-" I will  with thousands of different forms, shades, cogive them pastors (saith God) after mine own  lours, and perfumes, which shed a delicious fraIheart, who shall feed them with knowledge'and  grance all around.  The inferior sentient beings
understanding."  "' Feed the church of God,"  are likewise different, and exhibit such ingenisays the apostle Peter; that is, instruct them in  ous, mild, and affectionate dispositions, as conthe knowledge of the truths of religion.  There-  tribute, in no inconsiderable degree, to the
fore, by imparting to his saints a knowledge of  pleasure and entertainment of the more intellithe plans and operations of God, and informa-  gent order of the inhabitants. The organs of
tion respecting the magnificence of his works in  vision of these intelligences are so acute, that
the regions around, " the Lamb in the midst of they are enabled to perceive, as through a transthe throne willfeed them," by gratifying their in-  parent medium, the various chymical and mechatellectual powers, and their desires after know-  nical processes that are incessantly going on in
ledge; and the noble and transporting trains of the numberless ramifications of the vegetable
thought which such discoveries will inspire, (and  tribes, and in the more curious and complicated
which may be aptly compared to the effect pro-  structure of animal bodies; for the Creator has orduced by " fountains of living water" on a parch-  dained, as one part of their mental enjcyments,
ed traveller,) will arrest all the tfaculties of their  that they shall be furnished with the imeans of
souls, and fill them " with joy unspeakable and  tracing the mode of his operations, and the deftll of glory."                               signs they are intended to accomplish in the difPerhaps, it may not be beyond the bounds of  ferent departments of nature.
probability to su ppose, that, at certain seasons,    " They are likewise extensively acquainted
during a grand convocation of the redeemed with  with moral science-with the moral relations of
Jesus their exalted head president among them  intelligent beings to their Creator, and to one
-that glorious personage may impart to them   another, and with the toutlines of the history of
knowledge of the most exalted kind, direct their  several other worlds; for the leading facts in the
views to some bright manifestations of Deity, and  history of your world, respecting the fall of man,
deliver tniest interesting lectures on the works and  its dismal consequences, and your subsequent
the ways of God.  This would be quite accord-  redemption and renovation, have been commu



98                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
nreated to thein  for the purpose of enlarging  scale, and in a different conditior.  It is a tho',
their views of God's moral dispensations, and  sand times larger than the globe you once Inillustrating the rectitude and benevolence of his  habited, and was originally arrayed with all that
government.-In their intercourses and associ-  magnificence and beauty which characterize the.
ations, no discordant voice is ever heard, no  works of the Creator.  During a considerable
symptom of disaffection ever appears, no boister-  period its  inhabitants retained their allegiance
ous passions ever disturb their tranquillity; but  to their Maker, and their affection for each other.
all is harmonyandorder, peaceandlove.  Their  But certain individuals, whom a principle of
progress in the knowledge of God, and of his  pride and arnbit on had led to desire stations of
works, is rapid and sure, for they see clear'ly the  pre-eminence, having dared to violate some of
first principles of all reasoning and science; and,  the fundamental laws of their Creator,-the
without once making a false step, or deducing an  moral turpitude which this disposition and conerroneous conclusion, they trace them with rapi-  duct produced, gradually spread from one rank
dity and certainty, to all their legitimate conse-  to another, till the whole mass of its inhabitants
quences.  Their acquaintance with natural and  was completely contaminated, and plunged into
moral facts is extensive and minute. For the  a gulph of misery.  To such a dreadful length
most sacred regard is attached to truth, which  has this depravity proceeded, that even the exwas never once violated in that happy society;  ternal aspect of that world, which was once fair
and, therefore, every discovery, every new doc-  as Eden, has assumed the appearance of a
trine and fact which is brought to light by any  gloomy waste, and a barren wilderness. The
individual, is regarded by all others as an esta-  rivers have been turned out of their course, by
blished truth which is never called in question,  these infatuated beings, that they might overflow
and which serves to direct and facilitate all their  and change into a marsb the once fertile plains.
other researches. Unlike the exaggerations and  The earth has been dug into immense pits and
falsehoods which were once propagated by lying  chasms, and the vegetable tribes have been torn
travellers and sceptical philosophers, in your  from their roots and stripped of their verdure, in
former world, which tended to bewilder the anx-  order to deface the primeval beauty of creation.
ious inquirer, and to obscure the radiance of  By these, and other horrible devastations, the
truth; in yonder world truth is regarded as a  ethereal fluid in which they breathed, which
most sacred and invaluable treasure, as the basis  formerly diffused a delightful fragrance, has now
of the happiness of the moral universe, and the  become the receptacle of noisome exhalations,
foundation on which rests the throne of the eter-  which nauseate and irritate every species of
nal; and, therefore, being never violated by any  sensitive existence. Its brilliancy has thereby
individual, every testimony and assertion is re-  become obscured. so that their sun appears
ceived withunhesitating confidence. By a rapid  lowering through its dense vapours, like a dusky
mode of communication which has been esta-  ball; and their nocturnal sky, which once pre.
blished, their intercourses with each other are  sented a splendid assemblage of shining orbs, is
fi'equent and delightfil, and the discoveries which  now covered with blackness, and darkness, and
are made of the operations of iofinite wisdom and  tempest, through which no celestial orb ever
benevolence, are quickly circulated through all  transmits the least glimmering ray. For the
the intelligent ranks of that abode of felicity and  almighty Contriver of all worlds has so arranged,
love. Beings from other worlds occasionally visit  proportioned, and adjusted every circumstance
them, and convey interesting intelligence, and  in the constitution of nature, that the smallest
affectionate congratulations from  the regions  derangement, by malevolent beings, of the order
whence they came; and a glorious symbol of  he has established, is always productive of disthe divine Majesty was lately displayed in their  astrous effects.
firmament, from which was announced, in ma-    " Instead of being animated with love to their
jestic but mild and transporting language-the  Creator, and to one another, which is the first
approbation of their Creator, and his purpose of  duty of all intelligent creatures, they hate their
translating them, as a reward of their obedience,  Maker, and curse him on account of the existto another region of his empire, to behold new   ence he has given them; and they hate each
displays of his beneficence and power.        other. with a perfect hatred.  There exists
"This is a specimen of the moral order and  among them no peace, justice, sympathy, friend
happiness which prevail among the greater part  ship, or confidence. Every one beholds and reof those worlds which shine friom afar in yonder  cognises another with the countenance of a fiend,
firmament, but which are distinguished by a va-  and is ever intent upon annoying him to the utO
riety of peculiar circumstances, which shall be  most of his power. And, were it not that their
unfolded on another occasion."                bodies are constructed on an immortal principle,
Directing their view to another distant orb,  so that no power less than infinite can completely
which appears like a dim ruddy speck in an ob-  destroy them,-their ferocious passions would,
scure quarter of the firmament, he may thus  long ere now, bave effected the utter exterminnt
roeaed: —" That, too, is a world on a different  tion of every individual in that populous b




MORAL HISTORY OF OTHER WORLDS.                                     99
miserable world.  Their bodies, which were  guilty world.'  n both hemispheres of this globe,
once fair and glorious, are now  covered with  shall the joyful message be proclaimed.  Thia
every mark of vileness and deformity. They  sudden and unexpected announcement will arrest
have no delight in contemplating the glories of  the attention of every inhabitant, and rekindle
their Creator's workmanship, for they have de-  in his breast those sparks of gratitude, which
faced every beauty which creation displayed,  had been so long extinguished.  To prove the
when it came fresh and fair from the hand of its  sincerity of this annunciation, the' Power of the
Maker; and the intelligence and wisdom they  Highest' will be interposed to purify the almosformerly possessed, are now  obliterated, and  phere, to restore the desolations which had been
changed into ignorance and folly.              produced, and to renew the face of nature. A
" At the  commencement of this affecting  series of moral instructions will commence, and
scene of depravity, a messenger was despatched  be carried on with vigour, till all be fully conby their Almighty Sovereign to warn them of  vinced of the folly and impiety of their conduct.
their danger, and to urge them  to reformation;  Order will be gradually re-established; affecbut, as they had not then felt the full effects of  tionate intercourses will commence; an indelible
that wretchedness into which they were plung-  impression of their ingratitude and wickedness,
ing-after a few temporary pangs of rensorse,  and of the justice and benevolence of God, will' they returned every one to his evil ways.'  be for ever fixed in their minds, which will secure
Holy intelligences, from other worlds, have oc-  them, at all future periods, from a similar aposcasionally been sent, to contemplate the gloomy  tacy; and peace, truth, and happiness shall finally
aspect, and the sad desolations of this wretched  reign triumphant."
wvorld; in order that they might bring back in-    On such topics as these, may we suppose our
telligence to the worlds with which they are  Redeemer, in the character of Mediator, occamore immediately connected, of the dismal ef-  sionally to expatiate, with irresistible eloquence,
fects produced by the violation of those eternal  when presiding in the assemblies of his redeemed;
laws of rectitude which the Governor of the uni-  and the emotions produced by such communicaverse has ordained.  The Creator has, for many  tions, will doubtless excite them to join in unison
ages, permitted those physical and moral disor-  in celebrating the divine character and adminisders to exist-not because he delights in the  tration, in such strains as these:-" Ha!leluia!
umisery of any of his creatures, but because he  the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.  True and
has a regard to the ultimate happiness of the  righteous are his judgments.  Salvation, and
whole intelligent system. He leaves them. in  glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our
the mean time,' to eat of the fruit of their own  God.  Thou art worthy to receive glory, honour,
ways,' that they may feel the full effects of their  and power; for thou hast created all things, and
apostacy and wickedness. He has permitted  for thy pleasure they are and were created."*
them to proceed thus far in their rebellion and
depravity, in order that surrounding worlds may   Thus I have endeavoured to show, that even
be filly apprised of the dismal effects that must  that portion of the universe which lies within
inevitably ensue on every infringement of moral
order  This desolated world and its wretched    ~ I hope none of my readers will consider the
order. This desolated world and its wretched  supposition of the Redeemer occasionally deliverinhabitants are doomed to remain in their pre-  ing lectures on divine subjects to an assembly of his
sent deplorable state, for ages yet to come, till  saints, as either improbable, extravagant, orromaninde deiblee s,       aipessto  emade  tic. Since writing the above, I find, that the pious
an extensive and indelible impression be made  and philosophic Dr. I. Watts entertained a similar
on the inhabitants of every province of God's  opinion. Inhis sermon," On the happiness of sepaempire, of their eternal obligation to conform to  rate spirits," when describing the employments of
the upper world, he thus expresses his sentiments
those laws and principles of moral order which  on this topic; — Perhaps you will suppose there is
his infinite wisdom has established for the regu-  no such service as hearing sermons, that there is no
lation of the intelligent universe; and also, that  attendance upon the word of God there. But are
we sure there are no such entertainments? Are
those miserable  beings themselves may  be  there no lectures of divine wisdom and grace given
aroused to consideration, led to humble them-  to the younger spirits there, by spirits of a more ex.
alted station? Or, may not our Lord Jesus Christ
selves in his presence, and made to feel some  himself be the everlasting Teacher of his church?
emotions of contrition for their impiety and in-  May he not at solemn seasons summon all heaven
gratitude.  MWhen these ends are accomplished,  to hear him publish some new and surprising discoveries which have never yet been made known
a bright effilulgence shall suddenly illume the  to the ages of nature or of grace, and are reserved
darkness of their night, their atmosphere shall  to entertain the attention, and to exalt the pleasure
cleared of its vapours, and the lorious or    of spirits advanced to glory? Must we learn all by
be cleared of its vapours, and the glorious orbs  the mere contemplation of Christ's person? Does
of heaven shall once more burst upon their view;  he never make use of speech to the instruction and
the astonished inhabitants shall lift up their eyes  joy of saints above-Or, it may be, that our blessed
Lord (even as he is man) has some noble and unwith amazement at the wondrous and unlooked-  known way of communicating a long discourse,.,"
for spectacle, and a divine messenger, arrayed  a lon, train of ideas and discoveries to millions of
in splendid majesty, shall proclaim,'Peace  blessed spirits at once, without the formalities of
voice and language, and at some peculiar seasons he
from heaven-Good-will from Jehovah to this  may thus instruct and delight his saints in heaven'"




100                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE
the reach of our assisted vision, comprehends  and the other an area of twenty thousand mdliurss
within its capacious sphere, at least two thou-  of miles, and sufficient to contain a populationL
sand four hundred millions of worlds-that each  one hundred and forty times larger that of oil/
of these worlds, being constructed by infinite  globe, although they were as thinly peopled as
wisdom, must exhibit, even in its external as-  the earth is at present. 3. Seven satellites, oe
pect, a scene worthy of the contemplation of  moons, each of which is undoubtedly as large as
every rational being-that it is highly probable,  the globe on which we live, and some of them, profrom ascertained facts, from analogy, and from   bably, of much greater dimensions.  The magrevelation, that each of these worlds has a pe-  nificent and astonishing scenery displayed in
culiarity of scenery, and of appendages, which  this planet, so very different from any thing that
distinguish it from every other-that there is a  is beheld in our terrestrial sphere-the stupengradation of intellect, and beings of different  dous luminous arches which stretch across its
orders among the inhabitants of these worlds-  firmament, like pillars of cloud by day and pilthat it is probable their corporeal forms and  lars offire by night-the diversified shadows they
their organs of sensation are likewise wonder-  occasionally cast on the surrounding landscape
fully diversified-and that the natural and moral  -the appearance and disappearance of its muoons,
history of each presents scenes and transactions  their eclipses, and diversified aspects in respect
different from those which are found in any other  to each other, and to the inhabitants of the
world. So that when the mind endeavours to  planet itself,-the novel scenes which would apgrasp the immense number of worlds, here pre-  pear in the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingsented to our mental view, and considers the  doms-the customs, manners, and employments
variety of aspect in which each of them requires  of the inhabitants-the series of events which
to be contemplated —there  appears, to such  have happened among them and the tenor of the
limited intellects as ours, no prospect of a ter-  divine dispensations in relation to their past
mination to the survey of a scene so extensive  history and their future destination-these, and a
and overwhelming; but, on the contrary, a ra-  thousand other particulars, of which we can
tional presumption, that one scene of glory will  form no distinct conception-could not fail to afbe followed by another, in perpetual succession,  ford a sublime and delightful gratification to a rawhile ages roll away.                         tional intelligence for a series of ages.
If it would require, even to beings endowed    "It is probable, too, that even within the
with mental powers superior to those of man, se-  boundaries of our solar system, important phyveral hundred of years, to survey the diversified  sical and moral revolutions have happened since
landscapes which our globe displays, to investi-  its creation, besides those which have agitated
gate the numerous chymical processes going on. in  the world in which we dwell. On the surface
the animal, the vegetable, and the mineral king-  of the planet Jupiter, changes are occasionally
doms, throughout the surface of the earth, the  taking place, visible at the remote distance at
recesses of the ocean, and the subterraneous re-  which we are placed. The diversity of appeargions, and to trace'the history of every tribe of  ance that has been observed in the substances
its inhabitants during a period of six thousand  termed its belts, in whatever they may consist,
years,-if it would require thousands of years  or from  whatever cause this diversity may orito  explore the plantery system, which  pre-  ginate, —indicates change as great, as if the
sents a field of inquiry two thousand times more  whole mass of clouds which overhang Europe,
extensive-how many hundreds of thousands of  and the northern parts of Asia and America,
millions of years would be requisite to study  were to be completely swept away, and suspenand investigate the visible universe in all that  ded in dense strata over the Pacific and the Invariety of aspect to which I have  now  ad-  dian oceans,-or as if the waters of the Atlantic
verted! —To explore the diversified  structure  ocean were to overflow the continent of Anieand  arrangements of the bodies which com-  rica, and leave its deepest caverns exposed to
pose the solar system, and the moral events which  view.-There were lately discovered, between
have taken place among its inhabitants, would  the orbits ofMars and Jupiter, four small planetarequire a long series of ages.  The system of  rybodies; and, on grounds which are highly probbodies connected with the planet Saturn, would,  able, astronomers have concluded, that they once
of itself, require several hundreds of years of  formed a larger body which moved in the same
study and research, in order to acquire a general  region, and which had burst asunder by some
view of its physical, moral, and intellectual as-  immense eruptive force proceeding from its cenpects and relations.  Here we have presented  tral parts. This probable circumstance, togeto view, —. A globe of vast dimensions capable  ther with a variety of singular phenomena exhiof containing a population of sentient and intelli-  bited by these planets, naturally lead us to congent beings more than a hundred times greater  elude, that some important moral revolutions
than that of the earth. 2. Two immense rings,  had taken place, in relation to tie beings with
the one of them containing, on both its sides an  which it was peopled; and suggest tr the mind
area of eight thousand millions of square miles,  a variety of sublime and interesting reflections




IMMENSITY OF OBJECTS IN CREATION.                                 101
which may hereafter be disclosed.-The planet  consideration suggests an idea of duration, which
Mars, in several respects, bears a striking re-  to limited intellects such as ours, seems to apPemblance to our earth. Its rotation round its  proximate to the idea of eternity itself. Even
axis is accomplished in nearly the same time as  although it could be shown, that creation extendthe earth, namely, in 24 hours and 40 minutes.  ed no farther than the utmost bounds which the
The inclination of its axis to the plane of its  ingenuity of man has enabled him to penetrate,
orbit is 28 degrees and 42 minutes, that of the  -still, the vast assemblage of glorious objects
earth being 23 degrees 28 minutes. Conse-  contained within the range of our assisted viquently, it e;:)periences a diversity of seasons, and  sion, shows what an infinite variety of mental
different lengths of days and nights, as we do in  gratification the Creator may. bestow on his inour sublunary sphere.  Hence Sir William   telligent offspring; and we are assured, that
Herschel informs us, that he observed a lumi-  " no goodthing will he withhold from them that
nouls zone about the poles of this planet, which  walk uprightly."
is subject to periodical changes, and is of opi-    But, would it be reasonable to admit, that the
nion, that this phenomenon is produced by the  dominions of the universal Sovereign terminate
reflection of the sun's light upon its polar re-  at the boundaries of human vision?  Can we
gions, and that the variation in the magnitude  believe, that puny man, who occupies so diminuan(l appearance of this zone is owing to the  tive a speck among the works of God, has pemelting of these masses of polar ice. Its at-  netrated tb the utmost limits of the empire of Him
mosphere is likewise found to be very dense and  who fills the immensity of space with his presence?
obscure; which is the cause of that ruddy  As soon might we suppose, that a snail could
alpearance which this orb uniformly exhibits.  penetrate to the utmost extremity of the ocean,
These circumstances indicate a striking simi-  and, with one glance, survey its deepest caverns'
larity, in its physical constitution, to that of the  or, that a microscopic animalcula, which is conearth. Whether the moral state of its inhabi-  fined to a drop of water, in the crevice of a small
tants bears any resemblance to the present con-  stone, could explore at one comprehensive view,
dition of mankind, is a question which naturally  the regions of Europe, Asia, Afriica, and America.
suggests itself, and which may possibly be solved  Shall we consider the visible system of nature,in the future state to which we are destined.  magnificent and extensive as it is,-a palace sufFrost and snow; the accumulation and melting  ficient for the habitation of the Deity?  No: this
of vast masses of polar ice, long nights, and  would be, to circumscribe the Almighty within
wintry storms, scenes of darkness and desolation,  the limits of our imperfect vision, and within
stormy clouds, and a dense hazy atmosphere  the sphere of our comprehension. " Behold, the
surcharged with wintry exhalations, do not ap-  heavens, and the heaven of heavens, cannot conpear to be the characteristics of a world where  tain him!"  This declaration implies, that, beperfect happiness is enjoyed. The Sun which  yond all that the inhabitants of this world can
is the centre of our system, and which enlight-  explore in the visible firmanlent, there is a
ens surrounding worlds with his beams, is five *" heaven of heavens"-a region which contains
hundred times larger than all the planets and  unnumbered firmaments, as glorl us and extensive
moons taken together. And, since we perceive  as that which we behold,-throughout the vast
frequent changes taking place in his surface and  extent of'vwhich, the Deity is eternally and essenluminous atmosphere, there is doubtless a variety  tially present.  With regard to all that is visible
of astonishing processes and transformations go-  by the unassisted eye, or by the telescope, in
ing on, both in the exterior and interior parts  the vault of heaven, we may say with the poet:of this immense luminary, on a scale of magnitude and grandeur, which it would be highly    "Vast concave  ample dome! wastthou design'd
A meet apartment for the Deity?
gratifying to behold and investigate, and which    Not so: that thought alone thy state impairs,
t'ould raise to the highest pitch, our conceptions    Thy lofty sinks, and shallows thy profound,
of the magnificence and glory of Him  " who    And straitens thy diffusive; dwarfs the whole,
dwells in light unapproachable.".      And makes an universe an orrery."
dwells in light unapproachable."
If, then, the planetary system, which occu-    Beyond the wide circumference of that sphere
pies no larger a portion of space than one of the  which terminates the view of mortals, a boundless
smal',si stars that twinkle in our sky, would  region exists, which no human eye can penetrate,
afford such a vast multiplicity of objects for the  and which no finite intelligence can explore. To
contemplation'of intelligent beings, during a  suppose that the infinitely extended region which
lapse of agea,-what an immense assemblage of surrounds all that is visible in creation, is a mere
august objects and astonishing events is present-  void, would be as unreasonable, as to have affirmed before us in the physical arangements, and  ed, prior to the invention of the telescope, that
the moral history of the myriads of systems and  no stars existed beyond those which are visible
worlds to which I have alluded, and what an im-  to the naked eye. When we consider the limited
mense duration would be requisite for finite  faculties of man, and the infinite attributes of the
minds to survey the wondrous scene!  This  Eternal Mind, we have the highest reason o




102                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
conclude, that it is but a very small portion of  replenished with new orders of material and in
the works of God which has been disclosed to  tellectual existence: and, were he to return to
our view. " Could you soar beyond the moon,  the point from  which he at first set out, after
(says a well-known writer) and pass through all  numerous ages had elapsed, he would, doubtthe planetary choir; could you wing your way  less, behld new  changes and revolutions in
to the highest apparent star, and take your stand  many provinces of the Creator's dominionson one of those loftiest pinnacles of heaven, you  new heavens and new earths-and new species
would there see other skies expanded, another  of sentient and intellectual beings, different from
sun distributing his beams -by day, other stars  all those he at first contemplated.
that gild the alternate night, and other, perhaps    That such is the plan of the Creator's operanobler systems established in unknown profusion  tions, is not a mere conjecture or surmise, but is
through the boundless dimensionsof space. Nor  warranted from observations which have been
would the dominion of the universal Sovereign  made on the phenomena of the celestial bodies.
terminate there.  Even at the end of this vast  New stars have, at different periods, appeared
tour, vou would find yourself advanced no farther  in the heavens; which are plain indications of
than the suburbs of creation,-arrived only at the  the continued exertion of creating power. Some
frontiers of the great Jehovah's kingdom."     planets have burst asunder into different fragIt is highly probable, that, were all the two  ments, and stars which had shone for ages have
thousand four hundred millions of worlds to which  disappeared, and their existence, in their former
we have adverted, with all the eighty millions of  state, cannot now be traced.*  Such facts evisuns around which they revolve, to be suddenly  dently show, that some important revolutions
extinguished and annihilated, it would not cause  have taken place in relation to the bodies which
so great a blank in creation, to an eye that could  have thus been withdrawn from our view. Haytake in the whole immensity of nature, as the  ing for ages run their destined course, either their
extinction of the pleiades, or seven stars, would  constitution has undergone an essential change,
cause in our visible firmament. The range of  or they have been removed to another region of
material existence may, indeed, have certain  immensity, to subserve other purposes in the
limits assigned to it; but such limits can be per-  magnificent arrangements of the Sovereign inceived only by that Eye which beholds, at one  telligence. The observations made by Sir Wilglance, the whole of infinite space.   To the  liam Herschel on the nebulous appearances in
view of every finite mind, it must always appear  the heavens, and on the changes and modificaboundless and incomprehensible.  Were it pos-  tions which they undergo, lead to the conclusion,
sible that we could ever arrive at the outskirts of  that new systems are gradually forming in the
creation, after having surveyed all that exists in  distant regions of the universe. And, if the creathe material universe, we might be said, in some  ting energy of the Omnipotent is at present in
measure, to comprehend the'Creator himself;  constant operation, and has been so for ages past,
having perceived the utmost limits to which his  who shall dare to affirm, that it shall ever cease
power and intelligence have been extended. For,  its exertion through all the ages of eternity?
although we admit, that the perfections of the    Here, then, we have presented to our contemCreator are ininite; yet we have no tangible  plation, an assemblage of material and intellectual
measure of these perfections, but what appears  existence, to which the human mind can affix no
in the immense variety and extent of material  boundaries,-which is continually increasing,
and intellectual existence. And *we may hence  and still an infinity of space remaining for perconclude, that the highest order of created intel-  petual accessions, during the lapse of endless
lects, after spending myriads of ages in their re-  ages,-an assemblage of beings, which, in point
search, will never come to a period in their inves-  of number, of magnitude, and of extent, seems
tigations of the works and the ways of God.   to correspond with a boundless duration.  So
Even although we could conceive certain li-  that, we have no reason to doubt, that "' the
mits to the material universe, and that, after the  saints in light" will be perpetually acquiring new
lapse of millions of ages, a holy intelligence had  discoveries of the divine glory, new prospects
finished his excursions, and made the tour of the  into the immensity of God's operations, new
universal system which now exists,-yet. who  views of the rectitude and grandeur of his moral
can set bounds to the active energies of the Eter-  governtnent, new accessions to their felicity, and
nal Mind, or say, that new systems of creation,  new and transporting' trains of thought, without
different from all that have hitherto been con-  the least interruption, as long as eternity endures.
structed, shall not be perpetually emerging into
existence?  By the time a finite being had explored every object which now exists, and ac-    *Stars which are marked in ancient catalogues.
are not now to be found, and others are now visible
quired a knowledge of all the moral and physical  which were not known to the ancients. Some have
revolutions which have happened among the  gradually increased in brilliancy. Some that were
worlds which, at present, diversify the voids of formerly variable, now shine with a steady lustre,
while others have been constanstly diminisning in
space-a new region of infinite space might be  brightness




THRONE OF GOD.                                        (3C'THRONE OF GOD.                   worlds, in every region of space.  Here, too,
deputations from all the different provinces of
There is just one idea more that may he sug-  creation, may occasionally assemble, and the ingested, in addition to the several views exhibited  habitants of different worlds mingle with each
above, in order to raise to a higher pitch of other, and learn the grand outlines oftnose phvslsublimnity, our views of the grandeur of the Di-  cal operations and moral transactions, which
vine Being, and of the magnificence of his works   have taken place in their respective spheres.
The Scriptures frequently refer to a particular  Here, may be exhibited to the view of unnumplace, circumstance, or manifestation, termed the  bered multitudes, objects of sublimity and glory,
tzrone of God; as in the following passages:-  which are no where else to be found within the
"Heaven is my throne,. and the earth is my foot-  wide extent of creation. Here, intelligences of
stool."  " The Lord hath prepared his throne in  the highest order, who have attained the most
the heavens."  "A  glorious high throne, from   sublime heights of knowledge and virtue, may
toe beginning, is the place of thy sanctuary."  form the principal part of the population of this
"Therefore are they before the throne of God,  magnificent region. Here, the glorified body of
and serve him  day and night in his temple."  the Redeemer may have taken its principal sta" Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power,  tion, as " the head of all principalities and powbe dnto Him that sits upon the throne." —These,  ers:" and here likewise, Enoch and Elijah may
and similar expressions and representations, must  reside, in the mean time, in order to learn the
oe considered, either as merely metaphorical, or  history of the magnificent plans and operations
at.  ferring to some particular region of the uni-  of Deity, that they may be enabled to commuverse, where the Divine glory is reflected, in  nicate intelligence respecting them to their breths(rne peculiarly magnificent manner, from Inate-  ren of the race of Adam, when they shall again
rial objects; and where the manifestations of the  mingle with them in the world allotted for their
Divine character are most illustriously displayed.  abode, after the general resurrection.  Here, the
If there be a reference to the splendour and mag-  GRANDEUR of the Deity, the glory of his physiniltude of a particular portion of creation, there  cal and moral perfections, and the immensity of
is an astronomical idea, which may help us to  his empire, may strike the mind with more bright
ormn some conception of this "glorious high  effulgence, and excite more elavated emotions of
hrone," which is the peculiar residence of the  admiration and rapture, than in any other proEternal.  It is now considered by astrononlers,  vince of universal nature. In fine, this vast and
as highly probable, if not certain,-from late ob-  splendid central universe may constitute that auservations, from the nature of gravitation, and  gust mansion referred to in Scripture, under the
other circumstances, that all the systems of the  the designation of the THIRD HEAVENS —THE
universe revolve round one common centre, —  THRONE OF TtIE ETERNAL-the HEAVEN OF
and that this centre may bear as great a propor-  HEAVENS-THE  HIGH AND  HOLY PLACEtion, in point of magnitude, to the universal  and THE LIGHT THAT IS INACCESSIBLE AND
assemblage of systems as the sun does to his  FULL OF GLORY.*
surrounding planets. And, since our sun is five
hundred times larger than the earth, and all the        Within the limits of the last 150 years, it has been
er satet  an  the   found, that the principal fixed stars have a certain
other planets and their satellites taken together,  apparent motion, which is nearly uniform and regu-on the same scale, such a central body wsould  lar, and is quite perceptible in the course of thirty
be five hundred times larger than all the systems  or forty years.'Ihe star Arclurus, forexample, has
be five hundred times larger than all the systems  been observed to move three minutes and three seand worlds in the universe.  Here, then, may be  conds in the course of seventy-eight years. Most
a vast universe of itself-an example of material  of the stars have moved toward the south. The
stars in the northern quarter of the heavens seem
creation, exceeding all the rest in mnagnitude and  to widen their relative positions, while those in the
splendour, and in which are blended the glories  southern appear to contract their distances. These
of every other system.  If this is in reality the  m tions seem evidently to indelicate, that tle earth,
and all the other bodies of the solar system, are movcase, it may, with the most emphatic propriety,  ing in a direction from the stars, in the southern
be termed, THE THRONE OF GOD.                  part of the sky, toward those in the northern. Dr.
Herschel thinks, that a comparison of the changes
This is the most sublime and magnifient idea,now alluded to, indicates a motion cf our sun with
that can possibly enter into the mind of man   his attending planets towards the constellation Iter
We feel oppressed and overlwhelmed in enaed-  00cutes. This progressive movement which our systemn makes in absolute space is justly supposed to be
vouring to form even a faint representation of it.  a portion of that curve, which the sun describes
But, however much it may overpower our feeble  around the cenztre of that nebula to which he belongs
conceptions, we ought not to revolt at the idea  and, that all the other stars belonging to the same
nebula, describe similar curves. And since the uniof so glorious an extension of the works of God;  verse appears to be composed of thousandls of nesince nothing less magnificent seems suitable to  bull, or starry systems, detached from each other
it is reasonable to conclude, that all the starry sye.
a being of infinite perfections.-This grand cen-  tems of the universe revolve round one common
tral body may be considered as the Capital of the  centre, whose bulk and attractive influence are prouniverse.  Fr om this glorious centre, embassies  portionable to the size and the number of the bodloe
which perform their revolutions around it. We
may be occasionally despatched to all surrounding  knew. that the law of gravitation extends its infiuo




104                  THE PHILOSOEHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
Perhaps some whose, minds are not accustom-  ing is infinite, pervading the immensity of space
ed.o such bold excursions through the regions  with his presence, why should' we be reluctant
of material existence, may be apt to consider the  to admit the idea, that his almighty energy u
grand idea which has now been suggested, and  exerted throughout the boundless regions of space'
many of the preceding details as too improbable  for it is just such a conclusion as tihe notion of all
and extravagant to claim our serious attention.  infinite intelligence should naturally lead us to
In reply to such an insinuation, let it be consi-  deduce. Whether does it appear to correspond
dered, in theJirst place, that nothing has been sta-  more with the notion of an infinite Being, to
ted but what corresponds to the whole analogy  believe, that his creative power has been conof nature, and to several. sublime intimations  fined to this small globe of earth, and afew sparkcontained in the system of divine Revelation.  ling studs fixed in the canopy of the sky, or to
It is a fact, which, in the present day, cannot be  admit, on the ground of observation and analogy,
denied by any one acquainted with the subject,  that he has launched into existence millions of
that the material universe, as far as our eye and  worlds-that all the millions of systems within
our glasses can carry us, consists of a count-  the reach of our vision, are but as a particle of
less multitude of vast bodies, which completely  vapour to the ocean, when compared with the
baffle our feeble powers in attempting to form any  myriads which exist in the unexplored regions
adequate conception of them.  This amazing  of immensity-that the whole of this vast asspemfact, placed within the evidence of our senses,  blage of suns and worlds revolves around the
shows' us, that it is impossible for the human  grand centre of the universe-and that this centre
mind to form too extravagant ideas of the uni-  where the throne of' God is placed, is superior to
verse, or to conceive its structure to be more glo-  all the other provinces of creation in magnitude,
rious and magnificent than it really is.t      beauty, and magnificence?  Who would dare to
Again, nothing short of such sublime and  prove that such conceptions are erroneous, or
magnificent conceptions seems at all suitable to  impossible, or unworthy of that Being who sits
the idea of a Being of infinite perfection and of on the throne of the universe?   To attempt
eternal duration. If we admit, that the divine Be-  such a proof would be nothing less than to set
bounds to Omnipotence-to prescribe limits to
ence from  t              n    re         h the operations of him th  whose planet Herschel, at the  find
distance of eighteen hundred millions of miles, ant  the operations of him "whose ways are past findto the remotest parts of the orbits of the comets,  ing oat.'
which stretch far beyond this limit; and there is the
strongest reason to believe, that it forms a connect-    "Can man conceive beyond what God can do 
ing bond between all- the bodies of the universe,   Nothing but quite impossible is hard.
however distant from each other. This being ad-   He summons into being with like ease
mitted,-the motion of the different systems now    A swhole creation, and a single grain.
alluded to, and the immensity of the central body,   Speaks he the word? a thousand worlds are born I
from which motion of every kind originates, to pro-   A thousand worlds? There's space for millions
duce the order and harmony of the universe,-ap-     more;
pearto be necessary, in -order to preserve the balance    And in what space can his great Fiat fail?
of the universal system, and to prevent the numer-    Condemn me not, cold critic! but indulge
ous globes in the universe from gradually approach-    rhe warm imagination; why condemn l
Ing, each other, in the course of ages, and becoming    Why not indulge such thoughts as swell our hearts
one universal wreck.-We are mechanically con-   With fuller admiration of that Power
nected with the most distant stars visible through    Which gives our hearts with such high thoughts to
our telescopes, by means of light, which radiates   swell?
from those distant luminaries, mingles with the solar    Why not indulge in his augmented praise? 
rays, penetrates our atmosphere, and effects our op-    Darts not his glory a still brighter ray,
tic nerves with the sensation of colours, similar to    The less is left to chaos, and the realms
those produced by the rays of the sun. And we have    Of hideous night?"
equal reason to conclude, that we are likewise mechanically connected with these bodies by the law
of gravitation. So ghat the idea thrown out above,    These views and reasonings are fully corrobohowever grand and overwhelming to our feeble  rated by the sublime descriptions of Deity con.
powers, is not a mere conjecture, but is founded on  tained in the Holy Scriptures.-" Canst thou by
observation, and on the general analogies of the
universe.                                      searching find out God? canst thou find out the
Almighty to perfection?"  "He is the high and'In descending to the minute parts of nature, we  lofty One who inhabiteth eternity  -"e is gloh
obtain ocular demonstration of facts which overpower  lofty  One who inhabiteth eternity  -"He isglo.
our faculties, and which would be altogether incredi-  rious in power"-" He dwells in light unap.
hle, were they not placed within the evidence of the  proachable and full of glory "-" Great is our
senses. In a drop of water, in which certain vegetable substances have been infused, nmillions of liv-  Lord and of great power, his greatness is uning creatures have been seen, and, in some instances  searchable; his understanding is infinite "-" Can
where the animalcule are transparent, their eyes,  any thing be too hard for Jehovah? 
and the peristaltic motion of their bowels hav     e         too ard for Jehovah?  "The e
been perceived. Theminuteness oftheblood-vessel,  erlasting God the Lord, the Creator of the ends
and other parts of the structure of such creatures, is  of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary, there
as wonderful, and as incomprehensible, on the one  is no searching of his understandin    d
hand, as the magnitude and immenslty of the uni-  I   n
verse are on the other, —demonstrating, that, inthe  eth great things, past finding out, and wonders
works of the Creator, there is an infinity on either  withoutnumber."  "Hemetethouttheheavens
hand, which limited intellects will never be able fully
to comprehend.                                with a span, and comprehendeth tie dust of thy




i RANDEUR OF'THE DEITY.                                    105
earth in a measure."  " By the word of the Lord  when the immensity of space is considered as
were the heavens made, and aK the host of them   diversified with an immense variety and multipiiby the Spirit of his mouth."   "He spake, and  city of objects, and when eternal duration is conItwas done;-He commanded, and it stood fast."  templated as connected with a constant success'He stretched forth the heavens alone, and  sion of glorious scenes and transactions, that
bringeth forth their hosts by number."  "Lo  the soul of man can expand its views and elethese are parts of his ways, but how little a por-  vate its conceptions of the incomprehensible Jetion is heard of him; and the thunder of his power  hovah.
who can understand?  Behold the heaven, and    If these sentiments be admitted, it will foilow,
the heaven of heavens cannot contain him!"  that the man whose ideas are confined within
" The heavens declare the glory of God, and  limits of a few hundred miles, or even within
the firmament showeth forth his handy-work."  the range of the globe we inhabit, must have
"Thine, 0 Lord! is the greatness,and the glory,  his views of Deity confined within nearly the
and the majesty, for all in heaven and earth is  same sphere.  For we have no sensible meathine, and thou art exalted above all."  " Behold  sures of the attributes of God, but those which
the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the  are derived from the number and extent of his
Lold's."  "Jehovah hath prepared his throne in  actual operations.  When we attempt to think
the heavess, and his kingdom rulethover all." "I  of Him, without the assistance of his visible
will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty,  works, our thoughts instantly run into confusion,
and of thy wondrous works."  " Blessed be thy  and sink into inanity. And, since we find, that
glorious name who art exalted above all blessing  the material works of God are so " great above
and praise." " Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; all measure," so widely extended, and so magthou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens,  nificent in the scale of their operation, it is of
with all their hos:, thou preservest them all, and  the utmost importance, in a religious point of
the host of heaven worshippeth thee."  "' Who  view, that the mind accustonm itself to range at
can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? who can  large through the wide extent of creation-to
show forth all his praise?"  "Touching the Al-  trace, by analogy, from what is l;nown, the promighty, we cannot find him out."  "He is ex-  bable magnitude, arrangement, and grandeur of
cellent in power, and his glory is above the earth  what is removed beyond the limits of our viand heavens."                                 sion-to add magnitude to magnitude, system to
Such sublime descriptions of the Divine Being,  system, and motion to motion, till our thoughts
which are interspersed throughout various parts  are overwhelmed with the mighty idea.  And,
of Revelation, lead us to formn the most august  though we may occasionally frame some erroconceptions of his creative energy, and plainly  neous or inadequate notions, when forming
indicate, that it is impossible for the highest  our conceptions of certain subordinate particucreated intellect to form a more magnificent idea  lars, yet, we need not fear, that in point of numof his designs and operations than what in re-  ber, magnitude, and variety, our conceptions can
ality exists.                                 ever go beyond the realities which exist within
In short, though some of the preceding views  the range of universal nature, unless we suppose,
may not precisely correspond to the facts which  that " man can conceive beyond what God can
shall ultimately be found to exist in the universe,  do."  Such trains of thought will tend to expand
-they ought, nevertheless, to be entertained and  and elevate the tlind, and give it a sublime
rendered familiar to the* mind, since they open  turn of thinking; and will naturally produce
a sublime and interesting train of thinking; and  an ardent desire of beholding a brighter display
since they cannot go beyond the magnificence  of the magnificence of the Creator in the eternal
of Jehovah's kingdom, nor be very different from   world.
what actually exists in the universe. They form
a kind of sensible substratum of thought for the    From  what has been now  detailed respectmind to fix upon, when it attempts to fiame the  ing the numerous and august objects that may
loftiest conceptions of the object of our adora-  be presented to the contemplation of celestial
tion.-It may be laid down as a principle which  intelligences, we may conclude, that the chief
ought never tobe overlooked in Theology,-that,  subjects of study in the heavenly world will be
our conceptions of the grandeur of God are pre-  History and Philosophy. Under the department
cisely, or, at least, nearly commensurate with our  of history, may be comprehended all the details
conceptions of the grandeur and extent of his ope-  which wi!l be exhibited to them respecting the
rations throughout the universe.  We all admit,  origin, progress, and consummation of the rethat the Deity is infinite, both in respect of space  demption of man, and the information they may
and of duration. But, an infinity of empty space,  receive respecting the natural and moral scenery,
tald an infinity of duration, abstractly considered,  and the prominent providential occurrences and
convey no precise or tangible ideas to the mind,  arrangements of other worlds.
ao guide it in forming distinct conceptions of    As it is evident, that matter exists chiefly for
the Deity or of any other beings.  It is orly  the sake of sensitive and intelligent beings, so,




19f6               THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FIUTURE STATIb.
it is high y probable, if not demonstratively cer-  all his concerns, and that on the high scale of
tain, that the peopling of worlds with rational  eternity, it is but one of those passing and ephocreatures is intended chiefly to display the moral  meral transactions, which crowd the history of a
character of the Creator in his providential dis-  never-ending administration."
pensations, and in the whole series of his moral    Under the department of Philosophy may De
administration towards the numerous worlds and  included all those magnificent displays whicn will
orders of creatures which  exist throughout  be exhibited of the extent, the magnitude, the
his dominions. All his other perfections, par-  motions, the mechanism, the scenery, the inhaticularly his power and intelligence, appear to  bitants, and the general constitution of other sysbe exerted in subserviency to this grand object,  tems, and the general arrangement and order of
and to the distribution of happiness through-  the universal system comprehended under the
out the universe.- In so far, then, as the facts  government of the Almighty.  On these topics,
respecting  his  moral government, in  other  with all their subordinate and infinitely diversified
worlds, are made' known to the redeemed in  ramifications,the minds ofredeemed intelligences
heaven, in so far will their views of his moral  from this world will find ample scope for the exattributes, and of the principles of his adminis-  ercise of all their powers, and will derive fromn
tration in the universe, be enlarged and expand-  their investigations of them perpetual and unined.  In the disclosures which, in the course of terrupted enjoyment, throughoutan endless exages, may be made on this subject, displays of  istence.
the eternal righteousness of Jehovah, of his retri-    That the subjects of contemplation now stated,
butivejustice, of his " tender mercy," and of his  will, in reality, form the chief employments of
boundless benevolence, may be exhibited, which  renovated men and other intellectual beings, in a
will astonish and enrapture the mind more highly  future state, may also be proved from the reprothan even the magnificence and grandeur of his  sentations given in the word of God of the prephysical operations, and fill it with admiration  sent exercises of these intelligences. In the
of the amiable and adorable excellencies of the  book of Revelation, the angels, under the figure
Sovereign Ruler of the universe.  It' we account  of "' living creatures full of eyes," and the " el
it a pleasant study to investigate the habits and  ders," or representatives of the church of the
economy of some of the insect tribes;-if we  redeemed, are represented as falling down before
should reckon it highly gratifying to learn the  the throne of the Eternal, saying, " Thou art
history of all the events wh'ich have befallen  worthy, 0 Lord, to receive glory, honour, ann
every nation and tribe of mankind since the  power, for thou hast created all things, and for
world began, particularly those which relate to  thy pleasure they are and were created."  Here,
our first parents inl paradise, and after their ex-  the material works of God are represented as the
pulsion from it,-to the antediluvians, to the ten  foundation or reason of the thanksgiving and adotribes of Israel, to the Christians in the first cen-  rations of the heavenly host; and the language
turies, to the Waldenses, to the Assyrians, Baby-  evidently implies, that these works are the sublonians and American Indians,-how delightful ject of their contemplation-that they have beheld
and gratifying must it be, to learn the history of  a bright display of divine perfection in their strucangels, principalities and powers, and to become  ture and arrangement —that they are enraptured
acquainted with the leading transactions which  with the enlarged views of the divine glory
have occurred among beings of a higher order  which these works exhibit-and that their hearts,
and of different species, dispersed among ten  full of gratitude and admiration, are ever ready to
thousands of worlds! Great and marvellous as  burst forth in ascriptions of" glory, honour, and
the history of our world, and of human redemp-  power to him" who called the vast assemblage
tion appears, it may be far surpassed by the  of created beings into existence.-In another
events which eternity will unfold.  "The day  scene, exhibited in the same book, the saints who
is coming," (to use the words of a celebrated  had come out of great tribulation, and had gotten
modern writer *) when the whole of this wond-  the victory over all enemies, are represented
rous history shall be looked back upon by the  with the harps of God in their hands, celebrating
eye of remembrance, and be regarded as one  the divine praises in this triumphant song,
incident in the extended annals of creation, and  "Great and marvellous are thy worlds, Lord
with all the illustration, and all the alory it has  God Almighty-just and true are thy ways, thou
thrown on the character of the Deity, will it be  King of saints."-The first part of this song
seen as a single step in the evolution of his de-  may be considered as the result of their contem.
signs; and as lona as the time may appear, from   plations of the magnificent fabric of the universe,
the first act of our redemption to its final accom-  and the omnipotent energies which its moveplishment, and close and exclusive as we may  ments display; and the last part of it as the te
tsink the attentions of God upon it, it will be  suit of their study and investigation of the morti
round that it has left him him room enough for  government of God in his providential arrango
ments towards men and angels, and towards all
Br, Chalmers.                 the worlds whc Se moral economy may be opeued




FUTURE MISERY OF THE WICKED.                                      107
to tnetr siew   For the words of the son g plainly  feelings which are accompanied with pleasure;
imply, that they have acquired such an expansive  but there, every thing that comies in contract with
view of the works of God as constrains them to  the organs of feeling may produce the most paredeclare, that they are " great and marvellous;"' ful sensations. Here, the variety of colours which;
and that they have attained such an intimate  adorn the face of nature, delights the eye ando
knowledge of the divine dispensations towards  the imagination,-there, the most gloomy and
the intelligent universe, a senables them to per-  haggard objects may at all times produce a dismal
ceive that all the ways of the King of heaven  and alarming aspect over every part of the surare" righteous and true."                     roundin'g scene. Here, the mnost enchanting music
frequently cheers, and enraptures the human
From the preecding details we may also learn,  heart, there, nothing is heard but the dismal
what will form one constituent part of the misery  sounds " weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of
of the wicked in the future world. As one part  teeth."  Ungrateful for the manifold blessings
of the happiness of the righteous will consist in  they received in this world from  the bountiful
" seeing God as he is," that is, in beholding the  Giver of all good, the inhabitants of that dreary
divine glory as displayed in the physical and  region will behold their sin in their punishment,
moral economy of the universe,-so, it will, in  in being deprived of every thing which can adall probability, form one bitter ingredient in the  minister to their sensitive enjoyment.
future lot of the unrighteous, that they shall be    With regard to their moral state, similar effects
deprived of the transporting view of the Cre-  will be produced.  Here, they hated the society
ator's glory, as displayed in the magnificent ar-  of the righteous, and loved to mingle with evil
rangements he has made in-the system of nature,  doers in their follies and their crimes; there they
Confined to one dreary corner of the universe,  will be for ever banished firom the company of the
surrounded by a dense atmosphere, or a congeries  wise and the benevolent, and will feel the bitter
of sable clouds, they will be cut off from all in-  effects of being perpetually chained to the sotercourse with the regions of moral perfection,  ciety of those malignant associates who will be
and  prevented  from contemplating  the sub-  their everlasting tormentors. Here they delighted
lime scenery of the Creator's empire.  This  to give full scope to their depraved appetites and
idea is corroborated by the declarations of Scrip-  passions, there, they will feel the bitter and horture, where they are represented " as banished  rible effects of the full operation of such lusts and
from the new Jerusalem," " thrust out into outer  passions, when unrestrained by the dictates of
darkness," and reserved for" the blackness of  reason. and the authority of the divine law. If,
darkness for ages of ages."  And, nothing can  to these sources of sorrow and bitter deprivations,
be more tormenting to minds endowed with ca-  be added the consideration, that, in such minds,
pacious powers, than the thought of being for ever  the principles of malice, envy, hatred, revenge,and
deprived of the opportunity of exercising them   every other element of evil, which pervaded their
on the glorious objects which they know to exist,  souls while in this life, will rage without control,
but which they can never contemplate, and about  we may form such a conception of future misery
which they never expect to hear any transporting  as will warrant all the metaphorical descrip.
information.                                   tions of it which are given in Divine Revela.
If it be one end of future punishment to make  tion, without supposing any farther interposiwicked men sensible of their folly and ingratitude,  tion of the Deity, in  the direct infliction oi
and of the mercy and favours they have abused,  punishment.  While he leaves them simply to
it is probable, that, in that future world or region  "eat of the fruit of their own cways, and to be
to which they shall be confined, every thing  Jilled with their own devices," their punishment
will be so arranged, as to bring to their recollec-  must be dreadful, and far surpassing every spetion, the comforts they had abused, and the divine  cies of misery connected with the present state
goodness they had despised, and to make them   of the moral world.
feel sensations opposite to those which were pro-    On the other hand, a consideration of the infiduced by the benevolent arrangements which ex-  nitely diversified sources of bliss to which our atist in the present state.-For example, in the  tention has been directed, has a powerful tenpresent economy of nature, every one of our  dency to impress the minds ot the saints with
senses, every part of our bodily structure, every  a lively perception of the unbounded nature of
movement of which our animal frame is suscep-  divine  benignity, and  of "the love of God
tible, and the influlence which the sun, the at-  which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." It is chiefly
mrosphere, and other parts of nature, produce on  in connection with such expansive views of the
our structure and feelings, have a direct tendency  attributes and the government of the Deity, that
to communicate pleasing sensations. But, in  the love of God towards the redeemed appears
that world, every agency of this kind may be re-  " boulndless," and " passing comprehension;"
versed, as to the effect it may produce upon per-  for it introduces them into a scene which is not
elpient beings.  Our sense of touch is at present  only cortmmensurate with infinite duration, tbut is
acunmpanied with a thousand modificatiovtt of  boundless ll its prospects of knowledge, v' fi.li



108               THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
city, and of glory. And, therefore, amidst all and obscure our intellectual views, shall be cora
the other employments cf the heavenly state,  pletely and for ever removed.
they will never forget their obligation to that
unmerited grace and mercy which rescued their    From  the whole of what we have stated on
souls from destruction, but will mingle with all  this department of our subject, we may; learn
their sublime  ihvestigations,-ascriptions of the value of the human soul, and the importance
"blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, to  which ought to be attached to our immorta.
Him that sits'upon the throne, and to the Lamb,  destination.  What a shadow does human life
tbr ever and ever."                  -;       appear when contrasted with  the scenes of
futurity! What a small point in duration do
The substance of what has been detailed in  the revolutions of time present when compared
this' department of my subject may be now   with a boundless eternity!  What a limited
briefly stated in the following summary:      scene does this world, with all its gloties, exThe redeemed in heaven will enjoy perpetual  hibit, when set in competition with the extent,
and uninterrupted felicity-the foundation of this  and  the splendours of that empire  which
felicity will be laid in their complete freedom   stretches out into immensity, and shall endure
from sin, and their attainment of moral perfec-  for ever!  And is man to be transported to
tion-their renovated faculties will be employ-  other regions of the universe, to mingle with
ed in contemplating the divine glory-the di-  the inhabitants of other worlds, and to exist
vine glory consists in the manifestation of he  throughout an endless duration?  What a noble
divine perfections-the sensible display of these  principle does the human mind appear, when
perfections will be given, (and can only be given)  we consider it as qualified to prosecute so many
in the works of creation, in the intelligences  diversified trains of thought, to engage in so
which people the material world, their orders,  sublime investigations, to attain the summit of
gradations, history, and present state-in the  moral perfection, and  to expatiate at large,
variety of scenery which the abodes of intelli-  through the unlimited dominions of the Almighty,
gence exhibit-in the economy and moral order  while eternal ages are rolling on! How importwhich prevail among them,-and in the various  ant, then, ought every thing to be considered
dispensations of Divine Providence in reference  which is connected with the scene of our eternal
to all worlds and orders of beings.           destination! If these truths be admitted, reason
With regard to the happiness of heaven, the  and common sense declare, that a more inteScriptures convey to us, in general propositions,  resting and momentous subject cannot possibly
certain intimations of its nature, qualities, and  occupy the mind of nian. It is so profoundly
objects, and of the qualifications which are requi-  interesting, and connected with so many awful
site in order to its enjoyment. The discoveries  and glorious consequences, that we mnust be
which science has made in the visible creation  utterly dead to every noble and refined feeling,
form so many illustrations of the scriptural decla-  if we be altogether indifferent about it.
rations on this subject; and it is undoubtedly our    If there were only a bare probability for the
duty to direct our trains of thought, and to expand  opinion, that man is immortal, and that the scenes
our conceptions of the felicities of the future  to which I have alluded might possibly be realworld, by every illustrative circumstance which  ized, it ought to stimulate the most anxious incan be traced in the scene of nature which the  quiries, and awaken all the powers and energies
Almighty has presented to our view. For the  of our souls. For it is both our duty and our
word and the works of God must always har-  highest interest to obtain light and satisfaction,
nionize, and reflect a mutual lustre on each other.  on a point on which our present comfort and
What we find to be actual!y existing within the  our ultimate happiness must depend. But, if
-isible scene of the universe, can never contra-  the light of nature, and the dictates of revela.
diet any of the statements of Revelation; but,  tion both conspire to demonstrate the eternal
on the contrary, must tend to elucidate some one  destiny of mankind, nothing can exceed the folly
or other of its interesting communications. And  and the infatuation of those who trifle with
since we find, in our survey of the system  of  their everlasting interests, and even try every
nature, an assemblage of astonishing objects  scheme, and prosecute every trivial object, that
which tend to raise our conceptions of the Su-  may have a tendency to turn aside their thoughts
preme Being, and of the sublime and diversified  from this important subject. Yet, how often do
nature of future felicity,-it becomes us to prose-  we find, in the conduct of the various classes of
cute those trains of thought which the analo-  mankind, the merest trifles set in competition
gies of Nature and of Revelation suggest, in  with the scenes of happiness or of misery that
oraer to enlarge the capacities of our minds, to  lie beyond the grave. The grovelling pleasures
exalt our ideas of celestial bliss, and to prepare  derived from hounding and horse-racing, balls,,is for more expansive and sublime contempla-  masquerades, and theatrical amusememits; the
tions, in that world where the physical and mo-  acquisition of a few paltry pounds or shillings,
rat obstructions which now impede our progress,  the rattling of dice, or the shuffling of a pack of




QUALIFICATIONS FOPR ElEAVEN.                                  109
cards, will absorb thi  minds of thousands who  hovers upon his mind in relation to this subject,
profess to be rational beings, while they refuse  he should give himself no rest till it be dispelled.
to spend one serious hour in reflecting on the  He should explore every avenue where light and
fate of their immortal spirits, when their bodies  information may be obtained; he should proseshall have dropped into the tomb. Nay, such  cute his researches with the same earnestness
is the indifference, and even antipathy with  and avidity as the miser digs for hidden treawhich this subject is treated by certain classes  sures; and above all things, he should study,
of society, that it is considered as unfashionable,  with deep attention and humility, the revelation
and in cetain cases, would be regarded as a  contained in the Holy Scriptures, with earnest
species of insult, to introduce, in conversation,  prayer to God for light and direction.  And if
a sentiment or a reflection on the eternal destiny  such inquiries be conducted with reverence, with
of man.  " The carelessness which they betray  a devotional and contrite spirit, and with perse.
in a matter which involves their existence,  verance, every doubt and difficulty that may have
their eternity, their all, (says an  energetic  formerly brooded over his mind will gradually
French writer) awakes my indignation, rather  evanish, as the shades of night before the orient
than my pity. It is astonishing. It is horrify-  sun.  " If thou criest after knowledge, and lifting. It is monstrous. I speak not this fiom   est up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekthe pious zeal of a blind devotion. On the con-  est her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid
trary, I affirmn, that self-love, that self-interest,  treasures-then shalt thou understand the fear of
that the simplest light of reason, should inspire  the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.  For
these sentiments; and, in fact, for this we need  the Lord giveth wisdom, out of his mouth cometh
but the perceptions of ordinary men.-It requires  knowledge and understanding. In all thy ways
but little elevation of soul to discover, that here  acknowledge him, and he shall E'srect thy paths.
there is no substantial delight; that our plea-  Then shall thy light break forth ll obscurity, and
sures are but vanity, that the ills of life are  thy darkness shall be as the noon-day."
innumerable; and that, after all, death, which    In fine, if we are thoroughly convinced of our
threatenstus every moment, must, in a few years,  relation to an eternal world, it will be our conperhaps in a few days, place us in the eternal con-  stant endeavour to cultivate those heavenly disdition of happiness, or misery, or nothingness."  positions and virtues, and to prosecute that
It is, therefore, the imperative duty of every  course of action which will prepare us for the
man who makes any pretensions to prudence and  enjoyments of the heavenly state.  " For withrationality, to endeavour to have his mind im-  out holiness no man can see the Lord: and we
pressed with a conviction of the reality of a  are assured that " no unclean thing can enter the
future and invisible world, to consider its import-  gates of the New Jerusalem," and that neither
ance, and to contemplate, in the light of reason  " thieves, nor extortioners, nor the covetous,
and of revelation, the'grand and solemn scenes  nor the effeminate, nor drunkards, nor revilers,
which it displays.  While  the  least doubt  nor idolaters shall inherit the Kingdom of God."
PART IV.
ON THE MORAL QUALIFICATIONS REQUISITE: TO THE ENJOYMENTS OF THE FELICITY OF
THE FUTURE WORLD.
THERE is scarcely an individual who admits  which true happiness consists, and from fallacithe doctrine of the immortality of man, who  ous views of the exercises of a future state and tho
does not indulge a certain degree of hope, that  n iture of its enjoyments.  For, in order to enjoy
ne shall be admitted into a happier world, when  happiness in any state, orin any region ofthe unihis spirit wings its way from this earthly scene.  verse, the mind must be imbued with a relish for
Even the man of the world, the profligate and  the society, the conteniplations, and the employthe debauchee, notwithstanding their conscious-  ments peculiar to that region or state, and feel
ness of guilt, and ofthe opposition of their affec-  an ardent desire to participate in its enjoyments.
tions to the Divine Law, and the duties of the    What pleasure wo-ld a miser whose mind is
Christian  life, are frequently found buoying  wholly absorbed in the acquisition of riches, feel
themselves up, in the midst of'their unhallowed'  in a world where neither gold nor silver, nor any
courses, with the vain expectation, that an All'  other object of avarice is to be found?  What
Merciful Creator will not suffer thern ultimately  entertainment would a man whose chief onto sink into perditior:, but will pity their weak-  joyment consists in  hounding, horse-racing,
ness and follies, and receive them, when they die,  routes, and masquerades, derive in a scene
into the joys of heaven.  Such hopes arise from   where such amusements are for ever abolished?
ignorance of the divine character, and of that in  Could it be supposed that those who now nrld




.10                THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
their highest intellectual pleasures in Novels  and contentions, which are so common in tne
and Romances, and in listening to tales ofscan-  higher, as well as in the lower ranks of life, ane
dal, would experience any high degree of en-  which embitter every enjoyment? Whence does
joyment in a world where there is nothing but  it happen, that, in order to obtain gratification.
substantial realities, and where the inhabitants  and to render existence tolerable, so many thou
are united in bonds of the purest affection?-or,  sands of rational beings condescend to indulge
that those whose minds never rise beyond the  in the most childish, foolish, and brutal diverpleasures of gambling, card-playietg, and gossip-  sions?  Even in the most polished circles of
ping chit-chat, would feel any relish for the re-  society, many who pride themselves on their su.
fined enjoyments, the sublime contemplations,  periority to the vulgar throng, are found deriving
and the enraptured praises of the heavenly in-  their chiefgratification, not only in scattering deshabitants?  All the arrangements of the celes-  truction among the brutal and the feathered tribes
tial state, behoved to be -changed and overturned,  but in mingling among the motley rabble of a cock.
and angels, archangels, and  redeemed  men,  pit, and in witnessing a couple of boxers encounbanished from its abodes, before such characters  tering like furious fiends, and covering each other
could  find entertainments agreeable to their  with wounds and gore. 7Whence arise the torments
former habits and desires. Although they were  that are felt from wounded pride and disappointed
admitted into the mansions of bliss, they would  ambition? and how does it happen that social
be miserably disappointed; and would feel them-  parties cannot enjoy themselves for a couple of
selves in a situation similar to that of a rude  hours, without resorting to cards and dice, gainmsavage or a Russian boor, were he to be intro-  bling and gossipping, and the circulation of tales
duced into an assembly of princes and nobles.  of scandal?  How is it to be accounted for, that
They would perceive nothing congenial to their  suicide is so frequently committed by persons in
former pursuits; they would feel an inward reluc-  the higher Circles, who are rurrounded with
tance to the pure and holy exercises of the place,  luxuries and splendour; and that murmuring,
and they would anxiously desire to fly away to  discontentment, and ingratitude, mark the disporegions and to companions more adapted to  sitions and conduct ofthelower ranks of society?
their grovelling views and affections. For, it is  All these effects proceed from the absence of
the decree of Heaven-a decree founded on the  Christian principles and dispositions, and from
moral laws which govern the intelligent universe,  the narrow range of objects to which the inteland which, like the law of the Medes and Per-  lectual powers are confined.  The man who is
sians, cannot be changed,-that " W-ithout holi-  actuated by Christian views and affections, looks
ness no man can see theLord," and that " no im-  down with indifference and contempt, on the depure person that worketh abomination, or maketh  grading pursuits to which I have alluded; his soul
a lie, can enter within the gates of the Heavenly  aspires after objects more congenial to his r.aJerusalem."                                    tional and immortal nature; and in the pursuit
The foundation of felicity in the future state,  of these, and the exercise of the virtues which
is substantially the same as that which forms the  religion inculcates, he enjoys a refined pleasure
basis of happinessinthe present world. However  which the smiles of'the world cannot produce,
elevated the station in which an individual may  and which its frowns cannot destroy.
be placed, however much wealth he may possess,    As in the present life there are certain mental
and however splendid his rank and equipage, he  endowments necessary for securing substantial
can enjoy no substantial felicity, while he remains  happiness, so, there are certain moral qualificathe slave of grovelling appetites and affections,  tions indispensably requisite in order to prepare us
and while pride and envy, ambition and revenge,  for relishing the entertainments and the employexercise a sovereign control over his mind.  mentsof thelife to come. The foundation offuW5hile destitute of supreme love to God, and be-  ture felicity must be laid in " repentance towards
nevolent affections towards man, and of the  God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ."
Christian virtues which flow from these funda-  We must be convinced of our sin and depravity
mental principles of moral action, the mind must  as descendants of the first Adani, of the demerit
remain a stranger to true happiness, and to all  of our offences, of the spotless purity and eternal
those expansive views, and delightful feelings,  rectitude of that Being whom we have offended,
which raise the soul above the pleasures of sense,  and of the danger to which we are exposed as
and the trivial vexations and disappointments of  the violators of his law. We must receive, with
the present life.                              humility and gratitude, the salvation exhibited
These positions could be demonstrated, were  in the Gospel, and "behold," with the eye of
it necessary, by numerous facts connected with  faith, " the Lamb of God who taketh away the
the moral scenery of human society. Whence  sins of the world."  We must depend on the aid
proceeds that ennui, which is felt in the fashion-  of the Spirit of God to enable us to counteract
able world, in the absence of balls, parties, ape-  the evil propensities of our nature, to renew our
ras, and theatrical entertainments?  Whence  souls after the divine image, and to inspire us
vrise those domestic broils, those family feuds  with ardent desires to abound all in those " fruits




LOVE TO GOD.                                         1
of righteousness which are to the praise and glory  every thing is preserved in order and harmony
of God." ~ We must " add to our faith, fortitude  and in organizing the bodies of men and other
and resolution, and to fortitude knowledge, and to  creatures, so as to prevent pain, and to produce
knowledge, temperance, and to temperance, pa-  a combination of pleasurable sensations. His
tience, and to patience, godliness, and to godli-  goodness extends over all his works,. and is dis.
ness, brotherly kindness and charity.  For, if  played towards every rank of sensitive and inthese things be in us and abound, they will per-  telligent existence.  It appears in the splendours
mit us to be neither barren nor unfruitful in the  of the sun, in the radiance of the moon, in the
knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ;-and so an  glories of the starry firmament, in the beautiful
entrance shall be abundantly administered unto  assemblage of colours which diversify the face of
us into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and  Nature, in the plants and flowers, which adorn
Saviour."*                                     the fields, in the gentle zephyrs, in the rains and
The foundation of Religion being thus laid in  dews that fertilize the soil, in the provision made
the exercise of such Christian graces, the follow-  for the sustenance of the innumerable beings that
ing dispositions and virtues, among many others,  inhabit the air, the waters, and the earth, and
will be cherished and cultivated, and will form   " in filling the hearts of men with food and gladsubstantial qualifications for enabling us to par-  ness."   His mercy and forbearance are exer.
ticipa:te in " the inheritance of the saints in light."  cised towards all men, even to the most profligate
1. Supreme love to God, the original source  and abandoned, in supporting them in existence
of happiness.  This is the first duty of every  and loading them  with his benefits, even when
rational creature, and the most sublime affection  they are engaged in acts of rebellion against him.
that can pervade the human mind.  It glows in  For he commandeth his sun to arise on the evil
the breasts of angels and archangels, of cheru-  as well as on the good, and sendeth rain both on
him and seraphim, yea, there is not an inhabitant  the just and on the unjust. He displays his longof any world in the universe who has retained  suffering, for many years, towards the thoughthis primitive integrity, in whose heart it does  less prodigal, and the violators of his law, tc
not reign triumphant.  It unites all holy intelli-  demonstrate, that " he desires not that any should
gences to their Creator and to one another; and  perish, but that all should come to repentance."
consequently, it must qualify us for holding a de-    A Being possessed of such attributes, and inlightful intercourse with such beings, wherever  cessantly displaying such beneficence throughthey exist, and in whatever region of the universe  out creation, demands the highest affection and
our future residence may be appointed. It enli-  veneration of all his intelligent offspring; so
vens the adorations of the angelic tribes, when  that it is the dictate of enlightened reason as
they exclaim, "Thou art worthy, 0 Lord, to re-  well as of revelation, " Thou  shalt love the
ceive glory, and honour, and thanksgiving, and  Lord  thy God with  all thy heart, with  all
power."  It animates them in all their celestial  thy soul, and with all thy strength."  For, it is
services; it inspires them  with a noble ardour  from him as the original source of felicity, that
in executing the commands of their Sovereign,  all our sensitive and intellectual enjoyments proand it qualifies its possessor, to whatever world  ceed, and on him we depend for all the blessings
ho may belong, for co-operating with them, in  that shall accompany us in every future stage of
carrying forward that scheme of universal be.  our existence.  Love to God, is therefore, the
nevolence, towards the accomplishment of which  most reasonable and amiable affection that can,
all the arrangements of the Creator ultimately  glow in the human heart, and the spring of every.
tend.                                          virtuous action, and of every pleasing and rapThis holy affection is congenial to every view  turous emotion. If we are possessed of this die.
we can take of the character and operations of vine principle, we shall delight in his worship,.
the Deity, and its obligation is deduced from the  and bow with reverence at his footstool; we shall
clearest principles of Reason, as well as from the  feel complacency in his character and adminis.
dictates of Revelation.  It is founded on every  tration; we shall contemplate with admiration,
attribute of the Divinity, and on every part of  the incomprehensible knowledge, the omnipotent
his physicaland moraladministration.  His om-  power, and the boundless beneficence displayedi
nipotence is every moment exerted in supporting  in the mighty movements of creation and prothe frame of the universe, in bringing about the  vidence; we shall feel the most lively emotions
alternate succession of day and night, summer  of gratitude for the numerous blessings he beand winter, seed-time and harvest, and in direct-  stows; we shall be resigned to his wili un.-'t
ing the operation of the elements of nature, in  every providential arrangement, and, we shall
such a way as to contribute to the happiness of  long for that happy world where the glories of his
man.  His wisdom and intelligence are display.  nature, and the " kindness of his love" shall be
ed in proportionating and arranging every object  more illustriously displayed. But the man who
in the system of nature, in such a manner, that  is destitute of this amiable affections isincapable
of those sublime and rapturous emotions whicn
2  Peter 1. s, 7,,, 11  Dodridge's Translation.  animate the minds of celestial intelligences, and
20




THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
zltogetner unqualified for mingling in their soci-  mankind is the law of the Creator, and the most
ety. lie is a rebel against the divine govern-  rational and amiable affection that can animate
ment, a nuisance in the universe of God, the  the human heart in relation to subordinate intel.
slave of grovelling appetites and passidns, and  ligences.  He who is destitute of this affection
consequently, unfit for participating in the exer-  is a pest in society, a rebel and a nuisance in
cises and enjoyments of the saints in glory.  the kingdom of God, and, of course, unqualified
2. Love to mankind is another affection which  for the enjoyment of celestial bliss. "For he
is indispensably requisite to qualify us for parti-  who hateth his brother, is a murderer; and we
cipating in the joys of heaven. This distinguish-  know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding
ing characteristic of the saints naturally and ne-  in him."*
cessarily flows from love to the Supreme Being.    But, our love is not to be confined to our'' For (says the apostle John) every one that  brethren of the race of Adam. It must take a
toveth him who begat, loveth them also who are  loftier flight, and comprehend within its expanbegotten of hitn.  If God loved us we ought also  sive grasp, all the holy intelligences in the unito love one another. If a man say, I love God,  verse, in so far as their nature and qualities have
and hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he who  been made known to us. We must love the anloveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how   gelic tribes.  They are beings who stand near
can he love God whom he hath not seen."  As  the summit of the scale of intellectual existhe spring flows from the fountain and partakes  tence; they are endowed with faculties superior
of its qualities, and as the shadow always ac-  to man; they dwell in the glorious presence
companies the substance, and is produced by it,  of God, and are employed as his ministers in
so love to man uniformly accompanies the love  superintending the affairs of his government.
of God, and is produced by the powerful influ-  They are possessed of wonderfill activity, in.
ence which this governing principle exerts over  vested with powers of rapid motion, and flouthe mind.                                     rish in immortal youth. They are adorned with
This affection is accordant with the dictates  consummate holiness and rectitude, and with peo
of reason, and congenial to the best feelings of  culiar loveliness of character. Pride and vanity,
the human heart. When we consider that our  envy and malice, wrath and revenge, never rant
ifellow-men derived their origin from  the same  kle in their breasts.  They never indulge in im-:almighty Being who brought us into existence-   piety, never insult the Redeemer, nor bring a;that they are endowed with the same physical  railing accusation against their brethren. They
tfunctions as ourselves, and the same moral  glow with an intense and immortal flame of love
and intellectual powers,-that they relish the  to their Creator; they are incessantly employed.same pleasures and enjoyments, possess the same  in acts of benevolence; they occasionally descend
feelings, and are subjected to the same wants  to our world on embassies of mercy, and are:and afflictions-that they are involved in the  ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation. On
same general depravity, and liable to the same  all these accounts they demand our esteem, our:emptations and disasters-that they are jour-  approbation, and our affectionate regard. And,
iueying along with us to the tomb, and that our  although they are at present placed beyond the
dust must soon mingle with theirs-when we  reach of our beneficence, and we have no oppor.
consider the numerous relations in which we  tunity of expressing our benevolent wishes, yet
stand to our brethren around us, and to all the  we may afterwards be joined to their society,
linhabitants of the globe —our dependence upon  and co-operate with them in theirlabours of love.
all ranks ald descriptions of men, and upon al-    The indispensable necessity of love to man-'most every nation under heaven for our sen-  kind, and to every class of holy intelligences, as
-sitive and intellectual enjoyments,-and  that  a preparation for heaven, will appear, when we
thousands df.hem are traversing sea and land,  consider, that we shall mingle in their society,
and exposing themselves to innumerable dan-  and hold intimate fellowship with them  in the
gers, in order to supply us with the comforts and  eternal world.  For the inhabitants of our world
the luxuries of life-when we consider, that they  who are admitted into heaven, are represented
are all destined to an immortal existence, and  in Scripture, as joining "the general assembly
shall survive the dissolution of this globe, and  and church of the first-born, the spirits of just
bear a part in the solemn scenes which shall  men made perfect and the innumerable company
open to view when time shall be no more-in  of angels;" and hence they are exhibited, in the
shert, when we consider, that the Great Father  book of Revelation, as joining with one heart
of all, without respect of persons, makes the  and one mind in contemplating the divine opera.
same vital air to give play to their lungs, the  tions, and in celebrating the praises of their com.
same water to cleanse and refresh them, the  mon Lord. In the society of that blessed world,
same rains and dews to:fructify their fields, the  love pervades every bosom, it reigns for ever
same sun to enlighten their day, and the same  triumphant; and therefore, every exercise ami,moon to cheer the darkness of their night-we,mustche convinced. that love to our brethren of              * l John iii. 16.




HUMILITY.                                       113
mterco'lse is conducted with affection, harmony,  the greatest curse that can fall on a Christian
and peace. Among the other evils which shall church, when it insinuates itself into the minds
ne banished from the New Jerusalem, it is de-  of those who " love to have the pre-eminence.'
dared in the book of Revelation, that "there  It is a source of torment to its possessor, and tc
shall be no more crying," or, as the words should  all around him; and of all the malignant pas.
Be rendered," there shall be no more clamour,  sions which rankle in the human breast, it is the
broils, or contentions," arising from the operation  most inconsistent with the present character and
of malignant principles. No jarring affection is  condition of man.  It is peculiar to fallen and
ever felt, no malevolent wish is ever uttered, and  depraved intelligences, for it is certain, from the
no discordant voice is ever heard, among all the  very constitution of the moral system, that no
myriads of those exalted intelligences.  Kind-  emotions of pride or haughtiness are ever felt in
ness and benignity expansive, benevolence, con-  the breasts of angels, or any other holy beings;
descension and humility, are the characteristics  because such affections are incompatible with
of all the inhabitants of heaven. Without these  the principle of love to God and to our fellowqualities the celestial world would become a scene  creatures.
of eternal confusion, and happiness would be    In opposition to this principle, which predobanished from its abodes. If, therefore, we would  minates in the minds of fallen man, and apostate
be qualified to associate with those glorious be-  angels,-humility is a distinguishing characterings and to participate in their enjoyments, we  istic of the sons of God, whether on earth or in
must cultivate the same virtues, and be animated  heaven.  Hence, we are told that "God reby similar dispositions, otherwise, we could ex-  sisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humperience no delight in the society of angels,  ble"-that even " a proud look is an abomina..
and of " the spirits of the just made perfect."  tion in his sight," while he beholds with comWere an individual whose heart is full of ran-  placency " the humble and the contrite spirit."
cour and envy, who delights in broils and conten-  Hence, we are exhorted "to clothe ourselves
tions, and in the exercise of revenge, to be ad-  with humility;" and " to forbear one another
ritted into that society, he would find no asso-  in all lowliness and meekness of mind, and to
ciates actuated by congenial feelings, he would  esteem others better than ourselves."  Humility
disturb the harmony of the celestial choir, and  consists ina just sense of our character and conwould be instantly expelled, with every mark of  dition, both as depending beings and as aposindignation and horror, from  those  blessed  tate creatures, accompanied with a corresponabodes. "For what fellowship hath righteous-  dent train of dispositions and affections. Howeness with unrighteousness? what communion  ver much this disposition has been disrelished by
hath light with darkness? and what concord  Hume and other infidels, who consider it as both
hath Christ with Belial?"  By a law which  vicious and contemptible,-when viewed in its
pervades the whole moral universe wherever it  true light, it appears congenial to the best feelextends, which can never be rescinded, and  ings of our nature, and to the plainest deductions
which, like the law of gravitation in the materi-  of reason.-When we consider our condition as
al world, connects all the individuals of which it  creatures, dependent every moment on a Supeis composed in one harmonious system; such  rior Being " for life, and breath, and all things,"
characters must, of necessity, be for ever exclu-  when we reflect on the curious organization of
ded from the mansions of the blessed. On the  our corporeal frame, the thousands of veins, arte-.other hand, the man whose heart glows with love  ries, muscles, bones, lacteals, and lymphatics,
to his Creator, and with expansive affection to  which are interwoven through its constitution;
mankind, and towards all holy beings, is secured  the incessant pulsation of the heart in the centre
of eternal happiness, as the necessary result of  of the system and the numerous other functions
the possession of such divine principles; and  and movements over which we have no control,
must enjoy felicity, while such principles re-  -when we reflect on our character as guilty and
main in exercise, during all the future periods of depraved creatures, in the presence of Hinm
his existence, and in every region of the universe  " who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity;"
to which he may be transported.               and on the numerous diseases, pains, sorrows,
3. Humility is another essential qualification  and physical evils from the war of the elements,
for enjoying the felicity of the future world.  u which we are subjected,-when we consider,
There is nothing that appears more prominent  FIat, ere long, our bodies must crumble into dust,
in the character of the bulk of mankind, than  and become the prey of noisome reptiles; —
pride, which displays itself in a thousand differ-  when we reflect on the low station in which we
ent modes in the intercourses of society. It is  are placed in the scale of intelligent existence —
uniformly accompanied with haughtiness of de-  that we are only like so many atoms, or micromeanour. self-conceit, obstinacy, arrogance, and  scopic. animalculue when contrasted with the ina whole train of malignant passions and affec-  numerable myriads of bright intelligences that
tions. It is the pest of general society, the  people the empire of God-and that the globe
source of domestic broils and contentions, and  on which we dwell is but as "the drop of a




114                THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
bucket," when compared with the millions of humble and condescending demeano: is displayed.
mnre resplendent worlds that roll through the  One of the highest order of these celestial messast spaces of creation;-and, in short, when  sengers —" Gabriel, who stands in the presence
we consider the grandeur of that Omnipotent  of God,"-winged his flight from his heavenly
Being whose presence pervades every region of mansion to our wretched world, and, directing
immensity, 6and in whose sight " all the inhabit-  his course to one of the most despicable villages
ants of the world, are as grasshoppers, and are  of Galilee,. entered into the hovel of a poor vir.
counted to him as less than nothing and vanity,"  gin, and delivered a message of joy, with the
there is no disposition that appears more con-  most affectionate and condescending gratulations.
formable to the character and condition of man,  Another of these benevolent beings entered the
than *" lowliness of mind," and none more un-  dungeon in which Peter was bound with chains.
reasonable and inconsistent with the rank and  knocked off his fetters, addressed him ill the lan.
circumstances in which he is placed, than pride,  guage of kindness, and delivered him from the
haughtiness and arrogance.                    hands of his filrious persecutors.  When Paul
This amiable disposition forms a peculiar trait  was tossing in a storm, on the billows of the
in the character of angels and other pure intelli-  Adriatic, a forlorn exile from his native land, and
gences.  It is poor, puny, sinful man, alone, who  a poor despised prisoner, on whom the grandees
dares to be proud and arrogant.  It is that re-  of this world looked down with contempt,-an.
bellious worm of the dust alone, (if we except  other of these angelic beings, " stood by him,"
the angels of darkness,) that looks down with  during the darkness of the night and the war of
supercilious contempt on his fellow-creatures,  the elements, and consoled his mind with the asand attempts to exalt himself above the throne of  surance of the divine favour and protection.
G6d. No such affections are ever felt in the  Lazarus was a poor despised individual, in abbreast of superior beings who have kept their first ject poverty and distress, and dependent on chaestate. In proportion to the enlarged capacity  rity for his subsistence. He lay at the gate of a
of their minds; in proportion to the expansive  rich man, without friends or attendants, desiring
views they have acquired of the dominions of  to be fed with the crumbs that fell from his table.
Jehovah, in proportion to the elevated concep-  His body was covered with boils and ulcers,
tions they have attained of the character and at-  which were exposed without covering to the open
tributes of their Creator, in a similar proportion  air; for the " dogs came and licked his sores."
are their minds inspired with humility, reverence  What nobleman or grandee would have conde.
and lowly adoration. Having taken an extensive  scended to make a companion of a fellow-crea.
survev of;tro operations of Omnipotence, having  ture in such loathsome and abject circumstances?
winged their way to numerous worlds, and be-  Who, even of the common people, would have
hli ldsceies of wisdom and benevolence, which  received such a person into their houses, or dethe eye of man hath not yet seen, nor his imagi-  sired his friendship? Who would have accounted
nation conceived, and having contemplated dis-  it an honour, when he died, to attend his funeral?
plays of intelligence and power, which are beyond  Celestial beings, however, view  the circurm
the reach even of their own superior faculties to  stances, and the characters of men in a very difcomprehlend-they see themselves as fini'e and  ferent light, from that in which they appear to
imperfect creatures, and even as it were fools,*   " the children of pride."  Poor and despised as
in the presence of Him whose glory is ineffable  Lazarus was, a choir of angels descended from
and whose ways are past finding out.-Hence,  their mansions of glory, attended him  on his
they are represented as " covering their faces  dying couch, and wafted his disembodied spirit
with their wings," in the presence of their So-  to the realms of bliss.
vereign;t and, in the Book of Revelation, they    Since, then, it appears, that angelic beings,
are exhibited as " casting their crowns before the  notwithstanding their exalted stations, and the
throne, and saying thou art worthy, O Lord, to  superior glories of their character, are " clothed
receive glory, and honour, and power."$  What  with humility,"-it must form a distinguishing
a striking contrast does such a scene present to  trait in our moral characters, if we expect to be
the haughty airs, and the arrogant conduct of the  admitted into their society in the world to come
proud beings that dwell on this terrestrial ball,  For how could we enter into harmonious fellowwho are at the satne time immersed in ignorance  ship with these pure intelligences, if we were
and folly. immorality and crinime!            actuated with dispositions diametrically opposite
In their intercourses with the inhabitants of  to theirs, and what happiness would result from
our world, and the offices they perform as minis-  such an association, were it possible to be effecttering spirits to the heirs of salvation, the same  ed?  A proud man, were he admitted into heaven, could feel no permanent enjoyment. The
- In the book of Job, Eliphaz, when describing the  external glory of the place might dazzle his eyes
serfections of the Almighty, declares, that "the  for a little, but he would feel no relish for the so.
)eaveens are not clean in his sight," and that events of that world.  Tle
his angels he chargeth withfolly." Job iv. 18 xv.15.
els.iah vi. 2.         I Rev. iv. to. II  iperuliar honour conferred on patriarchs, pro



FOLLY  OF PRIDE.                                   115
ohets, and apostles, and the noble army of mar-  has nothing else to boast of, why is het proud I
yrs, and the exalted stations of the cherubim and  What a pitiful figure he would make among the
seraphim, would excite his envy and ambition,  intelligent and adoring hosts of heaven?  While
and, ere long, he would attempt to sow the seeds  such a disposition, therefore, predominates in the
of discord, and to introduce anarchy and confu-  mind, its possessor can enjoy no substantial felision arnong the hosts of heaven. So that the  city either in this life or in the life to come.
eassion of pride, when cherished in the soul as    On the other hand, the man, who, like his Re-.he governing principle of action, is utterly in-  deemer, is " meek and lowly in heart," has "the
compatible with our admission into the regions  witness in himself," that he has obtained the apof harmony and love.                          probation of his God, that he is assimilated to
Let me ask the man in whose heart pride and  angelic beings in his temper and affections, that
haughtiness predominate, if he really imagines  he has the principle of eternal life implanted in
that he can be a candidate for a glorious and im-  his soul, and that he is in some measure qualified
mortal existence?  Does he not at once perceive  for joining in the exercises, and enjoying the
the inconsistency of such a thought with the dic-  felicity of the heavenly state. " For thus saith
tates of reason, and the nature of future felicity?  the high and lofty One-that inhabiteth eternity,
-Of what has he any reason to be proud?  Is  whose name is holy; I dwell in the high and
he proud of his birth? of his ancestors? of his  holy place,-with him also that is of a contrite
wealth? of his atation? of his beauty? of his  and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humpersonal accomplishments? of his gallantry? of  ble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."
his debaug4eries? of his military prowess? or of    4. Active Beneficence, with all its accompanythe thousands of human beings he has slain zn  ing virtues, is another characteristic of the man
battle?  Is he proud of his skill in music, in  who is training for the heavenly inheritance.
dancing, in fencing, in fox-hunting, and in gam-  Wherever the principle of love to God and man,
bling? of his knowledge in languages, in lite-  and the grace of humility are in exercise, they
rature, in arts and sciences?  Or is he proud  will uniformly lead the individual who is under
that h- is subjected to the asthma, the gra-  their influence to " abound in the fruits of righlvel, the mulpsy, and the gout, that'his fune-  eousness, and to use every active endeavour to
ral will be attended by a train of mourners,  promote the comfort and happiness of mankind.
and that a monument of marble will be erect-  He will endeavour, as far as his power and influted to his memory, when his carcass is putre-  ence extend, to relieve the wants of the poor,
fying with the reptiles of the dust?  Suppose  the fatherless and the widow, to soothe the dishe were admitted into the celestial mansions —  consolate, to comfort the afflicted, to shelter the
which of all these topics would he choose for the  houlseless and benighted traveller, to instruct the
theme of his conversation, and the ground of his  ignorant, and to meliorate the moral and physical
boasting?  Would he attempt to entertain the  condition of every rank of society. He will pacherubim and the seraphim, by telling them how   tronize every scheme which has for its object to
many rude chieftains he was descended from,  remove the evils which exist in the social statehow many ancient families he was connected  to increase the comforts of mankind-to improve
with, and how many acres of land he possessed  the soil-to facilitate human labour-to clear away
as a patrimony in that wretched world which is  nuisances from the habitations of men-to prosoon to be wrapt in flames? Would he tell them   mote order, cleanliness, and domestic enjoyment
of his expertness as a marksman, of his dexte-  -to train the minds of the young to knowledge
rity as a horse-racer, of his adroitness as a boxer,  and virtue-to introduce improvemnent in the meof his skill in manwuvring an. army, of the vil-  chanical arts, and to diffuse useful science among
lages he had burned, of the towns he had pil-  all ranks. Above all things he will endeavour,
laged, or of the thousands he had butchered in  in so far as his station and opportunities permit,
storming a city?-He would be overwhelmed  to promote the spiritual improvement and the
with shouts of indignation, and instantly hissed  eternal happiness of mankind, and will study to
from their abodes.-Would he boast of his skill  render all his other exertions subservient to the
in languages and antiquities, or of his knowledge  attainment of this most interesting and momenin arts and sciences? What apoor ignoramus,  tous object.  In contributing to the accomplish(if i may use the expression) would he appear  ment of this end, he will give his countenance
in the presence of Gabriel, the angel of God,  and support to every institution, and to every rawho has so frequently winged his way, in a few  tional scheme which is calculated to promote the
hours, from heaven to earth, and surveyed the  knowledge of the scriptures of truth, throughout
regions of unnumbered worlds! Would a poor  our own country, and in other lands, and to make
worm of the earth, whose view is confined within  known "the salvation of God" over all the
a few miles around it, boast of its knowledge in  earth.-In such benevolent exertions he will per-.he presence of beings endowed with such capa-  severe, even in the face of every species of op-:ious powers, and who have ranged over so vast  position, obloquy, and reproach, throuigh the whole
a portion of the universe of God? And, if he  course of his existence in this world, till death




116                 THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
transport him to a nob'er sphere of action and  intelligences, as his ministers in accomplishing
enjoyment.                                    his designs, and for communicating enjoyment
The necessity of acquiring habits of active  to each other.  With respect to the angels, we
beneficence, in order tc our preparation for the  are informed by Paul, that " they are all minis.
felicity of the future world, will appear, if we  tering spirits, sent forth to minister to them who
consider, that heaven is a social state, and that  shall be heirs of salvation."  Hence we learn
a considerable portion of its happiness will con-  from sacred history, that they delivered Peter
sist in the mutual interchange of benevolent af-  from the fury of Herod and the Jewish rulers,_
fections and beneficent actions.  There will,  Daniel from the ravenous lions-Lot from the
indeed, be no poor and distressed objects to be  destruction of Sodom, and Jacob from the hands
relieved and comforted, no sorrows to be allevi-  of Esau; that they strengthened and refreshed
ated, and no physical nor moral evils to be coun-  Elijah in the wilderness, comforted Daniel when
teracted; for, in the New Jerusalem  " there  covered with sackcloth and ashes, directed Joshall be no more death, neither sorrow nor cry-  seph and Mary in their journey to Egypt, and
ing, neither shall there be any more pain, for  Cornelius to Peter, to receive the knowledge of
the former things shall have passed away, and  salvation; that they communicated " good tiGod  shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."  dings of great joy" to Zacharias the father of
But its inhabitants will be for ever employed in  John the Baptist, to the Virgin Mary, and to
acts of beneficence towards each other, corres-  the shepherds in the plains of Bethlehem, and
ponding to their dignified stations, and the cir-  consoled the hearts of the disconsolate disciples,
cumstances in which they are placed.  This is  by proclaiming the resurrection of their Lord
evident from the very nature of Love, which  and Master;-and we have reason to conclude,
pervades the hearts of the whole of that " mul-  that such ministrations are appointed to be co.titude which no man can number."  Love can  tinued throughout all the periods of time.
be manifested only by its dfects, or by those ex-    It is not improbable that the spirits of just
ternal acts of kindness and benignity which tend  men made perfect are likewise occasionally
to communicate happiness to others; and, there  employed in similar services. When the vision
can be no doubt, that, in a thousand ways in-  of the New Jerusalem  was exhibited -to John
comprehensible to us, the inhabitants of the  by a celestial messenger, he " fell down to worupper world will be the means of diffusing ec-  ship before the feet of the messenger, who showstatic delight through the bosoms of surrounding  ed him these things."  But the messenger forintelligences, which will form a palt of that joy  bade him, saying,-" See thou do it not; for I
which is " unspeakable and full of glory." The  am thyfellow-servant, and of thy brethren the
sympathetic feelings they will express for each  prophets, and of them that keep (or are interested
other, both in respect to their former and their pre.  in) the sayings of this book."  These words
sent condition, the interest they will take in liste,.  would naturally lead us to conclude, that this
ing to each other's history, the scenes of felicity  mnessenger was a departed saint, since he desigto which they will conduct each other, the noble  nates himself a brother, a prophet, and a fellowand enrapturing subjects of conversation with  qervant. Perhaps it was the spirit of Moses, of
which they will entertain one another, the obh-  David, of Isaiah, of Jeremiah, or of Daniel, wh,
jects of beauty and sublimity to which they will  would account it an honour to be employed ix
direct each other's attention, the lectures on di-  such a service by their exalted Lord.  But
vine subjects, which the more capacious and  whether or not such a supposition may be admitexalted spirits among them may deliver to their  ted, certain it is, that the saints will hereafter
younger brethren of " the church of the first-  be employed in active beneficent services, irt
born," and the intelligence from distant worlds  concert with other holy beings, so tong as theiwhich the seraphim may communicate, on re-  existence endures.  For they are constitutea
turning from their embassies of love to other  " Kings and Priests to the God and Father of
regions-may form a part of those beneficent  our Lord Jesus Christ," and are " workers toservices, into which every inhabitant of that  gether with God," in carrying forward the plans
world will engage with peculiar pleasure.  To  of his government.
communicate happiness in every possible mode,    Since, then, it appears, that the inhabitants
to make surrounding associates exult with joy,  of heaven are incessantly employed in acts ot
and to stimulate them to celebrate the praises  beneficence, the habit of beneficence which is
of the " Giver of all Good," will be their un-  acquired in this world, along  with its acceasing desire and their everlasting delight.  companying  virtues, may be considered as
We have every reason to believe, that a vast  a  preparation  and a qualification  for that
svstem  of universal Bepevolence is going on  more extensive s:,here of moral actiun into.'throughout the universo of God, and that It is  which the saints shall be introduced, when they
the grand object of his moral government to dis-  wing their way from  this eartely oall to the
tribute happiness amonig unnumbered worlds.  regions above. And, consequently, those who
It prosecuting this object, he employs created  never engage in " works of Ikith and labours iof




SOCIETY OF HEAVEN.                                     117
iove," and who are governed by a principle of shall never more shed their baleful influence,
sa ishness in the general tenor of their conduct, and where love, peace, and harmony, mutual
must be considered as unqualified for taking a  esteem, brotherly-kindness and charity, are for
part in the benevolent employments ofthe celes-  ever triumphant!  To depart from  a world
tial world.*                                   where selfishness and malignity, strife and disLet us now consider for a little, the happiness  sensions, wars and devastations so generally
which must flow from an association with intel-  prevail, and to enter upon a scene of enjoyment
sigent beings animated with the sublime prin-  where the smiles of benevolence beam from the
ciples and holy dispositions to which I have now   countenances of unnumbered glorious intelliadverted.                                      gences, must raise in the soul the most ecstatic
In the present world, one of the principal  rapture, and he the ground-work of all those
sources of misery, arises from the malevolent  other " pleasures which are at God's right hand
dispositions, and immoral conduct of its inhabi-  fobr evermore." —ven in this world, amidst the
tants.  Pride, ambition, malignant - passions,  physical evils which now exist, what a scene of
falsehood, deceit, envy, and revenge, which ex-  felicity would be produced, were all the illusercise a sovereign sway over the hearts of the  trious philanthropic characters now living, or
majority of mankind-have produced more mi-  which have adorned our race in the ages that are
sery and devastation among the human race,  past, to be collected into one suciety, and to asthan the hurricane and the tempest, the earth-  sociate exclusively, without annoyance fiom
quake and the volcano, and all the other concus-  " the Wiorld that lieth in wickedness!"  Let us
sions of the elements of nature. The lust of  suppose a vast society composed of such chaambition has covered kingdoms with sackcloth  ract rs as Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, Daniel,
and ashes, levelled cities with the ground, turned  Paul, James and John, the Evangelists, men
villages into heaps of smoking ruins, transformed  who accounted it their highest honour to glorify
fertile fields into a wilderness, polluted the earth  God and to promote the salvation of mankind,with human gore, slaughtered thousands and  such philanthropists as Howard, Clarkson, Veilmillions of human beings, and filled the once  ning, and Sharpe, who displayed the most becheerful abodes of domestic life, with the sounds  nignant affections, and spent their mortal existof weeping, lamentation, and woe.  Injustice  ence in unwearied efforts to meliorate the conand violuce have robbed society of its rights  dition of the prisoner, and relieve the distresses
and privi'lges, and the widow and fatherless of  of the wretched ix every land-to deliver the
their dearest enjoyments. Superstition and re-  captive front his oppressors-to unloose the
venge have immolated their millions of victims,  shackles of slavery-to pour light and vital air
banished peace from the world, and subverted  into the noisome dungeon, and to diffuse blessthe order of society.  The violation of truth in  ings among mankind wherever they were found;
contracts, affirmations, and promises, has in-  -such profound philosophers as Locke, Newton,
volved nations in destruction, undermined the  and Boyle, whose capacious intellects seemed to
foundations of public prosperity, blasted the  embrace the worlds both of matter and of mind,
good name and the comfort of families, perplexed  and who joined to their mental accomplishments,
and agitated the minds of thousands and millions,  modesty, humility, equanimity of ttmper, and
and thrown contempt on the revelations of hea-  general benevolence;-such amiable divines as
ven, and the discoveries of science. Malice,  WVatts, Doddridge, Bates, Hervey, Edwards,
envy, hatred, and similar affections, have stirred  Lardner, and Dwight, whose hearts burned with
up strifes and contentions, which have invaded  zeal to promote the glory of their Divine Masthe peace of individuals, families, and societies,  ter, and to advance the present and everlasting
and imbittered all their enjoyments.  It is  interest of their fellowmen. To associate perscarcely too much to affirm, that more than nine-  petually with such characters, even with the imtenths of all the evils, perplexities, and sorrows,  perfections and infirmities which cleaved to them
which are the lot of suffering humanity, are  in this sublunary region, would form something
owing to the wide and extensive operation of  approaching to a paradise on earth.
such diabolical principles and passions.         But, let us suppose such characters divested
What a happiness, then, must it be, to mingle  of every moral and mental imperfection, endowed
in a society where such malignant affections  with every holy principle and virtue that can
adorn a created intelligence, and with capacious
"This sutbject might have been illustrated at  intellectual powers in vigorous and incessant
greater length; but as the author has already had
occasion to enter into a minute discussion of the
rrinciples of moral action, and their relation to the  ral evil is removed, where scenes of glory meet
inhabitants of all worlds, in his work on " The Phi-  the eye at every step, and where boundless proslosophy of Religion,"-he refers his readers to that
tieatise, for a more ample elucidation of the several  pects stretch before the view of the enraptured
topics, to which he has briefly adverted in the pre-  mind. Let us further suppose, intelligences inceding pages-particularly to Chap. I. throughout,  vested with faculties far more energetic aad
Chap. II. Section 3, 4, 5, 6, a, and the General Conusa ons.                                      sublime-who have ranged through the immea



118                THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STAT;.
6itv of creation, who have mingled with the in-  sin and sorrow, and every evil annoyance;nabitants of ten thousand worlds, who have  your joys are uninterrupted, ever increasing, and
learned the nistory of the divine dispensations  ever new;-your prospects are boundless as the
in relation to them all, and who are inspired  universe, and your duration permanent as the
with every amiable and benignant feeling, and  throne of the Eternal!-VVe dwell " in houses ol
with humility, love and condescension;-let us  clay whose foundation is in the dust:" we sosuppose ambassadors of this description, from  journ in " a land of pits and snares," and within
numerous worlds, occasionally joining this celes-  " the region of the shadow of death:" we walk
tial society, and "' rehearsing the mighty acts  amidst scenes ofsorrow and suffering, surroundea
of Jehovah," as displayed in the regions from   by " the tents of strife," and exposed to the
wnence they came,-let us suppose, "the man  malice of " lying lips and deceitful tongues!"
Christ Jesus" president among them, in the ef-  From ourearthly prison, to which we are now
fulgence of his glory, and unfolding his peerless  chained as " prisoners ofhope," we lift up our
excellences to every eye,-let us suppose these  eyes to your happy mansions, with  longing
g.orious beings engaged in conversations, con-  desires, and exclaim, " O that we had the wings
templations, investigations, thanksgivings, adora-  of a seraph, that we might fly away to your
tions, and beneficent services, corresponding to  blissful seats and be at rest!"  We long to join
the magnificence of the region in which they  " the general assembly and church of the firstreside, and to the dignity of their natures-and  born, which are written in heaven-the spirits of
wve have a faint picture of the social enjoyments  just men made perfect-the innumerable comrn
of the celestial world. This is the society of  pany of angels-Jesus the Mediator of the new
heaven, the general assembly of the church tri-  covenant, and God the Judge of all."
uniphant, for which we must now be inspired    May the Father of all mercies,who hath begotwith a divine relish and for which we must now  ten us to the lively hope of an incorruptible inheDe prepared in the temper and disposition of our  ritance, grant that we may persevere in the Chris.
mlinds, if we expect to be hereafter admitted into  tian course,be kept from falling, be " guarded by
that " house not made with hands which is eter-  his almighty power, through faith unto salvation,"
nal in the heavens."                          and that in due time, an entrance may be abun.
O blessed and glorious society! where no con-  dantly administered to us into the everlasting
tentions ever arise, where no malignant spirit  kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
interrupts the universal harmony, where no male-  To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
volent affection is ever displayed, where no provocation disturbs the serenity of the mind, where    From the subject to which our attention has
not one revengeful thought arises against the most  now been directed, we may learn, what will condepraved inhabitant of the universe, where a  stitute one bitter ingredient in the punishment
single falsehood is never uttered, where folly,  that awaits the wicked in the future world. As the
impertinence and error never intrude, where no  principle of love, which pervades the minds of the
frown sits lowering on the countenance, and no  inhabitants of heaven, with the diversified ramicloud ever intercepts the sunshine of benevo-  fications into which it diverges, forms the groundlence!-where "Holiness to the Lord" is in-  work of all the other enjoyments of the celestial
scribed on every heart, where every member is  world,-so the principle of malignity which preknit to another by the indissoluble bonds of af-  dominates in the hearts of the wicked, will be
fection and esteem, where a friendship is com-  the source of the greater part of that misery they
menced which shall never be dissolved, where  are doomed to suffer in the eternal state.-" We
love glows in every bosom, and benignity beams  cannot form a more dreadful picture of future
from every countenance, where moral excellence  punishment than by conceiving the principles of
is displayed in its most sublime, and diversified,  falsehood, deceit, and malignity, and the passions
and transporting forms, where " a multitude  of pride, hatred, malice, and revenge, raging with
which no man can number, from all nations, and  uncontrolled and perpetual violence.  We need
kindreds, and people, and tongues," join in uni-  represent to ourselves nothi'ng more horrible in
son with angels and archangels, principalities  the place of punishment, than by supposing the
and powers, in swelling the song of salvation to  Almighty simply permitting wicked men to give
Him  that sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb  full scope to their malevolent dispositions; leavthat was slain, for ever and ever!-ye glorious  ing them' to eat of the fruit of their own ways,
hosts of heaven, who minister to the heirs of  and to be filled with their own devices.' The ef.,
salvation on earth! Ye redeemed inhabitants  fects produced by the uncontrolled operation of
from our world, " who came out of great tribu-  such principles atnd passions, would be such as
lation, and are now before the throne of God,  may be fitly represented by the emblems of the
and serve him day and night in his temple!" we  worm that never dies, of' devouring fire,' and of
long to join your blessed society. You dwell  their necessary concomitants,'weepiing  and
amidst scenes of magnificence and the splendours  wailing and gnashing of teeth."'*
xf eternal day;-you are for ever secure from    ~      Philosophy of Religion, pp. 55. 58.




EXAMPLES OF MALIGCNITY.                                     119
In eoder to illustrate this sentiment, and to im-  tongue of the eldest to be cut off-had the skin
press it more deeply upont the mind of the reader,  torn from  his head, and the extremities of his
I shall select two or three facts in relation to cer-  hands and feet cut off, before his mother and
tain characters whose names stand conspicuous  his brethren.  After being mutilated, he was
in the annals of history.                      brought close to the fire, and fried in the pan.
Every reader of history is acquainted with the  The second brother was then taken, and, after
character and actions of Antiochus Epiphanes,  the hair of his head, with the skin, was torn away,
whose name stands so high on the rolls of il)pi-  he was tortured in the same manner as his elder
ety and crime. Having besieged the city of  brother; and in like manner were the other five
Jerusalem, he took it by storm, and, during the  brethren put to death,-the last of whom, who was
three days it was abandoned to the fury of the  the youngest, he caused to be tortured more
soldiers, he caused forty thousand* men to be in-  grievously than the rest.  Last of all the mother
humanly butchered: he exercised every species  also suffered death.t
of cruelty upon the citizens, and unmnercifully put    Hearing, some time afterwards, that the Jews
to death all those who fell into his hands, and  had revolted, he assembled all his troops, which
whom  he considered as his enemies.  He de-  formed a mighty army, and determind to destroy
spatched Appollonius at the head of 22,000 men,  the whole Jewish nation, and to settle other penwith orders to plunder all the cities of Judea, to  pie in their country. He commanded Lysias, one
murder all the men, and sell the women and  of his generals, to extirpate them root and branch,
children for slaves. He accordingly cane with  so as not to leave one Hebrew in the country.
his army, and to outward appearance, with a  When in Persia advice was brought him of the
peaceable intention; neither was he suspected by  defeat of Lysias, and that the Jews had retaken
the Jews, as he was superintendent of the tribute  the temple, thrown down the altars and idols
ill Palestine.  He kept himself inactive till the  which he had set up, and re-established their
next Sabbath, when they were all in a profound  ancient worship. At this news his fury rose to
quiet, and then, on a sudden, began the work of  madness. In the violence of his rage, he set out
slaughter.  He sent a portion of his men to the  with all possible expedition, like an infernal fiend,
temple and synagogues, with orders to cut to  venting nothing but menaces on his march, and
pieces al who were found in these places of  breathing only final ruin and destruction to every
resort; whilst the rest going through the streets of inhabitant of Judea, and to all that appertained
the city, massacred all who came in their way.  to them. He commanded his coachman to drive
He next ordered the city to be plundered and  with the utmost speed, that no tinme might be
set on fire, pulled down all their stately buildings,  lost for fully satiating his vengeance, threatening
an(' carried away captive ten thousand of those  at the same time, with horrid imprecations, to
who had escaped the slaughter. Not yet satisfied  make Jerusalem the burying place of the whole
with the blood of the Jews, Antiochus resolved  Jewish nation, and not to leave one single inhaeither totally to abolish their religion, or to de-  bitant within its confines. But the Almighty,
stroy their whole race. He issued a decree that  against whose providence he was raging, interall nations within his dominions should forsake  posed, and stopped him in his wild career.  "Ho
their old religion and gods, and worship those of  was seized," says Rollin, " with incredible pains
the kinlg, tinder the most severe penalties. lIe  in his bowels, and the most excessive pangs of
dedicated the temple at Jerusalem  to Jupiter  the colic."  Still, his pride and fury were not
Olympus, and set up his own statue on the altar  abated: he stiffered himself to be hurried away
of burnt-offering; and all who refused to come  by the wild transport of his rage, and breathing
and worship this idol were either massacred or  nothing but vengeance against the land of Judea
put to some cruel torttures,till they either complied  and its inhabitants, he gave orders to proceed
or expired under the hands of the executioners.  with still greater celerity in his journey. But as
l-e put to death Eleazar, one of the most illustri-  his horses were running forward impetuously,
ous of the Jews, a venerable old man, ninety years  he fell from his chariot, and bruised every part of
of age, and a doctor of the law, " whose life had  his body in so dreadful a manner, that he suffered
been one continued series of spotless innocence,"  inexpressible torments; and soon after finished
and his execution was accompanied with the most  an impious life by a miserable death.
cruel torments.  He seized the seven brothers    The Turks, in their wars with neighbouring
commonly called the JMaccabees, along with their  states, both in former and present times, have
mother, and caused them to be scourged in a  been proverbial for the malevolence they have
most inhuman manner, in order to compel them   displayed, and the cruelties they have exercised
to swallow swine's flesh, which their law forbade, towards their enemies. The following is only
tend when they refused, he was so exasperated that  one instance out of a thousant which might be
he ordered  brazen pans and cauldrons to be  produced, of the desperate length to which hunran
heated; and, when they were red, he caused the  beings will proceed in treachery and in the int The details of these shocking cruelties may be
RoKlin states the number at 80,00.  seen in Rollin's Ancient History, vol. 7.




120                THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE,
fliction of torment, when under the influence of furious: they exclaimed against the baseness.
a?rinciple of malignity.                     the treachery of Mustapha; they called aloud for
In the war with Turkey and the states of Ve-  revenge, and desired to be set at liberty, that the3
nice, about the year 1571, the Venetians were  might, even without arms, rescue their brave
besieged by the Turks in the city of Famagosta  general, and inflict the deserved punishment
mn the island of Cyprus. Through famine and  unon their mean, dastardly, and cowardly foes.
vws:nt of ammunition, the Venetian garrison was  Their request was answered with cruel lashes
conmpelled to enter upon terms of capitulation.  Bragadino was taken down, conducted to the
A treaty was accordingly set on foot, and hos-  market-place, amidst the din of trumpets, drums,
tages exchanged.  The following terms were  and other warlike instruments, where he was
agreed to by both parties:-That the officers and.fayed alive, and a period put to his glorious life.
soldiers should march out with all the honours of His skin was hung, by way of trophy, to the sailwar, drums beating, colours flying, five pieces of yard of a galley sent round all the coasts to insult
cannon, all their baggage, and be conveyed in  the Venetians. His head, with thoseofAndrea
safety to Candia, under an escort of three Turk-. Bragadino, his brother, Lodovico Martinenga,
ish gallies; and that the inhabitants should re-  and the brave Quirino, were sent as presents to
main in the free use of their religion, untouched  Selim the Turkish Emperor.*
in their property, and in full possession of their    Could an infernal fiend have devised more exfreedom. Next day Bragarlino, the Venetian  cruciating tortures, or have acted with greater
commander, went to pay his compliments to  baseness and malignity than this treacherous
JlMustapha, the Turkish general, attended by  and cruel monster? What a horrible thing would
some of his chief officers. At first they met  it be to be subjected to the caprice and under
with a civil reception, Mustapha ordering a seat  the control of such a proud and vindictive spito be placed for Bragadino on his own right hand.  rit every day, only for a year, much more for
They soon entered into discourse about the  hundreds and thousands of years! A group of
prisoners, and Mustapha taxing Bragadino with  such spirits giving vent to their malevolent passome violences committed by the garrison during  sions without control, are sufficient to produce
the suspension granted for settling a capitulation,  a degree of misery among surrounding intelliBragadino, with a generous disdain, denied the  gences, surpassing every thing that the human
charge. Upon which Mustapha, rising up in a  mind, in the present state, can possibly conceive.
fury, ordered him to be bound hand and foot, and'   When the Norman barons and ahevaliers,
the others to be massacred before his face, with-  under William  the Conqueror, had obtained
out regard to hospitality, their bravery, the  possession of England, they displayed the most
treaty subsisting, or their being unarmed.    cruel and malignant dispositions towards the
Bragadino was reserved for a more cruel  native inhabitants.  They afflicted and  hatreatment: after being insulted with the most  rassed them in every state, forcing them to work
vilifying and opprobrious language; after under-  at the building of their castles; and when the
going the most excrutiating tortures; after having  castles were finished, they placed on them  a
his ears, nose, and lips slit, his neck was stretch-  garrison of wicked and diabolical men. They
ed upon a block, and trampled upon by the das-  seized all whom they thought "to possess any
tardly Mustapha, who asked him  where was  thing-men and women-by day and night; they
now that Christ whom he worshipped, and why  carried them off; imprisoned them; and, to ohhe did not deliver him out of his hands? At the  tain from them gold or silver, inflicted on thenm
same time the soldiers on board the fleet were  tortures such as no martyrs ever underwent.
despoiled of every thing, and lashed to the oars.  Some they suspended by their feet, with their
This day's work being finished, Mustapha enter-  heads hanging in smoke; others were hung by
ed the city, where he gave immediate orders,  the thumb, with fire under their feet.  They
that Tiepolo, a person of high rank and authority,  pressed the heads of some by a leathern thong, so
should be hanged upon a gibbet. A few days  as to break the bones, and crush the brain:
after, before Bragadino had recovered from the  others were thrown into ditches full of snakes,
wounds he had received, he was carried in deri-  toads, and other reptiles; others were put in
sion to all the breaches made in the walls, loaded  the chambre & crucit.  This was the name given
with buckets filled with earth and mortar, and  in the Norman tongue to a sort of chest, Ahort,
ordered to kiss the ground as often as he passed by  strait, and shallow, lined with sharp stones, into
Mustapha, a spectacle that raised pangs of pity  which the sufferer was crammed to the disloca.
in the callous hearts of the meanest Turkish sol-  tion of his limbs.-In most of the castles was a
diers,but could not move compassion in the obdu-  horrible and frightful engine used for putting to
rate breast of Mustapha. Afterwards, the brave  the torture.  This was a bundle of chains se
Blagadino was cooped up in a cage, and igno-  heavy that two or three men could hardly lift
miniously hung to a sail-yard in one of the  them.  The unfortunate person upon whom
gallies, where his intrepid soldiers were chained
tlhe oars.  This sight rendered them almost  s05, 406.




EXAMPLES OF MALIGNITY.                                      ]I 1
they were laid, was kept on his feet by an iron  to confess to himself a project of such great ttcollar fixed in a post, and could neither sit, nor  merity-[the marching against Moscow.]   But
lie, nor sleep. They made many thousands die  by degrees he assumed courage to look it in the
of hunger.  They laid tribute upon tribute on  face. He then began to deliberate, and the state
the towns and villages.  When the towns-  of great irresolution which tormented his mind,
people had no longer any thing to give, they  affected his whole frame. He was observed to
plundered and burned the town: You might  wander about his apartments, as if pursued by
have travelled a whole day without finding one  some dangerous temptation: nothing could rivet
soul in the towns, or in the country one culti-  his attention; he every moment began, quitted,
vated field. The poor died of hunger, and they  and resumed his labour; he walked about withwho had formerly possessed something, now   out any object; inquired the hour, and looked at
begged their bread froil door to door. Never  his watch; —completely absorbed, he stopped,
were more griefs and woes poured upon any  hummed a tune with an absent air, and again
land;-nay tile Pagans in their invasions cau- began walking about. In the midst of his persod fewer than the men of whom I now speak.  plexity, he occasionally addressed the persons
They spared neither the church-yards, nor the  whom he met with such half sentences as   VVWell
churches; they took all that could be taken, and  -What shall we do!-Shall we stay where we
then set fire to the church.  To till the ground  are, or advance?-How  is it possible to stop
bad been as vain as to till the sand on the sea-  short in the midst of so glorious a career?' He
shore.*                                       did not wait for their reply, but still kept wanWhat scenes of wretchedness do such proud  dering about, as if he was looking for something,
and malignant demons produce even in the pre-  or somebody, to terminate his indecision.-At
sent world! Can such spirits be supposed quali-  length, quite overwhelmed with the weight of
fied for joining the general assembly and church  such an important consideration, and oppressed
of the first-born, and for taking a part in the be-  with so great an uncertainty, he would throw
neficent operations of heaven?  If they exist at  himself on one of the beds which he had caused
all in a future world, they must exist in misery;  to be laid on the floor of his apartments. His
and so long as such diabolical passions continue  frame, exhausted by the heat and the struggles
to rage, they must produce " lamentation and  of his mind, could only bear a covering of the
woe" among all the associates with which they  slightest texture.  It was in that state that he
are surrounded.-Even within the confines of passed a portion of his day at Vitepsk."
mortality, the man who is under the despotic    The same restless agitations seemed to have
sway of pride, ambition, and similar malevolent  accompanied him at every step in this daring
passions, imbitters every enjoyment he might  expedition.  "At Borodino," says the same
otherwise possess, produces pain in the minds  writer, " his anxiety was so great as to prevent
of others, and experiences in his own soul pangs  him from sleeping. He kept calling incessantly
similar in kind to those which are felt in the  to know the hour, inquiring if any noise was
place of punishment.  I shall illustrate this po-  heard, and sending persons to ascertain if the
sition by the spirit and temper displayed by two  enemy was still before him,-Tranquillized fora
illustrious individuals who have lately departed  few moments, anxiety of an opposite description
to the invisible state;-the one renowned in the  again seized him. He became frightened at the
political, the other in the literary world.   destitute state of the soldiers, &c. He sent for
The first character to which I allude is that  Bessieres, that one of his marshals in whom he
of Napoleon Buonaparte. This extraordinary  had the greatest confidence:-he called him
man, who for nearly twenty years dazzled the  back several times, and repeated his pressing
whole Eastern hemisphere, like a blazing me-  questions, &c. Dreading that his orders had
toor, appears to have been actuated by the most  not been obeyed, he got up once more, and
extravagant and  restless ambition.  Though  questioned the grenadiers on guard at the enhe exercised many cruelties in the midst of his  trance of his tent, if they had received their procareer, as at Jaffa and other places, yet delight in  visions.  Satisfied with the answer, he went in,
deeds of atrocity formed no part of his ruling  and soon fell into a doze. Shortly after he called
passion, and were only occasionally resorted to,  once more. His aid-de-camp found him now
in order to accomplish his ambitious projects.  supporting his head with both his hands; he
The agitated state of mind into which he was  seemed, by what was overheard, to be meditatthrown by his love of conquest, and the daring  ing on the vanities of glory.-' What is war
enterprises in which he embarked, is strikingly  A  trade of barbarians, the whole art of which
depicted by M. Segur, in his " History of Na-  consists in being the strongest on a given point.'
poleon's Expedition  to Russia."   When at  He then complained of the fickleness of fortune,
Vitepsk, on his way to Moscow, M. Segur  which he now began to experience. He again
says-" He at first hardly appeared bold enough  tried to take some rest. But the marches he nadl
Thierry's " History of'he Norman Conquest,"  just made with the army, the fatigues of the preI vol0. las.                                 ceding days and nlgnts, so many cares, anld nis




1 924                 THh PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
intense and anxious expectations, had worn him  tion with all the gall he could throw into satire.'
out. An irritating fever, a dry cough, and ex-  -He declaimed against the ties of consancessive thirst consumed him. During the re-  guinity, and abjured even the society of his
mainder of the night he made vain attempts to  sister, from which he entirely withdrew himquench the burning thirst that consumed him."   self, until after the publication of " Childe Ha.
What man that ever enjoyed the pleasures of rold," when at length he yielded to my persuatranquillity, would envy such a state of mind as  sions, and made advances to a fiiendly corre.
that which has now been described, although the  spondence."
individual were surrounded with every earthly    Here we have a picture of an individual, in
glory?  Such mad ambition as that which raged  whom "' resentment, anger, and hatred," reignin the breast of this singular personage, must be  ed without control: who could vent his rage
a perpetual torment to its possessor, in whatever  even against the Creator, and the universe he
region of the universe he exists, and must pro-  had formed, who hated his fellow-creatures, and
duce baleful effects on every one within the  even his own existence; who spurned at the
sphere of its influence.-The coolness with  ties of relationship, and "abjured even the sowhich such characters calculate on the destruc-  ciety of his sister."  What horrible mischiefs
tion of human life, and the miseries which their  and miseries would a character of this descriplawless passions produce on their fellow-crea-  tion produce, were such malevolent passions to
Lures, appears in the following extract.      rage with unbounded violence, without being
"He asked Rapp, if he thought we should  checked by those restraints, which human laws
gain the victory?' No doubt,' was the reply,  impose in the present state!'but it will be sanguinary.''I know it,' re-    I shall state only another example of this
sumned Napoleon,'but I have 80.000 men; I  description, taken from  Captain  Cochrane's
shall lose 20,000; I shall enter Moscow with  " Travels in Russia."-On arriving at the
60,000; the stragglers will then rejoin us, and  Prussian frontiers, says the captain, " My
afterwards the battalions on the march; and we  passport demanded, myself interrogated by a
shall be stronger than we were before the bat-  set of whiskered ruffians, obliged to move from
tie.' "                                       one guard to another, the object of sarcasm and
The other personage to whom  I alluded is  official tyranny, I wanted no inducement, faLord Byron.                                   tigued as I was, to proceed on my journey, but
The following sketches of his character are  even this was not permitted me. A large public
taken from " Recollections of the life of Lord  room, full of military rubbish, and two long
Byron, from the year 1808 to the year 1818.  benches serving as chairs, to an equally long
Taken from authentic documents, &c. by R. C.  table, were the place and furniture allotted me.
Dallas, Esq."                                 I asked the landlord for supper; he laughed at
"He reduced his palate," says Mr. Dallas,  me; and to my demand of a bed, grinningly
"to a diet the most simple and abstemious-but  pointed to the floor, and refused me even a por.
the passions of his heart were too mighty; nor  tion of the straw which had been brought in for
did it ever-enter his mind to overcome them. Re-  the soldiers. Of all the demons that ever existed,
sentment, anger, and hatred, held full sway over  or have been imagined in human shape, I thought
him; and his greatest gratification at that time,  the landlord of the inn the blackest.  The figure
was in overcharging his pen with gall, which  of Gil Peres occurred to me, but it sunk in the
flowed in every direction, against individuals,  comparison with the wretch then before me for
his country, the world, the universe, creation,  ill nature, malignity, and personal hideousness.
and the Creator.-Misanthropy, disgust of life,  His face half covered with a black beard, and
leading to skepticism and impiety, prevailed in  large bristly whiskers, his stature below  the
his heart, and imbittered his existence. Unac-  common, his head sunk between his shoulders
custorned to female society, he at once dreaded  to make room for the protuberance of his back;
and abhorred it.  As for domestic happiness he  his eyes buried in the ragged locks of his lank
had no idea of it.' A large family,' he said,  grisly hair;-added to this a club foot,; and a' appeared like opposite ingredients, mixed per  voice which, on every attempt to speak, was
force in the same salad, and I never relished the  like the shrieking of a screech-owl,-and you
composition.' He was so completely disgusted  have some faint idea of this mockery of a
with his relations, especially the female part of man." —Here, we have presented to view  a
them, that he completely avoided them.' I con-  human being, who, in the malignity of his mind,
sider,' said he,' collaterial ties as the work of and in the conformation of his body, bears a cerprejudice, ard not the bond of the heart, which  tain resemblance to those wretched beings in
must choose for itself unshackled.'-In corre-  whose breasts benevolence never glows, and in
spondence with suchdispositions and sentiments,  whose dwetiings nothing- is seen but the most
"he talked of his relation to the Earl of Carlisle  haggard and deformed objects, and nothing heard
with indignation."  Having received from him  but horrid imprecations, and the sounds of wo.
a frigid letter, " he determined to lash his rela-    Let us now suppose, for a moment. a vasl




EXIAMPLES OF DEPRAVITY.                                   142S8
assemblage of beings of the description to which  violence against all surrounding associates; it
I have adverted, collected in a dark and dreary  is evident, that, in such a case, a scene of mnisery
region.  Let us suppose many thousands of  would be produced, beyond the power of the
millions of such characters as Nero, who set  human mind either to conceive or' to describe.
fire to Rome, that he might amuse himself with  If so dreadful effects have been produced, by
the wailings and lamentations which this cala-  sucli diabolical passions, even in the present
mity inspired, and insulted Heaven by offering  world, where Providence "' sets restraining
thanksgivings to the gods, after murdering his  bounds to the wrath of man," and where beowife and his mother,-Tiberius who delig;ted  nignant dispositions are blended with the evil
in torturing his subjects, and massacring them   principles  which  so generally prevail, what
in the most tormenting and cruel manner,-Ca-  must be the effects where pure malhgnity, withligula, celebrated in the annals of folly, cruelty,  out any mixture of benevolent feelings, reigns
and impiety, who murdered many of his subjects  universally, is perpetually tormenting its objects,
with his own hand, and caused thousands who  is ever increasing in its fuiry, and is never conwere guilty of no crimes to be cruelly butchered,  trolled by physical obstructions or by moral con-Antiochus Epiphanes, who butchered forty  siderations! This is the society of hell: this
thousand of the inhabitants of Jerusalem in cold  is the essence of future misery: this is "the'blood, and rushed forward, like an infernal de-  worm that never dies, and the fire that is never
mon, with the intention of destroying every in-  quenched;" and the natural effects produced by
habitant of Judea,-Hamilcar, who threw all  it is universal anguish and despair,-" weeping,
the prisoners that came into his hand, to be de-  and wailing, and gnashing of teeth."-If such
voured by wild beasts,-Asdrubal, who put out  be the end of the ungodly, and the malignant
the eyes of all the Roman captives he had  despiser of God's law, and the riches of his
taken during two years, cut off their noses,  mercy as manifested  in Christ Jesus,-how
fingers, legs, and arms, tore their skin to pieces  careful should we be to counteract every evil
with iron rakes and harrows, and threw them   propensity and passion, and how fervently ought
headlong from  the top of his battlements,-  we to join in the prayer of the Psalmist, and
Jenghiz Khan, who caused seventy chiefs to be  in the resolution of Jacob: " Gather not my
thrown into as many caldrons of boiling water,  soul with sinners, nor nly life with bloody men."
and took pleasure in beholding his army behead-  " O my soul, come not thou into their secret;
ing a hundred thousand prisoners at once,-Ta-  unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou
merlane, who displayed his sportive cruelty in  united!"
pounding three or four thousand people in large    Let none imagine, because I have selected
mortars, or building them  among bricks and  some of the more atrocious characters recorded
mortar into a wa!l, —JMustapha, who treacha-  in history, as illustrations of the effects of derously murdered the Venetian officers, after hav-  pravity-that only such are " vessels of wrath,
ing entered into a treaty with them, and who  fitted for destruction." The principle of nalevobeheld with delight the noble-minded Bragadino,  lance is substantially the same in every heart
whom he had cruelly tortured, flayed alive,-   where it is predominant, however,much it may
Buonaparte, whose mad ambition sacrificed so  be varnished over by hypocrisy, dissimulation,
many millions of human beings, and Lord By-  and the various forms of politeness which preron,* in whose breast " resentment, anger, and  vail in the world; and it requires only a certain
hatred," raged with violence, and who made his  stimulus to excite it to action, and fall scope to
gall flow out " aguainst individuals, his country,  exert its energies, in order to produce the most
the world, the universe, creation, and the Crea-  horrible and extensive effects.  Several of the
tor;"-let ts suppose such characters associated  atrocious characters to which I have alluded,
together in a world where no pleasing objects  appeared, in the commencement of their career,
meet the eye, or cheer the heart and imagination; to be possessed of a certain portion of benevoand let us likewise suppose, that the malignant  lence, and of other amiable qualities. Nero, in the
principles and boisterous passions which reigned  beginning of his reign, showed several marks o
in their minds during the present state, still con-  the greatest kindness and condescension, affa.
tinue to rage with uncontrolled and perpetual  bility, complaisance, and popularity.  When he
I The Author trusts, that none of lis readers will  was desired to sign his name to a list of malefor a moment suppose, that, in bringing forward  factors that were to be executed, he exclaimed,
the above-mentioned characters as examples of ma-  " Would to Heaven I could not totite i" -
lignity, he presumes to decide on their eternal des-  Can is rein wit every pro
tiny. His object merely is to show, that such ma-  Calgula began his reign with every promising
lignant principles and passions as they displayed in  appearance of becoming the real father of his
the general tenor of their conduct, if retsotulety  people. Tiberius at first concealed his thoughts
persisted in, necessarily led to misery. With regard
to Buonaparte and Lord Byron, he is disposed to  under the mask of an impenetrable dissimulation.
indulge a hope, that their malevolent dispositions  He governed with moderation, and even appearwere in some measure counteracted, before they  ed to excel in modesty. But afterwards when
passed into the eternal world. The grounds of his
trope, on this point, are stated in the Appendix    these individuals became intoxicated with power,




124'                THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
and  tatd thrown aside all considerations of mo-  of the present state. But as for those who pia
raiity and decorum, the latent principles of  from  time into eternity, evidently under the
malignity burst forth in all their violence, till  power of revengeful and depraved passions, we
tey became a scourge and an execration to  have but slender grounds on which to hope  tha,
mankind. So will it happen with those who now   they shall ever afterwards be prepared for the
harbour malicious and vindictive passions, under  felicity of heaven.
a cloak of dissimulation and fashionable politenless, when they enter the invisible world under    From the whole of what I have stated in this
the dominion of such affections. When the re-  department of my subject, it is evident, that there
straints of society, of common decorum, and of  are two different states in the future world; or,
human laws, are completely removed; when they  in other words, a heaven and a hell; a state of
have lost all hopes of the divine mercy; when  happiness, and a state of misery. If human
they find themselves surrotunded by none but ma-  beings are to exist at all in another region of
tignant associates, and when they feel the effects  creation, and throughout an unlimited duration,
of their infernal malice and revenge-those pas-  it is necessary that there be a separation effectsions, which sometimes lay dormant in this life,  ed, on the ground of their leading dispositions
will be roused into action, and rage with ungo-  and characters. The nature of things, the moral
vernable fury against every one around, against  constitution of the universe, and the happiness
themselves, "against the universe, and against  of the intelligent creation, as well as the decree
the Creator."                                 of the Creator, require, that such an arrangement
Nor let it be imagined, that God will interpose  should take place. For it is altogether incomat the hour of death, and, by an exertion of his  patible with the laws of moral order, that pride,
power and benevolence, destroy the principles of  hatred, malignity, and revenge, should dwell in
sin, and prepare such characters for the joys of  the same abode with humility, benevolence,
heaven. Such an interference, in every indivi-  friendship, and love; or, that beings, actuated by
dual case, would imply a continued miracle, and  principles and affections diametrically opposite
would be inconsistent with the established order  to each other, could engage with harmony in the
of the divine government; as it would supersede  same employments, and relish the same pleasures.
the use of all those instructions, admonitions,  Were such an incongruous association permitted,
and moral preparations which God hath appoint-  the moral universe would soon become a scene
ed for rendering his people " meet for the inherit-  of universal anarchy, and happiness be banished
ance of the saints in light;" and would prevent  from all worlds. So that the two states of imthe moral renovation of the world, which is now   mortality revealed in Scripture, are equally acgradually effecting by the exertions of those who  cordant with the dictates of reason, and with the
are 1" renewed in the spirit of their minds."  It  declaration of our Saviour, who has solemnly
is true, indeed, that the mer-y of God is infiPite,  assured us, that " the wicked shall depart into
and that so long as there is life, there is hope;-   everlasting punishment, and the righteous into
so that the most abandoned sinner has no reason  life eternal."
to desTpair, while he renmtins within the confines




APPENDIX.
Tg:z ftbliowing facts and documents, in rela-  the sincerity of my own efforts for the attainmnrn
tion to Lorn Byron, lead us to indulge the hope,  of holiness, and the approval of my own love to
that, prior to his dissolution, he was actuated by  the great Author of religion, will render this
sentiments and dispositions, different from those  prayer, and every other for the welfare of man.
which are stated at page 122.                 kind, more efficaciouss-cheer me in the path of
The lady of Mr. John Shepherd of Frome, duty; but let me not forget, that, while we are
having died some time ago, leaving amongst permitted to animate ourselves to exertion, by
her papers, a prayer which her husband believ-  every innocent motive, these are but the lesser
ed to have been composed on behalf of the noble  streams which may serve to increase the current,
poet, Mr. Shepherd addressed it to his Lord-  but which, deprived of the grand fountain of good,
ship, which called forth the reply which is here  (a deep conviction of inborn sin, and firm belief
subjoined.                                    in the efficacy of Christ's death, for the salvation
of those who trust in him, and really seek to
Frome. Somerset, Nov. 21st, 1821.  serve him) would soon dry up, and leave us as
To the Right Honourable Lord Byron, Pisa.    barren of every virtue as before.-Hastings,
MY LoaD, —More than two years since, a  July 31st, 1814."
lovely and beloved wife was taken from me, by    There is nothing, my Lord, in this extract,
lingering disease, after a very short union. She  which, in a literary sense, can at all interest
possessed unvarying gentleness and fortitude,  you; but it may, perhaps, appear to you worthy
and a piety so retiring, as rarely to disclose  of reflection, how deep and expansive a concern
itself in words, but so influential, as to produce  for the happiness of others, a Christian faith can
uniform  benevolence of conduct.  In the last  awaken in the midst of youth and prosperity.hour of life, after a farewell look on a iately born  Here is nothing poetical and splendid, as in the
and only infant, for whom she had evinced in-  expostulatory homage of M. Delamartine; but
expressible affection, her last whispers were,  here is the sublime, my Lord; for this interces" God's happiness! God's happiness!"  Since  sion was offered on your account, to the supreme
the second anniversary of her decease, I have  Source of happiness.  It sprang from. a faith
read some papers which no one had seen during  more confirmed than that of the French poet,
her life, and which contained her most secret  and from a charity, which, in combination wittl
thoughts. I am induced to communicate to your  fai.th, showed its power unimpaired amidst the
Lordship a passage from these papers, which, languors and pains of approaching dissolution.
there is no doubt, refers to yourself; as I have  I will hope, that a prayer, which, I am sure, was
more than once heard the writer mention your  deeply sincere, may not be always unavailing.
agility on the rocks at Hastings:-             It would add nothing, my Lord, to the fame
"O my God, I take encouragement from the  with which your genius has surrounded you, for
assurance of thy word, to pray to Thee in behalf an unknown and obscure individual to express
of one for whom I have lately been much in-  his admiration of it. I had rather be numbered
terested. May the person to whom  I allude,  with those who wish and pray, that " wisdom
(and who is now, we fear, as much distinguished  front above," and " peace," and " joy," may
for his neglect of Thee, as for the transcendent enter such a mind.
talents Thou hast bestowed on him) be awakened to a sense of his own danger, and led to seek             THE ANSWER.
that peace of mind in a proper sense of religion,
which he has found this world's enjoyments                         Pisa, Deec. 8th, 1821.
unable to procure. Do thou grant that his fu-    SIR, —  have received your letter. I need
ture example may be productive of far more ex-  not say that the extract which it contains has
tensive benefit, than his past conduct and writings  affected me, because it would imply a want of
have been of evil; and may the Sun of Righte-  all feeling to have read it with indifference.
ousness, which, we trust, will, at some future  Though I am not quite sure that it was intended
period, arise upon him, be bright in proportion  by the writer for me, yet the date, the place
to the darkness of those clouds which guilt has  where it was written, with some other circumraised, and soothing in proportion to the keen-  stances, which you mention, render the allusion
ness of that agony which the punishment of his  probable. But, for whomsoever it was meant, I
vices has inflicted on him! May the hope, that  have read it with all the pleasure which can arise




126               THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE.
from so melancholy a topic. I say, pleasure,  lowing account of his death-bed srn:iments i
occause your brief and simple picture of the life  extracted from " Last days of Lord Byron.;
and demeanor of the excellent person whom  I    A very few days before his Lordship's death1
trust that you will again meet, cannot be con-  Mr. Parry relates:-" It was seven o'clock in
templated without the admiration due to her  the evening when I saw him, and then I took a
virtues, and her pure and unpretending piety.  chair at his request, and sat down by his bedHer last moments were particularly striking;  side, and remained till ten o'clock. He sat up in
and I do not know, that in the course of reading  his bed, and was then calm and collected. He
the story of mankind, and still less in my obser-  talked with me on a variety of subjects, convations upon the existing portion, I ever met with  nected with himself and his family. He spake
any thing so unostentatiously beautiful. Indis-  of death also with great composure, and though
putably, the firm believers in the gospel have a  he did not believe his end was so very near,
great advantage over all others-for this simple  there was something about him so serious and so
reason, that if true, they will have their reward  firm, so resigned and composed, so different from
hereafter; and if there be no hereafter, they can  any thing I had ever before seen in him, that lmy
be but with the infidel in his eternal sleep, hav-  mind misgave, and at times foreboded his speedy
inag had the assistance of an exalted hope through  dissolution.' Parry,' he said, when I first went
life, without subsequent disappointment, since  to him,'I have muoh wished to see you to(at the worst of them) " out of nothing, nothing  day. I have had most strange feelings, but my
can arise," not even sorrow. But a man's  head is now better. I have no gloomy thoughts,
creed does not depend upon himself; who can  and no idea but I shall recover. I am perfectly
say, I will believe this, that, or the other? and  collected-I am sure I am in my senses —bit a:east of all that which he least can comprehend?  melancholy will creep over me at times.' The
I have, however, observed, that those who have  mention of the subject brought the melancholy
begun with extreme faith, have in the end greatly  topics back, and a few exclamations showed
narrowed it, as Chillingworth, Clark, (who ended  what occupied Lord Byron's mind when he was
as an Arian,) and some others; while on the  left in silence and solitude.' My wife! my
other hand, nothing is more common, than for  Ada! my country! the situation of this place —
the early skeptic to end in a firm belief, like  my removal impossible, and perhaps death-all
Maupertius and  Henry Kirke White.  But  combine to make me sad. I am  convinced of
my business is to acknowvledge your letter, and  the happiness of domestic life. No man on
not to make a dissertation. I am obliged to you  earth respects a virtuous woman more than I do;
for your good wishes, and more obliged by the  and the prospect of retirement in England, with
extract from  the papers of the beloved object  my wife and Ada, gives me an idea of happiwhose qualities you have so well described in a  ness I have never experienced before. Retirefew words. I can assure you, that all the fame  ment will be every thing to me, for heretofore to
which ever cheated humanity into higher notions  me life has been like the ocean in a storm. You
of its own importance, would neverweigh on my  have no conception ofthe unaccountable thoughts
mind against the pure and pious interest which  which come into my mind when the fever attacks
a virtuous being may be pleased to take in my  me.-Eternity and space are before me, but on
welfare. In this point of view, I would not ex-  this subject. thank God, I am happy and at ease.
change the prayer of the deceased in mly behalf,  The thought of living eternally, of again revivfor the united glory of Homer, Caesar, and Na-  ing, is a great pleasure. Christianity is the
poleon, could such be accumulated upon a living  purest and most liberal religion in the world,
head. Do me the justice to suppose, that " video  but the numerous teachers who are continually
meliora proboque," however the " deteriora se-  worrying mankind with their denunciations and
quor" may have been applied to my conduct. I  their doctrines, are the greatest enemies of re.
have the honour to be your obliged and obedient  ligion. I have read with milore attention than hall
servant,                          BoYRow.    of them the Book of Christianity, and I admiri'   the liberal and truly charitable principles which
P. S. I do not know that I am  addressing a  Christ has laid down.  There are questions
clergyman; but I presume that you will not be  connected with this subject which none but Al.
affronted by the mistake (if it is one) on the ad-  mighty God can solve. Time and space who
dress of this letter.  One who has so well ex-  can conceive? None but God-on him I rely."'
plained, and deeply felt, the doctrines of religion,    Who knows but the prayer of the amiable
will excuse the error which led me to believe  young lady, inserted above, was the mean of
him its minister.                             leading his Lordship to indulge such sentiments,
and of ultimately securing his eternal happiness i
This letter, every one will admit, exhibits  " The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous
Lurd Byron in a much more amiable point of man availeth muoch."  This consideration should
view than the traits of his character sketched by  not only excite us to offer up intercessions in
Mr. Dallas, prior to the year 1818.  The fol-  behalf of particular individuals, but also to use




APPENDIX.                                        127
avery prudent and delicate mean-by conversa- extracted from Ia Casass Journal, will show the;ion, epistolary correspondence, or otherwise, to  opinion which lie entertained of the morality of
rouse the attention of those, especially in the  the New Testament:higher circles of life, who appear unconcerned    In a conversation on the subject of religion,
about " the things which relate to their everlast-  which he had with his friends at St. Helena, he
tng peace."                                   said, among many other things, "' How  is it
The following lines, written by Lord Byron,  possible that conviction can find its way to our
are said to have been found in his Bible:-    hearts, when we hear the absurd language, and
witness the acts of iniquity of the greatest nunWithin this awful volume Ites           ber of those whose business it is to preach to
The mystery of mysteries.              us   I am surrounded with priests who preach
Oh! happiest they of human race,
"'' whom our God has given grace,      incessantly that their reign is not of this world,
To hear, to read, to fear, to pray,    and yet they lay hands upon every thing they
To lift the latch, and force the way;   c
Bult better had they ne'er been born,  can get.  The Pope is the head of that religion
Who read to doubt, or read to scorn.',  from heaven, and he thinks only of this world,'
&c. The Emperor ended the conversation by
With regard to Buonaparte, we have nothing  desiring my son to bring him the New Testa.
so satisfactory as In the case of Byron, that ment, and taking it from the beginning, he read
might lead us to conclude that his moral and re-  as far as the conclusion of the speech of Jesus on
tigious sentiments were changed for the better. the mountain.  He expressed himself struck wvith
in his solitude at St. Helena, however, it ap-  tIe hewhest admiration at the purity, the sublimity,
pears that the subject of religion occasionally oc-  the beauty of the mnrality it cottained, and we all
cupieti his attvtkm. The following anecdote,  experienced the same feeling."
1








THE
PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION;
OR,
AN ILLUSTRATION
0o Thu
MORAL LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE.
BY THOM AS DICK,
WTRgOR OF A VARIETY OF LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATI1OI42.
wl ICHOLSON'S PHILOSOPHICAL JOURNAL, THE ANNAl I
OF PHILOSOPHY, ETC. ETC.
Knowledge is power." - Lord Bacoc,.
"oLove is the fulfilling of the law." — Pasa
ST. LOUIS, Mo.:
EDWARDS & BUSHNELL.
1857,








PREFACE.
To delineate the nmora. bearings of the Christian Revelation, -to display the
reasonableness and the excellence of its precepts, and the physical and rational
grounds on which they rest, - and to exhibit a few prominent features in the
moral aspect of the world, — were some of the principal objects which the author
had in view in the composition of the following work. He is not aware that a
similar train of thought has been prosecuted, to the same extent, by any preceding
writer; and is tllerefore disposed to indulge the hope that it may prove both
entertaning and instructive to the general reader, and to the intelligent Christian.
It may not be improper to remind the reader that the author's object slmp,y is,
to illustpate the topics he has selected as the subject of this volume. As he has
taken his fundamental principles from the system of revelation, he was under no
necessity, as most ethical writers are, to enter into any laboured metaphysical
discussions on the foundation of morality, and the motives fiom which moral
actions should proceed. - The truth of revelation is, or course, taken for granted;
and all who acknowledge its divine authority, will readily admit the principles
which form the basis of the system here illustrated.  But, althougrh it formed no
particular part of the author's plan to illustrate the evidences of the Christian
revelation, he trusts that the view which is here given of' the benignant tendency
of its moral requisitions, will form a powerful presumptive argument in support
of its celestial origin.
The C. ristian reader may also be reminded, tlfat it is only the philosophy of
religion which the author has attempted to illustrate. It formed no part of his
plan to enter into any particular discussion on the doctrines of revelation, or on
those topics which have so frequently been the subject of controversy in the
Christian church.  It is riot to sulpport the tenets of Calvinism, Arminianism,
Baxterianism, Arianism, or any other isni which distinguishes the various
denominations of the religious world, that these illustrations are presented to
pulblic view; but to elucidate an object which it appears to be the grand design
of revelation to accomplish, and in the promotion of which every section of the
Christian church is equally interested, and to which they would do well to
" take heed." —In his illustration of this subject, the author has kept his eye
solely on the two revelations which the Almighty has given to niankind, —
TIlE SYSTEM OF NATURE, and the SACRED RECORDS just as they stand,- without
any regard to the theories of philosophers, the opinions of commentators, or
the systems of theologians.  He is disposed to view the revelations of the
Bible rather as a series of importantfacts, from which moral instructions are to
be dleucel, than as a system of metaphysical opinions for the exercise of the
intellect.




PREFACE.
On the leading topics which have divided the Christian world, the author has
firmed his own opinion, and has adopted those which he has judged, on the
whole, to be most correct; but it is of no importance to the reader what these
opinions are, or of what system of speculative theology he is inclined, on the
whole, to support. He sets very little value upon purely speculative opinions,
except in so far as they tend to promote the grand moral objects of Christianity;
and while he assumes the unalienable right of thinking for himself on the subject
of religion, he is disposed to allow the same privilege to others. He believes,
on the authority of Scripture, that" God is the Creator of heaven and earth;"that " he is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works;"-thatt " te is
good to all, and that his tender mercies are over all his works;"-that " lie so
loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
on him might not perish, but have everlasting life;"- that " Christ died for our
sins, that he was buried, and that he rose again from the dead according to the
Scriptures;" —that " he is the propitiation tbr our sins, and that he ever lives
to make intercession;"- together with all the other facts and doctrines with
which these are essentially connected. But he views the recognition of'such
doctrines and facts not as the end of religion, but only as the means by which
the great moral objects of Christianity are to be promoted and accomIplished.
In illustrating the moral state of the world, the author is sorry that he was
obliged to compress his details within so narrow L-_ its. Few readers, however,
will appreciate the labour and research he was unuer the necessity of bestowing,
in order to select and arrange the facts which he has detailed.  He nas
occasionally had to condense a long history or narrative, and even a whole
volume, into the compass of two or three pages; and to search through rore
than twenty volumes, in order to find materials to fill a couple of pages. With
the same degree of research, (excepting the mechanical labour of transcription,).
he might have filled several volumes with similar illustrations; and lie is
convinced that a work of this description, judiciously executed, hwould prove
highly instructive, as well as entertaining, not only to the Christian world, lut
to readers of every description.
Various topics connected with the philosophy of religion still remain to be!lu~strated. These shall form the subject of discussion in a future voilme,
should the present work be received with general approbhation.
PERTH, January, 189,6.




CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION.
Objects of human knowledge                                           11
CHAPTER I.
ON  THE MORAL  RELATIONS  OF  INTELLIGENT  BEINGS  TO
THEIR CREATOR....
SECTION L
On the primary or most general idea of Morality  -   _f
SECTION II.
On the fundamental principles of Morality  -.
SECTION III.
On the Omnipotence of God -..7
SECTION IV.
On the Wisdom and Goodness of God -    -                    -        20
SECTION V.
On the Mercy and Patience of God. 2  




VaWJ                             CONTEN'rS.
SECTION VI.
On the Rectitude of the Divine Character -.. 1 4
SECTION VII.
Modes in which Love to God is displayed                                       3    -  3
CHAPTER II.
SECOND PRINCIPLE OF MORAL ACTION-LOVE TO ALL SUB.
ORDINATE INTELLIGENCES.  4.
SECTION L
F'he n atural equality of mankind considered as the basis of love to our neighboul   44
SECTION II.': he connexions and relations which subsist among manilnd considered as estabhsiiing the basis of love to our neighbour....
SECTION  IlI'I'he ultimate destination of mankind considered as a basis for love to our neilnhour, and as a motive to its exercise..                                5
SECTION IV..Love to God and our neiahbour enforced and illustrated, from a consideration *,.
the miserable effects whlih would ensue were these principles reversed, aitti
were rational beings to act accordingly -    -,
sEC rIH1N  V.
EfT!cts which would flow from the fuil operation ofthe prnciple of Love to God a;nt
-o man                                                   -..,SECTION  VI.
iniversality of the principles of Love to God and to fellow intelligences   - 
SECTION VII.
Tlhe preceding views corroborated by Divine Revelation  -                  ~;- 




CONTEN'rS..
SECTION VIII.
On the practical operation of Love, and the vanous modes in which it should be displayed towards mankind    -..                                 7-1
CHAPTER III.
ON THE MORAL LAW, AND THE RATIONAL GROUNDS ON WHICHI
ITS PREECEPrS AxRi FOUNDED    -. 84
The first commandment  -  -                  -85
The second commandmnent -         -                                            89
The third commandment   -           -         -        --                      92
The fourth commandment.  -            -.. -       93
The fifth commandment -  -    -    -..
The sixth commandment   -...  99
The seventh comrnmandmnent -  -  -  -  -   101
The eighth cornmandinent  -  -.                                               104
The ninth commandrment.-                                                     106
The tenth cornmmandmnent  -                                                   1 12
General conclusions and remarks founded on the preceding illustrations   -    - 115
CHAPTER IV.
A BRIEF SURVEY OF THE MORAL STATE OF THE WORLD; OR,
AN EXAMINA'TION OF THE GENERAL TIRAIN OF HUMAN ACTIONS, IN 1REFEItENCF, TO ITS CONFPORMIrY  WITH  TH'E PRIINCIPLES AND LAWS NOW ILLUSTIATED -.             122
SECTION  1.
State of Morals in the Ancient W5orld     -123
Warlike dispositions of mankind -                                              125
Atrocities connected with war -           -                                   129
SECTION  II.
State of Morals in Modem Times..-    -                                       133
Moral state of savage nations.   133
Warlike attitude of savage nations  -.140
[nhumranity of uncivilized tribes to unfortunate travellers..   141
Malevolent dispositions, as displayed in dsftiglring the body..        146
Malevolence as it appears in the religion of savage tribes.              14.8
SECTION III.
Nioral State of Civilized Nations.  -.                  143




S                              CONTENTS.
SECTION IV.
Moral state of the professing Christian World....... 164
Moral state of the Protestant Church, and of the dispositions generally manifested
among Christians in our own country  -1- -                           - 173
General reflections                                                      179
Means by which the practice of Christian morality might be promoted  -   181
Q0onclusions from the general principles illustrated in this volume  -   -   -   182




THE
PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
INT RODUCTION.
THE objects of human knowledge may be re.  into the nature and relations of mind, it is neces.
duced to two classes-the relations of matter and  sary, in the first place, to study the phenomena of
the relations of mind; or, in other words, the ma-  the material world, and the external actions of all
terial and the intellectual universe. Of these two  those percipient beings with which it is peopled;
departments of science, the intellectual universe  for the knowledge of the facts we acquire in relais, in many respects, the most interesting and im-  tion to these objects must form  the ground-work
portant. For, in so far as our knowledge and re-  of all our investigations.
searches extend, it appears highly probable, if not    We are surrounded, on every hand, with
absolutely certain, that the material universe ex-  minds of various descriptions, which evince the
ists solely for the sake of sentient and intelligent  faculties of which they are possessed, by the vaoeings-in order to afford a sensible manifestation  rious senses and active powers with which they
of the attributes of the great First Cause, and to  are furnished. These minds are of various gra-.erve as a vehicle of thought and a medium of  dations, in point of intellectual capacity and
enjoyment to subordinate intelligences. So in-  acumen, from man downwards through all the
tirnately related, however, are these two objects  animated tribes which traverse the regions ot
of human investigation, that a knowledge of the  earth, air, and sea.  We have the strongest reaone cannot be obtained but through the medium   son to believe, that the distant regions of the
ofthe other. The operations of mind cannot be  material world are also replenished with intelcarried on without the intervention of external,ctual beings, of various orders, in which there
objects; for if the material universe had never  may be a gradation upwards, in the scale of
existed, we could never have prosecuted a train  intellect above that of a man, as diversified as
of thought;* and the beauties and sublimities of  that which we perceive in the descending scale,
external nature can be perceived only by thinking  from man downwards to the immaterial princibeings, without the existence of which, the ma-  ple which animates a muscle, a snail. or a miterial universe would remain like a mighty blank,  croscopic animalcula.  When we consider the
and might be said to have been created in vain.  variety of original forms and of intellectual caHence it appears, that, previous to our inquiries  pacities which abounds in our terrestrial system,
and that there is an infinite gap in the scale of
The whole train of ideas which passes through  being between the human mind and the Supreme
our minds on any subject may be considered as the
Images of external obtjects variously modified and  Intelligence, it appears quite conformable to the
combined. These images we receive through the  magnificent harmony of the universe, and to the
niiumtiof our senses, byri which we holu a com-  wisdom and benevolence of its Almighty Author,
munication with the material world. All our ideas
of God, and of the objects of religion, are derived  to suppose, that there are beings within the
from the same source. T'he illustrations of the  range of his dominions as far superior to man in
attributes of the Deity, and of his moral adminis  the comprehension and extent of mental and cortration, contained in Scripture, are derived from
the external scenes of creation, and from the re-  poreal powers, as man is, in these respectE sulations of human society; consequently, had the  perior to the most despicable insect: and thaL
material world never existed, we could have formed no conceptions of the divine perfections similar these beings, in point of number, may exceed all
to those which we now entertain, nor have prosecu-  human calculation and comprehension.  This
ted a train of thought on any other subject; for the  idea is corroborated by several intimations conmaterial universe is the basis of all the knowledge
we have hitherto acquired, or can acquire, respeciing  tained in the records of reve ation, where we
ourselves, our Creator or other intelligences. Any  have presented to our view a class of intelligences
person who is disposed to call in question this position must te prepared to point out, distinctly and spe-  endowed with physical energies, powers of rapid
cifically, those ideas or trains of thought which are  motion, and a grasp of intellect, incomparably su.
rmnt derived tarougml the medium of the external  perior to those which are possessed by any of the
ernses, abd from the objec's on which thbeloey are
P~ercised.                                     beings which belong to our sublunary system.




S192                      THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
To contemplate the various orders of intelli-  tangible manner than the theories which hamt
gences which people the material universe, and  been formed respecting the niattire and operations
ctie relations which subsist among them-the ar-  of the intellectual powers.  Illustrations level to.angements of the d:ftlrent worlds to which they  every capacity, and which come homei to everV
respectively belong-the corporeal vehicles by  one's bosom, may be derived both from reason
which they hold a correspondence with the na-  alid experience, from the annals of history, and'erial system-the relation in which they stand to  the records of revelation.  It is not involved in
ather worlds arid beirigs, from  which they are  the same difficulties and obscurity which have
separated by the voids of space-and the excur-  perplexed the philosophy of the intellect; and
stons they occasionally rmake to different regions  there are certain principles which may be traced
of that vast empire of which they form a part-  in relation to this-subject, which apply to all the;o trace the superior intellectual faculties and the  rational intelligences that God has formed, how.
sensitive organs with which they are endowed-   ever diversified in respect of the regions of the
the profound investigations they have made into  universe which they occury, arid in the extent
the economy of the universe-the trains ofthought  of their intellectual powers.  Above all, this
which they pursue, and the magnificent objects  subject is more intimately connected with the
on which their faculties are employed-the enmo-  present and future happiness of' man than any
tions with which they view the scenes and trans-  other which comes within the range of human
actions of such a world as ours-the means by  investigation; and therefore, forms a prominent
which they have been carried forward in the  and legitimate branch of what may be termed
career of moral and intellectual improvement-   " The Philosophy of Religion."
the history of their transactions since the period at    TI.at the moral relations of intelligent minds,
which they were brought into existence —the pe-  and the temper and conduct corresponding with
culiar dispensations of the Creator, and the re-  these relations, are essentially connected with
volutions that may have taken place among them   the happiness of every rational agent, might be
-the progressions they have made from one  made to appear from a variety of cases, in which
stage of improvement to another-the-views they  the reversing of certain moral laws or principles
have acquired of the perfections and the plans of  would inevitably lead to disorder and misery.
their Almighty Sovereign-the transporting emo-  I shalt content myself with stating the following
tions of delight which pervade all their faculties  illulstrauon:-We dwell in an obscure corner of
-and the sublime adorationus they offer up to the  God's empire; but the light of niodern science
Fountain of all their felicity-would constitute a  has shown us, that worlds, a thousand times larger
source of the most exquisite gratification to every  than ours, and adorned with more refulgent splenholy, intelligent, and inquiring minid. But, since  dours, exist within the range of that system  of
we are at present confined to a smiiall corner of  w,..;h we form a part.. It has also unfoldv-d to
the universe of God, and surrounded by irmmea-  our view other systems dispersed throughout the
surable voids of space, which intervene between  voids of space, at immeasurable distances, aind
our habitation and the celestial worlds, through  in such vast profuision, that our minds are lunable
which no human power can enable us to peiie-  to grasp their number and their magnitude. Reatrate, we must remain ignorant of thIe nature  son anrd revelation lead us to conclude, that all
and economy of those intellectual beings, till our  these worlds arid systems are adorned with dissouls take their flight fiom these " tabernacles of  plays ofdivine wisdom, and peopled with myriads
flay," to join their kindred spirits in the invisible  of rational inhabitants.  The human mTind, after
world. While we remain in our sublunary mran-  it has received notices of such stupendous scenes,
sion, our investigations into the world of mind  naturally longs for a nearer and more intimate inmtlst, therefore, of necessity, be confined to the  spection of the graildeler and economy of those
natire and attributes ofthe Uncreated Spirit, and  distant provinces of the Creator's enpire; and
o lihe faculties of our own minds and those lof the  is apt to imagine, that it would never weary, but
sensitive beings with which we are surroiunded.  would feel unmingled enjoyment, while it winged'these faculties, as they corstlitute the i:stri-  its flight from one magnificent scene of creation
ninrtsby which all our knowledge, both human  to another.  But although an inhabitant of o!,
and divine, is acquired, have employed the at-  world were divested of the quality of gravitation'e.ition of philosophers in every age, and have  endowed with powers of rapid motion adequate
been the thenme of many subtle and ingenuous  to carry him along' to the suburbs of creation,'
speculations; and they, doubtless, form  an in-  and permitted by hIis Creator to survey all the
teresting subject of investigation to the student  wonders of the universe, if a principle of love
of intellectual science.                       and kindly affection towards fellow-intelligences
But, of all the views we can take of the world  did riot animate his mind, if rage and revenge
of mind, the mloral relations of intelligent beings,  prile arid anibition, hatred and envy, were inces.
nald ihe laws Ilniled on these relations, are topics  santly rankling in his breast, he could feel ns
by far the most interesting and important. This  transporting emotions, nor taste the sweets ul
lsubject may be treated in a more definite and  true enjoyment.  The vast universe. throrugt




INTRODUCTION.                                         13
itrtieh he roamed, would be transformed into a  the subject has been generally treated, have slrpactutis hell; its beauties and sublimities could  dorn led to any beneficial practical results.  To
ilot urevent misery from taking possession of his  attempt to treat the subject of morals without a
soLu, and, at every stage of his excursion, lie  reference to divine revelation, as most of our cecouldi not fail to meet with the indications of his  lebrated moral writers have done, seems to he
Creator's frown.  For there appears, fromn rea-  little short of egregious trifling.  It cannot serve
son aid experience, as well as f;otn the dictates  the purpose of an cxperiment, to ascertain how
of revelation, an absolute impossibility of en-  far the unassisted faculties of man can go in acjoying happiness so long as malevolent affections  quiring a knowledge of the foundation and the
retain their ascendancy in the heart of a moral  rules of moral action; for the prominlent princiintelligence, in whatever region of universal na-  ples of Christian morality are so interwoven into
ture his residence may be found.               the opinions, intercourses, and practices of moHence we may learn, that the highest attain-  dern civilized society, and so fanmiliar to the mind
merlts in science to which any one can arrive,  of every man who has been educated in a C(hristhough they may expand the range of his intel-  tian land, that it is impossible to eradicate the
lectual views, will not ensure to their possessor  idea of them fiomn the mind, when it attempts to
substantial and unmingled enjoyment, while his  trace the duty of man solely on the principles of
heart is devoid ofbenevo,lent. affections, and while  reason. When the true principles of morality
he is subjected to the influence of degrading and  are once communicated through the medium of
immoral passions. If it be possible that any one  revelation, reason can demonstrate their utility,
now exists in the literary world, who has devoted  and their confbrmity to the character of God, to
his life to the sublimest investigations of science,  the order of the universe, and to the relations
and has taken the most extensive views of the  which subsist among intelligent agents.  But we
arrangements of the material world, and yet  are by no means in a situation to determine whewho remains doubtful as to the existence of a  ther they could ever have been discovered by the
Supreme Intelligence, and of an eternal state of  investigations and efforts of the unassisted powers
destination; who is elated with pride at the  of the htman mind. The only persons who could
splendour of his scientific acquiremnents; who  fairly try such an experiment were the Greeks
treats his equals with a spirit of arrogance; who  and Romnans, and other  ivilized nations, in anlooks down with a haughty and sullen scowl on  cient times, to whom the light of revelation was
the inferior ranks of his fellow-nmen; who is  not imparted. And what was the result of all
haughty, overbearing, and revengeful in, his ge-  their researches on this most important of all
neral deportment, and who is altogether indiffe-  subjects?  What were tln, -'etical effects of all
rent as to the moral principles he displays,-I  the fine-spun theories and suute speculations
would envy neither his happiness nor his intel-  which originated in the schools of ancient philolectualattainments.  He can enjoy none of those  sophy, under the tuition of Plato and Socrates,
delightful emotions which flow from the exercise  of Aristotle and Zeno?  The result is recorded
of Christian benevolence, nor any of those con-  in the annals of history, and in the writings of
solations which the good rman feels amidst the  the apostles.  "They became vain in their irnavarious ills of life; and, beyaeid the short span of  ginations, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
mortal existence, he can look forward to no  They were filled with all unrighteonsness, formlbrighter displays of the grandeur of the material  cation, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness.
and intellectual universe, but to an eternal depri-  envy, murder, deceit, malignity; they were backvation of his powers of intelligence in the shades  biters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, inventof annihilation.                               ors of evil things, disobedient to parents, witnmout
It must, therefore, be a matter deeply interest-  natural affection, implacable, and unmercitil."
ing to every intelligent agent, to acquire correct  Their general conduct was characterized by
notions of the fundamental principles of moral  pride, lasciviousness, and revenge; they indulged
action, and to form those habits which will fit  in the commission of unnatural crimes; they
him for the enjoyment of true felicity, to what-  were actuated by restless anlbition, and they
ever region of the universe he may afterwards be  gloried in covering the earth with devastation
transported.-In the illustration of this subject,  and carnage.
F shall pursue a train of thought which I am     It is true, indeed, that some of the sects of
not aware has been prosecuted by any previous  philosophers propounded several maxims and
writers on the subject of morality, and shall en-  moral precepts, the propriety of which cannot
deavoutr to conti.nm and illustrate the views which  be questioned; but none of dem  could agree
may be exhibited, by an appeal to the discoveries  respecting either the foundation of virtue, or the
of revelation.                                 ultimate object toward which it should be diWe have an abundance of ponderous volumes  rected, or that in which the chief happiness oh
on the subject of moral philosophy; but the dif-  man consists; and hence it happened, that the
ferent theories which have been proposed and  precepts delivered by the teachers of philosophy
discussed, and the metaphysical mode in which  hadlittle influence on their own conduct. and




14                       TIIE PHILOSOPIhY OF RELIGION.
Ear less on that of the unthinking multitude.  every fact and every circumstance which mn)
Where do we find,.n any of the philosophical  have a beal ing on the important question whita
schools of Greece and Rome, a recommendation   he undertakes to decide.  Now, it is a bJct,
of such precepts as these, " Love your enemies;  that such a book as the Bible actually existsdo good to them who hate you; and pray for  that, amidst the wreck of thousands of volumes
them who despitefully use you and persecute  which the stream  of time has carried into obliyou?"  In opposition to such divine injunctions,  vion, it has survived for several thousands of
we can trace, in the maxims and. conduct of the  years-that. its announcements have directed
ancient sages, a principle of pride insinuating  the opinions and the conduct of myriads of manitself into the train of their most virtuous ac-  kind-that many of the most illustrious charactions.  It has been reckoned by some a wise and  ters that have adorned our race have submitted
a witty answer which one of the philosophers  to its dictates, and governed their tempers and
returned to his friend, who had advised him to  their actions by its moral precepts —that those
revenge an injury he had suffered; " What,  who have been governed by its maxims have
(says he) if an ass kicks me, must I needs kick  been distinguished by uprightness of conduct,
him again?"  Some may be disposed to consi-  and been most earnest and successful in promotder such a reply as indicating a manly spirit,  ing the happiness of mankind-that this book
and true greatness of soul; but it carries in it a  declares, that a moral revulsion has taken place
proud and supercilious contemrpt of human na-  in the constitution of man since he was placed
ture, and a haughtiness of mind, which are alto-  upon this globe-and that the whole train of its
get.her inconsistent with the mild and benevolent  nloral precepts proceeds on the ground of his
precepts of Him, who, in the midst of his severest  being considered as a depraveda  ntelligence.
sufferings from men, exclaimed, "Father, forgive  These are facts which even the infidel philosothem, for they know not what they do."         pher must admit; and, instead of throwing them
It appears somewhat preposterous to waste  into the shade, or keeping them entirely out of
our time, and the energies of our minds, in la-  view, he is bound, as an unbiassed inlquilrer, to
Doured metaphysical disql'isitionls, to ascertain  take them all into accoulnt in his researches into
the foundations of virtue, and the motives from   the moral econormy oftthe human race.  In parwhich it is to be pursued; whether it consists  ticular, he is bound to inquire into the probability
in utility, in the Jitness of things, or in the regu-  of the alleged fact of the depravity ot nan, and
lations of states and political associations, and  to cons;der, whether the genaral train of human
whether it is to be prosecuted from a principle  actions, the leading facts of history in reference
X of self-love or of benevolence, when every useful  to all ages and nations, and the destructive effects
question that can be started on this subject may   of several operations in the system  of natulre,
be immediately solved by a direct application to  have not a tendency to corroborate this important
the revelations of heaven, and an infallible rule  point. For the fact. that man is a fallen intelliderived for the direction of our conduct in all  gence, must materially modify every system  of
the circumstances and relations in which we  ethics that takes it into account.  Should this
may be placed. Even although the moral philo-  fact be entirely overlooked, and yet ultimately be
sopher were to reject the Bible, as a revelation  found to rest on a solid foundation, then, all the
from Godl. it would forn no reason why its an-  spectiations and theories of those moralists who
numiciations should be altogether overlooked or  profess to be guided solely by the dictates,of
rejected.  As an impartial investigator of the  unassisted reason, may prove to be nothing more
history of man, of the moral constitution of the  than the reveries of a vain imagination, and to
human mind, and of the circumstances of our  be built on "the baseless fablic ofa viston."
prsentl condition, he is bound to take into view




CHAPTER I.
ON THE MORAL RELATIONS OF INTELLIGENT BEINGS TO THEIR CREATOR.
SECTION  I.                    of order intended to be conveyed in th2e abo:ve
stated definitions.
Bi fHEl  PRIMARY -OR MOST GENERAL IDEA           Suppose the principle which unites the planeOF MORALITY.                   tary globes in one harmonious system, to be
dissolved, and the planets to run lawlessly through
I coNCEIVE, that the first or most general  the sky-suppose the planet Jupiter to forsake
idea of morality is, ORDER,-or, that harmo-  his orbit, and in his course to the distant regions
nious disposition and arrangement of intelligent  of space, to impinge against the planet Saturn,
beings, which is founded on the nature of things,  and to convulse the solid crust of that globe from
and which tends to produce the greatest sum of  its surface to its centre, to disarrange the order
happiness.                                    of its satellites, to- shatter its rings into pieces,
Physical Order, or the order of the material  and to carry the fragments of them along with
universe, is that by which every part is made to  him in his lawless career,-suppose the sun to
harmonize to the other part, and all individually  attract his nearest planets to his surface with a
to the whole collectively.  Thus, the adaptation  force that would shake. them to their centres,
of light to the eye, and of the eye to light; the  and dissolve their present constitution,-suppose
adaptation of the structure gf the ear and of  the moon to fly from her orbit, and rush towards
the lungs to the constitution of the atmosphere,  the planet Venus,-the earth to be divested of
and its various undulations; the adaptation of  its atmosphere, the foundations of: its mountains
the waters,:the vegetable productions of: the  to be overturned, and to be hurled into the plains,
field, the minerals in the bowels of: the earth, the  and into the:ocean;: its seas and rivers to forcolours produced by the solar rays, and. all the  sake their ancient channels, and to overflow the
other parts and agencies of external nature, to  land, and its whuman inhabitants swept promisthe wants and the happiness of sentient beings;  cuously along with the inferior animals into
the adaptation of day and night to the labour and  dens and caves, and crevices of the earth, and
rest appointed for man; and the regularity of the  into the bottom of the ocean: —in such a scene,
motions of the planetary bodies in their circuits  we should have presented to our view a specimen
round the sun-constitute the physical order, or  of physical confusion and disorder; and it would
harmony of the visible world; and it is this  form an impressive emblem of the state of rational
which constitutes its principal beauty, and which  beings, whose moral order is completely subevinces the wisdom of its Almighty Author.     verted.
Moral Order is the harmony of intelligent:Again, suppose the rational inhabitants of our
beings in respect to one another, and to their  globe to be universally set against each other, in
Creator, and is founded upon those relations in  order to accomplish their misery and destruction
which Lhey respectively stand to each other.-  -suppose the child rising in opposition to his
Thus, reverence, adoration, and gratitude, from   parents, the wife plotting the destruction of her
creatures, correspond or harmonize with the idea  husband, the brother insnaring his sister, and
of a self-existent, omnipotent, and benevolent  decoying. her to ruin,-teachers of all descripBeing, on whom they depend, and from whom  tions inculcating the arts of deception, of revenge,
they derive every enjoyment,-and love, and  and of destruction, and representing every pringood will, and a desire to promote each other's  ciple and fact as contrary to what it really ishappiness, harmonize with the idea of intelli-  falsehoods of every description industriously
gences of the same species mingling together in  forged and circulated as facts through every rank
social intercourses. For, it will at-once be ad-  of society-rulers setting themselves in opposimitted, that affections directly opposite to these,  tion to the populace, and plotting their destrucand universally prevalent, would tend to destroy  tion, while they are at the same time actuated
the moral harmony of the intelligent universe,  by a principle of pride, of envy, and malice
and to introduce anarchy and confusion, and  against each other-the populace. setting themconsequently misery, among all the rational inha-  selves in opposition to their rulers, exterminating
oitants of the material world.                 them from the earth, subverting every principli
The following brief illustration, by way of  of law  and order, gratifying, without control,
contrast, may, perhaps, have a tendency more  every principle of revenge, avarice, lascivious.
particularly to impress the mind with the idea  ness and sensual indulgence, and enjoying  a




16                       THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
diabolical satisfaction  in contemplating  the  to call in question the statements now given is
scenes of misery they have created: —in short,  reference to the primary idea of morality, his
every one beholding in his neighbour the male-  difference of opinion on this point will not nlate.
volencu of a fiend armed with instruments of  rially affect the leading train of sentiment prose.
destruction, and devising schemes to secure his  euted in the further elucidation of this subject.
misery and ruin. Suppose the lower animals,
rmpellcd by revenge, to rise up in indignation
against man, and to swell the horrors of this gealera; anarchy-suppose the superior orders of                SECTION  II.
intelligences to mingle in this scene of confusion,
to exert their high physical and intellectual  ON THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIpLEs OF MOt
powers in adding fuel to these malevolent prin-                 RALITY..
ciples and operations, and in attempting to drag
other intelligences of a still higher order from  The leading idea of morality or holiness, as
their seats of bliss-suppose all these intelli-  now stated, resolves itself into ihe two following
gences actuated by an implacable hatred of their  principles-love to God the Creator, and love to
Creator, combined to deface the beauties of the fellow intelligences. These are the two grand
material creation, and then to engage in a war  springs on which the whole moral machine of
of universal extermination throughout the whole  the universe depends. All the diversified acIntelligent system in every region of the universe:  tions by which happiness is diffused among insuch a state of things, if it could exist in the  telligent agents, are only so many ramifications
universe, would form a perfect contrast to moral  of these two simple and sublime principles,
order; it would present a scene in which exist-  which connect all holy beings throughout the
ence could not be desirable to any intelligent  wide empire of God, in one harmonious union.
mind, and in which happiness could not possibly  This we are not left to infer merely from the nabe enjoyed by any rational being, but by Him  ture of things, but have the authority of the
who is eternally happy independently of his  supreme Legislator, as our warrant for placing
creatures.  Moral order, then, is completely op.  these principles as the foundation of all moral
posed to such a state of things as has now been  virtue among every class of moral agents. For
represented; it consists in every being holding  thus saith our Saviour, " THOU SHALT LOVE
its proper station in the universe, acting accord-  THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART,
ing to the nature of that station, and using its  AND WITH ALL THY MIND, AND WITH ALL
powers and faculties for the purposes for which  THY STRENGTH.'hiis is the first and great
they were originally intended; and the grand  commandment.  The second is like unto it:
object intended to be accomplished by this order,  THou SHIALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYis, the happiness of the whole,-without which  SELF.  On these two principles hang all the law
inisery would reign uncontrolled throughout all  and the prophets."
the ranks of intelligent existence.             These principles, now that they are commuThis state of the moral world is most fre-  nicated, and sanctioned by divine authority, apquently designated in scripture by the term holi-  pear quite accordant to the dictates of enlightenness. Of the ideas included under this term,  ed reason, and calculated to promote the happiand several of its kindred epithets, very vague  ness of the intelligent creation; yet we never
and imperfect conceptions are frequently enter-  find that the moral systems of pagan philosophers,
tained. Its leading or generic idea, from what  in any country, were built on this foundation, or
has been now stated, will evidently appear to be,  that they assumed them as indispensable axioms
a conformity to order, founded on the relations of  to guide them in their speculations on the subintelligent beings to each other; or, in other  ject of ethics.
words, it consists in a complete conformity to    In elucidating this topic, I shall endeavour to
the law of God, (which is founded on those re-  show the reasonableness and the utility of these
lations) including both the action and the prin-  principles of moral action, from a consideration
~iple from which it flows. In reference to cre-  of the nature of God, and the relations in which
ated beings, holiness may, therefore, be defined  intelligent beings stand to him as the source of
to be a conformity to the moral order of the uni.  their existence and felicity-from the nature of
verse,-and, in relation to the Creator, it is that  subordinate intelligences, and the relations in
perfection of his nature, which leads him to pro-  which they stand to one another-from the mimote the moral order and happiness of intelligent  sery which must inevitably follow, where such
beings, and to counteract every thing which stands  principles are violated or reversed-from  the
*.4 opposition to this object.                happiness that would necessarily flow from theil
That the leading ideas and definitions now  full operation-and, lastly, that they. apply to the
stated are correct, will, perhaps, more distinctly  circumstances of all created intelligences wher.
appear in the course of the following discussions  ever existing, throughout the boundless universe
and illustrations; but should anty one be disposed  -I have used the plural term principles, to ex,




OMNiPOTENCE OF GOD.                                    I 7
press the foundation of moral action, because  intellectual powers, when these powers are untour Saviour has arranged them  under two dis-  formly exerted in the counteraction of vice and
tinct heads, in the passage just now quoted;  misery, and in the promotion of happiness.  Ou
out strictly speaking, there is but one principle,  this ground, the Omnipotence of God is calcula.
namely, Love, which divides itself as it were,  ted to affect.the mind with that particular modi.
into two great streams, one directing its course  fication of love, which is designated by the term
towards the supreme Source of all felicity, and  Reverence.  Were it possible that any human
the other towards all the subordinate intelligences  being could construct a machine, by means of
He has created.                               which, in combination with his own physical
First Principle-LoVE TO GOD.            powers, he could transport himself and his treasures from one region of the globe to another,
Love, considered in reference to the Supreme  at the rate of 200 miles in an hour, and were he,
Being, may be viewed as dividing itself into a  at the same time, to devote his treasures, and his
variety of streams or kindred emotions, all flow-  moral and intellectual energies to the improve.
ing from one source.  The most prominent of  ment and melioration of the various tribes of
these emotions are the following-Admiration,  mankind in every clime through which he passwhich consists in a delightful emotion, arising  ed, such an object could not fail of exciting in
from a contemplation of the wonderful works of  our minds a sentiment of admiration and reveGod, and of the wisdom and goodness which they  rence. Were one of the highest orders of creulnfold-Reverence, which is nearly allied to ad-  ated intelligences to descend from his celestial
miration, is a solemn emotion, mingled with awe  mansion, and to display himself to our view in
and delight, excited in the nmind, when it conteln-  all the bright radiance of his native heavenplates the perfections, and the grand operations  were he to take his station over the regions of
of the Eternal Mind-Gratitude, which consists  Thibet or Hindostan, and, after having excited
in affection to the Supreme Being, on account  the attention of a wondering populace, were he to
of the various benefits he has conferred upon us  detach the huge masses of the Himalaya moun-Humility, which consists in a just sense of our  tains from their foundations, and toss them into
own character and-condition, especially when we  the depths of the Indian Ocean, and, in the
compare ourselves with the purity and perfection  course of a few hours, transform the barren
of the divine character.  To these emotions  wastes of that dreary region into a scene of
may be added Complacency and delight in the  beauty and  luxuriant vegetation, and cause
character and operations of God-Adoration  splendid cities to arise, where formerly nothing
of his excellencies, and an unlimited Dependence  was presented to the view but a bleak and frightupon him in reference to our present concerns,  ful wilderness-at such a display of physical
and to our future destination.  I have stated  power, combined with benevolent design, we
these different modifications of the first princi-  could not withhold a feeling of awe, and a senti —
ple of morality, because, in the following illus-  ment of reverence, almost approaching to reli.trations, they may all occasionally be taken into  gious adoration.
account, when an allusion is made to the affec-    If, then, the contemplation of physical, and
tions, which the character and operations of the  mental energies, with which even created beings
divine Being have a tendency to excite.       may possibly be invested, would excite our adLove is that noble affection which is excited by  miration and reverence, what powerful emotions
amiable objects; and therefore, in order to its  of this description must the energies of the Unbeing rational, permanent, and delightful, it  created Mind be calculated to produce, when
must be founded on the perception of'certain  they are contemplated by the eye of enlightened
amiable qualities or attributes connected with its  reason, and in the light of divine revelation!
object. In order to demonstrate the reasonable-  When this huge globe on which we dwell existed
ness of this affection in reference to God, it is  in the state of a shapeless and unformed mass;
only requisite to consider his character and per-  when land, and water, and air, were blended in
fections, and the relation in which he stands to  wild confusion, and chaos and darkness extended
us as the Author of our existence and enjoy-  their dominion over all its gloomy regions, at
ments.  But, as a comprehensive view of this  His command " light sprung out of darkness,
subject would require volumes for its illustration,  and order out of confusion;" the mountains
I shall confine myself to the illustration of only  reared their projecting summits, the valleys were
two or three lineaments of the divine character.  depressed, the caverns of the ocean were hollowed out, and the waters retired to the places'
which He had appointed for them. The fields
SECTION  III.                   were clothed with luxuriant verdure; Eden appeared in all its beauty  the inferior tribes of
THE OMPOTENCE Oanimated existence took possession of the air,
We naturally venerate and admire a character  the waters, and the earth, and man was fo; med
In which physical energy is comb.;ned with high  in the image of his Maker, to complete this
22




18                     THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
wondrous scene. At this period, too, the earth  and intellectual energies, which were exerted
received such a powerful impulse from the hand  solely for the purpose of destruction, could in.
of its Creator, as has carried it along through the  spire no feelings but those of dread and alarl-:
voids of space, with all its furniture and inha.  and were it possible to conceive an omnipot.nt
bitants, in the most rapid career, for six thousand  being divested of the attribute of benevolence,
years; having already moved through a space  or possessed of a capricious character, he would
of 3,480,000,000,000 miles, and will still conti-  form the most terrible object which the human
nue its unremitting course for thousands of years  mind could contemplate.  But the attribute of
to come, till the " mystery of Providence'be  infinite power, when conjoined with infinite wisfinished."                                    dom and goodness, conveys an idea the most gloWould we be struck with admiration and as-  rious and transporting. Every display of divine
tonishment, at beholding a superior created in-  power to which I have now alluded, has tho
telligence tossing a mountain  into the sea?  communication of happiness for its' object. The
What strong emotions of reverence and awe,  motion of the earth around its axis every twentythen, ought to pervade our minds, when we be-  four-hours, is intended to distribute light and
hold the Almighty every moment producing  darkness, in regular proportions, to all the inhaeffects infinitely more powerful and astonishing!  bitants of the earth. and to correspond to the
What would be our astonishment, were we to  labour and rest appointed for man. It produces
behold, from a distance, a globe as large as the  a variety which is highly gratifying to the raearth tossed from the hand of Omnipotence, and  tional mind; for, while our fellow-men on the
flying at the rate of a thousand miles every  opposite side of the globe are enjoying the
minute! Yet this is nothing more than what is  splendours of the noonday sun, the shades of
every day produced by the unceasing energies  night, which at that time envelope our hemi
of that Power which first called us into exist-  sphere, are the means of disclosing to our view
ence. That impulse which was first given to  the magnificent glories of the starry frame.
ithe earth at its creation is still continued, by  Were this motion to cease, this world and all'which it is carried round every day from west to  its inhabitants would be thrown into a state of.east, along with its vast population, and at the  confusion and misery. While the inhabitants:same time impelled forward through the regions of one hemisphere enjoyed the splendours of
of space at the rate of sixty-eight thousand miles perpetual day, the glories of the nocturnal heain an hour. Nor is this among the most wonder-  vens would be for ever veiled from their view,;ful effects of divine power: it is only one compa-  and the inhabitants of the other hemisphere,ratively small specimen of that omnipotent energy  would be enveloped in the shades of eternal
w hich resides in the Eternal Mind. When we  night.  While the one class was suffering under
lift our eyes towards the sky, we behold bodies a  the scorching effects of excessive heat, the other.thousand times larger than this world of ours,  would be frozen to death amidst the rigours of
impelled with similar velocities through  the  insufferablecold-vegetable nature, in both cases,
mighty expanse of the universe. We behold the  would languish, and the animal tribes would be
planetary globes wheeling their rapid courses  gradually extinguished.
around the sun, with unremitting velocity —the    The same benevolent intention may be percomets returning from their long excursions in  ceived in that exertion of power by which the
she distant regions of space, and flying towards  earth is carried forward in its annual course
the centre of our system with a velocity of hun-  around the sun. From this nlotion we derive all:dreds of thousands of miles an hour-the sun him-  the pleasures we enjoy from the vicissitude of
self impelled toward some distant region of space,  the seasons; without which the variety (of nature
and carrying along with him all his attendant  that appears in the beauties of spring, the luxuriplanets-and, in a word, we have the strongest  ance of summer, the fruits of autumn, and the
reason to conclude, that all the vast systems of  repose of winter, would be completely destroyed.
the universe, which are more numerous than   And, it is worthy of notice, that all this variety
language can express, are in rapid and incessant  is enjoyed every moment by some one tribe or
motion around the throne of the Eternal, carry-  other of the human family; for while it is suming forward the grand designs of infinite wisdom   mer in one region, it is winter in another; and
which they are destined to accomplish.*       while one class of our fellow-men is contemplatIt must, however, be admitted, that the mani-  ing the opening beauties of spring, another is
ifestation of power, or great physical energy,  gathering in the fruits of harvest. The same:abstractly considered, is not of itself calculated  benevolent designs, we have every reason to be-to produce that emotion of reverence which  lieve, are displayed in those more magnificent exflows from love, unless the being in whom it  ertions of divine power which appear among all
resides exerts it for the purposes of benevolence. the rolling worlds on high; for, in so far as our
A superior being, endowed with great physical observations extend, all the arrangements of the
v See a more comprehensive illustration of this planetary globes appear calculated to promote the
-sutjc: in "The Christian Philosopher," pp. 8-29. happiness of sentient and intellectual beings




OMNIPOTENCE OF GOD.                                       19
WVhile, therefore, we contemplate the opera-  have supposed, the connexion between the agent
tions of divine power, either in the earth or in  and the effects produced, would forcibly tstrike
the heavens, we perceive every thing which is'the senses and the imagination. But he who sits
calculated to inspire us with love, admiration,  on the throne of the universe, and conducts all
and reverence.  When we lie down on our pil-  its movements, is a being " who dwells in light
lows in the evening, how pleasing it is to reflect,  unapproachable, whom no man hath seen, oreami
that tlihepower of our Almighty Father will be  see."  He can be contemplated only through the
exerted in carrying us round in safety several  sensible manifestations he gives of his perfections;
tlousands of miles, during our repose in sleep,  and, were the train of our thoughts pioperly diin order that our eyes may be again cheered with  rected, we would perceive him operating in every
the morning light? When, amid the gloom and  object and in every movement. We would hear
storms of winter, we look forward to the reviving  his voice in the wind and the thunder, in the
scenes of spring, we know that we must be car-  earthquake, the storm. and the tempest; we
tied forward more than a hundred millions of  would see him in the beauties and sublimities of
miles, before we can enjoy the pleasures of that  sublunary nature, in the splendours of the sun,
delightful season; and when spring arrives, we  and the glories of the nocturnal sky; and, in
must be carried through the voids of space a  whatever situation we might be placed, we would
hundred millions of miles farther, before we can  feel ourselves surrounded with the omnipotent
reap the fruits of summer and harvest. How de-  energies of an ever-present Deity.
lightful, then, is the thought, that the omnipotent    The contemplation of God as an omnipotent
energy of our heavenly Father is incessantly  being, is calculated to inspire the mind with love
exerted in producing such a wonderful effect,  and confidence in the prospect of futurity.  The
accompanied by such a variety of beneficent  promises addressed to us by a wise and benevochanges, all contributing to our enjoyment!*  lent being can excite in us trust and dependence,
What is the reason, then, why we feel so little  only in so far as we are convinced of his ability
admiration and reverence at the beneficent ope-  to secure their fulfilment.  If almighty power
rations of divine power?  If we should be struck  were not an attribute of the Eternal Mind, or
with veneration and wonder at beholding a su-  were we unable to trace its operations in visible
perior created intelligence tossing a range of  existing facts, then all the promises and delineamountains into the sea, why do we behold, A;th  tions of revelation, in reference to unseen and
so much apathy, effects ten thousand times more  eternal objects, might prove to be nothing more
energetic and astonishing? One general reason,  than imaginary scenes, that could never be realamong others, undoubtedly is, that the moral  ized. Butthegood man, who perceives omnipoconstitution of man has suffered a melancholy  tent energy in incessant operation throughout all
derangement; in consequence of which, the train  the scenes of the universe which surround him,
of his thoughts and affections has been turned  feels the most perfdct security in looking forward
out of its original channel.  The Scriptures are  to the scene of his future destination, and to
clear and explicit on this point; they declare, in  those changes and revolutions which shall sue.
the most positive terms, that " the carnal mind  ceed the period of his present existence. He
is enmity against God," and that, in consequence  knows that, in a few years at most, that immorof this depraved principle, the wicked " walk in  tal principle which now animates his frame, will
the vanity of their minds, being alienated from  take its flight from its earthly mansion to a world
the life of God.  They say to the Almighty, De-  unknown. To what regions it will direct its
part from us, for we desire not the knowledge of  course; what scenes and prospects will be unthy ways. God is not in all their thoughts, and  folded to its view; what intercourse it may have
through pride of their countenances they will not  with the spirits of departed men, or with other
call upon God."-Another reason is, that the  intelligences; in what state it shall pass'its exalmighty Agent who produces so stupendous ef-  istence till the consummation of the present plan
fects remains invisible to mortal eyes. Werea  of Providence-whether it shall remain as a
celestial intelligence to appear in a splendid and  naked spirit entirely disconnected with the visidefinite form, and to produce such effects as I  ble universe, or be clothed with some etherial
vehicle, to enable it to hold a correspondence
In this, and other places of this work, the truth  with other regions of the material creation-he
of the annual and diurnal motions of the earth is  is at present unable to determine.  He knows
taken for granted, because I conceive it is suscepti- that his body, too, shall disappear from the living
ble of the clearest demonstration-(See "Chris- 
tian  Philosopher,"  pp. 23, 83, 147, 149.)  But,  world, and be reduced to corruption and ashes.
should the truth of this position be called in ques-  In what manner the essential particles of this
tion or denied, it will not materially affect the pro.  bod shall be reserved distinct from those of all
priety of such moral reflections as are here stated;
for, in this case, a similar, or even a much greater  other human bodies, after they have been tossed
display of omnipotence must be admitted in refer-  about by the winds, and blended with the other
ence to the motions of the heavenly bodies,:n  elements of nature; by what means th'y shall
bringing about the succession of day arid night, and
the changes of the seasons.                   be reunited into a more glorious form; and hows




20                       THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIOCs.
the separate spirit shall be enabled to recognize  understanding, and with all our strength." 1'he
its renovated and long-lost partner at the resur-  considerations to which I have now adverted,
rection of the just-he can form no conception.  have been too seldom taken into view in moral
He knows, that the globe on which he now  and religious discussions on this topic.  The
resides is doomed to be dissolved amidst devour-  omnipotence of the Deity is seldom exhibited as
ing flames, when "the elements shall melt with  a ground and an excitement of veneration arid
fervent heat, and the earth, and the works that  love, and yet it stands, as it were, on the fore.
are therein, shall be burnt up"-that the ashes  front of the divine character, giving beauty and
of all the myriads of the race of Adam shall issue  efficiency to all his other perfections: without
from  the caverns of the ocean, and firom the  which wisdom, benevolence, faithfulness, mercy,
charnel houses, in every region oftheland-that  and  patience, would degenerate  into empty
they shall be moulded into new organical struc-  names, and form no solid foundation for the ext
tures, united with their kindred spirits, and be  ercise of confidence and hope. And, therefore,
convened in one grand assembly before God, the  it is the duty of every Christian to endeavour,
Judae ofall. He knows, that" new heavens and  by every proper means, to enlarge his concepa new earth" will be arranged for the residence  tions of the operations of omnipotence, and to
of the "redeemed from among men;" but in  familiarize his mind to contemplations of the
what region of the universe this abode may be  magnitude, motions, grandeur, and immensity
prepared, what scenes it will unfold, and by what  of God's works, in order that his love to God
means the innumerable company of the righteous  may be elevated and expanded, and his faith
shall be transported fiom amidst the ruins of this  and hope strengthened and invigorated. To this
globe to that celestial habitation-he is at pre-  attribute of Jehovah the inspired writers unisent at a loss to form even a conjecture. He  forrmly direct our views, as a source of joy and
knows, that after these solemn changes have  confidence. "Praise ye the Lord,-praise him,
been effected. ages numerous as the drops of the  ye servants of the Lord; for I know that Jehoocean will roll over him-that worlds numerous  vah is great, and that our Lord is above all
as the stars of heaven will still run their destined  gods.   Whatever the Lord pleased, that did
rounds-that other systems may undergo impor-  he, in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and
tant changes and revolutions-that new systemns  all deep places. Great is the Lord, and greatly
of creation may be gradually emerging into ex-  to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. I
istence, and that scenes of magnificence and  will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty,
glory, different from all that ever preceded them,  and of thy wondrous works. I will speak of the
may incessantly rise to view, throughout the  might of thy terrible acts, and will declare thy
lapse of unceasing duration. But, in the pros-  greatness; to make known to the sons of men thy
pect of all these solemn and important events, he  mighty operations, and the glorious majesty of
beholds-in that almighty energy which wheels  thy kingdom. Happy is he who hath the God
our globe around from day to day, and impels it  of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord
in its annual course, and which directs, at the  his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea,
same time, the movements of all the hosts of  and all that in them is, who keepeth truth for
heaven-the exertion of a benevolent power,  ever."
which is calculated to inspire him with love and
confidence, and which is able to secure his happiness amidst the revolutions of worlds, and
amidst all the scenes through which he may                   SECTION  IV.
pass during an immortal existence. Under this
impression, he can adopt the affectionate and    oN THE WISDOn  AND GOODNESS OF GOD,
triumphant language of the psallnist-" Whom
have I in heaven but thee, and there is none    Another feature in the divine character, which
upon earth that I desire beside thee! My heart  is calculated to excite our most ardent affection,
and my flesh shall fail, but God is the strength of  is, the Wisdom and Goodness of God. These
my heart, and my portionfor ever."            two attributes may be considered under one head,
Thus it appears, that the omnipotence of God  since they are always inseparable in their opeis one of those attributes of his nature which is  ration.  Goodness proposes the end, namely, the
particularly calculated to fill the mind with sen-  happiness of the sensitive and intelligent creatiments of love and confidence, admiration and  tion; and JWJisdom selects the most proper nmeans
reverence. And, if such emotions be at all excited  for its accomplishment.
in the mind, they must rise to the highest pitch  Wherever genius appears combined with be.
of elevation to which we can carry them; for  nevolelt intentions and beneficent operations,
there is no other object or being that possesses  we cannot withhold a certain portion of affection
the same perfection, or can claim the same de-  and regard.
gree of affection and love. If we love God at   VWhen we behold a man like Reward, devo.
all, it must be " with all our heart, with all our  ting his wealth, his knowledge, his intellectula




WISDOM AND GOODNESS OF GOD.                                     el
and active powers, to alleviate the sorrows, and  with,fruits and verdure; there, the hills rise in
to promote the happiness of his fellow-men-   gentle slopes, and the mountains rear their snowy
when we behold him in retirement at his native  tops to the clouds, distilling from their sides the
nransion, a universal blessing to his neighbours  brooks and rivers, which enliven and fertilize
around him, furnishing employment for the poor,  the plains through which they flow. Here, the
erecting schools for the instruction of their chil-  lake stretches into a smooth expanse in the bo.
drien. watching over the morals of his neighbour-  som of the mountains; there, the rivers meanhood, visiting the abodes of affliction, acting the  der through the forests and the flowery fields,
part of a physician to their bodies, imparting  diversifying the rural scene, and distributing
spiritual instruction to theit souls, promoting the  health and fertility in their train. Here, we beknowledge and practice of religion, and extend-  hold the rugged cliffs and the stately port of the
ing his benevolent regards to persons of all re-  forest; there, we are charmed with the verdure
ligious persuasions-when we behold him leaving  of the meadow, the enamel of flowers, the azure
his native country and the friends of his youth,  of the sky, and the gay colouring of the mornon a tour of benevolence over all Europe and  ing and evening clouds.  Inorder that this scene
the East; hazarding his health and his life in  of beauty and magnificence might be rendered
the service of humanity, diving into the depths  visible, He formed the element of light, without
of dungeons, plunging into the infected atmos-  which the expanse of the universe would be a
pheres of hospitals and jails, visiting'the lonely  boundless desert, and its beauties for ever veiled
and squalid prisoner, entering the wretched  from our sight.  It opens to our view the mounhovels of sorrow and affliction, administering  tains, the hills, the vales, the woods, the lawns,
consolation and relief, and surveying the di-  the flocks and herds, the wonders of the mighty
mensions of misery and distress among men of deep, and the radiant orbs of heaven. It paints
all nations, for the purpose of devising schemes  a thousand different hues on the objects around
for the relief of the distresses of suffering hu-  us, and promotes a cheerful and extensive inter.
manity, and for promoting the comforts of man-  course among all the inhabitants of the globe.
kind-when such a character appears on the    Again, in order to gratify the sense of hearing,
stage of life, there is no class of the human race,  He fobrmed the atmosphere, and endowed it with
whose powers are not completely vitiated, but  an undulating quality, that it might waft to our
must feel towards it strong emotions of esteem   ears the pleasures of sound, and all the charms
and affectionate regard.                      of music.  The murmuring of the brooks, the
But what are all the wise and beneficent de-  whispers of the gentle breeze, the soothing sound
signs of a fellow-mortal, when compared with  of the rivulet, the noise of the waterfall, the hum
the numerous and diversified streams of benevo-  of bees, the buzz of insects, the chirping of birds,
lence which are incessantly flowing from the un-  the soft notes of the nightingale, and the melody
created source of felicity! They are but as a  of thousands of the feathered songsters, which
drop to the ocean, or as an atom when compared  fill the groves with their warblings, produce a
with the immensity of the universe. On him  pleasant variety of delightful emotions;-thenuall beings depend, from  the archangel to the  merous modulations of the human voice, the arworm; from Him they derive their comforts; to  ticulate sounds peculiar to the human species,
Him they are indebted for all their powers and  by which the interchanges of thought and affecfaculties; and on him their eternal felicity de-  tion are promoted, the soft notes of the piano
pends. Were we to prosecute this subject to  forte, the solemn sounds of the organ-andeven
any extent, it would lead us into a field on which  the roaring of the stormy ocean, the dashings of
volumes might be written, and yet the greater  the mighty cataract, and the rolling thunders
part of the displays of divine beneficence would  which elevate the soul to sentiments of sublimity
remain unrecorded. I shall therefore confine  and awe-are all productive ofamingled variety
myself to the selection of only a few instances  of pleasures; and demonstrate that the distribuof the wisdom and goodness of God.            tion of happiness is one grand end of the operaWherever we turn our eyes in the world  tions of our bountiful Creator.
around us, we behold innumerable instances of    To gratify the sense of smelling, he has perour Creator's beneficence. In order that the eye  fumed the air with a variety of delicious odours,
and the imagination may be gratified and charm-  which are incessantly exhaled from a thousand
ed, he has spread over the surface of our ter-  plants and flowers. Countless millions of these
restrial habitation an assemblage of the richest  odoriferous particles, which elude the penetrating
colours, which beautify and adorn the landscape  power of the finest microscope to discover, are
of the earth, and present to our view a pictu-  continually wafted about by the air, and floating
resque and diversified scenery, which is highly  around us, impervious to the sight, the hearing,
gratifying to the principle of novelty implanted  and the touch, but calculated to convey pleasure
in the human mind. On all sides we behold  to the soul, through the medium of the olfactory
a rich variety of beauty and magnificence. Here,  nerves, and to enable us to " banquet on the in.
saread the wide plains and fertile fields, adorned  visible dainties of nature."




THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
To gratify the sense of feeling, he has con-  human art, we can preserve and enjoy the greatoa
nected pleasure with the contact of almost every  part during winter and spring. The soil which
thing we have occasion to touch, and has ren-  produces these dainties has never yet lost Its ferdered it subservient for warning us of whatever  tility, though it has brought forth the harvests of
may be disagreeable or dangerous. Had a male-  six thousand years, but still repays our labout
volent being constructed the body of man, and  with its annual treasures; —and, were selfish
formed the arrangements of external nature, he  man animated with the same liberal and generous
might have rendered the contact of every object  views as his munificent Creator, every individual
of touch as acutely painful as when we clasp a  of the human family would be plentifully supplied
prickly shrub, or thrust our fingers against the  with a share of these rich and delicious bounties
point of a needle.                             of nature.
To gratify the sense of taste, and to nourish    In fine, the happiness of man appears to be
our bodies, he has furnished us with a rich va-  the object of the divine care, every returning
rlety of aliments, distributed not with a niggardly  season, every moment, by day and by night. By
and a sparing hand, but with a luxuriant pro-  day, He cheers us with the enlivening beams of
fusion, suited to the tastes of every sentient  the sun, which unfolds to us the beauty and the
oeing, and to the circumstances of the inhabit-  verdure of the fields; and lest the constant
ants of every clime.  He has not confined his  efflux of his light and heat should enfeeble our
bounty merely to the relief of our necessities, by  bodies, and wither the tender herbs, he coinconfining us to the use of a few tasteless herbs  mands the clouds to interpose as so many magand roots, but has covered the surface of the earth  nificent screens, to ward off the intensity of the
with an admirable profusion of plants, herbs,  solar rays. When the earth is drained of its
grains, and delicious fruits of a thousand differ-  moisture, and parched with heat, he bids the
ent qualities and tastes, which contribute to the  clouds condense their watery treasures, and fly
sensitive enjoyment and comfort of man.  In  from other regions on the wings of the wind, to
almost every region of the earth, corn is to be  pour their waters upon the fields, not in overfound in the valleys surrounded by the snowy  whelming and destructive torrents, but in small
mountains of the North, as well as in the verdant  drops and gentle sh'wers, to refresh the thirsty
plains of the Torrid Zone.  In warm  regions,  soil, and revive the vegetable tribes. He hacool and delicious fruits are provided for the re-  spread under our feet a carpet of lovely green
freshment of the inhabitants, and the trees are  richer than all the productions of the Persiar
covered with luxuriant foliage to screen them  loom, and has thrown around our habitation ar
from the intensity of, the solar heat!*  Every  azure canopy, which directs our view to the disseason presents us with a variety offfruits pecu-  tant regions of infinite space.-By night, he
liar to itself, distributed by the munificent hand  draws a veil of darkness over the mountains and
of the " Giver of all good."  The month of June  the plains, that we may be enabled to penetrate
presents us with cabbages, cauliflowers, and  to the regions of distant worlds, and behold the
cherries; July, with gooseberries, raspberries,  moon walking in brightness, the aspects of the
peaches, and apricots; August and September  planetary globes, the long trains of comets, and
scatter before us, in luxuriant abundance, plums,  the innumerable host of stars.  At this season,
figs, apples, pears, turnips, carrots, cresses, po-  too, all nature is still, that we may enjoy in quiet
tatoes, and, above all, wheat, oats, rye, and bar-  the refireshments of sleep, to invigorate our menley, which constitute the " staff of bread" for the  tal and corporeal powers.  " As a mother stills
support of man and beast; and although we are  every little noise, that her infant be not disindebted chiefly to the summer and atitumn for  turbed; as she draws the curtain around its
these rich presents, yet, by the assistance of  bed, and shuts out the light from its tender eyes'
so God draws the curtains of darkness around
The manner in which the Creator has contrived  us, so he makes all things to be hushed and still,
a supply for the thirst of man, in sultry places, is  that his large family may sleep in peace."-In
worthy of admiration.-He has placed amidst the  a word, if we look around us to the forests which
burning sands of Africa, a plant, whose leaf, twisted
round like a cruet, is always filled with a large glass  cover the mountains, or if we look downwards
full of fresh water; the gullet of this cruet is shut  to the quarries and mines in the bowels of the
by the extremity of the leaf itself so as to prevent  earth, we behold abundance of materials for
the water from evaporating. He has planted in some
other districts of the same country, a great tree,  constructing our habitations, for embellishing
called by the negroes boa, the trunk of which, of a  the abodes of civilized life, and for carrying
prodigious bulk, is naturally hollowed like a cistern.
mn the rainy season, it receives its fill of water, which  forward improvements in the arts and sciences.
continues fresh and- cool in the greatest heats, by  And, if we consider the surrounding atmosphere,
means of the tufted foliage which crowns its sum-  we shall find it to contain the principle of life.
mit. In some of the parched, rocky islands in the
West Indies, there is found a tree called the water  and the element of.fire, by means of which our
lianne, so full of sap, that if you cut a single branch  winter evenings are cheered and illumina.ed in
of it, as much water is immediately discharged as a  the absence of the sun.-Contempiating all these
man can drink at a draught, and it is perfectly pure
and limpid. See Pierre's "Studies of Nature."  benign agencies as flowing from the care and




WISDU1M AND GOODNESS OF GOD.
benevolence of our Almighty Parent, the pious  required to he compressed into the size of a ball
mind may adopt the beautiful language of the  of only half an inch in diameter, and a socket
poet, though in a sense somewhat different from   composed of a number of small bones, to be holwhat he intended:                             lowed out and exactly fitted for its reception. A
For me kind Nature wakes her genial power,   bed of loose fat for this ball to rest upon, a lid
Suckles each herb, and spreads out every flower;  or curtain to secure it from danger, a variety of
Annual for me, the grape, the rose renew      usces to enabe it to  ove upwards and down
Tihe juice nectareous, and the balmy dew;    muscles to enable it to move upwards and down
For me the mine a thousand treasures brings;  wards, to the right and to the left, and a numeea       s roll to waft me, uns from a thosand sprins;   rous assemblage of minute veins, arteries, nerves,
My footstool earth, my canopy the skies." Pope.  lymphatics, glands, and other delicate pieces of
Viewing the various scenes and harmonies  animal machinery, of which we have no distinct
of nature, in relation to man, and to the gratifi-  conception, were still requisite to complete this
cation of his different senses, we may also say,  admirable organ. Even in this state it would be
in the languaga e of Akelnside, ill his  oem " On  of no use for the purpose of vision, unless it
the  Pleasures of Imagination," that          were connected with the brain by the optic nerve,
Not breeze                through the medium of which the impressions of
Flies o'er theNot a breeze                  visible objects are conveyed to the soul. Still,
Flies o'er the meadow, not a cloud imbibes
The setting slln's effulgence; not a strain  in addition to all these contrivances, a wonderful
From all the tenants of the warbling shade   machinery requires to be in action, and an adAscends, but whence his bosom can partake    mirable effect produced, before a landscape can
Fresh pleasure and delight. —rable eect produced, before a landscape can
The rolling waves, the sun's unwear!ed course,    be contemplated. Ten thousand millions of rays,
The elhmenats ante   seasons, all declare    compounded of a thousand different shades of
For what the Eternal Maker has ordain'd
The powers of man: we feel within ourselves    colour, must fly off in every direction from the
His energy divine: He tells the heart       objects which compose the surrounding scene,
He meant, He made us to behold and love     and be compressed into the space of one-eighth
What He beholds and loves, the general orb   and be compressed into the space of one-eighth
Of life and being: to be great like Him,     of an inch, in order to enter the eye, and must
Beneficentt and active."                     paint every object in its true colour, form, and
Let us now consider, for a few moments, the  proportion, on a space not exceeding half an inch
wisdom which is displayed in the harmonious  in diameter. Were any one of the parts which
adjustment of the organs of sense to the scenes  compose this complicated machine either wantof external nature. All the scenes of beauty,  ing or deranged; were it changed into a different
grandeur, and benignity, which surround us, in  form, or placed in a different position; were even
the earth and heavens, would remain as one  a single muscle to lose its capacity of acting, we
nlighty blank, unproductive of enjoyment, unless  might be for ever deprived of all the enchanting
our bodies were " fearfully and wonderfully"  prospects of the earth and heavens, and enveloped
f'ramed, and endowed with organs fitted for ena-  in the darlkness of eternal night. Such is the
bling us to hold a correspondence with the ma-  skill and intelligence requisite for accomplishing,
terial world. Ten thousands of vessels, tubes,  even in a single organ, the purpsoes of divine
bones, muscles, ligaments, membranes, motions,  benevolence.
contrivances, and adaptations, beyond the reach    Again, before we could enjoy the harmony of
of the human understanding fully to investigate  sounds, the charms of music, and the pleasures
or to comprehend, must be arranged, and act in  of conversation, an instrument no less wonderful
harmonious concert, before any one sense be-  than the eye required to be constructed. In Lhe
longing to man can perceive and enjoy its objects.  ear, which is the organ of hearing, it was requiBefore the eye can behold a landscape, and be  site, that there should be an outward porch for
charmed with its beauties, it was requisite that  collecting the vibrations of the air, constructed,
three humours should be formed, of different  not of fleshy substances, which might fall down
sizes, different densities, and different refractive  upon the orifice, or absorb the sounds, nor of
powers-three coats, or delicate membranes,  solid bones, which would occasion pain and inwith some parts opaque, and some transparent,  convenience when we repose ourselves-but comsome black, and some white, some of them formed  posed of a cartilaginous substance, covered with
of radial, and some with circular fibres, corn-  a smooth membrane, endowed with elasticity,
posed of threads finer than those of the spider's  and bent into a variety of circular folds, or holweb.  The crystalline humour required to be  lows, for the reflection of sound. It vas farther
composed of two thousand very thin spherical  requisite, that there should be a tube, or passage,
lamina, or scales, lying one upon another, every  composed partly of cartilage, and partly of bone,
one of these scales made up of one single fibre,  lined with a skin or membrane, and moistened
or finest thread, wound in a most stupendous  with a glutinous matter, to form a communication
manner, this way, and that way, so as to run se-  with the internal machinery of this orgar, where
veral courses, and to meet in as many centres.  the principal wonders of hearing are performed.
This curious and delicate piece of organization  This machinery consists, first, of thetympanum,




24                       THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
or drum of the ear, which consists of a dry, thin,  or lyre, and the motion being still further aug~nd round membrane, stretched upon a bony ring,  mented in the labyrinth,-the soul, in a manso as actually to resemble the instrument we call  ner altogether incomprehensible to us, receives
drum.  Under this membrane is a small nerve,  an impression proportioned to the weakness or
or string, stretched tight, for the purpose of  intensity of the vibration produced by the soundstretching or relaxing the drum, anc increasing  ingbody. Such is the exquisite and complicated
or diminishing its vibrations, so as, to render it  machinery which required to be constructed,
capable of reflecting every possible tone.  Be-  and preserved in action every moment, before
hind it is a cavity, hewn.out of the temporal bone,  we could enjoy the benefits of sound, and hne
the hardest one in the body, in which there seems  pleasures of articulate conversation.
to be an echo, by which the sound is reflected    Again, before we could enjoy the pleasures of
with the utmost precision. This cavity contains  feeling, an extensive system of organization refour very small, but remarkable bones, denonri-  quired to be arranged. A  system  of nerves,
nated the hammer, the anvil, the orbicular bone,  originating in the brain and spinal marrow, and
and the stirrup, all connected together, and ne-  distributed, in numberless minute ramifications,
cessary for contributing to the extension and vi-  through the heart, lungsj bowels, blood-vessels,
bratior of the tympanum. In this cavity are also  hands, feet, and every other part of the body,
formed various windings or cavities filled with  was requisite to be interwoven through the
air; and, in order that the air may be renewed,  whole constitution of the animal frame, before
there is an opening which communicates with  this sense, which is the foundation dfall the other
the back part of the mouth, called the Eustachian  sensations, and the source of so many pleasures,
tube.                                         could be produced. Wherever there are nerves,
The next apparatus belonging to this curious  there are also sensations; and wherever any
machine, is the labyrinth, which is composed  particular part of the body requires to exert a
of three parts, the vestibule or porch, three semi-  peculiar feeling, there the nerves are arranged
circular canals, and the cochlea. This last is a  and distributed in a peculiar manner, to produce
canal, which takes a spiral course, like the shell  the intended effect. And how nicely is every
of a snail, and is divided by a very thin laminla,  thing arranged and attempered, in this respect,
or septum  of cords, which keeps decreasing  to contribute to our comfort! If the points of
from the base to the top. The air acting on  the fingers require to be endowed with a more
either side of these diminutive cords, produces  delicate sensation than several other parts, they
a motion, nearly in the same manner as the  are furnished with a corresponding number of
sound of one musical instrument excites a tre-  nervous ramifications; if the heel require to be
mulous motion in the cords of another. All  more callous, the nerves are more sparingly disthese tubes, and winding canals, may be consi-  tributed. If feelings were equally distributed
dered as so many sounding galleries, for aug-  over the whole body, and as acutely sensible as in
menting the smallest tremours, and conveying  the membranes of the eye, our very clothes would
their impressions to the auditory nerves, which  become galling and insupportable, and we should
conduct them to the brain. Besides the seve-  be exposed to continual pain; and if every part
ral parts now mentioned, a number of arteries,  were as insensible as the callus of the heel,
veins, lymphatics, glands, and a variety of other  the body would be benumbed, the pleasures we
contrivances, which the human mind can neither  derive from this sense would be destroyed, and
trace nor comprehend, are connected with the  the other organs of sensation could not perform
mechanism of this admirable organ.            their functions in the manner in which they now
All this curious and conmplicated apparatus,  operate. So that in this, as well as in all the
however, would have been of no avail for the  other sensitive organs, infinite wisdom is admipurpose of hearing, had not the atmosphere been  rably displayed in executing  the designs of
formed, and its particles endowed with a tremu-  benevolence.
ious motion. But, this medium being prepared,    In order that we might derive enjoyment from
a sounding body communicates an undulatory  the various aliments and delicious. fruits which
motion to the air, as a stone thrown into a pond  the earth produces, a peculiar organization, ditproduces circular waves in the water; the air,  ferent from all the other senses, was requisite to
thus put in motion, shakes the drum of the ear;  be devised.  Before we could relish the peculiai
the tremours, thus excited, produce vibrations  flavour of the pear, the apple, the peach, the
in the air within the drum; this air shakes the  plumb, or the grape, the tongue, the principal
handle of the hammer; the hammer strikes the  organ of taste, required to be formed, and its
anvil, with' which it is articulated; the anvil  surface covered with an infinite number of nertransmits the motion to the stirrup, to which  vous papilw,, curiously divaricated over its surits longer leg is fastened; the stirrup transmits  face, to receive and convey to the soul the
the motion it has received to the nerves; and  impressions of every flavour. These nerves
the nerves, vibrating like the strings of a violin,  required to be guarded with a firm and proper




WISDOM AND GOODNESS OF GOD.                                     25
egument or covering, to defend them from dan-  food, and to regale ourselves on those invis..
get, and enable them to perform their fiunctions  ble effluvia which are incessantly flying off from
so long as life continues; and at the same time,  the vegetable tribes, and wafted in every directo be perforated in such a manner, with a multi-  tion through the atmosphere.
tude of pores, in the papillary eminences, as to    Of all the senses with which we are furnished,
give a free admission to every variety of taste.  the sense of smelling is that which we are apt to
It was likewise necessary, that these papillary  consider as of the least importance; and some
nerves should be distributed in the greatest  have even been ready to imagine, that our ennumber, in those parts of the organ to which  joyments would scarcely have been diminished
the objects of taste are most frequently applied;  although its organs had never existed.  But, it
and hence-we find, that they are more numerous  is presumptuous in man to hazard such an opi
on the upper than on the lower parts of the tongue;  nlion in reference to any of the beneficent designs
and, therefore, when we apply highly-flavoured  of the Creator.  We know not what relation the
substances to the under part, we are not so sen-  minutest operations, within us or around us,
sible of the taste, till we remove them to the  mny bear to the whole economy of nature, ot
upper surface. A  variety of veins, arteries,  what disastrous effects might be produced, were
glands, tendons, and other parts with which we  a single pin of the machinery of our bodies
are unacquainted. are also connected with this  broken or destroyed.  The exhalations which
useful organ. When we consider how frequently  are, at this moment, rising from a putrid marsh,
these delicate organs are used, during a length  in the centre of New Holland, and hovering
of years, it is matter of admiration how well  in an invisible form, over that desolate region,
they wear. While our clothes wear out in the  may be forming those identical clouds which,
course of a year or two, while the hairs of our  the next month, shall water our fields and garheads turn gray, and are nipped asunder at the  dens, and draw forth from the flowers their aroroots, and while age shrivels the most beautiful  matic perfumes.  The sense of smelling may
skin, these delicate nervous papillat last longer  be essentially requisite to the perfection of
than instruments of iron or steel; for the sense  several of the other senses; as we know that
of taste is generally the last that decays. For  the sense of feeling is inseperably connected
the bestowment of this sense, therefore, and the  with the senses of seeing, hearing, and tasting.
pleasures it conveys, we have abundant reason  Let us consider, for a moment, some of the
to admire and adore the wisdom and goodness of agencies whieh require to be exerted when this
our Almlighlty Creator.                       sense is exercised and gratified.  Before we
Finally, that we might be regaled with the  could derive pleasure from the fragrance of a
scent of flowers, and the aromatic perfumes of  flower, it was requisite that a system of the
spring and summer, and that none of the plea-  finest tubes, filaments, and metmbranes should
sules of nature might be lost, the organ ofsmell-  be organized, endowed with powers of absorping was constructed to catch the invisible odo-  tion and perspiration, furnished with hundreds
riferous effluvia which are continually wafted  of vessels for conveying the sap through all its
through the air.  For this purpose it was requi-  parts, and perforated with thousands of pores
site that bones, nerves, muscles, arteries, veins,  to give passage to myriads of odoriferous parcartilages, and membranes, peculiarly adapted  ticles, secreted firom  the internal juices.  It
to produce this effect, should be arranged, and  was also requisite that the atmosphere should
placed in a certain part of the body. As the  be formed, for the purpose of affording nourishbones of the head are too hard for this purpose,  ment to the plant, and for conveying its odothe nerves of smelling required to have a bone  riferous effluvia to the olfactory nerves. The
of a peculiar texture, of a spongy nature, full of  rains, the dews, the principle of heat, the relittle holes, like a sieve, through which they  volution of the seasons, the succession of day
might transmit their slender threads or branches  and night, the principle of evaporation, the
to the papillous membrane which lines the cavi-  agitation of the air by winds, and the solar
ties of the bone and the top ofthe nostrils. The  light,-all combine their influence and their
nostrils required to be cartilaginous and not  agencies in producing the grateful sensation we
fleshy, in order to be kept open, and to be fur.  feel from the smell of a rose. So that the sense
nished with appropriate muscles to dilate or con-  of smelling is not only connected with the agentract them as the occasion might require. It was  cy of all the terrestrial elements around us, but
likewise requisite, that they should be wide at bears a relation to the vast globe of the sun himthe bottom, to collect a large quantity of effluvia,  self; for an energy exerted at the distance of
and narrow at the top, where the olfactory nerves  ninety-five millions of miles, and a motion of
are condensed, that the effluvia might act with  200,000 miles every second, in the particles of
the greatest vigour, and convey the sensation to  light, are necessary to its existence; and consethe brain. By means of these and numerous  quently, it forms one of the subordinate ends for
other contrivances, connected with this organ, we  which that luminary was created:-and, being
are enabled to t' stinguish the qualities of our  related to the sun, it may bear a certain relatio.
4




N.11it                   THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
lo similar agencies which that central globe is  curious and delicate machinery, constructed of
producilng among the inhabitants of surrounding  the most flabby substances, required to be put m,vorlds.                                      motion, and to be preserved in action every moThus it appears, that the various senses of  ment, before we could contemplate the beauties
man, as well as the external objects which con-  of a landscape, be delighted with the sounds of
tribute to their gratification, are the results of  music, or inhale the fragrance of a rose.
infinite wisdom and goodness, and calculated    It is worthy of notice, that, in the- construeto promote the happiness of sensitive and intel-  tion and arrangement of these numerous and
ligent beings.                                complicated parts and finctions, there is not a
But, before any one of these senses could per-  single instance, that any physiologist can proform its functions, it required to be united with  duce, in which pain is the object of.the contria most wonderful system of organization. The  vance.  Of all the thousands of adaptations
heart required to be endowed with an immense  which infinite Wisdom has contrived, there is not
degree of muscular power, and to be set in ac-  one but what has for its object the communication
tion in the centre of this complicated system-    of pleasure to the sentient being in which it is
hundreds of arteries required to be bored, and  found. If a number of small muscles are colramified, and arranged, to convey the blood to its  nected with the eye, it is for the purpose of
remotest extremities, and hundreds of veins to  rendering that organ susceptible of a quick and
bring it back again to its reservoir-thousands  easy motion in every direction, to meet every
of lacteal and lymphatic tubes to absorb nutri-  exigence. If the arteries are furnished with nument from the food, and convey it to the circu-  merous valves, opening only in one direction, it
lating fluid-thousands of glands to secrete hu   is intended to prevent the blood from returning
mours that are noxious or redundant from  the  by a wrong course, and endangering the whole
mass of blood, and emunctories to throw themir  structure of the animal machine. If a joint is
off from  the system-hundreds of muscles for  formed to move only in one direction, as the
moving the different members of the body, and  joints of the fingers, it is intended to prevent
for conveying the whole corporeal frame from  those inconveniences which would inevitably
place to place-hundreds of fine cords infinitely  have been felt, had it been capable of moving in
ramified over the whole body, to convey sensa-  every direction. If another kind of joint is contion to all its parts; and thousands of millions of  structed so as to move in every direction, it is
perforations to be made in the skin, through  intended to enable us to perform, with facility,
which the insensible perspiration might conti-  those mcvements and operations which would
nually flow. To support this fine and delicate  otherwise have been either impossible, or have
system of vessels, hundreds of bones of diver-  been attended with the greatest inconvenience
sified forms, and different sizes, and connected  and pain. There are certain parts connected
together by various modes of articulation, re-  with the human frame, whose precise use canquired to be constructed and arranged, and nice-  not be accurately determined, but this is owing
ly adapted to their peculiar functions; and hun-  to our limited knowledge of the various functions
dreds of tendons and ligaments, to connect these  which are requisite to be performed in this combones with the muscles, and with every other  plicated machine.  In no instance whatever can
part of the animal frame. This machine re-  it be shown, that the infliction of pain is the obquired to be preserved inconstant action, whether ject of any one part or function of whose use we
we be sleeping or waking, sitting or standing, in  are uncertain;-and it is conformable to the dic.
motion or at rest. The heart required to give  tates of the soundest reason to conclude, that,
ninety-six thousand strokes every twenty-four  since every part, whose use we can ascertain, is
hours, to send off streams of the vital fluid through  adapted to communicate pleasure, every other
hundreds of tubes, and to impel the whole mass  part, throughout every branch of the animal sysof blood through every part of the body every  tem, is calculated to produce a similar effect.
four minutes. The lungs required to be in con-    It is true, indeed, that pain is frequently felt
start play, expanding and contracting their thou-  in the different members which compose our
sand vesicles, at least twenty times every mi-  corporeal system; but this is not owing to its
nute, to imbibe the oxygen of the atmosphere,  original construction, but to the derangement
and to transmit its enlivening influence to the  which its parts receive, either from internal dis.
circulating fluids-the stomach to be dissolving  ease or from external violence: and such consethe food, and preparing it for the nourishment of  quences are the effects either of the folly of man,
the body-the liver and kidneys to be drawing  in exposing his body to danger, or in using its
off their secretions-the lacteals to be extracting  members  for improper purposes,-or of the
nutritious particles, to be conveyed, by the ab-  physical changes which have happened in the
sorbent vessels, into the mass of blood-and the  system  of nature since man was created, —o
perspiration, which might otherwise clog the  of those depraved and immoral passions which
wheels of the whole machine, to be thrown off so frequently agitate and convulse his corporeal
incessantly through millions of pores. All this  frame.




WISDOM AND GOODNESS OF GOD.                                     27
Let us now endleavour, if we can, to sum up a  " For me, when I forget the darling themne,few of the blessings which we enjoy from these    le my tongue mute, my fancy paint no more,
n  And, dead to joy, forget my heart to beat.,'
wise arrangements of our beneficent Creator.      d, dead toy eart to eat.'
In our bodies there are reckoned 245 bones, each  Under an impression of the diversified agencies
of themn having fbrty distinct scopes or intentions,  of Divine Wisdom which are incessantly contriand 446 muscles for the purpose of motion, each  buting to our enjoyment, and of the vast profuhaving at least ten several intentions. All these  sion of our Creator's beneficence which we be.
are ready every moment to perform their func-  hold around us, and experience every passing
tions; and every treath we draw, whether we  hour, can we forbear exclaiming with the enrapbe in motion or at rest, asleep or awake, a hun-  tured poet:dred mnuscles at least are in constant action. In
the act of breathing, we respire at least twenty     My rising soul surveys,
times every minute; the heart exerts its muscu-    Transported with the view, I'm lost
lar force in propelling the blood into the arteries  Thr wonder, love, and praise.
Through every period of my life
sixty times every minute; the stomach and ab-        Ti.y goodness I'll proclaim;
dominal muscles are every moment in action,        And, after death, in distant worlds,
Renew the glorious theme.
and the curious little bones of the ear are ever   Through all eternity to Thee
ready to convey sensations of the softest whisper    A joyful song I'll11 raise;
tothe brain. So that, withnut an hyperbole, or     For, oh! eternity s too short
the least extravagance of expression, it may
truly and literally be said, that we enjoy a thou-    If, then, the construction of our bodies, and
sand blessings every minute, and, consequently,  the terrestrial scene in which we are placed, pre.
sixty thousand every hour, and one million four  sent so many striking displays of wisdom and
hundred arid forty thousand every day. For, if  benevolence, what an astonishing and transportany one of these numerous functions were to  ing scene of divine benignity would burst upon,
stop, or to be interrupted, pain, and even death  the view, were we permitted to explore those
itself might be induced. Let us ask the man  more extensive provinces of the empire of Omniwho is gasping for breath, under an incurable  potence, where physical and moral evil have
asthma, or him who is smarting under the pain  never shed their baleful influence to interrupt
of a toothache, or him who has wounded anerve,  the happiness of intellectual natures!  Could
an artery, or a vein, or him who has dislocated  we soar beyond the regions of the planetary
his shoulder-blade, if he would not consider it as  system; could we penetrate into that immensity
a peculiar blessing to have the functions of na-  of worlds and beings which are scattered in
ture restored to their original action?  And if  magnificent profusion through  the boundless
one member out of joint, or one function out of  fields of ether; could we draw aside the veil
order, produces so much pain and uneasiness,  which nows conceals the grandeur and beauty of
how grateful ought we to feel for the thousands  their physical economy and arrangements; could
of blessings we enjoy every moment, while the  we behold their inhabitants arrayed in robes of
wheels of the animal machine are moving on  beauty, with ecstatic joy beaming from their
with smoothness and harmony! If we consider  countenances, basking perpetually in the regions
tile number of years during which these blessings  of bliss, united to one another by indissoluble
have been continued,-if we consider the mer-  bands of love and affection, without the least
cies received in childhood, which have been long  apprehension of evil, or of ar interruption to
overlooked or forgotten,-if we count the many  their enjoyments; and looking forward with connights which we have passed in sound repose,  fidence to an interminable succession of delighted
anrid the many days we have enjoyed without  existence; could we retrace the history of their
bodily pain,-if we reflect on the numerous ob-  Creator's dispensations towards them since the
jects of sublimity and beauty with which our  first moment of their existence, and the pecullat
eyes have been delighted, the numerous sounds  displays of divine glory and benignity, that may
which have charmed our ears and cheered our  occasionally be exhibited to their view,-it is
hearts, and the numerous gratifications which  more than probable, that all the displays of wisour other senses have received; if we consider  dom and benevolence which we now behold, nuhow often food has been provided and adminis-  merous as they are, would be thrown completely
tered for the noutishment of our bodies, and  into the shade, and that this world would appear
from how many visible and invisible dangers we  only as a Lazar-house, when compared with the
have been delivered-and, if we view all these  bright and transporting scenes of the celestial
countless blessings as proceeding every moment  worlds. This we are infallibly led to conclude,
firom Him, "whose hands have made and fash-  in regard to a certain class of intelligences in
ioned us," and who " breathed into our nostrils  the future state, by the express declarations of
the breath of life," can we forbear to recognise  Scripture. For thus it is written, " Eye hath
our Almighty Benefactor as worthy of our su-  not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into
preme affiction and our most lively gratitude?    the heart of man, the things which God hath




THE PHILOSOPIIY OF RELIGION.
prepared for them that love him."  And if re-  the birds make their nests, and the storks then
aovated men shall experience such superior en-  dvwellings. The high hills are a refuge for the
to) ments in the eternal world, there can be no  wild goats, and the rocks for the conies.  lie
doubt that all those intelligences, in every region,  appointed the moon for seasons, and the sun to
who have retained theirsprimitive integrity, are  enlighten the world; he makes darkness a curat this moment in the possession of similar  tain for the niglht, till the sun arise, when man
transporting enjoyments.  It must, therefore,  goeth forth to his work and to his labour till the
have an additional tendency to elevate our affec-  evening. How manifold are thy works, O Lord'
tions to the Supreme Intelligence, when we  In wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is
view Him not only communicating happiness to  fill of thy riches; so is the great and wide sea,
the various tribes of beings which people our  wherein are things creeping innumerable, both
globe, but also distributing streams of felicity in  small and great beasts. These all wait upon thee,
boundless profusion, among the inhabitants of  that thou mayest give them  their meat in due
unnumbered worlds                             season.  Thou givest them-they gather; thou
I shall now conclude my illustrations of this  openest thine hand-they are filled with good.
topic, by exhibiting a few instances of the wis-  Thou hidest thy face-they' are troubled; thou
dom and goodness of God as delineated in the  sendest forth thy spirit-they are created; and
Sacred Scriptures.                            thou renewest the face of the earth. The glory
" The Lord is good to all, and his tender mer-  of the Lord shall endure for ever; Jehovah shall
cies are over all his works  He stretched forth  rejoice in all his works. He is Lord of heaven
the heavens, and laid the foundation of the earth,  and earth; tie giveth to all, life, and breath, and
and formeth the spirit of man within him. Hie  all things; he hath made of one blood all nations
planted the ear, and formed the eye; and he  of men, to dwell on all the face of the earth; and
breathed into our nostrils the breath of life. In  hath determined the times before appointed, and
his hand is the soul of every living thing, and the  the bounds of their habitation. For in him we
breath of all mankind. With him is wisdom and  live, and move, and have our being. I will sing
strength, and his understanding is infinite. He  unto Jehovah as long as I live; I will sing praiis wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.  ses to my God, while I have my being; I will
He hath established the world by his wisdom,  utter abundantly the memory of his great goodand stretched out the heavens by his understand-  ness, and speak of all his wondrous works."
ing. O the depth of the riches both of the wis-    The inspired writers rise to still higher strains
dom and the knowledge of God! how unsearcha-  when they celebrate the Divine Goodness in reble are his operations, and his ways past finding  ference to our eternal salvation.
out! He causeth the vapours to ascend from     "Praise ye Jehovah, for Jehovah is good; he
the ends of the earth; he bindeth up the wa-  remembered us in our low estate; for his mercy
ters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not  endureth for ever. I will praise thee, 0 Lord,
rent under them.  He hath compassed the wa-  my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify thy
ters with bounds, until the day and night come  name for evermore; for great is thy mercy toward
to an end. He visiteth the earth and water-  me, and thou hast delivered my soul firom the
eth  it, he greatly enricheth it with rivers; he  lowest hell. God so loved the world, that he
prepareth corn for its inhabitants; he water-  gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever beeth the ridges thereof abundantly; he settleth  lieveth on him should not perish, but have everthe furrows thereof; he maketh it soft with  lasting life. He sent an angel from the celestial
showers; he blesseth the springing thereof; he  glory to announce his birth; and a multitude of
crowneth the year with his goodness, and his  the heavenly host to proclaim, Glory to God in
paths drop fatness. The pastures are clothed  the highest, peace on earth, and good will to
with flocks; the valleys are covered over with  men. He spared not his own Son, but delivered
corn, and the little hills are encircled with joy.*  him up for us all-and shall he not with him also
" He sendeth the springs into the valleys  freely give us all things?  Blessed be the God
which run among the hills; they give drink to  and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath
every beast of the field. Beside these springs  blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly
the fowls of heaven have their habitation, which  things in Christ; in whom we have redemption
sing among the branches. He causeth the grass  through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, aci') grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of  cording to the riches of his grace.-Bless the
man; and wine that maketh glad the heart of  Lord, 0 my soul, and all that is within me bless
man, and oil that maketh his face to shine, and  his holy name; who forgiveth all thine iniquities,
bread that strengtheneth his heart. He planted  who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy
the tall trees and the cedars of Lebanon, where  life from destruction, and crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies. As the heaven
r In this, and several other quotations from the  is high above the earth, so great is his mercy
Scriptures, the literal rendering from the Hebrew is
substituted in place, of the common translation, andtoward them that fear him. The mercy of J
use upplearnents are frequently omitted.      hovah is front everlasting to everlasting, upon




MERCY AND PATIENCE OF GOD.                                     29
them that fea. him  and his righteousness unto  tion of the benevolence of the Deity. Goodness
children's children. Many, 0 Lord, my God, are  is the genus, mercy the species. The goodnese
thy wonderful works, which thou hast done, and  of God extends to all the creatures he has formed,
thy thoughts to us ward; they cannot be reckoned  of whatever description or character, —to the
up in order unto thee; if I would declare and  fowls of the air, the fishes of the sea, the microspeak of them, they are more than can be nurn-  scopic animalcula, and the most wicked class of
bered.-I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and  human beings, as well as to angels, archangels,
wonderfully Inade: marvellous are thy works. and other superior intelligences. Mercy can
How precious are thy thoughts (or designs)  have a reference only to those who have sinned
towards me 0 God! how great is the sum of  against their Maker, and rendered themselves
them! If I should count them, they are more  unworthy of his favours. It consists in the bein number than the sand."                    stowment of blessings upon those who have forThus it appears, that both the system of na-  feited every claim to them, arid have rendered
ture, and the system of revelation, concur in  themselves obnoxious to punishnment.  It cannot
exhibiting the wisdom  and benevolence of the  be exercised toward " the angels who have kept
Deity as calculated to excite the highest degree  their first estate," or towards any other class of
of ardent affection in the minds of the whole in-  holy intelligences, because they do not stand in
telligent creation. If an atom of gratitude is  need of its exercise.-The patience or forbeardue to an earthly benefactor, it is impossible to  ance of God, is that attribute of his nature which
set bounds to that affection and gratitude which  consists in his bearing long with sinners, and
ought incessantly to rise in our hearts towards  refraining fiom inflicting deserved punishment,
the Creator of the universe, who is the "Father  notwithstanding their impenitence, and longof mercies, and the God of all co.solation."  continued provocations.
And, therefore, we need not wonder, that " holy    These attributes are seldom displayed, in our
men of old,' whose minds were overpowered  world, by one man, or class of men, towards
with this sacred emotion, broke out into language  another. Instead of clemency, mercy, and forwhich would be deemed extravagant, by the frigid  bearance, we find in the character of mankind,.
moralists of the present age. Under a sense of  as delineated in the page of history, the princithe unbounded love and goodness of God, the  ple of revenge operating more powerfully than
psalmist felt his heart elated, and formed these  almost any other disposition; and, therefore,
pious resolutions: "Seven times a day will I  when any striking instance of. mercy and longpraise thee, 0 Lord! At midnight will I rise to  suffering is exhibited in human conduct, we are
give thanks to thee, because of thy righteous  disposed to wonder at it, and to admire it as an
precepts, I will rejoice in the way of thy pre-  extraordinary moral phenomenon. When we becepts, as much as in all riches. The law of thy  hold a personage who is possessed of every demouth is better unto me than thousands of gold  gree of moral and physical power for crushing his
and silver. Oh, how I love thy law! it is my  enemies-yet remaining calm and tranquil, and
meditation all the day. I will speak of thy tes-  forbearing to execute deserved punishment, not.
timonies before kings, and will not be ashamed  withstanding repeated insults and injuries, we
of thy commandments.  Whom have I in heaven  are led to admire such qualities, as indicating a
but thee? and there is none upon earth that I  certain degree of greatness and benevolence of
desire beside thee. As the hart panteth after  mind. On this principle, we admire the forthe brooks of water, so panteth my soul after  bearance of David, the anointed king of Israel,
thee, 0 God!"  Under similar emotions, the  towards Saul, his bitterest enemy, when he had
Apostle Paul exclaims, "I am persuaded that an opportunity of slaying him at the cave of En.
neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principal-  gedi; and afterwards, when he was sleeping in
ities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things  a trench at Hachila;-and at the clemency
to come, shall be ab.e to separate us from the  which he exercised tawards Shimei, who had'ove of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  cursed and insulted him, and treated him most
reproachfully. On the same principle, we admire the conduct of Sir Walter Raleigh, a man
of known courage and honour, towards a certain
SECTION  V.                    rash, hot-headeti youth. Being very injuriously
treated by this impertinent mortal, wh( next pro
ON THE MIERNCY AND PATIENCE OF GOD.   ceeded to challenge him, and, on his refuisal, spit
on him, and that too in public;-the knight taAnother feature in the divine character, which  king out his handkerchief, with great calmness,
is peculiarly ca!culated to excite admiration, af-  made him only this reply: " Young man, if I
faction, and gratitude, is the mercy and patience  could as easily wipe your blood fiom my con.
of God.                                      science, as I can this injury from my face, 1
Mercy nas its source in the divine goodness,  would this moment take away your life."
and may be considered as a particular modifica-    In order to exhibit the mercy and long-suf



30                        T'HE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION,
reing of the Deity in their true light, let us con-  ded for man and beast, were destroyed, and
sider, for a moment, some of the leading features  trampled down as the mire of the streets. And.
in the conduct and the character of mankind. —  what adds to the enormity of such dreadful pas.
Whether we go back to the remote ages of an-  sions, they have often had the effrontery to inmtiquity, or review the present moral state of the  plore the assistance of the God of mercy in this
inhabitants of our globe, we shall find the fol-  work of horror and destruction. When, to al.
lowing, among other similar traits, in the charac-  these abominable dispositions and practices, we
ter of the great mass of this world's population;  add, the the numerous other acts of atrocity,
-An utter forgetfulness of God, and the preva-  that are daily committed in every quarter of the
fence of abominable idolatries. Though an invi-  world,-the oppression and injustice which the
sible and omnipotent energy may be clearly per-  poor, the widow, and the fatherless have suffered
ceived in that majestic machinery by which the  from the overwhelming hand of power; the pervault of heaven appears to be whirled round our  secutions which tyranny has inflicted on the seglobe from day to day; and though every return-  lect few, who have raised their voices against
ing season proclaims the exuberant goodness of such abominations; the.falsehood, and treachery,
that Being who arranged our terrestrial habita-  and perjury, which are rampant in every land,
tion,-yet, of the great majority of human beings  the lewd and unnatural crimes that are daily
that have hitherto existed, or now exist, it may  committed; the thefts, and murders, and assaswith truth be said, that " God is not in all their  sinations, that are incessantly perpetrating in
thoughts, and the fear of God is not before their  some one region of the world or another; the
eyes."  And how grovelling have been the con-  haughty pride and arrogance which so many of
ceptions of those who have professed to offer  the puny sons of men assume; the murmurings
their adorations to a superior Intelligence! They  and complainings at the dispensations of Provihave changed the glory of the incorruptible God  dence, and the base ingratitude with which the
into an image made like to corruptible man, and  majority of mankind receive the bounties of
have invested with the attributes of divinity a  heaven;-and when we consider, for how many
block of marble, the stock of a tree, a stupid ox,  thousands of years these abominable dispositions
and a crawling reptile: to which they have paid  have been displayed, we have reason to wonder
that worship and homage which were due to the  that condign punishment isnot speedily executed,
Almighty Maker of heaven and earth.-Blas-  and that the Almighty does not interpose his
pherny and impiety is another characteristic of  omnipotence, to shatter this globe to atoms, and
the majority of our species. How many have  to bury its inhabitants in the gulf of everlasting
there been of our wretched race in all ages, and  oblivion.
how many -are there in the present age, who    Yet, notwithstanding these depraved and un" set their mouths against the heavens in their  grateful dispositions; notwithstanding that this
blasphemous talk," and " dare defy the Omnipo-  spacious world, which was erected for a temple
tent to arms!"  They say to God, "Depart  to the Deity, has been turned into a temple of
from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy  idols, its seas and rivers stained, and its fieldsb
ways: What is the Almighty, that we should  drenched with the blood of millions of human
serve him? and what profit should we have, if  beings, and its cities transformed into a sink'of
we pray unto him?"  While his hand is making  moral pollution; in spite of all these innumerable
their pulse to beat, and their lungs to play, and  and aggravated provocations, the God of heaven
while he is distributing to them corn, and wine,  still exercises his mercy, long-suffering, and for.
and fruits in rich abundance, they are blasphe-  bearance. He impels the earth in its annual and
ming his venerable Majesty, and prostituting  diurnal course, to bring about the interchanges
these very blessings for the purpose of pouring  of day and night, and the vicissitudes of the
dishonour on his name.                       seasons; he makes his sun to arise on the world,
The diabolical passions which men have dis-  to cheer the nations with his light and heat; he
played towards one another, is another striking  sends his rains, to refresh the fields, both of
trait in their character. War has been their  " the just, and of the unjust;" he causes the
employment and their delight in every age.  trees, the herbs, and the flowers, to bud and blosThousands of rational beings of the same spe-  som every returning spring; he ripens the fields in
cies have set themselves in array against thou-  harvest; he crowns the year with his bounty, and
sands, and have levelled at each other spears, and  encircles the little hills with rejoicing. Instead
arrows, and darts, and musquetry, and cannon,  of " sending forth his mighty winds," in incesand every other instrument of'destruction, till  sant storms and hurricanes, to tear up while
legs and arms, and skulls, and brains, were min-  forests by their roots, and to lay waste the progled with the dust —till the earth was drenched  ductions of the soil, he fans the groves and the
with human gore-till cities, and towns, and  lawns with gentle breezes, and odoriferous gales.
villages, were tumbled into ruins, or given up as  Instead of opening the cataracts of heaven, and, prey to the devouring flames-and till the  dashing down overwhelming torrents, to deluge
tiounties of Providence, which God had provi-  the plains, and frustrate the hopes of man, he




MERCY AND GOODNESS OF G30;.                                    81
refreshes the parched ground with gentle show-  vious man devising schemes for the ruin and
ers, as if they proceeded from a watering-pot. destruction  of his neighbour-the mutinous
Instead of con finling our sensitive enjoyments to  crew, in the midst of the ocean, rising up against
bread and water, as if we were the tenants of a  their superiors, slashing them with their sabres,
jaii, he has strewed our gardens and fields with  and plunging their bodies into the deep-the
every variety of luxuriant delicacies, to gratify  gamester ruining a whole family by a throw of
every appetite.  Instead of directing the light-  the dice-the skeptic sporting with the most
nings to set on fire the mountains, and to level  sacred truths-the atheist attempting to defy the
our cities to the ground, and timb thunders to roll  Omnipotent-the prostitute wallowing in tile
incessantly around us, he commands this terrific  mire of uncleanness-the drunkard blaspheming
meteor to visit tus only at distant intervals, and  the God of heaven in his midnight revels-nuin its gentler operations, just to remind us what  mercus tribes of human beings, in every quarter
tremendous instruments of destruction he is ca-  of the globe, dashing out each other's brains i,
pable of wielding, and that we ought to " be still  mutual combat-hypocritical professors of reliand know that He is God,"and that" he has  gion, harbouring malice and revenge against their
punished us less thin our iniquities deserve."  brethren-and  thousands of other iniquitous
0 that Inan would praise the Lord for his mer-  scenes which are daily presented before the pure
cy, and.for his long-suffering towards the chil.  eyes of Omniscience; could he behold all the
dren of men!..                                abominable acts of this description which are
This character of God is peculiar to himself,  perpetrated on the surface of our globe, in
and cannot be supposed to belong, lnless in a  the course of a single day, and were the elements
very inferior degree, to any created intelligence.  under his control, for executing condign punish.
Were the nmeekest man that ever appeared on the  ment on transgressors,-it is more than probable,
theatre of our world-or were even one of the  that, before another day dawned upon the world,
highest intelligences in heaven to be invested  the great globe we inhabit would be shattered tc
with a portion of the attribute of omniscience;  its centre, and enveloped in devouring flames.
could he penetrate, at one glance, over all that  For no finite intelligence could refrain his inhemisphere of our globe on which the sun shines,  dignation for a length of years, or could peneand, at the next glance, survey the other hemi-  trate into all the reasons, why "sentence against
sphere which is enveloped in darkness; could his  an evil work should not be speedily executed;"
eye pierce into the secret chambers of every habi-  why the murderer should not be arrested by death
tation of human beings, in every city, and town,  before his hand is lifted up to strike; why th.,
and village, and especially into those haunts where  tyrant should not be cut off before his victims
crimes are veiled by the shades of night from   are secured; and why the slave shoutld be doom.
every human eye; could he behold at one glance  ed to drag out so many long years under the rod
all the abominations that are hourly perpetrating  of a relentless master.  But God beholds all
in every region of the world-the pagan wor-  these actions in all their bearings and relations
shippers in Thibet and Hindostan, performing  to the plan of his government, and in all their
their cruel and execrable rites-the wheels of  eternal consequences; and beholding tlnem, he
Juggernaut crushing to death its wretched devo-  " keeps silence," and refrains from  executing
tees-the human victims which are tortured and  immediate and deserved punishment.
sacrificed, to gratify the ferocity of some bar-    This part of the divine character, when seri.
barous chief-the savage hordes of New Zea-  ously considered, is calculated to excite strong
land, feasting on the flesh of their fellow-men,  emotions of admiration and wonder; and these
whom they have cruelly butchered, and drinking  emotions must be raised to their highest pitch,
their blood out of human skulls-the Indians of  when we consider the many instruments of venAmerica, tearing with pincers the flesh of their  geance which are every moment wielded by the
prisoners, and enjoying a diabolical pleasure in  hand of the Almighty.  If forbearance were
beholding their torments-the haughty inquisi-  owing to impotence, or a want of means for the
tors of Spain insulting their devoted victims,  infliction of retributive justice, our admiration
in the name of the merciful Saviour, and prepar-  would cease. But all the elements of nature are
ing tortures, and stakes, and flames for their de-  under the immediate control of the Governor of
struction-the assassin plunging his dagger into  the universe; and, in a thousand modes income
his neighbour's bosom-the midnight robber en-  prehensible by us, He could make them the intering into the abode of honest industry, stran-  struments of his vengeance to chastise a guilty
gling its inmates, and carrying off their treasures  world.  "' For in his hand is the sotmi of every
-the kidnapper tearing the poor African from  living thing, and the breath of all mankind." Let
his wife and children, and native land-the un-  us consider, for a little, some of those agents
feeling planter and overseer lashing his degraded  which lie within the sphere of our knowledge in
slaves-tyrants and persecutors dragging " the  the system of nature.
excellent ones of the earth" to prisons, to dun-    Of all the elements of nature, there is none
geons. and to gibbets-the malevolent and on-  more delightful and beautiful in its effects that




842                       THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
light.  " Truly thelight is sweet, and apleasant  to the distance of a thousand millions of mlinle
thing It is for the eyes to behold the sun."  It  might be employed as ministers of vengeance,
diffuses a thousand shades of colouring over the  There are at least a hundred comets connected
hills, the vales, the rivers, and the boundless deep,  with the solar system, which are moving in al.
and opens to our view the glorious host of hea-  directions, and crossing the orbits of the earth,
ven.  Yet this delightful visitant, by a slight  and the other planets. Were the orbit of one of
modification, from the hand of Omnipotence, is  these bodies, in its approach to the sun, to ba
capable of being transformed into the mest de-  bent in a direction to that of the earth, the most
structive element in nature. Light flies fiom the  alarming phenomena wontirn  e exhibited in the
sun at the rate of 200,000 miles in a second of  heavens. A ruddy globe, larger in appearance
time; and it is owing to its particles being al-  than the moon, would first announce terror to the
most infinitely small, that we feel no inconveni-  inhabitants of the earth-every day this terrific
ence from their rapid velocity. But, were the  object would increase in size, till it appeared to
Creator to condense several millions of these  fill the celestial hemisphere with its tremendous
particles into one, or impel them  with a still  disk;-the light of the sun would be eclipsedgreater velocity, the solid crust of our globe  the stars would disappear-the ocean would be
would be perforated and shattered in every point  thrown into violent agitation, and toss its billows
by this celestial artillery, and its inhabitants  to the clouds-the earth would " reel to and fro,
would soon be battered to atoms.              like a drunkard" -and universal alarm and conAgain, the atmosphere which surrounds us,  fusion would seize upon all the tribes of the liv.
and in which we live and breathe; which con-  ing world. At length, this tremendous orb would
tains the principles of life; which fans us with  approach with accelerated velocity, and, striking
its gentle gales, and wafts to our ears the har-  the earth with a crash, as if heaven and earth
monies of mnusic-is capable of being converted  had burst asunder, would shiver the globe into
into an instrument of terror and destruction.  It  fragments, and for ever exterminate the race of
is composed chiefly of two different ingredients;  man.
one of these is the principle of flarre,-and if    It will at once be admitted, oy every one who
the other ingredient were extracted from the at-  acknowledges the incessant agency of a Supreme
mosphere, and this principle left to exert its na-  Being in the movements of the universe, that any
tive energy without control, instantly the forests  one, or all of these effects combined, are within
would be in a blaze; the hardest mnetals, and the  the compass of Omnipotence; and not only so,
most solid rockts, would melt like wax; the wa-  but they might all be accomplished with terrific
ters of the ocean would add fuel to the raging  energy in the course of a few moments.  If puny
element; and, in a few minutes, the whole ex-  man, by his mechanical dexterity, can suddenly
panse of our globse would' be enveloped in one  stop a stupendous machine which he has put in
devouring flame.                               motion-if he can impel red-hot balls at the rate
Again, the globe on which we reside is whirl-  of 500 miles art hour-if he can extract the oxying round its axis every twenty-four hours, and  gen from a small portion of the atmosphere, and
is carried round the sun with a still greater ve-  cause it to set on fire the hardest metallic sublocity. Should that Almighty arm which first  stances-we cannot doubt for a moment, that,
impelled it in its career, cause these motions  with infinitely greater ease, the Almighty could
suddenly to cease, mountains would be tumbled  stop the earth in its career, separate the compo.
into the sea, forests torn up by their roots, cities  nent parts of the atmosphere, set on fire the
overthrown and demolished, all nature would be  foundations of the mountains, or impel the blazthrown into confusion, and terror and destruction  ing comet towards the earth, to crush it to atoms.
would overwhelm the inhabitants of the world.  That God has been a constant spect;tor of the
Not only the stopping of the earth's motions,  wickedness of man for four thousand years; that
but even a new direction given to its axis of ro-  he has, during all that period, wielded in his
tation, would be productive of the most fatal  hands so many terrific ministers of vengeance;
effects.  The earth's axis at present is directed  and that he has hitherto refrained from executing
to certain points of the heavens, from which it  deserved punishment on the workers of iniquity
never deviates, but in a very small degree; but  -is, therefore, a striking evidence that his mercy
were the hand of Omnipotence to bend it so as  is infinite, and that he is "long-suffering and
to make it point in a different direction, the ocean  slow to anger, not willing that any should perish,
would abandon its present bed, and overflow the  but that all should come to repentance."
land; and a second universal deluge would over-    It would, however, be a most unwarrantable
whelm all the monuments of human grandeur,  conclusion, from this circumstance, to imagine
and sweep the earth's inhabitants into a watery  that God beholds with indifference the scenes of
grave.                                         iniquity that are hourly presented before him. ITr
Again, not only the elements which immedi-  order to show that he is not an unconcerned spec.
ately sur-ound us, buteven celestial bodies which  tator of the ways of men, and that the instrua,' just now invisible to our sight, and removed  ments of punishment are always in his hand, he




MERCY AND PATIENCE OF GOD                                        33
sometimes " cometh out of his place, to punish  millions of the race of Adam that then existed,
the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity,"  only eight individuals, after having been tossea
and displays the holiness of his nature, by " ter-  for seven months on the tremendous billows of a
rible things in righteousness."  Iri such visita-  boundless ocean, survived, to tell to their postetions, "his way is in the whirlwind and the  rity the tidings of this universal wreck.  The
storm, clouds and darkness are round about him;  dreadful scenes of horror and consternation
a fire goeth before him, and burneth up his ene-  which must have been presented at this awful
mies round about; the stormy winds are his  crisis; the stupendous forces which must have
messengers, and flames of fire his ministers; the  been in operation in the atmosphere above, and
clouds pour out their waters; the sky sends forth  in the foundations of the earth beneath, and the
a sound; the voice of:his thunder is in the hea-  tremendous clash of elemental war which must
vens; his lightnings enlighten the world; the  have ensued, throughout every region of earth,
earth quakes and the people tremble."  The hur-  air, and sea,-it is beyond the power of the
ricane, which tears up whole forests by the roots;  human imagination to depict, in all their terrific
and tosses them about as stubble, which levels  grandeur.  But we have every reason to conthe loftiest spires with the ground, and dashes the  clude, that the bottom of the ocean was lifted up
stateliest ships against each other, till they are  to the level of the loftiest mountains, that disrupbroken into shivers, and plunged into the deep;  tions of the mountains and of the densest rocks enthe lightnings, which fill the atmosphere with  sued, that dreadful explosions resounded throughtheir blaze, which shatter the strongest buildings,  out the whole expanse of nature, and that the
and strike whole herds of cattle into a lifeless  mighty waters hurled their billows with resistgroup; the pestilence, " which walketh in dark-  less fury in every direction, rolling immense
ness," and cuts off thousands of its victims in a  rocks and forests from one continent to another,
day; the volcano, belching forth rivers of fire,  and whirling the wrecks of different regions to
causing surrounding cities to tremble, and send-  the opposite extremities of the globe.
ing forth its bellowings over a circuit of a thou-    Were it at any time the intention of the
sand miles;-these, and many other agents which  Almighty to inflict deserved punishment on a
are in operation in the system of nature, are ex-  particular district, or class of men, without deperimental proofs of the dreadful energy of those  ranging the whole structure of our globe, we have
ministers of destruction, which are constantly  also an experimental proof how easily this could
under the superintendence of the Almighty, and  be effected, even without infringing the estaof his occasionally using them for the purpose of  blished laws of nature.  He has only to condense
chastising the nations for their iniquities.  the powerful energies of the electrical fluid in a
In particular, the earthquake is one of the most  large cloud, and to despatch it on the wings of
terrible and destructive instruments of vengeance.  the wind, to discharge its thunderbolts on any
In the year 1755, the shock of an earthquake was  particular city, or mountain, or plain,-and the
felt at Lisbon, which levelled to the ground more  work of destruction is instantly accomplished.
than half of that populous city, and buried fifty  A striking instance of this kind happened, in
thousand of its inhabitants in the ruins. The  the year 1772, in the island of Java, in the East
shock extended its influence over an extent of  Indies. On the 11th of August, at the dead
four millions of square miles; and therefore, it  hour of night, a bright cloud was observed coveris easy to conceive, that, had a little greater im-  ing a mountain in the district of Cheribon, and
pulse been given to the physical agents which  at the same moment several reports were heard,
produced this terrible effect, the solid globe on  like those of a cannon.  The people who dwelt
which we stand might have been convulsed to its  on the upper parts of the mountain not being able
centre, and all its inhabitants crushed to death,  to fly with sufficient swiftness, a great part of
amidst the universal ruin.                     the cloud, about nine miles in circumference,
We have also an experimental proof, that  detached itself under them, and was seen at a
there are physical principles in the constitution  distance, rising and falling like the waves of the
of our globe, sufficient to give it a shock through-  sea, and emitting globes of fire so luminous, that
out every part of its solid mass, and that such a  the night became as clear as day.  The effects
shock, at one period, it actually received. When  of this dreadful explosion were  astonishing.
the wickedness of man became great upon the  Every thing was destroyed for twenty miles
earth, " when every imagination of the thoughts  around.  The houses were demolished; the
of his heart was only evil continually," the  plantations were buried in the earth; vast numfountains of the great deep were broken up, the  bers of goats, sheep, and horses, and 1500 head
cataracts of heaven were opened, and the whole  of cattle were destroyed; and above two thousolid crust of our globe received such a shock as  sand human beings were in a moment plunged
rent the mountains asunder, and hurled them  into the gulf ofeternity.*  "Witt, God is terriinto the p'aias; the effects of which are still
risible, in every Alpine district, and in the sub-   ^ I this, andtheotherillustrationsofthissubjeet
stated above, I consider the Divine Being as the
terraneous caverns of the earth. Of all the  grand agent in directing the operations of the ele.
23




34                      THE PHILOSOTIHY OF RELIGION.
ble majesty. Who can stand before his indig-  gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous' in mercy
aation? who can abide in the fierceness of his  As the heaven is high above the earth, so grea
anger?  The mountains quake before him; the  is his mercy toward them that fear him. Bless
hills melt, and the earth is burned at his pre-  the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not a'l his
sence." —" Let all the earth fear the Lord; let  benefits."
all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of
him."
Thus it appears, that God is not an unconcerned spectator of the ways of men-that he has                  SECTION  VI.
every moment at his command the most destructive elements of nature-and that we have    OF THE RECTITUDE OF THE DIVTIN
abundant proofs that these destructive elements               CHARACTAR.
have been occasionally used, for inflicting condign punishment on the workers of iniquity.    Another perfection in the character of God,
Notwithstanding these resources of vengeance,  which is calculated to inspire confidence and af.
we find, by experience, that his mercy is exer-  fection, is his Justice, or, the Rectitude of his
cised, from year to year, and from century to cen-  nature.
tury, towards a world, the majority of whose    The rectitude of the Divine Being, in its most
inhabitants are daily trampling under foot his sa-  extensive sense, consists in doing that which, in
cred institutions, and his holy laws. The in-  all cases, is right, upon the whole; or, in other
stances which occur, of the devastations of the  words, that which will have the greatest tenhurricane, the thunder, the volcano, the earth-  dency to promote the order and happiness of his
quake, and the pestilence, are comparatively few,  universal empire.  It includes under it, the
and seem intended chiefly to arouse the attention  idea of distributive justice, which consists in reof thoughtless and ungrateful man; to prevent  warding the good, and punishing the bad, achim from running to the extreme of wickedness;  cording to equitable laws, calculated to produce
and to convince him that the Most High ruleth  harmony and happiness throughout the whole
in  the kingdoms of men," and that " verily  intelligent system. This perfection ofthe Deity;there is a God who judgeth in the earth." Hence  may be considered as a branch of his general
we may perceive the striking emphasis of the  benevolence, which appears to be the source of
language of the inspired writers: "The Lord  all his moral attributes, and the spring of all
is slow to anger," and yet "great inpower."   his actions. The display of his natural and
This display of the exercise of perfect self-  moral perfections, and the general happiness of
command in the Divine Mind, is, therefore,  the intelligences which exist throughout his imcalculated, as well as his wisdom and goodness,  mense and eternal empire, appear to be the great
to inspire us with emotions of reverence, admi-  objects in view, in his moral government of the
ration, and love. " The Lord is merciful and  universe: and, in order to secure these objects,
it is requisite that justice be impartially admi.
ments, but without infringing those general laws  nistered, according to the eternal rules of rectiwhich are found to operate with undeviating con-  tude, and that;' every one be rewarded according
stancy in the system of the universe. To explore  to his works.",the manner in which these general laws are directed    That this attribute is possessed b  the Divine
to produce certain specific effects, in reference to    That this attribute is possessed by the Divine
particular regions and tribes of mankind, must oh-  Being, in the highest degree, appears from  the
viously be beyond the limits of our faculties; unless  following considerations.  He exists, and has
we could enter into all the designs of the Eternal
Mind, when he gave birth to the universe, and ar-  always existed, completely independent of all his
ranged its elementary parts; and unless we could  creatures; he is in the actual possession of
take a comprehensive view of the remotest tenden-  boundless felicity which no other being can incies of the elements of nature, and the times and
circumstances in which they shall produce a specific  terrupt; and is consequently liable to no evil,
and extraordinary effect. All these tendencies and  nor diminution of enjoyment. He is om.npotent,
circumstances were before the mind of the Eternalplish whatever he plea
Jehovah, when he established the plan of his moral  and therefore can accotplish whatever he pleagovernment; and, therefore, whatever events may  ses, and can effectually prevent whatever might
occur in the physical system, must be considered as  detract from his happiness, or disturb the order
the accomplishment of his moral purposes, in reference to the moral agents he has created. It would  of his government. He has, therefore, nothing
be presumptuous in so limited a being as man, to  to fear from any other being, and can desire,determine, in every case, what is the precise moral  nothing from his creatures to increase his felireason of the extraordinary -estructive effects of otg  rom his creatures to increase his feli-,physical agents. We can only say, in general, that  city. Consequently, no possible motive or temp*they are connected with the sin and depravity of  tation can exist, to induce him to inflict an act of
man.' But, at that solemn day, when the reasons of ice on any of the intellectual beings he has
the divine dispensations! shall be laid open, it will  lnJustice on any of the intellectual beings he has'perhaps be feond, that such uncommon and alarm-  formed., Injustice, among men, proceeds eithe"
tong effects were the punishmeut of aggravated  from want of intelligence to discriminate betranisgressions, the peculiar malignity and tendency
eof which were removed, in a great measure, beyond  tween what is right and wrong; from want )of
ishe sphere of general observation,           power to bring their purposes into effect; frnm




JUSTICE OF GOD.                                     85'he fear of some evil or disadvantage which may  unable, in many instances, to trace the display
arise from the impartial distribution of justice;  of this perfection in his dispensations towards the
from the idea of some imaginary good of which  inhabitants of our world. This is owing, in part,
they might be deprived; from some mental de-  to the false maxims by which we form ajudgment
feet incident to the present state of humanity;  of his procedure; to the limited views we are
from some prejudice against the individuals to-  obliged to take of the objects of his government;
wards whom justice ought to be administered;  to the want of a comprehensive knowledge of the
or from the indulgence of some cruel and de-  whole plan of his dispensations, and the ends to
praved dispositions.  But none of these causes  be effected by them; to the limited views we
or motives can exist in the mind of the All-per-  have acquired of the whole range of his univerfes  and infinite Creator. His comprehensive  sal dominions; and to our ignorance ofthe relaeye takes in, at one glance, all the circumstances,  tions which may subsist between our world and
even the most minute, on which a righteous de-  the inhabitants of other provinces of the divine
cision depends; he is no "respecter of per-  Empire. We behold many of " the excellent of
sons;" he can indulge no malevolent disposi-  the earth," pining in the abodes of poverty, and
tions; he can expect no accession of enjoyment  almnost unnoticed by their fellow-men; while we
from an act of injustice; he has nothing to fear  behold the wicked elevated to stations of power,
from the execution of his decisions; his power is  and encircled with riches and splendour.  From
all-sufficient to bring them into full effect, at the  a false estimate of true enjoyment, we are apt
time, and in the manner, which is most condu-  to imagine, that misery surrounds the one, and
cive to the happiness of the universe; and his be-  that happiness encircles the other; and that
nevolence, which is displayed throughout all his  there is an apparent act of injustice in these difworks, effectually prevents him from withholding  ferent allotments; whereas, God may have placed
good, or inflicting evil, beyond the desert of the  the one in the midst of worldly prosperity as a
subjects of his government.                   punishment for his sins, and the other in obscuThis character of the Deity is amply exhibit-  rity, as a stimulus to the exercise of virtue. We
ed and confirmed in the declarations of Sacred  behold a man of piety and benevolence falling
Scripture, where it is asserted, that "L He is a  before the dagger of an assassin, who escapes
God of truth, and without iniquity; just and  with impunity: we are startled at the dispensaright is he." " Thou art just," says Nehemiah,  tion, and confounded at the mystery of provi"in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast  dence, and are apt to exclaim, " Is there not a
done right, but we have done wickedly." " Shall  God that judgeth in the earth?" But, we are igmortal man be more just than God? Surely God  norant of the relation which such an event bears
will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty  to the general plan of the divine governmentpervert judgment. Wilt thou condemn Him   of the links in the chain of events which precedthat is most just? Is it fit to say to a king,  ed it, and of those which shall follow in its train.
Thou art wicked; or to princes, Ye are ungod-  We are ignorant of the relation it bears to parly? How much less to him who accepteth not  ticular families and societies, or to the nation at
the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich  large in which it happened, and even to all the
more than the poor?"-" The righteous Lord  nations o' the earth. An event apparently trivial,
loveth righteousness; he shall judge the world in  or mysterious, or, according to our views, unrighteousness; he shall minister judgment to the  just, may, for aught we know, form an essential
people in uprightness.  Justice and judgment  link in that chain of events which extends from
are the foundation of his throne. The Lord our  the commencement of time to its consummation,
God is righteous in all his works which he  which runs through a thousand  worlds, and
doth."  "I am the Lord who exercise judgment  stretches into the depths of eternity. We all
and righteousness in the earth."  " God is not  know, that some of the most appalling scenes of
unrighteous to forget your work and labour of terror-and destruction have often proceeded from
iove which ye have showed towards his name.-  an apparently trivial accident, and that events of
Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God  the greatest importance have originated from
Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King  causes so inconsiderable as to be almost over.
of sairts.". The equitable laws which he has pro-  looked.  The British and Foreign Bible Sociemulgated to his creatures; the justice he re-  ty, which now engages the attention of the whole
quires to be exercised by one man to another;  mass of the  Christian world, and whose behis promises of reward, and his threatenings of neficent effects will soon extend to the remotest
punishment; and  the impressive,judgments  corners of the world, derived its origin from a
which he has executed on individuals, on nations,  casual conversation between a few obscure indiand on the world at large, all bear testimony to  viduals, on the subject of distributing the Scripthe existence of perfect rectitude in the divine  tures. And the apparently trivial circumstance,
character.                                    of observing that a certain mineral substance,
But, although Scripture and Reason combine  when left free to move itself, uniformay points
In attesting the immutable justice of God, we are  towards the north, has been the means, not oZiy




038                       THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
of the kncvvledge we have acquired of the differ-   In the mean time, God has not left him t.|f
ent regions of our globe, but of imparting to  without a witness to the impartiality of hs jusmillions of mankind incalculable blessings, which  tice in his allotments towards men, in that h.1 nas
will descend to their posterity to the latest gene-  invariably connected misery with the violation oJ
rations.                                      his laws, and happiness with the observance of
Hence it appears, that, in our present circum-  them.  However different the allotments of
stances, we are altogether incompetent to form a  mankind may be, in regard to wealth, honour, or
correct judgment of what is just or unjust in the  station, it holds invariably true, that "thee  is
present dispensations of the Almighty, unless we  no peace," or substantial happiness, "to  he
could survey, with the eye of a seraph, the  wicked;" and that "the man is blessed twho
ample plan of the divine government,-the whole  fears the Lord, and delights in his commandchain of God's dispensations towards our race,-   ments."*  Place a man on the highest pinnacle
the numerous worlds and beings over which his  of earthly grandeur, and let him  indulge in
moral government extends,-the relation which  schemes of ambition, avarice, pride, revenge,
the events now passing among us bear to other  cruelty, and other violations of the divine law,
moral intelligences, either as subjects of con-  and he may as soon attempt to stop the sun in
tempiation, as warnings of the danger of apos-  his course, as to expect substantial enjoyment
tacy from  God, or as motives to universal  while ie continues in the indulgence of such masubjection and obedience,-and the connexions,  levolent passions. Place another in the most
bearings, and dependencies of the whole of that  obscure abode of human life, and let him exercise
moral system   whichl embraces  unnumbered  piety, benevolence, humility, and every other
worlds, and constitutes one grand and boundless  Christian temper; and he will enjoy a peace, an
empire, under the government of the Creator.-  equanimity, and a portion of happiness, which
Even then, with the eye and the mind of a finite  the wicked can never possess, and which the
intelligence, we should occasionally meet with  wealth of the world can neither give nor take
events which would surpass our comprehension,  away. Hence it is, that we behold so many inand be altogether inexplicable, on the grounds of  stances of disgust at life, and of self-destruction,
the knowledge we had previously acquired, and  among those who are elevated to stations of powshould still be constrained to exclaim, " O the  er, and surrounded with every kind of sensitive
depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the  enjoyment.-This consideration, of itself, should
knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his  silence every murmur that is apt to arise at the
judgments, and his ways past finding out!"   dispensations of God's providence, and convince
But although "clouds and darkness" at pre-  us that "he is righteous in all his ways, and
sent hang over the ways of the Almighty, so  holy in all his works."
that we cannot, in every instance, perceive the    On the whole, then, it appears, that thejustice
rectitude of his procedure, we may rest satisfied  of God has a tendency to inspire us with confithat "justice and judgment are for ever the  dence, and love, and joy, no less than his mercy
foundation of his throne;" and we are assured,  and benevolence. Were it not for this perfection
by the Sacred Oracles, that a period is approach-  of the divine character, omnipotence might being, when the mystery of Providence will be un-  come a most terrific and tremendous attribute of
folded, and when all its dark and perplexing  the Deity. We should have no motive but that
events, in reference to this world, will be ex-  of fear to stimulate us to obedience; we should
plained to the full conviction of all its assembled  feel no security against danger, and distress, and
inhabitants.  For "God hath appointed a day  the perpetual recurrence of spectacles of venin which he will judge the world in righteousness  geance, and, in the course of ages, the spacious
by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof lie  universe might be transformed into an immense
hath given assurance unto all men, in that he  region of" lamentation, and mourning, and wo."
hath raised him from the dead."  Then "the  Were it not for this perfection, the benevolence
secrets of all hearts" shall be disclosed, and  of the Deity would degenerate into weakness and
every man rewarded "according to his works;"  imbecility.  Wicked men, and other depraved
for, "God shall bring every work intojudgment,  intelligences, presuming on freedom from impu.
with every secret thing, whether it be good, or  nity, and their diabolical passions acquiring
whether it -be evil."  Then it will be clearly  strength and vigour, by long exercise, would carry
perceived, that " verily there is a reward for the  misery and destruction in their train, wherever
righteous, and that there is a God that judgeth in  they exerted their energies; and would interrupt,
the earth."  Then-the rectitude of Jehovah, in  and ultimately destroy the harmony and felicity
every part of his moral administration, will of the intelligent universe. But, while we re.
shine forth in all its lustre; a visible and ever-  cognize the rectitude of the divine.character ax
lasting distinction  will be made between the  an immutable attribute of Deity, we can.ook
righteous and the wicked, and the whole intelli-  forward with confidence through all the revolugent creation will plainly discern between "him
that served God, and him that served him not."                Psal. cxii. L.




DUTY OF LOVE TO GOD.                                        37'ions of time, and to all those eternal scenes  work permitted, might have been,rosecuted to a
whlch shall succeed  the demolition of the pre-  much greater extent.
stint system of things, fully assured, that God    I might also have illustrated this.subject from
is the universal Protector of his unnumbered off-  a consideration of the relations in which Goa
spring-that his power will never be interposed  stands to us, and to all his creatures.  He is
to inflict an act of injustice-that no intelligent  our Creator, and we are the workmanship of his
being will ever suffer a punishment beyond his  hands. He formed our bodies, and he sustains
desert-and that no happiness which his bene-  our spirits. His physical energy is felt ay us
volence has devised, and his word has promised,  every moment, in making our hearts to beat, and
will ever be withheld from those " who put their  our lungs to play, and in impelling the crimson
trust in his name, and hearken to the voice of his  fluid which circulates in our bodies, through a
commandments."                                 thousand different tubes. To him we are inThus I have endeavournd'to show, that love to  debted for life, and all its comforts; and for all
God, which is the first principle of the moral  the powers, capacities, and privileges, which
law, is founded upon the natural and moral per-  dignify our nature, and exalt us above the lower
fections of the Deity-that the attributes ofomni-  ranks of existence. He is our Preserver and
potence, wisdom, goodness, mercy, forbearance,  bountiful Benefactor, who " sustains our souls
and justice, are calculated to excite this noble  in life," who supports the course of nature, in
affection to the highest degree in the minds of  its diversified movements, and "' daily loads us
all holy intelligences. I might also have illus-  with his benefits."  To his superintending pro.
trated this subject from  considerations drawn  vidence we are indebted for the food we eat, the
from the infinity, the eternity, the immutability,  water we drink, the clothes we wear, the air we
the holiness, and veracity of God.  But the  breathe, the light which cheers us, the splendours
illustrations already stated, will, I presume,  of the sun, the milder radiance of the moon, the
be sufficient to demonstrate, that this affection,  magnificence of the starry sky, the rains and
in conjunction with all its kindred emotions,  dews which fertilize the soil; the earth, with
ought to occupy the highest place in the human  its riches and abundance; the trees, plants, and
heart, and in the minds of all created intelli-  waving grain, which  enrich  our fields; the
gences.                                       flowers which deck the meadows, the beautiful
It may, perhaps, be insinuated by some, that  and magnificent colouring which is spread over
the preceding illustrations have been carried to  the terrestrial landscape, the. succession. of day
a greater length than the nature of the subject re-  and night, and the vicissitude of the seasons.
quired-and it is readily admitted, that the mere  In short, to him we are indebted for all the oblogical argument did not require so extended  jects and movements around us, which render
illustrations.  Every  person who  knows the  our abode on earth convenient, desirable, and
meaning of the terms made use of, will at once  productive of enjoyment.
admit, that, since God is a Being possessed of    He is our Father, and we are his children.
almighty  power, infinite  wisdom, boundless  He watches over us with a tender care; and,
benevolence, mercy, forbearance, and perfect  " as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord
rectitude-he ought to be loved affectionately and  pitieth them that fear him.". This tender and
supremely.  But such general and metaphysical  indissoluble relation  binds us to him  by the
reasoning, though perfectly conclusive and in-  strongest ties, and is calculated to excite the
controvertible, possesses but a slender influence  most ardent filial affection and gratitude. He
over the mind, in exciting it to the cultivation of  is our Sovereign and Lawgiver, and we are his
holy affections. For the sake of impression, it is  subjects; and all -his laws are framed on. the
essentially requisite, that the various manifesta-  principles of eternal and immutable rectitude,
tions of divine perfection should be presented  and are calculated to promote the harmony and
to the view, in order that the mind may have a  happiness of the whole intelligent creation.. He
tangible train of thought before it, to stimulate  is our Mfaster, tnd we are his servants, and " his
its activities, and its religious emotions.  Ge-  commandments are not grievous.". He is our
neral views and reasonings on any subject, and  Friend in adversity, our Protector in danger
especially on the subject of religion, produce a  and in distress; our Instructor, who has impartvery slight impression on the majority of man-  ed to us knowledge and understanding; and our
kind.  It is not owing so much to the want of Redeemer, who "spared not his own Son, but
conviction of the truth of certain important pro-  delivered him up for us all," that we might be
positions in religion, that divine truths take so  rescued from the gulf of depravity and ruin, and
slender a hold of the mind, as to the want of exalted to a state of consummate felicity. In
those definzite and impressive conceptions which  fine, he is that being who is the inexhaustible
can be acquired only by a minute and attentive  fountain of light, of life, and of joy to all beingssurvey of the works and the dispensations of on whom depend all our future prospects in this
God. And, in this point of view, the preceding  world, and all the transporting scenes to which
illustrations, had the limited natule of the present  we look forward in an interminable state of




38                       THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
existence -All these, and many other relations,  and the doom of the impenitent, its approbatsu
in which we stand to the God of heaven, de-  and complacency are not withheld, convincec
nmonstrate, that supreme love to this beneficent  that perfect rectitude is the rule of his procedure,
Being, is the first and highest duly of every ra-  and that his righteousness will one day be'ional creature; and they  present the most  brought to light before an assembled world.
powerful motives to stimulate us to its exercise.    Love to God includes admiration of his w(rro
But, to illustrate these topics, in minute detail,  derfsl woaks. The man whose affections are
would be inconsistent with the limited plan of  directed to the Supreme Intelligence is not an
the present work; and it is the less necessary,  indifferent spectator of the  manifestations of
as several of them have already been brought  Deity. He beholds the magnificent canopy of
into view, in the course of the preceding illus-  heaven daily moving around him in silent grantrations.                                     deur; his eye penetrates beyond the apparent
aspects of the twinkling luminaries which adorn
it, and surveys the hand of the Almighty wheeling stupendous globes through the irmmeasuraSECTION  VII.                   ble regions of space, and extending his operations
throughout unnumbered systems, dispersed over
MOPDES IX  WHICH  LOVE TO GOD IS DIS-  the boundless expanse of the universe. He b,'PLAYED.'                    holds the great globe on which he is placed, impelled by the same omnipotent arm, prosecuting
I shall now offer a remark or two on the na-  its course through the depths of space, and cirture of this sublime affection, and the manner in  cling around the sun, to bring about the revoluwhich it ought to be manifested. Love to God  tions of the seasons. He contemplates the vast
is not a single and solitary affection in the hu-  ranges of mountains that stretch around it-the
man breast, which evaporates in a few transient  mass of waters in the mighty ocean, and its nuand undefined emotions; but is the spring of  merous tribes of animated beings-the "dry
every holy activity, and is intimately connected  land," with'all its furniture and inhabitants —
with every virtuous emotion, with every pious  the vast caverns, chasms, and shattered strata
sentiment, with every religious requirement,  which appear in its interior recesses-and the
with every sensitive enjoyment, with our pre-  atmosphere with which it is surrounded, with
sent comforts, and our future and eternal pros-  the clouds, the lightnings, and the tempests
pects.                                        which diversify its aspect. He traces the footIt includes in it, complacency, or delight in the  steps of the Almighty in his moral administracharacter and administration of God. Viewing  tion-in the deluge which swept away the inhim  as a self-existent and eternal Being,-fill-  habitants of the antediluvian  world-in the
ing immensity with his presence, launching in-  burning of Sodom, the dividing of the Red sea,
numerable worlds into existence, upholding them  the thunders and lightnings of Sinai-the maniall by the " word of his power," and superin-  festation of the Son of God in human flesh; his
tending the minutest cotncerns of all his offspring,  sufferings, death, resurrection, and triumphant
from the loftiest seraph, through all the inferior  ascension-in the propagation of the gospel in
gradations of existence, to the smallest animal-  the face of every opposition, in the rise and fall
cula,-the mind feels the most delightful emo-  of empires, the dethronement'of kings, the battions, in regarding the happiness of the universe  tles of warriors, and the convulsions of nations.
asperfectly secure tinder his physical and moral  And, while he contemplates such objects and
administration.  Contemplating his bounty to  operations, his admiration is excited by the inangels and to men, to the birds of the air, the  comprehensible knowledge displayed in the confishes of the sea, and the numerous tribes which  trivance of the universe, the boundless benevotraverse the surface of the land,-his mercy to-  lence which extends over all these works, and
wards our fallen race,-his long-suffering and  the omnipotent power by which all the mighty
forbearance towards wicked nations and indivi-  movements of Creation and Providence are efduals,-his faithfulness in the accomplishment  fected.  And, while he admires, he is filled
of his promises and threatenings,-and the un-  with strong emotions of reverence of the glorious
erring rectitude of his dispensations towards all  perfections of that Being, whose mighty hand
his creatures,-the mind feels supreme appro-  conducts those stupendous movements, and he
bation and complacency in his attributes, pur-  feels the full force of the impressive exhortation
poses, and administrations; beholding in his cha-  of the psalmist, "Let all the earth fear the
racter an excellence and amiableness, a moral  Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand
dignity and grandeur which is not to be found in  in awe of him: for he spake, and it was done;
any created intelligence. Even in reference to  he commanded, and it stood fast."  Even the
those acts of his government which  appear  abstract conceptions we have of the immensity
dreadful and appalling-in the volcano, the earth-  of the Divine Being, by wnich he is present ir
quake, the thunders, the hurricane, the tempest,  every part of infinite space-the eternity of hiE




HULMILITY AND RESIGNATION.                                   39
duration, and the range of his omniscience which  can the love of God be expected to reside in
embraces an intimate knowledge of the thoughts,  all its generous and noble execises. Such a disthe purposes, and the actions of all creatures;  position, mingling with all the other benevolent
are calculated to overpower the mind with emo-  affections, will render them sweet and delightful;
tions of veneration and awe, blended with feel-  it will render us amiable in the eyes of our felings of aff.:etion and delight at the recollection of low-men; it will secure us against all the
the relation in which we stand to this glorious  wretched effects and boisterous passions which
Intelligence.                                 flow fronm haughtiness and pride; it will mitigate
Again, Love to God includes Humility and  the sorrows, the perplexities, and anxieties to
self-abaseenfit in the divine presence.  There  which we are subjected in our earthly pilgrinmis no disposition which appears more incom-  age; it will enable us to preserve our minds
patible with supreme affection for the Creator  tranquil and serene amidst the provocations, the
than pride, haughtiness, and arrogance.  "God  affronts, and the contentions to which we are exresisteth the proud."  Even " a proud look" is  posed in our intercourses with general society,
declared to be an ", abomination" in his sight.  and will prepare us for associating with the inAnd, if the indulgence of pride be inconsistent  habitants of that happier world, where seraphic
with the love of God, humility must be regarded  love, profound reverence of the Divine Majesty.
as one of its essential and distinguishing accom-  and profound humility, mingle with all their inpaniments. When a man who loves God re-  tercourses and employments.
flects on his condition and character-that he is a    Resignation to the providential dispensations
creature who derived his existence from a supe-  of the Almighty is another manifestation and acrior Being, to whom he is indebted for all his  companiment of love to God.  To be habitually
powers and faculties, and by whose power and  discontented, and to murmur and repine under
mercy he is every moment preserved in ex-  the allotments of his providence, must obviously
istence; when he considers his station  in the  appear to be inconsistent with sincere and ardent
universe-that he is only like an atom in the im-  affection for the Supreme Disposer of events.mensity of creation, when compared with the  Resignation to the will of God is the duty of
innumerable beings which people its wide do-  every intelligent creature towards the Creator;
mains-that he stands near the lowest part of  and in proportion to the degree in which this
the scale of intelligent existence, and that " all  principle exists, will be the happiness of the inthe inhabitants of the earth are as grasshoppers"  tellectual being that exercises it. Angels are
before Him who sits on the throne of the heavens;  perfectly happy, because they are perfectly subwhen he recollects that he has apostatized from   missive to the will of their Creator-being fully
the God who made him, that he is guilty of  contented with the~ station allotted them in the
innumerable violations of his righteous laws, and  universe, and completely resigned to all the fustands condemned at the bar of Him " who is of  ture services and allotments which Infinite Wispurer eyes than to behold iniquity;" when he  dom  has ordained.  Wherever pure affection
contemplates the circumstances in which he is  towards God actuates the mind among the innow placed in consequence of his transgressions  habitants of our world, it produces a disposition
-the pains, diseases, poverty, bereavements,  similar in kind, though inferior in degree, to
and reproaches, to which he is subjected; the  that which animates the breasts of the cherubim
storms, and tempests, and elemental war to  and the seraphim in the regions of bliss.
which he is exposed; the degradation which    He, who is actuated by this noble principle,
awaits his body at the hour of dissolution and in  regards every providential event as the appointthe mansions of the tomb; atd the ignorance,  ment of his Father in heaven. The devouring
the errors, and follies into which he has fallen;-  flames may consume his habitation to ashes, and
when he considers that " lowliness of mind" is a  scatter his treasures to I" the four winds of heacharacteristic of the most exalted of created in-  ven;" the ship in which his wealth is embarked
telligences, who "veil their faces" in the divine  may be dashed against the rocks, and sink "as
presence, and cheerfully extend their benevolent  lead in the mighty waters;" his friends may for.
regards to the meanest human being who is an  sake him in the season of his deepest anxiety and
"heir of salvation;" and, above all, when he re-  distress; the wife of his bosom, whonm he tenflects on the ineffable grandeur of that Being  derly loved, may be snatched from his embrace by
before whom " all nations are as the drop of a  the cold hand of death; his children, dearer to
bucket," he is convinced that pride is the most  him than his own soul, may fall victims, one
unreasonable principle that can exist in the hu-  after another, to some pestilential disease, and
man breast, and that the most profound humility  be for ever removed from his sight to the " land
ought for ever to characterize his thoughts and  of deep forgetfulness;"  his familiar friend in
actions, both in the presence of God, and before  whom he trusted may "lift up his heel against
the eves of men.  On such a character only will  hint," and load him with unmerited reproaches,' the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity,"  his own body, may be chastened with sore pain
look with complacency, and in such a heart alone  and loathsome disease; a fall from a horse may




40                        THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
break the bones of his leg, and render him lame  superior to the beasts of the forest and the fowas
for life; a. random blow may bruise his eye-balls,  of heaven. He feels grateful that he was brought
and deprive him of all the entertainments of into existence in a Christian land, and in civilvision; he may be stretched for -many long years  ized society; that the " glad tidings of salva.
on the bed of languishing; his country may  tion" have reached his ears; that "God so
either be ravaged and laid waste by destroying  loved the world, that He gave his only begotten
aralies, or rains and inundations may sweep  Son, that whosoever believeth on him might not
away the produce of his fields. But under all  perish, but have everlasting life," and that every
such calamities, he bows with submission to the  enjoyment requisite for his present and fiuture
will of Him " who rules in the whirlwind and  happiness is secured through this plan of divine
directs the storm.;" not because he has fortified  benevolence.  But he does not rest satisfied
his mind with a stoical apathy and indifference  with vague and general views of these important
towards the evils of life; not because he is inca-  benefits; he contemplates the degradation into
pable of feeling the evils he is doomed to suffer;  which sin had plunged him, the greatness of the
for he may feel them in the acutest degree, even  misery from which the love of God has delivered
while he exercises full resignation; but he is re-  him, the moral perfection of his nature to which
signed, because he feels assured that they are the  he is now training, the serenity of mind he exappointment of his Almighty Friend-that they  periences in the practice of the divine precepts,
are parts of the plan of unerring wisdom-that  the security he feels for his present and future
they are intimately connected with the whole  safety under the protection of Omnipotence, the
chain of providence that runs through his pre-  " strong consolation" under the evils of life
sent existence-that they are intended, in the  which the promises of God lead him to expect,
scheme of infinite benevolence, to promote his  the victory over death of which he is secured
happiness in a way which his limited faculties  " through Christ Jesus his Lord," the resurare unable at present to comprehend-and that  rection of his body at the close of time, the " new
they have a bearing on the scenes and enjoy-  heavens and the new earth" to which he is de.
ments of the eternal world. And therefore, under  stined at the dissolution of this sublunary system,
the pressure of his most painful feelings, he is  the alliance into which he is brought to the an.
enabled to adopt the triumphant language of the  gelic tribes and other pure intelligences, his moral
prophet, " Although the fig-tree shall not blos-  capacity for associating with every holy being in
som, neither fruit be in the vine; the labour of  the universe, and the endless succession of transthe olive fail, and the fields yield no meat; the  porting scences which will burst upon his view
flock be cut off from the fold, and there be no  through the ages of eternity.  While contemplaherd in the stall; yet will I rejoice in the Lord,  ting these high privileges, in all their bearings
I will be glad in the God of my salvation." While  and varied ramifications, emotions of affection
others murmur and rage, and toss themselves  and gratitude arise in his breast which call only
like a wild bull in a net, and curse the supposed  be expressed in the language of elevated devotion.
authors of their calamities, he is enabled to
" possess his soul In patience," convinced of the  "0  How shall words with equal warmth
rectitudeofthe divine dispensations; and thus dis-   Tie gratitude declare
That glows within my ravish'd heart I
plays a nobleness of mind, and a heroism which       But T'hou canst read it there."
is " above all Greek, above all Roman fame."
Again, Love to God comprehends Gratitude       "Bless the Lord, 0 my soul! and all that Is
for the benefits he bestows. Gratitude is that  within me bless his holy name. Give thanks to
particular modification of love which flows out  the Lord, and forget not all his benefits; who
towards God, considered as the Author and Be-  forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy
stower of all felicity: it is love excited by kind-  diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destrucness communicated from benevolent motives.  It  tion, and crowneth thee with loving-kindness
is one of the most natural and obvious manifes-  and tender mercies."
tations ofthat general principle which I have been    Nor does he feel less grateful to God for his
hitherto illustrating; for ingratitude is altogether  kindness as displayed in the material world, and
inconsistent with love to a benefactor. In order  in the ordinary course of his providence. He
to kindle this amiable affection  into a lively  feels grateful for these scenes of sublimity and
flame, the person in whose bosom it glows en-  beauty with which the visible universe is adorndeavours to take a minute and expansive survey  ed-for the sun when he ascends the vault ot
of the " loving-kindness of God," and of the  heaven, and diffuses his radiance over the mollncountless variety of benefits he is continually re-  tains and the vales-for the moon, when she
ceiving. He feels grateful to God for his existence,  " walks in brightness" through the heavens,
for the powers and capacities with which he is en-  and cheers the shades of night-for the planets,
dowed, for the rank which he holds in the scale of while they run their ample rounds, and evince,.errestrial existence; in being raised above the  by their magnitude and motions, the eternal
cliods of the valley, and furnished with faculties  omnipotence of their Maker-for the innumera.




SUBLIMITY OF THE PRINCIPLE OF LOVE.                                   41
tAe host of stars, which unite their splendours to  of vision-the thousands of millions of rays that
adorn the canopy of the sky, and display the  are every moment darting from  the objects
riches, and grandeur, and boundless extent of around him, crossing each other in an infinity
God's universal kingdom-for the light, which  of directions, and yet conveying to every eye a
darts with unconceivable rapidity from the celes-  distinct perception of their colours, motions, and
tial luminaries, and diffuses a thousand shades  diversified aspects; when he reflects on tile
ot colour on the terrestrial landscape-for the  facility with which he can turn his eye in every
surrounding atmosphere, which supports the ele-  direction, upwards and downwards, to the right
ment of fire, conveys the clouds over every re-  hand and to the left, and in a moment take in the
gion, and sustains and invigorates the functions  landscape of the earth and the heavens " at a
of animal life-for the variety of beautiful and  small inlet which a grain might close;" when
majestic scenery which diversifies our terrestrial  he considers the numerous and complicated
system-for the towering cliffs, the lofty moun-  movements continually going on within himtains, aiid the expansive vales-for the mean-  the heart, like a powerful engine in perpetual
dering river, gliding through the fields, and dif-  motion, impelling, with prodigious force, streams
fusing health and fertility wherever it flows-for  of blood through a thousand different tubes-the
the riches which abound in the gardens, the  numerous lacteal and lymphatic vessels absorbforests, and the fields, and the mineral treasures  ing nutriment from the food, and conveying it
contained in the bowels of the mountains-for  through every part of this wonderful machine.
the harmony of musical sounds, the mellifluous  when he considers that these incessant motions
notes of the nightingale and the lark, and the  are, as it were, the immediate hand of the
melodious warblings which resound from  the  Divinity within him, over which he can exervales, the mountains, and the groves-for the  cise no control, and which are all intended to
flowers which enamel the meadows, the trees,  preserve his existence and minister to his enjoythe shrubs, and the waving grain which adorn  ment, —he cannot forbear exclaiming, in the
the earth with picturesque beauty-for the ani-  language of grateful admiration, " How premated beings which contribute to our comfort,  cious are thy wonderful -contrivances concernthe bee which collects for us honey from every  ing me, 0 God! how great is the sum of them!
opening flower, the sheep which yields its fleeces  If I should count them, they are more in num.
for our clothing, and thousands of other creatures  ber than the sand.  I will praise thee, for I am
which contribute to supply uts with food, rai-  -fearfully and wonderfully made!"
ment, furniture, and innumerable enjoyments.    He does not overlook such instances of " the
In all these, and similar objects, he perceives  loving-kindness of God," because, to some, they
ample reasons for elevating his soul in lively  may appear minute and trivial. He does not
gratitude to his bountiful Benefactor.        contrast them with what are reckoned spiritual
When lie turns his eyes upon himself, and  and more inmportant blessings; nor attempt to
considers the wonderful machinery which gives  institute comparisons between  the beneficent
life and motion to his frame, he perceives the  operations of Omnipotence, in order to throw a
strongest reason for the exercise of incessant  certain portion of them into the shade. He conadmiration and gratitude. He feels grateful for  siders all the operations of God from the plan
every joint of his fingers, and for every mt ve-  of redemption for guilty men, and the mission of
ment of his wrist, by which he is enabled with  his Son into our world, to the minutest muscle
the utmost ease to perform a countless variety  that moves the joint of a finger, or the ray of
of manual operations essential to his comfort-  light that darts from  a flower of the field, as
fir the hundreds of bones which support his  parts of one vast system  of boundless benevo
animal system, with their various articulations,  lence, as essentially connected together as the
and the hundreds of muscles and tendons which  links of a chain; and, in regard to himself, he
are interwoven with every part of the machine,  views all the variety of blessings now alluded
which enable it to perform  without the least  to, as one undivided stream of unbounded beneobstruction, "a thousand varied movements sub-  ficence, commencing with the first moment of
servient to his health, convenience, and plea-  his existence, running through all the scenes and
sure. He cannot walk through his apartment,  circumstances of his terrestrial existence, and
nor lift his eyes to the heavens, nor move a joint  expanding into the unfathomable ocean of eter-'f his finger, nor draw a single breath, without  nity. In the whole series of contrivances and
perceiving an evidence of the wisdom and in-  events which relate to his present and future
telligence of his Alnighty Maker. He per-  existence, both in what we consider the miceives, that if only one joint were wanting, or  nutest and the most magnificent works of the
one muscle out of action, or one movement out of Deity, he perceives the stamp of infinite pera thousand interrupted, he would instantly be  fection, and a connexion of plan and of operavublected to a thousand painful sensations which  tion, which excludes all attempts at comparisons
would throw a gloomon every earthly enjoyment.  and contrasts.  Under such impressions, and'Jut especially, when he reflects on the wonders  with such views of the concatenation of every




442                       THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION
part (if the scheme of divine benevolence, he is  in our journeys through the fertile plains: in ov
ted to contemplate the kindness of God at every  excursions through the Alpine scenes of nature.
step, and in every object, and is ever ready to  in our investigations into the structure of the
exclaim, " What shall I render to the Lord for  animal and vegetable tribes; and in our contem*,ll his benefits toward me?"                 plations on the wonders of the starry sky-love
In fine, supreme love to God includes in its  throws a radiance on all these objects, and exexercise, a delight in the public and private ex-  cites an interest which cannot be appreciate I
ercises of his worship, a constant endeavour to  by that mind which has never felt the force of
yield a willing and unreserved obedience to all  this sacred emotion.
the institutions he'has appointed, and to all the    It renders us superior to the ills of life, while,
laws he has issued forth for counteracting the  under its influence, we bow, in cordial submisdepravity of our natures, and for raising us to a  sion, to the divine dispensations, as the result
state of moral perfection; an active and enlight-  of perfect wisdom, rectitude, and benevolence.
ened zeal for the honour of his name, and for  It enables us to recognize the hand of a Divine
promoting those institutions which have a ten-  Benefactor in every enjoyment, and the rod of
dency to advance his kingdom in the earth; a  an affectionate Father, in every trial and afflicsincere and disinterested affection to all our fel-  tion to which we are subjected. It raises the
low-men, and particularly to every class of holy  soul above the carking cares and degrading purintelligences; a cordial approbation of all his  suits of the world, and enables it to look down
plans and movements in creation and provi-  with heroic indifference on all those trivial incidence; and devout aspirations after that higher  dents and fancied insults which irritate, and instate of existence, where the glories of his na-  flame, and torment " the children of pride."  It
ture and " the kindness of his love" shall be  preserves the mind in calm serenity amidst the
more clearly unfolded, and where love shall glow  raging of the tempest, the rolling thunders, the
in one uninterrupted and perpetual emotion.    whirlwind, and the hurricane, the eruptions of
Thus, it appears that love to God consists in  the volcano, and the convulsions of the earthcomplacency in his character and administration,  quke; while it recognizes the Ruler of the storm,
and is inseparably connected with admiration of  who presides amidst the crash of warring elehis wonderful works, with humility, resignation,  ments, as its omnipotent Protector and its
arnd gratitude.                                eternal refuge.*  It enables the man in whose
I cannot conclude my remarks on this topic  bosom it resides, to contemplate with composure
without adverting, for a little, to the nobleness  the downfall of kings and the revolutions of naand sublimity of this first and fundamental  tions, to anticipate the hour of his dissolution
spring of all moral action. From what has been  without dismay, and to look forward with fortialready stated, it appears that love-to God is  tude to the ruins of dissolving nature, when "the
the most reasonable and amiable affection that  elements shall melt with fervent heat," and the
can aninmate the human mind; for that Being  earth, with all its magnificence, shall be wrapt in
who is the object of it is the sum of all perfec-  flames; confident that, under " the shadow of
tion, the standard of all moral and physical  the wings of the Almighty," he shall remain in
excellence, and the source of all the felicity  perfect security, amidst " the wreck of matter
enjoyed by e:ery rank of existence throughout  and the crush of worlds."
the boundless universe. It is also the most sub-    This divine principle assimilates us to angels,
lime and expancive affection that can pervade the  and to every other class of holy intelligences.
mind of any created intelligence. It excites the  It renders us qualified for associating with these
most rapturous emotions when we contemplate  superior intellectual natures-for entering into
the harmonies, the beauties, and the sublimities  their vast and comprehensive views-for conof the universe; for it recognizes them as the dis-  versing with them  op the sublime topics which
plays of boundless wisdom and boundless good-  occupy their attention-for bearing a part in
ness; as the production of that Almighty Being  their extensive schemes of universal benevowho stands in the relation of our Father and our
F'iend; and leads us to conclude, that that power  dreadful earthquake in Calabria, in 1638, which
and intelligence which gave birth to all that is  overthrew the city of Euphemla, of which he was
grand and beautiful in heaven and on earth, will a spectator, expresses his feelings on that occasion
in the following words: —" The universal ruin
be for ever exercised in conm ibuting to our eternal  around me, the crash of falling houses, the totterenjoyment.  Without such a recognition, crea-  ing of towers, and the groans of the dying, all contion appears only like an immense desert, and is  tributed to raise terror and despair. On every sidle
of me, I saw nothing but a scene of ruin and danger
apt to fill the mind with apprehension and terror;  threatening wherever I should fly. I commended
for it can feel no pleasurable emotions in con-  myself to God, as my last great refuge  At that
emplating fthe  operations  of a Being for whom   hour, O how vain was every sublunary happiness 
templating the operations of a Being for whom   wealth, honour, empire, wisdom, all:mere useless
it entertains no affectionate regard. But, in  sounds, and as empty as the bubbles of the deep
our solitary walks in the fields and the gardens,  Just standing on the threshold of eternity, nothing
buamidst God was my pleasure; and the nerer I ap."
amidst the emanations of divtne munificence;  preached, I only loved him the more."




SUBLIMITY OF THE PRINCIPLE OF LOVE.                                 48
lence-and for contributing, along with them, to  while mighty worlds are emerging out of no.
the order and prosperity of God's everlasting  thing, and innumerable orders of bei ngs are
kingdom.  It secures to us the friendship and  starting into existence, may be considered as so
affection of all the virtuous inhabitants of the  many infinitely diversified streams flowing from
universe, and renders us fit for affectionate in-  supreme affection to the blessed God, as the
tercourse with them, wherever we may after-  spring of every rapturous enjoym6nt. Possessed
wards exist, throughout the boundless expanse of of this divine principle, we secure the most hocreation. Should we ever be permitted, during  nourable connexions, become benefactors to the
the lapse of eternal duration, to wing our flight  intelligent universe, participators of the enjoyfrom  world to world, in order to enlarge our  ments of seraphic natures, agents for carrying
views of God's unbounded empire, the exercise  forward the plans of Infinite Benevolence, and
of this holy affection would secure to us a friendly  " workers together with God," in accomplishing
reception and an affectionate intercourse among  his eternal designs. Without it, we becaneA
all the pure intelligences within the range of his  nuisances in the kingdom of God, rebels against
moral administration: for, as this principle is  his government, pests to fellow intelligences,
founded on the nature of God, who is eternal  destitute of the noblest of all affections, deprived
and unchangeable, it must pervade the minds of of substantial enjoyment in the present world,
the inhabitants of all worlds that have retained  and exposed to misery, without interruption, in
their primitiveintegrity.  It is this divineaffec-  the world to come.
tion which excites tthe rapturous flame that    If such be the native effects of supreme love to
glows in the breasts of the angelic tribes, which  God, and if this principle lie at the foundation
enlivens the songs and the adorations of the  of all genuine morality, how foolish and precheruoim  and  the seraphim, which  inspires  posterous isit for Christian moralists to wander
them with a noble ardour in executing the com-  through the dark labyrinths of Greek and Romar
mands of their Creator, and which animates  literature, and the intricate mazes of modern
them in their flight from the celestial regions to  skeptical philosophy, in search of any other printhis obscure corner of creation, when they nin-  ciples of moral action? It is like groping for the
ister to the heirs of salvation. It was this noble  light of the sun in the windings of a subterraneous
principle which impelled the angel Gabriel in  grotto, and preferring the glimmering ofa tapehis rapid flight through the celestial spaces,  to the full blaze of the orb of day. It is, to fowhen he descended to announce to Daniel the  sake "the fountain of living waters, and to
answer to his supplications, and to Zacharias and  hew out to themselves broken and empty cisterns,
Mary the birth of the Saviour; which animated  that can hold no water."
the angels who unbarred the prison doors to    In order to invigorate and expand this affecPeter, and gave assurance to Paul of the divine  tion in the mind, it is requisite that we take a
protection, while he was tossing on the tem-  comprehensive view of all the manifestations of
pestuous billows of the Adriatic sea; and which  that Being towards whom it is directed, as exhifanned the flame of devotion in the heavenly host,  bited in the history of his operations recorded in
when they sung, in the plains of Bethlehem,  the volume of inspiration; in the details of his' Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth,  moral government among the nations, both in
and good will towards men."                   ancient and in modern times, which may be colIn fine, this sublime affection assimilates us to  lected from the writings of historians, voyagers,
God, who is benevolence itself, who supremely  travellers, and missionaries; in the economy of
loves his own character, and who is incessantly  the inferior tribes of animated beings; in the
displaying his benevolence, in all its infinitely  diversified scenery of nature around us in our
diversified effects, throughout the intelligent tuli-  terrestrial system; and in the sublime moveverse. It assimilates us to Jesus the Son of  ments that are going forward, among distant
the Highest, who is " the brightness of the Fa-  worlds, in the firmament of his power; for, the
ther's g!ory,and the express image of his person,"  more we know  of the manifestations of the
and who is for ever actuated with fervent zeal  Creator, the more acquaintance shall we have of
for the honour of God, and for the happiness of the Creator himself; arid, in proportion as our
man. It constitutes the foundation ofall felicity;  knowledge of his character is enlarged, in a
it opens the gates to perpetual enjoyment; it  similar proportion will our love be ardent and
secures its possessor of eternal happiness, as its  expansive. Such extensive views and contemnatural and necessary result, and prepares him   plations are indispensably requisite, in order to
for mingling in the employments of the " innu-  a full recognition of the divine injunction
merable company of angels and the spirits of  " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
just men made perfect:" for all the transporting  heart, and with all thy strength, and with all thine
scenes of glory, and all the avenues to felicity,  understanding."  This is the first and the great
which will be opened to the immortal spirit,  commandment.
while ages, numerous as the sand, are rolling on,




CHAPTER II.
IlECOND PRINCIPLE OF MORAL ACTION-LOVE TO ALL SUBORDINATE INTELLIGENCES.
IN the commencement of the last chapter, I  have intercourses, either directly or indirectly,
had occasion to remark that, strictly speaking,  and towards them all we ought to exercise an
the fundamental principle or affection which  affection analogous to that which every man.
gives birth to all the ramifications of moral exercises towards himself. This we are deciaction, is but one, namely, Love.  This noble  sively taught by our Saviour in the parable ot
affection may be considered as dividing itself the good Samaritan, in which it is clearly shown,
into two great streams, one directing its course  that under the designation of neighbour, we are
towards the Creator, as the supreme source of to include even our bitterest enemies. His aposall felicity, and the other expanding itself to-  ties avowed the same sentiment, and taught.
wards all the intellectual beings which he has  that in the bonds of Christian love, no distincformed.                                     tion should exist -between "Jews and Greeks,
Having, in the preceding pages, endeavoured  Barbarians, Scythians, bond, or free."  For
to illustrate the foundation and the reasonable-  they are all members of the great family of God.
ness of the principle of love to God, from a con-  and recognized as children by the universal
sideration of his perfections, character, and re-  parent.
lations, and having described some of those
kindred affections by which its existence in the
minds of moral agents is manifested,-I shall
now endeavour to exhibit the foundation, and               SECTION  I.
the reasonableness, of that modification of love
which is directed towards created intelligences,  THE NATURAL E QUALITY OF MANKIND'CONand which may be termed the second principle of' SIDERED AS THE BASIS OF LOVE TO OUR
moral action-THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGH-    NEIGHBOUR.
BOUR AS THYSELF. Taking it for granted that
this is the fundamental; law prescribed by the    I SHALL now  exhibit a few considerations
Creator for regitlating the conduct of intelligent founded on the Natural Equality of Mankind, in
beings towards each other-because the Supreme  order to evince the reasonableness and the neLawgiver has proclaimed it as such in the reve-  cessity of the operation of the principle of love
lation which he has given us of his will-I shall  towards all our fellow-men.
endeavour to exhibit the reasonableness and the    In the first place, Men, of whatever rank, kinbeauty of this amiable principle-from the na-  dred, or tribe, are the offspring of the great
ture of man, and the relations in which all the  Parent of the universe.  They were all created
individuals of the human race stand to each  by the same Almighty Being, and to him they
other-from  the happiness which would flow  are indebted for all the members and functions ot
from the uniform operation of this principle-and  their animal frames, and for those powers, cafrom the misery which would inevitably ensue  pacities, and endowments, which render them
were it completely eradicated from the minds of superior to the clods of the valley and to the
moral agents.                                beasts of the forest.  They derived their origin
Before proceeding to the illustration of these  too, as to their bodies, from the same physical prinparticulars; it may be proper to remark, that by  ciples and from the same earthly parent. ", Of the' our neighbour'" is to be understood men of every  dust of the ground" the body of the first man was
nation and of every clime, whether they avow  formed; and from Adam, the primogenitor of the
themselves as our friends or our enemies, and  human race, have descended all the generations
whatever may be their language, their religion,  of men which now exist, or will hereafter exist
their rank, or station.  The inhabitants of New  till the close of time.  This is equally true of the
Zealand, of Patagonia, of New Holland, of prince and of his subjects; of the monarch arthe Ladrones, of Kamtschatka, or of Greenland, rayed in purple, and seated on a throne, and ol
are our neighbours, in the sense intended in the  the beggar, who is clothed in rags, and embraces
divine injunction above quoted, as well as those  a dunghill; of the proud nobleman, who boasts
who reside in our own nation and in our more  of'a long line of illustrious ancestors, and of the
immediate neighbourhood.  For with all these,  obscure peasant, whose progenitors were unnoltud other tribes of mankind, we may happen to  ticed and unknown. All derived the;r origin from




EQUALITY OF MANKIND.                                       45
the dust, and all r-turn to the dust again. This  and of anticipating the future-of deducing con.
consideration, on which it is unnecessary to  clusions from premises previously demonstrated
dwell, shows the reasonableness of union and af-  -of representing to the mind objects and scenes
fection among men, on the same grounds from   which have long ceased to exist; of forming in
which we conclude that brothers and sisters be-  the imagination new combinations of the objects
longing to the same family ought to manifest a  of sense; of perceiving the qualities of moral acfriendly affection for each other.            tions, and  distinguishing  between right and
Secondly, Men of all nations and ranks are  wrong; of recognizing a supreme intelligent
equal in respect to the mechanism of their bodies  Agent in the movements of the universe, and of
and the mental faculties with which they are en-  making perpetual advances in knowledge and fedowed. Whether their bodies be rudely covered  licity; faculties which distinguish man from all
with the skins of beasts, or adorned with the  the other tribes which people the earth, air, or
splendours of royalty; whether they be exposed  sea; are possessed by the dwarfish Laplander and
naked to the scorching heats and piercing colds,  the untutored peasant, as well as by the ruler of
or arrayed in robes of silk and crimson-in their  kingdoms, the enlightened statesman, and the
construction and symmletry they equally bear the  man of science. It is true, indeed, that there is
impress of infinite wisdom  and omnipotence.  a mighty difference among men in the direction
The body of the meanest peasant, who earns his  of these faculties, in the objects towards which
scanty subsistence from day to day by the sweat  they are directed, in the cultivation they have
of his brow, is equally admirable, in the motions  received, and in the degree of perfection to which
of its fingers, the structure of its limbs, and the  they have attained. There are innumerable gra.
connexion and uses of its several functions, as  dations in the improvement and the energies ol
the body of the mightiest and the proudest baron  intellect, from the narrow  range of thought poswho looks down upon him with contempt. The  sessed by a Greenlander or an Esquimaux, to
organs of vision comprise as many coats and  the sublime and expansive views of a Bacon, or
hbtmours, muscular fibres, and lymphatic ducts,  a Newton. But, tthis difference depends more
and form as delicate pictures upon the retina-  on the physical and moral circumstances in
the bones are equally numerous, and as accurate-  which they are placed than on any intrinsic difly articulated-the muscles perform  their func-  ference in the faculties themselves. Place the
tions with as great precision and facility-the  son of a boor or of a Laplander in circumstances
lymphatic and absorbent vessels are as numerous  favourable to the developement of his mental
and incessant in their operations-and the heart  powers. and afford him the requisite means for
impels the blood through a thousand veins and ar-  directing and increasing their activity, and he
teries with as great a degree of rapidity and of  will display powers of intelligence equal to those
purity in the corporeal frame of a poor African  which are found in the highest ranks of civilized
slave, who is daily smarting under the lash of an  life.  A sound understanding, a correct judgunfeeling planter, as in the body of the Emperor  ment, vigour of mind, control over the irascible
ofChina, who sways his sceptre over half the in-  passions, and other mental endowments, though
habitants of the globe. All the external trappings  destitute of polish, will as frequently be found
which fascinate the vulgar eye, and by which the  in the lower walks of life as in the elevated ranks
various ranks of mankind are distinguished, are  of opulence and power.
merely adventitious, and have no necessary con-    The philosopher, however, as well as the man
nexion with the intrinsic dignity of man.  They  of rank, is apt to look down with a contemptuous
are part of the consequences of the depravity of  sneer on the narrow  conceptions of the husour species: in most instances they are the re-  bandman, the mechanic, and the peasant; and is
suits of vanity, folly, pride, and frivolity; and  disposed to treat them as if they were an inferior
they constitute no essential distinction between  species of intelligent beings. He does not alman and man; for a few paltry guineas would  ways consider that the profound and the subtle
suffice to deck the son of a peasant with all the  speculations, which are dignified with the title of
ornaments of a peer.                          philosophy, are frequently of less importance to
Men are also nearly on a level in respect to  the progress of the human mind, and to the en.
the mental faculties which they possess. Every  joyment of substantial comfort, than the deducman, however low his station in the present  tions of common sense and the dictates of a
world, is endowed with a spiritual principle which  sound  though plain understanding; that they
he received by " the inspiration of the Al-  torment him with feelings, doubts, and perpleximighty," which is superior to all the mechanism  ties, which sometimes shake the whole fabric of
and modifications ofmatter, and by which he is  his knowledge, and lead him into labyrinths, out
allied to beings of a superior order. The facul-  of which he can scarcely extricate his way;
ties of consciousness, perception, memory, con-  while the man of plain understanding, guided by
ception, imagination, judgment, reasoning, and  a few certain and important points oftruth, promoral feeling, are common to men of all casts  secutes the path of virtue with safety and success.
and nations. The power of recollecting the past,  For it may be considered as an established




48                       TIHE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
maxim, that the most interesting and salutary  lated to raise mankind to the moral dignity of
trutns connected with the happiness of man are  their nature.
neither numerous nor difficult to be acquired,    Fourthly, Mankind possess substantially the
and are level to the comprehension of men of same pleasures and enjoyments. It is a trite
every nation and of every rank.  But however  saying, but it is nevertheless a true and important
grovelling may be the affections, and however  one, that happiness does not depend upon the
limited the intellectual views of the untutored  rank and stations we occupy in life, nor upon the
ranks of society, they are capable of being trained  quantity of wealth or riches we possess.  The
to the knowledge and the practice of every thing  pleasures which flow from the movements of the
which regards their present comfort and their  system of nature, and from the beauties which
future happiness; and to devise and execute the  adorn the heavens and the earth, are commor
means by which this object may be accomplish.  and open to all the inhabitants of the globe. The
ul, is one way among many others by which our  rising sun, the smiling day, the flowery landove to mankind should be displayed and demon-  scape, the purling streams, the lofty mountains,
strated. We have no reason to complain of the  the fertile vales, the verdure of the meadows, the
want of mental energy, or of the ignorance and  ruddy hues of the evening clouds, the rainbow
folly of the lower orders of mankind, and to  adorned with all the colours of light, the coruscadespise them on this account, while we sit still  tions of the northern lights, the music of the
in criminal apathy, and refuse to apply those  groves, the songs of the nightingale and the lark,
means which are requisite to raise them  from  the breath of spring, the fruits of harvest, the
their state of moral and intellectual degradation.  azure sky, the blazing comet, the planets in their
Thirdly, Mankirid are on an equality, in re-  courses, the moon walking in brightness, and the
spect of that moral depravity with which they are  radiant host of stars, convey to the mind thou-,wall infected. From  whatever cause it may be  sands of delightful images and sensations, which
conceived to have originated, the fact is certain,  charm the cottager and the mechanic no less
that a moral disease has spread itself through all  than the sons of opulence and fame. The pleathe branches of the human family, in whatever  sures of the senses, of eating and drinking, of
station, or in whatever regions of the globe they  affectionate friendship, of social and domestic
may be placed. Whether we look back on the  intercourse, of a cheerful contented mind, of fer"' generations of old," or survey the moral state  vent piety towards God, and of the hope of imof the nations in modern times; whether we turn  mortality beyond the grave, may be enjoyed by
our eyes to the abodes of savage or of civilized  men of every colour, and rank, and condition in
life; whether we contemplate the characters of life; by the inhabitants of the cottage, as well as
the higher orders of society, or the practices  by the' potentate who sways his sceptre over
which abound among the inferior ranks of social  kingdoms. Nor does it materially detract. from
life; the stamp of depravity, in one shape -or  these enjoyments in the case of the peasant,
another, appears impressed upon the general  that his body is frequently hung with rags, that
conduct of mankind. In the case of nations,  he subsists on the coarsest fare, and reposes
this depravity has manifested itself in those wars,  under the thatch of a miserable hut. For habit
dissensions, devastations, and contentions for  is the great leveller of mankind; it reconciles
territory and power, which have in all ages con-  us to innumerable inconveniences and privations,
vulsed the human race and disturbed the peace  and blunts the edge of the keenest pleasures.
of the world. Among lesser societies, families,  The owner of a princely mansion frequently
and individuals, it is displayed in the operation  loathes the most delicious dainties on his table,
of the principles of pride, ambition, tyranny,  and walks through his magnificent apartments,
persecution, revenge, malice, envy, falsehood,  surrounded with paintings and decorations, with
deceit, covetousness, anger, and other malignant  as much apathy and indifference as if he were
passions, which have infested all ranks and con-  in an Indian wigwam  or a clay-built cottage.
ditions of men.  This depravity infects the  So that, in the pleasures of sense, of affection,
higher ranks of mankind equally with the lower,  and sentiment, there is no essential distinction
though among the former it is sometimes var-  between the high and the low, the rich and the
nished over with a fairer exterior; and therefore,  poor. But should it be insinuated that the poor
there is no rank or order of men that have any  and the ignoble have fewer enjoyments than the
valid reason on this ground for despising their  rich, then it will follow, that towards them in a
Tellow-creatures, or withholding from them  the  particular manner our benevolent affections ought
exercise of love and affection. For " there is  to be directed, in order that they may enjoy a
none righteotus, no, not one: for all have sinned,  competent portion of those physical and intellec.
and come short of the glory of God."  And in  ttual pleasures which the Creator has provided fol
this point of view, love ought to exercise its be-  all his creatures.
naficent energies, in endeavouring to counteract    Fifthly, Men in every condition and in every
the stream of human corruption, and in dissemi-  clime have the same wants, and are exposed to
sating those divine principles which are calcu-  the same disasters and affictions.  Hunger an




EQUALITY OF MANKIND.                                      47
thirt, cold and heat, motion and rest, are com-  rals, of illustrious statesmen, mat be adorned
mon to all orders and conditions of men; and in  with lofty columns, with sculptured marble, and
order to supply and alleviate such wants, the aid  flattering  inscriptions; but within these varof our fellow-men is indispensably requisite, to  nished monuments their bodies present putrid
enable us to obtain food, raiment, light, warmth,  carcasses, as loathsome, and as much the prey of
comfortable accommodation, and shelter from the  worms and corruption, as the corpse of their
blasts of the tempest.  We all stand in need of  meanest vassal.  Their eyes are equally impe.
comfort and advice in the hour of difficulty and  netrable to the light of day, their ears are equally
danger; we all long for the love, and friendship,  deaf to the charms of music, and their tongues
and good offices of those around us; and we all  are equally silent in this land of deep forgetfulthirst for an increase of knowledge, happiness,  ness.  This consideration of itself fully demonand joy. And those wants and desires can be  strates, if any demonstration be necessary, the
supplied and gratified only by the kindly inter-  natural equality of mankind, and that there is
course and affection of kindred spirits.       no essential difference between the noble and the
All are exposed to the same sorrows and af-  ignoble, the emperor, and the slave. And since
fltctionk.  Disappointments, anxiety, disgrace,  mankind are all equally liable to afflictions and
accidents, pain, sickness, disease, loss of health,  distresses, and are all journeying to the tomb,
fortune, and honour, bereavement of children,  nothing can be more reasonable than the exercise
friends, and relatives, are equally the lot of the  of love, with all its kindred affections, towards
prince and the peasant. The prince in the cradle  every class of our fellow-men, in order to alleis a being as weak and feeble, as dependent on  viate their sorrows, and to cheer them on their
his nurse, has as many wants to be supplied, is  passage through this region of mortality.
liable to as many diseases and accidents, and    Thus it appears, that there is a natural equairequires as many exertions to learn to lisp, to  ity subsisting among mankind, in respect of their
speak, and to walk, as the new-born babe of his  origin, their corporeal organization, their intelmeanest subject. Nay, the rich and the power-  lectual powers, their moral depravity, their
ful are frequently exposed to miseries and vexa-  wants, their afflictions, their pleasures, and entions from fancied insults, affronts, and provoca-  joyments, and the state to which they are reductions, from frustrated hopes, from pride, vanity,  ed after they have finished the career of their
and ill-humour, from abortive projects and dis-  mortal existence.  The illustration of such circoncerted plans, to which the poor are generally  cumstances would be quite unnecessary, were it
strangers.  If we enter into one of the abodes of  not that a certain proportion of mankind, under
poverty, where one of the victims of disease is  the influence of pride and other malignant pas.
reclining, we may behold a poor emaciated nior-  sions, are still disposed to look down on certain
tal, with haggard looks and a heaving breast,  classes of their fellow-mortals as if they were a
reposing on a pillow of straw, surrounded by  species of beings of an inferior order ini the scale
ragged children and an affectionate wife, all  of existence.  To  the propriety of the sentieager to sooth his sorrows and alleviate his dis-  ments now stated, the sacred Scriptures bear
tress. If we pass through a crowd of domestics  ample testimony. " The rich and the poor meet
and courtly attendants into the mansion of.opu-  together; the Lord is the maker of them all."*
lence, where disease or the harbinger of death  " Did not he that made me in the womb make
has seized one of its victims, we may also behold  my servant, and did he not fashion us alike?"t
a wretch, pale, blotched, and distorted, agonizing  " God hath made of one blood all nations of men
tinder the pain of the asthma, the gravel, or the  for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath
gout, and trembling under the apprehensions of  determined the times before appointed, and the
the solemnity of a future judgment, without one  bounds of their habitation."+
sincere friend to afford him a drop of consola-    Since, therefore, it appears, that mankind are
tion.  Neither the splendour of his apartment,  equal in every thing that is essential to the hunor the costly crimson with which his couch is  man character, this equality lays a broad foundahung, nor the attentions of his physicians, nor  tion for the exercise of universal love towards
the number of his attendants, can prevent the  illen of all nations, tribes, conditions, and ranks.
bitter taste of nauseous medicines. the intoiera-  It must obviously appear contrary to every prin.
ble pains, the misgivings of heart, and the pangs  ciple of reason, repugnant to every amiable feelof conscience which he feels in common with  ing. and inconsistent wiih the general happiness
the meanest wretch who is expiring on a dung-  of the species, that intelligent beings, who are all
hill.                                          children of the same Almighty Parent, members
Lastly, All ranks come to the same termina-  of the same greatfamily, and linked together by
tion of their mortal existence. "Dust thou art,  so many fraternal ties, should " bite and devour
and unto dust thou shalt return," is a decree   one another," engage  in hostile enterprises
wnich las gone forth against every inhabitant of  against each other, look uown with scorn and.
our globe, ef whatever kindred, rank, or nation.
The tombs of mighty princes, of intrepid gene.'Prov. xxii.. 2. t Job xxxi. i.  I Acts xvii. 2




48                        ITHE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
contempt on each other, or even behold with in-  lutely inevitable in a world where moral evil ex
difference the condition of the meanest member  ists, and where its inhabitants are exposed to
of the family to which they belong. On the other  dangers, difficulties, and distress. Whether the
hand, it-is consistent with the dictates of enlight-  inhabitants of a world, where moral perfection
ened reason, congenial to the best feelings of hu-  reigns triumphant, can exist in a state of perfect
man nature, and indispensably requisite to the  felicity, and move forward in progressive impromotion of universal happiness, that such be-  provement, without a subordination of rank, it is
ings should be united in the bonds of affection  not for us to determine. But in such a world as
and harmony, that they should sympathize with  ours, it is a wise and gracious appointment of
the distressed, delight in beholding the happi-  the Creator, and is attended with many and imness of all, "rejoice with them that. do rejoice,  portant advantages.  Were there no diversity of
and weep with them that weep;"-that every one,  wealth and station, we should be deprived of
whether he be near or far off, whether he be rich  many of the comforts, conveniences, and assisor poor, whether he be learned or unlearned,  tances which we now enjoy. Every one would
whether he belong to this or the: other civil or  be obliged to provide for himself food, drink,
religious society, whether:his colour be black or  clothing, furniture, shelter, medicines, and re..
white, whether he be blind, or deaf, or lame,  creations; and in the season of sickness, danger,
whether he be an inhabitant of Greenland, Ice-  and distress, he would have few or none to alleland, Barbary, Germany, France, or Spain,  viate his affliction, and contribute to his comwhatever may be his language, manners, or cus-  fort. But, in consequence ofthe diversity whiclh
toms, should be recognized, wherever he may be  now exists, an opportunity is afforded of emfound, as a friend and brother; and a cordial in-  ploying the several capacities and endowments
terest felt in every thing that concerns his welfare  of mankind in those lines of active exertion, for
and comfort. Such a recognition of man as man,  which they are respectively fitted, and of renderis a duty which necessarily flows from the na-  ing them subservient for the improvement and
tural equality of mankind, and is congenial to the  happiness of general society. One exercises the
conduct of the Universal Parent towards all his  trade of a weaver, another that of a baker; one
human offspring. For, in his love to his numerous  is a shoemaker, another a tailor; one is an archifamily, and without respect of persons, he makes  tect, another a farmer; one is a teacher of' sr:ithe same vital air to give play to their lungs, the  ence or religion; others have their minds entersame sun to cheer and enlighten them, and the. tained and improved by his instructions.  One is
same rains and dews to refresh their fields, and  appointed a ruler over a city, another over a
to ripen the fruits ofharvest.                 kingdom; one is employed in writing for the
Let it not, however, be inferred, from what  amusement and instruction of mankind, another
has been now stated, that we mean to sap the  is employed in printing and publishing his writ.
foundations of that subordination of ranks which  ings. By this arrangement, the powers and ccexists in this world. This gradation in society  pacities in which individuals excel, are gradually
is the appointment of God, and necessarily flows  carried to the highest degree of attainable perfrom the circumstances and relations in which  fection; and the exertions of a single individual
man is-placed in this first stage of his existence;  are rendered subservient to the ease, the conv..
and, were it completely overthrown, society  nience, and the mental improvement of thoc
would be plunged into a scene of anarchy and  sands.
confusion; and the greater part of the individuals    It is not to the diversity of rank and station,
which compose it, would become a lawless ban-  that the evils which exist among the various
ditti.  Whether or not there exists a subordina-  classes of society are to be attributed; but to the
tion of office and rank among superior intelligen-  influence of a spirit of pride, on the one hand,
ces ofthe same species, or among the inhabitants  and a spirit of insubordination on the other-to
of other globes, we are unable at present to de-  the want of a disposition to discharge the duties
termine;'but in the actual condition of society  peculiar to each station, and to the deficiency of
in the world in which we dwell, a state of corm-  those kindly affections which ought to be maniplete independence, and a perfect equality of  fested towards every human being, by men in all
wealth, station, and rank, are impossible, so long  the ranks and departments of life. If love, in all
as there exists a diversity in the capacities,  its benevolent ramnifications, were topervade the
tempers, and pursuits of nlen.  On the diversity  various ranks of social life, kings would never
of rank, and the relations which subsist between  oppress their subjects, nor masters act unjustly
the different classes of society, as parents and  towards their servants; nor would subjects and
children, masters and servants, princes and sub-  servants refiuse to submit to just laws, and equi.
jects, is founded a great proportion of those  table regulations. All wouldacttheir parts with
moral laws which God hath promulgated in his  harmony and delight in this great moral machine,
word, for regulating the inclinations and the con-  and every station and rank would contribute, in
duct of mankind.                               its sphere, to the prosperity and happiness ot
Diversity of fortune and station appears abso-  another.  For the poor ca:not do without the




RELATIONS OF MANKIND.                                         49
rick, nor the rich without the poor; the prince  nlig flax and cotton into yarn, an~,thtr is weavr.
without his subjects, nor subjects without wise  ing it into linen and muslin, to cover and adorn
and enlightened rulers, and equitable laws.  All  us. One is dressing the vine, whose juice is to
are linked together by innumerable ties; and the  cheer and refresh us; another is treading the
recognition of these ties, and the practice of the  wine-press, and preparing the wine for our use.
reciprocal duties which arise out of them, form   Here, we behold the blacksmith toiling  and
the source of individual happiness, and the bonds  sweating at the anvil, preparing  tongs, and
of social enjovyment                          shovels, and grates, for our apartments; there,
we behold the carpenter, with his hammer, and
plane, and saw, fitting up beds, and tables, and
chairs, for bur ease and accommodation. Here,
SECTION  II.                   one is preparing our food, and another our clothing; there, one is preparing our drink, and
THE  CONNEXIONS AND RELATIONS WHICH   another our medicines.  In one chamber, the
SUBSIST AMONG MANKIND CONSIDERED AS  student of nature and of science is preparing, at
ESTABLISHING  THE BASIS OF  LOVE TO  the midnight lamp, those compositions which are
OUR NEIGHBOUR..                             to convey entertainment and instruction to the
minds of the public; in another, the herald of
THE relations which subsist among mankind  salvation is meditating on those divine subjects,
lay a foundation for the exercise of the benevo-  which he is about to proclaim for the illumination
lent affections, and for the various duties of social and comfort of assembled multitudes. In short,
life; and these relations are far more numerous  to whatever department of human society we diand extensive than the generality of mankind are  rect our attention, and to whatever quarter we
disposed to admit. The relations of parents and  turn our eyes, in the busy scene around us, we
children, of husbands and wives, of brethren and  behold thousands of our fellow-men exerting their
sisters, of masters and servants, of rulers and  corporeal and intellectual powers in those emsubjects, of teachers and scholars, of buyers and  ployments which will ultimately contribute either
sellers, &c. are recognized by all as involving an  to our ease, our entertainment, our security, our
obligation to the exercise of certain correspond-  accommodation, our subsistence, or our moral
ing duties and affections. The moment we con-  and intellectual improvement.
template the relation of a parent and a child, we    But our connexions with human beings are
at once perceive the obligation of love on the part  not confined to our immediate neighbourhood, nor
of the parent, and of reverence and obedience on  even to the nation in which'we reside. ~ There
the part of the child; and, in every other relation,  is scarcely a region of the globe towards which
a corresponding duty is involved, resulting from   we can direct our view, in which we do not bethe nature of that relation, and founded on the  hold innumerable links which connect us with the
principle of love. But as these relations, and  great family of mankind. Let us turn our eyes
their corresponding duties and affections have  to the W~est India islands, and we shall behold
been frequently illustrated, I shall advert to a va-  the poor African slave toiling under the scorchriety of circumstances, generally overlooked,  ing heat of a tropical sun, and smarting under.
which demonstrate the universal connexion of hu-  the cruel lash of an unfeeling overseer, in order.
man beings with each other, and the reasonable.  to provide for us sugar, molasses, anti rice, to.
ness of the exercise of love towards all man-  mingle with our dainties, and to regale our appekind.                                         tites. If we direct our view to the enpire of,
Wherever we turn our eyes towards the great  China, on the opposite side of the globe, twelve
family of mankind-whether we look around on the  thousand miles distant from the former region,
land of our nativity, or to distant continents, and  we shall behold thousands and tens of thousands
the oceans which surround them, we behold thou-  of our brethren of the human family busily emsands of human beings toiling for our ease, our ployed in planting the tea tree, in plucking its
convenience, our pleasure, and improvement.-  leaves, in exposing them to the steam of boiling
Here, we behold the ploughman turning up the  water, in spreading them out to dry, in assorting
furrows of the soil, and the sower casting in the  them into different parcels, in packing and shipseed which is to produce the fruits of harvest:-   ping them off for distant shores, that we,. at a
there, we behold the reaper cutting down the corn  distance of nine thousand miles, may enjoy a dewhich is to serve for our nourishment. On the  licious beverage for our morning and evening
one hand, we behold the cow-herd tending his  meals.* If we turn our eves on India ansdPersia,
cattle, which are to afford us milk, butter, and
cheese; on the other, we behold the shepherd ~For a portion of this beverage we are Indebted
tending his flocks, whose wool is to provide us  even to some of the monkey tribe. As the tea shrub
svith warm and comfortable clothing. One is  often grows on the rugged banks of steep mountains,
preparing leather from the hides ofoxen, another  access to which is dangerous, and: sometimes im
preparing leather from the hides ofoxen, another  practicahte, the Chinese, in order to come at the
ia shaping it into shoes and boots. One is spin-  leaves, make use of a singular stratagem. These
24




b4)                       THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
we  1hall find multitudes of men, women, and  exposed to the rigours of an arctic sky, and nave
chilldren assiduously employed in cultivating the  narrowly escaped being plunged into the deep
mulberry plant, in hatching and rearing silk-  by the strloke of an enormous whale, in order
worms, in winding and twisting the delicate  that we might be supplied with seal-skins, whalethreads which proceed from these insects, and  bone, and oil for our lamps.
preparing them for the loom, in order that our    Even in the bowels of the ocean thousands of
ladies may be adorned with this finest production  puoor wretches, on the coasts of Califonia, Ceylon,,of nature and art. Let us pass in -imagination  Persia, and China, are diving amidst its waves,
to the frozen regions ofSiberia and Kamtschatka,  remaining whole half hours, at sixty feet below
to the inhospitable shores of Onalaska and the  the surface of its waters, exposed to the danger
Aleutian isles, and we shall behold numbers of  of being devoured by sharks and other monsters
weather-beaten wretches exposed to innumerable  of the deep, in order to collect pearls for ornadangers by sea and land, traversing snowy moun-  ments to the ladies of Europe, Asia, Africa, and
tains, forests, marches, and deserts, suffering  Ainerica.-In short, wherever we turn our eyes
frequent shipwrecks on the coasts of unknown  on the surface of the mighty deep, we contemislands inhabited by savage tribes, and exposed,  plate a busy scene of human beings ploughing
night and day, to the chilling frosts of the polar  the ocean in every direction, and toiling, in the
region, and the attacks of ravenous wolves, in  midst of dangers, storms, and tempests, in order
order to collect the skins of otters, and furs of va-  to promote the accommodation of their fellow.
rious descriptions, to adorn the dress of our fe.  mortals, who dwell on opposite regions of the
male friends, and to shelter them  from  the  globe. On the one hand, we behold thousands
winter's cold. Let us pass to the forests of Nor-  of hardy Russians, Swedes, and Norwegians,
way, Sweden, Canada, and Jamaica,; and hun-  steering their vessels along the Baltic and the
dreds of hardy, weather-beaten peasants, exposed  German sea, to convey to our shores copper,
{to many accidents and privations, will be seen  timber, pitch, skins, hemp, and tallow; on the,cuttingdown the tall firs, larches, and mahogany,  other, we behold the Americans ploughing the
sawing themn into planks and logs, and conveying  waves of the Atlantic, with stores of mahogany,'them in floats along rapid rivers towards the sea,  sugar, rice, flour, tobacco, rum, and brandy.
to be shipped for our country, for the purpose of Along the vast Pacific ocean, the Spanish galbeing formed into floors and roofs for our build-  leons are conveying to Europe, gold, silver,
ings, and into elegant furniture to decorate our  pearls, precious stones, and all the other riches.apartments.                                   of Peru. Even from the southern icy ocean,
Not only in distant islands and continents,  where nature appears bound in the fetters of'but even in the midst of the vast ocean, multi-  eternal ice, the adventurous mariner is convey-,tudes of our brethren are toiling for our pleasure,  ing to our shores furs of various kinds, with the;convenience, and comfort. See yonder vessel  products of seals and whales. And, in return
in the Southern Atlantic ocean, which has just  for the supply we receive from foreign regions,,weathered the storms on the southern cape of our British sailors are traversing every sea and
Akfrica, and narrowly escaped the dangers of  ocean, and distributing to the inhabitants of,shipwreck on a rocky shore. For several weeks  every clime the productions of our arts, sciences,,the hardy mariners have been beating against  and manufactures.,the wind in the midst of thunders, lightnings,    Even in the subterraneous apartments of the
and tempests, with mountainous waves con-  globe, as well as upon its surface, many thou.
tinually breaking over them, darkness surround-  sands of human beings are labouring, in confined,ing them for many sleepless nights, and the dread  and gloomy regions, to promote our comforts and
of impending destruction filling them with trem-  enjoyments.  The copper mines in Sweden are
bling and sh rror. And why have they been ex-  situated at more than a thousand feet below the
posed to danger so dreadful and appalling? That  surface of the ground, and contain a vast numthey might convey to our shores, from China  ber of subterraneous apartments, branching in.and Hindostan, stores of tea, coffee, sugar, por-  all directions.  In these dreary abodes, twelve
celain, silks, carpets, and precious stones, to  hundred wretched beings are doomed to pass
supply luxuries to our tables, and ornaments to  their existence, deprived of the cheerful light of
*our dress. See  yonder vessel, too, which is  day-toiling, almost naked, in the midst of hot
tossing in the midst of the Northern ocean,  and sulphureous vapours, and tinder severe task-;passing between shoals and icebergs, and liable  masters, in order that we may be supplied with:every moment to be crushed to pieces between  the best species of copper, for forming our ket.
mountains of ice. Her mariners have long been  tles, cauldrons, and copper-plate engravings.
The salt mines of Hungary and Poland, the gold
steep places are generay frequented by reat n-  and silver mines of Potosi and Pe u. and hun-,bers of tonkeys, which, being irritated and provokaed, to avenge themselves, tear off the branches, and  dreds of similar subterraneous mansions, in
shower them down upo.n those who have insulted  various parts of the earth, present to our view'them. The:hinese immediately collect these branch.Cs ad stripof'ulheir teaves. —Ency Brit. Art. Tea.  numerous groups of our fellow-men, all engagoa,




RELATIONS OF MANKIND.                                       51
it similar toils and I abours, in order that we may  common to the species, may be secretly cursing
enjoy the riches, the elegancies, and the con-  and reproaching us as individuals, or as a nation.
veniences of life. In our own country, how   But, from whatever motives their labours and
many thousands of our brethren are labouring  exertions proceed, it is a fact which cannot be
in the dark recesses of the earth, far beneath its  denied, and which they cannot prevent, that we
surface, exposed to the suffocation of the choke-  actually enjoy the benefit of them; and, that, withdamp and the explosions of the fire-damp, in  out them, we should be deprived of the greater
procuring for us that invaluable fossil, which  part of those comforts and enjoyments which
warms and cheers our winter apartments, which  render existence desirable, and which cheer us::ooks our victuals, and enables us to carry on  in our pilgrimage to the grave.
the various processes of our arts and manufac-    We have, therefore, in almost every artificial
tories!                      *               object that surrounds us, and in every enjoyment
Thus it appears, that we are connected with  we possess from day to day, so many sensible
our fellow-men, in every quarter of the world,  emblems-ofur connexion with every branch of
by thousands of ties;-that millions of human be-  the great family of mankind. When we sit down
ings, whom we have never seen, nor never will  to a dish of tea, we are reminded of the crowded
see on this side the grave, are labouring to pro-  and busy population of China. where this plant is
mote our interests, without whose exertions we  produced, and of the poor African slave, through
should be deprived of the greatest proportion of whose sorrows and toils the sugar we mix with
our accomodations and enjoyments. While we  it is prepared. And shall we not feel a kindly
are sitting in our comfortable apartments, feast-  affection for those whose labours procure us such
ing on the bounties of Providence, thousands,  a refreshing beverage?  And should not our love
and ten thousands of our brethren of mankind, in  prompt us to every active exertion by which their
different regions of the globe, are assiduously  miseries may be alleviated, and their intellectual
labouring to procure for us supplies for some  and religious improvement promoted?  When
future entertainment. One is sowing the seed,  we look at the pearls which adorn uis, we are reanother gathering in the fruits of harvest; one is  minded of the poor wretch who has plunged to
providing fuel, and another furs and flannel, to  the bottom of the deep, and scrambled among
guard us from  the winter's cold; one is convey-  projecting rocks, to the danger of his life, in oring home the luxuries and necessaries of life,  der to procure them.  When we look at a copanother is bringing intelligence from our friends  per-plate engraving, we are reminded of the dark
in distant lands; one is carrying grain to the  and cheerless recesses of the copper mines,
mill, another is grinding it, and another is con-  where hundreds are employed in digging for this
veying it along the road to our habitations; one  useful metal.  When we enjoy the comfort of a
is in search of medicines to assuage our pains,  cheerful fire, we are reminded of the gloomy suband another is in search of consolation to sooth  terraneous regions to which so many of our counour wounded spirits., In the midst of these ne-  trymen are confined, and the toils and dangers to
ver-ceasing exertions,'some are crossing deep  which they are exposed, before our coals can be
and dangerous rivers, some are traversing a vast  dragged from the bowels of the earth. And while
howling wilderness; some are wandering amidst  we feel delighted with the diversified enjoyment
swampy moors, and trackless heaths; some are  which flows from the labour and industry of every
parched with thirst in sandy deserts; some are  class of mankind, is it reasonable that we should
shivering and benumbed amidst the blasts of  look with indifference on any one of them?  Is
winter; some are toiling along steep and dan-  it not accordant with the dictates of enlightened
gerous roads, and others are tossing in the midst  reason, and with every thing that we consider as
of the ocean, buffeted by the winds and raging  amiable in the nature of man, that we should
billows.                                       embrace them all in the arms of kindness and
And, since we are connected with our fellow-  brotherly affection, and that our active powers,
creatures by so many links, ii it not reasonable,  so far as our influence extends, should be emis it not congenial to the nature of man, that we  ployed in endeavouring to promote their present
should be connected with them  by the ties of  and everlasting happiness?  At present, they
sympathy and benevolent affections? It is true,  seldom think about the benefits they are procur.
indeed, that the various classes of mankind in  ing for us and others by their useful labours; but 
every country, who are toiling for our ease and  were their circumstances meliorated, were their
gratification, seldom or never think of us in the  miseries relieved, were their minds expanded by
midst of their difficulties and labours. Perhaps  instruction, were their moral powers cultivated
they have no other end in view than to earn their  and improved, were they to behold the various
daily subsistence, and provide food and clothing  branches of the human family for whom they are
for their families; perhaps they are actuated by  labouring, exerting every nerve to promote their
the most selfish motives, and by principles of moral improvement and domestic enjoyment, it
vanity and avarice; and some of them, perhaps,  would produce many pleasing emotions in their
finder the influence of that depravity which is  breasts, in the midst of all their toilsome la,




52                       THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
hours, to reflect that their exertions are the  evident, that the C(reator, in forming such prin.
means of distributing numerous comforts and  ciples, and in permitting mall to discover theil
conveniences among men of different nations,  nature and energies, intended that they shoule
ranks, kindreds, and languages.  Their minds  be applied for promoting a rapid and endearing
would take a more extensive range among the  intercourse among -all the branches of that
various tribes of mankind with which they are  large family which he has placed upon the globe.
connected, as intelligences of the same species;  And I:have no doubt, that in the future ages of
they would learn to trace the remotest conse-  the world, by means of improvements in art
quences of every branch of labour, and of every  and science, such intercourse will be carried on
mechanical operation in which they are engaged,  in the spirit of benevolence, to an extent and
and they would thus feel themselves more inti-  with a rapidity of which we cannot at present
mately related to every individual of the great  form any adequate conception.
family to which they belong.                    It appears, then to be one great design of the
That it is the intention of the Creator that an  Creator, in connecting mankind by so many
extensive and affectionate intercourse should be  links, and in rendering them  dependent upon
carried on between the remotest tribes of man-  each other, though placed in opposite regions of
kind, appears even from the physical constitu-  the globe, to lay a broad foundation for the exertion and arrangement of our globe. The surface  cise of the benevolent affections between men of
of the earth is every where indented with rivers  all nations, and ultimately to unite the whole huof various dimensions, winding in every direc-  man race in one harmonious and affectionate sotion through the  continents and  the  larger  ciety.  And it is obviously the duty of every
islands, and some of them running a course of human being to cultivate those dispositions, and
several thousands of miles. In the eastern con-  to prosecute that train of action which have a
tinent, above four hundred rivers of large di-  tendency to accomplish the plans of the Univermnensions are rolling from the mountains towards  sal Parent, and to promote the happiness of his
the sea; and in the western continent, more  intelligent offspring. In so doing, he contributes
than one hundred and forty majestic streams are  to his own individual happiness, and at the same
to be found, connecting the highest and the ro-  time to that of all the moral intelligences in heamotest parts of the land with the ocean; besides  ven and earth with which he is connected.
thousands of streams of smaller dimensions.
The water of the sea is formed of such a consistency, or specific gravity, that it is capable of
supporting large floating edifices; while, at the            SECTION  III.
same time, its parts are so yielding as to permit
such vehicles to move with rapidity alomn1g its  THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION OF MANKIND
surface, through its waves and billows.  In vir-    CONSIDERED AS A BASIS FOR LOVE TO OUR
tue of this arrangement, the ocean, instead of    NEIGHBOUR, AND  AS X MOTIVE TO ITS
standing as an everlasting barrier between theWt   EXERCISE.
nations, has become a medium for the most
speedy intercourse between distant lands. The   THE present world is not the ultimate desti.
atmosphere which surrounds the globe, contri-  nation of mankind. It is only a passing scene
butes likewise by its agency to promote the same  through which they are now travelling to that imimportant end.' By the impulsion of its differ-  mortal existence which will have no termination.
ent masses in various directions, our ships are  Man is at present in the infancy of-his being;
wafted with considerable velocity along the sur-  his faculties are only beginning to expand, his
face of rivers, seas, and oceans, to the remotest  moral powers are feeble and depraved, his intelextremities of the globe. By means of these ar-  lectual views are circumscribed within a narrow
rangements which the Creator has established,  range, and all the relations in which he stands
the treasures of the mountains, and of the inland  demonstrate that the present scene is connected
parts of the continents and islands, are conveyed  with the future,- and is introductory to a higher
towards the sea, and transported frorr, one island  sphere of action and enjoyment. " We know,"
and continent to another; and thus the various  says the Apostle Paul, " that if this earthly
tribes of mankind have an opportunity of visiting  house of our tabernacle were dissolved, we have
each other, of cultivating an affectionate inter-  a building of God, an house not made with
course, and of contributing to their mutual en.  hands, eternal in the heavens."  And our Sajoyment. And as it is probable that there exist  viour declares, that " the hour is coming, in
in nature certain powers or principles not yet  which all that are in their graves shall hear his
discovered, the agency of which may be applied  voice, and shall come forth," and that " our
to the propelling of machines and vehicles over  vile bodies shall be changed, and fashioned like
land and water, and through the regions of the  unto his glorious body," and shall enter into tha
atmosphere, with a velocity much superior to  enjoyment of a new world, " which is incorrupwhat has hitherto been effected;-it appears  tible, undefiled, and which fadeth no' away'?




RELATIONS OF MANKIND.                                      53
The capacity of making perpetual advances  may behold his body laid in the grave with as
in knowledge and moral improvement in a fu-  much apathy as we behold the carcass of a dog
lure state of existence, is that in which the true  thrown into a pond.  But could we follow the
dignity of man consists; and in this capacity,  pious man beyond the precincts ofthe tomb, into
and the high destination with which it is con-  that immortal scene which has burst upon his
nected, there is no difference between the higl  disencumbered spirit; could we trace the gradual
and the low, the slave who is chained to a  expansion of his faculties towards objects which
galley, and the sovereign at whose nod the na-  lie beyond the grasp of mortals, and the perfec.
tions tremble. They are equally destined to im-  tion of his moral powers; could we behold his
mortality, and will exist in a future world, when  mouldered frame starting up to new life at " the
time and all the arrangements of the present  resurrection of the just," and arrayed in new
state shaLh come to a close. If man were only  splendour and beauty; could we contemplate him
the creature of a day, vhose prospects are  placed in a station of dignity and honour among
bounded by this terrestrial scene, and whose  the sons of God," in that glorious residence to
hopes terminate in the tomb, it might appear a  which he is destined; his intellectual powers ex.
matter of comparatively little importance whether  panding, grasping the most sublime objects, and
or not our benevolent regards were extended to  pushing forward in the career of perpetual imour fellow-men, except in.so far as our self-in-  provement, without the least stain of moral im.
terest and avarice were concerned.  The happi-  perfection;-would we now treat such a one with
ness of a fellow-creature might then be consider-  malevolence, or even with indifference or need as a matter of indifference, and his dissolu-:glect? And were we placed by his side in such
tion, at death, a circumstance as trivial as the  a dignified station, what would our feelings be
falling of a leaf in autumn, or the sinking of a  when we recollected the apathy, the indifference,
stone to the bottom of the ocean. Even in this  and even the contempt with which he was treated
case, however, it would still be conducive to hu-  in this sublunary scene?  On the other hand,
man happiness during the short and uncertain  could we follow the poor wretched slave to the
span of our existence, that all the branches of  future world, and contemplate the degradation
the human family were cemented together in  and misery to which he is there reduced in conunion and affection. But when we reflect that  sequence of our malevolence and neglect, what
all the intelligent beings around us, with whom   emotions of horror and indignation should we
we more immediately associate, and all those in  not feel at the recollection of that pride and disdistant lands with whom we are connected by  affection which led us to act so basely towards
the ties of one common nature, and on whom we  a fellow-immortal, whom it was in our power to
depend for many of our comforts, are destined  have trained to wisdom, to excellence, and to a
along with ourselves to an eternal world, in  happy immortality?  When, therefore, we beanother region of the Creator's empire; and  hold individuals withholding their benevolent rethat the affections we now cultivate, and the  gard firom their brethren of mankind, and treatconduct we pursue in reference to our brethren,  ing them  with haughtiness and contempt, we
have an intimate relation to that immortal ex-  must conclude that such persons overlook the
istence;-this consideration stamps an import-  true dignity of man, and secretly disbelieve the
ance on the exercise of brotherly affection which  reality of an immortal state of existence, whatever
is beyond the power of human language to ex-  professions they may make to the contrary. For
press. It shows us, that the dispositions which  the consideration of the eternal destiny of man.
we now indulge, and the manner in which we  kind reflects a dignity on the meanest human be.
treat the meanest of our fellow-creatures, may  ing, and attaches an importance to all our affec.
be recognised and attended with the most im-  tions and actions in-relation to him, unspeakably
portant effects a thousand  millions of years  greater than if his existence were circumscribed
hence, and may run parallel in their conse-  within the narrow limits of time, and throws
quences even with eternity itself.            completely into the shade all the degrading cir.
We may, perhaps, view it as a matter of tri-  cumstances with which he is now surrounded.
v'ial moment in what manner we now conduct    When we consider our brethren of the human
ourselves towards a servant or a slave; whether  family in the light of immortal intelligences, and
we render his life miserable by hard labour,  look forward to the scenes of the eternal world,
cruel insults, and contemptuous treatment, or  a crowd of interesting reflections naturally arises
study to promote his comfort and domestic enjoy-  in the mind. A wide and unbounded prosnect
ment; whether we neglect to instruct him in the.opens before us. Amidst new creations and the
knowledge of his duty to his God and to his fel-  revolutions of systems and worlds, new displays
low men, or labour to promote his moral and re-  of the Creator's power and providence burst upon
ligious improvement. We may view with in-  the view.  We behold ourselves placed on a
difference or contempt the person and the family  theatre of action and enjoyment, and passing
of a poor pious neighbour, who has earned a  through " scenes and changes" which bear no
scanty subsistence by the sweat of his brow, and  resemblance to the transactions and events of




54                        THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
hlis sublunary world.  We behold  ourselves  portion ofthem, in their present state of depratimingling with beings of a superior order, culti-  ty and degradation, are altogether unqualified for
vating nobler affections, and engaged in more  participating in the exercises and enjoyments of
sublime employments than those which now oc-  celestial intelligences.   Whole nations are stirf
cupy our attention.  We behold ourselves asso.  overspread with intellectual darkness, ignorant
ciated with men of all nations and kindreds, and  of their eternal destination, and immersed in imwith those who lived in the remotest periods of  moralities and vile abominations. And, even in
time. Millions of years roll on after millions, our  those countries where the light of revelation has
capacities and powers of intellect are still ex-  dispelled the gloom.of heathenism, a vast mass of
panding, and new scenes of beauty and magnifi-  human beings are to be fount. " having their uncence are perpetually bursting on the astonished  derstandings darkened, alienated from the life 0c
mind, without any prospect of a termination.-   God," and sunk into the mire of every moral polAmidst those eternal scenes, we shall doubtless  lution. Still, we have no reason, on this acenter into the most intimate connexions with per-  count, to overlook their native dignity, and their
sons whom we have never seen, from whom we  high destination. Every human being we see
are now separated by continents and oceans,with  around us, however low in rank, or degraded by
those whose bodies are now mouldering in the dust,  vice, is endowed with an immortal nature, and is
with those who have not yet entered on the stage  capable of being raised to the dignity of an inhabitof existence, and with those with whom we now   ant of heaven; and there is not a single indivirefuse to associate on account of their rank, and  dual to whom we can point, either in our own
station, and religious opinions. That man, into  country or in other lands, in relation to whom we
whose dwelling we would not at present deign  are authorized to affirm, that he will not be a
to enter, and with whom we would abhor to min-  participator in immortal bliss. And, therefore,
gle in the public services of religion, may then be  every man with whom we associate, and whom
one of our chief companions in the regions of  we recognize in the circle of society around us,
bliss, in directing and expanding our views of the  ought to be viewed as one with whom we may as.
glory and magnificence of God. The man whom   sociate in the world to come. And as to those
we now hate and despise, and whose offers of as-  who appear to be partially enlightened and renosistance we would treat with disdain, may in  vated in their minds, we ought not to withhold
that happier world be a principal agent in opening  our affection and complacency on account of their
to our view new sources of contemplation and  ignorance, their contracted views, or erroneous
delight.  That servant whom we now treat as a  opinions. We should view them, not as they are
being of inferior species, at whom we frown and  in their present state of infancy and weakness,
scold with feelings of proud superiority, may be  but as they will be when arrived at maturity and
our instructor and director, and every way our  manhood; not as they appear in the first weak
superior, in that region where earthly distinctions  essays of their intellectual powers, and in the
are unknown.  That humble instructor whom  lowest step of their existence, but as they will apwe now despise, and whose sentiments we treat  pear in their career of improvement after a lapse
with contempt, may, in that world ofintelligence  of millions of ages. Carrying forward our views
and love, be our teacher and our guide to direct  to those eternal scenes, and accompanying our
our views of the attributes of the Deity, of the  brethren of the human family through all the graarrangements of his providence, and of the glories  dations of their existence in future worlds, we
of his empire. There the prince may yield prece-  behold their faculties in progressive expansion,
dence to his subjects, the master to the slave,  their minds approximating nearer to the source
and the peer to the humblest peasant. For no  of eternal wisdom, their views of the empire of
pre-eminence of birth, fortune, or learning, no  Omnipotence continually enlarging, their knowexcellence but that which is founded on holiness  ledge of the plan of redemption, and its numerous
and virtue, on moral and intellectual endow-  bearings, for ever increasing; their love and afments, will have any place in the arrange-  fection to God and to fellow intelligences waxing
ments of that world where human distinctions are  into a more ardent flame; every evil propensity
for ever abolished and unknown. And shall we  corrected, every imperfection removed, every
now  refuse to acknowledge those who are to be  blossom of virtue fully expanded, and " joy unour friends and companions in that fiture world?  speakable and full of glory" pervading every
Is it net agreeable to the dictates of reason and  faculty of their souls. And can we behold intel.
to the voice of God that we should regard them  ligent minds, capable of so high and dignified at-with complacency and affection, whatever be the  tainments, and the companions of our future
garb they now wear, whatever be their colour or  destiny, with indifference or contempt? Is there
features, and in whatever island or continent  not here a broad foundation laid for the most exthey may now reside?                          pansive emanations of love towards every meell.
It must, indeed, be admitted, that all the inha-  ber of the great family of mankind, however
bitants of out world will not be exalted to dignity  much he may be obscured, and sullied by foll,
and happiness in the future state. A great pro-  and sin in tl.is first stage of his existenacel




EFFECTS OF MALEVOLENCE.                                       56
In the mean time, while the greater part of hopes, would destroy every vestige of peace and
mankind are immersed in ignorance and vice,  tranquillity, and stimulate a host of infernal paswhile the image of their Maker is defaced, and  sions to rage without control. Their children
their immortal powers prostituted to the vilest  would be actuated by the same diabolical tempers.
passions, the most noble and honourable opera-  The son would take an infernal pleasure in curstion in which love can be engaged, is to devise  ing, insulting, and reproaching " the father that
and  execute schemes by which our degraded  begat him," and in trampling with scorn and inbrethren may be raised to intellectual and moral  dignation on the mother who gave him birth.excellence: to train up young immnnortals in re-  Brothers and sisters would live under the conligion and virtue; to diffuse the principles of  tinual influence ofmalice and envy," hateful, and
useful knowledge among all ranks; to counteract  hating one another."  Whatever actions tended
the diabolical spirit of war and contention; to  to irritate, to torment, and to enrage the passions
abolish slavery in every shalpe; to meliorate the  of each other, and to frustrate their desires and
social and domestic condition of the lower orders  expectations, would be performed with a grin of
of society; to publish the revelation of God in  infernal delight. Mutual scuffles and execrations
every language, and to send forth the messen-  would ensue. One would have his eye-ball bruisgers of salvation to every land, to instruct men of ed, or knocked out of its socket, another would
all nations and kindreds and tongues in the  have his teeth driven out of his jaws; one would
knowledge of the true God, and of the path which  have his hair torn, from its roots, another his
leads to a blessed immortality.  Thus shall we  skull fractured with repeated blows; the legs of
be enabled to manifest our love towards all our  one would be full of bruises and putrifying
brethren of the human family; thus shall we con-  sores, and the face of another all over covered
tribute to render them worthy of our highest af-  with blotches and scars, most hideous to behold;
fection, and to prepare them  for the exalted  and, in the progress of contention, the hand of a
exercises and employments of the life to come. brother would plunge his dagger into a brother's
heart. In larger societies, firaud, falsehood, deceit, seduction, quarrels, oppression, plunder, rapine, murder, and assassination, would be the
SECTION  IV.                   common occurrences of every day and every hour.
The seller would uniformly endeavour to cheat
LOVE TO GOD AND OUR NEIGHBOUR ENFORCED  the buyer, and the buyer would endeavour,by every
AND  ILLUSTRATED, FROM A CONSIDERA-  kind of fraud, or open force, to deprive the selTION OF THE MISERABLE EFFECTS WHICH  ler of the value of his commodities. Poison would
WOULD ENSUE WERE THESE PRINCIPLES  be sold for medicine, and deleterious mixtures and
REVERSED, AND WERE RATIONAL BEINGS  poisonous drugs would be mixed up with the comTO ACT ACCORDINGLY.                        mon articles of food, that the venders might enjoy
the diabolical pleasure of hearing of the pains,
THE two leading principles which I have en-  the agonies, and the dying groans of the victims
deavoured to illustrate, in the preceding pages,  of their villany. The debauchee would triumph
form the basis of the moral order of the intelli-  in the number of victims he had rendered wretch.
gent universe. Consequently, were these prin-  ed and forlorn by his wiles and depraved pasciples reversed, and were moral agents to act  sions; the strong would oppress the weak, and
accordingly, the moral world would soon be trans-  rejoice in depriving them  of every comfort, and
formed into a scene of the most dismal anarchy  the powerful would exult in trampling tunder their
and confusion. Every action would be dictated  feet the persons and the property of the poor, and
by feelings of pure malevolence, and misery in  in beholding the extent of the miseries they had
every shape would be the great object which hu-  created.
man beings would exert their powers to accom-    In the common intercourse of life, every one
plish. Could we suppose for a moment, that so-  would be maltreated, insulted, and reproached,
ciety could subsist for any length of time under  as he walked along the street; the lip would be
the unrestrained operation of such a principle, th. shot out with a diabolical grin at every passenfollowing, among many thousands of similar e-  ger, which would be returned with the firown and
fets, would be the natural and necessary results.  the scowl of a demon. Every passenger that
Every individual would  exhibit, in every  met another on the highway would be encounaction, the character of a fiend; and every fami-  tered with blows, execrations, and reproaches;
ly would display a miniature picture of hell.-  and he who met his neighbour unawares in the
Between the husband and wife there would be  recesses of a forest, would receive a dagger in
nothing but incessant brawling, dissension, and  his breast before he was aware of his danger.
execration.  Whatever was ardently desired by  Words would be exchanged between man and
the one would be as resolutely and obstinately  man that would cut each other's hearts " like the
opposed by the other; and the fury and resentment  piercings of a sword," and horrible contentions,
excited by unsatisfied desires, and disappointed  accompanied with rage and fury, and wounds,




56                       THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
and bruises would be presented to the view in  all its accompaniments, the crash of falling
every city, and village, and rural scene. When  houses, and of palaces tumbling into ruin; the
one had finished a house to shelter him from the  terror and confusion of its inhabitants, the wailstorm, a number of desperadoes, in horrid corn-  ings of women and children, and the groans of
bination, would overturr the mansion, and crush  the burning victims, would be a feast to the eyes
him among the ruins.' When one had planted  and music to the ears of such malignant beings,
vines and friuit-frees, others would seize the op-  as they once were to Nero, when, from the top
portunity, when they were beginning to bud and  of a high tower, he beheld Ronle wrapt in the
blossom, to tear them up by the roots; persons  flames which he himself had kindled, and sung
who sowed the seed in spring could have no con-  on his lyre the destruction of Troy. Even in
fidence that they would ever reap the fruits in  the midst of the ocean such revolting scenes
autumn; and no one could have the least secu-  would be frequently realized. When two ships
rity that the wealth and property he possessed  descried each other, a diabolical onset would
to-day would be his to-morrow. No one could  ensue.  To set on flames the respective vessels,
feel secure for a single hour, that his life was  to sink them in the deep, or to cause them to
not in danger from the sword of the murderer or  burst with a horrid explosion, would be the obthe assassin; every man would live in continual ject of both the crews; that they might feast
fear and alarm; no pleasing prospects nor hopes  their malevolence on the spectacle of wounds
of future enjoyment would ever calm the tumul-  and carnage, of drowning wretches covered with
tuous passions, or cheer the distracted mind; all  blood and scars, fighting with the billows, and
confidence between man and man would he corn-  scrambling for safety among the shattered fragpletely destroyed; falsehood  in every  shape  ments of the wreck.
would walk triumphant; the mind would be dis-    Were it possible that discoveries in art and
tracted amidst its ignorance of the scenes and  science could be made by intelligences actuated
events that were happening around it; for no in-  by such malignant passions, they would be all
telligence could be believed, and no one could  applied to subserve the purposes of malevolence.
certainly know the reality of any object or event,  The force of gunpowder would be employed to
unless he beheld it with his own eyes. Schools,  blow ships and houses to atoms, to shake popuseminaries of learning, universities, and acade-  lous cities to their foundations, and to create
mies would have no existence, and no one could  among their inhabitants universal horror and
gain an acquaintance with any principle or fact  alarm; the force of steam would be employed in
in the universe around him, except in so far as  producing destructive explosions, and in propelhe had made the investigation by means of his  ling the instruments of death and devastation
own senses and powers.  Tormented by tumul-  among a surrounding populace.  Air balloons
tuous passions raging within, in continual alarm   would be employed for enabling them to carry
from desperadoes, plunderers, and assassins rag-  their malignant schemes, in relation to distant
ing around, looking back on the past with horri-  tribes, more speedily into effect; for hurling
ble recollections, and contemplating the future  down upon towns and villages stones, and bullets,
with terror and dismay, the mind would feel it-  and darts; and for enabling them to escape in
self fixed in a scene of misery and wretchedness,  safety when they had finished the work of de.
which no words could describe nor pencil deli-  struction. The discovery of the nature of lightneate.                                        ning, and its identity to the electrical fluid, in.
If we could suppose a number of such beings  stead of being applied for the protection of per.
leagued together for the purpose of carrying the  sons and of buildings from the stroke of that terschemes of malevolence more completely into  rific meteor, would be destined to the purpose of
effect, one of their employments would be to set  devastation and destruction. The electricity of
fire to houses and villages, in order that they  the atmosphere and the lightnings from  the
might enjoy the infernal pleasure of seeing their  clouds would be conducted and directed so as to
fellow-creatures deprived of every shelter, and  set on fire stacks of corn, to shatter lofty buildof beholding men, women, and children roasting  ings, and lay groups of men and cattle prostrate
in the flames. Another employment would be  with the dust.  Every mechanical power, and
to poison the springs of water, that they might  all the combinations of physical forces which art
behold one after another, from the sucking child  can produce, would be applied to the framing of
eo the hoary head, seized with excruciating pains,  engines for torture, devastation, and massacre;
and sinking into the agonies of death. Another  and on the front of every new invention would
gratification of malevolence would be to dam up  be displayed, as if engraved in legible characters
the rivers in their rapid course, that they might  — TERROR, MISERY, AND DESTRUCTION.
overflow the circumjacent plains, in order that    Could we suppose for a moment such beings
they might feast their eyes on the scenes of de-  occasionally combining together on a large scale,
vastation and ruin that would thus be created,  for the purpose of more extensively glutting their
end on the, terror and destruction of the wretched  malevolence, their conduct towards each other as
inhabitamrs.  The conflagration of a city, with  nations, and the contests in which they would be




EFFECTS OF MALEVOLENCE.                                       57
engagced in this capacity, would he tremendous  terrible representations we can form 9of the hor.
and horri'le beyond the power of description.  rors of tile future state of punishment, where maEvery malevolent affection would be brought into  levolent passions rage without control; and the
action; every infernal passion would be raised  considerations now stated demonstrate, that the
to its, highest pitch of fury; every one, stimu-  man who is actuated by a principle of hostility
lated by his associates, would breathe nothing  towards his neighbour, is training and preparing
but revenge, execrations, slaughter, and utter  himself for becoming an inhabitant of that miseextermination'against opposing armies; every  rable and dreary-region, "where the worm dieth
enagine of human. destruction which ingenuity  not, and the fire" of malevolence and revenge
uould invent would be brought into the scene of  " is never quenched."  We are thus instructed,
action-; the yell of demons would accompany the  that if there be a future state at all, it must,
fierce and sanguinary  onset; and a scene of  from the very nature and constitution of things,
horror would ensue beyond the power of imagi-  be a state of misery and horror to every man
nation to conceive, which would not terminate  whose mind is under the unrestrained dominion
till the one class of combatants had exterminated  of depraved affections and malignant passions;
the other; till they had trampled down and de-  so that there is no possibility, in such a case, of
stroyed the fruits of their ground, and turned  escaping the " wrath to come," unless the moral
their land into a wilderness; till they had burned  constitution L of the intelligent universe were entheir villages to ashes, and tumbled their cities  tirely subverted.
into a heap of ruins; till they had drenched their   If, then, it appears that such dismal- consefields with. blood, and strewed them with skulls,  quences would flow from the subversion of this
and limbs, and the mangled carcasses of thou-  principle or law, it is obvious.that the law itself
sands and ten thousands of men, women, and  must be " holy, just, and good," and calculated
children, thrown together in horrible confusion. -to promote the perfection and happiness of all
But it is needless to dwell on such scenes; since -created intelligences, among whom it is found
the history of all nations-since even the history  in full operation. And in a world such as ours,
of modern Europe presents us with spectacles of  where this law is partially violated, the consehorror, scarcely inferior to those I have now de-  quent' misery which is suffered will be nearly in
scribed, and with moral agents who bear too  proportion to the extent to which this violation
striking a resemblance to those whose actions are  is carried, and-tothe number of individuals who
completely subversive of the second command-  are actuated by.a principle of opposition to its
ment of the law, " Thou shalt love thy neighbour  requirements.
as thyself."                                   - In like manner, it might beshown, that the
Such, then, would be some of the dreadful  most dismal effects would be produced, were the
effects which would ~flow from  a subversion of  first principle of the moral law reversed,:and the
the second principleof the moral law, if we could  malevolence ofintelligent-beings directed towards
suppose that organical intelligences, not endowed  their Creator.  In this case, instead of assemwith immortal bodies, could exist for any length  bled multitudes joining in solemn. adorations of
of time amidst such scenes of depravity and  the divine character and perfections, the God of
wretchedness.  But it is more than probable  heaven would be blasphemed, and his name abthat such a state of society could not long sub-  horred in every land.  Instead of reverence and
sist in such a world as we now inhabit, and  profound humility in the presence of Jehovah, a
among rational beings, whose corporeal organi-  spirit of pride antidindependence, and an impazation is constructed after the model of the hu-  tience. df control, would pervade every mind.
man frame. The whole mass of society in every  Instead of thanksgivings for the bounties of his
land would soon be transformed into one: bound-  providence, the basest ingratitude would be maniless scene of anarchy and confusion; every one  fested, and the most marked contempt of all his
would flee from his neighbour asfrom an infernal  favours. Instead of cordial submission to his
fiend; a war of universal extermination would.wise arrangements, nothing but murmurings and
commence: nothing would be beheld over all the  repinings would be heard, and the most preregions of the globe but spectacles of rapine,  sumptulous decisions: uttered against all the disdevastation, and destruction; and nothing would
be heard among all the eight hundred millions of  nishment, or whether the principles of the moral law
its inhabitants but the voice of execration, anld  will be entirely subverted among the miserable bethe yells of lamentation, and mourning, and wo,  ings who are subjected to that punishment, it bethe yells of lamentation, and mourning, and wo,  comes not us positively to determine. But we can
till at length every beauty which now adorns the  scarcely conceive a more horrible idea than that of
face oh nature would be effaced, every fertile field  intelligent beings acting uniformly from principles
of pure malevolence, and at the same time endowed
transformed into a desert, every human habita-  with immortal bodies, capable of sensations similar
tion overturned, and every inhabitant of the earth  to those we now feel. In this case, every accumusutink into oblivion.*  This is one of the most  lated wound received from malignant associates
*  ould be an additional source of pain and misery' Whether such scenes as some of them now de.  which would continually increase. without any
scribed may be realized in the future state of pa-  prospect of relief from  the stroke of death




1%3                       THE PHILOSOPHY OF' RELIGION.
pensations of his providence. Instead of corn-  to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creepin.
placency and delight in his character and opera-  things," that they were "filled with all unlions, insults and reproaches would burst forth  righteousness, fornication, wickedness, cove.
at every display of his wisdom, justice, and  teousness, maliciousness;" that they were " full
omnipotence.  Instead  of admiration of the  of envy, murder, deceit, malignity, bickbiters,
beauty and grandeur of his wonderful works in  haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inheaven and earth, feelings of contempt and  ventors of evil things, disobedient to parents
disdain would be mingled with all their surveys  without understanding, without natural affection,
of the operatior3 of nature. His omnipotence  implacable, unmerciful.   Who, knowing the
would be disregarded, his benevolence called in  judgmnent of God, that they who commit such
question or despised, and his wisdom and intelli-  things are worthy of death, not only do the same,
gence arraigned. Like Alphonso, king of Cas-  but have pleasure in them  that do them."
tile, they would not hesitate to affirm, -" If we  Were practices and passions of this description,
had been of God's privy council when he made  which are all directly opposed to the principle of
the world, we would have advised him better."  benevolence, to operate without control, the
Under the influence of such diabolical disposi-  universe would soon be transformed into a boundtions, the harmony of the visible creation would  less scene of devastation and sterility, of misery
be attempted to be deranged, and its beauties  and horror, of lamentation and wo.
defaced, in so far as their limited powers would    Turning our eyes from such revolting scenes,
be able to effect. The fields would be stripped  I shall now direct the attention of my readers to
of their verdure; the forests would be torn up  a more pleasing picture, and endeavour to deby the roots, and strewed in shapeless masses  lineate some of the happy effects which would
along the plains; the vegetable beauties which  naturally result from a complete conforinty in
now diversify the rural landscape would be effa-  thought and action to the principles of the divine
ced; the rivers would be turned out of their  law.
courses to overflow the adjacent plains, and to
transform  them  into stagnant marshes and
standing pools; the air would be impregnated                 SECTION  V.
with pestilential vapours; and the grand, and
beautiful, and picturesque scenes of nature would  EFFECTS WHICH WOULD FLOW FROM  THE
be stripped of their glory, leaving nothing but    FULL OPERATION OF THE PRINCIPLE OF
naked rocks and barren deserts, covered with    LOVE TO GOD AND TO MAN.
the wrecks of nature, to mark the operations of
malevolence.                                    WERE this divine principle in full operation
Such would be the dispositions and the conduct  among the intelligences that people our globe,
of intelligent beings were the first principle of the this world would be transformed into a paradise,
moral law reversed, and their actions regulated  the moral desert would be changed into a fruitful
by a principle of malevolence: and such, in a  field, and "blossom  as the rose," and Eden
greater or less degree, are the dispositions of  would again appear in all its beauty and delight.
every man in whose heart the love of God has  Fraud, deceit, and artifice, with all their connever taken up its residence. Revolting as the  comitant train of evils, would no longer walk
scenes now supposed must appear to every mind  rampant in every land. Prosecutions, lawsuits,
possessed of moral feeling, they must be admit-  and all the innumerable vexatious litigations
ted to be the necessary results of malignant pas-  which now disturb the peace of society, would
sions raging without control. And if there be  cease from among men. Every debt would be
any region of creation in which-pure malevolence  punctually paid; every commodity sold at its
actuates its inhabitants, we must suppose the  just value; every article of merchandise exhibitrestraining influence of ihe Almighty interposed,  ed in its true character; every promise faithfully
to preserve their malignant operations within  performed; every dispute amicably adjusted;
those bounds which are consistent with the plans  every man's character held in estimation; every
of his moral government and the general happi-  rogue and cheat banished from society; and
less of the intelligent universe.  That princi-  every jail, bridewell, and house of correction,
ples and practices have existed among mankind,  would either be swept away, or transformed into
which, if left to operate without restraint, would  the abodes of honesty, industry, and peace. Inproduce all the effects now supposed, appears  justice and oppression would no longer walk
from  the description which the apostle Paul  triumphant through the world, while the poor,
gives of the character of the Gentile world, and  the widow, and the fatherless were groaning uneven of that portion of it which had been brought  der the iron rod of those who had deprived them
into a civilized state. He' declares that " they  of every comfort. No longer would the captive
did not like to retain God in their knowledge,  be chained to a dungeon, and doomed to count,
but changed the glory of the incorruptible God  in sorrow and solitude, the many long days and
into an image made like to corruptible man, and  years he has been banished from the light of day




EFFECTS OF BENEVOLENCE.                                       59
and the society ofhis dearest friends. No longer  would be beaten into 0loughshares and pruning.
should we see a hard-hearted creditor doom a  hooks. That scourge which has drenched the
poor unfortunate man, for the sake of a few  earth with human gore-which has convulsed
shillings or pounds, to rot in a jail, while his fa-  every nation under heaven-which has produced
mily, deprived of his industry, were pining away  tenfold more misery than all the destructive ele.
in wretchedness and want. No longer should  ments of nature, and which has swept from
we hear the harsh creaking of iron doors, pon-  existence so many millions of mankind-would
derous bolts, and the clanking of the chains of be regarded as the eternal disgrace of the human
criminals; nor the sighs and groans ofthe poor  character, and the most shocking display of deslave, fainting under the,ash, and the reproaches  pravity in the annals of our race. No longer
of a cruel master.  The bands of the oppressed  should we hear " the sound of the trumpet and
would be loosed, the captives would be set at  the alarm of war," the confused noise of "the
liberty, the iron fetters would be burst asunder,  horseman and the bowman," and of the mighty
and a universal jubilee proclaimed throughout  armies encamping around " the city of the innoevery land.  The haunts of riot and debauchery  cent," to hurl against its walls the instruments
would be forsaken, and their intnates hissed from   of destruction. No longer should we behold the
the abodes of men. The victims of seduction  fires blazing on the mountain tops, to spread the
would no longer crowd our streets at the dead  alarm of invading armies. nor the city, which
hour of night, to entice the " simple ones" into  was once full of inhabitants, " sitting solitary,"
the paths of vice and destruction; but purity,  without a voice being heard within its dwellings
righteousness, and peace would " run down our  but the sighs of the disconsolate and the groans
streets like a river," distributing safety, happi-  of the dying.  Human wolves thirsting for the
ness, and repose.                             blood of nations, would cease to prowl among
The tongue of the slanderer and the whisper-  men.'Nation would not lift up sword against
ings of the backbiter would no longer be heard in  nation, neither would they learn war any more.
their malicious attempts to sow  the seeds of  The instruments of cruelty, the stake, the rack,
discord and contention among brethren. False-  the knout, and the lash, would no longer lacerate
hood in all its ramifications, with the numerous  and torture the wretched culprit; cannons, and
train of evils it now produces, would be banished  guns, and swords, and darts would be forged no
frorn the intercourses of society; nor would  more; but the influence of reason and affection
treachery prove the ruin of families and societies,  would preserve order and harmony throughout
and interrupt the harmony of the commercial  every department of society.  The traveller,
and the moral world. No longer should we hear  when landing on distant shores, and on the isof the embezzling of property by unfaithful ser-  lands of the ocean, would no longer be assailed
vants, nor the blasted hopes, the cruel disap-  with stones, spears, arrows, and other instru.
pointments, and the ruin of credit and of reputa-  ments of death, and be obliged to flee from the
lion now produced by the votaries of falsehood.  haunts of his own species, to take refuge in the'The lips oftruth would be established for ever,"  lion's den, or on the bosom of the deep; but
and the liar and deceiver would be hissed to the  would be welcomed as a friend and a messenger
shades of hell.  Our property would remain  of peace. The animosities which now prevail
sacred and secure from the thief and the mid-  among religious bodies would cease; the nicknight robber, and our persons from the attacks of  names by which the different sects of religionists
the murderer and the assassin. We should no  have been distinguished, would be erased from
longer hesitate to prosecute our journeys by day  the vocabulary of every language; Christians
or by night for fear of the foot-pad or the high-  would feel ashamed of those jealousies and evil
wayman, but should recognize every passenger  surmisings which they have so long manifested
as a friend and protector. Plunder and devasta-  towards each other, and an affectionate and hartion would cease from the earth; "violence  monious intercourse would be established among
would no more be heard in our land; nor wast-  all the churches of the saints.
ing nor destruction in all our borders."  Exe.    These, and a thousand other evils, which now
crations and  malicious insults would never  render this world a vast wilderness of perturba.
harrow tip the feelings of our fellow-men, nor  tion, wretchedness, and sorrow, would be corn
would a single instance of revenge be heard of  pletely eradicated, were the principle of holy love
among all the inhabitants of the earth.       in incessant operation; and in their place a
Pride, which now stalks about with stately  scene of loveliness and moral beauty would burst
steps and lofty looks, surveying surrounding in-  upon the view, which would diffuse joy and
telligences with feelings of contempt, would be  ecstatic delight through every bosom.
for ever banished from  the world. Ambition    Every family would become a mansion cf
would no longer wade through slaughter to a  peace and love-a temple consecrated to the
throne, nor trample on the rights of an injured  God of heaven, from which the incense of prayer,
people. Wars would cease to the ends of the  and praise, and pious aspirations, would daily
(erth, and the instruments of human destruction  ascend in sweet memorial to the throne above,




60                        THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
Domestic broils and contentions would cease;  and the productions of nature and of art would
orotners and sisters would be cemented in the  quickly be transported into every nation from
closest bonds of holy affection; the law of kind-  every clime.  Travellers and navigators would
ness would swell their hearts and dwell upon  visit foreign shores without danger or alarm from
their tongues; serenity and joy, and a desire to  insidious or hostile tribes, and would land on
please, would appear on every countenance; a  the most obscure island of the ocean, fully asmutual exchange of sentiment and generous  sured of protection and comfort, and the welaffections would circulate joy from father to son,  come of friendship and affection. Every vessel
and from children to parents; and all the mem-  that ploughed the deep would become a floating
bers of the family circle, animated by the same  temple, from which incense and a pure offering
benevolent spirit, would  " dwell together in  would daily ascend to the Ruler of the skies,
unity."'lo communicate useful knowledge, to  and its mariners would join, with one heart and
train each other to piety and virtue, to point out  one mind, in imploring upon each other the blessthe different spheres in which benevolence should  ing and protection of the God of heaven.  The
act, to assist in every kindly office, to sooth each  beams of love and affection would gladden every
other in distress, and to direct each other in the  land, and add a new lustre to the natural beauties
path to an endless life, would be the unceasing  of its landscape. The inhabitants of China and
desire and endeavour of every inmate of the  Japan would be hailed as benefactors when they
falnily mansion. From every such mansion, the  arrived on our coasts with their cargoes of tea,
radiations of love would fly from family to family,  sugar, silk, and porcelain; and the natives of
from one hamlet and village to another, from one  France and Great Britain, when they transport.
town and city to another, from one nation to  ed their manufactures to these distant empires,
another, and from one continent to anothier, till  would be welcomed as friends, and conducted,
all the families of the earth were converted into  without the least jealousy or suspicion, through
"the dwellings of the God of Jacob."          all their cities and rural scenes, to survey the
In larger communities the principle of love  beauties of nature and art with which those
would effectuate a mighty change. That spirit  countries are adorned.  The natives of Papua
of jealousy and selfishness, of avarice and mono-  and New-Zealand would land on our shores
poly, which now produces so many jarrings, con-  without spears, or darts, or other hostile weatentions, and collisions of interests among town  pons, and be recognized as friends and brethren;
councils, corporations, and other smaller asso-  and our countrymen, when traversing the difciations, would cease to operate. Every one  ferent regions of the globe, would always meet
would see and feel, that the prosperity of the  with a cordial reception when landing on their
whole is also the prosperity of every portion of  coasts. For national jealousies and antipathies
the general community.  Boisterous disputa-  would cease; and instead of selfish and revengetions, sneers, hisses, reproaches, and angry pas-  ful passions, reason would be cultivated, and
sions, would be banished from'the deliberations  its powers expanded; the smile of benevolence
of every society; and candour, good-will, and  and the hand of benefice nce would gladden the
kindly affections would animate the minds of all  inhabitants of every clime, and " righteousness
its members. Righteous laws would be enacted,  and praise would spring forth before all the
and distributive justice equitably administered.  nations."
Every nation would form one great and harmoni-    Under the benignant influence of the spirit of
ous family; all its members being linked together  love, useful intelligence of every description
by the ties of kindness and reciprocal affection.  would be rapidly and extensively communicated;
Its magistrates would become "nursing fathers"  the sciences would be improved, and carried
to the whole body of the people, to promote their  forward to perfection; the jealousies which
peace, their domestic comfort, their knowledge,  now exist among scientific men would cease to
and their general improvement; and throughout  operate, and every fact on which science'is
all ranks of the community nothing would ap-  built would be impartially investigated, and expear but submission, obedience, reverence, and  hibited in its true aspect; the arts would flourish,
respect.                                      and be carried to the highest pitch of improveThe mutual intercourse of nations would be  ment; no secrets in arts or trades would be lockestablished on the principles of friendship and  ed up in the breast of the discoverer; but every
affection, and on the basis of immutable justice  useful hint would at once be communicated to
and eternal truth. Raised above petty jealousies,  the public; every invention would uniformly be
secure from the alarms of war, and viewing each  applied to the promotion of a benevolent obhother as branches of the same great family, and  ject, and the arts of destruction would cease to
as children of the same Almighty Parent,-  be cultivated, and be held in universal detestaevery nation and empire would feel an interest  tion. Under the hand of art, the habitations of
In Dromotilg the prosperity of another, and would  men would be beautified and adorned, to correjoice in beholding its happiness and improve-  respond with the purity and improvemest ol
ment. Commerce would be free and unshackled,  their moral feelings, and a new lustre would




EFFECTS OF BENEVOLENCE.                                       61
be thrown ovt- the face of nature.  Towns and  cence would pervade the whole mass of society.
villages wouid be built on spacious plans, divest-  That divine maxim  inculcated by our Saviour,
ed of al: that gloom and filth which now disgrace  " It is more blessed to give than to receive," would
the abodes of millions of human beings, and  be engraven on every heart, and appear in every
which form  an emblem  of their physical and  action.  This sublime principle forms a promimoral wretchedness; and the landscape of every  nent trait in the character of God, and in all his
country would present a scene of grandeur, fertil-  arrangements towards his creatures; and it aniity, and picturesque beauty.  Those immense  mates the minds of superior intelligences in their
treasures which have been so long expended in  associations with each other, and in their occathe arts of war and devastation would be em-  sional intercourses with the inhabitants of our
ployed in turning immense deserts into fruitful  world. In imitation of these glorious beings, the
fields, in beautifying the aspect of rural nature,  human race would consider it as the grand end
in planting orchards and vineyards, in forming  of their existence, not merely to acquire wealth,
spacious roads, in establishing seminaries of  knowledge, or power, but to employ themselves
instruction, in erecting comfortable habitations  in the unceasing diffusion of beneficence to all
for the lower orders of society, and promoting  around.  To communicate happiness throughtheir domestic enjoyment. What an immense  out all the ranks of their fellow-men with whom
variety of-objects of this description would be  they mingle, to sooth the disconsolate and the
accomplished within the limits of Great Britain  desponding, to relieve the distressed, to instruct
by means of a thousand millions of pounds, which  the ignorant, to expand the intellect, to animate
we all know have been lately expended within  and direct the benevolent affections, to increase
the space of twenty-four years, in carrying for-  the enjoyments of the lower orders of the comward the work of destruction!                munity, to direct the opening minds oftheyoung,
Under the influence of the reign of love, the  to lead them  by gentle steps into the paths of
instruction of all ranks, in every department of  wisdom  and holiness, and to  promote every
useful knowledge, would be rapidly promoted;  scheme which has a relation to the public good,
ignorance and error, with all their attendant  would form the constant aim of all conditions of
evils, would soon evanish from the minds even  men from the highest to the lowest. Every house
of the lowest orders of society; seminaries would  would be open to the weary and benighted travel.
be erected and established on a liberal basis, for  ler, every heart would welcome him  to the reinstructing every class of mankind in all those  freshments and repose it afforded, every counbranches of science which tend to expand the  tenance would beam benignity, every comfort
capacity of the human mind, and to extend the  would be afforded, every wish anticipated, and
range of its contemplations; the hours of active  every stranger'thus entertained would "bless
labour would be abridged, in order that they  the mansion," and implore the benediction of
might have leisure for the cultivation of their  heaven on all its inmates. The houseless child
understanding and the exercise of their moral  of want would no longer wander amidst scenes
powers. To add to their stock of knowledge,  of plenty, tattered and forlorn, pinched with poand to increase the sum of happiness around  verty, exposed to the piercing blasts, and obliged
them, would be considered as interesting and as  to repose under the open canopy of heaven, for
delightful as it now is to the sons of Mammon  want of more comfortable shelter; the poor
to " add house to house, and field to field," and  would soon cease out of the land, every one
to riot on the gains of avarice. Societies would  would be active and industrious, and every one
be formed for mutual improvement in knlowledge  would enjoy a comfortable portion of the bounand virtue; lectures delivered on every interest-  ties of Providence. And what a happy world
ing and useful subject; experiments performed to  would it be were kindness and affection the chaillustrate:the order and mechanism of nature;  racteristic of all its inhabitants!  The face of
and instruments of every description procured  nature Would wear a more cheering aspect,' the
for exhibiting the wisdom and omnipotence of  desert would rejoice and blossom as the rose,"
the Creator and the glories of the universe. The  the flowers would look more gay, the " little hills"
rivelation of heaven would be studied with in-  would be encircled with joy, the light of heaven
telligence in all its aspects and bearings, and  would appear more glorious and transporting, a
every passion, affection, and active exertion  thousand delightful emotions would spring up in
would be directed by its moral requisitions.  the mind amidst every rural scene, and every soThe human mind, thus trained and carried for-  cial intercourse would be a source of unmingled
ward in wisdom and holiness, would shed a  bliss. Paradise would be restored, heaven would
moral radiance around it, and be gradually pre-  descend to earth, and an emblem would be prepared for entering on a higher scene of contem-  sented of the joys of the blessed above.
plation and enjoyment.                           0 blissful and auspicious era! When' wilt
Among all ranks of men, a spirit of selfishness  thou arrive to still the restless agitation of maand avarice would be extinguished, and in its  lignant passions, to promote peace on earth and
stead a spirit of noble generosity and benefi-  good will among men?  When will the benevo.




THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.'ence of angels and archangels descend to dwell quil, and every one would " come to his grave,
with man upon earth, to expel selfishness from  like as a shock of corn cometh in his season.'
rme human breast, to hush every disordered affec-  In shcrt, under the influence of the emanations
lion, and to restore tranquillity and order among  of love, malignity would be transformed into be.
ihe bewildered race of Adam?  When will the  nevolence, vice into virtue, oppression into jusspirit of love, in all its beneficent energies, de.  tice, cruelty into sympathy and tenderness, selscend from the Father of light to arrest the con-  fishriess into beneficence, contention into unity
vuisions of nations, to heal the wounds of suffer-  and friendship,fraud into honesty, avarice into geing humanity, to transform fields of slaughter into  nerosity, pride into humility, wretchedness into
regions of tranquillity, to soften the ferocious  comfort, sorrow into joy, war into peace, and this
tenmpers of " the people who delight in war," to  spacious globe, now the receptacle of misery and'
unite in one holy and harmonious society men of  vice, would be transformed into the temple of
every language and of every tribe?  Not till  concord, happiness, and peace.
Christianity shall have shed its benign influ-    Such are some of the beneficial effects which
ence on every land; not till "the knowledge ef  would be experienced in the social state of the
the Lord shall cover the earth," and the can-  human race, were a principle of benevolence to
nons, and swords, and spears, and battle-axes  pervade the minds of mankind. The imnlense
of the warrior shall be broken to shivers, and  nlass of moral evils, under which the earth now
forged into ploughshares and pruning-hooks.  groans, would be removed; the moral aspect of
" Then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb, and  society, in every nation, would assume a new
the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the  lustre of loveliness and excellence; and nature
calf, and the young lion, and the fatling toge-  herself would be arrayed in new robes of gracether, and a little child shall lead them."  " Then  fulness and beauty. For it would be easy to
judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and  show, were it at all necessary, that every partirighteousness in the fruitful field. And the work  cular now stated, and a thousand similar effects,
of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of  would be the natural and necessary results of love,
righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever.  when it becomes the mainspringof human actions
And all people shall dwell in peaceable habitations,    I shall now shortly trace some of the effects of
and in sure dwellings,;uld inquiet resting-places."  love, considered as directed more immediately
In fine, under the reign of love, most of the  towards God.
evils, both physical and moral, under which men    Supreme love to God would excite complaare now doomed to suffer, would be either greatly  cency in his character and perfections; and piety,
mitigated or completely abolished. It is scarcely  in all its fervent and delightful emotions, would
too much to affirm, that nine-tenths of all the  naturally flow  upwards to the fountain of all
evils that affect humanity are the result of the  purity. His glorious character would be vene.
malice and unkindness of mankind towards each  rated, and his name revered over'all the earth;
other.  If all the sorrow and wretchedness pro-  trophies would be erected to his honour, and temduced by fraud, falsehood, avarice, extortion,  ples consecrated to his worship in every land.
injustice, oppression, perjury, seduction, trea-  Crowds of worshippers, beaming benignity and
chery, litigations, slander, pride, ambition, re-  devotion, would be held in every region, convenge, robbery, murder, plunder, and devasta-  verging towards the " dwelling-place" of the
lion, were extirpated, little would remain besides  Most High, and encouraging one another in such
the incidental evils which occasionally flow from  language as this: "Come ye and let us go up
the elements of nature. And even these would  to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the
be greatly mitigated by the benevolent operations  God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways,
of art, direcrted by the discoveries of science. By  and we will walk in his paths."  With enlightclearing the surface of the globe of immense  ened views of the attributes of Jehovah, with
forests, by draining stagnant marshes,, and by  glowing affections, and with profound reverence,
the universal cultivation and improvement of the  would they join in the sublime exercises of the
soil, the seasons would  be meliorated, and  sanctuary, and listen to the intimations of his
storms and tempests would be deprived of their  will.  All voices would be tuned to melodious
wonted violence and fury; and the partial phy-  strains, and the solemn organ, and those instrusical evils which still remained would be-almost  ments of music which are now devoted to the
annihilated to the sufferer, by the sympathy,  gratification of the sons of fashionable folly and
and tenderness, and the kind and fostering hand  dissipation, would harmonize in exciting devo~f universal benevolence. Where virtue, tem-  tional affections, and in swelling the song ofsalperance, serenity of mind, and social joy reigned  vation " to Him who sits upon the throne, and tc
triumphant, and where none of the ghastly phan-  the Lamb who hath redeemed us to God by his
totms of skepticism and superstition haunted the  blood."  Every landscape, in every point of
mind, disease would seldom invade the human  view, would present a noble edifice devoted to the
flame; the span of mortal existence would be  worship ofthe God of heaven, adorned with every
extended; death would become calm and tran-  majestic decoration suitable to its sanctity, and




EFFECTS OF BENEVOLENCE.                                     63
mesning its spacious dome above cll the surround-  mighty ocean with all its wonders, the nutrerous
ing habitations of men. Its gates "6 would be  rivers rolling into its abyss, the lofty ranges of
open continually;'hey would not be shut day nor  mountains which encircle the earth, the treasures
night," that men might have access at all sea-  of the fields, the riches of the mines, the beausons to bring " incense and a pure offering" to  ties which adorn the hills and plains, the wonthe shrine of Jehovah. The whole earth would  ders of the atmosphere, the admirable structure
soon be converted into onie universal temple, sa-  and econoiny of the numerous tribes of animated
cred to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus  beings,-these, and thousands of other objects,
Christ, front which, thanksgiving, and the voice  considered as manifestatlons of the attributes of
of melody, and the holy aspirations of gratitude  Deity, would supply topics of conversation in
and love, would ascend to heaven without inter-  every social circle, on which every heart would
mission, and in every direction, from the regions  dwell with increasing delight.  "They would
of the north to the regions of the south, and  speak of the glory of his kingdom, and talk of
"from the rising of the sun to the going down  his power, to make known to the sons of men
of the same."  Solemn seasons would be ap-  his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his
pointed, and spacious plains consecrated for the  kingdom."  The wo0lt of human redemption, in
assembling of tell thousands of " the sons of  its origin and progress, in its connexions and
God," not for carnage and devastation, as when  bearings, in the lustre it reflects on the perfe:the warrior " mustereth the armies to the battle,"  tions of the Deity, in its relation to the angelic
but " to rehearse the mighty acts of the Lord,"  tribes, and in its glorious and happy conseto exchange sentiments and feelings of affec-  quences on thousands of millions of human betionate regard, and to swell the song of triumph  ings throughout an eternal rouind of existenceover sin and misery, with the harmony of human  the person of the Redeemer, his amiable chavoices and musical instruments, in one loud  racter, his grace and condescension, and the
chorus to the skies. Then the name of Jehovah  glories of his exalted state-the joys of departed
would be One throughout all the earth. "All  saints, the general resurrection, with all its
his works would praise him, and his saints would  solemn and transporting scenes, the new heabless him. They would abundantly utter the  vens and the new earth, and the boundless scene
memory of his great goodness, they would speak  of grandeur and felicity which fvill open to the
of the glorious honour of his majesty, and sing  view when death shall be swallowed up in vicof his righteousness."                        tory, and all things subjected to the moral order
Among all ranks of men cordial submission to  ofthe universe, would afford subjects of sublime
the will of God, and contentment under the  contemplation, and themes for social converse,
arrangements of his providence would be uni-  on which enlightened and  renovated minds
formly manifested.  Every one would consider  would expatiate with ever-growing  improvethe situation in which Providence had placed  mnent and ever-growing pleasures.
him as the best possible for promoting his present  The providential dispensations of God toimprovement and his future felicity, viewing it  wards the human race, would form  another
as the allotment of infinite wisdom and benevo-  subject of investigation, which would be proselence. In adversity he would sustain his afflic-  cuted with feelings of astonishment, admiration,
tions with patience, and derive from them" the  and  reverence.  The history of all nations
peaceable fruits of righteousness." In prosperity  would be carefully perused-not for the purpose
he would acknowledge God as the source of all  of admiring the exploits of mighty conquerors
his enjoyments, and devote the wealth and influ-  and barbarous heroes, and feasting the imnaginaence he possessed to the promotion of religion,  tion on spectacles of human slaughter and devasand the best interests of his fellow-men.  By  tation-but for exciting abhorrence of those deday, and by night, and at every returning sea-  praved passions which had drenched the earth
son, the overflowings of gratitude, in every  with blood-for drawing forth the tear of pity over
heart, would burst forth in songs of thanksgiving  the graves of slaughtered nations-for stimuto the Giver of all good. Every comfort would  lating the exercise of those holy affections which
he recognized as " coming down from the Fa-  restored peace and tranquillity to the world-for
ther of lights," and every pleasing sensation  acquiring a display of the rectitude of the moral
produced by the scenery of nature, as the result  character of God, and the equity of his admiof his wisdom and beneficence. His wonderful  nistration among the nations-for tracing the
works, which are now overlooked, or gazed at  accomplishment of divine predictions-for ioduswith apathy by nine-tenths of the inhabitants of trating the long-suffering and forbearance of
the globe,would be contemplated with enlightened  God, and for exciting admiration of that inscrttunderstandings, and with emotions of reverence,  table wisdom by which the whole train of events
admiration, and delight. The majestic move-  was conducted, so as to set restraining bounds
nsents of' the planetary orbs, the glories of the  to the wrath of man, and to make it subservlent
starry sky, the light bearning from a thousand  to the introduction of the reign of happiness ano
suns through the immeasurable voids of space, the  peace. In all the revolutions of past ages, and




64                       THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
in all the events that daily passed in review   ofuniversal love irradiating the inhabitants of
before them, they would uniformly recognize the  our globe, and  would shout even with nlore
agency and the purposes of that Almighty Being  ecstatic joy than they did before," Glory to God
"who doth according to his will in the armies of  in the highest, peace on earth, and good will
heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth,"  among nen!"
and who is carrying forward all the plans ofhis    Alas! such a picture as that which we have
government to a glorious consummation.        now faintly sketched, has never yet been realized
Eve,  useful invention, every new instrument  in the moral aspect of the inhabitants of this
for investigating the operations of naturd, every  world. To the eye of an angelic intelligence,
new discovery in the -earth, or in the heavens,  while he hovers over our globe in his flight
every exploration of an unknown region of the  through the planetary regions, nothing appears
globe, every branch of commerce and rlanufac.  but a vast cloud of moral darkness and depravity,
ture, every new mode of facilitating labour and  with here and there only a few faint radiations
improving the productions of the soil; every  of truth  and love emerging from  the general
improvement in the ease and rapidity of travel-  gloom. He beholds throughout the whole extent
ling, and ofconveying intelligence from one re-  of Africa, from the shores of Barbary and Egypt
gion to another, and every art and science,  to the Cape of Good Hope-throughout the vast
would be consecrated, in some form or other, to  regions of Asia and its numerous islands, and
she service of God, and to the accomplishment  throughout four-fifths of the continent ofAmerica.
of the objects of general benevolence.  One  little else than one wide scene of moral desolagrand diffusive principle, manifesting itself in  tion. where idolatry and superstition, tyranny
numberless ramifications, would  pervade the  and ambition, treachery and cruelty, war and
whole mass of society; and one grand aim, the  dissension, reign triumphant among almost every
honour and glory of the Creator, and the uni-  tribe; and where scarcely a ray of divine light
versal diffusion of happiness in every direction,  and divine love gilds the horizon, from the one
and among every rank of sentient and intelligent  end of these extensive regions to the other.
beings, would be the unceasing endeavour of  Even in Europe, where the light of science and
men of all nations, and kindreds, and languages.  of revelation is converged to a focus, what an
The whole mass of this world's inhabitants  immense cloud of moral darkness still appears enwould appear like one vast celestial army march-  veloping its population? The fields of Waterloo,
ing forward in harmony to the regions of bliss,  of Leipsic, of Borodina, and of Smolensko,
every one, in his appointed order, passing in  where so many thousands of human  beings
peace and tranquillity through the gates of death,  were sacrificed to the demon of war-the vales
to join the general assembly above, and to aug-  of Switzerland  and Hungary, the plains of
ment  and  enliven the congregation of the  France and Italy, the anarchy and commotions
heavens.                                      of Spain and Portugal, and the ensanguined
On such a world the God of heaven would  shores of Turkey and Greece, where massacres
look down with complacency, and his providen-  have been perpetrated with the rage and fury of
tial care would be exercised in averting those  infernal demons, bear witness to the melancholy
physical evils which now increase the moral  fact, that hatred and malignity still hold the aswretchedness of mankind. His eye would be  cendency over the nations of Europe, and over
continually uipon them  for good, and his ear  all the efforts of benevolence and love.
would be ever open to their requests.  Then     But, we trust, that the period is fast approachthat glorious scene presented to the view of the  ing, when the breath  of a new  spirit shall
apostle John, would be fhlly realized,-" Be-  pervade the inhabitants of every clime, and when
hold the tabernacle of God is with- men, and he  holy love shall unite all the tribes of mankind in
will dwell with them; and they shall be his peo-  one harmonious society.  When the messenple, and God himself shall be with them, and be  gers of the Prince of Peace " shall run to and
their God. And God shall wipe away all tears  fro" from the north to the south, and from the
frotn their eyes, and there shall be no more  rising to the setting sun: when the sound of the
curse, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall  gospel-trumpet shall re-echo throughout every
there be any more pain; for the former things  land; when the light of divine revelation shall
have passed away."  To such a world celestial  diffuse its radiance on the benighted nations;
messengers would rejoice to wing their down-  when its sublime doctrines and moral requisiward flight, on messages of love.  Their visits,  tions shall be fully understood and recognized in
which have been " few, and far between," and  all their practical bearings, and when the energy
which have been long interrupted by the malevo-  of that Almighty spirit which reduced to light
lence of men, would be again resumed; and  and order the dark and shapeless chaos, shall
those " morning stars" that shouted for joy  be exerted on the depraved and benighted minds
when this fair creation arose into existence,  ofthe mass oftthis world's population-then the
would be filled with unutterable delight when  death-like slumber whicl has seized upon the
they beheld moral order restored, and the smiles  race of Adam  shall be broken; the dead itr




UNIVERSALITY OF THE PRINCIPLE OF LOVE.                                 65
ttst)asses tnd sins shall awake to new life and  table result; and were they to pervade ail worlds,
activity;tthis bedlam ofthe universe will be restor-  disorder and misery would reign uncontrolled
ed to reason and intellectual freedom, and to the  throughout the whole intelligent system.
society of angelic messengers, and the face of the    When the Creator brought any particular
moral creation will be renewed after the image  world into existence, and peopled it with inhabit.
of its maker.  Then wars shall cease to the  ants, we must suppose, that the laws to which 1
ends of the earth, and anarchy and dissension  am now adverting, were either formally addressshall convulse the nations no more; violence  ed to them by some external revelation, or so
will no more be heard in any land, " liberty will  powerfully impressed upon their moral constitube proclaimed to the captives, and the opening of  tion, as to become the mainl-spring of all their
the prison-doors to them that are bound."  The  actions, so long as they might retain the original
spirit of malevolence will be vanquished, its  principles implanted in their minds by the Author
power will be broken, and its operations demo-  of their existence. Any other supposition would
lished. The order and beauty of the celestial  be fraught with the most absurd and horrible
system  will be restored.  "Holiness to the  consequences. It would be subversive of every
Lord" will be inscribed on all the implements  idea we are led to form of the character of the
and employments of mankind.  Kindness and  Divine Being, inconsistent with the perfect bene.
compassion will form the amiable characteristic  volence and rectitude of his nature, and incomof every rank of social life. Love will spread  patible with the relations in which rational beher benignant wings over the globe, and reign  ings stand to Him and to one another, and with
uncontrolled in the hearts of all its inhabitants.  the harmony and happiness of the universe, to
For thus saith the voice of Him who sits on the  suppose, that any creatures now exist, or ever
throne of the universe, "Behold I make all  can exist, to whonm such commands as these
things new-I create new heavens and a new   would be given,-" Thou shalt hate thy Creator,
earth,and-the former shall not be remembered,  who is the source of thine existence;" and
nor come into mind. Be ye glad, and rejoice  "Thou shalt hate all thy fellow-intelligences witl
for ever in that which I create; for behold, I  whom thomi mayst associate."  And if the mind
create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a  would recoil with horror, at the idea of such
joy, and the voice of weeping shall be no more  laws issuing forth from the throne of the Eternal
heard in her, nor the voice of crying."       to any class of moral agents, it must necessarily
be admitted, that the opposite principles or laws,
to which I allude, are promulgated to all intelligences, and are obligatory on every inhabitant
SECTION  VI.                    of' all the worlds which lie between the range b
Jehovah's empire.  The natural scenery with
UNIVERSALITY OF THE PRINCIPLES OF LOVE  which the inhabitants of other worlds are surTO GOD, AND TO FELLOW-INTELLIGENCES.  rounded, the organization of their corporeal
frames, the intellectual capacities with which
THE grand principles of morality te which I  they are endowed, the stated employments in
have now adverted, are not to be viewet as con-  which they engage, and the relations in which
fined merely to the inhabitants of our gl' be, but  they stand to each other, may be very differentas extending to all intellectual beings.  They  fiom those which obtain in our terrestrialsphere, 
form the basis of the moral laws, whiclh govern  but the grand principles to which I refer, must'
all intelligences throughout the vast universe, in  necessarily pervade every faculty of their minds,
whatever world or region of infinite space they  every active exertion, and every relation that,
may have their physical residence; and they  subsists among them, by whatever character it
constitute the bond which unites to the supreme  may be distinguished, if they be found existing
intelligence, and to one another, all holy beings,  in a state of happiness.
wherever existing in the wide empire of Omnipo-    The moral code of laws in other worlds may
tence.  This will at once appear, if we reflect  be somewhat differently modified from ours, acfor a moment, on what has been stated in the  cording..ie' circumstances in which the inhapreceding sections.  We have seen, that, if  bitants of each respective world are placed, and
those laws or principles were reversed, and were  the relations which obtain among them; but the
the moral agents of our world to act accordingly,  same general principles will run through every
nothing wduld ensue, but anarchy, wretchedness,  ramification oftheir moral precepts, and appear in
horror, and devastation, and ultimately a com-  the minutes actions they perform,as the sap which
plete extermination ofthe race ofmankind. And  proceeds from the trunk of a tree diffuses itself
by parity of reason, it will follow, that were the  among the minutest and the most distant branchsame principles to operate in any other world,  es. The seventh commandment ofournmoral code
however different the capacities, relations, and  can have no place in a world where the inhabitphysical circumstances of its inhabitants might  ants " neither marry nor are given in marriage,"
be, similar disastrous effects would be the inevi-  where the succession of intelligent. beings is not
25




66                       THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
carried on by any process analogous to human  affection and enjoyment would be unhinged and
generation, where death is unknown, and where  destroyed.
rational agents have a fixed and permanent abode.    By overlooking considerations of this kind, the
Thtcfifth precept of our law cannot-be recognized  celebrated Dr. Chalmers, in his " Discourses on
in a world where the relations of parents and  the Christian Revelation viewed in connexion
children, princes and subjects, superiors and in-  with Modern Astronomy," deprived himself ot
feriors, have no existence. And in those worlds  an important argument to prove that Christianity
where the bounties of Divine Providence are  is not confined to this sublunary region. For, as
equally enjoyed by all, or where external comforts  it is the great object of the Christian Revelation
are not necessary for the happiness of the indi-  to bring into full effect, in all their practical
vidual, as in our world, or where the slightest  bearings, the principles I have been endeavourtemptation to interfere with the property of  ing to illustrate, and as these principles must be
another does not exist, there will be no necessity  interwoven with the moral code of all worlds-it
for a distinct moral regulation corresponding to  follows, that the spirit and essence of our religion
the eighth commandment of our moral code.-   must be common to all the holy inhabitants of
But in every world where happiness exists, and  the universe.
where the inhabitants have retained their original    From  what has been now stated respecting
integrity, love to God, and love to all subordinate  the universality of the principle of love, the folintelligences with which they are connected, will  lowing conclusions may be deduced:animate every heart, regulate every desire, and    1. That the man in whose heart this principle
run through every action. And in those worlds  is predominant, and whose actions are directed
(if any such exist besides our own) where these  by its influence, is qualified for associating with
principles are counteracted, or not recognized as  the pure intelligences of all worlds. Were we
the foundation of moral action, misery and disor-  transported to the surface of the planet Jupiter,
-der, in a greater or less degree, must be the in-  and had we access to mingle with its vast popuievitable consequence.                         lation; or were we conveyed to one of the plaThe greater part, however, of the precepts  nets which revolve around the star Sirius-if the
icomprised in the moral law given to man, must  inhabitants of these globes have retained the
lbe considered as obligatory upon all the rational  primeval purity of their natures, and if the prininhabitants of the universe. Thefirst command-  ciple of love reigned supreme in our hearts, we;ment, which forbids the recognition of any object  should be assured of a welcome reception from
of adoration, or of supreme affection, besides the  those distant intelligences, and be qualified to
eternal Jehovah-the second, which forbids the  mingle with them in their adorations of our comreprgsentation ofthis incomprehensible Being by  mon Creator, and in all their affectionate and
iany visible or material objects-the third, which  harmonious intercourses. We should only have,enjoins reverence of the name or attributes of to learn the mode by which they communicate to!God-and the spirit of the fourth, which enjoins  each other their ideas and emotions.  Love:a certain portion of duration to be set apart for  would form the basis of every union, and amal-solemn acts of worship and adoration, are appli-  gamate us with every department of their sociecable to all the moral agents that Jehovah has  ty. With pleasure, and with the most endearing,created. The sixth commandment, which forbids  affection, would they point out to us the peculiar:malice, revenge, and injurious actions of every  glories of the world they inhabit, and rehearse,description-the ninth, which forbids falsehood,  the history of the Creator's dispensations in that
-and inculcates truth, which is the basis of the  portion of his empire; and with equal pleasure:moral universe-and the tenth, which forbids  should we listen to the instructions which flow
envy, and every unhallowed desire to deprive our  from the lips of Benevolence, and survey those
neighbour of any portion of his happiness-are  transporting objects and arrangements which de-.also:binding upon every class of moral intelligen-  corate a woild where love pervades the breasts
*ces, wherever existing, throughout the unlimited  of all its inhabitants.  To visit a distant world,.empire of God. For, if we suppose any one of  although it were in our power, where the inhathese precepts to be reversed, and moral agents  bitants were of an opposite description, could:to act on the principle of this subversion, their  afford no gratification to an intelligent and benemoral order and harmony would be interrupted,  volent mind, but would overwhelm it with anguish,and consequently, their happiness destroyed.-  and dismnay. What enjoyment would the capaFor example, let the law, which inculcates  cious mind of a pure intelligence from the regions
truth, be supposed to be universally violated  of the constellation Orion, derive from visiting a
tamong any class of rational beings, and instantly  world inhabited by such beings as the inhabitants
all improvement in wisdom and knowledge would  of Nootka Sound, New Guinea, or New Zealand,
cease; nothing could be depended upon as fact  where the moral and intellectual principle is
-but what was obvious to the senses of every in-  completely debased, and where the beauties of
iividual; social compacts wothld he dissolved; a  Nature are defaced with interminable forests and
amutual repulsion whould ensue, and every social  marshes, and the haunts of beasts of prey? lie




UNIVERISALITY OF THE PRINCIPLE OP LOVE.                                 67,vould be fil,e] wvithl (isalpp)oil-tment and horror-  space,-we are lost in the immensity ofcreatior
lie might drop a tear of pity over the wretched  and' can set no bounds to the empire of the
ilhlalbitants I but he would soon wing his flight Almighty Sovereign.  When we look forward te
bteck to a more delicate region.  A similar dis. that eternal state to which we are destinedappointment would be felt, were an inhabitant of  when we consider that after thousands of milour world, in whose mind hatred and cruelty,  lions of centuries have run their rounds, eteinity
avarice and ambition, reigned without control —  will be no nearer to a termination, and that ages,
to be conveyed to a world of happiness and love.  numerous as the drops of the ocean, will still roll
The novel scenes of beauty and grandeur, which  on in interminable succession,-we behold a
would burst upon his sight, might captivate his  lapse of duration, and a succession of events
senses for a little: but he would feel no enjoy-  stretching out before us, which correspond with
ment in the exercise of virtuous affections and  the immeasurable spaces of the universe, and
rapturous adorations, to which he was never ac-  the number and magnitude of the worlds with
customed; he would find no objects on which to  which it is stored. When we view ourselves as
gratify his cruel and ambitious desires, and he  thus connected with the immensity of creation
would be glad to escape from the abodes of af-  on the one hand, and with infinite duration on
fection and bliss, to the depraved society from   the other; and when we reflect on the numerous
whence he came. Hence we may learn, that,  changes that have happened, both in the physical
however expansive views we may have acquired  and moral aspect of our globe, within the period
of the range of the Creator's operations, and of  of six thousand years, we cannot but conclude
the immensity of worlds which  are diffused  that we are destined to pass through new scenes
through boundless space, and however ardent de-  and changes in that eternity which lies before us,
sires we may indulge of visiting the distant re-  of which at present we can form no conception.
gions of creation, we never can indulge a rational  After remaining foi thousands of millions of
hope of enjoying such a privilege, were it possi.  years in that world which will be prepared for
ble, unless love to God and to man become the  the righteous at the general resurrection, rwe
predominant disposition of our minds. For, al-  may. be transported to another system as far disthough we were invested by the Almighty with  tant from that abode as we now are from the
corporeal vehicles, capable of transporting us  most distant stars visible to our sight, in otder to
from one region of creation to another, with the  contemplate  new displays of the attributes of
most rapid motion, we could enjoy no solid sa-  God, in another province of his empire.  We
tisfaction, while we remained  unqualified  for  may afterwards be conveyed to an unoccupied
relishing the exercises, and mingling in the asso-  region of immensity, where new creations, disciations of holy intelligences.  In every happy  playing new objects of glory and magnificence,
world on which we alighted, we should feel our- -are starting into existence.  We may afterselves in a situation similar to that of a rude and  wards be invested with the wings of a seraph,
ignorant boor, were he conveyed to a palace, and  and be enabled to wing our way, in company with
introduced into an assembly of courtiers and  angels, from world to world, and to visit the most
princes.                                       distant regions of that immense universe over
2. Another conclusion deducible from  this  which Omnipotence presides.  In short, the
subject is, that by virtue of this grand and go-  imagination can set no limits to its excursions,
verning principle, man is connected with the  when it attempts to survey the revolutions ant
highest order of intelligences, and with the inha-  changes that may take  place, and the  new
bitants of the most distant worlds; and his  scenes of glory which may burst upon the view,
happiness  perpetually  secured.  When  we  throughout the lapse of duration which will have
take a view of the universe by the light of moo-  no end.
dern science, our minds are overpowered and    Now, in whatever relation man may stand to
confounded at the idea of its vast and unlimited  any portion of the universal system, throughout:ange.  When we consider that it would require  every ftture period of his existence, and during
several millions of years for a cannon ball, flying  all the revolutions of eternity, love will unite him
at the rate of five hundred miles an hour, to  to all other holy beings with whom he may asreach the nearest stars —when we consider that  sociate, however distant their abode from the
there are stars visible to the naked eye, at least  spot he now  occupies, however different its
fifty times farther distant than these-when we  scenery and arrangements, and however superior
consider that there arf, stars visible by the tele-  they may be in point of corporeal organization
scope a thousand times farther distant than any  and intellectual capacity.  For no intelligence,
of the former-and when we consider that all the  in any region of the universe, in whom the princisuns and worlds which lie within this unfathom-  pie of love predominates, can ever be supposed
able range are, in all probability, only as a  to disdain to associate with another, of whatever
grain of sand to the whole earth, when com-  rank or order, who is actuated by a similar affece
pared with tthe immensity of systems which lie  tiotn; otherwise his Isve would degenerate into
beyond them in the tir explored abyss of infinite  nalevolence.  This principle will unite him t4




THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
angels and archangels, to cherubim  and sera-  agitated the religious world, and obstructed tnq
phim, to thrones, domn.aions, principalities, and  operations of the benevolent affections, they
powers, from whose discourses he will learn the  would be driven away from the Christian svs.
history of the divine dispensations, the wonders  tern as chaff before the whirlwind; and Chrisof Almighty power, and the " manifold wisdom   tians would feel ashamed of the importance they
of God."  So long as it reigns uncontrolled in  attached to their " mint, -and anise, and culm.
his heart,'it will secure his happiness in all  min," while they neglected the weightier matters
places, and in every period of his existence, by  of the law, "judgment, mercy, and the love ot
a law established by the Almighty, and founded  God."  How many false and foolish opinions
on his perfections; a law which binds together  shall we leave behind us in this region of darkthe whole intelligent system, and forns the basis  tess and contention] when we enter within
of the felicity of the moral universe. So that  the confines of the eternal state? How sublime,
his future blessedness is for ever secure, beyond  how lovely, and how beautifying will religion
the reach of danger, and rests upon a foundation  appear in that world, where it will be contemstable and permanent as the throne of the  plated in its native simplicity, and stripped or
Eternal.                                       all the foreign and adventitious circumstances
3. From what has been now stated, we may  which now obscure its brightness and glory! I
learn that there is but one religionthroughout the  need scarcely say, that the one religion to which
universe, however vast its magnitude and bound-  I allude is Christianity, considered, not so much
less its extension.  In this world, numerous  in the scheme of mediation which it unfolds,
systems of religion prevail, and thousands of  which may have a relation solely to man viewed
different opinions in relation to its ceremonies  in his character as a sinner, but in the leadtng
and objects; but experience has demonstrated,  dispositions and virtues it inculcates, and in the
that all of them,- except one, are insufficient to  great objects which all its doctrines, facts, and
guide rational beings to substantial felicity.  supernatural communications have a tendency
And of this one system, how many foolish and  to accomplish.  In these points of view, it must
inaccurate, and even contradictory opinions,  be considered as imbodying principles and laws
have been formed, through the ignorance and  which pervade the religious systems ofallworlds.
perversity of the human mind! Though all its    Finally, Love is a principle in the moral and
parts have a direct reference to the actions of  intelligent system which bears a striking analogy
intelligent agents, and to the cultivation of to the principle of attraction in the material
benevolent affections, yet it has been represented,  world. Each of them unites, in its respective
even by its professed abetters, as a congeries of  sphere, all the beings which compose it in one
metaphysical dogmas and speculative opinions;  grand and harmonious system; and both of them
and in this point of view it has been the source  combined give birth to all the moral and physical
of perpetual wrangling and contentions. Though  phenomena which diversify the intellectual and
it is calculated to expand-the understanding, to  the material universe.  By the principle of atwarm the heart, and to elevate the soul to God,  traction, the inhabitants of the earth, along with
yet it has been reduced, by the ctunning artifice  their habitations, are retained to its surface, and
of man, to a mass of mere quibbles and unmean-  prevented from  flying off in wild confusion
ing ceremonies.  And though itbreathesnothing  through the voids ofspace. By the same power
but peace and good-will to man, it has been  the mountains rest on a solid basis, the rivers
employed as an engine of persecution and of flow from the mountains to the plains, and the
human destruction. It is only in proportion as  ocean is confined within its appointed channels.
our religion approximates to the character of the  It produces the various phenomena which arise
religion which is common to all holy beings,  from the meandering rill, the majestic river, and
that it is worthy of our veneration and our ardent  the roaring cataract.  It produces the descent
purstlt.  Anti therefore, in order to determine  of rain and dew, and the alternate flux and reflux
the truth and importance of any particular sys-  of the tides. It prevents the waters of the great
tem of religious opinions, the best test we can  deep from  covering  the mountain-tops, and
apply to it is, to ascertain what bearings it has  mingling in confusion with the clouds of heaven.
upon the grand principles to which we have been  It binds together the infinity ofatoms which conadverting.  " Do all the sentiments and tenets  stitute the globe on which we tread; it regulates
which it strenuously supports, like the lines from  the various movements of men and other animathe circumference to the centre of a circle, con-  ted beings; it forms mechanical powers, anri
verge towards the promotion of love in all its  gives impulsion tonumerous machines and enpractical ramifications? Are the opinions we  gines.  It rolls the moon in regular successiot'
now so fiercely maintain or such a nature, that  around the earth, and prevents her from running
we shall probably recognize them as important  lawlessly through the sky. It extends its infltpractical principles a million of years hence, in  ence from the sun to the remotest planets, coll
the regions of distant worlds?" If such a test  ducting revolving worlds, with all their satellites
were applied to hundreds of opinions which have  in their ample dirc'sits, and prese- ving them all




ANALOGY OF LOVE TO ATTRACTION.                                    69
in one harmonious system.  It connects the  rejoice in accomplishing the plans of their beneearth and the planetary globes with other sys-  volent Creator. Around him, as the sun of the
tems in the distant regions of space; and carries  moral system-the centre of light, and love, and
the sun, with all his attendant orbs, around the  joy-they all revolve in their appointed orde,.
centre of that nebula to which it belongs, and  cheered by the emanation of his love, enlightened
all the systems and nebulas of the universe  by his beams, and reflecting a radiance upon all
around the throne of God.                     the beings with which they are surrounded.
In like manner, love unites all holy intelli-  Though one orb differs from another in motion,
gences, wherever dispersed through the ampli-  in magnitude, and in glory, yet no one interferes
tudes of creation, in one amiable and harmonious  with another to impede its progress, or to intersystem. It unites man to God, and God to man.  cept the emanations of light and joy from the
It unites the renovated inhabitants of our globe  Uncreated Source and Centre of all enjoyment.
to angels and archangels, and qualifies them for    Were the principle of attraction which binds
entering into the closest bonds of friendship and  together the atoms of our globe, and connects the
affection with superior intelligences that people  planetary orbs with the sun, to be completely disthe regions of distant worlds. It produces an  solved, the earth would be shattered to its centre;
expansive and harmonious spirit, and an ardent  the waters of the ocean would fly upwards, and
desire to diffuse happiness among all surround-  be dispersed through the highest regions of the
big beings. It gives birth to those sublime emo-  atmosphere; rocks and mountains would be detions which flow out towards the Creator in the  tached from their bases, and raised aloft above
various forms of adoration, complacency, hope,  the clouds; forests would be torn up from their
confidence, humility, joy, submission, and re-  roots, and tossed about in confusion through the
verence; and it is the spring of all those vir-  sky; the moon would forsake her ancient course;
luous dispositions which flow out towards our  the planets would run lawlessly through the imfellow-creatures in the form of mercy, compas-  mensity of space, and mighty worlds would be
sion, sincerity, candour, sympathy, kindness,  seen dashing against each other, till they were
long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, charity,  shattered to pieces, and their fragments tossed
generosity, justice, and active beneficence. It  about in disorder throughout surrounding sysimpels its possessor to run to the assistance of  tems. Effects equally disastrous to the intellithe distressed, to support the weak, to console  gent system would be produced, were the influthe desponding, to comfort the dying, to diffuse  ence of love, in all its varied emanations, to be
the rays of heavenly light over the benighted  completely suspended or annihilated. War would
mintd, and to rejoice in the prosperity of all  be proclaimed in heaven, and myriads of angels
around. It is " the bond of perfection" which  hurled from their seats of bliss. The rapturous 
unites the members of an affectionate family, and  sonas and adorations of seraphs would be changed
preserves the union of the faithful in all the  into the howlingrs and execrations of demons.
churches of the saints. It unites man to man by  The population of the universe would be transthe closest ties, however different in language,  formed into one vast assemblage of fiends; its
customs, colour, and complexion, and however  regions of beauty and fertility would become one
far removed from each other in point of place.  wide scene of desolation and horror, and the voice
It enables the Greenlander, the Icelander, the  of lamentation and misery would be heard reAfrican, the inhabitant of Hindostan, and the in-  sounding throughout all worlds.  On earth kinghabitant of the British Isles, in whose hearts it  doms would be shaken and convulsed; governresides, to recognize each other as " the sons of  ments overturned; societies dissolved; families
God," and as' brethren in Christ Jesus."  It  dispersed; the bonds of friendship burst asunsends forth the imagination over every quarter of  der; husbands torn from their wives, and parents
the globe, carrying benevolent wishes, fervent  from their children; the intercourse of nations
prayers, and intercessions for men of all kindreds  suspended; the pursuits of science and religion
and ranks; and employs every active endeavour  abandoned; every rank and relation overturned,
to promote the present enjoyment and the eter-  end virtue banished from the abodes of men.
nal felicity of the family of mankind. It in-  Deserting all social beings, and forsaken by all,
spires the soul with emotions of delight, when  man would become a solitary monster, wandering
it becomes the instrument of communicating  without plan or object, an enemy to himself and
happiness to all within the sphere of its influ-  to his species.  Anarchy and disorder would
ence.  It unites the host of seraphim  and che-  reign triumphant over the whole race of human
rubim in one vast and harmonious association;  beings, and the howlings of wretchedness and
so that no jarring affection is ever felt, and no  despair would re-echo from every land.
discordant voice is ever heard, among the thou-    Such a scene of moral desolation.setfishness
sands and ten thousands of these exalted intelli-  anti mnalignity have a natural tendency to create;
gences.  It preserves every member of the holy  and such a scene they have actually created in
and intelligent system in the rank and orbit pre-  our world, in sofar as their inufluence has extended.
scribei by Ilfini-e Wisdom, and leads them all to  The power of attraction has never been corn




70                         THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
pletely suspew:ded in relation to our globe, nor  like unto it; Thou shalt love thy neighbout as
atas the moral Governor of the universe suffered  thyself. ON THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS IIA;rO
the principle of love to be entirely eradicated  ALL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS."  This
from the minds of its inhabitants. But, as when  declaration evidently implies, that it is the design
the law of gravitation is counteracted in case of  of the whole of the Old Testament Revelation. to
earthquakes and volcanoes, the most destructive  illustrate and enforce these laws, and to produce
and desolating convulsions ensue,-so it happens  all those holy tempers which are comprised in the
in the moral world, when the law of benevolence  love of God, and of our neighbour. This apis trampled under foot. " Nation rises against  pears to be the grand object of all the historica
nation, and kingdom against kingdom;" hostile  facts, religious institutions, devotional exercises
armies encounter like tigers rushing on their  moral maxims, prophecies, exhortations, proprey; " firebrands, arrows, and death" are scat-  mises, and threatenings, which it records.  The
tered in every direction; a confused noise of  history of the formation of the universe, and of
chariots, and horsemen, and of engines of de-  the beautiful arrangenlent of our globe, as destruction, is wafted on every breeze; garments  tailed in the Book of Genesis, is calculated to
are rolled in blood, and whole plains drenched  display the wisdom and goodness of the Creator.
with human gore, and covered with the carcasses  and to draw forth our affections towards Him
of the slain.  But wherever love diffuses its  who is the Author of our enjoyments, and whc
powerful and benign influence, there harmony,  pronounced every thing he had made to be " very
happiness, and peace are enjoyed by every rank  good."  The history of the wickedness of the
of sensitive and intellectual existence. In every  antediluvian world, of the dreadful effects it pro.
world where it reigns supreme, the intellectual  duced in the state of society, and of the awful
faculty is irradiated, the affections are purified  catastrophe by which its inhabitants were swept
and expanded, transporting joys are felt, and,  from existence, and buried in the waters of the
like the planetary orbs and their train of satel-  deluge, is calculated to illustrate, in the most
litesj all shine with a steady lustre, and move on-  striking manner, the guilt and the danger of
ward in harmonious order, around the Supreme  withdrawing the affections from God, and of inSource of intelligence, and the Eternal Centre  dulging a principle of malevolence towards man.
of all felicity.                               The history of the crimes of Sodom, and of the
fate of its wretched inhabitants; the destruction
of Pharaoh and his armies at the Red Sea; the
history of the idolatrous practices of the IsraelSECTION  VII.                    ites, of their murmurings in the wilderness, and
of the punishments inflicted for their rebellion;
THE PRECEDING  VIEWS CORROBORATED BY  the fate of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and of
DIVINE REVELATION,                the worshippers of Baal: The destruction of the
nations of Canaan; the judgments which purIN the preceding sections I have endeavoured  stied the Jewish nation, during the whole period
to illustrate the two grand principles of the Mo-  of their history, on account of their defection
ral Law, and to demonstrate their reasonableness,  from God, and the calamities which befell them
and the necessity of their universal operation, in  at the period of the Babylonish captivity-togeorder to the promotion of the happiness of the  ther with all the other facts connected with the
intelligent system. I have proceeded all along  history of that people and of the surrounding naon the ground of revelation, as well as of reason,  tions, are intended to exhibit the dismal conse.
and the nature of things. But since these im-  quences, and the moral wretchedness which inportant principles form the basis of the system   evitably follow, when the affections of mankind
of religion, and of all the practical conclusions  are withdrawn from the God of Heaven, and left
I may afterwards deduce in the remaining part  to grovel in the mire of depravity and vice.
of this work, it may be expedient to advert a    The institutions ofthe Jewish Church were
little more explicitly to the declarations of Scrip-  appointed for promoting the knowledge and the
ture on this subject. And here I propose very  love of God, and for exciting an abhorrence of
briefly to show, that it is the great end of Divine  every thing which is contrary to the rectitude
Revelation to illustrate these principles in all  and purity of his nature. Among the tribes that
their various bearings, and to bring them  into  inhabited the land of Canaan, prior to the en.
practical operation.                           trance of the Israelites, and among all the surThis position is expressly stated by our Sa-  rounding natioes, the worship of false gods, the
viour himself, in his reply to the scribe, who pro-  grossest superstitions, and the most abominable
uosed the question, "WVhich is the great corm-  vices universally prevailed. It was one great
mandment in the law?"  "' Thou shalt love the  end of the laws and ceremonies enjoined upon
Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy  Israel, to excite the highest degree of abhorrence
sout, and with all thy mind."  This is the first  at every thing which was connected with idolis
and great commandment.  Arid the second is  try, to portray its wic'tedncss and folly, to riuvs




ILLUSTRATIONS FROM SCRIPTURE.                                     71
he atffections of the people to the worship of the  men, all the providential dispensations of God,
true God, to preserve them uncontaminated from  all the manifestations of the divine character and
the malignant disposition, and the vile prac-  perfections, and all the descriptions ol the glories
tices of the neighbouring nations, and to instruct  of heaven, and of the terrors of heil, have a tenthem in the nature and attributes of the Deity;  dency to illustrate the indispensable obligation
that they might be " a peculiar people to Jeho-  of love to God, and love to all mankind, in older
vah, separated from all the people that were on  to secure our present comfort and eternal felicity.
the face of the earth."  Hence, the following in-    And, as it was the main design of the Old
timation and injunction are placed on the front  Testament economy to illustrate and enforce the
of the moral code of laws delivered to that nation,  principle of love to God and to man, so it is, in
"' Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is oneLord   a particular manner, the great object of the
Thou shalt have no other gods before me."  To  Christian Revelation, to exhibit the law of love
promote harmony and affection between man and  in all its bearings and practical applications. In
man;* to enforce the exercise of justice and equity  one of the first sermons delivered by our Saviour,
in all their dealings; to inculcate chastity and  and the longest one recorded in the Evangelical
purity of affection, kindness to strangers, coin-  History, the Sermon on the Mount, the m;iin
passion, tenderness, and sympathy; obedience  design is to explain and enforce these principles,
to parents, charitable dispositions towards the  in relation both to God and to man, and to sweep
poor and needy, and tenderness and mercy to-  away all the false glosses which Ignorance and
wards the inferior animals, were the great ob-  Prejudice had mingled with their interpretations
jects of the various laws and regulations com-  of the Divine Law. In one part of this displised in their moral and political code.     course, our Lord declares, that we may as soon
The devotional portions of the Old Testament,  expect to see," heaven and earth pass away," or
particularly those  contained in the book of  the whole frame of the universe dissolved, as
Psalms, have the same general tendency.  The  that "one jot or one tittle shall pass from the
descriptions of the work of creation and provi-  law." For, as it is a law founded on the nature
dence, the adorations of the majesty of the God  of God, it must be of eternal obligation, and can
of Israel, the celebration of the divine character  never be abrogated with regard to any class of
and excellences, and the ascriptions of thanks-  rational beings, in consistency with the perfecgiving and praise for the mercy, long-suffering,  tions of the divine nature. As it is a law absoand goodness of God, with which these divine  lutely perfect, comprehending within its range
compositions abound, are calculated to raise the  every disposition and affection, and every duty
affections to Jehovah as the source of every  which is requisite for promoting the order and
blessing, and to inspire the soul with love, admi-  happiness of intelligent agents, nothing can be
ration, and reverence. In many of these sublime  taken from it without destroying its perfection;
odes, particularly in the 119th Psalm, the mind  and nothing can be added to it without supposing
of the Psalmist is absorbed in meditation on the  that it was originally imperfect. And as it was
excellency of the divine precepts, and the happi-  intended to preserve the harmony and to secure
ness which the observance of them is calculated  the felicity of the intellectual beings that people
to convey to the soul. " O how I love thy law!"  the earth and the heavens, the fabric of universal
says David;," it is my meditation all the day.  nature must be destroyed, before this law can be
The law of thy mouth is better unto me than  set aside or cancelled. For we have already
thousands ofofgold and silver.  I have rejoiced  seen, (Sect. IV.) that, were it reversed, the
in thy testimonies as much as in all riches."  whole intelligent, system would be transformned
T'he moral maxims contained in the writings of into a scene of confusion, misery, and horror.
Solomon are likewise intended to draw forth the  For the purpose of affording an immense theatre,
desires after God, to counteract the influence of on which the operations of this law might be
the depraved passions of the human heart, and  displayed, the earth with all its furniture and
to promote the exercise of candour, sincerity, jus.  decorations, and the heavens, with all their
tice, and benevolence among mankind. The ex-  hosts, were called into existence; and, therefore,
hortations, remonstrances, and denunciations of were it either cancelled or reversed, neither the
the prophets, were also intended to recall the af-  glory of the Creator would be displayed, nor the
fections of the people of Israel to the God from  happiness of his intelligent creation secured.
whom they had revolted, to show the unreason-  The mighty expanse of the universe, enclosing
ableness of their conduct in " forsakina the foun-  so many spacious worlds, would become one
tain" of their happiness; to display the purity,  boundless moral desert, in which no " fruits of'
the excellence, and the eternal obligation of the  righteousness" would appear, nor any trace of
divine precepts, and to warn them of the inevita-  the beauty and benevolence of the Eternal Mind.
ble misery and ruin which will overtake the work-  -in the same discourse, our Saviour enforces
ers of iniquity.  In short, all the promises and  the duty of love towards even our most bitter
threatenings of the word ofGod, all the consider-  enemies and most furious persecutors. "'Ye
ations addressed to the hopes and the fears of have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt.




72                       THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But  from supper; he laid aside his garments; he
I say unto you, Love your enemies; bless them  took a towel; he girded himself; he poured war hat curse you; do good to them that hate you;  fer into a bason; he began to wash the discland pray for them  that despitefully use you, and  pIes' feet; and he wiped them with the towel
perseculle you; that you may be the childrenof  wherewith he was girded. He then addressed
vyor Father who is in heaven; for he maketh  them in such language as this:-" Let not your
Iis sun to arise on the evil and on the good, and  heart be troubled; in my Father's house are
sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."  many mansions; I go to prepare a place for you.
This is one of the most sublime exercises of the  And, if I go and prepare a place for you, I will
principle of love, in reference to our fellow-men;  come again and receive you to myself; that
and it is enforced from the most sublime motive  whereI am there ye may be also. I will not
wand consideration-the conduct of Benevolence  leave you comfortless; I will pray the Father,
itself towards a race of rebellious and ungrateful  and he shall give you another comforter, even
creatures.                                    the Spirit of truth, which shall abide with you
All the other instructions of this Divine Tea-  for ever. Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name,
cher-his parables, exhortations, admonitions,  I will do it. Peace I leave with you; my peace
warnings, tnd consolatory addresses, though re-  I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give
ferring to particular cases and circumstances-  I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neihad the same general object in view. When his  ther let it be afraid."  In his last prayer, which
disciples would have called for fire from heaven,  accompanied these benedictions, the same ardent
to consume the Samaritans, he kindly, but with  flow of affection burst from his benevolent heartenergy and decision, reminded them, that a prin.  "Holy Father! keep, through thine own name,
ciple of malignity was imbodied in their unhal-  those whom thou hast given me, that they may
lowed desires, which is directly opposed to the  be one as we are."  But his love was not conlaw of love. ", Ye know not what manner of fined to the select few with whom  he was surspiritye are of; for the Son of man is not come  rounded at this interesting hour. His mental
to destroy men's lives, but to save them." Among  eye surveyed the various tribes which people this
his last instructions to his followers, when he  department of creation-it pierced through all
was about to depart from the scene of his earthly  the succeding generations of mankind-and he
pilgrimage, love was the grand theme on which  embraced in his expansive affections the whole
he repeatedly expatiated.  "A  new command-  race of the faithful till the close of time.
ment give I unto you, that ye love one another;  " Neither pray I for these alone; but for them
as I have loved you, that ye also love one ano-  also who shall believe on me through their word;
ther. By this shall all men know that ve are  that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in
my disciples, if ye have love one to another."  me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in
" These things I command you, that ye love one  us."  Even towards his bitterest enemies his
another."                                      benevolent emotions flowed out, in earnest supAnd, as the promotion of the spirit of love was  plications for their forgiveness. Neither " the
the great object of his instructions, so his whole  floods of ungodly men," which compassed him,
sife was an uninterrupted exemplification of the  nor the torrents of abuse which were poured
purest benevolence, both towards friends and to-  upon him while he was nailing to the cross, could
wards enemies. Never did that holy affection  overpower that heavenly flame which burned in
which unites the angelic tribes, and diffuses joy  his holy breast. In the midst of all the mockeamong the poor inhabitants of all worlds, appear  ries, ihsults, and indignities which he endured,
within the confines of our world, so amiable, so  when he was made " a spectacle to angels and
disinterested, and so ardent, as during the period  to men," his affectionate desires ascended, with
of the public ministry of Jesus, and particularly  the smoke of the evening sacrifice, to the throne
towards the close of his earthlv career. In the  of God, in behalf of his murderers-" Father,
immediate prospect of sufferings, dreadfull be-  forgive them; for they know not what they do."
yond our conceptions, his love to mankind was  O, what a striking contrast is here presented, to
" strong as death," which the many waters of af-  those scenes of pride, malignity,, and revenge,
fiction which surrounded him were unable to  which have so long disgraced the race of Adam,
quench. His whole soul seemed to be absorbed  and spread lamentation, and mourning, and ter.
in affection towards his disconsolate disciples, and  rot, among families, societies, and nations!
in a desire to cheer and animate their drooping  What a happy world would this become, were it
spirits. His last addresses, as recorded by the  peopled with such amiable characters, and were
Evangelist John, breathe a spirit of tenderness  all who profess to be followers of Jesus, instead of
and compassion, and of Divine benignity, of which  contending about "questions which gender strife,"
we have no parallel in the annals of our race."  to vie with each other in imitating his mild and
To display his kindness and condescension,  benevolent spirit!  Then Christianity would apand to teach his disciples to peform with cheer-  pear in its native lustre, and receive the homage
rulness the humblest offices of friendship, he rose  due to its divine character: and the name of Se.




ILLUSTRATIONS FROMI SCRIPTURE,                                     78
tovah would soon be proclaimed throughout all  neighbour; therefore, love is the fulfillintg of the
the earth, and the joys of his salvation felt in  law. All the law is comprehended in this say
every clime.                                   ing, namely, Thou shalt. love thy neighbour as
A gain, it is one great end of the death of Christ  thyself. The works of the flesh," or those which'o destroy the principle of malignity in the hu-  flow from a principle of malignity, " are these:
marl heart, and to promote the operation of the  fornication, uncleanness, idolatry, hatred, varilaw of love.'" While we were enemies, (says  ance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, envy-.
the Apostle Paul,) we were reconciled to God  ings, mIurders, revellings, and such like.  But
by the death of his Son."  " We are sanctified  the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, ]ong-sutf
through the offeritlg of the body of Jesus Christ  fering, gentleness, goodness, fidelity, meekness
once for all."  " He loved us, and washed us  and temperance."  " Let love be without disfrom our sins in his own blood."  " They who  simulation, and walk in love as Christ also hath
were enemies in theirmind, and by wicked works,  loved us.  Be kindly affectioned one toward
he reconciled in the body ofhis flesh through death,  another with brotherly love, in honour preferring
to present them holy and unblameable, and unre-  one another. Distributing to the necessity of
provable in his sight."  Love to his heavenly  saints; given to hospitality. Bless them that perFather, and love to mankind, impelled him to  secute you? bless, and curse not. Rejoice with
" humble hilnself, and to become obedient to  them  that do rejoice, and weep with them  that
death, even the death of the cross."  And, in  weep. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ
order that this divine principle might be kept  also loved the church; children, obey your parents
alive, and form a bond of union among all his fol-  it the Lord; fathers, provoke not your children
lowers, he appointed an ordinance, consisting of  to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and
sensible signs, in commemoration of his death,  admonition of the Lo d. Servants, be obedient to
to be observed in all ages as a memorial of his  your masters, with good will doing service as to
love, and to remind his friends of the indispen-  the Lord, and not unto men; and ye masters, do
sible obligation under which they are laid to love  the same thing unto them, forbearing threatening,
one another.  To promote the same benevolent  knowing that your master also is in heaven."
design, he arose from  the dead, ascended to  " Ptlt on, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
heaven, sent down the Spirit of Holiness to abide  bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind,
in the Church, and now presides in the celestial  meekness, lcng-suffering; forbearing one another
world as " a Prince and a Savioulr, to give re-  in love, and forgiving one another, if any man
pentance and the remission of sins."           have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forAnd, as the instructions and the example of  gave you, so also do ye."
Jesus Christ were calculated to exhibit the prin-    Stuch is the general scope of the instructions
ciple of love in all its interesting aspects, and to  which the apostles delivered, in all their compromnote its practical influence, so the preaching  munications to the Christian churches, whether
and the writings of his Apostles had the same  composed of Jews or Gentiles.  And, had it not
important object. in view, as the ultimate scope  been for the strong prejudices of the Jews, and
of all their ministrations.  The one half of every  the erroneous conceptions of the Gentiles, which
epistle to the Christian churches is occupied in  the apostles had to conmbat, it is probable,,hat
delineating the practical bearings of this holy af-  the whole of their epistles would have been solely
fection. Like the lines which proceed from the  occupied in delineating the practical effects of
centre to the circumference of a circle, the va-  love to God, and to our brethren of rr.nkind,,tous radiations of Christian affection are traced  and its glorious consequences  in the  future
from love, as the grand central point, and exhi-  world. And, as it was the great aim of the
bited in all their benign influence on individuals,  apostles themselves, in their writings and perfamilies, churches, and the diversified relations  sonal administrations, to illustrate the numerous
which subsist in civil and Christian society.  bearings of Christian love, so they gave solemn
"Above all things," says the Apostle, " put on  charges to their successors in the work of the
love, which is the bond of perfection. Though  ministry, to make all their instructions subserwe speak with the tongues of men and angels, and  vient to the promotion of the same important ob.
have not love, we are become as sounding brass, ject. Almost the whole ofthe epistles addressed
or a tinkling cymbal. And though we under-  to Timothy and Titus, which relate to the dustand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and be-  ties and the objects of the Christian ministry, has
stow all our goods to feed the poor, and have not  a reference, not to the discussion of metaphysical
tove, itprofiteth nothing. Love suffereth long,  questions in theology, which " are unprofitable
and is kind; love envieth not, vaunteth not itself,  and vain," but to the illustration and the inculcatdoth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her  ing of those practicalduties which flow from the
own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.  spirit of love, and to the counteracting of those
Prophecies shall fail, languages shall cease,  proud, malignant, and speculative dispositions
earthly knowiedge shall vanish away, but love  which are opposed to the mneekness and benignity
foiheth.";Love worketh no ill to his  of the gospel of peace.




74                       THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIO(N.
I alghlt also have shown, by numerous quota-  I was in prison, and ye came unto me."  And,
tions, that, in the general epistles of Peter,  though ye had no opportunity of performing these
James, and John, the same grand object to which  offices to me in person, yet, "' inasmuch as ye
I have been adverting is steadily and uniformly  did it to one of the ieast of these my brethren,
Kept in view. The first epistle of John is almost  ye did it unto me."  " Then shall he also say to
exclusively devoted to the illustration of the love  them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursof God and of man; and on this theme, in which  ed; for I was an hungered, and ye gave me no
his soul appears to be almost entirely absorbed,  meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink
he expatiates wch peculiar energy and delight:  I was a stranger and ye took me not in; naked,'We know that we have passed from death to  and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and
life, because we love the brethren.  He that  ye visited me not. Verily, I say untoyou, inasloveth not his brother abideth in death.  Who-  much as ye did it not to one of the least ofthese,
soever hateth his brother is a murderer; and ye  ye did it not to me. And these shall go away
know that no murderer hath (the principle of)  into everlasting punishment, but the righteous
eternal life abiding in him.  Behold, what lnan-  into life eternal."  For every one shall be rener of love tile Father hath bestowed on us, that  warded according to his works.-Such  is the
we should be called the sons of God!  Beloved,  importance which will be attached to the influlet us love one another; for love is of God: and  ence of this holy affection over the human mind,
every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth  at that " day of dread, decision, and despair;"
God.  He that loveth not knoweth not God;  for it is quite obvious, that every action here
for God is love. No man hath seen God at any  specified in relation to the righteous, is an effect
time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in  of the love of God and of man presiding in the
us, and his love is perfected in us. If any man  heart, and, therefore, if we shall ultimately be
say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a  found destitute of this holy principle, we cannot
liar; for he that loveth not his brother, whom he  expect the reward of the faithful, nor " have
bath seen, how can he love God, whom he hath  boldness in the day ofjudgment."
not seen?"  It is recorded, by some ancient au-    Thus it appears that it is the great end of all
thors, that when this apostle was grown old, and  the historical facts, the religious institutions, the
unable to preach, he used to be led to the church  devotional writings, the moral maxims, the inat Ephesus, and only to say these words to the  structions of the prophets, the warnings, exhorpeople, Little children, love one another."  Such  tations, promises, and threatenings, comprised
was the importance which this venerable apostle  in the Jewish revelation, to illustrate and enforce
attached to love, as the grand and governing prin-  the law of love in its references both to God and
ciple in the Christian system.                to man-that it is explained and illustrated in the
Finally, The procedure of the last judgment  various instructions delivered by our blessed
will be conducted on evidence, deduced from the  Saviour, and enforced by his example-that its
manifestations of love. At that solemn period,  numerous bearings and modifications are displaywhen the present economy of Divine Providence  ed in the writings of all the apostles, and in
shall come to a termination; when the elements  their instructions to Christian teachers —and, that
shall melt with fervent heat, and the great globe  its existence in thie heart, and its operation in
on which we tread shall be wrapt in flames;  active life, will form the decisive test of our chawhen the archangel shall descend, and sound  racter at the final judgment.
an alarm  with" the trump of God;" when the
graves shall open, and give forth their dead; and
when all the generations of men, " both small              SECTION VIII.
and great," shall stand before the throne of God;
the eternal destiny of all the millions of mankind  Ox THE PRACTICAL OPER TION OF LOVE, AND
will be unalterably determined, on the ground of    TRE VSARIOUS MODES IN wHICH IT SHOULD
the manifestations which have been given of the    BE DISPLAYED TOWARDS MANKIND.
existence and the operation of the principle of    WE have already seen, that love is a most
love, and of the affections and conduct to which  noble and expansive affection. It is not like a
it is opposed.  " When the Son of man shall  blazing meteor which dazzles the eye for a few
come in his glory, and all the holy angels with  moments, and then vanishes from the sight.  It
him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his  does not consist merely in a few transient emoglory.  And before him shall be assembled all  tions, and fruitless wishes for the good of others.
nations.  Then shall he say to them on his right  It does not waste its energies in eloquent hahand, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the  rangues on the beauty ofvirtue, in theorizing spe.
singdom prepared for you from the foundation of  culations on the principles of morals, in framing
the world. For I was an hungered, and ye gave  Quixotic schemes of philanthropy, or in weep.
me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink;  ing over tales of fictitious wo. It is a substantial
I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and  and an ever active principle; its energies are exve clothed me; I was si k, and ye visited me;  erted for the purpose of comnlunicating happiltass




PRACTICAL OPERATIONS OF BEN]EVOLENCE.                                  75
to every rank of sensitive and intellectual beings;  to accomplish the purposes of benevolence, in
and the moral world, as it actually exists, is the  reference to the universal system. For, the ge.
gland theatre of its operations.  I have already   neral good of God's universal empire, considered
endeavoured to illustrate some of the modifica-  as one whole, must be viewed as the great end
tions of this affection, in its relation to God;* and,  which benevolence is accomplishing, and the
in the preceding sections of this chapter, have   partial exclusions from happiness, which now
occasionally adverted to some of its benignant  happen in the case of certain classes of moral
effects in reference to man. It may, however,  agents, mulst be regarded as necessary arrangebe expedient, in this place, to enter a little more  ments subservient to this important end. His
explicitly into the practical operations of benevo-  infinite Knowledge, extending to all events, past,
lence, and the various modes by which its influ-  present, and to come; and his Omniscient eye,
ence may be manifested in relation to our bre-  piercing into the secret purposes of every heart,
thren of mankind.                             surveying the various tribes of men, and the cirThe grand object which love proposes to ac-  cumstances of all the worlds which float in the
complish is the communication ofhappiness. And,  immensity of space, and comprehending the rein order to stimulate and direct us in its opera-  motest consequences of all actions throughout
tions, the character and agency of God are set  infinite duration, enable Him, in every instance,
before us as our exemplar.  There is not a more  to form those arrangements by which the objects
amiable, attractive, nor comprehensive idea of  of benevolence may be accomplished on the most
the Divine Being any where to be foulnd than that  extensive scale, and by which the everlasting
which is exhibited by the Apostle John, in three  happiness of the holy and intelligent system may
words-G;OD IS LOVE. He is the eternal, un-  be most effectually secured.
created Source of felicity, from which flow all    For the purpose of displaying his love to the
those streams of joy which gladden the hearts of  moral intelligences of our world, he has given
angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim;  us a revelation of his character and will; he has
and whatever portion of happiness, sensitive or  exhibited his law as a law of love; he has pro.
intellectual, is enjoyed by man on earth, and by   mnised the agency of his holy Spirit, to produce
all the subordinate tribes of animated nature, is  in us those dispositions which his law requires;
derived from the same inexhaustible fountain.  and he has given the most affecting display ol
For the purpose of communicating happiness, he  his love, in the mission of his Son into the
called the material universe into existence, to  world. "In this," says the Apostle John," was
serve as an immense theatre, on which his bene-  manifested the love of God towards us; because
volence might be displayed to countless orders  that God sent his only-begotten Son into the
cf sensitive and intelligent creatures; and all  world, that we might live though him. Herein
tie perfections of his nature may be considered as  is love; not that we loved God, but that lie lovso many agents employed for the execution of  ed us, and sent his Son to be a propitiation for
this noble design. Impelled, as it were, by this  our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, how ought
essential and characteristic affection of the Di-  we to love one another?"
vine Mind, all the attributes of Deity are inces-    Now, we are commanded in the Sacred Scrip.
santly operating throughout the immensity of  tures to be imitators of God in his benevolent
creation in the view ofthe inhabitants ofall worlds.  operations, and especially in those cases in
His Omnipotence is employed in supporting the  which love requires to surmount every obstacle,
worlds already created, and in bringing new   and to exert all its powers in opposition to hasystems, and new orders of beings into exist-  tred, enmity, and ingratitude. " Be ye perfect,"
ence; and his Wisdom, in devising, select-  says our Saviour, " as your Father who is in
ing, and arranging those means which are requi-  heaven is perfect. Love your enemies;, bless
site for accomplishing the plans of benevolence.  them who curse you; do good to them who hate
Towards those wretched beings who have abused  you; and pray for them who despitefully use you
his goodness, and wandered from happiness, his  and persecute you. That you may be the chil-.il'ercy is proclaimed; and his Patience and for-  dren of your Father who is in heaven: for he
bearance are long exercised, in order to lead  maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the
them to repentance, and to the paths of felicity.  good; and sendeth rain on the just and on thfe
His Justice, conjoined with his power, is exer-  unjust."  So that his enemies subsist on his
cised for the purpose of restraining the efforts of  bounty, and are cheered and refreshed by his proc
malevolence, for preventing the inroads of anar-  vidential care. In like manner, the operation o.
chy and confusion, ana for preserving the order  love on the part of man may be consideredas the
and happiness of the intelligent creation. In this  whole energy of an intelligent, mind, directing
view, all the judgments, however dreadful and  its faculties of perception, judgment, reasoning,
appalling, which have been inflicted on the work-  and imagination, along with its physical pow-,rs of iniquity in every age, have had a tendency  ers, to the production of happiness both among
friends and enemies, so far as its influence can
~See pages 40G-1                 extend. In the prosecution of this noble end, man




7fl                      THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
becomes " a worker together with God," a subor-  pure atmospheric air to invigorate his anima,
dlnate agent in carrying forward those plans of In-  system, and water to cleanse and refresh him.
finite Benevolence which will issue in the ultimate  He is exposed to corporeal weakness and tc
happiness of the moral universe.  And as the  mental imbecility; to pain, sickness, and disAlmighty, in his benevolentoperations, preserves  ease; to the loss of sight, of hearing, and of
the harmony of the universe by certain laws of  bodily feelings; to the decrepitude of old age
order which he has established, as is apparent  and to all those lingering disorders which termiin the arrangement of the planetary system, and  nate in dissolution.  He is also exposed to the
in the physical and moral economy of our ter-  afflictions occasioned by the loss of friends and
restrial sphere; so it is the duty of man, in all  relatives; to dejection of mind, to remorse of
the movements to which love impels him, to imi-  conscience, to doubt, despondency, and despair 
tate his Creator in this respect, and to employ the  and to a long train of anxieties, vexations, perintellectual faculties with which he is endued, for  plexities, and troubles of various kinds. Now,
regulating the exercise of the benevolent prin-  in reference to the wants of mankind, love, when
ciple, for adapting  anid proportioning means  genuine and ardent, will endeavour to supply
to ends, and for discriminating between rational  them wherever a deficiency is known to exist
and enthusiastic schemes of exertion; so that  and in reference to their calamities and sorrows,
order may facilitate his movements, and that the  it will use its utmost exertions to relieve and
greatest sum of happiness may result from his  assuage them, ill as far its powers and influ.
active endeavours.                             ence can extend.  In this respect, every one,
We may now attend more particularly to the  however low his situation in life, however lii
practical operations of love, and the objects to-  mited the range of his knowledge, and how
wards which it should be directet,.            ever contracted the sphere of his influence ma)
The principal objects towards which our be-  be, has it in his power, in a greater or less denevolence should be directed are, intelligent be-  gree, to communicate blessings to his brethren
ings; and in the sphere of action to which we  of mankind. He can visit the sick bed of an
are at present confined, man is the chief object  afflicted neighbour; he can supply a cup of cold
whom we have it in our power to benefit by our  water to cool his parched tongue; he can wipe
benevolent exertions. Our benevolent affections,  the sweat from his forehead; he can smooth his
indeed, ought to expand towards all the holy  pillow; he can turn him  round on his bed of
intelligences of which we have any intimation;  languishing, that he may enjoy a more comfort.
and, in another stage of our existence, we may  able repose; and he can cheer him  with those
have an opportunity of mingling with other or-  expressions of tenderness and affection, which
ders of intellectual beings, and of co-operating  have a tendency above all other acts of kindness
with them in diffusing happiness throughout the  to sooth and revive the downcast spirit. He
universe; but while we continue in this sublu-  can assist his neighbour by his strength, or by
nary region, the improvement and happiness of  his skill, by his-counsel and advice, and by takour fellow-men is the chief object to which our  ing a lively interest in his concerns; he can
exertions must necessarily be confined; and when  promote his joy by rejoicing in his prosperity and
we view the present state of the moral world in  success, by assisting him in his employment, by
all nations and climates, we behold a field of ex-  rescuing him  from danger, by forgiving the inertion sufficientl;:mple to employ all the ener-  juries he may have received, by acknowledging
gies of benevolence that have ever yet been dis-  the worth of the skill, virtues, and endowments
played, or perhaps ever will be displayed during  of which he is possessed, and by listening with
the existing economy of our world.            patience and complacency to his sentiments,
Man may be considered in two points ofview:  complaints, or grievances. He can even proas possessed of a body, which is susceptible of  mote the happiness of his neighbour in a negative
agreeable or disagreeable sensations and feel-  way, by not injuring him in his character or reings; and, as endued with a mind, or spiritual  putation; by not standing in the way of his prosprinciple  which is capable of perpetual im-  perity or advancement; by not thwarting him
provement in knowledge and virtue, and which  in his schemes and enterprises; by not interis destined an endless existence.  In'both these  rupting him in his innocent amusements; and
respects, love will exert its powers in meliorat-  by refraining from  every thing that would tend
ing the condition and promoting the enjoyments  unnecessarily to injure hirm in his trade or pro.
of mankind.  In regard to his corporeal system,  fession. Such friendly attentions to promote
nman  has various wants, which require to be  the comfort of his fellow-men, every one has it
supplied, and he is subjected to various suffer-  in his power to bestow: and upon such appaings which require to be soothed and allevi-  rently trivial actions the happiness of mankind
a;ted.  He stands in need of food, raiment, shel-  in general more immediately depends, than on
ter from  the blasts of the tempests, comfort-  many of those legislative arrangements which
able lodging and accommodation, light to cheer  arrest the attention of a whole empire. For
and erable him to prosecute his employments,  wvere they universally performed, the greater par




PRACTICAL OPERATIONS OF BENEVOLLNCE.                                     77
of the miseries which afflict humanity would  ficence. In short, the whole machinery of nature
disappear from the world.                       and art, of mind and matter, of religion and liters.
But, in cases where a high degree of intel-  ture, of science and legislation, would be set in
iectual talent, of wealth, and of influence is pos.  motion to promote the external enjoyments of
sessed, love is enabled to take a wider range in  nmankind, were love a predominant principle in
its beneficent operations, by endeavouring to  human society.  Cottages on commodious and
counteract public evils, and to promote rational  healthy plans would be reared for the industrl~
schemes of general philanthropy.  When we  ous poor; streets would be formed and gardens
take a survey of the condition of the great mass  allotted them  for their pleasure and accomnlnrof the lower orders of society, we find them la-  dation; public manufactories would be arranged
bouring under many physical evils and inconve-  and regulated in such a manner as to contribute
niences, which have a tendency to injure their  to health, to comfort, and to rational improvehealth and their comfort, and to obstruct their  ment;* the children of the poor would be fed
moral and intellectual improvement. In their  and clothed, and trained up to habits of industry
orivate habitations, we find multitudes of them   and virtue; employment would be provided for
residing in places where they are almost depriv-  all classes of labourers and mechanics, and subed of light and of pure air, and surrounded with  sistence furnished when employment could not
noxious effluvia, putrid smells, and every thing  be procured; idleness would be universally disthat is insalubrious and offensive to the senses.  couraged, and honourabie industry would be reWe find wnole families packed into a narrow   warded in such a manner as to afford not only the
apartment of twelve feet square, in a narrow lane,  comforts, but even many of the luxuries of life;
where the rays of the sun never penetrate, where  slavery in every shape, with all its injustice and
the refreshing breeze is seldom felt, and where  cruelties, would be abolished. and rational liberty
the beauties of nature are never beheld. In  would be proclaimed among all ranks and in
public manufactories we find hundreds of men,  every clime.
women, and children, with pale faces and ema      Thus the man in whose heart love presides,
ciated looks, breathing a polluted atmosphere  takes a lively and sincere interest in every thing
half-poisoned with  deleterious fumes, steam,  that has a tendency to promote the external comsmoke, or noxious gases. In large cities, we  fort and welfare of his neighbour. He is comfind numbers of children, through the careless-  passionate and merciful, gentle and indulgent,
ness and unprincipled disposition of their pa-  kind and tender-hearted, generous and humane;
rents, left to wallow in filth and wretchedness,  he feels for the sorrows of suffering humanity,
without even rags to cover their nakedness, and   and his wealth and activity are directed to reencouraged in the haibits of pilfering, and of every  lieve the distresses of the poor and the afflicted,
other vice which can debase their minds and  to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to prorender them pests to society; and we behold  tect the widow and the orphan, to encourage
others doomed to the degrading employment of  honest industry, to meliorate the condition of the
chimney-sweeping, deprived of the attentions  useful mechanic, and to increase and extend his
which flow from  the tender affection of parents,  comforts and enjoyments.  Of such a one it may
and subjected to the harsh treatment of unfecl-  be said, in the language of Job, " He is eyes to
ing masters. We behold multitudes of human  the blind, feet to the lame, and a father to the poor.
beinas torn from their families and their native  When the ear hears him, then it blesses him,
land, cooped up in an infernal floating dun-  and when the eyes sees him, it gives witness to
geon, carried to a foreign land, sold like cattle  him; because he delivers the poor that cries,
to an avaricious planter, and held in the chains  and the fatherless, and him that hath none to help
of perpetual slavery.  In reference to all these
and similar evils which exist in human society,
d similar evils which exist in human society,'Some may be disposed to insinuate, that such at.
love will exert its energies, either to alleviate or  tempts would be altogether visionary, and could ne.
to remove them. It will induce one individual  ver be realized. But I would ask such persons
to investigate their causes, to point out the pro-  Have such schemes ever been attempted to be rea liz
ed on an extensive scale? Has the promotion of the
per means of remedy, and to publish to the world  health and comfort of the industrions poor ever bethe result of his deliberations and researches.  come aparticular object of attentioel to the legislaltlre
It will induce another to apply the discoveries  to men of rank and influence, and to the whole class
It will        inueaohrtppytedsoeof opulent manufacturers? Is it not a fact, thal
of natural science and the inventions of art to  while the acquisition of wealth is made the main ob
the purpose of improving the physical condition  ject of attention, the melioration of the condition ol
the industrious labourer and mechanic is either alto.
of mankind.  It wi l induce a third individual,  gether overlooked, or viewed as a very subordinate
in conjunction with others, to form rational plans  object of attention? He is generally. left to shift fos
of melioration, and to organize societies to carry  himself the best way he can, and left to breathe inll al
impure atmosphere without any particular sacriflce
them  into effect; and it will impel others to  being made to remedy t.he evil. I venture to affirlmy
come forward with their wealth and influence to  that were the comfort of the lower orders of societD
provids the means for carrying forward on the  made as ptrticular an object of attention as is tihe
acquisition of wealth, every obstacle to its accotle
most extensive scale the plans of general bene-  plishment would soon be removed.




7fr9               THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELLGION.
him. Tht blessing of him that was ready to  scenes of creation and providence, to display the
perish comes upon him, and hecauses the widow's  character of God, and to train up the youthfu;
heart to sing for joy."                        mind to glory and immortality.
But the activities ofbenevolence are notconfinl  Now, in reference to the ignorance which pre.
ed to the communication of sensitive enjoyments.  vails in the world, love to man, as an intellectual
Man is a rational and immortal, as well as a  being, will excite to active endeavours in order
sensitive being; and the operations of genuine  to counteract its influence. It will prove an exlove will have for their ultimate object the pro..  citement to the erection of seminaries of instruco
motion ofhis best interests as a moral and intellec-  tion wherever they are deficient; it will patronize:ual agent, and as an heir ofimmortality.     every scheme and every exertion by which know..
When we consider manas an intellectual be-  ledge may be increased; and will diffuse mental
ing, standing in various important relations to  illumination as far as the sphere of its influence
his God and to his fellow-creatures, we behold  extends.  It will not rest satisfied with the form
numerous evils which require to be remedied, as  of instruction, without the substance; with the
well as in the circumstances of his physical con-  elements of language, without the elements of
dition. Though the human mind is capable of  thought; with the key of knowledge, without
vast expansion, of acquiring an immense number  knowledge itself; but will devise rational plans
of sublime and interesting ideas, and ofenjoying  for conveying substantial information to the minds
the purest pleasure in contemplating the objects  of the young, so as to win theiir affections, arrest
which lie within its range, yet it is a melanchuly  their attention, and carry them  forward with
fact, that in all ages, mental darkness has en-  pleasure in the paths of improvement.  It will
veloped the great majority of our race; and that  not offer them stones and ashes instead of bread,
the grossest ignorance of the most important  but will spread before them an intellectual feast,
truths, accompanied with the most degrading af-  and "feed them with knowledge and understandfections, still prevails among the greater part of  ing."  It will not confine its altention merely to
the population of every region of the globe. We  the instruction of the young, but will endeavour,
need not go to the frozen climes of Lapland and  by writing, by conversation, by lectures, by lendLabrador, to the filthy huts of the Greenlander  ing and circulating books, by establishing public
and the Esquimaux, to the rude savages of  libraries, and by organizing rationaland scientific
Nootka Sound, to the degraded tribes of New-  institutions, to diffuse the rays ofintellectual light
Holland and Van Dieman's Land, to the wild  among men of all ages, ranks, and professions;
and wretched Boshemen and Caffres, or to the  and will never cease its exertions till ignorance,
swarthy sons of Central Africa, in order to be  with all its degrading accompaniments, be ba..
convinced of this lamentable truth.  We need  nished from society, and till the light of truth illuonly to look around us among the various ranks of  minate the inhabitants ofevery land.  In a word,
our own population, and we shall not fail to see  it will endeavour to render every branch of
ignorance, in all its diversified forms, exerting its  knowledge subservient to the illustration of the
malign influence over the minds of men, accomr-  character and the revelation of God, and to the
panied with superstition, enthusiasm, bigotry,  preparing of mankind for the employments of
intolerance, and every grovelling affection that  that nobler state of existence to which they are
can debase the human mind. Multitudes of the  destined.
young, both in the city and in the country, are    Again, as man is possessed of an immortal na.
suffered to shoot up from infancy to manhood, as  ture, and in his present state of sin and degrada.
iftlley were mere animal existences, ignorant of  tion is exposed to misery in the future world, so it
the character and operations of God, of the duties  is one of the highest offices of love to endeavour
they owe to their Creator and to one another, and  to promote the eternal salvation of mankind. For
of the eternal state of existence to which they  the accomplishment of this important object, ail
are destined. Even in many of those places  its activities are concentrated, and all its other
where instruction is attempted to be communi-  labours are rendered subservient.  To improve
cated, what a pitiful picture is exhibited of the re-  the physical condition of man as a sensitive be.
suits of education, and of the folly which attaches  ing, and to enlarge his knowledge as an intellec..
itself to the character of man! The pronuncia-  tual, while we overlook his eternal interests
tion of a number of unmeaning words, the recit-  is to neglect one of the most important duties of
ing of passages which the young cannot under-  Christian philanthropy.  The sensitive enjoy.
stand, the repetition of a few propositions in re-  ments of man are conducive to his happiness so.igion to which no ideas are attached, and the  long as they continue; and " knowledge is plea...asting of a few accounts, are considered as suf-  sant to the soul."  But what are all the acquisi-'cient to lead them forward in the path of know-  tions and enjoyments of time, when compared
edge and virtue; and are substituted in the place  with the concerns of eternity! and what will they
of those definite and luminous instructions which   avail, if their possessor be found unqualotedi for
are requisite to expand the opening intellect, to  the employments of an endless life! If the sou.
tonvey distinct ideas to the mind, to unfold the  of man be an immortal principle, and if the least




PROGRESS OF BENEVOLENTCE,                                      79
danger exists of its leing deprived, though igno-  and bitter animosities which have so'ong dis.
rance and guilt, of happiness in the future world,  tracted the Christian church, which have throws
no words can express  the importance which  an odium on its character, and prevented the
ought to be attached to this " labour of love."  harmonious intercourse of the followers of Jesus.'( What will it profit a man if he shall gain the  It will make every sacrifice consistent with the
whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall  great objects of Christianity, and will use ever,
a man give in exchange for his soul?" And there-  appropriate mean to heal the unhappy divisions
fore, the man ir. whose breast true benevolence  which exist in the religious world, and to proresides, will consider the eternal happiness of his  mote an affectionate union of " all who love our
fellow-immortals as the grand and ultimate ob-  Lord Jesus in sincerity;" in order that the
Ject which ought always to be kept in view,  church of Christ may form one compact harnmoand will exert all his faculties, powers, and influ-  nious body, in opposition to atheists, skeptics,
ence, in order to its accomplishment. He will  and the men of the world, and in order that
trot rest satisfied with prayers and wishes for the  every plan and effort to diffuse the knowledge
salvation of men; he will not wait for any ex-  and influence of the Christian religion may be
traordinary afflatus of the Divine Spirit; but  carried more speedily and more extensively into
will prosecute with judgment and perseverance  effect.
that course of active duty, which has a tendency
to pioduce the desired effect. So far as the    With regard to all the otherbranches of Chris.
circle of his influence extends, he will endeavour  tian morality, and to all the virtues which can
to instruct the ignorant, to arouse the careless,  adorn the human character, in every station and
to reclaim the dissipated, to convince the skeptic,  relation in life, they will be found to flow from
to train up the young in the knowledge of God  the exercise of the principle I have now  been
and in the paths of virtue, and to encourage and  illustrating, as naturally as the sap flows from
animate every one who is inquiring the way to  the trunk of the remotest ramifications of a tree,
eternal life. He will exhibit religion in its most  or as the gas which now illuminates our streets
amiable, and attractive, and sublime aspects;  and churches flows from  the main gasometer.
and will endeavour to fix the attention on the  through hundreds of pipes, to all the different
lovely tempers, and the beneficial effects which  burners. Sincerity and veracity in our words
the observance of its precepts has a tendency to  and actions, honesty and fair dealing ip trade
produce. He will not make it his chief object to  and commerce, fidelity to compacts and engageconvert men to the beliefof certain metaphysical  ments, a regard to public liberty, an equitable
dogmas in religion, nor to gain them over to en-  administration  of justice, condescension and
brace the peculiarities ofa party; but to produce in  kindness to inferiors, reverence and respect- to
their minds a cordial acquiescence in the plan of superiors, submission to just laws and regulasalvation which the Gospel exhibits, a reverence  tions, friendship, and a cordial interchange of
of the divine character and perfections,a desire  fiiendly sentiments and affections; courtesy, cito cultivate holy tempers, and a fixed determina-  vility, affability, harmony, and good neigbour.
tion to walkin the paths of God's commandments.  hood  modesty, chastity, and discretion; forSuch a character will give every due encou-  giveness of injuries, hospitality to strangers,
ragement by his advice and by his wealth to  humanity to servants and dependants, compassion
Christian churches, and to faithful and intelli-  to the distressed; parental, filial, and fraternal
gent ministers of religion.  He will patronize  affection, sympathy, generosity, temperance,
every rational scheme which has for its object to  and fortitude, together with all the other social
propagate the Gospel of peace.mong all nations.  virtues which unite man to man, will as naturally
He willencourage thetranslationof theScriptures  flow from  the fountain of love, when it exists
into the languages of all kindreds and tribes; he  in the human breast, as water flows from a
will give countenance to societies formed for cir-  reservoir, through all the pipes which distribute
cullating the Bible in foreign lands; and he will  it to the inhabitants of a large city. For he
assist in sending forth intelligent and philanthro-  who withholds the exercise of such virtues, or
pic missionaries to barbarous and unenlightened  acts in direct opposition to them, can never be
tribes, for the purpose of diffusing the blessings  supposed to be sincerely attached to his fellowof knowledge, civilization, and religion; and he  creatures, or to consult their happiness; and
will rejoice to co-operate in such benevolent  the meaning of language mnust be inverted beschemes with all who sincerely wish to promote  fore we can apply to him the epithet benevolent;
the best interests of their fellow men, by what-  and the order of the moral system  deranged,
ever name they are distinguished, and to what-  before we can expect happiness to flow fiom such
ever section of the Christian church they may  a conduct.
belong.                                          The cardinal virtues have been arranged by
In short, love, when genuine and ardent, will some moralists under the heads of Prudence
set itself in opposition to every species of bigotry  Temperance, Fortitude, and Justice. Prudence
and intolerance, and to all those Detty jealousies. consists in judging what is best, in the choice




8G                       THE PHIILOSOPHY OF -RELIGION.
both of ends and means, particularly in reference  comfort and the moral and religious Improveto our own interests, and to the good or evil which  ment of all around him.' He will display the
nay result from our choice. Temperance is that  activities of this holy affection more immediately
virtue which moderates and restrains the sensual  in the family in which he resides, as a friend, a
appetites. Fortitude is that calm  and steady  father, a husband, a sol!, or a brother; perfornl
habit ofthe mind which either enables us bravely  ing with punctuality all the duties which such
to encounter the prospect of ill, or renders us  relations include; promoting unity, harmony,
serene and invincible under its immediate pres-  affection, and a reciprocal interchange of all
sure. Justice is that virtue which imnpels us to  those offices of kindness, which tend to secure
give to every person what is his due. Now,  mutual confidence, pleasure, and improvement.
it couli easily be shown, that love is the impel-  From the family, his affections will be diffused
ling principle which excites to the exercise of to the neighbourhood around, in all the forms of
all these virtues.  It will lead us to pay a due  kindness, compassion, faithfulness, forgiveness,
regard to our own comfort and interest, but not  charity, generosity, humanity, and justice.  He
si) as to interfere with the interests or to obstruct  will contemplate every member of society as a
the happiness of others. It will teach us to pre-  kinsman and a brother; he will feel a fraternal
serve the dominion of the soul over sense and  attachment; he will delight in his success and
passion, and to restrain the influence of the sen-  prosperity, and will endeavour to encourage the
sual alqpetites, firom considerations drawn from   social virtues, and to multiply the sources of
our own happiness, and from the good of others.  enjoyment wherever his influence extends. From
For, a. intemperance kindles the fire of resent-  the circle of his immediate neighbourhood, his
ment and the flames of lust, excites to boisterous  affections will extend over all the nation to
words and to lawless actions, wastes the sub-  which he belongs.  Its prosperity and advancestance and  reduces families to wretchedness  ment in arts, scibnces, and legislation, its peace
and ruin, it must be directly opposed to the prin-  and tranquillity, and the wisdom and rectitude
ciple of benevolence. It will inspire us with a  of its rulers, will be the object of his fervent
generous and heroic indifference to the preca-  prayers to the God of heaven.  To watch over
rious possessions of this mortal scene. and will  its interests, to promote the improvement of its
excite to activity and perseverance in promloting  constitution and its laws, to expose the intrigues
human happiness, in the face of every difficulty  of bribery and corruption, to resist the efforts of
and obstruction, and in spite of obstinacy and  tyranny and ambition, and to defeat every eningratitude, and of all the sneers and reproaches  croachment on its rights and liberties, in a manly
that may be thrown out upon us on account of  and Christian manner, he will consider as a
the singularity of our conduct. And as Justice  duty which he owes to his fellow-subjects, to his
is nothing else than the measure of benevolence,  rulers, and to succeeding generations.  It will
it will uniformly direct us to give to every one  be his chief aim, not so much to prevent men
his due, and  restrain  us from  withholding  from becoming thieves, and robbers, and murfrom our neighbour any thing to which he is en-  derers, as to make them pious, virtuous, and
titled by equity or by law.  And in cases where  useful members of the general community; that
the division of property is concerned, it will in  every one may live  " a quiet and peaceable life,
many instances be induced to relinquish  its  in all godliness and honesty "
right when only a few paltry pounds or shillings    Nor will his benevolence be confined within
are at stake, rather than run the risk of dissolv-  the limits of a narrow-minded and selfish patriotina the bonds of affection and friendship.     ism:-his affections will expand to surrounding
The duties of morality have by other mora-  nations, and embrace the interests of every peolists, particularly by the moderns, been arranged  pie, and will excite him  to co-operate in every
into the duties weowe to God, as piety, rever-  scheme by which civilization and science, liberty
ence, and confidence; the duties we owe to other  and Christianity, may be promoted among all the
men, as fidelity, loyalty, humanity, and justice;  tribes and kindreds of the earth. He will occaanrd the duties we owe to ourselves, as chastity,  sionally transport himself in imagination to dissobriety, and temperance. From what has been  tant climes, and to the islands scattered over the
already stated, both in this and in several of  face of the ocean,-and the joy or sorrow which
the preceding sections, it will obviously ap-  is felt in the hut of the Greenlander, in the Inp)ear, that all these classes of duties necessarily  dian wigwam, or among the tents of the Tartars,
flow from the operation of that primary, diffilsive,  will find access to his feeling heart.  An inand ever active principle, which resides origin-  undation, an earthquake, the eruption of a volally in the Eternal Mind, and which pervades  cano, a destroying pestilence, or the horrors of
the minds of all holy intelligences.           war, happening in Persia, China, or Japan, will
Finally, The man who is animated by the noble  not be viewed with apathy or indifference, be-;rliciple of benevolence, will endeavour to dis-  cause those countries are placed thousands of
charge with fidelity every social and relative  miles beyond the boundaries of his own; but he
duty, and will feel an interest in the domestic  will sympathise in the sorrows of those distant




MORAL SYSTEMS..                                          8
uferer.rs, as well as in the calamities which befall  ethical science, or to perplex the mind with lanis brethren in his native land. Nor will his af-  boured disquisitions on the principles of morals.
fections be confined to the men of the present  The general path of duty is plain to every one
age, but will stretch forward to embrace the  who is inclined to walk in it; and whoever wishes
sons and daughters of future times, who are des-  to be assisted and directed in his progress totined to appear on the theatre of this world, in  wards moral perfection, will find, in the Prosuccessive generations, till time shall be no  verbs of Solomon, the sermons of Jesus ChrsLt,
longer.  The plans which he now  forms, the  and the practical parts of the apostolic epistles,
ground-works of the improvements which he is  maxims, and precepts, and motives inculcated,
now establishing, and the diversified operations of  infinitely superior in regard both to their authorDenevolence in which he is now  engaged, will  ity and their excellence, to those of all other
have, for their ultimate object, the diffusion ofthe  systems of moral philosophy, whether in ancient
light of science and of religion, and the communi-  or in modern times. This seems to be partly
cation of happiness, in various forms, to unnum-  admitted even by moral philosophers themselves.
bered  multitudes of the human race, after his  The celebrated Dr. Reid, in his " Essays on
spirit shall have taken its flight beyond the  the Active Powers of Man," after a variety of
bounds of this terrestrial sphere. Nor will the cur-  learned and abstract discussions on active power,
rent of his love towards fellow-intelligences be  and  the principles of human  action, when
bounded by the limits of time, and the range of  treating on the theory of morals, says,' This
this sublunary system, but will run forward into  is an intricate subject, and there have been
those interminable ages, which shall succeed the  various theories and much controversy about it
dissolution of our globe, and will rise upward to  in ancient and in modern times.  But it has little
the inhabitants of those glorious worlds which  connexion with the knowledge of our duty, and
roll in the distant regions of creation.  Contem-  those who differ most in the theory of our moral
plating the diversified scenes in which he may  powers, agree in the practical rules of morals
hereafter be placed, and the various orders of  which they dictate.  As a man may be a good
intellectual beings with which he may mingle,  judge of colours, and of the other visible qualihis soul will be transported at the prospect of en-  ties of objects, without any knowledge of the
tering upon a more extensive field for the range  anatomy ofthe eye, and of the theory of vision;
of his benevolent affections, and of being quali-  so a man may have a very clear and comprefled to receive and to communicate happiness on a  hensive knowledge of what is right and of what
more enlarged scale, in company with other holy  is wrong in human conduct, who never studied
intelligences,-where the field of benevolence  the structure of our moral powers. A good ear
will be continually expanding, and the most ex-  in music may be much improved by attention
quisite delight springing up in his bosom, and  and practice in that art; but very little by studyever increasing, as eternal ages are rolling on.   ing the anatomy of the ear, and the theory of
Thus, it appears, that Benevolence is an ex-  sound. In order to acquire a good eye, or a
pansive and an ever active principle, diffus-  good ear, in the arts that require them, the theing happiness in its train wherever it extends.  ory of vision, and the theory of sound, are by no
Were an extensive moral machinery to be set in  means necessary, and indeed of very little use.
action by this powerful principle, it is impossible  Of as little necessity or use is what we call the
to describe what a variety of blessings would soon  theory of morals, in order to improve our moral
be distributed among mankind, and what a mighty  judgment." —REID, " On the Active Powers,"
change would be effected in the social state of  Essay v. chap. 2.
human beings, and on the whole aspect of the    To a man who is familiar with the Scriptures,
moral world.' And from what has been already  and whose mind has acquired a relish for the
stated, it is evident, that, although intellectual  simplicity and excellence of the Christian code
talent, wealth, and influence, have most in their  ofmorals, how cold, and frigid, and uninteresting,
power, as the prime directors of the moral ma-  do the labouired disquisitions of our most celechine,-yet there is no individual in whom this  brated ethical writers appear!  There is little
principle resides, however limited his faculties,  to be found in such writings to kindle the fire of
and his sphere of action, but has it in his power  holy love, and to inspire the soul with a noble
to communicate happiness to his fellow creatures,  ardour, in carrying forward the plan of divine
and tobecome at least asubordinate agent in pro-  benevolence.  What powerfull stimulus to exmoting the plans of universal benevolence.     alted virtue can be expected from abstract discussions on active power. on liberty and necessity,
From what has been stated above, and in se-  on theories of moral action, on the reason and fitveral of the preceding parts of this work, we  ness of things, on self-love, oti public and private
may learn, that, in order to acquire a knowledge  interest, on the law of honour, and the like; and
of our duty, and of the motives which should  of how little practical utility are the results ol
stimulate us to its performance, there is no need  such disquisitions; since every principle of acto engage in the study of voluminous systems of  tion, every motive, and every duty conducive to
26




So2t                     THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
the happiness of the intelligent system,, is laid  Their sportive motions, their varied movements,
down in the Scriptures, with a plainness and per-  and the delight with which they seem  to exerspicuity, which render them level to the meanest  cise their faculties, testify, that they are the
understanding?  Andwhatshallwesay ofthose  objects of the beneficence of their Almighty
moralists who teach us, that " modesty, humility,  though unknown Maker. So that God not only
and forgiveness of injuries," belong to the class  takes care of men, but of the fishes of tie sea,
of vices;*  and, by consequence, that pride,  the creeping insects, and the fowls of heaven,
imprudence, and revenge, are to be ranked  for "a sparrow cannot fall to the ground" withamong the virtues! Such virtue, alas! has too  out his providential permission.
long prevailed inour degenerate world; but were    This benevolent care of the Creator, which
it universally to prevail, it would transform crea.  extends to the lowest order of his creatures, intion into a chaos, and banish happiness from the  structs us, that our benevolence also should be
universe. What beneficial practical effects have  displayed towards the inferior ranks of sensitive
ever yet been produced by all the systems of ethics  existence-that we should not only abstain from
which have hitherto been published to the world?  -vexing, and torturing, and unnecessarily deprivLet us look back on the nations of antiquity, on  ing them of existence; but should endeavour to
the schools of Plato, Socrates, Epicurus, and  promote their comfort and enjoyment.  It was
Zeno; let us survey the conduct of our modern  the object of several of the laws delivered to the
skeptical philosophers, and the practices of our  -Jews, to inculcate compassion and humanity
youths who attend courses of ethical lectures in  towards their domestic animals: and Solomon
our universities and academies, and say, whether  lays it down as a moral maxim, that " the rightthe general depravity of human nature has been  eous man regardeth the life of his beast."  Be.
counteracted, and a spirit of universal benevo-  nevolence will display itself, in the shape of
lence has been cherished and promoted by such  tenderness and humanity towards every crea.
instructions. I venture to affirm, that we are  ture that is endowed with feeling and sensation;
far more indebted to our Saviour's sermon on  but it cannot be supposed to have a powerful
the mount, and to the practical writings of the  influence- over that man who can wantonly tore;apostle Paul, for that portion of morality which  ture a poor fly, lash a feeble old horse, wound a
has given a polish to the manners of modern  bird or a hare for mere sport, twirl a cockchaffer.society, than to all the systems of ethics, detached  on acrooked pin, or even intentionally trample
1from Christianity,which have ever been published  under foot a snail or a worm, that is doing him
iby the philosophers either of Greece or Rome,  no injury. The benevolent man rejoices in the
-or of the British empire: and that it is only  happiness ofall creation around him; and, were,by following out the instructions of these divine  this disposition universally prevalent, not only,teachers that we can expect to see the world  should we see cock-fighting, dog-fighting, bull.
eregenerated, and vice and iniquity banished from   baiting, and other cruel and degrading sports
our streets.                                  for ever abolished, but should form a more de-' In throwing out the preceding hints, I have  lightful intercourse with many of the- lower ani.
-confined my attention chiefly to the intelligent  mals than we;- have ever yet; enjoyed.-The'creation. But it is evident, that where a prin-  Arabians never beat their horses; they never.ciple of genuine love actuates the mind, it will cut their tails; they treat them gently; they'extend its benevolent regards even to the lower  speak to them, and seem to hold a discourse;
-orders of animated existence. Towards them  they use them as friends; they never attempt'the Creator has displayed his benevolence, as  to increase their speed by the whip, nor spur
well as towards man. He has framed their bo-  them but in cases of great necessity. They never'dies in as curious and admirable a manner, as  fix them to a stake in the fields, but suffer them
the bodies of mankind.  He has bestowed upon  to pasture at large around their habitations; and,them organs of sensation exactly adapted to the  they come running the moment they hear the
situations they occupy, and to their various modes  sound of their master's voice. In consequence
of subsistence. He has formed them with in-  of such treatment, these animals become docile
stincts which enable them to construct their habi-  and tractable in the highest degree.  They retations, to select their food, to protect themselves  sort at night to their tents, and lie down in the
from danger, and to choose the fittest places for  midst of the children, without ever hurting them.bringing forth their young. He has provided,  in the slightest degree. Thelittle boys and girls
in the different departments of nature, all that  are often seen upon the body or the neck of the,variety of food which is requisite to supply the  mare, while the beasts continue inoffensive and
wants of the whole of that immense assemblage  harmless, permitting them  to play with and
ofliving beings which traverse the air, the waters,  caress them without njury.-Severai species.and the earth. " These all wait upon Him,  of birds have a natural attachment to the habitaand he giveth them  their meat in due season."  tions of man; but his malevolence nrevents
~ This sentiment, is taughlt Iby ttr. Hume, and his  them from entering into any intimate and friendly'followers.                                   association; for they seem to be fully aware of




BENEVOLENCE TOWARDS ANIMALS.                                     8S
his guns, and snares, and other arts of destruc-  cage, where it pined, refused all sustenance, and,
tion, which make them shy, even in cases of ne-  in a few days, was found dead.  "In this small
cussity, of trusting themselves to his generosity  aninlal," says the Baron, "I discovered proofs
and protection. How  many amusing and in-  of intelligence too great to easily gain belief.
structive associations might be formed with this  Were I to write them, such philosphers as supclass ofanimals, if the kindness and benevolence  pose man alone endowed with the power of
of man were to secure their confidence! Even  thought, allowing nothing but what they call in.
the beasts of the forest, the elephant, the lion,  s.inct in animals, would proclaim me a fabulous
and the tiger,* have had their ferocious disposi-  writer, and my opinions heterodox to what they
tions softened by kindness and attention, and  suppose sound philosophy."-A  nobleman of
have become the protectors and the friends of  France, a Count Lauzun, was condemned to a
man.                                          rigid imprisonment.  Cut off from all  human
Although the lower animals seem to be Inca-  society, and allowed no means of diverting his
pable ofmaking improvements when left to them-  solitude, he made a companion of a spider, who
selves, yet experience has proved, that, under  had spun her web in the corner of his cell.  He
the tuition of man, they are capable of making  at length familiarized her so far, that she would
considerable advancement in knowledge, and in  come upon his hand, and eat from it a portion of
the exercise of the benevolent affections. Kind-  his food which he gave her.  The jailer, totally
ness and affection will frequently soften the most  devoidof feeling, thought.  this too great an insavage and obdurate dispositions among man-  dulgence for the unfortunate prisoner, and crushkind; and it is not improbable, that a judicious  ed the spider to death.
and universal display of friendly attentions to-   -Many such instances could be brought forward
wards those animals which occasionally associ-  to illustrate the affection of the inferior tribes,
ate with man, would go far to counteract their  and their capability of improvement.  But alnlalevolent propensities, and to promote their  though' they were entirely destitute of mental
harmony andaffection. I never'was more delight-  qualities and' affectionss, as they are sensitive beed with an exhibition of animals than on a late  ings, susceptible of pleasure and pain, the truly
occasion, when I beheld a cat, a bird, and a mouse  benevolent man will never intentionally inflict
living in the same cage, in the most cordial har-  upon them unnecessary pain, and far less will
mony and peace —a fact which demonstrates that  he ever enjoy a savage delight, like some monthe strongest antipathies of the animal tribes may  sters in human shape, in beholding them writhing
be overcome by the care and attention of man.  under the agonies occasioned by barbarous treatAnd as such  an experiment could not'have  ment. He will feel a joy in their comfort, and
been attempted with success, except when these  will endeavour to counteract their malignant
animals were very young, it shows us the im-  propensities, and to train them up'in those haniense importance of an early attention to the  bits by which they may be rendered useful to
training of our youth in habits of kindness and  man, and pleasing to ach other. Were such a
affection towards each other', and of humanity  kind and humane disposition towards the lower
towards every sensitive being; and that it ought  animals generally to prevail, we might ulti.
to be the great'care of parents, nurses, and ser-  mately expect the literal accomplishment of
vants, to counteract thefirst appearance of ma-  those predictions recorded in ancient prophecy:
levolent dispositions in very early life, however  -" In that day will I make a covenant for them
trivial the circumstances in which such disposi-  with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls
tions are manifested.                         of heaven, and with the creeping things of the
The famous Baron Trenck, when confined in  ground; and I will break the bow and the sword,
his dungeon in Magdeburg, had so tamed a  and the battle out of the earth, and will make
mouse, that it would play round him, and,'eat  them to lie down safely."  "I will cause the
round him, and eat from his mouth.  When he  evil beasts to cease out of the land, and they
whistled, it would come and jump upon his  shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep
shoulder. After his cruel keepers had given  in the woods."  " The wolf shall dwell with
orders that he should be deprived of its society,  the lamb: the cow and the bear shall feed in
and had actually taken it away blindfolded, it  one pasture, and their young ones shall lie down
found its way back again to the door of his dun-  together; the sucking child shall play on. the
geon;, waited the hour of visitation. when the door  hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put
would be opened, and immediately testified its  his hand on the adder's den. They shall not
joy, by its antic leaping between his legs. This  hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith
mouse was afterwards carried off, and put into a  the Lord."
The remarks which have been stated in this
~ An experiment was lately exhibited, by the  section, in reference to the' practical influence
keeper of the animals in the Tower of London, of the principle of benevolence, are intended
which demonstrates, that even the tiger is capable  merely as a few insulated hints in regard to some
of being tamed, and rendered susceptible of friendly
feelings towards man.                         of the modes in which it may be made to ope



94                       THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
rae.  To illusth ate its operation in detail, and  or the unfailing means of that external condtls
to trace its progress in all its diversified bear-  by which the obedience is in some cases con;l
ings and ramifications, would be, to write a Body  pleted.  The disposition to obey is also conficaJ
of Practical Morality, which would fill several  to a single affection of the heart, easily distitvolumes-a work which is still a desideratum in  guished from all other affections, viz. love. Love,
Chlristian literature.  I cannot conclude this  saith St. Paul, is the fulfilling of the law. The
chapter more appropriately than with the fol-  humblest and most ignorant moral creatures,
lowing excellent passage, extracted from Dr.  therefore, are in this manner efficaciously preDwight's " System  of Theology."              served from mistaking their duty.
4" The divine law is wholly included in two   " In the mean time, these two precepts, notprecepts:  Thou shalt love the Lord thy God  withstanding their brevity, are so comprehensirs,with all thy heart; and thy neighbour as thyself.  as to include every possible action. The archThese are so short, as to be necessarily included  angel is not raised above their control, nor can
in a very short sentence; so intelligible, as to be  any action of his exceed that bound which they
understood by every moral being who is capable  prescribe.  The child who has passed the verge
of comprehending the meaning of the words God  of moral agency, is not placed beneath their reand neighbour; so easily remembered as to ren-  gulation: and whatever virtue he may exercise,
der it impossible for them  to escape from our  is no other than a fulfilling of their requisitions.
memory, unless by wanton, criminal negligence  All the duties which we immediately owe to
of ours; and so easily applicable to every case of  God, to our fellow-creatures, and to ourselves,
moral action, as not to be mistaken unless through   are, by these precepts, alike comprehended and
indisposition to obey. At the same time, obedi-  required. In a word, endlessly varied as moral
ence tothem is rendered perfectly obvious and per-  action may be, it exists in no form or instance
fectly easy to every mind which is not indisposed  in which he who perfectly obeys these precepts
to obey them. The  very disposition itself,  will not have done his duty, and will not find
if sincere and entire, is either entire obedience,  himselfjustified and accepted by God."
CHAPTER III.
ON TIE MORAL LAW  AND THE RATIONAL GROUNDS ON WHICH ITS PRECEPTI  ARE
FORMED.
In the preceding chapters, I have endeavoured  illustrations, I shall endeavour to show  the
to illustrate the foundation of love to God, front  reasonableness of these moral laws in relation to
a consideration of his attributes, alnd the rela-  man, firom a consideration of the misery which
tions in which he stands to his creatures.  I  would necessarily result from  their universal
nave also illustrated.the rational grounds of love  violation, and of the happiness which would
to our neighbour, from a consideration of the  flow from universal obedience to their requi.
natural equality of mankind, of the various rela-  sitions.
tions in which they stand to one another, and of    These laws were published in the most solemn
their eternal destination.  The dismal conse-  manner, to the assembled tribes of Israel in the
quences which would result from a total subver-  wilderness of Horeb. While Mount Sinai was
sion of these laws, the beneficial effects which  shaking to its centre, and smoking like a furnace;
would flow from their universal operation, their  while flames of fire were ascending from  its
application to the inhabitants of other worlds,  summit, and thick darkness surrounding  its
the declarations of Scripture on this subject,  base; while thunders were rolling in clouds
and the various modes in which benevolence  above, and lightnings flashing amidst the surshould display its activities, have also been the  rounding gloom; and while the earth was quak.
subject of consideration.                     ing all around, and the voice of a trumpet waxing
The two principles now illustrated, may be  louder and louder,-in the nsidst of this solemn
considered as two branches proceeding from the  and terrific scene, God spake the commandments
same trunk, and spreading into different ramifi-  with an audible articulate voice, in the hear.
cations. The first four commandments of the  ing of the trembling multitude assembled round
moral law may be viewed as flowing from the  the mountain. A combination of objects and
principle of love to God, and the remaining  events more awful and impressive, the human
aix as ramifications of the principle of benevo-  mind can  scarcely conceive; compared with
once, or love to man. In the following brief  which, the pretended pomp of Pagan deitim,




MORAL LAW.                                         95
ind Jupiter shaking Olymplls with his imperial  that it is of perpetual obligation on all the inha.
rod, are lame, ridiculous, and profane; and ne-  bitants of the earth-that it is the rule of actlon
ver, perhaps, since the commencement of time,  to angels and archangels, and to all other moral
was such a striking scene presented to the view  intelligences, as well as to the human raceof any of the inhabitants of this world.  The  and that the most dreadful consequences must
acost solemn preparations, were made for this  ensue on all those who persist in violating its
divine manifestation; the people of Israel were  righteous precepts.
commanded to purify themselves from  ever)       The proclamation of this law was prefaced
mental and corporeal pollution, and strictly en-  by these words, " I am  Jehovah  thy God,"
joined to keep within the boundaries marked out  which contain a ground and reason for our obefor them, and not to rush within the litnits as-  dience. They evidently imply, that he is the
signed to these awful symbols of the Deity. An  Selftexistent and Eternal Being who brought
assemblage of celestial beings, from  another  ths vast universe into existence, who "garnished
region of creation, was present on this occasion,  the heavens, and laid the foundations of the
to perform important services, to swell the gran-  earth," and peopled all worlds with their inhadeur ofthe scene,and to be witness of the impres-  bitants-that he has sovereign authority to
sive transactions of that solemn day.*   Moses  prescribe a rule of action to his creatures-that
was appointed as a temporary mediator between  he knows best what laws are requisite to preGod and the people., to explain to them in mn;tder  serve the order of his vast empire, and to secure
terms the words of the law, and the further inti-  the happiness of the intelligent creation-that
mations of the divine will. Yet so terrible were  he is the former of our bodies, the Father of
the symbols of the present Deity, that even  our spirits, and the director of all the movements
Moses was appalled, and said, " I exceedingly  of nature and providence, from whose unceasing
fear and quake."  In order that the impressive  agency every joy proceeds-and that all his rewords which were uttered on that day might not  gulations and arrangements are calculated to
be forgotten in future generations, they were  promote the present and everlasting felicity of
written on tables of stone with the finger of God.  all rational agents that submit to his authority.They were not simply drawn on a plane, like  That these laws are not mere acts of Divine
the strokes of writing upon paper, but the cha-  Sovereignty, but founded on the nature of things,
racters were engraved, or cut out of the solid  and are calculated to preserve the harmony and
stone, so that they could not be erased. They  order of the intelligent universe, will appear
were not written on paper or parchment, or even  from the following illustrations and remarks.
on wood, but on stone, which is a much more
durable material. " The tables were written           THE FIRST COMMANDMENT.
upon both their sides, on the one side, and on
the other were they written; and the tables       Thou shalt have no other gods bejbre me.
were the work of God, and the writing was the
writing of God, graven upon the tables."t This    All the commandments, except the fourth
was intended to prevent the possibility of any  and fifth, are expressed in a negative form: But
thing being added to the law, or taken from it.  it is obvious, that every negative command inThe tables were two in number, the one contain-  cludes a requisition of the duty which is opposed
ing the precepts which inculcate love to God,  to the sin forbidden; and those which are positive
and the other containing those which enjoin the  include a prohibition of the conduct which is
love of our neighbour. These laws, thus en-  opposed to the duty required. This first comgraven on the most durable materials, were de-  mandment, therefore, though expressed  in the
posited in the most sacred part of the tabernacle,  negative form, must be considered as including
in the ark of the covenant under the mercy-seat.  a positive injunction to love God with all our
All the striking circumstances, now mentioned,  hearts, to offer a tribute of supreme adoration
were evidently intended to proclaim the Majesty  to his perfections, and to exercise the graces of
and Grandeur of the Supreme Legislator-the  hope, gratitude, submission, and reverence.
excellency and perfection of his law-that it is  Having already considered the precept in this
the eternal and unalterable rule of rectitude-   point of view, (pp. 85-95) it is only necessary,
in this place, to attend for a little, to rne negative
Stephen says, that the Jews " received the law  form of the command. The prohibition contained'y the, disposition of angels." Grotius observes,          must be considered as extending
on this passage, that the Greek preposition (e              must be considered as extending
here signifies amidst, and that (diatagas agelon,)  not only to Polytheism, and the various objects
denotes troops of angels ranged in military order;  Of worship which have prevailed in the heathen
and that there is a reference to l)eut. xxxiii. 2.
" The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir  world, but to every thing which is the object of
unt) them; he shined forth from Mount Paran,  our supreme affection and regard.
and lhe came with ten thousands of his holy ones;    It is a dictate ofenlightened and unprejudiced
from his right hand went a fiery law for them."
reason, that the Being to whom we are indebted
t Exod. xxxii. 45.                for our existence, on whom  we every moment




86                    TTHE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
depend, who directs the movements ofthe system  idolatrous worship.  This will appear, if we take
of nature, who daily.loads us with his benefits,  but the slightest glance of the objects of adoration
and on whom our hopes of eternal felicity en-  which have prevailed, and which still prevail in
tirely depend-should be contemplated with the  the pagan world.
most ardent affection and gratitude, regarded as    At one period of the world, with the single ex.
the most excellent and venerable of all beings,  ception of the small nation of the Jews, idolatry
and recognised as the Supreme Legislator, whose  overspread the face of the whole earth. And how
laws we are bound, by every tie of gratitude, to  numerous and degrading  ere the objects which
obey. Whereversuchsentimentsand affections  the blinded nations adored! We are informed,
pervade the mind, they constitute the first prin-  by Hesiod, Varro, and other ancient authors,
ciples of piety, the source of all holy obedience,  that no less than thirty thousand subordinate diand the foundation of all true happiness.  Were  vinities were comprised within that system  of
they universally felt, and acted upon by human  idolatry which prevailed among the Greeks and
beings, the Most High God, would be adored in  Romans. They had both celestial and terresevery land, his image would be impressed on  trial deities.  They assigned peculiar gods to
every heart, his righteous law would never be  the fountains, the rivers, the hills, the mountains,
violated, grovelling desires and affections would  the lawns, the groves, the sea, and even to hell
be eradicated, and our world would be transform-  itself.  To cities, fields, houses, edifices, famied-into an abode of felicity, where joys similar  lies, gates, nuptial chambers, marriages, births,
to those of angels would succeed to scenes of deaths, sepulchres, trees, and gardens, they also
wretchedness and wo.                          appropriated  distinct and  peculiar deities.
On the other hand, where the unity and the  Their principal celestial deities were Jupiter,
attributes of the divine Being are not recognised,  Mars, Mercury, Apollo, Bacchus, Venus, Juno,
and where other objects are substituted in his  and Minerva-their terrestrial, Saturn, Ceres,
place, the foundations of religion, and of moral  Diana, Neptune, Cybele, Proserpine, and Pluto.
order are completely subverted, and a door open-  Their chief idol was Julpiter, whom they called
ed for the introduction of every absurdity, im-  the father of gods and men; and under his aumorality, and vile abomination, that can de-  thority, Neptune had the jurisdiction of the sea,
grade a rational intelligence. The command  Juno, of the air, Cybele, of the earth, and Pluto,
under consideration is placed on the front of the  of the realms below. Instead of worshipping the
divine law as the foundation of all the other pre-  living and immortal God, they deified a host of
cepts; and, therefore, wherever it is violated, or  dead men, called heroes, distinguished for nothing
not recognised, a regular obedience to the other  so much, as for murder, adultery, sodomy, rapine,
subordinate injunctions of religion is not, in the  cruelty, drunkenness, and all kinds of debauchery.
nature of things, to be expected.  Were its  To such contemptible divinities, splendid temples
violation, in our world, complete and universal,  were erected,* adorations addressed, costly offerit is impossible to say what would be the mise-  ings presented, and rites and ceremonies performrable condition of human beings in their social  ed, subversive of every principle of decency and
capacity.  To its gen"ral violation, may be  nmorality, and degrading to the reason and the
traced all the evils under which humanity has  character of man.-A  system of idolatry of a
groaned in every age, and all the depraved pas-  similar kind, though under a different form, presions, and shocking immoralities which now  vailed among the Egyptians. The meanest and
disfigure the aspect of the moral world.     the most contemptible objects-sheep, cats, bulls,
There is nothing that appears more prominent  dogs, cows, storks, apes, vultures, and other
in the history and the character of almost every  birds of prey; wolves, and several sorts of oxen,
nation under heaven, than an infringement of this  were exalted as objects of adoration.  " If you
first and fundamental law of the Creator. A   go into Egypt," says Lucian, " you will see
rational and enlightened mind, on the first con-  Jupiter with the face of a ram, Mercury as a
sideration of this subject, would be apt to sur-  fine dog, Pan, is become a goat; another god is
mise, that such a law is almost superfluous and  Ibis, another the crocodile, and another the ape.
unnecessary. There is such an immense dis-  There, many shaven priests gravely tell us, that
proportion between a block of nmarble, or a crawl-  the gods being afraid of the rebellion of the giants,
ing reptile, and that Being who supports the  assumed these shapes."  Each city and district
sykstem of universal nature, that it appears, at  in Egypt entertained a peculiar devotion for
first view, next to impossible, that a reasonable
being should ever become so stupid and degraded,'The temple of Diana at Ephesus, has been alas to substitute the one for the other, and to offer  ways admired as one of the noblest pieces of archi
ills adorations to an object completely devoid of tecture that the world ever produced. It was 425
feet long, 200 feet broad, and supported by 127 colife, power, and intelligence.  Yet experience  lumns of marble 60 feet high; 27 of which were
teaches us, that there is no disposition to which  beautifully carved.  Diodorus Sicutus mentions,
the human mind is more prone than "1 to depart  that the rich presents made to the temple of Apollc
hehumnmind smore rom t aodertat Delphos, tmounted to one million three hundrep
fron the living God," and to multiply objects ofand thirty three thousand pounds.
k~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~adtirytretosn  ons




MORAL LAW                                         87
bornme anima- or other, as the object of its adora-  politest nations of antiquity; and some of their
tion. The city of Lentopolis worshipped a lion;  sacred rites, solemnized in honour of their gods,
the city of Mendez, a goat; Memphis, the Apis;  were so bestial and shocking, as to excite horror
and the people at the lake MJyris, adored the  in every mind possessed of the least sense of decrocodile. These animals were maintained, in  cency and virtue. They gloried in the desolation
ot near their temples, with delicate meats;  and destruction of neighbouring nations.  To
were bathed, anointed, perfumed, had beds pre-  conquer, and oppress, and enslave their fellowpared for them; and when any of them happen-  men, and to aggrandize themselves by slaughter
ed to die, sumptuous funerals were prepared in  and rapine, was the great object of their ambihonour of the god. Of all these animals, the  tion.  The law of kindness and of universal
bull, Apis, was held in the greatest veneration.  benevolence was trampled under foot, and even
Honours of an extraordinary kind were conferred  the common dictates of humanity, equity, and
on him while he lived, and his death gave rise  justice, were set at defiance. But this was not
to a general mourning.  all-Idolatry soon began to instigate its votaries
Such was the abominable idolatry that prevail-  to the perpetration of the most revolting and uned even among the most enlightened nations of natural cruelties. Dreadful tortures were inantiquity.  They changed the glory of the incor-  flicted on their bodies, to appease their offended
ruptible God into " the similitude of an ox that deities; human victims, in vast numbers, were
eateth grass," and into images made like to cor-  sacrificed, and even their infants and little chilruptible man and to birds, and to four-footed  dren were thrown into the flames, as an offering
beasts, and creeping things. And if the Egyp-  to the idol which they adored.
tians, the Greeks, and the Romnans, who are    The Mexicans were accustomed to treat themdistinguished from the rest of the world for their  selves with the most inhuman austerities, thinkimprovements in literature, science, and the  ing that the diabolical rage of their deities
arts, had so far renounced their allegiance to the  would be appeased by human blood. "It makes
God of heaven, we may rest assured that the  one shudder," says Clavigero, " to read the aussurrounding nations were sunk still farther into  terities which they practised upon themselves,
the pollutions of idolatry and of mental debase-  either in atonement for their transgressions, or
ment. The Phenicians; the Syrians, the Ca-  in preparation for their festivals. They mangled
naanites, the Chaldeans and Babylonians, the  their flesh as if it had been insensible, and let
Arabians, the Scythians, the Ethiopians, and  their blood run in such profusion, as if it had
the Carthaginians, the ancient Gauls, Germans,  been a superfluous fluid in the body. They
and Britons, were, if possible, more deeply de-  pierced themselves with the sharpest spines of
based; and mingled with their idolatrous rites,  the aloe, and bored several parts of their bodies,
many cruel, obscene, and vile abominations —  particularly their ears, lips, tongues, and the fat
Such is still the moral and religious debasement,  of their arms-and legs."  The priests of Baal,
even in modern times, of the greater part of the  we are told, in the book of Kings, " cut themnations which dwell upon the earth. Even the  selves with knives and lancets, till the blood
Hindoos, theBirmans, theChinese,.the Persians,  gulshed out upon them."  When the Carthagiand the Japanese, though ranked among the most  nians were vanquished by Agathocles, king of
polished nations of the heathen world, are sunk  Sicily, they conceived that their god, Jupiter Lainto the grossest ignorance of the true God, and  tialis was displeased with their conduct.  In
are found perpetrating, in their religious worship,  order to appease him, and propitiate his favour,
deeds revolting to humanity, and stained with  they sacrificed to him, at once, two hundred sons
horrid cruelty and injustice.                 of the first noblemen of their state. On the alThe moral efects which were produced by a  tars of Mexico, twenty thousand human beings
departure from this fundamental law of the Crea-  are said to have been sacrificed every year; and
tor, were such as correspond with the abomina- fifty thousand were annually offered up in the vations of that religious system which was adopt-  rious parts of that empire, accompanied with cired. Man is an imitative being; and he gene-  cumstances of such dreadful cruelty and horror,
rally imitates the actions of those whom  he  as makes us shudder at the recital.  In Hindosconceives to be placed in a superior rank and  tan, even at the present day, several thousands
station. When, therefore, the gods were intro-  of women are annually burned on the funeral
duced o his view, as swollen with pride, mad  piles of their deceased husbands, as victims to
with rage, fired with revenge, inflamed with lust,  the religion they profess; besides multitudes of
engaged in wars, battles, and contests, delight-  other human victims, which are crushed to death
ing in scenes of blood and rapine, in hatred and  under the wheels of that infernal engine which
mutual contentions, and in all kinds of riot and  supports the idol Juggernaut.  Were the one
debauchery, it was natural to suppose that such  hundredth part cf the abominations which have
passions and crimes would be imitated by their  been perpetrated under the system of idolatrvy,
blinded votaries.  Accordingly we find, that  in those countries where it has prevailed, to be
such vices universally prevailed, even among the  fully detailed, it would exhibit a picture of de



THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
pravity and of infernal agency, at which. the hu-  we reside, we are in little danger of relapsing
man mind would shrink back with horror; and  into the practices to which I have now adverted.
would form  a striking commentary on the  But idolatry is not confined to the adoration of
dLivine declaration, that "the dark places of Pagan divinities: it has it seat in every heart
the earh are ftill of the habitations of horrid  where God is banished fiom the thoughts, and
cruelty.'"                                    where pride, ambition, and avarice occupy the
It appears, then, that a violation of the first  highest place. " Covetousness," oran inordinate
precept of the moral law is the greatest crime of love of wealth, is declared by the Apostle Paul to
vvhich a rational creature can be guilty; for it is  be " idolatry;" and such mental idolatry, though
the source of all the other crimes which have en-  more refined than that of the heathen world, is
tailed wretchedness on mankind, and strewed the  almost equally abhorrent to the Divine Being, and
earth with devastation and carnage. It is a  equally subversive of the grand principles of
comprehensive summnary of wickedness; which  Christian morality. If the acquisition of wealth
includes pride, falsehood, blasphemy, malignity,  and riches be the constant and.supreme aim of
rebellion, hatred of moral excellence, and the  any individual, Mammon is the god whom he
basest ingratitude towards Him from whom we  regularly worships, and the God of heaven is dederived otour being, and on whom we depend for  throned from his seat in the affections. Such
all our enjoyments.  It is a crime which, above  moral effects as the following are the natural
all others, has a tendency to degrade the charac-  results of this species of idolatry: It steels the
ter of man; for where it abounds, the human  heart against every benevolent and generous
mind is sunk into the lowest state, both of moral  emotion; it shuts the ears to the cries of the
and of intellectual debasement.  What a pitiful  poor and needy; it engenders cheating, falsehood,
and humiliating sight is it, and what emotions  and deceit; it prevents the man in whom it preof astonishment must it excite in the mind of an  dominates from exerting his active powers, and
archangel, to behold a rational and immortal in-  from contributing of his wealth to promote the
telligence cutting down an oak in the forest, burn-  happiness of mankind; it chains down his noble
ing part of it in the fire, baking bread, and roast-  faculties to the objects of time and sense; it leads
ing flesh upon its embers, and forming the residue  him to love and to serve himself more than the
of it into an idol, filling down and worshipping it,  Creator; it wraps him up in selfishness, and an
and saying, "Deliver me, for thou art my God!"*  indifference to the concerns of all other beings;
And when we behold the same degraded mortal  it destroys the principles of equity and justice; it
sacrificing the children of his own bowels before  blunts the feelings of humanity and compassion;
this stump of a tree,can we refrain from exclaim-  and prevents him from attending to the salvation
ing, in the language of the prophet, " Be asto-  of his soull, and from looking at those things which
nished, O vye heavens, at this; and be ye horri-  are unseen and eternal. And in everyothercase
bly afraid i' Were idolatryto become universal  where a similar principle holds the supreme
in the world, there is no crime, no species of seat in the affections, similar effects will be pro.
cruelty, no moral abomination within the com-  duced.
pass of the human heart to devise, but would
soon be perpetrated without a blush, in the open      THE SECOND COMMANDMENT.
face of day. Had not God, in his mercy, communicated a revelation of his will, in order to  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image,
counteract the influence of Pagan theology,-    nor any likeness of any thing that is in heaven
instead of cultivating the powers of our minds,    above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in
and expanding our conception of the Almighty,    the waters under the earth: thou shalt not bow
by.a contemplation of his word and works, we    down thyself to them, nor serve them.
might, at.this moment, have been sunk into the
lowest depths of moral degradation, been prostrat-    Thefirst commandment, which I have illustrat.
ing ourselves, in adoration, before a stupid ox or  ed above, respects the object of our worship; fora block of marble, and sacrificing our sons and  bidding us to substitute any other being in the
daughters to an infernal Moloch.  It is one of  room of God, or to offer it that homage which is
the glories of Revelation, and a strong proof of its  due to the eternal Jehovah.  This second comrndivine origin, that all its promises and threaten-  mandment respects the manner in which he is to
ings, its admonitions and reproofs, its doctrines,  be worshipped. And in regard to the manner ia
its laws and ordinances, are directly opposed to  which the Divine Being is to be contemplated
every idolatrous practice; and that there is not a  and adored, it is expressly declared, that no imr.
single instance in which the least countenance is  age nor representation of this incomprehensible
given to any of the abominations of the Pagan  Being is at any time, or on any account, to be
world.                                        formed. This command, like the former, might
In the present age, and in:he country in which  at first sight appear to he unnecessary, if the
almost universal practice of mankind had not' See Isaiah xlv. 9-2t.           taught us that there is no disposition which the




IMAGE WORSHIP.                                      89
human mind is more apt to indulge. than to en-  aspects in which he may be contemplated. For
deavour to bring the invisible Divinity within  a similar reason, every attempt to represent the:he range of our senses. and to contenmplate him   Divine Majesty by sensible images, must have s
as such a one as ourselves.  The necessity of  tendency to narrow our conceptions of his glory,
this injunction, its reasonableness, and the folly  to debase his character. and to lessen our reveand absurdity of the practice against which it is  rence and esteem.  What possible similitude
directed, will appear from the following consider-  can there be between that mighty being, who by
ations.                                       his word lighted tip the sun, and diffused ten
The Divine Being fills the immensity of space  thousands of such immense luminaries through
with his presence, and to his essence we can set the regions of creation, whose hand wields the
no bounds.  He inhabited eternity, befi)re the  plantets, and rolls them through the tracts of
earth or the heavens were brought into existence,  immensity; between him who " meteth out the
rejoicing in the contemplation of his own excel..  heavens with a span, and holds the ocean in the
lences, and in the future effects of his power and  hollow of his hand," and the most resplendent
benevolence. He is a spiritual uncompounded  image that was ever formed by human hands!
substance, and consequently invisible to mortal  Even the sun himself, with all his immensity of
eyes, and impalpable to every other organ of  splendour, although our minds were expanded to
sensation.  His omnipotence neither man nor  comprehend his vast magnificence, would form
angel can scan, nor can they explore the depths  but a poor and pitiful image of Him, whose
of his wisdom and intelligence.  When universal  breath has kindled ten thousand times ten thousilence and solitude reigned throughout the in-  sand suns. How much less can a block of marfinite void-when not a sound was heard nor an  ble or a stupid ox adumbrate the glories of the
object seen within the immeasurable extent of  King eternal, immortal, and invisible! It will
boundless space-at'his command, worlds, nume-  doubtless redound to the eternal disgrace of the
rous as the sand, started into being. Thousands  human character, in every region of the universe
of suns diffused their splendours through the re-  where it is known, that ever such an impious
gions of immensity; the ponderous masses of  attempt was made by the inhabitants of our dethe planetary globes were launched into existence,  generate world, as to compare the glory of the
and impelled in their rapid courses through the  incorruptible God to an image made like to corsky; their surfaces were adorned with resplen.  ruptible man. Wherever such attempts have
dent beauties, and replenished with myriads of  been made, there we behold human nature in its
delighted inhabitants.  The seraphim  and the  lovest state of debasement; the intellectual
cherubim began to chant their hymns of praise,  faculties darkened, bewildered, and degraded;
and " shouted for joy"' when they beheld new  the moral powers perverted and depraved; groworlds emerging from the voids of space. Life,  velling affections predominating over the dictates
motion, activity, beauty, grandeur, splendid illu-  of reason, and diabolical passions raging without
mrination, and rapturous joy, among unnumbered  control. Hence, too, the debasing tendency of
intelligences, burst upon the view, where a little  all those attempts which have been made to
before nothing appeared bmut one immense, dark,  introduce into the Christian church, pictures and
and cheerless void.  And ever since duration  images, to represent " The invisible things of
began to be measured, either in heaven or on  God," andthesufferings oftheRedeemer.  For,
earth, by the revolutions of celestial orbs, the  wherever such practices prevail, the minds of
same omnipotent energy has been incessantly  men will generally be found to entertain the
exerted in directing the movements of all worlds  grossest conceptions of the Divine Being, and of
and systems, and in upholding them  in their  the solemn realities of religion.
vast career. Of a being invested with attributes    But the principal reason why any representaso glorious and incomprehensible, with power  tion of God is expressly forbidden in this comso astonishing in its effects, with goodness so  mandment, is, that whenever such a practice
boundless, and with wisdom  so unsearchable,  commences, it infallibly ends in adoring the
what imaae or representation can possibly be  image itself, instead of the object it was intended
formed which will not tend to contract our con-  to represent.  Or, in other words, the breach of
ceptions, and to debase the character of the infi-  this commandment necessarily and uniformly
nite and eternal Mind!  " To whom will ye  leads to a breach of the first.  Notwithstanding
liken me, or shall I be equal, saith the HOLY  the shock which the human mind appears to have
ONE."                                         received by the fall, it is altogether inconceivable,
When a person of dignity and of respectability  that any tribe of mankind should have been so30
of character is caricatured, and associated with  debased and brutalized, as, in the first instance,
objects and circumstances that are mean, ridicu-  to mistake a crocodile, or the stump of a tree,!ous, and grotesque, it has a tendency to degrade  however beautifully carved, for the Creator of
his character, and to lessen our veneration. For  hea.ven and earth. Such objects appear'to have
the respect we entertain for any individual is  been first used as symbols or representations of
founded on th  view we take of him in all the  the Deity, in order to assist the nlind in forming




90                       THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
a conception of his invisible attributes. But as  the Great Creator. We have too much reasom
they had a direct tendency to debase the mind,  to believe, that there are multitudes in the reiiand to obscure the glory of the Divinity, in pro-  gious world, who pass for enlightened Christians,
cess of time they began to be regarded by the  whose ideas of the Supreme Ruler of the ullignorant multitude as the very gods themselves,  verse do not rise beyond the conceptions Me
which they were at first intended to represent;  ought to form of the powers and capacities of
and that tribute of adoration was paid to the  Gabriel the archangel, or of one of the~ highest,jmbol itself, which was originally intended to  order of the seraphim.
be given to the invisible God, through this sensi-    We can never expect, from the very nature of
ble medium. And, when we contemplate kings  things, to lie able to explore the depths of Jehoand princes, poets and philosophers, heroes and  vah's essence, or to comprehend the whole range
sages, "young men and virgins, old men and  of his dominions and government. But, a large
children," whole provinces, nations, and conti-  portion of his operations lies open to our inspec.
nents, prostrating themselves before the shrine of  tion; and it is from an enlightened contemplasuch despicable and abominable idols, and the  tion of what is presented to our view in the visiidea of the true God almost banished from  the  ble universe, that we are to form our conceptions
world, we have reason to feel ashamed, and to  of the grandeur of the Eternal Mind. For, it
be deeply humbled, that we belong to a race of may be admitted as an axiom, both in natural
intelligences that have thus so grossly prostituted  and revealed theology, that our conceptions oJ
their rational and moral powers.              God will nearly correspond with the conceptions
The only natural image or representation of we acquire of the nature and extent of his opera.
God which is set before us for our contemplation,  tions. In the universe around us, we perceive
is, the boundless universe which his hands have  an image of his infinity, in so far as a finite
formed; and his moral image is displayed in the  and material existence can adumbrate the attrilaws which he has published, in the movements  butes of an Infinite and Invisible Existence.
of his providence, and in the face of Jesus Christ  When we lift our eyes towards the midnight sky,
his Son, who is I" the image of the invisible God,  we behold a thousand suns diffusing their splenand the brightness of his glory." All these exhi-  dours from regions of space immeasurably dis.
bitions of the Divine Majesty, we are command-  tant.  When we apply a telescope to any
ed to study, to contemplate, and admire; and it  portion of this vast concave, we perceive thouis essentially requisite in order to our acquiring  sands more which the unasisted eye cannot
correct and comprehensive views of the object of discern. When we increase the magnifying
our adoration, that no one of these displays of the  powers of the instrument, we descry numerous
Divinity should be overlooked, or thrown into  orbs of light, stretching still farther into the unthe shade. There are some Christians, who  fathomable depths of space; so that there appear
imagine they may acquire a competent know-  no limits to the scene of creating power.  When
ledge of the character of God, although they  the eye of reason penetrates beyond all that is
should never spend a single momefit in contem-  visible through the most powerful telescopes, it
plating his perfections as displayed in his visible. contemplates a boundless region teeming with
works.  In regard to such, I hesitate not to af-  other resplendent suns and systems, whose numfirm, that they are, to a certain extent, idolaters,  ber and magnificence overwhelm the imaginaand remain wilful idolaters, contented with the  tion; so that no limit can be set to the excursions
most inadequate and grovelling conceptions of of the intellect when it wings its flight over the
the Deity, so long as they refuse to contemplate,  wide empire of Jehovah. Over all this vast
with fixed attention, and with intelligence, the  assemblage of material splendour, over its moveoperations of his hands. If a man's ideas never  ments, and over all the diversified ranks of intelextend beyond the bounds of his visible horizon,  ligence it supports, God eternally and unchangeor beyond the limits of the country in which he  ably presides. He is an Infinite Being;-and
resides, and if, at the same time, he has over-  in this immense universe which he has opened
looked the most striking displays of divine wis-  to our view, he has given us an image of his
dom and goodness within these bounds-his con-  infinity, which corresponds with the perfections
ceptions of the Divine Being himself, will nearly  which the inspired writers ascribe to him-and
correspound with the conceptions he forms of his  without a contemplation of which, the mind must
works. If his views be even confined within the  have a very unworthy and circumscribed idea of
limits of the globe on which he dwells, his con-  the attributes of the Eternal Mind. Even in
ceptions of God will still be grovelling, distorted,  many of the objects which surround us in this
and imperfect.  And, therefore, the idea which  lower world, we perceive an image of the infinity
such an individual forms to himselfof God, may  of the  Creator-particularly in  those living
be inferior to that which is due to one of the  worlds which are contained in a few drops of
higher orders of created intelligences. And, if water, some of the inhabitants of which are
so, he has only an image of a creature in his  several hundreds of thousands of times smaller
mnind, instead of a comprehensive conception of than the least grain of sand.-To the contempla



IMAGE WORSIIIP.                                        91
tion of such objects we are directed by God  object we contemplate, in order to appreciate
hlnself, in order to acquire an impressive view  the perfections and the glory of the ever present
of his character and operations.  " Lift up your  Deity. Although there were no other striking
eyes on high, and behold who hath created these  objects around us, the single fact of the apparent
orbs, that bringeth out their host by number: he  revolution of the celestial concave, with all its
calleth them  all by names, by the greatness of magnificent orbs, around the earth every twentyhis might, for that he is strong in power." —  four hours, is sufficient to overpower the mind of
And, the prophets, when reasoning against idol-  every rational observer with admiration and
atry, present us with a train of thought similar  wonder, if his attention were seriously directed
to that to which I have now adverted.  They  to it only for a single hour. The ideas of madescribe the Almighty as "sitting on the circle  jesty, of grandeur, and of omnipotent energy
of the heavens, and the inhabitants of the earth  which this sinale circumstance is calculated to
as grasshoppers in his sight."  T'hey represent  inspire, are such as irresistibly to lead the mind
him-as " measuring the waters in the hollow of  to the contemplation of a Being whose perfections
his hand, weighing the mountains in scales, and  are incomprehensible, and whose ways are past
meting out the heavens with aspan-before whom   finding out.  Yet, I believe, it may be affirmed
all nations are as the drop of a bucket, and are  with truth, that more than one half of the Chriscoulnted to him less than nothing and vanitv."    tian world are ignorant that such a fact exists;'
It is strange, indeed, that the duty of contem-  such is the indifference and the apathy with which
plating the image of God as impressed upon his  many religionists view the wonderful works of
works, should be so much overlooked by the  God.
great body of the Christian world, notwithstand-    It was chiefly owing to such criminal inattenina the obvious reasonableness of this duty, and  tion to the displays of the Divine Character in
the pointed injunctions in relation to it which  the works of creation, that the inhabitants of the
are reiterated in every department of the word of  Pagan world plunged themselves into all the
God. It is still more strange, that the instruc-  absurdities and abominations of idolatry. " For
tions of many religious teachers have a tendency  the invisible things of God, even his eternal power
to dissuade Christians from engaging in this duty,  and godhead, are clearly seen in the things that
by the foolish contrasts they attempt to draw be-  are made," if men would but open their eves,
tween the word and the works of God; so that  and exercise their powers of intelligence. " The
the great mass of Christians are left to remain  heavens declare the glory of Jehovah," they dehalf idolaters for want of those expansive concep-  clare  it to all the inhabitants of the earth.
tions of God which a knowledge of his works is  c" There is no speech nor language where their
calculated to produce.                         voice is not heard: their line is gone out through
It is also most unaccountable, on every prin-  all the earth, and their words to the end of the
ciple of reason, and of Revelation, that the wil-  world."
ful neglect of this duty should never be account-       "In reason's ear they all rejoice,
ed either as a sin, or as a want of that respect        And utter forth a glorious voice;
which is due to the Majesty of heaven.  We              Foreer hand thaintgmade uas theyis divine.'
have known persons rebuked, and even excluded
from a Christian Church, fo, holding a metaphy-    But the Heathen world did not listen to the insical sentiment different from  their brethren re-  structions thus conveyed, nor did they apply
specting the divine plans and decrees; but we  their understandings, as they ought to have done,
never heard of an individual being either re-  to trace the invisible things of God, from the visiproved or admonished by a Crristian society,  ble displays of his character and perfections, in
for neglecting to contemplate the character of the universe around them. " They became vain
God as displayed in his works, although he had  in their inlaginations, and their foolish hearts
lived fifty years amidst the magnificence of  were darkened; and professing themselves to be
creation, and had acquired little more knowledge  wise, they became fools."   While "the harp
of his Creator, from  this source, than the ox  and the viol, the tabret, the pipe, and the wine
which browses on the grass. Yet, to this neglect  were in their feasts, they regarded not the works
is to be imputed a great proportion of those gro-  of the Lord, nor considered the operations of his
yelling conceptions, superstitious notions, and  hands." "Wherefore they were given up by God
distorted views of the doctrines of religion which  to indulge" in vile affections, and " to worship
still disgrace the Christian world.  This fact is  and serve the creature rather than the Creator,
still more unaccountable, when we consider that  who is blessed for ever."  And, even tinder the
a knowledge of the abstrusities and technicalities of science is not requisite in order to the    * Here I refer simply to the apparent motion of
the heavens-leaving every one to form his. own
performance ofthis duty. It requires only the  opinion asto the other alternative —the metion of the
eve of sense, of reason, and of devotion to be di-  earth. In eithercase the mind is overpowered with
reoted to the scene of divine operation within us,  ideas of grandeur and of Almighty power. See this
topic more particularly illustrated il " Christ. Pheiloand around uts, and to be occasionally fixed on the  sopher,"




9'2                     THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
Chlristarn dispensation, we have too much reason  pine at his moral dispensations, or treat the
to fear, that effects somewhat analogous to these  mighty movements of his providence, whether
have been produced, and a species of mental idol-  in ancient or in modern times, with a spirit of
atry practised by thousands who have professed  levity, with ridicule, or with contempt; when we
the religion of Jesus; owing to their inattention  treat the revelations of the Bible with indifference
to the visible operations of Jehovah, and to their  or with scorn; when we miake the declarations of
not connecting them  with the displays of his  that book, which unfolds to us the sublime and
ciharacter and agency as exhibited in the revela-  adorable character of Jehovah, the subject ofmertions of his wore.                            riment and jest; when we endeavour to throw
upon them contempt and ridicule, with the view
THE THIRD  COMMANDMENT,               of undermliing their divine authority; and when
Thou shalt not take the name ofthe Lord thy God  we sneer at the public and private worship ofGod,
in vain.                    and at the ordinances which he hath appointed.
-In all these and many other ways, the name of
The name of any person is that which distin-  God is profaned, his character reproached, and
guishes him from other individuals.  Whatever  that reverence of the Divine Being, which is the
word is employed to distinguish any object,  foundation of all religion and moral order, underwhether antmate or inanimate, is its name. In  mined and subverted.
like manner, the Name of God is that by which   When the name or the titles by which a fellowhe is distinguished from all other beings. It in-  mortal is distinguished; are made the subject of
eludes those terms which express his nature and  banter and ridicule in every company, when they
character, as Jehovah-those titles by which his  are brought forward for the purpose of giving an
relation to his creation is designated, as " The  edge to a sarcastic sneer; and when his employCreator of the ends of the earth,-The Father of ments and the works he has constructed are conmercies,-The God of salvation," &c.-the at-  temned, and associated with every thing that is
tributes of which he is possessed, as his Eternity,  mean and degrading; it is an evidence of the low
Omnipotence, Holiness, Justice, &c.-the works  estimation in which he is held by the individual
which he has exhibited in heaven and on earth-  who does so, and has a tendency to debase his
the movements of his Providence, and the Reve.  character in the eyes of others.  On the same
lationxs of his word. By every one of these, the  principle, the profanation of the name of God, has
chara(cter of God is distinguished from that of an evident tendency to lessen our admiration of
all other beings in the universe. In relation to  the Majesty of Heaven, and to banish from tho
this name or character of the Divine Being, it is  mind every sentiment of veneration and revesolemnly commanded that "we are not to take it  rence.  The man who can deliberately violate
in vain," —that is, we are not to use any of the  this command, from day to day,-thus offering a
titles or designations of the Divine Majesty, for  continual insult to his Maker-proclaims to all
trifling, vain, or evil purposes; nor are we to  around, that he has no emotions of reverence and
treat any displays of his character with levity,  affection towards that Almighty Being, whose
profaneness, or irreverence.                  power upholds the fabric of heaven and earth, and
We violate this command, when we use the  who dispenses life and death to whomsoever he
name of God, in common discourse, in alight and  pleases. " He sretcheth out his hand against
irreverent manner, when we interlard our con-  God, and strengtheneth himself against the Alversations with unnecessary oaths and assevera-  mighty." He proclaims to every reflecting mind,
tiuns in which this name is introduced; when we  that pride, enmity, rebellion, and irreverence,
swear to what we know to be false, or when we  are deeply seated in his heart, and that" the fear
mtultiply oaths in reference to vain and trifling  of God," and the solemnities of a future judgconcerns; when we imprecate curses and dam-  ment "are not before his eyes."
nation on our fellow-creatures; when we ap-    Were the violation of this law lo become uniproach God in prayer, without those feelings of versal among men-the name of God, among all
reverence and awe, which his perfections de-  ranks, ages, and conditions of life, would be as.
mand; when we swear by any object in heaven  sociated, not only with every trifling discourse
or in earth, or by the false deities of the heathen  and altercation, but with every species of ribaldworld; when we treat his wonderful works with  ry and obscenity. The lisping babe would be
indifference or contempt; when we endeavour to  taught to insult that Mighty Being, from whom
caricature, and misrepresent them, or attempt to  it so lately derived its existence; and the man of
throw a veil over their glory; when we insinuate  hoary hairs, even in the agonies of death, would
that his most glorious and magnific.ient works  pass into the eternal state, imprecating the venwere made for no end, or for no end worthy of  geance of his Maker. All reverence for Jehvah
that infinite wisdom and intelligence by which  would, of course, be banished from society; no
they were contrived; when we overlook or deny  temples would be erected to his honour; no silen,
the Divine Agency, which is displayed in the  adorations ofthe heart woild ascend to his throne;
uperations of nature; when we murmur and re-  no vows would be paid; no forms of worship ap



INSTITUTION OF THE SABBATH.                                    98
pointet; no tribute of thanksgiving and gratitude  with emotions of affection and of are would his
would be offered to his name, —but the voice of  worshippers approach him in prayer, in praise. in
profanity and of execration, among high and iow,  contemplation, and in all the services of his san.orich and poor, the young and the old, in every  tuary.  The whole earth would be consecrated
social intercourse, and in every transaction,  as one grand temple, from which a grateful howould resound throughout all lands. No motives  nmage would ascend from the hearts and from the
to excite to moral action, would be derived from  lips of millions of devout worshippers, in all
the authority and the omnipresence of God, and  places, fiom  the rising to the setting sua. In
from a consideration of his future retributions;  the domestic circle, in the social club, in the
for his character would be reproached, and his  convivial meeting, in the streets, in " the high
authority  trampled under foot by all people.  places of the city," in tihe public walks, in the'" They would set their mouths against the hea-  councils of the nations, and in every other intervens in their blasphemous talk," and they would  course of human beings, the name of God would
say, " IIow doth God know, and is there know-  never be mentioned nor his character alluded to,
ledge in the Most High?"  "What is the Al-  but with feelings of profound and reverential awe.
mighty that we should serve him, and what profit  His works would be contemplated with admirashall we have, if we pray unto him?   " The  tion, with reverence, and with gratitude, as proLord doth not see, neither doth the God of Jacob  claiming the glory of his kingdom, the depths of
regard us."  His wonderful works would either  his wisdom, and the extent of his power. His
be overlooked, or treated with contempt, or as-  mighty movements among the nations would be
cribed to the blind operation of chance or of fate.  regarded with submission and reverence, as acThey would be represented as accomplishing no  complishing the eternal purposes of his will, and
end, as displaying no wisdom, and as controlled  his holy word would be perused by all classes of
by no intelligent agency. Their apparent irre-  men with affection anti delight, as the oracle
gularities and defects would be magnified, and  which proclaims the glories of his nature and the
expatiated upon with diabolical delight; while  excellence of his laws, the blessings of his salvathe glorious evidences they exhibit of infinite  tion, and the path which conducts to eternal feliwisdom and beneficence would be thrown com-  city in the life to come. Such are some of the
pletely into the shade.  The dispensations of his  delightful effects which would follow, were a senprovidence would be viewed as an inextricable  timent of profound reverence to pervade the
maze, without order or design, directed by chance,  whole mass of human beings;-and correspondand by the ever-varying caprice of human beings.  ing sentiments of love and affection for each other,
His venerable word would universally become  would be the necessary and unceasing accomthe subject of merriment and!aughter,-a topic  paniments of respect and veneration for their
for the exercise of ribaldry and ridicule, and a  common Parent.
theme for enlivening the unhallowed song of the
drunkard. The most solemn scenes which it dis-       THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT.
plays, and its most joyful and alarming declara-  "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
tions, would be equally treated with levity and  Six dys shalt thou labour, and do all thy
contempt. —Such are some of the impiou prac-    work; bitt the seventh day is the Sabbath of the
tices, and horrible effects which would follow, if    Lord thy God," -c.
the name of Jehovah were universally profaned.
The very name of religion would be blotted out    This commandment obviously enjoins the
from the earth, its forms abolished, its sanctions  setting apart of one day in seven, as a day of rest
disregarded, its laws violated, virtue and piety  from worldly labour, and as a portion of time to
annihilated, the flood-gates of. every evil burst  be devoted to the devotional exercises of religion,
open, and moral order entirely subverted.     and particularly to th'e public worship of God.
On the other hand, universal reverence of the  It was given forth, not merely to display the
name and character of God would lead to the  Sovereignty of the Lawgiver; but to promote
practice of all the duties of piety and morality.  both the sensitive and the intellectual enjoyment
The Most High would be recognised with senti-  of man. "The Sabbath," says our Saviour,
mnents of veneration at all times; and the silent  " was made for man! and not man for the Sabadorations of the heart would flow out towards  bath."
him in all places; in the house, and in the street,   It was made for nan, in the firqt place, as a
in the bosom of the forest, and in the fertile plain,  day of rest. In this point of view, it is a most
in the cliy, and in the wilderness, under the  wise and mercifil appointment, especially when
shades ofnight, and amidst the splendours of day.  we consider the present condition of mankind, as
en every place, temples would be erected for his  doomed to labour, and toil, and to the endurance
worship, hallelujahs of praise would ascend, and  of many sorrows.  When we reflect on the ty"incense and a purs offering" be presented to  rannical dispositions which prevail among mran.
his name.  With reverence and godly fear, with  kind, on the powerfill influence of avarice over
expansive views of his magnificence and glory, the human mind, and on the almost total absence




94                       THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
of benevolence and compassion towards suffering  in its train an increase oflabour,-a continued se..
numanity, wherever such dispositions predomi-  ries of toilsome and unremitting exertions, whi.a,ate, we cannot but admire the wisdom and be-  would waste their animal powers, cut short the
aevolence of the Creator, in the appointment of years of their mortal existences, "make their
a weekly jubilee for the rest and refreshment of lives bitter With hard bondage," and deprive them
tabourers spent with toil. On this day, the mas.  of some of the sweetest enjoyments which they
ter has an opportunity of divesting his mind of now possess.
worldly cares and anxieties, the servant of ob-..    And as the sabbath was appointed for the rest
taining liberty and respite from his toilsome em-  of man, so it was also intended as a season of
ployments; and labourers of every class, of en-  repose for the inferior animals which labour for
joying repose in the  bosom of their families.  our profit. " The seventh day is the Sabbath of
Such, however, are the avaricious dispositions,  the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any
and the contracted views of a great- proportion of work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy
mankind, that they are apt to regard the institu-  man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle,
tion of the Sabbath as: an obstruction to the ad.  nor the stranger that is within thy gates." This
vancementof their worldly interests.  They will  injunction exhibits the compassionate care and
calculate how much labour has been lost by the  tenderness ofthe Creator in a very amiable and
rest of one day in seven, and how much wealth  impressive point of view. It shows us, that the
might have been gained, had the Sabbath not in-  enjoyments of the lowest ranks of sensitive existervened to interrupt their employments.  But  tence are not beneath his notice and regard.'As
all'such'selfish calculations, even in a worldly  he knew what degree of relaxation was necessary'
point of view, proceed on the principles of a  for the comfort of the labouring animnals, and as
narrow and short-sighted policy.  We know by  he foresaw that the avarice and cruelty of man
experience, that, on the six days out of seven' would endeavour to deprive them oftheir due reappointed for labour, all the operations requisite  pose, so he has secured to them, by a law which
ror the cultivation of the fields, and for the manu-  is to continue in force so long as the earth enfactu;re of every useful article for the comfort of  dures, the rest of one day in seven in common
mankind, can be performed with ease, and with.  with their proprietors and superiors.  And this
out the least injury to any class of men.  And  privilege they will undoubtedly enjoy hereafter,
wlmat more'could be accomplished, although the  in a mce eminent degree than they have: yet
Sabbath' were converted into a (lay of labour?  done, wl.en man himself shall be induced to pay'
Were this violation of the divine command to  a more cordial and unreserved obedience to this
become universal it might be shown that, instead  divine precept,-when" he shall call the Sabof prcaiucina an increase of wealth, it would in-  bath a delight' and the holy of the Lord'honourfallibly produce an increase of toil and misery  able."
in relation to the great mass of mankind, without    Again, the Sabbath was appointed for man, as a
any corresponding pecuniary compensation. The  seasonfor pious recollection, and reiigious contem-.abouring class at present-receive little more wa-  plation. " Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it
ges than is barely sufficient to procure the neces-  holy." A.midst the numerous cares and laborious
saries of life. "If their physical strength would  employments of human life, it is impossible to
permit them  to work eighteen hours a day, in-  fix the mind, for any length of time, on the divine
stead of twelve, it is beyond a doubt, that, in a  glory, as displayed' in the works of creation, on
very short time, the work of eighteen hours would  the important facts and doctrines of revealed relibe demanded by their employers for the price of  gion, and on the grand realities ofthe life to come.
twelve-particularly in all cases where a suffi-' And, therefore, if the labouring classes enjoyed no
cient number of labourers can be easily obtained.  regular season of repose for serious reflection,
In like manner, were the Sabbath to be used as a  and religious instruction, the objects of religion
day of labourr, the wages of seven days would  would soon be entirly neglected, and the impres..
soon be reduced to what is now given for the la-  sion of a future world evanish from the mind.
htour of six.  In the first instance, indeed, before  But in the wise arrangements of the beneficent
sutch a change was thoroughly effected, the Ia-  Creator, an opportunity is afforded to all ranks of
bouring part of the community would acquire a  men for cultivating their moral and intellectual
seventh part more wages every week than they  powers, and for directing them to the study and
did before; and men unaccustomed to reflection,  contemplation of the most glorious and interesting
and who never look beyond a present tenlporary  objects. As the Sabbath was originally institutat vantage, would imagine that they had acquired  ed as a sacred memorial ofthe finishing of the
a new resource for increasing their worldly gain.  work of creation, so it is obvious that the con.
But: In a very short time, when the affairs of the  templation of the fabric of the universe, and of
social state were brought to a certain equilibri-  the perfections of its Almighty Author therein
im, they would be miserably undeceived; and  displayed, ought to form one part ofthe exercises;he abolition of the Sabbath, instead of bringing  of this holy day; and, consequently, that illustraLong with it an increase of wealth, would carry  tions ofbthis subject ought to be frequently brougit




INSTITUTION OF THE SABBATH.                                      95
before the view ofthe mind in those discourses  directing the train of our devotional a.xercises,
which are delivered in the assemblies of the  are full of this subject, and contain specimens of
maints.  Since the references to this subject,  elevated sentiments, of sublime devotion, incomthroughout the whole of divine revelation, are so  parably superior to what is to be found in any
frequent and so explicit, it is evident, that the  other record, whether ancient or modern.*  But
Creator intended that this amazing work of his  man, whose unhallowed hand pollutes and deshould be contemplated with admiration, and  grades every portion of revelation which he atmake a deep and reverential impression upon  tempts to improve, has either endeavoured  to
every mind.  To call to  remembrance a period  set aside the literal and sublime references of
when there was no terraqueous globe, no sun,  these divine compositions, or to substitute in
nor moon, nor planets, nor starry firmament, when  their place the vague and extravagant fancies
darkness and inanity reigned throughout the infi-  of weak and injudicious minds, for directing
nite void-to listen to the voice of God resound-  the devotional exercises of Christian churches.t
ing through the regions of boundless space," LET   As the book of God is the only correct standard
THERE tE LtGHT; and light was" —to behold  of religious worship, so our devotional exercises
ten thousands of spacious suns instantly lighted  both in public and in private, ought to be chiefly,
up at his command-to trace the mighty masses  if not solely, directed by the examples of devoof the planetary worlds projected from the hand of  tion contained in the inspired wditings, which
Omnipotence, and running their ample circuits  are calculated to regulate and enliven the pious
with a rapidity which overwhelms our concep-  exercises of men of every age and of every clime.
tions-to contemplate the globe on which we         But, the celebration of the work of creation is
stand emerging from darkness and confusion to  not the only, nor the principal exercise to which
light and order: adorned with diversified scenes  we are called on the Christian sabbath.  Had
of beauty and of sublimitywith mountains, and  man continued in primeval innocence, this would
plains, with rivers, and seas, and oceans; and  probably have constituted his chief employment.
with every variety of shade and colour; cheered   But he is now called to celebrate, in conjunction
with the melody of the feathered songsters, and  with this exercise, a most glorious deliverance
with the voice of man, the image of his Maker,  from  sin and misery, effected by the Redeemel
where a little before eternalsilence had prevailed,  of mankind.  And, for this reason, the Sabbath
-to reflect on the Almighty energy, the bound-  has been changed from  the seventh to the firat
less intelligence, and the oerflowing beneficence  day of the week, in memorial of the resurrection
displayed in this amazing scene-has a tendency  of Christ, when he was " declared to be the Son
to elevate and expand the faculties of the human
mind, and to excite emotions of reverence and       See particularly Psalms,,,29, 3, 65, 66,
adoration~~~~~~~~~ ~~ o  h   mioe  frao  Ti     see particularly Psa~lms 8, 18, 19, 29, 33, 65, 66,
adoration of the omnipotent Creator.  This is a   68,74, 89, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 100, 104, 107, 111, 135, 156,
work which the eternal Jehovah evidently intend-  as9, 145, 146, 147, t48, &c. &c.
ed to be held in everlasting remembrance, by man    t I here allude to several cotlections of Htyms
which have been introduced into the public worship
on earth, and by all the inhabitants of the heaven-  of Christian societies-many of which, contain a numly regions.  It is the mirror of the Deity, and  borof vagueand injudicioussentiments,and extravathenatural image of the invisible God; and it  gant fancies, while they entirely omit many of those
natural image ofthe invisible God; and it  subjects on which the inspired writers delight to exforms the groundworle of all those moral dis-  patlate. This position could easly be illustrated by
pensations  towards his  intelligent offspring,  abundance of examples, were it expedient in this
And,  place. I am firmly of opinion, that the praises of the
which will run parallel with eternity itself. And,  Christian church ought to be celebrated In Scripturetherefore, to overlook this subject in the exercises  language-that selections for this purpose should
of the Sabbath, is to throw a veil over the glories  be made from the book of Psalms, the Prophets, and
the New Testament writers, which shall embody
of the Deity, to disregards the admonitions of his  every sentiment expressed in the original, without
word, and to contemn one of the most magnifi-  gloss or comment, and be as nearly as possible in
the very words of Scripture. This has been partly
cent and astonishing displays of Divine perfec-  effected in many of the Psalmns contained in metrical
tion.  "By the word of Jehovah were the hea-  version, used in the Scottish Church, in which simvens made, and all the host of them, by the breath  plicity, and sublimity, and a strict adherence to the
originali are beautifully exemplified. In this case
of his mouth.  He gathereth the waters of the  there would be no need for a separate h3ymn-book
sea together as an heap, he layeth up the depth  for Baptists, Methodists, Independents, Presbyteri
in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord;  ansandl Episcopalians. But, when a poet takes an
insulated passage of Scripture, and spins out a dozlet all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe  en stanzas about it, he may interweave, and mo-t
ofhim.  For he spake, and it was done, he com-  frequently ioes, as many fancies of -is own as he
man~ and it stood faQ~       ~ pleases. Were the ideas contained in certain hynin,
manded, and it stood fast."                     to be painted on canvass, they would represent, et
This is a command which never was abrogat-  ther a congeries ofclpsdsand mists, or a group of dised, and which never can be abrogated in relation  tortedand unnatural objects. And why should such
vague fancies,and injudicious representations, be
to any intelligent beings, so long as the Creator  imposed on a Christian assembly? What a disgrace
exists, and so long as the universe remains as a  is thrown ipon Christianity, when the different secte
memorial of his power and inteligence.   Those   of Christians cannot cordlially join together in the
memorial of his power and intelligence. Those
sane songs of thanksgiving and praise to their camsacred songs which are recnrded in scripture for  mon Fatherand Lord'




96                       THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
of God with power."  In this deliverance, as  are subject to the same wants and infirmities, are
in the first creation, a variety of the grandest  exposed to the same sorrows and afflictions, and
and most interesting objects is presented to our  stand in need of the same blessings from God,view:-The Son of God manifested in the flesh  it is highly reasonable and becomintg, that they
-the moral image of the inyisible Creator em-  should frequently meet together, to offer up in
nodied in a human form, displaying every hea-  unison their thanksgiving and praise to their comveuny disposition, and every divine virtue, per-  mon Benefactor, and to supplicate the throne of
forming a series of the most astonishing and bene-  his mercy.  These exercises are connected with
ficent miracles, giving sight to the hblind, and  a variety of interesting and important associahearing to the deaf, making the lame man leap  tions.  In the public assemblies where religious
as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb to sing, re-  worship is performed, " the rich anti the poor
storing the infuriated maniac to the exercise of meet together."  Within the same walls, those
reason, commanding diseases to fly at the signal  who would never have met in any other circumof a touch, recalling departed spirits from the. in-  stances, are placed exactly in the same situation
visible world, raising the dead to life, and, on  before Him  in whose presence all earthly disevery occasion, imparting heavenly instructions  tinctions evanish, and who is the Lord, and " the
to attending multitudes. We behold this illus-  Maker of them  all."  Here, pride and haughti-:rious personage suspended on the cross, encom-  ness are abased; all are placed on the same
passed with the waters of affliction, and with  level as sinners before Him  " who is of purer
the agonies of death; the veil of the temple rent  eyes than to behold iniquity; the loftiness of man
in twain, from the top to the bottomn-the rocks  is humbled, the poor are raised from the dust, and
of mount Calvary rent asunder-the sun covered  the Lord alone is exalted in the courts of his holiwith blackness-darkness surrounding the whole  ness.  Here, cleanliness and decency of apparel
land of Judea-the graves opening-"the dead  are to be seen, and human nature appears, both
arising, and the Prince of Life consigned to the  in its physical and its moral grandeur.*  Here,
mansions of the tomb. On the third morning  civility of deportment, and kindly affections are
after this solemn scene, " a great earthquake"  generally displayed.  Here, we feel ourselves in
having shaken the sepulchre of the Savioulr, we  the immediate presence of Him before whom all
behold hin; bursting the prison-doors of the tomb,  nations are as the drop of a bucket; we feel our
and awakening to a new life, which shall never  guilty and dependant character, and stand, as
end-we behold celestial messengers, in resplen-  suppliants, foir mercy to pardon, and for grace to
dent forms, descending from the ethereal regions  help us in the time of need. Here, knowledge
to announce to his disconsolate disciples, that  of the most important kind is communicated to
he who was dead" is alive, and lives for ever-  assembled multitudes, almost " without money
rnore;" we behold him, at length, bestowing his  and without price."  Here, the poorest beggar,
last benediction on his faithful followers, rising  the youth, and the man of hoary hairs, may learn
above the confines ofthis earthly ball, winging his  the character of the true God, and of Jesus
way on a resplendent cloud, attended by myriads  Christ whom  he hath sent-the way to eternal
ofangels, through distant regions which " eye hath  happiness-the sources of consolation under the
tot seen;" and entering" into heaven itself, there  afflictions of life-and the duties they owe to
to appear in the presence of God for us."  In  their Creator, and to all mankind.  In a word,
the redemption achieved by this glorious person,  here the sinner, in the midst of his unhallowed
we are directed to look back on that scene of  courses, is aroused to consideration; and here
misery in which sin has involved the human  the saint is animated and encouraged in his
race, and to those " regions of sorrow and dole-  Christian journey, and enjoys a foretaste of the'ill shades," from which hIis mercy has delivered  blessedness of heaven, and an earnest of the deus; and to look forward to a complete deliverance  lightful intercourses and employments of " the
from moral evil, to a resurrection from the grave,  saints in light."
to a general assembly of the whole race of Adam  Let us now suppose, for a moment, that the
-to the destruction and renovation of this vast  Sabbath, and its exercises, were universally abo.
globe on which we dwell, and to the enjoyment of  lished from the civilized world.  What would be
uninterrupted felicity, in brighter regions, while  the consequences?  The knowledge of the true
countless ages roll away.-Such are some of the  God, which the institution of the Sabbath, more
sublime and interesting objects which we are  than any other mean, has tended to perpetuate,
called upon to contemp!ale and to celebrate on  would soon be lost, his worship abandoned, and
the day appointed for the Christian sabbath-ob-  religion and moral principle buried in the dust.
fects which have a tendency to inspire the mind  In Pagan countries, where the Sabbath is nnwith sacred joy, and with an anticipation of no-  What a striktng contrast, even to a physteat
oie employments in the life to coine.          point of view, is presented between a modern as.
Again, the Sabbath was appointed as a stated  semhly of Christian worshippers, ant. the hideous
season for the lpublic worshirp of God.  As mnan-  land filthy group of human beings that are to lie seen
in the kraal of a Hottentot, or in the cave of a Nc w
kind are connected b' innulmerable ties, as dt.ey   Hollander.




RELATIONS OF MANKIND.                                       97
known, the true God is never adored, the soul of  and have been generally considered as enjoiniman is debased, and prostrates itself before the  ing the practice of piety, or those duties wJiuh
sun and moon, and even before demons, mon-  more immediately respect God as their object.
sters, insects, reptiles, and bloclks of wood and  But they also include the duties we owe to our.
stone. In France, where the Sabbath was for  selves; for in yielding obedience to these requlire.
a season abolished, asr.npious phantom, called  ments, we promote our best interests in th'a
the t~dSess of Reason, was substituted in the  world, aend are gradually prepared for participa.*
room of the Oinipotent and Eternal God; the  ting in the enjoyments of the world to come.
Bible was held up to ridicule, and committed to  These laws are binding upon angels and arch.
the flames; man was degraded to the level of  angels, and upon every class of intelligent beings,
the brutes; his mind was assimilated to a piece  in whatever quarter of the universe their local
ef clay, and the cheering prospects of immortali-  residence may be found, as well as upon the inty were transformed into the shades ofan eternal  habitants of the earth.  The fourth commandnight.  Atheism, Scepticism, and Fatalism, al-  ment, indeed, in so far as regards the particular
most universally prevailed; the lacws of morality  portion of time to be set apart for the worship of
were trampled under foot; and anarchy, plots,  God, may possibly be peculiar to the inhabitants
assassinations, massacres, andt legalized plunder,  of our world. Even although the inhabitants of
became " the order of the day."'-With the loss  such a world as the planet Jupiter were conof the knowledge of God, all impressions of the  manded to set apart every seventh natural day
Divine presence, and all sense of accountable-  for the stated public worship of God, the proporness for human actions, would be destroyed. The  tion of absolute time allotted for this purpose,
restraints of religion, and the prospect of a filture  would not be the same as ours; for the natural
judgment, would ito longer deter from  the com-  day in that world is equal to only ten hours of
mission of crimes; and nothing but the dread  our time. But the spirit of this precept, or, the
of the dungeon, the gibbet, or the rack, would  principle on which it is founded, must be common
restrain mankind from the constant perpetration  to all worlds. For we can conceive of no class
of cruelty, injustice, and deeds of violence.  No  of intelligent creatures, on whom  it is not oblisocial prayers, from assembled multitudes, would  gatory to devote a certain portion of time for the
be offered up to the Father of mercies; no voice  social worship and adoration of their Creator,
of thanksgiving and praise would ascend to the  and for commemorating the displays of his
Ruler of the skies; the work of creation, as  Power and Benevolence; and all holy intellidisplaying the perfections of the Deity, would  gences will cheerfiully join in such exercises, and
cease to be admired and commemorated; and  will consider it as a most ennobling and delightthe movements of Providence, and the glories of  ful privilege, to engage at stated seasons, along
redemption, would be overlooked and disregard-  with their fellow-worshippers, in admiring and
ed. The pursuitoftheobjects oftime and sense,  extolling the Uncreated Source of their enjo?,which can be enjoyed only for a few fleeting  ments. Bult the stated seasons appointed by the
years, would absorb every faculty of the soul;  Creator for such solemn acts of worship, the
and the realities of the eternal world would  manner and circumstances in which they shall
either be forgotten, or regarded as idle dreams.  be performed, and the number ofworshippers that
In short, were the Sabbath abolished, or, were  may assemble on such occasions, may be diffethe law which enforces its observance to be re-  rent in different worlds, according to the situaversed, man would be doomed to spend his mor-  tions in which they are placed.
tal existence in an unbroken series of incessant    The fifth commandment, to which I am now to
labour and toil; his mental powers would lan-  advert, is one of those moral regulations which
guish, and his bodily strength would be speedily  may possibly be peculiar to the relations which
masted. Habits of cleanliness, civility of deport-  exist in our world; at least, it cannot be suppoment, and decency of apparel, would be disre-  sed to apply to the inhabitants of any world
garded; and the persons, and the habitations of  where the relations of parents and children, of
the labouring classes, would soon resemble the  superiors and inferiors, are altogether unknown.
filthiness and the wretched objects which are  But. in the circumnstances in which man is placseen in the kraal of a Hottentot.  Their minds  ed, it is a law indispensably requisite for prewould neither be cheered with the prospect ofsea-  serving the order and happiness of the social
sons of stated repose in this world, nor with the  system.-It requires the exercise of those dishope of eternal rest and joy in the world to come.  positions. and the performance of those duties,
which are incumbent upon mankind, it the vaTHE FIFTH COMMANDMENT.                rious relations in which they stand to each other.
tHonour thy    consequently, includes within its spirit and
or thy Fhr and thy other.  references. the duties which children owe to their
The four preceding commandments, whose  parents, and parents to their children; the duties
importance I have endeavoured to illustrate, were  of husbands and wives, of masters and-servants,
written on a separato tablet from those that follow,  of teachers and scholars. of brothers and sis27




98                        THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
tras, of the young and the old, and of governors  the aged and infirm  with every mark of scorn,
and their subjects; together with all those dis-  derision, and contempt; and would feel a diabopositions of reverence, submission, affection,  lical delight in vexing, thwarting, and overpowergratitude, and respect, with which the perfor-  ing their superiors in age and station. No inmance of these duties ought to be accompanied.  structions could be communicated by teachers and
It must also be considered as forbidding every  guardians to the rising generation; for riot, inthig, that is opposed to these dispositions, and  solence, insult, derision, and contempt, would
to the obedience required; as contumacy, re-  frustrate every effort to communicate knowledge
bhellion, and want of respect, on the part of chil- to a youthful group. No building nor other work
dren towards their parents; disobedience of ser-  of art could be commenced with the certain prosvants to the reasonable commands of their mas-  pect of being ever finished; for its progress would
ters; and every principle of disaffection and of  depend upon the whims and humours of the
insubordination among the various ranks of so-  workmen employed, who, of course, would recie!y.  That all this is included within the range  joice in endeavouring to frustrate the plans and,f this precept, might be proved from the princi-  wishes of their employers. No regular govern.
ples on which our Saviour explains the sixth and  ment nor subordination in a large community,
seventh commandments, in his Sermon on the  could possibly exist; for the great mass of socieMount, and from the illustrations of these duties  ty would endeavour to protect every delinquent,
which are given in the Apostolic epistles, and  and would form themselves into a league to prein other parts of Scripture.                   vent the execution of the laws. These effects
As it forms no part of my plan, to enter into  would inevitably follow, even although the reany particular explanations of the duties required  quisition contained in this precept, were to be
in the Decalogue, which have frequently b-en  viewed as confined solely to the reverence and
expounded by many respectable writers, in works  obedience which children owe to their parents.
particularly appropriated to this object,-I shall  For, were this obedience withdrawn, an'd an opsimply illustrate, in a few words, the reasonable-  posite disposition and conduct uniformly mani-'ess of this, and the following precepts, from a  fested, the young would carry the same disposi~onsideration of the effects which would follow,  tions which they displayed towards their parents,
w7ere these laws either universally observed, or  into all the other scenes and relations of life, and;niversally violated.                         fill the world with anarchy and confusion.  But
Were this law to be reversed, or universally  it would be needless to expatiate on this topic, as
violated, it is impossible to form  an adequate  it appears obvious to the least reflecting mind,
conception of the dreadful scene of anarchy and  that a universal violation of this law would quite
confusion, which  would  immediately ensue.  unhinge the whole fabric of society, and would
Elvery social tie would be torn asunder, every  soon put an end to the harmonious intercourse of
relation inverted, every principle of subordina-  human beings.
tion destroyed, every government overturned,    On the other hand, a constant and universal
every rank and order of mankind annihilated,  obedience to this precept would produce such,and the whole assembly of human beings con-  effects on the deformed aspect of our world as,verted into a discordant mass cf lawless bandit-  would transform  it into a paradise of moral
ti. Every family would present a scene of riot,  beauty, of happiness and love.  Every family,confusion, insubordination, contention, hatred,  would exhibit a picture of peace and concord, of
4ttmult, and incessant execration.  Instead of harmony and  affection. No harsh and bitter
love, peace, unity, and obedience, the son would  language, no strifes, nor jars, nor contentions
rise in rebellion against his father, and the father  would ever interrupt the delightful flow of recipwouldl insult and trample under foot his son. To  rocal affection between parents and children. No
ltse the words of our Saviour, " The brother  lollger should we behold the little perverse memwottlddeliver tip the brother to death, and the  bers of the domestic circle, indulging their' sulky'father the child; and the children would rise tup  humours, and endeavouring to thwart the wishes;against their parents, and cause them to be put  of their superiors, nor the infilriated  parent
to death.; the daughter would be set at variance  stamping and raging at the obstinacy of his
against her mother, and the daughter-in-law   children; nor should we hear the grating sounds
against her mother-in-law; and a man's foes  of discord, and insubordination which now so
would be they of his own household."  Children  frequently issue from the family mansion. Every
would be,unprovided with proper food, clothing,  parental command  would  be cheerfully  and
and instruction, and left to wander, houseless  promptly obeyed.  Reverence and filial affec.
and forlorn, as vagabonds on the face of the earth;  tion would glow in every youthful breast towards'anri parents, abandoned by their children, in sick-  the father that begat him, and towards the mother
ness, poverty, and old age, would sink into the  that gave him birth.  Their persons, and their
grave inwretchednessarid despair.  Theyouna,  characters would be regarded with veneration
instead of " rising mmp before the hoary head, and  and respect, and their admonitions submitted tr
nonouring the face of the old man," would treat  without a murmur or complaint.  To -gladden




LAW IN RiZELATION TO MURDER.                                     99
the hearts of their parents, to run at the least  mately depend on the spirit of filia. piety being
signal of their will, to share in their benignant  infused into every family.  " Honour thy father
smilc or approbation, and to avoid every species  an I thy mother," says the Apostle, " which is
of conduct that would produce the least uneasi-  the first commandment with promise; that it may
ness or pain-would be the unceasing aim of all  be well with thee, and that thou mayest live long
the youthful members of the family circle. In  upon the eath."  These words, which are fiesickness, they would smooth their pillows, and  quently repeated in Scripture, are not empty
alleviate their sorrows, watch  like guardian  sounds; nor ought they to be deprived, even
angels around their bed, drop the tear of affec-  unde" the Christian dispensation, of their obvious
tion, and pour the balm of consolation into their  and literal meaning.  Filial piety has a natural
wounded spirits. In the decline of life, they  tendency to produce health, long life, and proswould minister with tenderness to their support  perity; and could we trace the whole of the secret
and enjoyment, guide their feeble steps, sympa-  history of Providence in reference to this precept,
tnize with them in their infirmities, cheer and  we should, doubtless, find this position abundantly
animate their dejected spirits, and render their  exemplified.  At any rate, were it universally
passage to the tomb smooth and comfortable.  practised, it would carry alone with it a train of
And how  delighted would every  parent feel  blessings which would convert the tumults and
amidst such displays of tenderness and affection!  convulsions ofnations into peace and tranquillity,
There is perhaps nothing in the whole range of  and transform the moral wilderness of this world
human enjoyment that creates a higher and more  into a scene of verdure, beauty, and loveliness,
unniingled gratification to parents, than the duti-  which would enrapture the mind of every moral
ful and affectionate conduct of their offspring. It  intelligence; and  among  its other benefits,
sweetens all the bitter ingredients of hunan life,  "' length of days, and long life and peace," would
and adds a relish to all its other comforts and en-  undoubtedly ":' be added" to the other enjoyments
joyments.  It imparts a continual satisfaction  of mankind.
and serenity to the parental breast; it smooths
th  wrinkles of age; it cheers the spirits under
the, infirmities of declining nature, and makes the       "Thou shalt not kill."
dy ing bed of old age comfortable and easy. And
the ioy and satisfaction thus felt by parents would  This precept forbids the taking away of the
be reflected into the bosom of their children;  lifoe of sensitive or intelligen' existence.  The
which would produce a union of interests, a cor-  command is absolute, withou  the least excepdialitv of affection, and a peace and tranquillity  tion, as it stands in the Deca ogle; and it is
of mind in every member of the family, which no  tniversal, extending to every raional and moral
adverse occurrence in futurelife could ever effec-  agent.  It implies that, as every sensitive and
tually destroy.                                every intelligent being derived its existence
From the family circle the emanations of filial  fi'om the omnipotent Creator of heaven and earth,
piety would spread and diffuse themselves through  no one has a right to deprive it of that existence,
all the other departments of society.  The same  except that Being by whom it was bestowed.
spirit of love and dutiful respect which united  And, whatever exceptions to the universality of
and endeared parents to children, and children  this law may be admitted, they can be admitted
to parents, would unite one family to another,  only on the authority of the Lawgiver himself,
one village to another, one city to another, one  who is the Original Fountain of existence to all
province to another, one kingdom and empire to  his creatures.  The principal exceptions to this
another, till all the tribes of the human race were  law are the following:-l. The man who has
united in kindness and affection, as one great  violently taken away the life of another is comand harmonious family.  Every dutiful child  manded, by the authority of God, to be put to
woulld become a faithful and obedient servant, a  death.  " Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man
docile scholar, and a loyal and submissive sub-  shall his blood be shed."  This is the dictate of
ject, when placed in those relations; and would  reason as well as of revelation; for no human
prove a blessing and an ornament to every so-  power can recall the departed spirit or re-animate
ciety of which he was a member. And every  the lifeless corpse, and no adequate compensation'
dutifil and affectionate parent, when placed in  can ever be given for such a crime.*  2. The
the station of a king, or a subordinate ruler, would  life of the lower animals is permitted by the sanle
display a parental affection towards every menmber of the community over which he was appoint-    ~ Notwithstandina the considerations here stated,
ed. Hence it might easily be shown, that an un-  the Author is doubtful whether the Creator has coninterrupted and universal observance of this sin-  ceded to man the right of taking away the life of
another, even in case of murder. If the passage here
gle precept, viewed in all its connexions and  quoted ought to be considered as a prediction rather
bearings, would completely regenerate the world  than a law, as is most probable, it will afford no war-an3 that the peace, the harmony, and the pros-  rant for the destruction of human life; and there la. a,, tt t.    t, ad  no other injunction of this kind which has any rel-:
perity of all the nations of the earth, will ulti-  tion to the New Testament dispensation.




1t)0)                    THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
authority to be taken away when these animals are  ing the principle of murder, as well as the diremu
sees&sary for ourJbod, or when they endanger our  acts of suicide, duelling, and assassination; and,
em'stence. This permission was first granted, im-  consequently, as violations of that law which
mediately after the flood, to Noah atnd his descen-  extends to the secret purposes of the heart, as
dants.  "God said to Noah and his sons; every  well as to the external actions.  Even unreason.
thing that moveth shall be meat for you; even  able anger, malice, and scurrility are declared
as the green herb have I given you all things."  by our Saviour to be a species of murder: " WhoWithout such a positive grant from the Creator,  soever is angry with his brother without a cause,
man could have had no more right to take away  shall be in danger of the judgment, and whoser..
the life of an ox or a sheep, than he has to imbrue  ever shall say to his brother, Raca," that is, thou
his hands in the blood, or to feast on the flesh of  worthless empty fellow, " shall be in danger of
his fellow-men.  To take thelife of anysensitive  the council."*  Life is desirable only as it is
being, and tofeed on its flesh, appears incompa-  connected with enjoyment, and, therefore, when
tible with a state of innocence; and, therefore, no  a man treats his brother with such a degree of
such grant was given to Adam  in paradise; nor  hatred and scurrility, as to render his existence
does it appear that the Antedeluvians, notwith.  either unpleasant or intolerable, he ought to be
standing their enormous crimes, ever feasted on  ranked among the class of murderers. For the
the flesh of animals.  It appears to have been a  apostle John declares, without the least limita.
grant suited only to the degraded state of man  tion, that " whosoever hateth his brother is a
after the deluge; arid, it is probable, that as he  murderer, and he that loveth not his brother
advances in. the scale of moral perfection, in the  abideth in death."  And, if this criterion be adfuture ages of the world, the utse of animal: food  mitted, a train of murderers will be found existwill be- gradually laid aside, and he will: return  ing in society far more numerous than is geneagain to the productions of the vegetable kingdom,  rally supposed.
as the original food of man, and as that which is    It would be needless to attempt an illustration
best suited to the rank of rational and moral  of the consequences which would ensue, were
intelligence.  And, perhaps, it may have an in-  the breach of this law.to become universal. It
fuence, in combination with other favourable  is obvious, on the slightest reflection, that were
circumstances, in promoting health and longevity.  this to happen, human society would soon cease
-But, although the inferior animals are, in:the  to exist. That prophecy which was given forth
mean time, su' jected to our use, no permission  respecting Ishmael would then receive a most
is granted tot eat them with harshness or cruelty,  terrible and extensive accomplishment, in the
or to kill thetml for the sake of sport and amuse-  case ofevery human agent: "His hand shall be
ment.  And, therefore, the man who wantonly  against every man, and every man's hand against
takes away the lives of birds, hares, fishes, and  him."  Every man would assume the character
other animals, for the mere gratification of a  of an infernal fiend; every lethal weapon would
taste for hunting or fishing,- can scarcely be ex-  be prepared and fitrnished for slaughter; every
culpated from the charge of a breach of this com-  peaceful pursuit and employment wvuld be inmandmeut.                                      stantly abandoned; the voice of wailing and the
The above are the principal exceptions which  yells of fury and despair, would be heard in every
the Creator has made in reference to the law  family, in every village, in every city, in every
under consideration. And it nray not be impro-  field, in every kingdom, and in every clime.
per to remark, that, besides the direct act of  Every house, every street, every valley, every fomurder, every thing that leads to it, or that has  rest, every river, every mountain, and every cona tendency to endanger life, is to be considered  tinent would be strewed with fearful devastation,
as forbidden in this commandment. All un-  and with the mangled carcasses of the slain. The
kindness and harsh treatment exercised towards  work of destruction would go on with dreadful
servants, dependants, and brute animals, by  rapidity, till the whole race of man were extirwhich life may be shortened or rendered intole-  pated from the earth, leaving this vast globe a
rable-all furious and revengefulpassions, which  scene of solitude and desolation, an immense
may lead to acts of violence-all quarrelling,  sepulchre, and a spectacle of horror to all supefighting, and boxing, either for bets, or for the  rior intelligences —And, let it be remembered,
gratitlcatin of hatred or revenge-all wishes for  that such a picture, horrible and revolting as it
the d. ath of others, and all contrivances either  is, is nothing more than what would be the nadirect or iadirect to compass the destruction of
our neighbour —all criminal negligence by which    * Math. v. 22. Christ, in this passage, refers to a
court among the Jews, composed of twenty-three
our own life or the life of others may be endan-  men, wherein capital sentences might be passed
gered or destroyed-and all those- actions by  on which a malefactor might be strangled or be
which murder may be committed as a probable  headed: this was called the Judgment. But the
Sanhedrim, or Council, was the supreme Jewish
effect, as the burning of inhabited houses, and  court, consisting of seventy-two; in which the
the throwing of the instruments of death into tile  highest crimes were tried, which they, and they
alone, punished with stoning, which was considter
imidst of a crowd-are to be regarded as involv-  ed a more terrible death than the former.




LAW OF MARRIAGE.                                      101
heal re#ult of the principle of hatred, were it left  the groans of dying victims, and the h(,arse
to its native energies, and were It not controlled,  shouts of conquerors, would be heard no mor".
in the course of providence, by Him who sets  Peace would descend from heaven to dwell with
restraining bounds to the wrath of man.       man on earth; prosperity would follow irn her
In order to counteract the tendencies of this  train, science would enlarge its boundaries and
haleful principle, it is of the utmost importance  shed its benign influence upon all ranks; the
that youth be trained up in habits of kindness,  useful arts would flourish and advance towards
tenderness, and compassion, both towards human  perfection; philanthrophy would diffuse its thoubeings, and towards the inferior animals; that  sand blessings in every direction, and every
an abhorrence should be excited in their minds  man would sit " under his vine and fig-tree"
of quarrelling, fighting, and all mischievous  in perfect security from  all danger or annoytricks and  actions; that they be restrained  ance.
from the Indulgence of malicious and resentful
passions; that every indication of a cruel and          SEVENTH COMMANDMENT.
unfeeling disposition be carefully counteracted;      Thou shalt not commit edultery."
and that every tendency of the heart towards the
benevolent affections, and every principle of ac-    This commandment is to be viewed as comrntive beneficence be cultivated and cherished  prehending within its prohibition, every species
with the most sedulous care and attention. For,  of lewdness, both in thought, word, and action;
in youth, the foundation has generally been laid  as adultery, fornication, incest, polygamy, &c.;
of those malevolent principles and passions  and likewise all those licentious desires and afwhich have led to robbery, assassination, and  fections from  which such actions proceed.  In
deeds of violence,-which have filled the earth  this comprehensive sense it is explained by our
with blood and carnage; and which have dis-  Saviour, in his Sermon on the Mount, and by the
played their diabolical energy in so dreadful a  Apostles, in their letters to the Christian Churchmanner amidst the contests of communities and  es. It is founded on the distinction of sexes
nations.                                      which exists among mankind, and on the law of
Were the disposition to indulge hatred, which  Marriage, which was promulgated immediately
leads to every species of nmurder, completely  after the creation of the first pair-a law which
counteracted, the greatest proportion of those  was intended to limit, and to regulate the interevils which now afflict our world, would cease to  course of the sexes; and to promote purity, afexist. Human sacrifices would no longer bleed  fection, and order, among the several generations
upon Pagan altars; the American Indians would  of mankind. By this law the marriage union is
nolonger torture to death their prisoners taken  limited to two individuals. He who made manin war, nor the New  Zealanders feast upon the  kind at the beginning, says Christ, made them
flesh and the blood of their enemies. The widows  male and female, and said, " For this cause shall
of Hindostan would no longer be urged to burn  a man leave father and mother and shall cleave
themselves alive on the corpses of their deceased  to his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh."
husbands; norwould the mothers of China imbrue  And, it amight easily'be shown, from an induction
their hands in the blood of their infant offspring.  of facts, and from a consideration of the present
The practice of Duelling would forever cease,  circumstances of the human race, that this law,
and would be universally execrated as an outrage  and this alone, is calculated to promote the muon common   sense, and on every generous and  tual affection of the married pair, and to secure
humane feeling, and as the silly attempt of a  the peace and happiness of families, and the
puny mortal to gratify wounded pride or disap-  harmony   r general society. By this law the
pointed ambition, at the'expense of the life of  union is mt le permanent, so long as the parties
his fellow-creature.  Despotism  would throw   exist in th s world. "What God hath joined,
aside its iron sceptre, and the nations would be  let no man trut asunder."  This regulation has
r aied with the law of love; and plots, conspira- -a tendency to promote union of affection and innies, treasons, and massacres would be attempt-  terests, and to induce the parties to bear with
ed no more. The fires of the Inquisition would  patience the occasional inconveniences and concease to be kindled, the supposed heretic would  tentions which may arise. Were divorces geno longer be consigned to the horrors of a gloomy  nerally permitted, on the ground of unsuitabledungeon, racks and gibbets and guillotines would  ness of temper, or occasional jars, society would
be shivered topieces and thrown into the flames,  soon be shaken to its centre. Every real or
and the spirit of cruelty and persecution would  supposed insult, or provocation, would be followed
be extirpated from the earth. Riot, tumult, and  out, till it terminated in the separation of the
contention would be banished from  our streets,. parties; families would thus be tornm into shreds;
and harmony and concord would prevail through-  the education of the young would be neglected 
out all our borders. War would forever cease  parental authority disregarded; and a door open.
to desolate the nations; the confused noise of ed for the prevalence of unbounded licentious-'onvading armies, the sounds of martial music,  ness. Soon after the commencement of the Re



(oe                      THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
SolutiGn in France, a law, permitting divorces,  ed, would be degraded into mere instruments of
was passed by the National Assembly; and, in  sensitive enjoyment, into household slaves, or
less than three months from its date, nearly as  into something analogous to beasts of burden,
many divorces as marriges were registered in the  and would be bought and sold like cattle and
city of Paris. In the whole kingdom, within the  horses. The minds of all would be degraded to
space of eighteen months, upwards of twenty  the level of brutes, and would be incapable of
thousand divorces were effected; and the nation  prosecuting either rational or religious pursuits.
sunk into a state of moral degradation, from the  Their bodies would be wasted and enfeebled with
effects of Which it has never yet recovered. This  squalid disease: the infirmities of a premature
is one. of the many practical proofs presented  old age would seize upon them; and before they
before us, of the danger of infringing on any of had "lived half their days," they would sink into
the moral arrangements which the Creator has  the grave in hopelessness and sorrow.  A uniestablished.                                  versal sottishness, and disregard of every tiling
The precept under consideration is to be con-  except present sensual enjoyment, would seize
sidered as directly opposed to all promiscuous and  upon the whole mass of society, and benumb the
licentious intercourse between the sexes. And  human faculties: the God of heaven would be
the reasonableness of this prohibition will ap-  overlooked, and the important realities of an impear, if we consider, for a moment, what would  mortal existence completely banished from their
be the consequences which would inevitably fol-  thoughts and affections.  Thousands, and ten
low were this law to be set aside, or universally  thousands of infants would be strangled at their
violated. A scene of unbounded licentiousness  entrance into life; and the greater part of those
would ensue, which would degrade the human  who were spared, would be doomed to a wretched
character, which would destroy almost all the ex-  and precarious existence.  The training up of
isting relations of society, and unhinge the whole  the youthful mind to knowledge and virtue would
fabric of the moral world.-One end of the insti-  be quite neglected; and all that civility and softtution of marriage was, to " replenish the earth"  ness of manners, which are now acquired under
with inhabitants, to perpetuate the successive  the eye of parental authority and affection, would
generations of men, and to train up a virtuous and  be unknown in society.  The endearing relations
intelligent race to people the congregation of the  of father and mother, of brothers and sisters, of
heavens. But this end would be ultimately frus-  uncles, aunts, and cousins, and all the other ratrated, were a promiscuous and unlimited inter-  mifications of kindred, which now produce so
course to become either general or universal.  many interesting and delightful associations,
For, it has been found, that, wherever such in-  would fail to be recognised among men; for in
tercourse partially prevails, it strikes at the root  such a state of society, the natural relations of
of human existence, and has a tendency to prevent  mankind would be either disregarded, or blended
ihe operation of that law which the Creator im-  in undistinguishable confusion.
pressed on all living beings, " Increase and multi-    Children, neglected or abandoned by their mo.
ply."  In the haunts of licentiousness, in large  thers, would be left to the full influence of their
cities, and in all such societies as those which  own wayward and impetuous passions; they
formerly existed in Otaheite, under the name of would depend for subsistence, either on accident,
Arreoy, the laws of nature are violated, the course  on pilfering, or on the tender mercies of general
of generation obstructed, and numbers of human  society; they would wander about as vagabonds,
beings strangled at the very porch of existence.  tattered and forlorn; their hearts shrivelled with
So that were mankind at large to relapse into such  unkindness, their bodies chilled with the rains
licentious practices, the human race instead of  and biting frosts, and deformed with filthiness and
increasing in number, to replenish  ne desolate  disease. They would be left to perish in the
wastes of our globe, according to tl e Creator's  open fields, without a friend to close their eyes;
intention, would rapidly decrease evry succeed-  and their bodies, unnoticed and unknown, would
ing generation, till after the lapse of a few centu-  remain as a prey, to be devoured by the fowls
ries, human brings would be entirely extirpated,  of heaven. In every land would be seen multiand the earth, barren and uncultivated, would be  tudes of houseless and shivering females, set
left to the dominion of the beasts of the forest.    adrift by their seducers, wandering with their
But, although such a distant event were to be  hungry and half famished offspring, the objects
altogether disregarded, the immediate conse-  of derision and contempt; and imploring, in ain,
uaences of such unhallowed courses would be  the comforts of food, of shelter, and protection.
dismal in the extreme. That union of heart, af-  For, among human beings, in such a degraded
fection, and of interests, which subsists between  state, the kindly and benevolent affections would
the great majo' ity of married pairs, and those re-  seldom be exercised; cold-blooded selfishness and
ciprocal sympathies and endearments which flow   apathy, in relation to the sufferings of others,
from this union, would be altogether unknown.  would supplant all the finer feelings of humanity;
The female sex, (as already happens in some  which would dispose them  to view the wretches
nations,) with minds uncultivated and unpolish-  objects around them  with perfect indifference,




EFFECTS OF LICENTIOUSNESS.                                     10(
and even witi. contempt. " Hnwever it may be  Christianity are altogether unknown! III such
accounted for," says Dr. Paley, " the criminal  receptacles of impurity, every moral feeling is
colnmerce of the sexes corrupts and depraves the  blunted, and every moral principle abandoned.
nmind, and the moral character, more than any  Impiety, profanity, falsehood, treachery,.perjury,
single species of vice whatsoever.  That ready  and drunkenness, rear their unblushing fionts,
perception )fguilt, that prompt andl decisive reso-  and thefts, robberies, and murders, follow in their
lutlon aga:nst it, which constitutes a virtuous  train.  The unhappy female who enters these
character, is seldom found in persons addicted to  antechambers of hell, is, for the most part, cut
these indulgences.  They prepare an easy ad-  off from all hopes of retreat.  From  that momission for every sin that seeks it; are, in low'ment, the shades of moral darkness begin to close
life, usually the first stage in men's progress to  around her; she bids a last adieu to the smiles
the most desperate villanies; and, in high life,  of tenderness and sympathy, to the kind embrato that lamentied dissoluteness of principle which  ces'of father and mother, of sisters and brothers,
manifests itself in a profligacy of public conduct,  to the house of God, to the instructions of his
ant( a contempt of the obligations of religion and  word, and to the society of the faithful. Instead
of moral probity.  Add to this that habits of  of the cheering sounds of the Gospel of peace5
libertinism incapacitate and indispose the mind  her ears become accustomed to oaths, and cursfor all intellectual, moral, and religious plea-  es, and horrid imprecations; the voice of consutres.7"*                                     science is hushed amidst the din of revelry and
In short, in such a state of society as would  riot; every generous feeling is shrunk and withinevitably accompany a general violation of the  ered; she stalks abroad like a painted corpse, to
seventh precept of the moral law, all the softness  fill with horror the virtuous mind, and to allure
and loveliness of filial piety, of parental affec-  the unwary to the shades of death; till at length,
tion, of brotherly attachment, and of the inter-  wasted with consumption and loathsome disease,
course of kindred, would forever cease; science  she is stretched upon the bed of languishing,
and literature would be neglected; and churches,  abandoned by her former associates, deprived of
colleges, schools, and academies would crumble  the least drop of consolation, haunted with the
into ruins: a sufficient stimulus would be want-  ghastly apparitions of departed joys, and the
ing to the exercise of industry and economy; a  forebodings of futurity, and sinks, " in the midst
lazy apathy would seize upon the mass of socie-  of her days," into the chambers of the grave,
ty; the earth would cease to be cultivated, and  without the least hope of a glorious resurrection.
would soon be covered with briers and thorns, or  -And if we consider, that this is a picture of
changed into the barren wastes of an African  the wretchedness, not only of a few individuals,
desert.  The foundation of all regular govern-  but of thousands, of tens of thousanidsi-and of
ment would be undermined; for it is chiefly in  millions of human beings, it is impossible to dethose habits of submission and obedience which  scribe the accumulated mass of misery which
are acquired under the domestic roof, that the  impurity has created. or to form any adequate
foundations are laid of that subordination which  conception of the horrible and revolting scenes
is necessary to secure the peace and order of  of wretchedness which would be displayed, were
mankind.  Society would, consequently, be  the law under consideration to be set aside by all
thrown into a state of disorder, and would speed-  the inhabitants of our globe.
ily sink into oblivion, in the mire of its own    There isa certain levity and flippancy of speech
pollution.                                     in relation to this subject, which prevails among
The positions now stated could be illustrated,  many who wish to be considered as respectable
were it expedient, by a variety of melancholy  characters, which proceeds from a contracted
facts, borrowed from the history and the present  view of the consequences of human actions.
state, both of savage and of civilized nations.  They conceive, that no great harm can be done'rhe annals of Turkey, of Persia, of Hindos-  to society, by a few insulated actions of the kind
tan, of China, of Japan, of the Society Isles,  alluded to, especially if they be concealed from
and even of the civilized nations of Europe. general observation; and that the Creator will
and America, would furnish abundance of inn-  be disposed to make. every allowance for human
pressive facts, to demonstrate the demoralizing,  frailty.  But let such remember that, if it were
and brutalizing, and miserable  effects which  right to violate this, or any other law  of the
would flow from a spirit of universal licentious-  Creator, in one instance, it would be right in a
ness -What revolting scenes would open to  hundred, in a thousand, in a million, and in eight
view, were we to survey the haunts of licentious-  hundred millions of instances: and then all the
ness which abound in Algiers, in Constantinople,  revolting scenes now described, and thousands
in Teheran, in Pekin, in Canton, in Jeddo, and  of similar effects, of which we cannot at present
other populous cities, where the restraints of form a distinct conception, would inevitably take
place. And, therefore, every man who, from
Prlnclptes of Morat a.nd Political Pthilosophy,  levity and thoughtlessnress, or from a disregard
Book II. Part Il, chap 2.                      to the laws of heaven, persists in the occasional




I04                      THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
in4ulgence of such'unhallowed gratifications, in-  gladness."  The earth has, in every age, brought
dulges in a practice which, were it universally to  forth abundance to supply the wants of all the
pievail, would sap the foundations of all moral  living beings it contains; and there is still art.
order, exterminate the most endearing relations  ple room on its surface, for the accommodation
at society, prostrate man below the level of the  and support of thousands of millions of the hrbrute, open the flood-gates of all iniquity, diffuse  man race, in addition to those which now exist.
misery over the whole mass of human beings,  But mankind have never yet agreed about the
and, at length, empty the world of its inhabitants.  division and allotment of this free and ample
The precept which we have now been consi-  gift of the Creator; for every one is disposed to
dering, is one which, in all probability, is con-  think that his share in it is too small, and is con.
fined, in its references, to the inhabitants of our  tinually attempting to make inroads upon the
globe. At any rate, it would be quite nugatory,  allotment of his neighbours. And to this dispoand therefore can have no place, in the moral  sition is to be ascribed more than one half of all
code of a world where the distinction of sexes  the evils which have afflicted the world in every
toes not exist.  And even in those worlds  age since the fall of man. To counteract such
where a similar distinction may exist, the very  a propensity in mankind, and to regulate their
different circumstances in which their inhabi.  dispositions and conduct in relation to property,
tants are placed, may render the promulgation  is the great object of this command, "Thou shalt
of such a law altogether unnecessary. It appears  not steal."
to be a temporary regulation, to remain in force  To steal, is to take the property of others,
only during the limited period of the present  without their knowledge or consent, and to apply
economy of Providence; for, in the future desti-  it to our own use.  The most flagrant and vionation of the righteous, we are told, that "' they  lent breaches of the law, consist in robbery,
neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are  housebreaking, pilfering, plunder, and pillage.
as the angels of God in heaven."  And, there-  But it may beviolated in a thousand different
fore, it is probable, that the recognition of such  ways of which human laws seldom take any cog.
a law will not be necessary, in the intercourses  nizance.  It is violated by every species of fraud
which take place among redeemed men in the  by which our neighbour may be injured in his
eternal world; but the principle on which it is  wealth or property.  It is violated in the ordifounded, and from  which it flows, will run  nary commerce of mankind, by the use of false
through all the other new relations and circum-  weights and measures; by selling deteriorated
stances in which they may be placed. In the  commodities as if they were sound and goord;
existing circumstances of mankind, however, the  by depreciating the value of what we wish to
operation of this law is:essentially necessary to  buy, and concealing  the defects of what we
the stability and the happiness of the moral  wish to sell; by contracting debts which we
world; and, were its requisitions universally  have no prospect of discharging, and neglecting
observed, the melancholy scenes to which I have  to pay them when they are due; by breaches
alluded would no longer exist; the present and  of trust, in the case of servants, guardian i, exeeverlasting ruin of thousands, and of millions,  cutors, or public officers, embezzling and sjuanwould be prevented; and a scene of happiness  dering away the substance of others, or EWf lying
and love, such as the world has never yet wit-  it to their own use.-It is also violated itr tres-.
nessed, would be displayed among all the families  passing on the property of others, so as t. injure
of the earth.                                  fences, gardens, orchards, plantations or cornfields; and by that disposition to vulgar mrichief
THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT.,.
THE EH OADMET which delights in breaking lamps, windows, and
"T Thou shalt not steal."          fences; in injuring and defacing public buildings, walks, and ornamental improvements; in
When the Creator had arranged our globe in  hacking and carving walls, wainscottings, doors,
the form in which we now behold it, he furnish-  and balustrades'; and in cutting down trees and
ed it with every thing requisite for the suste-  shrubs planted for use or for ornament.-Jt is
nance and accommodation of living beings, and  violated when we retain borrowed articles bebestowod the whole of its riches and decorations  yond a reasonable tine, when we suffer them to
as a free grant to the sons of men. To man he  be injured through negligence, when we circ;lato
said, " Behold, I have given you every herb  them  from  one person to another, without the
~bearing seed, which is upon the face {,f all the  knowledge or consent of the proprietors, and
earth, and every tree in the which is tile fruit of when we apply them to purposes for which they
a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be formeat."  were never intended, and which the lender never
lver since the period when this grant was  contemplated.-In short, this law is violated by
maade, God has not left himself without a witness  every species of idleness, pride, vanity, gaming,
to his benignity, in that he has tunceasingly be-  and prodigality, which has a tendency to injure
stowed on mankind'" rain from heaven, and fruit-  the external prosperity, either of our own family,
{li seasons, filling their hearts with food and  or of the families of others.




EFFECTS OF HONESTY.                                      105
Were the law which forbids those actions to be  of wholesale robbery, committed by one tribe eo;.::tirely set aside, or universally violated, it is  human beings upon another.  Ole public robber
easy to fbresee, that, in a very short time, the  and desperado has arisen after another, in conwhole assemblage of human beings would be  stant succession, and, at the head of numerous
transformed into a set of lawless banditti. Peace,  armies, has violated the territories of peaceful inharloony, and good neighbourhood, would be un-  dustry, demolished the habitations of their unofknown among men; the strong would plunder the  fending inhabitants, broken down their furniture,
possessions of the weak, and deprive them of  and consigned it to the flames; wasted and deevery enjoyment; children would rob their pa-  voured the fiuits of their ground, and plundered
relnts, and parents their children; brothers would  them of every thing which could render existence
plunder brothers, and servants their masters;  desirable. And the inferior ranks of mankind,
buying and selling would cease, and all regular  stimulated by the same principles which actuate
trade and commerce would be destroyed: every  their superiors, have supported a system of pect.
man's covetous eye would be directed to the  lation, of cheating, of litigation, of injustice, and
wealth and property of his neighbour, with a  oppression, which, were it left solely to its own
view of depriving himn of his enjoyments; and a  native energies, would soon undermine the founthousand schemes, either of treachery or of open  dations of the moral world.  That such princiviolence, would be contrived to effectuate his  ples and practices have never yet become unipurpose. Murders would be daily contrived and  versal in their operation, is not owing so much to
perpetrated, for the purpose of more easily ob-  any deficiency in their malignant tendency, as to
taining possession of the wealth and estates of  the over-ruling providence of the Moral Governor
the powerful and the opulent; and every man's  of the world, who has, by his influence, and his
life and happiness would be at the mercy of his  physical arrangements, confined the lawless pascovetous neighbour.   The inhabitants of one  sionsof men wit hin certain bounds, beyond which
province would rise up against those of another,  they cannot pass.
and, by force of arms, plunder them of all their    Were a principle of honesty and of justice, in
earthly treasutes.  One nation would invade the  regard to property, to pervade the mind of every
territories of another, for the purpose of ravaging  human being; or, in other words, were the law
its cities and provinces, and of appropriating its  to which I am now adverting universally recogwealth and riches; and, in the midst ofsuch law-  nised, a new scene would open upon the moral
less depredations, towns would be demolished,  world, altogether different from what has hitherto
villages consumed to ashes, the fruits of the earth  been displayed in the transactions of mankind.
destroyed, men. women, and children, trampled  The iron rod of oppression would be shivered to
under foot, and crushed to death, and every city  atoms, and destroying armies would no longer
and fertile field would present a scene of carnage  ravage the habitations of men. The crowds of
and desolation.  In such a state of society, no  sharpers, cheats, and jockeys, that now stalk
man could have confidence in his brother; fear  through the world, with unblushing fronts, to enwould be on every side; uncertainty would at-  trap the unwary, would forever disappear from
ten.l every pursuit and possession; of the wealth  the world; and impartial justice would reign
which any one had acquired, and of the enjoy-  triumphant over every department of society.
merts which he possessed to-day, he ruight be  No malignant purpose would ever be formed to
deprived before to-morrow; and if, by means of  injure any one in his wealth and property; and
circumspection and vioilance, and the strong arm   all the harassing law-suits and prosecutions,
of' power, he were enabled to maintain posses-  which now distress so many thousands offamision of his property for one year, he could have  lies, wvould be swept away. Every loan of money,
no rational ground to expect, that he would enjoy  books, furniture, or utensils, would be returned
it in security for another.  And, as no one would  without injury, and vithout unnecessary delay;
think of engaging in regular labour, while he  and every debt punctually discharged, according
could subsist in plundering his weaker neighbours  to the nature of the obligation, and at the period
— the earth would soon be left uncultivated, the  at which it was due: Every bargain would be
iusefil arts wo-uld be abandoned, agricultural in-  transacted on the principles ofimmutable justice,
tlustry and improvement would cease, and a uni-  and the conditions of every contract faithfully perversal i tanine would overspread every land, which  formed: No suspicions of knavery would ever
would thin the human race, and gradually exter.  harbour in the breast, nor the least alarm  at the
mninate them from the face of the earth.       possible consequences of any mercantile transStich scenes of plunder and depredation, have  action. Public buildings would be secure from.n fact been partially realized in every age and  the inroads of the genius ofmischief, and gardens
nation of the world, and are still realized, to a  and orchards from  every wanton depredation.
certain extent, even in nations which boast of  Locks, and bars, and bolts, would no longer be
their progress in religion, in civilization, and tn  required for securing our substance from the pilscience.  The annals of the human race coritm t  ferer and the robber; and the iron gratings of a
ltide more than a number of melancholy re;ortis  bridewell or a jail, would never again remind us




106                     THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
of the dishonesty and the depravity of man. Ser-  tercourse which subsist among rational beings.
vants would be universally honest and trust-  By far the greater part of all the knowledge we
worthy, and the property of their masters w _uld  possess, has been derived from the testimony of
oe regarded as a sacred deposit.              others. It is from the communication of others,
And what a happy change would such a state  and from a reliance on their veracity, that those
of society introduce among mankind! What  who were never beyond the limits of Great
a host of cares, anxieties, suspicions, vexations,  Britain, know that there are such cities as Paris,
and perplexities, would be chased away! and  Vienna, Constantinople, and Cairo; and that
what a world of conveniences, and of delight-  there are such countries as Canada, Nova
ful associations, would thus becreated!  Every  Scotia, Brazil, Peru, Persia, China, and Hinmerchant, by marking the price and the quality  dostan. It is firom the same source that we have
of each commodity, might leave his goods open  learned the facts of ancient and modern history,
to the inspection of the public, and enjoy himself  and that there once existed such empires as the
in the bosom of his family, or in active services  Greek and Roman, the Persian, Assyrian, and
for the good of the community, without the east  Babylonian. On the same ground, the veracity
risk ofloss or ofdepredations; and every purchas-  of others, we confide in all the domestic relations
er mignht depend upon procuring the articles he  and intercourses of life; and on this ground all
wanted at their just value. Every travellor would  the transactions of commercial socieiy, and all
prosecute his journey, either by day or by night,  the arrangements and operations of government
without the least apprehension from sharpers or  are conducted. On the implied veracity of others,
robbers, and without being harassed by the im-  we retire from our employments at certain hours,
positions of inn-keepers, coachmen, carriers,  and sit down to breakfast or dinner; and, on the
and porters. Every one's mind would be at per-  first day of the week, we assemble in a certain
fect ease, in regard to his property, whether he  place, at an appointed hour, for religious worwere at home or abroad, in health or in sickness;  ship. On this ground, the pupil confides in his
being firmly persuaded that every trust would be  teacher, for instruction-the child in his parents,
faithfully discharged, and every commercial con-  for sustenance, clothing  and  protection, the
cern fairly and honourably transacted. Selfish-  master in his servant, for the execution of his
ness and rapacity would give place to a spirit of  orders, and the wife in her husband for provision
justice, equity, and benevolence; contentions,  and support. We confide every moment in the
jockeyings, and altercations would cease; peace  faithfulness of the Almighty for the regular reand concord would prevail, and righteousness and  turns of day and night, of summer and winter,
truth would shed their benign influence over the  of seed-time and harvest. Could the veracity ot
whole brotherhood of mankind.                 God be impeached or rendered liable to suspicion, we should remain in awful suspense, wheTHE NINTH COMMANDMENT.                ther another day would again dawn upon the
"4 Thou shalt not hear false witness against thy  world, or whether the earth would be shattered to
neighbour."                    pieces, and its fragments dispersed throughout
surrounding worlds, before the sun again appearThis command, like most of the others, is ex-  ed in the horizon. A Being possessed of bound.
pressed in a negative form. It is directed against  less knowledge and omnipotence, without vera.
every species of falsehood, and, consequently,  city, would be the terror of the whole intelligent
nimust be viewed as inculcating a sacred and uni-  universe, and would fill them  with universal
versal adherence to truth, in all our thoughts,  agitation and alarm.
words, and actions. In the remarks I may throw  Again, truth is the foundation of our present
out in relation to this precept, I shall consider it  comfort andof our future prospects. On the re.
chiefly in its positive form, as commanding an  racity of those illustrious characters that have
inviolable attachment to truth. Truth may be  gone before us, whose declarations were con.
cotlsidereo in two different points of view-logi-  firmed by signs and miracles, we depend for the
cal truth, which consists in the conformity of a  hope of forgiveness and acceptance with God.
proposition or assertion with the actual state of and for those rich sources of consolation which
things; and moral truth, which consists in the  are calculated to support the mind under the afngareement of our words and nctions with our  fictions of mortality, and to cheer and animate
thoughts.  Logical truth belongs to the thing or  us in the prospect of a future world. Our hopes
the fact asserted; moral truth, or what is termed  of happiness beyond the grave, of the resurrecveracity, has a reference to the person who utters  tion of our bodies at the termination of the pre.
it. In both these respects, truth is of immense  sent plan of providence-of the renovation of the
inportance to all intelligent beings.-The irn-  physical system of our globe —of a complete res
d)rtance of truth and veracity will appear from  toration to holiness and virtue-of a re-unio:
the following considerations.                 with departed friends-of associating with virn the first place, it is the bond of society,  tuous beings of a superior order-of mingling in;tc the i6undation of all that confidence and in-  a happier world with all those illustrious sains




IMPORTANCE OF TRUTH.                                     107
who hao e gone before us-of contemplating the  a very different idea of the majesty of the dlmanifestations of Deity on a more extensive  vine Being who formed it, froie what we are led
scale; and of enjoying unmixed felicity without  to entertain, when we consiler i. as only a tainterruption and without end; depend upon the  per, or a brilliant stud, fixed in the vault of heatestimony of the inspired writers, and the light  ven. If the eye of a fly be exhibited as coninr which we view  the truths or declarations  taining ten thousand polished transparent globes,
which they have recorded. And, therefore, the  nicely adjusted for the purpose of vision, it dis.
man who endeavours to undermine the authority  plays the character of its Maker in a different
of the sacred records, or to distort or misrepre-  light from that in which we might be disposed to
sent their meaning by sophistical reasonings,  view it, when this animal is represented as a
ought to be viewed as a deceiver, and as an ene-  nuisance in creation, and designed only to be
my to his species, who wishes to deprive his fel-  mangled and tortured by a cruel and unthinking
low-men of their most substantial enjoyments,  schoolboy.
and of their most cheering prospects.           11 some instances the inaccurate statement of
Again, truth and veracity are of the utmost im-  a p. ysical fact, or the false colouring put upon
portance in relation to the views we ought to  it, may have a tendency to endanger the eternal
take of the character of God.  The moral cha-  interests of mankind.  Mr. Brydone, in his
racter of the Deity is delineated in the Scrip-  " Tour through Sicily," states, on the authority
tures, and we are enabled to contemplate this  of a priest, named Recupero, that, in sinking a.
character, in its true light, in so far as we un-  pit near Jaci, in the neighbourhood of Mount
derstand and appreciate the delineations of the.Etna "they pierced through seven distinct lavas,
sacred writers.  But his character is also exhi-  one under the other, the surfaces of which were
bited in the works of creation and providence.  parallel, and most of them covered with a bed of
Every physical law of nature, every arrange-  thick earth."   From suppositions founded on
ment in the material system, every movement  questionable data, he concluded, that " it requires
which exists in the boundless universe; every  2000 years or upwards to form but a scanty soil
apparent deviation from the general course of na-  on the surface of a lava," and, consequently,
tore, as in the case of earthquakes and volca-  that " the eruption which formed the lowest of
noes; every event in the history of nations, every  these lavas, must have flowed from  the mounfact in relation to the physical and moral condi-  tain at least 14000 years ago. This pretended
tion of the different tribes of the human race,  fact was, for a while, triumphantly exhibited by
and every arrangement in reference to the lower  sceptics, as an unanswerable argument against
ranks of animated beings-embodies in it an ex-  the truth of the Mosaic history; and its publicanibition of certain aspects of the divine charac-  tion has, no doubt, tended to stagger weak minds,
ter; and these aspects, if fairly represented, ought  and to confirm the in fidel in his prejudices against
to harmonize with the delineations contained in  the truth of Revelation. But it has been shown
the sacred records. To ascertain such facts as  by eminent geologists, that the facts alluded to
those to which I now allude, requires, in many  are grossly mis-stated, and that no vegetable
instances, the exercise of profound reasoning,  mould exists between these beds of lava; and,
and of accurate investigation, and that the mind  consequently, the argument founded upon them
should be free from the influence of prejudice  goes for nothing.  Mr. Brydone himself, in the
and of every improper bias, and that the facts,  very same volume in which these pretended facts
when ascertained, be fairly represented, and ac-  are stated, before he had advanced twenty pages
curately recorded; otherwise, nothing but a dis-  farther in his account of the regions about Mount
torted view of the divine character will be exhi-  JEtna, states a fact which completely overturns
bited to the mind.  Forexample, if the earth be  all his preceding reasonings and calculations.
represented as among the largest bodies in na-  In describing the country near Hybla, as having
ture, and as placed at rest in the centre of the  been "overwhelmed by the lava of iEtna, and
universe, and that the sun, moon, and all the  having then become totally barren,"' he adds, "'in
other celestial orbs revolve around it every day,  a second eruption, by a shower of ashes from the
and consequently, that the planetary bodies move  mountain, it soon resumed its ancient beauty and
in orbits which display inextricable confusion-  fertility."  So that it is here admitted, that, insuch a representation is not a true exhibition of stead of requiring a period of 2000 years, a bed
the God of heaven, but a phantom  of our own  of lava may speedily be transformed into a beallimagination; and, if carried out to all its legiti-  tiful and fertile region.  But even although such
mate consequences, would involve an impeach-  facts were fairly represented,-yea, although
ment of the wisdom and intelligence of the Deity,  Mr. Brydone and the Canon Recupero could
and of the sublime simplicity and order, which  have proved, to a demonstration, that the strata
characterize his operations in the univerge. If of the earth is not only fourteen thousand, but
the planet Saturn be represented as a globe 900  fourteen hundred thousand years old, it would
times larger than the earth, and surrounded with  not in the least invalidate a singie assertion
a ring 600,000 miles in circumference, it conveys  contained in the Mosaic history; for Moses de..




s08                      THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
scribes only the arrangement of the earth into its  orders of intellectual beings who people thesm;'resent form, but no where asserts, that the ma-  of the means by which they are carried forward
ter/als of which our globe is composed were crea.  in moral and intellectual improvement; of the
fed, or brought out of nothing, at the period at  most remarkable events which have happened in
which his history commences.  The circum-  the course of their history; of the peculiar dis.
stance, however, to which I have now adverted,  plays of divine glory that may be made to them,
shows us-of how much importance it is, int many  and of the various changes through which they
cases, that even a physical fact be fairly stated,  may have passed in the course of the divine dimsas well as the noral facts and the doctrines con-  pensations.
tained in the Scriptures.  For, since every fact    But the utility of all such sublime communicain the economy of nature, and in the history of  tions, and the delightful transports with which they
providence, exhibits a certain portion of the di-  will be accompanied, will entirely depend upon
vine character, a very different view of this cha-  the immutable veracity of these moral intelligenracter will be exhibited, according to the different  ces who shall be employed in conveying inforlights in which we view the divine operations.  mation respecting the divine plans and operaAnd therefore, every one who wilfully misrepre-  tions. No fictitious scenes and narrations will
sents a physical fact or law of nature, is: a deceiv-  be invented, as in our degenerate world, to astoer, who endeavours to exhibit a distorted view of  nish a gaping crowd; nothing but unvarnished
the character of the Deity. It is nothing less  truth will be displayed in that world oflight; and
than a man " bearing false witness" against his  the real scenes which will be displayed, will in.
Maker.                                         finitely transcend, in beauty, in grandeur, and in
Again, veracity is' of infinite importance in  interest, all that the most fertile imagination can
reference to our fuiture improvement in the eter-  conceive.  Were a single falsehood to be told in
nal world.  In that world, we have every reason  heaven, were the tongue of an arthangel to mis.
to believe our knowledge of the attributes of God  represent a single fact in the divine economy, or
will be enlarged, and our views of the* range of  were the least suspicion to exist that truth might
his operations in creation and providence extend-  be violated in such communications, the mutual
ed far beyond the limits to which they are now   confidence of celestial intelligences would inconfined. But the Divine Being himself, from   stantly be shaken; and, from that moment, their
the immrnateriality and immensity of his nature,  intercourse and their happiness would be de..
will remain forever invisible to all finite intelli.  stroyed. Hence, we are repeatedly told, in the
gences; and hence he is described by the Apos.  book of Revelation, that, " Whosoever loveth, or
tie, as ", the King Eternal, Immortal, and Invi,  maketh a lie, shall in no wise enter within the
sible, whom no man hath seen.or can see."  It  gates of the new Jerusalem."   And, therefore,
is, therefore, not only probable, but absolutely  every one who expects to be an inhabitant of that
certain, that a great portion., perhaps the.:great-  happy world, ought now to cultivate a strict reest portion of our knowledge in that state, will  gard to truth and veracity in all its researches,
be derived friom the communications of other in-  intercourses, and communications; otherwise he
telliences.  VWithintellectual beingsofahigher  cannot be admitted, from  the very constitution
order we shall hold the most intimate converse;  of things, to the society of saints and angels in
for we are informed, that " just men made per-  the realms of bliss.
fect" will join " the innumerable company of    Thus it appears, that truth is of the utmost
angels."  These beings are endued with capa-  importance to all rational beings, as it forms the
cious powers of intellect, and have long been  source of our knowledge, the foundation of all
exercising them on the most exalted objects. As  social intercourse, the ground of our present
messengers from the King of heaven to the in-  comfort and future prospects, the basis of all the
habitants of the earth, they have frequently  views we can take of the Divine character and
winged their way through the celestial regions,  operations, and of all our prospects of future im.
and surveyed many of those glorious systems  provement in the eternal world. It is the bond
which lie hid from  the view of mortals. We  of union among all the inhabitants of heaven; it
have every reason to believe, that they have ac-  is the chain which connects the whole moral
quired expansive views, of the dispensations of  universe; and  it constitutes the  immutable
the Almighty, not only in relation to man, but in  basis on which rests the throne of the Eternal.
relation to numerous worlds and intelligences in    In the depraved society of our world, truth is
different provinces of the empire of God. And,  violated in ten thousand different ways. It is
therefore, they must be admirably qualified to  violated in thoughts, in words, in conversation,
Impart ample stores of information on the subli-  in oral discourses, in writings, in printed books,
mest subjects, to the redeemed inhabitants from   by gestures and by signs, by speaking, and by
our world. From  the communications of these  remaining silent. It is violated in reference to
intelligences we may derive information of the  the character of our neighbour, when we invent
order and arrangements of other systems; of the  tales of falsehood respecting him; when we lis.
natural scenery of other worlds; of the different  ten with pleasure to such tales when told by




VIOLATIONS OF TRUTH.                                     10J
oWhers; when we sit mute, and refuse to vindi-  opponents; or when an author writes a leview,
cate his character when it is unjustly aspersed;  of his own work, and imposes it on the puict'
when we el:deavour to aggravate the circum-  as if it were the decision of an impartial critir
stances which may have accompanied any crimi-  -It is violated by controversialists, when thlcj
nal action; when we make no allowances for the  bring forward arguments in support of any posh
force of temptation, and the peculiar circum-  tion which they are conscious are either weak of
stances in which the criminal may have been  unsound; when they appear more anxious to dis.
placed; when we fix upon an insulated act of  play their skill and dexterity, and to obtain a
vice or folly, and apply it to our neighbour as a  victory over their adversaries, than to vindicate
general character; when we rake up, with a  the cause of truth; when sneers, and sarcasms,
malevolent design, an action which he has long  and personal relproaches, are substituted in the
since reprobated and repented of; when his cha-  room of substantial arguments; when they misracter is made the subject of jest or merriment,  represent the sentiments of their opponents, by
and when, by smiles, and noddings, and gestures,  stating them in terms which materially alter their
we insinuate any thing injurious to his reputa-  meaning; and when they palm  upon them the
tion.  It is violated inpromises-when we pro-  doctrines and opinions which they entirely dismise, either what we have no intention of per-  avow.
forming, or what we had no right to promise, or    It is violated in commercial transactions, when
what is out of our power to perform, or what  deteriorated goods are varnished over with a fair
would be unlawful for us to execute. It is vio-  outside, and puffed off as if they were saleable
lated in threatenings, when we neglect to put  and sound; when a merchant asks more than
them in execution, or we threaten to inflict what  he is willing to take for any commodity; when he
would be either cruel or unjust. It is violated  depreciates the commodities of his neighbour;
in history, when the principal facts are blended  when he undervalues whatever he is purchasing,
with doubtful or fictitious circumstances; when  and makes an overcharge for the articles of which
the conduct of liars and intriguers, of public rob-  he is disposing; when he denies the goods he
bers and murderers, is varnished over with the  has in his possession, when there is the prospect
false glare of heroism and of glory; and when the  of an advancing price,-and in a thousand other
actions of upright men are, without sufficient  ways, best known to the nefarious trader.-It is
evidence, attributed to knavery, or to the influ-  violated by persons in every department of life,
ence of fanaticism; when the writer construes  not only when they utter what they know to be
actions and events, and attributes to the' actors  false, but when they profess to declare the whole
motives and designs, in accordance with his own  truth, and keep back part of it with an intention
prejudices and passions, and interweaves his  to deceive; when they make use of a proposition
opinions and deductions, as if they were a por-  that is literally true, in order to convey a falsetion of the authenticated records of historical fact.  hood;* when they flatter the vanity of weak
-It is violated in the invention of fictitious nar-  minds; when they ascribe to their friends or to
ratives, and in the relation of marvellous stories,  others goofd qualities which do not belong to
when the system of nature is distorted, historical  them, or refuse to acknowledge those accomplishfacts caricatured, misrepresented, and blended  ments of which they are possessed; when they
with the vagaries of a romantic imagination;  endeavour to cajole children into obedience, by
when scenes, events, ald circumstances, " which  promising what they never intend to perform,
never did nor can take place," are presented to  and threatening what they never intend to inflict;
the view, merely to convey a transient gratifi-  and when they indulge in a habit of exaggeration,
cation to trifling and indolent minds.         in the account they give of their adventures, and
It is violated by men of science when they give  of the things which they have seen or heard.
an inaccurate statement of the results of their    Truth is violated by signs, as well as by words,
observations and  experiments; when, either  -as, when we point with our finger in a wrong
through carelessness or design, they give an un-  direction, when a traveller is inquiring about the
fair representation of the fscts and principles in  road he should take; when a British ship hoists
nature, in order to support a favourite system or
hypothesis; and when they studiously keep out   ~ The following fact will illustrate this and simlof view the various circulmstances in which every  lar pieces of falsehood:-A person, when selling a
watch, was asked by the purchaser if it kept time
fact should be contemplated.-It is violated in  correctly? He was told bythe owner, that neither
the literary world, when the editor of a magazine  the hour nor the minute hand had required to be altered for more than a twelve-month. This was literally
or a review writes an article, and addresses it to  true; but the watch was, nevertheless, a very bad
himself; as if it came frotn the pen of another;  regulatoroftime. Whenhungin aperpendicular powhen, for the sake of' filthy lucre," or to gratify a  sition, it went too slow, and, when laid in a ho'Lzoltal position, it went too fast: but by aiternatel, shiftfriend, he bestows encomiums on a work which is  int, these positions, and thus modlifying the rates of
unworthy of the attention of the public; or when,  motion, the hands did notrequire to be altered. Sluch
to gratify a mean, or revengeful passion, he mis.  assertions, however, are to be considered as dliect
lies, when theyare intended to convey a false or erretpresents or abuses the literary productions of his  roneous conception, as iu the instance nowy stated.




THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
Spanish colours; when flags of truce are violated;  bright prospects of happiness involved in a cloud
when spies insinuate themselves into society as  of darkness and despair.  By the sophistry of
upright men, for the purpose of entrapping the  unprincipled men, literature and science have
unwary; when false intelligence is communicat-  been perverted, and the avenues to substantial
ed to an enemy; when fires are lighted, or put  knowledge rendered difficult and dangesqus; litiout, in order to deceive mariners at sea; and  gations have been multiplied without number;
when signals of distress are counterfeited-by ships  human beings have been agitated, perplexed, and
sea, for the purpose of decoying into their  bewildered; and the widow and the fatherless
power the ships of an enemy.                   oppressed and robbed of their dearest enjoyments.
Truth is violated in relation to God, when we  Could we search the private records of ancient
conceal from those whom we are bound to in-  kings, princes, and legislators, and trace the destruct, the grandeur and immensity of his works,  ceitful plans which have been laid in palaces and
and the displays of divine intelligence and skill  cabinets-or could we, at this moment, penetrate
which are exhibited in his visible operations;  into all the intrigues, deceptions, treacheries,
when we exhibit a diminutive view of the extent  plots, and machinations, which are going forward
anti glory of his kingdom; when we give an in-  in the cabinets of despots, the mansions of prin.
accurate and distorted representation of the laws  ces, and the courts of law, throughout Europe,
of nature, and of the order and the economy of  Africa, and Asia; such a host of falsehoods and
the universe; when we misrepresent the facts  " lying abominations," like an army of spectres
which exist in the system of nature, and which  from the infernal regions, would stare us in the
occur in the truth of providence; when we call in  face, as would make us shrink back with horror
question the history of that revelation which he  and amazement, and fill us with astonishment
has confirmed by signs and miracles, and by the  that the patience of the God of heaven has been
accomplishment of numerous predictions; when  so long exercised towards the inhabitants of such
we misrepresent its facts, its doctrines, and its  a depraved and polluted world.
moral requisitions; when we transform its histo-    Let us now consider, for a little, some of the
rical narrations into a series of parables and alle-  effects which would inevitably follow were the
gories; when we distort its literal meaning by  lawof truth universally violated.  In this case a
vague and injudicious spiritualizing comments;  scene of horror and confusion would ensue, of
when we fix our attention solely on its doctrines,  which it is difficult for the mind to form any dis.
and neglect to investigate its moral precepts;  tinct conception. Itis obvious, in the first place,
and when we confine our views to a few points  that rational beings could never improve in
in the system of revelation, and neglect to con-  knowledge, beyond the range of the sensitive obhtemplate its whole range, in all its aspects and  jects that happened to be placed within the sphere
bearings.                                      of their personal observation. For, by far the
In the above, and in ten thousand other modes,  greater part of our knowledge is derived from the
is the law of truth violated by the degenerate in-  communications of others, and from the stimulus
nabitants of our world. The mischiefs and the  to intellectual exertion which such communicamiseries which have followed its violation, in re-  tions produce.-Let us suppose a human being
ference to the affairs of nations, to the private  trained tip, from infancy, in a wilderness, by a
interests of societies, families, and individuals,  bear or a wolf, as history records to have been
and to the everlasting concerns of mankind, are  the case of several individuals in the forests of
incalculable, anddreadfil beyond description. It  France, Germany, and Lithuania,-what knowis one of the principal sources from which have  ledge could such a being acquire beyond that of
sprung the numerous abominations and cruelties  a brute?  He might distinguish a horse from a
connected with the system of Pagan idolatry, the  cow, and a man from a dog, and know that such
delusions and the persecuting spirit of the vota-  objects as trees, shrubs, grass, flowers, and wa.
ries of Mahomet, and the pretended miracles,  ter, existed around him; but knowledge, strictly
and " the lying wonders," of that church which  so called, and the proper exercise of his rational
is denominated " the mother ofharlots and abomi-  faculties, he could not acquire, so long as he re.
nations tf the earth."  It has been chiefly owing  mained detached from  other rational beings.
to the violation of this law, that the thrones of Such would be our situation, were falsehood uni.
tyrants have been supported, thatliberty has been  versal among men. We could acquire a know.
destroyed, that public safety and happiness have  ledge of nothing but what was obvious to our
oeen endangered, that empires have been over-  senses in the objects with which we were sur.
tuirned, that nations have been dashed one against  rounded. We could not know whetherthe earth
another, and that war has produced among the hu-  were twenty miles, or twenty thousand miles in
n,,n race so many overwhelmingdesolations. By  extent, and whether oceans, seas, rivers, anc
the pernicious influence of falsehood, the peace  ranges of mountains, existed on its surface, unif families has been invaded, their comforts blast-  less we had made the tour of it in person, and,
ed, their good name dishonotired, their wealth  with our own eyes, surveyed the various objects
aestroyed, their hopes disappointed, and their  it contains.  O fcourse, wve should remain inab




EFIFECTS OF UNIVERSAL FALSEHOOD..311
z:jtes igtnoranie of the existence and the attri-  and commerce, buying a,d selling,sociatconmpcta
butes of God, of the moral relations of intelligent  and agreements would be annihilated; science,
boints to their Creator, and to one another, and  literature, and the arts, could not exist; and conu
of the relities ofa future state. For it is only,  sequently, universities, colleges, rltrches, acaor chiefly, through the medium of testimomyl, corn-. demies, schools, and every othe: seminary of inbirted with the evidence of our senses, that wve  struction would be unknown. No villages, towns,
acq!lie a knowledge of such truths and objects.  nor cities would be built; no fields cultivated;
In the next place, all confidence among intel-  no orchards, vineyards, nor gardens planted; no
figent beings, would be completely destroyed.  intercourse would exist between different regions
1Disappointment would invariably attend every  of the globe; and nothing but one dreary barren
putrpose and resolution, and every scheme we  waste would be presented to the eve, th'roughout
wished to execute, if it depended in the least do-  the whole expanse of nature.  So that were
gree upon the direction or assistance of others.  truth  completely banished from  the earth, it'We durst not taste an article of food which we  would present a picture of that dark and dismal
received fromn another, lest it should contain poi-  region where'; all liars have their portion!"
son; nor could we ever construct a house to shel-  where all are deceivers and deceived, and where
ter us from the storm, unless our own physical  the hopeless mind  roams amidst innumerable
powers wele ade quate to the work. Were we  false inltelligences, for one ray of comfort, or one
living in Edinburgh. we could never go to Mus-  confidential spirit in which it may confide, but
selburgh or Dalkeith, if we were previously ig-  roams in vain.
norant of the situation of these places; or were    In short, were truth banished not only from
we residing in London, it would be impossible  this world, but from the universe at large, ceafi us ever to find our way to Hommerton or  tion would be transformed into a chaos; the
HIumpstead, unless, after a thousand attempts,  bond which now connects angels aind archangels,
chance should happen to direct us; and when we  cherubim and seraphim, in one harmonious union,
arrived at either of these villages, we should still  would be forever dissolved; the inhabitants of all
ble in as much uncertainty as ever whether it was  worlds would be thrown into a state of universal
the place to which we intended to direct our  anarchy, they would shun each other's society,
steps. Confidence being destroyed, there could  and remain as so many cheerless and insulated
be no friendship, no union of hearts, no affection-  wretches, amidst the gloom  and desolations of
ate intercourse, no social converse, no consola-  universal nature; all improvements in knowtion or comfort in the hour of distress, no hopes  ledge, and all progressive advances towards moral
of deliverance in the midst of danger, and no  perfection, would be forever interrupted; and
prospect of the least enjoyment from any being  happiness would be banished from the whole inaround us. In such a case, the mind would feel  telligent system.  Every mind would become the
itself as in a wilderness, even when surrounded  seat of terror and suspense, and would be hauntby fellow intelligences, and wherever it roamed  ed with frightful spectres and dreadful expectaover the vast expanse of nature, or among the  tions.  The government of the Eternal would
mass of living beings around it, it would meet  be subverted, the moral order of the intelligent
with no affectionate interchange of feelings and  system  overturned; all subordination  would
sentiments, and no object on which it could rest  cease, and misery would  reign  uncontrolled
for solace and enjoyment.  Every one would feel  throigrhout every region of intellectual existence.
as if he were placed in the midst of an infinite  For truth is implied in the principle of love; it
void, and as if he were the only being residing  is essential to its existence; so that the one canin the universe. In such a case we would flee  not operate except on the basis of the other: and
from the society of men as we would do from a  we have already shown, that the destruction of
lion or a tiger when rushing  on his prey; and  love would be the destruction of all order, and ot
hide ourselves in dens, and forests, and caverns  all happiness among intelligent beings.
of the earth, till death should put a period to a    Such are some of the dreadful effects which
cheerless and  miserable existence.            would inevitably follow, were the law under conAll social intercourses and relations would  sideration reversed or universally violated.  In
cefase;-families could not possibly exist; nor  our world this law has, hitherto, been onlyparany affectionate intercourse between the sexes;  tially violated; yet what dreadful mischiefs, beIfr truth, and  the confidence which  is founded  yond calculation, and even beyond conception,
upon it, are implied in all the intercourses of has its frequent violation created! Ever since
husbands and wives, of brothers and sisters,  that moment when" the father of lies" deceived
and of parents and children;-and  consequently,  the first human pair, how  many thousands of
the human race, dropping into the grave, one  millions of liars have trodden in his footsteps!
afier another, like the leaves of autumn, without  and what a host of falsehoods has followed in
any successors, wvould, in a short ti;mi, be extir-  their train, which have destroyed the harmony of
pa ted from thle earth. In such a state, kindness  the moral system, and robbed the wvsrld of hapand affc.ction would never be exercised; trade  piness and repose!  Yet how little are weaffect



2112                    TIHE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
ed by the frequent violations of this law? and  would be held sacred and inviolate.  Science
how seldom do we reflect, that every falsehood  would rapidly advance towards perfection; for,
we unadvisedly utter, is an infringement of that  as all its principles and doctrines are founded
law on which rest the throne of the Almighty  upon facts, when truth is universally held invioand the eternal:appiness of the universe? For  lable, the facts on which it is built will always
if one lie may be palliated or vindicated, on the  be fairly represented.  Every fact asserted by
same principle we might vindicate a thousand,  voyagers and travellers, in relation to the physiand a mrrillion, and millions of millions, till filse- cal or the moral world, and every detail of exhood  became  universal among all ranks of periments made by the chemist and the philosobeings and till the moral order of the intelligent  pher, would form  a sure ground-work for the
creation was completely  subverted.  Of how   development. of truth, and the detection of error;
much importance is it then, that. an inviolable at-  without the least suspicion arising in the mind
tachment to truth, in its minutest ramifications,  respecting the veracity of the persons on whose
be early impressed upon the minds of the young,  testimony we rely. For want of this confidence
by persuasion, by precept, by example, by rea-  the mind has been perplexed and distracted by
soning, and bv a vivid representation of its im-  the jarring statements of travellers, naturalists,
portance, and of its inestimable benefits? and  and historians; false theories have been fi-amhow careful should we be to preserve them from   ed; systems have been reared on the baseless
all incentives to the practice of lying, and espe-  fabric of a vision; the foundations of science
cially from the company of those " whose mouth  have been shaken; its utility called in question,
speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right  and its most sublime discoveries overlooked and
hand of falsehood."                            disregarded.
WVere falsehood universally detested, cnd the    In fine, the clouds which now obscure many
love of truth universally cherished; were a single  of the sublime objects of religion, and the reali.
lie never more to be uttered by any inhabitant of ties of a future world, would be dispelled, were
this globe, what a mighty change would be ef-  falsehood unknown, and truth beheld in its nafected in the condition of mankind, and what a  tive light; and religion, purified from every mix.
glorious radiance would be diffused over all the  ture of error and delusion, would appear arrayed
movements of the intelligent system?  The  in its own heavenly radiance, and attract the love
whole host ofliars, perjurers, sharpers, seducers,  and the admiration of men.  When exhibited
slanderers, tale-bearers, quacks, thieves, swin-  in its native grandeur and simplicity, all doubts
dlers, harpies, fraudulent dealers, false friends,  respecting its divine origin would soon evanish
flatterers, corrupt judges, despots, sophists, hypo-  from the mind-the beauty and sublimity of its
crites, and religious impostors, with the count-  doctrines would be recognised as worthy of its
less multitude offirauds, treacheries, impositions,  Author; and all its moral requisitions would be
falsehoods, and distresses which have followed in  perceived to be " holy, just, and good," and
their train, would instantly disappear firom awrong  calculated to promote the order, and the ever
men. The beams of truth, penetrating through  lasting happiness of the intelligent universe.
the mists of ignorance, error, and perplexity,  Divine truth irradiating every mind, and accom.
produced by sophists, sceptics, and deceivers,  panied with the emanations of heavenly love,
which have so long enveloped the human mind,  would dispel the gloom  which now hangs over
would diffuse a lustre and a cheerfulness on the  many sincere and pious minds; would units
face of the moral world, like the mild radiance  man to man, and man to God; and the inhabiof the morning after a dark and tempesluous  tants ofthis world, freed from every doubt, error,
night.  Confidence would be restored through-  and perplexity, would move forward in harmony
omrt every department of social life; jealousy,  and peace, to join " the innumerable company of
suspicion, and distrust would no longer rankle  angels, and the general assembly of the spirits of
in the htuman breast; and unfeigned affection,  just men made perfect, whose names are written
fidelity, and friendship, would unite the whole  in heaven."
brotherhood of mankind. With what a beautifill simplicity, and with what smoothness and          THE TENTH COMMANDMENT.
harmony would the world of trade move onward  " Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house,
in all its transactions! How many cares and    thou shalt not covet thy neghbor's wife, nor
anxieties would vanish! how many perplexities    thou  shalt not covet thv neihbour's wife, nor
would cease! and how many ruinous litigations    his man-servant, nor his haid-servant, nor his
would be prevented?  For the violation of truth    ox nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neigh.
may be considered as the chief cause of all those  our s.
disputes respecting property, which have pltlngr-    Every precept of the law to which I have
ed so many families into suspense an l wretched-  hitherto adverted, has a reference not only to the
ness.  The tribunals of justice would be purified  external conduct of moral avents, but also to the
from every species of sophistry and deceit; and  internal motives or principles from which that
the promises of kings, and the leagues of nations,  conduct proceeds  This is evident from the con



TENDENCY OF COVETOUSNESS.                                      113
saldrations already stated, and from the whole  world'at large!  In relation to the avaricious
tenor of Divine Revelation,-and it is in unison  man himself, could we trace all the easer desires,
with reason, and with the common sense of  anxieties, perplexities, and cares, which harais
mankind, that the merit or demerit of any action  his soul; the fraudulent schemes he is obliged to
is to be estimated, according to the intention of  contrive, in order to accomplish his object; the
the actor, and the disposition from  which it  miserable shifts to which he is reduced, in ord;er
flows.  That no doubt may remain on this point,  to keep up the appearance of common honesty;
the Supreme Legislator closes the decalogue  the mass of contradictions, and the medley of
with a command, which has a reference solely to  falsehoods, to which he is always obliged to have
the desires and dispositions of the mind: " Thou  recourse; *;he numerous disappointments to which
shalt not covet'"  Covetousness consists in an  his eager pursuit (of wealth continually exposes
inordinate desire of earthly objects and enjoy-  him, and by which his soul is pierced as with so
ments.  This desire, when uniformly indulged,  many daggers-we should behold a wretched
leads to a breach of almost every other precept of  being, the prey of restless and contending pasthe Divine law; and is the source of more than  sions, with a mind full of falsehoods, deceitful
one half of all the evils which afflict the human  schemes, and grovelling affections, like a cagerace.  It leads to a breach of the eighth com-  fill of every unclean and hateful bird,-a mind inmand, by exciting either to fraudulent dealings, or  capable of any rational enjoyment in this life, and
to direct acts of theft and robbery.-It leads to  entirely incapacitated for relishing the nobler
a breach of the ninth command, by cherishing the  enjoyments of the life to come. Such a man is
principle of falsehood which is implied in every  not only miserable himself, but becomes a moral
fraudulent transaction.-It leads to a violation of  nuisance to the neighbourhood  around him;
the sixth command, by engendering a spirit of re-  stinting his own family of its necessary comforts;
veonge against those who stand in the way of its  oppressing the widow and the fatherless; graspgratification; and by exciting the covetous man  ing with insatiable fangs every house, tenement,
to the commission of murder, in order to accom-  and patch of land within his reach; hurrying
plish his avaricious desires. —It also leads to a  poor unfortunate debtors to jail; setting adrift
violation of the seventh command; for, when one  the poor and needy from their long-accustomed:"covets his neighbour's wife," the next step is  dwellings; and presenting to the young and
to endeavour to withdraw her affection from her  thoughtless a picture, which is too frequently
husband, and to plunge a family into misery and  copied, of an immortal mind immersed in the
distress.-It also leads to a violation of the fifth  mire of the most degrading passions, and worprecept of the law, not only as it steels the heart  shipping and serving the creature more than
against those kindly filial affections which child-  the Creator, who is blessed forever.
ren ought to exercise towards their parents, but    In relation to large communities and nations,
as it excites them to withhold from their parents,  this grovelling passion has produced, on an exwhen in old age and distress, those external com-  tensive scale, the most mischievous and destrulc
forts which are requisite to their happiness, and  tive effects.  It has plundered palaces, churches,
which it is the duty ofaffectionate children to pro.  seats of learning, and repositories of art; it has
vide. And, when covetousness has thus led to  polluted the courts ofjudicature, and the tribunals
the breach of every other precept of the second  of justice; it has corrupted magistrates, judges,
table of the law, it follows, that all the precepts of and legislators; and has transformed many even
the first table are also virtually violated. For all  of the ministers of religion, into courtly sycothe commandments of the first table are briefly  phants, and hunters after places and pensions.
summed up in this comprehensive precept," Thou  It has ground: whole nations to poverty, under
shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart:"  the load of taxation; it has levelled spacious
but it is obviously impossible, nay, it would be a  cities with the dust; turned fruitful fields into a
contradiction in terms, to suppose, that supreme  wilderness; spread misery over whole empires;
love to the Creator can reside in the same breast  drenched the earth with humnan gore; and waded
in which an inordinate desire of worldly enjoy-  throlUgh fields of blood in order to satiate its unments reigns uncontrolled, and in which love to  governable desires.  What has led to most of
man has no existence.  2So that covetousness  the wars which have desolated the earth, in every
may be considered as the great barrier which  age, but the insatiable cravings of this restless
separates between man and his Maker, and also  and grovelling passion?  It was the cursed love
asthe polluted fountain fmom whence flow all the  of gold that excited  the Spaniards to ravage
moral abominations and the miseries of mankind.  the territories of Mexico and Peru, to violate
The more obvious and direct manifestation of  every principle of justice and humanity, to masthis principle is generally distinguished by the  sacre, and to perpetrate the most horrid cruelties
name of Avarice, or an inordinate desire of riches.  on their unoffending inhabitants. It is the same
And what a countless host of evils has flowed  principle, blended with the lust of power, which
fromt this unhallowed passion, both in relation to  still actuates the infatuated rulers of that unhappy
iadividuals, to families, to nations, and to the  nation, in their vain attempts to" overthrow the
28




114                     THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIO)N.
independence of their former colonies.  The  who assume airs of importance, on account of the
same principle commenced, and still carries on, antiquity of their families, their wealth, their esthat abominable traffic, the slave trade,-a traffic  ploits of heroism, and their patrimonial posseswhich has entailed misery on millions of the  sions.
sons of Africa; which has excited wars, and    But it is chiefly on the great theatre of the world
feuds, and massacres, among her numerous  that ambition has displayed its most dreadful en.
tribes; which has forever separated from each  ergies, and its most overwhelming devastations.
other brothers and sisters, parents and children;  In order to gain possession of a throne, it has
which has suffocated thousands of human beings  thrown whole nations into a state of convulsion
in the cells of a floating dungeon, and plunged  and alarm. The road to political power and pre.
ten thousands into a watery grave;-a traffic  eminence, has been prepared by the overflow of
which is a disgrace to the human species; which  truth andjustice, by fomenting feuds and contenhas transformed civilized men into infernal fiends;  tions, by bribery, murder, and assassinations, by
which has trampled on every principle ofj ustice;  sanguinary battles, by the plunder of whole prowhich has defaced the image of God in man, and  vinces, the desolation of cities and villages, and
extinguished every spark of humanity from  the  by the sighs, the groans, and lamentations of un.
minds of the ferocious banditti which avarice  numbered widows and orphans. In order to
has employed for accomplishing her nefarious  raise a silly mortal to despotic power on the
designs.*                                     throne of Spain, how many human victims have
Ambition, or, an inordinate desire of power,  been sacrificed at the altar of ambition  how
superiority, and distinction, is another modifica-  many families have been rent asunder, and plungtion of this malignant principle. This passion is  ed into irremediable ruin! and how many illustri.
manifested, in a greater or less degree, by men  ous patriots have been immured in dungeons,
of all ranks and characters, and in every situa-  and have expired under the axe of the executiontion in life.  It is displayed in the school-room   er! At the present moment, the fertile vales of
by the boy who is always eager to  stand fore-  Mexico, the mountains and plains of South
most in his class; in the ball-room, by the lady  America, the forests of the Burmese, and the.who is proud of her beauty, and of her splendid  shores of Turkey and of Greece, are every where
-attire; in the corporation-hall, by the citizen who  covered with the ravages of this fell destroyer,
-struts with an air of conscious dignity, and is  whose path is always marked with desolation and:ever and anon aiming at pompous harangues;  bloodshed. To recount all the evils which am-,on the bench, by the haughty and overbearing  bition has produced over this vast globe, would
iudge; in the church, by those rulers who, like  be to write a history of the struggles and coniDiotrephes, "Love to have the pre-eminence;7"  tests of nations, and of the sorrows and sufferings
-.in the pulpit, by the preacher whose main object  of mankind. So insatiable is this ungovernable,it is to excite the admiration and applause ofa  passion, that the whole earth appears a field too
surrounding audience; in the streets, by the pom-  small for its malignant operations. Alexander!pous airs of the proud dame, the coxcomb, and  the Great, after having conquered the greater:the dashing squire; in the village, by him who  part of the known world, wept, because he had
hLas a better house, and a longer purse, than his  not another world to  conquer. Were there no
tneighbours,; in the hamlet, by the peasant who  physical impediments to obstruct the course of,can lift the heaviest stone, or fight and wrestle  this detestable passion, it would ravage, not only
with the greatest strength or agility; and in the  the globe on which we dwell, but the whole of the
r-city, by the nobleman who endeavours to rival  planetary worlds; it would range from system to
all his compeers in the magnificence of his man-  system,carrying ruin and devastation in its traitn
sion, and the splendour of his equipage; among  till the material universe was involved in misery
the learned, by their eager desire to spread their  and desolation; and it would attempt to subvert.name to the world, and to extend their fame to  even the foundations of the throne of the Eternal.
succeeding generations; and among all classes    Such are some of the dismal and destructive
effects of covetousness, when prosecuting the' That this accursed traffic Is still carried on, with   avarice and ambition; and when we.unabated vigour, by the civilized powers of Europe,  paths of
appears fromnthe followingstatement: -'The boats  consider that it is uniformly accompanied in its
of a British Frigate, the Maldstone, boarded, in  progress, with pride, envy, discontentment, and:eleven days of:ane, 1824, no less than ten French  restless desires,-it is easy to perceive, that, were
vessels, at a single spot upon the coast of Africa; the  restless desires,-it is easy to perceive, that, were:measuremer.t of which vessels was between 1400 and  it left to reign without control over the human
16s00 tons, while they were destined for the incarce-  mind it would soon desolate every region of the
ration-we might say, the living burial-of 3000 human hbeings!" The report to Governmentsays-" The  earth, and produce all the destructive effects
schooner La Louisa; Capt. Armand, arrived at Gau-  which, as we have already shown, would flow
-daloupe, during the first days of April, 1824, with a   niversa violation of the other precept
cargo of 200 negroes, the remeinder of a complement  a universal violation of the other precepts
of 375, whi,h the vessel had. on board  The vessel  of God's law.,not being large enough to accommndate so great a    On the other hand, Con tentmran,-the  iuty
nunmber of men, tre overplus were consigned ALIVE'50 thewaees bJ i/e Captain tI"               implied in this command, would draw along with




GENERAL CONCLUSIONS.                                     I15
it an unnumbered train of blessings, and would  whelmed with a deluge of miseries. Let the
resrore tranquillity and repose to our distracted  current of every passion and desire be restrained
world. To be contented under the allotments of within its legitimate boundary, and let contentthe providence of God, is one of the first and  ment take up its residence in every heart, and
fundamental duties of every rational creature.  this deluge will soon be dried up, and a new world
By contentment and resignation to the divine  will appear, arrayed in all the loveliness, and
disposal, we recognise God as the supreme Go-  verdure, and beauty of Eden. May Jehovah
vernor of the universe; as directed by infinite  hasten it in his time!
wisdom, in the distribution of his bounty among
the children of men; as proceeding on the basis    Thus I have endeavoured, in the preceding
of eternal and immutable justice, in all his pro-  sketches, to illustrate the reasonableness of those
vidential arrangements; and as actuated by a  laws which God has promulgated for regulating
principle of unbounded benevolence, which has  the moral conduct of the intelligent creation. If
a regard to the ultimate happiness of his crea-  the propriety of these illustrations be admitted,
tures. Under the government of such a Being,  they may be considered as a commentary on the
we have abundant reason, not only to be con-  words of the Apostle Paul: " The law is holy,
tented and resigned, but to be glad and to rejoice.  and the commandment is holy andjust and good."' The Lord reigneth, let the earth be glad, let  In like manner it might have been shown, that
the multitude of the isles thereof rejoice." How-  all the Apostolic injunctions, and other precepts
ever scanty may be the portion of earthly good  recorded in the volume of inspirationr, are accormeasured out to us at present, and however per-  dant with the dictates of reason, And with the
plexing and mysterious the external circumstan-  relations of moral agents; for they are all so
ces in which we may now be involved, we may  Inany subordinate ramifications of the principle
rest assured, that, under the government of un-  and laws, which I have already illustrated.
erring wisdom, rectitude, and benevolence, all
such dispensations shall ultimately be found to    enal Conclusions and Remark,
have been, not only consistent with justice, but       the preceding illustrations.
conducive to our present and everlasting inte-    I shall now conclude this chapter with the
rests. Were such sentiments and affections to  statement of a few remarks in relation to the
pervade the minds of all human beings, what a  moral law, founded on the illustrations which
host of malignant passions would be chased away  have been given in the preceding pages; which
from the hearts and from the habitations of men?  may be considered as so many inferences deduc.
Restless cares, ind boundless and unsatisfied de-  ed from the general subject which has now occusires, which constitute the source and the essence  pied our attention.
of misery, would no longer agitate and torment    I. In the first place, one obvious conclusion
the human mind. Voluptuousness would nolon-  from  the preceding illustrations is, That the
ger riot at the table of luxury or. dainties, wrung  laws of God are not the commands of an arbitrafrom the sweat of thousands;-nor avarice glut  ry Sovereign, but are founded on the nature of
its insatiable desires with the spoils of the widow  things, and on the relations which exist in the
and the orphan;-nor ambition ride in triumph  intelligent system.  Many divines, especially
over the miseries of a suffering world. Every  thoseofthe supralapsarian school, have been dis.
one, submissive to the allotments of his Creator,  posed to ascribe every regulation  of the Deity
and grateful for that portion of his bounty which  to the Divine Sovereignty.  I have been told
he has been pleased to bestow, would view the  that, in one of the Latin treatises of Mr. Samuel
wealth and enjoyments of his neighbour with a  Rutherford, Professor of Divinity, in St. An
kind and benignant eye, and rejoice in the pros-  drews, there is a sentiment to the following purperity of all around him. Benevolence and  pose: " That such is the absolute sovereignty
peace would diffuse their benign influence over  of God, that had it so pleased him, he might have
the nations, and mankind, delivered from the fear  made.every precept of the moral law given to
of every thing that might "hurt or destroy,"  man exactly the reverse of what we now find it."
would march forward in harmony and affection,  A sentiment more directly repugrnant to the scripto that happier world where every wish wvill be  tural character of God, and to every view we
crowned, and every holy desire satisfied in God  can take of the divine attributes, it is scarcely
"their exceeding great reward."               possible for the human mind to entertain; and it
Thus it appears, that, on the observance o. shows us the dangerous consequences to which
this law, which closes the Decalogue, and which  we are exposed, when we attempt to push cerhlas a reference to a single affection of the mind  tain theological dogmas to an extreme. Irvit were
-the order and happiness of the intelligent sys- possible to suppose the Deity capable of such an
tem almost entirely depends.  Let the flood-  act, it would overturn all the grounds on which
gates of Covetousness be burst open, and let it  we are led to contemplate him as glorious, atninflow in every direction without control,-in a  ble, and adorable. At some future period in the
short period the world is desolated, and over-  revolultions of eternity, his love, his rectitude




116                     THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
and his faithfulness, might be changed into male-  case, to have a benevolent tendency; but we
volellce, injustice, and falsehood. If the requi-  have already shown, that were such a principle
sitiorns of the moral law depended solely on the  universally admitted, it would introduce anarchy)
Divine Sovereignty, then there is no inherent  and misery through the universe, and would ul1
excellence in virtue; and theft, falsehood, mur.  timately  annihilate  the  intelligent creation.
der, idolatry; profanity, cruelty, wars, devasta-  Man, in his present state, can be directed only
lions, and the malevolence'of infernal demons,  by positive laws preceding from the Almighty,
{night become equally amiable and excellent as  whose comprehensive mind alone can trace all
truth, justice, benevolence, and the songs and  their consequencesto the remotest corners of the
adoraiions of angels; provided the Deity willed  universe, and through all the ages of eternity.
the change to take place.  But this is impossi.  These laws are contained in the Scriptures-a
ble; arid it is evident, I trust, fromn the preced-  comprehensive summary of which has been the
ing illustrations, that, were moral laws, directly  subject of the preceding illustrations.  And we
opposite to those contained  in the scriptural  know, in point of fact, that in every country
code, to be prescribed to men, or to any other  where these laws are either unknown, or not
class of moral agents, not only -would misery  recognised, there is no fixed standard of morals:
reign uncontrolled through the' universe, but, in  and vice, in its various ramifications, almost
a short time, the operation of such laws would  universally prevails.
annihilate the whole intelligent creation.       From what -has been now stated we may infer
It is evident, then, that:the moral law is not  -that afull and unreserved obedience to the Difounded on the will of God. but on the relations  vine law is a most reasonable requisition.  Men
of intelligent beings, and on its own intrinsic  are too frequently disposhd to view the commands
excellence; or, in other words, on its tendency   of God as the dictates of an arbitrary Sovereign.
to produce happiness throughout the intelligent  There  is a secret thought that occasionally
system.  This idea nearly coincides with that  lodges in the heart of every human being, that
of some of our modern moralists, who maintain  the law of God is too extensive and rigorous in
"that virtue is founded on utility," —if, by utility,  its demands, accompanied with a secret wish,
is meant a tendency to promote happiness.  But  that the severity of its requisitions could be a
it by no means follows, from this position, as  little modified or relaxed.  Every man is subsome moralists have concluded, that tutility is the  ject to some " besetting sin," and he is apt to
guide, or the rule by which we are to be direct-  say within himself-" If I were allowed but a
ed in our moral conduct.  This may be consi-  little license with regard to one precept of the
dered as the rule which directs the conduct of the  law, I would endeavour to do what I could to
Divine Being, whose eye takes in the whole  comply with the requisitions of the rest."  But,
systemn of creation, whose knowledge extends  it would be inconsistent both with the benevolhnce
from eternity past, to eternity to come, and who  of the Deity, and with the happiness of his moral
perceives, at one glance, the remotest conse-  creation, either to modify or to relax any one requences of every action. Biut it cannot be a rule  quirement of his law; for it is aperfect law, from
for subordinate intelligences, and especially for  which nothing can be taken without impairing
Inan, who stands near the lowest degree of the  its excellence and utility.  Were he to do so,
scale of intellectual existence.  From the limit-  it would be in effect, to shut up the path to haped range of view to which he is confined, he  piness, and to open the flood-gates of misery
cannot trace the remote consequences of any  upon the universe.  Although it is impossible for
particular action, the bearings it nlay have on  man in his present degraded condition, to yield a
unnumbered  individuals, and the relation in  perfect obedience to this law, yet nothing short
which it may stand to the concerns of tlie eter-  of perfect obedience ought to be his aim. For
nal world. An action which, to our limited  in as far as we fall short of it, in so far do we
view, may appear either beneficial or indiffer-  fall short of happiness; and consequently, till that
ent, may involve a principle which, if traced to  period arrives when otlr obedience shall reach
its remotest consequences, would lead to the de-  the summit of perfection, our happiness must restruction of the moral universe.  It might ap-  main incomplete, and a certain portion of misery
pear, at first view, on the whole, beneficial to  must be expected to mingle itself with all our ensociety, that an old unfeeling miser should be  joyments.
gently suffocated, and his' treasures applied for    II  There is so intimate a connexion between
the purpose of rearing asylums for the aged  all the parts of the Divine law, that the habitual
poor, and seminaries of instruction for the young.  violation of any one precept necessarily include.
But the principle which would sanction such an  the violation of the greater part, if not the uwhole
action, if generally acted upon, would lead to  of the other precepts.  This is evident from the
universal plunder,:robbery, and bloodshed.  To  general tenor of the preceding illustrations.  It
tell a lie to a child; in order to induce it to take  has been shown that a breach of the first conma nauseous medicine which is essential to its  mandment includes pride, falsehood, blasphemy,
recovery from  disease, may appear, in such a  ingratitude, and hatred of moral excellence, and




GENERAL CGNCLUSIONS.                                      117
that it leads to injustice, cruelty, murder, ob-  wretchedness and misery entailed on the nurma
sceritjr, and the most revolting abominations. A   race.-That a universal' violation of God's law
breach of the fifth involves a principle which  has never yet taken place in any region of the
would sap the foundations of all government and  earth, is not owing so much to any want of enmoral order, and transform society into a rabble  ergy, or of malignity in the principle of disobeof lawless banditti.  The violation of the eighth  dience which is seated in the hearts of men as to
is connected with falsehood, treachery, and cove-  the restraining influence of the moral Governor
tousness, and leads to oppression, robbery, plun-  of the world, and to the physical impediments
der, murders, and the devastation of empires;  which he has placed to prevent the diabolical
and the violation of the tenth, though consisting  passions of men from raging without control,
only in the indulgence of an irregular desire, is  Whether it be possible for any class of intelligent
the origin of almost every other species of moral  organized beings to subsist for any length of time,
turpitude, in relation either to God or to man.  under a complete violation of the moral law, it is
In like manner it might be shown, that the strict  not for us positively to determine; but it is eviand regular observance of any one precept is ne-  dent to a demonstration, that in the present phycessarilv connected with a regard for all the other  sical condition of the human race, such a violarequirements of God's law.                     tion would unhinge the whole fabric of society,
III. It appears, from the preceding illustra-  and, in a short time, exterminate the race of
lions, that a universal violation of any one of the  Adam from the earth.
six precepts of the second table of the law, would    V. The greater part of the precepts of the Delead to the entire destruction of the human race.  calogue is binding upon superior intelligences,
[n the case of the sixth commandment being sup-  and upon the inhabitants of all worlds, as well as
posed to be reversed, or universally violated, this  upon man. For any thing we know to the coneff.ect would be most rapidly produced; but the  trary, there may be worlds in different regions of
destruction and complete extirpation of human  the universe, and oven within the bounds of our
beings from the earth would be as certainly ef-  planetary system, where their inhabitants are
fected, in the course of two or three generations,  placed in circumstances similar to those in which
by the universal violation of any one of the other  man was placed in his paradisiacal'state; and,
five precepts.  Some of the circumstances which  consequently, where the precepts which compose
would necessarily produce this effect, are alluded  their moral code may be exactly the same as ours.
to, in the preceding illustration of these pre-  But, it is highly probable that, in general, the
cepts. And as the first principle of the moral  inhabitants of the various globes, which float in
law, love to God, is the foundation of the precepts  the immensity of space, differ as much in their
contained in the second table, it is obvious, that  moral circumstances and relations, as the globes
the same effect would ultimately follow from  a  themselves do in their size, their physical constiuniversal violation of the first four precepts of the  tution, and their natural scenery. I havelllready
Decalogue.                                     shown, (p. 78, &c.) that there are seven preIV. It follows from what has hitherto been  cepts of our moral law which are common to the
stated, That the moral law has never yet been  inhabitants ofal! worlds, namely, theAfrst, second,
aniversally violated, nor has any one of its pre.  third, fourth, (see p. 114,) the sixth, the ninth,
cepts been completely reversed in the conduct of and the tenth. And, if there be no portion of
the inhabitants of our globe. Every individual,  the intelligent system in which subordination, in
of all the millions of mankind that have existed  a greater or less degree, does not exist, then, the
iince the fall of Adam, has, indeed, in one shape  fifth precept of our code must also be a law comor another, broken every one of the command-  mon to all intelligences.  It was formerly stated,
ments of God; but such breaches have not been  (p. 102,) that the seventh precept is in all probaconstant and uniform, and running through every  bility, a law peculiar to the inhabitants of the
action he performed.  Falsehood has always  earth, during the present economy ofProvidence;
been mingled with a portion of truth, theft with  and, perhaps it is the only one which is not ap.
honesty, cruelty with clemency and mercy, an-  plicable to the other inhabitants of the universe.
archy with subordination, and licentiousness with  So that the moral laws given to man may be conchastity and purity.  It is owing to this partial  sidered as substantially the same with those
obedience to the dictates of the law of nature,  which govern all the other parts of the universal
impressed upon every human heart, that the  system.
world of mankind has hitherto been preserved in    VI. From  the preceding illustrations, we may
existence.  The partial violation, however, of  infer, the excellency and the divine origin of the
the divine law, which has characterized the ac-  Christian Revelation.  The Scriptures contain
lions of mankind, in all ages, has been the source  the most impressive evidence of their heavenly
f t'all i;e calamities, miseries, and moral abomi-  original in their own bosom.  The wide range
nation-, under which the earth has groaned from   of objects they embrace, extending from the comgeneration to generation; and, in proportion to  mencement of our earthly system, through all
the extent of this violation, will be the extent of  the revolutions of time, to the period of its ternmi



1 18                    THE PHILOSoPHy OF RELIGION.
nation' and from tr.e countless ages of eternity  glory, in riches, honours, wealth, and fame. Soltle
past, to. the more grand and diversified scenes of of their moral maxims, separately considered,
eternity,o come-the plan of Providence which  were rational and excellent; but they were conthey unfold, and the views they exhibit of the  nected with other maxims, which completely
moral principles of the Divine government, and  neutralized all their virtue, and their tendency to
ofthe subordination of all events to the accom-.  produce happiness. Pride, falsehood, injustice,
plishment of a glorious design-the character and  impurity, revenge, and an unfeeling apathy to
attributes of the Creator, which they illustrate  the distresses of their fellow-creatures, were
by the most impressive delineations, and the  considered as quite consistent with their system
most lofty and sublime descriptions-the views  of morality; and such malignant principles and
they exhibit of the existence, the powers, the  practices were blended with their most virtuous
zaDacities, the virtues, and the employments of  actions. But we have already shown, that the
superior orders of intellectual beings-the de-  uniform operation of such principles would nemonstrations they afford of the dignified station,  cessarily lead to the destruction of all happiness,
and of the high destination of man-and the sub-  and to the overthrow of all order throughout the
lime and awful scenes they unfold, when the earth  intelligent creation.
" shall nmelt like wax at the presence ofthe Lord,"    Now, can it be supposed, for a moment, that a
when the throne of judgment shall be set, and  Jew, who had spent forty years of his life as a
the unnumbered millions of the race of Adam   shepherd in a desert country, who lived in a rude
shall be assembled before the Judge of all-infi-  age of the world, who had never studied a sysnitely surpass every thing which the unassisted  tem of ethics, and whose mind was altogether
imaginations of men could have devised, and  incapable of tracing the various relations which
every thing which had ever been attempted by  subsists between intelligent beings and their
the greatest sages ofantiquity, either in prose or  Creator, could have investigated those moral
in rhyme; and, consequently prove, to a moral  principles and laws which form the foundation o{
demonstration, that a Power and Intelligence,  the moral universe, and the basis of the divine
superior to the human mind, must have suggest.  government in all worlds; unless they had been
ed such sublime conceptions, and such astonish-  communicated imnmediately by Him, who, at one
ing ideas; since there are no prototypes of such  glance, beholds all the physical and moral relaobjects to be found within the ordinary range of  tions which exist throughout creation, and who
the human mind.                               can trace the bearings and the eternal conseBut the subject to which we have been hither-  quences of every moral law?  Or can we supto adverting, when properly considered, suggests  pose, that, throughout the whole period of the
an evidence of the truth and divinity of the Scrip-  Jewish economy, and during the first ages of the
tures, as striking, and, perhaps, more convincing  Christian dispensation, a multitude of writers
thankny other. They unfold to us the moral  should appear, many of them unknown to each
laws of the universe-they present to us a suno-  other, all of whom should uniformly recognise
mary of moral principles and precepts.which is  those laws in their minutest bearings and ramiapplicable to all the tribes and generations of  fications, unless their minds had been enlightmen, to all the orders of angelic beings, and to  ened and directed by the same powerful and unall the moral intelligences that people the ampli-  erring Intelligence?  If these laws are distin-.
tudes of-creation-to man, during his temporary  guished by their extreme simplicity, they are the
abode on earth, and to man, when placed in  more characteristic of their divine Author, who,
heaven, so long as eternity endures —precepts,  from the general operation of a few simple prinwhich, if universally observed, would banish  ciples and laws in the system of nature, produces
misery from  the creation, and distribute happi-  all the variety we perceive in the material world,
ness, without alloy, among all the intellectual be-  and all the harmonies, the contrasts, the beauties,
ings that exist throughout the empire of God.  and the sublimities of the universe. If it be
Can these things be affirmed of any other system   asked why these laws, which are so extremely
of religion or of morals that was ever published  simple and comprehensive, were not discovered
to the world? The Greek and Roman moralists,  nor recognised by the ancient sages? It m'.ght
after all their laboured investigations, could never  be answered, by asking why the laws of gravitarirrive at any certain determination with regard  tion, which are also simple and comprehensive,
to the nature of happiness, and the means of at-  were not discovered, till Newton arose to investaining it.  We are told by Varro, one ofthe  tigate the agencies of nature, and to pour aflood
most learned writers of the Augustan age, that,  of light on the system of the universe?  But
the heathen philosophers had embraced more  the true reasons are-the unassisted powers of
than two hundred and eighty different opinions  the human mind were inadequate to the task of
respecting the supreme good. Some of them   surveying all the moral relations which subsis.
taught that it consisted in sensual enjoyments,  throughout the intelligent system, and of tracing
and in freedom from pain; others considered it  those moral principles which would apply to the
as placed in study and contemplation, in military  whole assemblage of moral agents, so as to se



GENERAL,tJuNCLUSIONS.                                    119
cure thb  happiness of each individual, and-of  and the fire which is never quenched;' and that,
the system as one great whole-that the laws of  if universally acted upon, they would overthrow
God were almost directly contrary to the lead-  all order in the intelligent system, and banish
ing maxims of morality which prevailed in the  every species of happiness from the universe-it
world-and that they struck at the root of all  necessarily follows, that such a system cannot
those principles of pride, ambition, revenge, and  be the religion prescribed by the All-wise and
irq:urity, which almost universally directed the  benevolent Creator, nor any part of that revelaconduct of individuals and of nations.         tion which proclaims " peace on earth and goodIf, then, we find in a book which professes to  will among men," and which enjoins us to " love
be a revelation from  heaven, a system of moral  the Lord our God with all our hearts, and our
laws which can clearly be shown to be the basis  neighbour as ourselves."
of the moral order of the universe, and which    The Antinomian, in following outt his own
are calculated to secure the eternal happiness of  principles, if no human laws or prudential consiall intellectual beings-it forms a strong pre-  derations were to deter him, might run to every
sumptive proof, if not an unanswerable argu-  excess of profligacy and debauchery-might inment, that the contents of that book are of a ce-  dulge in impiety, falsehood, and profanity-might
lestial origin, and were dictated by Him  who  commit theft, robbery, adultery, fraud, cruelty,
gave birth to the whole system of created be-  injustice, and even murder, without considering
ings.                                          himself as acting contrary to the spirit of his reliVII. From this subject we may learn the ab-  gious system. On his principles, the idea of
surdity and pernicious tendency of Antinomian-  heaven, or a state of perfect happiness, is a phyism.  Of all the absurdities and abominations  sical and moral impossibility; and the idea of
which have assumed the name of Religion, I  hell a mere bugbear to frighten children and fools.
know none more pernicious and atheistical in its  For, wherever the moral law is generally observtendency, than the sentiment which is tenacious-  ed, there can be no great portion of misery exly maintained by modern Antinomians, " That  perienced under the arrangements of a benevoChristians are set free from the law of God as a  lent Creator; and if this law be set aside, or
rule of conduct."  That in the nineteenth cen-  its observance considered as a matter of indiffertury of the Christian era, amidst the rapid pro-  ence, the foundation of all the happiness of saints
gress of physical and moral science, under the  and angels is necessarily subverted. A heaven
mask of a Christian profession, and with the  without love pervading the breasts of all its in.
moral precepts and injunctions of the prophets  habitants, would be a contradiction in terms;
of Jesus Christ, and of his apostles, lying open  but love, as we have already seen, is the foundabefore them, a set of men, calling themselves ra-  tion of every moral precept.
tional beings, should arise to maintain, that there    I trust the moral conduct of the deluded moris such a thing as " imputed sanctification," that  tals who have embraced this system is more rethe moral law is not obligatory upon Christians,  spectable than that to which their principles
and that " whoever talks of progressive sanctifi-  naturally lead;-but the consideration, that such
cation is guilty of high treason against the nma-  absurd and dangerous opinions have been deducjesty of heaven"*-is a moral phenomenon truly  ed from the Christian revelation, should act as a
humbling and astonishing; and affords an addi-  powerful stimulus on the Christian world, for ditional proof, to the many other evidences which  recting their attention to a more minute and
lie before us, of the folly and perversity of the  comprehensive illustration than has hitherto been
human mind, and of its readiness to embrace  given, of the practical bearings of the Christian
the most wild and glaring absurdities! If the  system, and of the eternal and immutable obligaleading train of sentiment which has been pro-  tion of the law of God, which it is the great end
recuted in the preceding illustrations be admit-  of the gospel of Christ to enforce and demont.d, there appears nothing else requisite in order  strate. For it is lamentable to reflect how many
to show the gross absurdity and the deadly ma-  thousands of religionists, both in North and in.lignity of the Antinolnian system. If any sys-  South Britain, even in the present day, have
temrn of religion be founded on the cancellation of  their minds tinctured, in a greater or less degree,
every moral tie which connects man with man,  with the poison of Antinomianism, in conseoand man with God-if its fundamental and dis-  quence of the general strain of many of the doctinguishing principles, when carried out to their  trinal sermons they are accustomed to hear, and
legitimate consequences, would lead men to hate  of the injudicious sentiments they have imbibed
their Creator and to hate one another-if it can  from the writings of the supralapsariatn divines or
be shown, that the operation of such principles  the seventeeth centtaly.
constitutes the chief ingredient of the misery    VIII. Faith and repentance, as required in
which arises from " the worm that never dies,  the Gospel, are absolutely necessary, in the present condition of man, in order to acceptable
see Cottle's "Strictures on the Plymouth Anti-  obedience to the divine law. " Without faitn it
aomlans.'                                     is impossible to please God; for he that cometh




120L                      THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.,o  sod1 must believe that he is, and that he is the  that we " cannot please God," nor yield to him
rewarder of them  that diligently seek him."-   an acceptable and " reasonable service."
Faith, as the term is-used in scripture, denotes    In like manner it might be shown, that repentconfidence in the moral character of God, found-  ance is essentially requisite in order to acceptable
ed on the belief we attach to the declarations of  obedience. Sin is directly opposed to the cha
his word.  It is defined, by the Apostle Paul, in  racter of God, and is the great nuisance of the
the eleventh chapter of the epistle to the He-  moral universe. While thelove of it predomibrews, to be " the confident expectation of things  nates in any mind, it leads to every species of
hoped for," and " the conviction of things which  moral turpitude and depravity; and, conseare not seen."* Faith substantiates and realizes  quently, completely unfits such a mind for yield.
those objects which are invisible to the eye of ing a cheerful obedience to the divine law.  But
sense, and which lie beyond the reach of our  repentance, which consists in hatred of sin, and
present. comprehension.  It recognises the exis-  sorrow  for having committed it, naturally fits
tence and the omnipresence of an invisible Being,  and prepares the mind for the practice of univerby whose agency the visible operations of nature  sal holiness.  It tends to withdraw the soul from
are conducted; and views him  as possessed of  the practice of sin, and warns it of the danger o.
infinite wisdom, power, benevolence, faithfulness,  turning again to folly.  It is the commencement
rectitudge, and eternal duration.  It realizes the  of every course of virtuous conduct, and the avescenes of an invisible and eternal world-the  nue which ultimately leads to solid peace and
destruction of the present fabric of our globe, the  tranquiliity of mind. It is intimately connected
resurrection of the dead, the solemnities of the  with humility and self-denial, and is directly opiast judgment, the new heavens, and the new   posed to pride, vanity, and self-gratullation.  It
earth, the innumerable company of angels, and  must, therefore, be indispensably requisite to
the grandeur and felicity of the heavenly world.  prepare us for conformity to the moral character
These invisible realities it recognises, on the  of God, for universal obedience to his law, and
testimony of God exhibited in his word; and  for the enjoyment of substantial and never-ending
without a recognition of such objects, religion  felicity.  Hence the importance which is atcan have no existence in the mind.-In a parti-  tached to the exercise of repentance by our Sacular manner, faith recognises the declarations  viour and his Apostles.  In connexion with
of God in relation to the character and the con-  faith, it is uniformly represented as the first duty
dition of men as violators of his law, and as ex-  of a sinner, and the commencement of the Chris.
posed to misery; and the exhibition which is  tian life. Repentance was the great duty to
made of the way of reconciliation, through the  which t:he forerunner of the Messiah called the
mediation of Jesus Christ, who is " set forth as  multitudes who flocked to his baptism, and on
a propitiation to declare the righteousness of God  which the Messiah himself expatiated during the
in the remission of sins."  The man in whose  period of his public ministry.  "Repent ye, for
heart the principle of faith operates, convinced the kingdom of hbeaven is at hand." "Except
that he is guilty before God, and exposed to mi-  ye repent, ye; shall all likewise perish."  And
sery on account of sin, confides in the declarations  the apostles, in their instructions to every nation
of God respecting" the remission of sins through  and to every class of men, laid down the followthe redemption that is in Christ Jesus;"-he  ing positions as the foundation of every moral
confides in the goodness, mercy, faithfillness, and  duty. " Repentance towards God, and faith topower of God, which secure the accomnplishment  wards our Lord Jesus Christ."
of his promises, and the supply of all requisite    IX. From  the preceding illustrations we may
strength and consolation to support him  amidst  learn, that no merit, in the sense in which that
the dangers and afflictions of life; he confides in  term is sometimes used, can be attached to huthe wisdom and excellence of those precepts  man actions in the sight of God; and that the
which are prescribed as the rule of his conduct,  salvation, or ultimate happiness of sinners, is the
and which are fitted to guide him to the regions  effect of the grace or benevolence of God.of happiness;-and in the exercise of this confi-  That the good works of men are meritorious in
dence, he " adds to his faith, fortitude and reso-  the sight of God, is a notion, as unphilosophicai
lution, knowledge, temperance, patience, godli-  and absurd, as it is impious and unscriptural.
ness, brotherly kindness, and charity;" and pro-  They are requisite, and indispensably requisite,
secutes with courage this course of obedience,  as qualjfications, or preparations for the enjoytill at length " an entrance is abundantly admin-  ment of felicity, without which the attainment of
istered to him into the everlasting kingdom of our  true happiness either here or hereafter, is an abLord and Saviour, Jesus Christ." But, without  solute impossibility; but the actions of no created
a recognition of such objects, and an unshaken  being, not even the sublimest services and adoraconfidence in the declarations of God respecting  tions ofthe angelic hosts, can have the least merit
them, it is obvious, from the nature of things,  in the eyes of the Creator.  " Thy wickedness
may hurt a man as thou art, and thy righteous-' Doddridge's translation of Heb. xi 1.  ness may profit the son of man " but "it' thou




GOOD V.WORKS NOT MERITORIOUJS.                                 121
Kinnest, what dost thou against God; or, if thou  For every power, capacity, and privilege we
be righteous, what givest thou him? and what  possess, was derived from God.  " What h've
receiveth he of thine hand?"*  " Thy goodness  we that we have not received?"  Even our tery
extendeth not unto him," and he that sinneth  existence in the world of life, is an act of grare.
against him  wrongeth his own soul."-What  We exerted no power in ushering ourselves into
merit can there be in the exercise of love, and in  existence: We had no control over the events
the cultivation of benevolent affections, when we  which determined that we should be born in Briconsider, that thesesaffections are essentially re-  tain. and not in Africa; which determined the
quisite to our happiness, and that the very exer-  particular family with which we should be concise ofthem is a privilege conferred by God, and  nected; the education we should receive; the
one of the principal ingredients of bliss?  What  particular objects towards which our minds should
merit can be attached, in the presence ofthe  be directed, and the privileges we should enjoy.
CMost Hiigh, to the noblest services we can per-  And, when we arrive at the close of our earthly
form, when we reflect, that we derived all the  career, when the spirit is hovering on the verge
corporeal and intellectual faculties by which we  of life, and about to take its flight from this morperform  these services, and all the means by  tal scene, can it direct its course, by its own
which they are excited and directed, from our  energies, through the world unknown? can it
bountiful Creator?  What merit can there be in  wing its way over a region it has never explored,
obedience to his law, when disobedience must  to its kindred spirits in the mansions of bliss?
infallibly lead to destruction and misery?  [s it  can it furnish these mansions with the scenes
considered as meritorious in a traveller, when he  and objects from which its happiness is to be deis properly directed, furnished with strength of  rived? can it re-animate the body after it has
body and mind, and provided with every neces-  long mouldered in the dust? can it re-unite itself
sary for his journey,-to move forward to the  with its long-lost partner? can it transport the
place of his wished for destination?  Our bene-  resurrection-body, to that distant world where it
volent affections, and the active services to which  is destined to spend an endless existence?  or
they lead, may be meritorious in the eves of our  can it create those scenes of glory and magnitifellow-men, in so far as they are the means of cence, and those ecstatic joys which will fill it
contributing to their enjoyment; but in the pre-  with transport while eternity endures?  If it
sence of Him who sits on the throne of the uni-  cannot be supposed to accomplish such glorious
verse, dispensing blessings to all his offspring, we  objects by its own inherent powers, then, it must
shall alwavys have to acknowledge, that " we are  be indebted for every entertainment in the future
unprofitable servants."  It is probable, that, if  world to the unbounded and unmerited love and
the great object of religion were re.rre:ented in  mercy of God.  To Him, therefore, who sits upits native simplicity, if the nature of salvation  on the throne of the heavens, and to the Larnm
were clearly understood, and if less were said on  who was slain and hath redeemed us to'God by.he subject of human merit in sermons, and sys-  his blood, let all praise, honour, dominion, and
tems of divinity, the idea which I anm now corn-  power, be ascribed now and forever. Amen.
bating, wouli seldom be entertained by any mind    Having now finished what I proposed in the
possessed of the least share of Christian know-  illustration of the principles of love to God and
ledge, or of common sense.                     to man, and of the precepts of the Decalogue,That the eternal salvation of men, is the effect  in the following chapter, I shall take a bird's eye
of the love and the grace of God, is also a neces-  view of the moral state of the world; and endeaiarv consequence from what has been now stated.  vour to ascertain, to what extent these principles
and laws have been recognised anid observed by
Job xxxv. 6. 8. Psalm xvi. 2 &c.      the inhabitants of our giobe.




CHAPTER IV.
A 1BRIEF SURVEY OF THE MORAL STATE OF THE WORLD; OR, AN EXAMINATION OF THE GiE
NERAL TRAIN OF HUMAN ACTIONS, IN REFERENCE TO ITS CONFORMITY WITH THE PRINCI.
PLES AND LAWS NOW ILLUSTRATED.
THE discoveries of modern astronomy have  the praises of the "King Eternal," the Autho;
ledus infallibly to conclude, that the universe  of all their enjoyments, to make progressive ad
consists of an immense number of systems and  vances in moral and intellectual attainments, to
worlds dispersed, at immeasurable distances from   circulate joy front heart to heart, to exert their
each other, throughout the regions of infinite  ingenuity in the invention of instruments by
space. When we take into consideration the  which their physical powers may be improved,
Benevolence (of the Deity, and that the happiness  and the wonders of creation more minutely exof the intelligent creation is the great object which  plored; to widen the range of delightful contemhis Wisdom  and Omnipotence are enlployed to  plation, to expand thleir views of the Divine peraccomplish-it appears highly probable, that the  fections, and to increase the sum of happiness
inhabitants of the whole, or at least of the greater  among all their fellow-intelligences, will doubtpart, of those worlds whose suns we behold  less form a part of the employments of the inhabitwinkling from afar, are in a state of moral per-  tants of a world where moral purity universally
fection, and consequently, in a state of happiness. prevails. One circumstance which rnlay probably
At any rate, it is reasonable to conclude, that  diversify the annals of such a world, and form so
the exceptions which exist are not numerous.  many eras in its history, may be the occasional
Perhaps this earth is the only material world  visits of angelic or other messengers, from distant
where physical evil exists, where misery pre-  regions of creation, to announce the will of the
vails, and where moral order is subverted; and  Almighty on particular emergencies, to relate
these dismal effects may have been permit-  the progress of new creations in other parts of the
ted to happen, under the government of God,  Divine Empire, and to convey intelligence rein order to exhibit to other intelligences, a speci-  specting the physical aspects,-the moral arrangenmen of the terrible and destructive consequences  ments, and the history of other worlds, and of
of moral evil, as a warning of the danger of in-  other orders of intellectual beings. Such visits
fringing, in the least degree, on those moral prin-  and occasional intercourses with celestial beings,
ciples which form the bond of union among the  would, undoubtedly, have been more frequent in
intelligent system.                           our world, had not man rendered himself unqualiCould we trace the series of events which have  flied for such associations, by his grovelling affecoccurred, in any one ofthose happy worlds, where  tions, and by the moral pollutions with which his
moral perfection prevails, ever since the period  character is now stained.
when it was replenished with inhabitants, and    When we turn our eyes from the transactions ot
the objects to which their physical and rational  such a world, to the world in which we live, how
powers have been directed, we should, doubtless,  very different a scene is presented to the view!
be highly delighted and enraptured with the mo-  The history of all nations embraces little more
ral scenery which the history of such a world  than
would display. Its annals would uniformly record the transactions of benevolence.  We should  A RECORD OF THE OPERATIONS OF MALEV)hear nothing of the pomp of hostile armies, of the               LENCE.
shouts of victory, of the exploits of heroes, of    Every occurrence has been considered as tame
the conflagration of cities, of the storming of for-  and insipid, and scarcely worthy of being record.
tifications, of the avarice of merchants and cour-  ed, unles it has b'een associated with the confuse r
tiers, of the burning of heretics, or of the ambition  noise of warriors, the shouts of conquerors. the
of princes.  The train of events, presented to  plunder of provinces, the devastation of empires,
t.ir view, would be directly opposed to every ob-  the groans of mangled victims, the cries of wiiect of this description, and to every thing which  dows and orphans, and with garments rolled in
firms a prominent feature in the history of man-  blood. When such malevolent operations cease
kind. To beautify and adorn the scenery of la- for a little, in any part of the world, and the tuture around them, to extend their views of the  multuous passions which produced them, subside
operations of the Almighty, to explore the depths  into a temporary calm. the historian is presented
of his wisdom and intelligence, to admire the exu-  with a blank in the annals of the human race,
*.rance of his goodness. to celebrate. in unison  the short interlude of peace and of apparent




MORAIS OF THE ANTEDILUVIANS.                                   I oS
tranquillity is passed over as unworthy of notice,  of maturity, than he gave vent to his revengeful
till the restless passions of avarice and ambition  passions, and imbrued his hands in his brother's
be again roused into fury, and a new set of des-  blood. And ever since the perpetration of this
peradoes arise, to carry slaughter and desolation  horrid and unnatural deed, the earth has been
through the nations. For, during the short tenm-  drenched with the blood of thousands and of milporary periods of repose from  the din of war,  lions of human beings, and the stream of corrupwhich the world has occasionally enjoyed, the  tion has flowed without intermission, and in every
malignant passions, which were only smothered,  direction around the globe.
but not extinguished, prevented the operation of    Of the state of mankind in the ages before the
the benevolent affections; and, of course, no ex-  flood, the sacred history furnishes us with only a
tensive plans for the counteraction of evil, and  few brief and general descriptions. But those
the improvement of mankind, worthy of being  descriptions, short and general as they are, prerecorded by the annalist and the historian, were  sent to us a most dreadful and revolting picture
carried into effect.                          of the pitch of depravity and wickedness to
In order to produce a definite impression of which the human race had arrived. We have
the moral state of the world, I shall endeavour,  the testimony of God himself to assure us, that,
in this chapter, to give a rapid sketch of the pro-  within 1600 years from the creation of the world,
nlinent dispositions of mankind, as displayed in  " the wickedness of man had become great uponI
the general train of human actions-that we may  the earth-that the earth was filled with violence"
be enabled to form a rude pstimate of the degree  -yea, that " every imagination of the thoughts
in which the law of God has been recognised,  of man's heart was only evil continually,"-or,
and of the extent to which its violation has been  as it may more literally be rendered from  the
carried, on the great theatre of the world, and  Hebrew, " the whole imagination, comprehendin the ordinary transactions of general society.  ing all the purposes and desires of the mind, was
I shall, in the first place, take a rapid view of only evil from day to day."-" God looked upon
the moral state of the world in ancient times,  the earth; and behold it was corrupt; for all
and then take a more particular survey of the  flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth."
present state of morals, among savage and civi-  A more comprehensive summary of the greatlized nations-in the Christian world-and among  ness and the extent of human wickedness it is
the various ranks and orders of society.      scarcely possible to conceive.  The mind is left
to fill up the outline of this horrid picture with
every thing that is degrading to the human chaSECTION.  racter, with every thing that is profligate and
abominable in manners, with every thing that is
STATE OF MORALS IN THE ANCIENT WORLD.  base, false, deceitful, licentious, and profane, and
with every thing that is horrible and destructi-e
MAN'was originally formed after the moral  in war, and ruinous to the interests of human hap.
image of his Maker. His understanding was quick  piness.
and vigorous in its perceptions; his will subject to    The description now quoted, contains the folthe divine law, and to the dictates of his reason;  lowing intimations:-1. That, previous to the
his passions serene and uncontaminated with  deluge, wickedness had become universal.  It
evil; his affections dignified and pure; his love  was not merely the majority of mankind that had
supremely fixed upon his Creator; and his joy  thus given unbounded scope to their licentious
unmingled with those sorrows which have so long  desires, while smaller societies were to be found
been the bitter portion of his degenerate race.  in which the worship of the true God, and the
But the primogenitor of the human race did not  precepts of his law were observed. For " all
long continue in the holy and dignified station in.flesh had corrupted their ways."  Anld, at this
which he was placed. Though he was placed  period the world is reckoned to have been much
in " a garden of delights," surrounded with every  more populous than it has been in any succeeding
thing that was delicious to the taste and pleasant  age, and to have contained at least ten billions
to the eye, yet he dared to violate a positive com-  of inhabitants, or many thousands of times the
mand of his Maker, and to stretch forth his im-  amount of its present population. So that unlpious hand to pluck and to taste the fruit of the  versal wickedness must have produced misery
forbidden tree-a picture and a prelude of the  among human beings to an extent of which we
conduct of millions of his degraded offspring who  can form no adequate conception. 2. The desdespise the lawful enjoyments which lie within  cription implies, that every invention, and every
their reach, and obstinately rush on forbidden  purpose and scheme devised both by individuals
pleasures, which terminate in wretchedness and  and by communities, was of a malevolent nature.
sorrow.  The dismal effects of the depraved dis-  " The imagination of every man's heart was only
positions thus introduced among the human spe-  evil continually."  The dreadful spectacles of
cies, soon became apparent. Cain, the first-born  misery and horror which the universal prevalence
son of Adam, had no sooner reached to the years  of such principles and practices which then




124                     THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELG1ON.
existed, must have produced, are beyond the  gether in public places for that purpose, two os
pou or of human imagination either to conceive  three men were concerned with the same woman:
or to delineate. Some faint idea, however, may  the ancient women, if possible, being more lustful
1,e formed of some of these spectacles, from the  and brutish than the young.'Nay, fathers lived
descriptions I have already given of the effects  promiscuously with their daughters, and the
which would inevitably follow, were the princi-  young men with their mothers, so that neither the.de of benevolence to be eradicated from the mind,  children could distinguish their own parents, nor
or were any one of the precepts of the divine law  the parents know their own children."-Lucian,
to be universally violated-(see ch. ii. sect. iv.  a native of Samosata, a town situated on the Eu.
and ch. iii. throughout.)  S. The effects pro-  phrates, a spot where memorials of the deluge
duced by this universal depravity are forcibly ex-  were carefully preserved, gives the following acpressed in the words, " The earth was filled with  count of the antediluvians:-" The present race
violence."  From this declaration we are neces-  of mankind," says lie, " are different from those
sarily led to conceive a scene in which universal' who first existed; for those of the antediluvian
anarchy and disorder, devastation and wretched-  world were all destroyed.  The present world is
ness, every where prevailed-the  strong and  peopled from the sons of Deucalion [or Noah;]
powerful forcibly seizing upon the wealth and  having increased to so great a number from one
possessions of the weak, violating the persons of  person. In respect of the former brood, they
the female sex, oppressing the poor, the widow,  were men of violence, and lawless in their deaiand the fa.ierless, overturning the established  ings. They were contentious, and did many
order of fanmiies and societies, plundering cities,  unrighteous things; they regarded not oaths, nor
demolishing  temples and palaces, desolating  observed the rights of hospitality, nor showed
fields, orchards, and vineyards, setting fire to  mercy to those who sued for it. On this account
towns and villages, and carrying bloodshed and  they were doomed to destruction: and for this
devastation through every land-a scene in which  purpose there was a mighty eruption of waters
cruelty, injustice, and outrages of every kind,  from  the earth, attended with heavy showers
obscenity, revelry, riot, and debauchery of every  from above; so that the rivers swelled, and the
description, triumphed over every principle of  sea overflowed, till the whole earth was covered
decency and virtue-a scene in which the earth  with a flood, and all flesh, drowned. Deucalion
was strewed with smoking ruins, with the frag-  alone was preserved to re-people the world. This
ments of human habitations, with mangled  mercy was shown to him on account of his piety
human beings in a state of wretchedness and  and justice. His preservation was effected in
despair, and with the unburied carcasses of the  this manner:-He put all his family, both his
slain.                                        sons and their wives, into a vast ark which he
Such appears to have been the state of gene-  had provided, and he went into it himself. At
ral society at the timne when Noah was command-  the same time animals of every species-boars,
ed to build an ark of refuge-a state of society''horses, lions, serpents, whatever kind lived upon
which could inot have long continued, but must  the face ofthe earth-followed him by pairs; ali
inevitably, in the course of a few generations,  which he received into the ark, and experienced
have thinned the race of mankind, and ultimate-  no evil from them; for there prevailed a wonderly have extirpated the race of Adam  from the  ful harmony throughout, by the immediate inearth, even although the deluge had never been  fluence of the Deity.  Thus were they wafted
poured upon the world. Wickedness appears to  with him as long as the flood endured."
have come to such a height, that no interposition    Such is the account which Lucian gives of the
of Providence could be supposed available to  antediluvian world, and of the preservation of the
produce a reformation among mankind, without  human race, as he received it from the traditions
destroying their freedom of will; and, therefore,  of the inhabitants of Hierapolis, in Syria, where
it was an act of mercy, as well as of judgment,  the natives pretended to have very particular
to sweep them away at once by the waters of  memorials of the deluge. It corroborates the
ihe flood, after having given them warnings of facts stated in the sacred history, and bears a
their danger; in order to convince such obstinate  very near resemblance to the authentic account
and abandoned characters, that " there is a God  which has been transmitted to us by Moses.that judgeth in the earth;" and in order to pre-  These facts, respecting the depravity of the antevent the misery which would otherwise have been  diluvians, present to us a striking example, and
entailed on succeeding generations.           a demonstrative evidence of the dreadful effects
Not only the Sacred, but also the Pagan writ-  to which a general violation of the divine law
ers, when alluding to the antediluvians, uniformly  necessarily leads; and of the extensive confusion,
represent them  as abandoned to uncleanness,  and misery which are'inevitably produced, when
and all kinds (or wickedness.  Eutychus, in his  the law of love is set aside, and when malevoAaals, when speaking of the posterity of Cain,  lence exerts, without control, its diabolical ener6ays," that they were guilty of all manner of gies. All order in society is subverted, every
hlthy crimes with one another, and, meeting to-  species of rational happiness is destroyed, and




CARTHAGINIAN WARS                                      125
the existence of intelligent beings, in such a  should acquire but a very limited conception of
state, becomes a curse to themselves, and to all  the extent of moral evil, and of the inlnersu
around them.  Had not this been the case in the  variety of shapes which it has assumed; for the
primeval world, we cannot suppose that the Deity  one tenth of the crimes of mankind has never
would have exerted his Omnipotence in shatter-  been recorded; and it is to the public transaaing the crust of the terraqueous globe, and bury-  tions of only a small portion of the world that
ing its inhabitants under the waters of a deluge.  the page of the historian directs our attention. I
After the deluge had subsided, and the race of shall, therefore, content myself with stating a
Noah had begun to multiply on the earth, it was  few insulated facts, as specimens of the train of
not long before the depravity of man began to  actions which have generally prevailed in the
show itself by its malignant effects; though hu-  world.
man wickedness has never arrived to such a pitch  WARLIKE DISPOsITIONs OF MANKIND.
as in the times before the flood; for this reason,
among others, that the life of man has been re-    War, asmalready noticed, has been the delight
duced to a narrow span, which prevents him from   and the employment of man in every age; and,
carrying his malevolent schemes to such an ex-  under this term may be included every thing that
tent as did the inhabitants of the world before  is base and execrable in moral conduct, every
the flood, whose lives were prolonged to the pe-  thing that is subversive of the principle of benevoriod of nearly a thousand years.  The lust of lence, every thing that is destructive of human
ambition soon began to exert its baleful influence  enjoyment, every thing that rouses the passions
over the mind; and an inordinate desire after  into diabolical filry, every thing that adds to
wealth, distinctions, and aggrandizement, paved  the sum of human wretchedness, every thing that
the way for the establishment of despotism, and  is oppressive,.cruel, and unjust, and every thing
for encroachments on the rights and the enjoy-  that is dreadful and appalling to mankind.-As
men:s of mankind.  Among the heroes and des-  an exemplification of the destructive effects of
pots of antiquity, Nimrod, the founder of the  war, I shall, in the first place, state a few facts
Babylonish empire, holds a distinguished place.  in relation to the Carthaginians.
He was the grandson of Ham, the son ot Noah,    Carthage was originally a small colony of
and is the first one mentioned in Scripture who  Phenicians, who, about 800 years before the
appears to have made invasions on the territories  Christian era, settled on the northern coast of
of his neighbours. Having distinguished him-  Africa, on a small peninsula, adjacent to the bay
self, by driving from his country the beasts of  of Tunis.  Having increased in wealth and
prey, and by engaging in other valorous exploits,  power, by means of their extensive commerce,
he appears to have aspired after regal dignity and  like most other nations, they attempted to make
power, and to have assumed the reins of abso-  inroads on the territories of neighbouring tribes,
lute government. He was the first that subvert-  and to plunder them of their treasures.  By deed the patriarchal government; and is supposed  grees they extended their power over all the islands
to have introduced, among his subjects, the Za-  in the Mediterranean, Sicily only excepted. Fo!
bian idolatry, or the worship of the heavenly host. the entire conquest of this island, about 480
" The beginning of his kingdom," we are told,  years before Christ, they made vast preparations,'was Babylon, and Erech, and Accad, and  which lasted for three years. Their army conCalneh, in the land of Shinar."  In the footsteps  sisted of 300,000 men; their fleet was composed
of this proud and ambitious despot, has followed  of upwards of 2000 men of war, and 3000 trans.
a train of Alexanders, Casars, Hannibals, Jeng-  ports. With such an immense armament, they
hiz-Kans, Attilas, Alaric, Tamerlanes, Marl-  made no doubt of conquering the whole island in a
boroughs, Fredericks, and  Bonapartes, who  single campaign.  But they found themselves
have driven the plough-share of devastation  miserably deceived.  Halnilcar, the most expethrough the world, erected thrones over the graves  rienced captain of the age, sailed from Carthage
of slaughtered nations, decorated their palaces  with this formidable army, and invested the city
with trophies dyed in blood, and made the earth  of Hymera.  The besieged were much straitento resound with the groans and shrieks of dying  ed and dismayed by the operations of this powervictims, and the voice of mourning, lamentation,  ful armament; but Gelon, the tyrant of Syracuse,
and wo.                                       flew immediately to their relief, with 50,000 foot
To delineate all the scenes of desolation and  and 5000 horse. A dreadful slaughter ensued:
horror which have been produced by such des-  an hundred and fifty thousand of the Carthagi.
peradoes, and the atrocious crimes and immo-  nians were killed in the battle and pursllit, and
ralities which have followed in their train, would  all the rest taken prisoners; so that not a single
be to transcribe the whole records of ancient and  pers,n escaped of this mighty army.  Of the
modern history, which contain little else than a  2000 ships of war, and the 3000 transports of
register of human folly, avarice, ambition, and  which the fleet consisted, eight ships only, which
cruelty; and of the daring villanies with which  then happened to be out at sea, made their escapre:
they have been accompanied. Ever, then. we  these immediately set sail fir Carthage, but where




126                     THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
11 ca,'t away, and e iery soul perished; except a  Hymera was next besieged by Hannibal, and
few who were saved in a small boat, and at last  razed to its foundations.  He forced three thoureached Carthilage with the dismal tidings of the  sand prisoners to undergo all kinds of ignominy
total loss of the fleet and army.-Here we have  and punishments, and at last murdered them, on
presented to our view, in one short struggle, the  the very spot where his grandfather had been kill.
entire destruction of more than two hundred thou-  ed by Gelon's cavalry, to appease and satisfy his
sand human beings, if we take into account the  manes, by the blood of these unhappy victims.
number which must necessarily have fallen in  such is the humanity and the justice of those melr,
the Sicilian army. And, if we take into con-  whom we are accustomed to distinguish by the
sideration  the many  thousands of mangled  names of Patriots and Heroes! —Elated with
wretches, whose existence, from that moment,  these partial victories, the Carthaginians mediwould be rendered miserable; the destruction of  tated the reduction ofthe whole ofSicily. They
property in the besieged city; the victims crush-  marched against the city of Agrigentum, and
ed to death amidst the ruins of falling houses;  battered its walls with dreadful fury. The bethe cries, and shrieks, and lamentations of wo-  sieged defended themselves with incredible resomen and children; the diseases and the misery  lunion. In a sally, they burned all the battering
induced by terror and alarm, and the loss of  machines raised against their city, and repulsed
friends; the terrific and appalling spectacle of  the enemy with immense slaughter. Again the
5000 ships all on a blaze, of ten thousands of  Carthaginians rallied their forces, beat down the
burning and drowning wretches, supplicating in  walls of the city, plundered it of an immense
vain for mercy, and the oaths, execrations, and  booty, and with their usual cruelty, put all its infurious yells which would be mingled with this  habitants to the sword, not excepting even those
work of destruction, we shall find it difficult to  who had fled to the temples.  The Carthaginians
form an adequate conception of the miseries and  were soon after forced to retire from  Sicily.
horrors of such a scene.  And what was the  Again they renewed their expeditions; again
cause of this dreadful slaughter and devastation?  they were repulsed; and again they plunged into
That a proud and opulent city, whose inhabitants  the horrors of war; while thousands and ten thouwere rioting in every species of luxury, might  sands were slaughtered at every onset; men, wogratify its ambition, by tyrannizing over neigh-  men, and children massacred in cold blood and
bouring tribes, and by plundering them of that  the pestilence produced by the unburiedcarcasses
wealth of which it did not stand in need. And  of the slain, proved more fatal to myriads, than
this is but one instance out of ten hundred thou-  even the sword of the warrior.
sand of the miseries of war,-one faint shade in    In this manner did these infatuated mortals
the picture of human wo!                      carry on a series of sanguinary contests for seveOne would have thought, that, after such a  ral centuries, with the Sicilians, G(reeks, and
signal loss and discomfiture, the Carthaginians  other nations; till, at length, they dared to enwould have contented themselves with their own  counter the power, and the formidable forces of
territory, and refrained from  aggressive war.  the Romans, and commenced those dreadfill and
This, however, was not the case.  Where bene-  long-continued conflicts, distinguished in History
volence is banished from the mind, and revenge  by the name of The Punic Wars.  The first
occupies its place in the affections, it will hurry  Punic war lasted twenty-four years; the second,
unprincipled men to the most wild and atrocious  seventeen years; and the third, four years and
actions, although they should terminate in de-  some months. In this last contest, the plough.
struction to themselves and to all around them. It  share of destruction was literally driven through
was not long after this period, when preparations  their devoted city, by the Romans. It was dewere again made for the invasion of Sicily.  livered up to be plundered by their soldiers; its
Hannibal, the grandson of Hamilcar, landed on  gold, silver, statues, and other treasures amountthe coast of Sicily, and laid siege to Selinus.  ing to 4,470,000 pounds weight of silver, were
The besieged made a vigorous defence, but at  carried off to Rome; its towers, ramparts,.ast the city was taken by st'orm, and the inhabi-  walls, and all the works which the Carthaginians
tants were treated with the utmost cruelty.  All  had raised in the course of many ages, were lewere massacred by the savage conquerors, except  veiled to the ground. Fire was set to the edifices
the women, who fled to the temples;-and these  of this proud metropolis, which consumed them
escaped. not through the merciful dispositions  all, not a single house escaping the fury of the
of the Carthaginians, but because they were  flames. And though the fire began in all qtuarafraid, that, if driven to despair, they would set  ters at the same time. and burned with incredible
nre to the temples, and by that means consume  violence, it continued for seventeen days before
the treasure they expected to find in those places. all the buildings were consumed.-Thus perish.
S;xteen thousand were massacred; the women  ed Carthage-a city which contained 700,000
and children, about 5000 in number, were carried  inhabitants, and which had waged so many
away captive; the temples were plundered of all  ferocious wars with neighbouring natiors-a ter.;heir treasures. and the city razed to the ground.  rible example of the destructive effects produced




SCENES OF HUMAN DESTRUCTION.                                   127
by malevolent passions, and of the retributive  the Huns, at Chalons, there perished  about
justice of the Governor ot the world. The de-  300;000. In the year 631, there were slain by the
struction of human life in the numerous wars in  Saracens in Syria, 60,000; in the invasion of
which it was engaged, is beyond all specific cal-  Milan by the Goths, no less than 300,000; and
culation.  During the space of sixteen years,  in A. D. 734, by the Saracens in Spain, 370,000.
Hannibal, the Carthaginian general, plundered  In the battle of Fontenay, were slaughtered
no less than four hundred towns, and destroyed  100,000; in the battle of Yermouk, 150,000; and
300,000 of his enemies; and we may safely reck-  in the battle between Charles Martel and the
on, that nearly an equal number of his own  Mahometaps, 350;000. In the battle of Muret, in
men must have been cut off by the opposing ar-  A. D. 1213, between the Catholics and the Almies; so that several millions of human victims  bigenses, were slain 32,000; in the battle of
must have been sacrificed in these bloody and  Cressy, in 1346, 50,000; in the battle of tlalicruel wars.                                   don-hill, in 1333, 20,000; in the battle of AginThe following is a summary statement of the  court, in 1415, 20,000; in the battle of Towton,
number of human beings that were slain in seve-  in 1461, 37,000; in the battle of Lepanto, in
ral of the battles recorded in history.-In the  1571, 25.000; at the siege of Vienna, in 1683,
year 101 before Christ, in an engagement between  70,000; and in a battle in Persia, in 1734,
Marius, the Roman Consul, and the Ambrones  60,000.*
and the Teutones, in Transalpine Gaul, there    The most numerous army of which we have
were slain of these barbarians, besides what fell  any account in the annals of history, was that of
in the Roman army, 200,000, some historians  Xerxes. According to the statement of Rollin,
say, 290,000. And it is related, that the inhabi-  which is founded on the statements of Herodotus,
tants of the' neighbouring country made fences  Isocrates, and Plutarch, this army consisted of
for vineyards of their bones.  In the following  1,700,000 foot, 80,000 horse, and 20,000 men
year, the Romans, tinder the command of the  for conducting the carriages and camels. On
same general, slaughtered 140,000 of the Cimbri,  passing the Hellespont, an addition was made to
and took 60,000 prisoners. In the year 105, B.  it from other nations, of 300,000, which made
C. the Romans, in a single engagement with the  his land forces amount to 2,100,000. His fleet
Cinlbri and the Teutones, lost upwards of 80,000  consisted of 1207 vessels, each carrying 230
men. In the battle of Cannae, the Romans were  men; in all 277,610 men, which was augmented
surro'tnded by the forces of Hannibal, and cut  by the European nations, with 1200 vessels carto pcces.  After an engagement of only three  rying 240,000men.  Besides this fleet thesmall
hous s, the carnage became so dreadful, that even  galleys, transport ships, &c. amounted to 3000,
the Carthaginian general cried out, to spare the  containing about 240,000 men. Including serconqutered.  Above 40,000 Romnans lay dead on  vants, eunuchs, v-omnen, sutlers, and others, who
the field, and six thousand of the Carthaginian  usually follow an army, it is reckoned, that the
army.. What a dreadfill display of the rage and  whole number of souls that followed Xerxes into
fury of diabolical passions must have been exhi-  Greece, amounted to 5,283,220; which is more
bited on this occasion! and what a horrible scene  than the whole of the male population of Gitat
must have been presented on the field of battle,  Britian and Ireland, above twenty years of age,
when we consider, that, in the mode of ancient  and nearly triple the whole population of Scotwarfare, the slain were literally mangled, and cut  land.  After remaining some time in Greece,
to pieces! —ri the battle of Issus, between Alex-  nearly the whole of this immense army, along
ander and Darius, were slain 110,000; in the  with the fleet, was routed and destroyed.  Marbattle of Arbela, two years afterwards, between  donius, one of his ablest commanders, with an
the same two despots, 300,000; in the battle  army of 300,000, was finally defeated and slain
between Pyrrhus and the Romans, 25,000; in  at the battle of Platea, and only three thousand
the battle between Scipto and Asdrubal, 40,000;  of this vast army, with difficulty escaped dein the battle between Siietonius and Boadicea,  struiction.
80,000. In the siege of Jerusalem  by Vespa-    The destruction of human life in the wars
sian, according to the account of Josephus, there  which accompanaied and followed the incursions
were destroyed, in the most terrible manner,  of the barbarians, who overthrew the Roman
1,100,000; and there were slaughtered in Jerti  empire, is beyond all calculation or conception.
salem, in 170, B. C. by Antiochus, 40,000. At  It forms an era in history most degrading to the
Cyrene, there were slain of Romans and Greeks,  human species. In the war which was waged in
by the Jews, 220,000; in Egypt and Cyprus, in  Africa, in the days of Justinian, Procopius rethe reign of Trajan, 240,000; and in the reign  marks, " It is no exaggeration to say, that five
of Adrian, 580,000 Jews. After Julius Caesar
had carried his arms into the territories of Usi-    * The above statements are collected from the
petes in Germany, he defeated them with such  facts stated in Rollin's Ancient History, Millot's Ele
Sian rhter, that 400.000 are said to have perished  ments, Mavor s Universal History, the historical ArC                                         ticles in the Encycltpedia Britannica, fron a list.tf
in tine battle.  At the defeat of Attila, King of battles contained in the " Pictures of War," &c.




Its8                     THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
millions perished by the sword, and famine, and  stroyed; and amidst this universal slaughter an'l
pestilence." The same author states that, during  devastation, the whole earth seemed in danget
the twenty years' war which Justinian carried  of being laid waste, and the human race to suff;r
on with the Gothic conquerors of Italy, the loss  a total annihilation."*
of the Goths amounted to above 15 millions; nor    Such is the bird's eye view of the destruction
will this appear incredible, when we find, that in  of the human species, which war has produced
one campaign, 50,000 labourers died of hunger.  in different periods.  The instances I have
About the beginning of the 13th century arose  brought forward present only a few detached cirthat cruel and bloody tyrant Jenphiz-Khan.  cumstances in the annals of warfare, and relate
With immense armies, some ofthem amounting  only to a few limited periods in the history of
to more than a million in number, he overran  man: and yet in the four instances above stated,
and subdued the kingdom of Hya in China, Tan-  we are presented with a scene of horror, which
gut, Kitay, Turkestan, Karazum, Great Buckla-  includes the destruction of nearly 50 millions of
ria, Persia, and part of India, committing the  human beings. What avastandhorrificpicture,
most dreadfill cruelties and devastations.  It is  then, would be presented to the eye, could we
computed, that, during the last 22 years of his  take in at one view all the scenes of slaughter,
reign, no fewer than 14,470,000 persons were  which have been realized in every period, in
butchered by this scourge of the human race.  every nation, and among every tribe!  If we
He appeared like an infernal fiend, breathing  take into consideration not only the number of
destruction to the nations of the East, and the  those who have fallen in the field of battle, but of
principle which he adopted, after conquest, was  those who have perished through the natural
utter extermination.                           consequences of war, by the famine and the pesNearly about the same period when this mon-  tilence, which war has. produced; by disease,
ster was ravaging and slaughtering the eastern  fatigue, terror, and melancholy; and by the op.
world, those mad expeditions, distinguished by  pression, injustice. and cruelty of savage conthe name ot' the Crusades, were going forward  querors,-it will not, perhaps, be overrating the
in the west. Six millions of infatuated wretches,  destruction of human life, if we affirm, that one
raging with hatred, andt thursting for blood, as-  tenth of the human race has been destroyed by
slumed the image of the cross, and marched in  the ravages ofwar.  And if this estimate be adwild disorder to the confines of the Holy land, in  mnitted, it will follow, that more than fourteen
order to recover the city of Jerusalem from the  thousand millions of human beings have k;een
hands of the infidels. In these holy wars, as  slaughtered in war, since the beginning of the
they were impiously termed, more than 850,000  world-v-which is about eighteen times the nuni.)em
Europeans-were sacrificed before they obtained  of inhabitants which, at the present, exist on
possession of Nice, Antioch, dand Edessa.  At  the globe; or, in other words, it is equivalent
the siege of Acre, 300,000 were slain; and at  to the destruction of the inhabitants of eighteen
the taking of Jerusalem, in 1099, about seventy  worlds of the same population as ours.f  That
thousand.  For 196 years, these wild expedi-  this conclusion is rather within than beyond the
tions continued in vogue, and were urged for-  bounds oftruth, will appear, from what has been
ward by proclamations issued from  the throne,  stated above respecting the destruction of the
and by fanatical sermons thundered from  the  Goths, int the time of Justinian.  In the course of
pulpit, till several millions of deluded mortals  20 years, 15 millions offpersons perished in tne
perished fiom  the earth; for by far the greater  wars. Now, if the population of the countries of
part of those who engaged in the crusades, were  Europe, in which these wars took place, did not
either slain or taken prisoners. About this pe-  exceed 60 mnillions, the proportion of the slaughriod, and several centuries before it, the whole  tred to the whole population was as one tofour,
earth exhibited little else than one great field of  and, if 20 years be reckoned as only half the pcbattle, in which nations were dashing against  riod ofa generation, the proportion was as one to
each other, conquerors ravaging kingdoms, ty-  two; in other words, at the rate of one half of a
rants exercising the most horrid cruelties; su-  whole generation in the course of40 years. 5Arhat
perstition and revenge immolating their millions  a hortible and tremendous consideration?-to reof victimsi; and tumults, insurrections, slaughter,  flect.that 14,000 000,000 of beings, endowed with
and universal alarm,:banishing peace and tran-  intellectual faculties, and furnished with bodies
quillity from the worlld, and subverting the moral  curiously organized by divine wisdom-that the
order of society.  "tn Eutrope, Germany and  inhabitants of eighteen worlds should have been
Italy were distracted by incessant contests be-  massacred, mangled, and cut to pieces, by those
tween the pope and the emperors; the interior
of every European kingdom.was torn in pieces        Mavor's Universal History, Robertson's Charles
by the contending  ambition of the powerful  v. &c.
barons; in the Mahomedan empire, the caliphs,    taflis calculation proceetls on the ground, that 141
9sitans, enmirs, &c. waged continual war; newv  thousandl millions ofmen have existed since the Moais,  e's, &.wagedotinul a;  satl creation. See Chr/stian philosopner, Art
sovereignties were daily arising, and daily de-  Geogap1tal.




ATROCITTES CONNECTED WITH WAR.                                   129
who were partakers of the same common nature,  hiz-Khan had reduced the rebels whe fiad seized
is if they had been created merely for the work  upon his paternal possessions, as a specimen of
of destruction! Language is destitute of words  his lenity, he caused seventy of their chiefs to be
Fufficiently strong to express the emotions of the  thrown into as many cauldrons of boiling water.
nind, when it seriously contemplates the horrible  The plan on which this tyrant conducted his exscene. And how melancholy is it to reflect, that  peditions, as already stated, was that of total exin the present age, which boasts of its improve.  termination. For some time he utterly extirpated
ments in science, in civilization, and in religion,  the inhabitants ofthose places which he conquer.
neither reason, nor benevolence, nor humanity,  ed, designing to people them anew with his Mo.b
nor Christianity, has yet availed to arrest the  guls; and, in consequence of this resolution, he
progress of destroying armies, and to set a mark  would employ his army in beheading 100,000 priof ignominy on " the people who delight in  soners at once.-Tamerlane, one of his successwar!"                                        ors, who followed in his footsteps, is said to have
ATROCITIES COINNECTED WITH WAR.          been more humane than this cruel despot. Historians inform us that " his sportive cruelty seldom
9  However numerous may have been the victims  went farther than the pounding of three or four
that have been sacrificed in war, it is not so much  thousand people in large mortars, or building
thfle mere extinction of human life that renders the  them among bricks and mortar into a wall."  If
scene of warfare so horrible, as the cruelties with  such be the "tender mercies of the wicked,"
which it has always been accompanied, and the  how dreadful beyond description must their cruelinfernal passions which it has engendered and car-  ties be!
ried into operation. It extirpates every princi-    We are accustomed to hear Alexander the
pie of compassion, humanity, and justice; it Great eulogized as a virtuous and magnanimous
blunts the feelings, and hardens the heart; it in-  hero; and even the celebrated Montesquieu, in
vents instruments of torture, and perpetrates,  his "Spirit of Laws," has written a panegyric
without a blush, cruelties revolting to every prin-  on his character. Yet we find him guilty of the
ciple of virtue and benevolence.              most abominable vices, and perpetrating the most
When Jerusalem  was taken by Antiochus  atrocious crimes.  At the instigation of the
Epiphanes, in the year 168, B. C. he gave orders  strumpet Thais, during a drunken banquet, he
to one division of his army to cut in pieces all  set on fire the beautiful city of Persepolis, and
who were found in the temple and synagogues;  consumed it to ashes. Clitus, one of his capwhile another party, going through the streets of  tains, and brother of Helenice who had nursed
the city, massacred all that came in their way.  Alexander, and saved his life at the battle of the
He next ordered the city to be plundered and set  Granicus, at the imminent danger of his own.
on fire; pulled down all their stately buildings,  Yet this man, to whom he was so highly indebtcaused the walls to be demolished, and carried  ed, he thrust through with a javelin, at an enteraway captive ten thousand of those who had es-  tainment to which he had invited him; on accaped the slaughter. Heset up the statue of Ju-  count of his uttering some strong expressions,
piter Olympus on the altar of burnt-offerings, and  which were intended to moderate Alexander's
all who refused to come and worship this idol  vanity. His treatment of the Branchidue furwere either massacred, or put to some cruel tor-  nishes an example of the most brutal and frantic
tures, till they either complied or expired under  cruelty which history records.  These people
the hands of the executioners. In the war which  received Alexander, while pursuing his conthe Carthaginians waged with the Mercenaries,  quests, with the highest demonstrations of joy,
Hamilcar, the Carthaginian general, threw all  and surrendered to him, both themselves and
the prisoners that fell into his hands to be devour-  their city. The next day, he commanded his
ed by wild beasts. Asdrubal, another Cartha-  phalanx to surround the city, and, a signal being
ginian general, when engaged in war against the  given, they were ordered to plunder it, and to
Romans, in revenge for a defeat he had sustain-  put every one of its inhabitants to the sword,
ed, brought all the Roman prisoners he had taken  which inhuman order was executed with the
during two years, upon the walls, in the sight of same barbarity with which it had been given.
the whole Roman army. There he put them to  All the citizens, at the very time they were gothe most exquisite tortures, putting olit their eyes,  ing to pay homage to Alexander, were murdered
cutting off their noses, ears, and fingers, legs and  in the streets and in their houses; no manner of
arms, tearing their skin to pieces with iron rakes  regard being had to their cries and tears, nor the
or harrows; and then threw them headlong from  least distinction made of age or sex.  They
the top of the battlemrnents.* He was of a temper  even pulled up the very foundationsofthe walls, in
remarkably inhuman, and it is said that he even  order that not the least traces of that city might
Iook pleasure in seeing some of these unhappy  remain. And why were these ill-fated citizens
mnen flayed alive.-In the year 1201, when Jeng-  punished in so summary and inhuman a man.
ner? Merely because their forefathers, upRollin's Ancient History, Vol. I        wards of one hundred and fifty years beforo, had
29




1SO                     THIE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
delivered up to Xerxes the treasure of the tern-  such enormities?  And how vtiAlty are the
pie of )idymaon, with which they had been in-  mild precepts and doctrines of Chnr.tianity mistrusted!"*-When he entered the city of Tyre,  represented, when desperadoes of tlis descripticr
after a siege of: seven months, he gave orders to  dare assume the Christian nante I
kill all the inhabitants, except those who had fled    Even the finer feelings of the female sex have
to the temples, and set. fire to every part' of the  been blunted, and, in many instances, quite excity.  Eight thousand men were barbarously  tirpated by the mad schemes of ambition, and
slaughtered; and two thousand more remaining,  thepractices connected with war.  Towards the
after the soldiers hadbeen glutted with slaughter,  beginning of the thirteenth century, a Queen
he fixed two. thousand crosses -along the sea-  of Hungary took the sign of the cross, and emshurejt and:caused.them all to be crucified.  barked in the mad expeditions of the crusaders,
War has given rise to the most. shocking and  as did likewise fifty thousand children and a
unnatural crimes, the idea of-which -might never  crowd of priests; because, according to the Scripotherwise  have entered into: the human mind.- ture, " God has made children. the instruments
Lathyrus,: after an engagement with Alexander,. of his glory."[ —Cleopatra, daughter of Ptolking of the Jews,. on. the banks of the river Jor-  emy Philometer, in order to gratify her restless
dan, —the same evening he gained the battle, in  ambition of reigning alone and uncontrolled ill
going to take up his quarters-in the neighbour-  her dominions, killed her son Seleucus, with her
ing villages, he:found- them full of women and  own hand, by plunging a dagger into his breast.
children, and caused them all to be put to the: She had been the-wife of three Kings of Syria
sword, and their bodies to be cut to pieces, and  and the mother of four, and had occasioned the
put into cauldrons -in order to their being dress-  death of two of her husbands.- She prepared a
ed, as.if he intended. to make his army sup  poisoned draught to destroy Grypus another of
upon them. His design was.to have it believed,  her sons; but her intention having been susthat his. troops: ate human flesh, to - spread the: pected, she was compelled to swallow the deadly
greater terror throughout the: surrounding coun-  potion she had prepared, which took immediate
try.S...       -.       effect, and delivered the world from this female
Even under.the pretext of religionj and of the   monster.  The Carthaginians were in the pracChristian religion too, the most-shocking barba-  tice of offering human sacrifices to their god Sa-:rities have.been committed..Under the pretence  turn, when they were defeated in war, in order
of vindicating. the cause of - Him:who, in the  to propitiate the wrath of this deity.  At first,
midst of cruel sufferings from- men, prayed, " Fa-  children were inhumanly burned, either in a fiery
-ther, forgive them, for they know not what they  furnace, like those in the valley of Hinnom, so
-do," the -crusadeoLs hurried-:::forward towards  frequently mentioned in Scripture, or in a flam-.Jerusalem: wading through seas of blood. When  ing statue of Saturn.-The cries of these untheir.banners were - hoisted on. a principal: emi-  happy-victimswere'drowned by the uninterrupt~-nence of Antioch,: they commenced their butche-  ed noise of drums andltrumpets.  Mothers made-,-ry of-the sleeping inhabitants.  The dignity:of  it a merit, and a part of their religion, to view
-age, the-helplessness: of youth, and the beauty of the barbarous spectacle with dry eyes, and with-'the weaker sex, were  disregarded. by these  out so much as a groan; and if a tear or sigh
sanctimonious savages.- Houses were no sanc-  stole from them, the sacrifice was considered as
"an-ies; and the sight of- a. mosque. added -new   less acceptable to the- deity. This savage dis-,Virulence to cruelty.  The number of:Turks  position was carried to such excess, that even
massacred,.on this night of frantic fury, was at  mothers would endeavour, with embraces and.ieast. ten thousand. After every species of habi-  kisses to hush  the cries of their children, lest;tation, from the marble palace to the meanest  they should anger the god.l   When Carthage
ihovel, had:been converted intoaa. scene of slaugh-  was taken by the; Romans, the wife of Asdrubal,,ter; when the,: narrow! streets. and- the spacious  the Carthaginian general, who had submitted to
-sqtuares were all alike: disfigured with- human  the Romans, mounted to the upper part of one
goere,:and crowded with mangled carcasses, then  of:the temples which had been set on fire; and,
ithe assassins turned robbers, and became as mer-  placing herself, with her two children, in sight of,cenary as they had been merciless.  When Je-  her husband, uttered the most bitter imprecations
-rusalem was taken by these furious fanatics, they  against him.  "Base coward (said she) the
-suffered. none-to:escape the slaughter: "Yet,  mean things thou hast done to save thy life shall,after they had glutted themselves with blood and  not avail thee; thou shalt die this instant, at
-carnage, they immediately became  devout pil-  least in thy two children."  Having thus spoken,
-grims,:and in religious transports, ran barefooted  she stabbed both the infants with a dagger, and
to -visit the holy sepullchre."~  In what. light  while they were yet struggling for life, threw
must that religion appear to Eastern Infidels  them both from the top of the temple, and thec
-Which is-supposed to lead to the perpetration of  leaped down after them into the flames!**
~' Rollints AneientHist.   t Tbitl.:  Ibid.     l Millot's Elem. I Rtllin's An. Hll.
Millotts*Elementsof Gen. Ilist.                " Ency.'Irit. Art. Crt~hage.




ATROCITIES CONNECTED WITH WAR.                                   ]31
Such are only a few insulated pictures of the  and the Russian batteries, about a quarter of a
atrocities of war, and of the unnatural and infer-  mile, was a sheet of naked human bodies, which
nal passions which uniformly follow in its train,  friends and foes had during the night mutually
which may be considered as specimens of many  stripped, not leaving the worst rag upon them,
thousands of similar instances, which the records  although numbers of these bodies still retained
of history furnish of the maligniity and depravity  consciousness of their situation.  It. was.a sight
of mankind. I have selected my examples chief-  which the eye loathed, but from which it could
ly from the history of ancient warfare: but were  not remove."-In Labaume's ", Narrative of the
we to search the annals of modern warfare, and  Campaign in Russia," we are presented with
confine our attention solely to the battles of Alex-'the most horrible details ol palaces, churches,
andria, of the Pyramids, of Borodina, of Smo-  and streets, enveloped in flames,-houses tumlensko, of Austerlitz, of Leipsic, of Jena, of  bling into ruins,-hundreds of blackened carEylan, of Waterloo,.and other warlike events  casses of the wretched inhabitants, whom the fire
which have happened within the last thirty years,  had consumed, blended with the fragments,we should meet with atrocities and scenes of hospitals containing 20,000 wounded Russians
slaughter, no less horrible than *those which I  on fire, and consuming the miserable victims,have now related. I shall content myself with  numbers of half-burned wretches crawling among
stating only two or three instances.         the smoking ruins,-females violated and mas.
After the taking of Alexandria by Bona-  sacred,-parents and children halfnaked, shiverparte, " We were under the necessity," says  ing with cold, flying in consteration with the
the relator, " of putting the whole of them to  wrecks of their half-consumed funiture,-horses
death at the breach. But the slaughter did not  falling in thousands, and writhing in the agonies
cease with the resistance. -The Turks and in-  of death,-the fragments of carriages, muskets,
habitants fled to-their mosques, seeking protec-  helmets, breast-plates, portmanteaus, and gartion from God and their pr6phet; and then, men  ments strewed in every direction,-roads covered
and women, old and young, and infants at the  for miles with thousands of the dying and the
breas., were slaughtered.  This butchery continu-  dead heaped one upon another, and swimming
ed for four hours; after which the remaining part  in blood,-and these dreadful scenes rendered
of the inhabitants were'. much astonished at not  still more horrific by the shrieks of young fehaving their throats:cut."  Be it remembered  males, of mothers and children, and the piercing
that all this bloodshed was premeditated. "We  cries of the wounded and the dying, invoking
might have spared' the men whom we lost," says  death to put an end to their agonies.
General Boyer, "by only summoning the town;    But I will not dwell longer on such revolting
but it was nicessary to begin by confounding our  details. It is probable, that the feelings of some
enemy."*  After the battle of the Pyramids, it  of my readers have been harrowed up by the
is remarked by an eye-wintess, that c, the whole  descriptions already given, and that they have
way through the desert, was tracked with the  turned away their eyes in disgust from such
bones and bodies of men and animals who had  spectacles of depravity and horror. Every mind
perished in these dreadful wastes.-In order  susceptible of virtuous emotions, and of the comto warm  themselves at night, they gathered to-  mon feelings of humanity, must, indeed, feel
gether the dry bones and bodies of the dead,  pained and even agonized, when it reflects on
which the vultures had spared, and it was by a  the depravity of mankind, and on the atrocious
fire composed of this fuel that Bonaparte lay  crimes they are capable of committing,.and have
downtosleep in the desert."t  A more revolting  actually perpetrated.  A  serious retrospect ot
and infernal scene it is scarcely possible for the  the moral state of the world in past ages, is calimagination to depict.                       culated to excite emotions, similar to those which
Miot gives the following description in rela-  overpowered the mourning prophet when he extion to a scene at Jaffa: —" The soldier aban-  claimed, " O that my h ad were waters, and
dons himself to all the fury which an assault  mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep
tauthorizes. He strikes he slays, nothing can  day and night, for the slain of the daughters ot
impede him. All the horrors which accompany  my people!"  But, however painful the sight,
the capture of a town by storm, are repeated in  we ought not to turn away our eyes, with fastievery street, in every house. You hear the  dious affectation, from the spectacles of misery
cries of violated females calling in vain for help  and devastation which the authentic records o;
to those relatives whom they are tmsh"ering.  history present before us. They form traits in
No asyium is respected. The blood streams on  the character of man, which ought to be contemevery side; at every step you meet with human  plated,-they arefacts in the history ofmankind,
boings groaning and expiring," &c.-Sir Robert  and not the mere pictures of fancy which are exWilson, when describing the campaigns in Po-  hibited in poetry, in novels, and romances;-,-facts.and relates, that " the ground between the wood.  which forcibly exemplify the operations of the
malevolent principle, and from which we ought
Miot's Memoirs.       t Ibd.         to deduce important instructions, in reference




1 ~3                     THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
to thi evil of sin, and the malignancy of pride, knapsack, upon which his head was resting. and
covetousness, ambition, and revenge. We think  placing it upon his shoulders. made an effort tt
nothing, in the common intercourse oflife, of in-  rise, and to follow the army. The venom of Ihle
dulging a selhsh disposition, of feeling proud and  dreadful malady deprived him  of strength, anl
indignant at a real or supposed affront, of looking  after three steps, he fell again upon the sand,
with a covetous eye at the possessions of our  headlong. The fall increased his terror of being
neighbours, of viewing the success and prosperity  left by the regiment, and he rose a second tinle,
of our rivals with discontentment and jealousy,  but with no better fortune. In his third effort,
or of feeling a secret satisfaction at the distress  he sunk, and, falling near the sea, remained upot.
or humiliation of our enemies; and we seldom   that spot which fate had destined for his grave.
reflect on the malignant effects which such pas-  The sight of this soldier was frightful: the dissions and dispositions would produce, were they  order which reigned in his senseless speech-his
suffered to rage without control. Butt in the  figure, which represented whatever is mournfulscenes Ehnd contentions of warfare which have  his eyes staring and fixed-his clothes in ragsbeen realized on the great theatre of the world,  presented whatever is most hideous in death.
we contemplate the nature and effects of such  The reader may perhaps believe that his con-.
malignant dispositions in their true light; we  rades would be concerned for him; that they
perceive the ultimate tendency of every malevo-  would stop to help him; that they would hasten
lent affection, when no physical obstruction im.  to support him, and direct his tottering steps.
pedes its progress; we discern that it is only the  Far from it: the poor wretch was only an object
same dispositions which we daily indulge, ope-  of horror and derision.  They ran from him, anti
ratingon a more extensive scale; and we learn  they burst into loud laughter at his motions,
the necessity of mortifying such dispositions, and  which resembled those of a drunken man, " HI
counteracting their influence, if we expect to en-  has got his account," cried one; "He will not
joy substantial felicity either here or hereafter;  march far," said another; and, when the wretch
and if we wish to see the world restored to order,  fell for the last time, some of them added, " See,
to happiness and repose.                      he has taken up his quarters!"  This terrible
I shall only observe farther on this part of my  truth, says the narrator, which I cannot help resubject, that, besides the atrocities already no-  peating, must be acknowledged-Indjierence
ticed, war has been the nurse of every vicious dis-  and selfishness are the predominant feelings of an
position, and of every immoral practice.  The  army.
Carthaginians, who were allnost incessantly en-    Rocca, in his," Memoirs ofthe War in Spain,"
gaged in war, were knavish, vicious, cruel, and  remarks, " The habit of danger made us look
superstitious; distinguished for craft and cunning,  upon  death as one of the most ordinary cirlying and hypocrisy, and for the basest firauds and  cumstances of life; when our comrades had once
the most perfidious actions.  The Goths and  ceased to live, the indifference which was shown
Vandals are uniformly characterized, as not only  them  amounted almost to irony.   When the
barbarous and cruel, but avaricious, perfidious,  soldiers, as they passed by, recognised one or
and disregardful of the most solenmn promises. It  their companions stretched among the dead, they
was ever a sufficient reason for them to make an  just said,' He is in want of nothing, he will not
attack, that they thought their enemies could not  have his horse to abuse again, he has got drunk
resist them.   Their only reason for making  for the last time,' or something similar, which
peace, or for keeping it, was because their ene-  only worked, in the speaker, a stoical contempt
mies were too strong; and their only reason for  of existence.  Such were the funeral orations
committing the most horrible massacres, rapes,  pronounced in honour of those who fell in our
and all manner of crimes, was because they had  battles."-Simpson, in his " Visit to Flanders,"
gained a victory.  The Greeks and Romans, it  in 1815, remarks, " Nothing is more frightful
is well known, notwithstanding their superior  than the want of feeling which characterizes the
civilization, were distinguished for the most de-  French soldiery.   Their prisoners who were
grading and immoral practices.  They gloried in  lying wounded in the hospitals of Antwerp, were
being proud, hatughty, and revengefill; and ever  often seen mimicking the contortions of countetheir amusements were characterized by a spirit  nance which were produced by the agonies of death,
of ferocity, and by the barbarisms of war.-It is  in one qf their own comrades in the next bed.
almost needless to say that war blunts the finer  There is no...e to be compared with the power
feelings of humanity, and engenders a spirit of  of fiends'L.e these."
selfishness, and of indifference even  towards    Thus, it appears, that wars have prevailed ir
friends and companions.  Ofthis many shocking  every period, during the ages that are past. and
instances could be given.                     have almost extirpated the principle of bentueolenc.e
Miot in his Memoirs of the War in Egypt,  from the world; and, therefore, it is obvious, that,
relates the case ofa soldier who was seized with  before the prevailing propensity to warfare be
the plague, and with the delirium which some-  counteracted and destroyed, the happiness which
iiwes accompanies the disease.  He tonk up his  flows from the operation of the benevolent affee




DISPOSITIONS OF SAVAGE NATIONS.                                 183
nons canno. be enjoyed by mankind at large.  the character of savage nations, is, their dispos.
To counteract this irrational and most deplora-  tion for war, and to inflict revenge for real or sup.
ble propensity, by every energetic mean which  posed injuries.  With respect to the NORTR
reason, humanity, and Christianity can suggest,  AMERICAN Indians, it is the uniform description
must be the duty of every one who is desirous to  given of them by all travellers, that, if we except
promote the present and everlasting happiness of  hunting, war is the only employment of themen,
his species.*                                 and every other concern is left to the women.
Their most common motive for entering into war
is, either to revenge themselves for the death of
SECTION  II.                   some lost friends, or to acquire prisoners, who
may assist them in their hunting, and whom they
STATE OF MORALS IN MODERN TIMES.          adopt into their society. In these wars, they are
JMoral state of Savage Nations.       cruel and savage, to an incredible degree. They
enter unawares, the villages of their foes, and,
I shall now take a very brief survey of the  while the flower of the nation are engaged in
state of morals in modern times, and of the pre-  hunting, massacre all the children, women, and
vailing dispositions which are displayed by the  helpless old men, or make prisoners of as many as
existing inhabitants of our globe. WTere I to  they can manage. But when the enemy isapprizenter into those minute and circumstantial details  ed of their design, and coming on in arms against
which the illustration of this subject would re-  them, they throw themselves flat on the ground,
quire, several volumes would be filled with the  among the withered herbs and leaves, which
detail of facts, and with the sketches of moral  their faces are painted to resemble. They then
scenery which might be brought forward. And  allow a part to pass unmolested; when, all at
such a work, if judiciously executed, might be  once, with a tremendous shout, rising up from
rendered highly interesting, and might produce a  their ambush, they pour a storm of musket-balls on
variety of benignant effects both on Christian  their foes. If the force on each side continues
and on general society. But the narrow limits  nearly equal, the fierce spirits of these savages,
within  which the present work must be com-  inflamed by the loss of friends, can no longer be
prised, compels me to confine my attention to  restrained.  They abandon their distant war,
a few prominent features in the characters of  they rush  upon one another with clubs and
mankind, and, to a few insulated facts by which  hatchets in their hands, magnifying their own
they may be illustrated.-I shall consider, in the  courage, and insulting their enemies.  A cruel
first place, some of the                      combat ensues; death appears in a thousand hideous forms, which would congeal the blood of civiProminent disvositions which appear a aong Sa- 
vage and Ha  Civilized   ation.        lized nations to behold, but which r mse the fury
ofthese savages. They trample, they insult over
It is not eto be disputed, that numerous indi-  the dead bodies, tearing the scalp from the head,
viduals among the uncivilized tribes of mankind,  wallowing in their blood like wild beasts, and
have occasionally displayed the exercise of many  sometimes devouring their flesh.  The flame
of the social virtues,-that they have been brave  rages on till it meets with no resistance; then
and magnanimous, faithful to their promises,  the prisoners are secured, whose fate is a thoustrong in their attachments, and generous and  sand times more dreadful than theirs who have
affectionate to their friends and relatives.  But  died in the field.  The conquerors setup a hidetheir virtues, for the most part, proceed from a  ous howling, to lament the friends they have lost.
principle of selfishness, and are confined to the  They approach to their own village; the women,
clan or tribe to which they belong.  Towards  with frightful shrieks, come out to mourn their
their enemies, and towards all who have injured  dead brothers, or their husbands.  An orator
them  in the slightest degree, they almost uni-  proclaims aloud a circumstantial account of every
f)rmly display cruel, perfidious, and revengeful  particular ofthe expedition; and as he mentions
dispositions.  The following facts and descrip-  the names of those who have fallen, the shrieks
tions, selected from the authentic records of voy-  ofthe women are redoubled.  The last ceremony
agers and travellers! will tend to corroborate these  is the proclamation of victory: each individual
positions.                                    then forgets his private misfortune, and joins in
The most prominent feature which appears in  the triumph of his nation; all tears are wiped
from their eyes, and, by an unaccountable transi.
* The Author intended, had his lmlts permitted, to  tion, they pass in a nlomrent from the bitterness o.
state some additional considerations to show the  sorrow, to an extravagance ofjoy.*
felly and wickedness of war. In the mean time, he
refers his readers to "Ietters addressed to Caleb    As they feel nothing but revenge for the eneStrong, Esq.," which contain a series ofenergetic and  mies of their nation, their prisoners are treated
impressive reasonings on the subject.-" Pictures of  with cruelty in th
War," by Irenicus, and a duodlecimo volume, lately  with cruelty in the extreme. The cruelties intublished, entitled, " An Inquiry into the accordancy
rof War with the principles of Christianity," &c.' See Enrc. Brit. Art. Anertca.




J 4                       THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
flicted on those prisoners who are doomed to  pierced with hot irons, gathering his blood that
death, are too. shocking And horrible to' be ex-  issued from him in a vessel, one half of which he.
bibited in detail:.onle plucks out the nails ofthe  drank, and offered up the rest to his-god. On
prisoner by the roots; another takes'a finger in-  another occasion, he put to death one of his,o his mouth, and tears. off the flesh, with his  wives and a slave, drinking their blood also, as
teeth;.a third thrusts the finger,mangled'as it  was his usual practice with -his enemies."*is, into. the bowl of a. pipe.made. red hot, which  Dispositions and practices no less abominable,
he smokes like. tobacco: they then pound his 4are regularly exhibited in the kingdom of Dahotoes,and fingers to.pieces between two stones;  my, near the Gulf of Guinea.  An immolation
they apply red..hot  irons to every, part of his  of human victims, for the purpose of watering the
mangled body; they.pulloff his flesh, thus man-  graves of the king's ancestors, and of supplying.gled and roasted, and devour it with: greediness;-  them with servants of various descriptions in the
and-thus they continue fbr several hours, and  other world, takes place every year, at a grand
somnetimes for.a whole day, till they penetrate to  festival which is.held generally in April and May,
the: vital.. parts,,and completely  exhaust  the  about the period, possibly, when the Bible and
springs, oflife.-.Even the women, forgetting the  Missionary, Societies of this country are holding.hu!man, as well as the female nature, and trans-  their anniversaries.  The victims are generally.formed into sorething. worse than furies, fre-. prisoners of war, reserved for the purpose; hut.
quently outdo the me in in this scene of horror;  should there be lack of these, the number (between
whiletile principal persons ofthe country sit round  sixty and seventy) is made up from the most conthe stake to.which the prisoner is fixed, smoking,  venient of his own subjects.  The immolation ot
iand looking on.without the least emotion. What  victims is not confined to this particular period;
is most remarkable, the.prisoner himself endea-  for at any time, should it be necessary tosend an
vours to brave his torments with a stoical apathy.  account to his forefathers of any remarkable
" I do not fear death, (he exclaims in the face.of  event, the king despatches a courier to the shades,
his. tormentors,) nor any'kind of tortures; those  by delivering a message to whoever may happen
that fear them are cowards, they are less than  to be near him, and then ordering his head to be
women. May my enemies be confounded with  chopped off immediately. It is considered an
despair and. rage!   Oh, that.I could devour  honour where his majesty personally condescends
them, and drink their.blood to the last drop!"    to become the executioner in these cases; an.Such is..a.faint picture of the ferocious disposi-  -office in. which the king prides himself in being
tion of the Indians of America, which, with a few   expert. Tlt" governor was present on one occaslight,modifications, will apply to almost t,   sion, when a poor fellow, whose fear of death outwhole of.the.original natives of that vast conts   weighing'he sense of theyhonour conferred upon
nent.. Instead of the exercise ofbenevolent affec-  him, on I;ing desired to carry some message te
tions, and.of forgiving dispositions; instead of  his fathe, humbly declared on his knees, that he:humane feelings, and compassion for the suffer-  was unacquainted with the way. On which the
ings offellow-mortals, we here behold them trans-  tyrant vociferated, " I'll show you the way," and,
ported into an extravagance of joy, over the  with one blow, made his head fly many yards
sufferings they. had produced, the carnage they  from his body, highly indignant that there should
had created,..the children whom they had depriv-  have been the least expression of reluctance.t
edof their. parents, and the. widows whose hus-  On the thatched roofs of the guard-houses which
bands they had mangled and.slain; because they  surround the palace of this tyrart, are ranged,
had gfutted their revenge, and obtained a victory.  on wooden stakes, numbers of human skulls; the
Nothing can appear more directly opposed to the  top of thi wall which encloses an area before it,
precepts of Christ, and to the benevolence of  is stuck full of human jaw-bones, and the path
heaven.                                       leading to the door is paved with the skulls..If, from America, we cross the Atlantic, and    In the kingdom of ASHANTEE, similar pracland on the shores of AFRICA, we shall find the  tices uniformly prevail. " When the king of this
existing innabitants of that continent display-  country (says Dupuis) was about to open the
ing.dispositions no less cruel and ferocious. —  campaign in Gaman, he collected together his
Bosman relates the following instances of cruel-  priests, to invoke the royal Fetische, and perform
ties practised by the Adomese Negroes, inhabit-  the necessary orgies to ensure success.  These
ing the. banks of the Praa or Chamah river.    ministers of superstition sacrificed thirty-two
"Anqua, the king, having in an engagement  male, and eighteen female victims as an expiataken five of his principal Antese enemies pri-  tory offering to the gods; but the answers from
soners, he wounded them all over; after which,. the priests being deemed by the council as still,A.ih a more than brutal fury, he satiat.ed, hough  devoid of inspiration, the king was induced to
not tired himself, by sticking their blood at the  make a custom, at the sepulchres of his ancesgaping wounds; but, brarinv a more than ordi-  tors, where many hundreds bled.  This, it is af,
nary grudge against one of them, he caulsed him
t  Dupuis'. Journal in Ashantee.
so bt; laid bound at his f~eet. and his body to he,    M'Leod's voyage to Africa.




D1IPOSITIONS OF SAVAGE NATIONS.                                  135
f~rmed, propitiated the v -ath of the adverse god."  secured behind their backs; the women by the
The same king,. when he returned, having dis-  necks only; but their hands were not left free,
covered a conspiracy, decreed, that seventeen  from any sense of feeling for them, but in order
of his wives, along with his own sister. should  to enable them to balance the immense loads of
ue strangled and beheaded.  *' His sister's para-  corn or rice which they were obliged to carry on
mour, and all those of his party, were doomed to  their heads, and their children on their backs."
the most cruel deaths, at the grave of the king's  -",I had an opportunity," says Major Gray,
mother.  While these butcheries were transact-  " of witnessing, during this short mn-arch, the
ing., the king prepared to enter the palace; and  new-made slaves, and the sufferings to whicn
in the; act of crossing the threshold of the outer  they are subjected in their first state of bondage.
gate, was met by several of his wives, whose  They were hurried along (tied) at a pace little
anxiety.to embrace their sovereign lord impelled  short of running, to enable them to keep up with
them thus to. overstep.the boundary of female  the horsemen, who drove them on, as Smithfield
decorum in Ashantee; for it happened that the  drovers do fatigued bullocks.  Many of the woklng was accompanied by a number of his cap-  men were old, and by nlo means able to endure
tains, who, accordingly, were compelled to cover  such treatment. One, in particular, would not
their faces. with both their:hands, and fly fiom   have failed to excite the tenderest feelings of
the spot. This is said.to have angered the moe- compassion in the breast of any, save a savage
narch, although his resentment proceeded no  African.  She was at least sixty years old, in
farther than.words, and he returned the embraces  the most niserable state of emaciation and debiof his wives.. But another cause of anger soon  lity, nearly doubled together, and with difficulty
after occurred, and he was inflamed to the highest  dragging her tottering limbs along.  To- crown
pitch of indignation, and, in a paroxysm of an-  the heart-rending picture, she was naked, save
ger,.caused these unhappy beings to be cut in  from her waist, to about halfway to the knees.
pieces before his face, giving orders, at the same- All this did not prevent her inhuman captor from
time, to cast: the fragments into the forest, to be  making her carry a heavy load of water, while,
devoured by birds and beasts: of prey.  Nor did  with a rope about her neck, he drove her before
he:atonement rest here; for six more unhappy  his horse; and. whenever she showed the least
females were impeached of inconstancy, and  inclination to stop, he beat her in the most unthey also expiated their faults with their lives.  merciful manner with a stick."
Like another Ulysses, his majesty then devoted   - Were we to travel through the whole interior of
himself to the purification of his palace, when,  Africa, and round its northern, eastern, and
to sum up the:full horrors of these bloody deeds,  western coasts, we should find, among almost
two thousand wretches, selected from the Gaman  every tribe, numerous displays of the most inhuprisoners of war, were slaughtered over the royal  man and depraved dispositions.  The Algerines
death-stool, in honour of the shades of departed  are characterized as the most cruel and dangerous
kinas and heroes.'*                           pirates-base, perfidious, and rapacious, to the
Such are a: few specimens of the ferocious dis-  last degree. No oaths, nor ties. human or dipositions of- the petty tyrants of Africa.  But  vine, will avail to bind them, when their interest
we are not to imagine. that such dispositions are  interferes.  Whatever respect they may pretend
confined to kings, and to the higher ranks of  to pay to. their prophet Mahomet, gold is the only
society.. Wherever such malevolent passions  true idol which they worship. The emperors ol
are displayed among barbarous chieftains, they  Morocco are well known as a set of rapacious
pervade, in a greater or less degree, the whole  and blood-thirsty tyrants, who have lived in a
mass of the people, and almost every one, in pro-  state of habitual warfare with Christian nations,
portion to the power with which he is invested,  and in the perpetration of deeds of injustice and
perpetrates similar barbarities.  The following  cruelty.  The Gallas, on the borders of Abyssiinstance will:corroborate this position, and, at the  nia, are a barbarous and warlike nation.  They
same time, show, for how many cruelties and  are hardy, and of a ferocious disposition; they
acts of injustice the abettors of the infamous  are trained to the love of desperate achievements,
traffic in slaves are accountable.  It is extract-  taught to believe that conquest entitles them to
ed from Major Gray's " Travels in Africa, in  the possession of whatever they desire, and to
1824."                                         look upon death with the utmost contempt; and,
The Kaartan force which the Major accom-  therefore, in their wars, they fight with the most
"anwed, had made 107 prisoners, chiefly women  desperate resolution, and neither give nor take
and children, in a predatory excursion into Bon-  any quarter.  The inhabitants of adel, too. are
doo, for the purpose of supplying themselves with  of a warlike disposition, and most firequently live
slaves.  The following is an account of the man-  in enmity and hostility with those around them.
ner in which they were dragged along.  " The  The Feloops are gloomy and unforgiving in their
men were tied in pairs by the necks, their hands  tempers, thirsting for vengeance even in the hour
of dissolution, and leaving their children to avenge
~ Dupuis' Mission to Ashantee, in ls23   their quarrels.  The inhabitants of the Grai&




13S                       THE PHILOSOPHY' OF RELIGION.
Coast, especially the Mulattoes, are said to be a  in silence, and they indulge the diabolical satis.
most abandoned set of people. The men are  faction oftaking offan unhappy being by a lingerdrunkards, lewa, thievish, atr,  treacherous, and  ing death. It is said, with confidence, that their
the women are the most abandoned prostitutes,  own persons supply the horrid means of perpesacrificing themselves at al! times, and to all  trating their malicious designs on their husbands,
sorts of men, without the least degree of re-  and that they mix with their aliment a certain
straint.*  The natives ofAnsico, which borders  portion of an ingredient of a poisonous nature,
on Angola, live byplundering all who happen to fall  which infallibly induces a slow langour and conIn their way, some of whom they kill, and others  sumption, and in time brings the wretched victhey keep as slaves,4  "The Boshemen are land  tims to the grave.  The symptoms are dreadful.
pirates, who live without laws and without disci-  The body desicates, the limbs become excessivepline; who lurk in thickets, to watch the passage  ly weak, the gums rot, the teeth loosen, the hair
of travellers, and shoot them with poisoned ar-  falls off, and, at length, after having dragged a
rows, in order to seize their cattle."$  " The ne-  miserable and tortured existence, for a whole year
groes of Congo, (says M. de la Brosse in his  or more, the unhappy beings die in the most exTravels along the coast of Angola, in 1738,) are  treme torment.
extremely treacherous and vindictive.  They      If we pass from Africa to the regions of Asia,
daily demanded of us some brandy for the use of  we shall find similar depraved principles and
the king and the chief men of the town. One day  practices pervading its several tribes, and the
this request was denied and we had soon reason to  various ranks of its population.  Here, tyranny,
repent it; for all the English and French officers  in all its degrading and cruel forms, reigns suhaving gone to fish on a small lake near the sea-  preme and uncontrolled over a superstitious, a
coast, they erected a tent for the purpose of dress-  deluded, and an idolatrous race of mankind,-of
ing and eating the fishes they had caught. When  which the following recent instances, in relation
amusing themselves after their repast, seven or  to a petty despot of Persia, may serve as a speeight negroes, who were the chiefs of Loango,  cimen. " The governor Zulfecar Khun is proarrived in sedans, and presented their hands ac-  nounced to be a cruel and unprincipled tyrant;
cording to the custom of the country.  These ne-  unfortunately for the people, he has the ear of the
groes privately rubbed the hands of the officers  sovereign, and they have no resource against his
with a subtle poison, which acts instantaneous-  rapacity.  He pays to the crown 7000 tomauns
ly; and, accordingly, five captains and three sur-  a year, but it is asserted, that he collects from
geons died on the spot."                       the district 100,000. His oppression was so
The Moors are characterized by Mr. Park as  grievous, that the inhabitants, wearied out, went
having cruelty and low cunning pictured on their  in a body to the king to complain; but his macountenances.   Their treachery and malevo- jesty only referred them back to their tyrant, who,
lence are manifested in their plundering excur-  exasperated at their boldness, wreaked upon them
sions against the Negro villages.  Without the  a cruel vengeance. It is said, that he maimed
smallest provocation, and sometimes under the  and put to death upwards of a thousand of both
fairest professions of friendship, they will seize  sexes, cutting off the hands, putting out the eyes,
upon the Negroes' cattle, and even on the inha-  and otherwise mutilating the men, and cutting
bitants themselves.  The Bedouins are plun-  off the noses, ears, and breasts of the women.
derers of the cultivated lands, and robbers on the  The people, desponding and brokenhearted after
high roads; they watch every opportunity of re-  this, paid, in as far as they were able, the rapavenging their enemies, and their animosities are  cious demands of their oppressor, and the natransmitted as an inheritance from father to chil-  tural consequence, ruin and desolation has endren.  Even the Egyptians, who are more civil-  sued."~
ized than the tribes to which I have now alluded,    Sir John Chardin gives us the following acare characterized by excessive pride, vindictive  count of the inhabitants of Mingrelia, particutempers, inordinate passions, and various species  larly of the women. " The people are generally
of moral turpitude. There is a trait in the cha-  handsome, the men strong and well-made, and
racter of the women of this country, pointedly  the women very beautiful; but both sexes are
adverted to by Sonini, in his" Travels in Egypt,"  very vicious and debauched.  The women,.vhich is particularly odious and horrible.  On  though lively, civil, and affectionate, are very
discovering any partiality in their husbands for  perfidious; for there is no wickedness which
other females, they Are transported into an un-  they will not perpetrate, in order to procure, to
hounded and jealous fury. Such are their deceit  preserve, or to get rid of their gallants.  The
and cruelty on these o:casions, that they instil  men likewise possess many bad qualities.' Al"
into the blood of their faithless husband, a slow   of them are trained to robbery, which thev study
tuld mortal poison.  Their revenge is meditated  both as a business, and as an amusement. With
great satisfaction they relate the depredations
Cooke's Universal Geroraphy, Vol. I. p. 447.
th.d                $ Vailant's Travels.        ~Fraz.er's Journey to Khorasan, 1823




DISPOSITIONS OF SAVAGE NATIONS                                      37
they have cm. mitted; and, from  this polluted   The Birmasns are a lively inquisitive race,
source, they derive their greatest praise and hon-  active, irascible, and impatient. While in peace,
our. InMingrelia., falselihood, assassination, and  they give proofs of a certain degree of gentleness
theft, are good actions; and whoredom, bigamy,  and civilization; in war, they display the ferocity
and incest, are esteemed as virtuous habits.  of savages.-The Moalays, though inhabiting a
The men marry two or three wives at a time,  country beautiful and delightful in the extreme,
and keep as many concubines as they choose.  where refreshing gales and cooling streams asThey not only make a common practice of sell-  suage the heat, where the soil teems with deliing their children, either for gold, or in exchange  cious fruits, where the trees are clothed with a
for wares and provisions, but even murder them,  continual verdure, and the flowers breathe their
or bury them alive, when they find it difficult to  fragrant odours, are remarkably ferocious in their
bring them up."                                manners.  They go always armed (except the
The Tartars, who occupy vast regions of the  slaves,) and would think themselves disgraced,
Asiatic continent, are uniformly described by  if they went abroad without their poignards.
travellers, as a rude, plundering, and uncultivated  The inland inhabitants of Malacca, called JMorace of men.  " There is something frightful,"  nucahoes, are a barbarous savage people, delightsays Smellie, "in the countenances of the Cal-  ing in doing continual mischief to their neigh-.nuck Tartars.  All of them are wandering va-  bours; on which account, no grain is sown about
gabonds,.and live in tents made of cloth or of Malacca, but what is enclosed in gardens, with
skins.  They eat the flesh of horses, either raw,  the thickest hedges, or deep ditches; for when
or a little softened by putrifying under their  the grain is ripe in the open plains, the Monusaddles. No marks of religion, or of decency il  caboes never fail to set fire to it.  The Persians,
their manners, are to be found among most of  in their dispositions, says Mr. Franklin, are
these tribes.  They are fierce, warlike, hardy,  much inclined to sudden anger, are quick, fiery,
and brutally gross,  They are all robbers; and  and very sensible of affronts, which they resent
the Tartars of Daghestan, who border on civiliz-  on the spot. Chardin describes them as " wared nations, have a great trade in slaves, whom   like, vain, and ambitious of praise; exceedingly
they carry off by force, and sell to the Persians  luxurious, prodigal, voluptuous, and addicted to
and Turks."*                                   gallantry."  It is well known that the wars and
The Arabians, like the Tartars, live mostly  fiend-like cruelties in which the despots of this
without government, without law, and almost  country have been engaged, have transformed
without any social intercourse.  They still con-  many of its provinces into scenes of sterility and
tinue in a state of rudeness and of lawless inde-  desolation.-The Hindoos are effeminate, luxuripendency.  Their chiefs authorize rape, theft,  ous, and early initiated into the arts of dissimuand robbery.  They have no- estimation for vir-  lation. They can caress those whom they hate,
tue, and glory in almost every species of vice.  and behave with the utmost affability and kindThey roam a$bout in the deserts, and attack cara-  ness to such as they intend to deprive of existvans and travellers of every description, whom   ence, by the most sanguinary means. Though
they frequently murder, and plunder of their pro-  they seldom  scold or wrangle, they often stab
perty.-The Chinese, though more highly civil-  each other insidiously, and, without any public
ized than the tribes now mentioned, and though  quarrel, gratify a private revenge.  The destructhey merit great applause for their ingenuity,  tion of infants, the immolation of widows, the
industry, and perseverance, are as despicable in  drowning of aged parents, which prevail among
their moral characters, and as destitute of,true  them, and the cruel and idolatrous rites which
benevolence, as almost any nation upon earth.  distinguish their religious services, are too well
Avarice is their leading passion; and in order  known  to  require description.-The Turks,
to gratify it, they practise every species of du-  though grave, sedate, and rather hypocondriac,
plicity and fraud. They cannot be influenced  yet when agitated by passion, are furious, raging,
by motives either of honesty or of humanity;  ungovernable, fraught with dissimulation, jea.
and they surpass every nation on the globe in  1ous, suspicious, and vindictive beyond concepprivate cheating.  Captain Cook observes, that  tion. They are superstitious, and obstinately
(the danlger of being hapged for any crime being  tenacious in matters of religion, and are rncapas
excepted) " there is nothing, however infamous,  ble of exercising benevolence or even humanit)
which the Chinese will refuse to do for gain.'"  towards Christians, or towards Jews.  Interest
In this opinion he concurs with every preceding  is their supreme good, and when that comes in
arid subsequent writer, and confirms it by a  competition, all ties of religion, consanguinity,
variety of striking proofs, of which an additional  or friendship, are with the generality, speedily
nu1mber may be seen in the accounts which have  dissolved.  They have deprived of their liberty,
been published of our late emnbassies to that  and of their wealth, all who have been subjectaM
empire.                                        to their iron sceptre, and have plunged them into
the depths of moral and of mental debasement.
Smellie's Philosophy of Natural History.  The page of history is filled with details of their




1 35                     THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
devastations and cruelties, and the deeds of in-  which they are continually on the watch to avengel
luseice and of horror which they have perpetrat-  and the desire of a good meal is no small incite.
ed, even in our own times, are scarcely equallsl  ment. Many years will somnetimes elapse before,
by the atrocities of the most savage hordes tf  a favourable opportunity happens, yet the son
mankind.                                      never loses sight of an, injury that has been done
[f we take a survey of the numerous tribes  to his father.-" Their method of executing their
which inhabit the Islands 6f the Indian and the  horrible designs is by stealing upon the adverse
Pacific Oceans, we shall find similar depraved  party in the night, and if they find them unguardand malevolent passions, raging without control,  ed (which is very seldom the case) they kill
and producing all those malignant and desolating  every one indiscriminately, not even sparing the
effects which have counteracted the benevolence  women and children. When the massacre is
of the Creator, and entailed misery on the human  completed, they either feast and gorge themselves
race.  The dismal effects of the principle of  on the spot, or carry off as many of the dead
hatred directed towards human beings, the dis-  bodies as they can, and devour them at home,
position to engage in continual warfare, and the  with acts of brutality too shocking to be described.
savage ferocity of the human mind, when unre-  If they are discovered before they execute their
strained by moral and prudential considerations,  bloody purpose, they generally steal off again,
are nowhere:so strikingly. displayed, as in the  and sometimes are pursued and attacked by the
isles which are scattered throughout the wide  other party in their turn. To give quarter, or to
expanse of the'Pacific Ocean. Of the truth of  take prisoners,'makes no part of their military
these positions we have abundance of melancholy  law; so that the vanquished can save their lives
examples, in the reports of missionaries, and in  only by flight.  This perpetual state of war, and
the journals which have been published by late  destructive method of conducting it,' operates so
navigators, from which I shall select only two or  strongly in producing habits of circumspection,
three examples'.                              that one hardly ever finds a New  Zealander ofl
The first instance I shall produce, has a rela-  his guard, either by night or by day."*  W'hile
tion chieflyo o' the'inhabitants of New Zealand.  the mind is kept in such a state of incessant
With respect to these islanders Captain Cook  anxiety and alarm, it must be impossible for huremarks, "Their public contentions are fre-  man beings to taste the sweets of rational, or
quent,or rather perpetual.; for, it appears from   even of sensitive enjoyment. A  melancholy
their number of weapons, and dexterity in using  gloom must hang over these wretched beings,
them, that war is their principal profession." —  and the dark suspicions, and the revengeful pas"The war-dance consists of a great variety of sions which agitate their minds, can only fit
violent motions, and hideous contortions of the  them for those regions of darkness where the
limbs, during which the countenance also per-  radiations of benevolence are completely extinforms a part; the tongue is frequently thrust out  guished.
to an incredible length, and the eye-lid so forci-    The implacable hatred which these savages
bly drawn up, that the white appears both above  entertain towards each other, is illustrated, in the
and below, as well as on each side of the iris, so  following short narrative from Captain Cook.as to form a circle around it; nor is any thing  "Among ouroccasionalvisiterswasachiefnamed
neglected so as to render the human shape fright-  Kahoora, who, as I was informed, headed the
fill and deformed. To such as have not been ac-  party that cut off Captain Furneaux's people,
customed to such a practice, they appear more  and himself killed Mr. Rowe, the officer who
like demons than men, and would almost chill the  commanded. To judge of the character of Kaboldest with fear; at the same time they brandish  hoora, by what I had heard from  many of his
their' spears, shake their darts, and cleave the  countrymen, he seemed to be more feared than
air with their patoo-patoos. To this succeeds a  beloved among them. Not satisfied with telling
circumstance almost foretold in their fierce de-  me that he was a very bad man, some of them
meanour, horrid and disgraceful to human nature,  even importuned me to kill him: and, I believe
which is, ciitting to pieces, even before being  they were not a little surprised that I did not lisperfectly dead, the bodies of their enemies;  ten to them; for according to their ideas ofequity,
and, after dressing them on a fire, devouring the  this ought to have been done. But if I had folflesh, not only without reluctance, but with pe-  lowed the advice of all our pretended friends, I
culiar satisfaction."  There is perhaps nothing  might have extirpated the whole race; for the
that can convey a more striking idea of the ac-  people of each hamlet or village, by turns, applied
tions of pure malevolence, and of the horrible  to me, to destroy the other. One would have alrage and fury of infernal fiends, than the picture  most thought it impossible, that so striking a
liere presented of these savage islanders.    proof of the divided state in which this people
These people live under perpetual apprehen-  live, could have been assigned."
sions of being destroyed by each other; there    Similar dispositions are displayed throughon;
Being few of their tribes that have not, as they
think, sustained wrongs from some other tribe,              *Cooke's Voyages'




DISPOSITIONS OF TIIE NEW ZEALANDERS.                                 1,9
alrncst all the other islands of the Southern  Sandwich L:es, prior to the state of moral a,i
9cean.  The following description is given by  religious improvement to which they have ialery
M. de la'Perouse,,Jf the inhabitants of Maouna  advanced, though their dispositions were sorlmeOyolava, and the other islands in tile Navigator's  what milder titan those of the other islan-,
Archtpelago.  " Their native ferocity of coun-  were almost equally low ill point of moral tdetenance always expresses either surprise or an-  basement.  Captain Cook, speaking of the nager.  The least dispulte between them is follow-  tives of Otaheite, declares, T" They are all ared by blows of sticks, clubs, or paddles, and of-  rant thieves, and can pick pockets with the dext n, withoult doubt, costs the combatants their  terity of the most expert London blackguard."'*
li*es."  With regard to the women, he remarks:  When describing the societies distinguished by
"' The gross effrontery of their conduct, the in-  the name of Arreoy, he declares, as a characterd'cency of their motions, and the disgusting. of-  istic of the female part of the conmunity,;' If
fers which they made of their favours, rendered  any of the women happen to be with child, which
therr fit mothers and wives for the ferocious be-  in this manner of life, happens less frequently
ings that surrounded us."  The treachery and  than in ordinary cases, the poor infant is smofe~rocity of these savages were strikingly display-  thered the moment it is boon, that it may be no
ed in nlassacring M. de Langle, the astronomer,  incumbrance to the father, nor interrupt the
and eleven ofthecrew that belonged toPerouse's  mother in the pleasures of her diabolical prosvessel, and such was their fierce barbarity,  titution."f  Another circumstance, stated by the
that, after hiving killed them. they still continued  same navigator, exhibits their former moral chato wreak.heir fury upon the inanimate bodies  racter in a still more shocking point of view.
with their clubs. The natives of New Caledonia  On the approach of war with any of the n4ighare a race of a similar description.  Though  bouring islands, or on other interesting occaCapfain Cook describes them  as apparently a  sions, human sacrifices were a universal practice.
good natured sort of people, yet subsequent na-' When I described," says this illustrious voyavigators have found them to be almost the very  ger, "' the Natibe at Tongabatoo, I mentioned,
reverse of what he described; as ferocious in the  that, on the approaching sequel of that festival,
extreme, addicted to cannibalism, and to every  we had been told that ten men were to be sacribarbarity shockingto humannafure. TheFrench  ficed.  This may give us an idea of the extent
navigator, Admiral D'Entrecasteaux, in his in-  of this religious massacre on that islanr. And
tercourse with these people, received undoubted  though we should suppose, that never more than
proofs'of their savage disposition, and of their  one person is sacrificed  on any single occasion
being acculltomed to feed on human fletsh. Speak-  at Otaheite, it is more than probable, that these
ing of one of the natives, who had visited his  occasions happened so frequently, as to maice a
ship, and had described the various practices  shocking waste of the human race; for I counted
connected with cannibalism, he says,-" It is  no less than forty-nine skulls of fbrmer victims,
difficult to depict the ferocious avidity with which  lying before the Morai, where we saw one more
he expressed to us, that the flesh of their unfor-  added to the number.  And, as none of these
tunatewvictims was devoured by them after they  skulls had, as yet, suffered any considerable
had broiled it on the coals. This cannibal also  chance from the weather, it may hence be inferlet us know, that the flesh of the arms and legs  red, that no great length of time had elapsed, since
was cut into slices, and that they considered the  this considerable number of unhappy wretches
most muscular parts a very agreeable dish.  It  had been  offered  on  this altar of blood."I
was then easy for us to explain, why they fre-  He also informs us, that human sacrifices were
qlently felt our arms and legs, manifesting a  more frequent in the Sandwich, than in any of
violent longing; they then uttered a faint whist-  the other islands.  " These horrid rites," says
ling, which they produced by closing their teeth,  he, " are not only had recourse to upon:the comand applying to them the tip of the tongue; af. mencement of war, and preceding great battles,
terwards opening their mouth, they smacked their  and other signal enterprises; but the death of
lips several times in succession."             any considerable chief calls for a sacrifice of one
The characters of the islanders now described,  or more Totltows, (that is, vulgar or low persons.)
may be considered as common to the inhabitants  according to his rank; and we were told that ten
ot the New Hebrides, the Friendly Islands, the  men were destined to suffer on the death of
Marquesas, the Sandwich, New Guinea, New   Terreeoboo, one of their great chiefs.~
Britain, the Ladrones, and allnost all the islands    Such are a few specimens of the moral dispowhich are dispersed over the vast expanse of  sitions-the hatred, the horrid warfare, and the
the Pacific Ocean. Captain Cook, when de-  abominable practices, which are displayed over
scriting the natives of New Zealand, remarks,
that, " the inhabitants of the other parts of the   Hawkesworth's Narrative of Cook's Voyages,
Sourth Seas have not even the idea of indecency  vol. I.
with respect to anry object, or to any action.i'    t Ibid.        I lAid.
~ Hawkesworth's Narrative  of Cook's Voyages.
F e  inhabitants even of the Society and of the  Vol. n.




140                     TrIlE  PHILOSOPHY OF REl IGIONL.
the greater portion of the Eastern and Western  and their physical and mental exertions, seem tn
Continents, and among the thousands of islands  be spent much in war, and in the preparation o'
which diversify the surface of the Ocean-dispo-  warlike instruments, as if these were the great
sitions and practices, which, if permitted to ex-  ends for which the Creator had brought them intend their influence universally, and without  to existence. If the ingenuity and the energies
control, would  soon extirpate  the intelligent  displayed in such preparations and pursuits, were
creation, and banish happiness from the empire  employed in operations calculated to promote the
of God.                                       benefit of mankind, what an immense proportion
WARLIKE ATTITUDE OF NATIONS.            of happiness would be distributed among numerous tribes which are just now sunk into depraWere benevolence a characteristic of the in-  vity, and into the depths of wretchedness and
habitants of our globe, every traveller would be  wo!
secure from  danger from  his fellow-men: he    Pallas, in his description of the nations inhanight land on every shore without the least sus-  biting the Caucasus, when speaking of the CIRpicion or alarm, and confidently expect that his  CASSIANS, says, " Persons of wealth and rank
distresses would be relieved, and his wants sup-  never leave the house without a sabre, nor do
plied, by every tribe of the human race among  they venture beyond the limits of the village
whom he might occasionally sojourn. No hos-  without being completely arrayed, and having
tile weapons would be lifted up to repel a stranger, their breast pockets supplied with ball cartridges.'
when gratifying his curiosity in visiting distant  In regard to the lower class, "when they do not!ands, and contemplating foreign scenes; and no  carry a sabre, with other arms, they provide
instruments of destruction would require to be  themselves with a strong staff, two arshines long,
fiorged, to preserve a nation from the inroads of  on the top of which is fixed a large iron head, al.a
destroyers.  But when we survey the actual  the lower end is furnished with a sharp iron pike,
state of mankind, we find almost every nation  about eighteen inches long, which they are ac.
under heaven, if not actually engaged in war, at  customed to throw  expertly, like a dart. The
least in a warlike attitude, and one of their chief  princes and knights pursue no other businesd
employments consists in divising schemes, either  or recreation than war, pillage, and the amuse(f conquest or revenge, and in furbishing the in-  ments of the chase; they live a lordly life, wanstruments ofdeath. The following instances may  der about, meet at drinking parties and undertake
suffice, as illustrations of this position.   military excursions."  Among these people,
The armies of ASHANTEE, says Dupuis,  "the desire of revenge, for injuries received, is
amount to upwards of eighty thousand men, arm-  hereditary in the successors, and in the whole
ed with  tomahawks, lances, knives, javelins,  tribe.  It remains, as it were, rooted with so
hows, and arrows; and forty thousand, who can  much rancour, that the hostile princes or nobles
occasionally be put in possession of muskets and  of two different tribes, when they meet each
blundoerbusses.-The opposing armies of Mos-  other on the road, or accidentally in another place,
LEM  and DINHERtu, amounted at times to  are compelled to fight for their lives; unless they
140,000 men.-The King of DAHOMY, and his  have given previous notice to each other, ano
auxiliaries, can raise about 50,000 men, armed  bound themselves to pursue a different route.
with bows and arrows, sabres, and iron maces.-   Unless pardon be purchased, or obtained by inThe king of BENIN can arm 200,000, upon an  termarriage between the two families, the prin.
emergency, and filrnish 10,000 of them  with  ciple of revenge is propagated to all succeeding
muskets.  In those countries of Africa, where  generations."*
fire-arms and gunpowder are unknown, they    It is well known, that it) almost all the islands
wield the following kinds of arms with great dex-  in the Indian and the Southern Oceans, when
teritv and execution.  These are, very strong  navigators attempt to land, in order to procure
supple lances, which are barbed and poisoned,  water and provisions, they are almost uniformtargets, hows and arrows, tomahawks, and iron  ly opposed by crowds of ferocious savages, armed,
maces; the foruner of which they are in the prac-  with long spears, clubs, lances, bows and arrows
tice of poisoning with a venom more deadly than  and, with horrid yells, brandishing thenl in tfle
that which is used by any other nation, as its  most hostile attitudes. In someinstances, these
operation is said to be sometimes instantaneous,  warlike attitudes might be accounted for, from a
and its wound, though ever so slight, usually pro-  fear of the depredations and murders which-might
duces death within the lapse of a few minutes.*  be committed by strangers, with whose disposlBuch is the warlike disposition displayed by a  tions and characters they are unacquainted. Bus
few comparatively insignificant tribes in Africa,  the implacable hatred which they manifest to,.
and similar dispositions are manifested, and si-  wards even the neighbouring tribes, with whic,.
rnilar attitudes assumed, by almost all the tribes  they are acquainted, and of which I have alread3
which inhabit that vast continent.  Their time,
~Pallas' "Travels through the Solthe rn Provinceu
~Dupuis' ",Mission to Ashantee. in 1823  of the Russian Empire." Vol II. pp 401 4C5




INHUMANITY TO SHIPWRECKED MARINERS.                                  141
sta, ed several instances, shows, that war, re-  tectors. After he has eluded the pursuit ofthe
venge, and the preparation of the instruments of lion or the wolf, or after he has escaped, with
loath, are both their employment, and their de-  difficulty, from the jaws of the devouring deep, he.ight. Yea, not only savage and half-civilized  is frequently exposed to the fury of demons in
ribes, but almost every civilized nation on the  human shape, who insult over his misfortunes,
face of the earth, is found in a hostile attitude  instead of relieving the wants of his body, and
with respect to surrounding nations-either actu-  soothing the anguish of his mind. The following
ally engaged in a deadly warfare with a foreign  relations, among a numerous series which might'ower, or preparing for an attack, or keeping up  be presented to the view of the reader, will tend
fleets and standing armies, and forging cannons,  to illustrate these remarks.
and balls, and swords, in the prospect of a rup.-    My first example shall be taken from  the
ture with neighbouring states. And in such  " Narrative of the Loss of the Grosvenor Indiadeadly preparations and employments, a great  man."  This vessel sailed from Trincomalee,
proportion of those treasures is expended, which, June 13th, 1782, on her homeward-bound voyage,
if directed by the hand of benevolence, would be  and was wrecked on the coast of Caffraria, on
the means of transforming the wilderness into a  the 4th of August following.  It is needless to
fruitful field, of distributing intelligence and moral  dwell on the circumstances which attended the
principle among all ranks, and of making the  shipwreck, and on the consternation, distraction,
hearts of the poor, the widow, and the orphan,  and despair, which seized upon the passengers
", to leap for joy." What a pitiful picture is here  and the crew, when they became alive toall the terpresented of Man, who was originally formed  rors of the scene. Shipwreck, even in its mildest
after thQ image of his Maker, for the purpose  form, is a calamity which never fails to fill the
of displaying benevolent affections towards his  mind with horror; but what is instant death,
fellows,-now  divided into host:le tribes, and  considered as a temporary evil, compared with
brandishing, with infernal fury, at all around, the  the situation of those who had hunger, and thirst,
instruments of destruction! How art thou failen,  and nakedness, to contend with; who only escapO man, from thy original station (cf dignity and  ed the fury of the waves, to enter into conflicts
honour! " How is the gold become dim, and the  with the savages of the forest, or the still greater
most fine gold changed!  The crown is fallen  savages of the human race; who were cut off
from our heads; wo unto us, for we have sin-  from all civilized society, and felt the prolonganed!"                                        tion of life to be only the lengthened pains of
INHUlMANITY OF UNCIVILIZED TRIBES TO    death?
TUNYFORTUNATE TRAYELLERS.                After losing about twenty men, in their first
attempts to-land, the remaining part of the crew
In passing through the scene of his earthly pil-  and the passengers, in number about a hundred,
grimage, Man is exposed to a variety of distresses  after encountering many difficulties and dangers,
and dangers. Sometimes he is exposed to " the  reached the shore. Next morning a thousand
pestilence that walketh in darkness," and to the  uneasy sensations were produce d, from the narever" that wasteth at noon-day."  Sometimes  tives having come down to the shore, and,
he is exposed to the desolations of the earthquake  without ceremony, carried off whatever suited
and the volcano; the blasts of the tempest, the  their fancy. They were at this time about 447
hurricane, and the tornado, and the billows of leagues from the Cape of Good Hope, and 226
the stormy ocean; and, at other times, he is ex-  beyond the limits of any Christian habitation.
posed to the attacks ofthe lion, the tiger, and the  Their ~only resource appeared to be, to direct
hyena, in the dark recesses of the forest. It  their course by land to the Cape,or to the nearest
would be well, however, with man, were these  Dutch settlement. As they moved forward, they
the only evils and enemies which he had to en-  were followed by some of the natives, who, incounter.  Bultthe greatest enemy which man has  stead of showing compassion to this wretched
to encounter, is.Man himself-those who are  group, plundered thenm from  time to time, of
partakers of the same nature, and destined to the  what they liked, and sometimes pelted them with
same  immortal existence; and from  these  stones. In this way they pursued their journey
kindred beings, he is exposed to evils and dis-  for four or five days; during which the natives
tresses, incomparably greater and more numerous,  constantly surrounded them in the day, takiung
than all the evils which he suffers from the rave.  from them whatever they pleased, but invariably
nouns beasts of the forest, or from the fury of the  retired in the night. As they proceeded, they
ttaing elements.  It is a most melancholy re-  saw many villages, which they ca,-fullv avoided,
liection, that, throughout the greater part of the  that they might be less exposed to the insults of
habitable world, no traveller can prosecute his  the natives. At last, they came toa deep utilly,:ourney, without being in hazard either of being  where three of the Caffres met them, armed with
dragged into captivity, or insulted and maltreated,  lances, which they held several times to the capor plundered of his treasures, or deprived of his  tain's throat.  Next day, on comnitg to a large
at'e, by those who ought to he his friends and pro-  village, they found these three men, with three




142                      THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
or foutr hundred of their countrymen, all armed  had been buried in the sand of the last dese'rt
with lances and targets, who stopped the English,  they had passed, and that the survivors were reand began to pilfer and insult-them, and at'last  duced to such extremity, that,'after he had been
fell upon them and beat them. -With these in-  interred, they sent back two of their companions
I uman wretches they had to engage in a kind of  to cut off part of his flesh; but while they pro-.-unning fight.for upwards of two hours; after  ceeded in this horrid business, they had the gooes
which, they cut the buttons from their coats, and  fortune to' discover a young seal, newly driven
oresented them  to'the. natives, on which, they  on shore, which proved a most seasonable rewent away and returned nomore. The follow-  lief."
ing niiht they were terrified with the noise of    Imagination cannot form  a scene of deeper
the wild beasts, and'kept constant watch for fear  distress than what the tender sex, and the little
both of' them atld the natives.   How dreadful a  children must, in such a case, have experienced.
situation, especially for those delicate ladies and  It harrows up the very soulto think what pangs
children, who had so lately been accustomed to all  those delicate' females who had so lately been inthe delicacies' of the East!  Next day,. as they  ured to all the pleasures and luxuries of India,
were.advancing, a, party of natives came down  must have endured, when they were fain to apupon them,. and pltndered them, among other  pease their craving appetites on the putrid carthings, of their tinder-box, flint and steel, which  cass of a whale, and were obliged to repose on
proved an irreparable loss. Every man was now  the bare ground, amidst the howlings of the temobliged to travel, by turns, with a fire-brand in  pest, and the more dismal yells of the beasts oi
his hand; and. before the natives retired, they  prey.  But, amidst this heart-rending scene,
showed more insolence than ever, robbing the  their fellow-men, who ought to have been their
gentlemen: of their watches, arnd the ladies of  soothers and protectors; and who had it in their
their jewels, which they had secreted in their  power to have alleviated: their distresses, were
hair.  Opposition was vain; the attempt only  the' greatest enemies they had to encounter; and
brought fresh insults or blows.                their appearance filled their minds with greater
This group of wretched wanderers now sepa-  alarm than if they had beheld a roaring lion, or a
rated into different parties, and took different  raging. bear.  The following are some specidirections; their provisions were nearly exhaust-  mens of the perfidy and inhumanity of the naed; and the delay occasJoned by travelling with the  tives.' In passing through a village, one'of the
women and children was very great.  Their dif-  company observing, " that a traffic would not
ficultie's increased, as they proceeded on their  be unacceptable, offered them the inside of his
Zourney;- thGy ha-d numerous rivers, sometimnes  watch for a calf; but though they assented to the
nearly two miles -in breadth, to swim' across in  terms, no sooner had they obtained the price,
he course of their route, while the- women and  than they withheld the calf, and drove the Engchildren were conveyed across on floating sta-  lish from their village."  In the same manner
ges, at the imminent hazard of their lives, and of  were they used on many other occasions.' One'eing carried down by the impetuous current into  tiune, when.resting at a village, where the natives
the sea.  Whole days were spent in tracing the  offered no particular resistance, " they produced
rivers towards their source, in order to'obtain a  two bowls of milk, which they seemed willing to
ford. They traversed vast plains of sand, and  barter, but as our wretched countrymen had nobleak and barren deserts, where nothing could be  thing to give in exchange, they denied them this
found to alleviate their hunger, nor the least drop. humble boon without an equivalent, and ate it
of water to quench'their raging thirst.'They  up themselves.'  At the' same place, they impased through deep forests; where human feet.  plored in the most impressive terns,'to partake
had never trod, where nothing was heard but the  with the natives of the spoils of a' deer, which
dreadful howiings of'wild'beasts, which filled  they had just killed,' but they turned a deaf ear
them'with'alarm  and despair.;" rWild sorrel,  to their'solicitations, and insisted, moreover, on
berries which the birds had picked'at, and a few  their qfiltting the kraal. On another occasion,
shell-fish which'they occasionally picked up on  " on coming to a large village, the inhabitants
the shore, were the only food which they had to  set upon them  with such fiery, that several
subsist on for several days; and on some occa-  were severely wounded, and one of them died
sions the dead body of a seal, or the putrid car-  soon after."
cuss of a whale, was hailed as a delicious treat to    In this manner, did the wretched remains of
t.heir craving appetites." One person fell after  these hapless wanderers traverse the wilds ot
another into the arms of death, through hunger,  Africa, during the space of one hundred and;atigue, and despair, and were sometimes obliged  seventeen days, till they accidentally met with
to be left in the agonies of dissolution, as a'prey  some Dutch settlers, when within 400 miles oi
to ravenous beasts, or to the fowls of heaven.  the Cape.  Here they were treated with the
The following circumstance shows the dreadful  kindest attention, and their wants relieved.  But,
situation to which they were reduced for want of  by this time, only 15 or 20 emaciated beings stir
food. " It appeared that the captain's steward  vived, out of more than 120 prusons who were on




INHUMANITY TO SHIPWRECKED MARINERS.                                   143
board the Grosvenor. What became of'the cap-  They sported with my sufferings; and that their
tain and his party is still unknown. Some are  enjoyments might be still higher, they spurred on
supposed to have perished from hunger, some  theircamels."  Aftertravelling for sixteen days,
through grief and fatigue, and others to have  during which they were exposed to the greatest
)een killed by the inhospitable natives.-Now,  fatigue, and the most dreadful miseries, they at
all the accumulated miseries endured by these  length reached the place of their destination, in
Lunfrtunate travellers, and the premature death  a most wretched and exhausted condition. And
of nearly a hundred persons, are to be attribut-  what was the manner of their reception?  The
ed to that spirit oC selfishness, inhumanity, and  women having satisfied their curiosity in inquihostility, which, in all ages, has prevented en-  ries about the strangers, immediately began to
joyment, and entailed misery on the human race. load them with abuse. " They even spat in our
Had a principle of love to mankind pervaded the  faces," says M. B. " and pelted us with stones.
hearts of the wretched Caffres, or had even the  The children, too, copying their example, pinchcommon feelings of humanity been exercised to-  ed us, pulled our hair, and scratched us with their
wards their fellow-creatures in distress, the whole  nails, whilst their cruel mothers ordered them to
of the unfortunate individuals that perished in  attack sometimes one and sometimes another,
Africa's inhospitable clime, might have been con-  and took pleasure in causing them to torment
ducted in safety to their friends and their native  us."
land.                                           They were compelled to work at the most faMy next example is taken from M. De Bris-  tiguing and menial employments, and beaten
son's" Narrative of his shipwreck, and captivity  with severity when they did not exert themselves
among the Moors."                            far beyond their strength, while they were denied
M. Brisson was shipwrecked on the coast of  a single morsel of wholesome food. " As we
Barbary, on the 10th July, 1785, and, after  were Christians," says the narrator, " the dogs
much difficulty and danger, he, along with the  fared better than we, and it was in the basins
erew, escaped safe to land. No sooner had they  destined for their use that we received ourallowreached the shore, than they were surroundedby  ance: our food was raw snails, and herbs and
a crowd of savages, and seized by the collars.  plants trodden under foot by the multitude." In'The Arabs," says M. Brisson, "armed with  this manner did these unfortunate travellers drag
cutlasses and large clubs, fell upon my compa-  out the period of their captivity; some died of
nions with incredible ferocity; and I had the  the blows and harsh treatment they received, and
mortification of soon seeing some of them wounid-  others died of hunger and despair. M. Brisson
ed, whilst others, stripped and naked, lay stretch-  one day found, the captain of the vessel in a
ed out and expiring on the sand.  The news of neighbouring hamlet, stretched out lifeless upon
olr shipwreck being spread abroad through the  the sand, and scarcely distinguishable but by the
c.ountry, we saw the savages running with the  colour ofhis body. In his mouth he held one of
greatest eagerness from  all quarters.  The wo-  his hands, which his great weakness had no
men, enraged that they could not pillage the  doubt prevented him from devouring. He was so
ship, threw themselves upon us, and tore from   changed by hunger, that his body exhibited the!is the few articles of dress which we had left.  most disgusting appearance; all his features
While they went to the shore to obtain more  being absolutely effaced. A few days after, the
plunder, a company of Ouadelims discovered and  second captain, having fallen down  through
pillaged our retreat, and beat us in the most un-  weakness below an old gum tree, became a prey
mercifuil manner, till I was almost at the last  to the attacks of a monstrous serpent. Some
gasp. My mind was so much affected that I  famished crows, by their cries, frightened away
could not refrain from tears: and some of the  the venomous animal, and, alighting on the body
women having observed it, instead of being  of the dying man, were tearing him to pieces,
moved with compassion, threw sand in my eyes,  while four savage monsters, in human shape,'to dry up my tears,' as they expressed it.   M.  still more cruel than the furious reptile, heheld
Brisson was forced, by these rude barbarians,  this scene without offering him the least assistinto the interior of the country, as a captive.  ance.  " I attempted to run towards him," says
"After passing," says he, " mountains of a pro-  M. Brisson, "and to save his life, if possible,
diginus height, which were covered with small  but the barbarians stopped me, and after instlltsharp flints, I found that the soles of my feet  ing me, said,' This Christian will soon become
wert  entirely covered with blood. I was per-  a prey to the flames.' "  The bad state of health
mitted to get up behind my master on his camel;  of this unfortunate man would not permit him
bult as I was naked, I could not secure myself to labour, and his master and mistress would not
from the friction of the animal's hair, so that in a allow him the milk necessary'for his subsistence.
very little time my skin was entirely rubbed off.  -Such were the scenes ofinhumanity and cruelMy blood trickled down over the animal's sides,  ty which M. Brisson witnessed, during the
and this sigh', instead of movin, the pity of these  whole period he remained in the territories of
marbarians, a/orrded them a suliect of diversion.  these barbarous tribes.  They present to our




144                      THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
siewv so many pictures of abominable selfishness  brought him  generally about midnight.  rhis
and even of pure malevolence. And it is a most  scanty allowance was all that he and his two at.
melancholv reflection, that numerous tribes of a  tendants were to expect during the whole of the
similar description are spread over a very large  ensuing day.  "I was a stranger," says he, " 1
portion of the habitable world. It makes one feel  was unprotected, and I was a Christian; each
degraded when he reflects that he is related, by  ofthese circumstances is sufficient to drive every
the ties of a common nature, to beings possessing  spark of humanity from the heart of a Moor.
a character so malignant and depraved.        Anxious, however, to conciliate favour, and, if
I shall select only another example, illustrative  possible, to afford the Moors no pretence for illof this topic, extracted from the travels of Mr.  treating me, I readily complied with every comPark.  This.enterprising traveller prosecuted a  mand, and patiently bore every insult. But
journey of many hundred miles in the interior of  never did any period of my life pass away so
Africa, for the most part on foot, and alone.  heavily. From sun-rise to sun-set, was I obligSometimes, his way lay over a burning sandy  ed to bear, with an unruffled countenance, the inwilderness, where he found little to alleviate  sults of the rudest savages upon earth." Having,
either his hunger or his thirst; and sometimes he  at length, nmade his escape from these barbarians,
travelled among woods and thickets, and across  he declares, " It is impossible to describe thejoy
rivers and marshes, exposed to the wild beasts,  that arose in my mind, when I looked around,
and without any path to guide him.  Though  and concluded that I was out of danger. I felt
the negroes of that country frequently relieved  like one recovered from sickness.  I breathed
his wants and distresses, yet the Moors used him  freer; I found unusual lightness in my limbs:
with great cruelty and inhumanity, so that he  even the desert looked pleasant; and I dreaded
hardly escaped with life. The chiefs through  nothing so much as falling in with some wandering
whose territories he passed, generally exacted a. parties of the Moors, who might convey me back
tribute from him, so long as he had any thing to  to  the land of thieves and murderers from
give, and, tinder that plea, they often robbed him   which I had just escaped."-Alas! what a load
of all the articles which he had it not in his pow-  of sorrow and of misery have the selfishness and
er to conceal. When he passed through the  inhumanityof man accumulated upon the heads
town of Deena, the Moors insulted him in every  of forlorn and unfortunate sufferers! While our
form which malignity could invent.  A crowd of disconsolate traveller, after his escape, was
them surrounded the hut in which he lodged, and,  wandering in an unknown desert, fainting with
besides hissing and shouting, uttered much abu-  hunger, and  parched with thirst, surrounded
sivelanguage. Their aim seemedtobe to nrovoke  with pitchy darkness, which was only relieved
Park to make retaliation, that they might have  by the flashes ofthe lightnings; where no sounds
some pretence to proceed to greater outrages, and  were heard but the howlings of wild beasts, and
to rob him of his property. Suspecting their in-  the rolling thunders: —-' About two in the morntentions he bore all'with the greatest patience,  ing," says lie, " my horse started at something,
and, though they even spit in his face, he showed  and, looking round, I was not a little surprised to
no marks of resentment. Disappointed in their  see a light, at a short distance among the trees,
aim, they had recourse to an argument common  and supposing it to be a town, I groped along
among Mahometans, to convince themselves  the sand, in hopes of finding corn stalks, cotton,
that they had a right to whatever the stranger  or other appearances of cultivation, but found
might have in his possession.  He was a Chris-  none. As I approached, I perceived a number
tian.  They opened his bundles, and took what-  of lights in other places, and, leading my horse
ever they thought might be of use, and whatever  cautiously towards the light, I heard, by the lowsuited their fancy.                          ing of the cattle, and the clamorous tongues of the
Having been kept for some time in captivity  herdsmen, that it was a watering place, ana
by a Moorish tribe, they not only robbed him of most likely belonged to the Moors. Delightful as
the few articles which were still in his possession,  the sound of the human voice was to me, I resolvbut insulted and oppressed him with the most  ed once more to strike into the woods, and rawanton cruelty.  The day was passed in hunger  ther ruln the risk of perishing with hunger, than
and thirst; to hunger and thirst were added the  trust myself again into their hands."-It is a
malignant insults of the Moors, of whom Inany  most affecting consideration, and shows to what
visited him, whose only business seemed to be to  a degree of malignity human beings have arri.torment him. He always saw the approach of  ed, when a hungry, houseless, and benighted
the evening with pleasure; it terminated another  traveller prefers to flee for protection to the
day of his miserable existence, and removed from   haunts of the beasts of prey, rather than commit
him his troublesome visitants.  A scanty allow-  himself to the tender mercies of those who are
ance of kouskous,* and of salt and water, was  partakers of the same common nature, and who
have it in their power to alleviate his distresses.
* A species of food somewhat reseublli no r;.,    Mr. Park, when among the Moors, was forced,orridge.                                    to pass many days, almost without drip;. under




INHUMANITY TOWARDS TRAVELLERS.                                      1 4,
a iburning climnate where, to a Fulropean, the  adverted, when properly considered, are ca;cu.
neat is almost insufferable.  His raging thirst  lated to inspire us with contentment, and to ex.
induced hin to run every risk, and to burst  cite to gratitude for the common blessings which
through every restraint.  He sent his boy to the  we enjoy without the least fear of danger or anwells to fill the skin which he had for holding  noyance.  How often do we enjoy the refresh.
water; but the Moors were exasperated that a  ment of a delicious beverage, without thinking
christian should presume to fill his vessel at  of the parched tongues of the African pilgrims;
cells consecrated to the use of the followers of and howv often do we spurn at a wholesome dish,
Mahomet. Instead, therefore, of permitting the  which would be hailed with transports of gratiboy to carry away water, they gave him many  tude by the houseless and hungry -vanderer ot
severe blows; and this mode of treatment was  the desert! Yea, how many are there, even in
repeated as often as an attempt was made.-On  our civilized country, who enjoy, in luxurious
another occasion, when awaking from a dream,  abundance, all the blessings which nature and:rl which, during his broken slumbers, his fancy  art can furnish, who never once acknowledge,
had transported him to his native country, and  with heart-felt gratitude, the goodness of Him
placed him on the verdant brink of a transparent  " who daily loads them with his benefits," nor
rivulet, and perceiving that his raging thirst had  reflect on the wants and the sufferings of their
exposed him to a kind of fever, he resolved to  fellow-men!  Mr. Park, when oppressed with
expose himself to the insults of the Moors at the  hunger and fatigue, applied, at the chief magiswells, in hopes that he might procure a small  trate's house, in a village named Shrilla, for some
slupply.  When he arrived at them he found the  relief, but was denied admittance.  He passed
Moors drawing watr.  He desired permission  slowly through the village till he came without
to drink, btut was driven from well to well with  the walls, where he saw an old motherly-looking
reiterated outrage. At length he found one well  woman at the door of a mean hut. She set bewhere only an old man and two boys drew for  fore him a dish of boiled corn, that had been left
their cattle. He earnestly begged a small quan-  the preceding night, on which he made a toleratity. The old man drew the bucket from the  ble meal.  "Overcome with joy," says Park,
well, and held it out. Park was about eagerly  " at so unexpected a deliverance, I lifted up my
to seize it, when the Moor, recollecting that the  eyes to heaven, and, while my heart swelled with
stranger was a Christian, instantly threw the  gratitude, I returned thanks to that gracious and
water into the trough, where the cows were  bountiful Being, whose power had supported me
already drinking, and told Park to drink thermce.  under so many dangers, and had now spread for
He hesitated not for a moment. His sufferings  me a table in the wilderness."
made even this offer acceptable. He thrust his    When Mr. Park was returning from the in
head between those of two cows, and, with feel-  terior of Africa, he was encountered by a party,
ings of pleasure which can be experienced only  of armed negroes, who led him into a dark place
by those who have been reduced to a similar  of the forest through which'he was passing, andl
state of wretchedness, he continued to quench  stripped him  entirely naked, taking from him
his thirst till the water was exhausted, and," till every thing which he possessed, except an old
the cows began to contend with each other for  shirt and a pair of trowsers. He begged them to
the last mouthful."                           return his pocket compass; but, instead of comIn this instance, we can partly account for the  plying with his request, one of them  assured'
barbarity ofthe action, from the inveterate preju-  him, that, if he attempted to touch that, or any
dices which all Mahometans entertain against  other article, he would immediately shoot him!
Christians; but it still remains to be accounted  dead on the spot. He was thus left in the midst
for, why any one should refuse to a suffering fel-  of a vast wilderness, in the depth of the rainy
low-creature the common bounties ofProvidence,  season, naked and alone, without food, and with.
which he has in his power to bestow, however  out the means of procuring it; surrounded, by
different he may be in complexion, in. national  savage animals, and by men still more savage,
character, or in the religion he professes. A   and 500 miles from the nearest European, settlereligion which encourages such prejudices, and  ment.  "All these circumstances  savs this
which leads to such inhumanity, must be an  intrepid traveller, " crowded at once on my recolab -miation in the sight of Him who has a spe-  lection, and, I confess, my spirits began -to fail
cial regard to the wants of all his creatures, and  me.  I considered thatI had no other alternative,
who'" sendeth rain to refresh the fields of the  but to lie down and die. The influence of reli-,ust and of the unjust."  The prevalence of such  gion, however, aided and supported! me. At
characters and dispositions over so large a por-  this moment, painful as my reflections were, the
tion of the world, shows that the moral constittu- extraordinary beauty of a small moss irresistibly
ti)n of man has suffered a sad derangement since  caught my eye. Can that Being, thought I,
the period when he proceeded as a pure intelli-  who planted, watered, and brought tetperfection,
gence from the hands of his Creator           in this obscure part of the world, a- thing which
Such incidents as those to which I have now   appears of so small importance, look with wt
30




i14                      THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
concern on the situation and sufferings of crea-  children, by lacing their heads between teve
tures formed after his own image?  Surely not. boards; that others pierce the nostrils, lips, or
Reflections like these would not allow me to de-  cheeks, and place in them feathers, the bones of
spair.  I started up, and, disregarding both hun-  fishes, and similar ornaments; —and that the
ger and fatigue, travelled forwards, assured that  savages of Brazil pull the hair out of their beards,.elief was at hand, and I was not disappointed."  their eye-brows, and all parts of their bodies,
Thus was this unfortunate adventurer delivered,  which make them have an uncommon, and a f.by the care of Providence, from those accumu-  rocious appearance. Their under-lip they pierce,
lated distresses which had been brought upon  and, as an ornament, insert into it a green stone,
hirm by the malignity and inhumanity of man.    or a small polished bone.  Immediately after
Such are a few specimens of the inhumanity  birth the mothers flatten the noses of their childdisplayed by uncivilized tribes towards strangers,  ren.  The whole of them go absolutely naled,
ansd unfortunate voyagers and travellers.  They  and paint their bodies of aifferent colours. —
exhibit dispositions and conduct directly repug-  Captain Cook informs us, that, in New Zealandtl,
tlant. to every principle of benevolence, and pre-  both sexes mark their faces and bodies with
sent to our view a gloomy prospect of the diffi-  black stains, similar to the tattooing in Otaheite.
culties and dangers to be surmounted by philan-  The men, particularly, add new  stains every
thropic missionaries, before the habitable world  year, so that, in an advanced period of life, they
can be thoroughly explored, and before the bless-  are almost covered from head to foot. Besides
ings of knowledge,-civilization, and religion can  this, they have marks impressed, by a method
be communicated to the benighted and depraved  unknown to us, of a very extraordinary kind.
tribes of mankind.                             They are furrows of about a line deep, and a
*A-MAtLEVOLENT DISPOSITIONS, AS DISPLAYED  line broad, such as appear upon the bark of a
IN DISFIGURING THE HUMAN BODY.             tree which has been cult through after a year's
growth.  The edges of these furrows are afterThe human frame, when preserved in its ori.  wards indented by the same method, and, being.ginal state, is one of the finest pieces of mechan-  perfectly black, they make a most frightful apIstmn which the mind can  contemplate.   In  pearance. Both sexes bore their ears: they
ibeauty, in symmetry, in the harmony and pro-  gradually stretch the holes till they are so large as,portion of all its parts and functions, it is su-  to admit a finger. Into these holes they put
perior to the organical structures of all the other  feathers, coloured cloth, bones of birds, twigs of
ranks of sensitive existence. There is no part  wood, and frequently the nails which they receivimperfect or deformed, no part defective, and no  ed from  the ships.-The same voyager, when
part useless or reduniant.  All its members are  describing  the New  Hollanders, tells us,so constructed and arranged as to contribute to  "Their chief ornament is a bone, which is thrulst
the beauty and perfection of the whole, and to  through a hole bored in the cartilage which dithe happiness of the intelligent mind by which it  vides the nostrils.  This bone is as thick as a
is governed and directed. In combination with  man's finger, and six  inches in length.  I'
the power of thought and volition, and when un-  reaches quite across the face, and so effectually
stained by malignant passions, it is a visible re-  stops up both nostrils, that they are- forced to
presentative of the Creator, having been formed  keep their mouths wide open for breath, and
after his image; and it displays, in a most strik-  snuffle so when they attempt to speak, that they
ing manner, the wisdom and the goodness of its  are scarcely intelligible to each other. Our seaAlmighty Maker. But, notwithstanding the ac-  men with some humour, called it their sprit-sail;knowledged excellence of the human frame, it has  yard; and indeed it had so ludicrous an appearbeen the practice of the degraded tribes of man-  ance, that, till we were used to it, we found it diffikind, in almost every country, and in every age,  cult to restrain from laughter." He also describes
to disfigure its structure, and to deface its beauty;  a custom of a peculiar nature which prevails in the
as if the Creator, when he formed it, had been  Friendly Islands. " The greater part of the indeficient in intelligence and in benevolent design.  habitants, both male and female, were observed
Such practices, I am disposed to think, imply a  to have lost one or both of their little fingers.
principle of malevolence directed towards the  This custom seemed not to be chara-ieristic of
Creator, and a disposition to find fault with his  rank, of age, or of sex; for, with the exception
wis  contrivances and arrangements.  At any  of some young children, very few people were
rate, they display a degree of ignorance and fol-  discovered in whom  both hands were perfect.
ly, a vitiated taste, and a degradation of mind,  They likewise burn or make incisions in their
inconsistent with the dignity of a rational intelli-  cheeks."
geowce. The following facts will, perhaps, tend    All the eastern nations are said to have a pre
to illustrate these remarks. —                 dilection for long ears. Some draw the lobe o.
Condamine, when describing the natives of the ear, in order to stretch it to a greater length,:Srmth America, informs us, that the Omaguas,  and pierce it so as to allow the admission:f an
tand some other savages, flatten the faces of their  ordinary pendant.  The natives of LaosJ o pro



DISFIGURING OF THE HUMAN BODY.                                  147;igiously wiie;n the holes in their ears, that a  tight bandages, till they unite with, and are humlan's hand mtay be thrust through Ihen. Hence, ried in the sole.  I have inspected a model of a
the ears of these people often descend to the  Chinese lady's foot, exactly of this description,
tops of their shoulders.*  Gentil assures us,  which, I was assured, was taken from life. The
that the women, in the northern parts of China,  length was only two inches and three-fourths;
employ every art in order to diminish their eyes.  the breadth of the base of the heel, seven eighths
For this purpose, the girls, instructed by their  of an inch; the breadth of the broadest part of
mothers, extend their eye-lids continually, with  the foot, one and one fourth of an inch; and the
the view of naking their eyes oblong and small.  diameter of the ankle, three inches above the
These properties, in the estimation of the Chi-  heel, one and seven eighths of an inch.  With
nese, when joined to a flat nose, and large, open,  feet of this description the Chinese ladies may
pendulous ears, constitute the perfection of beau.  be said rather to totter than to walk; and, by
ty. —Ve are informed by Struys, that the wo-  such practices, they evidently frustrate the bemen of Siam wear so large and heavy pendants  nevolent intentions of the Creator, and put themin their ears, that the holes gradually become  selves to unnecessary inconvenience and pain.
wvide enough to admit aman's thumb. The na-  Yet such is the powerful influence of fashion,
tlves of New Holland pull out the two fore-teeth  however absurd and ridiculous, that women of
of the upper jaw.  In Calicut, there is a band  the middling and inferior classes frequently sutfof nobles called Neaires, who lengthen their ears  fer their feet to be thus maimed and distorted,
to such a degree, that they hang down to their  in order to ape the unnatural customs of their
shoulders, and sometimes even lower.t  The  superiors.
Arabs paint their lips, arms, and the most con-    We have every reason to believe that the
spicuous parts of their bodies, with a deep blue  harsh and ugly features, and the ferociotus ascolour.  This paint, which they lay on in little  pect, by which numerous tribes of mankind are
dots, and make it penetrate the flesh, by punc-  distinguished, are owing to such voluntary disturing the skin with needles, can never be effac-  tortions of the human frame, and to the filthy and
ed. Some of the Asiatics paint their eye-brows  abominable practices in'which they indulge.
of a black colour, and others e radicate the hairs  Father Tertre assures us, that the flat noses of
with rusma, and paint artificial eye-brows, in the  the negroes are occasioned by a general practice
form of a black crescent, which gives them an  of mothers, who depress the noses of their newuncommon and ugly appearance.  The inhabi-  born infants, and squeeze their lips, in order to
tants of Prince William's Sound, paint their  thicken them; and that those children who esfeaes and hands, bore their ears and noses, and  cape these operations have elevated noses, thin
slit their tinder lips. In the holes made in their  lips, and fine features.-It is somewhat unacnoses, they hang pieces of bone or ivory, which  countable, and it shows the perversity of the
are often two or three inches long; and, in the  human mind, in its present degraded state, that
slit of the lip, they place a bone or ivory instru-  such practices should be so general, and so obstiment with holes in it, from which they suspend  nately persisted in, when we consider the pain
beads that reach below the chin.  These holes  and inconvenience with which they are attended.
in the lip disfigure them greatly, for some of them   -To pull the hairs of the chin or eye-brows
are as large as their mouths.t                from the roots; to slit the under lip, till the inciSuch distortions of the beautiful structure ofthe  sion be as large as one's mouth; to pierce the
human frame, are not peculiar to the savage tribes  nostrils, till a bone as large as a man's finger
of the human race, but are practised by nations  can be thurst through them; and to cover the
which have made considerable advances in sci-  body with black streaks, which make the blood
ence and civilization. It is well known that, in  to flow at every stroke of the instrument by which
China, a ridiculous custom prevails, of rendering  they are produced, must be attended with excruthe feet of their females so small, that they can  ciating pain. Sir Joseph Banks, who accompawith difficulty support their bodies.  This is  nied Captain Cook in his first voyage, was predeemned a principal part of their beauty; and no  sent, in the island of Otaheite, at the operation
swathing nor compression is omitted, when they  of tattooing, performed on the back of a girl o.
are young, to give them this fancied accomplish-  thirteen years of age. The instrument used had
ment.  Every woman of fashion, and every wo-  twenty teeth; and at each stroke, which was remarn who wishes to be reckoned handsome, must  peated every moment, issued an ichor or serum,
lave her feet so small, that they could easily  tinged with blood. The girl bore the pain with
enier the shoe of a child of six years of age.  great resolution, for some minutes, till, at length,
The great toe is the only one left to act with  it became so intolerable, that she burst out into
Ireedom; the rest are doubled down under the  violent exclamations; but the operator, notwithfoot, in their tenderest infancy, and restrained by  standing the most earnest entreaties to desist,
was inexorable, while two women, who attended
~ Smellie's Philosophy of Natural History, vol. 1I.  upon the occasion, both chid and beat her for
stlid.  I Portlock's V )yage round the World.   struggling.




14g}                    THE PHILOSOPHY  OF RELIGION'.
I ant therefore disposed to view such absurd  all the mountains to the east of Latakla. and a
and barbarous practices, as intimately connected  great part of the plain. Among them is perceiv.
with the operation of a principle of malevolence,  ed a mixture of the religious usages of Paganism
as an attempt to frustrate the wise designs of di-  of the Jewish law, of that of Mahomet and All,
vine benevolence, and as directly repugnant to  and of some dogmas of the Christian Religion.
the spirit of Christianity, and to the benevolent  -The women are considered as a part of the
precepts of the gospel of peace. And it becomes  domestic anin-ralsof the house, and treated as
some of the ladies, and the dandies of modern  slaves. They have no idea of religion, and when
Europe to consider, whether some of their awk-  they are bold enough to inquire of their masters
ward attempts to improve the symmetry of the  concerning it, the latter answer them  that their
human frame ought not to be viewed in the same  religion is, to be charged with the reproduction of
light. Not many years ago, it was considered,  the species, and to be subject to the will of their
in the higher circles of society, as an admirable  husbands.-The Nesserie say their prayers at
improvement'ofthe female form, to give the lower  midnight, and before sun-set.  They may say
halfof the body the appearance of the frustum of a  them either sitting, standing, or walking; but
large tun, as ifit had been ten times the capacity  they are obliged to begin again repeating their
of its natural size, by supporting their robes with  ablution, ifthey speak toa person not oftheir relienormous hoops; —and, about the same period,  gion,-if they perceive, either near or at a disthe lower ranks of female society considered it  tance, a camel, a pig, a hare, or a negro. In their
as the perfection of proportion and beauty, to have  prayers, they curse the man who shaves below the
their waists compressed into the smallest possible  chin, him who is impotent, and the two Caliphs,
space, till the vital functions, in many instances,  Omar and Abou-Bekr.  They detest the Turks,
were deranged, and ultimately destroyed. Were  to whom they are sworn enemies.  This warlike
the dictates of sound reason universally attended  people of mountaineers would be strong enough
to, and were the influence of Christianity fully  to shake off the yoke of the Turks, and live indefelt among all nations, the preposterous and sa-  pendently, if they were not divided by interested
vage practices to which I have now adverted,  motives, almost all occasioned by implacable
would not only be discontinued, but held in abhor-  family hatreds. They are vindictive, and cherish
rence.   And were such customs completely  their rancour for a length of time: even the death
abolished, we might soon  expect to behold,  of the guilty person cannot assuage their fury
among all the tribes of mankind, every:distortion  their vengeance is incomplete, if it does not fall
of the features or the countenance removed, and  besides on one or several members of his family.
the human form  restored to its original beauty  They are so obstinately superstitious in their atand perfection. Instead of a warlike visage, and  tachment to their peculiar system, that no threats
a ferocious aspect, and the frightful appearance  nor punishments can extort from them the secrets
of naked savages, streaked with colours of black  of their religion. *
and blue, we should behold, in every land, every    Here, then, we are presented with a system of
countenance beaming with the radiations of be-  religion which appears to be founded on malenevolence, and reflecting the moral image of the  volence,-which directs its devotees to curse their
Creator.                                     fellow-men-which leads them to keep their women in profound ignorance of every thing which?MALEVOLENCE AS IT APPEARS IN THlE         they hold sacred-which induces them to conceal
RELIGION OF SAVAGE. TRIBEs.           its mysteries from all the rest of the world-and
There is scarcely a nation on the surface of which, in so far from producing any beneficial efthe globe but what appears to have some impres-  fects on their own conduct, leads to " implacable
si6ns of the existence of a Superior Power, and  family hatreds."  A religion, unless it be foundto have formed a system of religious worship.  ed on a principle of benevolence, is unworthy of
But, it is a striking fact, that, among the greater  the name; it must be an abhorrence in the sight
portion of human beings, their religious notions,  of God, and can never communicate happiness
and their sacred rites, instead of breathing a  to man. And were we to examine the various
spirit of kindness and benevolence towards their  religious systems which prevail in the numeros
fellow-creatures, are blended with a principle of  islands of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, in Cahatred and revenge. This might be illustrated  bul, Thibet, and Hindostan, and among the uno
by an induction of a great variety of instances,  civilized tribes which are scattered over a large
in reference to almost every uncivilized portion  portion of Asia and of Africa, we should find
of thu human race. I shall content myself, how-  them, not cnly blended with malevolent prince
ever, with stating only one instance, in reference  ples and maxims, but sanctioning the perpetration
to the Nesserie, a tribe not much known in Eu-  of deeds of crueltv, obscenity, and horror.
rope, and which may serve as an example of    In the preceding pages, I have endeavoured to
mnany others.
The territory of this people extends from     See Dupont's "Memoirs of the Manners snd Re
ligious Ceremonies of the Nesserle," a work lately
Antioch nearly to Tripoli.  They occupy almost  published.




MORAL STATE OF CIVILIZED NATIONS.                                   149
illustrate some of the prominent features in the  homage unto him and when there shallbe nothing
moral character of the savage and uncivilized  to hurt nor destroy" among, ail the''familhes of
tribes of the human race.  The examples I have  mankind.  But alas! when we investigate the
selected have not been taken from the records of  moral state even of this portion of human beings,
missionaries, or of professed religionists, who  we find the principle of malignity distinctly visimight be suspected by some to give an exagge-  ble in its operations, and interwoven, in''numerated description of the depravity of the Pagan  rous and minute ramifications, through all 1he
world-but from the unvarnished statements of  ranks and gradations of society.  Though its
respectable voyagers and travellers, who could  shades are less dark and gloomy, they are no less
nave no motives for misrepresenting the facts  real than among the hordes of Africa and Tarwhich they have recorded.  These illustrations  tary, and the other abodes of'savage life.  To
might have been extended to a much greater  illustrate this position is the object of the foliength, had it been consistent with the limited  lowing sketches; in which I shall chiefly refer
nature of the present work. Instead of occupying  to the state of society among the nations of Euonly forty or fifty pages, they might have been ex-  rope, and the United' States of America, and
tended so as to have filled as many volumes; for  particularly to the moral character and aspect of
every book of travels, as well as every historical  the British empire.
document, contains a record of the operations of    I shall, in the first place, consider the operamalignity, and of the diversified modes in which  tion of the malevolent principle as it appears in
human depravity is displayed. The dispositions  the actions and dispositions of the young, and in
which I have illustrated, it will be readily ad-  the modes of tuition by which they are trained.
mitted, are all of a malignant character, directly    In many thousands of instances, it may be obrepugnant to that'benevolent principle which  served, that, even before a child has been weanfosrms the basis of the moral laws of the universe.  ed from its mother's breasts, malignant disposiAnd when we consider, that such malevolent dis-  tions are not only fostered, but are regularly
positions are displayed by a mass of human be-  taught both by precept and example.  Does a
ings, amounting to more than three fourths of ihe  child happen to hit its head accidentally against
population of the globe, and that true happiness  the corner of a table-it is taught by its nurse,
cannot be experienced where malignant passions  and even by its mother, to avenge the injury on
reign uncontrolled, a benevolent mind cannot re-  the inanimate object which caused it,' and to exfrain from indulging a thousand melancholy re-  hibit its prowess and its revenge by beating the
flections, when it casts its eye over the desola-  table with all its might.  Does it cry, through
tions of the moral world, and from forming an  peevishness or pain-it is immediately threatened
anxious wish, that the period may soon arrive,  with being thrown into the ditch, tossed out ot
when the darkness which covers the nations shall  the window, or committed to the charge of some
oe dispelled, and when benevolence and peace  frightful spectre. Is it expedient to repress its
shall reign triumphant over all the earth.     murmurings, and to cajole it into obedience-it
I shall now endeavour to present a few facts  is then inspired with fallacious hopes, and allurand sketches which may have a tendency to il-  ed with deceitful promises of objects'and of pleaIlstrate the present state, and the moral charac-  sures which are never intended to' be realized..er and aspect of the civilized world.        Doe3;t require to have its physical powers exercised-a wooden sword or a whip is' put into its
hands; and it is encouraged to'display its energies in inflicting strokes on a dog, a cat, or any
SECTION  III.'               of its play-fellowt. or companions. I have seen
a little urchin of t,;s description, three or four
MORAL STATE OF CIVILIZED NATIONS.          years of age, brandishing its wooden sword with
all the ardour of a warrior, and repeating its
The present population of the globe may be  strokes on every person, around, while the foolish
estimated atabout 800 millions.  Of these, if we  parents were exulting in ithe' prowess displayed
except the empires of China and Hindostan, we  by their little darling, and'enrouraging it in all
cannot reckon above 180 millions as existing in  its movements.  By these and sinlilar practices,
a state of enlightened civilization; a number  revenge, falsehood, superstition, and the elements
which is less than the fourth part of the human  of war, are fostered in the youthful mind; and is
race. Were even this small portion of mankind  it to be wondered at, that such malignant prinuniformly distinguished for intelligence, and for  ciples and passions should "grow  with their
the practice of benevolence, it would form a glo-  growth, and. strengthen with their strength," till
rious picture for the philanthropist to contem-  they burst forth in all those hideous forms which
plate; and would be a sure prelude of the near  they assume amidst the contests of communities
approach of that happy period, when " all the  and of nations?-The false maxims by which
ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the  children are frequently trained under the domesLord, when all the kindreds of the nations shall do  tic roof, and the foolish indulgence with which




THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
they are treated by injudicious parents, in too  displays of the natural and moral character of the
mnany instances lay the foundation of those petu-  Deity, the facts of Sacred History, the morality.ant and malignant tempers, which are a pest  ofthe Gospel, the scenes of rural and domestic
ooth to Christian andto generalsociety.  Indul-  life, and the operations of philanthrophy-are
gence often leads to an opposite extreme; and  filled with extracts from metaphysical writers,
produces such a degree of insubordination among  from parliamentary debates, and from old plays,
the young, that nothing is to be seen and heard  novels, and farces, which are frequently interlardbut a perpetual round of scolding and beating,  ed with oaths, obscenity, and the slang ofBillings
and the contest of angry passions.  "Among the  gate, which can have no other tendency that
lower ranks of people," says Dr. Witherspoon,  to pollute and demoralize the youthful mind
"who are under no restraint from decency, you  needs, therefore, excite no surprise, that the
mav sometimes see a father or mother running  great body of mankind is still so deficient in raout into the street, after a child who has fled from   tional information and substantial knowledge,
them, wish looks offury and words of execration,  and that a warlike spirit is afloat, and exerting its
and they are often stupid enough to imagine that  baleful influence among the nations.
neighbours or passengers will approve them in    If we follow the young from the school-room
this conduct."  Wherever parental authority is  to the play-ground, or to the streets and the highthus undermined, and such conduct uniformly pur-  ways, we shall find the spirit of malignity dis.
sued, a sure foundation is laid for an extensive dis-  playing itself in a vast diversity of forms.  Here,
play, in after life, of the malignant passions of the  we may behold one mischievous little boy slaphuman heart.                                   ping his neighbour in the face, another tearing
If we follow our youth from the nursery to the  his neighbour's clothes, another tossing his cap
school-room, we shall find the same malevolent af-  into a dirty ditch, another chalking his back in
fections developing themselves on a larger scale,  order to hold him up to ridicule, and another
and indirectly cherished, by the books they read,  pouring out upon him a torrent of nicknames,
the discipline by which they are trained, and the  and of scurrilous epithets.  There, we may be.
amusements in which they indulge. Here we  hold a crowd of boys pelting a poor beggar oi an
may behold one little fellow taking a malicious  unfortunate maniac with stones and dirt for their
pleasure in pinching his neighbour, another in  diversion; mocking the lame, the deformed, and
kicking him, a third in boxing him, a fourth in  the aged, and insulting the passing traveller.
tearing his book, a fifth in pilfering his property,  And, when such objects do not happen to occur,
and a sixth in endeavouring to hold him up to  we may see them  assailing, with a shower of
scorn and ridicule; and all of them combined to  stones, a cat, a dog, a hare, or a fowl, that happens
frustrate, ifpossible, the exertions oftheir teacher,  to cross the path, and enjoying a diabolical pleaand to prevent their own improvement.-If we  sure in witnessing the sufferings of these unfortu
look into the majority of the books which are read  nate animals. Here, we may behold an insolent
in schools, we shall find them filll of encomiulms  boy insulting a timid girl, overturning her pitcher,
upon war,and upon warriors.  TheCwesars, the  and besmearing her with mire;-there we beAlexanders, and the Bonapartes, whose restless  hold another saluting his fellow with a malignant
ambition has transformed the earth into scenes  scowl, and a third brandishing his whip, and
of desolation and carnage, are represented as pat-  lashing a horse or a cow, for his amusement.
terns of every thing that is brave, noble, generous,  On the one hand, we may sometimes behold a
and heroic. The descriptive powers of the poet  ring of boys, in the centre of which two little deare also called in, in order to inflame the youth-  mons are engaged in mutual combat, with eyes
ful mind with warlike dispositions, and to excite  glaring with fury and revenge, exerting their phy.
an ardent desire for mingling in scenes ofconten-  sical powers to the utmost stretch, in:rder to
tion, and for the acquisition of false glory and of  wound and lacerate, and cover with blood and
military renown. Hence, there is no part of their  gore, the faces of each other: on the other hand,
school exercises in which the young so much de-  we may behold an unfortunate boy, whom a natural
light, and in which they so much excel, as in that  temperament, or a virtuous principle, prevents
in which they are called upon to recite such  from engaging in similar combats, assailed with
speeches as " Sempronius's speech for war," or  opprobrious epithets, and made a laughing-stock,
to ape the revengeful encounter of Norval and  and an object of derision and scorn, because he
Glenalvon.  While the spirit of war is thus vir-  will not be persuaded to declare war against his
tually cherished, the counteraction of vicious  neighbour.  And, what is still more atrocious
propensities, and the cultivation of the moral  and disgusting, we may behold children of thirty
powers of the young, are considered as a matter  or forty years of age, encouraging such malevo.
of inferior importance, and, in many seminaries  lent dispositions, and stimulating such combatants
of instruction, are altogether overlooked. Many  in their diabolical exertions!*  Such infernal
of the school collections to which I allude —instead of exhibiting, in simple language, the beau-    * The practice of boxing, among boys, which sn.ies and sublimities of the works ofgenerally prevails, especially in England, is a dit.is and sublimities of the works of nature, the  grace to the boasted civilization and Christianity c




MORAL STATE OF CIVILIZED NATIONS.                                  151
practices, among creatures originally formed  and to become a pest to his friends, and to general
after the divine image, if they were not so com-  society. Our streets and highways areinfested,
mon, would be viewed by every one in whose  and our jails and bridewells filled with young perbreast the least spark of virtue resides, with feel-  sons of this age, who, by means of rational and
ings of indignation and horror.               religious training, might have been rendered a
The great body of our youth, habituated to  comfort to their friends, blessings to society, and
sllch dispositions and practices, after having left  ornaments of the Christian Church.
school at the age of fourteen or fifteen-a period    It would be inconsistent with the limited plan
when head-strong passions and vicious propen-  of this work, to attempt to trace the principle of
sities begin to operate with still greater violence  malignity through all the scenes of social, corn-have access to no other seminaries, in which  mercial, and domestic life. Were I to enter
their lawless passions may be counteracted and  into details of filial impiety, ingratitude, and recontrolled, and in which they may be carried for-  bellion-of faithless friendships-of the alienaward in the path of moral and intellectual im-  tions of affection, and of the unnatural contenprovement.  Throughout the whole of the civi-  tions between brothers and sisters-of the abolized world, I am not aware that there exist any  minable selfishness which appears in the general
regular institutions exclusively appropriated for  conduct and transactions of mankind-of the bitthe instruction of young persons, from the age of  terness, the fraud, and the perjury, with which
fifteen to the age of twenty-five or upwards, on  law-suits are commenced and prosecuted-ofthe
moral, religious, and scientific subjects; in order  hatred, malice, and resentment, manifested for
to expand their intellectual capacities, and to di-  injuries real or supposed-of the frauds daily
rect their moral powers in the path of universal  committed in every department of the commerbenevolence. Yet, without such institutions, all  cial world-of the shufflings and base deceptions
the knowledge and instructions they may have  which are practised in cases of bankruptcy-of
previously acquired, in the great majority of in-  the slanders, the caballing, and the falsehood,
stances, are rendered almost useless and ineffi-  which attend  electioneering contests-of the
cient for promoting the great end of their exist-  envy, malice, and resentment displayed between
ence. From  the age of fifteen to the age of  competitors for office and power-of the haughtwenty-five, is the most important period of hu-  tiness and insolence displayed by petty tyrants
ma. life;. and, for want of proper instruction and  both in church and state-of the selfishness and
direction, during this period, and of rational ob-  injustice of corporate bodies, and the little regard
jects to employ the attention at leisure hours,  they show for the interests of those MLno are opmany a hopeful young man has been left to glide  pressed, and deprived of their rewards-of the
insensibly into the mire of vice and corruption,  gluttony, drunkenness, and prodigality, which so
generally prevail —of the brawlings, fightings,
that country, and tothe superintendents of its public  and contentions, which are daily presented to the
seminaries. That pugilistic contests between grown-  view  in taverns, ale-houses, and
up savages in a civilized shape, should be publicly
advertised, and described in our newspapers, and  and the low slang and vulgar abuse with which
the arena of such contests resorted to by so many  such scenes are intermingled-of the seductions
thousands of the middling and higher classes of
society, is a striking proof that the spirit of folly and  accomplished by insidious artfulness and outraof malignity still prevails to a great extent, and that  geous perjury-of the multiplied falsehoods ot
the spirit of Christianity has made little progress,  all descriptions which are uttered in courts in
even within the limits of the British empire.-The
followinglate occurrence shows the fatal effects with  camps, and in private dwellings-of the unblushwhich such practices are sometimes attended. " On  ing lies of public newspapers, and the perjuries
Monday, February 28, 1825, two of tihe scholars at  of office-of the systematic frauds and robberies
Eton, the Hon. F. A. Cooper, the son of the Earl of
Shaftesbury, and Mr. Wood, the son of Colonel  by which a large portion of the community are
Wood, and nephew to the Marquis of Londonderry,  cheated out of their property and their rightsin consequence of a very warm altercation on the
play-ground, on the preceding day, met, for the pur-  of the pride, haughtiness, and oppression of the
pose of settling the unhappy quarrel by a pugilistia  rich, and of the malice, envy, and discontentment.
encounter-a prevalent practice at Eton and all our  of the poor-such pictures of malignity might
publicschools. Almost the whole school assembled
to witness the spectacle. The inexperienced youth  be presented to the view, as would fill the mind
commenced fighting at four o'clock, and partly by  of the reader with astonishment and horror, and
their own energy, and partly by the criminal excite.  which would require a series of volumes to rement of others, continued the fatal contest till with.
in a little of six, when, mournful to relate, the Earl  cord the revolting details.
of Shaftesbury's son fell very heavily upon his head,    There is one very general characteristic ot
and never spoke afterwards. He was carried off to
his lodgings, where he expired in a few hours. On  civilized, and even of Christian society, that
the coroner's inquest it came out, that brandy had  bears the stamp of malignity, which may partibeen administered very freely, and that no decisive  cularly be noticed; and that is, the pleasure with
effort had been made to discontinue a contest pro-.onged beyond all due limits.-About forty years ago  which men expatiate on the faults and delina similar cause led to a similar result at the same  qnencies of their neighbours, and the eagerness
establishment. The survivor is a clergyman of  with which they circulate scandalous reports
great respectability."-See tie Public Printsfor Feb.
gnr Evan. ag.. for April, 1855.              through every portion of the community. Almost




152                     THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGIO3N.
the one half of the conversation of civilized men, nevelence, can even the common feelings of hu.
when strictly analyzed, will be found to consist  manity, reside in the breast of that man who
of malignant insinuations, and of tales of scan-  can find enjoyment in encouraging. and in witness.
dal and detraction, the one half of which is des-  ing such barbarous sports?  And what a dig.
titute of any solid foundation.  How comes it to  nified amusement is the horse race! where crowds
pass, that the slightest deviation from propriety  of the nobility, gentry, and of the most polished
or rectitude, in the case of one of a generally  classes of society, as well as the ignoble rabble,
respectable character, is dwelt upon with a fiend-  assemble from all quarters, to behold two noble
like pleasure, and aggravated beyond measure,  animals panting, and heaving, and endeavourin
while all his good qualities are  overlooked  to outstrip each other on the course!  What
and thrown completely into the shade?  What  scene of bullying, and jockeying, and betting
is the reason why we are not as anxious to  and cheating, and cursing, and swearing, an
tring forward the good qualities and actions of  fighting, is generally presented on such occaour fellow-men, and to bestow upon them  their  sions! What a wonderful degree of importance
due tribute of praise, as we are to blaze abroad  is attached, by the most dignified rank of socitheir errors and infirmities?  How often does it  ety, to the issue of the race; as if the fate of an
happen, that a single evil action committed by an  empire, or the salvation of an immortal spirit,
individual, contrary to the general tenor of his  were depending on the circumstance of one horse
life, will be trumpeted about by the tongue of getting a start of another! I do not mean to demalice, even to the end of his life, while all his  cry, indiscriminately, public amusements; nor
virtuous deeds and praiseworthy actions will be  to call in question the propriety of improving the
overlooked and forgotten, and attempted to be bu-  locomotive powers of the horse; but, surely, it
ried in oblivion! If benevolence were the pre-  would require no great stretch of invention, to
vailing characteristic of mankind, such disposi-  devise spectacles and entertainments, much more
tions would seldom be displayed in the intercour-  dignified and congenial to the noble powers, and
ses of human  beings.  If benevolence per-  to the high destination of the human mind, and
vaded every heart, we would rejoice to expatiate  which might be exhibited with as little expense
on the excellences of others;-these would form  either of time or of money.
the chief topics of conversation in our personal    And what shall we say of lion/fights. and dog
remarks on others; we would endeavour to  fights, and boxing matches between animals in
throw a veil over the infirmities of our brethren,  the shape of men, which have been lately adver.
and would be always disposed to exercise that  tised in the public prints with so much imnpucandour and charity "which covers a multitude  dence and effrontery?  Are the patrons of such
of sins.".                       revolting exhibitions, and the crowds which reIf we now turn our eyes for a moment, to.the  sort to them, to be considered as patterns of taste,
amusements of civilized society, we shall find  of humanity, and of refined benevolence?  And
many of them distinguished by a malignant cha-  what shall we think of the amusements of one half
racter and tendency. What an appropriate ex-  ofour gentry, country squires, gentlemen farmers,
hibition for rational and immortal beings do the  and the whole tribe of the sporting community,
scenes of a cockpit display! to behold a motley  who derive more exquisite enjoyment in maimgroup of bipeds, of all sorts and sizes, from the  ing a hare, a partridge, or a moorfowl, than in
peer to the chimney-sweep, and from the man of relieving the wants of the friendless poor, in mehoary hairs to the lisping infant, betting, bluster- liorating the condition of their dependants, or in
ing, swearing, and feasting their eyes with a  patronising the diffusion of useful knowledge.
savage delight on the sufferings of their fel-  If one of our best moral poets declared, that" he
low-bipeds, whom they have taught to wound, to  would not enter, on his list of-friends, though
torment, and to destroy each other! There is  graced with polished manners and fine sense,
scarcely any thing that appears so congenial to  the man who needlessly sets foot upon a worm,"
the spirit which pervades the infernal regions, as  what would be his estimate of the man who dethe attempt to inspire the lower animals with the  rived one of his chief gratifications, day after
same malignant dispositions which characterize  day, from  making havoc among. the feathered
the most degraded of the human species. That  tribes, and from lacerating and maiming a timid
such a cruel and disgusting practice still prevails  hare, for the sole purpose of indulging a sporting
in England, and that it formed, until lately, a  humour, and proving himself an excellent markspart of the amusements of-almost all the schools  man? Can we suppose that the benevolent Creain Scotland, is a reproach to. the civilization, the tor so curiously organized the beasts of the earth
humanity, and the Christianity of our country.  and the fowls of heaven, and endowed them with
And what a fine spectacle to a humane and civili-  exquisite feelings and sensibility, merely that typ
zed mind is the amusement of bull-baiting! an  rannical man might. torture and destroy them for
amusement in which the strength and courage  his amusement?  For the persons to whom I alof this animal are made the means of torturing  lude cannot plead necessity for suchl conduct, as
-ditu with the inost exquisite agonies! Can be-  if they were dependant for subsistence on thei:




SPANISH  BULL-FIGHTS.                                   153
~carcasses. Such is still the mania fort.hese cruel  with whom I have been intimately acquainted, 1
arguments, that the butchery of the brutal and the  consider this old man as one of toe most perfect
winged tribes, it is likely, will soon be reduced  and blameless characters. His mind seemed to
to a regular system, and enrolled among the num-  be formed upon the purest principles of tte
ber of thefine arts.  For, an octavo volume, of Christian religion; his every thought and action
470 pages, which has already passed'through  appeared to be the result of its dictates. He
the ee editions, has been lately published, entitled,  would often, to ease his mule, walk more than
"Instructions to young Sportsmen in all that re-  half the day; and as he journeyed by my side,
lates to Game and Shooting:" by Lieut. Colo-  continually recited prayers for our welfare and
nel Hawker.  The author, after having stated  future prosperity.  On all occasions he sought to
that he has now lost his eyes and nerves for a  repress in those around him, every improper
good shot, says " The greatest pleasure that can  feeling of anger; conciliated them by the kindest
possibly remain for me, is to resign the little I  words, and excited them, by his example, to an
have learned for the benefit of young sportsmen.  active performance of-their duties. If a man
The rising generation of shooters might other-  were weary, he would assist him in carrying his
wise be left for many years,to find out all these little  burden; if he perceived any of the mules' backs
matters."  And a most importantloss, doubtless,  to be hurt, he would beg me to have them relievthe rising generation would have sustained, had  ed; and, constantly, when he saw  me engaged
not the worthy Colonel condescended' to commu-  in shooting partridges, or other birds, he would
nicate his discoveries! I was lately making an  call out to them to fly out of the way, shaking his
excursion in a steam-boat, through one of the  head, and begging me,. in a mournful accent, not
Scottish lakes. Among the passengers were  to kill then.  I have remarked, in my former
several of the sporting gentry, furnished with all' journal, that, with all this refined feeling of hutheir requisite accoutrements, who seemed to en-  inanity, he was far from being devoid of courage;
joy a higher gratification in disturbing the happi-  and, I had an opportunity, subsequently, of witness of the feathered tribes, than in contemplat-  nessing several instances of his bravery, though
ing the natural beautiesof the surrounding scene.  he appeared on all occasions peculiarly anxious
When any of these hapless animals appeared in  to.avoid a quarrrel.  We parted, I believe, with
view-, a hue and cry commenced, a shot was pre-  mutual regret; at least for my own part, I can
pared, and a musket levelled at the unoffending  truly say, that I h!ave seldom  felt more respect
creatures, which created among them universal  for an individual than I did for this worthy man."
agitation and alarm. Some of them were kill-    As a contrast to the benevolent dispositions
ed; and others, doubtless, maimed, and re der-  displayed by this worthy Abyssinian,-I shall
ed miserable for life; while no human being  give a short description of a bull-fight, in Madcould enjoy the least benefit from such wanton  rid, extracted from a work, the author:of which
cruelty. To kill, or even to maimany livingerea-  was a spectator (in 1803) of the scene he deture that is doing us no harm, and when there is  scribes.  ":The Spanish bull-fights are certainly
no possibility, nor even a desire, to procure its  the most extraordinary exhibition in Europe: we
carcass for food, cannot, I should think, by any  were present at one of:them this morning. The
sophistry of reasoning, be construed into an act  places in the amphitheatre were nearly all filled
of benevolence.*                               at half past nine, and at ten; the corregidor came
I cannot, here, forbear inserting a passage  into his box; upon which the trumpet sounded,
from" "Salt's Travels in Abyssinia'"  which ex-  and the people rose and shouted, from the delight
hibits a very different spirit in one whom some  that the show was to begin immediately.  Foutr
would be disposed to rank among the class of  men in black gowns then came forward, and read
semi-barbarians. "In the evening, Baharnegash  a proclamation, enjoining all persons to remain
Yasons, a servant of the Ras (of Abyssinia) who  in their seats. On their going out of the arena,
had attended me during my whole stay in the  the six bulls which were to be fought this morncountry,'took his leave.  Among all the men  ing, were driven across, led on by a cow, with a
Ihll round her neck.  The two Picadores (the
* In throwing out these reflections, the author by  men who were appointed to fight the furious ani-.
no means wishes to insinuate, that it is improper, in  ma's) now appeared, dressed in leathern gaiters,
every instance, to kill any of the inferior animats;  thick leathern breeches, silk jackets covered with
tis remarks being directed solely against the prac-breec    silk jackets covered wit
tice of wantonly maiming or destroying them for the  spangles, and caps surmounted by broad brimmed
sake ofmere sport or amusement. Even inthose cases  white hats; each rode a miserable hack, and
where it may appear expedient or necessary, to ex-   arried in his hand a long pole, wit a goad at
tirpate a portion of the animal tribes, it appears     n his hand a long pole, with a goad at
somewhat strange, that gentlemen should be the vo-  the end.  As soon as they were prepared, a door
usitary agents employed in this work of destruction,  was opened, and the first bull rushed in. In the
awsd that their minds should be so much absorbed in
the satisfaction which it creates. One would have  course of the contest, I felt first alarmed for the
thought that the very lowest class of the community  men, and then for the horses.  Soon the acciWould have been selected for this prurpose, as there  dents of the men withdrew my pity from  the
is scmething naturally revolting in the employment'
of iestroying the life of any sensitive being.  beasts; and, latterly, by a na'ural, and dreadful




L54                     THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
operation of the mind, I began to look without  There were many hair-breadth escapes, one of the
norror on the calamities of both. The manner  animals in pursuit ofa man, leaped the barrier ol
of the fight is thus; —the bull rushes in, and  the arena, which is about eight feet high. A
matkes an attack severally upon the picadores,  second bull was still more furious, and made more
who repulse him; he being always, upon these  tremendous attacks. In one ofthese he pinner' the
occasions, wounded in the neck; after a few ren-  man and horse against the barriers, got his h(rns
counters, he becomes somewhat shy; but at  under the horse, and lacerated him dreadfully;
the same time, when he does rush on, he is  in a moment afterwards, he lifted him up, alld
doubly dangerous.  He follows up the attack,  threw the man with such force through one of
and frequently succeeds in overthrowing both  the apertures, as to kill him on the spot.  He
horse and rider.  As long as the horse has  was borne past the box in which we were with
strength to bear the picadore, he is obliged to  his teeth set, and his side covered with blood;
ride him. This morning one of these wretched  the horse staggered out spouting a stream of go're
animals was forced to charge, with his guts hang-  from his chest. The remaining picador renewed
ing in festoons between his legs! His belly was  the charge, and another came in with shouts to take
again ripped open by the bull, and he fell for  the dead man's place. One of these had his
dead; but the attendants obliged him to rise and  horse's skin dreadfiully ripped off his side, and
crawl out! This seems the cruellest part of the  when he breathed, the entrails swelled out of the
business; for the men almost always escape; btt  hole; to prevent which, the rider got off and stuffl
the blood and sufferings of thirteen horses were  ed in his pocket handkerchief," &c.*-" I hare
exhibited in the short space of two hours. Four  seen," says Bourgoing, " eight or ten horses torn,
men were hurt; one who was entirely overturn-  and their bellies ripped open, fall and expire ill
ed with his horse upon him, was carried out like  the field of battle.  Sometimes these horses, afa corpse; but the spectators, totally disregarding' fecting models of patience, of courage, of docility
this melancholy sight, shouted for his companion   -present a spectacle, at which it may be allowto renew the attack.  The bull after his first rage  able to shudder. You see them tread under their
and subsequent fury during many rounds, begins feet, their own bloody entrails, hanging out of
to feel weakness, and declines further attacks on  their open sides, and still obey, for some time the
the horsemen. Upon this, aloud shout re-echoes  hand that guides them."
through the theatre, and some of the attendants    Such are the amusements which, in Spain
advance and stick his gored neck full of arrows  fascinate all ranks of the community, fiotn the
which cause him to writhe about in great torment.  prince to the peasant.  Young ladies, old men,
When the efforts he makes under these sufferings  servant girls, and people of all ages and all chab
have considerably spent his strength, the corregi-  racters are present. The art of killing a bull,
dor makes a motion with his hand, and the  which seems exclusively to be the business of a
trumpets sound as a signal to the matador to de-  butcher, is gravely discussed and exalted with
spatch him.  This is a service which requires  transport, not only by the rabble, but by men or
great skill and bravery; for the madness of the  sense, and by women of delicacy.  The day of
bull, and the torture he endures, prompt him  to  a bull-fight is a day of solemnity for the whole
destroy every one around.  The matador ad-  canton.  "The people come," says Bourgoing,
vances with a red cloak in one hand, and a sword  "from ten and twelve leagues distance.  The ar.
in the other. He enrages the bull with the cloak,  tisan who can with difficulty earn enough for his
till, at length getting opposite to him, he rushes  subsistence, has always sufficient to pay for the
forward, and the sword pierces his spinal mar-  bull-fight. Wobeto the chastity of a young gir
row, or what is more common, is buried to the hilt  whose poverty excludes her! The man who pays
in his neck; upon which he turns aside, at first  for her admittance, will be her first seducer. It is
moaning, but a torrent of blood gushes from his  indeed a very striking sight, to see all the inha.
mouth; and he staggers round the arena, and  bitants assemble round the circus, waiting the
falls.  The trumpets sound; three mules, orna-  signal for the fight, and wearing in their exterior
mented with ribbons and flags, appear, to drag  every sign of impatience."  There is not a town
the wretched victim  out by the horns, and the  in Spain, but what has a large square for the pur.
horsemen to prepare for the attack of a fresh  pose of exhibiting bull-fights; and it is said, that
animal."                                       even the poorest inhabitants of the' smallest villa" In the evening the show began at half-past  ges will often club together, in order to procure a
foutr, and ten bulls were brought forward.  To  cow or an ox, and fight them riding upon asses
tame them before the matador approached, a new  for want of horses.f  Can a spirit of pure beneexpedient was resorted to, most infamously cruel,
namely, the covering of the darts with sulphtur'Travels through Spain and part of Portugal in
and fireworks.  The torments of these were so  l03 nt of these ights-4. A miere ctrcutnorancesita   c
count of these fights, and in perfect accordance wirtdreadful, that thll animals whose strength was  the above description, ma3y be seen in Bourgoing's
fresh, raged about terribiv, so that the assistants  " Modern State of Spain," vol. II. pp. 346-360.
revere6~~ forced to uset It is said that these fights were prohibited in'so.
vere forced to use great agility to get firom them.  to the deip resrai  of t te fgost nueetrott part oe:tt
were                               the deg~~~~~~~~~p re~ -rt of the, most snsmcs'ou part of:~




UTILITY OF THE REAL SCENES OF NATURE.                                 155
voletlce be general among a people addicted to  they are calculated to accomplish?  To exhibit
such cruel and savage amusements! And, need  distorted views of the scenes of nature, and of
we wonder to find, that troops oflawless banditti human society; lo foster superstitious notions;
are continually prowling among the mountains  to inspire the minds of the young with an inordiand forests of that country, committing murders Rate desire after worldly honour and distinctio.,
and deuredations?  One of the authors just now  to set before them, as an ultimate object, the
quoted. when alluding to banditti, and detailing  splendour and felicity of" riding in a coach and
the incidents which occurred on his route to  six;"and to familiarize their minds to chivalrous
Madrid, says, " In this country it is impossible  exploits, and to scenes of butchery and revenge.
to distinguish friends from foes, as all travellers    If we glance at the popular literary works of
go weil armed. We met just here half a dozen  the present day, intended for the amusement of
horsemen, many of whom had swords and pistols,  children of a larger growth, we shall find many
and we afterwards saw peasants riding on asses,  of them imbued with a similar spirit, and having
armed in the same way. A few leagues further  a similar tendency. What is it that just now
on, we met a strong detachment ofcavalry patrol-  fascinates our literary loungers, our polished
ing the road, in consequence of a daring robbery,, gentry, our educated females, nay, all ranks of
which had just been committed on a nobleman  the community, from the dignified clergyman to
who was bringing Ihis bride to court from Bacre-  the humble weaver, and which threatens to delona. He had a numerous retinue; the banditti  stroy all relish for plain unvarnished facts, and
were twelve in number, and completely armed."  t;,r substantial knowledge?  The  novels of
Waverley, Guy Mannering, Rob Roy, Tales of
If we now take a cursory glance at our  my Landlord, The Fortunes of Nigel, St. R(POPULAR LITERARY WORKS, and at several of  nan's Well, Marmion, The Corsair, Childe
our publications intended for the nursery, we  Harold, and a shoal of similar publications, which
shall find that a goodly portion of them is stamp-  are dailyrissuing from the press. And what is
od with the character of frivolity and of malig-ni-  the general tendency of the great majority of
ty. When the young mind is just beginning to  such works?  Todistort and caricature the facts
expand, instead of being irradiated with the  of real history; to gratify a romantic imaginabeams of unadulterated truth, a group of distort-  tion; to pamper a depraved mental appetite; to
ed and unsubstantial images, which have no pro-  excite a disrelish for the existing scenes of natotypes in nature, is presented to the view of the  ture, and for the authenticated facts which have
intellect, as the groundwork of its future progress  occurred in the history of mankind; to hold up
in wisdom and knowledge. Instead of the sim-  venerable characters to derision and contempt;
ple and sublime precepts of Christian benevo-  to excite admiration of the exploits and the malence, the wild and romantic notions connected  lignant principles of those rude chieftains and
with chivalry, the superstitions of the dark ages,  barbarous heroes, whose names ought to descend
and the love of false heroism, and of military  into everlasting oblivion; to revive the revengeglory, are attempted to be indelibly riveted on  ful spirit of the dark ages; to undermine a sacred
the minds of the young.  What else can be ex-  regard for truth and moral principle, which are
pected, when such legends and romances as the  the basis of the happiness of the intelligent unifollowing, occupy the principal part of the nur-  verse; and to throw a false glory over scenes of
scry library?-Blue Beard; Cinderella; Tom   rapine, of bloodshed, and of devastation.-To
Thumb; Jack the Giant-Killer; Valentine and  such works, and to their admirers, we might apOrson; The Seven Champions of Christendom;  ply the words of the ancient Prophet: " He
Robin Hood; Goody Two-Shoes; Puss in  feedeth on ashes; a deceived heart hath turnea
Boots; Sinbad the Sailor; Aladdin, or, the  him aside, that he cannot say, Is there not a lie
Wonderful Lamp; Thalaba, or, the Destroyer;  in my right hand?"
The Blood-Red Knight; The Maid and the              "For, sure, to hug a fancied case,
Magpie; Fairy Tales, and a long list of similar     That never did, nor canl take place,
tales and romances, equally improving and im-       And for the pleasures it can give,
Neglect the' facts of real life,'
portant! Such works are published, even at the      Is madness in its greatest height,
present time, not only in a Lilliputian size, to     Or I mistake the matter quite.'-W'lcte.
suit the lower ranks of the community, but in a
style of splendour and elegance, calculated to    To affirm, that it is necessary for the entertainfascinate the highestcircles of society. Ten thou-  ment of the human mind, to have recouse to fictisands of copies of such publications, are present-  tious scenes and narratives, and to the wild
ly in circulation throughout every part of the  vagaries of an unbridled imagination, is, in effect,
British empire:-and what is the great object  to throw a reflection upon the plans and the conduct of the Creator.  It implies, that, in the
nation; butt another entertainment, calledfiesta de  scenes of nature which surround us, both in the
noWllos which is an image of the bull-fight, is still
nsriyom  which is an image of the hull-fight, is stilt  heavens and on the earth, and in the administraretained and it is notimprobable, that, bythis time,
the true bull-fight has been again revived.   tions of his moral government among men, God




156                     THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
h'as not produced a sufficient variety of interest-  and animation, will supply us with entertainEt, objects for the contemplation, the instruction,  ment scarcely inferior to that of the test wt itet,
and the entertainment of the human race-and  novel; and it is the reader's own fault, if he do
that the system of the moral and physical world  not, from such sources, derive moral instruction..
must be distorted and deranged, and its economy  Such: adventures -as those of Mungo Park in
misrepresented and blended with the creations of Africa, and Captain'Cochrane in. Siberia,. and.
human folly, before its scenery be rendered fit  such narratives as those of Byron, Brisson,
to gratify the depraved and fastidious tastes of Pierre Viaud, Anson, Cook, Bligh, Perouse,
mankind.*.. And is it indeed true, that there is  and others, abound -with so many striking and
not a'sufficient variety to gratify a rational mind  affecting incidents, that the reader's attenticn is
in the existing scenes of creation and providence?  kept alive, and he feels as lively an interest in
If we survey the Alpine scenes of nature; if we  the fate of the adventurers,'as is usually felt in
explore the wonders of the ocean; if we pene-  that of the fictitious hero of a novel, or a rotrate into the subterraneous recesses of the globe;  mance.
if we direct our view to the numerous objects of    If man were only the creature of a day; whose
sublimity and of beauty to ae found in every  whole existence was confined within the limits
country; if we investigate the structure and  of this sublunary scene, he might amuse himseli
economy of the animal and the vegetable tribes;  either with facts or with fictions, or with any
if we raise our eyes to the rolling orbs of heaven;  toys or gewgaws that happened to strike his
if we look back to the generations of old, and  fancy while he glided down the stream oftime to
trace the history of ancient nations; if we con- the gulf of oblivion. But if he is a being destintemplate the present state of civilized and of  ed for eternity, the train of his thoughts ought
savage tribes, and the moral scenery which is  to be directed to objects corresponding to his
every where displayed around us-shall we not  high destination, and all his amusements blended
find a sufficient variety of every thing which is  with those moral instructions which have.an ulcalculated to interest, to instruct, and to entertain  timate reference.to.the scene of his immortal
a rational mind? I am'bold to affirm, that were  existence. When I. read one. of our modern.
a proper selection made of the facts connected  novels, I enjoy, for a few hours, a. transitory
with the system of nature,-and with the history  amusement, in contemplating. the.scenes of fancy
and the present state of human society, and were  it displays, and in following the hero through
the sketches of such facts executed by the hand  his numerous. adventures;:I.admire the force
of a master, and interspersed with rational and  and brilliancy of the imagination of the writer
moral reflections-volumes might be presented to  (for I am by no means disposed to underrate the
the public, no less entertaining, and certainly far  intellectual talent which has produced some ot
more instructive, than all the novels and roman-  the.works to which I allude,)- but when I have
ces-which the human imagination has ever pro-  finished the perusal, and reflect, that. all the
duced; and that, too, without distorting a single  scenes which passed before my mental eye, were
fact in the system of nature or of human society,  only so many unsubstantial images, the fictions
or exciting a sentiment of admiration or of ap-  of a lively imagination-I cannot.indulge in raprobation ofthe exploitsof warriors.  Ifwe wish  tional or:religious reflections.on thesubject, nor
to be amused with entertaining narrations and  derive a single. moral instruction, any. more than
novel scenes, the narratives of adventurous voy-  I can do.from a dream or a vision of the night.
agers and travellers, when written with spirit  When I. survey the.scenes. of creation; when I
read the history of. ancient nations; when I pe.
The following sketch of Sir Walter. Scott, the  ruse the authentic narratives of the oyager and
supposed author of some of the works alluded to, isf                               vo er and
given in Hazlitt's " Spirit of the Age, or Contempo-  traveller; when I search the records of revelaiary Portraits" " His mind receives and treasures  tion; and when I contenlplate the present state
up every thing brought to it by tradition or custom-  ofsoct around me-I learn something of the
it does not project itself beyond this into the worldI learn something
unknown, but mechanically shrinks back as from   character, the attributes, and the. providence of
the edge of a precipice. The land of pure reason is  God, and of the moral and physical state of manto his apprehension llke Van Dieman's Land, bar
ren, miserable, distant, a place of exile, the dreary  kind. From almost every scene, and.ever inabode of savages; convicts, and adventurers. Sir  cident, I can deduce instructions calculated to
Walter would make a bad hand of a description of  promote the exercise of humility, meekness, gratithe millennium, unless he would lay the scene tion
Scotland 500 years ago; and then he would want  tude, and resionation-to  lead the mind to
Pactsnand worm-eaten parchments.to support his  God as the source of felicity, and as the rightedrooping style.  Our historical novelist firmly                           and to impress the
thinks, that nothing is but what has been-that the  ous governor of the world-and to impress the
moral world stands still, as the material one was  heart with a sense of the folly and depravity o,
supposed to do of old-and that we can never get  man. But it is obvious, that no distinct moras
beyond the point where we actually are, without utter destruction, though every thing changes  instructions can be fairly deduced from scen;s,
And will change, from what it was, 300 years ago  circumstances, and events " which never did nor
and what it is now; from what it is now, to all
that the bigoted ajtInirer of the good old times most  can take p
oreals and hates "                            the tide of public opinion on this subject that we




SYSTEM OF PRISON DISCIPLINE.                                  157
migut a3 soon attempt to stem a mountain tor-  er have their spirits taken tneir flight into the
rent by a breath of wind, ot to interrupt the  world unknown, than subscriptions are set on
dashings of a mighty cataract by the waving of foot, statues and mausoleums are erected, flatour hand, as to expect to counteract, by any  tering inscriptions are engraved on their tombs.
considerations that can be adduced, the current  and anniversary dinners are appointed to celiof popular feeling in favour of novels, and tales  brate their memories.  Such displays of liberaliof knights, and of tournaments; of warlile chieft  ty might have been of essential benefit to the
tains, and military encounters.  Such a state of  individuals, while they sojourned within the limits
feeling, I presume, never can exist in a world  of this sublunary sphere; but they are altogether
where moral evil has never shed its malign in.  futile and superfluous in relation to the separate
fluence.                                       spirits, which are now placed forever beyond the
Again, if we consider the sentiments and the  reach of'such vain pageantry and posthumous
conduct of many of our Literary and Scientific  honours.
characters, we shall find that even philosophy has    If we now attend, for a little, to thePenal Codes
had very little influence, in counteracting the  of civilized nations, we shall find them, not
stream of malignity, and promoting the exercise  only glaringly deficient in a spirit ofbenevolence,
of benevolence. Donot many of ourliterary cha-  but deeply imbued with a spirit of cruelty and
lacters in theirdisputes frequently display as keen  revenge.  The great object of all civil punishresentments, and as malevolent dispositions, as  ments ought to be, not only the prevention of
the professed warrior, and the man of the world?  crimes, but also the reformation of the criminal,
and have they not some times resorted even to  in order that a conviction of the evil of his conhorsewhips and to pistols to decide their con-  duct may be impressed upon his mind, and that
tests?  In proof of this, need I refer to the  he may be restored to society as a renovated chagentlemen now or formerly connected with the  racter.  When punishments are inflicted with a
" Edinburgh Magazine," " Blackwood's Maga-  degree of severity beyond what is necessary to
zine," the " London Magazine," the " Q.uarterly  accomplish these ends, the code which sanctions
Review," and other periodical works-and to the  them, becomes an engine of cruelty and of injusmean jealousies and contentions which have  tice. But, the reformation, and the ultimate
been displayed, and the scurrilous paragraphs'happiness of the criminal, never seem to have
which have been written by various descriptions  been once taken into consideration, in the conof competitors for literary fame? Such a display  struction of the criminal codes of any nation in
of temper and conduct in men of professed erudi-  Europe.  The infliction ofpain, and even of tot
tion, is not only inconsistent with moral princi-  ture, and of every thing that is'degrading and
pie, and the dignity of true science, but has a  horrible, to a degree far beyond what is necessary
tendency to hold up philosophy and substantial  for the security of the public, and which has no
knowledge to the scorn and contempt both of the  other tendency than to harden the culprit, seems
Christian and of the political world.         to have been the great object of the framers of
Again, is it an evidence that benevolence  our penal statutes.  If a nman has committed an
forms a prominent character of modern civilized  offence against society, he is either confined to a
society, when philanthropists, who have devoted  jail, thrown into a duingeon, loaded with irons,
their substance and their mental activities to the  whipped through the streets, banished to a dispromotion of the best interests of mankind; and  tant land, hung upon a gallows, or broken on the
when men of science, who have enlarged; the  wheel. Nosystem of moral regimen, calculated
sphere of our knowledge, and improved the usefiul  to counteract his criminal habits, to impart inarts, are suffered to pine away in penury and neg-  struction to his mind, and to induce habits of intect, and to descend into the grave, without even  dustry and temperance, (except in a few insulated
a "frail memorial" to mark the spot where their  cases) has yet been arranged by our legislators,
mortal remains are deposited; while, on the  so as to render punishment a blessing to the criwarrior, who has driven the ploughshare of de-  minal, and to the community which he has injured.
struction through the world, and wounded the    The following circumstances, in relation to
peace ofa thousand families, enormous pensions  punishments, manifest a principle both of folly
are bestowed, and trophies erected to perpetuate  and of malignity ip the arrangements of our crihis nlomory to future generations? And how   minal jurisprudenest.-In the  first place, the
comes it to pass, if benevolence and justice  present system of our prison discipline, instead
be distinguishing features of our age and nation,  of operating to prevent the increase of crime,
that authors, whose writings afford instruction  has a direct and inevitable tendency to produce
and entertainment to a numerous public, are fre-  vice and wretchedness, and to render our jails
qtiently suffered to pine away in anxiety and dis-  the nurseries of every depraved propensity, and
tress, and to remain in hopeless indigence, while  of every species ofrmoral turpitude. From the
publishers and booksellers are fattening on the  indiscriminate association of the young and the
fruit of their labours? Yet, while we leave them   old, and of persons charged with every degree om
to temain in abject penury, during life,-no soon-  criminality, the youthful and inexperiencea  cut



158'THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
trit is soon tutored in all the arts of fraud, decep-    In the next place, the shocking and tennecessaey
tion, and robbery, and prepared for acting a more  cruelties which are frequently inflicted upon crl.
conspicuous and atrocious part on the theatre of minals, are inconsistent with every principle of
crime.  "I make no scruple to affirm," says  reason andof justice, and revolting toevery feel.
Mr. Howard," that if it were the aim and wish  ing of humanity.  If the forfeiture of life ought,
of magistrates to effect the destruction, present  in any case, to be:esorted to as the punishment
and future, of young delinquents, they could not  of certain crimes, humanitydictates, that it should
desire a more effectual method than to confine  be accompanied with as little pain as possible to
them in our prisons."  Of the truth of this po-  the unfortunate criminal. But man, even civtli.
sition, the reader will find an ample and impress-  zed man, has glutted his savage disposition by
ive proof in the Honourable T. F. Buxton's  inventing tortures to agonize his fellow man, at
"Inquiry whe:her crime and misery are produc-  which humanity shudders.  It is not enough
ed or prevented by our present system of Prison  that a poor unfortunate wretch, in the prime ot
Discipline."                                  life, whom depravity has hurried to the comntmis-. In the second place, the disproportion be-  sion of crime, should be deprived of his mortal
tween crimes and punishments, and the sangui.  existence,-his soul must be harrowed up at the
nary character of every civilized code of penal  prospect of the prolonged torments  which he
statutes, are directly repugnant to every princi-  must endure, before his spirit is, permitted to
plofjustice and benevolence.  The punishment  take its flight to the world unknown.  Instead of
assigned by the law to the man who steals a  simply strangling or beheading the unhappy crisheep, or pilfers a petty article of merchandise,  minal, his flesh must be torn with pincers, his
is the same as that which it inflicts on the mis-  bones dislocated, his hands chopped  off, or
creant who has imbrued his hands in his father's  his body left to pine away in exquisite torments,
blood. In France, prior to the revolution, the  amidst devouring flames. In Sweden, murder is
punishment of robbery, either with or without  punished by beheading and quartering, after havmurder, was the same; and hence it happened,  ing previously chopped off the hand. In Gerthat robbery was seldom  or never perpetrated  many, Poland, Italy, and other parts of the conwithout murder. For, when men see no dis-  tinent, it was customary, and, I believe, still is,
tinction made in the nature and gradations of  in some places, to put criminals to death, by
punishment, they will be generally led to con-  breaking them alive on the wheel.  The followclude, that there is no distinction in the guilt. In  ing account is given, by a traveller, who was in
our own country, it is a melancholy truth, that,  Berlin, in 1819, of the execution of a man for
among the variety of actions which men are daily  murder, which shows that the execution of crimiiiable to commit, no less than one hundred and  nals, in Prussia, is frequently distinguished by a
sixty have been declared, by act of parliament,  species of. cruelty worthy of the worst days of
to be felonies, without benefit of clergy; or, in  the inquisition.  Amidst the parade of execuother words, to be worthy of instant death.*  It  tioners, officers of police, and other judicial atis an indelible disgrace to an age which boasts of  thorities, the beating of drums, and the waving
its being enlightened with the beams of science  of flags and colours, the criminal mounted the
and of religion, that laws, framed in an ignorant  scaffold. No ministers of religion appeared to
and barbarous age, and intended to apply to tem-  gild the the horrors of eternity, and to sooth the
porary or fortuitous occurrences, should still be  agonies of the criminal; and no repentant prayer
acted upon, and stand unrepealed in the criminal  closed his quivering lips. " Never," says the
codes of the nations of Europe, in the 19th cen-  narrator, " shall I forget the one bitter look of
tury of the Christian era,.when so many distin-  imploring agony that he threw around him, as imguished writers have demonstrated their futility,  mediately on stepping on the scaffold, his coat was
their injustice, and their inadequacy for the pre-  rudely torn from off his shoulders. He was then
vention of crime. For, instead of diminishing  thrown down, thecordsfixed rotlnd his neck, which
the number of offenders, experience proves, that  were drawn until strangulation almost conmencrimes are almost uniformly increased by an un-  ced. Another executioner then approached, beardue severity of punishment. This was striking-  ing in his hands a heavy wheel, bound with iron,
lh exemplified in the reign of Henry VIII. re-  with which he violently struck the legs, arms,
markable for the abundance of its crimes, which  and chest, and lastly the head of the criminal.  I
certainly did not arise from the mildness of pu-  was unfortunately near enough to witness his
nishment. Inthatreignalone, sayshishistorian,  mangled and bleeding body still convulsed.  It
seventy-two thousand executions took place, for  was then carried down for interment. and, in less
robberies alone, exclusive of the religious mur-  than a quarter of an hour from  the beginning of
ders which are known to have been numerous,  his torture, the corpse was completely covered
-amounting, on an average, to six executions a  with earth. Several large stones, which were
May, Sundays included, during the whole reign of  thrown upon him, hastened his last gasp; he was
that monarch.                                  mangled into eternity!"' Ency Brit. Art. Crime              In Russia. the severest punishments are fre.




CRUEL PUNISHMENTS.                                      159
quently inflicted for the most trivial offences.  what travellers affirm respecting the Russians,
The knout is one of the most common punish-  that they are very indifferent as to life or death,
ments in that country.  This instrument is  and undergo capital punishments with unparal.
a thong made of the skin of an elk or of a wild  leled apathy and indolence.
ass, so hard that a single stroke is capable of    Even among European nations more civilized
critting the flesh to the bone.  The following  than the Russians, similar tortures have been
description is given by Olearius of the manner in  inflicted upon criminals.  The execution of Da.'which lie saw the knout inflicted on eight men,  miens, in 1757,for attempting to assassinate Louis
anld one woman, only for selling brandy and to-  XV. King of France, was accompanied with
bacco  without a license.  "The executioner's  tortures, the description of which is sufficient to
nan, after stripping them down to the wast, tied  harrow up the feelings of the most callous mind
their feet, and took one at a time on his back.  -tortures, which could scarcely have been ex.
The executioner stood at three paces distance,  ceeded in intensity and variety, although they
and, springing forward with the knout in his  had been devised and executed by the ingenuity
hand,-whenever he struck, the blood gushed out  of an infernal fiend. And yet, they were beheld
at every blow.  The men had each twenty-five  with a certain degree of apathy by a surrounding
or twenty-six lashes; the woman, though only  populace; and even counsellors and physicians
sixteen, fainted away.  After their backs were  could talk together about the best mode of tearing
thus dreadfully mangled, they were tied together  asunder the limbs of the wretched victim, with as
two and two; and those who sold tobacco having  much composure as if they had been dissecting a
a little of it, and those who sold brandy a little  dead subject, or carving a pullet. Even in Bribottle put about their necks; they were then whip-  tain, at no distant period, similar cruelties were
ped through the city of Petersburgh for about a  practised.  Those who are guilty of high treason
mile and a half, and then brought back to the  are condemned; by our law, "to be hanged on a
place of their punishment, and dismissed." That  gallows for some minutes; then cut down, while
is what is termed the moderate knout; for when  yet alive, the heart to be taken out and exposed
it is given with the utmost severity, theexecu-  to view, and the entrails burned."  Though the
tioner, striking the flank under the ribs, cuts the  most cruel part of this sentence has never been
flesh to the bowels; and, therefore, it is no won-  actually inflicted in our times, yet it is a disder that many die of this inhuman punishment.-  grace to Britons that such a statute should still
The punishment of the pirates and robbers who  stand unrepealed in our penal code.-The pracinfest the banks of the Wolga, is another act of  tice, too, of torturing supposed criminals for the
savage cruelty common to Russia. A  float is  purpose of extorting a confession of guilt, was,
built, whereon a gallows is erected, on which is  till a late period, common over all the countries
fastened a number of iron hooks, and on these  of Europe; and if I am not mistaken, is still rethe wretched criminals are hung alive by the  sorted to, in several parts of the continent.
ribs. The float is then launched into the stream,  Hence, Baron Bielfeld, in his "Elements of
and orders are given to all the towns and villages  Universal Erudition," published in 1770, lays
on the borders of the river, that none, upon pain  down as one of the branches of criminal julrispruof death, shall afford the least relief to any of  dence, "The different kinds of torturesfor the
these wretches.  These malefactors sometimes  discovery of truth' Such a practice is not only
hang, in this manner, three, four, and even five  cruel and unjust, but absurd in the highest de.
days alive. The pain produces a raging fever,  gree, and repugnant to every principle of reason.
in which they utter the most horrid impreca-  For, as the Marquis Beccaria has well observed,
tions, imploring the relief of water and other  "It is confounding all relations to expect that a
liquors.*  During the reign of Peter the Great,  man should be both the accuser and the accused,
the robbers who infested various parts of his do-  and that pain shouted be the test of truth; as if
minions, particularly the banks of the Wolga,  truth resided in the muscles and fibres of a wretch
were hung tup in this manner by hundreds and  in torture. By this method, the robust will esthousands, and left to perish in the most dreadful  cape, and the feeble be condemned.-To discomanner.  Even yet, the boring of the tongue,  ver truth by this method, is a problem which may
and the cutting of it out, are practised in this  be better resolved by a mathematician than a
country as an inferior species of pulnishment.  judge, and may be thus stated: Theforce of the
Such cruel punishments, publicly inflicted, can  muscles and the sensibility of the nerves ofan inhave no other tendency than to demoralize the  nocent person being given, it is required toJind the
minds of the populace, to blunt their natural feel-  degree ofpain necessary to make him confess himings, and to render criminal characters still more  self guilty of a given crime."*
desperate: and hence we need not wonder at'See Beccaria's " Essay on Crimes and Punish
ments," p. 52. 56. The following is a brief summary
See Hanway's "Travels through Russia and  of the principal punishments that have been adopted
Persia" —Salmon's " Present State o' llt Nations,"  by men, in different countries, for tormenting and
Vol. 6. Guthrie's Geography, &c                destroying each other.  Capital punishments-be




160                      THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
If the confined limits of the present work had  I might have traced the same malignant prim,.
admitted, I might have prosecuted these illustra.  ciple, in the practice of a set of men denominattions to a much greater'extent. I might have  ed'wreckers, who, by setting up false lights, allure
traced the operationsof malevolencein the-practice  *mariners to destruction, that they may enrich
of that most shocking and abominable traffic, the  themselves by plundering the wrecks-in the
Slave Trade- theletern'al'disgrace of individuals  warlike dispositions of all the governments of
and of nations calliig' themselves civilized.  This  Europe, and the enormous sums which have
is an abomination which' has hbeen encouraged  been expended in the work of devastation, and
by almost every nation'in Europe, and even by  of human destruction, while they have refilsed
the enlightened states of America.' And al-  to give the least direct encouragement to philanthough Great Britain has formally prohibited, by  thropic institutions, and to the improvement of
a law, the importation'of slaves'from  Africa;  the community in knowledge and virtue-and in'yet, in all h'er WAest Indian colonies, slavery in  that spirit of tyranny, and thirst for despotic
its most cruel; and degrading forms'still exists;'power, which have led them to crush the rising
and every proposition,- and every plan for resto.  intelligence of the people, and to lend a deaf ear
ring the negroes to their':natural liberty, and to  to their most reasonable demands. For, there.the rank which they hold'in the scale of exist-  is no government on this side of the Atlantic, so
ence, is pertinaciously resisted by gentlemen  far as I know, that has ever yet formed an inplanters, who would spurn at the idea of being   stitution for promoting the objects of general
considered as either infidels or barbarians. They   benevolence, for counteracting the baleful effects
even attempt to deprive these degraded beings  of depravity and ignorance, and for enlightening
of the chance of'obtaininga happier existence in  the minds of the people in useful knowledge; or
a future world, by endeavouring to withhold   which has even contributed a single mite to enfrom  them' the'means of instruction, and by  courage such institutions after they were set on
persecuting- their instructers.  " In Demerara  foot by the people themselves. Knowledge is
alone there are 76,000 itnmortal souls linked to  simply permitted to be'diffused,; it is never disable bodies, while there are but' 3,500 whites;  rectly encouraged; its progress is frequently
and yet, for the' sake of these:three thousand  obstructed; and, in some instances, it is posiwhites, the seventy-six thousand, with all their  tively interdicted, as appears from the following
descendants, are to be kept in ignorance of the  barbarous edict, published in the year 1825.way of salvation, for no other purpose than to  " A royal Sardinian  edict directs, that hence
procure a precarious fortune for a very few indi-  forth no person shall learn to read or write who
viduals out of their sweat and' blood."  Is such  cannot prove the possession of property above
conduct consistent with th-e:spirit of benevolence,  the value of 1500 livres, (or about:601. sterling.)
or even with the common feelings of humanity?  The qualification for a student is the possession
of anrincome to the same amount."*  Such is
healing,strangling, cruciixion,'drowning, urning   the firm determination of many of the kings and
roasting, hanging by the neck, the'arm, or the leg;  princes of Europe to hold their subjects in aoject
starving, sawing, exposing to wild beasts,' rending  slavery and ignorance; and such is; the despe.
asunder by horses drawing opposite ways, slhoot-  rate tendency of proud amhition, that they will
ing, burying alive, blowing from the mouth of a can 
non, compulsory deprivation of' sleep, rolling on a  rather suffer their thrones to shake and totter be..barrel stuck with nails, cutting to pieces, hanging  neath them, than'give encouragement to liberal
by the ribs, poisoning, pressing slowly to death by 
a weight laid on the breast'; casting headlong from   opinions, and to the general diffusion of knowa rock, tearing out the bowels, pulling to pieces with  ledge.-But, instead of illustrating'such topics
red hot pincers, stretching on the rack, breaking on  in minute detail I shall conclude this section by
the wheel, impaling, flaying alive, cutting out the
heart, &c. &c &c. Punishients'short of death  presenting a few miscellaneous facts, tending to
hlave been such as the following.- Fine, pillory, im.  corroborate several of the preceding statements,
prisonment, compulsory labour at the mines, gal.  and to illustrate the moral state of the ciili
leys, highways, or correction-house; whipping,  and to  llustrate.the moral state of the civilized
bastinading; mutilation by cutting away the ears,  world.
the nose, the tongue, the.breasts of women, the foot,  The  following  statement, extracted  from
the hand; squeezing the, marrow from the bones
with screws or wedges,' castration, putting out the  "Neale's Travels through Germany, Poland,
eyes banishment, running the autntlet, drumming,  Moldavia, and Turkey," exhibits a faint picture
shaving off the hair, burning: on the hand or fore-  of the state of morals in Poland.  "If ever
head; and many others of a similar nature. Could
the ingenuity of the inhatbitants of Tp'ohet have in-  there was a country," says Mr. Neale, " where
vented punishmentsmorecruel andrevolting.?: Has   might constitutes right,' that country was Paany one of these modes of punishment a tendency                          t
to reform the criminal, and promote his happiness?  land, prior to its partition."  The most dreadful
On the contrary, have they not all a direct tendency  oppression, the most execrable tyranny,- the most
to irritate, to harden, and to excite feelings of re-  wanton crlelties were daily.exercised by the novenge? Nothingshows themalevolent dispositions
of a great portion of the human race, in so striking  bles upon the unfortunate peasants.-Let Ius
a light, as the punishments they have inflicted on  quote a few facts; they will speak volumes. A
one another;'for these are characteristic, not of
insulated individuals only, but of nations, in their
collective capacity.' Hamburgh Paper, August, 1825




STATE OF MORALS IN CUBA.                                     Id]
Polish peasant's life was held of the same value  to a degree unknown in other countries in Euwitil one of his horned cattle; if his lord slew  rope."
him, he was fined only 100 Polish florins, or 21.    The following extract from  Mr. Howison's
16s. sterling,  If, on the other hand, a man of  " Foreign Scenes and Trtvelling Recreations,"
ignoble birth dared to raise his hand against a  will convev some idea of the state of morals in
noblemaln, death was the inevitable punishment.  the island of Cuba.  "'Nothing can be worse,"
If anyv one uresumed to question the nobility of a  says Mr. H., " than the state of society in Hatnarnat, he was forced to prove his assertion,  vana.  The lower classes are all alike dissolute
or suffer death; nay, if a powerful man chose  and unprincipled.  Assassinations are so freto take a fancy to thoe field of his humbler neigh-  quent that they excite little attention; and ast)our, and to erect a landmnark upon it, and if that  sault and robbery are matters of course, when a
litdmark remained for three days, the poor man  man passes alone and at night through a solitary
lst his possession.  The atrocious cruelties that  quarter of the town.  Several assassinations
vere habitually exercised, are hardly credible.  take place in the streets every week."  This de4. Masalki caused his hounds to devour a pea-  praved and lawless state of things may be ascribed
sant who happened to frighten his horse. A   to three causes: the inefficiency of the police;
Radzivil had the belly of one of his subjects rip-  the love of gaming and dissipation which preped open, to thrust his feet into it, hoping thereby  vails among the lower orders; and the facility
to be cured of a malady that had tormented him.   with which absolution of the greatest crimes may
One of the most infillible signs of a degraded  be obtained firom the priests.  In fact, the Castate of morals in any country, is the corrupt ad-  tholic religion, as it now exists in Cuba, tends
ministration of justice.  As specimens of Polish  to encourage rather than to check vice.  We
justice, Mr. Neale mentions the case of a mer-  shall suppose, for example, that a man makes
chant of Warsaw, whom it cost 1400 ducats to  himself master of 100 dollars by robbing or by
procure the conviction and execution of two rob-  murdering another; and that the church grants
bers who had plundered him; and another case,  him absolution for half the sum  thus lawlessly
still more flagrant, that of a peasant who had  obtained; it is evident that he will gain 50 do}apprehended an assassin, and who, on taking him  lars by the whole transaction, and think himselt
to the Staroste, was coolly dismissed with the  as innocent as he was before he committed the
prisoner, and the corpse of the murdered person  crime. No man need mount the Havana scafwhich he had brought in his wagon; because he  fold, whatever be his crime, if he has the means
had not ten ducats-the fee'demanded by the  of ministering to the rapacity of the church, and
magistrate for his interference.-" During the  of bribing the civil authorities.  A poor friendreign of Stanislaus Poniatowsky, a petty noble  less criminal is executed in a few days after sellhaving refused to resign to Count Thisenhaus  tence is pronounced upon him; but a persop of
his small estate, the Count invited him to dinner,  wealth and influence generally manages to put
as if desirous of amicably adjusting the affair;  off capital punishment for a series of years, and
and whilst the knight, in the pride of his heart  at' last get it commuted to fine and imprisonment.
at such unexpected honour, assiduously plied the  Of these depraved practices, Mr. Hewison states
bottle, the Count despatched some hundreds of  several striking examples.-Those statements of
peasants with axes, ploughs, and wagons, order-  Mr. H. in reference to the moral state of Cuba,
ing the village, which consisted only of a few   I find corroborated by a short account of this isl.
wooden buildings, to be pulled down, the mate-  and in the Monthly Magazine for March, 1820,
rials carried away, and the plough to be passed  page 120.  " They act here very frequently
over the ground which the village had occupied.  those sacred mysteries which so delighted our
This was accotdingly done.  The nobleman, on  good forefathers.  I have witnessed (says the
his return henme in the evening, could find neither  writer) the triumph of the Ave Mariaj a tragiroad, houso, nor village. The master and his  comedy, which closes with the sudden appearservant wetes alike bewildered, and knew not  ance, in the midst of a theatre, of a chivalrous
whether they were dreaming or had lost the  worthy, mounted on a real horse, shaking at the,t,)wer of discrimination; but their surprise and  end of a lance the bloody head, of an infidel.
sb.ony wre deemed so truly humorous. that the  This horrid exhibition excited a, titter of enjoywhole court was delighted with the joke!" How   ment in all the spectators. The ladies, in particudepraved must be the state ofmoral feeling, when  lar, seemed to be highly entertained,-no fainting
the injustice inflicted upon fellow-creatures, and  fits, no nervous attacks. How could a mere ficthe miseries they endure, become the subjects of  titon agonize the blunt feelings of women, harmerriment and derision!-" The morals of the  dened by the spectacle of bull-fights, and almost
people of Poland," says Mr. Neale, " were, and  every day meeting with the dead body of some
ctontinue to be, nearly at the lowest point of de-  human being who has been assassinated?"
basement.  Female chastity is a phenomenon;    There is no situation in which!human beings
while the male sex are proportionally profligate.  can be placed, where we should n ore naturally
trrankenness, gluttony, and sensuality, urevail  expect the manifestation; of benevolt at affectiosa,
31




162                      THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
dhau in those scenes of danger where all are equal-  pened in modern times, which so strikiniy'di.s
ly expoised to deep distress, and where the ex-  plays the desperate malignity of human beings in
ercise of sympathy and kindness is the only thing  the midst of danger, as the conduct of the crew
that can alleviate the anguish of the mind.  of the Medusa Frigate, while tossing on the rafi
Whetl the prospect of immediate death, or of by which they endeavoured to save themselves,
nrc,.rnged agonies even more dreadful than the  after that vessel had been shipwrecked.  The
simjple pain of dissolution, is full before the  Medusa was stranded, in the month of June,
lind, one should think that ferocious disposi.  1816, on the bank of Arguin, near the westerr,
tions would be instantly curbed, and kindly af-  coast of Africa. A raft was hastily constructed,
fections begin to appear. Yet, even in such situ.  which was but scantily supplied with provisions.
ations, it frequently happens, that feelings of  There were five boats, which contained in all
malevolence and revenge, and all the depraved  about 240 persons; and upon the raft, there empassions, are most powerfully excited to action.  barked about 150 individuals. The boats pushed
The following facts will tend to illustrate this re-  off in a line, towing the raft, and assuring the
mark. Mr. Byron was shipwrecked, in a vio-  people on board that they would conduct themn
lent storm on the coast of South America. A   safely to land. They had not proceeded, however,
mountainous sea broke over the ship; she was  above two leagues from the wreck, when they,
laid on her beam  ends; darkness surrounded  one by one, cast off the tow lines, and abandoned
them; nothing was to be seen but breakers all  the raft to its fate. By this time the raft had
around; and every soul on board looked upon the  sunk below the surface of the water to the depth
present minute as his last. "So terrible was  of three feet and a half, and the people were sc
theascene of foatning breakers around us," says  squeezed one against another, that it was found
Mr. B. "that one of the bravest men we had  impossible to move; fore and aft they were up to
could not help expressing his dismay at it, saving  the middle in water. Night at length came on;! was too shocking a sight to bear."  Even in  the wind freshened; the sea began to swell;
this dreadful situation, malignant passions began  about midnight the weather became very stormy,
to appear; avid, like the dashing waves around,  and the waves broke over them in every direction.,tu rage with unbounded violence. No sooner  Tossed by the waves from one end to the other,'had the morning thrown a ray of light over the  and sometimes precipitated into the sea; floating
dismal gloom, and a faint glimpse of land was  between life and death; mourning over their
iperceived, than many of the crew  who, but a  own misfortunes; certain of perishing, yet con,
tfew  minutes before, had shown the strongest  tending for the remains of existence with that,signs of despair, and were on their knees pray.  cruel element which menaced to swallow thew
oing for mercy, " grew extremely riotous, broke  up-such was their situation till break of day,.open every chest and box that was at hand, stove  when a dreadful spectacle presented itself. Ten
an the heads of casks of brandy and wine, and  or twelve unhappy meh, having their extremities:got so drunk that some of them were drowned  jammed between the spars of the raft, had perish.
on board, and lay floating about the decks for  ed in that situation, and others had been swept
somedaysafter."  After the greater part, to the  away by the violence of the waves.-All this,
-number-of Do persons, had got to shore-" the  however, was nothing to the dreadful scene:boatswain {and some of the people would not  which took place the following night.  "Al.
leave the ship so long as there was any liquor to  ready," says the narrator, " was the moral chabe got at; they'fell to beating every thing to  racter of the people greatly changed. A spirit of
pieces that came in their way, and carrying their  sedition spread from man to man, and manifested
intemperance to the greatest excess, broke open  itself by the most furious shouts."  Night came
chests and cabins for plunder that could be of no  on; the heavens were obscured  with thick
*use to them. So earnest were they in this wan-  clouds; the wind rose, and with it the sea; the
tonness of theft, that one man had evidently  waves broke over them every moment; numbers:been murdered on account of some division of were swept away, and several poor wretches
the spoil, ar for the sake of the share that fell to  were smothered by the pressure oftheir comrades.
him, having all the marks of a strangled corpse."  Both soldiers and sailors resolved to sooth their'The same malignant dispositions weredisplayed,  last moments by drinking to excess; they be( ame
in numerous instances, during their abode on  deaf to the voice of reason; boldly declared'heir
the desolate andil barren' island on which they  intention of murdering their officers; and, cuthad been thrown,'notwithstanding the hunger,  ting the ropes which held the rafts together, one
the rains, the cold, -and the -attacks of wild  of them seizing an axe, actually began the dread
beasts  to which,they were all -equally ex-  ful work. The officers rushed forward to quel'
ecoed.*                                      the tumult, and the man with the hatchet was
Themeis, perhaps,-no occurrencethat has hap-  the first that fell-the stroke of a sabre terminate
ed his existence. One fellew was detected so.
See Byron's UNarrative of theLossoftheWager  cretly cutting the ropes, and was immediately:Man of vaWr."                                thrown overboard; others destroyed the shrouds




DEPRAVITY IN THiE MIDST 9F DANGER.                                  168
atd unttlyards; and the mast, destitute ofsupport,  there presented itself was melancholy in the eximmediately fell on a captain of infantry, and  treme. The place, which only a few short hour.
oruke his thigh; he was instantly seized by the  before had been the seat of kindly intercourse,
soldiers and thrown into the sea, but was saved  and of social gayety, was now entirely deserted,
by the opposite party. About an hour after mid-  save by a few miserable wretches, who were
night the insurrection burst forth anew. They  either stretched in irrecoverable intoxication on
rushed upon the officers like desperate men, each  the floor, or prowling about, like beasts of prey,
having a knife or a sabre in his hand; and such  in search of plunder."*
was the fury of the assailants, that they tore their    The following is a short description of the
flesh, and even their clothes with their teeth.  moral character of the inhabitants of Carolina,'here was no time for hesitetion; a general  and of one of the amusements of a people who
slaughter took place, and the raft was strewed with  boast of their liberty and their civilization,-as
dead bodies. On the return of day, it was found  it is found in " Morse's American Geography."
(ha:, in the course of the preceding night of hor-  " The citizens of North Carolina who are not
ror, sixty-.ive of the mutineers had perished, and  better employed, spend their time in drinking, or
two of the small party attached to the officers.  gaming at cards or dice, in cocl-fighting, or
A third night of horror approached, distinguished  horse-racing. Many of the interludes are filled
by the piercing cries of those whom hunger and  up with a boxing match; and these matches frethirst devoured; and the morning's sun showed  quently become memorable by feats of gouging.
them a dozen unfortunate creatures stretched  This delicate and entertaining diversion is thus
lifeless on the raft.  The fourth night was mark-  performed: When two boxers are worried with
ed by another massacre.  Some Spaniards and  fighting and bruising each other, they come, as
Italians conspired to throw the rest into the sea.  it is called, to close quarters; and each endea.
A Spaniard was the first to advance with a drawn  vours to twist his fore-fingers in the ear-locks of
kaitie; the sailors seized him and threw him into  his antagonist. When these are fast clenched,
the sea. The Italian seeing this, junlped over-  the thumbs are extended each way to the nose,
board; the rest were mastered, and order was  and the eyes gently twined out of their sockets.
restored.  But, before the ship Argus came to  The victor, for his expertness, receives shouts of
their relief, of the 150 that embarked on the raft,  applause from the sporting throng, while his poor
15 unhappy creatures only remained, covered  eyeless antagonist is laughed atfor his misfortune.
with wounds and bruises, almost naked, stripped  In a country that pretends to any degree of
of their skin, shrivelled with the rays of the sun,  civilization, one would hardly expect to find a
their eyes hollow, and their countenances sa-  prevailing custom of putting out the eyes of each
sage. —Such are the dreadfuil effects of maligni-  otheri Yet this more than barbarous custom is
ly, which produces more sufferings and fatal  prevalent in both the Carolinas, and in Georgia
effects, than the most tremendous elenlentts of among the lower class of people."-" Lord,
nature!                                        what is man!" In a savage and a civilized state
A certain portion of the same spirit was lately  -in infancy and in manhood-in his games and
displayed by several individuals on  board of diversions-in the instructions by which he is
ihe Kent East Indiaman. In the midst of a  trained-in the remarks he makes upon his
most violent gale, in the Bay of Biscay, when  neighbours-in the sports and amusements in
the sea was running mountains high, this vessel,  which he indulges-in his literary pursuits and
containing about 600 persons, took fire, in conse-  lucubrations-in his system  of rewards and
ituence of the spirits from a stoved cask having:ommunicated with a lamp;  and all hopes of   ^ Dee a  Narrative of the I oss of the Kent East
ncted wth    lp; and all hopes of  ndiaman, by fire, in the Bay of Biscay, on the 1st of
safety became extinguished, till the ship Cam-  March, 1825, by aPassenger," supposed to be Major
bria, Captain Cooke, hove in sight.  Bitt the  Macgregor.-The humanity and intrepidity display.
daer of passing fo  one ship to the other, in  ed, amidst the heart-rending scene which this narradavnger of passing fron one ship to the other, in  tive describes —by Captain Cobb of the Kent; by
boats, in such a tempestuous sea, rendered the  Messrs. Thompson, Fearon, Macgregor, and the
)reservation of the passengers and crew in a  other officers, and many of the soldiers; by Captain
Cooke of the Canmbria, his crew, and the Cornish
legree doubtful. Yet, in the midst ofthe danger,   miners-is above all praise. Their benevolent and
ilie alarm  and the anguish which accompanied  heroic conduct at that alarming crisis, is far nlore
this tremendous scene, we are told by tihe narra-  deserving of a public monument being raised for its
commemoration, than that of many of our military
otor, page 24, that "' it is suspected that one or  heroes, in honour of whom so many trophies have
two of those who perished, must have sunk,n_-  been erectedl. If men, who have been instrumental
ider the weight of their spoils; the sane indivi-  in destroying tthe lives and the happiness of huner the weight of theidreds and of thousands, have pensions bestowed on
JItals having been seen eagerly plundering the  them, and are exalted to posts of hor.our, surely
ldtly cabins.   And a  little afterwards pae   hose who have exertedtreirenergies inpreserving
the lives of hundreds, and in preventing the anguish
31, he adds: "Some time after the shades of  of thousands, ought not to be suffered to sink into
rigqht had enveloped Ius, I descended to the cuddy  oblivion, or to pass unrewarded. It is, I presuine,
in qtuest of a blallat to shelter me from the in-  one reason among others, why virtue is so'ittle
e  e  prctisedu that it is seldorn rewarded according to its
creasing coldh. and the scene of desolation that  merit.




I t4                    THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
pulshments —in his intercourses and contests  to be blended with the pure precepts and the su
with communities and nations-in his commer-  blime doctrines of the Gospel. Many of its
clal transactions-in his judicial administrations  professed adherents, overlooking the grand prac-.
-in the height of prosperity-and in scenes of  tical bearings of the Christian system, began tc
danger, and of the deepest distress,-a principle  indulge in vain speculations on its mysterious
of malignity is forever operating to destroy his  doctrines; to substitute a number of unmeaning
coinfc; ts, and to undermine the foundation of his  rites and ceremonies in the room of love to God
happiness!                                    and to man; and even to prosecute and destroy
The above sketches mnay suffice, in the mean  all those who refused to submit to their opinions
time, as specimens of some of the prominent dis-  and decisions. Pride, and a desire of dominapositions of that portion of the human race who  tion, usurped the place of meekness and humiihave assumed to themselves the character of lity; and the foolish mummeries of monastic sucivilized nations.  It will readily be admitted,  perstition, and the austerities of the Ascetics,
by most of my readers, that the dispositions dis-  were substituted in the room of the active duties
played in the instances I have selected  are  of justice and benevolence. Saints were deified;
all directly repugnant to the principle of benevo-  the power of the clergy was augmented; celi
once recognised in the divine law, and tend to  bacy was extolled; religious processions were
undermine the happiness of intelligent beings.  appointed;- pilgrimages were undertaken to the
-I shall now conclude with a very brief sketch  tombs of the martyrs; monasteries andrnunneries,
of the conduct of Christians, and of Christian  without number, were erected; prayers were ofsocieties towards each other, and of the leading  fered up to departed saints; the Virgin Mary
traits of character which appear in the religious  was recognised as a species of inferior deity; the
world.                                        sign of the cross was venerated as capable of
securing victory in all kinds of trials and calamities, and as the surest defence against the influSECTION  IV.                    ence of malignant spirits; the bishops aspired
MORAL STATE OF THE PROFESSING 5CHRISTt AN  after wealth, magnificence, and splendour; errors
WORL D.                 - -  in religion were punished with civil penalties and
bodily tortures; and the most violent disputes
I have already endeavoured to show, that  and contentions convulsed every section of the
Christianity is a religion of love; that its facts,  Christian world; while the mild and beneficent
its doctrines, amnd its moral precepts, are all cal-  virtues of the religion of Jesus were either disculated to promote "c peace on earth," and to  carded, or thrown into the shade.
form mankind into one affectionate and harmo-    Of these, and similar dispositions and pracnious society.  This glorious and happy effect,  tices, details might be exhibited which would
in the first instance, it actually produced. We  fill many volumes, and which would carry conare told, in the history of the Apostles, that the  viction to every impartial mind, that the true
multitudes who were converted to the Christian  glory of Christianity was sadly tarnished and obh
faith, by the powerful sermons delivered by Peter  scured, and its heavenly spirit almost extinguishon the day of Pentecost, had their malignant pro-  ed amidst the mass of superstitious observances,
pensities subdued, and their minds animated  of vain speculations, and of angry feuds and
with an ardent affection for each other; and, as  contentions. Millot, when adverting to the state
a practical proof of the operation of this noble  of the Church in the days of Constantine and
principle, " they had all things common, and sold the succeeding eniperors, justly remarks: "The
their possessions and goods, and parted them to  disciples of Christ were inspired with mutual
all, as every man had need."  During the early  feuds, still more implacable and destructive than
ages of Christianity, a goodly portion of the  the factions which were formed for or against
sanle spirit was manifested by the greater part  different emperors.  The spirit of contention
of those who had enrolled themselves as the dis-  condemned by St. Paul became almost universal.
ciples of Christ. Even in the midst,4f the re-  New sects sprung up incessantly, and combated
proaches, and the severe persecutions to which  each other. Each boasted its apostles, gave its
they were subjected during the two first cen'uries  sophisms for divine oracles, pretended to be the
of th3 Christian era, a meek and forgiving dis-  depository of the faith, and used every effort to
position, and a spirit of benevolence towards  draw the multitude to its standard. The church
one another, and towards all men, distinguished  was filled with discord; bishops anathematized
them from the heathen around, and constrained  bishops; violence was called in to the aid of areven their enemies to exclaim, " Behold how these  gument, and the folly of princes fanned the flame
Christians love one another!"-But no sooner  which spread with so destructive rage.  They
was the Christian Church amalgamated with the  played the theologists, attempted to command
kingdoms of this world, in the reign of Constan-  opinions, and punished those whom they could
oine, than its native purity began to be tainted,  not convince.  The laws against idolaters were
and Pagan maxims, and worldly ambition began  soon extended to heretics; but what one emperor




EARLY AGES OF CHRISTIANITY.                                   165
proscribed as heretical, was to another sound  sons. He enacted a law, condemning to the
doctrine. What was the consequence?  The  flames cousins german who married without a
clergy, whose influence was already great at  special license from the emperor. He establishruurt, and still greater among the people, began  ed inquisitors for the discovery of heretics.  He
to withdraw from  the sovereign authority that  drove the Manicheans* from Rome as infamous
respect which religion inspires.  The popular  persons, and, on their death, ordered their goods
ferments being heightened by the animosity of  to be distributed among the people. Yet, with
the clergy, prince, country, law, and duty, were  all this religious zeal, he, on one occasion, gave
no longer regarded. Men were Arians, Dona-  orders for a universal massacre at Thessalonica,
tists, Priscillianists, Nestorians, Eutychians,  because some persons of distinction had been
Monotholites, &c., but no longer citizens; or  killed in a sedition at the time of the races. The
rather, every man became the mortal enemy of  inhabitants were caused to assemble in the circus,
those citizens whose opinions he condemned.-  under the pretence of an exhibition of games,
This unheard-ofmadness, for irreconcilable quar-  and slaughtered  without distinction  of age.
rels on subjects that ought to have been referred  Seven thousand, according to some, and fifteen
to the judgment ofthe Church, never abated amidst  thousand according to others, the greatest part
the most dreadful disasters.  Every sect formed  unquestionably innocent, were thus sacrificed to
a different party in the state, and their mutual  atrocious revenge.   Leo, another emperor,
animosities conspired to sap its foundations."*  " commanded every person to be baptized, under
At the period to which these observations re-  pain of banishment, and made it capital to relapse
fer, it appearsihat two erroneous maxims gene-  into idolatry, after the performance of the cererally prevailed, which, tended to undermine the  mony;" just as if Christians could be made by
moral system of revelation, and which were pro-  a forced baptism, or by a law of the state. Such
ductive of almost all the tumults, massacres, and  edicts clearly showed, that, whatever zeal prin.
disasters, which distinguished that era of the  ces or the clergy might manifest in favoutr of the
Christian church. These were, 1. That reli-  Christian religion, they were grossly ignorant of
glon consists chiefly in the belief of certain ab-  its true spirit, and of the means by which its
stract and incomprehensible dogmas, and in the  benevolent objects were to be accomplished.
performance of a multitude of external rites and    As a specimen of the manner in which such
ceremonies: and, 2. That all heresies or differ-  edicts were sometimes carried into effect, the
ences of opinion on religious points, ought to be  following instance may be stated.  Hypatia,
extirpated by the strona arm of the civil power.  daughter of the celebrated Geometrician, Theon
Than such maxims, nothing can be more repug-  of Alexandria, exceeded her father in learning, and
nant to reason, more subversive of genuine mo-  gave public lectures in Philosophy, with the
rality, or more inconsistent with the spirit and  greatest applause; nor was she less admirable
genius of the Christian religion. And yet, to  for the purity of her virtue, joined to an uncomthis very hour, they are recognised and acted  mon beauty, and every accomplishment that
upon by more than three fourths of the Christian  could adorn human nature. But this excellent
world. notwithstanding the melancholy examples  woman, because she was a Pagan, trusted by the
wnich history has furnished of their futility, and  magistrates and suspected to, be active against
their pernicious tendency.-The narrow  limits  St. Cyril, the bishop, became an object of detesto which I am confined will permit me to state  tation to the Christian multitude. A set of
only two or three instances in reference to the  monks and desperadoes, headed by a priest, seizperiod to which I allude.                     ed herin the open street, hurried her into a
Theodosius, one of the emperors, who comn-  church, where they stripped her naked, tore her
menced his reign in the year 379, and who re-  body with whips, cut her in pieces, and publicly
ceived baptism during a dangerous distemper, in  burned her mangled limbs in the market place.t
the second year of it, professed great zeal in fa-  St. Cyril, who was suspected of having fomented
your of religion.  By a law  addressed to the  this tragedy, had previously attacked the synapeople of Constantinople, he enacted, " That all  gogues, and driven out the Jews; their goods
subjects shall profess the catholic faith with re-  were pillaged, and several persons perished in the
gard to the articles of the Trinity; and that they  tumult.  Such conduct plainly demonstrates the
who do not conform shall ignominiously be called  tendency of the human mind, in every situation,
heretics, until they shall feel the vengeance of to abnse power and authority, for the purposes of
God and our own, according as it shall please  persecution and revenge; and shows us what
Divine providence to inspire us."  lie declared  false ideas the Christians of that period must
apostates and Manicheans incapable of making a  have entertained of the God of Mercy; and how
will, or receiving any legacy; and having pronounced them worthy ofdeath, the people thought  cheans was, their recognising the doctrine of two
they had a right to kill themas proscribed per-  independent and eternal principles, the one the an.
thor of all good, and the other the author ot a. evil.
t Millot's Ancient History, vol. ii.
Milltt's Modern History, vol. i  Millot's Ancient Hist. vol. ii.




166                      THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
noon they had forgotten the sufferings which their  sanctity every action in common and social life,
fathers had so lately endured, under the reign of How sublime and comforting the idea it gives o,f
the heathen exrperors.                        the Di,,vinity!  What confidence in his justice
About this period, too, vain speculations about  and infinite mercy! What encouragement for the
abstruse and incomprehensible subjects, occupi-  exercise of every virtue! Wherefore, then, suwh
ed the attention of theologians, and engendered  errors and excesses on religious pretences? It is
religious quarrels and disputes, which burst asun-  because heresy, shooting up under a thousand difder the bonds of affection and concord. A play  ferent forms, incessantly startles the faith by subof words and vain subtleties, were substituted in  tleness and sophistry, by which almost the whale
place of clear conceptions and substantial knovw,  energy of men's minds is absorbed in the contest
ledge. which, instead of directing the faculties  Disputes engender hatred; from  hatred springs
of the human mind to their proper objects, tend-  every excess; and virtue, exhausted with words
ed only to darken the light of reason, and to in-  and cabals, loses her whole power." —How
troduce the long night of ignorance which soon  happy would it be, and how glorious for the cause
succeeded. It was a prevailing madness among  of genuine Christianity, were the present genethe Greek theologians, who were intractable in  ration of Christians to profit by the sad experitheir opinions,-and it is too much the case with  ence of the past!
certain modern divines,-to dispute about incom-    As we advance in the history of the Christian
prellensible mysteries, to render them  more ob-  church, through the middle ages, the prospect
scure by their attempts to explain them, and per-  appears still more dark and gloomy. The human
petually to revive the most dangerous conten-  mind, at that period, appeared to have lost its
tions. The Arians rejected the Divinity of the  usual energy, and its powers of discrimination;
Word, in order to maintain the unity of God;-  the light of reason seemed almost extinguished;
the Nestorians denied that Mary is the mother  sophisms, and absurdities of all kinds, were
of God, and gave two persons to Jesus Christ,  greedily swallowed; and superstition displayed
to support the opinon of his having two natures;  itself in a thousand diversified forms. Morality
-the Eutychians, to maintain the unity of the  was in a manner smothere, undera heap of cereperson, confounded the two natures into one.  monies and arbitrary observances, which acquirThis heresy became divided into ten or twelve  ed the name of devotion.  Relics, pilgrimages,
branches; some of the sections maintaining that  offerings, and pious legacies, were thought capaJesus Christ was merely a phantom, or appear-  ble of opening the gate of heaven to the most
ance of flesh, but no real flesh. The Monotho-  wicked of men. The virgin Mary, and the souls
lites maintained, that there was only one will in  of departed  saints, were invoked; splendid
Christ, as they could not conceive two free wills  churches were erected to their honour; their asto exist in the same person.  Another sect main-  sistancewas entreated with many fervent prayers;
tuined, that the body of Christ was incorruptible,  while the mediation of Jesus Christ was thrown
and that from the moment of his conception, he  into the shade, and almost disregarded.   An
was incapable of change, and of suffering. This  irresistible efficacy was attributed to the bones ot
chimera Justinian attempted to establish by an  martyrs, and to the figure of the cross, in defeatedict.  He banished the Patriarch Eultychius,  ing the attempts of Satan, in removing all sorts
and several other prelates, who opposed his sen-  ofcalamities, and in healing the diseases noth of
timents; and was proceeding to tyrannize over the  the body and of the mind. Works of piety and
consciences of men with more violence than ever,  benevolence were viewed as consisting chiefly in
when death interposed, and transported him  to  building and embellishing churches and chapels
another scene of existence.-In such vain and  in endowing monasteries; in hunting after the
preposterous disputes as these. were the minds  relics of martyrs; in procuring the intercession of
of professed Christians occupied, notwithstand-  saints, by rich oblations; in worshipping images.
ing the perils with which they were then envi-  in pilgrimages to holy places; in voluntary acts
roned. Councils were held, to determine the  of mortification; in solitary masses; and in a
orthodox side of a question; anathemas were  variety of similar services, which could easily be
thundered against those who refused to acquiesce  reconciled with the commission of the mest
in their decisions; princes interposed their au-  abominable crimes. So that the worship of" the
thority, and the civil sword was unsheathed to  God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," was
compel men to believe what they could not un-  exchanged for the worship of bones, hair, fiagderstand;-while the substantial truths of reli-  ments of fingers and toes, tattered rags, images of
gion were overlooked, and its morality disregard-  saints, anrd bits of rotten wood, supposed to be
ed. —" Religion,"  says Millot, "inspires us  the relics of the cross. The dubbing of saints
with a contempt of earthly vanities, a detestation  became a fruitful source of frauds and abuses'f vice, and indulgence for the frailties of our  throughout the Christian world; lying wonders
neighbour; invincible patience in misfortunes,  were invented, and fabulous histories composed,
n(d compassion for the unhappy; it inspires us  to celebrate exploits that were never performed,.vlth charity and heroic courage; and tends to  and to glorify persons that never had a baing




ICCLESIASTICAL FEUDS.                                   167
And absolution from the greatest crimes could ea-  which was principally designed to bless, was most
sily be procured, either by penance, or by money. frequently employed in cursing. ExcommunicaThe absurd principle, that Religion consists in  tion was made the instrument ofdamning, instead
acrt of austerity, produced the most extravagant  of saving souls, and was inflicted according to the
behaviour in certain devotees, and reputed saints.  dictates of policy or of revenge."  The great
They lived among the wild beasts; they ran  and the noble, and even kings and emperors, were
naked through the lonely deserts, with a furious  excommunicated, when it was designed to rob, or
aspect, and with all the agitations of madness and  to enslave them; and this invisible engine,
frenzy; thley prolonged their wretched lives, by  which they wielded with a powerful and a sovegrass and wild herbs; avoided the sight and con-  reign hand, was used to foment dissensions beversation of men, and remained almost motion-  tween the nearest relatives, and to kindle the
less for several years, exposed to the rigour and  most bloody wars. The generality of priests and
inclemtuncy of the seasons;-and all this was con-  monks kept wives and concubines, without shame
sidered as an acceptable method of worshipping  or scruple, and even the papal throne was the
the Deity, and of attaining a share in his favour.-  seat of debauchery and vice. The possessions of
But of all the instances of superstitious frenzy,  the church were either sold to the highest bidder,
which disgraced those times, none was held in  or turned into a patrimony for the bastards of the
higher veneration than that ofa certain order of  incumbents. Marriages, wills, contracts, the inmen, who obtained the name of Pillar saints.  terests of families and of courts, the state of the
These were persons of a most singular and extra-  living and the dead, were all converted into invagant turn of mind, who stood motionless on the  struments for promoting their credit, and increastops of pillars, expressly raised for this exercise of ing their riches. It was, therefore, a necessa:
their patience, and remained there for several  ry result from such a state of things, that vices o,
years, amidst the admiration and applause of a  every description abounded, that morals were
stupid and wondering populace.  This strange  ruined, and that the benevolence of the divine
superstitious practice began in the fifth century,  law was trampled under foot.
and continued in the East for more than six    The theological spectulations in which they inhundred years.-To the same principle are to be  dulged, corresponded to the degrading practices
attributed the revolting practices of the Flagel-  to which I have adverted, and tended to withlants, a sect of fanatics who chastised themselves  draw the mind from the substantial realities both of
with whips in public places. Numbers of per-  science and of religion. Sophismsand falsehoods
sons of this description, of all ages and sexes,  were held forth as demonstrations.  They atmade processions, walking two by two, with their  tempted to argue after they had lost the rules of
shoulders bare, which they whipped till the blood  common sense.  The cultivation of letters was
ran down in streamlets; in order to obtain mercy  neglected; eloquence consisted in futile declafrom God, and appease his indignation against  mations; and philosophy was lost in the abyss
the wickedness of the age. They held, among  of scholastic and sophistical theology.  " They
other things, that flagellation was of equal virtue  attempted to penetrate into mysteries, and to dewith baptism, and the other sacraments; that  cide questions which the limited faculties of the
the forgiveness of all sins was to be obtained by  human mind are unable to comprehend or to
it, without the merits of Jesus Christ; that the  resolve;" and such vain speculations they endeao!d law of Christ was soon to be abolished, and  voured to incorporate into the system of religion,
that a new law, enjoining the baptism ofblood, to  and to render theology a subject of metaphysical
be administered by whipping, was to besubsti-  refinement, and of endless controversy.  A false
tuted in its place.                          logic was introduced, which subtilized  upon
The enormous power conferred on the ministers  words, but gave no idea of things; which emof religion was another source of immorality and  ployed itself in nice and refined distinctions
of the greatest excesses.  The pope and the cler-  concerning objects and operations which lie begy reigned over mankind without control, and  yond the reach of human understanding, which
made themselves masters ofalmuost all the wealth  confounded every thing by attempting to analy!e
of every country in Europe.  They were im-  every thing, and which opened an arena for men
mersed in crimes of the deepest dye; and the  of fiery zeal to kindle the flame of controversy,
laity, imagining themselves able to purchase the  and to give birth to numerous heresies. The
pardon of their sins for money, followed the ex-  following are a few instances, out of many, whichr
mrnple of their pastors without remorse. The  might be produced, of the questions and contromost violent contentions, animosities, and hatred,  versies which occupied the attention of bishops
~relgned among the different ord rs of monks, and  and seraphical doctors, and gave rise to furious
between the clergy of all ranks and degrees.  contentions:-Whether the conception of the
"Instead of consecrating ecclesiastical censures  Blessed Virgin was immaculate?  Whether
solely to spiritual pulrposes, they converted them   Mary should be denominated the MotherofoGodi
into a weapon for defending th-ir privileges, and  or the Mothey of Christ?  Whether the breadsupporting their pretensions.  The priesthood,  and wine used in the eucharist were digested>?




lf;8                      THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELI(GION.
In what manner the wall of Christ operated, and    Nothing can be conceived more directly repug
whether he had one will or two?  Whether the  nant to the benevolence which the religion of
Holy Ghost proceeded from the Father and Son,  Jesus inculcates, than the temper and conduct oi
or only from the Father?  Whether leavened or  those who arrogated to themselves the character
unleavened bread ought to be used in the eucha-  of being God's vicegerents on earth, and who asrist?  Whether souls in their intermediate state  stumed the supreme direction  and control of the
see God, or only the human nature of Christ?  Christian church.  In persons who laid claim to
It was disputed between the Dominicans and the  functions so sacred and divine, it might have
Franciscans, tWhether Christ had anyproperty?  been expected, that the appearance at least, of
The Pope pronounced the negative proposition to  piety, humility, and benevolence, would have
be a pestilential and blasphemous doctrine, sub-  been exhibited before the eyes of the Christian
versive of catholic faith.' Many councils were  world. But the history of the popes and their
neld at Constantinople, to determine what. sort of  satellites, displays almost every thing which is
ii ht it was the disciples saw on Mount Tabor:  directly opposed to such heavenly virtues. Their
it was solemnly pronounced to be the eternal light  avarice, extortion, and licentiousness, became inwith which God is encircled; and which may be  tolerable and excessive almost to a  proverb.
termed his energy or operation, but is distinct  To extend their power over the kingdomqof this
fioun. his nature and essence.  The disputes  world, to increase their wealth and revenues, to
respecting the real presence of Christ in the  live in opulence and splendour, to humble kings,
eucharist, led to this absurd conclusion, which  to alienate the affections of their subjects, and
came to be universally admitted-" That the
substance of the bread and wine used in that
not a mere farcical entertainment; but an act of deordinance is changed into the real body and blood  votion, performed by the ministers of religion, ant'
of Christ;" and consequently, when a man eats  by the authority of the church.-Robertson's Higvhat has the appearance of a wafer, he really  tory of Charles V. vol. i. — In accordance with such
ceremonies were the ideas which prevailed of the
and truly eats the body and blood, the soul end  foolish qualifications requisite to constitute a good
divinity of Jesus Christ; and when he afterwards  Christian. " He is a good Christian," says St. Eloy, a
canonized saint of the Romish church, "who comes
drinks what has the appearance of wine, he  frequently to church; who presents the oblation
drinks the very same body and blood, soul and  offered to God upon the altar; who doth not taste of
divinity, which, perhaps, not a minute before, he  the fruits of his own industry until he has consecrated a part of them to God; who when the holy
had whblly and entirely eaten!-At the period to  festivals approach, lives chastely even with his own
which I now alltide,-the authenticity of a suspect-  wife during several days, that with a safe conscience
ed relic was proved by bulls-councils assembled  he may draw near to the altar of God; and who, in
the last place; can repeat the Creed and the Lord's
and decided upon the authority of forged acts  prayer. Redeen, then, your souls from destruction,
with regard to the antiquity of a saint, or the  while you have tle means in your power; offer presents and tithes to churchmen; come more frequentplace where his body was deposited; and a bold  ly to church; humbly implore the patronage of the
impostor needed only to open his mouth, to per-  saints; for if you observe these things, you may
suade, the mrltitstde to  believe whatever he  come with security in the day of retribution to the
tribunal of the eternal Judge, and say,' Give to us,
pleased. To feed upon animals strangled or un-  OLord, for we have given unto thee."'-Here we have
clean, to eat flesh on Tuesday, eggs and cheese  an ample description of a good Christian, in which
there is not the least mention of the love of God, of
on Friday, to fast on Saturday, or to use unleaven-  resignation to his will, obedience to his laws, or of
ed bread in the service of the mass-were, by  justice, benevolence, or charity towards men. —Mosome, considered as indispensable duties, and by  sheiin's Clsrch History.' The following are the terms in Which Tetzel and
others, as vile abominations.  In short, the his-  his associates describe the benefit of indulgences,
tory of this period is a reproach to the human  about the beginning of. the 16th centulry, a little be
understanding; an insult offered to the majesty of  fore the era of the reformation. " If any man," sail
arid of science, and a libelonthebenevo-they, "purchase letters of indulgence, his soul may
reason and ofscience, and a libel on the benevo-  rest secure with respect to its salvation. The souls
lent spirit which breathes through the whole of  confined in purgatory, for whose redemption indulthle Christian system.*                          gences are purchase i, as soon as the money tinkles
the Christian systern.*           in the chest, instantly escape from that place of torment, and ascend into heaven. The efficacy of inAs a striking instance of the folly and imbecility  duleences were so great, that the most heinous sins,
of the human mind at this period, it may be noticed,  even if one should violate (which was impossible)
that in several churches in France they celebrated a  the Mothler of God, would be remitted and expiated
festival in commemoration of the Virein Mary's  by them, and the person be free both from punishflight into Egypt, which was called the Feast of the  ment and guilt. That this was the unspeakable gift
ass. A young girl richly dressed, with a child in her  of God, in order to reconcile men to himself. That
arms, was set upon an ass richly caparisoned. The  the cross erected by the preachers of indulgences,
ass was led to the altar in solemn procession. Hih  was as efficacious as the cross of Christ itself. Lo!
mass was sati with great pomp. The ass was taught  the heavens are open, if you enter not now, when
to kneel at proper places; a hymn, no less childish  will you enter? For twelve pence you may redeem
than impious, was sung in his praise; and when  the soul of your fatherout of purgatory: and are you,the ceremony was ended, the priest, instead of the  so ungrateful that you will not rescue your parent
asual words with which he dismissed the people,  from torment? if you had but one coat, you ought to
brayed three times like an ass, and the people, instead  strip yourself instantly and sell it, in order to pur,f the usual response, " We bless the Lord," brayed  chase such benefits," &c.-Rohbertson's Chlarles V
inr the same manner.'rhic ritliculous ceremony was  vol. ii.




THE  INQUISITION.                                     169
to riot in the lap of luxury and debauchery, seem-  discipline or provisions, marched in wild conruea to be the great objects of their ambition. In-  siotl through the eastern parts of Europe, and, at
stead of acting as the heralds of mercy, and the  every step of their progress, committed the most
ministers of peace, they thundered anathemas  dreadful outrages.  So inveterate was their zeal
against all who called in question their authority,  against the Jews, wherever they were found, that
kindled the flames of discord and of civil wars,  many of those unfortunate beings, both men and
armed subjects against their sovereigns, led forth  women, murdeered their own children, in the
hostile armies to the battle, and filled Europe  midst of the despair to which they were driven
with confusion, devastation, and carnage.  In-  by these infuriated madmen; and when they arstead of applying the mild precepts of Christi-  rived at'Jerusalem, and had taken that city by asanity, and interposing the authority they had ac-  sault, they suffered inone of the infidels to escape
quired for reconciling enemies, and subduing the  the slaughter.  Such was the way in which the
jealousies of rival monarchs, they delighted to  successors of the Apostle Peter displayed their
widen the breach of friendship, and to fan the  general benevolence, and their love to the souls
flame of animosity and discord. Dr. Robertson,  and bodies of men.
when adverting to the personal jealousies of    The establishment of the Inquisition, is anoFrancis I. and Charles V. remarks, " If it had  ther mode in which the tyranny and cruelty of
been in the power of the Pope to engage them in  the Romish church has been displayed. This
hostilities, without rendering Lombardy the the-  court was-founded in the 12th century, by Faatre of war, nothing would have been more agree-  ther Dominic, and his followers, who were sent
able to him than to see them waste each other's  by Pope Innocent III. with orders to excite ths
strength in endless quarrels."'* The Son of man  Catholic princes and people to extirpate heretics.
came into the world, not to destroy men's lives,  It is scarcely possible to conceive any institution
but to save them; but, in such instances, we be-  more directly opposed to the dictates of justice
hold his pretended vicars, preparing and arrang-  and humanity, to the genius of Christianity, and
ing the elements of discord, laying a train for the  to the meekness and gentleness of Christ, than
destruction of thousands and tens of thousands,  this infernal tribunal.  The proceedings against
and taking a diabolical delight in contemplating  the unhappy victims of this court, are conducted
the feuds, the massacres, and the miseries which  with the greatest secrecy. The person granted
their infernal policy had created.  The decrees  themn as counsel is not permitted to converse
of the papal throne, instead ofbreathing the mild-  with them, except in the presence of the Inquiness and benevolence of Jesus, became thunder-  sitors; and, when they communicate the eviing curses, and sanguinary laws, and a set of  dence to the accused persons, they carefully annfrantic enthusiasts, or a lawless banditti, were  ~ealfrom them the names of the authors.  The
frequently appointed to carry them into effect.   prisoners are kept for a long time, till they themNot contented with the insurrections and thede-  selves, through the application of the torture,
solations they had produced among the European  turn their own accusers; for they are neither
nations, they planned an expedition for the pur-  told their crime, nor confronted with witnesses.
pose of massacring the inhabitants of Asia, and  WVhen there is no shadow of proof against the
ravaging their country.  Urban II. about A. D.  pretended criminal, he is discharged, after suf1095, travelled from province to province, levying  fering the most cruel tortures, a tedious and
troops, even without the consent of their princes;  dreadful imprisonment, and the loss of the greatest
preaching up the doctrine of" destruction to the  part of his effects,  When he is convicted and
infidels;"  and commanding the people, in the  condemned, he is led in procession, with other
name of God, to join in the holy war. St. Ber-  unfortunate beings, on the festival of the Auto do
nard ran from town to town haranguing the mul- fe, to the place of execution.  He is clothed with
titude, performing pretended miracles, and induc-  a garment, painted with flames, and with his
ing all ranks, from the emperor to the peasant, to  own figure, surrounded with dogs, serpents, and
enrol themselves under the banners of the cross,  devils, all open-mouthed, as if ready to devour
Peter the Hermit, a man of a hideous figuare and  him.  Such of the prisoners as declare that they
aspect, covered with rags, walking barefooted,  die in the communion of the church of Rome,
and speaking as a prophet, inspired the people  are first strangled, and then burned tc ashes.
every where with an enthusiasm  similar to his  Those who die in any other faith, are burned
own.  Thousands of wicked and abandoned de-  alive.  The priests tell then, thai,hey leave
bauchees were thus collected; bishops, priests,  them to the devil, who is standing at their elbow,
monks, women and children, were all enrolled in  to receive their souls, and carry them  with him
the holy army.  A plenary absolution of all their  into the flames of hell. Flaming furzes, fastensins was promised: and if they died in the con-  ed to long poles, are then thrust agains% their
test, they were assured of a crown of martyrdom   faces, till their faces are burned to a coal, which
in The world to come. With hearts burning with  is accompanied with the loudest acclamations ot
urv and revenge, this army of banditti, without  joy, among the thousands of spectators.  At
- Robertson's Charles V. vol. ii.     last fire is set to the furze at the bottom of the
22




170                      THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
stake, over which the criminals are chained so  upon a closer examination, it was found, that th'i
high, that the top of the flame seldom  reaches  whole front of the body was covered with exhigher than the seat they sit on; so that they  tremely sharp nails, and small daggers, or blades
seem to be roasted rather than burned.  There  of knives, with the points projecting outwards.
cannot be a more lamentable spectacle; the suf-  The arms and hands had jqints, and their nlr,ferers continually cry out, while they are able,  tions were directed by machinery, placed behind
" Pity, for the love of God;" yet it is beheld by  the partition. One of the servants of the Inqui.
all sexes and ages, with transports of joy and  sition was ordered to make the machine mnasatisfaction; and even the monarch, surrounded  nwauvre. As the statue extended its arms, and
by his courtiers, has sometimes graced the scene  gradually drew them back, as if she would affecwith his presence, imagining that he was per-  tionately embrace, and press some one to her
forming an act highly acceptable to the Deity!!*  heart, the well-filled knapsack of a Polish grene.
And what are the heinous crimes for which  dier supplied for this time the place of the poce
such dreadful punishments are prepared? Per-  victim. The statue pressed it closer and closer;
haps nothing more than reading a book which  and when the director of the machinery made it
has been denounced as heretical by the holy  open its arms and return to its first position, the
office, such as " Raynal's History of the Indies,"  knapsack was pierced two or three inches deep,,
-assuming the title of a freemason-irritating  and remained hanging upon the nails and dag.
a priest or mendicant friar-uttering the lan-  gers of the murderous instrument.
guage of freethinkers-declaiming against the    This infamous tribunal is said to have caused,
celibacy of the clergy-insinuating hints or sus-  between the years 1481 and 1759, 34,658 perpicions respecting their amours and debauche-  sons to be burnt alive; and between 1481 and
ries-or throwing out a joke to the dishonour of  1808, to have sentenced 288,214 to the galleys,
the Virgin Mary,t-or, at most, holding the  or to perpetual imprisonment.*  In the Auto o,
sentiments of a Mahometan, of a Jew, or the  Toledo, in February, 1501, 67 women were defollowers of Calvin or Luther. In the year 1725,  livered over to the flames for Jewish practices.
the Inquisition discovered a family of Moors at  The same punishment was inflicted on 900 feGrenada, peaceably employed in manufacturing  males for being witches, in the Dutchy of Lor.
silks, and possessingsuperior skill in the exer-  raine, by one Inquisitor alone, Under this accise of this profession.  The ancien laws, sup.  cusation, upwards of thirty thousand women have
posed to have fallen into disuse, were enforced  perished by the hands of the Inquisition.f Torin all their rigour, and the wretched family was  quemada, that infernal inquisitor of Spain,
burnt alive.j  On the entry of the French into  brought into the Inquisition, in the space of 14
Toledo, during the late Peninsular war, General  years, no fewer than 80,000 persons; of whom
Lasalle visited the palace of the Inquisition.  6000 were condemned to the flames, and burned
The great; number of instruments of torture,  alive with the greatest pomp and exultation; and,
especially the instruments to stretch the limbs,  of that vast number, there was perhaps not a
and the drop-baths, which cause a lingering  single person who was not more pure in religion,
death, excited horror, even in the minds of sol-  as well as morals, than their outrageous persediers hardened in the field of battle.  One of cutors.1-Has the Deity, then, whom the Inqui.
these instruments, singular in its kind for refined  sition professes to serve, such a voracious appetite
torture, and disgraceful to humanity and religion,  for the blood of human victims? Has that bedeserves particular description. In a subterra-  nevolent Being, who maketh his sun to cheer the
neous vault adjoining to the. adience chamber,  habitations of the wicked as well as of the righstood, in a recess in the wall, a wooden statue  tcous, and whose " tender mercies are over all
made by the hands of monks, rep.'senting the  his works"-commissioned  such bloodthirsty
Virgin Mary. A gilded glory beamed round her  monsters to act as his ministers of vengeance, and
head, and she held a standard in her right hand.  to torment and destroy the rational creatures he
Notwithstanding the ample folds of the silk gar.  has formed? The very thought is absurd and
ment which fell from her shoulders on both sides,  blasphemous in the highest degree. All his be.
it appeared that she wore a breastplate; and,  neficent operations in creation around us, and all
the gracious promises and declarations of his
See Ency. Brit. Art. Act offaith, and Inquisition,  word, stand directly opposed to such hellish prac.
and Bourgoing's "Modern state of Spain," Vol. L. iices, and condemn the perpetrators as audacious
The" tInstructions for the office of the holy tnquisi.
lion given atTobda in 1561,1 may be seen in the Ap-  rebels against the divine government, and as nui.
pendi.hto" Peyron's Essays on Spain' which forms  sances in the universe of God.
the fourth volumte of Bourgoing's wore.         The numerous Massacres which, in differen,
The Chevalier de St. Gervais, was imprisoned in
the Inquisition on the following occasion.-A men-  ages, have taken -place, on account of religious
dicant having come to his chamber, with a purse,
begged him to contribute something for the lights
-,r tapers to be lighted in nonour of the Virgin, he    - Histoire Abregde de l'Inquisition.
replied, "My good father, the Virgin Ilas no need of   t" The Inquisition Unmasked."  By AJntonv
lights, she need only go to bed at an earlier hour."   Puigblanch.
X Boe rgoing's State of Spain, Vol. 1. p. 349.  X Kaim's Sketches, Vol. AV.




BARTHOLOMEW MASSACRE.                                        171
repnlons, is another revolting and melancholy  monstrated he had been previously aware of tho
trait in the chafrcter of the professed votaries of  intended catastrophe.  The cannons were fired,
the Christian cause. Of these, the massacre of bonfires were kindled, and a solemnn mass was
the Protestants in France on the feast of St.  celebrated, at which Pope Gregory XIII. assistBartholomew, on the 24th August, 1572, was  ed, with all the splendour which that court is
perhaps, one of the most diabolical acts of perfidy,  accustomed to display on events of the most gloinjustice, and cruelty, which have stained the  rious and important consequence!*
sharacter 3f our race. Every thing was atro-    The horrid practice of Dragooning, which
lious and horrible in this unexampled conspiracy  was used by Papists, for converting supposed he.
and assassination; feelings of the most sacred na-  retics, was another melanchoy example of reliture were annihilated; religious zeal was chang-  gious cruelty and frenzy.  In the reign of Louis
ed into an impious frenzy; and filial piety de-  XIV. of France, his troopers, soldiers, and dr,generated into sanguinary fury.  Under the di-  goons, entered into the houses of the Protestants,
rection of the infamous Duke of Guise, the sol-  where they marred and defaced their household
diers and the populace en masse, at the signal of  stuff, broke their looking-glasses, let their wine
the tolling of a hell, flew to arms, seizing every  run about their cellars, threw about and trampled
weapon that presented itself; and then rushing in  under foot their provisions, turned their diningcrowds to every quarter of the crty of Paris,-no   rooms into stables for their horses. and treated
sound was heard but the horrible cry, Kill the  the owners with the highest indignity and cruH-uguenots!  Every one suspected of being a  elty.  They bound to posts mothers that gave
Calvinmist, without any distinction of rank, age,  suck, and let their sucking infants lie languishing
or sex, was indiscriminately massacred.  The  in their sight for several days and nights, cryair resounded with the horrid cries and blasphe-  ing, mourning, and gasping for life. Some they
mous imprecations, of the murderers, the piercing  bound before a great fire, and after they were half
shrieks of the wounded, and the groans of the  roasted, let them go. Some they hung up by the
dying. Headless trunks were every instantpre-  hair, and some by the feet, in chimneys, and
cipitated from the windows into the court-yards,  smoked them  with wisps of wet hay till they
or the streets; the gate-ways were choked up  were suffocated.  Women and maids were hung
with the bodies of the (ead and dying, and the  up by their feet, or oy their arm-pits, and exposed
streets presented a spectacle of mangled limbs,  stark naked to public view.  Some they cut and
and o' human bodies, dragged by their butchers  slashed with knives, and after stripping them
in order to be thrown into the Seine.  Palaces,  naked, stuck their bodies with pins and needles
hotels, and public buildings, were reeking with  from head to foot; and, with red hot pincers, took
blood; the image of death and desolation reign-  hold of them by the nose and other parts of the
ed on every side, and under the most hideous ap-  body, and dragged them about the rooms till they
pearances; and in all quarters, carts were seen  made them  promise to be Catholics, or till
loaded with dead bodies, destined to be cast into  the cries of these miserable wretches, calling
the river, whose waters were for several days  upon God for help, induced thenm to let thenm go.
sullied by tides of human gore.  The infuriated   If any, to escape these barbarities, endeavoured
assassins, urged on by the cry, that " It was the  to save themselves by flight, they pursued them
king's will that the very last of this race of vi-  into the fields and woods, where they shot at
pers should be crushed and killed," b:came fu-  them, as if they had been wild beasts; and pro.
rious in the slaughter; in proof of which, one  hibited them from departing the kingdom, upon
Cruce, a jeweller, displaying his naked and  pain of the galleys, the lash, and perpetual imbloody arm, vaunted aloud, that he had cut the  prisonment. On such scenes of desolation and
throats of more than 400 Huguenots in one day.  horror, the Popish clergy feasted their eyes, and
During this horrid period, every species of the  made thenm only a matter of laughter and of sport.t
most refined  cruelty became exhausted; the  -What a striking contrast to the benevolence of
weakness of infancy proved no impediment to  the Deity, whom they impiously pretend to serve!
the impulse of ferocity; children of ten years,  Could a savage American have devised more
exercising the first homicidal deed, were seen  barbarous and infernal cruelties?
committing the most barbarous acts, and cutting    In the civil wars, on account of religion, which
the throats of infants in'their swaddling clothes!  happened in France, in the beginning of the 17th
the number of victims thus slaughtered in the  century, above a million of men lost theirlives,
city of Paris, amounted to above six thousand;  and nine cities, 400 villages, 2000 churches,
and, in the provinces, at the same time, there  2000 monasteries, and 10,000 houses were burnperished about sixty thousand souls. And, what
is still more shocking,'he news of this massa-    * See a late publication entitled "Memoirs of
cre was welcomed at. Rone with the most lively  Henry the Great, and of the Court of France during
re was welcomed at' Romsle         his reign," 2 vols. svo, in which is contained the
transports of joy.  l'he Cardinal of Lorraine  fullest description of this massacre whicn has ap
gave a large reward to the courier: and interro-  peared in our language.
a  For a more particular account of such scennai
gated him upon the subject, in a manner that de-  see Ency. Brit. Article Dragooning.




172                     THE, PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
ed or destroved, during their conl inuance; besides  deliver up the young man. Hunter, hearing of
the many thousands of men, women, and chil-  his father's danger, made his appearance, and
rtrn, that were cruelly butchered: and 150,000,000  was burned alive, instead of being rewarded for
of livres were spent in carrying forward these  his filial piety.  A  woman of Guernsey was
slaughters and devastations.  It is said of Louis  brought to the stake, without regard to her adXIII. who carried on these wars, by one of his  vanced pregnancy, and she was delivered in the
oiographers and panegyrists, Madame de Motte-  midst of the flames.  One of the guards snatched
ville that, " what gave himr the greatestpleasure,  the infant from the fire; but the magistrate, who
was his thoughti of driving heretics out of the  attended the execution, ordered it to be thrown
kingdom, and thereby purging the different reli-  back, being resolved, he said, that nothing should
gions which corrupt ard infect the church of  survive which sprung from  a parent so obstiGod."*  In the Netherlands alone, from  the  nately heretical.*
tine that the edict of Charles V. was promulgated  What a dreadful picture would it present ol
against the reformers, more than 100,000 persons  the malignity of persons who have professed the
were hanged, beheaded, buried alive, or burned  religion of Christ, were we to collect into one
on account ofreligion. The prisons were crowd-  point of view, all the persecutions, tortures,
ed with supposed heretics; and the gibbet, the  burnings, massacres, and horrid cruelties, which,
scaffold, and the stake, filled every heart, with  in Europe, and Asia, and even in the West Inhorror.  The Duke of Alva, and his bloody tri-  dies and America, have been inflicted on conbunal, spread universal consternation through  scientious men for their firm adherence to what
these provinces; and, though the blood of eight-  they considered as the truths of religion! When
een thousand persons, who. in five years, had  we consider, on the one hand, the purity of
been given up to the executioner for heresy, cried  morals, and tile purity of faith which generally
for vengeance on this persecutor, and his adhe-  distinguished the victims of persecution; and, on
rents, yet they gloried in their cruelty.  Philip  the other, the proud pampered priests, abandoned
11. in whose reign these atrocities were com-  without shame to every species of wickedness,
n.itted, hearing one day, that thirty persons at  we can scarcely find words sufficiently strong to
least had a little before been burned at an auto  express the indignation and horror which arise
da fe, requested that a like execution might be  in the mind, when it views this striking contrast,
performnd in his presence; and he beheld with  and contemplates such scenes of ilmpiety and;oy forty victims devoted to torments and to death.  crime.  Could a religion, which breathes peace
One of them, a man of distinction, requesting a  and good will from heaven towards men, be more
pardon, " No," replied he, coldly, " were it my  basely misrepresented? or can the annals of our
own son I would give him up to the flames, if he  race present a more striking display of the per
obstinately persisted in heresy."j             versity and depravity of mankind?  To repreEven in our own island, the flanmes of religious  sent religion as consisting in the belief of certain
persection have solnetimres raged with unrelernt-  incomprehensible dognmas, and to attempt to coning fury. During two or three vears ofthe short  vert men to Christianity, and to inspire them
reign of Queen Mary. it was comnputed that 277  with benevolence, by fire, and racks, and torpersons were committed to the flames, besides  tures, is as absurd as it is impious and profane
those who were punished by fines, confiscations,  and represents the Divine Being as delighting in.and imprisonments. Among those who suffered  the torments and the death of sinners, rather than
by fires were five bishops, twenty-one clergymen,  that they should return and live.-But, without
eight lay gentlemen, and eighty-four tradesmen;  dwelling longer on such reflections and details,
one hundred husbandmen, fifty-five women, and  I shall just present an example or two of the moral
four children.  And, a century and a half has  state of Roman Catholic countries, as a speciscarcely elapsed, since  the  Presbyterians in  men of the effects to which their system of reliScotland were hunted across moors and mosses,  gion naturally leads.
like partridges of the wilderness, slaughtered by    "By their fruits shall ye know  them," says
bands ofruffian dragoons, and forced toseek their  our Saviour.  Wherever religion is viewed as
spiritual food in dens, and mountains, and forests,  consisting chiefly in the observance of a number
at the peril of their lives. Hunter, a young man  of absurd and unmeaning ceremonies, it is natural
about nineteen years of age, was one of the un-  to expect that the pure morality of the Bible will
happy victims to the zeal for Papacy of Mary  seldom be exemplified in human conduct. This
queen of England.  Having been inadvertently  is strikingly the case in those countries, noth in
betrayed by a priest, to deny the doctrine of  Europe and America, where the Catholic relitranstLbstantiation, he absconded to keel) out of  gion reigns triumphant.-Mr. Howison, whose
harni's way.  Bonner, that arch-hangman of Po-  work, entitled "Foreign Scenes," I formerly quotperv, threatened ruin to the father if he did not  ed, when speaking of the priesthood ilt the island
of Cuba, says, " The number of priests in Ha.
Motteville's Memoirs of Anne of Austria, Vol. i.  vana exceeds four hundred.  With af ew excep.... 190.                          s Sketches, Y  i
t 5itllot's Modern History, vol. ii. p. 190.' Kaim's Sketches, vol. iv.




TEMPERS DISPLAYED BY CONTROVERSIALISTS.                                 173
tions, they neither deserve nor enjoy the respect  pleasure of the shepheras: for her the golden
nf the community.   However no one dares  lever is the lever of Archimedes.  The favourrs
openly to speak against them. In Havana, the  of the church are only showered on those who
church is nearly omnipotent, and every man feels  pay; with money we may purchase the right to
nimself under its immediate jurisdiction. Most  commit perjury and murder, and be the greatest
people, therefore, attend mass regularly, make  villains at so much per crime; according to the
confession, uncover, when passing a religious  famous Tariff printed at Rome, entitled, " Taxes
establishment of any kind, and stand still in the  of the Apostolic Chancery."*
streets, or stop their volantos, the moment *he    M. Jouy, in his late publication, " The Hervesper-bell begins ringing.   But they go no  mit in Italy," presents the following picture of
firther; and the priests do not seem  at all  the religion and the practical morality of the
anxious that the praeti.a..uct. individuals  Tuscans. The greediness after profit is such,
should  correspond  to their profession.  The  among the lower classes of shop-keepers, that
priests show, by their external appearance, that  they adulterate their merchandise so much as to
they do not practice those austerities which are- render it almost intolerable.  Milk, cheese, and
generally believed to be necessary concomitants  butter, are always in peril under the hands of a
of a monastic life. The sensual and unnmeaning  Florentine shop-keeper. It is impossible to meet
countenances that encircle  the altars of the  with good butter, except at the dairies. The
churches, and the levity and indifference with  grocers are not exempt from the imputation ofthese
which the most sacred partsofthe service are hur-  illicit mixtures, and adulterations of their goods. I
ried through, would shock and surprise a Protest-  bought, from one of them, some brown sugar,
ant, were he to attend mass with the expectation  which would not dissolve in the mouth; and, on
of finding the monks, those solemn and awe-inspir-  examination, I found, that nearly one third part
ing persons, which people, who have never visit-  consisted of powdered marble, which had been
ed Catholic countries, often imagine them to be.  mixed up with it. Yet they are excessively
The following extract, from a late writer, ex-  punctual in the outward ceremonies of religion
hibits a specimen of the religion and of the  and whenever they remove from one place to
moral feelings of the NEAPoLITsANs.  ", When  another, a large cross, or a madonna, is always
Vesuvius thunders aloud, or when an earthquake  stuck up at full length in the cart."
threatens them  with destruction-when  fiery    In a conversation which Bonaparte had with
streams vomited from the roaring mouth of the  his friends at St. Helena, on the subject of rolivolcano roll on, carrying desolation over the  gion, as related by Las Casas, in his Journal,
plains below-when the air is darkened by clouds  he said, among many other things, "' How is it
of smoke, and showers of ashes, the Neapolitans  possible that conviction can find its way to our
will fall on their knees, fast, do penance, and- hearts, when we hear the absurd language, and
follow the processions barefooted; but as soon  witness the acts of iniquity of the greatest numas the roar has ceased, the flame has disappear-  ber of those whose business it is to preach to
ed, and the atmosphere has recovered its wonted  us?  I am surrounded with priests, who preach
serenity, they return to their usual mode of life,  incessantly that their reign is not of this world,
they sink again to their former level, and the  and yet they lay hands upon every thing they
tinkling sounds of the tumburella call them again  can get. The Pope is the head of that religion
to the lascivious (lance of the tarentella."* —As  from  heaven, and he thinks only of this world,'
an evidence of the litigious dispositions of the  &c. The Emperor ended the conversation, by
Neapolitans, the same author informs us, " That  desiring my son to bring him the New Testathere is scarcely a landholder but has two or  ment, and taking it from the beginning, he.read
three causes pending before the courts-that a  as far as the conclusion of the speech of Jesus
lawyer, and a suit, are indispensable appendages  on the mountain. He expressed himself struck
of property;-and that some of the principal  with the highest admiration at the purity, the
families have suits which have been carried on  sublimity, the beauty of the morality it containfor a century, and for which a certain sum is  ed, and we all experienced the same feeling."
yearly  appropriated, although the  business    Such facts may suffice as specimens of the
never advances; and, at last the expenses swal-  benevolence and morality which exist in Roman
low utp the whole capi;al." —" The infinite num-  Catholic countries.
her of churches," says a late writer, " is one of
the most efficient causes of the decline of the  MORAL STA.fpF THE PROTESTANT CHURCH,
religion of Rome, whose maxims arid practice    AND OF THE DISPOSITIONS GENEt ALL?
are diametrically opposite to those of the Gospel.    MANIFESTED AMONG CHRRSTIAYS     OUB
The Gospel is the friend of the people, the con-    OWR COUNTRY.
soler of the tpoor. The religion of Rome, on the    This is a topic which would admit of a very
contrary, considers all nations as great flocks.  extended illustration; but my present limits wifl
made to be shorn or eaten according to the good'" Picture of Modern Rome," by M. Santo fo.
Vteimseux's " Italy in the ]itht century," 1824.   mingo. 1824.




174                     THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
oermit me to do little more than simply to allude  raly been opposed to the spirit of Christian love
to a few prominent dispositions displayed by the  to the meekness and gentleness of Christ, and
different sections of the Protestant church.-We  even to common civility and decorum. The
nave already seen some of the pernicious effects  haughty and magisterial tone which theological
which flowed from the divisive and contentious  controversialists frequently assume, —the indig.
spirit of Christians, under the reign of the Chris-  nant sneers, the bitter sarcasms, the malignant
tian emperors, and during the middle ages, when  insinuations, the personal reproaches, they throw
ignorance and intolerance so extensively pre-  out against their opponents,-the harsh and unfailed.                                       fair conclusions they charge upon them,-the
The present state of the Christian  world  general asperityoftheir language,-and the bold
affords abundant proofs that this spirit is far  and unhallowed spirit with which they apply the
from being extinguished. Chris:ians are at pre-  denunciations of Scripture to those whom they
sent distinguished by the peculiarity of their  consider as erroneous, are not only inconsistent
opinions respecting-the person of Christ, and  with every thing that is amiable and Christian.
the attributes of which he is possessed-the  but tend to rivet more powerfully in the minds of
means by which salvation is to be obtained-the  their opponents, those very opinions which it was
measure and extent of divine benevolence-the  their object to subvert. To gain a victory over
Government of the Christian church-and the  his adversary, to hold up his sentiments to ridiceremonies connected with the administration  cule, to wound his feelings, and to bespatter the
of the ordinances of religion.  Hence the reli.  religious body with which he is connected, is
gious world appears arranged into such sects  more freqtuently the object of the disputant, than
and parties as the following:-Arians, Soclni-  the promotion oftruth, and the manifestation of
ans, Unitarians, Sabellians, Necessarians, and  that " character which is the bond of perfecTrinitarians;-Baxterians, Antinomians, Ar-  tion."  And what are some of the important
minians, Calvinists, Lutherans, Sub-lapsarians,  doctrines which frequently rouse such furious
Supra-lapsarians, Sandemanians, Swedenborlgi-  zeal?  Perhaps nothing more than a metaphysians, and Moravians;-Roman Catholics, Pro-  cal dogma respecting the sonship of Christ, absotestants,Huguenots,Episcopalians, Presbyterians,  lute or conditional election, the mode of baptism,
Independents, Seceders, Brownists, Paedo-Bap-  the manner of sitting at a communion-table, an
tists, Anti-Prado-Baptists, Keilamites, Metho-  unmeaning ceremony, or a circumstantial punctidists, Jumpers, Universalists, Sabbatarians, Mil-  lio in relation to the government of the church!
lennarians, Destructionists, Dunkers, Shakers,  While the peculiar notions of each party, on such
Mystics, Hutchinsonians, Muggletonians, the fol-  topics, are supported with all the fierceness of
lowers of Joanna Southcott, &c. &c.-Most of unhallowed zeal, the grand moral objects which
these sectariesprofess their belief in the existence  Christianity was intended to accomplish are overof One Eternal, Almighty,  rise, Benevolent, and  looked, and the law of meekness, humility, and
Righteous Being, the Creator and Preserver of  love, is trampled under foot.
all things;-in the Divine authority of the Holy    The following are some of the ideas entertainScriptures;-that God is the alone object of re-  ed respecting the rights of religious disputants,
ligious worship;-that Jesus of Nazareth is the  as assumed by the disputants themselves: —" The
true Messiah, and the Son of God; —" that he  Controversialist," says Mr. Vaughan, in his
died for our offences, and was raised again for  " Defence of Calvinism," " is a wrestler; and
our justification;"-that there is a filture state of  is at full liberty to do all he can, in the fair and
rewards and punishments;-that there will be a  honest exercise of his art, to supplant his antaresurrection from the dead;-that it is our duty  gonist. He must not only be dexterous to put
to love God with all our hearts, and our neigh-  in his blow forcibly; but must have a readiness
hour as ourselves;-that the Divine law  is  to menace with scorn, and to tease with derision,
obligatory on the consciences of all men;-   ifhaply he may, by these means, unnerve or unthat virtue arnd piety will be rewarded, and  man his competitor. I know not that he is under
vice and immorality punished, in the world to  any obligation to withhold a particle of his skill
come.                                         and strength, whether offensive, or defensive, in
Yet, though agreeing in theseimportant arti-  this truly Spartan conflict."  In perfect accles of the Christian system, how many bolste-  cordance with these maxims, he thus addresses
rous and malignant disputes have taken place  his adversary:" Why, Sir, I will.fight you upon
between Calvinists and Arminians, Episcopa-  this theme, as the Greeks did for the recovery
ilans, Presbyterians, Independents, and Metho-  of their dead Patroclus; as Michael the archdlsts, respecting the speculative points in which  angel, when, contending with the Devil, he disthey disagree! While controversies among phi-  puted about the body of Moses; as the famed,osophers have frequently been conducted with a  Athenian, who grasped hisship with his teeth.
certain degree of candour and politeness, the  when he had no longer a hand tohold it by. It
temper with which religious disputants have en-  shall be with a loss not less than life, that I reeultntereld the opinions of each other, has gene-  sign this splendid attestation (Ronl. viii. 28



TEMPER D)ISPLAYED BY CONTROVERSrALISTS.                                  175
30.} to the triumphal origin, procession, and co-  levity, and even with ridicule, the opinions and
ronation, of grace in the redeemed."           practices of Presbyterians; while the different
Wo  to religion, when it meets with such  classes of Baptists, distinguishable only by the
boisterous " wrestlers!'  Its true glory will be  slightest shades of opinion, stand aloof from each
obscured, its beauty defaced, its interests betray-  other, in a warlike attitude, and refuse to join
ed, and its benevolent spirit smothered, amidst  with cordiality in the ordinances of Divine worthe smoke and dust raised by the onsets of such  ship. I have seldom been in company with inangry combatants.' Do such controversialists  dividtrals of any particular party, in which I have
really imagine, that " the wrath of man worketh  not found, when allusions were made to another
the righteousness of God?" or, that tlie religion  denomination, innuendoes thrown out to their
of Heaven stands in need ofsuch warlike arts,  prejudice; and that the detail of any error or imand unhallowed passions, for its vindication anti  perfection which attached to them, was generally
defence?  If it did, it would be a religion un-  relished, and even received with a high degree
worthy of our reception and support.  What a  of satisfaction.  Hence it happens, that the rules
contrast to the mild and gentle spirit of Christi-  of comm an civility are every day violated by the
anity, to behold one zealot dipping his pen in  different sectaries.  If a person belonging to a
wormwood and gall, when he sits down to defend  particular denomination be accidently introduced
the Religion of Love! and another, standing up  into a company composed of persons belonging
in a Synod or Assembly, with eyes spat kling  to another religious party, he is frequently treat.
with indignation, a mouth foaming with rage,  ed with reserve, and with a spirit ofjealousy and
and a torrent of anathemas and abusive epithets  suspicion, even although he may be viewed, on
bursting from his lips, against the supposed abet.  the whole, as a Christian at bottom.  I have
tors of an erroneous opinion! while at the same  known individuals of respectable character and'
time, they imagine that they are fired with holy  attainments, who, front conscientious motives,
zeal for the honour of the Lord God of Sabaoth.  had forsaken the denomination to which they
Such disputants seem not to he aware, that they  formerly belonged, have, merely on this account,
are grossly misrepresenting the genius of the  been treated with scorn and neglect, been banish.
Christian system, and bidding defiance to its  ed from the intimacies of social and friendly inmost distinguishing principles and laws.-There  tercourse, and been regarded nearly in the same
are heresies in conduct, as well as heresies in  light as a Turk or an infidel; and that, too, by
doctrine; and ofall heresies, the former are the  men who pretended to liberality, and to literary
most pestilential and pernicious. And why do not  accomplishments.
Controversialists and Religious Societies mani-    There is certainly neither heresy nor ortho-.
fest as much zeal against heresies in temper and  doxy inherent in stone or lime, in a church-pew,
morality, which are nursed among the members  or a pulpit cushion: —yet one denomination wih
of every church, as they do against heresies in  rudely refuse to another, the liberty of preachtheology?  If these heresies were tlore particu-  ing in their place of worship, when it can conlarly investigated and subverted, and a greater  veniently be spared, although nothing hut the
atitude allowed for the exercise of private judg-  findamental doctrines acknowledged by both are 
ment, the church of Christ would present a very  intended to be proclaimed; just as if the walls,
different moral aspect from what she has hitherto  the pews, and the pulpit of a church, would re.
done.                                          ceive a stain of pollution from the presence of
Again, there is nothing which so strikingly  another sectary. Even in those cases where the
marks the character of the Christian world in  common interests ofChristianity are to be supgeneral, as the want of candour, the spirit of  ported.-as in vindicating the cause of Missionjealousy, and Ihe evil surmisings which the dif-  ary, and other Philanthropic institutions,-if the
ferent denominalions of religionists manifest to-  preacher belongs to a dissenting body, he is shut
wards each other.  There is a prevailing dispo-  out from the spacious churches of the Establishsition ini one religious party to speak evil of  ment, where he might address a numerous au.
t,,other; and it appears, in many instances, to  dience, and obtain a large collection; and is
att;,rd a high degree of satisfaction, when one  obliged to confine his exertions within the nar,!arty can lay hold of the inadvertencies of an-  row walls of any public hall, or meeting-house,
other denomination, or even of the imprudence  that he can procure.  We account it no more
of a single individual, in order to asperse the cha-  than a piece of common civility, to accommodate
racter of the whole body, and to hold it up to  a neighbour with a barn, a parlour, or even a dingeneral derision and contempt. Episcopalians  ing-room, for the entertainment of his friends at a
look down with feelints of scorn and contempt on  wedding or a funeral; but such is the little progress
Methodists and Dissenters; Independents sneer  that professed Christians have made in the exerat Methodists, anti Methodists at Independents;  cise of a noble and generous liberality, that, when
Presbyterians are disposed to revile Independ-  we ask the tue ofa church, or meeting-house, only
ents, as self-conceited. sanctimonious pretenders,  for a couple of hours, we are spurned away with
and Independlcnts, to treat with  unbecoming  rudeness and indignation.-The Christian world




176                      THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
is unhappily divided into sects and parties; and  are altogether inconsistent with the genius of
these divisions must still continue' for a time;  the religion of Christ, and directly repugnatit
but what should hinder Christian ministers of  to its precepts.  Slander, dishonesty, falsehood,
different parties from, occasionally at least, offi-  cheating,'swindling, and vexatious litf'gations,
ciating for each other, in order to show to the  are far from  being uncommon among those who
world, that they entertain no malignant jealou-  profess to be united in the bonds of a common
sies, and that they are united in the bonds of a  Christianity.  How  little dependence can we
common Religion?  Yet, do we ever behold an  have, in social and commercial transactions, on
Episcopalian officiating for a Methodist, an In-  the promise or the declaration of a man, merely
dependent preaching in an Established church,  on the ground of his being a Christian in profesor a Baptist leading the devotional exercises of a  sion!  If written engagements, and civil laws,
society of Presbyterians?  If such a case occa-  did not secure our property, and the;performance
sionally occur, it is so far from being a matter of  of promises and contracts, our reliance on Chriscourse, that it is considered a phenomenon in  tian principle, abstractly considered, in the prethe religious world. Yet all these different par-  sent state of the religious world, would prove
ties recognise. the leading doctrines and duties  like thatof a person who leans upon a broken
exhibited in the Christian Revelation; and the  reed.   How few  would fulfil their promises
points in which they differ are " trifles light as  and engagements, when they interfered with
air," when compared with those important truths  their ambitious schemes, and their pecuniary inin which they all agree.*                      terests!  How  many instances of fraudulent
Even among Christians belonging to the same  bankruptcy happen among the professors of relireligious society how often do we behold a dis-  gion! And in cases ofcommon bankruptcy,where
play of "bitter envyings," contentious disposi-  a legal settlement has been obtained, is there one
tions, and malignant passions! Perhaps a mere  out of a hundred that ever thinks of performing
punctilio respecting a certain mode of worship, or  an act of natural justice, in restoring to his crea difference in opinion about the choice of a pas-  ditors the loss they had sustained, when he after -
tor, will throw the whole society into aflame.  wards has it in his power?
Evil passions will be engendered; backhitings,    Finally, the degree in which the spirit of inwhisperings, tumults, and dissensions, will arise;  tolerance and persecution still prevails, shows a
harsh and unfounded conclusions, respecting the  lamentable deficiency  of benevolence and of
motives and characters of individuals, will be  Christian spirit in the religious world. Notwithdrawn; alienations of affection will be induced;  stanaing the unjust and cruel sufferings which
fiiendly intercourse interrupted; an attitude of  English Protestants endured fromPopish priests
hostility assumed; and even the rules of common  and rulers, a short period only elapsed, after they
civility violated;-so that a calm and impartial  had risen to power, before they beganin theit
spectator will plainly discern, that the spirit of  turn, to harass their Dissenting brethren, with
Christianity has never been thoroughly imbibed,  vexations and cruel prosecutions, and fines and
and that they have never learned the apostolic  imprisonments, till they were forced to seek for
precept, " to forbear one another in love," how-  shelter in a distant land. And no sooner had
ever high pretensions they may have previously  the English Independents settled in America,
made to spirituality of affection and deportment.  than they set on foot a persecution against the
Among Christians of every name, we find dis-  Quakers, no less filrious than that which they
positions and practices daily prevailing, which  themselves had suffered in the country from
which they had fled. A number of these worthy
The following recent facts will illustrate some of  persons they threw into prison, and seized upon
the positions contained in this paragraph.-It ap-  the books they had brought from  England, and
pears that the minister of the parish of Annan has  committed them  to the flames.  In virtue of a
been in the habit of allowingDissenters occasionally  law which had been madeagainst heretics in
to preach in the parish church. His Assistant
brought this heavyoffence before a late meeting of  general, sentence of banishment was passed
the Preshytery; and, by that body, it was declaied,  upon them all; and another law  punished with
that no Dissenter should, in future, pollute the said
pulpit. Ti.ey, at the same time, voted thanks to the  death, " all Quakers who should return into the
Assistant, for his manly and liberal conduct in mak- jurisdiction after banishment;" and it is a fact,
ing the complaint.-Public Prints, April, 1824.  that     ersons actually suffered death, under
i Lately, the minister of a parish, a few miles tothat  ur persons actually suffered death, under
the westward of Cupar, hearing that, at the request  this impolitic and unjust law.*  Nor did the
of sonme of his parishioners, a sermon was to be  Reformed clergy in Scotlapd lose sight of that
preached to them, by a Dissenting clergyman from
Cupar, and knowing that the school-room was the
only place where that could be conveniently (lone,' Morse's American Geography.-The following
he called upon the teacher and commanded him not  severe laws, anlong others, were enacted against the
to allow the school-room to be used for such a pur-  Quakers. "Any) Quaker, after the first conviction,
pose. In a few days, a company of strolling players  if a man, was to lose one ear,-and for the second of.
visited the parish; whereupon the worthy pastor,  fence, the other:-a woman, to be each time severely
calling on the schoolmaster, ordered the school-room   whipped;-and the third time, whether man or woto be at their service, to perform  in " —Dundee  man, to have their tongues bor-ed through sitth a red
Colmrier April 1825.                          hot iron.




PERSECUTION IN SWITZERLAND.                                      1 7
magistorial authority which had been assumed   Thin glass bottles had been previously iprepared
by the Romish church.  Upon a representation,  and filled with a mixture of oil and assafoetida,
in 1646, from  the commission of the Kirk of  and all of a sudden, they were thrown with
Scotland, James Bell, and Colin Champbell,  great violence in the midst of the people. and
baillies of Glasgow, were committed to prison  one was aimed at the head of the preacher; and
by the Parliament, merely for having said, that  during the whole service, stones were rattling
"Kirkmen meddled too much in civil matters."*  against the chapel from every quarter.  On the
Even so late as the middle of the eighteenth  next Sabbath an immense concourse of people
century, when Whitefield, Wesley, and other  assembled, "breathing  out threatunings and
pious men, began to address the ignorant villa-  slaughter;" and from 20 to 30 of the gentlemengers of England on the most important subjects,  mob planted themselves around the pulpit appa"a multitude has rushed together, shouting and  rently ready for any mischief.  Men wearing
howling, raving, and cursing, and acecompany-  masks, and having swords arid pistols, came
ing their ferocious cries and yells with loathsome  galloping down the street and presenting their
or dangerous missiles, dragging or driving the  pistols, fired them at the door; and It was origipreacher from  his humble stand, forcing him,  nally designed to have fire crackers among the
and the few who wished to hear him, to flee for  females, to set their clothes ou fire. Atlength, on
their lives, sometimes not without serious injury  Sabbath, the 19th, this execrable rmob, consisting
before they could escape.  And these savage  of nearly 200) gentlemen, and others, again assemtumults have, in many cases, been well under-  bled, with hammers, saws, hatchets, crows, and
stmod to be instigated by persons, whose advan-  every other necessary implement; and in the
ta Ye of superior condition in life, or even express  course ofa few hours, thc rullps, benches, pews,
vocation to instruct the people better, has been  pulpit, and even the wa,:., were completely deinfamously lent in defence of the perpetrators,  molished.   They entered the dwelling-holse
against shame or reniorse, or legal punishment  broke the windows and doors, threw  out the
for the outrage.  Arid there would be no hazard  crockery ware, chopped up tables, chairs, and!
in affirming, that, since Wesley and Whitefield  every article of furniture; tore the manuscripts
oegan to conflict with the heathenism  of the  of the preacher, and destroyed a library of more
country, there have been in it hundreds of in-  than 300 volumes. All this was done under the
stances answering in substance to this descrip-  light of the full moon, in the presence of an imtion.-Yet the good and zealous men who were  mense crowd of spectators, without the least atthus set upon by a furious rabble of many hun-  tempt being made to check them either by the
dreds, the foremost of whom active in direct vio-  civil or military authorities-while the unfortu.
lence, and the rest venting their ferocious de-  nate preacher, with his wife in an advanced state
light, in a hideous blending of ribaldry and exe-  of pregnancy, had to flee to a neighbouring island
cration, of joking and cursing,-were taxed with  to save his life! Such is the tolerant and hu.
a canting hypocrisy, or a fanatical madness, for  mane conduct of gentlemen Protestants of the
speaking of the prevailing ignorance, in terms  nineteenth century! gentlemen who would, no
equivalent to those of the prophet,' The people  doubt, consider it very unhandsome were they to
are destroyed for lack of knowledge.' "t       be compared to Goths and Vandals, or to the
But we need not go back even to the distance  rude and barbarous savages of Papua or New
of half acentury in order to find instances of  Holland.*
religious intolerance among Protestant commu-    About the same period, the authorities of Denities and churches; our own times unhappily  merara set on foot a persecution against Mr.
furnish too many examples ofa bigoted, intolerant,  Smith, Missionar)y rom the London Society,
and persecuting spirit.  Little more than two  under various pretexts: but his real crime in the
years have elapsed since the Methodist chapel  eyes of his persecutors, was, his unwearied zeal
in Barbadoes was thrown down and demolished  in instructing the negroes in the knowledge of
by the mob-gentry, and with the connivance of religion. He was condemned to death by a
the public authorities of that slave  trafficking  court-martial, in the face of every principle of
island, and Mr. Shrewsbury, a worthy and re-  justice: he died in prison, was refused the prispected pastor and missionary, obliged to flee for  vilege of a Christian burial, and his friends were
his life.  Previous to this outrage, he suffer-  prohibited from erecting a stone to mark the spot
ed every species of insult, contumely, and re-  where his body was laid.  The whole details of
proach.  He was abused as a villain, and hissed  this transaction present a scene of savage barat in the streets, not by mere rabble, but by the  barity, created by the lust of gain, scarcely to be
great vulgar; by merchants frgm their stores,  paralleled in the history of Europe.
and individuals in the garb of gentlemen.  By     In Switzerland, which was formerly the head
such characters his chapel was surrounded, arind
partly filled, on Sunday the 5th October, 1823.    * For a more particular detail of these execrsals
transactions, see" Report of the Wesleyan Mission.
Kairr's Sketches.                           ary Seciety for 1824:" and the debates in Parliamneut
F,-,ste, e... "Essay on Popular Ignorance   in 1825.
32




!a78                   TIH;'-, PH1ILOSO 1PHY  OF RELIG(ON.
quariers of Pr(;testantism, the demon of religious  those who stood by needed all the consolations
perecution has again reared its head.  The  that religion can supply-at thi: moment the
council of state of the Pays de Vaud, at the in-  clergyman appeared, but advanced only to give
stigation of the clergy, on January 15, 1825,  pain to the mourners, and to agonize a parent's
published a decree, "p,'ohibiting, under the  heart, by saying, " Now that you have waited an
penalty of severe fines ann imprisonments, all  hour till it suited me to come, I will not inter
meetings for religious worship or instruction,  your child! I did not know that you were Dis.
other than those of the Established Church:"  senters-take your child some where else-take
and in the following May, another decree was  it where you please-but here it shall not lie iri
issued, which denounces " fines, imprisonment,  consecrated ground."  And, in fact, they were
or banishment, upon the most private kind of compelled to carry the child away eleven miles
religious assembly. or even the admission of a  from the abode of its parents, and from the place
single visiter to family worship."  In pursuance  that gave it birth, before it could find repose in
of these disgracefil laws, several ministers and  its kindred dust.-At Mevagissey, in the county
private Christians of high character for piety and  of Cornwall, the vicar refused to allow the corpse
acquirements, have been banished frotomn the Can-  of a Dissenter to be brought within the church,
ton, some for one and some for two years-cut  and, therefore, read the burial service in the open
off fron all nmeans of subsistence, unless possess-  air; but, in consequence ofwhich, he read only
ed of independent fortunes, and left perhaps to  a part of that service, and omitted the most
starve and perish in foreign lands. If they re-  beautiful portion.-Such a power appears to be
turned before the elxpiration of their sentence, it  conceded to the clergy by the laws of the church;
is said that death is the punishment to be inflict.  but the spirit which gave it existence is deeply to
ed.  One poor man, a school-master, in the  be deplored, as the spirit of bigotry and intoleprincipality of Neufchatel, has been condemned  rance. At Wellingborough, a clergyman, in opto ten years' banishment. He was brought out  position to a custom which had been established
from prison, tied with cords, and compelled to  for sixty years, issued orders, that no bell should
kneel in the snow in the oAblic square to hear his  toll when a Dissenter expired. He boldly avowecntance read. His crime was, gathering toge-  ed, " that he never would permit the passing bell
ther a few fellow Christians in his own house,  to be rung for a Dissenter, even in the event of
and thore having the Lord's supper administer-  an interment in the church-yard; that whilst he
ed by a regularly ordained minister!*          held the curacy, no bell of his church should
And is England pure from the spirit of perse-  ever toll for a Dissenter; and that he would not
cution and intolerance?  Let us see.-At Ken-  even permit the bells to ring for a marriage where
neridge in Dorsetshire a worthy and excellent  the parties were Dissenters."  in reference to
individual, belonging to the Wesleyan denomi-  this case, an appeal was made to the Bishop of
nation, had attended on a green, where 20 or 30  Peterborough, who wrote a long letter on the
persons usually congregated, on a Sunday after-  subject, and defended the conduct of this VWTellnoon, to listen to the truths he thought it itnpor-  ingborough cnrate.-At Newport Pagnel, two
taut to declare.  The clergyman of the parish  persons of decent appearance, teachers of Bapapproached with a retinue of servants, and comrn-  tist Societies, were collecting subscriptions for
manded him to desist.  The preacher took no  the erection of a new place of worship. —Arel
notice o;'the command and proceeded to read his  arlriving at the residence of the parish clergyman,
text.  1 he clergyman then commanded the  they were taken before a clerical magistrate, who
tithing-mao to seize him. He was directed to  upon the oath of the other clergyman, that they
be conveyed to Wareham jail; and to every  were rogues and vagrants, committed them  to
question the preacher put, as to the ground of his  Aylesbury jail; where they were confined for
being seizedt upon, the reverend and worthy cler-  three weeks in common with the basest felons,
gyman only replied by the brandishing of his  among convicted thieves of the most abandoned
stick.-Instances have occurred in which clergy-  character;-nay,. more, they were sentenced to
men of the establishment have refused to bury  the tread-mill, and kept at hard labour there,
the dead.  At Chidds Ei'cal, in Shropshire, the  though, during the whole time, one of them was
child of a poor man was refused interment, and  afflicted with spitting of blood.  Their papers
the father was obliged to carry it six miles, be-  were seized upon; their money was taken from
fore it could be laid at rest in its mother earth.  themn; and by means of it the expense of sending
-At Catsfitell, in Sussex, a similar act of in-  them to prison was defrayed.*
famy was committed.-At the moment when the    All the above-stated  instances, and many
bell had tolled, when the earth was to fall heavily  others of a similar description, occured within
upon the coffin, containing the only remains of  the limits of the year 1824; and every year since
the being that affection had endeared, and when   The reader will fnd a more particular detail of
these cases, in the " Adldress of Jolin Wilks, Esq at.
See a pamplllet on this subect b)y t)r. Pyetsmith.  the Fourteenth Anniversary of the Protestanlt geo.;ee also Cong. Mag. for June, 1825, and otherlIeri-  ciety for the Protection of religious I iberty, ip'li,.1 works of that date,                   May, 1825,




GENERAL REFLECTIONS.                                     17.
the " Society for the Protection of Religious Li-  fect in the world in which we live. It is a pieberty" was formed, silnilar instances, some of ture, however, from which we ought not to turn
them of a more barbarous nature, have been  away our eyes. It sets before us the evils which
orought forth to public view.  And, were it not  require to be counteracted, and the obstacles
for the protection which this Society affords to the  which must be surmounted, belore the principles
victims of intolerarlce, it is highly probable, that  of;.alignity be extirpated, and the moral princivexatious persecutions, insults, fines, and impri-  pies of the Christian system  take root in the
sonments, on account of differences in religious  world.  But such views of the existing state of
opinions, would be much nmore common than they  the moral world, so far from operating as sedanow are.  Were such individuals as those to  tives, ought to stimulate itus to exert every enerwhom we have now alluded, permitted, by the  gy, and to use every judicious and powerful
laws of our country, to carry their intolerant  mean, which has a tendency to promote the acspirit to its utmost extent, Dissenters would have  complishmient of this important object.
no security either for their property or their   It would have given me pleasure to have pre.
lives; and the fires of Smithfield would again be  sented before the eye of the reader a more cheer.
kindled, to torture the souls, and to consume the  ful and alluring picture; but " facts are stubborn
bodies, of all who refilsed to conform to the dog-  things," and there is no resisting the force of the
mas of a national church.                      evidence which they adduce,-I intend to reAfter what has been stated in the preceding  lieve some of the dark shades of this picture, by
part of this work, it is alhnost needless to sa.y,  exhibiting somte faint radiations of truth and bethat such an intolerant and persecuting spirit is  nevolernce which are still visible amidst the surdiamnetrically optiosite to every principle that  rounding gloom. For, anidst the moral darkness
pervades the Christian system; and there cannot  which has so long covered the earth, sotme streaks
be a grosser misrepresentation of its spirit and  of celestial light have always been visible; and
tendency, than to ascribe such dispositions and  the dawning of a brighter day now  begins to
conduct to the genius of that religion which IN-  gild our horizon. Substantial knowledge is now
TOLERANCE has thought proper to assume. Can  beginning to diffuse its benign influence on all
a single instance be produced of a persecuting  ranks; the shackles of despotism  are bursting
spirit in the conduct of Jess Christ, or in that of asunder; the darkness of superstition is graduany one of his apostles! When he "' was reviled,  ally dispelling; the spirit of persecution is borne
he reviled not again; and when he suffered, he  down and powerfully opposed by the force of
threatened not; and he solemnly rebuked his fol-  truth and of common sense, and the rights of
towers when the least symptom of intolerance or  conscience are beginning to be generally recogrevenge was dispiaved.  Can a religion, which  nised. Philanthropic institutions of various decommands us to love our neighbours as ourselves  scriptions have been established, education is
-to be kindly affectionate one towards another  extending its beneficial effects; the instruction
-to love our enemies-to do good to them that  of the young is becoming an object of more gehate us-to bless them that curse us-and to  neral attention; philosophical institutions, village
pray for them  that despitefully use us," —can  libraries, and' associations for intellectual imsuch a religion be supposed to give the least  provement, are rapidly organizing; Bible and
countenance to actions that are both intolerant  missionary societies are extending their influence
and inhumane?  If the religion of Christ have  through every portion of the religious world, and
any one prominent object which distinguishes it  Christianity is now beginning to display its befrom all others, it is this-to unite mankind in  neficent energies on distant continents, and the
one harmonious and affectionate society; and  islands of the ocean.-But, instead of entering
such an object is altogether incompatible with  into details in the illustration of these and siresentment, intolerance, or persecution in any  milar effects which have always, in a greater or
shape. " By this shall all men know," says  less degree, accompanied the progress of the
Jesus, " that you are my disciples, if ye love one  Christian religion, I shall, in the mean time, refer
another."                                     the reader to the excellent work of Dr. Ryan,
-  On the History of the effects of Religion on
Mankind."
Here I'must close the illustration ofthe moral    Here a question may be proposed by some ot
state of mankind, though they might have been  my readers,-Is it possible to bring the inhabicarried to a much greater extent. They present  tants of this world, in their present depraved
to every benevolent mind a gloomy picture of the  state, to a general observance of the laws of be.
moral aspect of the human race, and of the de-  nevolence which have been illustrated in the pre.
pravity which the principle of malevolence car-  ceding part of this work?  To such a question
fies in its train.  It is a picture which shows us  I would reply, —lVhatever man has done, man
that those moral principles and laws which the  may do. Amidst the depravity and the darkCreator initended to promote, the felicity of all  ness with which the earth has been generally en.
wo,rlds, nave never yet been brought into full ef-  veloped, individuals have occasionally arisen




IHn Mo                   THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
who have shone as lights in the moral world, and  prisons in Petersburgh, Novogorod, Tver. Movl
exhibited bright patterns of Christian temper and  cow, and other cities in the Russian empire,
of active beneficence.  The Apostle Paul had  The prisons, hospitals, work-houses, mad houses.
his mind imbued with a large portion of the spirit  houses of correction, and the abodes of mniser,
of love. He voluntarily embarked in a tour of  of every description in Petersburgh, were visited
benevolence through the nations; and in spite of  by him, day after day: "s and many a prisoner,
reproaches, persecutions, stripes and imprison-  bowed down with affliction and iron, was cheereds
ments; in the midst of " perils in the waters,  instructed, and saved by his ministrations;" for
perils of robbers, perils by his own countrymen,  his philanthropy extended both to the bodies
perils in the city, and perils in the wilderness;"  and to the souls of men."*
and in the thece of every danger, and of death it-    Many other examples might be produced from
self, he prosecuted, with a noble heroism, his la-  the annals of our times, and of illustrious characbour of love, purely for the sake of promoting the  ters, presently existing, to demonstrate, that a
best interests of mankind.  All the Apostles en-  noble and disinterested benevolence is a princigaged in the same benevolent undertaking; they  ple,-capable of being exercised even in the presacrificed every private interest, every selfish  sent degenerated state of the inhabitants of our
consideration; "neither counted they their lives  world. We find parents somne times displaying
dear unto themselves, so that they might finish  a high degree of benevolent feeling towards their
their course with joy," and be the means of ac-  offspring, and sacrificing their ease, and their
complishing the salvation of their fellow-men.    personal interests, in order to secure their health,
Even in our own times, many distinguished  their happiness, and enjoyments.  We find beindividuals have arisen, who have reflected ho-  sorr iriends d'e David and Jonathan, and hke
nour on our species.  The name of Howeard is  Damon and Pythias, rejoicing in the welfitae of
familiar to every one who is in the least acquaint-  each other, and encountering difficulties and
ed with the annals of philanthropy, (see p. 20.)  dangers in promoting the interests of the objects
This excellent man, and truly philanthropiccha-  of their friendship. What, then, should hinder
racter, devoted his time, his strength, his genius,  such dispositions from  becoming  universal?
his literary acquisitions, and his fortune, and  What should hinder them from being transferred
finally sacrificed his life, in the pursuits of human-  to all the sensitive and intellectual beings, with
ity, and in the unwearied prosecution of active  whom we may have occasion to correspond, or tc
benevolence. He travelled over every country  associate?  Would not the universal exercise of
in Europe and in the adjacent regions of Asia,  such:disp6ositions be highly desirable? would it
impelled by the spirit of Christian love, in order  not, tend to banish w~ar and discord from  the
to survey the mansions of sorrow and of pain, and  world, and promote peace on the earth, and good
to devise schemes for the reliefof human wretch-  will among men? Why, then, are such disposiedness wherever it existed; and, in the execu-  tions so seldom displayed?  Not because the
tion of this scheme of benevolence, the energies  universal exercise of them is a thing impossible;
of his mind were so comnpletely absorbed, that  but because men, actuated by selfishness, are
"' he never suffered himself, for a moment, to be  unwilling to give full scope to the benevolent afdiverted from carrying it into effect, even by the  fections; because they have never yet employed
most attractive of those objects which formerly  all the requisite means for bringing them  into
possessed all their most powerful influence upon  fill operation.  If all the energies of the intelhis curiosity and his taste."*                 lect, and all the treasures which have been exThe late  Walter Venning, Esq., who has  pended in fostering malignant passions, and in
been denominated, by Prince Galitzin, the second  promoting contentions and warfare, had been
Howard, walked in the steps of his illustrious  devoted to the great object of cultivating the prinpredecessor, and with the most fervent Christian  ciple of benevolence, and distributing happiness
zeal, devoted his short, but useful life, to the al-  among men; the moral and physical aspect of
leviation of human misery, and to the promotion  our world would long ago have assunmed a very
of the best interests of thousands of wretched  different appearance from what it now wears.
individuals who " were ready to perish."  He    The philanthropic individuals, to whom I have
withdrew  himself from  the ordinary round of  alluded, were men, whose actions were somegenteel society, and declined all commercial bu-  tinmes blended with the failings and imperfections
siness, that he might devote the whole energies  incident to degenerated humanity; but the prinof his soul to benevolent occupations.  He com-  ciple of benevolence ruled supreme over all the
moenced his philanthropic career, by co-operating  subordinate affections; and if the world were
in the formation of the " Society for improve-  peopled with such men, notwithstanding the imment of Prison discipline," which was formed  perfections which attached to them, society,.in
in London in 1816; and afterwards visited the  every land, would present the appearance of a
moral paradise, and form an image of the har.
For a particular account of the labours of this
eminent philanthropist, see Brown's "Memoirs of  ~  Mr. Vennina died in Petersburgh, in 1821, in the
the public and private life of John Ho yard.'"  fortieth year of his age.




MEANS OF PROMOTING CHRISTIAN MORALITY.                                      181
meny and  felicity of "the saints in light."  world were Quakers and Moravians, notwithbEverv one who bel;eves in the existence of a  standing their peculiarities of opinion! With
itliture state, foridly imagines that he shall enjoy  all their foibles and imperfections, society would
happiness in that state.  But, whence is his  then wear a more beautiful and alluring aspielt
happiness to arise in the future world, but from   than it has ever yet done; peace and industry
the exercise of those dispositions which the law   would be promoted: the fires of persecution
of God requires?  And if the exercise of bene-  would be quenched; philanthropy would go forth
volent dispositions be essentially requisite for  among  the  nations, distributing  a thousand
securing supreme felicity in the eternal state,  blessings, and the people would learn war, no
their cultivation, even in the present world,  more.
must be an indispensable duty, in order to our
preparation for the eriployments of the celestial
world.  For it is a law of the Creator, which is    I intend in this place, to inquire into the
eternal and immutable, that "without holiness,  MEANS BY WHICH THE PRACTICE OF CHRIS,
no man can see the Lord."  And whenever the  TIAN MORALITY MIGHT BE PROMOTED. But
requisite means are employed for the cultivation   I find that this is a subject which would require
of holy and beneficent dispositions, we may rest  a distinct volume for its illustration. At present,
assured, that our labour will be crowned with I can suggest only two or three hints.
success.  For the energy of the divine Spirit,    In the first place, The intellectual instruction
from whom proceedeth  every good and perfect  of the young, should be an object of universal atgift, is promised to accompany the use of every  tention, both in public and private.  For true
proper mean, so as to render it effectual for  knowledge is the spring of all religious emotions,
counteracting the effects of moral evil, and for  and of all virtlols actions.  By intellectual inpromoting the renovation of the world.           struction, I do not mean merely a series of exerWe have examples before-us, not only of a  cises in spelling, pronouncing, parsing, construfew  insulated  individuals, but of societies,  ing, writing, and figuring; but a communication
where the principle of benevolence, in a greater  of the elements of thought, and of clear and exor less degree, pervades the whole mass.  The  tensive conceptions of the physical and moral repeople who have been denominated  Quakers,  lations of the universe.-2. The moral instruchave always been distinguished by their humane  tio0 of the young should be an object of particuand peaceable dispositions, their probity and  lar and incessant attention.  Moral instruction
hospitality to each other; the  cheerfulness of  should be inculcated, not merely by a reiteration
their manners, their opposition to vSar, and the  of dry precepts, maxims, and abstract doctrines,
active zeal which they have displayed in contri-  or by a reference to the details and flimsy sentibuting to the  good of mankind.  The Morae-  ments contained in fictitious narratives; but by
vians are also distinguished for their affectionate   a pointed and pacific reference to real facts; as
intercourse with  each other, the liberality of  exhibited in the Sacred History, the annals of
their dispositions, the peaceableness of their  nations, and in the scenes of the family, and of
tempers, the purity and simplicity of their lives,  general society.  I would expect no greater asand their missionary efforts for evangelizing the  sistance in the work of moral instruction from
heathen world.*  Would to God that the whole  the religious novels with which the  Christian
world is now deluged, than I wo lld do from a
The following anecdote, is illustrative of the  circulation of the Pious Frauds which were so
character of many of the Moravians, or Hernhutters  common in the first ages of the church.   In
as they are sometimes called.-In a late warin Ger-  schoofs, ant in faiies, every thing which has a
many, a captain of cavalry was ordered out on a  schools, ann falies, every thing which has a
foraging party. He lit. himself at the head of his  tendency, either directly or indirectly to foster
troop, andt marched to the quarter assigned him. It  pride, envy, contention, revenge, and other mawas a solitary valltty, in which hardly any thing but 
woods was to be sern. In the midst stood a little  lignant affections, should be firmly and seducottage; on percelvirlng it he rode up, and knocked at  lously discouraged and counteracted; and higher
the door; out cones  anancient Hernhutter with a  rewards (if rewards be expedient) should in
heard silvered a" age. "Fat lier," says the officer,
"sshow me a field where I can set my troopers a  every instance, be bestowed on the individual
foraging."' "Presently," replied' the Hernhutter.  who cultivates and displays benevolent affections,
The good old man walked hefore, and conducted
them out of t.e valley. Atter a quarter of an hour's  beatiful practical exhibition of love to our neighbour,
march, they found a field of barley. " There is the  and of calm resignation to the providential dispenvery thing we want," says the captain.-" Have pa-  sations of God. How few professed Christians have
tience for a very few minutes," replied the guide,  been found acting in this manner' And yet Idoubtt
"and you shall be satisfied." They went on, and  not, that this good man would experience more true
about the distance of a quarter of a league farther,  satisfaction in the temper and conduct he displayed,
they arrived at another field of barley. The troop  than if he had offered resistance, practised dissimunmmediately dismounted, cut down the grain, truss-  lation, or set them to plunder his neighbour's field.
edit up and remounted. The officer upon this, says  A  number of disinterested actions such as this,
to his conductor, " Father, you have given yourself  would contribute more powerfully to the'support ot
and us unnecessary trouble; the first field was much  the Christian cause than a thousand  theological
better'than this." -" Very true, Sir," replied the good  disputes, imbued with the spirit and temper with,
old man.  " Butit was not mine." -Here we-have a  which they have been most frequently conducted




a42                      THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
than on him who is distinguished merely for in-  CONCLUSIONS FROM  THE GENERAL PRIRtc.,
tellectuai Xacquiremints.  Hitherto, a more de-    PLES ILLUSTRATED IN TllS VOLUME.
cided preference seems to have been given to
wh it is termed genius than to moral accomplish-    If the genera train of sentiment which runs
ments. —3; Institutions should be formed forcom   through the preceding discltssions and Illustrations be admitted, the following conclusions may
municating literary and. scientific! knowledge,
be deduced respecting,
blended with moral and religiouis instructions, to
persons of both sexes, and of every rank and age,    I. The subject of preaching,and the grand
from fifteen.years and upwards, particularly to  aim whichheministersof eligion, iitheirdiscourses, ought always to have in view.* We
apprentices, joturneymen, clerks, shop-keepers,        ought always to have in view    We
have already seen, that it is the grat object of
and others, for the purpose of calling forth into
action the -energies of their minds, and for pre-  revelation to bring into practical operation the
venting the growth of habits of dissipation.  In  principles of love to Goid and to ntan: and, it is
such- institutions, the manifestation of benevolent  obvious, that,what is the main object uofChrlistianaffections, and propriety of moral conduct, should  ity to accomplish, ought to be the ultilate aim of
be made the conditions of enjoying the instruc-  every Christian preacher.  It is not merely to
tiorns and privileges of the association.-4. In  convert men to the belief of certain opinions, or
connexion with these and other means, the cause  Co induce them to embrace the peculiarities of a
of practical morality would be powerfully promot-  party, It is, that they may  be renewed in the
ed, were thle ministers of religion, among all  spirit of their minds," and, " made meet for the
parties, to direct their energies to the discussion  inheritance of the saints in light"-it is, that
of moral subjects, on Christian principles, instead  they may " deny ungodliness and worldly lusts,
ofconfining their attention almost exclusively to  and live soberly, righteotsly, and godly, in the
doctrinal discussions.  Religion is not a system   present evil world;" and be "united together
merely of speculative and metaphysical truths,  in love, which is the bond of perfection-Metanor does'it consist in the contemplation of myster- physical disquisitions, respecting dogmas in reliriousfacts, or incomprehensible dogmas; but it  gion, have very little tendency to meliorate the
is-a rational and tangible subject, addressed to  heart, and to promote benevolent dispositions
the-reason, the hopes, and fears, and the common  and affections  On the contrary, they have fresense of mankind; and therefore, its illustrati ns  quently produced a temper of mintd directly opposhould be chiefly derived from the facts of Spared  site to the spirit of Christianity.  They have
History, the system of nature, and from the ex-  led multittldes  to pique themselves on the supisting  objects, scenes, and associations with  posed purity oftheir profession, and the orthodoxy
whieh we are connected.-HA  much greater de-  of their creed, and to point at others as heretics,
gree df animation, anti of energy, than is now   and subverters of the gospel, on account of some
displayed in instructions from the pulpit, is also  slight differetlces in sentiment about a particular
requisite for arresting the attention, and rivettg  doctrine; while they themselves have never atimpressions of moral and religious truths mupon tempted to caltivate heavenly dispositions, and
the mind. If fewer sermons were delivered, and  to display that charity which " st ffereth long,
a greater portionof intellectilal energy concentrat- and is kitd, which is not easily provoked, and
ed inr each discourse, arnd if preachers, particu-  thinketh no evil."  There are certain doctrines
larly among Dissenters, had fewer discourses to  and facts, which we ought always to recognise,
compose, and more time for taking an anmple in-  and to keelp in view as futdamemltal axioms in
tellectual range through the system of nature, of  the Christian Bystern;-such as, that" there is
Providence, and of revelation, a more powerful  one God, and one Mediator between God ano
effect would undoubtedly be produced on the  man, the man Christ Jesus;" that " he died for
Christian world, and upon all who occasiolrally   our offences, and rose again for our jutstificatend on the ministrations oftion;" -that "all have sinned and come short of
attend on the ministrations of     the glory of God;" and  lat "we are justified
be accompanied with fervent prayer to the "Fa-  freely by his grace, through the redemption that
I need scarcely add, that ~all such means (ught to  freely by his grace, through the redemption that
be accompanied with fervent prayer to the "a-  is in Christ Jesus."  But, tiere is no necessity
ther of lights," and dependence on the promised                     But, there is no necessity
aid of the Spirit of holiness. Bit without the  f expatiating almost exclusively on these and
aid of the Spirit of holiness. But without the  similar doctrines, as is frequently done, to the
application of all the energetic means which rea-  semlar doctonesas is frquentlydone, the
on and revelation sgest we have no reas exclusion of practical morality; since they ought
son and revelation sggest  we presumptino reason  to be regarded in the light rather of first princito conclude, and it would be presumption to ex-  ples in religion, than as topics which reouire to
pect, that the influences of heaven will descend   ples in religion than as topics which require to
upon the moral world.  For it appears, in point'The Autho originally intended to illustrate this,
of act, to be one part of the plan of the divine' and the following conclusions, at considerable
procedutre, that human agents shall be the tneans  length, and to enter into a variety of circumstantial
deta/ils; but, as the intended illustrations would oc.
of enlightening each other. and of promoting the  cupy more than a hundred pages, and as' the work
renovation of the world, as "workers together  has already swelled to a considerable size, he is
under the necessity of postponing them  for the
with 4-e,**                                   present.




MORAL PREACHING.                                         183
be proved by labolred and diffused arguments.  to degenerate into a mere figment, or, at most,
Yet, it is a fact, that such doctrines, which are  into a subjec: of wranglling, or, a matter of curlonlv the means of religion, have been expatiated   ous speculat ion.
upon without intermission, as if the simple be-    Let no class of religionists presume to tell ts,
lief'of them were the end of religion; while the  that, if the fiundamental doctrines of religion be
great. moral object of Christianity has been either  simply declared, Christian morality will follow as
entirely overlooked, or thrown into the shade.  a matter ofcourse; and that, to expatiate on any
What should we think of the instructer of youth,  particular branch of social conduct, is to dege.
who confined the attention of his pupil solely to  nerate into legal preaching.  If this principle
the characters of the alphabet, and to the pro   were to be admitted, then all the expostulations
nunciatior of a few elementary sounds, and then  and denunciations of the'prophets, all the reproofs
dismissed him with a general exhortation, to ap-  and exhortations.f the apostles, all the moral
ply them to all the combinations of letters and  sermons of our Saviour, and all the minute disyllables he might find in every book?  Could  rections in reference to moral conduct, detailed
we ever expect, that, in ordinary cases, such a  in every epistle to the Christian churches, may
pupil would either make progress in the art of  be regarded as egregious trifling.  If it be one
reading, or use it as the medium of acquiring  grand design of revelation to restore mankind
knowvledge?  And what shall we think of those  front the ruins of the fall, and to reinstate them
who do little more than attempt to explain the  in that integrity which they at first possessed; —
axioms of the Christian system, but never show   if it was the chief design of" the law and the
their bearings on the scenery of real life, nor en-. prophets" to bring forth into action, on the theatre
deavour to extend our views of the providential  of the world, the two flndamental principles of
operations of God, and of the glory of his king-  the moral law, as the Lawgiver himnself has exdom?  If Christianity consisted merely in ab-  pressly stated;  (Matt. xxii. 37-40;)-if the
stract disquisitions, and metaphysical dogmas,  sweet singer of Israel devoted a large portion of
stich a practice might be, in some measure,  his inspired strains to the celebration of the didefensible; but since it is, in every sense of the  vine precepts, (Psalmn cxix. &c.;)-ifmost of the
word, a practical systetn, it is next to trifling  sermons and parables of our Saviour have a diwith its prominent objects, to confine the range  rect bearing on the same important subject;-if
of religious discussions within so narrow bounds  the apostle Palll, in his instructions toa Christian
as is general!y done by many of those who are  minister, enlarged  particularly on  the duties
designated by the term evangelical; and argues  which should be inculcated on the various ranks
a complete forgetfulness of the apostle's exhorta-  and relations of men, (Titus ii. iii.;)-if all the
tion, " Therefore, leaving the first principles of  apostolic letters to the Christian churches are
thedoctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection,"  full of minute directions, in relation to every
tracing first principles through all their diversi-  branch of moral duty;-if heaven he the scene of
fled bearings ont mortal action, and on Christian   perfect moral rectitude, where ardent affection
contemplation.                                   towards God, and towards t-llow-intelligences,
One of the great objects of preaching ought,  everreigns-where love, peace, and harmony,
undoubtedly, to be, to investigate the numerous  eternally prevail;-if the happiness of that world
and minute ramifications of httman conduct; to  depend upon the absence of moral evil, and the
explore every avenue of corruption; to cndea-  attainment of moral perfection;-if the present
vour to draw forth from its hiding-place every  world be a state ofpreparation for the enjoyments
immoral principle and action, which exerts its  of that happier region;-if this preparation conpernicious influence in Christian or in general  sist in having the principles of love to God and
society; and with all the powers of graphical  tdMran interwoven through the whole constitution
description we can command, to portray them   of the mind, and brought forth into action in.he
before the eyes of men, in all their repulsive  diversified scenes of civil and religious iEtterfeatures, and in all their abominations.  At the  course;-if slch important effects cannot be prosame time, we ought to apply the totuch-stone of  dmiced, unless by laying open to view  the latent
the divine law  to every unchristian propensity  abominations of the heart, by impelling the moral
and practice; to exhibit its contrariety to the  principles of the gospel through all the avenues
spirit of our holy religion; to show  how  the  and windings of the himman passions and affec
principle of love ought to operate in every given  tions; and by illustrating, with minute particucase and circumstance, and in the tninutest ac-  larity, every subordinate branch  of Christian
tions of human life; and how very different ef-  duty;-if these positions be admitted, it will folfects would be produced, were the principles laid  low, that the ditties of Christian morality, so far
down by our Savioulr and his apostles, to operate  from being thrown into an obscure corner, ought
with full effect throughout every department of  to occutpy a prominent place in the range of tho
the moral world.  Unless such objects be gene-  ministration ofevery Christian minister, who's
rally aimed at, and steadily kept in view, in the  desirous to promrnote the improvement of society
coulrse of public instruction, religion will be apt  and the renovation of the world;.




1 4                     THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
In short, we expect no grand moral reforma-  though never manifesting the least symptom ci
tion to be acnieved-no commencement of the  penitence, will be viewed as a tolerably fair chasmillennial era )f the church, till" the watchmen  racter in religious society, especially if he has
upon Mount Sion," with more energy than they  acquired a considerable share of wealth and of
have yet displayed, " shall lift up their voice like  influence in general society.-Of such cases and
a trumpet,. and show to the house of Jacob their  practices, the author had selected a number of
transgressions"-till they  "lift it up  with  striking examples, which the narrow  limits to
strength, and not be afraid" of any suspicions  which he is confined In the present work, conthat Inay be thrown out against their orthodoxy,  strain him, in the mean time, to postpone.
when they show unto men the path of duty in all    Now, if the general sentiments already thrown
its bearings on the relations of time, and on the  out be founded on truth, and on the nature of
employments of eternity-till they make the mo-  things, such a practice as that to which we allude,
ral principles of Revelation bear, in all their  must be absurd, unchristian, and inconsistent
force, not only on the prominent features ofsocial  with the preservation of the moral purity of relilife, but upon every minute ramification of human  gious society.  It has this pernicious tendency,
conduct till every lurking principle of jealousy,  among others, that it leads multitudes to imagine,
envy, avarice, and revenge be made to feel their  that, if they can keep clear of two or three acts
energy-till.ven the very amusements of public  of moral delinquency, they may trample on every
and domestic life be made to bend to the eternal  divine principle and law with impunity. A poor
laws of rectitude, and to carry on their fronts  wretch, under the pressure of poverty, steals a
that noble inscription, " HOLINESS TO  THE  hen or a pocket handkerchief, and, notwithstandLORD."                                         ing his subsequent repentance, is banished from
II. If the preceding train of sentiments be ad-  social intercourse, and held up to execration;
mnitted, we may be directed in our views of the  while a sanctimonious hypocrite will swindle his
nature and ends of church discipline, and the  neighbour out of a hundred pounds, if no criminal
persons on whom it ought to be exercised.     law can take hold of him, and will retain his staIn a great majority of Christian churches, cen-  lion in the church, and hold up his face without
sures are inflicted chiefly, or solely, on persons  a blush in the presence of general society.  It is
guilty of an external breach of one or two precepts  obvious, if thet e he any truth in what we have.ofthe decalogue-only one or two species of vio-  hitherto stated, that the general tenor of the con-!lation of the moral law are considered as worthy  duct, and the uniform manifestation of beneveuofcognizance; while the systematic operations of  lent affections, ought, in every case, to form the
-slander, revenge, envy, and avarice-the indica-  grand criterion of a man's being entitled to the
rtions of harsh, sour, and ungovernable tempers,  character of a Christian; and, that dispositions
-and the absence of Christian candour and affec-  of an opposite nature habitually displayed, how-'tion —circumstances which display the real cha-  ever much overlooked in the general intercourse,racters of men far more distinctly than any  of life, ought to form a ground of exclusion from,insulated acts of immorality can do-are either  the society of the faithfill.,wholly overlooked, or considered as characteris-    III. This subject has a particular bearing
tics of very trivial import. The censures to  upon the divisions which subsist in the religious.Which  I allude, are likewise accompanied, in  world,'and the grand principles which ought to,many instances, with a degree of magisterial  form a bond ofunion among all who acknowledge'haughtiness, severity, and unchristian feeling,  the truth of the Christian Revelation.-If the
which is directly repugnant to every amiable,  train of thought illustrated in the preceding
candid, and generous principle. A person guilty,  pages be correct, it will follow, that a cordial
sin a single instance, of a breach of the seventh  union of the various sections of the Christian.or eight commandments, will lie under the frown  church is to be expected from  the cultivation of
of a religious society for years, and even to the  the Spirit of Love, more than from any attempt
close of his life, notwithstanding every evidence  to produce an exact coincidence of opinion on
lhe can give of the sincerity of his repentance,  these theological points in which they now differ:;and even: be deprived of the means of earning his  Wherever this spirit is found expanding the soul,.ubsistence; while another may habitually vio-  and governing the affections, it will lead its poslate almost all the other precepts of the decalogue,  sessors to view the peculiar opinions of others:.and be screened from the discipline of the chlrch.  with candour; to respect their persons; to al.
He may' be avaricious, cunning, and deceitful;  low them liberty of thought on all the subordinate
harsh -and unfeeling in his conduct; uncandid and  ramifications of theological sentiment; and to
uncharitable in his dispositions towards others;  set a higher value on moral qualifications, and
tproud, selfish, and obstinate in his temper; ad-  the manifestation of benevolent affections, than
dieted to slander and to incessant litigations;  on those circumstantial opinions which do not
impatient, of control; and boisterous and conten-  enter into the essence of the Christian scheme.
tiots in his general deportment —and yet be con-  If the professing Christian world were thoroughly.sidered as -no proper object of censure; and,  investigated, it would be found, that it is owii!r




MEANS OF CHRISTIAN UNION.                                    185
nore to the absence of this spirit, that Chris-  aberrations, than to magnify the errors and the
tians stand so much aloof from each other, than  faults of others.  Let us mnake every allowance
to the speculative opinions which they respec-  for the effects which education, habit, temper
tively maintain.  The prevalent disposition for  local circumstances, and particular associations,
sneering at other denominations, and the plea-  may have produced on the opinions of our supsure that seems to be felt in laying open their  posed erring brethren; and let us consider, that
sores, will generally be found to proceed from a  we ourselves, had we been placed in the same
trinciple of pride, and of self-conceit in regard  circumstances, might have imbibed the sanme
to our own favourite opinions, some of which,  sentiments. Let us endeavour to acquire clear
when probed to the bottom, will be found as rot-  and well-defined ideas on every subject connectten as our neighbour's.  Why are men not as  ed with religion; that we may not contend about
much disposed to pass encomiums on what is  trifles, about mere abstract ideas, or the applisound in the opinions, and laudable in the con-  cation of particular terms or phrases. Let us
duct, of other parties, as they are to censure them   keep our eyes fixed on the great and prominent
for minor peculiarities of sentiment?  Why?  objects of revelation, and  on all the sllboldinate
Because it appears, that many professed Chris-  active means by which they may be promoted
tians take more delight in the exercise of male-  Let us consider religion as consisting niore In
volent feelings than of benevolent affections; and  action, than in speculation.  Let our love to
are like flies, that pass over the sound parts of a  Christian brethren be founded, not so much on a
man's body, and fix upon his sores. Till such  general coincidence of opinion, as on the resem.
unchristian dispositions be undermined, and tem- blance they bear to the Divine inmage; and then
pers of an opposite description pervade the ranks  we may confidently expect, that that period wil.
of Christian society, we can expect no cordial  soon approach, when the saints of God " shall see
nor lasting union in the visible church, however  eye to eye," in reference to all the grand bearings
many ingenrious schemes may be formed, to bring  of the Gospel scheme, and when the name of
about this desirable event. For every effect  Jehovah shall be ONE throughout all the earth.
must have an adequate cause: this cause will be    IV. We may learn from  the subject we have
iound to consist more in the affection than in  been illustrating, what notions we ought to form of
opinion; and a union formed on an apparent  the NATURE ofafuture state of happiness, and of
coincidence ofsentirnent, unmingled with ardent  the PREPARATION requisite to enable us to engage
love and affection, would be unworthy of the  in its employments.-The felicity of the future
name, and would soon be dissolved.             world will not consist simply in a change of
It can form no decisive mark ofa man's Chris-  place; nor will it consist chiefly in change of
tianity, that he recognises the peculiar opinions  sentiment or opinion.  Its foundation must be
of the Baptists or Predo-Baptists, of Presbyte-  laid in the principle of Love, and in the comrians, Episcopalians, or Independents; it is a  plete renovation of the moral powers of the humatter, comparatively  of little  importance,  man mind, without which no celestial scene could
whether a man believes that Christ was an ac-  produce permanent enjoyment.  Although all
tial or a virtual Mediator under the Old Testa-  the theologians who now exist were united in
mnent; whether he be designated the Son of God  opinion about every article of the system of Diin virtue of his office, or of his nature; whether  vinity; and although they were transported to
or not we be guilty of Adam's first sin; whether  the most splendid world that revolves aroun'
the transaction which passed between him and  the star iArcturus; after the first transports,
his Creator, should be viewed as a law, or as a  arising front the novelty and the grandeur of the
covenant; whether the ordinance of baptism   scene had subsided, they would enjoy little more
should be administered by dipping, or by sprin-  happiness in that orb, than they do in this terkling, &c. &c.-But it is, unquestionably, a mat-  restrial sphere, unless they were actuated  with
ter of the highest moment, both to the person  moral dispositions and  affections very difIbhimself, and to Christian society, that his temper,  rent from those which many of them now display.
affections, and conduct, should be in unison with  For, not only rancour and malice, but even coldthe holy law of God, and that he should display  ness and indifference to the welfare of others,
the love which it requires, in all his social, coon- would prevent happiness from being enjoyed in
mercial, domestic, and Christian intercourses;-  any region of the material universe. All who
and if such dispositions and conduct were univer-  believe in the reality of a future world, indulge
aally to prevail among the various denominations  in anxious wishes to be made happy when they
-it the religious world, union would soon follow, pass from  this mortal scene to the world of
as a matter of course. —f. therefore, we wish to  spirits.  Even wicked men, whose consciences
behold the unhappy divisions of the church ce-  frequently forebode evil to them  in the other.nented, let us cultivate, with  ardour, those  world, indutlge the hope that God will ultimately
arniable and affectionate dispositions which our  oe merciful to them, and admit them  to the joys.en,!lvolent religion  inculcales, and be more  of heaven.  But this is impossible, in thie verS
saious to correct our own mrental and moral  aature of things, unless they be " renewed in di6#




186                      THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION.
spirit nf their minds," and endowed with those  spirits of just men," in the future wor.d, "art
~oly dispositions which alone can qualify them   made perfect," freed from every taint of mort.
for relishing substantial happiness, and for par-  pollution, and unrestrained in the exercise o.
ticipating in " the inheritance of the saints of  their  moral powers.   The  inheritance  te
tight."  How  could Malignity associate with  which the)' are destined, is "undefiled" with
Benevolence, Contention with Friendship, or  the least stain of corruption, or with the examWar with Peace?  How  could the sons of  pie of impure and malignant spirits.  " When
~iscord dwell in unity, in an assenmbly where all  Christ, who is our life, shall appear, we shall be
a, harmony and love?  How could the malicious  like him;" transformed into his moral image,
and revengeful spirit find delight in the employ-  and animated with those Divine principles and
ments of kindness and pure benignity?  How   virtues, which lhedisplayed in his conduct, when
could the man who now finds his chief pleasure  he tabernacled among men.  The saints " shali
in hounding and horse-racing, in brawling and  walk with him  in white," an emblem  of their
fighting, have any relish for the sublime adora-  perfect moral purity; " they shall receive an intions, the enraptured praises, and the lofty and  heritance among them that are sanctified," and
refined contemplations, of the celestial inhabi-  " there shall be no more death, neither sorrow,
tants?  The thing is impossible, unless the Inu-  nor crying: for the former things shall have passral order of all worlds were completly subverted.  ed away."
Such characters will be banished from the abodes    V. Fromn the preceding illustrations we may
of bliss; not by any arbitrary decree of the Al-  learn something oJ'f the nature and essence of fumighty, blut in virtue of the mor'al constitution of  lure punishment. If the exercise of love, in all its
the intelligent universe.                      diversified modifications, constitutes the foundaIt is, therefore, evident, that the happiness of  tion and the essence of happiness, the unrestrairiheaven must be founded upon the exercise of love,  ed operations of malevolence nmust be the source.
affection, harmony, perfect good-will to fellow-  and the sum of misery.   Ve cannot form a more
intelligences, and the infinite variety of rarnifi-  dreadful picture of future punishment, than by
cations into which such principles may diverge;  conceiving the principles of falsehood, deceit,
combined with profound, enlightened, and venera-  and nialignity, and the passius of pride, hatred,
ble views and affections, in relation to the God  malice, and revenge, raging with uncontrolled
andFather of our Lord Jests Christ.  When  and perpetual violence.  We need represent to
these and similar dispositions are uniformly ex-  ourselves nothing more horrible in the place of
ercised, without the least mixture ofany one in-  punishment. than by supposing the Almighty
gredient of moral evil, it is easy to conceive,  simply to permit wicked men to give full scope
with what transports or deiight the inhabitants  to their malevolent dispositions;   leaving them
of heaven will contemplate the displays of Di-  " to eat of the fruit of their own ways, and to be
vine Power, Wisdom, anti Goodness, and inves-  filled with their own devices."   The effects
tigate the history of his dispensations in the  produced by the uncontrolled operation of such
moral government of our world, and in the ar-  principles and passions would be such, as may
rangaements of all the other worlds whose physi-  be fitly represented by the emblenms of " the
cal and moral economy may be laid open to their  worm that never dies," of " devouring fire," and
view.*                                         of their necessary concotnitamnts, " weeping, and
Such views are in perfect accordance with  wailing, and gnashing of teeth."  (See Chap.
the representations of Scripture.-" Without  II. Sect. iv. pp.  55.  58.)  What other ingreholiness, no man shall see the Lord."   " The  dients of misery, arising either from local cir-.
pure in heart (anid they alone) shall see God."  cumstances, from the recollection of the past, or
1" Nothing that worketh abomination, can enter  the anticipation of the future, may be mingled
within the gates of the heavenly city."  " As we  with the cup of future wo. it becomes not us parhave borne the image of the earthly, (says the  ticularly to determine.  And, whether this scene
Apostle,) so shall we bear the image of the hea-  of misery will ever come to a termination, must
venly."  "Christ Jesus gave himself for the  be determined by the consideration, whether the
church, that he might sanctify and cleanse it, and  effects produced by such a punishment will have
that he might present it to himself a glorious  a tendency to produce repentance and refo,rmai
church, holy, and without blemish."  The crown  tion on the minds of the sufferers.  If, after a
of glory, reserved in heaven for the faithful, is  lapse of ages, the principles of hatred to God,
designated "a crown of righteousness."  " The  and to surrounding intelligences, continue to
* The Author will have an opportunity of illuse  operate with increasing violence, without proIrattng this topic in more minuinte utetail, in a work  ducing the least desire of returning to their alentitted, The Phitosophy of a Future state; or, an  legiance to God, or the least symnptorn ofreformaillustrationr of the Connexion of Science with the
Eternal World,-and of the Ails which its discove-  tion,-then, we may conclude, that the misery
ries afford, for enatbling us to form a conception of  of wicked inttelligences still continue so long at.he pcrpstual improvement of the celestial inhabit  they remain in existence.
Wt in kane, dge and felicity."




THE
CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER,
OR,
THE CONNEXION OF
SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY
W'1TFl
REL I G I ON.
B Y THIOMAS DICK,
IwYm4)R or A VARIETY OF LITERARY EAlD SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATI.Tl
1i NICHOLSON S PHILOSOPPITCA,'IOURNAL, THE AtNA-.LS
OF PHI LOSOPH r, TC. ETC.
ST. LOUIS, Mo.:
EiDWARDS &  BU SHNELL.
1857.








PREFACE TO THIS EDITION.
THE following pages were written under the impression that the visible
manifestations of the attributes of the Deity are too frequently overlooked by
Christians in their views of the great objects of Religorn, and in the worship
they offer to the Father of their spirits; and are intended to show, that the
T'eachers of Religion, in imparting instruction either to the old or to the yet ng,
ought to embrace a wider range of illustration, in reference to Divine subjects,
than that to which they are usually confined.
Throughout the whole of the discussions contained in this work, the Author
has pursued his own train of thought; and, in so doing, he trusts that he has
been enabled to render some of his illustrations more interesting to the young
and untutored mind thain if he had adhered rigidly to the sentiments of others,
and to the technical language of science. The-sketches of the different sciences
are not mere extracts, or compilations, but are, for the most part, original composition-in which it has been his main object to imbody as many facts as his
limits would permit-in order to excite the inquiring mind to farther investigations into the diffirent departments of physical science.
It is presumed, that no Christian reader will for once imagine, that the views
illustrated in this work are intended to be substituted in place of the peculiar
revelations of the Bible. The object of the volume is to illustrate the harmony
which subsists between the system of Nature and the system of Revelation; and
to show, that the manifestations of God in the material universe ought to be
blended with our views of the facts and doctrines recorded in the volume ot
Inspiration.
It is taken for granted, throughout the whole range of the followir.g.k:3t. r
tions, that the Scriptures contain a Revelation fromlIeaven; and, under a firm
belief of this important truth, the Author has embellished his work with f-equent
quotations from the energetic and sublime language of this Sacred Book.  It
would, therefore, be unfair in any critic, who entertains doubts on this point, to
End fault with such quotations, or with the allusions to Bible phraseology which
occur, unless they can be shown to be introduced without judgment or discrimination.
The Author has carefully revised every portion of the present editih r, and
introduced a variety of corrections and modifications.  He has likewise introduced additional matter, to the extent of between 20 and 30 pages, and also




Iv                              PREFACE.
several illustrative engravings. In its present form, the Author trusts, that
independently of the moral reflections it contains, it will be found to comprise
popular descriptions of a greater number of scientific facts than is to be found in
any other volume of the same size.
Various topics, originally intended to be illustrated, have been unavoidably
omitted.  Some of these are stated in the last paragraph of' Chapter IV. the
illustration of wvhich, in combination with other kindred topics, would fill a
volume of nearly the same size as the present. This subject (for which the
author has abunda nce of materials) will be prosecuted in another volume, under
the title of THE PHILOS()PHY OF RELIGION; and will comprise, among many
other objects of discussion, illustrations of the moral relation of intelligent beings
to their Creator, and to one another-the physical and rational grounds of those
moral laws which the Deity has promrulgated-the views which science affordsl
of the incessant energies of Creating Power, and of the grand and multifarious
objects over which Divine Providence presides-the relation of science to a
future state, and of the aids which the discoveries of science afford, for enabliDqg
ulS to form a conception of the perpetual improvement of the celestial inhabitaint
in knowledge and felicity. These subjects will be illustrated by a variety of
interesting details of' facts, in relation to the system'of nattlre', the history of
nations, and the moral state of Christian and general society












CONTENTS.
WINTRODUCTION...-.                    1,
Necessity of Revelation. Folly of discarding the Science of' Nature from Religion.
Beneficial Effects which flow from the study of the Works of God.
CHAPTER I.
OF THE NATURAL ATTRIBUTES OF THE DEITY.
SECTION I.
ON  THE RELATION  OF THE NATURAL ATTRIBUTES OF THE DEITY  TO REI,IGIO        N 
The Christian Religion founded on the Natural Attributes of God. His Power as
interesting a subject as his Mercy-Illustrated in two instances. Evils which arise
from imperfect conceptions of Divine Power. Defects in Religious Instructioz on
this subject. Sources of Illustration.
SECTION II.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE OMNIPOTENCE OF THE DEITY..         {
The material world exhibits a more striking display of this Perfection than the supernatural facts recorded in Scripture. Immense quantity of.Matter in the universe.
Mode of acquiring the most comprehensive conception of the bulk of the Earthits variety of scenery-its mass of solid matter. Magnitude of the bodies which
compose the Solar System. Magnitude and number of the Stars. Procedure of
the mind in acquiring the most impressive conceptions of such august objects. Re.
flections. Rapid Motions of the Celestial Bodies. How we acquire the ideas of
relative velocities-weight of the Earth-immense physical forces-Grandeur of
the motion of Saturn-immense number of bodies impelled through the heavensReflections.  Immense Spaces which surround the Heavenly Bodies-. Reflections.
Popular illustration of the Motions of the Earth and Heavens. Extract from Dr.
Ridgeley, with remarks. Universe intended to adumbrate the Attributes of God, and
to make a sublime impression on created beings. Similar trains of thought suggested in the Scriptures. JMoral Effects of such contemplations. Humility. Folly
of pride-low rank of man in the scale of being. Reverence and Veneration-Reason why mankind feel so little veneration of God —how it may be increased. The
Deity unsearchable. Hope and Confidence in the prospect of futurity-Resurrection —Scenes of Eternity.
SECTION III.
ON THE WISDOM AND INTELLIGENCE OF THE DEITY                                         61
Wisdom defined-Displayed in the Structure of the Solar System. Distance of the
Sun. Rotation of the Planets-Principal reason why such a motion exists. Wisdom
displayed in other Systems. Minute displays of this attribute cannot be traced in the
heavens. Wisdom, as displayed in the constitution of our globe-adjustment of its solid
parts to the necessities of the beings which inhabit it..Mountains, their uses-exist in
other worlds. Diversity of colourr-ar.ument for a plurality of worlds-general colour
which prevails in the scene of nature —Water, its use in the system of nature-its
composition, evaporation-motion of the liquid element-its beneficial effects. The
Atmosphere-its weight and pressure-its component parts-its various propertiesnecessary to animal life, flame, sound, twilight-wisdom displayed in its constitution.
Expansion of water in the act of freezing.
33




V1                                  CONTENTS.
VARIETY OF NATURE  -                   -  -.                                      7
Vegetables-their number and variety. Animals-variety in their organization. Eyes
of insects-their exquisite mechanism. Subterraneous Regions. Atmosphere. The
Variety of Nature affords a faint idea of the infinity of the Creator. Illustrated
in the number of animal parts and functions., Reflection, Variety the foundation of
our judgments. Beauty and" sublimiity of Nature.' Primeval state of our globeother worlds.
Mfechanism of Animated Beings. 88
STRUCTURE OF THE HUMAN EYE-Its coats, humours, muscles, orbit, and motions.
Wisdom displayed in its construction. Light-its velocity, minuteness, colours, and
adaptation.to the eye. MANNER IN WHICH VISION IS PERFORMED-explained
by a figure,. and an experiment-illustrated by the view from Salisbury Craigs'.'Mu'l
titude of rays which flow from every object —smallness of the image on" thie retina,
illustrated by calculation-what proportion of the solar light falls on our globe —Reflections. Mechanism for viewing near and distant objects-contraction and dilatation of the pupil-distance at which we see distinctly.'Summary view of adaptations
in the structure: of the eye. -Eyes of superior intelligences. Visual organs of the
inferior animals. JMechanism of the Bones illustrated-exemplified in the joints of the
fingers, the wrist, and the movements of which the head is susceptible. Moral Reflections on the impropriety of overlooking the Divine Wisdom in the system of nature.
SECTION IV.
ON THE GOODNESS OR BENEVOLENCE OF THE DEITY.-..             - 111
Benevolence of God in'relation to Man —considered as. a depraved intelligence. Mercy
displayed in the system  of nature. Benevolence as:displayed towards the lower
animals. Extract from Dr. Paley. General Reflections.
-  -GCHAPTER II.
A CURSORY VIEW~ OF SOME OF THE.: SCIENCES WHICHIARE RELATED
TO RELIGION AND CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY.
INTRODUCTION. Extensive range of Theology. Bad effects of setting Religion in oppo.
sition to Science.- Harmony of the operations of God in-Nature and Revelation  117
NITURAL HISTORY                                                                 - e1C
Its extensive rair.g'e. Outaline of its principal objects —on the- surface,. and:in the interior
recesses of the' earth-in the atmosphere-the vegetable, mineral, and animal kingdom-'-andin the region (f the heavens. Description of the Banian Tree..Reflec-'tions. Monkey Bread Tree. Splendour and felicity of insect life. Invisible worlds
-infinity of tihe universe. Religious tendency of this Science. It affords.a manifestation of the Deity, and expands our conceptions of his operations-ennobles the human
minld.-Recommended by the Sacred writers.
(EOGRAPHY    -.-.                                                               134
Its object-Figure of the Earth-Proofs of its spherical form. Relation which the dissovery of the figure of the earth bears to the plan of Providence.  Magnitude and
natural divisions of the earth  General features of its surface. Mountains-their
general ranges, and the sublime scenes they exhibit. The Ocean-its extent, depth,
bottom, and motions. Rivers —their number, size, and the quantity of water they
pour into thelocean. How they are supplied —their use in the system of.nature.
Artificial division of the.earth.  Number and variety of its inhabitants. Number
which have existed since the Creation-number at the resurrection, and the space they
would occupy. Number which the earth would contain-strictures on Malthus.
Utility of the study of Geography to Religion-to Directors of Missionary Societies
-to Private Christians. Grandeur of its physical objects-u-tility of its moral facts.
GEOLOGY                         -                                                  159
Its object and ctnnexion with religion-an interesting subject ofinquiry. Materials which
compose the crust of our globe. Various geological phenomena. Organic remainsMammoth, Tapir, Elk, Megatherium, &c. Geological deductions not inconsistent
with the Mosaic Historv-Genesis i. I, 2. exolained. Short duration of the earth




CONTENTS.                                      vii
in itspresentform. The Deluge, and its effects on the earth's strata. Marine shells,
&c. Grand and terrific objects which this science exhibits-illustrate the sublime
descriptions of the Deity recorded in the Scriptures.
ASTRONOMY'.                                   163
Its sublime objects. Apparent motions of the Sun-"of the Moon. Eclipses of the Sun
and Moon. Apparent motion of the starry heavens. Stars and planets seen in the
day-time, and with what powers of the telescope they may be distinguished. Appar*ent revolution of the celestial vault indicates Almighty power. Stars never shift their
relative positions. Solar System.I The Sun-his size and probable destination illustrated-his spots and atmosphere-different kind of rays emitted from his body —his
distance illustrated.'Mercury-his. size, rotation, quantity of light and heat, &c.
Proportions of caloric on the different planets.'Venus-her size, phases, mountains,
transits, and general phenomena. Original observations on, and mode by which her
diurnal rotation may be determined. Earth-proofs of its annual and diurnal motions.
The: moon-description:of her majestic mountain scenery, luminous spots, celestial
appearances, illuminating power, superficial contents, &c.  Mars-his distance,
atmosphere, luminous zone, &c. New Planets-Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vestatheir anomalies, singularities, and probable origin. Meteoric Stones. Jupiter-his
bulk, rotation, belts, and the appearances of his moons. Saturn-his figure, belts,
moons, and quantity of light. His Rings, their dimensions, motion, and phenomena
— illustrated by a figure. Splendour of the firmament, as viewed from this planet (see
the engraving..)  Herschel-his distance% size, and quantity of light. Comets-their
tails, velocity, orbits, size, and number. New Comet. Motion of the solar system
in absolute space-its destination-plurality of worlds intimated in Scripture. The
Fixed Stars-,their-distance illustrated —their arrangement, changes-moral reflections.
Relation of Astronomy to Religion-moral effects which its objects have a tendency
to produce-criminality of overlooking the works of God, &c.
NATURAL PHILOSOPHY.                                                               201
Its, objects and different departments. Mechanics —subjects it embraces, and its importance to the improvement of mankind. Hydrostatics-its leading principles and uses,
illustrated by figures. - Pneumatics-its principles, and the experiments by which they
are illustrated. Acoustics.  Optics —leading facts and principles of this science.
Burning-glasses, &c. Electricity-its nature, phenomena, effects, and agency in the
system of nature. Galvanism-its singular effects on metals, &c. and on the animal
system-various facts which it explains. Magnetism-its various phenomena and
effects. Relation of Natural Philosophy to Religion-its inventions meliorate the condition of mankinds-illustrated in the case of the electric fluid-it undermines the influence of superstition-unfolds the incessant agency of God-indifference to this subject
unreasaonble.
tHYMISTRY.- -                                                               - 219
Its objects, and present dignified station. General forms of matter-simple and compound substances. Caloric-its sources and properties.  Oxygen, its properties and
combinations-nitrous oxide, its singular effects. Nitrogen, its effects on flane and
animal life. Hydrogen, its properties and. uses. Carbon, its nature, combinations,
and antiseptic properties. Sulphur, its origin, combinations, and properties. Phosphorus, history of its discovery-how prepared-curious experiments with this sub ~
stance-Phosphoric phenomena in the system rof nature. Connexion of this:science
with Religion-it displays the wisdom and benevolence of God, and the mode of hisq
present and future operations —improves the condition of man-and carries forward,
our views to a more glorious and auspicious era.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY                                                     -.., 251
Their general object-human body, its different parts and divisions. Bones, their num.
ber, form, and positions. -M.scles, their,nature, use, and extraordinary strength.
Heart and blood.vessels, and the circulation of the blood. Respiration-curious structure of the lungs. Digestion. Perspiration. Sensation, and the system of nerves.
Suna-nary. Moral reflections-this branch of study teaches us our dependence on a
Superior Power-and excites to gratitude.
[ ISTORY             -- 241
Its objects, advantages, and connexion with Religion. Connexion of the sciences and
of the Divine dispensations with each other. Concluding remarks.




yin111 ~ ~    ~     ~      t (ON'1 ENTS.
CHAPTER III.
THIE RELATION WHICH THE INVENTIONS OF ART BEAR TO THE
OBJECTS OF RELIGION.
Art of Printing, its origin and beneficial effects-Dr. Church's Improvements in. Art of
Navigation. Mariner's Compass, its discovery and -use. The Telescope, its inventiot,
and the discoveries made by it-serves instead of a celestial vehicle. Magnifying powers of Dr. Herschel's Telescopes. The Microscope, and the views it exhibits of the
wisdom of God  Steam Navigation, its utility in promoting the intercourse of mankind, and its relation to the objects of religion. Air Balloons, utility of, when arrived
at perfection-proposed improvement in. History of their invention-Lunardi's ascentthe Parachute. Acoustic Tunnels. Experiments on the Conveyance of Sound. M.
Biot's remarkable experiment. Don Gautier's experiment and suggestion. Conclusions
in reference to the extensive conveyance of sound. P-actical remarks-utility of the
arte in relation to the Millennial Era    -. *            —.    114
CHAPTER IV.
SCRIPTURAL FACTS ILLUSTRATED FROM THE SYSTEM
OF NATURE.
i. Science may frequently serve as a guide to the true interpretation of Scripture. Canon
or rule for Scripture interpretation-illustrated. IL. The Depravity of Man illustrated,
from a consideration of the state of the interior strata of the earth. Volcanoes, and the
terrible ravages they produce. Earthquakes, and their dreadful effects. Thunderstorms,
tempests, and hurricanes. General Reflections on this subject. III. The Resurrection
illustrated. Transformations of Insects. Indestructibility of matter-conclusions from
this fact. IV. General Conflagration. Concluding reflections. Topics omitted in this
volume   -                                                                       9'1
CHAPTER V.
BENEFICIAL EFFECTS WHICH WOULD RESULT FROM CONNECTING
SCIENCE WITH RELIGION.
L. The variety of topics wou d allure the attention of intelligent minds to religious subjects.
Principle of novelty intended by the Creator to be gratified —illustrated in the variety
which appears in the earth, the heavens, and the volume of Revelation. II. Science enables us to take an extensive survey of the empires of God-illustrates many sublime passages of the Bible-qualifies us for complying with several Divine Injunctions-danger of
selfishness and indifference in this respect. Our conceptions of God depend on our views
of the extent of his dominions. III. Science enlarges our views of the operations of Provi.
dence, in relation to the past and present scenes of the world. The economy of the in.
ferior animals. The physical and moral economy of the celestial worlds. IV. Science,
blended with Religion, would produce a general expansion of mind, and liberality of
views, in reference to the opinions and actions of men, and to the works and the ways of
-God, illustrated at large. V. It would induce a spirit of piety, and profound humility.
Sources of piety-illustrated by an example. Humility-illustrated by the examples of.Mr. Bovle, of Sir Isaac Newton, and of superior intelligences. General conclusions. 134




CONTENTS                                          h
APPEND I X.
No. I. Illustration of the rate of motion in the heavenly bodies, on the supposition that the eartf?
is at rest.
No. II. Experimental illustrations of the pressure of the atmosphere.
No. III. On the means by which it may probably be ascertained whether the Moon be a hat.:
ble world.
No. IV. Remarks on the late prctt.lded discovery of a Lunar Fortification.
No. V. On the ideas of Magnitude, Motion, and Duration, as expressed by numbers.
No. VI. On a Plurality of Worlds.
No. VII. On the first inventor of Printing.
No. VIII. On Telescopes; with a brief notice of a New Reflecting Telescope constructed by ti.,
Author.
No. ~X. On Steam Navigation.
No. X. Strictures on a certain sentiment respecting Human Redempttoa.
No. XI. Extract from Dr. Dwight.
No, XII. List of Popular Works on the different sciences treated of in this volume, with occ&sional remarks.








THE
CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
INTRO D U C TI ON.
()Or to  subject of RE:LIOON, mankind have,  The ancient Greeks and Romans, who boasted,n all ages, been prone to run into extremes.  of their attainments in philosopny, and their proWhile some have been disposed to attach too  gress in the arts, entertained the most foolish,
much importance to the mere exertions of the  contradictory, and unworthy notions of the Obauman intellect, and to imnagine that man, by  ject of Divine worship, of the requirements of
the light of unassisted reason, is able to explore  religion, and of the eternal destiny of man.
she path to true wisdom and happiness,-the  They adored a host of divinities characterized
greater part ofreligionists, on the other hand, have  by impiety, fraud, injustice, falsehood, lewdness,
ceen disposed to treat scientific knowledge, in  treachery, revenge, murder, and every other vice
its relation to religion, with a degree of indiffer-  which can debase the human mind, instead of
ence bordering upon contempt. Both these dis-  offering a tribute of rational homage to that Supositions are equally foolish and preposterous.  preme Intelligence who made and who governr
For he who exalts human reason, as the only  the universe. Even their priests and philoso-..
sure guide to wisdom and felicity, forgets, that  phers indulged in the most degrading and abomiman, in his present state, is a depraved intelli-  nable practices,and entertained the most irrational
genee, and, consequently, liable to err; and that  notions in regard to the originof the universe, and
all those who have been left solely to its dictates,  the moral government of the world. Most of them
have uniformly;ailed in attaining these desira-  denied a future stateofretribution, and all of them
ble objects.  Juring a period of more than  had their doubts respecting the reality of an im5,800 years, the greater part of the human race  mortal existence: and astothe doctrine of a resuraave been left solely to the guidance of their  rection from the dead, they never dreamed of such
rational powers, in order to grope their way to  an even:., and scouted the Idea, when proposed to
the Tempe of Knowledge, and the Portals of  them, as the climax of absurdity.  The glory to
Immortality; but what has been the result of  which their princes and generals aspired, was,
all their anxious researches? Instead of acquir-  to spread death and destruction among their feling correct notions of the Great Author of their  low-men-to carry fire and sword, terror and
existence, and of the nature of that homage  dismay, and all the engines ofdestruction, through
which is due to his perfections, " they have  surrounding nations-to fill their fields with heaps
become vain in their imaginations, and their  ofslain-to plunder the survivors ofevery earthly
foolish hearts have been darkened   Professing  comfort, and to drag captive kings at their chathemselves to be wise, they have become fools;  riot wheels-that they might enjoy the splendour
and have changed the glory of the Incorruptible  and the honours of a triumph. What has been
God into an image made like to corruptible man,  now stated, with regard to the most enlightened
and to foulr-footed beasts, and creeping things."  nations of antiquity, will equally apply to the
Instead of acquiring correct views of the princi-  present inhabitants of China, of Hindostan, of
ples of moral action, and conducting themselves  the Japanese Islands, of the Birman Empire,
according to the eternal rules of rectitude, they  and of every other civilized nation on which the
have displayed the operation of the most diabo-  light of revelation has never shone-with this
lical passions, indulged in continual warfare, and  additional consideration, That they have enjoyed
desolated the earth with rapine and horrid car-  an additional period of 1100 years for making
nage; so that the history of the world presents  further investigations; and are, at this moment,.
to our view little more than a series of revolt-  as far from the object of their pursuit as when
ing details of the depravity of our species, and  they first commenced their researches; and not
of the wrongs which one tribe of human beings  only so, but some of these nations, in modern
ias wilfully inflicted upon another.          times, have mingled with their abominable suThis has been the case, not only arnong a few   perstitions and idolatries many absurdities and
uncsultivated hordes on the coasts of Africa, in  horrid cruelties, which were altogether unknowis
the plains of Tartary. and the wilds of America,  among the Greek and Roman population.
but even among those nations which stood highest    Such are the melancholy results to which
m the ranks of civilization, and of science.-   men have been led, when left to the guidance




10                                   INTRODUCTION.
of unassisted reason, in the most interesting and  that it is one main design of Divine Revelation
important  of all investigations.  They have  to illustrate the operations (,f Providence, and the
wandered in the mazes of error and delusion;  agency of God in the formation and preserva.
and their researches, instead of directing and  tion of all things-and that the Scriptures are full
expanding our religious views, have tended only  of sublime descriptions of the visible creation, and
to bewilder the human mind, and to throw a  of interesting references to the various objects
deeper shade of intellectual gloom  over our  which adorn the scenery of Nature.  WVithoult
apostate world. After a period of six thousand  the cultivation of our reasoning powers, and an
years has been spent in anxious inquiries after  investigation of the laws and economy of Nature,
the path to true knowledge and happiness —Igno-  we could not appreciate many of the excellent
rance, Superstition, Idolatry, Vice, and Misery  characters, the interesting  aspects, and the
still continue to sway their sceptre over the great  sublime references of revealed  religion: we
majority of the human race; and, if we be allow-  should lose the full evidence of those arguments
ed to reason from the past to the future, we may  by which the existence of God and his attributes
rest assured, that while mankind are destitute  of Wisdom and Omnipotence are most powerof a Guide superior to the glimmerings ofdeprav-  fully demonstrated: we should remain destitute
ed reason, they would be no nearer the object of  of those sublime conceptions of the perfections
their pursuit, after the lapse of sixty thousand  and agency of Jehovah which the grandeur and
years, than at the present moment.  It is only  immensity of his works are calculated to inspire.
in connection with the discoveries of Revelation,  we should never perceive, in its full force, the
that we can ex)pect that the efforts of human  evidence of those proofs on which the Divine
reason and activity will be successful in abolishing  authority of Revelation is founded: we could not
the reign of Ignorance and degrading Supersti-  give a rational interpretatior of the spirit and
tion-in illuminating the benighted tribes of the  meaning of many parts of thie Sacred Oracles:
Pagan World-arid in causing" Righteousness,  nor could we comply with r nose positive cornand Order, and Peace, to spring forth before all  mands of God which enjoin us to contemplate
the nations."  Though the Christian Religion  the wonder of his power, to" meditate on all his
has never yet been fillly understood and recognis-  works, and to talk of all his doings."
ed in all its aspects and bearings, nor its require-    Notwithstanding these and many other consiments been cordially complied with, by the great  derations, which show the folly of overlooking
body of those who profess to believe in its Divine  the visible manifestations of Deity in the exerorigin, yet it is only in those nations who have  cises of Religion, it has long been the practice
acknowledged its authority, and in some mea-  of certain theologians to depreciate the wonderful
sure submitted to its dictates, that any thing  works of Jehovah, and to attempt to throw thenm
approximating to just conceptions of the Supreme  into the shade, as if they were unworthy of our
Intelligence, and of his moral government, is  serious contemplation.  In their view, to be a
found to prevail.                             bad philosopher is the surest way to become a
But, on the other hand, though the light of  good Christian, and to expand the views of the
Nattlre is of itself a feeble and insufficient guide,  human mind, is to endanger Christianity, and to
to direct us in our views of the Supreme Intel-  render the design of religion abortive.  They
ligence, and of our eternal destination, yet it is  seem to consider it as a most noble triumph to the
a most dangerous and delusive error to imagine,  Christian cause, to degrade the material world,
that Reason, and the study of the material world,  and to trample under foot, not only the earth, but
ought to be discarded from the science of religion.  the visible heavens. as an old, shattered, and corThe man who would discard the efforts of the  rupted fabric, which nolonger demands our study
human intellect and the science of Nature from   or admiration.  Their expressions, in a variety
R'eligiorn, forgets-that He who is the Author of  of instances, would lead us almost to conclude,
nhuman redemption, is also the Creator and Go-  that they considered the economy of Nature as set
vernor of the whole system of the material uni-  in opposition to the economy of Redemption,
verse-that it is one end of that moral renovation  and that it is not the same God that contrived
which the Gospel effects, to qualify us for con-  the system of Nature, who is also'he " Author
templating aright the displays of Divine Perfec-  of eternal salvation to all them that obey him."
tion which the works of creation exhibit-that    It is, unquestionably, both foolish and impious
the visible works of God are the principal medium  to overlook or to undervalue any of the modes
by which he displays the attributes of his nature  by which the Divine Being has been pleased
to intelligent beings-that the study and con-  to make known his nature and perfections to
temolation of these works employ the faculties of  mankind.  Since he has given a diplay of his
intelligences of a superior order*-that man, had  "Eternal Power and Godhead" in the grand
he remained in primeval innocence, would have  theatre of nature, which forms the subject of
been chiefly employed in such contemplations-  scientific investigation, it was surely never intended, and would ill comport with reven ence tor
* Rev. iv. 11 v a3, &c.            its adorable Author, that such magnificent dis



INTRODUCTION.                                            1l
plays of his Power, Wisdom, and Beneficence,  intended, even in a religious point of -iew, that
as the material universe exhibits, should be treat-  the powers of the human mind, in their contemed, by his intelligent offspring, wi:h indifference   plations and researches, should be bounded l)
or neglect.  It becomes us to contemplate, with  the range of subjects comprised in that revelationl
adoring gratitude, every ray of our Creator's  which is purely, or chiefly, of a moral nature,
glory, whether as emanating from  the light of  since tne Almighty has exibited so magnificent
Revelation, or as reflected from the scenery of  a spectacle in the universe around us, and ennature around us, or as descending from those  dowed us with faculties adequate to the survey
regions'ahere  stars unnutmbered shine, and  of a considerable portion of its structure, and caplanets and comrnets run their solemn rounds.  pable of deducing from  it the most noble and
Instead of contrasting the one deparitnent of  sublime results.  To walk in the midst of this
knowleodge with the other, with a view of depre-  " wide extended theatre," and to overlook, or to
ciating the science of nature, our duty is, to  gaze with indifference on those striking marks
derive from both as much information and in-  of Divine omnipotence and skill, which every
struction as they are calculated to afford; to  where appear, is to overlook the Creator himriarli the harmonv of' the revelations tlhey re-  self, and to contemn the most illustrious displays
spectively unfold; and to use the revelations of  he has given of his eternal power and glory. Tihat
nature for the purpose of' confirming and am-  man's religious devotions are much to be suspectplitving, and carrying forward our views of the  ed, whatever show of piety he may affect, who
revelation contained in the Sacred Scriptures.  derives no assistance, in attempting to form some
With regard to the revelation derived from the  adequate conceptions of the object of his worship,
Sacred Records, it lihas been imagined by some,  from  the sublime discoveries of astronomical
that it has little or no reference to the operations  science; from those myriads of suns and systems
of the material systemrn, and that, therefore, the  which form  but a small portion of the Creator's
study of the visible works of God can be of little  immense empire!*  The professing Christian,
importance in promoting religious knowledge  whose devotional exercises are not invigorated,
and holy affections.  In the sequel of this vo-  and whose conceptions of Deity are not extended,
lume, I shall endeavour to show, that this senti-  by a contemplation of the magnitude and variety
ment is extremely fallacious, and destitute of a   of his works, mtay be considered as equally a
foundation.  But, in the mean time, although it  strangerto the more elevated strains ofpiety, and
were taken for granted, it would form no argu-  to the noble emotions excited by a perception of
ment against the combination of science with re-  the beautiful and the sublimne.
ligion.  For it ought to be carefully remarked,    " The works of the Lord," says an inspired
that Divine Revelation is chiefly intended to in-  writer, " are great. and are sought out by all
truct us in the knowledge of those truths which  those who have pleasure therein."  They all
interest us as subjects of the moral administra-  bear the stanip of ILnfinite Perfection, and serve
tion of the Governor of the world,-or, in other  as so many sensible nedtliurns to exalt and exwords, as apostate  creatures, and as moral  pand otr conceptions of hin, whose invisible
agents.  Its grand object is to develop the open-  glories they represent alnd adumbrate.  When
ings and beatings of the plan of Divine Mercy;  contemplalted in coninection with the prospects
to counteract those evil propensities and pas-  opened by Divine Revelation, they tend to exsions which sin has introduced; to inculcate those  cite the most ardent desires atter that state of
holy principles and moral laws which tend to  enlarged vision, where the plans and operations
unite mankind in harmony and love; and to pro-  of Deity will he more clearly unfolded-and to
duce those amiable tempers and dispositions of  prepare us for bearing a part. in tile immortal
mind, which alone can fit us for enjoying happi-  hymn of the chulrch triumrnhant:-"-  Great and
ness either in this world, or in the world to come.  marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty,
For this reason, doubtless, itis, that the moral at-  just and true are thy ways, thou King of Saints.."
tributes of Deity are brought more prominently   Thle most illustrlcus characters that hiave adorninto view in the Sacred Volume, than his natural  ed our race in all ages, have been striuck with
perfections; and that those special arrangements  the bJauty and magnificence of the visible creaof his Providence, which regard the moral reno-  tion, and have devoted a certain ptortion of their
vation of our species, are particularly detailed;
while the immense extent of his universal king-    ~ As some readers seem to have mistaklen the
domr, the existence of other worlds, and their  Author's meaning, in this nrol sisilt:r passsages, it
moral econorlly, al-e but slightly hinted at, or  may be proper to state, that  his mlenirn  is not-e
moral  economy, are but sihtly hinted at, or  that a knowled.ge of inatural scienie is esse.titsd (o
veiled in obscurity.  Of such a Revelation we  genuine piety; but, that the persoit I7ots irt. opsinood in need; and had it chiefly embraced sub-  7otltnity of makting hienself acqutaiited tiltl, tt,.
science of naturfe, atnd of contemiplt int  the wvollde rs
}ects of a very different nature, it would have  of the heavens in their true ighit, allt wVhI dloes n(;
failed in supplying the remedies requisite for  find lis views of the Creator elllpantletl, ar I his redli
co.rrrecting the disorders which sin has introduced  giouls emotions elevate(d, y such studies. has reason
cx r_'c t i      n.' disorers wich sn hasintroucedto call in qutestionl the n;ature andt the suicerity of hil
Inong mankind —But, surely, it was never  devotional feelings.




12                                INTRODUCTION.
time and attention in irnvestigatlng its admirable  interests and the progress of religion,-since a
economy and arrangement: and there can be no  general desire to propagate the truths of Chrisquestion, that a portion of our thoughts devoted  tianity in Heathen  lands now  animates the
to the study of the wondrous works of the Most  mass of the religious world-since the nations
High, must ultimately be conducive to the im-  of both Continents are now  aroused to burst,)rovement of our intellectual powers, to our  asunder the shackles of despotism, and to inquire
advancement in the Christian life, and to our  after rational liberty and mental imnprovement,Preparation for the exalted employments of the  and since all these discoveries, inventions, and
eternal world.                                movements, and the energies of the human mind,
In finei'since the researches of modern times  from which they spring, are under the direction
have greatly enlarged our views of the System   and control of that Omnipotent Being who made
of Universal Nature, and of the vast extent to  and who governs the world-they olght to be
which the operations of the Creator are carried  considered as parts of those Providential arrangeon in the distant regions of space,-since the  ments, in the progress of which He will ultimately
late discoveries of Naturalists and Experimental  accomplish the illumination of our benighted
Philosophers, with respect to the constitution of  race, and make the cause of righteousnesQ and
the atmosphere, water, light, heat, the gases,  truth to triumph among all nations.  And, therethe electric, galvanic and magnetic fluids, and  fore, the enlightened Christian ought thankfully
the economy and instincts of animated beings,  to appreciate every exhibition, and every dishave opened to our view a bright display of  covery, by which his conceptions of the attributes
Divine Wisdom, in the contrivance and ar-  of God, and of the grandeur of his works, may
rangement of the different parts of our terrestrial  be directed and enlarged, in order that he may
habitation,-since improvements in the useful  be qualified to " speak of the honour of his naarts have kept pace with the progress of science,  jesty, and talk of his power; to make known te
and have been applied to many beneficial pur-  the sons of men his mighty acts, aid the glorious
poses, which have ultimately a bearing on the  majesty of his kingdom."




CHAPTER I.
OIF THE NATURAL A.IrRIBUTES OF THE DEITY, WITH  PARTICULAR ILLUSTRA'IONS OF
HIS OMNIPOTENCE AND WISDOM.
these natural relations must for ever subsist
It is true, indeed, that the essential attributes of
God, and the principles of Natural Religion.
On the ReDation of the Natural.ttributes of cannot be fully discovered without the light oi
DEITY to RELsGION.                Revelation, as appears from the past experience
of mankind in every generation; but it is equally
A FIRM conviction of the existence. of God,  true, that, when discovered by the aid of this
and a competent knowledge of his natural perfec-  celestial light, they are of the utmost. importance
lions,lie at the foundation ofall religion, both na-  in the Christian system, and are as essentially
tural and revealed.  In proportion as our views  connected with it, as the foundation of a buildof the perfections of Deity are limited and lob-  ing is with the superstructure.  Many professed
scure, in a similar proportion will be our con-  Christians, however, seem to think, and to act,
ceptions or ail the relations in which he stands to  as if the Christian'Revelation had annulled the
lhis creatures, of every part of hiis rnvidential  natural relations which subsist between man and
procedure, and of all the doctrines and require.  the Deity; and hence the zealous outcry against
ments of revealed religion.                   every discussion from the pulpit, that has not a
By the natural or essential attributes of God,  direct relation to what are termed the doctrines
we understand such perfections as the follow-  of grace.  But nothing, surely, can be more.abirg: —His  Eternity, Omnipresence, Infinite  surd than to carry out such a principle to all its
Knowledge, Infinite Wisdom, Omnipotence, and  legitimate consequences. Can God ever cease to
Boundless Beneficence. These are the charac-  be Omnipotent, or can man ever cease to be
ters and attributes of Deity, which, we must  dependent for existence on his infinite power i
suppose, form the chief subjects of contemplation  Can the Divine Being ever cease to be Omnipreo.
to angels, and to all other pure.intelligences-and  sent and Omniscient, or can man ever cease to
in investigating the displays of which, the sons  be the object of his knowledge and superintend.
of Adam would hove been chiefly employed, had  ence?' Can Infinite Wisdom ever be detachthey continued in primeval innocence.  These  ed from the Almighty, or can man ever be in a
attributes form the ground-work of all those gra-  situation where he will not experience the effec'ss
cious relations in which the God of salvation  of his wise. arrangements?  Can Goodness
stands to his redeemed people in the economy  ever fail of being an attribute of Jehovah, or canl
of redemption-they lie.at the foundation of the  any sentient or intelligent beings exist that do
whole Christian superstructure —and were they  not experience the effects of his bounty?  In
not recognized as the corner-stones of that sa-  short, can the relation of Creature and of Creacred edifice, the whole system  oa.he Scripture  tor ever cease between the human race, in whatRevelation would remain a baseless fabric. The  ever moral or physical situation they may be
filll display of. these perfections will be exhibit-  placed, and that almighty Being, " who giveth
ed in the future world-the contemplation of to all, life and breath, and all things?" If none
this display will form one of the sublime employ-  ul these things can possibly happen, then the
ments " of the saints. in. light"-, and to prepare  relations' to which we refer must be eternal and
us for engaging in such noble exercises, is one  unchangeable, and must form the basis of all the
of the chief designs of the salvation proclaimed  other relations in which we can possibly stand
in the Gospel..                          to the Divine Being, either as apostate or as
The Christian Revelation ought not to be con-  redeemed creatures; and, therefore, they ought
sidered as superseding the Religion of Nature,  to be exhibited as subjects for our frequent and
but as carrying it forward to perfection.  It in-  serious contemplation, as religious and moral
troduces the Deity to us under new relations,  aaents. But, unless we make such topics a dis.
corresponding to the degraded state into which  tinct subject of attention, and endeavour to acwe have fallen. It is superadded to our natural  quire a clear and comprehensive conception of
relations to God, and takes it for granted, that  our natural relations to God, we can never form a




14                        THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
clear conception of those new and interesting   body, before God, the Juage of all. Now, ths
relations into which we have been brought by the  firmness of our hope of so astonishing an event,
nediation of Jesus Christ.                     which seems to contradict all experience, and
If man had continued in his priniitive state of  appears involved in such a mass of difficulties
integrity, he would have been for ever exercised  and apparent contradictions, must be in proporin tracing the Power, the Beneficence, and other  tion to the sentiments we entertain of the Di vine
attributes of Deity, in the visible creation alone.  Intelligence, Wisdom, and Omnipotence.  Anti
Now that his fallen state has rendered additional  where are we to find the most striking visible
yevelations necessary, in order to secure his hap-  displays of these perfections, except in the actual
piness-is he completely to throw aside those con-  operations of the Creator, within the range of
templations and exercises which constituted his  our view in the material world?
chief employment, while he remained a pure moral    Again, we are informed, in the same Divine
intelligence? Surely not. One great end of his  records, that, at some future period, the earth oil
moral renovation, by means of the Gospel, manist  which we nuw dwell shall be wrapt up in devourbe, to enable him to resume his primitive exercises,  ing flames, and its present form and constitution
and to qualify him for more enlarged views and  fcr ever destroyed; and its redeenled inhabitants,
contemplations of a similar nature, in that future  after being released from the grave, shall be transworld, where the physical and moral impedi-  ported to a more glorious region; and that" new
ments which now obstruct his progress will be  heavens and a new earth shall appear, wherein
completely removed.                           dwelleth righteousness." The Divine mercy havIt appears highly unreasonable, and indicates  ing given to the faithful the promise of these
a selfish disposition of mind, to magnify one class  astonishing revolutions, and most magnificent
of the Divine attributes at the expens, of another,  events, our hopes of their being fully realized
to extol, for example, the Mercy of God, and ne-  must rest on the infinite wisdom and omnipotence
glect to celebrate his Power and Wisdom-those  of Jehovah; and, consequently, if our views of
glorious perfections, the display of which, at the  these perfections be limited and obscure, our hope
formation of our globe, excited the rapture and  in relation to our future destiny will be proporadmiration of angels, and of innocent man. All  tionably feeble and languid; and will scarcely
the attributes of God are equal, because all of  perform its office'" as an anchor to the soul, both
them are infinite; and, therefore, to talk of darling  sure and steadfast."  It is not merely by telling
attributes in the Divine Nature, as some have  a person that God is All-wise, and All-powerful,
done, is inconsistent with reason, unwarranted  that a full conviction of the accomplishment ot
by Scripture, and tends to exhibit a distorted  such grand events will be produced. He must
view of the Divine character. The Divine mercy  be made to see with his own eyes what the
ought to be celebrated with rapture by every indi-  Almighty has already done, and what he is now
vidual of our fallen race; but with no less rapture  doing in all the regions of universal nature which
should we extol the Divine Omnipotence; for  lie open to our inspection; and this cannot be
the designs ofmercy cannot be accomplished with-  effected without directing his contemplations to
out the intervention of Infinite Power. All that  those displays of intelligence and power which
we hope for, in consequence of the promises of are exhibited in the structure, the economy, and
God, and of the redemption accomplished by Jesus  the revolutions of the material world.
Christ, must be founded on the conception we    If the propriety of these sentiments be admitform of the operations of Omnipotence.  An ex-  ted, it will follow that the more we are accustomample or two may not be unnecessary for illus-  ed to contemplate the wonders of Divine intellitrating this position.                        gence and power, in the objects with which we
We are warranted, by the sacred oracles, to  are surrounded, the more deeply shall we be imentertain the hope, that these mortal bodies of  pressed with a conviction, and a confident hope,
ours, after they have mouldered in the dust, been  that all the purposes of divine mercy will ulti.
dissolved into their primary elementary parts, and  mately be accomplished in our eternal felicity.
become the prey of devouring reptiles, during a  It will also follow, that, in proportion as the mind
lapse of generations or of centuries,-shall spring  acquires a clear, an extensive, and a reverential
forth from the tomb to new life and beauty, and  view of the essential attributes of the Deity, and
be arrayed in more glorious forms than they now   of those-truths in connection with themr, which
wear; yea, that all the inhabitants of our globe,  are objects of contemplation common to all holy
from Adam to the end of time, though the bodies  beings, in a similar proportion will it be impress.
of thousands of them have been devoured by can-  ed, and its attention arrested, by every other
nibals, have become the food of fishes and of  divine subject connected with them. And it is,
beasts of prey, and have been burnt to cinders,  doubtless, owing to the want of such clear and
and their ashes scattered by the winds, over the  impressive conceptions of the essentia' character
different regions o;'c. and land,-shall be reani-  of Jehovah, and of the first truths of. religion, that
mated by the voice of the Son of God, and shall  the bulk of mankind are so little impressed and
appear, each in his proper person and identical  influenced by the leading doctrines and duties




NATURAL ATTRIBUTES OF THE DEITY.                                    1 b
connecter, with the plan of the Gospel salvation,  form the sole, or the chief topics of discussion,
and that they entertain so many vague and unte-  in the business of religious instruction-but, it
nable notions respecting the character and the ob-  the Scriptures frequently direct our attention to
iects of a superintending Providence. How often,  these subjects-if they lie at the foundation of
for example, have we witnessed expressions of the  all accurate and extensive views of the Christian
foolish And limited notions which are frequently  Revelation-if they be the chief subjects of cor.
entertained respecting the operations of Omni-  templation to angels, and all other pure intellipotence?  When it has been asserted that the  gences, in every region of the universe-and if
earth with all ite load of continents and oceans,  they have a tendency to expand the minds of prois in rapid motion through the voids of space-  fessed Christians, to correct their vague and erthat the sun is ten hundred thousand times larger  roneous conceptions, and to promote their conthan the tcrraqueous globe-and that millions of  formity to the moral character of God-we cansuch globes are dispersed throughout the immen-  not find out the shadow of a reason, why such
sity of nature-some who have viewed them-  topics should be almost, if not altogether, overselves as enlightened Christians, have exclaimed  looked, in the writings and the discourses of
at the impossibility of such facts, as if they were  those who profess to instruct mankind in the
beyond the limits of Divine Power, and as if such  knowledge of God, and the duties of his worship.
representations were intended to turn away the    We are informed by our Saviour hinmself, that
mind from God and religion; while, at the same  " this is life eternal, to know thee the living and
time, they have yielded a firm  assent to all the  true God," as well as " Jesus Christ whom he
vulgar notions respecting omens, apparitions, and  hath sent."  The knowledge of God, in the
hobgoblins, and to the supposed extraordinary  sense here intended, must include in it the knowpowers of the professors of divination and witch-  ledge of the natural and essential attributes of
craft. How can such persons assent, with intel-  the Deity, or those properties of his nature by
ligence and rational conviction, to the dictates of  which he is distinguished from all " the idols of
Revelation respecting the energies of Omnipo-  the nations."  Such are, his Self-existence, his
tence which will be exerted at "the consummation  All-perfect knowledge, his Omnipresence, his
of allhthings," and in those arrangements which  Infinite Wisdom, his Boundless Goodness, and
are to siucceed the dissolution of our sublunary  Almighty Power-attributes, which, as we have
system? A firm belief in the Almighty Power  just now seen, lie at the foundation of all the
and unsearchable wisdom of God, as displayed  other characters and relations of Deity revealed
in the constitution and movements of the rpaterial  in the Scriptures.  The acquisition of just and
world, is of the utmost importance, to confirm  comprehensive conceptions of these perfections,
our faith, and enliven our hopes, of such grand  must, therefore, lie at the foundation of all proand interesting events.                       found veneration of the Divine Being, and of
Notwithstanding the considerations now stat-  all that is valuable in religion. Destitute of
ed,;which plainly evince the connection of the  such conceptions, we can neither feel that habi.
natural perfections of God with the objects of  tual humility, and that reverence of the majesty
the Christian Revelation, it appears somewhat  of Jehovah, which his essential glory is calculatstrange, that, when certain religious instructers  ed to inspire, nor pay him that tribute of adorahappen to come in contact with this topic, they  tion and gratitude which is due to his name.
seem as if they were beginning to tread upon  Devoid of such views, we cannot exercise that
forbidden around; and, as if it were unsuitable  cordial acquiescence in the plan of his redemption,
to their office as Christian teachers, to bring for-  in the arrangements of his providence, and in
ward the stupendous works of the Almighty  the requirements of his law, which the Scriptures
to illustrate his nature and attributes.  Instead  enjoin. Yet, how often do we find persons who
o expatiating on the numerous sources of illus-  pretend to speculate about the mysteries of the
tration, of which the subject admits, till the  Gospel, displaying-by their flippancy of speech
minds of their hearers are thoroughly affected  respecting the eternal counsels of the Majesty of
with a view of the essential glory of Jehovah-  Heaven-by their dogmatical assertions respectthey despatch the subject with two or three  ing the Divine character, and the dispensations
vagule propositions, which, thoughlogically true,  of providence-and by their pertinacious opimake no impression upon the heart; as if they  nions respecting the laws by which God must
believed that such contemplations were suited  regulate his own actions-that they have never
only to carnal men, and mere philosophers; and  felt impressive emotions of the grandeur of tha,
as if they were afraid, lest the sanctity of the  Being, whose"' operations are unsearchable, ano
pulpit should be polluted by particular descrip-  his ways past finding out?" Though they do not
tions of those operations of the Deity which are  call in question his immensity and power, his
perceived through the medium of the corporeal  wisdom and goodness, as so many abstract pro.
senses.  We do not mean to insinuate, that the  perties of his nature, yet the unbecoming famiessential attributes of God, and the illustrations  liarity with which they approach this august Be-Jf thorn derived from the material world, should  ing, and talk about him, shows that thev have




16                       THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
never associated in their minds, the stupendous  titude of technical terms and subtle reasonlngs
displays which have been given of these perfec-  but.-lead us directly to the source whence out
tions, in the works of his hands; and that their  most ample conceptions of Deity are to be derivreligion (if it may be so called) consists merely  ed, that, from a steady and enlightened contemin a farrago of abstract opinions, or in an empty  plation of the effects, we may learn the greatname.                        -..           ness of. the Cause; and their examplet in this
If, then, it be admitted, that it is essentially  respect, ought, doubtless,...to be a pa ern for
requisite, as the foundationof religion, to have  evey religious instructer.
the mind deeply impressed with a clear and comprehensive view of the natural perfections of the
Deity, it will follow, that the ministers of religion, and all others whose province it is to com-           SECTION  II.
municate religious instruction, ought frequently
to dwell, with particularity, on those proofs and  Illustrations of the Omnipotence of the DEITY.
illustrations'with tend to convey the most defi*nite -and impressive conceptions of the glory of   IN order to elucidate more distinctly what has
that Being whom we profess to adore. But from   been now stated, I shall select a few illustrations
what sources -are such illustrations to be deriv-  of some: of the natural attributes of the Deity.
ed? Is it from abstract reasonings and metaphy-  And, in the first place, I shall offer a few consi.
sicaldistinctions and definitions, or from a survey  derations which have a tendency to direct and to
of those objects and movements which lie open  amplify our conceptions of Divine Power.
to the inspection of every observer?:  There    Omnipotence is that attribute of the Divine
can'be no difficulty in coming to- a decision on  Being, by which he can accomplish every thing
this point.'We might affirm, with the school-  thatdoes not imply a contradiction-howeverfar it
men, that' God is a Being whose centre is every  may transcend the comprehension of finite minds.
where, and his circumference no where;"  that  By his power the vast system of universal nature
" he comprehends infinite duration'in every mo-  was called from nothing into existence, and is
inent;" and that " infinite space may' be consi-  continually supported, in all its movements, from
dered as the sensorium of the Godhead;" but such  age to age.  In elucidating. this perfection of
fanciful illustrations, when strictly analyzed, will God, we might derive some striking illustrations
be found to consist merely of words without  from the records of his dispensations towards
ideas. We might also affirm with truth, that  man, in the- early ages of the world-when he
God is a Being of infinite perfection, glory, and  overwhelmed the earth with the. deluge, which
blessedness-that:hea is without all bounds or  covered the tops of the highest mountains, and
limitseitheractualorpossible-thathe ispossess-  swept the crowded population of the ancient
ed of power sufficient to perform all things which  world into a watery grave-when he demolished
donotimply a contradiction-t'at he is independ-  Sodom  and Gomorrah, and the cities -around
ent and self-sufficient=-,that his wisdom  is un-  them, with fire from'. heaven —when he slew all
erring, and that he infinitely exceeds all other  the first-born of Egypt, and turned their-rivers
beings. But these, and'other expressions of a  into blood-when he divided the Red Sea and
similar kind, are mere technical terms, which  the waters of Jordan before the tribes of Israel
convey no adequate, -nor even tolerable, notion  -when he made the earth to open its jaws and
of what they import.:: Beings, constituted like  swallow up Korah and'all his companyv-and
man,- whose rational spirits are connected with  when he caused Mount Sinai to smoke and treman organical structure, and who derive all their  ble at his presence. But these and similar events,
knowledge through the medium  of corporeal  however awful, astonishing, and worthy of reorgans, can derive their clearest and most affect-  membranee, were only transitory exertions of
ing notions of the Divinity, chiefly through the  Divine Power, and are not calculated, and were
same medium, namely, by contemplating: the:never intended, to impress the mind in so powerefects of' his perfections, as displayed through  ful a manner as those displays of Omnipotence
the ample range' of the visible' creation.  And  which are exhibited in the. ordinary movements
to this source of illustration, the inspired writers  of the material univtarse. t We have no hesitauniformly direct our views —" ILift up your eyes  ti.on in asserting, that, wltn.regard to this attrion high, and behold'!- who hath created' these  bute of the Divinity, there is a more grand and
orbs? who bringeth forth- their host by number,  impressive display in the works of Nature, than
and calleth them all by their names? The ever-  in all the events recorded in the Sacred History.
lasting' God, the Lord, by. the greatness of his  Nor ought this remark to be considered as throw.
might, for that'he is strong in power." —"'_e  ing the least reflection on the fulness and sufbath made the earth by his power; he hath  ficiency of the: Scriptulre revelation; for that i-e
established the world by his wisdom;.he hath  velation, as having a special. reference'to a moral
stretched out the heavens by his understandin -."  economy, has fir its object to give a more partiThes writers do not perplex outr minds by a mul-  cular display of the moral than of the naturel per




OMNLPOTENCE OF THE DEITY.                                      (I
fections of God. The miracles to which we have  hours, as it were, to form a definite idea of those
now referred, and every other supernatural fact  objects of oppressive grandeur, andfeels unable ta
recorded ill the Bible, were not intended so much  grasp the augu.st objects which compose the snro
to display the plenitude of the Dower of Deity,  rounding scene."  But what are all these mour.as to bear testimony to the Divine mission of tainous masses, however variegated and subiirms.
particular messengers, and to confirm  the truths  when compared with the bulk of the whole
they declared.  It was not, for example, merely  earth?  Were they hurled from their bases, ana
to display the energies of Almighty power, that  precipitated into the vast Pacific Ocean, they
the waters of the Red Sea were dried up before  would all disappear in a moment, except perhaps
the thousands of Israel, but to give a solemn and  a few projecting tops, which, like a number of
striking attestation to all concerned, that the Most  small islands, might be seen rising a few fathoms
High God had taken this people under his peculiar  above the surface of the waters.
protection-that he had appointed Moses as. their    The earth is a globe whose diameter is nearly
leader and legislator-and that they were bound  8,000 miles, and its circumference about 25,000,
to receive and obey the statutes he delivered.  and, consequently, its surface contains nearly two
The most appropriate and impressive illustra-  hundred millions of squaremmiles-a magnitude
tions of Omnipotence, are those which are taken  too great for the mind to take in at one concepfrom the permanent operations of Deity, which  tion. In order to form a tolerable conception of
are visible every moment in the universe around  the whole, we must endeavour to take a leisurely
us; or, in other words, those which are derived  survey of its different parts. Were.we to take
from a detail of the facts-which have been observ-  our station on the top of a mountain, of arnodeed in the material world, respecting magnitude  rate size, and survey the surrounding landscape.
and motion.                                   we, should perceive an extent of view stretchIn the first place the immense quantity of mat-  ing 40 miles in every direction, forming a circle
ter contained in the universe, presents a most  80 miles in diameter, and 250 in circumference
striking display of Almighty power.           and comprehending an area of 5,000 square
In endeavouring to form a definite notion on  miles.  In such a situation the terrestrial scene
this subject, the mind is bewildered in its con-  around and beneath us-consisting of hills and
ceptions. and is at a loss where to begin or to  plains, towns and villages, rivers and lakesend:its excursions.  In order to form something  would form one of the largest objects which the
approximating to a well-defined:idea, we must  eye, and even the imagination, can, steadily
pursue a train of thought commencing with those  grasp at one time. But such an object, grand and
magnitudes which the mind can easily grasp, pro-  extensive as it is, forms no more than the fortyceeding through all theintermediate gradations  -thousandth part of the terraqueous globe; so that
of magnitude, and fixing the- attention on every  before we can acquire an adequate conception of
portion of the chain, till we arrive at the object  the magnitude of our own world, we must conor magnitude of which we wish to form a con-  ceive 40,000 landscapes of a similar extent, to
ception. We must endeavour, in the first place,  pass in review before us: and: were; a scene, of
to form a conception of the bulk of the world  the magnitude now stated, to pass before us every
in which we dwell, which, though only a point  hour, till all the diversified scenery of the earth
in comparison of the whole material universe, is  were brought under our view, and were 12 hours
in reality a most astonishing magnitude, which  a day allotted for the observation, it would rethe mind cannot grasp, without a laborious effort.  quire 9 years and 48 days before the whole surWe can form some definite idea of those protu-  face of the globe could be contemplated, even in
berate masses we denominate hills, which arise  this general and rapid manner. But, such a
above the surface of our plains; but were we  variety of successive landscapes passing before
transported to the m'ountainous scenery of Swit.  the eye, even although it were possible to be realzerland, to the stupendous range of the Andes in  ized, would convey only a very vague and irnSouth America, or to the Himmalayan moun-  perfect conception of the scenery of our world;
tains in India, where masses of earth and rocks,  for objects at the distance ofi 40 miles cannot be
in every variety of shape, extend several hun-  distinctly perceived; the only view which would
dreds of miles in different directions, and rear  be satisfactory would be, that which is compre.
their projecting summits beyond the region of  hended within the range of 3 or-4 miles from the
the clouds-we should find some difficulty in  spectator.
forming an adequate conception of the objects of    Again, I have already stated, that the surface
our contemplation.  For, (to use the words of  of the earthcontains nearly 200,000,000 of square
one who had been a spectator of such scenes,)  miles. Now,wereapersonto setout on a minute
"Amidst- those trackless regions of intense si-  survey of the terraqueous globe, and to travel till
tence and solitude, we cannot contemplate, but  he passed along every square mile on its surface,
with feelings of awe and admiration, the eno —  and to continue his rotute without intermission,
mous masses of variegated  matter which lie  at the rate of 30 miles every day, it would require
around, beneath, and above ils.,  The mind la-  18,264 years before he could finish his tour, and




18                      THE -CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
complete the survey of" this huge rotundity on  and there amidst its subterraneous recesses: ant
which we tread:" so that, had he commen.ed his  that its density gradually increases from its surexcursion on the day in which Adam was creat-  face to its central regions. *What an enornmous
ed, and continued it to the present hour, he would  mass of materials, then, is comprehended within
not have accomnllit;hed one third part of this vast  the limits of the globe on which we tread! The
tour.                                         mind labours, as it were, to comprehend the
In estimating the size and extent of the earth,  mighty idea, and after all its exertion, feels itwe ought also to take into consideration the vast  self unable to take in such an astonishing magvariety of objects with which it is diversified,  nitude at one comprehensive grasp. Ho:V great
and the numerous animated beings with which  must be the power of that Being who comit is stored; the great divisions of land and  manded it to spring from nothing into existence,
water, the continents, seas, and islands into  who " measureth the ocean in the hollow of his
which it- is distributed; the lofty ranges of moun-  hand, who weigheth the mountains in scales, and
tains which rear their heads to the clouds; the  hangeth the earth upon nothing!"
unfathomed abysses of the ocean; its vast subter-    It is essentially requisite, before proceeding to
raneous caverns and burning mountains; and the  the survey of objects and magnitudes of a supelakes, rivers, and stately forests with which it is  rior order, that we should endeavour, by such a
so magnificently adorned;-the many millions of train of thought as the preceding, to form some
animals, of every size and form, from the ele-  tolerable and clear conception of the bulk of the
phant to the mite, which traverse its surface;  globe we inhabit; for it is the only body we can
the numerous tribes of fishes, from the enormous  use as a standard of comparison to guide the
whale to the diminutive shrimp, which " play"  mind in its conceptions, when it roams abroad
in the mighty ocean; the aerial tribes which sport  to other regions of material existence.  And,
in the regions above us, and the vast mass of the  from what has been now stated, it appears, that
surrounding atmosphere, which encloses the earth  we have no adequate conception of a magnitude
and all its inhabitants as " with a swaddling  of so vast an extent; or, at least, that the mind
band."  The immense variety of beings with  cannot, in any one instant, form to itselfa diswhich our terrestrial habitation is furnished, con-  tinct and comprehensive idea of it, in any
spires with every other consideration, to exalt our  measure corresponding to the reality.
conceptions to that power by which our globe, and    Hitherto, then, we have fixed only on a deall that it contains, were brought into existence.  terminate magnitude-on a scale of a fbw inches,
The preceding illustrations, however, exhibit  as it were, in order to assist us in our measurethe vast extent of the earth, considered only as a  ment and conception of magnitudes still more
mere superficies. But we know that the earth is a  august and astonishing.  When we contemsolid globe, whose specific gravity is nearly five  plate, by the light of science, those magnificent
times denser than water, or about twice as dense  globes which float around us, in the concave of
as the mass of earth and rocks which compose its  the sky, the earth with all its sublime scenery,
surface.  Though we cannot dig into its bowels  stupendous as it is, dwindles into an inconsibeyond a mile in perpendicular depth, to explore  derable ball. If we pass from our globe to some
its hidden wonders, yet we may easily conceive  of the other bodies of the planetary system, we
what a vast and indescribable mass of matter  shall find that one of these stupendous orbs is
must be contained between the two opposite por-  more than 900 times the size of our world, and
tions of its external circumference, reaching 8000  encircled with a ring 200,000 miles in diamemiles in every direction. The solid contents of  ter, which would nearly reach from the earth
this ponderous ball is no less than 263,858,149,-  to the moon, and would enclose within its vast
120cubical miles-a mass of material substance  circumference several hundreds of worlds as
of which we can form but a very faint and im-  large as ours. Another of these planetary bodies,
perfect conception-in proportion to which all the  which appears to the vulgar eye only as a brilloftv mountains which rise above its surface are  liant speck on the vault of heaven, is found lo
less than a few grains of sand, when compared  be of such a size, that it would require 1,400
with the largest artificial globe. Were the earth  globes of the bulk of the earth to form one equal
a hollow sphere surrounded merely with an ex-  to it in dimensions.  The whole of the bodies
ternal shell of earth and water, 10 miles thick, its  which compose the solar system, (without takinternal cavity would be sufficient to contain a  ing the sun and the comets into account,) conquantity of materials one hundred and thirty-three  tain a mass of matter 2,500 times greater than
times greater than the whole mass of continents,  that of the earth.  The sun himself is 520 times
islands and oceans, on its surface, and the foun-  larger than all the planetary globes taken to-,Mtions on which they are supported.  We have  gether; and one million three hundred thousand
the strongest reasons, however, to conclude,  times larger than the terraqueous globe.  This
that the earth, in its general structure, is one  is one of the most glorious and magnificent
solid mass, from  the surface to the centre, ex-  visible objects, which either the eye or the imacepting, perhaps, a few caverns scattered here  gination can contemplate; especially when we




OMNIPOTENCE OF THE DEITY.                                     19.onsider, what perpetual and incomprehensible  formed us, that, in the most crowded parts oftho
and powerful influence he exerts, what warmth  Milky-way, when exploring that region with his
anJ beauty and activity he diffuses, not only  best glasses, he has had fields of view which
on the globe we inhabit, but over the more ex-  contained no less than 588 stars, and these were
tensive regions of surrounding worlds. His  continued for many minutes: so that " in one
energy extends to the utmost limits of the pla-  quarter of an hour's time there passed no less
netary system —to the planet Herschel, which  than one hundred and sixteen thousand stias
revolves at the distance of 1,800 millions of through the field of view of his telescope."
miles from his surface, and there he dispenses    It has been computed, that nearly one hundred
light, and colour, and comfort, to all the beings  millions of stars might be perceived by the most
connected with that far-distant orb, and to all the  perfect instruments, were all the regions of the
~moons wh'ch roll around it.                  sky thoroughly explored. And yet, all this vast
Here the imagination begins to be overpower-  assemblage of suns and worlds, when compared
ed and bewildered in its conceptions of magni-  with what lies beyond the utmost boundaries of
tude, when it has advanced scarcely a single step  human vision, in the immeasurable spaces of
in its excursions through the material world:  creation, may be no more than as the smallest
For it is highly probable that all the matter  particle ofvapour to the immense ocean. Immeacontained within the limits of the solar system,  surable regions of space lie beyond the utmost
incomprehensible as its magnitude appears, bears  limits of mortal view, into which even imaginaa smaller proportion to the whole mass of the  tion itself can scarcely penetrate, and which are,
material universe, than a single grain of sand  doubtless, replenished with the operations of Dito all the particles of matter contained in the  vine Wisdom and Omnipotence. For, it cannot
body of the sun and his attending planets.    be supposed, that a being so diminutive as man,
If we extend our views from the solar system   whose stature scarcely exceeds six feet-who
to the starry heavens, we have to penetrate, in  vanishes from  the sight at the distance of a
our imagination, a space which the swiftest ball  league-whose whole habitation is invisible from
that was ever projected, though in perpetual mo-  the nearest star-whose powers of vision are so
tion, would not traverse in ten hundred thousand  imperfect, and whose mental faculties are so limityears.  In those trackless regions of immensity,  ted-it cannot be supposed that man, who" dwells
we behold an assemblage of resplendent globes,  in tabernacles of clay, who is crushed before the
similar to the sun in size and in glory, and,  moth," and chained down, by the force of gradoubtless, accompanied with a retinue of worlds,  vitation, to the surface of a small planet,-should
revolving, like our own, around their attractive  be able to descry the utmost boundaries of the
influence.  The immense distance at which the  empire of Him who fills immensity, and dwells ill
nearest stars are known to be placed, proves  " light unapproachable."  That portion of his
that they are bodies of a prodigious size, not  dominions, however which lies within the range
inferior to our sun, and that they shine, not by  of our view, presents such a scene of magnin.
reflected rays, blt by their own native light. But  ficence and grandeur, as must fill the mind of
bodies encircled with such refulgent splendour  every reflecting person with astonishment and
would be of little use in the economy of Jeho-  reverence, and constrain him to exclaim, "O 1reat
vah's empire, unless surrounding worlds were  is our Lord, and of great power, his undercheered by their benign influence, and enlight-  standing is infinite."-" When I consider the
ened by their beams. Every star is, therefore,!eavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and
with good reason, concluded to be a sun, no less  the stars which thou hast ordained-what is
spacious than ours, surrounded by a host of  man that thou art mindful of him!"-" I have
planetary globes, which revolve around it as a  heard of thee by hearing of the ear,: I have
centre, and derive from it light, and heat, and  listened to subtle disquisitions on thy character
comfort. Nearly a thousand of these Irlmina-  and perfections and have beer. but little affectries may be seen in a clear winter nigh., bh the  ed, " butt now  i'le eye seeth thee; wherefore
naked eye; so that a miss of matter equal to  I humble mysel, dnd repent in dust and ashes."
a thousand solar systems, or to thirteen hun-    In order to feel the fill force of the impression
dred and twenty millions of globes of the size  made by such contemplations, the mind must
eof the earth, -.,nv he perceived, by every comrn-  pause at every step, in its excursions through
mon observer, in the canopy of heaven. But  the boundless regions of material exis'ence: for
all the celestial orbs which are perceived by  it is notby a mere attention to the figrucs and
the unassisted  sight, do not form the eighty-  numbers by which the magnituds:if the great
thousandth part of those which may be descried  bodies of the universe are expressed, that we
by the help' of optic:al instruments.  The trle-  arrive at the most distinct and ample concepscope has enabled us to descry, in certain spaces  tions of objects so grand and overwhelming.
f the heavens, thousands of stars where the naked  The mind, in its intellectual range, must dwell
yra  cold scarcely discern twenty.  The late  on every individual scene it contemplates, and
toletrated astronomer, Dr. Herschel, has in-  on the various obiects of which it is composed.
34




20                       THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
It must add scene to scene, magnitude to  heavens made, andall the host of them by the spirit
magnitude, and compare smaller objects with  of his mouth." WVhat an astonishing display of
greater-a range of mountains with the whole  Divine power is here exhibited to our view! How
earth, the earth with the planet Jupiter, Jupiter  far transcending all finite comprehension must be
with the sun, the sun with a thousand stars, a  the energies of Him  who only "spake and it
thousand stars with 80 millions, and 80 millions  was done;" who only gave the command, and
with all the boundless extent which lies beyond  this mighty system of the universe, with all its
the limits of mortal vision; and, at every step  magnificence, started into being! The infinite
of this mental process, sufficient time must be  ease with which this vast fabric was reared, leads
allowed for the imagination to expatiate on the  us irresistibly to conclude, that there are powers
objects before -it, till the ideas approximate, as  and energies in th, Divine mind which have
near as possible, to the reality.  In order to  never yet been exerted, and which may unfold
form a comprehensive conception of the extent  themselves to intelligent beings, in the production
of the terraqueous globe, the mind must dwell on  of still more astonishing and magnificent effects,
an extensive landscape, and the objects with  duringan endless succession ofexistence.  That
which it is adorned; it must endeavour to sur-  man who is not impressed with a venerable and
vey the many thousands of diversified land-  overwhelming sense of the power and majesty
scapes which the earth exhibits-the hills and  of Jehovah, by such contemplations, must have
plains, the lakes and rivers and. mountains,  a mind. incapable of ardent religious emotions,
which stretch in endless variety over its surface  and-unqualified for appreciating the grandeur of
-it must dive into the vast caverns of the  that Being " whose kingdom  ruleth over all.'
ocean-penetrate into the subterraneous regions  And shall such- ennobling views be completely
of the globe, and wing its way amidst clouds  withheld from a Christian audience?  Shall it
and tempests, through the surrounding atmos-  be considered as a matter of mere indifference,
phere. It must next extend its flight through  whether their views of the Creator's works be
the most expansive regions of the solar system,  limited to the sphere of a few miles around them.
realizing, in imagination, those magnificent  or extended to ten thousand worlds? -whether
scenes which can be described neither by the  they shall be left to view the operations of the
-naked eye nor by the telescope, and comparing  Almighty throughout eternity past and to come,:the extent of our sublunary world with the more  as confined to a small globe placed in the immen-.magnificent globes that roll around us. Leav — sity of space, with a number of brilliant studs fixed
-ing the sun and all his attendant planets behind,  in the arch of heaven, at a few miles distance; or
till they have diminished to the size of a small  as extending through the boundless dimensions of
-twinkling star, it must next wing its way to the  space?-whether they shall be left to entertain
-starry regions, and pass from one system  of  no higher idea of the Divine majesty than what'worlds to another, from one Nebula* to another,  may be due to one of the superior orders of
from one region of Nebulae to another, till it ar-  the seraphim  or cherubim,-or whether  they'yive at the utmost boundaries of creation which  shall be directed to form the most august concep.
hnuman genius has explored. It must also en-  tions of the King eternal, immortal,and invisible,,deavo,,r to extend its flight beyond all that is  corresponding to the displays he has given of his
-visible by the best telescopes, and expatiate at  glory in his visible works?  If it be not, both
ilarge in that boundless expanse into which no  reason and piety require, thatsuch illustrations,human eye has yet penetrated, and which is,  of the Divine perfections should occasionally be
doubtless, replenished with other worlds, and  exhibited to their view.
-systems, and firmaments, where the operations   In the next place, the rapid motions of the
of infinite power and beneficence are displayed  great bodies of the universe, no less than their mag-'in endless variety, throughout the illimitable  nitudes, display the Infinite Power of the Creator.:regions of space.                               We can acquire accurate ideas of the relative
Here, then, with reverence, let us pause, and  vel' cities of moving bodies, only by comparing
wonder'! Over all this vast assemblage of material  the motions with which we are familiar, with
~existence, God presides. Amidst the diversified  one another, and with those which lie beyond.objects and intelligences it contains, he is eter-  the general range of our minute inspection. Wei;nally and essentially present. By his unerring  can acquire a pretty accurate eonception of the
wisdom, all its complicated movements are di-  velocity of a ship impellea by the wind-of a
-rected. By his Almighty fiat, it emerged from.steamboat-of a race-hotse-of a bird darting'nothing into existence, and is continually sup-  through the air-of an arrow flying from a bow
)orted from age to age. " HE SPARE AND IT  -and of the clouds when impelled by a stormy
WAS DONE; HE,,COMMANDED AND IT STOOD  wind.  The velocity of a ship is from 8 to 12.fAST. "-" By the word of the Lord were the  miles an hour-of a race-horse, from 20 to S0
miles-'of a bird, say from 50 to 60 miles, and of
For an account.of the Nebulae, see Ch. I1. Art.  the clouds. in a violent hurricane, from 80 to 100
*irosnomy.                                    miles an hour. The motion of a ball frum  a




OMNIPOTENCE OF THE -DEITY                                    ie]
meded cannon Is incomparably swifter then any  68,000 miles an hour, the actual rate of its
of ute motions now stated; but of the velocity of motion, in its courlse round the sun! But whatsuch a body we have a less accurate idea; be-  ever degree of mechanical power would be recause, its rapidity being so great, we cannot  quisite to produce such a stupendous effect, it
trace it distinctly by the eye th;rough its whole  would require a force one hundred and fifty times
range, from the mouth of the cannon to the object  greater to impel the planet Jupiter, in his actuali
against which it is impelled. By experiments,  course through the heavens! Even the planet
it has been found, that its rate of motion is from   Saturn, one of the slowest moving bodies of our
480 to 800 miles in an hour, but it is retarded  system, a globe 900 times larger than the earth,
every moment, by: the resistance of the air and  is impelled through the regions of space at the
*the attraction of the earth.  This velocity,  rate of 22,000 miles an hour, carrying along
however, great as it is, bears no sensible propor-  with him two stupendous rings, and seven moons
tion to the rate of motion which is found among  larger than ours, through his whole course round
the celestial orbs.  That such enormous masses  the central luminary. Were we placed within
of matter should move at all, is wonderful; but  a thousand miles of this stupendous globe,(a
when  we consider the amazing velocity with  station which superior beings may occasionally
which they are.impelled, we are lost in astonish-  occupy,) where its hemisphere, encompassed by
ment.  The planet Jupiter, in describing his  its magnificent rings, would fill the whole extent
circuit round the sun, moves at the rateof29,000  of our vision-the view of such a ponderous
miles an hour.  The planet Ventus, one of.the  and glorious object,. flying with such amazing
nearest and most brilliant of the celestial bodies,  velocity before us, would infinitely exceed every
and about the same size as the earth, is found to  idea of grandeur.we can derive firom  terrestrial
move. through the spaces of the firmament at  scenes, and overwhelm our powers with astothe rate of 76,900  miles an -hour,.and the planet  nishment and awe. Under such an emotion; we
Mercury with a velocity ofno less than150,000  could only exclaim,"GREAT AND MARVELLOUS
miles an hour, or 1750 miles in a minute-a  ARE THY WORKS, LORD GOD ALil.IGHTY!"
motion two hundred times swifter than that of a  The ideas of strength and power implied in
cannon.ball... the impulsion of such enormous  masses of
These velocities will appear still more asto-  matter through the illimitable tracts of space,
nishing, if- we consider the,magnitude of the  are forced upon the mind with irresistible energy,
bodies which.are-thus impelled, and the immense  far surpassing what any abstract propositions
forces which are requisite to carry them. along  or reasonings can convey; and constrain us to
in their courses.  However rapidly a ball flies  exclaim, "Who is a strong Lord like unto
from the mouth of a cannon, it is the flight of a  thee.! Thy right hand is become glorious in
body only a few inches in diameter; but one of  power! the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!"
the bodies, whose motion has been just now      If we consider the immense. number of bodies
stated, is eighty-nine thousand miles in dia-  thus impelled through the vast spaces of the unimeter, and would comprehend, within its vast  verse-the rapidity with which the comets, when
circumference, more than a thousand globes as  near the sun, are carried through the regions they
large as the earth.  Could we contemplate such  traverse,-if we consider the high probability, if
motions, from a fixed point, at the distance of  not absolute certainty, that the sun, with all his
only a few hundreds of.miles from  the bodies  attendant planets and comets, is impelled with a
thus impelled-it would raise our admiration to  still greater degree of velocity towards some disits highest pitch, it would overwhelm  all our  tant region of space, or around some wide cirfaculties, and,.in our present state. would pro-  cumference-that all the thousands ofsystems of
duce an impression of awe, and. even of terror,  that nebulae to which the sun belongs, are movbeyond the power of language to.express.  The  ing in a. similar manner-that all the nebulae in
earth contains a.mass of matter equal in weight  the heavens are moving around some magnificent
to at least 2,200,000,000,000,000,000,000 tons,  central body-in short, that all the suns and
supposing its mean density to be only about 21  worlds in the universe are in rapid and perpetual
times greater than water. To move this pon-  motion, as constituent portions of one grand and
derous mass a single inch beyond its position,  boundless empire, of which Jehovah is the b.were it fixed in a quiescent state, would require  vereign-and, if we consider still further, that #11
a mechanical force almost beyond the power of  these mighty movements have been going on,
numbers, to express. - The. physical force of all  without intermission, during the course of many
the myriads of intelligences within the bounds  centuries, and some of them, perhaps, for myof the planetary system, though their powers  riads of ages before the foundations of our world
were far superior to those of men, would be  were laid-it is impossible for the human mind to
altogether inadequate to the production of such  form any adequate idea of the stupendous forces O
a motion-.  How much more must be the force  which are in incessant operation thoughout the
requisite to impel it with a velocity one hundred  unlimited empire of the Almighty. To estimate
and fortv times swifter than a cannon ball, or  siich mechanical force el'en in a single instance,




22                      THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
eompletely baffles the mathelnatician's skill, and  hand, as the magnitude of the bodies which
sets the power of numbers at defiance. " Lan-  move in them, and their prodigious velocities, are
guage," and figures, and comparisons, are " lost  incomprehensible on the other; and they form a
in wonders so sublime," and the mind, over-  part of those magnificent proportions according
powered with such reflections, is irresistibly led  to which the fabric of universal nature was arupwards, to search for the cause in that OaNI-  ranged-all corresponding to the majesty of that
POTENT BEING who upholds the pillars of the  infinite and  incomprehensible  Being, " who
universe'-,the thunder of whose power none can  measures the ocean in the hollow of his hand, axed
comprehend. While contemplating such august  meteth out the heavens with a span."   How
objects, how emphatic and impressive appears  wonderful that bodies at such prodigious distances
the language of the sacred oracles, " Canst thou  should exert a mutual influence on one another'
by searching find out God? Canst thou find out  that the moon at the distance of 240,000 miles
the Almighty to perfection? Great things doth  should raise tides in the ocean, and currents in
he, which we cannot comprehend.  Thine, O  the atmosphere! that the sun, at the distance of
Lord, is the greatness, and'the glory, and the  ninety-five millions of miles, should raise the vamajesty; for all that is in heaven and earth is  pours, move the ocean, direct the course of the
thine.  Among the gods there is none like unto  winds, fructify the earth, and distribute light, and
thee, 0 Lord, neither are there any works like  heat, and colour, through every region ofthe globe;
unto thy works. Thou art great, and dost won-  yea, that his attractive influence, and fructifying
drous things; thou art God alone.  Hast thou  energy, should extend even to the planet Her.
not known, hast thou not heard, that the ever-  schel, at the distance of eighteen hundred millions
lasting God, the Lord, the Creator of all things,  of miles! So that, in every point of view in
tainteth not, neither is weary.? there is no search-  which the universe is contemplated, we perceive
Mng of his understanding.  Let all the earth fear  the same grand scale of operation by which the
the Lord, let all the inhabitants of the world  Almighty has arranged the provinces of his unistand in awe of him; for, he spake, and it was  versal kingdom.
done; he commanded, and it stood fast."         We would now ask, in the name of all that is
Again, the immense spaces which surround the  sacred, whether such magnificent manifestations
heavenly bodies, and in which they perform their  of Deity ought to be considered as irrelevant in
revolutions, tend to expand our conceptions on  the business of religion, and whether they ought
this subject, and to illustrate the magnificence of  to be thrown completely into the shade, in the
the Divine operations. In whatever point of  discussions which take place in religious topics,
view we contemplate the scenery of the heavens,  in " the assemblies of the saints?" If religion
an idea of grandeur irresistibly bursts upon the  consists in the intellectual apprehension of the
mind; and, if empty space can, in any sense,  perfections of God, and in the moral effects probe considered as an object of sublimity, nothing  duced by such an apprehension-if all the rays
can fill the mind with a grander idea of magni-  of glory emitted by the luminaries of heaven, ale
tude and extension, than the amplitude of the  only so many reflections of the grandeur of Hint
scale on which planetary systems are construct-  who dwells in light unapproachable-if they have
ed. Around the body of the sun there is allot-  a tendency to assist the mind in forming its con.
ted a cubical space, 3,600 millions of miles in  ceptions of that ineffable Being, whose uncreat.
diameter,iin which eleven planetary globes re-  ed glory cannot be directly contemplated-and if
volve-every one being separated from another,  they are calculated to produce a sublime and
by intervals ofmany millions ofmiles. The space  awful impression on al' created intelligences.which surrounds the utmost limits of our system,  shall we rest contented with a less glorious idea
extending in every direction, to the nearest fixed  of God than his works are calculated to afford?
stars, is, at least, 40,000,000 000,000 miles in  Shall we disregard the works of the Lord, and
diameter; and, it is highly probable, that every  contemn " the operations of his hands," and
star is surrounded by a space of equal, or even  that, too, in the face of all the invitations on this
of greater extent.  A body impelled with the  subject, addressed to us from heaven? For thus
greatest velocity which art can produce, a can-  saith Jehovah: "Lift up your eyes on high, and
nc. ball, for instance would require tventy years  behold, who hath created these things, who
tdpass through the space that intervenes between  hrinzeth forth their host by number.  I, the Lord,
the earth and the sun, And four millions, seven  who mraketh all things, who stretcheth foirlh the
hundred thousand years, ere it could reach the  heavens alone, and spread abroad the earth by him.
nearest star.  Though the stars seem  to be  self; all their host have I commanded." And, if,
crowded together in clusters, and some of them   at the command of God, we lift up our eyes to
almost to touch one another, yet the distance be-  the " firmament of his power," surely we oulght'ween any two stars which seem to make the  to do it, not with a brute, unconscious gaze," not
nearest approach, is such as neither words can  with the vacant stare of a savage, not as if we
express, nor imagination fathom. These im-  were still enveioped with the mists and prejludic-a
mense spaces are as unfathomahle on the one  of the dark ages-but as surrounded jy that bia're




OMNIPOTENCE OF THE DEITY.                                      23
af aight which modern science has thrown upon  velocity, gives us a most august and impressive
the scenery of the sky, in order that we may con-  conception of the greatness of that Power which
template, with fixed attention, all that enlighten-  first set it in motion, and continues the rapid
ed reason, aided by the nicest observations, has  whirl from age to age! Though the huge masses
ascertained respecting the magnificence of the  of the Alpine mountains were in a moment
zelestial orbs.  To overlook the sublime disco-  detached from their foundations, carried aloft
veries of modern times, to despise them, or to  through the regions of the air, and tossed into the
call in question their reality, as some religionists  Mediterranean sea, it would convey no idea of
have done, because they bring to our ears such  a force equal to that which is every moment exastonishing reports of the " eternal power" and  erted, if the earth revolve on its axis.  But
majesty of Jehovah-is to act as if we were afraid  should the motion of our earth be called in queslest the Deity should be representedas more  tion, or denied, the idea of force, or power, wil
grand and magnificent than he really is, and as if be indefinitely increased.  For, in this case, it
we would be better pleased to pay him a less share  must necessarily be admitted, that the heavens,
oi homage and adoration than is due to his name.  with all the innumerable host of stars, have a
Perhaps some may be disposed to insinuate,  diurnal motion around the globe; which motion
tnat the views now stated are above the level  must be inconceivably more rapid than that of
of ordinary comprehension, and founded too  the earth, on the supposition of its motion.
much on scientific considerations, to be stated  For, in proportion a, the celestial bodies are
in detail to a common audience.  To any in-  distant from  the earth, in the same proportion
sinuations of this kind, it may be replied, that  would be the rapidity of their movements. The
such illustrations as those to which we have re.  sun, on this supposition, would move at the rate
Cferred, are more easily comprehended than many  of 414,000 miles in a minute; the nearest stars,
of those abstract discussions to which they are  at the rate of fourteen hundred millions of miles
frequently accustomed; since they are definite  in a second: and the most distant luminaries,
and tangible, being derived from those objects  with a degree of swiftness which no numbers
which strike the senses and the imagination.  could express.*  Such velocities, too, would be
Any person of common understanding may be  the rate of motion, not merely of a single globe
made to comprehend the leading ideas of extend-  like the earth, but of all the ten thousand times
ed space, magnitude, and motion, which have  ten thousand spacious globes that exist within
been stated above, provided the descriptions be  the boundaries of creation.  This view conveys
sufficiently simple, clear, and well-defined; and  an idea of power still more august and overshould they be at a loss to comprehend the prin-  whelming than any of the views already stated,
ciples on which the conclusions rest, or the mode  and we dare not presume to assert, that such a
by which the mragnificence of the works of God  degree of physical force is beyond the limits of
has been ascertained, an occasional reference  infinite perfection; but on the supposition it
to such topics would excite them to inquiry and  existed, it would confound all our ideas of the
investigation, and to the exercise of their powers  wisdom and intelligence of the Divine mind, and
of observation and reasoning on such subjects-  would appear altogether inconsistent with the
which are too frequently directed to farless impor-  character which the scripture gives us of the
tantobjects. Thefollowing illustration, however,  Deity as "'the only wise God."  For, it would
stands clear of every objection of this kind, and  exhibit a stupendou system of means altogether
is level to the comprehension of every man of  disproportioned to tee end intended-namely, to
common sense: Either the earth moves round  produce the alternate succession of day and night
its axis once in twenty-four hours-or, the sun,  to the inhabitants of our globe, which is more
moon, planets, comets, stars, and the whole frame  beautifully and harmoniously effected by a simple
of the universe move,round the earth, in the  rotation on its axis, as is the case with the other
same time.  There is no alternative, or third  globes which  compose the planetary system.
opinion, that can be formed on this point. If  Such considerations, however, show us, that, on
the earth revolve on its axis every 24 hours, to  whatever hypothesis, whether on the vulgar or
produce the alternate succession ofday and night,  the scientific, or in whatever other point of view,
the portions -of its surface about the equator must  the frame of nature may be contemplated, the
move at a rate of more than a thousand miles an  mind is irresistibly  impressed with ideas of
hour, since the earth is more than twenty-four  power, grandeur, and magnificence. And, therethousand miles in circumference.  This view  fore, when an inquiring mind is directed to con.
of the fact, when attentively considered, fur-  template the works of God, on any hypothesis it
nishes a most suhblime andl astonishing idea.  may choose, it has a tendency to rouse reflec.
That a globe of so vast dimensions, with all its  tion, and to stimulate the exercise of the moral
leoad of mountains, continents, and oceans, com-  and intellectual faculties, on objects which are
prising within its ciroumference a mass of two  worthy of the dignity of immortal minds.
hundred and sixty-four thousand million of cubical msiles, should whirl around with so amazing            * See Appendix, No. 1.




114; ~THE  CHRISTIAN  PHILOSOPHER.
We may now be, int some measure, prepared  to most minds conveys no idea at all, unless i'
to decide, whether illustrations of the omnipo-  be associated with ample conceptions of motion,
rence of the Dei.y, derived from the system of  magnitude, and extension; and it is constantly
the material world, or those vague and metaphy-  applied to subjects to which it was never intended
sical disquisitions which are generally given illn to apply, such as " infinite faithfulness, infinite
theological systems, lbe most calculated to im-  justice, infinite truth,".&c. an application of the
press the mind, and to inspire it with reverence  term which is never sanctioned by Scripture, and
and adoration.  The following is a description,  which has a tendency to introduce confusion into
given of this attribute of God, by a well-known  our conceptions of the perfections of God. Grantsystematic writer, who has generally been consi-  ing that the statements and reasonings in such an
dered as a judicious and orthodox divine:-    extract as the above were unquestionable, yet
" God is almighty, Rev. i. 18, chap. iv. 8.  what impression can they make upon the mind?
This will evidently appear, in that, if he be infi-  Would an ignorant person feel-his conceptions of'nite in all his other perfections, he must be so in  the Divinity much enlarged, or his moral powers
power: thus, if he be omniscient, he knows what  aroused, by such vague and general statements?
is possible or expedient to be done; and if he be  And, if not, it appears somewhat unaccountable,
an infinite sovereign, he wills whatever shall come  that those sources of illustration, which would
to pass. Now this knowledge would be insigni-  convey the most ample and definite views of the
ficant, and his power inefficacious, were he not  " eternal power" and glory of God, should be
infinite in power, or almighty. Again, this might  studiously concealed from the view. Vague debe argued front his justice, either in rewarding or  scriptions and general views of any object will
punishing: for if he were not infinite in power,  never be effectual in awakening the attention,
he could do neither of these, at least so far as to  and arresting the faculties of the mind. The
render him  tile object of that desire or fear,  heart will always remain unimpressed, and the
which is agreeable to the nature of these perfec-  understanding  will never be thoroughly excited
tions; neither could infinite faithfulness accom-  in its exercise,.unless the intellect have presented
plish all the promises which he hath made, so as: before it a well-defined and interesting object,
to excite that trust and dependence which is a  and be enabled to survey it in its.various aspects ~
part of religious worship; nor could he say with-  and this object must always have a relation to
out limitation, as he does, I have spoken it, I  the material world, whether it be viewed in conwill also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I  nexion with religion, or with any other subject.
will also do it; Isa. xlvi. 11. But since power
is visible in, and demonstrated by its effect, and
infinite power by those effects which cannot be
produced by' a creature, we may observe the    Thus I have endeavoured, in the preceding
almighty power of God in all his works, both of  sketches, to present a few detached illustrations
nature and grace: thus his eternal power is tin-  of the omnipotence and grandeur of the Deity,
derstood,/as the: apostle says, By the: things that  as displayed in the vast magnitude of the material
are made, Rom. i. 20, not that there was an eter-  universe-the stupendotls velocities of the celesnal production of things, bu  the exerting this  tial bodies-and in the immeasurable regions of
power in time proves it to 1 e infinite and truly  space which surround them, and in which their
divine; for no creature can pi Aduce the smallest  motions are performed. Such a magnificent specparticle of: matter out of noth ng, much less fur-  tacle as the fabric of the universe presents-so
nish the various species of creatures with those  majestic, God-like, and overwhelming, to beings
endowments in which they excel one another,  who dwell " in tabernacles of clay"-was surely
and set fi)rth their Creator's glory. And the  never intended to be overlooked, or to be gazed
glory of his power is no less visible in the works  at with indifference, by creatures endowed with
of providence, whereby he upholds all things,  reason and intelligence, and destined to an imdisposes of thenm according to his pleasure, and  mortal existence.  In forming a universe corn
brings about events which only: he: who has an  posed of so many immense systems and worlds,
almighty armn can effect."-Ridgley's Body of  and replenished with such a variety of sensitive
Divinity, p. 39.                               and intelligent existences, the Creator doubtless
This is the whole that Dr. Ridgley judges it  intended that it should make a sublime and renecessary to state, in illustration of the attribute  verential impression on the minds of all the intelof  tmnnipatence, except what he says in relation  lectual beings to whom it might be displayed, and
toits operation " in the work of grace," in " the  that it should convey some palpable idea of the
propagation and success of the Gospel," &c.  infinite glories of his nature, in so far as material
subjects, to which the idea of power, or physical  objects can be supposed to adumbrate the perfecenergy, does not properly apply. Sulch, however,  tions of a spiritual and uncreated Essence. Dwellare the meager and abstract disquisitions gene-  ing in " light inaccessible" to mortals, and for
rally given by most systematic writers.  There  ever veiled from the highest created being, he
is a continual play on the term " infinite," which  the pure spirituality and immensity of his natul.




OMNIPOTENCE OF THE DEITY.                                      25
filuite is no conceivable mode by which the in-  created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabit.
there grandeur of Deity could be exhibited to  ed; Iam the Lord, and there is none else."-" I
finite intelligences, but through the medium of have made the earth and created man upon it, my
those magnificent operations which are inces-  hands have stretched out the heavens, and ail
santly going frward throughout the boundless  their host have I commanded."-" Hearken unto
regions of space.  Concealed from the gaze of  me, O Israel: I am the first, I also am the last.
all the " principalities and powers" in heaven,  Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the
in the unfathomable depths of his Essence, he dis-  earth, and my right hand hath spanned the
plays his presence in the universe he has created,  heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up
and the glory of his power, by launching magni-  together."-" Who hath measured the waters in
ficent worlds into existence, by adorning them  the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with
with diversified splendours,by peopling them with  the span, and weighed the mountains in scales?
various ranks of intelligent existence, and by im-  He who sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and
pelling them in their movements through the illi-  the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that
mitable tracts of creation.                    stretched out the heavens as a curtain, that faintIt will readily be admitted by-every enlighten- ~ eth riot, neither is weary."-" The Lord made
ed Christian, that it must be a highly desirable  the heavens, the heaven of heavens, with all their
attainment, to acquire the most glorious idea of  hosts; honour and majesty are before him, and his
the Divine B eing which the limited capacity of  kingdom ruleth overall."* Such sublime descripour minds is capable ofreceiving. This isoneof  tions of Jehovah, and references to his material
the grand difficulties in religion.  The idea of a  works, are reiterated in every portion of the saBeing purely IMMATERIAL, yet pervading in-  cred volume; and the import and sublimity of such
finite space, and possessed ofnosensible qualities,  expressions cannot be fully appreciated, unless
confounds and bewilders the human intellect, so  we take intc view  all the magnificent objects
that its conceptions, on the one hand, are apt to  which science has unveiled in the distant reverge towards extravagancy, while, on the other,  gions of creation.
they are apt to degenerate into something ap-    This subject is calculated not merely to overproaching to inanity.  Mere abstract ideas and  power the intellect with ideas of sublimity and
reasonings respecting infinity, eternity, and abso-  grandeur, but also to produce a deep moral irnlute perfection, however, sublime we may con-  pression upon the heart; and a Christian philoceive them: to be, completely fail: in arresting the  sopher would be deficient in his duty, were he. to
understanding, and affecting the heart; our con-  overlook this tendency of the objects of his
ceptions become vague, empty, and confused, for  contemplation.
want of a material vehicle to give them order, sta-    One important moral effect which this subject
bility, and expansion. Something of the nature of  has a natural tendency to produce, is, profound
vast extension, of splendid and variegated objects,  HUMILITY. What an insignificant being does
and of mighty movements, is absolutely necessary,  man appear, when he compares himself with the
in order to. convey to spirits dwelling in bodies of  magnificence of creation, and with the myriads
clay, a definite conception of the invisible glories  of exalted intelligences with which it is peopled!
of the Eternal Mind; and, therefore, in the im-  Wha! are all the honours and splendours of this
mense variety of material existence with which  earthly ball, of which mortals are so proud, when
the universe is adorned, we find every requisite  placed in competition with the resplendent gloassistance of this kind to direct and expand our  ries of the skies? Such a display as the Almighty
views of the great object ofour adoration. When  has given of himself, in the magnitude and vathe mind is perplexed and overwhelmhned with its  rietv of his works, was evidently intended "to
conceptions, when it labours, as it were, to form  stain the pride" of all human grandeur, that " no
some well-defined conceptions of an Infinite Be-  flesh should glory in his presence." Yet, there is
ing, it here finds some tangible objects on which  no disposition that appears so prominent among
to fix, some sensible substratum for its thoughts  puny mortals, as pride, ambition, and vainglory
to rest upon for a little, while it attempts to pene-  -the very opposite of humility, and of all those
trate, in its excursions, into those distant regions  tempers which become those "who dwell in
which eye hath not seen, and to connect the whole  tabernacles of clay, and whose foundation is in
of its mental survey with the energies of the  the dust."  Even without taking into account
" King, Eternal, Immortal, and Invisible.      the state of man as a depraved intelligence,
To such a train of thought we are uniformly  what is there in his situation that should inspire
directed in the sacred oracles, where Jehovah is  him with " lofty looks," and induce him to look
represented as. describing himself by the effects  down on his fellow-men with supercilious conwhich his power and wisdom have produced.  tempt?  He derived his origin from the dust,
" Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an ever-  he is allied with the beasts that perish, and he is
lasting salvation.  For thus saith Jehovah that fast hastening to the grave, where his carcass
created the heavens; God himself that formed
the earth and made it; he hath established it, he  * Isa. xlv 18, 12. xlvtii, 12, 13. xl. 12, 2 dc.w




A.i                       THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPhER.
will become the food for noisome reptiles. He  with microscopic animalculte, does to the nrouw
is every moment dependent on a Superior Being  lords of this earthly region.  There is at least
ior every pulse that heats, and every breath he  one Being to whom this sentiment is appiicable,
araws, and for all that he possesses; he is de-  in its utmost extent:-" Before HIM all nations e
lendent even on the lmeanest of his species for  are as a drop of a bucket, and the inhabitants
his accommodations and comforts. He holds  of the earth as grasshoppers; yea, they are as
every enjoyment on the most precarious tenure,  nothing, and are counted to him less than no.
-his fr-iends may be snatched in a moment from  thing, and vanity." Could we wing our way, with
his embriace; his riches may take to themselves  the swiftness of a seraph, from sun to sun; and
wings and fly away; ands his health and beauty  from world to world, till we had surveyed all the
may be blasted in an hour, by a breath of winld.  systems visible to the naked eye, which are only
Hiunger and thirst, cold and heat, poverty and  as a mere speck in the map of the universedisgiace, sorrow and disappointment, pain and. could we, at the same time, contemplate the
disease, mingle themselves with all his pursuits  glorious landscapes and scenes of grandeur they
and enjoyments.  His knowledge is circum-  exhibit-could we also mingle with the pure and
scribed within the narrowest limnits, his errors  exalted intelligences which people those resplenand follies are glaring and innumerable  and he  dent abodes, and behold their humble and ardent
stands as an almost undistinguishable atom,  adorations of their Almighty Maker, their bearnidst the immensity of God's works.  Still,  nign and  condescending deportment towards
with all these powerful inducements to the ex-  one another; " each esteeming another better
ercise of humility, man dares to be proud and  than himself," and all united in the bonds of the
arrogant.                                     purest affection, without one haughty or discord.
— "   Man, proud Man,                   ant feeling-what indignation and astonishment
Dressed in a little brief aulthority,        would seize us, on our return to this obscure
Plays such fllmtastlc tricks before high Heaven,  corner of creation, to behold beings enveloped in
As make the angels weep."2
ts make the angels weep."      the mist of ignorance, immersed in depravity and
How affecting to contemplate the warrior, flush-  wickedness, liable to a thousand accidents, exed with diabolical pride, pursuing his conquests  posed to the ravages of the earthquake, the volthrough heaps of slain, in order to obtain pos-  cano and the storm; yet proud as Lucifer, and
session of " a poor pitiable speck of perishing  glorying in their shame! We should be apt to
earth;" exclaiming in his rage,. " I will pur-  view them, as we now do those bedlamites, who
sue, I will overtake. I will divide the spoil, my  fancy themselves to be kings, surrounded by their
lust shall be satisfied upon them, I will draw   nobles, while they are chained to the walls of a
my sword, my hand shall destroy them"-to be-  noisomedungeon. "Sure pride was never made
hold the man of rank glorying in his wealth, and  for man."  How abhorrent, then, must it appear
his empty titles, and looking around upon the  in the eyes of superior beings, who have taken
inferior orders of his fellow-mortals as the worms  an expansive range through the field of creation'
of the dust-to behold the man of ambition push-  How abhorrent it is in the sight of the Almighty,
ing his way through bribery, A;id treachery, and  and how amiable is the opposite virtue, we lean,
slaughter, to gain possession of a throne, that he  from his word:-" Every one that is proud in
may look down wiih proud pre-eminence upon  heart is an abomination to the Lord."-" Gol
his fellows-to behold the haughty airs of the  resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the hum.
noble dame, inflated with the idea of her beauty,  ble."-" Thus saith the High and Lofty One
and her high birth, as she struts along, surveying  who inhabiteth eternity, I dwell in the high and
the ignoble crowd, as if they were the dust be-  holy place; with him also that is of an humble
neath her feet'-to behold the smatterer in learn-  and contrite spirit; to revive the spirit of thet
ing, puffed up with a vain conceit of his super-  humble, and the heart of the contrite ones."ficial acquirements, when he has scarcely entered  While, therefore, we contemplate the omnipothe porch of knowledge-in fine, to behold all  tence of God, in the immensity of creation, let
ranks, from the highest to the lowest, big with an  us learn to cultivate humility and self-abaseIdea oftheir own importance, and fired with pride  ment. This was one of the lessons which the
and revenge a: the least provocation, whether  pious Psalmist deduced from his survey of the
imaginary or real!  How inconsistent the mani-  nocturnal heavens. When he beheld the moon
festations of such tempers, with the many humi.  wallting itn the brightness, and the inn:merable
liating circumstances of our present condition,  host of stars, overpowered with a sense of his
and with the low -rank which we hold in the scale  own insignificance, and the greatness of divine
of Universal Being?                           condescension, he exclaimed, "0 Lord! what
It is not improbable, that there are in the  is man, that thou art mindful of him, or the son
universe intelligences of a superior order, in  of man, that thou shouldest visit him!"
whose breasts pride never found.a place-to     Again. this subject is also calculated to inspire
whom this globe of ours, and all. its inhabitants,  us with REVERENCE and VENERATION of God.
appear as inconsiderable as a drop of water filled:Profound veneration of the Divine Being lies at




CMNIPOTENCE OF THE DEITY.                                    27
the foundation of all religious worship and obe- degree of intellectual energy; that he has been
ihence. But. in order to venerate God aright, we  flying without intermission, from one province vo
must. know himl: and, in order to acquire the  creation to another, for six thousand years. and
true knowledgte of him, we must contemplate him   will continue the same rapid course for a thousand
throught. the nmedluml of those works and dispen-  millions of years to come; it is highly tirobable,
sations, b. whlch he displays the glories of his  if not absolutely certain, that, at the end of this
nature to the inhabitants of our world. I have  vast tour, he would have advanced no further than
already exhibited a few specimens of the stupen-  " the suburbs of creation"-and that all the magdonts operations of his power, in that portion of  nificent systems of material and intellectual bethe system of the universe which lies open to our  ings he had surveyed, during his rapid flight,
inspection; and there is surely no mind in which  and for such a length of ages, bear no more prothe least spark of piety exists, but must feel  portion to the whole Empire of Omnipotence,
strong emotions of reverence and awe, at the  than the smallest grain of sand does to all the
thought of that Almighty and Incomprehensible  particles of matter of the same size contained in
Being, who iln)els the huge masses of the pla-  ten thousand worlds.  Nor need we entertain
netary globes with so amazing a rapidity through  the least fear, that the idea of the extent of the
the sky, and who has diversified the voids of  Creator's power, conveyed by such a represents.
space with so vast an assemblage of magnificent  tion, exceeds the bounds of reality. On the other
worlds. Even those manifestations of Deity  hand, it must fall almost infinitely short of it.
which are confined to the globe we inhabit, when  For, as the poet has justly observedattentively considered, are calculated to rouse Can man conceive beyondwhat God can do 
even. he unthinking mind, to astonishment and
awe. The lofty mountains, and expansive plains,    Were a seraph, in prosecuting the tour of
the mass of water in the mightyocean, the thun-  creation in the manner now stated, ever to arrive
ders rolling along the sky, the lightnings flashing  at a limit beyond which no farther displays of the
fiorn cloud to cloud; the hurricane and the tem-  Divinity could be perceived, the thought would
pest, the volcano vomiting rivers of fire, and the  overwhelm his faculties with unutterable anguish
earthquake shaking kingdoms, and levelling cities  and horror: he would feel, that he had now, in
with the ground-all proclaim the Majesty of  some measure, comprehended all the plans and
Him, by whom the elements of nature are ar-  operations of Omnipotence, and that no farther
ranged and directed, and seem to address the sons  manifestation of the Divine glory remained to be
of men it language like this: " The Lord  explored. But we may rest assured, that this
reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; at his wrath  can never happen in the case of any created inthe earth trembles; a fire goethbefore him, and  telligence.  We have every reason to believe,
burneth up his enemies."-" Let all the earth  both from the nature of an Infinite Being, and
fear the Lord, let ail the inhabitants of the world  from the vast extent of creation already explored,
stand in awe of him."                         that the immense mass of material existence, and
There is one reason, among others, why the  the endless variety of sensitive and intellectual
bulk of mankind feel so little veneration of God,  beings with which the universe is replenished, are
and that is, that they seldom contemplate, with  intended by Jehovah to present to his rational offfixed attention, " the operations of his hands."  spring a shadow, an emblem, or a representation,
If we wish to cherish this sublime sentiment in  (in so far as finite extended existence can be a
our hearts, we must familiarize our minds to  representation,) of the I'nfinite Perfections of his
frequent excursions over all those scenes of  nature, which would otherwise have remained for
Creation and Providence, which the volume of  ever impalpable to all subordinate intelligence.
nature, and the volume of inspiration unfold to    In this manner,then, mignt we occasionally exer.
view.'We must endeavour to assist our concep-  cise our minds on the grand and diversified objects
tionsofthe grandeur of these objectsby every dis-  which the universe exhibits; and in proportion as
covery which has been or may yet be made, and  we enlarge the sphere of our corntemplatlons, in a
by every mode of illustration by which a sublime  similar proportion will our views of God himself
and comprehensive idea of the particular object of  be extended, and a corresponding sentiment.ofve.
contemplation may be obtained. If we would  neration impressed upon the mind. For the soul
wish to acquire some definite, though imperfect,  of man cannot venerate a mere abstract being, that
conception of the physical extent of the universe,  was never manifested through a sensiblb medium,
our minds might be assisted by such illustrations  however many lofty terms may be used to describe
as the following:-Light flies from the sun with  his perfections. It venerates that Ineffable Being,
a velocity of nearly  two hundred thousand  who conceals himself behind the scenes of Creamiles in a moment of time, or, about 1,400,000  tion,throtgh the medium of the visible displays he
times swifter than the motion of a cannon ball:  exhibits of his Power, Wisdom, and Beneficence,
Suppoe that one of the highest order of intelli-  in the Economy of Nature, and in the Records
gences is endowed with a power of rapid motion  of Revelation. Before the universe was formed
superiot to that of light, and with a corresponding  Jehovah existed alone, possessed of every attri



~328                      THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
bute which he now displays. But, had only one    In short, were we habitually to cherish tnag
solitary intelligence been created, and placed in  profound veneration of God which his works are
the infinite void, without a material substratum   calculated to inspire, with what humility wouid
beneath  and around him, he could never have  we approach the presence of this august Being'
been animated with a sentiment of profound ve-  with what emotions of awe would we present
neration for his Creator; because no objects ex-  our adora!ions! and with what reverence would
isted to excite it, or to show that his Invisible  we talk of his inscrutable purposes, and incomMaker was invested with those attributes which  prehensible operations! We would not talk about
he is now known to possess. Accordingly,we find,  him, as some writers have done, with the same
in the sacred writings, that, when a sentimnentof  ease and indifference, as a mathematician would
reverence is demanded from the sons of men,  talk about the properties of a triangle, or a phithose sensible objects which are calculated to  losopher about the effects of a mechanical enexcite the emotion, are uniformly exhibited.  gine; nor would we treat, with a spirit of levity,
" Fear ye not me? saith the Lord.  Will ye not  any of the solelnn declarations of his word, or the
tremble at my presence? who have placed the  mighty movements of his providence. We would
sand for the bound of the sea, by a perpetual de-  be ever ready to join withardour in the sublime decreel that it cannot pass it; and-though the waves  votions of the inspired writers, " Great and marthereof toss themselves, yet they cannot prevail;  vellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty, just
though they roar, yet can they not pass over it."  and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who
" Who would not fear thee, 0 King of nations?  would not fear thee. 0 Lord, and glorify tly name?
Thou art the true God, and an everlasting  Let all the earth fear the Lord, let all the inhaKing.  Thou hast made the earth by thy power,  bitants of the world stand in awe of him."
thou hast established the world by thy wisdom,    Lastly, the views wve have taken of the omthou hast stretched out the heavens by thy discre-  nipotence and gralldeulr of the Deity are calcution. When thou utterest thy voice, there is a  lated to inspire us with HOPE and coNFIxDENCE
noise of waters in the heavens, thou causest the  in the prospect of that eternal existence which
vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth, thou  lies before us.  The period of our existence in
makest lightnings with rain, and bringest forth  this terrestrial scene will soon terminate, and
the winds out of thy treasures."*              those bodies through which we now hold a corre.
But, however enlarged and venerable concep-  spondence with the visible creation, be crumbled
tions of God we may derive from the manifesta-  into dust. The gradual decay, and the ultimate
tions of his power, they must fall infinitely short  dissolution of human bodies, present a scene at
of what is due to a being of boundless perfection.  which reason stands aghast; and, on a cursory
For there may be attributes in the Divine Es-  survey of the chambers of the dead, it is apt to
sence, of which we cannot possibly form  the  exclaim, in the language of despair, " Can these
least conception-attributes which cannot be  dry bones live?"  A thousand difficulties crowd
shadowed forth or represented by any portion of the  upon the mind,which appear repugnant to the idea
material or intellectual world yet discovered by us,. that " beauty shall again spring out of the ashes,
or by all the mighty.,achievements by which hu-  and life out of the dust."  But, when we look
man redemption was effected-attributes which  abroad to the displays of Divine power and intelhave not been yet displayed, in their.effects, to  ligence, in the wide expanse of Creation, we
the highest orders of intelligent existence. And,  perceive that
therefore, as that excellent philosopher and di-         "Almighty God
vine, the honourable Mr. Boyle, has well observ-  Has done much more; nor is his arm impaired
ed-" Our ideas of God, however so great, will  Through length of days. And what he can. he will
His faithfulness stands bound to see it dolne."
rather express the greatness of our veneration,
then the Immensity of.his perfections; and the    We perceive that he has created systems in
notions worthy of the most intelligent men are  such vast profusion, that no man can number
far short of being worthy the incomprehensible  them. The worlds every moment under his suGod-the brightest idea we can frame of God be-  perintendence and direction, are unquestionabl)
ing infinitely inferior, and no more than a Parhe-  far more numerous than all the human beings
liont in respect of the sun; for though that meteor  who have hitherto existed, or will yet exist till
is splendid, and resembles the sun, yet it resides  the close of time. And, if he has 1not only arin a cloudFsnd is not only much beneath the sun  ranged the general features of each of these worlds,
ii distance, but inferior in bigness and splendour."  and established the physical laws, by whichll its
~ Jerem. x. 7-13.                           economy is regulated, but has also arranged the
t A Parhelion or Mock-Sun, is a meteor in the  diversified circumstances, and directs the mirerm of a very brigh t light, appearing on one side of  nutest movements of the myriads of sensitive an
the sun, and somewhat resembling the appearance
of that luminary. This phenomenon is supposed to  intellectual existences it contains,we ought never
be produced by the refraction and reflection of the  for a moment to doubt, that the minutest partiBun's rays from a watery cloud Sometimes three or  cles of ever human body, however wide!y sepafour of these parheliaall of them bearing a certain re-  every human body,
rem )lance to the real sun~have been seen at one time.  rated from each other and mingled with otiex




WISDOM OF THE DEITY                                       2Q
extraneous substances, are known to him whose  vent heat, and the earth, and a.1 the works therepresence pervades all space; and that all the  in be dissolved, yet we, according to his promise,
atoms requisite for the construction of the Re-  look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein
surrection body will be reassembled for this  dwelleth righteousness."
purpose " by the energy of that mighty power,
whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself." If we suppose that a number of human
beings, amounting to three hundred thousand                 SECTION  III.
millions, shall start from the grave into new life,
at the general resurrection, and that the atoms  On the Wisdom and Intelligence of the DEITY.
of each of these bodies are just now under the
special superintendence of the Almighty-and     IN surveying the system  of nature with a
that at least an equal number of worlds are  Christian and a Philosophic eye, it may be conunder his particular care and direction-the ex-  sidered in different points of view. It may be
ertion of power and intelligence, in the former  viewed either as displaying the power and magcase, cannot be supposed to be greater that what  nificence of the Deity in the immense quantity of
is requisite in the latter. To a Being possess-  materials of which it is composed, and in the aued of infinite Power, conjoined with boundless  gust machinery and movements by which its
Intelligence, the superintendence of countless  economy is directed;-or, as manifesting his
atoms, and of countless worlds, is equally easy,  Wisdom in the nice adaptation of every minute
where no contradiction is implied. For as the  circumstance to the end it was intended to acpoet has well observed,-                      complish — or as illustrating his unbounded bene"He summons into being, with like ease,  ficence in the provision which is made for the
A whole creation, and a single grain."   accommodation and happiness of the numerous
And since'this subject tends to strengthen our  tribes of sentient and intelligent beings it conhope of a resurrection from the dead, it is also  tains. Having, in the preceding section, endeacalculated to'inspire us with confidence in the  vured to exhibit some of those objects which
prospect of those eternal scenes which will burst  evince the Omnipotence of Deity, and the pious
upon the view, at the dissolution of all terrestrial  emotions they are calculated to excite, I shall
things. Beyond the period fixed for the con.  now offer a few popular illustrations of Divine
flagration of this world, " a wide and unbounded  Wisdom, as displayed in the arrangements of
prospect lies before us;" and though, at present,  the material world-which shall chiefly be con" shadows, clouds, and darkness rest upon it,"  fined to those objects which are most prominent
yet the boundless magnificence of the Divine  and obvious to the vulgar eye.
empire which science has unfolded, throws a    Wisdom  is that perfection of an intelligent
radiance over the scenes of futurity, which is  agent, by which he is enabled to select and employ
fraught with consolation in the view  of " the  the most proper. means in order to accomplish a
wreck of matter and the crush of worlds."  It  good and important end. It includes the idea of
opens to us a prospect of perpetual improvement  knowledge or intelligence, btit may be distinguishin knowledge and felicity; it presents' a field in  ed from it. Knowledge is opposed to ignorance,
which the human faculties' may be for ever ex-  wisdom is opposed to folly or error in conduct.
panding, for ever contemplating new scenes of  As applied to God, it may be considered as comgrandeur rising to the view, in boundless per-  prehendiring the operations of his Omniscience
spective, through an interminable succession of  and benevolence, or, in other words, his knowexistence.  It convinces us that the happiness  ledge to discern, and his disposition to choose
of the eternal state will not consist in an unva-  those means and ends which are calculated to proried repetition of the same perceptions and enjoy-  mote the order and the happiness of th6 aniverse.
ments, but that new displays of the Creator's    The Wisdom of God is, doubtless, displayed
glory will be continually bursting on the asto-  in every arrangement he has made throughout
nished mind, world without end.  And as we  allthe provinces ofhis immense and eternalkingknow the same beneficence and care which are  dom, however far they may be removed from the
displayed in the arrangement of systems of  sphere of human observation.  But it is only in
worlds, are also displayed in supporting and  those parts of the system of nature which lie open
providing for the smallest microscopic animal-  to our particular investigation, that the traces of
cules, we have no reason to harbour the least  this perfection can be distinctly perceived. The
fear, lest we should be overlooked in the immen-  Heavens declare the glory of God's Wisdom, as
sity of creation, or lost amidst the multiplicity  well as ofhis Power. The planetarysystem —that
of those works among which the Deity is in-  portion of the heavens with which we are best
cessantly employed; for, as he is Omnipresent  acquainted-displays both the mnagnificence and
and Omniscient, his care and influence must ex-  the skill of its Divine Author, in the magnitudes,
tend to every creature he has formed.  There-  distances, revolutions, proportions, and uses of
ltre, though " the elements shall melt with fer-  the various globes of whi'ch it is composed, and it




4O'ITHE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
the diversified apparatus by which light and dark-    The rotation of the several planetary glhbee
ness are alternately distributed.  The sun, an  around their axis, to produce the alternate  uc.
immense luminous world, by far the largest body cession of day and night, strikingly demonstr ttea
in the system, is placed in the centre. No other  the wisdom and benevolence of their great Au-;osition would have suited for an equable distri-  thor.  Were the earth and the other plalletary
aution of illumination and heat through the dif-  worlds destitute of a diurnal motion, only one
ierent parts of the system. Around him, at dif-  half of their surfaces could be inhabited, and the
ferent distances, eleven primary planets revolve,  other halfl' would remain a dark and cheerless
accompanied with eighteen secondaries, or moons,  desert.  The sun woud be the only heavenly orb
-all in majestic order and harmony, no one inter-  which would be recognized by the inhabitants of
rupting the movements of another, but invariably  each respective world,as existing in the universe;
keeping the paths prescribed them, and perform-  and that scene of grandeur which night unfolds
ing their revolutions in their appointed tinles.  in the boundless expanse of the sky, would be
To all these revolving globes, the sun dispenses  for ever veiled from their view. For, it appears
motion, light, heat, fertility, and other unceasing  to be one grand design of the Creator, in giving
energies, for the comfort and happiness of their  these bodies a diurnal motion, not only to cheer
respective inhabitants-without which, perpe.  their inhabitants with light and warmth, and the
tual sterility, eternal winter, and eternal night,  gay colouring produced by the solar rays, but also
would reign over every region of our globe, and  to open to them a prospect of other portions of
throughout surrounding worlds.                 his vast dominions, which are dispersed in endThe distance at which the heavenly bodies,  less variety throughout the illimitable regions of
particularly the sun, are placed from the earth, is  space; in order that they may acquire a more
a manifest evidence of Divine Wisdom. If the  sublime impression of the glory of his kingdom,
sun were much nearer us than he is at present,  and of his eternal Power and Godhead.  But,
the earth, as now constituted, would be wasted  were perpetual day to irradiate the planets, it
and parched with excessive heat; the waters  would throw  an eternal and impenetrable veil
would be turned into vapour, and the rivers, seas,  over the glories of the sky, behind which, the
and oceans, would soon disappear, leaving no-  magnificent operations of Jehovah's power would
thing behind them  but frightful barren dells and  be, in a great measure, concealed. It is this
gloomy caverns; vegetation would completely  circumstance which we should consider as the
cease, and the tribes of animated nature languish  principal reason why a rotatory motion has been
and die. On the other hand, were the sun much  impressed on the planetary globes; and not
farther distant than he now is, or were his bulk,  merely that a curtain of darkness might be
or the influence of his rays, diminished one half  thrown around their inhabitants, during the reof what they now are, the land and the ocean  pose of sleep, as in the world in which we dwell.
would soon become one frozen mass, and univer-  For in some of the other planetary worlds besal desolation and sterility would overspread the  longing to our system, the intelligent beings with
fair face of nature, and, instead of a pleasant and  which they are peopled may stand in no need of
comfortable abode, 6ur globe would become a  that nocturnal repose which is necessary for man;
frightful desert, a state of misery and perpetual  their physical powers may be incapable of being
punishment.*  But herein is the wisdom of God  impaired, and their mental energies may be in
displayed, that he has formed the sun of such a de-  perpetual exercise. And in some ofthose bodies
terminate size, and placed it at such a convenient  which are surrounded with an assemblage of
distance, as not to annoy, but to refresh and  rings and nmoons, as the planet Saturn, the dicheer us, and to enliven the soil with its genial  versified grandeur of their celestial phenomena,
influence; so that we plainly perceive, to use the  in the absence of the sun, may present a scene
language of the prophet, that " He hath esta-  of contempation and enjoyment, far more interest.
blished the world by his wisdom, and stretched  ing than all the splendours of their noon-day.
out the heavens by his understanding."         Besides, had the planets no motion round their
axis, and were both their hemispheres supposed'It forms no objection to these remaris, that calo-  to be peopled with inhabitants, their physical state
ic, or the matter of heat, does not altogether depend  and enjoyments would be as opposite to each
upon the direct influence of the solar rays. The  other, as if th
substance of caloric may be chiefly connected with tey lived under the governent of
the constitution of the globe we in abit. But still,  two distinct independent beings. While the one
it is quite certain that the earth, as presently consti-  class was basking under the splendours of perpetuted, would suffer effects most disastrous to sentient  t  d   
beings, were it removed much nearer to, or much  tual day, the other would be involved in all the
farther from the central luminary. Those planets  horrors of an everlasting night. While the one
watch are removed several hundreds of millions of  hemisphere would be parched with excessive heat
miles farther from the sun than our globe, may possibly experience a decree of heat much greater then  the other would be bound in the fetters of eterfai
ours; but, in this case, the constitution of the solid  ice; and, in such a globe as ours, the' motion of
parts of these globes, and of their surrounding at- the tides the
mospheres, must be very different from what obtains in the physical arrangements of our globe.    of the atmosphere, the course of the winls, tiL




WISDOM OF THE DEITY.                                     31
benign influences of the rains and dews, and a  by the inhabitants of our world.  It is only a
thousand other movements which produce so  few general relations and adaptations that can be.nany salutary and beneficial effects, wold be  distinctly perceived among the orbs of the firmacompletely deranged. Hence we find that in all  ment; though, in so far as we are able to trace
the planetary bodies on which observations can  the purposes which they subserve, the marks
conveniently be made, a rotatory motion actually  of beauty, order, and design are uniformly ap.
exists, in the secondary, as well as in the pri-  parent.  But we are placed at too great a dis.
mary planets, and even in the sun himself, the  tance from the orbs of heaven, to be able to
centre, and the mover of the whole: in which ar-  investigate the particular arrangements which
rangement of the Almighty Creator, the evidences  enter into the physical and moral economy of
of wisdom and design are strikingly apparent.    the celestial worlds. Were we transported to
This amazing scene of Divine workmanship  the surface of the planet Jupiter, and had an
and skill,which the planetary system exhibits, we  opportunity of surveying, at leisure, the regions
nave reason to believe, is multiplied, and diversi-  of that vast globe, and the tribes of sensitive
flied, to an indefinite extent,throughout all the other  and intellectual existence which compose its posystems ofcreation, displaying to the intelligences  pulation-of contemplating the relations of its
of every region, " the manifold wisdom of God."  moons to the pleasure and comfort of its inhaFor there can be no question, that every star  bitants-the constitution of its atmosphere as to
we now behold, either by the naked eye, or by  its reflective and refractive powers, in producing
the help of a telescope, is the centre of a system   a degree of illumination to compensate for the
of planetary worlds, where the agency of God,  great distance of that planet from the sun-its
and his unsearchable wisdom, may be endlessly  adaptation to the functions of animal life-the
varied, and, perhaps, more strikingly displayed  construction of the visual organs of its inhathan even in the system to which we belong.  bitants, and the degree of sensibility they posThese vast globes of light could-never have been  sess corresponding to the quantity of light redesigned merely to shed a few glimmering rays  ceived from  the sun-the temperature of the
on our far-distant world; for the ten-thousandth  surface and atmosphere of this globe correspond.
part of them has never yet been seen by the in-  ing to its distance from the central source of
nabitants of the earth, since the Mosaic creation,  heat, and to the physical constitution of sensitive
except by a few astronomers of the past and the  beings-in short, could we investigate the re.
present age; and the light of many of them, in  lations which inanimate nature, in all its vaall probability, has never yet reached us; and  rieties and sublimities, bears to the necessities
perhaps never will, till the period of " the con-  and the happiness of the animated existences
summation of all terrestrial things."  They were  that traverse its different regions, we should,
not made in vain; for such a supposition would  doubtless, behold a scene of Divine Wisdom and
ne inconsistent with every idea we can form of  intelligence, far more admirable and astonishing
the attributes of a Being of infinite perfection.  that even that which is exhibited in our subluThey were not intended merely to diversify the  nary world. But since it is impossible for us
voids of infinite space with a useless splendour,  to investigate the economy-of other worlds, while
which has no relation to intellectual natures; fot  we are chained down to this terrestrial sphere,
this would give us a most distorted and inconsist-  we must direct our attention to those arrange.
ent idea of the character of Him  who is " the  ments and contrivances in the constitution of out
only-wise God;" and we are told,by an authority  own globe, which lie open to our particular inwhich cannot be questioned, that " by his wis-  spection, in order to perceive more distinctly
dom he made the heavens, and stretched them  the benevolent designs of Him  " in whom we
out by his understanding."  The only rational  live and move, and have our being."  And here
conclusion, therefore, which can be deduced, is  an attentive observer will find, in almost every
that they are destined to distribute illumination  object, when minutely examined, a display of
and splendour, vivifying influence, and happiness,  goodness and intelligence, which will constrain
among incalculable-numbers of intelligent beings,  him to exclaim, " Oh the depth ofthe riches both
of various degrees of physical, moral, and intel-  of the wisdom and the knowledge of God."
aectual excellence. And, wherever the Creator    Wisdom, considered as consisting in. con.
ras exerted his Almighty energies in the produc-  trivance, or the selection of the most proper
tion of sensitive and intellectual natures, we may  means in order to accomplish an important end,
rest assured, that there also his infinite wisdom   may be exemplified and illustrated in a variety
and intelligence, in an endless variety of arrange-  of familiar objects in the scene of nature.
ments, contrivances, and adaptations, are unceas-    The earth on which we tread was evidently
ingly displayed.                              intended by the Creator to support man and other
But after all, whatever evidences of contri-  animals, along with their habitations; and tofurvance and design the celestial globes may ex-  nish those vegetable productions which are nehibit, it is not in the heavens'that the most cessary for their subsistence; and, accordingiv.
striking displays of Divine wisdom can be traced  he has given it that exact degree of consistenuc




32                      THE CHRISTIAN PHI,OSOPHER.
whi:h is requisite eir these purposes. Were it  All these circumstances demonstrate the consurn.
nuch harder than it now is; were it, for exam-  mate wisdom of the Great Architect of nature,
ule, as dense as a rock, it would be incapable of  and lead us to conclude, that mountains, so far
cultivation, and vegetables could not be produced  from being rude excrescences of nature, as some.tom its surface. Were it softer, it would be in-  have asserted, form an essential part in the consufficient to support us, and we should sink at  stitution, not only of our globe, but of all habitaevery step, like a person walking in a quagmire.  ble worlds. And this conclusion is confirmed, so
Had this circumstance not been attended to in its  far as our observation extends, with regard to the
formation, the earth would have been rendered  moon, and several of the planetary bodies which
useless as a habitable world, for all those animated  belong to our system, whose surfaces are found
beings which now traverse its surface.  The ex-  to -be diversified by sublime ramifications of
act adjustment of the solid parts of our globe to  mountain scenery,; which circumstance forms
the nature -and necessities of the beings which  one collateral proof, among many others,that they
inhabit it, is, therefore, an instance and an evi-  are the abodes of sentient and intellectual beings.
dence of Wisdom.                               Again, the colouring which is spread over the
The diversity of surface which it every where  face of nature indicates the wisdom of the Deity.
presents, in the mountains and vales with which  It is essential to the present mode of our existit-is variegated, indicates the same benevolent  ence, and  it was evidently intended by the
contrivance and design. If the earth were di-  Creator, that we should be enabled easily to
vested of its mountains, and its surface every  recognize the forms and properties of the various
where uniformly smooth, there would be no rivers,  objects with which, we are surrounded. But:springs, or- fountains; for water can flow only  were the objects of nature destitute of colour, or
from a higher to a lower place; the vegetable  were the same unvaried hue spread over the
tribes would droop and languish; man and other  face ofcreation, we should be destitute of all the
animals would be deprived of what is necessary  entertainments of vision, and be at a loss to disfor their existence and comfort; we should be  tinguish one object from another. We should
destitute of many useful stones, minerals, plants,  be unable.to distinguish rugged precipices from
and trees, which are now produced on the sur-. fruitful hills; naked rocks from human habitaltce, and in the interior of mountains; the sea itself  tions; the trees from  the hills that bear them,
wvould become a stagnant marsh, or overflow the. and the tilled from the untilled lands. " We
land; and the whole surface of nature in our ter-  should hesitate to pronounce whether an adjarestrial sphere would present an unvaried scene  cent enclosure contained a piece of pasturage,
of-dull uniformity. Those picturesque and sub-  a plot of arable. land, or a field of corn; and it
-;ime:scenes which fire the imagination of the  would require a little journey, and a minute in-'poet, and which render mountainous districts so  vestigation, to determine such a point. We
pleasing to the philosophic traveller, would be -could not determine whether the first person we
completely withdrawn; and all around, when corn-  met were a solder in his regimentals, or a swain
pared with such diversified landscapes, would ap-  in his Sunday suit; a bride in her ornaments,
pear as fatiguing to the eye as the vast solitudes  -or a widow in her weeds."  Such would have
of the Arabian deserts, or the dull monotony of  been the. aspect of nature, and such the inconthe ocean. But in consequence of the admirable  veniences to which we should have been sublectdistribution of hills and mountains over the sur-  ed, had God allowed us light, without the disface of our globe,  a variety: of useful and orna-  tinction ofcolours. We could have distinguished
mental effects is produced. Their lofty summits  objects only by intricate trains of reasoning, and
are destined by providence to arrest the vapours  by circumstances of time, place, and relative
which float in the regions of the air;.their inter-  position. And, to what delays and perplexities
nal cavities form so many spacious basins for the  should, we. have. been reduced, had we been
reception of waters distilled from the clouds; they  obliged every moment to distinguish one thing
are the original sources of springs and rivers,  from. another by reasoning! Our whole life
which water and fertilize the earth; they form   must then have been employed rather in study
immense, magazines, in which are deposited  than in action; and, after all, we must have restones, metals, and minerals, which are of so  mained in eternal uncertainty as to many things
essential service in the~arts that promote the com-  which are, now quite obvious to every one as
fort of human life; they serve for the production  soon as he opens his eyes.  We could neither
of a vast variety of herbs and trees; they arrest  have communicated our thoughts by writing,
the progress of storms and tempests; they afford  nor have derived instruction from others through
shelter and entertainment to various animals  the medium of books: so that we should now
which minister to the wants of mankind: in a  have been almost as ignorant of the transactions
word, they adorn and embellish the face of na   of past ages, as we are of the events which are
tore-they form thousands of sublime and beau-  passing in the  planetary worlds; and, conse.',ful landscapes, and afford from their summnits  quently, we could never have enjoyed a written
-no Lmost delightful prospects of the plains below.  revelation from heaven, nor any other infallible




WISDOM OF THE DEITY.                                        33'guide to direct us in the path to happiness, is  waters, we, shall perceive similar traces (I the
the Almighty had not distinguished the rays of  exquisite wisdom and-skill of the Author of nature.
light, and painted the objects around us with a   Water is one of the most essential elementary
diversityofcolours,-sc essentially connected are  parts.in the constitution of our globe, without
the minvtest, and the most magnificent workls  which the various tribes of beings which now
of Deity. But now, in the present constitution  people it could not exist. It supplies anecessary
of things, colour characterizes the class to which  beverage to man, and to all the animals that peoevery individuQa belongs, and indicates, upon the  ple the earth and the air. It forms a solvent for
first inspection, its respective quality.  Every  a great variety of solid bodies; it is the element
object wears its peculiar -livery, and has a dis-  in which an infinitude of organized beings pass
tinguishing mark by which it is characterized.   their existence; it acts an important part in conThe different hues which are spread over the  veying life and nourishment to all the tribes of
scenery of the world, are also highly ornamental  the vegetable kingdom, and gives salubrity to the
to the face of nature, and afford a variety of  atmospherical regions.  Collected' in immense
pleasures to the e e and the imagination.  It  masses in the basins of the sea, it serves as a
is this circumstance which adds a charm t.o the  vehicle for ships,. and as a medium of communi
fields, the valleys, and the hills, the lofty moun-  cation between people of the most distant lanas.
tain, the winding river, and the expansive lake; Carried: along with a progressive motion over the
and which gives a splendour and' sublimity to the  beds of streams and of rivers, it.gives a brisk imcapacious vault of heaven.  Colour is, therefore,  pulse. to the air, and prevents the unwholesome
an essential requisite to every world: inhabited  stagnation of vapours; it receives the filth of po.
by sensitivebeings; and we know, that provision.phlous: cities, and rids them of a thousand nui
has bees made for diffusing it throughout all the  sances. Byits impulsion it becomes.the. move:
globes which may exist in the distant regions  of a multitude of machines; and,; when: rarefied
which our telescopes have penetrated; for the  into steam, it is transformed into one of the nmost
light which radiates from the most distant stars  powerful and useful agents under.the dominion of
is capable of being separated into the prismatic  man. All which beneficial effects entirely depend
colours, similar to those which are produced by  on the exact degree ofdensity, or specific gravity,
the solar rays; which fuirnishes a presumptive  which the. Creator has given to its. constituent
proof that thay are intended to accomplish.de- -parts. Had it been much more rarified than it
signs in their respective spheres analogous to..is, itmwould have been altogether.unfit.to answer
those which -light subserves in our terrestrial  the purposes now specified; the, whole face of
habitation-or, in other words, that they are des- -the earth would have been a dry and barren waste;
tined to convey to the minds of sentient beings,  vegetable nature could not have been nourished'
impressions of light and colour, and consequent-  our floating edifices could not have been supportly, beings susceptible of such impressions must  ed; the lightest bodies would.have sunk, and ali
reside within the sphere, or more immediate  regular intercourse with distant nations.would
influence of these far-distant orbs.           have been prevented. On the other hand, had its
The same benevolent design is apparent in the  parts been much denser than they are; for.examgeswral colour which prevails throughout the scene  ple, had: they been of the consistency of athip,
of sublunary nature. Had the fields been clothed:jelly, similar disastrous effects would have inwith hues of a deep red, or a brilliant white, the.evitablyfollowed; no ships could have ploughed
eye would have been dazzled with the splendour  -the ocean'; no. refreshing beverage. would.have
of their aspect. Had a dark-blue or a black  been supplied to the animal tribes; the absorbent
colour generally prevailed, it would have east -a vessels of.trees, herbs,.and flowers would have
universal gloom over the face of nature.  But an'been unable to imbibe, the moisture requisite for
agreeable green holds the medium between these  their nourishment; and we should thus have been
two extremes, equally remote from a dismal gloom   deprived of all the beneficial effects we now derive
and excessive splendour, and bears such aerelation  from the use of that liquid element, and of all the
to the structure of the eve, that it refreshes, in-  diversified scener7 of the vegetable world. But
stead of tiring it, and stupports,- instead of dimi-  the configuration and consistency of its parts.are
nishing its foree. At the same time, though one  Iso nicely adjusted to the constitution of the other
general colour prevails over the landscape'of the:elements, and to the wants of the sensitive and
earth, it is diversified by an admirable variety of  vegetable-tribes, as' exactly to subserve the ends
shades, so that every individual object in the  tIntended in-the-system of nature.
vegetable world can he accutrately distinguished  Water has been ascertained to be a compound
from  another; ths producing a beautifuil and  body formed by the union of two different kinds
variegated appearance over the whole scenery  of air-oxygen and hydrogen.  It has the proof nature.  "Who sees not in all these things  perty of becoming, in certain cases, mach lighter
that the hand of the Lord hath wroulght this?"  than air; though, in its natural liquid state, it is
If from the earth we turn our attention to the  800 times heavier than that fluid; and has also
5




34                       THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
tile property of afterwards resuming its natural  by arranging all things, in number, weight Ad
weight. WVere it not for this property, evaporau   measure, to subserve the beneficial ends ftir
tion could not be produced; and, consequently, no  which they were ordained.  " He callseth the
clouds, rain, nor dew, could be formed, to. water  vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth.
and fertilize the different regions of the earth.  he sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run
But, in consequence of this wonderful property,  among the hills. They give drink to every beast
the ocean becomes an inexhaustible cistern to our  of the field; the wild asses quench their thirst.
world.  From its expansive surface are exhaled  By them  the fowls of heaven are refreshed,
those vapours which supply the rivers, and nourish  which sing among the branches. He watereth
the vegetable productions of every land. " The  the hills from his chambers, and the earth is saair and the sun," says an elegant writer, " con-  tisfied with the the fruit of his works."
stitute the mighty engine which works without   Let us now attend to the atmosphere, in the conintermission to raise the liquid treasure; while  stitution of which the wisdom of God isno less conthe clouds serve as so many aqueducts to convey  spicuous than in the other departments of nature.
them along the atmosphere, and distribute them,    The atmosphere is one of the most essential
at seasonable periods, and in regular proportions,  appendages to the globe we inhabit, and exhibits
through all the regions of the globe."       a most striking scene of Divine skill and omniNotwithstanding the properties now stated,  potence. The term atmosphere is applied to the
motion was still requisite, to ensure all the advan-  whole mass of fluids, consisting of air, vapours,
tages we now derive from the liquid element.  electric fluid, and other natters, which surround
Had the whole mass of waters been in a stag-  the earth to a certain height.  This mass of
nant state, a thousand inconveniences and dis-  fluid matter gravitates to the earth, revolves with
astrous consequences would have inevitably en-  it in its diurnal rotation, and is carried along
sued. But the All-wise Creator has impressed  with it in its course round the sun every year.
upon its various masses a circulating motion,  It has been computed to extend about 45 miles
which preserves its purity, and widely extends  above the earth's surface, and it presses on the
its beneficial influence.  The rills pour their  earth with a force proportioned to its height and
liquid stores into the rivers; the rivers roll their  density. From  experiments made by the bawatery treasures into the ocean; the waters of  rometer, it has been ascertained, that it presses
the ocean, by alibratory motion, roll backwards  with a weight of about 15 pounds on every
and forwards every twelve hours, and, by means  square inch of the earth's surface; and, therefore,
of currents, and the force of winds, are kept in  its pressure on the body of a middle-sized man, is
constant agitation. By the solar heat, a portion  equal to about 32,000 lbs. or 14 tons avoirdupois,
of these waters is carried up into the atmosphere,  a pressure which would be insupportable, and
and, in the form of clouds, is conveyed by the  even fatal, were it not equal in every part, and
winds over various regions; till, at last, it de-  counterbalanced by the spring of the air within
scends in rain and dew, to supply the springs  us. The pressure of the whole atmospherep" which run among the hills."  So that there is  on the earth, is computed to be equivalent to
a constant motion and circulation of the watery  that of a globe of lead 60 miles in diameter, or
element, that it may serve as an agent for carry-  about 5,000,000,000,000,000 tons; that is, the
ing forward the various processes of nature, and  whole mass of air which surrounds the globe,
for ministering to the wants of man and beast.  compresses the earth with a force or power equal
In fine, were the waters in a state of perpe- ~to that of five thousand millions of millions of
tual stagnation, the filth of populous cities would  tons. *   This amazing  pressure is however,
be accumulated to a most unwholesome degree;  essentially necessary for the preservation of the
the air would be filled with putrid exhalations;  present constitution of our globe, and of the aniand the vegetable tribes would languish and die.  mated beings which dwell on its surface. It
Were they deprived of the property of being  prevents the heat of the sun from  converting
evaporated, (in which state they occupj a space  water, and all other fluids on the face of the earth,
1400 times greater than in their liquid state,)  into vapour; and preserves the vessels of all orga.
rain and dew could never be produced, and the  nized beings in due tone and vigour. Were the
earth would be turned into " a dry and parched  atmospherical pressure entirely  removed, the
wilderness;" neither grass nor corn could be  elastic fluids contained in the finer vessels of
sufficiently dried to lay up for use; our clothes,  men and other animals, would inevitably burst
when washed, could never be dried; and a variety  them, and life would become extinct;t and most
of common operations, which now conduce to
our convenience and comfort, could never be    * See Appendix, No. 11.
carried on.  But the infinite wisdom of the    t The necessity of the atmospherical pressure, for
carried on.  But the infinite wisdom of the  the comfort and preservation of animal life, might
Creator, foreseeing all the effects which can  be illustrated by the effects experieniced by those
possibly arise from these principles of nature,  whohave ascended to the stlmmlts of very higb
mountains, or who have been carrier' to a great
has effectually provided against such disasters,  height above the surface of the eartf in balloosr




WISDOM OF THE DEITY.                                        35
of the substances on the face of the earth, par-  gen gas, and if an animal be plunged into it, it is
ticularly liquids, would be dissipated into vapour.  instantly suffocated.
The atmosphere is now ascertained to be a    Again, not only the extraction of any or.e of
compound substance, formed of two very differ-  the component parts of the atmosphere, or the
ent ingredients, termed oxygen and  nitrogen  alteration oftheir respective proportions, bult even
gas.  Of 100 measures of atmospheric air, 21  the slightest increase or diminution of their spe
are oxygen, and 79 nitrogen.  Theone, namely,  eifc gravity, would be attended with the moss
oxygen, is the principle of combustion, and the  disastrous effects.  The nitrogen is found to be a
vehicle of heat, and is absolutely necessray for  little lighter than common air, which enables it
the support of animal life, and is the most pow-  to rise towards the higher regions of the atmoerful and energetic agent in nature.  The other  sphere.  In breathing, the air which is evolved
is altogether intcapable ofsupporting either flame  from  the lungs, at every expiration, consists
or animal life. Were we to breathe oxygen air,  chiefly of nitrogen, which is entirely unfit to be'vithout any mixture or alloy, our animal spirits  breathed again, and therefore rises above our
would be raised, and the fluids in our bndies  heads before the next inspiration.-Now, had
would circulate with greater rapidity; but we  nitrogen, instead of being a little lighter, been a
should soon infallibly perish by the rapid and  slight degree heavier than common air, or of the
unnatural accumulation of heat in the animal  same specific gravity, itwould have accumulated
frame.  If the nitrogen were extracted from the  on the surface of the earth, and particularly in
air, and the whole atmosphere contained nothing  our apartments, to such a degree as to have probut oxygen, or vital air, combustion would not  dtuced diseases, pestilence, and death, in rapid
proceed in that gradual manner which it now   succession.  But being a little lighter than the
does, but with the most dreadful and irresistible  surrounding air, it flies upwards, and we never
rapidity: not only wood and coals, and other  breathe it again, till it enters into new and salusubstances now used for fuel, but even stones,  tary combinations. Such is the benevolent skili
iron, and other metallic substances, would blaze  which the Author of Nature has displayed, for
with a rapidity which would carry destruction  promnoting the comfort and preservation of every
through the whole expanse of nature.  If even  thing that lives.*
the proportions of the two airs were materially  Farther, were the air coloured, or were its paraltered: a variety of pernicious effects would in-  tides much larger than they are, we could never
stantly be produced. If the oxygen were less  obtain a distinct view of any other object. The
in quantity then it now is, fire would lose its  exhalations which rise from  the earth, being
strength, candles would not diffuse a sufficient  rendered visible, would disfigure the rich landlight, and animals would perform their vital func-  scape ofthe universe, and render life disagreeable.
tions with the utmost difficulty and pain.  On  But the' lmighty, by rendering the air invisible,
the other hand, ware the nitrogen diminished,  has enable. us not only to take a delightfil and
and the oxygen increased, the air taken in by re-  distinct survey of the objects that surround us, but
spiration would be more stimulant, and the cir-  has veiled from our view the gross humours incesculation of the animal fluids would become ac-  santly perspired from animal bodies, the filth excelerated; but the tone of the vessels thus sti-  haled from kitchens, streets, and sewers,and every
mulated to increased action would be destroyed  other object that would excite disgust. Again,
by too great an excitement, and the body would  were the different portions of the atmosphere cominevitably waste and decay. Again, were the  pletely stationary, and not susceptible of agitation,
oxygen completely extracted from the atmosphere,
and nothing but nitrogen remained, fire and flame    ^ The necessity of atmospherical air for the sup.
would be extinguished, and instant destruction  port of life, was strikingly exemplified in the fate
would be carried throughout all the departments  of the unhappy men who died in the Bklek-hole of
Calcutta. On the 20th of June, 1756, about 8 o'clock
of vegetable and animated nature. For a lighted  in the evening, 14G men were forced, at the point of
taper will not burn for a single moment in nitro-  the bayonet, into a dungeon only 18 feet square.
They had been but a few minutes confined in this
infernal prison, before every one fell into a perAcosta, in his relation of a journey among the moun-  spiration so profuse, that no idea can be formed of
tains of Peru, states, that "he and his companions  it. This broughton a raging thirst, the most difficult
were surprised with such extreme pangs of stsin-  respiration, and an outrageous delirium. Such was
ing and vomiting, not without casting up of blood  the horror of thenh situation, that every insult that'
too, and with so violent a distemper, that they would  could be devised against the guard without, a;:.i all
undoubtedly have died had they remained two or  the opprobrious names that the Viceroy and his
three hours longer in that elevated situation." Count  officers could be loaded with, were repeated, to proZa.mbeccari, and his companions, who ascended in  voke the guard to fire upon them, and terminatetheir
a balloon, oin the 7th of November, 1783, to a great  sufferings. Before 11 o'clock the same evening, one,
height, found their hands and feet so swelled, that  third of the men were dead; and before 6 next
it was necessary for a surgeon to make incisions  morning, only 23 came out alive, but most of them
In the skin. In both the cases now stated, the per-  in a high putrid fever.  All these dreadful effects
sons ascended to so great a height that the pressure  were occasioned by the want of atmospheric air, and
of the atmosphere was not sufficient to counter-  by their breathing a superabundant quantity of the
balance the pressure of the fluids of the body.  nitrogen emitted from their lungs.
35




S6                      THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
all nature would soon be thrown into confu-  are the cement of society. It transmits to our earsn
sion. The vapours which are exhaledfrom the sea  all the harmonies of music, and expresses every
by the heat of the sun would be stfspended, and  passion of the soul: it swells the notes of the
reniain for ever fixed over those places from   nightingale, and distributes alike to every ear the
whence they arose. For want of this agitation  pleasures which arise from the harmonious sounds
of the air, which now scatters and disperses the  of a concert. It produces the blue colour of the sky,
clouds over every region, the sun would con-  and is the cause of the morning and evening twistantly scorch some districts, and be for ever hid  light, by its property of bending the rays of light,
from others; the balance of nature would be de-  and reflecting them in all directions. It forms an
stroyed;navigation would be useless, and we could  essential requisite for carrying on all the pro.
no longer enjoy the productions of different cli-  cesses of the vegetable kingdom, and serves for
mates. In fine, were the atmosphere capable of the production of clouds, rain, and dew, which
being frozen, or converted into a solid mass, as  nourish and fertilize the earth. In short, it would
all other fluids are, (and we know no reason why  be impossible to enumerate all the advantages we
it should not be subject to congelation, but the  derive from this noble appendage to our world,
will ofthe Creator,) the lives of every animal in  Were the earth divested of its atmosphere, or
the air, the waters, and the earth, would, in a  were only two or three of its properties changed
few moments, be completely extinguished. But  or destroyed, it would be left altogether unfit for
the admirable adjustment of every circumstance,  the habitation of sentient beings. Were it diin relation to this useful element, produces all the  vested of its undulating quality, we should be debeneficial effects which we now experience, and  prived of all the advantages of speech and constrikingly demonstrates, that the intelligent Con-  versation-of all the melody ofthe feathered song.
triver of all things is " wonderful in counsel, and  sters, and of all the pleasures of music; and, like
excellent in working."                        the deaf and dumb, we could have no power of
From the instances now stated, we may plainly  communicating our thoughts but by'visible signs.
perceive, that if the Almighty had not a particular  Were it deprived of its reflective powers, the sun
regard to the happiness of his intelligent offspring,  would appear in one part of the sky of a daz.
and to the comfort of every animated existence; zling brightness, while all around would appear as
or, if he wished to inflict summary punishment  dark as midnight, and the stars would be visible at
-on a wicked world, he could easily effect, by a  noon-day. Were it deprived of its refractive
very slight change in the constitution of the at-  powers, instead of the gradual approach of the
mosphere, the entire destruction of the human  day and the night which we now experience, at
race, and the entire conflagration of the great  sunrise, we should be transported all at once from
globe they inhabith-throughout all its elementary  midnight darkness to the splendour of noon-day
Tregions. He has only to extract r.e of its con-  and, at sunset, should make a sudden transition
istituent parts, and the grand catastrophe is at  fromnt the splendours of day to all the horrors of,once accomplished. With what a striking pro-  midnight, which would bewilder the traveller in
priety and emphasis, then, do the inspired wri-  his journey, and strike the creation with amaze-,ters declare, that, " In Him we live, and move,  ment. In fine, were the oxygen of the atmos..and have our being;" and that ", in His hand is: phere completely: extracted, destruction would;the soul of every living thing, and the breath of  seize on all the tribes of the living world, through-..all mankind!"                                out every region of earth, air, and sea.
A great variety of other admirable properties    Omitting at present the consideration of an inis possessed by the atmosphere, of which I shall  definite variety ofother particulars, which suggest:briefly notice only the following:-It is the ve-  themselves on this subject, I shall just notice one,hicle of smells,, by which we become acquainted  circumstance more, which has a relation both to
with the qualities of the food which is set before. the waters and to the atmosphere. It is a well-'.us, and learn to avoid those places which are  known law of nature, that all bodies are expanded,damp, unwholesome, and dangerous.  It is the  by heat, and contracted by cold. There is only
medium of sounds, by means ofwhich knowledge  one exception to this law which exists in the
is ronveyed to our minds. Its undulations, like  economy of our globe,. and that is, the expansion
so many couriers, run for ever backwards and  of water, in the act of freezing. While the'forwards, to convey our tiloughts to others, and  parft of every other body are reduced in bulk,
*theirs to us; and to bring news of transactions  and their specific gravity increased by the appli.'whichfrequently occur at aconsiderable distance.  cation of cold; water, on the contrary, when
A few strokes on a large bell, through the minis-  congealed into. ice, is increased in bulk, and be-'tration of the air, will convey signals of distress,  comes of a less specific gravity than the surround.
or of joy, in a quarter of a minute, to the popula-  ing water, and, therefore, swims upon its surface
lion of a city containing a hundred thousand in-  Now, had the case been otherwise: had water,,habitants. So that the air may De considered' when deprived of a portion of its heat, followed
as the conveyer of the thoughts of mankind, which  the general law of nature, and, like all other




WISDOM OF THE DEITY.                                       37
bodies, become specifically heavier than it was  which are to be seen in the Muse-lm at Paris,
before, the present constitution of nature would  show, that botanists are already acquainted with
hay- been materially deranged, and many of our  nearly fifty-six thousand  different' species of
present'comforts, and even our very existence,  plants.* And yet, it is probable, that these form
would have been endangered. At whatever time  but a very small portion of what actually exist,
the temperature of the atmosphere became reduced  and that several hundreds of thousands of speto 320 of the common thermometer, or to what is  cies remain to be explored by the industry of
called the fieezing point, the water on the surface  filtiu're ages.  For, by far the greater part of the
of our rivers and lakes would have been convert-  vegetable world still remains to be surveyed by
ed into a layer of ice; this layer would have sunk  the scientific botanist. Of the numerous tribes
to the bottom as it froze; another layer of ice  of vegetable nature which flourish in the intewould have been immediately produced, which  rior of Africa and America, in the immense
would also have sunk to the former layer, and so  islands of New Holland, New Guinea, Borneo,
on in succession, till, in the course oftirre, all our  Sulmatra,  Java, Ceylon,  Madagascar, and
rivers from the surface to the bottom, and every  Japan; in the vast regions of Tartary, Thibet,
other portion of water, capable of being frozen,  Siberia, and the Burman empire; in the Philipwould have been converted into solid masses of  pines, the Moluccas, the Ladronas, the Caroliice, which all the heat of summer could never  nas, the Marquesas, the Society, the Georgian,
have melted. We should have been deprived of  and in thousands of other islands which are scatmost of the advantages we now derive from the  tered over the Indian and Pacific oceans-little or
liquid element, and, in a short time, the face of nothing is known by the naturaists of Europe,
nature would have been transformed into a frozen  and yet it is a fact which admits of no dispute,
chaos. But in the existing constitution of things,  that every country hitherto explored produces a
all such dismal effects are prevented, in con-  variety of species of plants peculiar to itself; and
sequence of the Creator having subjected the  those districts in Europe which have been frewaters to a law contrary to that of other fluids,  quently surveyed, present to every succeeding
by means of which the frozen water swims upon  explorer a new field of investigation, and reward
the surface, and prevents the cold from':pene-  his industry with new discoveries of the beauties
trating to any great depth in the subjacent fluid;  and varieties of the vegetable kingdom. It has
and when the heat of the atmosphere is increased,  been conjectured by some naturalists, on the
is exposed to its genial influence, and is quickly  ground  of a multitude of observations, that
changed into its former liquid state. How ad-c "there is not a square league of earth, but what
mirably, then, does this exception to the general  presents some one plant peculiar to itself, or, at
law  of nature display the infinite intelligence  least, which thrives there better, or appears nore
of the Great Contriver of all things,, and his  beautiful than in any other part of the world."
providential care for the comfort of his creatures,  This would make the number of species of vege.when he arranged and established the economy  tables to amount to as many millions as there are
of nature!                                     of square leagues on the surface of the earth.
Variety l~f Nature.                 Now, every one of these species of plants
differs from another, in its size, structure, form,
As a striking evidence of Divine Intrelligence,  flowers,. leaves, fi'uits, mode of propagation, colour,
we may next consider the immense variety which  medicinal virtues, nutritious qualities, internal
the Creator has introduced into every department  vessels, and the odours it exhales. They are of
of the material woorld.                        all sizes, from the microscopic mushroom, inviIn every region on the surface of the globe, an  sible to the naked eye, to the sturdy oak, and the
endless multiplicity of objects, all differing from   cedar of Lebanon, and from the slender willow
one another in shape, colour, and motion, present  to the banian  tree, under whose shade 7000
themselves to the view of the beholder  Moun-  persons may find ample room  to repose. A
tains covered with forests, hills clothed wll... er-  thousand different shades of colour distinguish
dure, spacious plains adorned with vineyards,  the different species. Everyone wears its peorchards, and waving grain; naked rocks, abrupt  culiar livery, and is distinguished by its own naprecipices, extended vales, deep dells, meandering  tive hues; and many of their inherent beauties
rivers, roaring cataracts, brooks and rills; lakes  can be distinguished only by the help of the miand gulfs, bays and promontories, seas and oceans,  croscope.  Some grow upright, others creep
caverns and grottoes —meet the eye of the student  along in a serpentine form. Some flourish for
of Nature, in every country, with a variety which  ages, others wither and decay in a few months';
is at once beautifill and majestic.  Nothing can  some spring up in moist, others in dry soils;
exceed the variety of the vegetable kingdom,  some turn towards the sun, others shrink and
which pervades all climates, and almost every
portion of the dry iand, and of the bed of the ocean.   ~ Edinburgh Philosophical Journal. July, 1822;The immense collections of Natural History  p. 48.




38                        THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
contract when we approach to touch them. Not  downwards to those invisible animalcula, a hurs
only are the different species of plants and  dred thousand of whicn would not equal a grain
flowers distinguished from each other, by their  of sand. Srome fly through the atmosphere, somn
ditrfferent forms, but even the different individuals glide through the waters, others traverse the solid
of the same species. In a bed of tulips or car-  land. Some walk on two, some on four, some
nations, for example, there is scarcely a flower  on twenty, and some on a hundred feet. Some
in which some difference may not be observed  have eyes furnished with two, some with  eight,
in its structure, size, or assemblage of colours;  some with.a  hundred, and soile with eight
nor can any two flowers be found in which the  thousand distinct transparent globes, for the paur
shape and shades are exactly similar. Of all the  pose of vision.*
nundred thousand millions of plants, trees, herbs,    Our astonishment at the variety which appears
and flowers, with which our globe is variegated,  in the animal kingdom  is still farther increased
there are not, perhaps, two individuals precisely  when we consider not only the diversities which
alike, in every point of view in which they may  are apparent in their external aspect, but also in
be contemplated; yea, there is not, perhaps, a  their internal structure and organization.  When
single leaf in the forest, when minutely examin-  we reflect on the thousands of movements, adjusted, that will not be found to differ, in certain  ments, adaptations, and compensations, which
aspects, from its fellows. Such is the wonderful  are requisite in order to the construction of an
and infinite diversity with which the Creator has  animal system, for enabling it to perform its inadorned the vegetable kingdom.                 tended functions;-when we consider, that every
His wisdom is also evidently displayed in this  species of animals has a system of organization
vast profusion of vegetable nature-in adapting  peculiar to itself, consisting ofbones, joints, blood.
each plant to the soil and situation in which it  vessels, and muscular motions, differing in a
e is destined to flourish-in furnishing it with those  variety of respects from those of any other spevessels by which it absorbs the air and moisnture  cies, and exactly adapted to its various necession which it feeds-and in adapting it to the na-  ties and modes of existence; and when we conture and necessities of animated beings. As the  sider, still farther, the incomprehensibly delicate
earth teems with animated existence, and as the  contrivances, and exquisite borings, polishings,
different tribes of animals depend chiefly on the  claspings, and adaptations, which enter into the
productions of the vegetable kingdom for their  organization of an animated being ten thousand
subsistence, so there is an abundance and a variety of plants adapted to the peculiar constitutions    ~ The eyes of beetles, silk-worms, flies, and seof every individual species. This circumstance  veral other kinds of insects, are among the most
demonstrates, that there is a precontrived rela-  curious and wonderful productions of the God of
Nature. On the head of a fly are two large protion and fitness between the internal constitution  tuberances, one on each side; these constitute its
of the animal, and the nature of the plants which  organs of vision.'The whole surface of these pro
tuberances is covered with a multitude of small
afford it nourishment; and shows us, that the anl-  hemispheres placed with the utmost regularity, in
mal and vegetable kingdoms are the workmanship  rows, crossing each other in a kind of lattice
of one and the same Almi~ghty Being, and that, "work. These little hemispheres have each of them a
minute transparent convex lens in the middle, each
in his arrangements with regard to the one, he had  of which has a distinct branch of the optic nerve
inview the necessities of the other.           ministering toit; soathat the different lenses may
bhen we direct our attention to the tribes of   e considered as so many distinct eyes. Mr. LeeuWhen we direct our attention to the tribes of  wenhoek counted 6235 in the two eyes of a silk.
animated nature, we behold a scene no less va-  worm, when in its fly state; 3180 in each eye of the
riegated and astonishing. Above fifty thousand  heetle; and 8000 in the two eyes of a comnnlsfly.
species of animals have been detected and de-  Mr. Hook reckoned 14,000 in the eyes of a drone
species o nimlshav benetctea.fly; and, in one of the eyes of a dr'agon fly there
scribed by naturalists, besides several thousands  have been reckoned 13,500 of these lenses, and, conof species which the naked eye cannot discern,  sequently, in both eyes,27,000, every one of which
is capable of forming a distinct image of any object,
and which people the invisible regions of the  in the samp mnanner as a common convex glass; so
waters and the air. And, as tLe greater part of  that tlh'-p  re 27,000 images formed on the retina
the globe has never yet been thoroughly explor-  of thlb little animal. Mr. Leeuwenhoek having
e gloe  as never yet been thoroughly explor prepared the eye of a fly for the purpose, placed
ed, several hundreds, if not thousands, of species  it a little farther from his microscope than when
unknown to the scientific world may exist in the  he would examine an object, so as to leave a proper
local distance between it and the lens of his micro
depths of the ocean, and in the unexplored regions  scope; and then looked through both, in the manner
of the land.  All these species differ from  one  of a telescope, at the steeple of the church, which
another in colour, size, and shape; in the inter-  was 29sfeet high, and 755 feet distant, and could
plainly see through every little lens, the whole
nal structure of their bodies, in the number of  steeple inverted, though not larger than the point
their sensitive organs, limbs, feet, joints, claws,  of a fine needle: and then directing it to a neighwings, and fins; in their dispsitions, faculties,  bouring house, saw  through many of these little
hemispheres, not only the fron' of the house, but alsa
movements, and modes of subsistence.  They  the doors and windows, and could discer'ndistinctly
are of all sizes, from the mite and the gnat,',p to  whether the windows w    open or shut. Such an
fh~a~etephat''n~ trexquisite piece of Divine mnehanism transcends al
thw elephant and the-whale, and from  the mite  human comprehension.




WISDOM OF THE DEITY.                                       s9
times less than a mite; and that the different  view to the vegetable or the animal trilbes, to the
species of those animals are likewise all differ-  atmosphere, the ocean, the mountains, the plains.
ently organized from one another,-we cannot  or the subterranean recesses of the globe, we bebut be struck with reverence and astonishment, at  hold a scene of beauty, order, and variety, whichl
the Intelligence of that Incomprehensible Being  astonishes  and enraptures the contemplative
who arranged the organs of all the tribes of anit  mind, and constrains us to join in the devout exmated nature, who " breathed into them the breath  clamations of the Psalmist, " How manifold are
of life," and who continually upholds them in all  th3y works, 0 Lord! In wisdom hast thou made
their movements!                              them all, the earth is full of thy riches; so is the
Could we descend into the subterraneous apart-  great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping,
ments of the globe, and penetrate into those un-  innumerable, both small and great beasts."
known recesses which lie towards its centre, we    This countless variety of objects which appears
should, doubtless, behold a variegated scene of  throughout every department of our sublunary
wanders, even in those dark and impenetrable re-  system, not only displays the depths of Divine wisgions. But all the labour and industry of man have  dom, but also presents us with a faint idea of the
not hitherto enabled him to penetrate farther in-  infinity of the Creator, and of the immense multo the bowels of the earth than the six thousandth  tiplicity of ideas and conceptions which must have
part of its diameter; so that we must remain for  existed in the Eternal Mind, when the fabric of
ever ignorant of the immense caverns and masses  our globe, and its numerous tribes of inhabitants,
of matter that may exist, and of the processes  were arranged and brought into existence. And,
that may be going on, about its central regions.  if every other world which floats in the immen[n those regions, however, near the surface,  sity of space be diversified with a similar variewhich lie within the sphere of human inspection,  ty of existence, altogether different front ours, (as
we perceive a variety analogous to that which  we have reason to believe, from the variety we
is displayed in the other departments of nature.  already perceive, and from the boundless plans
Here we find substances of various kinds formed  and conceptions of the Creator,) the human mind
into strata, or layers, of different depths-earths,  is lost and confounded, when it attempts to form
sand, gravel, marl, clay, sandstone, freestone,  all idea of those endlessly diversified plans, conmarble, limestone, fossils, coals, peat, and simi-  ceptions, and views, which must have existed
lar materials. In these strata are found metals  during an eternity past, in the Divine mind.
and minerals of various descriptions-salt, nitrate  When we would attempt to enter into the conof potash, ammonia, sulphur, bitumen, platina,  ception of so vast and varied operations, we feel
gold, silver, mercury, iron, lead, tin, copper, zinc,  our own littleness, and the narrow limits of our
nickel, manganese, cobalt, antimony, the dia-  feeble powers, and can only exclaim, with the
mond, rubies, sapphires, jaspers, emeralds, and a  Apostle Paul, "Oh the depth of the riches both
countless variety of other substances, of incalcu-  of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unlable benefit to mankind. Some of these sub-  searchable are his counsels, and his ways of creastances are so essentially requisite for the comfort  tion and providence past finding out."
of man, that, without them, he would soon dege-    This characteristic of variety, which is stampterate into the savage state, and be deprived of all  ed on all the works of Omnipotence, is doubtless
those arts which extend his knowledge, and which  intended to gratify the principle of curiosity
cheer and embellish the abodes of civilized life.  and the love of novelty, which are implanted in
If we turn our eyes upward to the regions of  the human breast; and thus to excite rational
the atmosphere, we may also behold a spectacle  beings to the study and investigation ofthe works
of variegated magnificence. Sometimes the sky  of the Creator; that therein they may behold the
is covered with sable clouds, or obscured with  glory of the Divine character, and be stimulated
mists; at other times it is tinged with a variety  to the exercise of love, admiration, and reveofhues, by the rays ofthe rising or the setting sun.  rence. For as the records of revelation, and the
Sometimes it presents a pure azure, at other times  dispensations of providence, display to us the
it is diversified with strata of dappled clouds. At  various aspects of the moral character of Deity,
one time we behold the rainbow rearing its ma-  so, the diversified phenomena, and the multiplijestic arch, adorned with all the colours of light;  city of objects and operations which the scenery
at another, the Aurora Borealis illuminating the  of nature exhibits, present to us a specimen of the
sky with its fantastic coruscations.  At one  ideas, as it were, of the Eternal Mind, in so far
time we behold the fiery meteor sweeping through  as they can be adumbrated by material objects,
the air; at another, we perceive the forked  and exhibited to mortals, through the medium d
lightning darting from the clouds, and hear the  corporeal organs.
thunders rolling through the sky. Sometimes the    To convey an adequate conception of the nurnvault of heaven appears like a boundless desert,  ber of these ideas, as exhibited on the globe in
and at other times adorned with an innumerable  which we live, would baffle the arithmetician's
dost of stars, and with the moon " walking in  skill, and set his numbers at defiance.  We
arightness."  In short, whether we direct our  may, however, assist our conceptions a little, by




40                       THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
confining our attention to one department of na-  assistances to direct his conceptions of the Creture, for example, tile ANIMAL KINGDOM. The  ator. Pride, and false conceptions of the nature
number of the different species of animals, taking  and design of true religion, frequently lie at the
into account those which are hitherto undisco-  foundation of all that indifference and neglect.vered, and those which are invisible to the naked  with which the visible works of God are treated,
eye, cannot be estimated at less, than 300,000.  by those who make pretensions to a high deIn a human body there are reckoned about 446  gree of spiritual at:ainlments.  The truly pious
muscles, in each of which according to anatomists,  man will trace, with wonder and delight, the foot.
there are at least 10 several intentions, or due  steps of his Father and his:Gd, wherever
qualifications to be observed-its proper figure,  they appear in the variegated scene of creation
its just magnitude, the right disposition of its  around him, and will be filled with sorrow, and.several ends, upper and lower, the position of the  contrition of heart, that, aniidst his excursions and
whole, the insertion of its proper nerves, veins,  solitary walks, he has so often disregarded " the
arteries, &c. so that in the muscular system alone  works of the Lord, and the operation of his hands.'
~there are 4,460 several ends or aims to be attend-    In fine, the variety which appears on the face
ed to. The bones are reckoned to be in number  ofnature, not only enlarges our conceptions of In-about 245, and the distinct scopes or intentions  finite Wisdom. but is also the foundation of all
of each of these are above 40; in all, about 9,800;  our discriminations and judgments as rational
so that the systemn of bones and muscles alone,  beings, and is of the most essential utility inl the
without taking any other parts into consideration,  affairs of human society. Such is the variety
amounts to about 14,000 different intentions or  of which the features of the human countenance
adaptations. If: now, we suppose, that all the  are susceptible, that it is probable that no two inspecies of animals above stated are differently'dividuals, of all the millions of the race of Adam
constructed, and, taken one with another, contain  that have existed since the beginning of time,
at an average a system of bones and muscles as  would be found to resemble each other.  We
nulmlerous as in the human body-the number of  know no two human beings presently existing,
species must be multiplied by the number of dif-  however similar to each other, but may be disferent aims or adaptations,- and the product will  tinguished either by their stature, their forms,
amount to 4,200,000,000. If we were next to at-  or the features of their faces; and on the ground
tend to the many thousands of blood vessels in an  of this dissimilarity, the various wheels of the
animal body, and the numerous ligaments, mem-  machine of society move onward, without clashbranes, hurnours, and fluids ofvarious descriptions  ing or confusion. Had it been otherwise — had'-the skin, with its millions of pores, and every  the faces of men and their organs of speech been
other part of an organical system, with the aims  cast exactly in the same mould, as would have
and intentions ofeach, we should have another sum'been the case, had the world beenl framed accord.
of many hundreds of millions to be multiplied by  ing to the Epicurean system, by blind chance
the former product,. in order to express the diver-  directing a concourse of atoms, it might have
sified ideas which enter into the construction of  been as difficult to distinguish one human counthe animal world. And, if we still farther con-  tenance from another, as to distinguish the eggs
sider, that of the hundreds of millions of indi- a laid by the same hen, or the drops of water which
viduals belonging to each species, no two indi-  trickle from the same orifice; and consequently,
viduals exactly resemble each other-that all the  society would have been thrown into a state of
myriads of vegetables with which the earth is  universal anarchy and confusion. Friends would
covered, are distinguished from each other, by  not have been distinguished from enemies,-villains
some one characteristic or another, and that every  from the good and honest, fathers fron  solis, -the
grain of sand contained in the mountains, and in  culprit from the innocent person, nor the branches
the bed of the ocean, as shown by the microscope,  ofthe' same family from one another. And what a
discovers a different form and configuration from   scene of perpetual confirsion' and- disturbance
another-we are here presented with an image  would thus have been created!'Frauds, thefts,
of the infinity of the conceptions of Him in whose  robberies, murders, assassinations, forgeries, and
incomprehensible mind they all existed, during  injustice of all kinds, might have' been'daily com.
countless ages, befolre the universe was formed.    mitted without the least possibility of detection.
To overlook this amazing scene of Divine In-  Nay, were even the variety of tores in the hutelligence, or to consider it as beneath our notice   man voice, peculiar to each person, to cease, and
as some have done-if it be not the characteristic  the handwriting of all men to become perfectly
of inpietv, is, at least, the mark of a weak and  uniform, a multitude of distressing deceptions and
undiscriminating mind.  The man who disre-  perplexities would be produced in the donestic,
gards the visible displays of Infinite Wisdom,  civil, and commercial transactions of manklind.
or who neglects to investigate them, when o)p-  But the All-wise and Beneficent Creator has pro-e
portunity offers, acts as if he considered himself vented all such evils and inconveniences, by the
already possessed of a sufficient portion of in-  character of variety which he has impressed on
iellience, and stood in no need of sensible  the human species;andon all hisworks.  B3y the




WISDOM OF THE DEITY'.                                    41
peculiar features of his countenance every man  displays so evident marks of beauty and benevomay be distinguished in the light; by the tones  lent design, now that it is inhabited by an assernof his voice he may be recognized in the dark,  blage of depraved intelligences, and its physical
or when he is separated from his fellows by an. aspect deformed, in consequence of " the wicked.
impenetrable partition; and his handwriting can  ness of man"-what transporting beauties and
attest his existence and individuality, when con-  sublimities must it have presented, when it aptinents and oceans interpose between him and his  peared fresh from the hand of its Almighty Marelatlons, and be a witness of his sentiments and  ker, and when all things were pronounced by him
purposes to future generations.               to be very good?  After a deluge of waters has
swept away many of its primeval beauties, and has
Thus, I have taken a very cursory view of  broken and deranged even its subterraneous stratal
some evidences of Divine Wisdom, which ap-  this terrestrial world still presents to the eye a
pear in the general constitution of the earth, the  striking scene of beauty, order, and beneficence.
waters, and the atmosphere, and in the charac-  But we have the strongest reason to believe, that
teristic of variety, which i's impressed on all the  before sin had disfigured the aspect of this lower
objects of the visible creation. When these and  world, all was " beauty to the eye, and music to
other admirable arrangements, in our sublunary  the ear"-that " immortality breathed in the
system, are seriously contemplated, every ratio-  winds, flowed in the rivers," and exhaled from
nal and pious mind will be disposed to exclaim  every plant and flower. No storms disturbed the
with the Psalmist-" There is none like unto  tranquillity of nature, nor created the least alarm
thee, O Lord, neither are there any works like  in the breasts of its holy inhabitants.  No earthunto thy works."-" Thou art great, and dost  quakes shook the ground, nor rent the foundations
wondrous things, thou art God alone."-" 0  of nature. No volcanoes vomited their rivers of
that men would praise the Lord for his good-  lava, nor overwhelmed the plains with deluges of
ness, and for his wonderful works towards the  fire. No barren deserts of heath and sand dischildren of men!"                            figured the rich landscape of the world-no temWhen we consider not only the utility, but the  pests nor hurricanes tossed the ocean, nor scorchbeauty and grandeur of the wise arrangements  ing heats, nor piercing colds, nor pestilence, nor
of nature, what reason have we to admire and  disease, annoyed the human frame. In the paadore the goodness of the great Author of our  radisaical state of the world, we may reasonably
existence! Were all the diversities of shape and  suppose, that all the elements of nature contricolour, of mountains and vales, of rivers and lakes,  buted directly to the pleasure and enjoyment of
of light and shade, which now embellish the va-  mnan, and of the other tribes of animated nature;
rious landscapes of the world, to disappear, and  and that they were not subjected, as they now
were one unvaried scene perpetually to present it-  are, to the operation of those natural agents which
selfto the eye, how dull and wearisome, and unin-  so frequently spread destruction and ruin among
teresting, would the aspect of the universe appear  the abodes of men. To suppose the contrary to
to an intelligent mind! Although the variegated  have happened, would be inconsistent with the
beauties which adorn the surface of our globe,  state of pure and happy intelligences, and with
and the vault of heaven, are not essential to our  the benignity of the Creator; and would imply,
existence, as sensitive beings, yet, were they  that God was either unwilling or unable to recompletely withdrawn, and nothing presented'to  move such physical evils. But we cannot supthe eye but a boundless expanse of barren sands,  pose it beyond the limits of Infinite Wisdom and
the mind would recoil upon itself, its activity  Omnipotence, to create and arrange a world enwould be destroyed, its powers would be confin-  tirely free from  those evils and inconveniences
ed, as it were, to a prison, and it would roam   which now flow from the operation of certain phyin vain amidst the surrounding waste, in search  sical agents; without, at the same time, supposing
of enjoyment. Even the luxuries of a palace,  that his power and intelligence are confined
were it possible to procure them amidst such  within certain bounds, beyond which they cannot
a scene of desolation, would become stale and  pass. And, therefore, if, in the existing constiinsipid, and would leave the rational soul, almost  tution of things, the harmony of nature is occadestitute of ideas and of mental energy, to the  sionally disturbed, and its beauty defaced, by
tiresome round of a cheerless existence. But  earthquakes, storms, and tempests-we must rein the actual state of th.e world we live in, there  member, that the inhabitants of the earth are now
is no landscape in nature, from the icebergs of  a depraved race of mortals, no longer adorned
Greenland to the verdant scenes of the torrid  with primeval purity and innocence; and that the
zone, in which objects, either of sublimity or of  physical economy of our globe has undergone a
beauty, in boundless variety, are not presented  certain derangement, corresponding to the moral
to the view; in order to stimulate the mind to  state of its present occupants. But since this
activity, to gratify its desire of novelty, and to  earth, even in its present state of degradation and
slevate its conceptions of the Beneficent Creator.  derangement, presents to the view of every be.
And, if the present constitution of our world  holder so many objects of beauty and nagnificence,
6




42                   1   THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
and so ntumerohs traces of Divine Beneficence-  with that part of the eye termed iris.  The iris
we may reasonably conclude, that scenes of Di-  is an opaque membrane like the choroides, but
vine Wisdom and Goodness, far more glorious  ofdifferent colours in different eyes, as gray, black,
aud transporting, must be displayed in those  or hazel. It is composed of two sets of muscular
worlds where moral evil has never shed its ma-  fibres, the one of a circular form, which contracts
lign influence, and where the inhabitants-supe-  the hole in the middle, called the pupil. when the
rior to disease and death-bask for ever in the  light is too strong for the eye; and the other, of
regions of immortality. And, therefore, however  radial fibres, tends every where from the circumadmirable the displays of Divine Wisdom may  ference of the iris towards the middle of the pupil;
appear in the sublunary scene around us, they   which fibres, by their contractions, dilate and
inust be considered as inferior to those which are  enlarge the pupil, when the light is weak, in orexhibited in many other provinces of Jehovah's  der to let in more of its rays. The third coat is
empire, in so far as they are blended with those  called the retina, upon which are painted the
physical derangements which indicate his dis-  images of all visible objects, by the rays of light
pleasure against the sins of men.              which flow from them.  It spreads like net-work
all over the inside of the choroides, and is noWere we now to direct our attention to the  thing more than a fine expansion of the optic
mechanism of animated beings, and to consider  nerve; by which nerve the impressions of visithe numberless contrivances and adaptations in  ble objects are conveyed to the brain.
their organical structure and functions, a thou-    The inside of the globe of the eye, within these
sand instances of exquisite wisdom and design,  tunics or coats, is filled with three humours, called
still more striking and admirable, would crowd  the aqueous, the crystalline, and the vitreous.
upon outr view. For, although the general fabric  The aqueous humour lies at the fore part of the
of the world, and the immense variety of objects  eye, and occupies all the space between the crysit contains, are evident proofs of a Wise and In-  talline and the prominent cornea. It has the same
telligent Contriver, yet it is chiefly in the minute  specific gravity and refractive power as water, and
and delicate contrivances of organical structures,  seems chiefly of use to prevent the crystalline
their adaptation to the purposes of life, motion,  from being easily bruised by rubbing, or by a blow
and enjoyment, and their relation and correspon-  -and perhaps it serves for the crystallinehumour
dence to the surrounding elements, that the con-  to move forward in, while we view near objects,
surnmate skill of the Great Architect of nature  and  backward for remoter objects; without
is most strikingly perceived. But as it forms no  which, or some other mechanism effecting the
part of my present plan to enter on so extensive  same purpose, we could not, according to the
a field of illustration, on which volumes might be  laws of optics, perceive objects distinctly, wnen
written, I shall content myself with merely sta-  placed at different distances. Behind the aqueting an example or two. My first example shall  ous lies the crystalline humour, which is shaped
be taken from                                  like a double convex glass, and is a little more
convex on the back than on the fore part. This
The Structure of the Human Eye.         humour is transparent like crystal, is nearly of the
consistence of hard jelly, and converges the rays
The eye is one of the nicest pieces of mecha-  which pass through it, from visible objects, to its
nlsm which the human understanding can contem-  focus at the bottom or back part of the eye.
plate; but as it requires a knowledge of its ana-  The vitreous humour lies behind the crystalline,
tomical structure, and of the principles of optics,  and fills up the greatest part of the orb of the eye,
to enable us to appreciate its admirable functions, giving it a globular shape. It is nearly ofthe conI shall confine myself to a few general descrip-  sistence of the white of an egg, and very transtions and remarks.                             parent; its fore part is concave, for the crystalThe eye is nearly of a globular form. It con-  line humour to lodge in, and its back part being
sists chiefly of three coats, and three humours.  convex, the retina is spread over it. It serves
The first or outer coat, is termed sclerotica; it  as a medium to keep the crystalline humour and
is every where white and opaque, and is joined  the retina at due distance. From what has now
at its anterior.edge to anr.ther which has more  been stated, it is obvious, that the images of
convexity than any other part of the globe of the  external objects are depicted in the retina, in an
eye, and, being exceedingly transparent, is call-  inverted position, in the same manner as the
ed the cornea.  These two parts are perfectly  images formed by a common convex lens; but
different in their structure, and are supposed,  how the mind, in this case, perceives objects
by some anatomists, to be as distinct from each  erect, is a question, about which the learned have
other as the glass of a watch is from the case into  divided in their opinions.*
which it is fixed. Next within this coat is that
called the choroides, on account of its being fur-    * An idea of the relative positions of the coarand
nished with a great nun.mber of vessels. It serves,  humours described above, may be obtained by a
simple inspection of the Plate, Fig. 6.-Fig. 5, re
as it were, for a ining to the other, and is joined   presents a front view of the human eye, as't ap



WISDOM OF THE DEITY.                                    43
The ball of the eye, as now described, is situ-  conceived, by any one whose eyes have always
ated in a bony cavity, called its orbit, composed  remained in a sound state. We are so much ac
by the junction of seven different bones, hol-  customed to the regular exercise of our visual or.
lowed out at their edges. This cavity le in all gans, that we seldom reflect on the numerous
the vacant spaces filled with a loose fat, wh;ch  delicate springs which must be set in action, beserves as a proper medium for the eye to rest ln,  fore the functions of vision can, with ease, be
and as a socket in which it may move. It is  performed. But were any one of the muscular
sheltered by the eyebrows, which are provided  organs, now described, to fail in its functions, we
with hair, to privent the descending -sweat of should soon experience so many inconveniences,
the forehead from running down into it. As a  as would throw a gloom on all the other comforts
still farther protection to this delicate organ, it  of life; and convince us, how much we are inis furnished with the eyelid, which, like a cur-  debted, every moment, to the provident care and
tain, is drawn over it with inconceivable swift-  goodness of our Beneficent Creator, for thousands
ness, for its security, on the approach of danger.  of enjoyments which we seldom think of, and for
It also serves to wipe it from  superfluous  which  we are never sufficiently grateful.m )isture, and to cover it during sleep. In the  " With much compassion, as well as astonishupper part of its orbit, it is furnished with a  ment at the goodness of our loving Creator," says
gland, to supply it with water sufficient to wash  Dr. Nieuwentyt," have I considered the sad state
off dust, and to keep its outer surface moist,  of a certain gentleman, who, as to the rest, was
without which the cornea would be less trans-  in pretty good health, but only wanted the use of
parent, and the rays of light would be disturbed  those two little muscles that serve to lift up the
in their passage; and the superfluous water is  eyelid, and so had almost lost the use of his sight
conveyed to the nose through a perforation in  -being forced, as long as this defect lasted, to
the bone.                                     shove up his eyelids every moment, with his own
For the purpose of enabling the eve to move in  hands."t
its socket, six muscles are provided.  These are    How admirable, then, is the formation of the
admirably contrived to move it in every direction,  eye, and how grateful ought we to feel at the conupwards or downwards, to the right or to the left,  sideration. that we are permitted to enjoy all the
or- in whatever direction the occasion may re-  transporting pleasures of vision, without the least
quire; and thus we are spared the trouble of perplexity or effort on our part!  If the loss of
turning our heads continually towards the objects  action in a single muscle produces so many diswe wish to inspect. If we want to look upward,  tressing sensations and efforts, what would be the
one of these muscles lifts up the orb of the eye; if consequence if all the muscles of the eye were
we would cast our eyes to the ground, another  wanting or deranged. And is it man that gomuscle pulls them down. A third muscle moves  verns these nice and intricate movements? or is
the globe outwards towards the temples, and a  it the eye itself, as a self-directing machine, that
fourth draws it towards the nose. A fifth, which  thus turns around, seasonably and significantly,
slides within a cartilaginous ring, like a cord  towards every  visible object?  Man knows
over a pulley, and is fastened to the globe of the  neither the organs of vision, nor the functions
eye in two points, mnalkes it roll about at pleasure.  they ought to perform. The eye is only an unA sixth lies under the eye, and is designed to  conscious machine, in the hands of a Superior
temper and restrain, within proper bounds, the  Intelligence, as a watch, or a steam engine, is in
action of the rest, to keep it steadily fixed on  the hands of a nlechanic. It is God alone who
the object it beholds, and to prevent those frightful  constantly performs its movements, according
contortions which otherwise might take place.  to certain laws, which he has submitted to our
By these, and a multitude of other mechanical  inclinations and desires; " for in him we live
contrivances, allacting in harmonious combina-  and move."  We are desirous to see certain
tion, the eye, as a natural telescope and micro-  objects around us: this is all the share we have
scope, is made to advance, to recede, to move to  in the operations of our eyes; and without perthe right and to the left, and in every otherdirec-  plexing our understanding, without the least care
tion; and to view near and distant objects with  or managemnent, in regard to any of the functions,
equal distinctness; so that a single eye, by the  we can, in a few moments, take a survey of the
variety of positions it may assume, performs the  beauties and sublimities of an extensive landoffice of a thousand.*                        scape, and of the glories of the vault of heaven.
The utility of these several movements, and  Thus, the Divine Being operates not only in this,
the pain and inconvenience which would be suf-  but in a thousand different ways, in the various
fered, were any of them wanting, can scarcely be  senses and contrivances which belong to our ani.
pears in its natural state, and exhibits the relative  ma. system; and yet, thoughtless and ungratepositions of the Cornea, Iris, and Pupil.     ful man often inquires, in the language-of doubt
Flies and other insects, whose eyes are immoveabie, have several thousands of distinct globes
in each eye, See note page 38.                  t Nieuwentyt's Religious Philospher, vol. 1, p. 22.




44                       THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
and hesitation, " Where is God my Maker?"  produce a perception of visible objects; as, on
He is in us, and around us, directing every  the other hand, the undulations of the.air have nc
movement in our animal frame to act in harmony   effect upon the eye, so as to produce the sensa.
with the surrounding elements, and to minister  tion of sound. The eye did not produce the
to our enjoyments; and it is only when his ex-  light, nor did the light form the eye; they are.
quisite operations are deranged by external vio-  perfectly distinct from each other, yet so nicel,
lence, that we feelinconvenience or pain.    adapted in every particular, that had any one
Such are only a few general outlines of the  quality or circumstance been wanting in either,
structure of the eye: for no notice has been  the functions of vision could not have been pertaken of the numerous minute veins, arteries,  formed in the manner in which they now operate,
nerves, lymphatics, glands, and many other par-  which strikingly demonstrates, that one and the
ticulars which. are connected with this organ.  same Intelligent Being, possessed of a wisdom
But all this delicate-and complicated apparatus,  beyond our comprehension, formed the curious
in the structure of the eye,.would have been of  structure of the eye, and endued the rays of light
no use whatever for the purpose of vision, had  with those properties of colour, motion, and mi.
not a distinct substance been created to act upon  nuteness, which -are calculated, through the meit, exactly adapted to its nature and functions.  dium of this organ, to produce, in sentient beings,
In order that the.eye might serve as the medium   the ideas of visible objects. And, surely, he
of our perceptions of visible objects, light was  never intended that such exquisite skill and conformed, and made. to travel from its source at  trivance should be altogether overlooked by rathe rate of 195,000 miles in a second of time.  tional beings, for whose pleasure and enjoyment
This prodigious velocity of light is,.doubtless, es-  all this benevolent care is exercised.
sential to the nature of vision; since it actually
exists, and since we find that it radiates with the  Manner in which vision is performed.
samne swiftness from the most distant visible star,    Let us now attend a little to the manner in
as from the sun. which enlightens our system.  which vision is performed, by the medium of
To abate the force of this amazing velocity,  light acting on the organs of sight. If we take
its particles have been formed almost infinitely.a common convex glass-a reading glass for exsmall-a circumstance which alone prevents this  ample-and hold it at some distance from  a
delightfill visitant from becoming the most tre-  candle or a window sash, placing a piece of
mendous and destructive element in nature. Dr.  white paper behind the glass, at the distance of
Nietiwentyt has computed, that, in one second of its focus, the image of the candle or sash will be
time, there flows 418,660,000,000,000,000,000,-  painted on the paper, in an inverted position.
000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000*  particles of  This experiment may be performed, with a better
light out of a burning candle, which number con-  effect, by darkening a room, and placing the containsat least 6:337,242,000,000 times the number  vex glass in a hole cut out ofthe window shutter.
of grains of sand in the whole earth, supposing  when the rays of light flowing from the objects
every cubic inch of the earth to contain a million  without, and passing through the glass,will form a
of grains. It has been justly retnarked, by Mr.  picture of the objects opposite the window, on the
Ferguson and other authors, that " if the particles  white paper, adorned with the most beautiful coof light were so large, that a million of. them  lours. In a manner similar to this, are the images
were equal in bulk to an ordinary grain of of external objects depicted on the back part
sand, we durst no more open our eyes to the  of the inner coat or membrane of the eye.  The
light, than suffer sand to be shot point blank  rays of light, proceeding in all directions, from
against them, from the mouth of a cannon." It  surrounding objects, and falling on the eye, are
may also be remarked, that the property which.transmitted through the pupil; and being refractall bodies possess, of reflecting light, is essen-  ed by the different humours, (particularly by the
tial to the purpose of vision, without which, the  crystalline humour, which acts the.part of a consplendid and variegated scene of nature would  vex lens,) they converge to a focus on the retina,
be. changed into a dreadful gloom; and were the  where the images of visible objects are painted in
rays of light of one uniform colour, and not corm-  an inverted position; and, by means of the optic?oundcd of various hues, one object could not  nerve, these images are conveyed to the mind.
be distinguished from another, and the beauti-    The following figure will perhaps nloredisful aspect of our globe would instantly disappear.  tinctly illustrate this point. Let a, b, c, x, y,
Thus we see, that the eye is adapted to light,  represent the globe of the eye, and A, B, C, an
and light to the eye; and in this admirable  object at a certain distance from it. Now, it is
adaptation the wisdom of the Creator is st-ikinply. well known that every point of a visible object
displayed. For light has no effect upon tne ear,  sends out rays of light in all directions; and,
or upon any other organ of sensation; so as to  therefore, a certain portion of the rays which
flow from the object A B C, will fall upon the
See Appendix, No. V              cornea between x and y, and, passing through the




WISDOM OF TIlE DEITY.                                      45
A
-::  -.........     
aueous humour, mn, n, and the crystalline humour  ent cones of rays, which, eutering my eye, tew.
a, p, and the vitreous humour, D, E, will be con-  der the different parts of it distinctly visible, bevergeo to a focus on the retina, and paint a dis-  sides myriads of rays from the same points.
tinct picture, a l c, of the object A B C, in an  which flow in every other direction through the
inverted position.  The rays from the point A   open spaces of the atmosphere which suranolnd
of the object, after being refracted by the different  them. How many thousands of nillions, then.
humours, will be brought to a point at a; those  of different radiations, rmust be issuing forth
from B will be converged at b; and those from   every moment froll Ihe whole mass of the monu-.
C at c; and, of course, the intermediate rays  ment!  And if one object pours forth such a flood
between A B, and B. C, will be formed between  of rays, how inmmense must be the number of raa b, and b c, and the object will become visible  diations which are issuing from all the objects
by means of its image or representation being  which compose this extensive landscape! Mypainted on the retina, in all the colours and pro-  riads of rays, from myriads of objects, must be
portions which belong to it. If we take a bul-  crossing each other in an infinity of directions,
lock's eye, and cut off the three coats from the  so that the mind is confounded at the apparent
back part, and put a piece of thin white paper  confusion which seems to exist in this immlensitvy
over that part, and hold the eye towards the win-  of radiations; yet every ray passes forward in
dow or any bright object, we shall see the image  the crowd, in the most perfect order, and without
of the object depicted upon the paper, and. in an  being blended or confused with any other ray, proinverted position, as stated above.            duces its specific effect on every eye that is open
In order that we may more distinctly perceive  to receive it.  But this is not all: these millions
the wonders of vision, and the numerous circum-  of rays which flow from  the minutest points of
stances on which it depends, let us suppose our-  the surrounding scene, before they can produce
selves placed on an eminence, which commands  thie sensation of vision, and form a picture of the
a view of a variegated and extensive landscape.  landscape on the retina, must be compressed into
Let us suppose ourselves stationed on Arthur's  a space little more than one-eighth of an inch in
seat, or on the top of Salisbury Crags, in the vi-  diameter, before they can enter the pupil of the
cinlity of Edinburgh. Turning our face to the  eye; yet they all pass through this small aperture
norlh-west, the city, with its castles, spires, and  without the least confusion, and paint the images
stately edifices, presents itself to our view. Be-  of their respective objects in exactly the same
yond it, on the north and west, a beautiful coun-  order in which these objects are arranged. Antry, adorned with villas, plantations, and fertile  other circumstance demands attention.  The
fields, stretches as far as the eye can reach, till  rays which proceed from the objects before me
the view is bounded by the castle of Stirling, at  are not all directed to the spot where I stand, but
the distance of more than thirty miles. On the  are diffused throughout every point of the surright hand, we behold the port of Leith, the ship-  rounding space, ready to produce the same effect,
ping in the roads, the coast of Fife, the isles of wherever sentient beings are present to receive
Inchkeith and of May, and the Frith of Forth,  them. Were the whole inhabitants of Edingradually losing itself in the German ocean. If  burgh placed on the sloping declivity of Arthur's
we suppose the length of this landscape to be  seat, and along the top of Salisbury Crags, and
forty miles, and its breadth twenty-five, it will,  were millions of other spectators suspended in the
of course, comprehend an area of a thousand  surrounding atmosphere, similar sensations would
square miles.                                  be produced, and a scene similar to that wl;ch
The first circumstance which strikes the mind,  I how behold, would be depicted in every eye.
is the immense multitude of rays of refected light Amidst the infinity of cones of light, crossing
which flow, in all directions, from the myriads  each other in arn infinity of directions, no confuof objects which compose the surrounding scene.  sion would ensue, but every spectator, whose
In order to form a rude idea of this infinity of  eyes were in a sound state, would obtain a corradiations, I fix my attention on a single object-  rect view of the scene before him; and hence it
I direct my eye to Nelson's monument, o  the  happens. that, whenever I shift my position to
Calton hill. From the parapet at the top, a thou-  the right hand or to the left, other streams of light
mad different points send forth a thousand differ-  enter my eye, and produce the same effect. Le.




46                       THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
me now attend to another circumstance, no less  bent-the crossings and recrossings, and refracadmirable than the preceding, and that is, the  tions, and reflections, that take place between
distinct impression which I have of the shape,  the mirrors and the lenses of the instrument,
colour, and motion, of the multiplicity of objects  and the successive images that are formed-so
I ant now contemplating, and the small space  that, instead of a scene of confusion, which,
within which their imlages are depicted at the  previous to experience, might have been expectoottorn of my eye. Could a painter, after a long  ed from the numerous additional bendings and inseries of ingenious efforts, delineate the extensive  tersections of the rays-I now perceive hunlandscape now before me, on a piece of paper not d reds of objects, with the most perfect distinctexceeding the size of a silver sixpence, so that  ness, which were before invisible. Rays of light
every object might be distinctly seen, in its pro-  from distant and minute objects, which a moment
per shape and colour, as it now appears when I  before made no sensible impression on my eye,
survey the scene around me, he would be incom-  being collected and variously modified by tile
parably superior to all the tiasters of his art that  telescope, now paint a vivid representation of
ever went before him.  This effect, which far  their objects, in their true figures, colours, and:ranscends the utmost efforts of huIman genius,  positions.
is accomplished in a moment, in millions of in-    From  a consideration of the innumerable
stances, by the hand of nature, or, in other words,  modifications of the rays of light, and of the
by ",the finger of God." All the objects I am now  immense variety of effects they produce in every
surveying, comprehending an extent ofa thousand  region of the earth-I am led to investigate what
square aliles, are accurately delineated in the bot-  proportion of the solar lightfalls upon our globe,
tom of nay eye, on a space less than half an inch  in order to produce so diversified a scene of slbin diameter.  How delicate, then, must be the  limity and beauty. Supposing the sun's rays to
strokes of that Divine pencil, which has formed  be chiefly confined, in their effects, within the
such a picture! I turn my eyes to the castle of  limits of the planetary system, since they diverge
Edinburgh, which appears one of the most con-  in every direction, they must fill a cubical space
spicuous objects in my field of view. Supposing  of 3,600,000,000 miles in diameter; which, conthat portion of it which strikes my eye to be 500  sequently, will contain about 24,C00,000,000,feet long, and 90 in height, I find, by calculation,  000,000,000,000,000,000 cubical miles; so that
that it occupies only the six hundred thousandth  an eye, placed in any point of this vast space,
part of the whole landscape, and, consequently,  would receive a distinct impression from the
fills in my eye no more than the twelve hundred  solar rays.  The solidity of the earth is about
thousandth part of an inch. I next direct my  264,000,000,000 cubical nmiles, and, therefore,
eye towards the Frith of Forth, and perceive a  it receives only the              th part of
steamboat sailing between Queensferry and New.                      qoOooo0ooo wo0ooo-po
steaboat saing between   eeserry and New the light which fills the sphere of the solar syshaven,-I distinctly trace its motion for the space.           light which cheers all the in
I..,..       r      tem. So that the light which cheers all the inof 40 minutes, as the end of which it reaches the  habitants of the world, and unveils such a variety
chain pier at Newhaven, having passed over a  of beautiful and magnificent objects, is nothing
space of five miles in length, which is but the  more than a single stream of celestial radiance
eighth part of the lineal extent of the landscape  out of ninety thousand billions of similar streams
in that direction; and, consequently, occupies,  which the great source of light is every moment
in the picture formed on my retina, a lineal space  diffusing throughout the surrounding worlds.
of only one-sixteenth of an inch in extent.  And,  But the solar rays are not confined within the
if the boat be reckoned about 88 feet in length,  bounds of the planetary system; theirinfluence
its image is only the three hundredth part of this  extends, in every direction, as far as the nearest
extent; and of course, fills a space in the eye of  stars, filling a cubical space at least 40,000,000,only the four thousand eight hundredth part of a  000,000 miles in diameter and wtich contains
lineal inch. Yet, my perception of the motion  33, 500,000000,000,000 000,000,000,000,000,
of the vessel could be produced only by a corres-  000,000,000, or thirty-three thousand, five hun.
peonding motion of its imnage in my eye; that is, dred sextillions of cubical miles. And, were
Dy the gradual motion of a point one 4,800th of  we to institute comparisons and calculations,
an inch in diameter, over a space one-sixteenth  with respect to the possible variety of effects
of an inch in length. How inconceiveably fine they might produce throughout this immense
and accurate, then, must be the impression of  region, whole pages might be filled with figures,
those strokes which the rays of light, from visible cyphers, and computations. We might compute
objects, produce on the retina of the eye! The  how many globes similar to the earth, or any of
mind is lost tn wonder when it attempts to trac he larger planets, might be contained within
so exquisite and admirable an effect.         this vast space, allowing several hundreds of
I take a reflecting telescope, and, through it,  cubical miles of empty space around each globe
view some of the distant parts of the landscape.  -how many myriads of refractions and reflecMy wonder is still increased, when I consider  tions the rays of light would suffer, in regard to
the new direction into which the rays!f light are  the "eculiar objects connected with every one




WISDOM OF THE DEITY.                                       47
of these globes —how  many eyes of sentient  instrument or imitation that art.an produce.and,
beings might be affected by the diversities of  were it not for the peculiar property now  decolout shape, and motion, which would thus be  scribed, it would be almost unfit for the purpose
produced-and what a variety of shades of light  of vision, notwithstanding all the other delicate
and colour, and what a diversity of scenery,  contrivances which enter into its construction. If
would be produced, according to the distances  it were adjusted only for the distinct perception
of the respective globes from  the central lumi-  of distant objects, every object within the lir its
nary. After what we have just now stated, how-  of an ordinary apartment would appear a mass of
ever, we may rest satisfied with joining in the  confusion; and were it adjusted solely for viewing
pious exclamation of one who had just finished  objects within the limits of a few feet or inches,
a devout survey of the structure of the human  the glories of the heavens, and the beautiful landframe: "Marvellous are thy works, and that  scape of the earth, would be veiled from our sight
my soul knoweth right well. How precious are  as if they were enveloped in a mist.
thy thoughts unto me, O God!" (or, as the words    Another circumstance worthy of attention, is,
might be rendered,) " How  precious are thy  the power which the pupil of the eye possesses
wonderful contrivances concerning me, O God!  of contracting or enlarging the aperture or hole
how great is the sum of them! IfI should count  through which the light is admitted. When the
them, they are more in number than the sand."  light is too weak, the pupil is enlarged; when it
In what direction soever I turn mine eyes, what-  is too strong, it is again contracted. Accordingly,
ever portion of thy works I investigate, " I am   we find, that when we enter a darksome apartstill with thee."*  Thine infinity and unsearch-  ment, though, at first, nothing can be accurately
able wisdom are impressed on every object, so  distinguished, yet, in the course of a minute or
that I feel myself every moment encompassed  two, when the pupil has had time to dilate, we
by thine immensity, and am irresistibly led to  can perceive most objects with considerable
wonder and adore.                             distinctness. And, on the other hand, when we
I shall now conclude these reflections on vi-  pass from a dark room to an apartment lighted
zsion, with two or three additional remarks. It  up with a number of lustres, we feel uneasy at
is worthy of notice, in the first place, that the  the sudden glare, till the pupil has contracted
eye has the power of adapting itself to objects  itself, and excluded a portion of the superfluous.placed at different distances. By means of some'5rays. Were it not for this property, we should for
delicate pieces ofmechanism, not hitherto satis-  the most part either be surrounded with adisagreefactorily explained, it can perceive, with dis-  able gloom  or oppressed with an excessive splentinctness, a large object, at the distance of six  dour. It is for this reason, that we are unable to
miles, and the next moment it can adjust itself  look upon the san without being dazzled, and are
to the distinct perception of an objectat the dis-  under the necessity of closing the eyelids, or of
tance of six inches; so that it acts the part both  turning away the head, when a strong light sudof a telescope and a microscope, and can be in-  denly succeeds to darkness.
stantaneously adjusted to perform  either as the    Again, it may not be improper to observe, how
one instrument or as the other. This necessarily  wisely the Author of nature has fixed the dissupposes a corresponding alteration in the state  tance at which we ordinarily see near objects most
of the organ, every time we lift our eye from  a  distinctly. This distance is generally from  five
near, to look at a distant object. Either the cor-  to eight inches from the eye.  But had the eye
nea is somewhat flattened, or the crystalline  been formed for distinct vision at the distance of
humour is pushed  backwards, or both these   only one inch, the object would have obstructed
changes, in combination with others, may con-  the light, and room would have been wanting for
cur in causing the rays from distant objects to  the performance of many necessary operations,
unite exactly on the retina, without which distinct  which require the hand to intervene between the
vision cannot be produced. This contrivance, in  eye and the object. And had the limits of diswhatever kind of mechanism it may consist, is  tinct vision for near objects been beyond two or
one which art would vainly attempt to imitate.  three feet, sufficient light would not have been
We can see objects that are near us, with a mi-  afforded for the inspection of minute objects, and
croscope, and those that are distant, with a tele-  we could neither have written a letter, nor have
scope; but we would in vain attempt to see dis-  read a book, with the same convenience and case
tant objects with the former, or those that are  we are now enabled to do.
only a few inches from us with the latter, with-    From the preceding descriptions and remarks,
out a variety of changes being made in the aper-  it will evidently appear, with what admirable skill
tures and positions of the glasses belonging to  the different parts of the organs ofvisior are conthe respective instruments. In this respect, there-  structed, and how nicely they are adapted to the
fore, as well as in every other, the eve is an  several ends they were intended to subserve.
optical instrument, incomparably superior to any  WVere any one ofthese parts wanting, or obstruct.
ed in its functions, vision would either be imPsalm cxxxix. 14, 17, 18.          peded, or rendered painful and distressing, or




48                       THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
completely destroyed. If any of the humours of behold, in an instant, tile beauties of an extensive
the eye were wanting-if they were less transpa-  landscape, and however little we may be ac.
rent-if they were of a different refractive power - cstomed to admire this wonderful effect.,-there
-or if they were of a greater or less convexity  is not a doctrine in Religion, nor a' fact recorded
than they now are, however minute the altera-  in Revelation, more mysterious and incompretion might be, vision would inevitably'be ohb-  hensible.  An excellent French writer has weldtueted, and every object would appear confused  observed-" The sight of a tree and of the, sun,
and indistinct. If the retina, on which the im-  which God shows me, is as real and as immeages of objects are painted, were flat, instead of diate a revelation as that which led Moses tobeing concave, while objects in the middle of the  wards the burning bush. The only difference
view appeared distinct, every object towards the  between both these actions of God on Moses and
sides would appear dim and confused. Ifthe cor.  me, is, that the first is out of the common order
nea wereasopaque as the sclerotica, to which it is  and economy; whereas the other is occasioned
joined, or if the retina were not connected with  by the sequel and connexion of those laws which
the optic nerve, no visible object could possibly  God has established for the regulation both ot
be perceived. If one of the six muscles of'the  man and nature."
eye were wanting, or impeded in its functions,   If, then, the eye of nan (who is a depraved
we could not turn it to the right; if a second  inhabitant of a world lying partly in ruins) is an
were deficient, we could not turn it'to'the left;  organ so admirably fitted'for' extending our prosifa third, we could notlift it upwards; if a fourth,  pects of tile visible creation-we may reasonwe could not move it downwards; and if it were  ably conclude, that organized beings, of'superior
deprived of the other two muscles,'it would be  intelligence and moral purity, possess the sense
apt to roll about in frightful contortions. If the  of vision' in a much greater degree of perfection
eyes were placed in any other part of the body  than man, in his present state of degradationthan the head-if they were much- more promni-  and that they may be enabled, by their natural
nent than they now are-if they were not sur-  organs, to penetrate into regions of the universe
rounded by the bony socket in which they are  far beyond' what man, by the aid of artificial
lodged-and if they were not frequently covered  helps, will ever be able to descry. It may not
by the eyelid-they would be exposed to a thou-  be altogether extravagant, nor even beyond the 
sand accidents from which they are now protected.  reality of existing facts, to suppose, that there
If they wanted moisture, and if they'were not fie-  are intelligences in the regions of Jupiter or Saquently wiped by the eyelids, they would be-  turn, whose visual organs are in so perfect a
come less transparent, and more liable to be in-  state, that they can descry the mountains of our
flanied; and if they were not sheltered by the  moon, and the continents, islands, and oceans
eyebrows, the sweat and moisture of the fore-  which'diversify our globe, and are able to dehead would frequently annoy them. Were the- lineate a map of its surface, to mark the period
light which acts uponthemdevoid ofcolour-were  of its diurnal rotation, and even to distinguish
it not reflected from objects in every direction-  its cities, rivers, and volcanoes. It is quite
were'its: motion less swift, or itsaparticles much  evident, that it must be equally easy to Divine
larger than they now are-in  short, were any  Wisdom and Omnipotence, to form organs with
one circumstance connected with the. structure  powers of vision far surpassing what I have now
of this organ, and with the modification of the  supposed, as toform an organ in which the magrays of'light, materially different from its present  nificent scene of heaven and earth is depicted,arrangement, we should either be subjected to the  in a moment,within the compass'of half an inch.
hourly recurrence of a thousand painful sensa-  There are animals whose range of vision is cirtions, orbe altogether deprived of the entertain-  cumscribed within the limits'of a few feet orments' of vision.                             inches; and, had we never perceived  objects
How admirable an organ, then, is the eye, and  through an organ in the same state of perfechow nicely adapted to unveil to our view  the  tion as that with which we are furnished, we
glories of the universe! Without the application  could have formed as little conception of the
of any skill or laborious efforts, on our part, it  sublimity and extent of our present range of
turns in every' direction, transports us to every  sight, as we can now  do of those powers of
surrounding object, depicts the nicest shades and  vision, which would enable us to descry the incHlours on its delicate membranes, and        habitants of distant worlds. The invention of
"Takes in, at once, the landscape of the world,   the telescope shows, that the penetrating power
At a small inlet, which a grain might close,  ofthe eye may be indefinitely increased; and
And half creates the wondrous world we see."  since the art of man can extend the limits of natuYoung.   ral vision,'it is easy to conceive, that, in the hand
-How strikingly does it display, in every part  of Omnipotence, a slight modification of the
of its structure and adaptations, the marks of  human eye might enable it, with the utmost dis.
benevolent'design, and of Infinite Intelligence!  tinctness, to penetrate into regions to which the.
However common it is to open our eyes, and to  imagination can set no hounds. And, therefore,




WISDOM OF THE DEITY.                                      49
It li not unreasonable to believe, that, in the  though he may perceive the general forms and
uture world, this will De- one property, among  colours of objects, his vision is obscure ard:inothers, of the resurrection-body, that it will be  distinct. In hares and rabbits the eyes are'very
furnished with organs of vision'far superior to  convex and prominent, so that they can see nearly
the present, in order to qualify its intelligent in-  quite round them; whereas,in dogs, which pursue
habitant for taking an amnple survey bfthe "'riches these animals, the visual organs are placed more
and glory" of the: empire of God'.            in the front of the head, to look rather before than
I have dwelt somewhat particularly on the  behind them. Some animals, as cats and owls
functions of the eye-, in order to show, that it is  which pursue their prey in the dark, have the
only when we take a'minute inspection of the ope-  pupil of their eye so formed as to be capable of
rations of the Creator, that his Infinite Wisdom   great expansion, so that a few rays of light may
and Intelligence are most distinctly perceived.  make a lively impression on their retina; while
The greater part of Christians will readily admit  the eagle, which is able to look directly at the sun,
that the vVisdom  of God is manifested in every  has its pupil capable of, being contracted almost
object, but few of them take the trouble to inquire  toa point. Insects, such as the beetle, the fly,
in what particular contrivances and adaptations  and the butterfly, whose eyes are incapable of
this wisdom  is displayed; and, therefore, rest  motion, have several thousands of small transpasatisfied Kwith vague and general views, which  rent globes set in a convex hemisphere, every one
seldom produce any deep impression on the mind.  of which is capable of forming an image of an obT"rhe works of the Lord," which are "great"  ject; so that they are enabled to view the objects
and admirable, " must be sought out by all those  around them without moving their heads. But, it
who have pleasure therein;" and the more mi-  would'be beyond the limits of my plan to prosenutely they are inspected, the mdre exquisite and  cute this subject any farther; enough has already
admirable do all his arrangements appear.     been stated, to show, that the eyes of men and
Were we to enter'into an investigation ofthe  other animals are master-pieces of art, which far
visual organs of the lower animals, and to con-  transcend the human understanding;and that
sider the numerous varieties which occur in  they demonstrate the consummate wisdom of Him'
their structure, position, and movements,- and  who planned and constructed the organical funchow nicely the peculiar organization of the eye  tions of the various tribes of animated existence.
is adapted to the general structure of the animal,    I shall now conclude this branch of my subject,
and to its various necessities- and modes of ex-  by presenting an instance or two of the mechaistence'-the operation of the same inscrutable  nism of the bones,-and the movements it is fitted
Wisdom and Intelligence would meet; our eye at  to produce.every step.  Birds, for example, which procure    The bones of the human frame are articulated,
their food by their beak, have the power of seeing  or connected together, in different ways, butt
distinctly at a very small distance; and, as their  most frequently in the following manner. Either,
rapid motion through the air renders it neces-  1 a bone with a round head is articulated with
sarty that they should descry objects at a con-  a cavity, and plays in it as a ball in a socket:;
siderable distance, they have two peculiar me-' or, 2. they are connected together byi a hinge.
chanical contrivances,connected withtheirorgans  like articulation, which enables a bone to move
of vision, for producing both these effects. One  up or down, backwards or forwards, like a door
of these contrivances consists in a flexible rim  upon its hinges. An idea of these two motions,
formed of bone, which surrounds the broadest  and the purposes they serve, may be obtained,
part of the eye, and by occasionally pressing upon  by considering the construction of the pedestal of
its orb, shortens its focal distance, and thus  a telescope, and the joints on which it moves.
enables it to inspect very near objects. The  One of the joints is of the nature of a hinge, by
other consists of a peculiar muscle,.which draws  which a' vertical motion, or a motion upwards
back, as occasion requires, the crystalline humour,  and downwards is produced. A  horizontal
by which means it can take a distinct view of a  motion, or a motion towards the right hand or
distant landscape; and can pass from the sight  the left, is produced by a pivot moving in a socket;
of a very near, to the sight of a distant object,  so that, by these two motions, the telescope can
with rapidity and ease. Infishes, which live in a  be made to point in any direction.  Such is the
medium of a different refractive power from that  nature ofthe articulations of the bones, and the
of air, the crystalline humour has a greater degree  movements they produce; and wherever one or
of convexity, and more nearly approaches to a  other of these motions, or both of them combined,
globular form than that of land animals-which   are requisite for the comfort and convenience of
conformation is essentially requisiteto distinctness  the individual, such a power of motion is. uniof vision in the watery element. A fish of course  formly found to exist. If the movement of a joiht
cannot see distinctly in air, nor a quadruped  in every direction would, in any particular case,
under water; and every person who has dived  be found inconvenient, the hinge-like articulation
into the water with his eyes open, knows, that  is fixed upon; but if a motion in ever- direction is
7




50                       THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER..eqpired for the convenient use ofparticular mem.    The same admirable contrivance may be per
bers, and for the variety of evolutions which a sen-  ceived in the movements of which the head is
tientbeing may have occasion tomake, the ball and  susceptible. It was requisite, in order to our
socket articulation is combined with the former.  convenience and comfort, that we should be ensFor example, let any person, for a moment,  bled to move our head backwards or forwards —
consider the joints of his fingers, and compare  to look up towards the heavens, or downwards
them with the joint at his wrist, where the hand  to the ground. It was also expedient, that it
is connected with the fore arm. If he hold the  should have a power of turning to the right, or to
back of his hand upwards, he will find that he  the left, so as to take in a considerable portion
can move his fingers upwards, or downwards;  of a circle, without being under the necessity of
out he cannot turn them to the right hand, or to  turning round the whole body. Accordingly we
the left, so as to make'them describe a circular  find, that both these motions are provided for, in
motion. He will also find that his wrist is ca-  the manner in which the head is connected with
pable of a similar movement, so that the hand  the vertebrea. The head rests upon the uppermost
may be bent in a vertical direction. But, in  ofthese bones, to which it is connected by a hinge
addition to this motion, it is also capable of  joint, similar to those in the fingers, which allows
being turned in a horizontal direction, or from  it to move backwards and forwards; and, by means
one side to another. In the former case, we have  of a round, longish process, or projection, which
an example of the hinge articulation; in the  moves in a socket, it is enabled to move horizon-.
latter, it is combined with an articulation which  tally, as upon an axis. Had the first motion
produces nearly the same effect as a pivot mov-  been wanting, we could not have looked up to the
ing in a socket. Now, had the joints of the  zenith, without laying flat on our back; nor could
fingers been capable of the same motions as the  we have looked to the ground, without placing
wrist, the hand would have lost its firmness, and  our oodtes in a prone position, and, in such a
been incapable of performing a variety of mecha-  case, we could never have seen our own feet, unnical operations which require objects to be held  less when they were bent considerably forward.
with a steady grasp. On the other hand, if the  Had the second motion been wanting, we could
joint of the wrist had been formed in the same  have looked to nothing except the objects directly
manner as the joints of the fingers, and confined  before us, without the trouble of turning round
to a vertical motion, the hand would have been  the whole body, either to the right, or to the left.
incapable of one out of a hundred varied move-  But in the construction of our corporeal system,
ments, which it can now  perform  with the  every thing is so arranged and adapted to another,
greatest ease. In this case, we could not have  as at once to contribute to ease, and facility of
bored a hole with a gimblet, cut down corn with  motion, in all the varied operations and movea sickle, digged the earth with a spade, sewed  ments we have occasion to perform; which
clothes with a needle, tossed up a ball, or turned  circumstance forcibly demonstrates both the beup the palm of the hand, for any of the useful  nevolent intentions, and the admirable wisdom
purposes for which that motion was ordained.  of Him " whose hands have made and fashioned
In short, without the rotatory motion of the  us," and who " breathed into our nostrils the
wrist, the greater part of the operations connected  breath of life."
with gardening, agriculture, cookery, washing,    The above are only two or three out of a
spinning, weaving, painting, carving, engraving,  hundred of similar instances, which might be
building, and other mechanical arts, could not be  produced to show the benevolent care which has
performed;and such of them as could be effected,  been exercised in arranging and articulating
would be accomplished only with the greatest  the system of bones, of which the prop-work of
inconvenience and labour. Any person may con-  the human frame is composed. Were we to enter
vince himselfof this, by holding his hand in a  into an investigation of the actions and uses of
horizontal position, and preventing his wrist  the various muscles, the wonderful system of veins
joint from turning round, and then by trying what  and arteries, the action of the heart, stomach,
operations he can easily perform without the  and bowels; the process of respiration, and ilnrotatory motion; and hewill soon perceive with  sensible perspiration, and the system of nerves,
what exquisite skill the numerous movements  glands, lymphatics, and lacteals-a thousand inof our animal frames have been contrived by  stances of Divine wisdom and beneficence would
the great Author of our existence. In each hand  crowd upon our view, which could not fall to exthere are 27 bones, all of which are essential to  cite the pious and contenlplative mind to join in
the different motions we wish to perform. Every  the devotions of the " sweet singer of Israel,"
linger is composed of three bones, connected  " I will praise thee; for I am fearifully andwontogether by articulations, muscles, and ligaments.  derfully made; marvellous are thy works, and that
If, instead of three, each finger were composed  my soul knoweth right well."-But as I intended
of only one bone, it would be quite impossible  to present only a few specimens of the Wisdota
for us to grasp a single object.              of God, as displayed in the construction of




WISDOM OF THE DEITY.                                     61
the material world, I shall concl(de this depart-  its structure, and for whose; use and entertainment
ment of my subject with a single reflection.*  it was intended-should overlook such a wonderHow foolish and ungrateful is it for rational  ful piece of Divine workmanship, and feel not
beings to overlook the wise and benevolent arrange-  gratitude for the bestowment of so admirable a
meats of the Creator, in the material universe!  gift?  Shall we extol the ingenuity displayed in
How many thousands of human beings pass their  a clock or a watch, in a chess-player, or a steam
existence without once reflecting on the numerous  engine, and shall we feel no sentiment of admiraevidences of Divine Wisdom and Beneficence,  tion at the view of millions of instances of Divine:
which appear around them, or feeling the least  mechanism which infinitely transcend the powers
spark of gratitude for their preservation and comn-  of the human understanding?  To act in this
forts, to that Being " in whose hand their' breath  manner, as too many are disposed to do, is unis, and whose are all their ways!" Yea, how   worthy of man, both as a Christian and as an
niany are there who consider themselves as stand-  intelligent agent.  Such was not the conduct of
ing high in the ranks of the Christian profession,  the inspired writers;'their spirituality of views
who affect to look down, with a certain degree  did not lead them to neglect:the contemplation
of contempt, on the study of the material works  of any of the works of God. " I will meditate
of God, as if it were too gross. subject for their  on all thy works," says the Psalmist, " and talk
spiritual attainments! They profess to trace the  of all: thy doings:; I will utter abundantly the mewisdom of God in the Scriptures, and to feel gra-  mory of thy great goodness, and speak: of thy
titude for his pardoning mercy; but they seldom   wondrous works." A- ccordingly:we find, that
feel that gratitude which they ought to do'for those  the wonders of the human frame, the economy:
admirable arrangements in their own bodies, and  of the animal-and the vegetable tribes, the scenery
the elements around them, by which their lives  of the'" dry land," and of the ":mighty'deepl"
are preserved, and their happiness promoted;  and the glories of the heavens, were the frequent
and even seem to insinuate, that they have little  subjects of their devout contemplation.  They
or nothing to do with the contrivances of the God  consider them in relation to the unceasing agency
of Nature. They leave it to the genius of infidel  of God, by: Whom they were formed and arranged,
philosophers to trace the'articulations of the  and as declaring his Wisdom, Goodness,' and Ombones, the.branchings of the veins and arteries,' nipotence: and,'with this view, ought all the
the properties of light, and the'composition of: scenes of the visible creation to be; investigated
the atmosphere, while they profess to feast their  by his intelligent creatures.
minds on more sublime and spiritual entertain-    We have reason to believe, that it is owing,
ments. But, surely, such astonishing displays  in part, to want ofattention to the Divine wisdom
of the wisdom and benignity of the Most High,  and beneficence,asexhibited in the construction of
as creation exhibits, were never intended to be  the visible world, that many professed Christians
treated by his intelligent offspring with -apathy  entertain so vague' and confused ideas respector indifference; and to do so, must indicate a  ing the wisdom and goodness of Deity, as discertain degree of ingratitude towards Himwhose  played in the economy of:'Redemption. The
incessant energy sustains the whole assemblage  terms, Wisdom, Goodness, and Beneficence,
of sentient and intelligent beings, and who dis-  in their mouths, become words almost without
plays himself, in their construction and preser-  meaning, to which no precise or definite ideas
vation, tobe " wonderful in counsel, and excellent  are attached; because they have never considered
in working."  Shall we imagine, that, because  the instances and the evidence of these attributes,
God stands in the gracious relation of our Re- displayed in the material creation.  And, if our
deemer, he has ceased to stand in the relation of. minds have not been impressed with a'sense of
our Creator and Preserver?  Or shall we con- the wisdom and beneficence of God,' in those obh
sider those subjects as unworthy of our attention, jects which are presented to the external sense,
which are the theme of the praises of the hea- we cannot be supposed to have luminous and
venly host? Rev. iv. 11.  Can we suppose  distinct ideas of those spiritual objects'and ar.
that the Almighty displayed his infinite wisdom  rangements which are removed beyond the sphere'
in the curious organization of the human eye, of our corporeal organs.  For'all our ideas, in;
that man-the only being in this world who is  relation to Religion and its objects,'are primarily.
endowed with faculties capable of appreciating  derived from the intimations we receive of ext:er —
nal objects, through the medium  of our senses;.
V Those who wish to prosecute this subject, par- and, consequently, the mere clearly we perceive
tiularly that part of it which relates to the contrivances of Divine Wisdom, which appear in the  the agency of God, in his visible operations,. the
animal system, will find ample gratification in Nieu-  more shall we be qualified to perceive the wisdom
wentyt's " Religious Philoiopher," Vol. -l, and Dr.
Paley's "Natural Theology." A variety of useful  and harmony of his dispensationa, as xecorded&in
remarks on this subject will also be found in Ray's  the volume of inspiration
Wisdom of God in the Creation," Derham's fPhy-    We live in a world, all the arrangements off
lico.Theology,". and Bonnet's " Contemplation of
itoture. g   s                                which are the effects of infinite Wisdom.. We
lNature."
36




5t                        THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
are surrounded with wonders on every hand; and  man to be inattentive to the wonders which sur
therefore we cease to admire, or to fix our atten-  round him, what can be more pleasing and con
tion on any one of the wonders daily performed by  genial to a rational and devout mind, than con.
God. We have never been accustomed to con-  templations on the works of the Most IIigh.
template or to inhabit a world where benevolence  "What can be more gratifying," says Sturm
and wisdom are not displayed;and, therefore, we  "than to contemplate, in the heavens, in the
are apt to imagine, that the circumstances of our  earth, in the water, in the night and day, and
terrestrial existence could not have been muoh  indeed, throughout all nature, the proofs which
otherwise than they actually are. We behold  they afford of the wisdom, the purity, and the
the sun in the morning, ascending from the east  goodness of our great Creator and Preserver!
-a thousand shining globes are seen in the ca-  What can be more delightfull than to recognize,
nopy of the sky, when he has disappeared in the  in the whole creation, in all the natural world,
west. We open our eyelids, and the myriad  in every thing we see, traces of the ever-workof objects which compose an extensive landscape  ing providence and tender mercy of the great
are, in a noment, painted on our retina,-we  Father of all!"
wish to move our bodies, and, in an instant, the
joints and muscles of our hands and feet perform
their several functions. We spread out our wet
clothes to dry, and in a few hours the moisture is        SECTION IV.
evaporated. We behold the fields drenched with
rain, and in a few days it disappears, and is   On the Goodness or Benevolence of the DEITY.
dispersed through the surrounding atmosphere, to
be again imbodied into clouds. These are all    THE Benevolence of God is that perfection
common operations, and, therefore, thoughtless  of his nature, by which he communicates hap.
and ungrateful man seldom considers the obliga.  piness to the various ranks of sensitive and intions he is under to the Author of his existence,  telligent existence.
for the numerous enjoyments which flow from    The system of Nature, in all its parts, exhibits
these wise arrangements. But were the globe  an unbounded display of this attribute of the
we inhabit, and all its appendages, to remain in  Divine Mind, both in relation to man, and in:their present state-and were only the principle  relation to the subordinate tribes of animated
of evaporation and the refractive and reflective  existence. In relation to Man-the magnificence
properties of the air to be destroyed-we should  and glory ofthe heavens-the variegated colouring
soon feel, by the universal gloom which would en. which is spread over the scene of nature-the
sue, and by a thousand other inconveniences we  beautiful flowers, shrubs, and trees, with which
should suffer, what a miserable world was allotted  the earth is adorned, which not only delight the
for our abode. We should most sensibly per-  eye, but perfume the air with their delicious
oeive the wisdom and goodness we had formerly  odours-the various kinds of agreeable sounds
overlooked, and would most ardently implore the  that charm the ear-the music of the feathered
restoration of those arrangements for which we  songsters, which fill the groves with their me-,ere never sufficiently grateful. And why should  lody-the thousands of pleasant images which
we not now-while we enjoy so many comforts  delight the eye, in the natural embellishments of
flowing from  the plans of infinite Wisdom-  creation-the agreeable feelings produced by the
have our attention directed to the benevolent con-  contact of almost every thing we have occasion
trivances within us, and around us, in order that  to touch-the pleasure attached to eating, drinkgrateful emotions may be hourly arising in our  ing, muscular motion, and activity-the luxuriant
hearts, to the Father of our spirits? For the es-  profusion, and rich variety of aliments which the
sence of true religion consists chiefly in gratitude  earth affords-and the interchanges of thought
to the God of our life, and the Author of salva-  and affection-all proclaim the Benevolence of'tion; and every pleasing sensation we feel from   our Almighty Maker, and show that the commu.
the harmonies and the beauties of nature, ought nication of happiness is one grand object of all
to inspire us with this sacred emotion. "Hearken  his arrangements.  For these circumstances
-into this, 0 man! stand still, and consider the  are not essentially requisite to our existence
wonderful works of God.  Contemplate  the  We might have lived, and breathed, and walked
balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works  though every thing we touched had produced
of Him who is perfect in knowledge."-" He  pain; though every thing we ate and drank had,hath made the earth by his power, he hath esta-  been bitter; though every movement of our hands
blished the world by his wisdom. When he  and feet had been accompanied with uneasiness
uttereth his voice, there is a noise of waters in  and fatigue; though every sound had been asharsh
the heavens; he causeth the vapours to ascend  as the saw of the carpenter; though no birds had'from the ends of the earth, and bringeth the winds  warbled in the groves; though no flowers had
oslt of his Ireasures." Whh;e it is shameful for  decked the fields, or filled the air with their per



BENEVOLENCE OF THE DEITY.                                     53!umes; though one unvaried scene of dull uni-  most perfect contrast to the selfish and revengeful
fonnrmitv had prevailed, and beauty and sublimity  dispositions of man, which as far transcenda
had been swept from the face of nature; though  human benevolence, as the heavens in extent
the earth had been covered with a mantle of black,  surpass the earth-a charaoter calculated to exand no radiant orbs had appeared in our nocturnal  cite our highest love and admiration, and which
sky. But what a miserable world should we then  we are called upon, in the Sacred Oracles, to
have inhabited, compared with that which we  imitate and revere. " Be ye merciful, as your
now possess! Life would have passed away  Father who is in heaven is merciful: for he
without enjoymnent; and pain would have over-  maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the
balanced the pleasure ofexistence. Whereas, in  good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the
the existing constitution of things, all the objects  unjust." —" 0 that men would praise the Lord for
around us, and every sense of which we are pos-  his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the
sessed, when preserved in its natural vigour, have  children of men."
a direct tendency to produce pleasing sensations,    From such considerations, we learn, even from
and to contribute to our enjoyment: and it is  the system of nature, that mercy is an attribute
chiefly when we indulge in foolish and depraved  of the Deity; for, if mercy consists in bestowing
passions, and commit immoral actions, that the  favours on those who are unworthy, or who merit
benevolent intentions of the Deity are frustrated,  punishment, the greatest sinners in all ages have
and pain and misery produced.                 shared in it, and every individual of the human
If we consider, further, that the inexhaustible  race now existing enjoys a certain portion of
bounty of the Creator, and the numerous pleasures  those comforts which flow from the benevolent
we enjoy, are bestowed upon a guilty race of men,  arrangements which the Creator has established.
the benevolence of the Deity will appear in a  " He maketh the sun towise on the evil and on the
still more striking point ofview. Man has dared  good."' Though the nations in ancient times,
to rebel- against his Maker; he-is a depraved and  as well as at present, " walked in their own way,"
ungrateful creature.  The great majority of our  indulging in impiety, falsehood, lewdness, war,
race have banished God from  their thoughts,  devastations, revenge, abominable idolatries, and
trampled upon hislaws, neglected to contemplate  every other violation of his law, he still supported
his works. refused to pay him that tribute of  the functions of their animal frames, and caused
reverence and adoration which his perfections  the influence of the sun, the rains, and the dews,
demand, have been ungrateful for his favours,  to descend upon their fields, that they might be
have blasphemed his name, and have transferred  refieshed with his bounty, and filled " with food
to "' four-footed beasts, and creeping things," that  and gladness."  If mercy were not an essential
nomage which is due to him alone. It has been  attribute of the Deity, he would have cut them
the chief part of their employment, in all ages,  down in the midst of their first transgressions,
to counteract the effects of his Beneficence, by  shattered to pieces the globe on which they dwelt,
inflicting injustice, oppression, and torture, upon  and buried them in eternal oblivion. But whether
each other; by maiming the human frame, burn-  Divine mercy will extend to the final forgiveness
ing cities and villages, turning fruitful fields into  of sin, and the communication of eternal happia wilderness, and by every other act of violence,  ness to such beings, can be learned only from the
carrying death and destruction through the world.  discoveries of revelation.
A.nd if water, air, and the light of heaven, had    In relation to the infersor animals-the irnbeen placed within the limits of their control, it  mense multitude of living creatures with which
is more than probable, that whole nations would  the earth is replenished, is a striking evidence
have been occasionally deprivedofthese elements,  of the vast profusion of Divine Beneficence.
so essential to human existence. Yet, notwith-  More than a hundred thousand species of anistanding the prevalence of such depraved dispo.  mated beings are dispersed through the differsitions, the streams of Divine benevolence to-  ent regionsofthe air, the water, and the earth,
- wards our apostate race have never yet been  besides myriads which are invisible to the uninterrupted. The earth has never stopped in its  assisted eye. To estimate the number of in.
career, and thrown nature into a scene of confu-  dividuals belonging to any one species is beyond
sion; the light of heaven has never ceased to  the power of man.  What countless myriads
illume the world; the springs of water have never  of herrings, for example, are contained in a single
been dried up, nor has the fertile soil ceased to  shoal, which is frequently more than six miles
enrich the plains with golden harvests. God  long and three miles broad. To estimate the
" hath notleft himself without a witness," to his  number of individuals in all the different species
beneficence, in any age, in that he hath unceas-  would, therefore, be as impossible as to count the
inglv bestowed on the inhabitants of the world  grains of sand in the Arabian deserts. There
s, rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling  is not a single spot, in any region oflthe globe,
their hearts with food and gladness."  This is  but what teems with animated beings.  Yet, all
one of the cnaracters of Deity which forms the  this vast assemblage of sensitive existence is




54                       THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
amply provided for by the bountiful Creator.  cover a train of contrivance to bring about a
" These all wait upon him, and'he giveth  evil purpose. No anatomist ever discovereo ax
them their meat in due season."  They. enjoy  system  of organization calculated to produce
not only life, but also a happy existence.' The  pain and disease; or' in explaining the parts of the
sportive  motions -and gesticulations of all the  humanbody, ever-saidi Thisis to irritate; this to
animal tribes-the birds skimming through the  inflame; this duct is to convey.the gravel to the
air, warbling in the groves, and perching on the  kidneys; this gland to secrete the humour which
trees-the beasts of the field; bounding in the  forms the- gout. -IJf, b'y -chance, he come at a;
forests, and through: the lawns-the fishes sport-  part of which he knows not the use, the most lihe
ing in the waters-the reptiles wriggling in the  can say is, that it is uselses; no one ever suspects
dust, and the winged insects, by a' thousand  that it is put there to incommode, to annoy, or
wanton mazes - all declare that they are re-  torment. Since, then-, God hath called forth his
joicing in their existence, and in the exercise of  consummate wisdom to contrive, and provide for
those powers with which the Cr eator has fur-  our happiness, and  the: world appears to have
nished them. So that, wherever we turn our eyes,  been constituted with -this design at first, so
we evidently perceive, -that " the earth is- full of  long as -this constitution:'is upheld by him, we
the goodness of the Lord;"'and that " his tender  must, in reason, suppose the same design to conmercies are over all his works."  This subject  tinue."'-Paley]'s -Moral -Philosophy, Book II.
is boundless —but it would be inconsistent with  Chap. 5.
the limited plan of this work, to enter into any    Thus, I have endeavoured- in this and the preparticular details. And it is the less necessary,  ceding section, to exhibit: a few specimens of the
when we consider, that every instance of'Divine' Wisdom and Goodness of'God, in'the~ system of
Wisdom  is, at the samr time, an instance of  nature. Theseb might have been multiplied to an
benevolence; for it is the ultimate object of all  indefinite extent, but. the instances' adduced, I
the wise contrivances in the system of Nature,: presume, aie sufficient to show, that the economy
that happiness may be communicated too the va-  of the material:world is not altogether a barren
rious ranks of sensitive and intelligent existence.  subject: - to:a'pious: and contemplative mind.
Goodness chooses the end, and' wisdom selects  Every intelligent believer in Revelation will
the most proper means, for its accomplishment; readily admit, that it would be a highly desirable
so that these two attributes must always be con-  object, to induce uponthe mass of Christians such
sidered in simultaneous operation. And, there-' a habit of devout attention to the visible works of
fore, the instances I have already specified, of creation, as would lead them, in their social and
the Wisdom and Intelligence of the Creator, may' solitary walks, to recognize the-agency of God,
also be considered, as exemplifications of -Divine  in every object they behold; to raise their thoughts
Benevolence.  I shall,' therefore, conclude this~ to Him as the Great First Cause, and to extopic with the following extract from Dr. Paley.  pand their hearts vwith enrWtions of gratitude.
"Contrivance proves design:;and the promi-  How' very different must be the sentiments and
nent tendency of the contrivance, indicates the  the piety of the man' who looks on the scene
disposition of the designer. The world abounds  of wisdom and magnificence around him, with
with contrivances; and all the contrivances we  a " brute unconscious gaze," as thousands of
are acquainted with, are directed to'beneficial  professed Christians do-and the grateful and
purposes. Evil, no doubt,'exists; but it is never  pious emotions of him who recognizes the be.
that we can perceive, the object of contrivance.  nevolent agency of God, in the motions of his
Teeth are contrived to eat, not to ache:; their  fingers, and his eyeballs; in the pulsation of
aching now and then, is incidental to the con-  his heart; in'the picture of external objects
trivance, perhaps'inseparable from it; or even,  every moment formed on his retina; in the reif you will, let it be called a defect in the con-  flection  of the rays of light, and the diversified
trivance, but it is not the object of it.  This is a  colours they produce; inthe drying of his clothes;
distinction which well deserves to be-attended to.  in the constitution of the atmosphere; in: the
In describing implements'of husbandry, you will  beauty' and magnificence of the earth and the
hardly say'ofa sickle, that it is made to cut the  heavens; arid in every other object that meets his
reaper's fingers, though from the construction  eye, in the expanse of nature! The numberless
of the instrument, and the manner of using it,  astonishing instances of' Divine' agency, which
this mischief often happens. But if you had  every where present themselves to our view in
occasion to describe instruments of torture or ex-  the scene around us, seem evidently intended
ecution, This, you would say, is to extend the si-  to arrest the mind to a consideration of an
news; this to dislocate the joints; this to break  " ever-present Deity;" and I envy not the senthe'bones; this to scorch the soles of the feet.  timents' or the feelings of that man who ima.
Here pain and misery are the very objects of the  gines, that he stands in no need of such sensible
contrivance. Now nothing of this sort is to be  mediums, to impress his mind with a sense of
found in the works of nature. We never dis-  the benevolent care and omnipresence of God.




CHA PTER II.
COMTAIING A CURSORY VIEW OF COME OF THE SCIENCES WHICH ARE RELATED
TO RELIGION.AND CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY.
THEOLOGY has generally been viewed as a  rather as so many independent. branches of sect.
study of avery limited range: and, hence, when  lar knowledge, than as subservient to the elucida.
it has been admitted into the circle ofthe sciences,  tion ofthe facts and doctrines of religion and to the
a much smaller space has been allotted for its dis-  accomplishment of its benevolent designs. Hence,
cussion, than has been devoted to almost any  it has happened that. Philosophy and Religion,
other department of human knowledge. When  instead of marching' hand in hand to the portals of
considered, however, in its most extensive sense,  immortality, have frequently set themselves in
-in its relations to the Divine Being-to his past  hostile array; and'combats have ensued equally
and present dispensations towards the human race  injurious to the interests of both parties.  The
-to the presrent circumstances and the future  Philosopher has occasionally been disposed to
destiny of mat — and to the physical and moral  investigate the economy of nature, without a refercondition of all the sentient and intelligent beings  ence to the attributes'of that Almighty Being who
of which we have any intimation-it ought to be  presides over its movements, as if the universe
viewed as the most. varied and comprehensive of were a self-moving and independent machine;
all the sciences; as embracing, within its exten-  and has not unfrequently taken occasion, from
sive grasp, all the other departments of useful  certain obscure and insulated facts, to throw out
knowledge, both human and divine. As it has  insinuations hostile to. the truth and the' characGod for its object, it must include a knowledge  ter of the'Christian Revelation.  The'Theoloof the universe he has formed-of the movements  gian, on the other hand, in the heat of his intlemwhich are continually going on throughout the  perate zeal against the infidelphilosopher, has unwide extent of his empire, in' so far as -they lie  guardedly been led to'declaim against the study
open to our inspection-of the attributes which  of science, as if it'were unfriendly to religionappear to be displayed in all.his operations-of has; in'effect,'set' the works of God in opposition
the moral laws he has framed for the regulation  to his word-has confounded the foolish theories
of holy intelligences-of the merciful arrange-  of speculative minds with'the rational'study of the
ments he has made for the restoration of fallen  works ofDeity-and has thus prevented the mass
man-of the plans by which the knowledge of his  of mankind from expanding their minds: by the
will is to be circulated and extended in the world  contemplation of the beauties and sublimities of
in which we live-of the means by which truth,  nature.
and moral purity, and order, are to be promoted    It is now high' time that a complete reconciliaamong our apostate race, in order to their resto-  tion were effected between these' cont'en'ding parration to the happiness they have lost-together  ties. Religion ought never: to disdain to' derive
with all those diversified ramifications of know-  her supports and illustrationis from the researches
ledge, which have either a more remote or a  of science; for the investigations of philosomore immediate bearing on the grand object now   phy into the economy of Natlre,.from whatever
specified. Like the lines which proceed from   motives they may be undertaken, are nothing
the circumference to the centre of an immense  else than an inquiry into- the plans and' operscircle-all the moral* arts and sciences which  tions of'the Eternal Mind. And Philosophy
have been invented by men —every department  ought always to consider it as her highest honou,
of human knowledge, however far it may, at first  to walk as an handmaid in the train of that relisight, appear to be removed from religion-may  gion which points out the path to the'regions A4'
be considered as havingadirect bearingon The-  eternal bliss. ~ By their mutual aid, and the' slbology, as the grand central point, and as having a  serviency of the one to the other, the moral tnd
certain tendency to promote its important objects.  intellectual improvement of man will'be protnotIt is much to be regretted, that Theology has  ed, and the benevolent purposes' of God, in the
so seldom been contemplated in this point of kingdom of providence, gradually-accomplished.
view-and that the sciences have been considered  But when set in opposition to each other, the
human mind is bewildered and' retarded in its
The epithet moral is here used in its application  progress, and the Deity is apt to be considered
to arts, because there are certain arts which'must  as set in opposition to himself —as proclaiming
be considered as having an immoral tendency, such  one system of doctrines from the economy of re
as the art of war, the art of boxing, of gambling,  velation and another, and an opposite syte
&c. anl, which, therefore, cannot have a direct ten-   elation,  d another, and an opposite system
dency to g romote the objects cf religion     from the economy of nature. But if tho Chris



s6                        THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
tian Revelation and the system of the material  other objects seldom noticed, which would appea
world derived their origin from the same Al-  no less interesting, and, in some instances, mnuch
mighty Being, the most complete harmony must  more novel and gratifying to the general reader
subsist between the revelations they respectively  and to the youthful mind. All the diversified
unfold; and the apparent inconsistencies which  forms of matter, whether existing on the surface
occur must be owing chiefly to the circlum-  or in the bowels of the earth, in the ocean, the
stances of our present station in the universe, and  atmosphere, or in the heavens, form the legitito the obscure and limited views we are obliged  mate objects of this department of the science of
to take of some of the grand and diversified obh-  nature.
jects they embrace. And, therefore, we have    Were we, therefore, to sketch a comprehen.
reason to believe that, when the system of nature  sive outline of the subjects of Natural History,
shall be more extensively explored, and the lead-  we might, in the first place, take a cursory suring objects of revelation contemplated in a clearer  vey of the globe we iinhabit, in reference to its
light, without being tinged with the false colour-  magnitude, figure, motions, and general arrangeing of party opinions and contracted views, and  ments-the form, relations, and extent of its conwhen rational inquirers shall conduct their re-  tinents-the numerous islands which diversify
searches with a greater degree ofreverence, humi-  the surface of the ocean-the magnitude, the direclity and Christian temper, the beauty and harmo-  tion, and the extent of its rivers, and the quant ity
ny of all the plans and revelations of the Deity, in  of water they pour into the ocean —the direcreference both to the physical and the moral world,  tion, elevation, and extent of the different ranges
will be more distinctly perceived and appreciated.  of mountains which rise from its surface-the
In the following cursory sketches, it forms no  plains, morasses, lakes, forests, dells, and sandy
part of my plan to trace even an outline of the  deserts, which diversify its aspect-the extent
different sciences which are connected with reli-  the motions, the colour, and the different aspects
gion, much less to enter into any particular de-  of the ocean, and the facts which have been ascertails, in relation to their facts and principles. It  tained respecting its saltness, its depth,its bottom,
would be comparatively easy to fill up the remain-  and its different currents. We might next take
ing sheets of this volume with skeletons of the  a more particular view of some of the most redifferent sciences; but such meager details as  markable objects on its surface, and give a detait
behooved to be brought forward, could not be  of the facts which are known respecting the hisinteresting to the general reader, and would fail  tory of volcanoes-their number-the countries
in accomplishing the object proposed. My de-  in which they are situated-the awful phenosign simply is, to select some leading facts, or  mena they exhibit-and the devastations they
general truths, in relation to some of the physical  have produced; the history of earthquakes, their
sciences, for the purpose ofshowing their connec-  phenomena and effects, and the countries most
tion with the objects of religion and the interests  subject to their ravages-basaltic and rocky
of rational piety.  At the same time, such de-  wonders, natural bridges, precipices, cataracts,
finite descriptions will be given as will enable  ice islands, icebergs, glaciers, whirlpools, minecommon readers to appreciate the objects and  ral wells, reciprocating fountains, boiling springs,
bearings of the different branches of knowledge  sulphuric mountains, bituminous lakes, volcanic
which may be presented to their view.         islands-the various aspects of nature in the
The first science* I shall notice is that of  different zones, and the contrasts presented be.
tween the verdant scenes of tropical climes, and
xNATURAL HISTORY.                 the icy cliffs of the polar regions. We would
This science, taken in its most comprehensive  next take a survey of the subterraneous wonders
sense, includes a knowledge and description of  which lie beneath the surface of the earth-the
all the known facts in the material universe.  immense chasms and caverns which wind in vaIt is to be regretted, that most books published  rious directions among the interior strata of our
under the title of Natural History, to which com-  globe-such as the great Kentucky cavern, and
mon readers have access, contain nothing more  the grotto of Antiparos-the mines of salt, coal,
than a gereral description of animals, as if this  copper, lead, diamond, iron, quicksilver, tin, gold,
science were confined merely to one class of  and silvel —the substances which compose  the
beings; whereas there is an infinite variety of various strata, the fossil bones, shells, al:d petri* The termacience, in its most general and exten-  factions, which are imbedded in the different
sive sense, signifies knowzedge, particularly that  layers, and the bendings and disruptions u hich
species of knowledge which is acquired by the exer-  to have taken place in the su
tion of the human faculties. In a more restricted
sense, it denotes a systematic species of knowledge,  which compose the exterior crust of the earth.
which consists of rule and order, such as Mathema-  We might next survey the atmosphere with which
tics, Astronomy, Natural Philosophy, &c.- In the    I
discussions contained in this work, it is used ilt its  the earth is environed, and give a detail of the
most general sense, as denoting the various depart-  facts which have been ascertained respecting its
mients of human knowledge, in which sense history, specific gravity and pressure, the elementary prin,
Fth natural, civil, and sacred, may be termed
tcience                                       ciples of which it is compounded, its refractive




NATURAL HISTORY.                                     57
and reflective powers, and the phenomena which  whole compass of nature, which affords a more
result from its various properties and modifiea-  striking instance of the beneficial and harmotions-the meteors which appear in its different  nious adaptation of things in the universal sys.
regions-thunder and lightning, winds, hail, rain,  ten. We would, therefore, consider it in reference
clouds, rainbows, parhelias or mock-suns, mete-  to its vast abundance in all parts of the worldoric stones, the aurora borealis, luminous arches,  the numerous substances into which it enters
ignes fatui, the mirage, the fata morgana, hur-  into combination-its magnetical property-its
ricanes, monsoons, whirlwinds and waterspouts,  capability of being fused and welded-the nuxounds and echoes.                            merous useful utensils it has been the means
In prosecuting our survey of sublunary nature,  of producing-its agency in carrying forward imwe would next advert to the various orders of  provements in art and science, in the civilization
the vegetable tribes-their anatomical structure  ofbarbarous tribes, and in promoting the progress
-the circulation of their juices-the food by  of the human mind; and the aids which it affords
which they are nourished-the influence of light  to the Christian missionary in heathdn lands.
and air on their growth and motions-their male    Having surveyed the inanimate parts of the
and female organs-their periods of longevity-  terraqueous globe, and its appendages, we might
their modes of propagation-their diseases and  next direct our attention to the animated tribes
nissolution —their orders, genera, and species-   with which it is peopled. Beginning at Man,
their immense variety-their influence on the  the head of the animal creation, we would desalubrity of the atmosphere-the relation which  tail the principal facts which have been ascertheir roots, leaves, and fruits bear to the wants  tained respecting his structure and organicat
of man and other animals, in supplying food,  functions-the muscular movements of the huclothing, and materials for constructing habita-  man body, the system of bones, nerves, veins,
tions-the gums and resinous substances they  and arteries; the process of respiration; and the
exude-the odours they exhale-the variety of organs of vision, hearing, smelling, tasting, and
colours they exhibit-the vast diversity of forms  feeling, by which he holds a correspondence
in which they appear-and the beauty and va-  with the material world-the modifications which
riety which they spread over the whole face of  appear in his corporeal frame and in his mental
nature.                                      faculties, during the periods of infancy, puberty,
The mineral kingdom would next require to be  manhood, and old age-the causes and phenomena
surveyed. We would inquire into the facts which  of sleep and dreaming-the varieties ofthe human
have been ascertained respecting the earthy, sa-  race, in respect of colour, stature, and featuresline, inflammable, and metallic substances which  the deviations from the ordinary course of nature,
are found on the surface and in the bowels of which occasionally occur, in the case of monsters,
the earth-their specific and distinguishing cha-  dwarfs, and giants-the moral and intellectua.
racters-the elementary principles, or simple  faculties-and those distinguishing characteristics
substances, of which they are composed-the  which prove the superiority of man over the other
regions of the earth where the respective mine-  tribes of animated nature.
rals most frequently abound-and  the  ends    The inferior ranks of the animal creation
which they are designed to accomplish in the  would next demand our attention.  We would
constitution of the globe. We would consider,  take a survey of the numerous tribes of Quadrumore particularly, the various metals, such as  peds, Birds, Fishes, Serpents, Lizards, and Iniron. copper, lead, tin, gold, silver, bismuth, zinc,  sects, in reference to the characteristic marks by
&c. in reference to the substances with which  which the different species are distinguished,they are united in their native ores-the changes  their food and habitations-the different modes
produced upon them by the action of oxygen and  in which they display their architective faculty,
the different acids-their combustibility-their  in constructing places of abode for shelter and
combination with phosphorus, sulphur, and car-  protection-the clothing with which they are
bon; and the various compounds into which they  furnished-their sagacity in finding out the promay be formed-their important uses in the arts  per means for subsistence and self-preservationwhich minister to the comfort and embellishment  their hostilities-their artifices in catching their
of human life-their relation to the multifarious  prey, and escaping their enemies-their modes
necessities of man-and the wisdom and good-  of propagation-their transformations from one
ness of tIhs Creator, as displayed in their ar-  state and form to another-their migrations to
rangement in the bowels of the earth, and in  different countries and climates-their various
the admirable properties of which they are pos-  instincts-their care in rearing and protecting
sessed. In these details, the natural history  their young-their passions, mental characters,
of Iron would hold a prominent place.  In point  and social dispositions-their language, or modes
of utility, it claims the highest rank in the class  of communication with each other-their capac,.
of metals, and is intrinsically more valuable than  ties for instruction and improvement-their difgold and silver, and all the diamonds of the East. ferent powers of locomotion-the adaptation of..-There is scarcely a mineral substance in the  all their organs to the purposes for which they




68                       THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
seem; intended-the indications they give of  rious attention: of every rational intelligence
being possessed of moral dispositions and rational  that wishes to trace the perfections and agency
powers-their different periods oflongevity, and  of.the Almighty Creator. To investigate the
the ends which they are intended to subserve in  causes of the diversified phenomena which the
the system of nature..Along with these details,  materialworld exhibits, and the principles and
certain views might be exhibited of the various  modes by which many of the facts now alluded
forms of sensitive life, and modes of existence,  to are ascertained, is the peculiar province of
which obtain in those numerous species of an-  Natural-Philosophy, Chymistry, and the Math..'nals which are invisible to the naked'eye, and  matical Sciences.
va hich the microscope discovers in almost every. Amid so vast a variety of objects as Natural
lepartment of nature..            History presents, it is difficult to fix on any parHaving surveyed the objects which compose  ticular facts, as specimens of the interesting
our sublunary system, we would next direct our  nature of this department of knowledge, without
view to the regions of the sky, and contemplate  going beyond the limits to which I am necessarily
the'facts which have been discovered in relation to  confined in this volume. I shall content myself
the celestial orbs. We would first attend to.the  with a description of two objects, which have a
apparent motion ofthe sun, the different points of reference chiefly to the vegetable kingdom.the:horizon at which he seems to rise and: set,  The first of these is
and:the different degrees of elevation to which he    THE BANeAN TaREE. —" This tree, which is
-arrives, at different: seasons of the year,-the  also called the Burr Tree, or the Indian Fig, is
different aspects he presents as viewed from dif-  one of the most curious and beautiful of Nature's
ferent parts of the earth's surface,.and the differ-  productions,in the genial climate of India, where
ent lengths of days and nights in different parts  she sports with the greatest variety and profusion.
ofthe world.. We would next attend to the varied  Each tree is in itself a grove; and some of them
phases of. the moon-the direct and retrograde.are of an amazing size and extent, and, contrary
motions of the planets - the apparent diurnal  to most other animal and vegetable productions,
motion of the whole celestial sphere, from east  seem tobe exempted from decay. Every branch
to west-and the different clusters of stars which  from the main body throws out its own roots;
are seen in our nocturnal sky, at different. sea.  at first, in small tender fibres, several yards from
sons of the year. We would next consider the  the ground; these continually grow thicker, until,
~deductions which science has made, respecting  by a gradual descent, they reach the surface, and
the order and arrangement of.the planets which  there, striking in, they increase to large trunks,
compose the solar system-their distances from   and become parent trees, shooting out new
the sun, and from the earth —their magnitudes  branches from the tops  These, in time, sus-the periods of their diurnal and annual revo-  pend their roots, and receiving  nourishment!utians -the secondary  planets,.. or moons, from the earth, swell into trunks, and shoot forth
-which accompany them,- their eclipses - the  other branches; thus continuing in a state of
various phenomena which their surfaces present'progression, so long as the earth, the first parent
when viewed through telescopes-the physical  of them  all, contributes her sustenance.  A
influence which some of them produce on the  banian tree, with many trunks, forms the most
surface of our globe-and.the singular appear-  beautiful walks, vistas, and cool recesses, that
ance of. those bodies,called  Comets, whidh  can be imagined. The leaves are large, soft,
occasionally visit this part of our system, We  and of a lively green; the fruit is a small fig, when
would,: in the next place, extend our views to  ripe ofa bright scarlet, affording sustenance to
the..starry  regions,.. and. consider the number  monkeys, squirrels, peacocks, and birds of vaof stars which present themselves to the naked  rious kinds, which dwell among the branches.
eye —the immensely greater numbers which    " The Hindoos are peculiarly fond of the
are discovered by telescopes-the systems into  banian tree; they consider its long -duration, its
which they appear to be arranged - the facts  outstretching arms, and its overshadowing bene.
which have been ascertained respecting new  ficence, as emblems of the Deity, and almost pay
stars-double and triple stars-stars once visi-  it divine honours. The brahmins, who thus
ble, which have now disappeared from the hea-'find a fane in every sacred grove,' spend much of
vens-variable stars, whose lustre is increased  their time in religious solitude, under the shade
and diminished at different periods of time-and  of the banian tree; they plant it near their tem.
the structure and position of the many hundreds  ples or pagodas; and in those villages where tihere
of Nebula, or starry systems, which appear to be  is no structure erected for public worship, they
dispersed throughout the immensity of creation.  place an image under one of these trees, and there
All the particulars now  stated, and many  perform a morning and evening sacrifice. The
others which might have been specified-consi-  natives of all castes and tribes are fond of recreate
dered simply asfacts which exist in the system   ing in the cool recesses, beautiful walks,and loveof Nature-form the appropriate and legitimate  ly vistas of this umbrageous canopy, impervious
objects of Natural History, and demand the se-  to the hottest beams of a tropical sun.  Theso




NATURAL HISTORY.                                        59
are the trees under which a sect of naked phi.    This tree, which is doubtless one of the most
losophers, called Gymnosophists, assembled in  singular and magnificent objects in the vegetab'le
Arrian's days, and this historian of Ancient  kingdom, appears to be a world in miniature, in
Greece presents a true picture of the modern  which thousands, both of human beings anti of
Hirdoos.-' In winter,' he says,' the Gymno-  the inferior: tribes that traverse the earth and the
sophists enjoy the benefit of the sun's rays in the  air, may find ample accommodation and subsistopen air. and in surmmer, when the heat becomes  ence. What a striking contrast does it present
excessive, they pass their time in cool and moist  to the forests of trees, or mushrooms, which are
places, under large trees, which according to the  perceived by the help of the microscope, in a
accounts of Nearchus, cover a circumference of  piece of mouldiness-every plant of which is seo
five acres, and extend their branches so far, that ten  veral hundreds of times smaller than the point o,
thousand men may easily find shelter under them.  a fine needle! Yet both are the effects of the
" On the banks of the river Narbuddy, in the  agency of the same All-wise and Omnipotent
province of Guzzerat, is a banian tree, supposed,  Being. And what an immense variety of graby some persons, to be the one described by  dations is to be found in the vegetable world,' beNearchus, and certainly not inferior to it.  It is  tween these two extremes-every part of the vast
distinguished by the name of Cubbeer Burr,  interyal being filled up with flowers, herbs, shrubs,
which was given it in honour of a famous saint.  and trees of every colour, form, and. size, and in
High floods have, at various times, swept away  such vast multitudes and profusion that no man
a considerable part of this extraordinary tree;  can number them!
but what still remains, is nearly two thousand    Anobject, which approximates in a certain defeet in circumference, measured round the princi-  gree to the one. now described, is mentioned in
pal sterns; the overhanging branches, not:yet  " Staunton's Account of Macartney's Embassy
struck down, cover a much larger space; and  to China," p. 70. It iscalledby botanists dan,.
under it grow  a number of custard-apple and  sonia, and is also known by the name of the
other fruit trees. The large trunks of this single  Monkey Bread Tree, and was discovered in-the
tree amount to three hundred and fifty; and the  island of St. Jago. "The circurnference or girth
smaller ones exceed three thousand;:every one  of the base:was 56 feet, which soon divided into
of these is constantly sending forth branches and  two vast branches, the one: in a perpendicular
hanging roots, to form other trunks and become  direction, whose periphery, or:girth, was 42 fbet,
the parents of a future progeny.  The Cubbeer  the other 26. Another, of the same species, stood
Burr is famed throughout Hindostan, not only  near it, whose single trunk, girthing only 38 feet,
on account of its great extent,, but also of its sur-  was scarcely noticed."
passing beauty, The Indian armies generally      The only other specimen I shall exhibit to the
encamp around it; and at stated seasons, solenin  reader has a relation both to the animal and to the
Jatarras, or Hindoo festivals, to which thousands  vegetable kingdom.  It is well known that the
of votaries repair, from every part of the Mogul  examination of flowers, and vegetables of every
empire, are there celebrated. It is said that se-  description, by the microscope, opens a new and
ven thousand persons find ample room to repose  interesting field of wonders to the inquiring
tinder its shade. It has long been the custom of naturalist.. Sir John Hill has giventhe following
the British residents in India, on their hunting  curious account of what appeared on his examinand shooting parties, to form extensive encamp-  ing a carnation,
ments, and spend weeks together, tinder this de-    "The principal flower in an elegant bouquet
lightful and magnificent pavilion, which affords  was a carnation:.the fragrance of this led me to
a shelter to all travellers, particularly to. the reli-  enjoy it frequently ant. near. The sense ofsmellgious tribes of the Hindoos. It is generally filled  ing was not the only one affected on these occawitn greenwood pigeons, doves, peacocks, and a  sions: while that was satiated with the powerful
variety of feathered songsters-with monkeys,  sweet, the ear was constantly attacked by an
wnlch both divert the spectator, by their antic  extremely soft, but agreeable murmuring sound.
tricks, and interest him by the paternal affection  It was easy to know that some animal within the
they display to their young offspring, in teaching  covert must be the musician, and that the little
them to select their food, and to exert themselves  noise must come from some little creature, suited
in jumping from bough to bough, —and is shaded  to produce it. I instantly distended the lower part
by bats of a large size, many of them measuring  of the flower, and placing it in a full light, could
upwards of six feet from the extremity of one  discover troops of little insects frisking, with wild
wing to the other. This tree affords not only  jollity, among the narrow pedestals that supportshelter, but sustenance, to all its inhabitants,  ed its leaves, and the little threads that occlupied
being covered, amid its bright foliage, with small  its centre. What a fragrant world for their ha.
figs, of a rich scarlet, on which they all regale  bitation! What a perfect security from all anwith as much delight as the lords of creation on  noyance, in the dusky husk that surrounded the
their more costly fare,in their parties of pleasure."  scene of action! Adapting a microscope to take
-See Encyclopedia Britannica, Art. Picus.    in, at one view, the whole base of the flower, I




60                        THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
gave myself an opportunity of contemplating what  of space, there are worlds filled with myriads
they were about, and this for many days toge-  of living beings, which, in point of size and ex
ther, without giving them the least disturbance,  tent, bear as small a proportion to the earth, as
Thus, I could discover their economy, their  the earth bears to the vast assemblage of' the
passions, and their enjoyments. The microscope,  celestial worlds. A. single flower, a leaf, or a
on this occasion, had given what nature seemed  drop of water, may appear as large and as diver.
tc have denied to the objects of contemplation.  sified in its structure, to some of the beings
The base of the flower extended itself under its  which inhabit it, as the whole earth appears to
influence to a vast plain; the slender stems of  the view of man; and a thousand scenes of mag.
the leaves became trunks of so many stately  nificence and beauty may be presented to their
cedars; the threads in the middle seemed co-  sight, of which no distinct conception can be
lumns of massy structure, supporting at the top  formed by the human mind. The many thousands
several ornaments; and the narrow spaces be-  of transparent globes, of which their eyes are
tween were enlarged into walks, parterres, and  composed, may magnify and multiply the objects
terraces. On the polished bottoms ofthese.brighter  around them  without end, so that an object
than Parian  marble, walked  in pairs, alone,  scarcely visible to the eye of man may appear
or in larger companies, the winged inhabitants;  to them as a vast extended universe.
these from  little dusky flies, for such only the  " Having examined," says St. Pierre, "one
naked eye would have shown them, were raised  day, by a microscope, the flowers of thyme, I dis.
to glorious glittering animals, stained with living  tinguished in them, with equal surprise and depurple, and with a glossy gold, that would have  light, superb flagons with a long neck, of a submade all the labours of the loom contemptible in  stance resembling the amethyst, from the gullets
the comparison. I could, at leisure, as they  of which seemed to flow ingots of liquid gold. I
walked together, admire their elegant limbs,  hlave never made observations of the corolla,
their velvet shoulders, and their silken wings; simply of the smallest flower, without finding it
their backs vying with the empyrean in its blue;  composed of an admirable substance, half transand their eyes, each formed of a thousand others,  parent, studded with brilliants, and shining in
outglittering the little planes on a brilliant; above  the most lively colours. The beings which live
description, and too great almost for admiration.  under a reflex thus enriched, must have ideas
I could observe them here singling out their fa-  very different from ours, of light, and of the other
vourito females; courting them with the music of phenomena ofnature. A drop of dew, filtering in
their buzzing wings with little songs, formed for  the capillary and transparent tubes of a plant,
their little organs; leading them from walk to walk,  presents to them thousands of cascades; the same
among the perfumed shades, and pointing out to  drop fixed as a wave on the extremity of one of
their taste the drop of liquid nectar, just burst-  its prickles, an ocean without a shore; evaporat
ing from some vein within theliving trunk-here  ed into ail; a vast aerial sea. It is credible, then,
were the perfumed groves, the more than mystic  from analogy, that there are animals feeding on
shades of the poet's fancy realized. Here the  the leaves of plants like the cattle in our meadows
happy lovers spent their days in joyful dalliance,  and on our mountains, which repose under the
or, in the triumph of their little hearts, skipped  shades of a down imperceptible to the naked eye,
after one another from stem to stem, among the  and which, from  goblets formed like so many
painted trees, or winged their short flight to the  suns, quaff nectar of the colour of gold and silver."
close shadow of some broader leaf, to revel un-    Thus it appears, that the universe extends to
disturbed in the heights of all felicity."    infinity on either hand; and that whenever matThis picture of the splendour and felicity of  ter exists, from the ponderous globes of heaven
insect life, may, to certain readers, appear  down to the invisible atom, there.he Almighty
somewhat overcharged. But those who have  Creator has prepared habitations ir countless
been much in the habit of contemplating the beau-  orders of existence, from  the seraph to the anities of the animal and vegetable world, through  malcula, in order to demonstrate his boundless
microscopes, can easily enter into all the views  beneficence, and the infinite variety of modes by
which are here described  I have selected this  which he can diffuse happiness through the uniexample, for the purpose of illustrating the un-  versal system.
bounded goodness of the Creator, in the vast      "How sweet to muse upon His skill drlay'd
profusion of enjoyment he has communicated,       Infinite skill! in all that he has made;
even to the lowest tribes of animal existence.    To trace in nature's most minute design
and as a specimen of those invisible worlds'lThe signature and stamp of power divine;
Contrivance exquisite, expressed with ease,
which exist beyond the range of our natural       Where unassisted sight no beauty sees;
vision. For it appears that there is a gradation  The shapely limb and lubricated joint,
Within the small dimensions of a point:
of worlds downward as well as upward. How-        Muscle and nerve miraculously spun,
ever small our globe may appear when compared    His mighty work who speaks and it is;lone f
with the sun and with the immensity of starry    Th' ivisible in things scarce seen reveald 
To whom an atom is an ample field P'
systems which lie dispersed through the infinity                     Sowpers leerrars.




NATURAL HISTORY.                                     61
With regard to the religiouss tendency of the  ments of our joints, the motion of our eyeballs
study of Natural History, it maj be remarked-  and in the rays of light which are continually
that, as all the objects which it embraces are the  darting from surrounding objects, for the purposes
workmanship of God-the delineations and do-  of vision. For these, and ten thousand other
scriptions of the Natural Historian must be con-  agencies in the system of nature, are nothing
sidered as " The history of the operations of the  else but the voice of Deity, proclaim'ing to the
Creator;" or, in other words, so far as the science  sons of men, in silent but emphatic language,
extends, " The histoir of the Creator himself:"  " Stand still, and consider the wonderful works
for the marks of his incessant agency, his power,  of God."
wisdom, and beneficence, are impressed on every    If, then, it be admitted, that the study of
object, however minute, throughout the three  Nature is the study of the Creator-to overlook
Kingdoms of nature, and throughout every region  the grand and beautiful scenery with which we
of earth, air, and sky. As the Deity is invisi-  are surrounded, or to undervalue any thing which
ble to mortal eyes, and cannot be directly con-  Infinite Wisdom has formed, is to overlook and
templated by finite minds, without some material contemn the Creator himself. Whatever God
medium ofcommunication-there are but two me-  has thought proper to create, and to present to
diums with which we are acquainted, by which  our view in the visible world, it becomes man
we can attain a knowledge of his nature and per-  to study and contemplate, that, from thence, he
fections. These are, either thefacts which have  may derive motives to excite him to the exercise
occurred in the course of his providential dispen-  of reverence and adoration, of gratitude and
sations towards our race, since the commence-  praise. In so far as any individual is unacment of time, and the moral truths connected  quainted with the various facts of the history of
with them-or, the facts which are displayed in  nature, in so far does he remain ignorant of the
the economy of nature. The first class of facts is  manifestations of Deity; for every object, on the
recorded in the Sacred Hisory, and in the Annals  theatre of the universe, exhibits his character
of Nations; the second class is exhibited in the  and designs in a different point of view. He
diversified objects and motions which appear  who sees God only as he displays himself in his
throughout the system of the visible universe. operations on the earth, but has never contemThe one may be termed the Moral History, and  plated the firmament with the eye of reason, must
the other, the Natural History, of the operations  be unacquainted with those amazing energies of
of the Creator. It is obviously incumbent on  eternal Power, which are displayed in the stuevery rational being, to contemplate the Creator  pendous fabric and movements of the orbs of
through both these mediums; for each of them   heaven.  He who sees God only in the general
conveys its distinct and peculiar revelations; and  appearances of nature, but neglects to penetrate
consequently our perception of Deity through  into his minute operations, must remain ignothe one medium does not supersede the neces-  rant of those astonishing manifestations of divine
sity of our contemplating him through the other.  wisdom  and skill which appear in the contriWhile, therefore, it is our duty to contemplate  vances, adaptations, and functions of the animal
the perfections, the providence, and the agency  and the vegetable kingdoms. For, the more we
of God, as displayed in the Scripture Revelation,  know of the work, the more accurate and comit is also incumbent upon us, to trace his attri-  prehensive will be our views of the Intelligence
butes in the System of Nature, in order that we  by whom it was designed; and the farther we
may be enable to contemplate the eternal Jeho-  carry our investigations of the works of God, the
vah, in every variety of aspect, in which he has  more admirable and astonishing will his plans
been pleased to exhibit himself, in the universe  and perfections appear.
he has formed.                                 In short, a devout contemplation of the works
The visible creation may be considered as a  of nature tends to ennoble the human soul, and
permanent and sensible manifestation of Deity,  to dignify and exalt the affections. It inspires
intended every moment to present to our view  the mind with a relish of the beauty, the harmothe unceasing energies of Him  " in whom we  ny, and order which subsist in the universe around
live and move."  And if the train of our thoughts  us-it elevates the soul to the love and admirawere directed in its proper channel, we would  tion of that Being who is the author of our cornperceive God in every object, and in every move-  forts, and of all that is sublime and beneficent in
ment: we would behold hirm operating in the  creation, and excites us to join with all holy
Whirlwind, and in the storm; in the subterra-  beings in the chorus of praise to the God and
neous cavern, and in the depths of the ocean; in  Father of all. For they
the gentle rain, and the refreshing breeze; in the  "Whom Nature's works can charm, with God himself
rainbow, the fiery meteor, and the lightning's   Hold converse, grow familiar day by day
dash; in the splendours of the sun, and the majes-   With his conceptions, act upon his plan,
And form to his the re lish of their souls."
tic movements of the heavens; in the frisking of
the lambs, the songs of birds, and the buzz of in-  The man who surveys the vast field of nature
sects, in the circulation of our blood, the move-  with the eye of reason and devotion, will not only




8a2                       THE CHRISTIAiN PHILOSOPHER.
gain a more comprehensive view of that illimit-. But in order to enter into the spirit of such
able power which organized the universe, but sublime reflections, we must not content ouvselves
will find his sources of enjoyment continuallv  with a superficial and cursory view of the objects
increased, and will feet  an ardent. desire after  and operations of nature,-we must not think
that glorious world, where the veil which now  it sufficient to acquiesce in such vague proposlhides from our sight some of the grandest mnani-  tions as. these —" The glory of God is seen in
festations of Deity will be. withdrawn, and the  every blade of grass, and every drop of water;
wonders of Omnipotence be displayed. in all their  all nature is full of wonders, from the dust of the.
splendour and perfection.                     earth to the stars of the firmament."  We must
In conformity with these sentiments, we find  study the works of creation with ardour,.survey
the inspired writers, in numerous instances, call-  them with minute attention, and endeavour to
ing our attention to the wonders of creating  acquire a specific and comprehensive knowledge
power and wisdom. In one of the first speeches  of the Creator's designs. We must endeavour
in which the Almighty is introduced as:address-  to. acquire a knowledge of the particular modes,
ing the sons of men, and the longest one in: the  circumstances, contexture, configurations, adapBible,* our attention is-exclusively directed to  tations, structure, functions, and  relations of
the subjects of Natural History; - the whole  those.objects in which benevolence and design
address having a reference to.the economy of  conspicuously appear-in. the: animal and the
Divine Wisdom in the arrangement of the world  vegetable world, in the ocean, the atmosphere,
at its first creation-the wonders of.the ocean,  and the heavens; that the mind may be enabled
and:of light and darkness-the phenomena of  to draw the conclusion with.full conviction and
thunder and lightning, rain, hail, snow, frost, and  intelligence —" In wisdom thou hast made them
other meteors in the atmosphere-the intellectual  call."  The pointed interrogatories which Jehofaculties of man, and the economy and instincts  vah addressed to Job, evidently imply, that Job
of quadrupeds, birds, fishes, and other tribes. of  had previously acquired an intimate acquaintance
animated existence.  Indeed, the greater part of  with the works of: nature. It seems to be taken
the sublime descriptions contained in the book of  for granted, as a matter of course, that he made
Job has a direct reference to the? agency of God  himselfacquainted with the general range of facts
in the material creation, and to the course of his  in the visible creation; and the: intention of the
providence in relation to the different.characters  several questions. presented to his consideration
of men; and the reasonings of the different  evidently was to impress him with a sense of his
speakers in that sacred drama proceed on the sup-  own impotency, and to lead him to theinvestigaposition that their auditors were -intimately ac-  tion of the wonders of Creating Power which he
quainted with. the varied! appearances of nature,  had formerly overlooked. T.he conclusion.which
and their tendency to exhibit the character and  the -Psalmist draws,Trespecting the Wisdom disperfections of the Omnipotent Creator. We find  played throughout all the works of God, plainly
the Psalmist, in the: 104th Psalm, employed in a  intimates, that.he had made the different parts of
devout description of.similar objects, from the  nature the subject of minute examination, and of
contemplation of which:his mind is raised to  deep reflection;.otherwise. he could not have raadoring views of their: Almighty Author-and,  tionally deduced his conclusion, or. felt those emofrom the whole of his survey, he deduces the fol-  tions which filled his-mind with the pious rapture
lowing conclusions:-" How  manifold are thy  so beautifully expressed in that hymn of praise
works, O0Lord! In wisdom thou hast made them  to the Creator of the world.
all! The earth is full of thy riches; so is this    We have,. therefore, reason to believe, from
great and wide sea, wherein are things.creeping  these and other instances, that pious. men, "- in
innumerable, both small and great beasts.  The  the days of old," were much more accustomed
glory of the Lord shall endure for ever;  the  than modern Christians to contemplate and adLord shall;rejoice in all his works.t  I, will. sing  mire the visible works of the Lord-and it is
unto the Lord as long as I live; I will sing  surely much to be regretted, that we who enjoy
praises to my God, while I have my being."     so many superior means of information, and who
have access to the brilliant discoveries of later
Job, chap. xxxviti. xxxix. xl. xli.         and more enlightened times, should manifest so
The glory of the Lord, in this passage, denotes the  much disregard to 1" the works of Jehovah and
display of his perfections in the material universe:
and the declaration of the inspired writer plainly  the operations of his hands."  To enable the
ntimates, that this display will continue for ever,  common. mass: of Christians to enter into the
and will remain as an object of unceasing contem.  pirit of this delightful stdy and    duty
plation to all intelligences, and as an eternal monument of his power and wisdom.  For, although the  should, therefore, be one object of those periodearth and the aerial heavens will be changed at the  ical and other religious works which are put into
close of that dispensation of Providence which respects our word, yet the general frame of the uni-  their hands; so that they may be enabled, wita
verse, in its other parts, will remain substantially
the same; and not only so, but will in all probability  to the terraqueous globe and its appendages will be
be perpetually increasing in magnitude and gran-  such that Jehovah willhave reason to " rejoice" in
dir. And the chance which will be effected in respect  this as well as in all his other works.




GEOGRAPHY.                                         68
vigour and intelligence, to form tlie pious reso-  and pernicious consequences which flow from
lution of Asaph, " I will meditate on all thy  ignorance of the phenomena of nature, arid of
worko, 0 Lord! and talk of thy' doings."-" I  those laws by which the Almighty governs the
will utter abundantly tne memory of thy: great  universe he has formed; and which prove it to
goodness, and tell of thy wondrous works."*   be a Christian duty for every rational being to
study the order and economy of the visible
GEOGRAPHY.                    world.
The next department of knowledge I shall    That the earth is nearly of a globular figure,
notice is the science of G~eography.          is proved by the following considerations:-1.
The object of this science is, to describe the When we stand on the seashore, while the sea
world we inhabit, in reference to the continents, is perfectly calm, we perceive that the surface
of the water is not quite plain, but convex or
islands, mountains, oceans, seas, rivers, em_
pires, and kingdoms with which it is diversified,  rounded; and if we areon one side of an arm
of thedsea, as the Frith of Forth  and, with
together with the manners, customs, and religion of the different tribes which people. its  our eyes near the water, look towards the oppo
surface,                                      site coast, we shall plainly see the water eleIn order to form an accurate conception ofr  vated between. our eyes and the opposite shore,
the relative positions of objects on the surface  so as to prevent our seeing-the land near the
of the earth, and to enter with intelligence on  edge of the water.  The same experiment may
the study of this subject, it'is requisite, first     be made on any portion of still water, of a mile
all, to have an accurate idea ofits figure and  or two in extent, when its convexity will be permagnitude. For a long series of ages it was  ceived by the eye..- A little boat, for instance,
suppqsed, by the bulk of mankind, that the sur-  may be perceivd by a man who is any height
face of the earth was nearly a plane, indefinitely- above the  water, but if he stoops down, and lays
extended, and bounded on all sides by the sky. his eye near the surface, he will find that the
Lactantius, and several of the fathers of the  fluid appears to rise, and interceptthe view of
Christian church, strenuously argued that the  the boat. 2 If we take our station on the seaearth was extended infinitely downwards, and  shore, and View the ships leaving the coast, in
established upon several foundations. The an- any direction-as they retire from our view, we
cient philosopher Heraclitus is said to have be- may perceive the masts ard rigging of the veslieved that the earth was of the shape of a skiff sels when the hulls are out of sight, and, as it
or canoe, very much hollowed; land the philo-  were, sunl in the water. On the other hand,
when a ship is approaching the shore, the first
sopher Leucippus supposed it to be of thetopmast; as she
form of a cylinder or a drum. It is only within  part of her that is seen is the topmast; as she
the period of the last three hundred years that  approaches nearer, the sails become visible, and
the true figure of the earth has been accurately  last of all, the hull comes gradually into view.f
the true figure of the earthas.beenaccurately  The reason of such appearances obviously is,
ascertained.  This figure is now found to be       reason-of such appearance  obviously is
that of an oblate spheroid, nearly approach-  that the round or convex surface  of the 
ing to the shape of a globe or sphere. To  interposes between our eye and the body of the
ship, when she has reached a certain distance,
have asserted this opinion several ages ago   hp wen she has reached a certain distanc
would have been considered as a heresy in reli-the same time, the sails and topmast,
gion, and would have subjected its abettors to    m  their greater elevation, may be still in
the anathemas of the church, and even to the  view.  To the same cause it is owing, that the
peril of their lives. Historians inform us that  higher the eye is placed, the more extensive is
the prospect, and hence:it is common for sailors
the learned Spigelius, Bishop of Upsal, in Swe-  th prospect; and hence it is common for sailors
den, suffered martyrdom at the stake, in de-  to climb to the tops of masts,:in order to disoover
ence  of the doctrine of the Antipodes; and we  land or ships at a distance.  The contrary of ali
fence of that, for assertctrin of the motion of the earth this would take place, if the earth and waters were
know that, for asserting the motion of the earth,
the celebrated philosopher Galileo was immured  av  extended plane  When a ship caie withi
view, the hull would first make its appearance,
in a dungeon, and condemned by an assembly of                     first make its apearance
cardinals to all the horrors of perpetual imprisono  being the largest object, next the sails, and, last
cardinals to all the horrors of perpetual imprison-  of all  the  topmast. These  considerations,
ment.  The doctrine ne maintained, and which   f all  the  topmast. These  consideraton
is now universally received by every one ac-  which hold true in all parts of the world, prove
is nowunvrslyeeiedbeeyna-to a certainty, that the mass of the ocean is of
quainted with the subject, was declared by those  a globular formt: and if the ocean be a portion
arrogant ecclesiastics to be  " a proposition  of a sphere it follows that the loan   also is of
absurd in its. very nature, false in philosophy,  the same general figtlre; for no laortion  of the
heretical in religion, and contrary to the Holy    the  suram ace  is elevated; for no prtion of the
Scriptures "Such  ear    thes surface is elevated above four.:or five
Scriptures." Such are some of the horrible
t In order to make such observations to advantage,
the observer's eye should be as near as possible on
*  selectlist of popular works on Natural His- a level with the sea, and he should use a telesco!e
tory, and the other sciences noticed in the following  to enable him to perceive more distinctly the uptes
Metehes, w.ll ec found in the appendix.       part of the vessel.




64                      THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
miles above the level of the ocean. 3. That the  in later years, were undertaken in consequenes
earth is round from north to south, appears from   of the knowledge of this fact.  Had mankine
the following circumstance: —When we travel a  remained unacquainted with this discovery, the
considerable distance from north to south, or from   circumnavigation of the globe would never have
south to north, a number of new stars succes-  been attempted-vast portions of the habituble
sively appear in the heavens, in the quarter to  world would have remained unknown and unexwhich we are advancing, and many of those in the  plored-no regular intercourse would have been
opposite quarter gradually disappear, which would   maintained between the various tribes of the
not happen if the earth were a plane in that direc-  human race; and, consequently, the blessings
tion. 4. That the earth is round from east to west,  of Divine Revelation  could never have been
appears from actual experiment; for many navi-  communicated to the greater part of the Gentile
gators, by sailing in a westerly direction, have  world. Besides, the knowledge of the true figure
gone quite round it, from east to west; and were  and magnitude of our sublunary world forms the
it not for the frozen seas within the polar regions, groundwork of all the sublime discoveries
which interrupt navigation in those directions,  which have hitherto been made in the regions
it would, long ere now, have been circumnavl-  of the firmament. For its diameter forms the
gated from north to south. 5. All those proofs  base line of those triangles by which the disare confirmed and illustrated by eclipses of the  tances and magnitudes of the celestial globes
moon, which present an ocular demonstration of  have been determined; without a knowledge of
tlhe earth's rotundity. An eclipse of the moon  the extent of which, the important results which
is caused by the intervention of the body of the  have been deduced respecting the system of the
earth between the sun and moon; in which case  universe could not have been ascertained, and,
the shadow  of the earth falls upon the moon. consequently, our views of the grandeur and
This shadow is found, in all cases, and in every  omnipotence of the Deity, and of the magnifiposition of the earth, to be of a circular figure;  cence and extent of his dominions, must have
which incontrovertibly proves, that the whole  been much more circumscribed than they now
mass of land and water, of which the earth is  are.  Such is the intimate connexion that subcomposed, is nearly of a globular form. The  sists between every part of the chain of Divine
mountains and vales which diversify its surface  dispensations, that if any one link had been
detract little or nothing from its globular shape; either broken or dissolved, the state of things,
for they bear no more proportion to its whole  in the moral and intellectual world, would have
bulk than a few grains of sand to a common ter-  been vely different from what it now is; and
restrial globe; the highest mountains on its sur-  the plans of Providence, for accomplishing the
face being little more than the two-thousandth  renovation and improvement of mankind, would
part of its diameter. Some of the mountains  have been either partially or totally frustrated
on the surface of the moon are higher than those    With regard to the magnitude of the earthon the earth, and yet that body appears, both to  I have already stated the mode by which we
the naked eye and through telescopes, of a  may acquire the most accurate and comprehenspherical figure.                             sive conception of this particular, in the course
To some readers, the discovery of the true  of the illustrations which were given of the omfigure of the earth may appear as a matter of nipotence of Deity, (pp. 9-11.)  It is nevery trivial importance in religion. I hesitate  cessary here only to remark-that, according to
not, however, to affirm that it constitutes a most  the latest computations, the diameter of the
important fact in the history of Divine Provi-  earth is about 7,930 miles, and its circumference
dence. Had not this discovery been made, it  24,912 miles; and consequently, the whole suris probable- that the vast continent of America  face of the land and water it contains compremight yet have remained  undiscovered; for,  hends an area of 197,552,160 miles. The proColumbus, who first discovered that new world,  portion of land and water on its surface cannot
had learned, contrary to the general opinion of be very accurately ascertained; but it is quite
the times, that the earth was of a spherical  evident, from  an inspection of a map of the
figure; and, from the maps then existing, he  world, that the water occupies at least two-thirds
began to conjecture, that the nearest way of of its surface, and, of course, the land cannot
sailing to the East Indies would be to sail occupy more than one-third. Supposing it to be
westward. And although he missed the object  only one-fourth of the earth's surface, it will
of his research, he was the means of laying  contain 49,387,040 square miles, which is conopen to view a vast and unknown region of the  siderably more than what is stated in most of
earth, destined, in due time, to receive from the  our late systems of geography; in some of which
Eastern world the blessings of knowledge, civi-  the extent of the land is rated at 39 millions
lization, and religion. On the knowledge of the  and in others so low as 30 millions of square
spherical figure of the earth, the art of naviga-  miles-the former of which statements being
tion in a great measure depends; and all the  less than one-fifth, and the latter less than onevoyages of discovery, which have been made  sixth of the surface of the globe.  But it is




GEOGRAPHY
quite obvious that the extent of the land cannot  two parts, all four would be surrounded by the
be less than one-fourth of the area of the globe,  sea, were it not for the two small necks of land
and must, therefore, comprehend at least 50  called the isthmuses of Suez and Panama.t
millions of square miles. And if a large arc-    Between the two continents now mentioned, li
tic continent, eleven hundred leagues in length,  two immense bands of water, termed the Pacific
exist around the North Pole, as some French  and the Atlantic oceans, whose greatest length i,
philosophers infer from Captain Parry's late  likewise in a direction from north to south.
discoveries*-the quantity of land on the terra-    Besides the two bands of earth to which I
queous globe will be much greater than what has  have adverted, many extensive portions of lard
been now stated.                              are dispersed through the ocean, which covers
GENERAL DIVISIONS  OF THE EARTH. -   the remaining part of the earth's surface; par.
The surface of the earth is divided, from north  ticularly the extensive regions of New Holland,
to south, by two bands of earth, and two of water.  which occupy a space nearly as large as the
The first band of earth is the ancient or East-  whole  of Europe, and the arctic continent,
ern Continent, comprehending Europe, Asia,  which probably exists within the northern polar
and Africa; the greatest length of which is  regions, and which some French writers profound  to be in a line beginning on the east  pose to designate by the name of Boreasia, is in
point of the northern part of Tartary, and ex-  all probability, of equal extent. There are also
tending from thence to the Cape of Good Hope,  the extensive islands of New Guinea, Bornec,
which measures about 10,000 miles, in a direc-  Madagascar, Sumatra, Japan, Great Britain,
tion nearly from north-east to south-west; but  New Zealand, Ceylon, Iceland, Cuba, Java,
if measured according to the meridians, or from   and thousands of others, of different dimensions,
north to south, it extends only 7,500 miles, from   scattered through the Pacific, the Indian, and
the northernmost cape in Lapland to the Cape of  the Atlantic oceans, and which form  a very
Good Hope. This vast body of land contains  considerable portion of the habitable regions of
about 36 millions of square miles, forming nearly  the globe.
one-fifth of the whole surface of the globe. The    GENERAL  FEATURES OF THE  EARTHS
other band of earth is what is commonly called  SURFACE.-In taking a general survey of the
the New Continent, which comprehends North  external features of the earth, the most prominent
and South America.  Its greatest length lies in  objects that strike the eye are those huge elevaa line beginning at the mouth of the river Plata,  tions which rise above the level of its general surpassing through the island of Jamaica, and ter-  face, termed HILLS AND MOUNTAINS. These
minating beyond Hudson's Bay; and it measures  are distributed, in  various forms and sizes,
about 8,000 miles. This body of land contains  through every portion of the continents and
about 14 millions of square miles, or somewhat  islands; and, running into immense chains, form
more than a third of the old continent.       a sort of connecting band to the other portion of
It may not be improper here to remark, that  the earth's surface. The largest mountains are
the two lines now  mentioned, which measure  generally formed into immense chains, which
the greatest lengths of the two continents, divide  extend, in nearly the same direction, for several
them into two equal parts, so that an equal por-  hundreds, and even thousands of miles. It has
tion of land lies on each side of these lines, and  been observed by some philosophers, that the
that each of these lines has an inclination of most lofty mountains form two immense ridges,
about 30 degrees to the equator, but in opposite  or belts, which, with some interruptions, extend
directions; that of the old continent extending  around the whole globe, in nearly the same direcfrom the north-east to the south-west, and that  tion. One of these ridges lies between the 45th
of the new continent from the north-west to the  and 55th degree of north latitude. Beginning
south-east; and that they both terminate at the  on the western shores of France and Spain, it
same degree of northern and southern latitude.  extends eastward, including the Alps and the
It may also be noticed, that the old and new   Pyrenees, in Europe, the Uralian and Altaic
continents are almost opposite to each other, and  mountains, in Asia-extending from thence to
that the old is more extensive to the north of the  the shores of Kamschatka, and after a short inequator, and the new  more extensive to the  terruption from the sea, they rise again on the
south. The centre of the old continent is in the  western coast of America, and terminate at
17th degree of north latitude, and the centre of Canada, near the eastern shore. It is supposed
thz new in the 17th degree of south latitude; so  that the chain is continued completely round the
that they seem  to be made to counterbalance  globe, through the space that is covered by the
each other, in order to preserve the equability  Atlantic ocean, and that the Azores, and other
of the diurnal rotation of the earth. There is  islands in that direction, are the only summits that
also a singular connexion between the two con-  are visible, till we come to the British isles,
tinents, namely, that if they were divided into  The other ridge runs along the Southern'ermiWee Monthly Magazine, April, 1828, p. 259.      t %ee Buffon's Natural History, vol. 1.




6f;                      THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
sphere, between the 50th and 90th degrees" of form no adequate idea of the magnificence and
south latitude, of which detached portions are  awful sublimity of the mountain scenery in sonia
found in the mountains of Tucuman, and of Para-  of the countries now mentioned; especially when
guay, in South America,-of Monomotapa and  the volcano is: belching forth its flames with a
Caffraria, in Africa; in New Holland, New  raging noise, and spreading terror and desolatiotn
Caledonia, the New Hebrides, the Friendly, the  around its base.  From  the tops of the lofty
Society, and other islands in the Pacific'ocean.  ridges of the Andes, the most grand and novel
From these ridges flows a variety'of ramifica-  scenes sometimes burst upon the eve of the as.
tions, in both hemispheres, towards the Equator,  tonished traveller. He beholds the upper sur.
and the Poles, which altogether present a mag-  face of the clouds far below him, covering the
nificent scenery, which diversifies anid'enlivens  subjacent plain, and surrounding; like a vast sea,
the surface of our globe.                    the foot of the mountain; while the place on
The highest mountains in the world, accord-  which he stands appears like an island in the
ing to some late accounts published in the  midst of the ocean. He sees the lightnings
" Transactions of the Asiatic Society," are the  issuing from the clouds, and hears the noise of
Himalaya chain, north of'Bengal, on the borders  the tempest, and the thunders rolling far beneath
of Thibet. The highest mountain in this range  his feet, while all is serene around him, and the
is stated to be about 27,000 feet, or a little more  blue vault of heaven appears without a cloud.
than five miles, in perpendicular height, and is  At other times, he contemplates the most subvisible at the distance of 230 miles.'Nineteen  lime and extensive prospects-nmountains ranged
different mountains in this chain are stated'to  around him, covered with eternal snows, and surbe above four miles in perpendicular elevation.  rounding, like a vast amphitheatre, the plains beNext to the Himalayas, are the Andes, in South  low-rivers winding from their sources towards
America, which extend more than 4000 miles in  the ocean-cataracts dashing headlong over trelength, from the province of Quito to the straits  mendous cliffs-enormous rocks detached from
of Magellan. The highest summit of the Andes  their bases, and rolling down the declivity of the
is Chimborazo, which is said to be 20,600 feet,  mountains with a noise louder than thunderor nearly four miles, above the level of the sea. frightfil precipices impending over his headThe highest mountains in Europe, are the Alps,  unfathomable caverns yawning from below-and
which run through Switzerland and the north of  the distant volcano sending forth its bellowings,
Italy,-the Pyrenees, which separate France  with its top enveloped in the fire and smoke.from  Spain, and the Dofrafeld, which divide  Those who have studied nature on a grand scale,
Norwav from  Sweden. The most elevated  have always been struck with admiration and
ridges in Asia, are Mount Taurus, Imaus,'Cau-  astonishment at the sublime and awful exhibition
casus, Ararat, the'Uralian, Altaian, and the  of wonders which mountainous regions exhibit
mountains of Japan-in Africa, Mount Atlas,  and, perhaps, there is no terrestrial scene which
and the mountains of the Moon. Some' of the  presents, at one view, so many objects of over.
mountains in these ranges are found to contain  powering magnitude and grandeur, and which
immense caverns or perforations, of more than  inspires the mind with so impressive:an idea of
two miles in circumference, reaching from their  the power of that Almighty Being, who " weighsummits to an immeasurable depth into the bow-  eth the mountains in scales, and taketh up the
els of the earth. From these dreadful openings  isles as a very little thing."
are frequently thrown up, to an immense height,    THE  OCEAN. —The  ocean surrounds the
torrents of fire and smoke, rivers of melted metals,  earth on all sides, and penetrates into the inteclouds of ashes and cinders, and sometimes  rior parts of different countries; sometimes by
red-hot stones and enormous rocks, to the dis-  large openings, and frequently by small straits.
tance of several miles, accompanied with thun-  Could the eye take in this immense sheet of
ders, lightnings, darkness, and horrid subterrane-  waters at one view, it would appear the most
ous sounds-producing the most terrible devasta-  augtlst object under the whole heavens. It octions through all the surrounding districts. The  cupies a space on the surface of the globe at
most noted mountains of this kind in Europe,  least three times greater than that which is ocare mount Hecla, in Iceland; Etna, in Sicily;  cupied by the land; comprehending an extent
and Vesuvius, near the city of Naples, in Italy. of 148 millions of square miles. - Though the
Numbers of volcanoes are also to be found in  ocean, strictly speaking, is but one immense
South America, in Africa, in the islands of the  body of waters extending in different directions,
Indian ocean, and in the Empire of Japan.*.    yet different names have been appropriated to
We who live in Great Britain, where the  different portions of its surface.  That portion
highest mountain is little more than three-quar-. of its waters which rolls between the western
tors of a mile in perpendicular elevation, can  coast of America and the eastern of Asia, is
called the Pacific ocean; and that portion
A more particular description of the phenome-  which separates Europe an     ia from Am
na of these terrific objects will be found in Chap.
Wv. Sect. 2.                                 rica, the Atlantic ocean. Other portions  r




GEOGRAPH Y.                                       67
tnnrmed the Northern, Southien, and Indian  Marseilles.  The sea sometimes assumes dif
oueans. When its waters penetrate into the ferent colours. The materials which compose
land, they form what are called gulfs, and medi-  its bottom cause it to reflect- different hues in
terranean  seas.  But without following  it  different places; and its appearance is also
Through all its windings and divisions, I shall  affected by the winds and by the sun, while the
state a few general facts.                    clouds that pass over it communicate all theiWith regard to the depth of this body of  varied and -fleeting colours.  When the sur,
water, no certain conclusions have yet been  shines, it is green; when he gleams through a
formed. Beyond a certain depth, it has hitherto  fog, it is yellow; near the poles, it is black,
been found unfathomable. We know, in gene-  while, in the torrid zone, its colour is often
ral, that the depth of the sea increases gradually  brown; and, on certain occasions, it assumes
as we leave the shore; but we have reason to  a luminous appearance, as if sparkling with
believe that this increase of depth continues  fire.
only to -a certain distance.  The numerous    The ocean has three kinds of motion. The
islands scattered every where through the ocean,  first is that undulation which is produced by the
demonstrate, that the bottom of the waters, so  wind, and which is entirely confined to its surfar from  uniformly  sinking, sometimes rises  face.:It is now  ascertained that this motion
into lofty mountains. It is highly probable, that  can be destroyed, and  its surface  rendered
the depth of the. sea is somewhat in proportion  smooth, by throwing oil upon its waves. The
to the elevation of the land; for there issome -second motion is, that continual tendency which
reason to conclude, that the present bed of the  the whole water in the sea has towards the
acean formed the inhabited part of the ancient  west, which is greater near the equator than
world,'previous to the general deluge, and that  towards the pbles. It begins on the west slae
we are now occupying the bed of the former  of America, where it is moderate; but as
ocean; and, if so, its greatest.depth will not ex-  the waters advance westward, their motion is
ceed four or five miles; for there is no moun-  accelerated; and, after having traversed the
tain that rises higher above the level of the sea.  globe, they return, and strike with great vioBut the sea has never been actually sounded to  lence on the eastern shore of America. Being
a greater depth than a mile and sixty-six feet.  stopped by thatcontinent, they rush, with impeAlong the coast its depth has always been found  tuosity, into the Gulf of Mexico, thence they
proportioned to the height of the shore; where  proceed along the coast of North America, till
the coast is high and mountainous, the sea that  they come to the south side of the great bang
washes' it is deep; but where the coast is low,  of Newfoundland, when they turn off and run
the water is shallow. To calculate the quantity  down through the Western Isles.  This motion
ofwatter it contains, we must therefore suppose  is most probably owing to the diurnal revowua medium depth.  If we reckon its average  tion of the earth on its axis, which is in a direcdepth at two miles, it will contain 296 millions  tion contrary to the motion of the sea.  The
of cubical miles of water. We shall have a  third motion of the sea is the tide, which is a
more specific idea of this enormous mass of  regular swell of the ocean every 12j hours.
water, if we consider, that it is sufficient to  The motion is now ascertained to be owing to
cover the whole globe, to the height of more than  the attractive influence of the moon, and also
eight thousand feet; and if this water were  partly to that of the sun. There is always a
reduced tc one spherical mass, it would form a  flux and reflux at the same tine, in two parts
globe of more than 800 miles in diameter.     of the globe, and these are opposite to each
With regard to its bottom-As the sea covers  other; so that when our antipodes have high
so great a part of the globe, we should, no doubt,  water we have the same.  When the attractive
by exploring'its interior recesses, discover a vast  powers of the sun and moon act in the same
number of interesting objects. So far as the  direction, which happens at the time of new and
bed of the ocean has been explored, it is found  full moon, we have the highest, or spring tides;
to bear a great resemblance to the surface of the  but when their attraction is opposed to each
dry land; being, like it, full of plains, caverns,  other, which happens at the quarter., we have
rocks, and mountains, some of which are abrupt  the lowest, or neap tides.
and almost perpendicular, while others rise with    Such is the ocean,-a most stupendous scene
a gentle acclivity, and sometimes tower above  of Omnipotence, which forms the most magnifithe water, and form islands. The materials,  cent feature of the globe we inhabit.  When
too, which compose the bottom of the sea, are  we stand on the seashore, and  cast our eyes
the same which form the basis of the dry land.  over the expanse of waters, till the sky and the
It also resembles the land in another remarkable  waves seem to mingle, all that the eye can take
particular;-many fresh springs, and even rivers,  in at one survey, is but an inconsiderable'speck,
rise out of it; an instance of which appears  less than the hundred-thousandth part of the
lear G0a, on the western coast of Hindostan,  whole of this vast abyss. If'every drop of
and in the Mediterranean sea, not far from   water can be divided into 26 millions ofdistinact
37




68                           THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
garts, as some philosophers have demonstrated,*  to be formed on the grandest scale, both as At
what an immense assemblage of watery parti.  the length of their course, and the vast body of
cles must be contained in the unfathomable ca-  waters which they pour into the, ocean. The
verns of the ocean! Here the powers of cai-  Amazon, the largest river in the world, runs. a
culation are completely! set at defiance; and an  course of above S3000 miles across the contiimage of infinity, immensity, and endless dura-  nent of South America, till it falls into the
tion is presented to the mind. This mighty ex-  Atlantic ocean, where it discharges -a body of
panse of waters is the grandreservoir ofnature,  waters 150 miles in breadth. Next to this is
and the source of evaporation, which enriches  the river St. Lawrence, which  is more than
the earth with fertility and verdure. Every  2400 miles from  its mouth through the lake
cloud which floats in the atmosphere, and every  Ontario to the Lake Alempigo and the Assinifountain, and rivulet,.and flowing stream, are  boils; and the rivers La Plata and Mississippi,
indebted to this inexhaustible source for those  each of whose courses is not less. than 2000
watery treasures which they distribute through  miles.
every region of the land. In fine, whether we    When we consider the number and the magni.
consider. the- ocean as rearing its tremendous  tude ofthese majestic streams, it is evident that
billows in the midst of the tempest, or as stretch-  an enormous mass of water is continually pouring
ed-out into a smooth expanse-whether we con-  into the ocean, from every direction. From ob.
sider its immeasurable extent, its mighty move-  servations which have been made on the river
ments, or the innumerable beings which glide  Po, which runs through Lombardy, and waters
through its rolling waves —we cannot but. be  a tract of land 380 miles long and 120 broad, it
struck with astonishment at the grandeur of that  is found, that it moves at the rate of four miles
Omnipotent Being who holds its waters " in  an hour, is'1000 feet broad, and 10 feet in depth,
the hollow of his hand," and who has said to its  and, consequently, supplies the sea with 5068
foaming surges, "'Hitherto shalt'thou, come,  millions of cubical feet of water in a day, or a
and no farther, and here shall thy proud waves  cubical mile in 29. days. On the supposition
be stayed."                                   that the quantity of water which the sea receives
RIvERs.-The next feature of. the earth's  from-the.great rivers in all countries is pruporsurface which may be noticed, is, the; rivers. tional to the extent and surface of those counwith which it is indented in every direction.  tries, it will follow, that the quantity of waters
These are exceedingly numerous, and seem to  carried to the. sea by all the other rivers on the'form as essential a part in the constitution of  globe is 1083 times greater than that furnished
our globe, as the mountains from -which they  by the.Po,.(supposing the. land, as formerly
flow, and as the ocean to which they. direct  stated, to contain about 49 millions of square
their course. It is reckoned, that in the old con-  miles,) and will supply the ocean with 13,630.
tinent there are about 430 rivers which fall di-  cubical miles of water in a year. Now reckon-'rectly into the ocean, or into the Mediterra-  ing. the ocean, as formerly, to contain 296 lnjl.
nean and: the Black seas; but in the new conti-  lions of cubical miles of water, this last number,.nent,thereareonlyabout 145riversknown, which  divided by the former, will give a quotient of
fall directly into the sea. In this enumeration,  21,716. Hence it appears, that, were  the
however, only the great rivers are included, such  ocean completely drained of its. waters, it wotild
as the Thames, the Danube, the Wolga, and  require more than twenty thousandyearst before;the Rhone. Besides these, there are many  its caverns could be again completely filled
thousands of streams of smaller dimensions,  by all the rivers in the world running into it at.-which, rising from the mountains, wind in every  their present rate..:direction, till they fall into the large rivers, or    Here, two; questions will naturally occur-.are carried into the ocean. The largest rivers  Whence do the rivers receive so constant a supin Europe are —the Wolga, which, rising in the  ply of waters? and why has not the ocean long
northern parts. of Russia, runs a course of 1700  ago overflowed the world.? since so prodigious a
miles, till it falls. into the Caspian Sea-the  mass of water is continually flowing into its;Danube, whiose course is 1300 miles, from the  abyss.  This was a difficulty which long puz-.mouratains of Switzerland to the Black Sea-   zled philosophers;;but it is now  satisfactorily
and the Don, which runs a course of 1200 miles.  solved from  a consideration of the effects of
The greatest rivers in Asia. are-the Hoanho,  evaporation. By the heat of the sun the partiis: China, whose course is 2400 miles-the  cles of water are drawn up into the atmosphere:Hoorhamnpooter, the Euphrates, and the Ganges.
Th-, longest river in Africa is the Nile, tile    t Buffon makes this result to be 812 years, in
course of which is estimated at 2000 miles.  which he, is followed by Goldsmith, and most subse-'e trhe continent of America, the rivers appear  quent writers; but he proceeds on the false assump
tion, that the ocean covers only half the surface of
the globe, and that it contains only 85 millions of
T'he demonstration of this proposition may be  square miles, and he estimates the average depth of,seen in Nieuwentyt's Religious Philosopher, vol.  the ocean to be only 440 yards. or one-fourth of a': li p.. 8P.                                 mile.




GEOGRAPHY.                                       69
from the surface of the ocean, and float in the  -present us with scenes the most piaturesque and
air in the form of clouds or vapour.  These va-  sublime; so that every part of the constitution
pours are carried, by the winds, over the surface  of nature is rendered subservient both to utility
of the land, and are again condensed into water  and to pleasure
on the tops and the sides of mountains, which,    Waiving the consideration of other particulars,
gliding down into their crevices and caverns, at  I shall simply state some of the artificial divisions
length break out into springs, a number of which  -ofthe earth, and two or three facts respecting its
meeting in one common valley becomes a river;  inhabitants.
and many of these united together at length form  The land has generally been divided into foulr
such streams as the Tay, the Thames, the Da-  parts, Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, to
nube, and the Rhine. That evaporation is suf-  which has been lately added the division called
ficient to account for this effect, has been demon-  Australasia, which comprehends New Holland,
strated by many experiments and calculations.  New Guinea, New  Zealand, Van Dieman's
It- is found that, from the surface of the Mediter-  land, and several other islands in the Pacific
ranean sea, which contains 762,000 square miles,  ocean.  Europe  comprehends  the  following
there are drawn up into the air, every day, by  countries, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Russia,
evaporation, 5280 millions of tons of water,  Prussia, Germany, Austria, Turkey, Italy, Switwhile the rivers which flow into it yield only  zerland, France, Holland,or the Netherlands,
1827 nmillions of tons in the same time; so that  Spain, Portugal, and Great Britain and Ireland,
there is raised in vapour from the Mediterranean  together with the islands of Sicily, Malta, Cannearly three times the quantity of water which is  dia, Corsica, Sardinia, Majorca, Minorca, Ivica,
poured into it by all its rivers. One third of this  Zealand, Funen, Gothland, Iceland, and several
falls into the sea before it reaches the land;  others of smaller note.-Asia, the largest and
another part falls on the low-lands, for the noun-  most populous division of the ancient continent,
rishment of plants; and the other third part is  contains the Empires of China and Japan,: Chiquite sufficient to supply the sources of all the  nese Tartary, Thibet, Hindostan, or British
rivers which run.into the sea. This is in, full  India, the Burman Empire, Persia, Arabia,
conformity to what was long ago stated by an  Turkey in Asia, Siberia, Independent Tartary,
inspired naturalist: " All the rivers run into  and a variety of territories inhabited by tribes
the sea, and:yet the sea is not full; unto the  with which we are very imperfectly acquainted;
place from  whence the rivers came, thither do  together with the immense islands of Borneo,
they return again;" but, before they regain their  Sumatra, Java, Ceylon, Segalien, the Philipformher place, they make a circuit over our heads  pines, and thousands of others of smaller dimenthrough the regions of the atmosphere.        sions. It was in Asia where the human race
Such are the varied movements and transfor-  was first planted; it became the nursery of the
mations which are incessantly going on in the  world after the universal deluge, and it was the
rivers, the ocean and the atmosphere, in order to  scene in which the most memorable transactions
preserve the balance of.nature, and to supply  recorded in the sacred history took place.  But
the necessities of the animal and the vegetable  its inhabitants are now immersed in Mahometan
tribes; all under the agency.and direction of and Pagan darkness; and the Christign eeligion,
Him who "' formed the sea.and the dry land,"  except in a few insulated spots, is almost unknown
and who has arranged all things in number,  among its vast population. It is the richest
weight, and measure, to subserve the purposes  and most fruitful part of the world, and produces
of his will.                                  cotton, silks, spices, tea, coffee, gold, silver,
Rivers serve many important purposes in the  pearls, diamonds, and precious stones: but deseconomy of our globe. They carry off the re-  potism, in its worst forms, reigns uncontrolled
dundant waters which fall in rains, or which  over -every part of this immense region.
ooze from the springs, which might otherwise.Africa comprehends the following kingdoms,settle into stagnant. pools; they supply to the  Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, Tripoli, Egypt, Zaaseas the loss of waters occasioned by their daily  ra, Negroland, Guinea, Nubia, Abyssinia, Cafevaporation; they cool the air and give it a gen-  fraria, Dahomey, Benin, Congo, Anaola, and
tie circulation; they fertilize the countries through  various other territories. By far the greater
which they flow; their waters afford a whole-  part of Africa remains hitherto unexplored; and,
some drink, and the fishes they contain a deli-  consequently, we are possessed of a very slender
cious food, for the nourishment of man; they  portion of information respecting the numerous
fitcilitate commerce, by conveying the produc-  tribes that may inhabit it. This quarter of this
tions of nature and art. from the inland countries  world, which once contained several flourishinlg
to the sea; they form  mechanical powers for  kingdoms and states, is now reduced to a genedriving machinery of different kinds; they enli-  ral state of barbarism. That most abominable
ven and diversify the scenery of the countries  traffic, the slave trade, is carried on to an unthrough which they pass; and the cataracts  limited extent on its eastern coasts, by a set 01
which they frequently form among the mountains  European ruffians. whose villanies are a dil.



70                       THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
rersie tohuman nature. Its most striking fea-      Pagans,..         490,00,00,ures are those immense deserts, near its north-   Mahometans,..         130,000,006
Roman Catholics,           10. 0,o00,000.rn parts, which comprise nearly one-third of its  Protestants,...    43,000,000,lurface. The deserts of Zaara are 1500 miles      Greeks and Arminians,      30,000,000
tong, and 800 broad.                              Jews,                        7,000,00e
America is divided into North and South. It                                800,000,000'cmained unknown to the inhabitants of the eastern hemisphere till the year 1492, when it was    From this estimate it appears, that there are
Discovered by Columbus, who first landed on  more than four Pagans and Mahometans to one
Guanahani, or Cat island, one of the Bahama  Christian, and only one Protestant to 17 of all the
isles. North America comprehends the follow-  other denominations. Although all the Roman.ng countries: The United States, New and Old  Catholics, Greeks, and Protestants were reckoned
Mexico, Upper and Lower Canada, Nova Sco-  true Christians, there still remain more than
tia, New  Brunswick, and Labrador. South  620 millions of our fellow men ignorant of the
America comprehends the immense districts  true God, and of his will as revealed in the
called Terra Firma, Peru, Guiana, Amazonia,  Sacred Scriptures; which shows what a vast
Paraguay, Brazil, Chili, and Patagonia.-Be-  field of exertion still lies open to Christian be.
tween N. and S. America lie the islands of  nevolence, before the blessings of civilization,
Cuba, St. Domingo, Jamaica, and Porto Rico,  mental improvement, rational liberty, and Chrisknown by the name of the West Indies. Be-  tianity be fully communicated to the Pagan and
sides these, there are connected with America,  Mahometan world.
the Bahama and Carribbee islands, Newfound-    If we suppose that the earth, at an average,
land, Cape Breton, Tobago, Trinidad, Terra  has always been as populous as it is now, and
del Fuego, &c. America is distinguished by its  that it contains 800 millions of inhabitants, as
numerous and extensive lakes, which resemble  above stated, and if we reckon 32 years for a
large inland seas. Its rivers, also, form one of  generation, at the end of which period the
its grand and distinguishing features, being the  whole human race is renewed; it will follow,
largest on the globe. It is likewise diversified  that 145 thousand millions of human beings
with lofty and extensive ranges of mountains.  have existed on the earth since the present sysWhen first discovered it was almost wholly cover-  tern of our globe commenced, reckoning 5829
ed with immense forests, and thinly peopled with  years from Adam to the present time.*  And,
a number of savage tribes. Its mingled popula-  consequently, if mankind had never died, there
tion of Aborigines and Europeans is now ma-  would have been 182 times the present number
king rapid advances in knowledge, civilization,  of the earth's inhabitants now in existence. It
and commerce.                                 follows from this statement, that 25 millions of
In regard to the human inhabitants that occu-  mankind die every year, 2853 every hour, and
nv the different regions now specified-they have  47 every minute, and that at least an equal numroeen divided by some geograph.ers into the six  ber, during these periods, are emerging from
following classes-l. The dwarfish inhabitants  non-existence to Ihe stage of life; so that
of the polar regions; as the Lailanders, the  almost every moment, a rational and immortal
Greenlanders, and the Esquimnanx.-2. The  being is ushered into the world, and another is
flat-nosed olive-coloured tawny race; as the Tar-  transported to the invisible state.  Whether,
tars, the Chinese, and the Japanese.-3. The  therefore, we contemplate the world of matter,
blacks of Asia with European features. Of this  or the world of mind, we perceive incessant
description are the Hindoos, the Burmans, and  changes and revolutions going on, which are
the inhabitants of the islands in the Indian ocean.  gradually carrying forward the earth and its in-4. The woolly-haired negroes of Africa, dis-  habitants to some important consummation.tinguished by their black colour, their flat noses,  If we suppose that, before the close of time,
and:their thick lips.-5. The copper-coloured
native Americans, distinguished likewise by
their black hair, small black eyes, high chee  This calculation proceeds on the supposition,
sit. X h.h.that only 4004 years elapsed between the Mosaic
bones, and flat noses.-6. The sixth variety is  creation and the birth of Christ, according to the
the white European nations, as the British, the  Hebrew chronology. But Dr. Hales, in his late
French, the Italians, and the Germans.      work on Scripture chronology, has proved, almost
French, the Italians,                     and the  Germans. to a demonstration, that, from the creation to the
The number of inhabitants which people the  birth of Christ are to be reckoned 5411 years; anl
earth at one time nlay be estimated to amount to  this computation nearly agrees with the Samaritan
and Septuagint chronology, and with that of Jcseat least eight hundred millions; of which 500  phus. According to this computation, 7235 years
millions mav be assigned to Asia; 80 millions  are to be reckoned from the creation to the present
to Africa; 70 millions to America;. and 150  time; and, consequently, 220 thousand millions of
human beings will have existed since the creation
millions to Europe.-With regard to their relil-  which is more than 22 times the number of inha
gion, they may be estimated as follows:       bitants presently existing.




GEOGRAPHY.                                        71
as man} human beings will be brought into ex-  sent deranged state of the social ann  politica
lstence, as have already existed, during the by-  world, it be found difficult, in any particular
past ages of the world, there will, of course, be  country, to find sustenance for its inhabitants,
found, at the general resurrection, 290,000,000,-  emigration is the obvious and natural remedy
000 of mankind. Vast as such an assemblage  and the rapid emigrations which are now taking
would be, the whole of the human beings here  place to the Cape of Good Hope, New Holland
supposed, allowing six square feet for every indi-  Van Dieman's Land, and America, are, doubtvidual, could be assembled within the space of  less, a part of those arrangements of Providence,
62,400 square miles, or on a tract of land not  by which the Creator will accomplish his demuch larger than that of England, which con-  signs, in peopling the desolate wastes of our
tains, according to the most accurate calcula-  globe, and promoting the progress of knowledge
tions, above 50,000 square miles.             and of the true religion among the scattered tribes
Our world is capable of sustaining a much  of mankind.
greater number of inhabitants than has ever yet
existed upon it at any one time. And since we
are informed in the Sacred Oracles, that God    With that branch of knowledge to whicn I
" created it not in vain, but formed it to be in-  have now adverted, every individual of the huhabited," we have reason to believe, that, in  man race ought to be, in some measure, acfuture ages, when the physical and moral ener-  quainted. For it is unworthy of the dignity of
gies of mankind shall be fillly exerted, and when  a rational being, to stalk abroad on the surface
Peace shall wave her olive branch over the na-  of the earth, and enjoy the bounty of his Creations, the earth will be much more populous  tor, without considering the nature and extent
than it has ever been, and those immense deserts,  of his sublunary habitation, the variety of auwhere ravenous animals now roam undisturbed,  gust objects it contains, the relation in which he
will be transformed into scenes of fertility and  stands to other tribes of intelligent agents, and
beauty. If it be admitted, that the produce of  the wonderful machinery which is in constant
twelve acres of land is sufficient to maintain a  operation for supplying his wants, and for profamily consisting of six persons, and if we reckon  ducing the revolutions of day and night, spring
only one-fourth of the surface of the globe ca-  and autumn, summer and winter. In a relipable of cultivation, it can be proved, that the  gious point of view, geography is a science of
earth could afford sustenance for 16,000 millions  peculiar interest.  For " the salvation of God,"
of inhabitants, or twenty times the number that  which Christianity unfolds, is destined to be
is presently supposed to exist.  So that we have  proclaimed in every land, in order that men of
no reason to fear that the world will be over-  all nations and kindreds and tongues may parstocked with inhabitants for many ages to come;  ticipate in its blessings.  But, without exploring
or that. a period may soon arrive when the in-  every region of the earth, and the numerous
crease of population will surpass the means of  islands which are scattered over the surface of
subsistence, as some of the disciples of Mal-  the ocean, and opening up a regular intercourse
thus have lately insinuated.  To suppose, as  with the different tribes of hutnan beings which
some of these gentlemen seem to do, that wars  dwell upon its surface, we can never carry into
and diseases, poverty and pestilence, are neces-  effect the purpose of God, by " making known
sary evils, in order to prevent the increase of  his salvation to the ends of the earth."  As
the human race beyond the means of subsist-  God has ordained, that " all flesh shall see tilhe
ence which nature can afford-while the im-  salvation" he has accomplished, and that human
mense regions of New Holland, New Guinea,  beings shall be the agents for carrying his deBorneo, and the greater part of Africa and  signs into effect-so we may rest assured that
America are almost destitute of inhabitants-   he has ordained every mean requisite for accomis both an insult on the dignity of human nature,  plishing this end; and, consequently, that it is
and a reflection on the wisdom and beneficence  his will that men should study the figure and
of Divine Providence.  The Creator is bene-  magnitude of the earth, and all those arts by
volent and bountiful, and "I his tender mercies  which they may be enabled to traverse and exare over all his works;" but man, by his tyranny,  plore the different regions of land and water,
ambition, and selfishness, has counteracted the  which compose the terraqueeus globe-and that
streams of Divine beneficence, and introduced  it is also his will, that every one who feels an
into the social state poverty, disorder, and mi-  interest in the present and eternal happiness
sery, with all their attendant train of evils; and  of his fellow men, sho',ld make himself acquaintit is not before such demoralizing principles be  ed with the result of all the discoveries in this
in some measure eradicated, and the principles  science that have beenl, or may yet be. made, in
of Christian benevolence brought into active  order to stimulate hIis activity, in conveying to
operation, that the social state of man will be  the wretched  sons of Adam, wherever they
greatly meliorated, and the bounties of heaven  may be found, " the unsearchable riches of
fumly enjoyed by the human race. If, in the pre-  Christ."




712                        THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
To  the mrissionary, and the directors of    But even to every private Christi n, geogr.aply
Bible and Missionary Societies, a minute and.is an interesting branch of study, without somln
comprehensive knowledge of the: science, and  knowledge of which his prayers and his Chris:tian
of all the facts connected with it, is essentially sympathies cannot be judiciously and extensively
requisite; without which they:would often grope  directed. We occasionally hear the ministers of
in the dark, and spend their money in vain, and  religion, at the. commencement of public worship.
"their labour for that which idoth not- profit."  on the first day of the week, imploring the I)iThey must; be intimately acquainted with the  vine blessing on their brethren throughout the
extensive field- of operation which lies before  Christian church,who are commencing the same
them, and with the physical,- the moral, and the  exercises; and at the close of worship in the
political state. of.the. different tribes to which  afternoon, that the same blessing may seal the
they intend to send.the message: of salvation;  instructions which have been delivered in all the
otherwise their exertions will be made at- ran-  churches of the-saints; as if all the public relidom, and their schemes be conducted without  gious services of the universal church were, at
judgment or discrimination.  To attempt to  that imoment, drawing to a close. This is all
direct the movements:of Missionary Societies,  very well, so far as it goes: the expression of
~without an intimate knowledge of this subject,  such benevolent wishes is highly becoming, and
-is as foolish and absurd as it would be for a land  congenial to the spirit of Christianity.  But
surveyor to' lay'down plans for the improvement  a very slight acquaintance with geographical
of a gentleman's estate, before he had surveyed  science will teach us, that, when we in this
tthe premises, and made himselfacquainted with  country are commencing the religious services
the- objects upon them, in their various aspects,'of the first day of.the week, our Christian bre-positions,and bearings. If all those who direct:thren in the East Indies, who live under a very.and support the operations of such societies,  different meridian, have finished theirs; those
were familiarly acquainted with the different  in Russia, Poland, Greece, Palestine, and on
fields for missionary exertions,:and with the  the banks of the Caspian sea,'have performed
peculiar state and character of the diversified  one-half of their public religious worship and
tribes of the heathen world, so far as they are  instructions; and those in New Holland and
known, injudicious schemes might be! frustrated  Van Dieman's Land have retired to rest, at the
before they are carried into effect, and the funds  close of their Sabbath. On the other hand, our
of such institutions preserved from.being wasted  friends in the West India islands and in Ameto no purpose. In this view, it is the, duty of  rica, at the close of our worship, are only about
every Christian, to mark the progress and re-  to commence the public instructions of the Chrissuits of-the.various'geographical expeditions.tian Sabbath.  If, then, it be submitted, that
which are now going forward in quest of disco-  our prayers, in certain cases, ought to be specific,
veries, in connexion with the moral and political  to have a reference to the particular cases and
-movements,which'are presently tagitating the  relations of certain classes of individuals, there
nations: for every navigator who plougfls the  can be no valid reason assigned, why they
ocean in search of new islands and continents,  should not have a reference to.the geographical
and every traveller who explores the interior of  positions of the different portions of the Chrisunknown countries, should be considered a/s so  tian church, as well as to those. who live on or
many pioneers, sent beforehand, by Divine Pro-  near our own meridian: that, for example, in
videncej td prepare the way for the labours of  the beginning of our public devotions, we might
the missionary, and for the combined exertions  implore that the'blessing of God may accomof Christian benevolence.*                     pany the instructions which'have been delivered
~ On this subject the author feels great pleasure  in the eastern parts of the world; and at the
in referring his readers to a small volume, lately  close of worship, that the same agency may dipublished, by James Douglas, Esq. of Cavers, enti-  rect in the exercises of those in the western
tied,'" Hints on Missions," —a work which deserves
the attenti4e perusal, both of the philosopher, the Ihemisphere, who are about to enter on the sapolitician, and the Christian, and particularly of the clred services of that day. On the same princidirectors of Missionary Societies; and which. is  ple, we may perceive the absurdity of those
characterized by a spirit of enlightened philanthrore
py, and a condensation of thought, which has sel-  "concerts"t for prayer in different places at the
dom been equalled in the discussion of such topics.
It concentrates, as it were, into a focus, the light  possessed by general readers, would not have a tenwhich has been reflected from hundreds of volumes; dency to promote its benevolent objects.
and the original hints it suggests claim the serious    t The author does not seem to mean, that it is ahconsideration of the superintendents of missionary  ssurd for Christians in every part of -the earth to
schemes; without an attention to some of which,  assemble.on the same cay in their respective places
the beneficial effects resulting from such undertake  of devotion, to pray for a universa.l extension of
ings will be few and unimportant. Should this note  Christianity. This objection would lie with equal
happen to strike the eye of the worthy author, it is  weight against the Sabbath.  His only objection
submitted, with all due deference, whether a more  appears to be against the suppositiosn, that Chris
extensive circulation of the substance of this vo-  tians, meeting in different parts of the earth at the
lume, in a less expensive form, and with a few mo-  same hour of the day, are praying In all places ro
dilfcations, to bring it within the range of thought  the same moment.-American Editor.




GEOLOGY.                                         73
SAME HOUR, whlili were lately prnposed, and  and illustrate the scriptural doctrine of the uni.
attempted by a certain portion of the religious  versal depravity of man-to exercise the faith
world.  Even within the limits of Europe, this  of the Christian, on the promrises of Jehovah,
could not be attempted, with the prospect of  in reference to the conversion of the benighted
Christians joining in devotion at one and the  nations-to rouse his sympathies towards his
same time; for, when it is six o'clock in one  degraded brethren of mankind, to excite his inpart of Europe, it is eight at another, and five  tercession in their behalf, and to direct his beo'clock at a third place; much less could: such a  nevolence and activity in devising and executconcert take place'throughout Europe, Asia, and  ing schemes for enlightening the people who are
America. So that science, and a calm consi-  sitting "in darkness, and in the shadow  of
deration of the nature and relations of things,  death."
may teach us to preserve our devotional fervour
and: zeal within the bounds of reasonSand pro-                 GEOLOGY.
priety; and, at the same time, to direct 6ur
reflectionss, and our Christian sympathies, to    Another subject intimately related to the for.
take a wider range than that to which they are  mer, is the science ofGeology.
usually confined.                               This science has for its object, to investigate
Besides the considerations now suggested, a  and describe the internal structure of the earth,
serious contemplation of the physical objects  the arrangement of the materials of which it is
and movements which this science exhibits, has  composed, the circumstances peculiar to its oria tendency to excite pious and:reverential emo-  ginal formation, the different states under which
tions.  To- contemplate this huge globe of land  it has existed, and the'various changes which it'and water, flying with rapidity through the voids  appears to have undergone, since the Almighty
of space, conveying its vast population from one  created the substance of which it is composed.
region to another at the rate of fifteen hundred  From a consideration of the vast quantity of mathousand miles in a-day, and whirling round:its  terials contained in the internal structure of our
axis at' the same time, to produce the constant  globe, and of the limited extent to which men can
succession of day and night,-to contemplate  carry their operations, when they attempt to penethe lofty ridges of mountains that stretch-'around  trate into its bowels, it is obvious, that our knowit -in every direction; the flaming volcanoes;  ledge ofthis subject must be very shallow arrn
the roaring cataracts; the numerous rivers, in-  imperfect. The observations, however, which
cessantly rolling their watery treasures into the  have been made on the'structure of our globe
seas; the majestic ocean, and its unfathomable  during the last half century, and -the conclusions
caverns; the vapours rising from its surface, and  deduced from them, are highly interesting, both
replenishing the springs and rivers; the ava-  tothe'philosopher and to the Christian.  Before,anche hurling down the mountain's side with a  the facts, on -which this branch of natural histo.
noise like thunder; the luxuriant plains of the  ry is founded, were accurately ascertained, a
torrid zone; the rugged cliffs and icebergs of  variety of objections to the Mosaic history of the
the polar regions; and thousands of other ob-  creation were started by certain skep'tical' philo.
jects of diversified beauty and sublimity,-h"as  spheis,' founded on partial and erroneous views
an evident tendency to expand the conceptions  of the real structure and' economy of the earth.
of the' human mind, to increase its sources of  But it is now found, that the more accurately
animal enjoyment, and to elevate the affections  and minutely the system of nature is explored,
to that all-powerful Being who gave birth to all  the more distinctly do we perceive the harmony
the sublimities of Nature, and who incessantly  that subsists between the records of Revelation,
superintends all its movements.               and the operations of the Creator in the material
In fine, from the numerous moral facts, which  world. If both be admitted as the effects of the
geography unfolds, we learn the vast depth and  agency of the same Almighty and Eternal Being,
extent of that moral degradation into which the  they must, in the nature of things, completely
numan race has fallen-the ferocious tempers,  harmonize, and can never be repugnant to each
and immoral practices, which are displayed in  other-whether we be capable, in every instance
the regions of pagan idolatry-the horrid cru-  of perceiving their complete coincidence, or not.
elties, the vile abominations, that are daily per-  If any facts could be produced in the visible crea.
petrated under the sanction of what is termed  tion which directly contradict the records of the
religion-the wide extent of: population, over  Bible, it would form  a proof, that the oracles
which the prince of darkness sways his sceptre  which we hold as divine were not dictated by
-the difficulties which require to be surmount-  the Creator and Governmor of the universe. But,
ed before the " gospel of salvation" can extend  although some garbled facts have been triumits full influence throughout the pagan world-  phantly exhibited in this view, it is now ascerand the vast energies which are requisite to ac-  tained, from the discoveries which have been
complish this glorious event.  All these por-  lately made in relation to the structut e and formations of information are calculated to confirm  tion of the earth, that the truth of the facts de]0




74                       THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
tailed in sacred history rests on a. solid and  and scabeous or stony earth. The surface of
immutable basis; and that the Supreme Intelli-  the globe, considered in relation to its inequaligence who arranged the fabric of heaven and  ties, is divided into highland, lowland, and the
earth, and he alone, communicated to the inspir-  bottom of the sea.  Highland comprises Alpine
ed writers the doctrines and the facts they have  land, composed of mountain groups, or series of
recorded;and we have reason to believe, that, as  mountain  chains: lowland  comprises those
geologists proceed-in their researches-and inves-  extensive flat tracts which are almost entirely.
tigations, still more sensible proofs of the authen-  destitute of smiall mountain groups. To the
ticity of Revelation will be brought to light.  bottom of the sea belong the flat, rocky bottom,
Geology has, of late, become an interesting  shoals, reefs, and islands.
object of inquiry to the student of general science,    At first sight, the solid mass of the earth
and is now prosecuted with ardour by many dis-  appears to be a confused assemblage of rocky
tinguished philosophers. The observations which  masses, piled on each other without regularity or
have been niade-in various parts of the world,  order, where none of those admirable displays of
by late navigators; the facts -which have been  skill and contrivance are to be observed, which
ascertained by Pallas, Saussure, De Luc, Hum-  so powerfully excite attention in the structure of
boldt, and other intelligent travellers; and the  animals and vegetables. But, on a nearer and
discoveries which have been brought to light by  more intimate view, a variety of beautiful armodern chymists and mineralogists, have all  rangements has been traced by the industry of
conspired to facilitate geological inquiries, to  geologists, and the light of modern discoveries;
render them more enlightened and satisfactory,  by which they have been enabled to classify these
and to prepare the way for future ages establish-  apparent irregularities of nature. The materials
ing a rational, scriptural, and substantial theory  of which the solid crust of the earth is composed;
of the earth. The man who engages in such in-  have been arranged into the four following classquiries has always at hand a source of rational  es:-1. Those rocks which contain neither any
investigation and enjoyment. The ground on  animal nor vegetable remains themselves, nor
which he treads-the aspect of the surrounding  are intermixed with rocks which do contain
country-the mines, the caves, and the quarries  them, and are therefore termed primitive, or
which he explores-every new country in which  primary rocks; the period of whose formation
Lo travels, every mountain he climbs, and every  is considered as antecedent to that of the creanew surface ofthe earth that is laid open to his  tion  of organic beings. These are granite,
inspection, offer to him novel and interesting  gneiss, mica slate, and clay slate, which occur
stores of information. On descending into mines,  abundantly in all regions of the globe, with
we are not only gratified by displays of human in-  quartz rock, serpentine, granular limestone, &c.
genuity, butwe also acquire views of the strataof  which occur more sparingly. 2. Rocks conthe earth, and of the revolutions it has undergone  taining organic remains, or generally associated
since the period of its formation. Our research-  with other rocks in which such substances are
es on the surface of the earth, amidst abrupt pre-  found, and which, as having been formed poscipices and lofty mountains, introduce us to the  terior to the existence of organized beings, are
grandest and most sublime works of the Creator,  termed secondary.   These  are  greywacke,
and present to our view the effects of stupendous  sandstone, limestone, and gypsum  of various
forces, which have overturned mountains, and  kinds, slate clay, with certain species of trap,
rent the foundations of nature. "In the midst of and they are found lying above the primary or
such scenes, the geologist feels his mind invigo-  older rocks. 3. Above these secondary rocks,
rated; the magnitude of the appearances before  beds of gravel, sand, earth, and moss are found,
him extinguishes all the little and contracted no-  which have been termed alluvial rocks or fortions he may have formed in the closet; and he  mations.  This class comprehends those rocky
learns, that it is only by visiting and studying  substances formed from previously existing rocks,
those stup)endous works, that he can form an  of which the materials have been broken down
adequate conception of the great relations of  by the agency of water and air; they are therethe crust of the globe, and of its mode of forma-  fore generally loose in their texture, and are
tion."*                                       never covered with any real solid and rocky
The upper crust, or surface of the earth, is  secondary strata. 4. Volcanic  rocks; under
found to be composed of different strata, or beds  which class are comprehended all those rocks,
placed one above another.  These strata, or lay-  beds of lava, scorie, and other matter, thrown
ers, are very much mixed, and their direction,  out at certain points of the earth's surface by the
matter, thickness, and relative position, vary  action of subterraneous fire.
considerably in different places.  These strata    " The phenomena of geology show, that the
are divided into seven classes, as follows:-   original formation of the rocks has been accompa.
bmack earth, clay, sandy earth, marl, bog, chalk,  nied, in nearly all its stages, by a process of
waste, decay, and recomposition. The rocks'Edinbutlh Encyclop Art. Mineralogy.     as they were successively deposited, were acted




GEOLOGY.                                        75
upon by air and water, heat, &c. broken into  resting place. Their generations occupy it till
fragments, or worn down into grains, out of  a finely divided earth is formed, which becomes
which new strata were formed. Even the newer  capable of supporting mosses and heath; acted
secondary rocks, since their consolidation, have  upon by light and heat, these plants imbibe the
buen subject to great changes, of which very dis-  dew, and convert constituent parts of the air
tinct monuments remain. Thus, we have single  into nourishment.  Their death and decay afford
mountains which, firom their structure, can be  food for a more perfect species of vegetable and,
considered only as remnants ofgreat formations,  at length, a mould is formed, in which even the
or of great continents no longer in existence.  trees of the forest can fix their roots, and which
Mount Meisner, in Hesse, six miles long and  is capable of rewarding the labours of the cultithree broad, rises about 1800 feet above its base,  vator. The decomposition of rocks tends to the
and 2100 above the sea, overtopping all the  renovation of soils, as well as their cultivation.
neighbouring hills from 40 to 50 miles round.  Finely divided matter is carried by rivers from
The lowest part of the mountain consists of the  the higher districts to the low countries, and alsame shell, limestone, and sandstone, which  luvial lands are usually extremely fertile. By
exist in the adjacent country. Above these  these operations, the quantity of habitable surare, first, a bed of sand, then a bed of fossil  face is constantly increased; precipitous cliffs
wood, 100 feet thick at some points, and the  are generally made gentle. slopes, lakes are filled
whole is covered by a mass of basalt, 500 feet in  up, and islands are formed at the mouths of great
height. On considering these facts, it is impos-  rivers; so that as the world grows older, its casible to avoid concluding, that this mountain  pacity for containing an increased number of inwhich now overtops the neighbouring country,  habitants is gradually enlarging.
occupied at one time, the bottom of a cavity in    Of all the memorials of the past history of our
the midst of higher lands. The vast mass of globe, the most interesting are those myriads of
fossil wood could not all have grown there, but  remains of organized bodies which exist in the
must have been transported by water from a  interior of its outer crusts. In these, we find
more elevated surface, and lodged in what was  traces of innumerable orders of beings existing
then a hollow. The basalt which covers the  under different circumstances, succeeding one
wood must also have flowed in a current from a  another at distant epochs, and varying through
higher site; but the soil over which both the  multiplied changes of form. " If we examine
wood and the basalt passed, has been swept  the secondary rocks, beginning with the most
away leaving this mountain as a solitary memo-  ancient, the first organic remains which present
rial to attest its existence. Thus, also, on the  themselves, are those of aquatic plants and large
side of Mount Jura next the Alps, where no  reeds, but of species different from ours. To'
other mountain interposes, there are found vast  these succeed madrepores, encrenities, and other
blocks of granite (some of 1000 cubic yards) at  aquatic zoophites, living beings of the simplest
the height of more than 2000 feet above the lake  forms, which remain attached to one spot, and
of Geneva. These blocks are foreign to the  partake, in some degree, of the nature of vegerocks among which they lie, and have evidently  tables. Posterior to these, are ammonites, and
come from the opposite chain of the Alps; but  other mollusci, still very simple in their forms,
the land which constituted the inclined plane  and entirely different from any animals now
over which they were rolled or transported, has  known.  After these, some fishes appear; and
been worn away, and the valley of lower Swit-  plants, consisting of bamboos and ferns, increase,
zerland, with its lakes, now occupies its place.  but still different from those which exist. In the
Transported masses of primitive rocks, of the  next period, along with an increasing number of
same description, are found scattered over the  extinct species of shells and fishes, we meet with
north of Germany, which Van Buch ascertained  amphibious and viviparous quadrupeds, such as
by their characters to belong to the mountains of crocodiles and tortoises, and some reptiles, as
Scandinavia; and which, therefore, carry us  serpents, which show that dry land now existed.
back to a period when an elevated continent,  As we approach the newest of the solid rock
occupying the basin of the Baltic, connected  formations, we find lamantins, phocee, and other
Saxony with Norway.-Supp. to Ency. Brit.  cetaceous and mamnmiferous sea animals, with
vol. 6.                                       some birds. And in the newest of these forThe production of a bed for vegetation is ef-  mations, we find the remains of herbiferous land
fected by the decomposition of rocks.  This de-  animals of extinct species, the paleotherium,
composition is effected by the expansion of water  anaploth6rium, &c. and of birds, with some fresh
in the pores or fissures of rocks, by heat or con-  water shells. In the lowest beds of loose soil,
gelation-by the solvent power of moisture-and  and in peat bogs, are found the remains of the
oy electricity, which is known to be a powerful  elephant, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, elk, &C. of
agent of decomposition. As soon as the rock  different species from those which now exist, but
begins to be softened, the seeds of lichens, which  belonging to the same genera. Lastly, the bones
are constantly floating in the air, make it their  of the species which are apparently the same




7f              ~        THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
with tnose now existing alive, are never found  tusks like the elephant, and appears to have liv.
except in the very latest alluvial depositions, or  ed on roots. Its remains abound in America,
those which are either formed in the sides.of particularly on the banks of the Ohio.
rivers, the bottoms of iancient lakes and marshes    4. The Tapir, which also abounds in Amenow dried up, in peat beds, in the fissures and  rica. The one named Gigantic Tapir. is about
caverns of certain rocks, or at small depths, be-  18 feet long, and 12 feet high.
low the present surface, in places where they    5. The Irish Elk, or Elk of the Isle of Man.
may lave been overwhelmed by debris, or even  This gigantic species, now apparently extinct,
buried by man. Human bones are never found  occurs in a fossil state, in Ireland, Isle of Man,
except among those of animal- species now liv-. England, Germany, and France. The most
ing, and in -situations which show, that they  perfect specimen of this species, which was
have been, comparatively speaking, recently de-  found in the. Isle of Man, may be seen in the
posited." —Suzpp. to Esncy. Brit. vol. 6.    Museum of the University of Edinburgh. It is
More than thirty different species of animals  6 feet high, 9 feet long, and in height to the tip of
have been found imbedded in the secondary stra-  the right horn, 9 feet:7~ inches. An engraving
ta-no living examples of which are now to be  of this skeleton may be seen in vol. 6 of. Supp. to
found in any quarter of the globe. Among the  Ency. Brit.
most remarkable of these are the following.-   From a consideration of the phenomena above
1I The Mammoth, which bears a certain re-  described, geologists have been led -to conclude,
semblance to the Elephant, but is much larger,  " that rocks now buried at a great depth, constianddiffers considerably in the size and form of the  tuted, at one time, the surface of continents, and
tusks, jaws, and grinders. The fossil remains  the seat of organic life; and that many orders of
of this animal are more abundant in Siberia than  beings have been called into existence, and afterin other countries;:there being scarcely a spot,  wards destroyed.by great revolutions, which
from the river Don to Kamtschatka,. in which  introduced new classes of mineral deposits, ac.
they have-not been found. Not:only single bones  companied with new tribes of organic beings,"
and perfect skeletons of this animal are fre-  It has also been concluded by some, that the apquently to be met with; but, in a late instance,  pearance of man upon the face of the globe, is,
the whole animal was found preserved in ice. geologically speaking, a very. recent event; beThis animal was discovered on the banks of  fore which the earth had been inhabited thousands
the; frozen ocean, near the mouth of: the river  of years by various families of plants and tribes
Jena, in 1799; and in 1805, Mr. Adams got it  of-animals, which had been destroyed and reconveyed over a space of 7000 miles to Peters-  newed in a long series of successions. Whether
burgh, where it is deposited in the' Museum.  these conclusions be necessary inferences from
The flesh, skin, and hair were completely pre-  the phenomena of organic remains and other
served, and even/ the eyes were entire. It was  geological facts, I shall not, at present, stop to
provided with a long mane, and the body was  inquire. It is sufficien.t for the Christian philosocovered with hair. This hair: was of different  pher to show, that though they should be admitqualities.  There were stiff black bristles from  ted in their full extent, they are not inconsistent
12 to 15 inches long, and these belonged to the  with the records of sacred history, as some ditail, mane, and ears. Other bristles were from   vines have been disposed to maintain. Though
9 to 10 inches long, and of a brown colour; and  it could be proved to a demonstration, that the
besides these, there was a coarse wool, from 3  materials of which the present system  of our
to 5 inches long, of a pale yellow colour. This  globe is composed, have existed for millions of
mammoth was a male: it measured 9 feet 4  years, it would not, in the least, invalidate
inches in height, and was 16 feet 4 inches long  the Mosaic account of the arrangement of our
without including the tusks. The tusks, mea-  world. For Moses no where affirms, -that the
suring along the curve, are 9 feet 6 inches; and  materials or substance of the earth were created,
the two together weigh 360 lbs. avoirdupois.  or brought from nothing into existence, at the peThe head alone without the tusks, weighs 414 lbs. riod when his history commences. His language,
avoirdupois.  The remains of this animal have  on the contrary, evidently implies, that the mabeen found likewise in Iceland, Norway, Scot-  terials which enter into the constitution of our
land, England, and in many places through the  globe did exist, at the epoch at which he comcontinent onwards to the Arctic ocean.       mences his narration. " The earth was with2. The Megatherium. A complete skeleton  out form, and void; and darkness was upon the
of this colossal species was found in diluvial  face of the deep."  This passage plainly implies
soil, near Buenos Ayres, and sent to Madrid.  the following things-1. That the original atoms,
The specimen is 14 feet long, and 7 Spanish  or materials, out of which the terraqueous globe
feet in height.                              in its present state, was formed, were then in
S. The great Mastodon of the Ohio. This  existence, or had been previously created. How
species appears to have been as tall as the ele-  long they had been in existence is not stated.
phant, bat with longer anad thicker limbs. It had  We may suppose them  to have existed fX  a




GEOLOGY.                                         77
year, a thousand years, or a million of years,  with certain facts which exist in the material'ust as geological phenomena seem to warrant,  world.
without in the least invalidating the authority of   But, whatever may be said with respect to: the
the sacred historian, who states nothing contra-  state and duration of the earth prior to the pery to the truth of either supposition. 2. That  riod at which Moses commences nis narration,
the materials of our globe, as then existing, were  it is admitted by every geologist, that our globe,
in a chaotic state. Instead of that order and  as to its presentform and arrangement, has been,
beauty which we perceive on the face ofnaturei  comparatively, of but short duration.  Cuvier.
the whole mass presented a scene of confusion  one of the most enlightened geologists of the
and disorder-such a scene, perhaps, as would  age, deduces, from certain progressive changes
be presented, were the earth stripped of its ver-  on the earth's surface, as well as from the condure, were its strata universally disrupted, its  current traditions of many nations, that the first
mountains hurled into the plains, and its rivers  appearance of man upon the face of the globe,
and seas, by some terrible convulsion, to forsake  or, at least, the renewal of the human race after
their ancient channels.  3. The passage seems  some great catastrophe, cannot be referred to a
to imply, that the whole, or the greater portion  period farther back than 5000 or 6000 years
of the earth, as it then existed, was covered with  from the present time. Geologists, too, of every
a deluge of water: " Darkness covered the face  description, however different the systems or
of the deep," or the abyss.                   theories they have adopted, have all been conSuch was the state of the terrestrial system at  strained, from the evidence of fact, to admit this
the period when Moses commences his narra-  conclusion, " That every part of the dry land
tion; no intimation being given of the period of was once covered by the ocean;" thus confirming
its duration in this condition; and, consequently,  the scriptural account of that stupendous event,
nothing asserted to militate against any geologi-  the universal deluge. This event, from its very
cal system which is founded on the facts which  nature, must have been accompanied with the
have been discovered respecting the organic re-  most terrible convulsions, both on the -exterior
mains which are found in the strata of our globe.  surface, and in the interior strata of the globe.
It is a mistake into which too many have been  Accordingly we find, that traces of this awful
apt to fall, to suppose, that Moses begins his  catastrophe exist ili every region of the earth.
history at the period when the first portions of Mr. Parkinson describes the whole island of
material existence were created out of nothing;  Great Britain, as having, since its completion,
and that it was his design to mark the precise  " suffered considerable disturbance from some
epoch when the whole assemblage of created be-  prodigious and  mysterious power.  By  this
ings throughout the universe was brought into  power all the known strata, to the greatest depths
existence. His primary, if not his sole inten-  that have been explored, have been more or less
tion evidently was, to detail the progress of those  broken and displaced, and, in some places, have
arrangements by which the earth was gradually  been so lifted, that some of the lowest of them
reduced to that form and order in which we now   have been raised to the surface; while portions
behold it, from the chaotic materials which pre-  of others, to a very considerable depth and exviously existed. And, as an emphatic and ap-  tent, have been entirely carried away."  The
propriate introduction to his narration, he states  whole of the Alpine region in Switzerland, and:
this important truth: "In the beginning God  the north of iLay, considered as one mass, shows.
created the heaven and the earth."  This pass-  the most evident marks of dislocation.  At the
age, being of a general and comprehensive na-  height of 3500 feet above the level of the sea,
ture, decides nothing with regard to the period,  M. Saussure met with a chasm a hundred feet
or precise epoch, at which the different bodies in  wide, and so deep that he saw no bottom. All
the universe were called into being; but is evi-  travellers on the Alps have regarded them with
dently intended to convey the following import-  horror.  They mark the most evident convuiant truth, in opposition to all fanciful, chimeri-  sions, but show no signs of having been occacal, and atheistical notions respecting the origin  sioned by attrition. Mr. Townsend, speaking
of the world; namely, " That, at what period  of the Pyrenees, which he personally inspected,
soever, in the lapse of duration, any object was  says, "'What is most remarkable is, to see four
brought into existence, it derived that existence  enormous chasms, almost perpendicular, which
fron the God of Israel, the self-existent and eter-  divided both mountains and their valleys, and
nal Jehovah."-" In the beginning God created  which appear as if they had just been rent
the heaven and the earth."  As the language of asunder."  Throughout the ranges of the Andes,
the sacred historian, therefore, decides nothing  and in every other mountainous region, similar
with regard to time-to limit the creation of  chasms and disruptions, indicating the former
every portion of the material system within the  operation of some tremendous power, are fre.
period of six thousand years, is to make an un-  quently observed by those who visit such scenes
necessary concession to the infidel philosopher,  of grandeur.-In some of the coal mines in out
which may afterwards be found' inconsistent  country, the coal is in some places lifted up of




78                      THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
thrown down several hundreds of feet from the  tions carried on by the powers of nature, uponu  a
places it appears originally to have occupied. scale of prodigious magnitude, and with the ex.
" Two miles north of Newcastle," says Mr.  ertion of forces, the stupendous nature of which
Townsend, "one great dyke or fault throws  astonishes and overpowers the mind. Conterm
down the coal 540 feet-at the distance of 3 miles  plating such scenes of grandeur, we perceive the
it is cut off, and thrown down again 240 feet."  force and sublimity of those descriptions of Deity
An evidence of the effects which could be  contained in the volume of inspiration: " The
produced onlyby a general deluge, is also af-  Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; in his
forded by those organic remains to which I have  hand are the deep places of the earth, the
already adverted, and particularly by those im-  strength of the hills is his also. He removeth the
mense quantities of marine shells, which have  mountains, and they know not: he overturneth
been discovered in situations so elevated, and  them in his anger; he shaketh the earth out
in places so far removed from the sea, as to  of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.
prove that they were left there by a flood ex-  At his presence the earth shook and trembled:
tending over the whole globe. At Touraine, in  the foundations also of the hills moved, and were
France, a hundred miles from the sea, is a bed  shaken, because he was wrath."-" Thou coverof shells stretching 9 leagues in extent, and 20  edst the earth with the deep, as with a garfeet in depth, and including shells not known to  ment; the waters stood above the mountains
belong to the neighbouring sea.  Humboldt At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy
found sea shells on the Andes at an elevation of  thunder they hastened away."  While retracing
14,120 feet above the level of the sea. The slatv  such terrific displays of omnipotence, we are namountain of La Bolca, near Verona, is famous  turally led to inquire into the moral cause which
for petrifactions, among which are enumerated  induced the benevolent Creator to inflict upon the
more than one hundred species of fish, natives  world such overwhelming desolations. For reaof Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, here as-  son, as well as revelation, declares that a moral
sembled in one place.                        cause must have existed. Man must have vioIt appears, therefore, that the researches of lated the commands of his Maker, and frustrated
geology confirm the fact of a universal deluge,  the end of his creation; and to this conclusion
and thus afford a sensible proof of the credibility  the sacred historian bears ample testimony.of the sacred historian, and, consequently, of  "God saw that the wickedness of man was
the truth of the doctrines of Divine Revelation.  great in the earth, and that every imagination
But, besides the testimony which this science  of the thoughts of his heart was only evil conbears to the authenticity of Scripture History, it  tinually: and Jehovah said, I will destroy man
exhibits some of the grandest objects in the his-  whom I have created, from the face of the earth,
tory of the physical operations of Divine Provi-  both man and beast, and the creeping thing, and
dence. It presents to our view, in a most im-  the fowls of the air."
pressive form, the majestic agency of God, in
convulsing and disarranging the structure of our             ASRONOMY.
globe, which at first sprung from his hand in    Another science which stands in an intimate
perfect order and beauty. When we contem-  relation to religion, is Astronomy.
plate the objects which this science embraces,    This sublime science teaches us the magniwe seem to bR standing on the ruins of a former  tudes and distances of the heavenly bodies, their
world. We behold " hills" which " have melt-  arrangement, their various motions and phenoed like wax at the presence of the Lord," and  mena, and the laws by which their movements
" mountains" which " have been carried into  are regulated. It presents to our view objects the
the midst of the sea."  We behold rocks of  most wonderful and sublime; whetherwe consider
enormous size, which have been rent from their  the vast magnitude of the bodies about which it is
foundations, and rolled from one continent to an-  conversant-their immense number-the velocity
other-the most solid strata of the earth bent  of their motions-the astonishing forces requisite
under the action of some tremendous power,  to impel them in their rapid career through the
and dispersed in fragments through the sur-  regions of the sky-the vast spaces which surrounding regions. We behold the summits of round them, and in which they perform their relofty mountains, over which the ocean had rolled  volutions-the magnificent circles they describe
its mighty billows-confounding lands and seas  -thesplendour of their appearance-or the imporin one universal devastation-transporting plants  tant ends they are destined to serve in the grand
and forests from one quarter of the world to an-  system of the universe. Having adveried to this
other, and spreading universal destruction among  subject, when illustrating the omnipotence of
the animated inhabitants of the water and the  the Deity, I shall here simply state a few addiearth. When we enter the wild and romantic  tional facts with respect to the general appear
scene of a mountainous country, or descend into  ance of the heavens, the bodies which anmthe subterraneous regions of the globe, we are  pose the planetary system, and the discoveries
vwer) where struck with the vestiges of opera-  which have been made in tne region of the stars




GEOL( )GY.                                       79
When we lift our eyes towards the sky, we  times it covers the whole of her disk hor an noear
perceive an apparent hollow hemisphere, placed  or two, and its margin always appears of the
at an indefinite distance, and surrounding the  figure of a segment of a circle. This phenomeearth cn every hand. In the day time, the prin.  non, which happens, at an average, about twice
cipal object which appears in the hemisphere, is  every year, is termed an eclipse of the moon. It
the sun. In the morning, we see him rise above  is produced by the shadow of the earth falling
the distant mountains, or from the extremity of upon the moon, when the sun, the earth, and the
the ocean; he gradually ascends the vault of moon, are nearly in a straight line; and can
heaven, and then declines, and disappears in the  happen only at the time of full moon. Someopposite quarter of the sky. In the northern  times the moon appears to pass across the body
parts of the globe, where we reside, if about the  of the sun, when her dark side is turned towards
21st ofMarch, we place ourselves on an open plain,  the earth, covering his disk either in whole or in
with our face towards the south, the sun will  part, and intercepting his rays from  a certain
appear to rise on our left, or due east, about six  portion of the earth. This is called an eclipse
in the morning, and about the same hour in the  of the sun, and can happen only at the time of
evening, he will set due west. In the month of new moon. In a total eclipse of the sun, which
June he rises to our left, but somewhat behind  seldom happens, the darkness is so striking, that
us, in a direction towards the north-east, ascends  the planets, and some of the larger stars, are disto a greater height at noon than in the month of tinctly seen, and the inferior animals appear
March, and, after describing a large arc of the  struck with terror.
heavens, sets on our right, and still behiyd us, in    Again, if, on a winter's evening, about six
the north-western quarter of the sky. In the  o'clock, we direct our view to the eastern quarnonth of December, if we stand in the same  ter of the sky, we shall perceive certain stars
position, we may observe, without turning our- just risen above the horizon; if we view the
selves, both his rising and setting. He rises in  same stars about midnight, we shall find them at
the south-east, ascends to a small elevation at  a considerable elevation in the south, having
noon, and sets in the south-west, after having  apparently moved over a space equal to one half
described a very small arc ofthe heavens. Every  of the who:le hemisphere. On the next morning,
day he appears to move a little towards the east,  about six o'clock,the same stars will be seen set.
or contrary to his apparent diurnal motion; for ting in the western part of the skv. If we turn our
the stars which are seen to the eastward of him,  eyes towards the north, we shail perceive a simiappear every succeeding day to make a nearer  lar motion in these twinkling orbs, but with this
approach to the place in which he is seen. All  difference, that a very considerable number of
the variety of these successive changes is accom-  them  neither rise nor set, but seem  to move
plished within the period of 365 days 6 hours, in  round an immoveable point, called the north
which time he appears to have made a complete  pole. Near this point is placed the polar star,
revolution round the heavens from west to east.   which seems to have little or no apparent motion,
The moon is the next object in the heavens  and which, in our latitude, appears elevated a
which naturally attracts our attention; and she is  little more than half way between the northern
found to go through similar variations in the course  part of our horizon and the zenith or point above
of a month.  When she first becomes visible at  our heads. A  person who has directed his
new moon, she appears in the western part of  attention to the heavens for the first time, after
the heavens, in the form of a crescent, not far  having made such observations, will naturally infrom the setting sun. Every night she increases  quire-Whence come those stars which begin to
in size, and removes to a greater distance  appear in the east? Whither have those gone,
from the sun, till at last, she appears in the east-  which have disappeared in the west? and, what
ern part of the horizon, just as the sun disap-  becomes, during the day, of the stars which are
pears in the western; at which time she presents  seen in the night?-It will soon occur to a raa round full-enlightened face. After this, she  tional observer, who is convinced of the roundgradually moves farther and farther eastward,  ness of the earth, that the stars which rise above
*and her enlightened part gradually decreases, till  the eastern horizon come from another hemisat last she seems to approach the sun as nearly  phere, which we are apt to imagine below  us,
in the east as she did in the west, and rises only  and when they set, return to that hemisphere
a little before him in the morning, in the form of again; and, that the reason why the stars are
a crescent.  All these different changes may be  not seen in the day-time, is, not because tlwl y
traced by attending to her apparent positions,  are absent from our hemisphere, or have ceased
from time to time, with respect to the fixed stars.  to shine, but because their light is obscured by
A dark shadow is occasionally seen to move  the more vivid splendour ofthesuni.*  F;rom,wh
aeross the face of the moon, which obscures
ter light, arid gives her the appearance of tar-'This is put beyond all doubt, by the in'venltion,
aished copper. Sometimes this shadow covers  the telescope;. by which instrument, adal,tet to ain
equatorial motion, we are enabled to see rmany of
any a small portion of her surface; at other  thle stars even at noon-day. The Amth-m tf this




80                        THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
observations we are led to conclude, that the  by the agency of man, can scarcely afford us the
globe on which we tread is suspended in empty  least assistance in foriming a conception of that
space-is surrounded on all sides by the celes-  incomprehensible power, which,, with unceastial vault-and that the whole sphere of the  in'g energy, communicates motion to revolving
heavens has an apparent motion round the earth  worlds; And yet such is the apathy with which
every twenty-four hours. Whether this motion  the heavens are viewed by the greater part of
be real, or only apparent, must be determined by  mankind, that there are thousands who have ocother considerations.                           casionally gazed at the stars, for the space of
Such general views of the nocturnal heavens,  fifty years, who are still ignorantof the fact, that
which every common observer may'take, have  they perform  an apparent diurnal revo'ution
a tendency to expand the mind, and to elevate it  round our globe'.
to the contemplation of an invisible power, by    Again, if we contemplate the heavens with
which such mighty movements are conducted.  some attention, for a number of successive
Whether we consider the vast concave, with all  nights, we shall find, that by far the greater-part
its radiant orbs, moving in majestic grandeur  of the stars never vary their positions with rearound our globe, or the earth itself'whirling  spect to each other. If we observe two stars atround its inhabitants in an opposite direction-   a certain apparent distance from  each other,
an idea of sublimity, and of Almighty energy,  either north or south, or in any other direction,
irresistibly forces itself upon the mind, which  they will appear st the same distance, and in the
throws completely into the shade the mightiest  same relative position to each other, the, next
etforts of human power.  The most powerful  evening, the next month,;and the next year.- The
mechanical engines that were ever constructed  stars, for instance. which form the sword and
belt of Orion, present to our eye the same figure
work, about eleven years ago, made a number of  and relative aspect,during the whole period theyf
observations, by means of an equatorial eiescope,
to determine the following particulars:-What stars  are visible in winter, and ifom  one year to
and planets may be conveniently seen in the day-  another: and the same is the case with all'the
time, when the sun is above the horizon? Whatde-  fixed stars in the firmament.  On examining- thisgrees of magnifying power are requisite.for d -eto.
guishing them? How near their conjunction with  sky a little more minutely however, we perceive
the.sun they may be seen;-and, whether the dlmi.  certain bodies which regularly shift their posinution of the aperture of the telescope, or the increase of magnifying power, conduces most to ren-mes they appear to 
der a star or planet visible in day-light. The results  the east, sometimes towards the west, and- at
of several hundreds of observations on these points,  other times seem to remain in a stationary posiaccompanied with some original deductions and re.
marks, are inserted in " Nicholson's Philosophical  tion.  These bodies have obtained the nane of
Journal," for October, 1813, vol. 38, p. 109-128. The  planets, or wandBring-stars; and  in our latitude,
following are some of the results which were de-  afe most frequently seen, either in the- eastern
duced from the observations:-That a. star of the
Pi/st magnitude maybe distinguished at any time of  and western, or in the southern parts of the heathe day, with a magnifying power of 50otimes, but  vens.  Ten of these planetary orbs- have been
that a higher magnifying power is preferable-That          sixof hich arefor te most part,
most of the stars of the second magnitude may be  discovered;                      most part,
seen with a power of 100; and with a power of 60  invisible to the naked eye.  By a carefill examitimes, when the sun'is not much more -than two  nation ofthemotions of these bodies, and theih
hours above the horizon-That the planet Jupiter,
when not within 30 or 40 degrees of the sun, may be  different aspects, astronomers have determined,
seen' witli a power of 15 times;-and that Venus  that they all move round the sun as the centre of
may,-in most instances, be: seen- with a power of
from 7 to 1oo times, and upwards-That Jupiter  tir motions, anorm, along with the earth and
ean scarcely be distinguished in the day-time, when  several smaller globes, one grand andiharmonious
within 26 degrees of the sun; but -that Venus-ray  system.  This assemblage of planetary bodies is
be distinctly perceived near her superior conjunction, when only one degree and 27 minutes from   generally termed the solar system, of which I
the sun's margin; and, consequently, may be visible  shall now endeavour to exhibit a brief outline.
at the time of thlat. conjunction, -when her geocentric. latitude equals or exceeds I degree 43 minutes.
-That she may be perceived, like a fine, slender      -    THE SOLAR SYSTEM.
crescent, within 35 hours after passing her isiferior
conjunction, &c. &c. One practical purpose to    Of this system, the sun is the centre and the
which such observations on Venus, at the time of
her superior conjunction, may be applied, is, to  animating principle, and by far the largest body
determine thedifference (if any) between her polar  that exists within its limits.  The first thing
and equatorial diameters. For, it is only at that.
conjunction that she presents to the earth a full en-  that strikes the mind when contemplating this
lightened hemisphere; and in no otheri position can  glorious orb, is its astonishing magnitude. This
the measure of both diameters be taken, except  vast globe is found to be about 880,000 miles i*
when she makes a transit across the sun's disk.
As the Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, are found  diameter, and, consequently, contains a mass o,
to he spheroids, it is highly probable that Venus  matter equal to thirteen hundred thousand globes
Is of a similar figure; but this point hasnever yet                     Were its central par
been ascertained by actual observation. See also  of the size of the earth.  Were its centralparts
"The Edinburgh Philos. Journal," NIo. 5, for July  placed adjacent to the surface of the. earth, its'820, p. 1t91; and No. 13, for July, 1822-" The SCots  circumference would reach two hundred thouMag." for Feb. 1814, p. 84.-" Monthly Mag." Feb.
81I, and August 1820, p. 62.                  sand miles beyond the moon's orbit on every




ASTRONOMY.                                          81
side, li?:ing a cubical space of 681,472,000,000,-  the bank of the river seem to move in a contrary
000,000 miles. If it would require 18,000 years  direction, when we are sailing along its stream
to traverse every square mile on the earth's sur-  in a steamboat.  The only motion which is
face, at the rate of thirty, miles a day, (see p.  found to exist in the sun is, a.motion of rotation,
9,) it would require more than two thousand  like that of a globe or ball twirled round a pivot
millions of years to pass. over every part of the  or axis, which is performed in the space.of 25
sun's surface, at the same rate. Even at the  days and 10 hours. This motion has been asrate of 90 miles a day it would require more  certained by means of a variety of dark spots.
than 80 years to go round its circumference. Of  which are discovered by the telescope on the
a body so vast in its dimensions, the human mind,  sun's disk; which first appear on his eastern
with all its efforts, can form no adequate con-  limb, and, after a period of about thirteen days,
ception.  It appears an extensive universe in it-  disappear on his western, and, after a similar
self; and, although no ither body existed within  period, reappear on his eastern edge. These
the range of infinite space, this globe alone  spots are various, both in number, in magnit;lde,
would afford a powerful demonstration of the  and in shape: sometimes 40 or 50, and someomnipotence of-the Creator. Were the sun a  times only one or two are visible, and at other
hollow sphere, surrounded by an external shell,  times the sun appears entirely without spots.and a luminous atmosphere; were this shell per-. Most of them have a very dark nucleus, or cenforated with several hundreds of openings: into  tral part, surrounded by an umbra, or fainter
the internal  part; were a globe, as large as the  shade.  Some of the spots are as large as would
earth placed at its centre, and another globe as  cover the whole continent of Europe, Asia, and
large as:the moon, and at the same distance from   Africa, others have been.observed of the size of
the centre as the moon is from us, to revolve.. the whole surface of the earth; and one was seen,
round the central globe,-it would present to the  in the year 1779, which was computed -to be
view a universe as splendid and glorious as that  more than fifty thousand miles in diameter.
which now appears to the vulgar eye,-a uni-    With regard to the nature of this globe-it
verse as large and extensive as the whole crea-  appears highly probable, from the observations of
tion was conceived to be, by our ancestors, in  Dr. Herschel, that the sun is a solid and opaque
the infancy of astronomy.  And who can tell,  body, surrounded with luminous clouds which
but that Almighty Being, who.has. not left -a  float in the solar atmosphere, and that the dark
drop of water in a stagnant pool without its in-  nucleus of the spots is the opaque body of the
habitants, has arranged a number of worlds with-  sun appearing through occasional openings in
in the capacious circuit of the sun, and peopled  this atnlosphere.  The height of the atmosphere,
them with intelligent beings in the first.stages.of  he computes to be. not less than 1843, nor more
their existence, to remain there for a certain  than 2765 miles, consisting of two regions; that
period, till they be prepared for being transported  nearest the sun beingopaque, and probably, reto a more expansive sphere of existence?  It is  sembling the clouds of our earth; the outermost
easy to conceive, that enjoyments as exquisite,  emitting vast quantities of light, and forming the
and a range of thoughts as ample as have ever  apparent luminous globe we behold.
yet been experienced by the majority of:the in-    The sun is the grand source of light and heat,
habitants of our world, might be afforded to my-  both to the earth and to all the other planetary
riads of beings thus placed at the centre of this  bodies.. The heat he diffuses animates every
magnificent luminary. This supposition is, at  partof our.sublunary system, and all that varileast, as probable as that of the celebrated Dr.  etyof colouring which adorns the terrestrial lanaHerschel, who supposed that the exterior surface  scape is produced by his rays. It. has been
of the sun was peopled with inhabitants. For,  lately discovered, that the rays of light, and the
if this were the case, the range of view of these  rays of heat, or caloric, are distinct from each
inhabitants would be confined within the limits  other; for, it can be demonstrated, that some
~f two or three hundred miles, and no celestial  rays from the sun produce heat, which have no.;ody, but an immense blaze of light, would be  power of communicating light or colour. The
visible in their hemisphere. Such is the variety  greatest heat is found in the red rays, the least
which appears among the works of God, and  in the violet rays; and in a space beyond the
such is the diversity of situations in which sen-  red rays, where there is no light, the temperasitive beings are placed, that we dare not pro-  ture is greatest.  The rays of the sun have also
nounce it impossible that both these suppositions  been fourid to produce different chymical effects.
mav be realized.                               The white muriate of silver is blackened in th,T'hough the sun seems to perform a daily cir-  violet ray, in the space of 15 seconds, though the
cuit around our globe, he may be said, in this  red will not produce the same effect in less teta..n
respect, tobefixedandimmoveable. Thismotion  20 minutes. Phosphorus is kindled il the viclis not real, hut only apparent, and is owing to  nity of the red ray, and extinguished in the vic:l
the globe on which we are placed moving round  nity of the violet. The solar light, therefore,
its- axis fromn west to east; just as the objects on  consists of three different orders of rays, one




82                       THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHtER.
producing colour, a second producing heat, and a    Venus, the next planet in order from the kuin;
third chymical effects.  Euler has computed that  revolves around him in 224 days, at the distance
the light of the sun is equal to 6500 candles at a  of 68 millions of miles, and its diameter is aborut
foot distance, while the moon would be as one  seven thousand seven hundred miles, or nearly
candle at 71 feet; Venus at 421 feet; and Jupi-  the size of the earth; and it turns round its axis
ter at 1320 feet.-That this immennse luminary  in the space of 23 hours and 20 minutes.  This
appears so small to our eyes, is owing to its vast  planet is the most brilliant orb which appears in
distance, which is no less than ninety-five mil-  our nocturnal heavens, and is usually distinguishlions of miles.  Some faint idea of this distance  ed by the name of the morning and evening star.
may be obtained, by considering, that a steam-  When it approaches nearest to the earth, it is
boat, moving at the rate of 200 miles a day,  about 27 millions of miles distant; and at its
would require thirteen hundred years before it  greatest distance, it is no less than 163 millions
could traverse the space which intervenes be-  of miles from  the earth.  Were the whole of
tween us and the sun.                          its enlightened surface turned towards the earth,
when it is nearest, it would exhibit a light and
"Hail sacred source of inexhausted light!    brilliancy twenty-five times greater than it geProdtgious instance of creating might!       nerally does, and appear like a small brilliant
His distaice man's imagination foits;
Numbers will scarce avail to count the miles.  moon; but at that time, its dark hemisphere is
As swift as thought he darts his radiance round    turned towards otr globe.  Both Venus and
To distant worlds, his system's utmost bound."
Brown.  Mercury, when viewed by a telescope, appear to
pass successively through all the shapes and apThe Planet Mercury.-Mercury is the nearest  pearances of the moon; sometimes assuming a
planet to the sun that has yet been discovered.  gibbous phase, and at other times the form of a half
He is about 37 millions of miles distant from the  moon, or that of a crescent; which proves that
sun, and revolves around him in 88 days. His  they are dark bodies in themselves, and derive
diameter is about 3200 miles. Before the dis-  their light from the sun. The most distinct and
covery of the four new planets, Ceres, Pallas,  beautiful views of Venus, especially when she
Juno, and Vesta, in the beginning of the present  appears as a crescent, are to be obtained in the
century, this globe was considered as the smallest  day time, by means of an equatorial telescope.primary planet in the system.  His surface,  From a variety of observations which the author
however, contains above 32 millions of square  has made with this instrument, it has been found
miles, which is not much'less than all the habi-  that Venus may be seen every clear day without
table parts of our globe. On account of his near-  interruption, during a period of 583 days, with
ness to the sun, he is seldom seen by the naked  the occasional exception of 13 days in one case,
eye; being always near that quarter of the hea-  and only 3 days in another-a circumstance
vens where the sun appears; and therefore, few   which cannot be affirmed of any other celestial
discoveries have been made on his surface, by  body, the sun only excepted.'  M. Schroeter
the telescope.  M. Schroeter concludes, from
certain observations, that this planet revolves  and that these different quantities of caloric are put
round its axis in 24 hours and five minutes. The  into action by the influence of the solar rays, so as
sun will appear to an inhabitant of Mercury  to produce that degree of se4sible heat requisite for
each respective planetary globe. On this hypothesis
seven times larger than to an inhabitant of the  -which is corroborated by a very great variety of
earth; and, if the degree of heat be in propor-  facts and experiments-there may be no more sensible heat felt on the surface of the planet Mercury
tion to a planet's nearness to the sun, the heat  than on the surface of Herschel, although one
in this planet will be seven times greater than  these bodies is nearly 50 times nearer the sun than
on the surface of our globe; and, consequently,  the other. We have only to suppose that a small
quantity of caloric exists in Mercury, and a larger
were the earth placed in the same position, all  quantity in Herschel, proportionate to his distance
the water on its surface would boil, and soon be  from the centre of the system. On this ground, we
turned into vapoulr. But the All-wise Creator  have no reason to believe, either that the planets
nearest the sun are parched with excessive heat, or
has, doubtless, attempered the surface of this  that those that are most distant are exposed to all the
globe, and the constitution of the beings that  rigours of insufferable cold, or that the different degrees of temperature which may be found in these
mnay occupy it, to the situation in which they  bodies render them unfit for being the abodes of
are placed.*                                   sensitive and intellectual beings.
t See Edin. Phil. Journ. No. V. July, 1820, and No.
XIII. July 1822.-I have found from observation, that
- From a variety of facts which have been observ-  this planet may be seen in the day-time, when only
ed in relationtothe production of caloric, it does not  to 43' from  the sun's centre; and consequently
appear probable, that the degree of heat on the sur-  when its geocentric latitude at the time of the supefaces of the different planets is inversely propor-  rior conjunction exceeds that quantity, it may be
tional to the squares of their respective distances  distinctly seen luring the whole period of 583 days,
from the sun. It is more probable, that it depends  excepting about 35 hours before and after itsinferior
chiefly on the distribution of the substance of caloric  conjunction. It is well known to astronomers, that
on the surfaces and throughout the atmospheres of  there has been a difference of opinion with respect
these bodies —in different quantities, according to the  to the period of the rotation of this planet. Cassini,
different'situations thev occupy in the solar system;  from observations on a bright spot which advanced




ASTRONOMY.                                          83
affirms, that he has discovered mountains on the  preposterous as to suppose, that the vast universe
surface of this globe, one of which is 10, another  is daily revolving around our little globe, and that
11, and a third 22 miles high.  It appears also  all the planetary motions have an immediate reto be encompassed with an atmosphere, the  spect to it. And shall we dare to ascribe tc him
densest part of which is about 16,000 feet high.  who is " the only wise God,"  contrivances
About twice in the course of a century, this pla-  which we would pronounce to be the perfection
net appears to pass, like a dark spot, across the  offolly in malnkind?  It is recorded of the astrosun's disk.  This is termed the transit ol Venus.  nomer Alphonsus, king of Castile, who lived in
The last transit happened June 3, 1769; the  the 13th century, that, after having studied the
next will happen on December 8, 1874, which  Ptolemaic system, which supposes the earth at
will be invisible in Europe. Another will hap-  rest in the centre of the universe, he uttered the
pen on the 6th of December, 1882, which will be  following impious sentence: " If I had been of
partly visible in Great Britain.               God's privy council, when he made the world, I
The Earth is the next planet in the system.  would have advised him better."  So that false
IL moves round the sun in 365 days, 5 hours, and  conceptions of the system of nature, lead to erro49 minutes, at the distance of 95 millions of neous notions of that adorable Being who is posmiles, and round its axis in 23 hours, 56 minutes,  sessed of infinite perfection. We find that bodies
4 seconds. The former is called its annual, and  much larger than the earth have a similar rotathe latter, its diurnal motion.  That the earth  tion.  The planet Jupiter, a globe 295,000 miles
is, in.reality, a moving body, is a fact which can  in circumference, moves round his axis in less
nolonger be called in question; it is indeed sus-  than ten hours; and all the other planetary
ceptible of the clearest demonstration. But my  bodies, on which spots have been discovered, are
limits will not permit to enter into a detail of the  found to have a diurnal motion.  Besides, it is
arguments by which it is suppprted.  I have al-  found to be a universal law of nature that smaller
ready adverted to one consideration, from which  globes revolve round larger; but there is no exits diurnal rotation may be inferred.  (See p.  ample in the universe, of a larger body revolving
23.)  Either the earth moves round its axis  around a smaller.  The moon revolves around
every day, or fie whole universe moves round it  the earth, but she is much smaller than the
in the same time.  To suppose the latter case to  earth; the moons which move around Jupiter,
be the fact, would involve a reflection on the  Saturn, and Herschel, are all less than their priwisdom of its almighty Author, and would form   maries, and the planets which perform their rethe only exception that we know to that beauti-  volutions around the sun are much less than that
ful proportion, harmony, and simplicity, which  central luminary.
appear in all the works of nature. Were it pos-    With regard to the annual revolution of the
sible to construct a machine as large as the city  earth, if such a motion did exist, the planetary
of London, and to apply to it mechanical powers  system would present a scene of inextricable consufficient to make it revolve on an axis, so as to  fusion.  The planets would sometimes move
carry round a furnace for the purpose of roasting  backwards, sometimes forwards, and at other
a joint of mutton, suspended in the centre of its  times remain stationary; and would describe
motion-while we might admire the ingenuity  looped curves, so anomalous and confused, that
and the energies displayed in its construction-   no man in his senses could view the all-wise
all mankind would unite in condemning it as a  Creator as the author of so much confusion.
display of consummate folly. But such an extra-  But, by considering the earth as revolving in an
vagant piece of machinery would not be half so  orbit between Venus and Mars, (which all, celestial observa'ions completely demonstrate,) ati
20 degrees, in 24 hours, 34 minutes, determined the  the apparent irregularities of the planetary metime of its rotation to be 23 hours and 20 minutes.  tions are completely solved and accounted for;
On the other hand, Bianchini, from similar observa-                presents a scene of beauty,
tions, concluded, that its diurnal period was 24 days
and 8 hours.'The difficulty of deciding between  harmony and grandeur, combined with a simplicity
these two opinions, arises from the short time in  of design which characterizes all the works of
which observations can be made on this planet, either.                    a
before sun-rise or after sun-set, which prevents us  Omnipotence.
from tracing, with accuracy, the progressive motion  The Moon.-Next to the sun, the moon is to
of its spots for a sufficient length of time. And al-  us the most interesting of all the celestial orbs.
though an observer should mark the position of the
spots, at the same hour, on two succeeding evenings,  She is the constant attendant of the earth, and
and find they had moved forward about 20 degrees  revolves around it in 27 days, 8 hours; but the
in 24 hours, lhe would still be at a loss to determine, period from one new or full moon to another is
ws ther they had moved 20 degrees in all, since the
preceu., n observation, or had finished a revolution,  about 29 days, 12 hours.  She is the nearest of
and20 degrees more.-tn "Nicholson's Philosophical  all the heavenly bodies; bein  only about two
Journal," vol. 36. I endeavoured to show how this
point may be determined by observations on Venus  hundred and forty thousand miles distant from the
in the day-time, by which, in certain cases, the pro-  earth. She is much smaller than the earth; be.
gressive motion of her spots might be traced, without  ing only 2,180 miles in diameter.  Her surface1.
interruption, for 12 hours or more, which would
sompletely settle the period of rotation.       when viewed with a telescope, presents an.. ine-.38




84                       THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER
resting and a variegated aspect; being diversified  lar appearances to a spectator in the moon. The
with mountains, valleys, rocks, and plains, in  bright spots of the moon are the mountainous
every variety of form and position. Some of  regions; the dark spots are the plains, or timore
these mountains form long and elevated ridges,  level parts of her surface.  There may probably
resembling the chains of the Alps and the Andes;  be rivers or small lakes on this planet; but there
while others, of a conical form, rise to a great  are no seas or large collection of water. It apheight, from  the middle of level plains, some-  pears highly probable, from the observations of
what resembling the Peak of Teneriffe. But the  Se.hroeter, that the nloon is encompassed with
most singular feature of the moon, is, those cir-  an atmosphere; but no clouds, rain, nor snow
cular ridges and cavities which diversify every  seem to exist in it. The illuminating power. o
portion of her surface. A range of mountains of the light derived from the moon, according to the
a circular form, rising three or four miles above, experiments made by Professor Leslie, is about
the level of the adjacent districts, surrounds, like  the one hundred and fifty thousandth part of the
a mighty rampart, an extensive plain; and, in  illuminating power of the sun. According to
the middle of this plain or cavity, an insulated  the experiments of M. Boguer, it is only as 1 to
conical hill rises to a considerable elevation, 300,000.
Several hundreds of these circular plains, most of    The Moon always presents the same face to
which are considerably below the levelof-the sur-  us; which proves, that she revolves round her
rounding country; may be perceived, with a good  axis in the same time that she revolves round the
telescope, on every region of the lunar surface.  earth. -As this orb derives its light from  the
They are of all dimensions, from two or three  sun, and reflects a portion of it upon the earth,
miles to forty miles in diameter; and, if they be  so the earth performs the same office to the moon.
adorned with verdure, they must present to, the  A spectator on the lunar surface would behold
view of a spectator, placed among them, a more  the earth, like a luminous orb, suspended in the
variegated, romantic, and sublime scenery than  vault of heaven, presenting a surface about 13
is to be found on the surface of our globe. An  times larger than the moon does to us, and apidea of some of these scenes may be acquired by  pearing sometimes gibbous, sometimes horned,
conceiving a plain of about a hundred miles in  and at other times: with a round full face. The
circumference, encircled with a range of moun-  light which the earth reflects upon the dark side;tains, of various forms, three miles in perpendicu-  of the moon may be distinctly perceived by a
lar height, and having a mountain near the cen-  common telescope, from three to six or eight
tre, whose top reaches a mile and a: half -above  days after the-change.  The lunar surface conthe level of the plain. From the top of this cen-  tains about 15 millions of square miles, and is,
tral mountain, the whole plain, with all its variety  therefore,- capable of containing a population
of objects, would be distinctly visible;  and the  equal to that of our globe, allowing- only about
view: would appear to be bounded on- all sides by  53 inhabitants to every square mile. That this
a lofty amphitheatre of mountains, in every di-  planet is inhabited by sensitive and intelligent,
-versity of shape, rearihg -their summits to the' beings, there is every reasonto conclude, from a
-sky. From the summit of the circular ridge, the  consideration of the sublime scenery with which
conical hill in the centre, the opposite circular  its surface is adorned, and of the general benefi-.range, the plain below, and some of the adjacent  cence of the Creator, who appears to have left no,plains, which encompass the e.terior ridge of the  large portion of his material creation without,mountains, would form another variety of view;  animated existences; and it is highly probable,
and a third variety would be obtained from the-  that direct proofs of the moon's being inhabited
various aspects of the central mountain, and the  may hereafter be obtained, when all the varie-surrounding scenery, as viewed from the plains  ties on her surface shall have been nlore minutebelow.                                        ly explored.*
The lunar mountains are of all sizes, from a    The planet Mars.-Next to the earth and
furlongto five miles in perpendicular elevation.'moon, the planet Mars performs his revolu.
Certain luminous spots, which have been occa-  tion round the sun, in one year and ten months,
siontally seen on the dark side of the moon, seem  to the distance of 145 millions of miles. His
to demonstrate that fire exists in this-planet. Dr.  diameter is about 4,200 miles, and he is distinHerschel and several other astronomers suppose,  guished from all the other planets, by his ruddy
that they are volcanoes in a state of eruption. It  appearance, which is owing to a dense atmos.
-would be a more pleasing idea, and perhaps as  phere with which he is environed. With a good
nearly corresponding to fact, to suppose, that  telescope, his surface appears diversified by a:these phenomena are owing to some- occasional  variety of spots; by the motion of which it is
-splendid illuminations, produced by the lunar - in-  found, that he turns round his axis in 24 hours:habitants, during their long nights. Such a scene- and 40 minutes.  The inclination.of his axis to
as the burning of Moscow, the conflagration of an  the plane of his orbit being about 28m 42', the
extensive forest, or the splendid illumination of;. large city with,gas-lights, might present simi-'See Appendix, No. m.




ASTRONOMY.                                          85
days and nights, and the different seasons in this  great eccentricity of its orbit; being, at its least
planet, will bear a considerable resemblance to  distance from the sun, only 189 millions of miles.
those we experience in our terrestrial splhere.*   and at its greatest distance 316 millions.- Vesta
At his nearest approach to the earth, his dis-  was discovered  by Dr. Olbers on the 29th
tance firom  us is about 50 millions of miles;  March, 1807. It appears like a star of the 6th
and, at his greatest distance, he is about 240  or 6th magnitude, and may sometimes be distin.
millions of miles; so that in the former case he  guished by the naked eye. Its light is more inappears nearly 25 times larger than in the latter.  tense and white than any of the other three, and
To a spectator in this planet, our earth will  it is not surrounded with any nebulosity.  It is
appear, alternately, as a morning and evening  distant from the sun about 225 millions of miles,
star, and will exhibit all the phases of the moon,  and completes its revolution in 3 years and 240
just as Venus does to us, but with a less degree  days.  Its diameter has not yet been accurately
of apparent magnitude and splendour. A lumi-  ascertained; but from  the intensity of its light,
nous zone has been observed about the poles of  and other circumstances, it is concluded, that it
Mars, which is subject to successive changes.  exceeds in magnitude both Pallas and Juno.
Dr. Herschel supposes that it is produced by the  These planetary globes present to our view a
reflection  of the sun's light from his frozen re-  variety of anomalies and singularities, which
gions, and that the melting of these masses of  appear incompatible with the regularity, propolar ice is the cause of the variation in its mag-  portion, and harmony which were formerly supnitude and appearance.  This planet moves, in  posed to characterize the arrangements of the
its orbit, at the rate of fifty-five thousand miles  solar system.-They are bodies much smaller in
an hour.                                       size than the other planets-they revolve nearly
The new  planets.-Between  the orbits of  at the same distances from the sunr, and perform
Mars and Jupiter, four planetary bodies have  their revolutions in nearly the same periodsbeen lately discovered, accompanied with cir-  their orbits are much more eccentric, and have a
cunsstances somewhat different from those of the  much greater degree of inclination to the eclipt ic,
other bodies which compose our system.  They  than those of the old planets-and, what is altoare named Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta.  gether singular, (except in case of comets,) their
The planet Ceres was discovered at Palermo,  orbits cross each other; so that there is a possibi.;n Sicily, by M. Piazzi, on the first day of the  lity that two of these bodies might happen to inpresent century.  It is of a ruddy coloutr, and  terfere, and to strike each other, in the course of
appears abour, the size of a star of the 8th magni-  their revolutions.  The orbit of Ceres crosses
tude, and is consequently invisible to the naked  the orbit of Pallas.  Vesta may sometimes be at
eye. It performs its revolution in 4 years and 7  a greater distance from the sun than either Ceres,
nionths, at the distance of 260 millions of miles  Pallas or Juno, although its mean distance is less
from the sun, and is reckoned, by some astrono-  than that of either of them, by several millions
mers, to be about 1624 miles in diameter, or  of miles; so that the orbit of Vesta crosses the
about half the dianseter of Mercury.  It appears  orbits of all the other three. From  these and
to be surrounded with a large dense atmosphere.  other circumstanrces, it has, with a high degree
-Pallas was  discovered the following year,  of probability, been concluded-that these four
namely, on the 28th of March, 1802, by Dr.  planets are the fragments of a large celestial body
Olbers of Bremen. It is supposed to be about  which once revolved between Mars and Jupiter,
2000 miles in diameter, or nearly the size of the  and which had been burst asunder by soine immoon. It revolves about the sun in 4 years and  mense irruptive force.  This idea seems to have
7 months, or nearly in the same tinle as Ceres,  occurred to Dr. Olbers after he had discovered
at the distance of 266 millions of miles; and is  the planet Pallas, and he imagined that other
strrounded with a nebulosity or atmosphere,  fragments might possibly exist.  He concluded,
above 400 miles in height, similar to that of  that, if they all diverged fiom the same point,
Ceres.-The planet Juno was discovered on the  " they ought to have two common points of re1st September, 1804, by Mr. Harding of Bre-  uhnion, or two nodes in opposite regions of the
men.  Its mean distance from  the sun is about  heavens, through which all the planetary frag-.
253 millions of miles; its revolution is comple-  ments must sooner or later pass."  One of these
ted in 4 years and 130 days, and its diameter is  nodes he found to be in the constellation Virgo,
computed to be about 1425 miles.  It is free  and the other in the Whale; and it is a remarkfrom the nebulosity which surrounds Pallas, and  able ( oincidence, that it was in the latter of
is distinguished from all the other planets by the  these regions that the planet Juno was discover.
ed by, Mr. Harding.  In order to detect the reThe inclination cfthe earth's axis to the ecliptic,  maining fragments (if any existed) Dr. Olbers
or, in other words, to the plane of its annual orbit,
is 23 degrees and 2s minutes, which is the cause of
the diversity of seasons, and of the different length  stars in Virgo and the Whale; and it was acof dayr and nights. Were the axis of the earth per-  tually in the consellation Virgo, that he dispendietitar to its orbit, as is the case with the pla-nlikenet Jupiter, there would be no diversity of seasons.   covered the planet Vesta. It is not unlikey




86                        THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
that other fragments of a similar description may  termed his belts.  Three of th'se belts, or zones
he discovered.  Dr. Brewster attributes the fall  nearly equi-distant from each other, are most freo
of meteoric stones* to the smaller fragments of  quently observed; but they are not regular of
these nodies happening to come within the sphere  constant in their appearance.t  Sometimes  Ily
of the earth's attraction. His ingenious rea-  one is to be seen, sometimes five, and sometil e,'i
sonings on this subject, and in support of Dr.  seven or eight have been distinctly visible; and.
Olbers' hypothesis above stated, may be seen in  in the latter case, two of them have been knownr
Edin. Ency. vol. ii. p. 641, and in his "Sup-  to disappear during the time of observation. Oil
plementary chapters to Ferguson's Astronomy."  the 28th May, 1780, Dr. Herschel perceived
The facts to which I have now adverted seem   " the whole surface of Jupiter covered with small
to unfold a new scene in the history of the dis-  curved belts, or rather lines, that were not conpensations of the Almighty, and to warrant the  tinuous across his disk."  Though these belts
conclusion, that the earth is not the only globe  are generally parallel to each other, yet they are
in the universe which is subject to physical, not always so. Their breadth is likewisevariachanges and moral revolutions.                 ble; one belt having been observed to grow narThe Planet Jupiter.-This planet is 490  row, while another in its neighbourhood has inmillions of miles distant from the sun, and per-  creased in breadth, as if the one had flowed into
forms its annual revolution in nearly twelve of  the other. The time of their continuance is also
our years, moving at the rate of twenty-nine  uncertain; sometimes they renmain unchanged
thousand miles an hour.  It is the largest planet  for several months, at other times, new belts
in the solar system; being 89,000 miles in di-  have been formed in an hour or two. WVhat
ameter, or about fourteen hundred times larger  these belts or variable appearances are it is diffithan the earth.  Its motion round its axis is per-  cult to determine., Some have regarded them as
formed in nine hours and fifty-six minutes; and,  strata of clouds floating in the atmosphere of Juo
therefore, the portions of its surface about the  piter; while others imagine, that they are the
equator move at the rate of 28,000 miles an hour,  marks of great physical revolltions which are
which is nearly twenty-seven times swifter than  perpetually changing the surface of that planet.
the earth's diurnal rotation. The figure of Ju-  The former opinion appears the most probable.
piter is that of an oblate spheroid, the axis, or  But, whatever be the natulre of these belts, the
diameter passing through the poles, being about  sudden changes to which they are.occasionally
6000 miles shorter than that passing through the  subject, seem to indicate the rapid operation of
equator.  The Earth, Saturn, and Mars are  some powerful physical agency; for some of
also spheroids; and it is highly probable that  them  are more than five thousand miles in
Mercury, Venus, and Herschel are of a similar  breadth; and since they have been knownto disfigure, though the fact has not yet been ascer-  appear in the space of an hour or two, and even
tained by actual observation.  When viewed  during the time of a casual observation-agents
with a telescope, several spots have been occa-  more powerful than any with which we are acsionally discovered on the surface of this planet,  quainted must have produced so extensive an
by the motion of which, its rotation was deter-  effect.
mined.                                            Jupiter is attended by four satellites or moons,
But what chiefly distinguishes the surface of  which present a very beautiful appearance when
Jupiter is several streaky appearances, or dusky  viewed through a telescope.  The first moon, or
strips, which extend across his disk, in lines  that nearest the planet, is 230,000 miles distant
parallel to his equator. These are generally  from its centre, and goes round it in 42j hours;
Meteoric stones, or, what are generally termed  and will appear from  its surface four times
aerolites, are stones which sometimes fall from the  larger than our moon does to us.  The second
upper regions of the atmosphere, upon the earth.-  moon being farther distant, will appear about
The substance of which they are composed is, for the
most part, metallic; but the ore of which they con-  the size of ours; the third, somewhat less; and
sist is not to be found in the same constituent pro-  the fourth, which is. a million of -iiles distant
portions in any terrestrial substances. Their fall is  fom Jupiter, and takes sixteen days to go round
generally preceded by a luminous appearance, a hiss-t akes sixteen days to go round
ing noise, and a loud explosion: and, when found  him, will appear only about one-third the diameImmediately after their descent, are always hot. —  tr of our moon. These moons suffer frequent
Their size differs, from small fragments, of inconsiderable weight, to the most ponderous masses. Some  eclipses from passing through Jupiter's shadow,
of the largest portions of these stones have been  in the same way as our moon is eclipsed by
found to weigh from 30o lbs. to several tons; and  passing throuh    the shadow of the earth. By
they have often descended to the earth with a force      rough the shadow of the earth. By
sufficient to bury them many feet under the soil.Some have supposed that these bodies are projected    t A representation of these belts, in the positions
from volcanoes in the moon; others, that they pro-  in which they most frequently appear, is exhibitceed from volcanoes on the earth; while others ima- ed in the engraving, Fig. 2. Fig. 1. represents the
gine that they are generated in the regions of the  double ring of Saturn, as it appears when viewed
atmosphere; but the true cause is, probably, not yet  through a powerful telescope-Figures i, 2, s, 4,
ascertained. In some instances, these stones have  and 5, represent Saturn, Jupiter, Herschel, the
penetrated through the roofs of houses, and proved  Earth and Moon, in their relative 8ites and pro
dertructive to the inhabitants.                portions.




ASTRONOMY                                          87
the eclipse of these moons, the motion of light  circumstance connected with this planet, is,
was ascertained; and they are found to be of es-  the phenomenon of a double ring, which snrsential use in determining the longitude of places  rounds its body, but no where touches it, being
on the surface of our globe. This planet, if seen  thirty thousand miles distant from any part ot
from its nearest moon, will present a surface a  the planet, and is carried along with the planet
thousand times as large as our moon does to us,  in its circuit round the sun. This is the most
and will appear in the form of a crescent, a half-  singular and astonishing object in the whole range
moon, a gibbous phase, and a full-moon, in regu-  of the planetary system; no other planet being
ar succession, every 24 hours. Jupiter's axis  found environed with so wonderful an appendage;
being nearly perpendicular to his orbit, he has no  and the planets which may belong to other syssensible change of seasons, such as we experi-  tems, being placed beyond the reach of our obence on the earth.  Were we placed on'he sur-  servations, no idea can be formed of the peculiar
face of this planet, with the limited powers of  apparatus with which any of them may be furvision we now possess, our earth and moon  nished. This double ring consists of two conwould entirely disappear, as if they were blotted  centric rings, detached from each other; the inout from the map of creation; and the inhabitants  nermost of which is nearly three times as broad as
of these regions must have much better eyes than  the outermost. The outside diameter of the esteours, if they know that there is such a globe as  rior ring is 204,000 miles; and, consequently, its
the earth in the universe.                     circumference will measure six hundred and
The planet Saturn.-This planet is 900 mil- forty thousand miles, or eighty times the diamelions of miles distant from the sun, being nearly  ter of our globe. Its breadth is 7,200 miles, or
double the distance of Jupiter.  Its diameter is  nearly the diameter of the earth.  Were four
79,000 miles, and, consequently, it is more than  hundred and fifty globes, of the size of the earth,
nine hundred times the bulk of the earth. It  placed close to one another, on a plane, this
takes 291 years to complete its revolution about  immense ring would enclose the whole of them,
the sun; but its diurnal motion is completed in  together with all the interstices, or open spaces
ten hours and sixteen minutes; so that the year  between the different globes. The outsmie diain this planet is nearly thirty times the length of  meter of the innermost ring is 184,000 miles, and
ours, while the day is shorter, by more than one-  its breadth twenty thousand miles, or about 24
half.  The year, therefore, contains about twen-  times broader than the diameter of the earth.
ty-five thousand one hundred and fifty days, or  The dark space, or interval, between the two
periods of its diurnal rotation, which is equal to  rings, is 2,800 miles. The breadth of both the
10,759 of our days. Saturn is of a spheroidal  rings, including the dark space between them,
figure, or somewhat of the shape of an orange;  is thirty thousand miles, which ls equal to the
his equatorial being more than six thousand miles  distance of the innermost ring from the body of
longer than his polar diameter.  His surface,  Saturn.
like that of Jupiter, is diversified with belts and  The following figure represents a view ofSadark spots. Dr. Herschel, at certain times, per-  turn and his rings, as they would appear, were
ceived five belts on his surface, three of which  our eye perpendicular to one of the planes ofthose
were dark, and two bright. The dark belts had  rings; but our eye is never so much elevated
a yellowish tinge, and generally covered a larger  above either plane, as to have the visual ray
zone of the disk of Saturn, than the belts of Jupi-  standing at right angles to it; it is never ele.
ter occupy upon his surlice. On account of the  vated more than 30 degrees above the planes of
great distance of this planet fron the sun, the  the rings.  When we view Saturn through a
light it receives from that luminary is only the  telescope, we always see the ring at an oblique
ninetieth part of what we enjoy; but, by calcula-  angle, so that it appears of an oval form, the
tion, it is found, that this quantity is a thousand  outward circular rim being projected into an
times greater than the light which the full moon  ellipsis more or less oblong, according to the
affords to us. Besidies, it is surrounded by no  different degrees of obliquity with which it is
fewer than seven moonos, which supply it with' viewed, as will be seen in the figure of Saturn
light in the absence of the sun. Five of these  in the copperplate engraving.
moons wvere discovered during the seventeenth    These rings cast a deep shadow upon the
crntury, by Hurgens and Cassini; and the sixth  planet, which proves that they are not shining
land seventh were discovered by Dr. Herschel, in  fluids, but composed of solid matter.  They apI783, soon after his large forly feet reflecting  pear to be possessed of a higher reflective power
I-lesicope vas colnstrlcted.  These moons. and  than the surface of Saturn; as the light realso those  which accoimlpany Juliter, are esti-  flected by them is more brilliant than that of
nmated to bo no)t less thanr the earth inl nagnitude,  the planet.  One obvious'use of this double ring
mid are found, like our moon, to revolve round  is. to reflect light upon the planet, in the absence
thei" axis in the same ti:ne in which they revolve  of the sun; what other purposes it may be inabotit their respective primaries.             tended to subserve, in the system of Saturn, is,
Ring7s,f &Saturn.-The roust extraordinary  at present, to us unknown.  The sun illuminates




88                       THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
one side of it during fifteen years, or one-half one entering into an eclipse, and another emergof the period of the planet's revolution; and  ing from it; one appearing as a crescent, and
during the next fifteen years, the other side is  another with a gibbous phase; and sometimes
enlightened in itsturn.  Twice in the course of  the whole of them shining in the same hemithirty years,there is a short period, during which  sphere, in one bright assemblage; the majestic
nei'her side is enlightened, and when, of course,  motions of the rings,-at one time illuminating
it ceases to be visible;-namely, at the time  the sky with their splendour, and eclipsing the
when the sun ceases to shine on one side, and  stars; at another, casting a deep shade over ceris about to shine on the other.  It revolves  tain regions of the planet, and unveiling to view
round its axis, and, consequently, around Saturn,  the wonders of the starry firmament-are scenes
in ten hours and a half, which is at the rate of a  worthy of the majesty of the Divine Being to
thousand mniles in a minute, or fifty-eight times  unfold, and of rational creatures to contemplate.
swifter than the earth's equator.  When viewed  Such magnificent displays of wisdom and omfrom the middle zone of the planet, in the absence  nipotence lead us to conclude that the numerous
of the sun, the rings will appear like vast lumi-  splendid objects connected with this planet were
nous arches, extending along the canopy of hea-  not created merely to shed their lustre on naked
ven, from  the eastern to the western horizon;  rocks and barren sands; but that an immense
having an apparent breadth equal to a hundred  population of intelligent beings is placed in those
times the apparent diameter of our moon, and  regions, to enjoy the bounty and to adore the
will be seen darkened about the middle, by the  perfections of their great Creator.  The double
shadow of Saturn.*                            ring of Saturn, when viewed through a good teThere is no other planet in the solar system,  lescope, generally appears like a luminous handle
whose firmament will present such a variety of  on each side of the planet, with a dark interval
splendid and magnificent otjects, as that of Sa-  between the interior edge of the ring and the
turn. The various aspects of his seven moons,  convex body of Saturn; which is owing to its
one rising above the horizon, while another is  oblique position with respect to our line of vision.
setting, and a third approaching to the meridian;  When its outer edge is turned directly towards
the earth, it becomes invisible, or appears like a
See the engraving, fig. 7, which represents a  dark stripe across the disk of the planet. This
view of the appearance which the rings and moons  plnomenon happens once every fifteen years.
of Saturn will exhibit, in certain cases, about mid-      h
night, when beheld from a point 20 or 30 degrees    The planet Herschel.-This planet, which
north from his equator. The shade on the upper  is also known by the names of the Georgium
part of the rings represents the shadow of the body of  Sidus  and
Saturn. The shadowwill appearto move gradually,      Uranus, was discovered by Dr..o the west as the morning approaches.        Herschel on the 13th March, 1781. It is the




ASTRONOMY.                                         89
most distant planet from the sun, that has yet  exist in the immense interval of 37 millions of
been discovered; being removed at no less than  miles between Mercury and the Sun.t  These
1800 millions of.niles from that luminary, which  (if any exist) can be detected- only by a series of
is nineteen times farther than the earth is from   day observations, made with equatorial telescopes;
the sun-a distance so great, that a cannon ball,  as they could not be supposed to be seen, after
flying at the rate of 480 miles an hour, would  sunset, on account of their proximity to the sun.
not reach it in 400 years.  Its diameter is about  Five primary: planets, and eight secondaries,
35,000 miles; and, of course, it is about eighty  have been discovered within the last 42 years
times larger than the earth.  It appears like a  and, therefore, we have no reason to conclude,
star of the sixth magnitude; but can seldom be  that all the bodies belonging to our system have
distinguished by the naked eye. It takes about  yet been detected, till every region of the heavens
83 years and a half to complete its revolution  be more fully explored.
round the sun; and, though it is the slowest    Comets.-Besides the planetary globes to
moving body in the system, it moves at the rate  which I have now adverted, there is a class of
of 15,000 miles an hour. As the degree of sen-  celestial bodies which occasionally appear in the
sible heat in any planet does not appear to de-  heavens, to which the name of comets has been
pend altogether on its nearness to the sun, the  given.  They are distinguished from  the other
temperature of this planet may be as mild as  celestial bodies, by their ruddy appearance, and
that which obtains in the most genial climate of  by a long train of light, called the tail, which
our globe.*  The diameter of the sun, as seen  sometimes extends over a considerable portion of
from Herschel, is little more than the apparent  the heavens, and which is so transparent, that
diameter of Venus, as seen by the naked eye;  the stars may be seen through it. The tail is
and the light which it receives from that lumi-  always directed to that part of the neavens which
nary, is 360 times less than what we experience;  is opposite to the sun, and increases in size as it
yet this proportion is found by calculation to be  approaches: him, and is again gradually diniiequal to the effect which would be produced by  nished, as the comet flies off to the m( re distant
248 of our full moons; and, in the absence of  regions of space. Their apparent ma rnitude is
the sun, there are sir moons which reflect light  very different: sometimes they appear only of
upon this distant planet, all of which were dis-  the bigness of the fixed stars; at other times
covered likewise by Dr. Herschel. Small as the  they equal the diameter of Venus; and someproportion of light is, which this planet receives  times they have appeared nearly as large as the
from the sun, it is easy to conceive, that beings  moon.  They traverse the heavens in all direcsimilar to man, placed on the surface of this  tions, and cross the orbits of the planets. When
globe, with a slight modification of their organs  examined through a telescope, they appear te
of vision, might be made to perceive objects with  consist of a dark central nucleus, surrounded by
a clearness and distinctness even superior to, a dense atmosphere, or mass ofvapours.  They
what we can do. We have only to suppose,  have-been ascertained to move in long narrow
that the Creator has formed their eyes with pupils  ellipses or ovals, around the sun'; some of them,
capable of a much larger expansion than ours;  on their nearest approach to him, having been
and has endued their retina with a much greater  within a million of miles of his centre; and then
degree of nervous sensibility.  At all events, we  fly off to a region several thousands of millions
may rest assured, that He who has placed sen-  of miles distant. When near the sun, they move
tient beings in any region, has, by laws with  with amazing velocity.  The velocity of the
which we are partly unacquainted, adapted the  comet which appeared in 1680, according to Sir
constitution of the inhabitant to the nature of  Isaac Newton's calculation, was eight hundred
the habitation.                                and eighty thousand miles an hour.  They appear to be bodies of no great density, and their
" Strange and amazing must the difference be,'Twixt this dull planet and bright Mt cury;    t The Author, some years ago, described a method
Milliet reason says, no  can wedoubt at all,  by which the planets (if any) within the orbit of
Millions of beings dwelt on either ball,  Mercury, may be discovered in the day-time, by
With constictuteons fitted for hat spofixeet  " means of a simple contrivance for intercepting the
Where Providence, all-wise, has fixed t heirelot."  solar rays, and by the frequent application, by a numnber of observers, of powerful telescopes, to a ce rtair,
portion of the sky, in the vicinity of the sun, The
The celestial globes which I have now de-  details of this plan have not yet been published; but
cribed, are all the planets which are at present  the reader will see them alluded to in No. V. of the
scribed, are all the planets which are at present  Edinburgh Philosophical Journal, for July 1820, p.
known to belong to the solar system.  It is pro-  191.
bable that other planetary bodies may yet be dis-    I A primary planet is that which revolves round
covered between the orbits of Saturn and Her-  the sun as a centre; as Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
covered between the orbits of Saturn and Her-  tA secondary planet is one which revolves round a
achel, and even far beyond the orbit of the latter;  primary planet as its centre; as the Moon, and the
and it is also not improbable that planets may  satellites of Jupiter and Saturn. The primary planets are distinguished from the fixed stars by the
steadiness of their light; not baving a tlinsnlcgiR'See Note, page 82.              appearance, as the stars exhibit.




90                       THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
size seidom exceeds that of the moon.  The  pendent of the sun, which is like a vast universe:ngth of the tails of some comets has been esti-  in itself, and of the numerous comets which are
mated at fifty millions of miles. According to  continually traversing its distant regions, it conDr. Herschel's computations, the solid nucleus  tains a mass of material existence, arranged in
or central part of the comet which appeared in  the most beautiful order, two thousand five hun1811, was only 428 miles in diameter; but the  dred times larger than our globe. From  late
real diameter of the head, or nebulous portion  observations, there is the strongest reason to
of the comet, he computed to be about 127 thou-  conclude, that the sun, along with all this vast
sand miles. The length of its tail he computed  assemblage of bodies, is carried through the reto be above one hundred millions of miles, and  gions of the universe, towards some distant point
its breadth nearly fifteen millions. It was near-  of space, or around some wide circumference, at
est to the earth on the 11th of October, when its  the rate of more than sixty thousand nmiles an
distance was 113 millions of miles. The num-  hour; and if so, it is highly probable, if not abber of comets which have occasionally been seen  solutely certain, that we shall never again occuwithin the limits of our system, since the com-  py that portion of absolute space, through which
nmencement of the Christian era, is about 506,  we are this moment passing, during all the sucof which the paths or orbits of 98 have been cal-  ceeding ages of eternity.
culated.                                        Such a glorious system  must have been
As these bodies cross the paths of the planets  brought into existence, to subserve purposes
in every direction, there is a possibility, that  worthy of the infinite wisdom and benevolence
some of them  might strike against the earth tn  of the Creator.  To suppose that the distant
their approach to the sun; and, were this to  globes, of which it is composed, with their maghappen, the consequences would be awful beyond  nificent apparatus of rings and moons, were
description. But we may rest assured that that  created merely for the purpose of affording a
Almighty Being who at first launched them into  few astronomers, in these latter times, a peep at
existence, directs all their motions, however  them through their glasses, would be inconsistent
complicated; and that the earth shall remain se-  with every principle of reason; and would be
cure against all such concussions from celestial  charging Him, who is the source of wisdom,
agents, till the purposes of his moral government  with conduct which we would pronounce to be
in this world shall be fully accomplished.  What  folly in the sons of men. Since it appears, so
regions these bodies visit, when they pass beyond  far as our observation extends, that matter exists
the limits of our view; upon what errands they  solely for the sake of sensitive and intelligent beare sent, when they again revisit the central  ings, and that the Creator made nothing in vain;
parts of our system; what is the difference in  it is a conclusion to which we are necessarily
their physical constitution, from that of the sun  led, that the planetary globes are inhabited by
and planets; and what important ends they are  various orders of intellectual beings, who partidestined to accomplish, in the economy of the  cipate in the bounty, and celebrate the glory o.
universe, are inquiries which naturally arise in  their Creator.
the mind, but which surpass the limited powers    When this idea is taken into consideration, it
of the human understanding at present to deter-  gives a striking emphasis to such sublime declamine.  Of this, however, we may rest assured,  rations of the sacred volume as these:-" All
that they were not created in vain; that they  nations before him are as nothing-He sitteth
subserve purposes worthy of the infinite Creator;  upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants
and that wherever he has exerted his power,  thereof are as grasshoppers-The nations are as
there also he manifests his wisdom  and bene-  the drop of a bucket-All the inhabitants of the
ficence.*                                     world are reputed as nothing in his sight; and he
Such is a general outline of the leading facts  doth according to his will in the army of heaven,
connected with that system of which we form  a  and among the inhabitants of the earth-Thou
part.  Though the energies of divine power had  hast made heaven, and the heaven of heavens,
never been exerted beyond the limits of this sys-  with all their host; and thou preservest them all,
teom, it wotljd remain an eternal monument of the  and the.host of heaven worshippeth thee-When I
wisdom and omnipotence of its Author. Inde-  consider thy heavens, what is man, that thou art
A comet has lately been discovered, whose peri  mindful of him!"  If the race of Adam were the
odicalrevolution is found to be only 3 years and 107  principal intelligences in the universe of God,
days. At its greatest distance from the sun, it is  such passages wold be stripped of all their subwithin the orbit of Jupiter, and it possesses th1  limity, would degenerate into mere hvperboles,
peculiar advantage for observation, that it will be l
come visibleten times in thirty-threeyears. It was  and be almost without meaning. If man were'ast seen in June, 1822, by the astronomers in the  the only rationl being who inhabited the mateobservatory of Paramatta, New Holland, in positions
very near to those which had been previously calcu-  rial world, as some arrogantly imagine, it would
lated by Mr Enke. It is probable, that the observa- be no wonder at all, that God should be " minltions which may hereafter be made on this comet,all the inhaitants of
will lead to more definite and accurate views of the                        inhabtantsof
nature and destination of these'singularbodies.  this world," with any propriety, be compared to




ASTRONOMY.                                         91
"a drop of a bucket," and be "reputed as  those immense luminoms bodies usually denominothing in his sight."  Such declarations would  nated thefixed stars. The nearest stars are, on
be contrary to fact, if this supposition were ad-  good grounds, concluded to be at least twenty bilnitted; for it assumes that man holds the princi-  lions of miles distant friom our globe-a distance,
pal station in the visible universe.  The expres-  through which light (the swiftest body in nature)
sions-" The heavens, the heaven of heavens,"  could not travel in the space of three years; and
and " the host of heaven worshipping God,"  which a ball, moving at the rate of 500 miles an
wouldalso, onthis supposition, degenerate into  hour, would not traverse in four millions five
something approaching to mere inanity. These  hundred thousand years, or 750 times the period
expressions, if they signify any thing that is wor-  which has elapsed since the Mosaic creation.thy of an inspired teacher to communicate, evi-  But how far they may be placed beyond this disdently imply, that the universe is vast and exten-  tance, no astronomer will pretend to determine.
sive, beyond the range of human comprehension  The following consideration will prove, to those
-that it is peopled with myriads of inhabitants  unacquainted with the mathematical principles
-that these inhabitants are possessed of intel-  of astronomy, that the stars are placed at an imlectual natures, capable of appreciating the per-  measurable distance. When they are viewed
feciions of their Creator-and that they pay him  through a telescope which magnifies objects a
a tribute of rational adoration. " The host of  thousand times, they appear no larger than to
heaven worshippeth thee." So that the language  the naked eye; which circumstance shows, that
of scripture is not only consistent with the doc-  though we were placed at the thousandth part of
trine of a plurality of worlds, but evidently sup-  the distance from them at which we now are,
poses their existence to all the extent to which  they would still appear only as so many shining
modern science can carry us. However vast the  points; for we should still be distant from the
universe now a/ppears-however numerous the  nearest of them, twenty thousand millions of
worlds and systems of worlds, which may exist  miles: or, in other words, were we transported
within its boundless range-the  language of several thousands of millions of miles from the
scripture is sufficiently comprehensive and sub-  spot we now occupy, though their numbers would
lime, to express all the emotions which naturally  appear exceedingly increased, they would appear
arise in the mind, when contemplating its struc-  ne'atger than they do from our present station;
ture-a characteristic which will apply to no  ant ve behooved to be carried forward thousands
other book, or pretended revelation.  And this  of millions of miles further in a long succession,
consideration shows not only the harmony which  before their disks appeared to expand into large
subsists between the discoveries of revelation  circles, like the moon. Dr. Herschel viewed
and the discoveries of science, but also forms by  the stars with telescopes, magnifying six thou.
itself a strong presumptive evidence, that the  sand times, yet they still appeared only as brilrecords of the Bible are authentic and divine.*  liant points, without any sensible disks, or inVast as the solar system, we have now been  crease of diameter. Thlis circumstance inconcontemplating, may appear, it is but a mere  testably  proves the two following things:point in the map of creation.  To a spectator  1. That the stars are luminous bodies, which
placed in one of the stars of the seventh magni-  shine by their own native light; otherwise they
tude, not only the glories of this world, and the  could not be perceived at such vast distances.
more resplendent scenes of the planet Saturn,  2. That they are bodies of an immense size, not
but even the sun himself would entirely disap-  inferior to the sun; and many of them, it is
pear, as if he were blotted out of existence.  probable, far exceed that luminary in bulk and
", Were the sun," says Mr. Addison, " which  splendour.
enlightens this part of the creation, with all the    The stars, on account of the difference in thtir
host ofthe planetary worlds that move about him,  apparent magnitudes, have been distributed into
utterly extinguished and annihilated, they would  several classes or orders. Those which appear
not be missed by an eye that could take in the  largest are called stars of the first magnitude;
whole compass of nature, more than a grain of next to those in lustre, stars of the second magsand upon the seashore. The space they pos-  nitude, and so on to stars of the sixth magnitude,
sess is so exceedingly little, in comparison of the  which are the smallest that can be distinguished
whole, that it would scarce make a blank in cre-  by the naked eye. Stars of the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th,
ation."                                       &c. magnitudes, which cannot be seen by the
The Fixed Stars.-When we pass from the  naked eye, are distinguished by the name of teleplanetary system to other regions of creation,  scopic stars. Not more than a thousand stars can
we have to traverse, in imagination, a space so  be distinguished by the naked eye, in the clearest
immense, that it has hitherto baffled all the ef-  winter's night; but, by means of the telescope,
forts of science to determine its extent. Inthese  millions have been discovered.  (See. p. 11.)
rtmote anld immeasurable spaces, are placed  And, as it is probable that by far the greater
part lie beyond the reach of the best glasses whic:b
See Appendix, No VI.             have been or ever will be constructed bv man —




THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
the rea.l number of the stars may be presumed  employment for future enlightened get.ratiolv,
to be beyond all human calculation or concep-  and will, perhaps, form a part of the studies ans
tion, and perhaps beyond the grasp of an angelic  investigations of superior intelligences, in a
comprehension.                                higher sphere of existence, during an indefinite
In consequence of recent discoveries, we have  lapse of ages.
now the strongest reason to believe, that all the  If every one of these immense bodies be a
stars in the universe are arranged into clusters,  Sun, equal or superior to ours, and encircled
or groups, which astronomers distinguish by the  with a host of planetary worlds, as we have every
name of Nebules or Starry Systems, each ne-  reason to conclude, (see pp. 11, 31,) how vast
bula consisting of many thousands of stars. The  must be the extent of creation! how  numenearest nebula is that whitish space or zone,  rous the worlds and beings which exist within its
which is known by the name of the Miilky Way,  boundless range! and, how great, beyond all huto which our sun is supposed tobelong. -It con-  man or angelic conception, must be the power
sists of many hundreds of thousands of stars.-  and intelligence of that glorious Being, who callWhen Dr. Herschel examined this region, with  ed this system from nothing into existence, and
his powerful telescopes, he found a portion of it  continually superintends all its movements! The
only 15 degrees long and 2 broad, which con-  mind is bewildered and confounded when it attained fifty thousand stars large enough to be  tempts to dwell on this subject; it feels the nardistinctly counted; and he suspected twice as  row limits of its present faculties; it longs for
many more, which, for want of sufficient light in  the powers of a seraph, to enable it to take a
his telescope, he saw only now and then. More  more expansive flight, into those regions which
than two thousand five hundred nebulat have al-  " eye hath not seen;" and, while destitute of
ready been observed; and, if each of them con-  these, and chained down to this obscure corner of
tain as many stars as the Milky Way, several  creation, it can only exclaim, in the language of
hundreds of millions of stars must exist, even  inspiration, " Who can by searching find out
within that portion of the heavens which lies  God?-Great is our Lord, and of great power;
open to our observation.                      his understanding is infinite!-Great and marIt appears, from numerous observations, that  vellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty!various changes are occasionally taking place in  Who can utter the mighty acts of Jehovah-who
the regions of the stars. Several stars have ap-  can show forth all his praise!"
peared for a while in the heavens, and then      After what has been now stated in relation to
vanished from  the sight. Some stars which  the leading facts of astronomy, it would be needwore known to the ancients, cannot now be dis-  less to spend time in endeavouring to show its
covered; and stars are now  distinctly visible,  connexion with religion. It will be at once adwhich were to them unknown. A  few stars  mitted, that all the huge globes of luminous and
have gradually increased in brilliancy, while  oqaque matter, to which we have adverted, are
others have been constantly diminishing in lustre. the workmanship of Him " wvho is wonderful in
Certain stars, to the number of 15, or upwards,  counsel and excellent in working;" and form a
are ascertained to have a periodical increase and  part of the dominions of that august Sovereign,
decrease of their lustre, sometimes appearing  " whose kingdom ruleth over all."  And shall it
like stars of the 1st or 2d magnitude, sometimes  ever be insinuated, that this subject has no reladiminishing to the size of the 4th or 5th magni-  tion to the great object of our adoration? and
tude, and sometimes altogether disappearing to  that it is of no importance in our views of the
the naked eye. It also appears, that changes  Divinity, whether we conceive his dominions as
are taking place among the nebulae —that seve-  circumscribed within the limits of little more
ral nebulae are formed by the decomposition of  than 25,000 miles, or as embracing an extent
larger nebulae, and that many nebulae of this  which comprehends innumerable worlds?  The
kind are at present detaching themselves from   objects around-us in this sublunary sphere strithe nebula of the milky way. These changes  kingly evince the superintendency, the wisdom,
seem  to indicate, that mighty movements and  and benevolence of the Creator; but this scivast operations are continually going on in the  ence demonstrates, beyond all other departments
distant regions of creation, under the superin-  of human knowledge, the grandeur and magni.
tendence ofthe Sovereign of the Universe, upon  ficence of his operations: and raises the mind to
a scale of magnitude and grandeur which over-  sublimer views of his attributes than can be acwhelms the human understanding.               quired by the contemplation of any other objects.
To explore, more extensively, the region of A serious contemplation of the sublime objects
the starry firmament; to mark the changes that  which astronomy has explored, must, therefore.
are taking place; to ascertain all the changea-  have a tendency to inspire us with profound
ble stars; to determine the periodical variations  veneration of the eternal Jehovah-to humble us
of their lignt; the revolutions of double and tri-  in the dust before his august presence-to excite
tie stars; and the motions, and other pheno-  admiration of his condescension and grace in the
mena peculiar to these great bodies, will furnish  work of redemption-to show us the littleness of,A




ASTRONOMY.                                           93
this world, and the inslgnificancv of those riches  now specified, if there be any meaning in lazy
and honours to which ambitious men aspire with  guage.
so much labour and anxvity of mind-to demon-    That the great body of professed Christians
strate the glory and magnificence of God's uni-  are absolute strangers to the sublime sentiments
versal kingdom-to convince us of the infinite  which a serious contemplation of the heavens insources of varied felicity which he has in his  spires, must be owing, in part, to the minds cf
power to communicate to holy intelligences-to   Christian parents and teachers not having beep
enliven our hopes of the splendours of that " ex-  directed to such subject, or to the views they en
ceeding great and eternal weight of glory" which  tertain respecting the relation of such conternpla
will burst upon the spirits of good nlen, when  tions to the objects of religion. In communi.
they pass from this region of mortality-and to  cating religious instructions in reference to the
induce us te aspire with more lively ardour after  attributes of God, the heavens are seldom referred
that heavenly world, where the glories of the  to, except in such a vague and indefinite manner
Deity and the magnificence of his works will be  as can produce no deep nor vivid impression on
more clearly unfolded.                        the mind; and many pious persons, whose views
If, then, such be the effects which the objects  have been confined to a narrow range of objects,
of astronomy have a tendency to produce on a de-  have been disposed to declaim against such stuvout and enlightened mind-to call in question  dies, as if they had a tendency to engender pride
the propriety of exhibiting such views in religious  and self-conceit, and as if they were even danpublications, or in the course of religious instruc-  gerous to the interests of religion and piety.
tion, would be an approach to impiety, and an  How  very different were the feelings and the
attempt to cover with a veil the most illustrious  conduct of the sacred writers! They call upon
visible displays of divine glory. It forms a  every one ofGod's intelligent offspring to " stand
striking evidence of the depravity of man, as well  still, and consider the wondrous works of the
as of his want of true taste, and of a discernment  Most High;" and describe the profound enloof what is excellent, that the grandeur of the noc-  tions of piety which the contemplation of them
turnal heavens, and the perfections of Deity they  produced on their own minds; " Lift up your
proclaim, are beheld with so much apathy and  eyes on high and behold! Who hath created
indifference by the bulk of mankind.  Though  these things! The heavens declare the glory of
"' the heavens declare the glory of God," in the  God, and the firmament showeth his handy-work
most solemn and impressive language, adapted  -When I consider thy heavens, the work of
to the comprehension of every kindred and every  thy fingers, the moon and the stars which thou
tribe, yet'" a brutish man knoweth not, neither  hast ordained-what is man that thou art minddoth a fool understand this."  They can gaze  ful of him, and the son of man that thou visitest
upon these resplendent orbs with as little emo-  him! Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou
tion as the ox that feeds on the grass, or as the  hast made heaven, and the heaven of heavens,
horse that drags their carcasses along in their  with all their host; and thou preservest them all;
chariots. They have even attempted to ridicule  and the hos s of heaven worship thee. All the
the science of the heavens, to caricature those  gods of the nations are idols; but the Lord made
who have devoted themselves to such studies, and  the heavens: Honour and Majesty are before him.
to treat with an indifference, mingled with con-  Jehovah hath prepared his throne in the heavens:
tempt, the most august productions of Omnipo-  and his kingdom ruleth over all. Sing praises
tence. Such persons must be considered as ex-  unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth, to him that
posing themselves to that divine denunciation-  rideth on the heaven of heavens. Ascribe ye
" Because they regard not the works of Jehovah, power to our God; for his strength is'in the
neither consider the operations of his hands, he  heavens. Praise him for his mighty acts, praise
will destroy them and not build them up."  If  him according to his excellent greatness."  If we
the structure of the heavens, and the immensity  would enter, with spirit, into such elevated strains
of worlds and beings they contain, were intended  of piety, we must not content ourselves with
by the Creator to adumbrate, in some measure,  a passing and vacant stare at the orbs of heaven,
his invisible perfections, and to produce a sub-  as if they were only so many brilliant studs fixed
lime and awful impression on all created intelli-  in the canopy of the sky; but must " consider"
gences, (see pp. 22, 26, 28,) it must imply a high  them, with fixed attention, in all the lights in
degree of disrespect to the Divinity wilfully to  which revelation and science have exhibited
overlook these astonishing scenes of Power and  them to our view, if we wish to praise God for
Intelligence.  It is not a matter of mere taste or  his mighty works, and " according to his excelcaprice, whether or not we direct our thoughts  lent greatness."  And, for this purpose, the conto such subjects, but an imperative duty to  clusions deduced by those who have devoted
which we are frequently directed in the word of themselves to celestial investigations, oalght tc
Gods; the wilful neglect of which, where there  be presented to the view of the intelligent Chrisis an opportunity of attending to it, must subject  tian, that he may be enabled to "speak of the glory
us to all that is included in the threatening  of Jehovah's kingdom, and to talk or his power."




94                       THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
Having, in the preceding sketches, consider-  investigations of philosophers on these subjects.
ably exceeded the limits originally prescribed  we learn the laws by which the great bodies to
tor this department of my subject, I am reluc-  the universe are directed in their motions; the
tantly compelled to despatch the remaining sci-  laws which bind together the different portions of
ences with a few brief notices.                matter on the surface of the earth, and which
regulate the motions of animnal, vegetable, and
NATUICAL PHILOsOPHYh.              inanimate nature; and the principles on which
The object of Natural Philosophy is, to ob-  cranes, mills, wheel-carriages, pile-engines,
serve and describe the phenomena of the mate-  threshing-machines, and other engines, are conrial universe, wilh a view  to discover their  structed; by means of which, man has been
causes, and the laws by which the Almighty di-  enabled to accomplish operations far beyond the
rects the movements of all bodies in heaven and  limits of his own physical powers.
on earth. It embraces an investigation of the    Without a knowledge of the laws of motion,
laws of gravitation, by which the planets are di-  and assistance from the combined effects of the
rected in their,notions-the laws by which wa-  mechanical powers, man would be a very limited
ter, air, light, and heat are regulated, and the  being, his enjoyments would be few, and his aceffects they produce in the various states in which  tive energies confined within a very narrow
they operate-the nature of colours, sounds, elec-  range. In a savage state, ignorant of manufa.tricity, galvanism, and magnetism, and the laws  tures, agriculture, architecture, navigation, and
of their operation-the causes which operate in  the other arts which depend upon mechanical
the production of thunder, lightning, luminous  combinations, he is exposed, without shelter, to
and fiery meteors, hail, rain, snow, dew, and  the inclemencies of the season; he is unable to
other atmospherical phenomena.  In short, it  transport himself beyond seas and oceans, to
embraces all the objects of Natural History for-  visit other climes and other tribes of his fellow
merly alluded to, with a view to ascertain the  men; he exists in the desert, comfortless and
causes of their varied appearances, and the  unimproved; the fertile soil, over which he
principles that operate in the changes to which  roams, is covered with thorns, and briers, and
they are subject; or, in other words, the laws by  thickets, for the haunt of beasts of prey; his enwhich the diversified phenomena of universal na-  joyments are little superior to those of the lion,
ture are produced and regulated. One subordi-  the hymana, and the elephant, while he is much
nate use of the knowledge derived from this  their inferior in point of agility and physical
science, is, to enable us to construct allthose me-  strength.  But when philosophy has once dechanical engines which facilitate human labour,  monstrated the principles of mechanics, and inand increase the comforts of mankind, and all  troduced the practice of the useful arts, " the
those instruments which tend to enlarge our views  wilderness and,the solitary place are made glad,
of the operations of nature. A still higher and  and the desert rejoices and blossoms as the rose."
nobler use to which philosophy is subservient,  Cities are founded, and gradually rise to opuis, to demonstrate the wisdom and intelligence  lence and splendour; palaces and temples are
of the Great First Cause of all things, and to  erected; the damp cavern and the rush-built
enlarge our conceptions of the admirable con-  hut are exchanged for the warm and comfortable
trivance and design which appear in the different  apartments of a substantial mansion; ships are
departtments of universal nature. In this view, it  built, and navigated across the ocean; the treamay beconsidered as forming abranch of Natural  sures of one country are conveyed to another,
Theology, or, in other words, a branch of the reli-  an intercourse is carried on between the most
gion of ange's, and of all other holy intelligences.  distant tribes of mankind; commerce flourishes,
This department of Natural Science has ge-  and machinery of all kinds is erected, for facilinerally been divided into the following branches:  tating human labour, and promoting the enjoyI. Mechanics.-This branch, considered in  ments of man. And when the principles and
its most extensive range, includes an investiga-  the practice of "pure and undefiled religion"
tion of the general properties of matter; such as  accompany these physical and mechanical opesolidity, extension, divisibility, motion, attrac-  rations, love and affection diffuse their benign
tion, and repulsion-the laws of gravitation, and  influence; the prospect brightens as years roll
of central forces, as they appear to operate in  on, and man advances with pleasure and imthe motions of the celestial bodies, and on the  provement to the scene of his high destination.
surface of our globe, in the phenomena of falling    II. Hydrostatics treats of the pressure and equi.
bodies, the motions of projectiles, the vibration  librium of fluids. From the experiments which
of pendulums, &c.-the theory of machines, the  have been made in this branch of philosophy,
principles on which their energy depends; the  the following important principles, among man)
properties of the mechanical powers-the lever,  others have been deduced:the wheel and axle, the pulley, the inclined plane,    (1.) That the surface of all waters which have
the wedge, and the screw-and the effects result-  a communication, whilst they are at rest, will be
trg from their various combinations. From the  perfectly level.  This principle will toe nore




HYDROSTATICS.                                        95
clearly understood by an inspection of the follow.  (Fig. 1.) it will run through the horiztnta, tube
ing figures. If water be poured into the tube A, E, and rise in the opposite tube B, to the same
eight a which it stands at A.  It is on this  at command the  p  f Tantalus, nd oter e
height a. which it stands at A. It is on this  at command, the cup of Tantalus, and olner enorinciple that water is now  conveyed under  tertaining devices.  The same principle, too,
ground, through conduit pipes, and made to rise  enables us to account for springs which are someto the level of the fountain whence it is drawn.  times found on the tops of mountains, and for
The city of Edinburgh, a considerable part of the phenomena of intermitting springs, or those
which is elevated above the level ofthe surround-  which flow and stop by regular alternations.
ing country, is supplied with water from a reser-    (2.) Any quantity of fluid, however small,
voir on the Pentland hills, several miles distant. may be made to counterpoise any quantity, however
The water is conveyed in leaden pipes down the  large. This is what has generally been termel
declivity of the hill, along the interjacent plain,  the Hydrostatical Paradox; and from this princiand up to the entrance of the castle, whence it is  pie it follows, that a given quantity of water may
distributed to all parts of the city.  If the point  exert a force several hundred times greater or
A represent the level of the reservoir, C D will  less, according to the manner in which it is emrepresent the plain along which the water is con-  ployed. This force depends on the height of the
veyed, and B the elevation to which it rises on  column of water, independent of its quantity; for
the castle hill. On the same principle, and in  its pressure depends on its perpendicular height.
a similar manner, the city of London is supplied  By means of water conveyed through a very
with water from  the water-works at London  small perpendicular tube, of great length, a very
bridge. Had the ancients been acquainted with  strong hogshead has been burst to pieces, and
this simple but important principle, it would  the water scattered about with incredible force,
have saved them the labour and expense of rear-  On this principle, the hydrostatic press, and other
ing those stupendous works ofart, the aqueducts,  engines of immense power, have been conwhich consisted of numerous arches of a vast  structed.
size, and sometimes piled one above another.    (3.) Every body which is heavier than water,
Fig. 2. represents the syphon, the action of or which sinks in it, displaces so much of the watem
which depends upon the pressure of the atmos-  as is equal to the bulk of the body immersed in the
phere. If this instrument be filled with water,  water.  On this principle, the specific gravities,
or any other liquid, and the shorter leg, G, or comparative weight, of all bodies are deterplunged to the bottom of a cask, or other vessel,  mined. It appears to have been first ascertained
containing the same liquid, the water will run  by Archimedes, and, by means of it, he deterout at the longer leg, F, till the vessel be emptied,  mined that the golden crown of the king of Syin consequence of the atmospheric pressure upon  racuse had been adulterated by the workmen.
the surface of the liquid. On this principle,  From this principle we learn, among many other
water may be conveyed over a rising ground to  things, the specific gravity of the human body;
any distance, provided the perpendicular height and that four pounds of cork will preserve a perof the syphon above the surface of the water in  son weighing 135 pounds from sinking. so tl,at
the fountain does not exceed 32 or 33 feet. On  he may remain with his head completely above
the same principle are constructed the fountain  water.




9t6                        THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
Hydraulics, which has sometimes been treated  in the greatest agonies. A bell rung in the san~t
as a distinct department of mechanical philoso-  situation produces no sound; and a lighted candl.e
phly, may be considered as a branch ofhydrosta-  is instantly extinguished.  SimilLr expceriments
tics.  It teaches us what relates to the motion of prove that air is necessary for the flight of birds
ttuids, and how to estimate their velocity and  the ascent of smoke and vapours, the cxplosion
force. On the principles of this science, all ma-  of gunpowder, and the growth of plants; and
chines worked by water are constructed-as  that all bodies descend equally swift in a place
steam-engines, water-mills, common and for-  void of air; a guinea and a feather being found
~cing pumps, syohons, fountains, and fire-en-  to fall to the bottom of an exhausted receiver at
gines.                                        the same instant.
III. Pneumatics.-This branch of philosophy    On the principles which this science has estreats of the nature and properties of the atmos-  tablished, have been constructed the air-pumnp,
phere, and of their effects on solid and fluid bo-  the barometer, the thermometer, the diving-bell,
dies. Fron this science we learn. that air has  the hygrometer, the condenser, and variousother
weight, and presses on all sides, like otherfluids;  instruments, which have contributed to the comthat the pressure of the atmosphere upon the top  fort of human life, and to the enargement of our
of a mountain is less than on a plain beneath;  knowledge of the constitution of nature.
that it presses upon our bodies with a weight of    IV. Acoustics.-This science treats of the
several thousand pounds more at one time than  nature, the phenomena, and the laws of souna,
at another; that air can be compressed into forty  and the theory of musical concord and harmony.
thousand times less space than it naturally occu-  From the experiments which have been made on
pies; that it is of an elastic or expansive nature,  this subject, we learn, that air is essential to the
and that the force of its spring is equal to its  production of sound; that it arises from vibrations
weight; that its elasticity is increased by heat;  ill the air, communicated to it by vibrations of
that it is necessary to the production of sound,  the sounding body; that these vibrations, or
the support of.flame and animal life, and the ger-  aerial pulses, are propagated all around in a
mination and growth of all kinds of vegetables.  spherical undulatory manner; that their density
These positions are proved and illustrated by  decreases, as the squares of the distances firom
such experiments as the following:-The gene-  the sounding body increase; that thev are proral pressure of the atmosphere is proved by such  pagated together in great numbers from different
experiments as those detailed in No. II. of the  bodies, without disturbance or confusion, as is
-Appendix.  The following experiment proves  evident from concerts of musical instrumlents;
that air is compressible.  If a glass tube, open  that water, timber, and flannel, are also good
at one end, and closed at the other, be plunged,  conductors of sound; that sound travels at the
with the open end downwards, into a tumbler of  rate of 1142 feet in a second, or about thirteen
water, the water will rise a little way in the tube;  miles in a minute; that the softest whisper flies
which shows, that thlq air which filled the tube  as fast as the loudest thunder; and that the utis compressed by the water into a smaller space.  most limits, within which the loudest sounds
Tihe elasticity of air is proved by tying up a  produced by artificial nmeans can be heard, is
bladder, with a very small quantity of air within  180 or 200 miles;* that sound striking against
it, and putting it under the receiver of an air-  an obstacle, as the wall of a house, may, like
pump, when it will be seen gradually to inflate,  light, be reflected, and produce another sound,
till it becomes of its full size. A similar effect  which is called an echo; and that, after it has
would take place, by carrying the bladder to the  been reflected from several places, it may be
higher regions of the atmosphere. On the com-  collected into one point or focus, where it will
pression and elasticity of the air, depends the  be nlore audible than in any other place.  On
construction of that dangerous and destructive in-  these principles, whispering galleries, speaking
strument, the air-gun.                         trumpets, and other acoustic instruments, are
That it is capable of being rarified by heat, is  constructed.
proved by holding to the fire a half-blown bladder,    V. Optics.-This branch of philosophy treats
tightly tied at the neck, when it will dilate to  of vision, light, and colours, and of the various
nearly its full size; and if' either a full-blown  phenomena of visible objects produced by the
bladder, or a thin glass bubble filled with air is  rays of light, reflected from mirrors, or transheld to a strong fire, it will burst. The elasti-  mitted through lenses. From  this science we
city of the air is such, that Mr. Boyle, by means
of an air-pump, caused it to dilate till it occupied    - In the war between England and Holland, In
fourteen thousand times the space that it usually  1672, the noise of the guns wavs heard in those parts
does. That air is necessary to sound, flame,  of Wales which were estimated to be two tlndretl
miles distant from the scene of action. But the
animal and vegetable life, is proved by the fol-  sounds produced by volcanocs have beenheard at a
lowing experiments: When the receiver of an  much greater distance; some instances of which
ir-up is exhausted of its air, a cat, a mouse,  are stated in Chap. IV. Sect. 2. Several nVoer facts
air-pump is exhausted of its air, a cat, a mouse,  in relation to sound are detailed in Chap. ll1. Art;r a buid, placed in it, expires in a few moments,  Acoustic Tunnels.




OPTICS-ELECTRICITY.                                        97
learr, that light flies at the rate of nearly twelve    On these and other principles demonstrated by
millions of miles every minute-that it moves in  this science, the Camera Obscura,: the Magic
straight lines —that its particles may be several  Lantern, the Phantasmagoria, the Kaleidoscope,
thousandsof miles distant from each other-that  the Heliostata, the Micrometer-Spectacles
every visible body emits particles of light from   Opera-Glasses, Prisms, single, compound, lu.
its surface, in all directions-that the particles of cernal, and solar Microscopes, reflecting and re.
light are exceedingly small; for. alighted candle  fracting Telescopes, and other optical instrui
will fill a cubical space of two miles every way  ments, have been constructed by means of which]
with its rays, before it has lost the least sensible  the natural powers of human vision have Leec
part of its substance; and millions of rays, from   wonderfully increased, and our prospects into
a thousand objects, will pass through a hole not  the works of God extended far beyond what forlarger than the point of a needle, and convey to  mer ages could have conceived.
the mind an idea of the forte, position, and colour    VI. Electricity.-This name has been given
of every individual object-that the intensity or  to a science which explains and illustrates the
degree of light decreases, as the square of the  operations of a very subtile fluid called the elecdistance from the luminous body increases; that  tric fluid, which appears to pervade every part
is, at two yards' distance from a candle, we shall  of nature, and to be one of the chief agents em.
have only the fourth part of the light we should  ployed in producing many of the phenomena of
have at the distance of one yard; at three yards'  the material world. If a piece of amber, sealdistance, the ninth part; at four yards, the six-  ing wax, or sulphur, be rubbed with a piece of
teenth part, and so on-that glass lenses may be  flannel, it will acquire the power of attracting
ground into the following forms, plano-convex,  small bits of paper, feathers, or other light sub.
plano-concave, double convex, double concave, and  stances. If a tube of glass, two or three feet in
meniscus, that is, convex on one side, and con-  length, and an inch or two in diameter, be rubbed
cave on the other-that specula, or mirrors, may  pretty hard, in a dark room, with a piece of dry
be ground into either a spherical, parabolical, or  woollen cloth, besides attracting light substancylindrical form —that, by means of such mirrors  ces, it will emit flashes of fire, attended with
And lenses, the rays of light may be so modified  a crackling noise.  This luminous matter is
as to proceed either in a diverging, converging,  called electricity, or the electric fluid. If a large
or parallel direction, and the images of visible  globe or cylinder of glass be turned rapidly
objects represented in a variety of new forms,  round, and made to rub against a cushion, streams
positions, and magnitudes-that every ray of  and large sparks of bluiish flame will be elicited,
white light may be separated into seven primary  which will fly round the glass, attract light bocolours: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo,  dies, and produce a pungent sensation if the
and violet-that the variegated colouring which  hand be held to it.  This glass, with all its reappears on the face of nature is not in the objects  quisite apparatus, is called an electrical machine.
themselves, but in the light which falls upon  It is found, that this fluid will pass along some
5thbm-~sthat the rainbow is produced by the re-  bodies., and not along othemr.  The bodies ovey
fraction and reflection of the solar rays in the  which it passes freely are, water, and most othel
drops of falling rain-that the rays of light are  fluids, except oil ind the aerial fluids; iron, coprefracted, or bent out of their course, when they  per, lead, and in general all the metals, semifall upon glass, water, and other mediums-that  metals, and metallic ores; which are, therefore,
the light of the sun may be collected into-a point  called conductors of electricity.  But it will not
or focus, and made to produce a heat more in-  pass over glass, resin, wax, sulphur, silk, baked
tense than that of a furnace*-that the rays from   woods, or dry woollen substances; nor through
visible objects, when reflected from a concave  air, except by force, in sparks, to short distances.
mirror, converge to a focus, and paint an image  Thesebodies are, therefore,called non-conductors
of the objects before it, and that when they pass    The following facts among others, have been
through a convex glass, they depict an image be-  ascertained respecting this wonderful agent:hind it.                                       That all bodies with which we are acquainted
* This is produced by means of lenses, or mirrors  possess a greater or less share of this fluid-tha.
of a iarge diameter, called burning-glasses. By these  the quantity usually belonging to any body proInstruments the hardest metals, on which common  duces no sensible effects; hbut when any surface
flies, and even. glass-house furnaces, could produce
no effect, have been melted in a few seconds. M.  and six feet eight inches focus, which weighed 212
Villette, a Frenchmuan, nearly a century ago, con-  pounds. It melted twenty grains of gold in four sestructed a mirror, three feet eleven inches in diame-  conds, and ten grains of platina in three seconds.
ter, and three feet two inches in focal distance, which  The powe',f burning glasses is as the area of the
melted copper ore in eight secorids, iron ore in twenty-  lens directty, and the square of the focal distance in
four seconds, a fish's tooth in thirty-two seconds,  versely-or, in other words, the broader the mirror
cast iron in sixteen seconds, a silver sixpence in  or lens, and the shorter the focal distance, the more
seven seconds, and tirn in three seconds.  This  intense is the heat produced by such instruments.
mirror condenrsed the solar rays 17,257 times, a de-  A globular decanter of water makes a powerful
gree of hecat which is about four hundred and ninety  burning-glass; and house furniture has been set on
tiaes greater than common fire. Mr. Parker, of  fire by incautiously exposing it to the rays of thbLondon, constructe'l a lens three feet in diameter,  sun.
1..s 




98                        THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
becomes possessed of nore or less than its natu-  rations of this powerful fluid we behold a str
ral share, it exhibits certain appearances, in the  king display of the sovereignty and majestic
form  of. light, sound, attraction, or repulsion,  agency of God. In directing its energies," his
which are ascribed to the power called electric-   way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and the
that there are two different species of the electri-  clouds are the dust of his feet; the heavens are
cal fluid, or, at least two different modifications  covered with sackcloth, the mountains quake beof the same general principle, termed positive  fore him, the hills melt, the earth is burned at his
and negative electricity-that positive and nega-  presence, and the rocks are thrown down by him:"
tive electricity always accompany each other;  Nah. i. 3-6. It is easy to conceive, that, by a
for if a substance acquire the one, the body with  few slight modifications produced by the hand of
which it is rubbed acquires the other-that it  Omnipotence, this powerful fluid might become
moves with amazing rapidity; having been trans-  the agent of producing either the most awful and
mitted through wires of several miles in length,  tremendous, or the most glorious and transportwithout taking tip any sensible space of time;  ing scenes, over every region of our globe. As
and, therefore, it is not improbable, that were an  it now pperates, it is calculated to inspire us
insulated conducting substance extended from   rather with awe and terror than with admiration
one continent to another, it might be made to fly  and joy  and to lead our thoughts to a considerto the remotest regions of the earth in a few  ation of the state of man as a depraved intelliseconds of time-that it has a power of suddenly  gence, and a rebel against his Maker.
contracting the muscles of animals, or of giving    VII. Galvanism is intimately connected with
a shock to the animal frame-that this shock may  electricity, though it is generally considered as a
be communicated, at the same instant, to a hun-  branch of chymistry. It is only another mode
dred persons, or to an indefinite number who  of exciting electrical action. In electricity the
form a circle, by joining their hands together-  effects are produced chiefly by mechanical action;
that it may be accumulated to such a degree as  but the effects of galvanism are produced by the
to kill the largest animals-that vivid sparks of  chymical action of bodies upon each other. If
this fluid, attended with a crackling noise, may  we take a piece of zinc, and place it under the
be drawn from different parts of the human body,  tongue, and lay a piece of silver, as big as a halfwhen the person is insulated, or stands upon a  crown, above it; by bringing the outer edges of
stool, supported by glass feet-that electricity  these pieces in contact, we shall immediately
sets fire to gunpowder, spirits of wine, and other  experience a peculiar and disagreeable tase, like
inflammable substances-that it melts iron wire,  that of copper. The same thing may be noticed
and destroys the polarity of the magnetic needle-  with a guinea and a piece of charcoal. If a perthat it augments the natural evaporation offluids,  son, in the dark, put a slip of tinfoil upon one of
promotes the vegetation of plants, and increases  his eyes, and a piece of silver in his mouth, by
the insensible perspiration of animals, and can  causing these pieces to communicate, a faint
be drawn from the clouds by means of electrical  flash will appear before his eyes. If a living
kites, and other elevated conductors. By means  frog or fish, having a slip of tinfoil pasted upon
of the electrical power, small modelsofmachinery  its back, be placed upon a piece of zinc, by forhave been set in action: orreries to represent  ming a communication between the zinc and tinthe movements of the planets, have been put in  foil, the spasms of the muscles are excited.
motion; and small bells have been set a ringing  These and similar effects are produced by that
for a length of time; and, in consequence of the, modification of electricity which has been termed
knowledge we have acquired of the mode of its  galvanism.  Three different conductors, orwhat
operation in the system of nature, the lightnings  is called a galvanic circle, are requisite to proof heaven have been arrested in their course, and  duce such effects.  A piece of copper, a piece of
constrained to descend to the earth, without pro-  flannel, moistened with water or acid, and a
ducing any injurious effects.                 piece of zinc, laid upon one another, form a cir-.
From these, and a variety of other facts and  cle; and if this circle be repeated a number of
experiments, it is now fully ascertained, that  tinmes, a galvanic pile or battery may be formed
lightning and electricity are identical; and that  capable of giving a powerful shock.  The most
it is the prime agent in producing the awful phe-  common and convenient form, however, of a bat.
nomena of a thunder-storm; the lightning being  tery, is found to be a trough of baked wood, three
the rapid motion of vast masses of electric mat-  or four inches deep and as many wide. In the
ter, and thunder the noise, with its echoes, pro-  sides are grooves, opposite to each other, into
duced by the rapid motion of the lightning through  each of which is placed a double metallic plate, of
the atmosphere. There can be little doubt that,  zinc and copper soldered together, and the cells
in combination with steam, the gases, and other  are then filled either with salt and water, or
agents, it also produces many of the terrific phe-  with a solution of nitrous acid and water.
nomena of earthquakes, volcanoes, whirlwinds,    By means of the galvanic agency, a variety of
water-spouts, and hurricanes, and the sublime  surprising effects have been produced. Gutm
coruscations ofthe aurora borealis.  In the ope-  powder, cotton, and other inflammable  sue




GALVANISM-MAGNETISM.                                       99
stances, have been inflamed-charcoal has been  pole to a south, they will repel each other.  4.
made to burn with a most brilliant and beautiful  A magnet placed in such a manner as to be enwhite flame-water has been decomposed into  tirely at liberty, inclines one of its poles to tne
its elementary parts-metals have been melted  horizon, and of course elevates the other above
and set on fire-fragments of diamond, charcoal,  it. This property:is called the dipping of the
and plumbago, have been dispersed,.as if they  magnet. 5. Magnets do not point directly north
had been evaporated-platina, the hardest:and  and south; but in different parts of the world
heaviest of the metals, has been melted as readily  with a different declination -eastward or westward
as wax in the flame of a candle-the sapphire,  of the north; it is also different at the same place
qtuartz, magnesia, lime, and: the firmest cornm  at different times. In London, and in most plapounds in nature, have been made to enter into  ces of Great Britain, the magnetic needle, at
fusion. Its effects on the animal system are no  present, points about 24 degrees to the west of
less surprising. When applied to a fowl or a  north. For more than 160 years it has been
rabbit, immediately after life is extinct, it produ-  gradually. declining from the north to the west:
ces the most strange and violent convulsions on  but seems of late to have begun its declination to
the nervous and muscular system, as if the vital  the eastward.. 6. Any magnet may be made to
functions were again revived, and when applied  communicate the properties now mentioned to
to the human body after death, the stimulus has  any piece of iron or steel.  For example, by
produced the most horrible contortions and gri.  gently rubbing a penknife with a magnet, it will
maces in the muscles of the head and face, and  be immediately invested with the property of atthe most rapid movements in the hands and feet.  tracting needles, or small pieces ofiron:or steel.
The galvanic agency enables us to account for  7. Heat weakens the power of a magnet, and the
the following among other facts:-Why porter  gradual addition of weight increases, the maghas a different and more pleasant taste, when  netic power. 8. The properties of the magnet
drunk out of a pewter vessel, than out of glass or  are not affected either by the presence or the abearthenware,-why a silver spoon is discoloured  sence of air; and the magnetic attraction is noi
when used in eating eggs,-why the limbs of in the least diminished by the interposition of
people, under amputation, are sometimes con-  any bodies except iron. A magnet will equally
vulsed by the application of the instruments,-  affect the needle of a pocket compass when a
why pure.mercury is oxydized when amalgama-  thick board is placed between thern as when i: is
ted with tin,-why works of metal, which are  removed. It has been lately discovered, that the
soldered together, soon tarnish in the places  violet rays of the solar spectrum, when condensed
where the metals are joined,-and why the cop.  with a convex glass, and made to pass along a
per sheathing of ships, when fastened with iron  piece of steel, have the power of communicating
nails, is soon corroded about the place of con-  to it the magnetic virtue.
tact.  In all these cases a galvanic circle is    The cause which produces these singular
formed, which produces the effects. We have  properties of the magnet has hitherto remained
reason to believe, that, in combination with the  a mystery; but the knowledge of the polarity of
discoveries which modern chymistry is daily un-  the magnet has been applied to a most important
folding, the agencies of this fluid will enable us to  practical purpose. By- means of it, man has
carry the arts forward towards perfection, and to  now acquired the dominion of the ocean, and has
trace. the secret causes of some of the sublimest. learned to trace his course through the pathless
phenomena of nature.                          deep:to every region of the globe. There can
VIII. Magnetism.-This, department of phi-  be little doubt that magnetism. has..an intimate.
losophy-describes the phenomena:and. tdie pro-, connexion. with  electricity, galvanism,. light,
perties.oftheloadstone,or natural magnet.. The  heat, and chymical action; and the discoveries
natural magnet is a hard dark-coloured mineral, which have been lately made, and the experiments
body,. and is usually found in iron mines.  The  which are now making by Morichini, Oersted,~
following are some of its characteristic proper-  Abraham, Hansteen, Barlow, Beaufoy, and,'
ties:-l. It attracts iron and steel, and.all. sub-  Scoresby, promise to throw some light.on.this
stances which contain iron in its. metallic state.  mysterious agent, and on the phenomena. of na2. If a magnet be suspended by a -thread, or  ture with which it is connected.
nicely poised on a pivot, or placed on a piece of    Such is a faint outline of some. of the inte-.
wood, and set to float in a basin of water, one. resting subjects which natural philosophy emend will constantly point:nearly towards the. braces. Its relation to:religion will appear from
north pole of the earth, and  the other -towards  the following considerations:
the south;: and hence those parts of the magnet.   1. Its researches have led. to the invention: of
have been' called the north and south poles. 3.  machines, engines,, and instruments of varwius:
When the north pole of one magnet is presented  kinds, which. augment the energies, increase the
near to the south pole of another, they will at-  comforts, and promote the general improvemen;t
tract each other; but if the north pole of one be  of mankind; and these objects are inseparably
presented to the north pole of another, or a south  connected with the propagation of Christianitly
39




100                      THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
through the world. If we admit, that, in future  that he corresponded with a Moravian prieot
ages, the religion of the Bible will shed its benign  named Divisch, who assured him " that ihe had
influence over all nations-that the external  averted, during a whole summer, every thunder
condition of the human race will then be prosper-  storm which threatened his own habitation and
ous and greatly meliorated beyond what it has  the neighbourhood, by means of a machine conever been-and, that no miraculous interposition of structed on the principles of electricity —that the
Deity is to be expected to bring about such desi-  machinery sensibly attracted the clouds, and con..
rable events-it will follow, that such objects can  strained them to descend quietly in a distillation,
be accomplished only in the ordinary course of without any but a very distant thunder-clap."
Providence, by rational investigations into the  Euler assures us that " the fact is undoubted,
principles and powers of nature, and the appli-  and confirmed by irresistible proof."  Yea, not
cation of the inventions of science to the great  only may the destructive effects of lightning be
objects of religion and of human improvement,  averted by the inventions of philosophy, but its
as I shall endeavour briefly to illustrate in the  agency may. be rendered subservient to human
following chapter. As the destructive effects of  industry, and made to act as a mechanical power.
many physical agents, in the present condition of  This effect, too, has been partially accomplished.
our globe, are, doubtless, a consequence of the  About the year 1811, in the village of Philipssin and depravity of man; we have reason to be-  thal, in Eastern Prussia, an attempt was made
lieve that, when the economy of nature shall be  to split an immense stone into a multitude of
more extensively and minutely investigated, and  pieces, by means of lightning. A bar of iron, in
the minds ofmen directed to apply their discove-  the form of a conductor, was previously fixed to
ries to philanthropic and religious objects, they  the stone, and the experiment was attended with
will be enabled to counteract, in a great measure,  the most complete success; for, during the very
those devastations and fatal effects which are  first thunder-storm, the lightning burst the stone
now produced by several of the powers of nature.  without displacing it.*
The general happiness of all ranks, which will   It is, therefore, probable, that in the future ages
ie connected with the universal extension of of the world, this terrific meteor, and other deChristianity, necessarily supposes that this ob-  structive agents, which now  produce so much
Ject will be accomplished; for, were a dread of  alarm, and so many disastrous effects, may, by
destruction from the elements of nature frequent-  the aid of philosophy, be brought under the coniv to agitate the mind, as at present, no perma-  trol of man, and be made to minister to his
nent tranquillity would be enjoyed; nor would  enjoyment.
that ancient prediction, in reference to this era,    The electric fluid has also been, in many inreceive its full accomplishment, that " there shall  stances, successfully'applied in curing palsies,
be nothing to hurt or destroy in all God's holy  rheumatisms, spasms, obstructions, and inflam-mountain, when the earth shall be full of the  mation; and it is known to have a peculiar efknowledge of the Lord."  And since miraculous  fect on the nervous system. Lightning has been,interpositions are not to be expected, to what  known to restore the blind to a temporary enjoyquarter can we look for those subordinate agen-  ment of sight. Mr. Campbell, of Succoth, in
cies by which this object is to be effected, but to  Dumbartonshire, who had been blind for several
the discoveries and inventions of philosophical  years, was led by his servant one evening through
science?                                      the streets of Glasgow, during a terrible thunderScience has already enabled us to remedy  storm. The lightning sometimes fluttered along
many of those evils which are the accidental ef-  the streets for a quarter of a minute without ceas~fiects of the operation of physical agents. For  ing. While this fluttering lasted, Mr. C. saw
example-the discoveries of the philosopher, with  the street distinctly, and the changes which had
respect to the nature of the electric fluid, have  been made in that part by taking down one of
enabled us to construct conductors for preserving  the city gates. When the storm was over, his
buildings from the stroke of lightning: and we  entire blindness returned. A still more remarkhave every reason to hope, that in the progress of  able instance is stated, along with this, under
electric, galvanic, and chymical science, more  the article Thunder, in Dr. Gleig's Supp. to
complete thunder-guards., applicable to all the  Ency. Brit. which was written by the late Profess-situations in which a person may be exposed,  or Robison. It is also possible that barren deserts
will be in-vented.  Nay, our increasing know-  might be enriched with fertility, and immense
ledge of the electric fluid, and of the chymical  portions of the desolate wastes of our globe preagents which concur in its operation, nmay ena-  pared for the support and accommodation of huA;le us to dissipate thunder-storms altogether, by  man beings, by arresting the clouds, and drawdisturbing the electricity of the clouds by means  ing down their electrical virtue and their watery
of a series of elevated artificial conductors. This  treasures by means of an extended series of eleis not only possible, but has already been in\ vated metallic conductors. What has been now
some degree effected. The celebrated Euler in-'iforms as. in his4 "cLetters to a German Princess,"   ~     see Monthly Magazine, vol. 32, p. 162




NATURAL PHILOSOPhY.                                        1 01
staterl is only one instance, out of many, which  dreadful than the sword or the pestilence.  Not
might be adduced, of the extensive and beneficial  only old women, but children of ten years, were
effects which may be produced, in future ages, put to death; young girls were stripped naked,
by the application of the discoveries of natural  and the marks of witchcraft searched for upon
science.                                       their bodies with the most indecent curiosity;
2. A knowledge of natural philosophy enables  and those spots of the scurvy which age impressus to detect pretended miracles, and to discrimi-  es upon the bodies of old men, were taken for
nate Detween those phenomena which are pro-  evident signs of infernal power. So that igno.
ducea by the powers of nature, and the supposed  rance of the laws and phenomena of nature has
effects of diabolical influence. It has been chiefly  led even Christians to commit acts of injustice
owing to ignorance of the principles of natural  and horrid cruelty.  For, let it be remembered,
science, that mankind, in all ages, have been so  that it was Christian magistrates and ministers,
easily imposed upon by pretenders to supernatu-  under a pretended zeal for the honour of God,
ral powers. It is owing to the same cause, that  who sanctioned such cruel and unrighteous desuperstitious notions and vain alarms have spread  crees. This consideration, viewed in connexion
their influence so extensively among the lower  with many others, tends to show, that the Chrisranks of the population of every country. The  tian revelation, considered abstractly by itself.
pretended miracles by which Pagan and Popish  without a reference to the visible system of the
priests endeavour to support the authority of  universe, is not sufficient for all the purposes for
their respective religious systems, and every spe-  which it was intended; as, on the other hand,
cies of degrading superstition, vanish into smoke,  the study of the works of nature is not sufficient
when examined by the light of modern science;  of itself to lead the mind to the true knowledge
and. there call be no question that an enlightened  of God, without the aid of the discoveries demissionary would, in many instances, find the  rived from the sacred oracles. For, although the
principles and the instruments of natural philo-  Bible has been in the hands of Protestant Chrissophy important auxiliaries in undermining the  tians ever since the reforniation, yet it is only
fabric of heathen idolatry and priestcraft. They  since the light of modern science began to diffiuse
tend to dissipate a thousand idle terrors which  its influence, that the superstitions of the dark
haunt and agitate the human mind, to detect a  ages, and the vulgar notions respecting witchthousand kinds of imposture by which it has  craft, necromancy, and other species of infernal
been held in cruel bondage, and to prevent the  agency, began to vanish, even from the minds of
perpetration of those deeds of cruelty which have  Christian teachers; as is evident from the writuniformly marked the reign of superstition.*  ings of many eminent divines who flourished durHad our forefathers connected a knowledge of  ing the 16th and 17th centuries. As the two
this subject with the, s.,ady of the Scriptures,  revelations which God has given us throw a muthey would not have orought upon themselves  tual lustre on each other; the one must always
that indelible disgrace which now attaches to  be considered as incomplete without the other.
their memories, on account of their having con-  Both are necessary in order "' to make the man
demned and burned at the stake hundreds of un-  of God perfect," and to enable him to prosecute,
happy women, accused of orimes of which they  with intelligence and success, the great objects
could not possibly have been guilty. In New-  of religion; and the Christian minister who afEngland, towards the close of the 17th century,  fects to despise the aids of science in the cause
the witchcraft phrensy rose so high, that the ex-  of religion, has yet much to learn with respect to
ecution of witches became a calamity more  some ofthe grand bearings of the Christian system.
3. The investigations of natural philosophy un*Mr. Douglas, in his " Hints on Missions," for- fold to us the incessant agency of God, and the
merly referred to, when speaking of the facilities  plans by which his wise and benevolent designs
which Christians now possess for extensive mis n the system of nature are accomplished. From
sionary exertions, suggests, that natural philosophy
nmight be an important auxiliary to Christian mis-  the immeasurable globes of heaven, down to the
sionares. " All the ancient'war weapons of vie-  minutest atoms, we perceive a regular chain of
tory,' excepting miracles. are at their disposal; and
new instruments of still greater potency, which the  causes and effects, conspiring, in a thousand d ifscience of toe latter days has been accumulating for  ferent modes, to accomplish the purposes of inla universal revolution of the mind, are ready to be  finite wisdom and goodness.  The operation of
brought into action, upon a scale of overpowering
rlagnitude. Even the single resource which is lost  central forces and of the law of gravitation on
nomay yet be recompensed by equivalents, and a sub-  the earth and in the heavens-the hydrostatical
stitute, in many respects, maybe found for miracles.  laws which regulate the pressure and the motion
The first effect of a miracle is, to rouse the attention,
and to overawe opposing prejudices; the second to  of fluids-the chymical properties of the atmosacffmpaniment. The elist object might be gaeine   phere, its undulatory, refractive, and reflective,%ccompaniment.    The first object might be gained
by the natural magic of experimental philosophy:  powers-the motion of the rays of light, and the
asd.as to the second, the difference in theproof from  infinite variety of effects they produce —the pro.
miracles lies rather in its being more circuitois,  cess of evaporation-.the agencies of electricit
than in its being less conclusive at the present day
thaa in the times of the apostles."            and galvanism-the properties of the magnet,




1 O)5                      THE CHRISTIAN  PHILOSOPHEhI.
and the chymical action of acids and alkalies,  with their everlasting interests.  " Man." say
and uf the mlinutest particles of matter upon each  Rollin, " lives in the midst of a world of wntx
other-ought to be viewed as so many modifica-  he is the sovereign, as a stranger, who looks
tions of the agency of Deity, and as manifesta-  with indifference upon all that passes in it, and
tions of his-wisdom, in carrying forward those  as if it was not his concern. The universe, ir.
plans which regard the interests of his universal  all its parts, declares and points out its Author;
kingdom; just as we consider the rise and fall of. but, for the most part, to the deafand blind, who
empires, the revolutions of nations, and the cir-  have neither ears to hear, noreyes to see. One
culation of the Scriptures in heathen lands, as  of the greatest services that philosophy can ao
so many acts of his moral administration as the  us, is to awaken us from  this drowsiness. and
Governor of mankind. For let it be carefully re-  rouse us from this lethargy, which is a dishonour
membered, that all these physical agencies have  to humanity, and in a manner reduces us below
ultimately a moral and intellectual bearing; and  the beasts, whose stupidity is the consequence of
are essentially connected with every other part  their nature, and not the effect of.neglect or in
of God's providential procedure.  Though we  difference. It awakens our curiosity, it excites
may be apt to consider them as so many detach-  our attention, and leads us as it were by the hand,
ed and insulated pieces f machinery, with which  through all the parts of nature, to induce us to
we have little concern, ta may even disdain to  study and search out the wonderful works of it."
notice their imode of operation; yet, in the all-  -Belles Lettres, vol. 4.
comprehensive mind of Him  who takes in, at    Since, therefore, the science of natural philo.
one glance, the whole chain of causes and effects,  sophy is conversant about the works of the Althey are as essentially connected with his ultimate  mighty, and its investigations have a direct
purposes, and the eternal destiny of man, as are  tendency to illustrate the perfections of his
the revelations of his word. Were a single  nature, to unveil the plan of his operations, to
principle or motion which now  animates the  unfold the laws by which he governs the kingsystem of nature to cease-were the agencies of  dom of universal nature, and to display the order,
electricity, for example, or the principle of eva-  symmetry, and proportion, which reign throughporation, to be destroyed-the physical constitu-  out the whole-it would be needless to enter into
tion of our globe would instantly be deranged;  any further process of reasoning, to show that
nature would be thrown into confusion; and the  the study of it is connected with the great objects
sentient and intellectual beings that now in-  of religion. Whatever studies tend'to raise our
habit the earth would either be destroyed, or  minds to the Supreme Ruler of all worlds-to
plunged into an abyss of misery. If, therefore,  expand our views of his infinite knowledge and
we-admit that the moral agency of God is worthy  wisdom-to excite our gratitude and our admiraof our contemplation, we ought to consider his  tion of the beneficent designs which appear in
physical operations also as no less worthy of our  all his arrangements-to guard us against erro.
study and investigation; since they form  the  neous conceptions of his providential proceduregroundwork of all his other manifestations.   and to furnish us with important auxiliaries for
There is nothing, however, which so striking-  extending the influence of his religion.throulgh the
ly characterizes. the.bullk of mankind, and even  world; must always be interesting to every Christhe great mass of the Christian world, as that  tian who wishes to enlarge his intellectual views,
apathy and indifference with which they view   and to make progress in the knowledge of God.
the wonders -of creation which surround them.
They can look on all that is grand, and beautiful,           CHYMIsTRY.
and beneficent in nature, without feeling the least    This science, which is intimately related tc
sentiment of admiration, or of gratitude to: that  the preceding, has for its object to ascertain the
Being who is-incessantly operating within them  ingredients,: or first principles, of which all matter
and around them; and they are disposed to con-  is: composed-to examine the com iounds formed
sider the experiments, of philosophers, by which  by the combination of these ingredients-to in.
the wonderful agency of God is unveiled, as only  vestigate those changes in natural bodies, which
so many toys and amusements for the entertain-  are not accompanied with sensible motion, and
ment ofchildren.  They would prefer the paltry  the nature of the power which produces these
entertainments of a card-table of a ball-room, or  combinations.and changes.
of a gossipping -party; to the inspection of the    Within the limits of the last half century, the
nicest pieces of divine mechanism, and to the  empire of chymistry has been wonderfully excontemplation of the most august scene.in;nature.  tended. From  an obscure and humble place
However lightly some religionists may be dis-  among the objects of study, it has risen to a high
posed to treat this subject, that spirit of inldif-  and dignified station among those:sciences which
ference with which the: visible works of God are  improve and adorn the human mind. No longer
treated must be considered as flowing from the  confined to the paltry and mercenary object of
same depraved principle which leads multitudes  searching for the philosopher's stone, or of fur.
to ri ject the revelations of the Bible, and to trifle  nishing a little amusement, it now exte's%;"




CHYMISTRY.                                        103
sway over all the arts which minlster to the corn-  also into simple and compound.  Sinmple Su..
fort and improvement of social life, and over  stances are those which have never yet oeen de.
every species of animate and inanimate matter,  composed, nor formed by art.  Compound Su-.
within the range of human investigation. " The  stances are those which are formed by the. union
Worms and appearances,'  (says Sir Humphrey  of two-or more simple substances.  The follow.
Davy,). " of the beings and substances of the  ing are all the simple substances,.with which we
external world, are almost infinitely various, and  are at present acquainted: Caloric, Light, OZxytley are in a state of continued alteration. Even  gen, Nitrogen, Carbon, Hydrogen,.. Sulphur,
the earth itself, throughout its whole surface,  Phosphorus, the Metals, and some of the Earths.
andergoes modifications.  Acted on by moisture  All that I propose, under this article, is, simply
and air, it affords the food of plants;an immense  to state some of the properties of two or three of
number of vegetable productions arise from ap-. these simple substances.
parently the same materials;these' become the    Caloric, or elementary fire, is the name now
substance of animals; -one species:of animal:given by chymists to- that element-or property
matter is converted into another; the most perfect  which, combined with various bodies, produces
and beautiful of the forms of -organized -:life' ulti-  the sensation ofheat, while it is passing from one
mately decay, and are resolved into inorganic  body to another.. This substance appears to
aggregrates; and the same elementary sub-  pervade the whole system of nature.. There are
stances, differently arranged; are contained in  six' different: sources, from whence caloric. may
the inert soil, or bloom and' emit fragrance in  -be procured.:It may be produced by: combusthe flower, or become in animals -the: active  tion, in' which process the oxygen gas of the
organs of mind and intelligence. In artificial:atmosphere is decomposed, and caloric, one of
operations, changes of the same order occur;  its component parts, set at, liberty-by friction,
substances having the characters  of earth, are  or:the rubbing of two substances-against each
converted into metals; claVsand sands are united,  other-by percussion, as the striking of steel
so as to become porcelain; earths and alkalies  against a piece of. flint —by the mixture of two
are combined into glass; acrid and corrosive  or more substances; as when sulphuric acid is
matters are formed from tasteless. substances;  poured upon water or.:magnesia —by electricity
colours arefixed upon stuffs, or:changediormade  -and galvanism.  The discharge of';an electric
to disappear; and the productions of the vegeta-  or galvanic battery will produce a more intense
ble, mineral, and animal kingdoms are convert-  degree of heat than: any other means whatever.
ed into new forms, and made subservient to the  But the principal, and probably the -original
purposes of civilized life. To trace, in detail,  source of caloric, is the Sun, which, furnishes
these diversified and complicated phenomena;  the earth with a regular supply for the support
to arrange them, and deduce general laws from   and nourishment uf the animal and: vegetable
their analogies, is the business of chymistry."-   tribes.  From  this source it moves at the rate of
Elements of Chymical Philosophy.               195,000 miles in a second. of time; for it has
Cliymists have arranged the general forms of  been already stated, that the sun sends forth.rays
matter into the four following classes. The first  of heat, which are distinct from those which- pro.
class consists of Solids, which form'the principal  duice illumination, and which accompany themn
parts of the globe, and which differ from each other  in their course through the ethereal regions.
in hardness, colour, opacity, transparency, densi-    Caloric is the cause of fluidity,:in all subty, and other properties. The second-class consists  stances which are cal)able of becoming fluid. A
of Fluids, such as water, oils, spirits, &c., whose  certain portion, or dose of it, reduces a solid body
parts possess freedom of motion, and require  to the state of an incompressible fluid;.a larger
great mechanical force to make them occupy a  portion brings it to the state of an aeriform  or
smaller space.  The third class comprehends  gaseous fluid. Thus,a certain portion of caloric
Elastic Fluids, or Gases, which exist freely in  reduces ice to a state of water; a larger portion
the atmosphere; but may be confined by solids  converts it into steam  or vapour.  There is
and fluids, and their properties examined. Their  reason to believe that the. hardest rocks, the
parts are highly moveable, compressible, and  densest metals, and every solid substance on
expansive; they are all transparent; they pre-  the face of the earth, might be converted into
sent two or three varieties of colour; and they  a fluid,jand even into a gas, were they submitdiffer greatly in density.  The fourth class  ted-to: the action of a very high temperature.
comprehends Ethereal Substances, which are  This substance is called sensible caloric, when
known to us only in their states of motion, when  it produ.ces the sensation of heat; and latent
acting upon our organs of sense, and which are  caloric, when it forms an insensible part of
not susceptible of being confined. Such are the  the substance of bodies. All bodies are, in a
rays of light, and radiant heat, which are inces-  greater or less degree, conductors of caloric.
santly in motion. throughout the spaces that in-  Metals and liquids are good conductors of heat,
tervene between our globe and the sun and the  but silk, cotton, wool, wood, &c. are bad conduc.
stars. Chymists divide the substances in nature  tors of it. For example, if we put a short po,.




o104                     THE' CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
ker into the fire at one end, it will soon become  means which his wisdom has contrived for pre.
lhot at the other; but this will not happen with a  serving, in due order, the system of nature. And1
piece of wood of the same length, and under the  as this wonderful substance is so essentially nesame circumstances.  A person with a silken  cessary toanimaland vegetable existence, every
purse, containing metal coin, may stand so near  thing is so arranged as to produce a regular supthe fire, as to make the metal almost too hot to  ply of it, notwithstanding its incessant changes,
touch, though the temperature of the purse will  and the multifarious combinations into which it
apparently be scarcely altered. Ifahand be put  is continually entering.
upon a hot body, part of the caloric leaves the    One of the most extraordinary effects of oxygen
hot body and enters the hand, producing the sen-  appears, when it is combined in a certain prosation of heat. On the contrary, if a hand be  portion with nitrogen, so as to form the gaseous
put on a cold body, as a piece of iron, or another  oxide of nitrogen, or what is commonly called
cold hand, part of the -caloric contained in the  nitrous oxide.  This gas consists of 63 parts nihand leaves it to unite with the colder body,  trogen, and 37 oxygen, by weight. When inproducing the sensation of cold. In short, ca-  haled into the lungs, it produces an extracrdinary
loric is diffused throughout all bodies, and enters  elevation of the animal spirits, a propensity to
into every operation in nature; and were it not  leaping and running, involuntary fits of laughter,
for the influence of this subtile fluid, there is  a rapid flow of vivid ideas, and a thousand dereason to believe, that the whole matter of the  lightful emotions; without being accompanied
%niverse would be condensed into a solid mass.  with any subsequent feelings of debility. This
Oxygen is a very pure, subtile, and elastic  circumstance shows what a variety of delightful
substance, generally diffused throughout nature;  or pernicious effects might flow from the slightest
but is never found unless in combination with  change in the constitution of the atmosphere,
other substances. It is one of the most impor-  were the hand of the Almighty to interpose in
tant agents in nature; there being scarcely a  altering the proportion of its constituent parts:
single process, whether natural or artificial, in  for atmospheric air is composed of 79 parts of
which oxygen has not some important share.  nitrogen, and 21 of oxygen, which is not a very
When combined with caloric, it is called oxygen  different proportion from the above. Another gas
gas, which forms one of the constituent parts of called nitric oxide, composed of 56 parts oxygen,
the atmosphere.  In this state, it forms the  and 44 nitrogen, produces instant suffocation in
principle of combustion; producing the most  all animals that attempt to breathe it. One of
rapid deflagration of all combustible substances.  the most corrosive acids, the nitrous acid, or
If a lighted taper be let down into ajar of oxy-  aquafortis, is composed of 75 parts oxygen and
gen gas, it burns wi;l such splendour, that th,  25 parts nitrogen; so that we are every moment
eye can scarcely bear the glar e of light; and at  breathing a certain substance, which, in another
the same time produces a much greater heat  combination, would produce the most dreadful
than when burning in common air. If a steel  pain, and cause our immediate destruction.
wire, or a thin file, having a sharp point, armed  What a striking proof does this afford of the inwith a bit of wood in inflammation, be introduced  finite comprehension of the divine mind, in foreinto a jar filled with this gas, the steel will take  seeing all the consequences of the elements of
fire, and its combustion will continue, producing  nature, and in directing their numeroug combia  most brilliant phenomenon.  It hag been  nations in such a manner as to promote the happroved, by numerous experiments, that this gas  piness of animated beings!
is so essential to combustion, that no substance    Nitrogen, or axzote, is a substance generally
will burn in common air, which has been pre-  diffused throughout nature, and particularly in
viously deprived of its oxygen. It is also es-  animated bodies. It is not to be found in a solid
sential to animal life; so that man, and all the  or liquid state, but, combined with caloric, it
inferior ranks of animated nature, may be said  forms nitrogen gas, which is one of the ingre.
to depend upon this fluid for their existence. Its  dients of the atmosphere.  It is capable of supbasis gives the acid character to all mineral and  porting either flame or animal life. This is
vegetable salts: and the calcination of metals is  proved by introducing an animal, or a burning
altogether effected by their union with oxygen.  candle, into a vessel full of this gas: in which
It constitutes the basis both of the atmosphere  case, the animal is suddenly suffocated, and the
Which surrounds the earth, and of the water  candle instantly extinguished. It is this gas
which forms its rivers, seas, and oceans.  It  which is expelled from the lungs at every respipervades the substance of all the vegetable tribes,  ration, and, rising over our heads, soon enters
and enables them to perform  their functions;  into new combinations.  Though it is destrucand, in combination with the different metals,  tive to animal life, it appears to be favourable to
serves the most important purposes in the use-  plants, which vegetate freely when surrounded
ful arts. In the operation of this elementary  with nitrogen.
principle, we perceive a striking display of the    Hydrogen is another elementary substa-',
agency of the Creator, and of the admirable  abundant is nature, and, wher united to callost




CHYMISTRY.                                        l U,,
forms hydrogen gas.  It is one of the constitu-  powerful antiseptic, or preserver from putl:efacenlt parts of water; for it has been completely  tion.  Meat which has been sealed up in it (says
demonstrated by experiment, that water is com-  Mr. Parkes) has been known to have preserved
posed of 85 parts by weight of oxygen, and 15  its texture and appearance for more than twenty
of hydrogen, in every hundred parts of the fluid.  years. There is no substance of more importThis gas was formtnly known by the name of ance in civilized life than the different forms of
inflammable air. It is distinguished among mi-  Carbon.  " In nature,' says Sir. H. Davy,
ners by the name of re-dam7p; it abounds in  " this element is constantly active in an import.
coal-mines, and sometimes produces the most  ant series of operations.  It is evolved in fertremendous explosions. it is incapable, by it-  mentation and combustion, in carbonic acid; it
self, of supporting combustion, and cannot be  is separated from oxygen in the organs of plants;
breathed without the most imminent danger. It  it is a principal element in animal structures 
is the chief constituent of oils, fats, spirits, ether,  and is found in different forms in almost all the
coals, and bitumen,; and is- supposed to be one  products of organized beings."
of the agents which produce the ignes fatui and   S'ulphur is a substance which has been known
the northern lights. It is the lightest of all pon-  from the earliest ages. It was used by the anderable bodies; being from twelve to fifteen times  cients in medicine, and its fumes have, for more
lighter than common air. A hundred cubic in-  than 2000 years, been employed in bleaching
ches of it weigh about 2~ grains.  On account  wool. It is found combined with many mineral
of its great levity it is used for filling air-balloors.  substances, as arsenic, antimony, copper, and
In contact with atmospheric air, it burns with a  mostofthe metallic ores.  It exists in manymipale blue colour. When mixed with oxygen gas,  neral waters, anld in combination with vegetable
it may be exploded like gunpowder, with a vio-  and animal matters, but is most abundant in vollent report.  Carburetted hydrogen ga, which  canic countries, particularly in the neighbouri'J carbon dissolved in hydrogen, is that beautiful  hood of Vesuvius, Etna, and Heela in Iceland.
gas, which is now  employed in lighting our  It is a solid, opaque, combustible substance, of
streets, shops, and manufactories.             a pale yellow colour, very brittle, and almost
Carbon is another simple substance extensively   without taste or smell. Its specific gravity is
diffused throughout nature. It is found pure and  nearly twice that of water; it is a con-conlductsolid only in the diamond; but it may be pro-  or of electricity, and, of course, becomes eleccured in the state of charcoal, by burning a piece  tric by friction.  When heated to the temperaof wood closely covered with sand, in a cruci-  ture of 1700 of Fahrenheit's thermometer, it
ble. Carbon enters into the composition of bi-  rises up in the form of a fine powder, which is
Lumen and pit coal,. and of most animal and some  easily collected in a proper vessel, and is named
mineral substances; and it formns nearly the  the flowers of sulphur.  It is insoluble in water,
whole of the solid basis of all vegetables, from   but may be dissolved in oils, in spirit of wine,
the most delicate flower to the stately oak. It is' and in hydrogen gas.  When sulphur is heated
also a component part of sugar, and of all kinds  to the temperature of 3020 in the open air, it
of wax, oils, gums, and resins.  It combines  takes fire spontaneously, and burns with a pale
with iron in various proportions, and the results  blue flame, and emits a great quantity of fumes
are cast iron and steel. Black lead is a com-  of a strong suffocating odour.  When heated
position of nine parts of carbon to one of iron;  to the temperature of 5700, it burns with a bright
and is, therefore, called a carburet of iron. Carbon  white flame, and emits a vast quantity of fumes.
is indestructible by age, and preserves its iden-  When these fumes are collected, they are found
tity in all the combinations into which it enters.  to consist entirely of sulphuric acid; so that sulCarbonic acid gas is a combination of carbon and  phur, by combustion, is converted into an acid.
oxygen. It. is found in a state of combination with  It is the base of several compound substances.
lime, forming limestone, marble, and chalk; and  It unites with oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, phosmay be separated from them by heat, orby means  phorus, the alkalies, the metals, and some of the
of the mineral acids. This gas, which was for-  earths. This substance is of great importance
merly called fited air, is found in mines, caves,  in medicine, as it is found to penetrate to the exthe bottoms of wells, wine cellars, brewers' vats,  tremities of the most minute vessels, and to imand in the neighbourhood of lime-kilns. It is  pregnate all the secretions. It is also used inthe
Known to miners by the name of the choke-damp,  arts, particularly in bleaching and dying; it forms
and too frequently runs on deadly errands. It  a very large proportion of gunpowder; and ofie
extinguishes flame and animal life. It is the  of its most common, but not least useful properheaviest of all the gases; being nearly twice the  ties, is that of its combustibility, by which, with
weight of common air, and twenty times the  the help of a tinder-box, light is almost instantaweight of hyvdrogen.  It may, thereforej be  neously produced. As this substance has not
poured from  one vessel to another; and if a  yet been decomposed, it is considered by chysmall quantity of it be poured upon a lighted  mists, in the mean time, as one of the simple
taper. it will be instantly extinguished. It is a  substances.
14




106                     THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
Phosphorus is another simple combustible sub-    Some animals, as the glow-worm and the.fire
stance, but is never found in a pure state in na- fly, and fish in a putrescent state, exhibit phosture. It is commonly united to oxygen in a state  phorescent qualities. M. Peron describes a sinof phosphoric acid, which is found in different  gular instance of this kind in an animal which he
animal, vegetable, and mineral substances.  It  calls the pyrosoma atlanticum, which he observed
was first discovered by Brandt, a chymist of in his voyage from Europe to the Isle of France
Hamburgh, in the year 1667, and afterwards by  The darkness was intense when it was first ds.the Honourable Mr. Boyle, in 1679. It was  covered; and all atonce there appeared at some
formerly obtained by a disgusting process; but  distance, as it were, a vast sheet of phosphorus
it is now extracted from the bones of animals, by  floating on the waves, which occupied a great
burning them, and then reducing them to a fine  space before the vessel. When the vessel had
powder, and afterwards pouring sulphuric acid  passed through this inflamed part of the sea, it
upon them. This substance, when pure, resem-  was found that this prodigious light was occables bees' wax, being of a clear, transparent,  sioned by an immense number of small animals,
yellowish colour; it is insoluble in water; it  which swam at different depths, and appeared to
may be cut with a knife, or twisted to pieces with  assumle various forms. Those which were deepthe fingers; and it is about double the specific  est looked like great red-hot cannon balls, while
gravity of water. Its most remarkable property  those on the surface resembled cylinders of redis its very strong attraction for oxygen, from   hot iron. Some of them were caught, and were
which circumstance, it burns spontaneously in  found to vary in size from three to seven inches.
the open air at the temperature of 430; that is,  All the exterior surface of the animal was bristled
it attracts the oxygen gas from the atmosphere,  with thick long tubercles, shining like so many
and heat and flame are produced. It gradually  diamonds; and these seemed to be the principal
consumes when exposed to the common tempe-  seat of its wonderful phosphorescence.
rature of air, emits a whitish smoke, and is lu-    Such is a brief description of the principal
minous in the dark; for this reason it is kept in  elementary substances, which, in a thousand diphials of water; and as the heat of the hand is  versified forms, pervade the system of nature,
sufficient to inflame it, it should seldom be han-  and produce all that variety which we behold in
died except under water. At the temperature of the atmosphere, the waters, the earth, and the
990 it melts; it evaporates at 2190, and boils at  various processes of the arts. It is probable that
5540. When heated to 1480 it takes fire, and  some of these substances are compounds, though
burns with a very bright flame, and gives out a  they have not yet been decomposed. Yea, it is
very large quantity of white smoke, which is lu.  possible, and not at all improbable, that there are
minous in the dark; at the same time it emits  but two, or at most three, elementary substances
an odour, which has some resemblance to that of  in nature, the various modifications of which
garlic'; and this smoke, when collected, is proved  produce all the beauties and sublimities in the
to be an acid. It burns with the greatest splen-  universe. Perhaps caloric, oxygen, and hydrodour in oxygen gas, and when taken internally,  gen, may ultimately be found to constitute all
it is found to be poisonous. If any light sub-  the elementary principles of nature.  Without
stance, capable of conducting heat, be placed* prosecuting this subject farther, I shall conclude
upon the surface of boiling water, and a bit of  this article with a few cursory reflections, tendphosphorus be laid upon it, the heat of the water  ing to illustrate its connexion with religion,
will be sufficient to set the phosphorus on'fire.    The remarks which I have already thrown out
If we write a few words on paper with a bit of  in reference to natural philosophy will equally
phosphorus fixed in a quill, when the writing is  apply to the science of chymistry; and, therecarried: into a dark room it will appear beauti-  fore, do not require to be repeated. In addition
fully luminous  If a piece of phosphorus, about  to these, the following observations may be
the size of a pea, be dropped into a tumbler of: stated:hot water, and a stream of oxygen gas forced di-    1. This science displays, in a striking point
rectly upon it, it will display the most brilliant  of view, the wisdom  and goodness of God, in
combustion under water that can be imagined. producing, by the most simple means, the most
All experiments with phosphorus, however, re-  astonishing and benevolent ejects.  All the vaquire to be performed with great caution. This  ried phenomena we perceive, throughout the
substance is used in making phosphorus match-  whole system of sublunary nature, are produced
bottles, phosphoric oil, phosphoric tapers. and  by a combination of six or seven simple subvarious phosphoric fireworks. Phosphorzed hy-  stances.  I formerly adverted to the infinite
drogen'gas is produced by bits of phosphorus  variety which exists in the vegetable kingdom.
remaining some hours in hydrogen gas. It is  (see pp. 37, 38.) About fifty-six thousand difsupposed to be this gas which is often seen  ferent species of plants have already been dishlovering on the surface of burial grounds and  covered by botanists. All these, from the hulmmarshes, known in Scotland by the name of spun-  ble shrub to the cedar of Lebanon, which adore
kte, and in England by that of will-o-the-wisp.    the surface of the globe, in every clime, with




CHYMISTRY.                                       107
such a diversity of forms, shades, and colours, are  particle of matter which now exists will ever be
Lne result of the combinations of " four or five  annihilated, into whatever new or varied conmnatural substances-caloric, light, water, air,  binations it may enter. When any particular
arnd carbon."  " When we consider," says Mr.  world, or assemblage of material existence, has
Parkes,' that the many thousand tribes of ve-  remained in its original state for'a certain period
getables are not only all formed from a few simple  of duration, and accomplished all the ends it was
substances, but that they all enjoy the same sun,  intended to subserve in that state, the materials
vegetate in the same medium, and are supplied  of which it is composed will, in all probability,
with the same nutriment, we cannot but be struck  be employed for erecting a new system, and es.
with the rich economy of Nature, and are al-  tablishing a new series of events, in which new
most induced to doubt the evidence of those  scenes, and new beauties And sublimities, will
senses with which the God of nature has fur-  arise from new and varied combinations. For
nished us.  That it should be possible so to  the Creator does nothing in vain. But to annimodify and intermingle a few simple substances,  hilate, and again to create, would be operating in
and thence produce all the variety of form, colour,  vain; and we uniformly find, that in all tilhe
odour, &c. which are observable in the different  arrangements of Deity in the present state of
families of vegetables, is a phenomenon too as-  things, Nature is frugal and economical in all
tonishing for ourcomprehenslon. Nothing short  her proceedings; so that there is no process,
of Omnlpotence could have provided such a pa-  when thoroughly investigated, that appears unradise for man." —Chymical Catechism, chap. 9.  necessary or superfluous.
From the fact, that matter appears to be inSoft roll your incense, herbs, and fruits, and  destructible, we may learn, that the Creator
In mingled clouds to Him, whose sun exalts,  may, with the self-same materials which now
Whose breath perfumes you, and whose pencil  exist around us, new-model and arrange the
paints."  Thmsn    globe we inhabit, after the general conflagration,
What an admirable view is here opened up of  so as to make a more glorious world to arise
the economy of divine wisdom, and of the bene-  out of its ashes; purified from  those physical
ficent care which has been taken to secure the  evils which now exist; and fitted for the accomfort and happiness of every living creature:  commodation either of renovated men, or of
and how ungrateful a disposition must it indicate  other pure intelligences. From  the same fact,
in rational beings to overlook such benevolent  combined with the consideration of the infinite
arrangements! It is highly probable, that in all  diversity of effects which the simple substances
other worlds disposed throughout the universe  of nature are capable of producing, we may be
an infinite diversity of scenery exists, and that  enabled to form a conception of the ease with
no one globe or system exactly resembles an-  which the Creator may new-model our bodies,
other; and yet, it is probable, that the primary  after they have been dissolved in the dust; and
elements of matter, or the few simple substances  how, from the same original atoms, he may conof which our world is composed, may be of the  struct and adorn them with more glorious forms
same nature as those which form the constituent  and more delightful and exquisite senses than
parts of every other system; and may give birth  they now possess.
to all the variety which exists throughout the    In short, the rapid progress which chymical
wide extent of creation, and to all the changes  science is now making, promises, ere long, to
and revolutions through which "the different sys-  introduce:improvements among the human race,
tems may pass, during every period of infinite  which will expand their views of the agency of
duration.                                     God, counteract many physical evils, and pro2. From this science we have every reason to  mote, to an extent which has never yet been
conclude, that matter is indestructible. In the  experienced, their social and domestic enjoyvarious changes that take place in material sub-  ment. The late discoveries of chymistry tend
stances, the particles of matter are not destroyed,  to convince us, that the properties and powers of
but only assume new forms, and enter into new   natural subjects are only beginning to be discocombinations. When a piece of wood, for ex-  vered. Who could have imagined, a century
ample, is burned to ashes, none of its principles  ago, that an invisible substance is contained in a
are destroyed; the elementary substances of  piece of coal, capable of producing the most
which it was composed are only separated from   beautiful and splendid illumination-that this
one another, and formed into new compounds.  substance may be conveyed, in a few moments,
Carbon, as already stated, appears to be inde-  through pipes of several miles in length-and
structible by age, and to preserve its essential  that a city, containing several hundred thousands
properties  in  every mode of its existence.  of inhabitants, may be instantly lighted up by it,
That Being, indeed, who created matter at first,  without the aid of either wax, oil, or tallow?
mav reduce it to nothing when he pleases; but  Who could have imagined, that one of the init is highly improbable that his power will ever  gredients of the air we breathe is the principle of
be interposec to produce this effect; or that any  combustion-that a rod of iron may be made to




10S                      THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
burn with a brilliancy that dazzles the eyes-  economy of the animal frame. Anatomy. d)s.
that a piece of charcoal may be made to burn  sects dead bodies, physiology investigates tihe
with a white and splendid light, which is infe-  functions of those that are living.  The former
rior only to the solar rays-and that the diamond  examines the fluids, muscles, viscera, and all the
is nothing more than carbon in a crystallized  other parts of the human body, in a state of rest,
state, and differs only in a slight'degree from a  the latter considers them in a state of action.
bit of common charcoal?  Who could have sur-    The parts of the human body have been dismised, that a substance would be discovered, of tinguished into two different kinds-solids and
such a degree of levity, as would have power  fluids.  The solid parts are bones, cartilages,
sufficient to buoy up a number of men to the up-  ligaments, muscles, tendons, membranes, ner yes,
per parts of the atmosphere, and enable them to  arteries, veins, hair, nails, and ducts, or fine tuswim, in safety, above the regions of the clouds?  bular vessels of various kinds. Of these solid
These are only specimens of still more brilliant  parts, the following conlpound organs consist;
discoveries which will, doubtless, be brought to  the brain and cerebellum; the lungs; the heart,
light by the researches of fuiture generations.  the stomach; the liver; the spleen; the pancreas;
We have reason to believe, that the investiga-  the glands; the kidneys; the intestines; the metions of this science will, in due time, enable us  sentery; the larynx; and the organs of senseto counteract most of the diseases incident to the  the eyes, ears, nose, and tongue. The fluid parts
human frame; and to prevent many of those fatal  are, the saliva, or spittle, phlegm, serum, the
accidents to which mankind are now exposed.  chyle, blood, bile, milk, lympha, urine, the panDavy's safety lamp has already preserved many  creaticjzuice, and the aqueous humour of the eyes,
individuals from destruction, when working in  The human body is divided into three great ca,coal mines; and thousands, in after ages, will  vities-the head; the thorax, or breast; and the
be indebted to this discovery, for security from   abdomen, or belly. The head is formed of the
the dreadful explosions of hydrogen gas. And,  bones of the cranium, and encloses the brain
we trust, that the period is not far distant, when  and cerebellum.  The thorax is composed of the
specific antidotes to the diseases peculiar to the  vertebrae of the back, the sternum, and true ribs;
different trades and occupations in which man-  and contains the heart, the pericardium, the
kind are employed will be discovered; and the  breast, and the lungs. The abdomen is separated
health and vigour of the mass of society be pre-  from  the thorax by means of the diaphragm,
served unimpaired, amidst all the processes in  which is a fleshy and membranous substance,
which they may be engaged. In fine, the rapid  composed, for the most part, of muscular hbres.
progress of chymical discovery carries forward  This cavity is formed by the lumbar vertebrae,
our views to a period, when man, having tho-  the os sacrutm, the ossa innominata, the false
roughly explored the powers of nature, and sub-  ribs, the peritonreum, and a variety of muscles.
jected them, in some measure, to his control, will  It encloses the stomach, intestines, omentiun, or
be enabled to ward off most of those physical  caul, the liver, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and
evils with which he is now annoyed, and to  urinary bladder.  Without attempting any techraise himself, in some degree, to the dignity and  nical description of these different pars, which
happiness he enjoyed before moral evil had shed  could convey no accurate ideas to a general
its baleful influence on our terrestrial system.  reader, I shall merely state two or three facts in
Such a period corresponds to many of the de-  relation to the system  of bones, muscles, and
scriptions contained in the Sacred Oracles of the  blood-vessels, as specimens of the wonderful strucmillenial state of the church; when social, do-  ture of our bodily frame.
mestic, moral, and intellectual improvement shall    The Bones may be regarded as the prop-work
be carried to the utmost perfection which our  or basis on which the human body is constructed.
sublunary station will permit; when wars shall  They bear the same relation to the animal syscease; when the knowledge of Jehovah shall  tem, as the wood-work to a building. They give
cover the earth; when every man shall sit under  shape and firmness to the body; they support its
his vine and fig,-tree, without being exposed to  various parts, and prevent it from sinking by its
the least alarm; and when there shall be nothing  own weight; they serve as levers for the muscles
to hurt nor destroy throughout the church of the  to act upon, and to defend the brain, the heart,
living God. And, therefore, we ought to con-  the lungs, and other vital parts, from external insider the various discoveries and improvements  jury. Of the bones, some are hollonw, and filled
now going forwad in this and other departments  with marrow; others are solid throughout; some
of science, as pre-aring the way for the introduc-  are very small - others very large; some are
tion of this long-expected and auspicious era.    round, and others flat; some are plane, and
others convex or concave;-and all these several
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.               forms ero requisite for the situations they oc.
cupy, and the respective functions they have to
The general object of both these sciences is  perform. The spine, or back-bone, consists of 24
to investigate and describe the structure and  vertebrae, or small bones connected together by




ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.                                    109
cantilages, articulations, and ligaments; of which  design is to serve as the organs of motion. They
seven belong to the neck, twelve to the back, and  are inserted, by strong tendinous extremities,
five to the lo:ns. In the centre of each vertebra  into the different bones of which the skeleton is
there is a hole rc'r the lodgment and continuation  composed; and, by their contraction and distenof the spinal marrow, which extends from the  tion, give rise to all the movements (of the body.
brain to the rump. From  these vertebras the  The muscles, therefore, may be considered as so
arched bones called ribs proceed; and seven of  many cords attached to'he bones, and the Author
them join the breast-bone on each side, where  of nature has fixed theni according to the most
they terminate in cartilages, and form the cavity  perfect principles of mechanism, so as to produce
of the thorax or chest. The five lower ribs, with  the fittest motions in the parts for the movement
a number of muscles, form the cavity of the ab-  of which they are intended.
domen, as above stated. The spine is one of    One of the most wonderful properties of the
the most admirable mechanical contrivances in  muscles is, the extraordinary force they exert,
the human frame. Had it consisted of only three  although they are con,posed of such slender
or four bones, or had the holes in each bone not  threads or fibres.  The following facts, in relaexactly corresponded and fitted into each other,  tion to this point, are demonstrated by the cele-.he spinal marrow would have been bruised, and  brated Borelli, in his work, " De Motu Anilife endangered at every bending of the body.  malium."  When a mall lifts up with his teeth a
The skull is composed of ten bones, and about 51  weight of 200 pounds; with a rope fastened to
are reckoned to belong to the face, the orbits of the jaw-teeth, the muscles named temporalis and
the eyes, and the jaws in which the teeth are  masseter, with which people chew, and which perfixed. There are seldom more than 16 teeth in  form this work, exert a force of above 15,0001bs.
each jaw, or 32 in all. The number of bones in  weight.  If any one' hanging his arm  directly
a human body is generally estimated at about  downwards lifts a weight of 20 pounds, with the
245; of which there are reckoned, in the skull,  third or last joint of his thumb, the muscle which
head, and face, 61; in the trunk, 64; in the  bends the thumb and bears that weight exerts a
arms, and hands, 60. in the legs, and feet, 60.  force of about three thousand pounds. When a
The bones are provided with ligaments or hinges,  man, standing upon his feet, leaps or springs upwhich bind and fasten them together, and pre-  wards to the height of two feet, if the weight of
vent thenl from being displaced by any violent  such a man be 150 pounds, the muscles employed
motion; and, that the ligaments may work  in that action will exert a force 2000 times greatsmoothly into one another, the joints are sepa-  er; that is to say, a force of about three hundred
rated by cartilages or gristles, and provided with  thousand pounds. The heart, at each pulse or
a gland for the secretion of oil or mucus, which  contraction, by which it protrudes the blood out
is constantly exuding into the joints; so that  of the arteries into the veins, exerts a force of
every requisite is provided by our benevolent  above a hundred thousand pounds.  Who call
Creator, to prevent pain, and to promote facility  contemplate this amazing strength of the musof motion.  " In considering the joints," says  cular system, without admiration of the power
Dr. Paley, " thein is nothing, perhaps, which  and wisdom of the Creator, who has thus endued
ought to move our gratitude more than the re-  a bundle of threads, each of them smaller than
flection, how well they wear.  A limb shallswing  a hair, with such an astonishing degree of ineupon its hinge or play ill its socket many hun-  chanical force! There have been reckoned about
dred times in an hour, for 60 years together,  446 muscles in the human body, which have been
without diminuxion of agility; which is a long  dissected and distinctly described; every one of
time for any thing to last-for any thing so nluch  which is essential to the performance of some
worked as the joints are."                    one motion or other, which contributes to our
The M[fuscular System. —A muscle is a bundle  ease and enjoyment; anld, in most instances, a
of fleshy, and sometimes of tendinous fibres.  great number of them is required to perform their
The fleshy fibres compose the body of the muscle;  different functions at the same time. It has
and the tendinous fibres the extremities. Some  been calculated, that about a hundred muscles are
muscles are long and routnd; some plain and cir-  employed every time we breathe.  " Breathing
cular; some are spiral, and some have straight  with ease," says Dr. Paley, " is a blessilng of
fibres. Some are double, having a tendon run-  every moment; yet, of all others, it is that which
ning through the body firom head to tail; some  we possess with the least consciousness. A. man
have two or more tendinous branches running  in an asthma is the only man who knows how to
through, with variouls rows and orders of fibres.  estimate it."
All these, and several other varieties, are essen-    The IHeart and Blood-vessels.-The heart is
tia!ly requisite for the respective offices they have  a hollow mutscular organ, of a conical shape, and
to perform in the animal system.  The muscles  consists of four distinct cavities.  The two largconstitute the fleshy part of the human body,  est are called ventricles, and the two smallest
".nd give it that varied and beaultiful form we obh  auricles.  The ventricles send out the blood to
serve over all its surface.  But their principal  the arteries; the auricles receive it fitln the




110                     THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
veins. The heart is enclosed in the pericardium,  left side of the thorax. The substance of the
a membranous bag, which contains a quantity  lungs is chiefly composed of infinite ramifica
of water, or lymph.  This water lubricates the  tions of the trachea, or windpipe, which, after
neart, and facilitates all its motions.  The heart  gradually becoming more and more minute, teris the general reservoir of the blood. When the  minate in little cells, or vesicles, which have a
heart contracts, the blood is propelled from the  free communication with one another. At each
right ventricle into the lungs, through the pulmo.  inspiration, these pipes and cells are filled with
nary arteries, which, like all the other arteries,  air, which is again discharged by expiration.
are furnished with valves that play easily for-  In this manner, a circulation of air, which is neward, but admit not the blood to return toward  cessary to the existence of men and other anlthe heart. The blood, after circulating through  mals, is constantly kept up as long as life rethe lungs, and having there been revivified by  mains. The air-cells of the lungs open into the
coming in contact with the air, and imbibing a  windpipe, by which they communicate with the
portion of its oxygen, returns into the left auricle  external atmosphere. The whole internal strucof the heart, by the pulmonary vein. At the  ture of the lungs is lined by a transparent menisame instant, the left ventricle drives the blood  brane, estimated at only the thousandth part of
into the aorta, a large artery which sends off  an inch in thickness; but whose surface, from
branches to supply the head and arms. Another  its various convolutions, measures fifteen square
large branch of the aorta descends along the in-  feet, which is equal to the external surface of the
side of the back-bone, and detaches numerous  body.  On this thin and extensive membrane
ramifications to nourish the bowels and inferior  innumerable veins and arteries are distributed,
extremities. After serving the most remote ex-  some of them finer than hairs; and through these
tremities of the body, the arteries are converted  vessels all the blood of the system is successively
into veins, which, in their return to the heart,  propelled, by a most curious and admirable megradually unite intolarger branches, till the whole  chanism. It has been computed, that the lungs,
terminate in one great trunk, called the vena  on an average, contain about 280 cubic inches,
cava, which discharges itself into the right au-  or about five English quarts of air. At each
ride of the heart, and completes the circulation.  inspiration, about forty cubic inches of air are
Each ventricle of the heart. is reckoned to con-  received into the lungs, and the same quantity distain about one ounce, or two tablespoonsfull of  charged at each expiration. On the supposition
blood. The heart contracts 4000 times every  that 20 respirations take place in a minute, it
hour; and, consequently, there passes through  will follow, that, in one minute. we inhale 800
it 250 pounds of blood in one hour. And if the  cubic inches; in an hour, 48,000; and in a day,
mass of blood in a human body be reckoned at  one million, one hundred and fifty-two thousand
an average of twenty-five pounds, it will follow   cubic inches —aquantity which would fill seventythat the whole mass of blood passes through the  seven wine hogsheads, and would weigh fiftyheart, and consequently through the thousands  three pounds troy. By means of this function,
of ramifications of the veins and arteries, four-  a vast body of air is daily brought into contact
teen times every hour, or about once every four  with the mass of blood, and communicates to it
minutes.  We may acquire a rude idea of the  its vivifying influence; and, therefore, it is of
force with which the blood is impelled from the  the utmost importance to health, that the air, of
heart, by considering the velocity with which  which we breathe so considerable a quantity,
water issues from a syringe, or from the pipe of  should be pure, and uncontaminated with noxa fire-engine. Could we behold these rapid mlo-  ious effluvia.
tions incessantly going on within us, it would    Digestion. —This process is performed by the
overpower our minds with astonishment, and  stomach, which is a membranous and muscular
even with terror.  We should be apt to feel  bag, furnished with two orifices. By the one, it
alarmed on making the smallest exertion, lest - has a communication with the gullet, and by the
the parts of this delicate machine should be  other, with the bowels.  The food, after being
broken or deranged, and its functions interrupted.  moistened by the saliva, is received into the sto.
The arteries, into which the blood is forced,  mach, where it is still farther diluted by the
branch in every direction through the body, like  gastric juice, which has the power of dissolving
the roots and branches of a tree; running through  every kind of animal and vegetable substance.
the substance of the bones, and every part of the  Part of it is afterwards absorbed by the lymphatic
animal frame, till they are lost in such fine tubes  and lacteal vessels, and carried into the circulatas to be wholly invisible. In the parts where  ing system, and converted into blood for supplythe arteries are lost to the sight, the veins take  ing that nourishment which the perpetual waste
their rise, and in their commencement are also  of our bodies demands.
imperceptible.                                  Perspiration is the evacuation of the juices of
Respiration.-The organs of respiration are  tne body through the pores of the skin. It has
the lungs. They are divided into five lobes;  been calculated that there are above three hundred
three if which lie on the right, and two on the  thousand millions of pores in the glands of thr




ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.                                     Itl
akin which covers the body of a middle-sized  Though the heavens did not exist to proclaim
man. Through these pores, more than one-half  thy glory; though there were no created being
of what we eat and drink passes off by insensible  on earth but myself, my own body might suffice
perspiration.  During a night of seven hours' to convince me that thou art a God of unlimited
sleep, we perspire about forty ounces, or two  power and infinite goodness."
pounds and a half. At an average, we may es-    This subject suggests a variety of moral and
timate the discharge from  the surface of the  religious reflections, but the limits to which I
body, by sensible and insensible perspiration, at  am confined will permit me to state only the
from half an ounce to four ounces an hour. This  following:is a most wonderful part of the animal economy,    1. The economy of the human frame, when
at.d is absolutely necessary to our health, and  seriously contemplated, has a tendency to excite
even to our very existence. When partially ob-  admiration and astonishment, and to impress us
structed, colds, rheumatisms, fevers, and other  with a sense of our continual dependenwe on a suinflammatory disorders, are produced; and were  periorpower.  What an immense multiplicity of
it completely obstructed, the vital functions  machinery must be in action to enable us to
would be clogged and impeded in their move-  breathe, to feel, and to walk!  Hundreds of
ments, and death would inevitably ensue.       bones, of diversified forms, connected together by
Sensation.-The nerves are generally consi-  various modes of articulation: hundreds of
dered as the instruments of sensation. They  muscles to produce motion, each of them acting
are soft white cords which proceed from the brain  in at least ten different capacities, (see p. 40;)
and spinal marrow. They come forth originally  hundreds of tendons and ligaments to connect the
by pairs.  Ten pair proceed from the medullary  bones and muscles; hundreds of arteries to consubstance of the brain, which are distributed to  vey the blood to the remotest part of the system;
all parts of the head and neck.  Thirty pair pro-  hundreds of veins to bring it back to its reserceed from the spinal marrow, through the ver-  voir the heart; thousands of glands secreting
tebrae, to all the other parts of the body; being  humours of various kinds from  the blood;
forty in all.  These nerves, the ramifications of  thousands of lacteal and lymphatic tubes, abwhich are infinitely various and minute, are-dis-  sorbing and conveying nutriment to the circulattributed upon the heart, lungs, blood-vessels,  ing fluid; millions of pores, through which the
bowels, and muscles, till they terminate-on the  perspiration Iis continually issuing; an infinity
skin or external covering of the body. Impres-  of ramifications of nerves, diffusing sensation
sions of external objects are received by the  throughout all the parts of this exquisite mebrain from the adjacent organs of sense, and the  chine; and the heart at every pulsation exerting
brain exercises its commands over the muscles  a force of a hundred thousand pounds, in order to
and limbs by means ofthe'nerves.               preserve all this complicated machinery in conWithout prosecuting these imperfect descrip-  stant operation! The whole of this vast system
tions farther, I shall conclude this very hasty  of mechanism must be in action before we can
sketch with the following summary of the parts  walk across our apartments!  We admire the
of the body, in the words of Bonnet. " The  operation of a steam-engine, and the force it exbones,- by their joints and solidity, form' the foun-  erts. But, though it is constructed of the hardest
dation of this fine machine: the ligaments are  materials which the mines: can supply, in a few
strings which' unite  the parts together: the  months some of its essential parts are worn and
muscles are fleshy substances, which act as elas-  deranged, even though its action should be fretic springs to put'them  in motion: the nerves,  quently discontinued. But the animal machine,
which are dispersed over the whole body, con-  though constructed,' for the most part, of the
nect all the parts together: the arteries and veins,  softest and most flabby-substances, can go on
like rivulets, convey life and health throughout: without intermission in all its diversified move.
the heart, placed in the centre, is the focus where  ments, by night and by'day, for the space. ol
the blood collects, or the acting power by means  eighty or a hundred years; the heart giving
of which it circulates and is preserved: the  ninety-six thousand strokes every twenty-four
lungs, by means of another power, draw in the  hours, and the whole mass of blood rushing
external air, and expel hurtful vapours: the sto-  through a thousand pipes of all sizes every four
mach and intestines are the magazines where  minutes!  And is it man that governs these
every thing that is required for the daily supply  nice and complicated movements q  Did he set
is prepared: the brain, that seat of the soul, is  the heart in motion, or endue it with the muscuformed in a manner suitable-to the dignity of its  lar force it exerts?  And when it has ceased to
inhabitant: the senses, which aie the soul's mi-  beat, can he command it again to resume its
nisters, warn it of all that is necessary either for  functions?  Man  knows neither the secret
its pleasure or use.*  Adorable Creator! with  springs of the machinery within him, nor the
what wonderfi'l art hast thou  formed us! half of the purposes for which they serve, or ot
the movements they perform. Can any thing
~ Contemplation of Nature, vol. i. p. 64.  more strikingly denionstrate our dependence




1 Ml                    THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
every moment on a superior Agent, and that it are instantaneously performed. 5When I  vish
is "; in God we live, and move, and have our  to lift my hand to my head, every part of the
being?  Were a single pin of the machinery  body requisite to produce the effect is put in mo.
w:thin us, and over which we have no control,  tion: the nerves are braced, the muscles are
either broken or deranged, a thousand move-  stretched or relaxed, the bones play in their sockments might instantly be interrupted, and our  ets, and the whole animal machine c(ncurs in
bodies left to crumble into the dust.        the action, as if every nerve and muscle had
It was considerations of this kind that led the  heard a sovereign and resistless call.  When I
celebrated physician Galen, who was a skeptic  wish the next moment to extend my hand to my
in his youth, publicly to acknowledge that a Su-  foot, all these muscles are thrown into a different
preme Intelligence must have operated in ordain-  state, and a new set are brought along with them
ing the laws by which living beings are con-  into action: and thus we may vary, every mostructed. And he wrote his excellent treatise  ment, the movements of the muscular system,
" On the uses of the parts of the human frame,"  and the mechanical actions it produces, by a
as a solemn hymn to the Creator of the world.  simple change in our volition. Were we not
"I first endeavour from His works,"' he says,  daily accustomed to such varied and voluntary
" to know him myself, and afterwards, by the  movements, or could we contemplate them in
same means, to show him to others; to inform  any other machine, we should be lost in wonder
them, how great is his wisdom, his goodness,  and astonishment.
his power."  The late Dr. Hunter has observed,    Besides these voluntary motions, there are a
that astronomy and anatomy are the studies  thousand important functions which have no dewhich present us with the most striking view of  pendance upon our will. Whether we think of
the two most wonderful attributes of the Supreme  it or not, whether we are sleeping or waking,
Being. The first of these fills the mind with  sitting or walking-the heart is incessantly exert.
the idea of his immensity, in the largeness, dis-  ing its muscular power at the centre of the systances, and number of the heavenly bodies; the  tem, and sending off streams of blood through
last astonishes us with his intelligence and art,  hundreds of pipes; the lungs are continually exin the variety and delicacy of animal mechanism.  panding and contracting their thousand vesicles,
2. The study of the animal economy has a  and imbibing the vital principle of the air; the
powerful tendency to excite emotions of gratitude.  stomach is grinding the food; the lacteals and
Man is naturally a thoughtless and ungrateful  lymphatics are extracting nourishment for the
creature. These dispositions are partly owing  blood; the liver and kidneys drawing off their
to ignorance of the wonders of the human frame,  secretions; and the perspiration issuing from
and of the admirable economy of the visible  millions of pores. These, and many other inlworld; and this ignorance is owing to the want  portant functions with which we are unacquaint.
of those specific instructions which ought to be  ed, and over which we have no control, ought
communicated by parents and teachers, in con-  to be regarded as the immediate agency of the
nexion with religion. For, there is no rational  Deity within us, and should excite our incessant
being who is acquainted with the structure of  admiration and praise.
his animal system, and reflects upon it with the    There is one peculiarity in the constitution of
least degree of attention, but must feel a senti-  our animal system, which we are apt to overlook,
ment of admiration and gratitude. The science  and for which we are never sufficiently grateful.
which unfolds to us the economy of our bodies,  and that is, the power it possesses of self-restorashows us on what an infinity of springs and  tion. A wound heals up of itself; a broken bone
motions, and adaptations, our life and comfort de-  is made firm again by a callus; and a dead part
pend. And when we consider, that all these  is separated and thrown off. If all the wounds
movements are performed without the least care  we have ever received were still open and bleedor laborious effort on our part, if we be not alto-  ing afresh, to what a miserable condition should
gether brutish, and insensible of our dependence  we be reduced?  But by a system of internal
on a superior Power, we must be filled with emo-  powers, beyond all human comprehension as to
tions of gratitude towards Him "' whose hands  the mode of their operation, such dismal effects
have made and fashioned us, and who giveth us  are effectually prevented. In short, when we
life, and breath, and all things."  Some of the  consider that health depends upon such a nume
motions to which I have adverted depend upon  rous assemblage of moving organs, and that a
our will; and with what celerity do they obey  single spring out of action might derange the
its commands? Before we can rise from our  whole machine, and put a stop to all its complichair, and walk across our apartment, a hundred  cated movements, can we refrain from Joining
muscles must be set in motion; every one of  with the psalmist, in his pious exclamation, and
these must be relaxed or constricted, just to a  grateful resolution, " How precious are thy woncertain degree, and no more; and all must act derful contrivances concerning me, 0 God! how
harmoniously at the same instant of time; and,  great is the sum of them! I will praise thee
at the command of the soul, all these movements  for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Mat.




HISTORY.                                         IS
veollous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth  raise our eyes to Him  who is the Governor
tight well."                                  among the nations, " who doth according to his
Omitting the consideration of several other  will in the armies of heaven, and among the in-iepartments of science, I shall in the mean time  habitants of the earth," and who overrules the
notice only another subject connected with reli- jarring interests of mortals, for promoting the
gioui, and that is History.                   prosperity of that kingdom which shall never be
moved. We should view the immoral propensiHISTORY.                     ties and dispositions of mankind as portrayed in
the page of history, as evidences of the depravity
History embraces a record and description of  of our species, and as excitements to pr,)pagate,
past facts and events, in reference to all the na-  with unremitting energy, the knowlele of that
tions and ages of the world, in so far as they are  religion, whose sublime doctrines antl pure prep
known, and have been transmitted to our times. cepts alone can counteract the stream of human
As natural history contains a record of the ope-  corruption, and unite all nations in one harmonirations of the Creator in the material world, so  ous society. We should view the contests of
sacred and civil history embraces a record of his  nations, and the results with which they are actransactions in the moral and intellectual world,  companied, as guided by that invisible Hand,
or, in other words, a detail of the plans and  which " mustereth the armies to the battle;" and
operations of his providence, in relation to the  should contemplate them either as the accominhabitants of our globe. Through the medium   plishment of divine predictions, as the inflictions
of Sacred History, we learn the peripd and the  of retributive justice, as paving the way for the
manner of mat's creation-the reason of his fall  introduction of rational liberty and social happifrom the primitive state of integrity in which he  ness among men, or as ushering in that glorious
was created, and the dismal consequences which  period, when " the knowledge of the Lord shall
ensued' the various movements of Providence  cover the earth," and the nations shall learn war
in older to his recovery, and the means by which  no more.
human redemption was achieved; the manner
in which the gospel was at first promulgated, the    Thus I have taken a very cursory survey of
countries into which it was carried, and the im-  some of those sciences which stand in a near
portant effects it produced.  Through the me-  relation to the objects of religion; and which
dium of Civil History we learn the deep and  may, indeed, be considered as forming so many
universal depravity of mankind, as exhibited in  of its subordinate branches. There are many
the wars, dissensions, and ravages, which have  other departments of knowledge, which, at first.
desolated our fallen race, in every period, and in  view, do not seem to have any relation to theoevery land; we learn the desperate wickedness  logical science; and yet, on a closer inspection,
of the human heart, in the more private acts of will be found to be essentially connected with the
ferocity, cruelty, and injustice, which, in all ages,  several subjects of which I have been treating
men have perpetrated upon each other; we be-  For example-some may be apt to imagine that
hold the righteousness of the Supreme Ruler of  arithmetic, geometry, trigonometry, and other
the world, and the equity of his administration,  branches of mathematics, can have no relation
in the judgments which have been inflicted on  to the leading objects of religion.  But if these
wicked nations-and the improbability, nay, the  sciences had never been cultivated, the most imimpossibility, of men being ever restored to moral  portant discoveries of astronomy, geography,
order and happiness, without a more extensive  natural philosophy, and chymistry, would never
diffusion of the blessings of the gospel of peace,  have been made; ships could not have been na.
and a more cordial acquiescence in the require-  vigated across the ocean; distant continents,
ments of the divine laws.                     and the numerous " isles of the sea," would have
Such being some of the benefits to be derived  remained unexplored, and their inhabitants left
froml history, it requires no additional arguments  to grope in the darkness of heathenism; and
to show, that this branch of knowledge should  most of those instruments and engines by which
occasionally form a subject of study to every in-  the condition of the human race will be gradutelligent Christian.  But in order to render the  ally meliorated, and the influence of Christianity
study of history subservient to the interests of  extended, would never have been  invented.
religion, it is not enough merely to gratify our  Such is the dependence of every branch of useful
curiosity and imagination, by following out a  knowledge upon another, that were any one porsuccession of memorable events, by tracing the  tion of scie-ce, which has a practical tendency,
progress of armies and of battles, and listening  to be discarded, it would prevent, to a certain'o the groans of the vanquished, and the shouts  degree, the improvement of every other.  And,
of conquerors. This would be to study history  consequently, if any one science can be shown
merely as skeptics, as atheists, or as writers of  to have a connexion with religion, all the rest
novels. When we contemplate the facts which  must likewise stand in a certain relation to it.
tne historian presents to our view, we ought to  It must, therefore, have a pernicious effect on the
15




114d                      THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
minds of the mass of the Christian world, when  fections of the providence of the Almighty. It
preachers, in their sermons, endeavour to under-  is much to be regretted, that so many members
value scientific knowledge, by attempting to con-  of the Christian church are absolute strangers
trast it with the doctrines of revelation. It would  to such studies and contemplations; while the
be just as reasonable to attempt to contrast the se-  time and attention that might have been devoted
veral doctrines, duties, and facts recorded in the  to such exercises, have, in many cases, been
New Testament with each other, in order to de-  usurped by the most grovelling affections, by
ermine their relative importance, and to show  foolish pursuits, by gossiping  chit-chat, and
which of them might. be altogether overlooked  slanderous conversation.  Shall the most trifling
and discarded.  The series offacts and ofdivine  and absurd opinions of ancient and modern herevelations comprised in the bible;, the moral  retics be judged worthy ofattention, and occupy
and political events which diversify the history  a place in religious journals, and even in discusof nations; and the physical operations that are  sions from the pulpit, and shall " the mighty acts
going on among the rolling worlds on high, and,of the Lord," and the' visible wonders of his
in the chymical changes of the invisible atoms of  power and wisdom, be thrown completely into
matter, are all parts of one comprehensive sys-  the shade?  To survey, with an eye of intellitem, under the direction of the Eternal Mind:;  gence, the wide-extended theatre of the divine
every portion of which must have a certain rela-  operations-to mark the agency of the Eternal
tion to the whole.                            Mind in every object we behold, and in every
And, therefore, instead of'attempting to de-  movement within us and around us, are some of
grade one part of the divine fabric in order to  the noblest attainments of the rational soul; and,
enhance another, our duty is to take an expan-  in conjunction with every other Christian study
sive view of the whole, and to consider the  and acquirement, are calculated to make" the
symmetry and proportion of its parts, and their  man of God perfect, and thoroughly furnished
mutual bearings and relations-in so far as our  unto every good work."  By such studies, we
opportunities, and the limited faculties of our  are. in some measure, assimilated to the angelic
minds, will permit.                           tribes, whose powers of intellect are for ever
If the remarks which have been thrown out.in  employed in such investigations-and are grathis chapter, respecting the connexion of the  dually prepared for bearing a part in their imsciences with religion, have any foundation, it  mortal hymn-" Great and marvellous are thy
will follow-that sermons, lectures, systems of works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are
divinity, and religious periodical works, should' thy ways, thou King of saints. Thou art worembrace occasional illustrations of such subjects,  thy to receive glory, and honour, and power; for
for the purpose of expanding the conceptions of thou hast created all things, and tor thy pleasure
professed Christians, and of enabling them to  they are and were created."
taoce large and comprehensive views of the perCHAPTER III.
THE RELATION WHICH THE INVENTIONS OF HUMAN ART BEAR TO THE OBJECTSI
OF RELIGION.
IN this chapter, I shall briefly notice a few  having succeeded, he meditated greater things,
philosophical and mechanical inventions which  and, first of all, invented a more glutinous writing
nave an obvious bearing on religion, and on the  ink; because he found the common ink sunk and
general propagation of Christianity among the  spread; and thus formed whole pages of wood,
nations.                                      with letters cut upon them.*  By the gradual
The first, and perhaps the most important, of
the inventions to which I allude, is the GArt of    I am aware, that the honour of this invention
has been claimed by other cities besides Haerlem,
Prnting.'This art appears: to have been in-  particularly by Strasburg, and Mentz; a city of Ger
vented (at least in Europe) about the year 1430,  many; and by other individuals besides Laturentius,
chiefly by one Fustl, commonly called Dr. Faustus;
by one Laurentius, or Lawrence Koster, a native  by Schoeffer, and byGutenberg. It appears that the
of Haerlem, a town in Holland. As he was  art, with many of its implements, was stolen from
walking in a wood near the city, he began to cut Laurentius by one of his servants, whom he had
vwaking.wodnet, hbound, by an oath, to secrecy, who fled to Mentz,
some letters: upon the rind of a beach tree, which,: and first' commenced the process of printing in that
for the sake' of gratifying his fancy, being im-: city. Here the art was improved by Fust and Schoef.
pressed on paper, he printed one or two lines as: fer, by their invention of metallic, instead of wooden
is eonpaper, his grite d dchildr two fllows. Tis  types-, which were first used. When Fust was In
ispecimen for his grandchildren to follow. This  Paris, disposing of some bibles he had printed, at




PRINTING' MARINER'S COMPASS.                                   l1.5
improvement of this art, and its application to  poorest individual who expresses' desire for it,
the diffusion of knowledge, a new- era was formed  may be furnished with the' word of life" which
in the annals of the human race, and in the pro-  will guide him to a blessed immortality.  That
gress of science, religion, and morals.  To it we  divine light which is destined to illuminate every
are chiefly indebted for our deliverance from ig-  region of the globe, and to sanctify and reforni
norance and error, and for most of those scien-  men of all nations, and kindreds, and tongues, is
tific discoveries and improvements in the arts. accelerated in its movements, and directed in its
which distinguish the period in which we live.  course through the nations, by the invention of
Without its aid, the Reformation from Popery  the art of printing; and ere long it will dist.,could scarcely have been achieved;- for, had the  bute among the inhabitants of every land, the
books or Luther, one of the first reformers, been  "law and the testimony of the Most Hilgh,"
nultiplied by the slow process of handwriting  to guide their steps to the regions of eternal bliss.
and copying, they could never have been diffused  In short, there is not a more powerful engine in
to any extent; and the influence of bribery and  the hands of Providence, for diffusing the knowof Vpower might have been sufficient to have ar-  ledge of the nature and the. will of the Deity,
rested their progress, or even to have-erased their  and for accomplishing the grand objects of reexistence.  But, being poured forth firom the. velation, than the art of multiplying books, atnd
press in thousands at a time, they spread over the  of conveying intelligence through the medium of
nations of Europe like an inundation, and with  the press.  Were no such art in existence, we
a rapidity which neither the authority of princes,. cannot conceive how an extensive and universal
nor the schemes of priests and cardinals, nor the, propagation of the doctrines of revelation could
bulls of popes, could counteract or suspend. To: be: effected,, unless after the lapse of ant indefinite
this noble invention itris owing that copies of-the  number of ages; -But, with the assistance of
bible have been multiplied to the extent of many. this invention, in its present inlproved state, the
millions-that ten thousands of them are' to be' island of Great Britain alone, within less than a
found in every Protestant country-and that the- hundred years, could furnish-a copy of the Scripthe low price (as was then thought) of sixty crowns,ery inhabitant of the world, and wolll
the number and tie uniformity'of the copies he pos, defray the'expense -of- such an undertaking, with
sessed created univdYsal: agitation'and astonish-  much more ease, and with a smaller slim, than
ment. Informations were given to the police against
him as a magician, his lodgings were searclied,'arid  were necessary to:furnish the political warfare in
a great numberLof copies being -found, they.were:  which we were lately engaged.
seized; the red ink with which they were embel-    These -considerations teach us, that the inlislhed was said to be his blood; it was seriously
adjudged, that he was in leagtue with the devil; and  genious inventions of the human mind are: under
if he had not fled from the city, most probably he  the direction and control of the Governor of the
would have shared the fate of those whomignorant   orld-are intimately connected with the acand superstitious judges, at that time, condemned  w
for witchcraft. From this circumstance, let us learn' complishment of the plan of his providence, and
to beware how we view the inventions of genius,  have a tendency, either directly or indirectly, to
and how we treat those whose ingenious contrivances may afterwards be the means of enlightening  promote, over every region of the earth, the proand meliorating mankind. See Appendix, No. VII.  gress and extension of the kingdom of the.Revarious improvements lhave been made, of rate  deeer  Th
years, in the art of printing. That which has lately
been announced by Dr. Church of Boston, is the  beginnings the most magnificent operations of
most remarkable; and, if found successful,:will  the divine economy may derive their origin.
carry this art to a high degree of perfection. A prin:
cipal object of this improvement is, to print con-  Who could have imagined that the simple cirstantly from new types, which is effected by simpli-  cumstanlce of a person amusing himself by cutting
fying the process for casting and composing.: The  a few letters on the bark of a tree, and impress-,type is delivered perfect by machinery, and laid as.
it is cast, in separate compartments, with unerring  ing them  on, paper, was intimately connected
orler and exactness. The composition is then ef-  with the mental illumination of mankind; and
fected by other apparatus, directed by keys like  that the art
those of a piano-forte, and the type may then be arranged in -words and lines, as quickly as in the per-  cess was destined to be the principal means of
formance. of notes in music. No error can arise  illuminating the nations, and of conveying to the
except from touching the wrong key: and hence an
expert hand will leave little labour'for the readir. ends of the earth, "the salvation of our God?"
It is then found less expensive under Dr. Church's  But, " He who rules in the armies of heaven, and
economrical system of re-casting, to re-melt the types,. 
and re-cast then, than to perform the tedious operahe earth  and who sees
tion of distribution. The melting takes place with-  " the end from the beginning," overrules the most
out atmospheric exposure, by which:oxydation and  minute movement of all his creatures, in subserviwaste of metal are avoided. It s calculated that  ency to his ultimate designs and shows himself
two men can produce 75,000 new types per hour, and ency to his ultimate designs, and shows himself,
In re-composing, one man will perform as much as  in this respect, to-be'"wonderful in counsel, and
three or four compositors. In the production of  excellent in working"
types, the saving is ninety-nine parts in a hundredl
and in the composition, distribution, and reading, is    The Mariner's Compass.-Another invention
three parts in four. In regard to press-work, Dr. C. which has an intimate relation to religion, is,
has invented a machine to work with plattens, in-  the art f Naigaion, and the inent       of the
stead of cylinders, from which he wvill be enabled to
take 30 fine imrressions per minute.          Mariner's Compass. Navigation is the art ot
40




1 e                      THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
conducting a ship through the sea, from one port time some curious persons seem to have amused
to another.  This art was partly known and  themselves by making to swim, in a basin ol
practised in the early ages of antiquity, by the  water, a loadstone suspended on a piece ofcork;
Phenicians, the Carthaginians, the Egyptians,  and to have remarked, that, when left at liberty,
the Romans, and other nations of Europe and  one of its extremities pointed to the north.
Asia. But they had no guide to direct them in  They had also remarked, that, when a piece of
their voyages, except the sun in -the day-time,  iron is rubbed against the loadstone, it acquires
and the stars by night. When the sky was over-  also the property of turning towards the north
cast with clouds, they were thrown into alarms,  and of attracting needles and filings of iron.
and durst not venture to any great distance from   From one experiment to another, they proceed.
the coast, lest they should be carried forward in  ed to lay a needle, touched with the magnet, on
a course opposite to that which they intended,  two small bits of straw floating on the water
or be driven against hidden rocks, or unknown  and to observe that the needle invariably turned
shores. Tge danger and difficulty of the navi-  its point towards the north. The first use they
gation of the ancients, on this account, may be  seem to have made of these experiments,'was,
learned from the deliberations, the great prepa-  to impose upon simple people by the appearrations, and the alarms of Homer's heroes, when  ance of magic. For example, a hollow swan,
they were about to cross the Egean sea, an ex-  or the figure of a mermaid, was made to swim
tent of not more than 150 miles; and the expe-  in a basin of water, and to follow a knife with a
dition of the Argonauts under Jason, across the  bit of bread upon its point, which had been pre.
sea of Marmora and the Euxine, to the island  viously rubbed on the loadstone.  The experiof Colchis, a distance of only four or five hun-  menter convinced them of his power, by comdred miles, was viewed as a most wonderful ex-  manding, in this way, a needle laid on the sur.
ploit, at which even the gods themselves were said  face of the water to turn its point from the north
to be amazed. The same thing appears from the  to the east, or in any other direction.  But some
narration we have in the Acts of the Apostles,  geniuses, of more sublime and reflective powers
of Paul's voyage from  Cesarea to Rome.-  of mind, seizing upon these hints, at last applied' When," says Luke, " neither sun nor stars ia  these experiments to the wants of navigation,
many days appeared, and no small tempests lay  and constructed an instruni'int, by the help of
on us, all hope that we should be saved was then  which the mariner can now direct his course to
taken away."  Being deprived of these guides,  distant lands, through the vast and pathless ocean.
they were tossed about in the Mediterranean, not    In consequence of the discovery of this inknowing whether they were carried to the north,  strument, the coasts of almost every land on the
south, east, or west. So that the voyages of an-  surface of the globe have been explored, and a retiquity consisted chiefly in creeping along -the  gular intercourse opened up between the remotest
coast, and seldom  venturing beyond sight of regions of the earth. Without the help of this
land: they could not, therefore, extend their ex-  noble invention, America, in all probability,
cursions by sea to distant continents and nations;  would never have been discovered by the eastern
and hence, the greater portion of the terraqueous  nations-the vast continent of New-Hollandglobe and its inhabitaats were to them altogether  the numerous and interesting islands in thle Inunknown. It was not before the invention of the  dian and Pacific oceans-the isles of Japan, and
mariner's compass, that distant voyages could  other immense, territories inhabited by human
be undertaken, that extensive oceans could be  beings, would have remained as much unknown
traversed, and an intercourse carried on between  and unexplored as if they had never existed
remote continents and the islands of the ocean.  And as the nations of Europe and the western
It is somewhat uncertain at what precise pe-  parts of Asia were the sole depositories of the
riod this noble discovery was made; but it ap-  records of revelation, they could never have
pears pretty evident, that the mariner's compass  conveyed the blessings of salvation to remote
was not commonly used in navigation before the  countries and to unknown tribes of mankind, of
year 1420, or only a few years before the inven-  whose existence they were entirely ignorant.
tion of printing.*  The loadstone, in all ages,  Even although the whole terraqueous globe had
was known to have the property of attracting  been sketched out before them, in all its aspects
iron; but its tendency to point towards the north  and bearings, and ramifications of islands, con.
and south seems to have been unnoticed till the  tinents, seas, and oceans, and the, moral and po.
beginning of the twelfth century. About that  litical state of every tribe of its inhabitants
* The invention of the compass Is usually ascribed  north point of the card by a fleur-de-l2s, and, with
to Falvio Gioia, of Amalfi, in Campanla, about the  equal reason, the English have laid claim to the same
year 1302; and the Italians are strenuous in support-  honour, from the name compass, by which most nanogthisclaim. Others affirm, thatMarcusPaulus,a  tions have agreed to distinguish it. But whoeves
Venetian, having made a journey to China., brought  were the inventors, or at whatever period this in
o;.ck the invention with him in 1260. The French  strument was first constructed, it does not appear
iso.o lay claim to the hononr of this invention, from  that it was brought into general use before the pe'aC.ircumnstance, that all nations distinguish the  riod mentioned in the text.




ARINER'S COMPASS —T E-LESCOPE.                                 I  
dsplaved to view' without a guide to direct  the former, can be fairly demonstrated.  The
their course through thie billows of the ocean,  son of a spectacle-maker of Middleburg inHo'they could have afforded no light and no relief  land, happening to amuse himself in his father's
to cheer the distant nations " who sit in darkness,  shop, bydholding two glasses between his finger
and in the shadow of death."  Though the art  and his thumb, and varying their distance, perof printing had been invented; though millions  ceived the weathercock of the church spire opot bibles were now prepared, adequate to the  posite to him much larger than ordinary, and
supply of all the'" kindreds of the heathen;"  apparently much nearer, and turned upside down.
though ships in abundance were, equipped for  This new wonder excited the amazement of the
the enterprise, and thousands of missionaries  father; he adjusted two glasses on a board, renready to embark, and to devote their lives to the  dering them  moveable at pleasure; and thus
instruction of the pagan world-all would be of  formed the first rude imitation of a perspective
no avail, and the " salvation of God" could never  glass, by which distant objects are brought near
be proclaimed to the ends of the world, unless  to view. Galileo, a philosopher of Tuscany,
they had a mariner's colnpass to guide their  hearing of the invention, set his mind to work,
course through the trackless ocean.           in order to bring it to perfection.  He fixed his
In this invention, then, we behold a proof of  glasses at the end of long organ-pipes, and conthe agency of Divine Providence, in directing  structed a telescope, which he soon directed to
the efforts of human genius to subserve the most  different parts of the surrounding heavens. He
important designs, and contemplate a striking  discovered four moons revolving around the plaspecimen of the " manifold wisdom  of God."  net Jupiter-spots on the surface of the sun, and
When the pious and contemplative Israelite re-' the rotation of that globe around its axis-mounflected on the declaration of the prophets, that  tains and valleys in the moon-and numbers of
" the glory of Jehovah would be revealed, and  fixed stars where scarcely one was visible to the
that all flesh would see it together;"-from  the  naked eye. These discoveries were made about
state of the arts which then existed, he must  the year 1610, a short time after the first invention
have felt many difficulties in forming a concep-  of the telescope. Since that period this instrution of the manner in which such predictions  ment has passed through various degrees of imcould be realized.  " The great and wide sea,"  provement, and, by means of it, celestial wonnow termed the Mediterranean, formed the bound-  ders have been explored in the distant spaces of
ary of his view, beyond which' he was unable to  tlA universe, which, in former times, were altopenetrate. Of the continents, and "the isles  gether concealed from mortalview. By the help
afar off," and of the far more spacious oceans  of telescopes, combined with the art of measurthat lay between, he had no knowledge; and hom-  ing the distances and magnitudes of the heavenly
" the ends of the earth" were to be reached, he  bodies, our views ofthe grandeur of the Almighty,
could form no conception; and, in the midst of  of the plenitude of his power, and of the extent
his perplexing thoughts, he could find no satis-  of his universal empire, are'extended far beyond
faction but in the firm belief, that " with God  what could have been conceived in former ages.
all things are possible."  But now we are ena-  Our prospects of the range of the divine operabled not only to contemplate the grand designs  ions are no longer confined within the limits of
of the divine economy, but the principal means  the world we inhabit; we can now' plainly perby which they shall all, in due time, be accom-  ceive, that the kingdom of God is not only " an
plished, in consequence of the progress of science  everlasting dominion," but that it extends through
and art, and of their consecration to the rearing  the unlimited regions of space, comprehending
and extension of the Christian church.        within its vast circumference thousands of suns,
The two inventions to which I have now ad-  and tens of thousands of worlds, all ranged in
verted, may perhaps be considered as among the  majestic order, at immense distances from one
most striking instances of the connexion of hu-  another., and all supported and governed " by
man art with the objects of religion.  But there  Him  who rides on the Heaven of heavens,"
are many other inventions, which, at first view,  whose greatness is unsearchable, and whose undo not appear to bear so near a relation to the  derstanding is infinite.
progress of Christianity, and yet have an ulti-    The telescope has also demonstrated to us
mate reference to some of its grand and interest-  the literal truth of those scriptural declarations
ing objects.                                  which assert that the stars are " innumerable."
The Telescope.-We might be apt to think,  Before the invention of this instrument, not
on a slight view of the matter, that there can be  more than about two thousand stars could be
no immediate relation between the grinding and  perceived by the unassisted eye in the clearest
polishting of an optic glass, and fitting two or  night. But this invention has unfolded to view
more of them in a tube, and the enlargement  not only thousands, but hundreds of thousands,
orf our views of the operation of the Eternal  and millions, of those bright luminaries, which
Mind.  Yet the connexion between these to  lie dispersed in every direction throughout the
objects, and the dependence of the latter upon  boundless dimensions of space. And the higher




118                     THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHEIR.
the magnifying powers of the telescope are, the  we had actually taken a fligh, of ten hundred
mlore  numerous those celestial orbk appear;  thousand millions of mlles into those unexplored'eaving us no room.to doubt, that countless  and unexplorable regions, which could not be
myriads more lie hid in the distant, regions of accomplished in several millions of years, though
creation, far beyond the reach ofthe finest glasses  our motion were as rapid as a ball projected fron'
that can be constructed.by human skill, and  a loaded cannon.  We would justly consider it
which are known only.to Him  " who. counts  as a noble endowment for enabling us to take an
the number of the'stars, and. calls them by their  extensive survey of the works of God, if we had
names."           -..                        the faculty of transporting ourselves to such im
In short, the telescope may. be considered as  mense distances from the sphere we now occupy
serving the purpose. of a vehicle for conveying  but,' by means of the telescopic tube, we nla
us to the distant. regions of space. We would  take nearly the same ample views of the domi.
consider it, as a..wonderful achievement,.could  nions of the Creator, without stirring a foot from
we transport ourselves,two hundred. thousand. ihe limits of our terrestrial abode.  This instrumiles from, the earth, in the. direction of the  nlent may, therefore, be considered as a provimoon,. in order to.take -a nearer view  of that  dential gift, bestowed upon mankind, to serve,
celestial orb. But this instrument enables us  in the mean time, as a temporary.substitute for
to take a much.nearer inspection of that planet,  those powers of rapid;.flight with which the
than if we.-had actually surmounted the force of  seraphim  are, endowed, and for those superior
gravitation,. traversed the.voids of space, and,, faculties of.motion.with which man himself may
left the earth- 230,000 miles behind us.: For,  be invested, when he arrives at the summit ot
supposing. such a journey -to be accomplished,  moral perfection.*
w.e should,still.be.ten, thousand miles. distant.The Microscope-,-The microscope is another
from that.orb.. But a.-telescope which magnifies. instrumnent constructed on similar principles,
objects 240 times, can carry: our views within  which has greatly expanded our views of the.
one -thousand miles of -the. moon.; -and a tele    "manifold wisdom of God."  This instrument,
scope, such as Dr. Herschel's 40. feet reflector,  which discovers to us small objects, invisible to
which- magnifies 6000 times, would enable us to. the naked eye, was invented soon after the
view.the nmountains: and.vales of.;the moon, as  invention and improvement ofthe telescope. B3y
if we were transported.to a point, about 40.miles  means of this optical contrivance, we peceive a
from.her surface.*. We can view the,magnifii  variety of wonders in almost every object in the
cent system. of the planet Saturn, by means of  animal, the vegetable, and the mineral kingdoms.
this instrument, as distinctly,.as if we had per-  We perceive that every particle of matter, how.
formed.a journey eight hundred millions of miles  ever minute, has a determinate form-that the
in the direction of that globe, which at the.rate  very scales of the skin of a haddock are all beauti 
of 50 miles an hour-,. would require:a period of  fully interwoven and variegated, like pieces of
more than eighteen hundred years to accomplish.  net-work, which no. art can imitate-that the
By the telescope, we can:contemplate:the region. points of the prickles of vegetables, though mag.
of the fixed stars, their arrangement into sys-. nified a thousand times, appear as sharp and
tems, and their: immense,. numbers, with the  well polished as. to the naked eye-that every
same distinctness- and amplitude of. view, as if  particle of the dust on. the butterfly's wing is a
beautiful and regularly organized feather-that'Though the highest magnifying power of Dr.             of our head is a hollow tube, with
Herschel's large. telescope:was estimated at sixevery hair
thousand times, yet it does not appear that the doc-  bulbs and roots, -furnished with a variety of
tor ever applied this power with success, when  threads or filaments-and that the pores in our
viewing the mhoon and the planets. The deficiency
of light, when using so high a power, would ren   skin, through which the sweat and perspiration.'der the view. of these objects less satisfactory than  flow, are so numerous and minute, that a grain
when vi.ewed with a power of one or two thousand twenty-five,times. -Still, it is quite certain, that if any portions,of the moonrs surface w6re- viewed through an in-  thousand ofthem. We perceive animated beings
strument of such.a,power, they would appear as  in certain liquids, so small, that fifty thousand of
&sge (but''no nea'rly"86 brighl and disainc0t) as if' them' would not equal the size of a mite; and
we were placed about 40 miles distant from that
body. The enlargement of. the angle of vision, in  yet each of these creatures is furnished with a
this case, or, the apparent. distance at which.the  mouth, eyes, stomach, blood-vessels, and other
moon would be contemplated, is found'by dividing
he moon's distance-240oo0 miles by 6000, tle mag.  organs for the performance of animal functions.
aifying power of the telescope, which produces a  In a stagnant pool which is covered with a
quotient of 40 —-the number of miles at which the  greenish scum during the summer months, every
mioon would appear to beplaced from the eye of the
observer, Dr. Herschel appears to have used the  drop of the water is found to be a world teeming
highest power of.his telescopes, only, or chiefly,. with thousands of inhabitants.  The mouldy
when viewing some very minute objects in the re-which usually adheres to
gion of the stars. The powers he generally used,  substance which usually adheres to damp bodie
and with which he made most of his discoveries  exhibits a forest of trees and plants, where the
were, 227, 460, 754, 932, and occasionally 201, S316,  branches, leaves, and fruit, can be plainly,lis.
almd 6450, when inspecting double  and triple stars,
and the mnore distant nebulat.'See appendix, No yIL




STEAM NAVIGA PION.                                    1  
ingauished.  Tn a word,by this admirable instru-  now been applied to the impelling  of:ships and
etent we beh ld the same Almighty Hand which  large boats along rivers and seas,: in opposition
rounded the soa;cious globe on which we live, to both wind and tide, and' with: a velocity
and the huge masses of the -planetary -orbs, and  which, at an average, exceeds that of any other
directs them  in their rapid motions through-the  conveyance.  VVe- have no reason:to believe
sky,-employed, at the same moment, in round-  that this invention has hitherto approximated to
ing and polishing ten thousand minute transpa-  a state of perfection; it is yetin its iinfancy,
rent globes in the eye:of a fly; and boring and -and may be susceptible of such;improvements,
arranging veins and" arteries, and forming and  both in point of expedition and of safety,; as may
clasping joint s and claws;:for'the movements. ofa'render it the most- comfortable' and: speedy conmite! We thus learn:the. -admirable:and asto-  veyance between distant'lands, for -transporting
nishing effects of the wisdom of -God, and that  the volume of inspiration and the heralds' of the
the divine care and. benevolence are'- as much  gospel of peace to'' the ends of the earth."  By
displayed in the construction: of the: smallest  the help of his compass the mariner is enabled
insect, as in the elephant or the whale, or in - to steer.his course iln the midst of the. ocean,
those ponderous -globes which roll around us in  in the most -cloudy days, and:in:-the -darkest
the sky. - These, and thousands of.other.views  nights, and to transport his vessel from one end
which the:microscope exhibits,'would never have  of the world to another. It now only sremains,
been displayed to the humarn mind, had they not  that navigation be rendered safe'i; uniform, and
*been' opened up by this. admirableinvention.    expeditious,: -and not dependent on adverse
-In fine, by.means of the two instruments to  winds, or - the -currents of the ocean,; and;-per.
which I have  now: adverted, we  behold: Jeho-;-haps the art of propelling vessels by the force of
vah's' empire extending to' infinity on either "steam, when arrived at: perfection,-may effectuhand. By the telescope we aretpresented with  ate those desirable purposes.  Even at present,
the most astonishing displays of his omnipotence,. - as the invention now stands, were -a vessel to be
in the immense numberi the rapid- motions, and  fitted to- encounter the waves of:the.:, Atlantic,
the inconceivable magnitudes of the celestial  constructed of a proper figure and curvature,
globea; and,. by the.microscope,.we behold,  having a proper disposition of her wheels', and
what is still more inconceivable, a display of his  having such: a description of fuel, as could be
unsearchable wisdom in the divine- mechanism  ~easily. stowed, and in sufficient quantity for the
by which a drop of water is peopled with myriads  voyage-at the rate of ten miles.an hour, she
of inhabitants-a fact which, were it not sub-  could pass from the shores of Britain to the
ject to ocular demonstration, would'far exceed  coast of America, in less than thirteen days;the limits of human conception or belief.  We  and, even at eight miles an hour, the voyage
have thus the most striking and sensible evi-  could be completed in little more than fifteen
dence, that, from the immeasurable luminaries  days; so, that intelligence might pass and re-,f heaven, and from the loftiest seraph that  pass between the eastern and western contistands before the throne of, God, down to this  nents within the space of a. single month-a
lower world, and to the smallest microscopic  space of time'very little more than was requi-.
animalcula that eludes the finest glass, He is  site, sixty years ago, for conveying intelligence
every where present, and, by'his power,- intel-  between Glasgow and London. The greatest
ligence, and agency, animates, supports, and  distance at which anyetwo places on the globe
directs the whole. Such views and contempla-  lie from ea.ch other, is about 12,500'miles; and,
tions naturally lead us to advert to the charac-  therefore, if a direct portion of water intervene
ter of God as delineated by the sacred writers,  between them, this space could be traversed in
that "' He is of, great power, and mighty in  fifty-four or sixty days. And,'if the isthmus of
strength;" that" His -understanding is infinite;'  Panama, which connects North - and  South
that " His works are wonderful;" that " His  America, and the isthmus of Suez, which sepaoperations are unsearchable and past. finding  rates the Mediterranean  from  the Red  sea,
out;" and they must excite the devout mind to  were cut into wide and deep canals, (which we.join with fervour in the language of adoration  have no doubt will be accomplished as soon as
and praise,                                   civilized nations have access to perform operaWhen thy amazing works, 0 God!           tions in those territories,) every country in the
My mental eye surveys,                  world could then be reached from  Europe, in
T   ransported wtlov  the anview, I'm lost  nearly  a direct line, or at most by a gentle
In wonder, love, and praise."
curve, instead of the long, and dangerous, and
Steam Navigation.-We might have been  circuitous route which must now be taken, in sailapt to suppose that the chymical experiments  ing for the eastern parts of Asia, and thle norththat were first made to demonstrate the force of  western shores of America. By this means,
steam as a mechanical agent, could have'little  eight or nine thousand miles of sailing would be
relation to the objects of religion, or even to the  saved in a voyage from England to Nootka
otomifort ot' lumnan life and society. Yet it has  sound, or the peninsula  of California; and




NOtl                     THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
ncre than six thousand miles, in passing from  experimental philosophers, and a sufficien, auSt
London- to Bombay in the East Indies; and  of money to enable them to prosecute their exfew places on the earth would be farther distant  periments on an extensive scale.  To the want.
from each other by water than 15,000 miles;  of such prerequisites, it is chiefly owing, that
which space might be traversed, at the rate  the hints on this subject, hitherto suggested, have
mentioned above, in a period of from sixty-two  either failed of success or have never been carto seventy-seven days.*                      ried into execution. A more simple and expeBut we have reason to believe, that when this  ditious process for filling balloons has lately been
invention, combined with other mechanical as-  effected-the use of theparachute, by which a
sistances, shall approximate nearer to perfection,  person may detach himself from the balloon, and
a much more rapid rate of motion will be ef-  descend to the earth, has been successfully tried,
ected; and the advantages of this, in a religious  -the lightning of heaven has been drawn from
as well as in a commercial point of view, may  the clouds, and forced to act as a mechanical
be easily appreciated, especially at the present  power in splitting immense stones to pieces,
period, when the Christian world, now aroused  -the atmosphere has been analyzed into its
from their slumbers, have formed the grand de-  component parts, and the wonderful properties of
sign of sending a bible to every inhabitant of  the ingredients of which it is composed exhibited
the globe. -When the empire of the prince of  in their separate state: and why, then, should
darkness shall be shaken throughout all its de-  we consider it as at all improbable that the means
pendencies, and the nations aroused to inquire  of producing a horizontal direction in aerial naafter light, and liberty, and divine knowledge-  vigation may soon be discovered? Were this
intelligence would thus be rapidly communicated  object once effected, balloons might be applied
over every region, and between the most distant  to the purpose of surveying and exploring countribes.  "Many would run to and fro, and  tries hitherto inaccessible, and of conveying the
knowledge would be increased."  The ambassa-. messengers of divine mercy to tribes of our feldors of the Redeemer, with the oracles of heaven  low men, whose existence is as yet unknown.
in their hands, and the words of salvation in their    We are certain that every portion of the inmouths, would quickly be transported to every  habited world must be thoroughly explored, and
clime, " having the everlasting gospel to preach  its inhabitants visited, before the salvation of
to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and  God can be carried fully into effect; and, for
people."                                     the purpose of such explorations, we must, of
Air Balloons.-Similar remarks may be ap-  course, resort to the inventions of human genius
plied to the invention of Air Balloons. We  in art and science.  Numerous tribes of the
have heard of some pious people who have  sons of Adam are, doubtless, residing in regions
mourned over such inventions, and lamented the  of the earth with which we have no acquaintance,
folly of mankind in studying their construction,  and to which we have no access by any of the
and witnessing their exhibition. Such disposi-  modes of conveyance presently in use. More
tions generally proceed from a narrow range of  than one-half of the interior parts of Africa ana
thought, and a contracted view of the divine eco-  Asia, and even of America, are wholly unknown
nomy and arrangements in the work of redemp-  to the inhabitants of the civilized world. The
tion. Though the perversity of mankind has  vast regions ofChinese Tartary, Thibet, Siberia,
often applied useful inventions to foolish, and  and the adjacent districts; almost the whole
even to vicious purposes, yet this forms no rea-  interior of Africa, and the continent of New
son why such inventions should be decried;  Holland-the extensive isles of Borneo, Sumaotherwise the art of printing, and many other  tra, New Guinea, and Japan, the territory cl
useful arts, might be regarded as inimical to the  the Amazons, and the internal parts of North
human race.  We have reason to believe that  America, remain, for the most part, unknown and
air balloons may yet be brought to such perfec-  unexplored. The lofty and impassable ranges
tion, as to be applied to purposes highly benefi-  of mountains, and the deep and rapid rivers,
cial to the progress of the human mind, and sub-  which intervene between us and many of those
servient, in some degree, for effecting the pur-  regions, together with the savage and plundering
poses of providence in the enlightening and  hordes of men, and the tribes of ravenous beasts,
renovation of mankind. For this purpose, it is  through which the traveller must push his way,
only requisite that some contrivance, on chymi-  present to European adventurers barriers which
cal or mechanical principles, be suggested, ana-  they cannot expect to surmount by the ordinary
logous to the sails or rudder of a ship, by which  modes of conveyance, for a lapse of ages. But
they may be moved in any direction, without  by balloons constructed with an apparatus for
being directed solely by the course of the wind;  directing their  motions, all such obstructions
and, there can be little doubt that such a contriv-  would at once be surmounted. The most imance is possible to be effected. It requires only penetrable regions, now hemmed in by streams
suitable encouragement to be given to ingenious  and marshes, and lofty mountains, and a barbas
* See Appendix, No IX.            rous population, would be quickly laid open




AIR BALLOONS.                                      lI>I
and cities and nations, lakes and rivers, and  aerostatic machine, 150 feet in diameter, to be
fertile plains, to which we are now entire stran-  capable of raising 72,954 kilograms, equivaien,
gers, would soon burst upon the view. And the  to 149,037 lbs. weight, (French,) to be capavery circumstance, that the messengers of peace  ble of conveying all the necessaries for the supand,alvation descended upon such unkowno  port of sixty individuals, scientific characters,
tribes from the regions of the clouds, might arouse  to be selected by the academicians, and the
their minds, and excite their attention and regard  aerial navigations to last for some months.
to the message of divine mercy which they  exploring different heights and climates, &c. in
came thither to proclaim.*  Such a scene (and  all seasons. If, from accident, or wear, the ma.
it may probably be realized) would present a  chine, elevated above the odean, should fail in
literal fulfilment of the prediction of " angels  its functions, to be furnished with a ship that
flying through the midst of" the aerial " heaven,  will ensure the return of the aeronauts."
having the everlasting gospel to preach to them  Should any one be disposed to insinuate, that
that dwell upon the earth, and to every kindred  the views now stated on this subject are chimeand nation."                                   rical and fallacious, I beg leave to remind them,
That the attention of the philosophical world  that, not more than twenty years, ago, the idea
is presently directed to this subject, and that we  of' a large vessel, without oars and sails, to be
have some prospect of the views abovesuggested  navigated against the wind, with the rapidity of
being soon realized, will appear from the follow-  ten miles an hour, would have been considered
ing notice, which lately made its appearance in  as next to an impossibility, and a mere fanciful
the London scientific journals: —" A prize being' scheme, which could never be realized. Yet we
offered for the discovery ofa horizontal direction  nowehold such vehicles transporting whole vil.
in aerostation, M. Mingreli of Bologna, M.  lages to the places of their destination, with a
Pietripoli of Venice, and M. Lember of Nu-  degree of ease, comfort, and expedition, formerly
remberg, have each assumed the merit of resolv-  unknown. And little more than forty years have
ing this problem. It does not appear that any  elapsed, since it would have been viewed as still
one of these has come forward to establish, by  more chimerical to have broached the idea, that
practical experiment, the validity of his claim;  a machine might be constructed, by which hubut a pamphlet has lately been reprinted at  man beings might ascend more than two miles
Paris (first printed at Vienna) on this subject,  above the surface of the earth, and fly through
addressed to all the learned societies in Europe.  the region of the clouds at the rate of seventy
The following'-passage appears in the work: —   miles an hour, carrying along with them books,'Professor Robertson proposes to construct an  instruments, and provisions. Yet both these
schemes have been fully realized, and, like many
*In this pdint of view, we cannot but feel the  other inventions of the human intellect, are
most poignantregretat the conduct of the Spaniards,  doubtless intended to subserve some important
after the discovery of America, towards the natives
of that country. When those untutored people be-  ends in the economy of divine providence.t
held the ships which had conveyed Columbus and
his associates from the eastern world, the dresses
and martial order of his troops, and heard their    t Balloons were first constructed in the year 1783,
music, and the thunder of their cannon, they were  by Messrs. S. and J. Mongolfier, paper manufactufilled with astonishment and wonder at the strange  rers at Annonay, in France. A sheep, a sock, and
objects presented to their view; they fell prostrate  a duck, were the first animals ever carried up into
at their feet, and viewed them as a superior race of  the air by these vehicles. At the end of their jourmen. When Cortes afterwards entered the territo-  ney, they were found perfectly safe and unhurt, and
ries of Mexico, the same sentiments of reverence and  the sheep was even feeding at perfect ease. The
admiration seemed to pervade its inhabitants. Had  first human being who ascended into the atmosphere
inure Christian motives actuated the minds of these  in one of these machines, was M. Pilatre de Rozier.
adventurers, and had it been their ruling desire to  This adventurer ascended from amidst an astonished
communicate to those ignorant tribes the blessings  multitude assembled in a garden in Paris, on the 15th
of the gospel of peace, and to administer to their  October, 1783, in a balloon, whose diameter was 48
external comfort, the circumstances now  stated  feet, and its height about 74; and remained suswould have been highly favourable to the success of  pended above the city about four hours. Mr. Lumnissionary exertion, and would have led them to  nardi, an Italian, soon after, astonished the people:lsten with attention to the message from heaven.  of England and Scotland, by his aerial excursions
But, unfortunately for the cause of religion, trea.  Dr. G. Gregory gives the following account of his
chery, lust, cruelty, selfishness, and the cursed love of  ascent:-" I was myself a spectator of the flight of
gold, predominated over every other feeling, affixed  Lunardi, and I never was present at a siht so intea stigma to the Christian name, and rendered them   resting anti sublime. The beauty of the gradual
curses instead of blessings, to that newly-discover,  ascent, united with a sentiment of terror, on account
ed race of men. It is most earnestly to be wished,  of the danger of the man, and the novelty and granthat, in future expeditions in quest of unknown  deur of the whole appearance, are more than words
tribes, a few intelligent and philanthropic missiona-  can express. A delicate woman was so overcome
ries may be appointed to direct the adventurers in  with the spectacle, that she died upon the spot. as
their moral conduct and intercourse with the peo-  the balloon ascended; several fainted; and the silent
pie they visit, in order that nothing inconsistent  admiration of the anxious multitude was beyond any
with Christian principle make its appearance. The  thing I had ever beheld."
uniform manifestation of Christian benevolence,    Balloons have been generally made of varulshed
purity, and rectitude, by a superior race of men,  silk, and of the shape of a globe or a spheroid, fromn
would win the affections of a rude people far more  thirty to fifty feet in diameter. They are filled with
Mifectually than all the pomp and ensigns of mili-  hydrogen gas, wlich, as formerly stated, is froln
Lary parade.                                  twelve to fifteen times lighter than common  sir
16




122                      THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
Acoustic Tunnels —By means of the inven-  tained the use of this valuable sense; for he soon
tions just now adverted to, when brought to per-  learned, by means of a piece of hard wood, one
fection, mankind may be enabled to transport  end of which he placed against his teeth, while
themselves to every region of the globe,, with a  another person placed the other end on his teethj
much greater degree of rapidity that has hitherto  toqkeep up a conversation, and to be able to un.
been attained. By the help of the microscope,  derstand the least whisper. In this way, two
we are enabled to contemplate the~ invisible  persons who have stopped their ears may conworlds of life, and by the telescope:we can pe-  verse with each other, when they hold a long
netrate into regions far beyond the range of the  stick or a series of sticks between their teeth, or
unassisted eye. By the arts of writing and  rest their teeth against them.  The effect is the
printing, we can communicate our sentiments,  same, if the person who speaks rests the stick
after a certain lapse of time, to every quarter of  against his throat, or his breast, or when one
the world. In the progress of human knowledge  rests the stick which he holds in his teeth against
and improvement, it'would obviously be of con-  some vessel into which the other speaks; and
siderable importance, could we extend the range  the effect will be greater, the more the vessel is
of the human voice, and communicate intelligence  capable of tremulous motion. These experito the distance of a thousand miles, in the course  ments demonstrate the facility with which the
of' two or three hours; or could. we hold an  softest whispers may be transmitted.  Water
occasional conversation with a friend at the dis-  also is found to be a good conductor of sound.
tance of 20 or 30 miles. "From the experiments  Dr. Franklin assures us, thathe has heard under
which have been lately made, in reference to the  water, at the distance of half a mile, the sound
conveyance of sound, we have some rearin to  of two stones struck against each other. It has
believe, that such objects may not be altogether  been also observed, that the velocity of sound is
unattainable.  It has been long known, that  much greater in solid bodies, than in the air.
wood is a good conductor of sound. If a watch  By a series of experiments, instituted for the
be laid on the end of a long beam of timber, its  purpose of determining this point, Mr. Chladni
beating will be distinctly heard, on applying the  found that the velocity of sound, in certain solid
ear to the other end, though it cdbuld not be heard  bodies, is 16 or 17 times as great as in air.
at the same distance through the air.  In " Ni-    But what has a more particular bearing on the
cholson's Philosophical Journal" for February,  object hinted at above, is, the experiments lately
1803, Mr. E. WValker describes a simple appa-  made by M. Biot,' on the transmission of sound
ratus, connected with a: speaking trumpet, by  through solid bodies, and through air, in very
mneans of which, at the distance of 171 feet, he  long tubes."  These experiments were made by
held a conversation with anotherin whispers, too  means of long cylindrical pipes, which were
low to be heard through the air at that distance.  constructing for conduits and aqueducts, to emWh'en the ear was placed in a certain position,  bellish the city of Paris.  With regard to. the
the words were heard as'if they had been spoken  velocity of sound; it was ascertained that " its
by an invisible being within the trumpet. And  *transmission through cast iron is l0j timesas
what rendered the deception still more. pleasing,  quick as through air."  The pipes by which he
the words were more distinct, softer, and more  wished to ascertain at what distance sounds'are
musical, than if they had been spoken through:audible, were 1,039 yards, or nearly five furlongs,
the air.                                       in length. M. Biot was stationed at the:one end
About the year 1750, a merchant of Cleves, -of this series of pipes, and Mr. Martin, a gennamed Jorisen, who had become almost totally  tleman who assisted in the experiments, at the
deaf, sitting one day near- a harpsichord, while  other.  They heard the lowest voice, so as persome one was playing, and having a tobacco-  fectly to distinguish the words, and to keep. up
pipe in his mouth, the bowl of which rested acci-  a conversation on all the subjects of the experidentally against the body of the instrument, he  inents.'I wished," says M. Biot, " to deterwas agreeably  and  uniexpectedly surprised to  mine the point at:which the human voice ceases
hear all the notes in the most distinct manner.  to beaudible, but could not accomplish it: words
By a little reflection and practice, he again ob-  spoken:as low as when we whisper a secret In
-nother's ear, were heard and understood; so that
and they rise into the atmosphere, on the same prin-  not to be heard, there was but one resource, that
riple as a piece of cork ascends from the bottom of  of not speaking at all.  This mode of conversing
a pail of water. sie aerial travellers are seate-n  with an nvisible neihbour is
a basket below the balloon, which is attached to it  h an invisible neighbour is so singular, that
by means of cords. The pai'achute is an invention,  we cannot help being surprised, even though
by which the voyager, in cases of alarm, may be  acquainted with the cause.  Between a question
enabled to desert his balloon in nid-air, and descend,
without injury, to the ground. They resemble an  and answer, the interval was not greater thar.
umbrella, but are of far greater extent. With one  was necessary for the transmission of sound.
of these contrivances, twenty-three feet in diameter,  For Mr. Martin.and me, at the distance of 1,03t
M. Garnerin, having detached himself from h;s bta
oon, descended from a height of morethan 4000 feet,  yards, the time was about 5i seconds.'  Reand lanIed without h )ck or accident.          ports of a pistoi fired at onre end, occasioned a




ACOUSTIC TUNNELS;                                      193
eonsiderable explosion at the otherf The air    Let none imagine that such a project is either
was driven out of the pipe with sufficient force  chimerical or impossible. M. Biot's experiment
to give the hand a smart blow, to drive light sub-  is decisive, so far as it goes, that the softest
stances out of it to the distance of half a yard,'whisper, without any diminution of its intensity,
anrid to extinguish a candle, though it was 1,039  nlay be communicated to the distance of nearly
yards distant from the place where the pistol was Athree quarters of a mile; and there is nothing
fired.  A detailed account of these experiments  but actual experiment wanting to convince us,
may be seen in Nicholson's Phil. Jour. for Oc-  that the ordinary tones of the human voice may
tohber, I811. Don Gautier, the inventor of the  be conveyed to at least twenty times that dis-.
telegraph, suggested also the method of convey-  tance.  We are just now acting on a similar
ing articulate sounds to a great distance. He  principle, in distributing illumination through
proposed to buill horizontal tunnels, widening at  large cities. Not thirty years ago, the idea of
the remoter extremity, and found that at the  iighting our apartments by an invisible substance,
distance of 400 fathoms, or nearly half a mile,  produced at ten miles' distance, would have been
the ticking of a watch could be heard far better  considered as chimerical, and as impossible to
than close to the ear. He calculated'that a se-  be realized, as the idea of two persons conversries of such tunnels would convey a message  ing together, by articulate sounds, at such a dis900'miles in an hour,                          tance.  It appears no more wonderful, that we
From the experiments now stated, it appears  should be able to hear at the distance of five or
highly probable, that sounds may be conveyed to  -six: miles, than that we should be enabled to see
an indefinite distafice. If one man can converse  objects at that distance by the telescope, as diswith another at the. distance of nearly three  tinctly as if we were within a few yards of them.
quarters: of a mile, by means of the -softest whis- -Both are: the effects.of those principles and laws
per, there is.every reason to believe, that they which the Creator has interwoven with the syscould hold a conversation at the distance of 30  tem of the. material world; and when man has
or 40 miles, provided the requisite tunnels were  -discovered the mode of their operation, it reconstructed for this purpose.. The latter case  mains:withhimself to apply them to hisnecessidoes not appear more wonderful than the former.:ties.. What the telescope is to the. eye, acoustic
Were this point fully determined, by experiments   tunnels would be. to the ear;- and thus, those
conducted on a more extensive scale, a variety  senses on which our improvement in knowledge
of interesting effects'would follow, from a prac- ~ and enjoyment chiefly depends, would: be: gra,
tical application of the results.  A person at one.dually carried to the utmost'perfection of which.end of a large city, at an appointed hour, might -our- station on' earth will permit. And, as to
communicate a message,.or.: hold a conversation  the expense of constructing such communications
with his friend, -at another;; friends.in. neigh-  for sound, the tenth part of the millions of:money
bouring,: or. even in distant towns, might hold an  expended in the twenty-two years' war in which
occasional correspondence by articulate sounds,  we were lately engaged,would, in all probability,
and recognize each other's identity by their  be more than sufficient'for distributing them, in
tones of voice. In the case of sickness, acci-.numerous: ramification, through the whole island
dent, or death, intelligence could thus be commu-:of Great:Britain:Even although such a project
nicated, and the tender sympathy of friends.in-.were partially to fail of;success, it would-be a
stantly exchanged.  A clergyman sitting in his  far more honourable' and useful national underown room  in Edinburgh, were it at any time  taking,' than that which now occupies the attenexpedient, might,address a. congregation in  tion of the despots on the continent of Europe,
Musselburgh or Dalkeith, or.even in Glasgow.  and might:be accomplished with far less expenHe might preach the same sermon:to his own  diture, either of blood or of money. Less than
church, and the next hour to an assembly at forty  the fourth part.of a million'of pounds would be
miles distant.  And surely there could be no va-  sufficient for trying an experiment of this kind,
lid objection to trying the effect of. an invisible  on an extensive scale; and such:a sum is conpreacher on a Christian audience. On similar  sidered as a:mere item,.when fleets and armies
principles, an apparatus might be constructed for  are to be equipped for carrying  destruction
augmenting the strength of the human voice, so  through sea and land. When will the war madas to make it extend its force to an assembled  ness cease. its rage!. When will men desist
multitude, composed of fifty or a hundred thou-  from the work of destruction, and employ their
sand individuals; and the utility of such.a power,  energies and their treasures in the cause of huwhen the mass of mankind are once thoroughly.man improvement! The most chimerical pro,
aroused to attend to rational and religious in-  Jects that were ever suggested by the most enstruction, may be easily conceived. In short,  thusiastic visionary, are not half so ridiculous,
intelligence respecting every important discove-  and degrading to the character of man, as those
ry, occurence, and event, might thus be commu. ambitious and despotic schemes, in which the
nicated, through the extent of a whole kingdom,  powers of the earth in all ages have been chiefly'within the space ofan hour after it had taken place.  engaged.  But on this topic it is needless to




124                      THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
enlarge, till more extended experiments shall  constructed, the mind of Bezaleel "was filie;l
have been undertaken.                         with the spirit of God, in wisdom  and undetIn the preceding sketches I have presented a  standing, and in knowledge, and in all manner
few specimens of the relation which the inven-  of workmanship, to devise curious works in
tions of human ingenuity bear to religious ob-  gold, and in silver, and in brass."  And, when
jects.  I intended to have traced the same  the fabric of the New Testament church is to
relation in several other instances; in the inven-  be reared, and its boundaries extended, artition of the electrical machine, the air-pump,  ficers of every description, adequate for carrying
mills, clocks and watches, gas-lights, chymical  on'the different parts of the work are raised
frumigations, inventions for enabling us to walk  up, and inspired with the spirit of their respective
upon the water, to prevent and alleviate the dan-  departments-some with the spirit of writing,
gers of shipwreck, &c. &c. But, as ioy pre-  printing, and publishing; some with the spiri'
scribed.limits will not permit farther enlarge-  of preaching, lecturing, and catechising; some
ment, I trust that what has been already stated  with the spirit of fortitude, to make bold and
will be sufficient to establish and illustrate my  daring adventures into distant and barbarous
general position. From  this subject we may  climes; and others with the spirit of literature,
learn-                                        of science, and of the mechanical arts-all actIst. That the various processes of art, and  ing as pioneers " to prepare the way of the
the exertions of human ingenuity, are under the  Lord," and as builders for carrying forward
special direction of Him who arranges all things  and completing the fabric of the Christian
"according to the counsel of his will."  As  church.'"the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord,    2dly.  All the mechanical contrivances to
and, as the rivers of waters, he turns it whither-  which I have adverted, all the discoveries or
soever he pleases," so all the varied schemes  science, and all the useful inventions of genius
and movements of the human mind, the disco-  which may hereafter be exhibited, ought to be
veries of science, and the diversified experi-  viewed as preparing the way for the millennial
ments of mechanics, chymists, and philosophers,  era of the church, and as having a certain tenare directed in such channels as may issue in  dency to the rrelioration of the external condithe accomplishment of His eternal purposes, in  tion of mankind during its continuance. We
respect to the present and future condition of  are certain, from the very nature of things, as
the inhabitants of our world. This truth is also  well as from scriptural predictions, that, when
plainly taught us in the records of inspiration.  this period advances towards the summit of its
"Doth the ploughman plough all day to sow?  glory, the external circumstances of this world's
Doth he open and break the clods of his ground?  population will be comfortable, prosperous, and
When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth  greatly meliorated beyond what they have ever
he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the  been in the ages that are past. " Then shall the
cummin,* and cast in the wheat in the principal  earth yield her increase, and God, even our own
[place,] and the barley<in the appointed place,  God, shall bless us. Then shall he give the rain
and the rye in its proper place?  For his God  of thy seed, that thou shalt sow thy ground withdoth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach  al; and bread of the increase of the earth; and
him.  This also cometh forth from the Lord of  it shall be fat and plenteous. In that day shall thy
hosts, who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent  cattle feed in large pastures; the oxen likewise
in working."  Agriculture has, by most nations,  and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat
been attributed to the suggestions of Deity; for  savoury provender, which hath been winnowed
"every good and perfect gift cometh down from   with the shovel and with the fan. And the inthe Father of lights."  It is he who hath taught  habitants shall not say, I am sick.  They shall
mnen to dig from the bowels of the earth iron,  build houses and inhabit them, and plant vinecopper, lead, silver, and gold, and to apply them   yards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall
toluseful purposes in social life; and who hath  not build, an l another inhabit; they shall not
given them." wisdom  and understanding" to  plant, and another eat; for as the days of a tree
apply the animal and vegetable productions of  are the days of mypeople, ard mine elect shall
nature to the manufacture of cloths, linen, mus-  long enjoy the work of their hands.  They shall
lin, and sillk, for the use and ornament of man."  not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble;
For "all things are of God."  "Both riches  for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord.
and honour come from him, and he reigneth over  and their offspring with them.  The seed shah
all, and.in his hand is power and might; and in  be prosperous, the vine shall give her fruit, anta
his hand it is to make great, and to give strength  the ground shall give her increase, and the heato all."  When the frame of the Mosaic ta-  vens shall give their dew; the evil beasts shall:ernacle and all its curious vessels were to be  cease out of the land, and they shall sit every
man under his vine, and under his fig-tree, asia
che  is a ktru nds of tsee:d frequentty sown in  none shall make him afraid; for wars shall cease
Judea, for the use of cattle: and wcuadmin is the seed,f a plant somewhat like fennel.             to the ends of the wvorld, and the knowledge of the




MILLENNIAL ERA.                                        125.
Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover  live during this era of Messiah's reign. If disthe sea."*  Diseases will be, in a great mea-  eases are to be generally abolished, it will be
sure, banished from the world, and the life of  owing to the researches of the scientific physlman extended far beyond its present duration  cian in discovering certain antidotes against
-agriculture will be brought to perfection-   every disorder, and to the practice of temperance,
commodious habitations erected for the corn-  meekness, equanimityof mind, and every othri
fortable accommodation of all ranks-cities built  mean of preserving the vigour of' the ar.imeJ
on elegant and spacious plans, adapted to health,  frame.  If the earth is to produce its treasures
ornament, and pleasure; divested of all the filth,  in abundance, and with little labour, it will be
and darkness, and gloom, and narrow lanes, which  owing in part to the improvement of agricultura;
now disgrace the abodes of men-roads will be  science and of the instruments by which its opeconstructed on improved principles, with com.  rations are conducted.  If the lightnings: of
fortable means of retreat for shelter and accom-  heaven shall no longer prove destructive to man
modation at all seasons; and conveyances in-  and to the labours of his hands, it will be effectvented for the ease, and safety, and rapid con-  ed either by machinery for drawing off the
veyance of persons and property from one place  electricity of a stormy cloud, or by the invention
to another. Either the climates of the earth will  of thunder-guards, which shall afford a complete
be meliorated, by the universal cultivation of the  protection firom its ravages. In these, and nusoil, so that storms an,! tempests, thunders and  merous other instances, the inventions of men,
lightnings, shall no longer produce their present  under the guidance of the Spirit of wisdom, will
ravages, or chymical and mechanical contrivan-  have a tendency to remove a great part of the
ces will be invented to ward off their destructive  curse which has so long hung over our sinfiul
effects.  The landscape of the earth will be  wdrld. And since the inventions of human skill
adorned with vegetable and architectural beauty;  and ingenuity for the melioration of mankind*
and, instead of horse-racing, demoralizing plays,  and for the swift conveyance of intelligence,
routs and masquerades, boxing and bull-baits-   have, of late years, been rapidly increasing, at
artificial displays of scenery will be exhibited,  the same time when the Christian world is roused
more congenial to the dignity of rational, reno-  to  increased exertions in disseminating the
vated, and immortal minds. For" the knowlege  Scriptures throughout all lands, when general
of the Lord," and the "beauties of holiness,"  knowledge is increasingly diffused, and when the
will pervade men of all ranks and ages, "from   fabric of superstition and despotism is shaking
the least even to the greatest."t              to its foundations-these combined and simulNow, as we have no reason to expect any  taneous movements seem  plainly to indicate,
miraculous interference, we must regard the past  that that auspicious era is fast hastening on,
and the future useful inventions of philosophy  when " the glory of Jehovah shall be revealed,
and mechanics, as having a bearing on this glo-  and all flesh shall see it together," when " right.
rious period, and a tendency to promote the im-  eousness and praise shall spring forth before all
provement and the felicity of those who shall  nations," and when "holiness to the Lord"
shall be inscribed on all the pursuits, and implePsalm lxvii. Isaiah xxx. 23, 24, xxxiii. 24. lxv.  nlents, and employments of men.
2l, 3, &c.                                       Lastly, —If the remarks suggested above be, The various circumstances above stated may be    Lastly-If the remarks suggested above be
considered as the natural results of a state of society  well founded, we nlay conclude, that the meon which the light of science and of revelation has  chanical and philosophical inventions of genius
diffused its full influence, and where the active  are worthy of the attentive consideration of the
powers of the human mind are invariably directed
by the pure principles and precepts of Christianity.  enlightened Christian, particularly in the relaThat the duration of human life, at the era referred  tion they may have to the accomplishment of
to, will be extended beyond its present boundary,
appears to be intimated in some of the passages  s      objects. He should contemplate the
above quoted particularly the following —" As the  experiments of scientific men, not as a waste of
days of a tree shall be the days of my people, and  time or the mere gratification of an idle curimine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands."
And, if the life of man will be thus protracted to an  osity, but as imbodying the germs of those imindefinite period, it will followv, that those diseases  provements, by which civilization, domestic
which now prey upon the human frame, and cut  comfort, knowledge, and  moral principe illay
short its vital action, will be in a great measure ex
tirpated. Both these effects may be viewed (with-  be diffused among the nations.  To view such
out supposing any miraculous interference) as the  objects with apathy and indifference, as beneatn
natural consequence of that happiness and equa- the regard of a religious character, argues a
nimity of mind which will flow from the practice of  the regard of a religious char
Christian virtues, from the enlargement of our  weak and limited understanding, atnd a contractknowledge of the principles of nature, and from the           grand operations of a superinphysical enjoyments which such a state ofsociety      Providence.
wil: furnmish                                 tending Providence.




126                      THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
CHAPTER IV.
SCRIPTURAL DOCTRINES AND FACTS ILLUSTRATED FROM THE SYSTEM OF fATURE."
WITHOUT spending time in any introductory, suppose the Almighty capable of inconsistency
observations on this subject, it may be remarked  a supposition which would go far to shake our
In general,                                   contidence in the theology of nature, as well as
of revelation. If,.in any one instance, a record
I.-That scientic knowledge, or an acquaintance  claiming to be a revelation from heaven were
with.the system  of nature, may frequsently  found to contradict a well-known fact in the
serve as a guide to the true interpretation of material world; if, for example, it asserted, in
Scripture.                                  express terms, to be literally understood, that the
earth is a quiescent body in the centre of the
It may be laid down as a universal principle,  universe,or that the moon is no larger than a
that there can be no real discrepancy_ between  mountain; it would be a fair conclusion, either
a just interpretation of Scripture and the facts  that the revelation was not divine, or that the
of physical science; and on this. principle, the  passages imbodying.such assertions are interpoollowing canon is founded, which may be. con-  lations, or that science, in reference to these
sidered as an infallible rule for Scripture inter-  points, has not yet arrived at the truth.  The
pretation, namely,-That no interpretation of example, we are aware, is inapplicable to the
Scripture ought tobe admitted which is inconmes  the Christian revelation, which rests securely
tent with any. well-authenticated facts in the man-  on its own basis, and to which science is graduterial world.  By well-authenticated facts, I do  ually approximating, as it advances in the amplinot mean the theories of philosophers, or.the  tude of its views, and the correctness of its de
deductions they may have drawn from them, nor  ductions; —but it shows us how necessary it is,
the confident assertions or plausible reasonings  in interpreting the word of God, to keep our eve
of scientific men in support of any prevailing  fixedupon. his works.; for we may rest assured,
system of natural science; but those facts which  that truth in the one will always correspond with
are  universally admitted, and:the reality of fact in the other.
which every scientific;inquirer has it in his power    To illustrate the rule now laid down, an examto ascertain: such as that the earth. is not an ex-  pie. or two may be stated.  If it be a'fact that
tended plane, but around or globular body, and  geological research has ascertained. that the
that the rays of the sun, when converged to a focus  materials of the strata of the earth are of a more
by a large convex: glass,. will set fire to. combus-  ancient date than the Mosaic account of the corntible substances. Such facts, when ascertained,  mencement of the present race of men; the
ought to be considered as a revelation from God,  passages in the first chapter of Genesis, and
as well as the declarations. of his word.  For  other parts.of Scripture, which refer to the origin
they make known to us a portion of his cnarac-  of our world, must be explained as.conveying
ter, of his plans and his operations.-This rule  the idea, that the earth was then merely arran ed
may be otherwise expressedas follows: —Where  into its present form and order, out of the matea passage of Scripture is of doubtful meaning, or  rials which previously  existed in a confused
capable of deferent interpretations, that interpreta-  mass, and which had been created by the Alnon ought to be preferred which will best agree  mighty at a prior period in duration.  For
with the established discoveries of science. For  Moses no where asserts, that the materials of
maice the Author of revelation and the Author of our globe were created, or brought into existence
universal nature is.one and the same infinite  out of nothing, at the time to which his history
being,-there must exist a complete harmony be.  refers; but insinuates the contrary. " For the
tween the revelations of-his word, and the facts or  earth" says he, prior to its present constitution,
relations which are observed in the material uni-  " was without form and void," &c. Again, if it
verse. To suppose the contrary., would be to  be a fact that the universe is indefinitely extend,
ed, that, of many millions of vast globes which
t Under this head, it was originally intended to  diversify the voids of space, only two or three
embrace an elucidation of a considerable variety of  have any immediate connexlon with the earth:he facts recorded in sacred history, and of the
allasions of the inspired writers to the system of then it will appear most reasonable to conclude.,,ature; but as the volume has already swelled be- that those expressions in the Mosaic history of
yond the limits proposed, I am reluctantty compelted  the creation, which refer to the creation of tae'as confine myself to the illustration of only two or
Lhree topics                                  fixed stars, are not to be understood as referring




SCRIPTURAL FACTS ILLUSTRATED.                                     I17
to the time vlber they were brought into exist-  II.-The system  of nature confirms arnd illus
ence, as if they had been created about the,   trates.the scriptural doctrine of the  DEPPAVITY
same time with our earth;. but, as simply de-.  oF MAN.
clarinag thle fact, that, at what period soever in
duration they were created, they derived their ex-    In the preceding parts of this volume, T have
istencefrom God.  That they did' not all com-  stated several striking instances of divine be.
mence their existence at that period, is demon-  nevolence, which appear in the construction of
strable from the fact, that, within the space of  the organs of the animal system, in the con-.
2000 years past, and.even within the space of  stitution of the earth, the waters, and the atmos
the two last centuries, new stars have appeared  phere, and in the variety of beauties and sublimi
in the heavens which previously did not exist  ties which adorn the face of nature; all which
in the concave of the firmament; which, conse-  proclaim, in language which cat scarcely be
quently, have been created since the Mosaic  mistaken, that the Creator has a special regarc
period; or, at least, have undergone a chanlge  to the happiness of his creatures.  Yet the
analogous to that which took place in our globe,  Scriptures uniformly declare, that man has fallen
when it emerged from a chaotic state to'the   from his primeval state of innocence, and has
form  and order in which we now behold it.  violated the laws of his Maker; that "1hisiheart
Consequr.lntly, the phrase, " God rested from all  is'deceitful above all' things, and:desperately
his works," must be understood not absolutely,' wicked;" and that "' destruction and misery are
or in re1t.:ence to the whole system of nature,  in his ways."  Observation and experience also
but metely in relation to our world; and aa im-  demonstrate, that a moral disease pervades-'the
porting, that the Creator then ceased to form   whole human family,from' the  most sa:vageitothe
any new species of beings on the terraqueous  most civilized tribes o6fmankiiil; which:has dieglobe.  The same canon will direct us in the in-  played its virulence in those wars and devastaterpretation of those passages which refer to the  tions which have,'in all'ages, colnvlsed' the
last judgment, and the destruction of the present  world; and' which daily displays itself in"ithose
constitution of our globe. When, in reference  acts of'injustice,                 i     tyto these.events, it is said, "that the stars shall  ranny, and cruelty, which are perp'etrated' in
fall from heaven," that "'the powers of heaven  every country, and' among all th'e ranks even:'of
shall be shaken," and that " the earth and the  civilized life.  That a world inh'abited by moral
heaven shall flee away," our knowledge of the  agents of this description %would display, in its
system of nature leads us to conclude, either that  physical constitution, certain' indications of its
such expressions are merely metaphorical, or  Creator's displeasure, is:'what we should nattthat they describe only the appearance, not the  rally expect, from a consideration of those attrireality of things.  For it is impossible that the  butes of his nature with which we' are acquainted.
stars can ever fall to the earth, since each of  Accordingly, we find, that, amidst all the evi-'
them  is of a size vastly superior to our globe,  dences of benevolence which our' globe exhibits!
and could never be attracted to its surface, with-  there are not wanting certain - displays:of i"the''
out unhinging the laws and the fabric of univer-  wrath of Heaven against the' un'godliness and
sal nature.  The appearance, however, of the  unrighteousness of men," in order to arouse
" heaven fleeina away," would be produced,  them  to a sense of their guilt, and-to inspire
should the earth's diurnal rotation at that.pe-  them  with reverenc'e and- awe of'that Being
riod be suddenly stopped, as will most probably  whom they have offended.'' The-following' facts,'
happen; in which case, all nature, in this sublu-  among many others, may be considered aas' co'rnary system, would be thrown into confusion,  roborating this position..:
and the heavens, with all their host, would ap-    In the first place, the presenit state'f the interipear to flee away.                             or strata of the earth may be considered as a preNow, the scientific student of Scripture alone  sumptive evidence, that a moral'revolution has
can judiciously apply the canon to which I have  taken place since man was placed upon the globe.
adverted; he alone can appreciate its utility in  When we penetrate into the interior'recesses of
the interpretation of the sacred, oracles; for he  the earth, we find its different strata:bent into
knows the facts which the philosopher and the  the most irregular formns; sometimes lying horiastronomer have ascertained to exist in the sys-  zontally, sometimes projectinig'upwards,' and
temrn of nature; from the want of which informa-  sometimes downwards, and thrown'into econfution, many divines, whose comments on Scrip-  sion; as if some dread'ftl;concussion'had spread
ture have, in other respects, been judicious,  its ravages through every part of'the solid crust
have displayed their ignorance, and fallen into  of our globe.' Thisis Visible in every region of
egregious blunders, when attempting to explain  the earth. Wherever the miner penetrates'among'
the first chapters of Genesis, and several parts  its subterraneous recesses, wherever thc'fissures
of tbe book of Job, which have tended to bring  and caverns of the earth are explored, and wher.
discredit, on the oracles of heaven.           ever the mountains lay bare their rugged clif,




l 28                      THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
the marks of ruin, convulsion, and disorder meet  terrible forebodings are accompanied with thtm.
the eye-of.the beholder. Evidences of these facts  der, lightning, frequent concussions of the earth
are to be found in the records of all intelligent  and dreadful subterraneous bellowings.  When
travellers and geologists who have visited Alpine  these  alarming appearances have continued
districts, or explored the subterraneous regions  sometimes four or five months, the lava begins to
of the earth; of which I have already stated a  make its appearance, either boiling over the top,
few instances, in the article of Geology, pp. 74,  or forcing its way through the side of the moun75, 77. These facts seem evidently to indicate  tain. This fiery deluge of melted minerals rolls
that the earth is not now in the same state in  down the declivity of the mountain, forming a diswhich it originally proceeded from the hand of its  mal flaming stream, sometimes fourteen miles
Creator; for such a scene of disruption and de-  long, six miles broad, and 200 feet deep. In its
rangement appears incompatible with that or-  course, it destroys orchards, vineyards, cornfields,
der, harmony, and beauty which are apparent  and villages; and sometimes cities, containing
in the other departments of nature.  We dare  twenty thousand inhabitants, have been swallownot assert, that such terrible convulsions took  ed up and consumed. Several other phenomena,
place by chance, or independent of the will of  of awful sublimity, sometimes accompany these
the Creator; nor dare we insinuate, that they  eruptions. In the eruption of Vesuvius, in 1794,
were the effects of a random display of Al-  a shock of an earthquake was felt; and, at the
mighty Power; and therefore, we are neces-  same instant, a fountain of bright fire, attended
sarily led to infer, that a moral cause, connected  with the blackest smoke, and a loud report, was
with the conduct of the rational inhabitants of  seen to issue, and to rise to a great height from
the globe, must have existed, to warrant so  the cone of the mountain; and was soon sucawful an interposition of divine power; for  ceeded by fifteen other fiery fountains, all in a
the fate of the animated beings which then  direct line extending for a mile and a half downpeopled the earth was involved in the conse-  wards. This fiery scene was accompanied with
quences which must have attended this terri-  the loudest thunder, the incessant reports of
ble catastrophe.  The volume of revelation,  which, like those of a numerous heavy artillery,
on this point, concurs with the deductions of  were attended by a continued hollow murmur,
reason, and assigns a cause adequate to war-  similar to that of the roaring of the ocean during
rant the production of such an extraordinary  aviolent storm. The houses in Naples, at seven
effect.  " The wickedness of man was great  miles' distance, were for several hours in a conupon the earth; the earth was filled with vioe.  stant tremor; the bells ringing, and doors andt
lence; every purpose and desire of man's heart  windows incessantly rattling and shaking. The
was only evil continually.  Man had frustrated  murmur of the prayers and lamentations of a
the end of his existence; the earth was turned  numerous population added to the horrors of the
into a habitation of demons; the long period to  scene. All travellers, who have witnessed these
which  his life was protracted only served to  eruptions, seem to be at a loss to find words
harden him in his wickedness, and to enable  sufficiently emphatic to express the terrors of the
him  to carry his diabolical schemes to their  scene.  " One cannot form a juster idea," savs
utmost extent, till the social state of the hu-  Bishop Berkley, " of the noise emitted by the
man race became a scene of unmixed depra-  mountain, than by imagining a mixed sound
vity and misery. And the physical effects of  made up of the raging of a tempest, the murthe punishment of this universal defection from   mur of a troubled sea, and the roaring of thunGod are presented to out view in every land,  der and artillery, confused altogether.  Though
and will remain to all ages, as a visible me-  we heard this at the distance of twelve miles,
morial that man ias rebelled against the autho-  yet it was very terrible."  In 1744, the flames of
rity of his Makex.                            Cotopaxi, in South America, rose 3,000 feet
2. The existence of Volcanoes, and the terri-  above the brink of the crater, and its roarings
ble ravages they produce, bear testimony to the  were heard at the distance of six hundred miles.
state of man as a depraved intelligence. A   " At the port of Guayaquil, 150 miles distant
volcano is a mountain, generally of an immense  from the crater," says Humboldt, " we heard,
size, from whose summit issue fire, smoke, sul-~ day and night, the noise of this volcano, like
phur, and torrents of melted lava, (see p. 66.)  continued discharges of a battery, and we disPrevious to an eruption, the smoke, which is  tinguished these tremendous sounds even on the
continually ascending from  the crater, or open-  Pacific ocean."
ing in the top, increases and shoots up to an im-    The ravages produced by volcanoes are in
mense height; forked lightning issues from the  proportion to the terror they inspire.  In the
ascending column; showers of ashes are thrown  eruption of jEtna, in 1669, the stream of lava
out to the distance of forty or fifty miles; volleys  destroyed, in 40 days, the habitations of 27,000
of red-hot stones are discharged to a great  persons; and of 20,000 inhabitants of the city
aelght in the air; the sky appears thick and dark;  of Catania, only 3:000 escaped.  In the yeat
the luminaries of heaven disappear; and these  79, the celebrated cities of Pompeii and Hercu.




DEPRAVITY OF MAN.                                     [;9
taneum were completely overwhelmed and burie:d  noes, earthquakes are the most terrific phenomeunder ground by an eruption of Vesuvius, and  na of nature, and are even far more destructive
the spots on which they stood remained unknown  to man, and to the labours of his hands. An
for 1600 years.  Since that period, about 40  earthquake, which consists in a sudden motion
eruptions have taken place, each of them pro-  of the earth, is generally preceded Dy a ruinducing the most dreadful ravages.  But the  bling sound, sometimes like that of a number of
volcanoes of Asia and America are still more  carriages driving furiously along the pavement
terrible and destructive than those of Europe.  of a street, sometimes like the rushinrg noise of a
The voicanic' mountain Pichinca, near Q.uito,  mighty wind, and sometimes like the explosions
caused, on one occasion, the destruction of  of artillery. Their effect on the surface of the
55,000 inhabitants.  In the year 1772, an erup-  earth is various   Sometimes it is instaritation of a mountain in the island of Java destroyed  neously heaved up in a perpendicular direction,
40 villages, and several thousands of the inhabit-  and sometimes it assumes a kind of rolling moants; and in October, 1822, eighty-eight ham-  tion, from side to side. The ravages which
lets, and above 2000 persons, were destroyed in  earthquakes have produced, are terrible beyond
the same island, by a sudden eruption from a  description; and are accomplished almost in a
new volcano. The eruption of Tomboro, inthe  moment.  In 1692, the city of Port-Royal, in
island of Sumbawa, in 1815, was so dreadful,  Jamaica, was destroyed by an earthquake, in the
that all the Moluccas, Java, Sumatra, and Bor-  space of two minutes, and the houses sunk into
neo, to the distance of a thousand miles from   a gulf forty fathoms deep. In 1693, an earththe mountain, felt tremulous motions, and heard  quake happened in Sicily, which either destroyed,
the report of explosions. In Java, at the dis-  or greatly damaged, fifty-four cities, and an intance of 340 miles, the clouds of ashes from the  credible number of villages.  The city of Catavolcano produced utter darkness.              nia was utterly overthrown: the sea all of a sudVolcanoes are more numerous than is gene-  den began to roar; mount JEtna to send forth
rally imagined.  They are to be found in every  immense spires of flame; and immediately a
quarter of the world, from  the icy shores of shock ensued, as if all the artillery in the world
Kamtschatka to the mountains of Patagonia.  had been discharged. The birds flew about asHumboldt enumerates 40 volcanoes constantly  tonished; the sun was darkened; the beasts ran
burning, between  Cotopaxi and the Pacific  howling from the hills; a dark cloud of dust
ocean; 20 have been observed in the chain of  covered the air; and, though the shock did not
mountains that stretches along Kamtschatka;  last three minuses, yet nineteen thousand of the
and many of them are to be seen in the Phillip-  inhabitants of the city perished in the ruins.
pines, the Moluccas, the Cape de Verd, the  This shock extended to a circumference. of 7000
Sandwich, the Ladrone, and other islands in the. miles.
Indian and Pacific oceans. It is stated in vol.    Earthquakes have been producing their ra.
6th of Sup. to Ency. Brit. lately published, that  vages in various parts of the world, and in every
about 205 volcanoes are known, including only  age. Pliny informs us, that 12 cities in Asia
those which have been active within a period to  Minor were swallowed up in one night. In
which history or tradition reaches.  Europe  the year 115, the city of Antioch, and a great
contains 14; and, of the whole number, it is  part of the adjacent country, were buried by an
computed, that 107 are in islands and 98 on the  earthquake.  About 300 years after, it was
great continents.                             again destroyed, along with 40,000 inhabitants;
Can we then suppose, that so many engines  and, after an interval of only 60 years, it was a
of terror and destruction, dispersed over every  third time overturned, with the loss of not less
quarter of the globe, are consistent with the con-  than 60,000 souls. In 1755, Lisbon was deduct of a benevolent Creator towards an innocent  stroyed by an earthquake, and it buried under its
race of men? If so, we must either admit that  ruins above 50,000 inhabitants.  The effects of
the Creator had it not in his power, when ar-  this terrible earthquake were felt over the greater
ranging our terrestrial system, to prevent the oc-  part of Europe and Africa, and even in the
casional action of these dreadful ravagers, or that  midst of the Atlantic ocean; and are calculated
he is indifferent to the happiness of his innocent  to have extended over a space of not less than
offspring. The former admission is inconsistent  four millions of square miles. In August, 1822,
with the idea of his omnipotence, and the latter  two-thirds of the city of Aleppo, which conwith the idea of his universal benevolence. It  tained 40,000 houses, and 200,000 inhabitants,
is not therefore, enthusiasm, but the fairest de-  were destr-ved by an earthquake, and nearly
duction of reason to conclude, that they are in-  thirty thousrnd inhabitants were buried under
dications of God's displeasure against a race of  the ruins.  To suppose that the human beings
transgressors who have apostatized from  his  who have been victims to the ravages of earth-,laws.                                        quakes and volcanoes, " were sinners above ai'
3. The same reasoning will apply to the ra-  those who dwelt around them," would- be the,ages prtoduced by earthquakes. Next to volca-  height of impiety and presumption. But, the
17




THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
act that thousands of rational beings have been  idea that man is at present in a pacredisanjal
swept from existence, in a manner so horrible  state, and possessed of that moral purity Lin,ind tremendous, seems plainly to indicate, that  which he was created.  Such appalling displays
they belonged to a race of apostate intelligences,  of almighty power are in complete unison with
who had violated the commands of their Crea-  the idea, that man is a transgressor, and that the
tor. Such visitations are quite accordant to the  present dispensations of God are a mixture of'
idea of man being in the condition of a trans-  mercy and of judgment; but if he belong to an
gressor; but', if he were. an. innocent creature,  innocent race of moral intelligences, they appear
they would be altogether unaccountable, as hap-  quite anomalous, and are altogether ipexplicablej
pening under the government of a'Being of un-  on the supposition, that a Being of infinite be.
bounded benevolence.                           nevolence and rectitude directs the operations
4. The phenomena of thunder-storms, tem-  of the physical and moral world; more espe.
pests, and hurricanes, and the ravages they, cially when we consider the admirable care which
produce, are:also presumptive-proofs that man is  is displayed in the construction of animal bodies,
a depraved intelligence.  In- that season of the! in order to prevent pain, and to produce pleayear when Natuae is arrayed in her most beau"-  surable sensations. WVhen man was first brought
tiful attire, and the whole terrestrial landscape  into existence, his thoughts and affections, we
tends.to inspire. the,-:mind. with cheerfulness —   must suppose, were in unison with the will of
suddenly a sable cloud emerges from the hori-  his Creator; his mind was serene and unrufon —the skyassumes a baleful aspect-a dismal, fled; and, consequently, no foreboding appregloom. envelopes the face of nature-the light-. hensions of danger would, in such a state, take
ningsflashfromone end of the horizon to another  possession of his breast.  But after he had
-the thunders: roll with awful majesty along the  swerved from the path of primeval rectitude,
verge of heaven, till. at length they burst over  and especially after the deluge had swept away
head in. tremendous explosions.  The sturdy  the inhabitants of the antediluvian world, the
oak is shattered and despoiled of its foliage;  constitution of the earth and the atmosphere
rocks. are rent into shivers; and the grazing  seems to have undergone a mighty change, corherds are struck into a lifeless group. Even  responding to the degraded state into which he
man is, not exempted from danger in the midst  had fallen; so that those very elements which
of this appalling scene. For hundreds in every  may have formerly ministered to his enjoyment
age have fallen:victims:either to the direct stroke  -by being formed into different combinationsof the lightning, or to.the concussions and con-  now conspire to produce terror and destruction.
flagrations wifh which ithas been attended. In    The same important conclusion might have
tropical countries, the, phenomena of thunder-  been deduced, from a consideration of the imstorms are more dreadful and appalling, than in  mense deserts of marshes and barren sands which
our.temperate climate.: The thunder frequently  are dispersed over the globe-the vast and fright.
continues for days: and weeks in almost one in-  ful regions of ice around the poles-the position
cessant roar.; the. rainss are.poured down in tor-  of the mineral strata, and the vast disproportion
rents; and: the flashes- of lightning follow each  which the extent of the dry land bears to the exother in. so rapid a succession, that.the whole  panse of the ocean-all which circumstances,
atmosphere and the surrounding hills seem to be  and many others, in conjunction with  the facts
in a blaze.: In some instances, the most dread-  above stated, conspire to show, that man no
ful effects have been: produced by the bursting of  longer stands in the rank of a pure intelligence;
an electrical cloud..:In 1772,. a bright cloud  and that his habitation corresponds, in some dewas. observed at midnight to cover a mountain  gree, to his state of moral degradation. By overin the island of Java;. it.emitted. globes of fire  looking this consideration, St. Pierre and other
so luminous, that the.night became.as clear as  naturalists have found themselves much at a loss,
day.  Its effects were astonishing. Every thing  when attempting to vindicate the wisdom ana
was destroyed for:7:leagues round; houses were  equity of Providence, in the physical disorders
demolished; plantations buried:in the. earth;  which exist in the present constitution of our
and 2140 people lost:their: lives, besides 1500  globe. The circumstance, that man is a fallen
nead of cattle, and a.vast.number of horses and  creature, appears the only clue to guide us in unother animals.,-Ency. Brit.::Art. Cloud.      ravelling the mysteries of Providence, and to
Is it not reasonable, then,: to conclude, that  enable us to perceive the harmony and consistency
such awful phenomena as storms,. volcanoes, and  of the divine operations in the system of nature;
earthquakes, are so many, occasional indications  and no other consideration will fully account for
of the frown of an offended:reator upon a race  the disorders which exist in the present economy
of transgressors, in order to arouse them to a  of our world.
sense of their apostacy from the God of heaven?    But it is a most consoling consideration, that.
We cannot conceive: that such physical: opera-  amidst all the physical evils which abound, the
lions, accompanied by so many  terrific and  benevolence and mercy of God are admirably
lestructive effects, are at all compatible with the  blended with the indications of his displeasure




THE RESURRECTION ILLUSTRATED.                                    131
Tilunder-storms and tempests contribute to the  to " the four winds of heaven"-showid he again
purification of the atmosphere; and volcanoes  reared up with the same niaterials, in a new and
are converted into fiunnels for vomiting up those  more glorious form —is an idea which seems to
fiery materials which produce earthquakes, and  baffle the human comprehension; and, in all prowhich might otherwise swallow up whole pro-  bability, would never have entered the mind of
vinces in one mighty gulf.  In the ordinary  man, had it not been conmmunicated by divine
course of things, such phenomena are more ter-  revelation. Accordingly we find, that the phirific than destructive; and are calculated rather  losophers of antiquity, though many of them beto rouse an untiinkina world to consideration,  lieved in the doctrine of a future state, never
than to prove the instruments of human destruc-  once dreamed, that the bodies of men, after they
tion. Compared with the miseries which men  had been committed to the dust, would ever
have voluntarily inflicted on one another, the  again be reanimated; and hence, when the aposdestructive effects of the elements of nature  tle Paul proposed this doctrine to the Athenian
dwindle into mere temporary, and trifling acci-  philosophers, they scouted the idea, as if it had
dents.  We have reason to believe, that;much  been the rev rie of a madnan. And, indeed.
greater destruction of human beings has been  without a strong conviction, and a lively impresproduced by two or three of the late battles in  sion of the infinite power and intelligence uf God,
modern Europe, such as those of Waterloo,  the mind cannot rely with unshaken confidence
Borodina, and Smolensko, than has been pro-  on the declaration of a future fact so widely difduced by all the electrical storms, earthquakes,  ferent from all the obvious phenomena of nature,
and volcanic eruptions, which have raged for the  and from every thing that lies within the. range
space of a hundred years. It has been calcu-  of human experience.  " If a man die," says
lated, that during the Russian campaign of 1812,  Job, " shall he live again?  There is hope of a
including Ien, women, and children, belonging to  tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again,
the French and Russians, there were not less  and bring forth boughs like a plant. But man
than five hundred thousand human victims sacri-  dieth and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the
ficed to the demon of war. It is probable, that  ghost, and where is he? "  When the mind,
the destruction produced among the human race,  however, is frequently exercised in contemplaby the convulsions of nature, since the'comn-  tions on the stupendous works of the Almighty,
mencement of time, (the deluge only excepted,)  it must feel an impressive conviction, that "' nodoes not amount to above four or five millions of  thing can be too hard for Jehovah."  When we
lives; but were we take into account the de-  endeavour to draw aside the veil which conceals
struction of human life produced by ambition,  many of the scenes of nature from the vulgar
tyranny, oppression, superstition, wars, devast-  eye, we perceive a variety of operations and
ations, murders, and horrid cruelties, in every  analogies, which tend to assist us in forming a
period of the world, it would, doubtless, amount  conception, not only of the possibility of a resurto several hundreds of millions. So that, amidst  rection, but also of the manner in which it mlay
the most terrible displays of the displeasure of  probably be effected, when the power of OmniGod against the sins of men, mercy is mingled  potence is interposed.
with judgment; and while man is the greatest    The transformations of insects afford us a
enemy and' destroyer of his own species, bene-  beautiful illustration of this subject.  All the
volence is the prominent feature of all the ar-  butterflies which we see fluttering about in the
-angements of the Deity in the physicalworld.  summer months, were originally caterpillars.
For " his tender mercies are over all his works."*  Before they arrive at that highest stage of their
existence, they pass through four different transI(r.-The discoveries which have been made in  formations.  The first state of a butterfly is that
the system of nature, illustrate the doctrine of  of an egg; it next assumes the form of a loaththe RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.               some crawling worm; after remaining soms
time-in this state, it throws off its caterpillar
The doctrine of a resurrection from the dead,e, it throws off its caterpilla
skin; languishes; refuses to eat; ceases to move,
at first view, appears to involve in it a variety  skin; languishes; refuses toeat; ceases to move,
of difficulties, and apparent contradictions. That  and is shut up, as it were, n a tomb. In  his.cmeahnas hu       body.... state, the animal is termed a chrysalis, it is cocomplex organical machine, as the human   vered with a thin crust or shell, and remains
is, consisting of thousands of diversified parts  sometimes for six or    onths without muAn.. sometimes for six or eight months without mufor the performance of its functions, after it has tion, and apparently without life. After remainbeen reduced....andthe  tion, and apparently without life. After remaining its allotted time in this torpid condition, it'The facts stated in this section are expressed  begins to acquire new life and vigour; it bursts
forthe most part in the author's own words, for the  it imprisonment, and comes  rth a butterfly
sake of compression. His authorities are, Gold;
smith's "Natural History," Humboldt's "Travels,"  with wings tinged with the most beautiful coBrydon's, "Tour," Sir W. Hamilton's "Observa-  lours. It mounts the air; it ranges fron flower
tiens," Raffles' "History of Java," Ency. Brit. Art. to flower and seems to rejoice in its new and
to flower, and seems to rejoice in its new and
Etna, Volcano, Earthquake, Antioch, Cloud; The Literary and Scientific Journals for 1822, &c    splendid existence. How very different does it
41




132                      THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
appear in this state fromt what it did in the pre-  would appear'to be lost for ever.  It has been
ceding stages of its existence! How unlikely  shown by experiment, that whenever the soil be
did it seem th;t a rough, hairy, crawling worm,  comes charged.with such matter, the oxygen of
which lay for such a length of time in a death-  the atmosphere combines with it, and converts
-ike torpor, and enshrouded in a tomb, should be  it into carbonic acid gas.  The consequence,animated, as it were, and changed into so  of which is, that this very same carbon is, in
beautiful a form, and endowed with such powers  process of time, absorbed by a new race of ve.
of rapid motion i Perhaps the change to be ef-  getables, which it clothes with a new foliage, and
fected on the bodies of men, at the general resur-  which is itself destined to undergo similar putrerection, may not be greater, nor more wonderful in  faction and renovation to the end of time."*
its nature, than are the changes which take place    These facts and others of a similar description
from the first to the last stage of a caterpillar's  which might-have been stated, demonstrate, that
existence. In such transformations, then, we  one of the constituent parts of animal bodies
behold a lively representation of the death and  remains unalterably the same, amidst all the revo.
resurrection of a righteous man.  "A  little  lutions of time, and all the changes and decompo.
while he shall lie in the ground, as the seed lies  sitions which take place in the system of nature 
in the bosom of the earth; but he shall be raised  and, consequently, that though human bodies
again, and shall never die any more."         may remain in a state of putrefaction for ages.
There is another illustration, taken from  a  in the earth and in the waters, yet their compo.
consideration of the chymical changes of matter,  nent parts remain unchanged, and in readiness
which has a still more direct bearing on the doc-  to enter into a new and more glorious combinatrine of a resurrection.  Wu know, that sub-  tion, at- the command of that Intelligence to
stances which are invisibly incorporated with  whom all the principles of nature and all their
air, wate., and other fluids, and which seem to  diversified changes are intimately known; and
be des royed, may  be made to reappear in  whose Power is able to direct their combinae
their original form by the application of certain  tions to the accomplishment of his purposes.chyrnical agents.  For example; put a small  Though such considerations as these may have
piece of solid camphor into a phial half filled  no weight on certain unreflecting minds, that
with alcohol or spirits of wine;- in a short time  never meet with any difficulties in the economy;the camphor will be dissolved in the fluid, and  either of nature or of redemption; yet, the
ithe spirit will be as transparent as at first. If man of deep reflection, who has frequently had,water be now added, it will unite with the ardent  his mind distracted with the apparent improba-,spirit, and the camphor will be separated and  bility of the accomplishment of certain divine,fall to the bottom of the phial. In this way the  declarations, will joyfully embrace such facts in
-camphor may be nearly all recovered as at first;' the economy of nature, as a sensible support to,and, by distillation, the alcohol may also besse-  his faith in the promises of his God; and will
parated from the water, and exhibited in a sepa-  resign his body to dust and putrefaction, in the
-rate state.'I have already noticed,: that carbon,  firm hope of emerging from the tomb to a future
which forms an essential part of all animal and  and more glorious transformation.'vegetable substances, is found to be'not only indestructible by age, but in all its combinations,  IV. The discoverie  qf science tend toiltustrate the
which are infinitely diversified, it still preserves    doctrine of the GENERAL CONFLAGRATION.
its identity.  In the state of carbonic acid it ex-    We are informed, in the Sacred Oracles, that.ists in union with earths and stones in unbounded  a period is approaching, when " the elements,quantities; and though buried for thousands of  shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth, and
years beneath immense rocks, or in the centre of  the works that are therein, shall be burned tip."'mountains, it is still carbonic acid; for no sooner- Science has- ascertained certain facts in the conis it disengaged from its dormitory than it rises  stitution of nature, which lead us to form some
with all the life and vigour of recent formation, - conception of the. manner in which this awful'not in the least impaired by its torpid inactivity  catastrophe may probably be effected, and also
during a lapse of ages. The beams of the the-  of the ease with which it may be accomplished,
-atre at Herculaneum were converted into charcoal  when.the destined period shall have arrived. It
(which is one of the compounds of: carbon): by  was formerly stated, (pp. 35, 104,) that the
the lava which overflowed that city, during -an  atmosphere, or the air we breathe, is a com..eruption of Mount Vesuvius; and during the  pound substance, composed of two very different.lapse of 11700 years, the charcoal has remained  and opposite principles, ternmed oxygen and nias entire as if it had been formed but yesterday,  trogen. The oxygen, which forms about a fifthl
and it will probably continue so to the end of the  part of the atmosphere, is now ascertained to
world. In addition to these facts it may be  be the principle of flame; a lighted taper im.
-stated, that provision has been made for the re-  inersed in this gas, burns with a brilliancy too
ttoration of the fallen leaves of vegetables which        Parkess "Chym. Catechtsm,' p.266, anm tee ad,ot- uoa.t.heground, -and, to a careless observer,  ditional notes.




GENERAL CONFL: GRATtON.                                   1S8
great for the eyFe to bear; and even a rod of iron  ruin and disruption in several parts of its struc.
or steel is made to.blaze under its energy.   ture, may come forth from  the flames of the
The modern infidel, like. the scoffers of old,  general conflagration, purified from all its physi.
scouts the idea of the dissolution of the world,  cal evils, adorned with new beauties and sublib
and of the restitution of the universe, "because  mities, and rendered a'fit habitation for pure inall things continue as they were from the begin-  telligences, either of our own species or of
ning of the creation; not knowing- the Scrip.  another order. For, though the "heavens," or.
tures, nor the. power of God';", and not consi-  the atmosphere, " shall be dissolved, and the
dering the principles and facts in the system, of  elements melt with fervent heat;" " yetbi' says
nature, which indicate the, possibility of'such an  the Apostle Peter, " we, according to'his proevent. But, from the fact now stated, we may  mise, look for new heavens and a new earth,
learn how easily this effect may be accom-  wherein dwelleth righteousness."   Whether,
plished, even in conformity with those laws  after being thus renovated it shall be allotted as
which now operate in the constitution of our  the residence of the redeemed inhabitants of
globe. For should the Creator issue forth his  our world, is beyond our province at present to
almighty fiat-" Let the nitrogen of the atmos-  determine. But if not, it will, in all probability,
Dhere be completely separated from the oxygen,  be allotted as the abode of other rational beings,
and let the oxygen exert its native energies  who -may be transported from other regions, to
without control, wherever it extends;"-from   contemplate a new province of the divine emwhat we know of its natulre,. we are warranted  pire, or who may be immediately created for the
to conclude, that instantly a universal conflagra-  purpose of taking possession of this renovated
tion would commence throughout all the king-  world. For we have reason to believe, that the
doms of nature —not only wood, coals, sulphur,  energies of creating power will be continually
bitumen, and other combustible substances, but  exerted, in replenishing the boundless universe,
even the hardest rocks and stones, and all the  throughout all the ages of infinite duration, and
metals, fossils, and rfinerals, and water itself,  that' no substances or worlds which God has
wnich is a compound'of two inflammable sub-  created, will ever'be suffered to fall into annihistances, would blaze with a rapidity which would  lation-at least, that the original atoms of matter
carry deptruciion through the whole expanse of  will never be destroyed, whatever new  forms
the terraqueous globe, and change its present  they may assume, and however varied the comtspect into that of a new world:-at the same  binations- into which they may enter.
ime,' all the other laws of nature might still    The above are only a few examples out of
operate as they have hitherto done since' the  many which were intended to be specified, of
creation of the world.                        the illustrations which the system  of nature
I do not. mean positively to assert, that this  affords of'the doctrines and facts of revelais the agent which the Almighty will certainly  tion, but the narrow limits of'this volume preemploy for accomplishing this terrible catas-  vent further enlargement.
trophe, (though'. we think it highly probable,)    It was also intended to follow up the presince Infinite Power is pbssessed of numerous  ceding discussions with particular illustrations
resources' for accomplishing its objects, which  of the following topics: —The views'which scilie beyond the sphere of our knowledge and  ence affords' of the incessant energies oqf creacomprehension. But I have brought forward  ting power-the changes and revolutions which
this fact, to show. with what infinite ease this  appear to have happened, and which are still
event may be accomplished, when' Almighty' going on in the distant regions of the uniPower is interposed. By means of the know-  verse, as tending to amnplify our views of the
ledge we have acquired of the constitution of  grand and multifarious objects over which Dithe atmosphere, and by the aid of chymical ap-  vine Providence presides-th'e connemion of sciIparatus, we can perform experiments on a small  ence with a future state-the aids which the
scale, similar in kind, though infinitely inferior  discoveries of science afford, in enabling us to
in degree, td the awful event under considera-  form a conception of the scenes of future fetron. And, therefore, we can easily conceive  licity —of the employments of the heavenly
that EIe who formed the expans'ive atmosphere  inhabitants, and of their perpetual advances in
which surrounds us,-and who knows the native  knowledge and happ'iness, and in their views
energy of its constituent principles, may, by a  of the' perfections of Deity-the moras relations
simple volition, make that invisible'fluid, in a  of intelligent beings to their Creator, and to
few moments, the cause of the destruction of the  each other; and the physical grounds or reasom
present constitution of our world, and, at the  of those' moral laws'which the Deity has prosame time, the means of its'subsequent renova-  mu!gated for regulating the conduct, and'for
tion. For, as fire does not annihilate, but only  promoting the harmony and order of intelligent
ctsanaes, thefforms of matter, this globe on which  agents-illustrations of the allusions of the sawe nrow  tread, and which bears the marks of  cred writers to the system of the material world




134                      THE CHR rTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
-the nmultaneous progress of science and reli-  hundred pages, they must, in the nmeae  time,
gion, considered as an evidence of the con-  be postponed.*
nexion of the one with the other-the moral
efects of the studly of science in connexion with    ~ A work, embracing illustrations of some of the
topics here stated, is preparing for the press, undet
religon —replies to objections and insinuations  the title of " The Phiksophy of Religion; or, aln
which have been thrown out against the idea  illustration of the Moral Laws of the Universe, on
of combining the discoveries of science with  the principlces of Reason and I)ivine Revelation." In
ofcombining the discoveries of science with  this work, an original, and, at the same time, a poputhe discoveries of revelation, &c. But, as il-  lar train of thought will be prosecuted, and the dif:
itistrations  of these, and various other topics  ferent topics will be enlivened with illustrative facts
borrowed fron the scenery of nature and the metal
cennected with them, would occupy two or three  histo      ry of maknature a  tind.he m
CHAPTER V.
B.ENEFICIAL EFFECTS WHICH MIGHT RESULT TO CHRISTIAN SOCIETY FROM CONNECTINO
THE DISCOVERIES OF SCIENCE WITH THE OBJECTS OF RELIGION.
[. —THE VARIETY OF TOPICS which would be  plants, flowers, and vegetable productions of
introduced into Christian instructions, by can-  every hue, so profusely scattered over the face of
necting them with the manifestations of Deity in  nature; the diversified productions of the mineral
the system of nature, WOULD HAVE A TEN-  kingdom; the variegated colouring spread over
DENCY TO ALLURE THE ATTENTION OF THE   the face of nature; t;ge;her with the many thou.
YOUva  TO RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS, and to af-  sands of different species of animated beings
ford mental entertainment and moral instruc-  which traverse the air, the waters, and the earth
tion to intelligent minds of every description.    -afford so many stimuli to rouse this principle
into exercise, and to direct the mind to the con.
NOVrLTY and variety appear to be essentially  templation of the Creator. And as the earth
requisite in order to rouse the attention, not only  displays an endless diversity of objects, so the
of the more ignorant, but even of the more intel-  heavens, in so far as they have been explored, ex-;igent class of mankind, and to excite them to  hibit a scenery both grand and variegated. There
make progress in;the path of intellectual and  is not a planet in the solar system but differs
moral improvement. The principle of curiosity,  from another, in its magnitude, in its distance
which appears at a very early period of life, and  from  the central luminary about which it rewhich variegated scenery and novel objects tend  volves, in the velocity of its motion, in the exto stimulate and to gratify-so far from being  tent, of the circle it describes around the sun, in
checked and decried, in a religtous point ofview,  the period of time in which its revolution is
as some have been disposed to do, ought to be  completed, in its rotation round its axis, in the
encouraged and cultivated in the minds both  number of moons with which it is attended, in
of the, old and of the young. As it is a prin-  the inclination of its axis to the plane of its orbit,
ciple which God himself has implanted in our  and the diversity of seasons which results from
natures, for wise and important purposes, it  this circumstance; in the density of its atmosrequires only to be chastened, and directed in  phere, and the various appearances which divera proper channel, in order to become one of  sify its surface. And if we were favoured with
the most powerftil auxiliaries in the cause of  a nearer view of these majestic orbs, we should,
religion, and of intellectual improvement.  To  doubtless, behold a similar variety in every part
gratify this principle, and to increase its ac-  of their internal arrangements.  The surface of
tivity, the Creator has adorned our globe with  the moon presents a variegated prospect of
a combination ofbeauties and sublinities, strew-  mountains and vales, but so very different it
ed in endless variety over all its different regions.. their form, position, and arrangement, from what
The hills and'dales, the mountains and plains;  obtains on the surface of'our globe, that it would
the seas, the lakes, the rivers, the islands of  exhibit a scenery altogether new and urnconevery form and size which diversify the surface  mon to an inhabitant of this world,'were he
of the ocean; the bays, the gulfs, and penin-  placed on the surface of that planet.' Every
sulas; the forests, the groves, the deep dells,  comet, too, is distinguished from another, by Its
and towering cliffs; the infinite variety of trees,  magnitude, the extent of its atmosphere, tne




VARIETY OF TOPICS IN RELIGION.                                 1S5
length of its blazing tail, the rapioity of its mo-  majesty of the Almighty, and of his operations irn
tion. and- the figure of the curve it describes  heaven and earth,-with the results and beararound the sun.  WVith regard to tile fixed stars,  ing of the economy of redemption,-with divine
which are distributed, of every size, and in every  songs, odes, and hymns, composed by angels and
direction. through the immensity of space, our  inspired men,-with maxims of moral wisdom.
senses, as well as the declaration of an inspired  examples of sublime eloquence, of strength of
writer, convince us, that, in point of brilliancy,  reasoning, and of manly boldness of reproof,colour, and magnitude, " one star differeth from   with proverbs, parables, allegories, exhortations,
another star in glory."                       promises, threatenings, and consolatory addressAnd as the system of nature in all its parts  es. In short, we have here detailed, in the
presents a boundless variety of scenery, to arouse  greatest variety, history, antiquities, voyages,
the attention, and to gratify the desire for novel-  travels, philosophy, geography, natural and no-.
ty, so the revelation of God contained in the  ral science, biography,arts, epic poetry, epistles,
Sacred Records displays a diversified combina-  memoirs, delineations of nature, sketches of hution of the most sublime and interesting subjects  man character, moral precepts, prophecies, miraand events.  WVere we to form an opinion of the  cles, narrations, wonderful providences, marvelcompass of divine revelation, from the range of  lous deliverances, the phenomena of the air, the
subjects to which the minds of some professing  waters, and the earth; the past, the present, and the
Christians are confined, it might all be compre-  future scenes ofthe world-all blended together in
hended within the limits of five or six chapters of  one harmonious system, without artificial order,
the New Testament; and all the rest might be  but with a majesty and grandeur corresponding
thrown aside, as a dead-weight upon the Chris-  to the style of the other works of God,-and all
tian system. But here, as in all the other dis-  calculated to gratify the principle of curiosityplays of the Almighty, divine perfection and  to convey " reproof, correction, and instruction
providence are exhibited in the most diversified  in righteousness," and "to make the man of
aspects. Here we have recorded a history of the  God perfect, and thoroughly furnished to every
creation and arrangement of our globe,-of the  good work."
formation of the first human pair,-of their pri-    And, as the scenes of nature. and the scenes
meval innocence, temptation, and fall.-of the  of revelation, are thus wonderfully diversified,
arts which were cultivated in the first ages ofthe  in order to excite the attention of intelligent
world, —of the increase of human wickedness, —  beings, and to gratify the desire for variety, sc
of the building of the ark,-of the drowning of  we have every reason to believe, that the scenes:
the world by a universal deluge,-of the burning  objects, and dispensations, which will be disof Sodom by fire from the clouds,-of the ori-  played in the heavenly world, will be incompagin of larnguages, —of the dividing of the Red  rably more grand and diversified.  When we
sea,-of the journeying of the tribes of Israel  consider the immensity of God's universal kingthrough the deserts of Arabia,-of their conquest  dorn, and the numerous systems, and worlds and
of the promised land, and their wars with the  beings comprehended within its vast circumnfenations of Canaan,-of the corporeal translation  rence, and that the energies of creating power
of Elijah from earth to heaven, —of the manifes   may be for ever exerted in raising new worlds
tation of the son of God in human flesh, the be-  into existence -we may rest assured, that the
nevolent miracles he performed, and the tri-  desire of variety and of novelty, in holy intelliumnphs he obtained over all the -powers of hell and  genees, will be completely gratified throughout
earth. We are here presented with the most  an endless succession of existence; and that the
interesting and affecting narratives, elegies, dra-' most luxuriant imagination, in its boldest exmatic poems, and triumphal songs,-with views  cursions, can never go beyond the reality of
of society in the earliest ages of the world, when  those scenes of diversified grandeur which the
the lives of men were prolonged to nearly a thou-  heaven of heavens will display.
sand years,-with splendid miracles performed    Now, since the book of nature, and the book
in the land of Egypt, in the wilderness of Horeb,  of revelation, since all the manifestations of
and in the " field of Zoan," when "the sun and  the Creator in heaven and earth, are character.
moon stood still in their habitation;" when,the  ized by their sublime and diversified aspect; we
waters of the great deep were divided, and  would ask, why should we not be imitators of
mountains shook and trembled " at the presence  God, in displaying the diversified grandeur of
of Jehovah,"-with the glorious marching of a  his kingdom of providence and of grace, before
whole nation through the Arabian deserts, under  the minds of those whom we profess to instruct?
the guidance of a miraculous pillar of cloud and  TWhy should we confine our views to a few points
fire,-with the visits of celestial messengers,  in the Christian system, to a few stones in the
and the visible symbols of " a piesent Deity,"  fabric of the divine operations, when " a wide
-with prophetical delineations of the present  and unbounded prospect lies before us?"  Wvhy
and future condition of the race of Adam,-with  should we not rather attempt to rouse the mora!
desetiptio'm of the power, wisdom, love, and  and intellectual energies of mankind, from the




136                     THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
press, in the school-room, and in the family cir-  part of the globe we inhabit. Of the vast extoan
clu, by exhibiting the boundless variety of aspect  of this earthly ball, of its figure and motions
which the revelations of heaven present, and  of its continents, seas, islands, and oceans, of
the holy tendencies of devout'contemplation  its volcanoes and ranges of mountains, of iti
on the works and the wavs of God? that they  numerous and diversified climates and land.
may learn, with intelligence, to." meditate on  scapes; of the various nations and tribes of
all the works of the Lord, an'd to; talk of all his  mankind that people its surfacs, and of the mo.
doings."  By.enlarging and diversifying the to-  ral government of God respec ing them,-they
plcs of religious discussion, according to the  are almost as completely ignorant as the untuviews now stated, we have it. in our power to  tored Greenlander, or the roving savage. With
spread out an intellectual feast to allure and to  regard to the objects which lie beyond the boun.
gratify every variety of taste,-the young and  dary of our world, they have no precise and
the old, the learned and the unlearned; yea, even  definite conceptions. When the moon is " walkthe careless and the ignorant, the skeptical and  ing in brightness" through the heavens, they
the dissipated, might frequently be allured by  take the advantage of her light to prosecute their
the selection of a judicious variety of striking  journeys; and, when the sky is overcast with
and impressive objects and descriptions, to par-  clouds, and they are anxious to travel a few
take of those mental enjoyments which might  miles to their destined homes, they will lift up
ultimately issue in the happiest results. The  their eyes to the heavens to see if any of the
man of an inquisitive turn of mind, who now  stars are twinkling through the gloom, that their
throws aside every thing that has the appearance  footsteps may be directed by their glimmering
of religion, on. account of its dulness, might rays., Beyond this they seldom  soar. What
nave his curiosity gratified amidst such a va-  may be the nature of the vast assemblage of
riety as that to which I allude; andj from per-  shining points which adorn the canopy of their
ceiving the bearing of every discussion on the  habitation, and the ends they are destined to
great realities of religion and a future state,  accomplish in the plan of the Creator's operamight be led to more serious inquiries after.the  tions, they consider as no part of their province
path that leads to immortality. In a word, to  to inquire.
associate and to amalgamate, as it were, the   "Their minds, fair science never taught to stray
arts and sciences, and every department of use-    Far as the solar worlds, or milky way."
ful knowledge, with divine subjects, is to conse-    How very different, in point of variety, of
crate them to their original and legitimate ends,  grandeur, and of extent, are the views of the
and to present religion to the eyes of men, in  man who connects all the different departments
its most sublime, and comprehensive, and at-  of knowledge, and the discoveries of science
tractive'form, corresponding to what appears to  with his prospects of God's universal dominion
oe the design of the Creator, in all the mani-  and government?  With his mental eye he can
festations he has given of himself, in the system  traverse the different regions of the earth, and
of nature, in the operations of Providence, and  penetrate into the most distant and retired rein the economy of redemption.                cesses where human beings have their residence.,    -He can contemplate and adore the conduct of
II.-By connecting science with religion, Chris-  divine sovereignty, in leaying so many nations
tians would be enabled to take AN EXTENSIVE  to grope amidst the darkness of heathen idoSUaVEY OF THE KINIGDOM OF GOD.             latry, —he can trace the beams of the Sun of
righteousness, as they gradually rise to illumnine
How very narrow and limited are the views  the benighted tribes of men,-he can direct his
of most professors of religion respecting the  prayers, with intelligence and fervour, in behalf
universal kingdom of Jehovah,. and the range  of particular kindreds and people,-he can deof his operations! The views of some indivi-  vise,.with judgment and discrimination, schemes
duals are confined chiefly within the limits of  for carrying the " Salvation of God" into effect,
their own parish, or at farthest, extend only to  -he can realize, in some measure, to his menta
the blue mountains that skirt their horizon, and  sight, the glorious and happy scenes which wil
form the boundary of their sight. Within this  be displayed in the future ages of time, whezn
narrow circle, all their ideas of God, of religion,  "'the kingdoms of this world shall beconme the
and of the relations of intelligent beings to each  kingdom of our' Lord, and of his Christ," and
other, are chiefly confined.  There are- others,  when the "everlasting gospel" shall be pub..
who form an extensive class of our population,  lished, and its blessings distributed among all
whose ideas are confined nearly to the county in  who dwell upon the face of the earth.  He can
which they reside, and to the adjacent districts; bound from this earth to the planetary worlds
and there are few, comparatively, whose views  and survey far, more spacious globes, peopled
extend beyond the confines of the kingdom  to  with a higher. order of intelligences, arranged
which they belong-though the whole island in  and superintended by the same Almighty Sovewhich we reside is less than the two-thousandth  reign, who " doth according to his will among




AMPLITUDE OF THE DIVINE' EMPIRE.                               137
the inhabitants of the earth."  He can wing his  heavens: Lo! these are only parts of his ways,
way beyond Ithe visible region of the sklay, till he  but how little a portion is heard of him, and. the
find himself surrounded on every hand with suns  thunder of his power who* can understand?and-systems of worlds, rising'to view in bound-  The Lord hath prepared his throne in the healess perspective, throughout the tracts-of immen-. vens, and his kingdom ruleth over all.-O Lord
sity-diversified. with scenes of magnificence,  our God!.how excellent is thy name in all the
and with beings, of every order-all under the  earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
government and the wise direction of Him who  When I consider thy heavens, the work.of -thy
"rules-among the armies of:heaven," and who  fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast
"preserveth-them all,"- andl whom the " host. of  ordained; what is man, that thou art mindful: of
neaven. worship" and adore. He: can soar be-  him!-His kingdom is? an everlasting kingdom
yond,them.all to the throne of God, where angels  honour and majesty are before him; all the:inand.archangels, cherubim and seraphim, celebrate  habitants of the earth are reputed as nothing in
the praises of their Sovereign Lord, and stand, his sight, and he doth according to his will in the
ready to announce his will, by their rapid flight  army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of
to the most distant provinces of his empire. He  the earth.-mHe measures the waters in the holcan descend'from that: lofty eminence to this ter-  low of his hand; he meteth out heaven with a
restrial world, allotted for. his.temporary. abode,  span, and comprehendeth the dust of the earth in
and survey another unbounded province of the  a measure. —He sitteth upon the circle of the
empire. of. God, in those living worlds which lie  earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshid from the unassisted sight, and which the  hoppers.-I have made the earth, and created
microscope alone; can descry.  He. can here  man upon it; I, even my hands, have stretched
perceive the same Hand and Intelligence which  out the heavens, and all their host have I comdirect the rolling.worlds above, and marshal all  manded.-The Most High dwelleth not in temthe angelic tribes-organizing, arranging, and  ples made with hands; for the heaven is his
governing the countless myriads. of. anilnated  throne, and the earth is his footstool.-With
existence which people the surface of a muddy  God is awful majesty.-Great things doth He,
pool, He can speed his course from one of these  which we cannot comprehend; yea, the Lord
departments of Jehovah's kingdom to. another,  sitteth King for ever.-Praise ye the Lord in the
till, astonished and overwhelmed: with the.- order,  heavens; praise him in the heights; praise him,
the grandeur, and extent of the wondrous scene,  all his angels; praise ye him, all his hosts
tie is constrained to exclaim, "Great and mar-  Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all ye
vellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty!"  stars of light; praise him, ye heavenof heavens.
" Thine understanding is infinite!?'"  The limits  Praise him, ye kings of the earth, and all people,
of thy dominions are " past:finding out!"    princes and judges of the earth; both young
By. taking such extensive surveys of the em-  men and maidens; old men and children-let
pire of Jehovah, we are enabled to perceive the  them praise the name of the Lord; for his name
spirit and references of those sublime passages in  alone is. excellent, his glory: is above the earth
the sacred writings which proclaim  the majesty  and heaven."
of God, and the glory: of his kingdom..Such    These. sublime descriptions of the supremacy
passages are diffusely. scattered through the in-  of God, and of the grandeur of his kingdom,
spired volume, and have  evidently an: extent of  must convince every reflecting mind, of the inreference. far beyond what is generally conceived  conceivable magnificence and extent of that dobv the gareat mass of the Christian world. The  minion "-which ruleth over all."  It is quite
following may suffice as.a specimen:-.      evident, that we can never enter, with intelli" Thine, O.Lord! is the. greatness, anl  the  gence, into the full import and the grand referglory, and the majesty; for all in heaven. and  ences of such exalted language employed by inearth is thine! Thine is the kingdom, 0 Lord! spired writers, unless we take into view all the
Thou art exalted above- all, thou reignest over all, discoveries which science has made, both in the
anld, in thine hand is power and might.-Behold,  earth and in the heavens, respecting the variety
the heaven, and: the heaven of. heavens, is the  and extent of the dominions of the Creator. It
Lord's; the earth also, with all that therein is.  the " kingdom of the most High" were as limited
-Ascribe ye greatness to our God; for there is  in its range as most Christians seem to conceive,
none like unto the God of Israel,' who rideth upon  such descriptions might be considered as mere
the heavens in his strength,.and in his.excellency: hyperboles, or bombast, or extravagant declamaon the sky. Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou- tion, which far exceeds the bounds of " truth and
hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with  soberness."  But we are certain, that the conall their host; the earth, and.all things that are  ceptions and the language of mortals can never
therein; the sea, and all that is therein; and  go beyond the reality of what actually exists
thou preservest them all, and the host of heaven  within the boundless precincts of Jehovah's ermworshippeth thee.-He divideth'the sea by his  pire. For " who can u.ter the mighty acts ot
powuer; by his Spirit he hath.garnished the  the Lord?" or " who can show forth all his
18




THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
praise?"  The language and descriptions to  jority of those who profess the religion of esus.
which we have now adverted, seem to have had  And how can they be supposed to be qualified to
a prospective reference to later and more en-  enter into the spirit of this duty, and to proclaim
lightened times, when more extensive prospects  to others " the glorious majesty of God's king.
of God's dominions would be opened up by the  dom," unless such subjects be illustrated in mi.exertions of human intellect.  And were we to  nutedetail, and proclaimed with becoming energy,
search the records of literature, in ancient or  both from the pulpit and from the press? These
modern times, we should find no descriptions nor  powerfiJl engines, when conducted with judgment
language of such dignified nature as to express  and discrimination, are capable of producing on
the views and feelings of an enlightened Christian  the mass of mankind a tone of thinking, and an
philosopher, when he contemplates the sublimity  enlargement of conception, on such subjects,
and extent of divine operations —except those  which no other means can easily effect; and it
which are to be found in the inspired volume-  is to be hoped, that more precise and luminous
the strength, and majesty, and comprehension of details, and more vigour and animation, will soon
which no human language can ever exceed.     be displayed, in this respect, than in the ages
Again, by familiarizing our minds to such ex-  that are past.
tended prospects of God's universal kingdom, we    There is a certain principle of selfishness which
shall be qualified and disposed to comply with  pervades the minds of many professed religionthe injunctions of Scripture, which represent it  ists, which leads them to conclude, that, if they
as an imperious duty, to communicate to the minds  can but secure their own personal salvation, they
of others such elevated conceptions.  This duty is  need give themselves no trouble about the glory
enjoined in numerous passages of Sacred Scrip-  and extent of the kingdom of the Most High.
ture, particularly in the book of Psalms: "De-  " What need we care," say they, "about nations
clare his glory among the heathen, and his  in the far-distant parts of the world, and about
wonders among all people.-I will extol thee,  the planets and the stars; our business is to atmy God, 0 King.-One generation shall praise  tend to the spiritual interests of our souls." Such
thy works to another, and shall declare thy  persons seem neither to understand in what salmighty acts.-I will speak of the glorious honour  vation really consists, and what is conducive to
of thy najesty, and of thy wondrous works. And  their spiritual interests, nor to appreciate those
men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts;  tempers and habits which will qualify them for
and shall declare thy greatness. All thy works  the enjoyment of eternal life. It forms but a
shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall  very slender evidence of their possessing any
bless thee.  They shall speak of the glory of thy  spark of Christianity at all, if they wish to rest
kingdom, and talk of thy power; to make known  satisfied with the most vague and grovelling conto the sons of men thy mighty acts, and the glo-  ceptions, and if they do not ardently aspire after
rious majesty of thy kingdom."*  When we look  a more enlarged view of the attributes of God, of
around us in the world, and in the visible church,  the glory of his empire, and of whatever may
and mark the conceptions and the conversation  tend to expand their conceptions of " the inheritof the members of religious societies, we need  ance of the saints in light."  We have often
scarcely say how little this ennobling duty is at-  been astonished at the opinions of some of those
tended to by by the mass of those who bear the  who move in a higher sphere of intelligence,
Christian name. We hear, abundance of idle  who seem to consider it as a matter of pure inchat about the fashions and the politics of the  dfference, whether or not Christians should attain
day-how Miss A. danced so gracefully at the  to the highest conception in their power of the
ball, and how Miss B. sung so sweetly at the  God whom they worship, and of his boundless
concert; how Mr. C. acted his part so well in  dominions; because they conceive that such
the character of Rob Roy, and how Mr. D. made  views are not essentially connected with salvasuch a flaming speech at the corporation dinner.  tion?  Though they may not have been essen.
We" listen to slanderous conversation, and hear  tial to the salvation of men in the dark ages that
abundance of mean, and base, and uncharitable  are past, or to obscure tribes of people at present,
insinuations against our neighbours; which in-  who have no access to the proper sources of indicate the operation of malice, hatred, envy, and  formation, yet, since God, in the course of his
other malevolent tempers. We spend whole  providence, which guides all human inventions
hours in boisterous disputations about metaphy-  and discoveries, has disclosed to us a far more
sical subtleties in religion, and questions," which  expansive view of the " glory of his kingdom,"
gender strife rather than godly edifying;" but  than former ages could obtain, for the purpose of
" to speak of the glory of God's kingdom, and  illustrating the revelations of his word-who will
to talk of his power," with the view of ",making  dare to assert, that the man who has access, by,
known to the sons of men his mighty works," is  his studious efforts, to contemplate this wondrous
a duty which remains yet to be learned by a ma-  scene, and to display its grandeur to others, and
yet wilfully shuts his eyes on the divine glory'Psalm cxlv. and xcvi. 3, 4        therein displayed, does not thereby hazard the




AMPLITUDE OF THE DIVINE EMPIRE.                                 139
divine displeasure?  In this point of view, the  may talk about purely spiritual ideas, it is quite
following passage deserves a serious considera-  evident, from the nature of things, and from the
tion: " Because they regard not the works of  very constitution of man, that we can have no
the Lord, nor the operations of his hands, he shall  ideas at all without the intervention of sensible
destroy tnem, and not build them up." We have  objects. And, therefore, if we would wish to form
no hesitation in admitting, that persons may have  the most sublime conceptions of God himself,
obtained salvation who never saw more of'the  we must endeavour, in the first place, to take the
sacred writings than what is contained in the  nlostextensive views which science and revelagospel of Mark, or in one of Paul's epistles;  tion exhibit, of his vast dominions.  We must
but what would we sav of the man who had ac-  endeavour to form some adequate idea of the
cess to all the revelations of heaven we now pos-  wide extent of the globe on which we dwell, its
sess, and yet confined his attention solely to a  diversified scenery, and the numerous tribes of
chapter or two in the New Testament, and would  human beings, and other animated existences,
aot deign to look into any other part of the in-  visible and invisible, which people its different
spired volume? We should not hesitate at once  provinces. We must explore the v'st regions of
to pronounce that such a person was grossly de-  the planetary system, and compare the bulk of
ficient in his-duty, and devoid of that reverence  the earth, large as it is, with some of those
and submission which are due to the oracles of  more magnificent globes, which would contain a
God. And, if it be admitted, that the person  thousand worlds as large as ours. We must"
who has access to the bible, and who refuses to  next wing our way, in imagination, over a space
peruse its important contents, is guilty of a cri-  which a cannon-ball, flying five hundred miles
minal neglect, we do not see how the man, who  every hour,would not traverse in ten hundred
has free access to the other volume of God's re-  thousand years, till we arrive at the nearest fixed
velation, and views it as a matter of mere indif-  stars, and find ourselves in the centre of thouference whether he looks into into it or not, can  sands of systems and worlds, arranged at imbe deemed, in this respeet, entirely innocent.  measurable distances from one another. We
If it be understood, that we shall be judged ac-  must pass from one nebula, or cluster of systems,
cording to the light and privileges we enjoy, and  to another; continuing our excursions as far as,the use we make of them, in our improvement  the eye or the telescope can direct our view;
in the knowledge of God-we would deem it a  and, when the aid of artificial instruments begins
hazardous position for any one to support, that  to fail, our imagination must still take its flight
" inattention to the visible glories of the kingdom  far beyond the boundaries of mortal vision, and
of God, and to the' declaration of his wonders  add system to system, and nebula to nebula,
among the people,' is a matter either of indiffer-  through the boundless regions of space, till we
ence or of trivial importance."              arrive at the grand centre of the universe, the
For,' let it be considered, further-that on the  throne of God, around which all worlds and
extent of our views respecting the universal king-  beings revolve, where " thousands thousands" of
dom of God depends our conceptions of the ma.  bright intelligences " minister to Him, and ten
jesty and glory af he Creator himself. We be-  thousand times ten thousand stand before him."
come acquainted with the nature of God, only in  We must consider all this magnificent assemso far as he has manifested himself to us by ex.  blage of objects, not merely as so many masses
ternal operations,* and in so far as we form just  of inert matter, or as a grand raree-show, to
conceptions of these operations. If we conceive, dazzle the eyes of a few hundreds of human
his empire as included within the bounds of spectators,-but as destined for purposes worthy
eighty or ninety thousand miles, our conceptions  of the plans and the intelligence of Him who is
of the Sovereign of that empire will be circum-  " the only wise God,"-as peopled with numescribed within nearly the same limits. The mind  rous orders of intelligent beings, whose physical
of every reasonable man must, indeed, admit the  and moral economy is superintended and directabstract proposition; " That the Divine Being  ed by Him, who, at the same time, rules amidst
is infinite, and, consequently, fills all space with  the tumults of human revolutions, and governs
his presence."  But this infinity, in our view,'the living myriads which people a drop of water.
is nothing more than a vague -conception of empty   In this way, then, do we come to acquire the
space, -extending a little way beyond the sphere  most extensive views of tne amplitude and glory
of his visible operations. The mind must have  of the kingdom of the Most High; and it is only
some material, visible, or tangible objects to rest by the same process of thought that we can ever
upon, and to guide it in its excursions, when it attain the most exalted conceptions of the attriwould attempt to form the most definite and corn-  butes of its almighty Sovereign. For our views of
prehensive conceptions of an infinite, eternal,  the Sovereign of the universe must always corresand invisible existence.  For however much we  pond with our views of the extent and mignificence of those dominions which sprung from his'Her< I include the, manifestations of Deity, as atin hand, and over which he every moment
exthibited both in divine revelation. and in the sys- creating hand, and over which he every moment.em of natpure,                              presides. His essence must for ever remain im.r




140                      rHE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.;erceptible to finite minds; for he is " the King  movements of the mat rial svstem, and the selk
eternal, immortal, and invisible, dwelling in that  sitive and rational beings with which it is peopled.
light which no man can approach unto, whom no  It is evident, that, in proportion as our views of
man hath seen,,orcan see." Fromhisnature,.as a  the Creator's dominions are extended, our views
spiritual uncompounded substance, and from his  of his providence will, to a certain extent, be proimmensity, as filling infinite space with his pre-  portionably enlarged. For wherever worlds and
sence, it appears impossible, in the very nature of beings exist, there will God be found, preserving,
things, that the glory of his perfections can be dis-  superintending, and governing the movements of
played in any other.waythan.through the medium   all creatures and events. It is chiefly, however,
of the visible operations ofhis hands, or in the dis.  in the world in which we reside, that the diverpensations of his providence towards particular  sified dispensations of Providence can be disworlds or classes of intelligences. And if, in the  tinctly traced.  Now an acquaintance with the
future world, the souls of good men will enjoy a  prominent parts of the different branches of
more glorious display.than at present, of the at-  knowledge to which I have already adverted,
tributes of Deity, it-will be owing chiefly to their  would enable us to take a particular and combeing placed in more favourable circumstances  prehensive view, not only of the ways of God
than they now are, for contemplating this display;  to man, but also of his arrangements in reference
to their faculties being more,invigorated; and  to all subordinate creatures and events., every physical and moral impediment to their    From  the inspired history of the Old Testaexercise being completely removed; so. as to  ment, we can trace the prominent lines of the
enable them to perceive more clearly than they  dispensations of God towards man, particularly
now do, the unbounded displays he has given of  in regard to the Israelites and the surrounding
his -power, wisdom, and. benevolence. And, if  nations-from the creation to a period about 400
we expect to be introduced to this state of en-  years before the coming of Christ. But in order
larged.vision, when we.pass from  the scenes of  to perceive the farther progress and bearings of
mortality, it cannot be a matter of mere indi.er-  these lines till the commencement of the New
ence, even now, whether or not our minds are  Testament economy, we must have recourse to
prepared for such exalted employments, by. en-  the most authentic records of profane history.
deavouring. to form the most ample conceptions  From the era of the birth of Christ to near the
of the attributes of God which can be obtained  close of the first century, we can acquire, from
through the medium of his word, and by a con-  the evangelists and the history of the apostles,
templation of the variety and magnificence of his  a particular account of the life of Christ, of the
works. In the prospect of that world where we  events which preceded and accompanied the
hope to spend an interminable existence, it must  finishing of the work of redemption, and of the
also be interesting to ascertain, whether or not  progress of the gospel through Judea and the adthe dominions of.the universal Sovereign pre,  jacentcountries. But after this period we have
sent such an extent of empire, and such a variety  no inspired guide to direct us in tracing the diof objects, that new scenes of wonder and glory  vine dispensations towards the various nations
nay be expected to be displayed in. continual  of the earth; and, therefore, we must have resuccession, for the contemplation and entertain-  course to the annals, memoirs, chronicles, and
ment of holy beings, while eternal ages are roll-  other records of the history of nations, down to
ing on. And, on this point, the discoveries of  the period in which we live; otherwise we could
science confirm and illustrate the notices of hea-  never contemplate the continued series of events
venly glory and felicity recorded in the inspired  in the divine economy towards the inhabitants of
volume, and lead..us to rest with full assurance  our world. Unless  men of learning and of obhon the prophetic declaration, that " eye hath not  servation had recorded the prominent facts which
seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the  have occurred in the history of nations, for 1700
heart of man to conceive, the things which God  years past, we must have remained almost as ighath prepared for them that love him."        norant of the dispensations of God towards our
race, during-that period, as the inhabitants of the
iII.-B/ connecting the discoveries of science
wit. religon,   the midsefCriss  wo uI..planet Saturn: and unless wev study the events
be ith abledliion, take a me mins of Christie and compre- thus recorded in the writings of the historian,
hensive survey of the amOPEiATtcONS OF PRO-  and contemplate their varied aspects and bearings
hVIDENCE.                                   in the light.of divine revelation, we. must stil'
remain ignorant of the grand movements and
Providence is that superintendence and care  tendencies of divine providence. This single
which God exercises over all creatures and  circumstance shows, in the clearest light, that it
events, in order to accomplish the eternal pur-  is the intention of God, that we should learn the
poses of his will. In creation, God brought the  operations of his providence from the researches
universe out of nothing, and arranged all its  of science and history, as well as from the records
provinces and inhabitants in due order. By  ofrevelation; and that the scriptures, thoughthey;ris providence he supports and governs all the  contain every supernatural discovery requisite to




RANGE OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE.                                  141
our happiness, are not of themselves sufficient to  lives."  From  anatomy and physiology, we
present us with a connected view of the prorni-  learn,'how " fearfully and wonderfully we are
nent dispensations of heaven, from the creation  made and preserved"-that our health and comnto the period in which we live.              fort depend upon the regular action of a thousand
From the science of geography we acquire a  organical'parts and functions, over which we
knowledge of the extent of the surface of the  have no control-and that our very existence
earth-of the various tribes of human inhabit-  every moment is dependent on the superinterndants with which it is peopled-of the physical ence of a Superior Power, "in whose hand
aspect of the different climates they inhabit-of  our breath is, and whose are all our ways."
their arts, manners, customs, laws, religion,    By an occasional study, then, of the subjects
vices, wars, and political economy:-and, conse-  to which we have now alluded, we would graquently, we can, in these and similar respects,  dually expand our conceptions of the range and
trace some of the aspects of Divine Providence  operations of Divine Providence. Every geotowards them in relation to their present and fu-  graphical exploration of a new region of the
ture condition. From the same source, we learn  globe-every scientific improvement and discothe number of human beings which the Governor  very-eeyery useful invention-every eruption
of the world has under his direction at one  of a volcano-every shock of an earthquaketime, which is nearlv a thousand millions, or  every hurricane, and storm, and tempest-every
five hundred times the number of the inhabitants  battle of the warrior-every revolution anlong
of Scotland. From  the data afforded by this  tite nations-and every detail in the newspapers
science, we may also form an estimate of the  we daily read, would lead us to form some collnnumber of disembodied spirits that have passed  ceptions of the providential purposes of Himl
from this world since the creation, and are now   who is the Supreme;isposer of all events.under the superintendence of the Almighty in the  Even the arrangements of Divine Wisdom,
invisible state, which cannot be much less than  with regard to. the economy of the lower ani145,000 millions; and on similar grounds we may  mals, ought not to be overlooked in such a suralso learn the number of rational beings that are  vey. When we consider the immense number
coming forward into existence, and passing into  and variety of animated beings-that there are
the eternal world every day, which is at least  500 species of quadrupeds, every species con88,000, and, consequently, nearly 50 during each  taining, perhaps, many millions of individuals;
passing minute,-every individual of which, the  4000 species of birds; 2500 species of fishes;
Supreme Disposer of events superintends at his  700 species of reptiles; and 44,000 differen't
entrance into life; and, at his departure from it,  kinds of insects, besides many thousands of
directs to his respective and eternal state of des-  species altogether invisible to the unassisted'ination. All which circumstances, and many  sight-when we consider that the structure and
others of a similar kind, must be taken into ac-  organization of all these different species are
count, in order to our forming a comprehensive  different from each other, and exactly adapted
conception of the numerous bearings and the in-  to their various situations and modes of existcessant agency of a Superintending Providence.  ence, and that their multifarious wants, in regard
From  natural history we learn the immense. to food and habitation, are all provided for, and
number and variety of the subordinate tribes of amply supplied by Him, who, at the same time,
animated beings which inhabit the different re-  arranges and governs tile affairs of ten thougions of earth, air, and sea-their economy and  sand worlds-we must be lost in astonishment
instincts-their modes of existence, and the man-  at the greatness of that Intelligence which
ner in which the Creator provides for their  formed them, and at the exuberance of that
various necessities. From an acquaintance with  Bounty which spreads so full a table for so imthe history of the arts and mechanical inven.  mense an assemblage of living beings! And
tioens, we learn the gradual manner in which God  were we transported to other worlds, we should,
directs the movements of the human mind, in  doubtless, behold still more ample displays of
making those improvements and discoveries  Divine Beneficence.
which have a bearing upon the accomplishment    We are here presented with a striking ccrnof his eternal plans of mercy, and which tend  mentary on such passages of the sacred volume
to enlarge our views of the amplitude and the  as these: " The eyes of all look unto Thee, (
glories of his kingdom. From naturalphilosophy  Lord! and thou givest them their meat in due
and chymistry, we learn the secondary causes or  season.  Thou openest thy hand liberally, and
subordinate laws by which the Almighty supports  satisfiest the desire of every living tliing. The
and directs the natural constitution of the world  earth is full of thy riches, O Lord! so is the great
-the wonderful manner in which our lives are  and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innileoveryr moment supported-and  the agencies  merable, both great and small beasts. These all
by which fire, air, light, heat, and fertility are  wait upon thee, and thou givest them their meat
distributed through the globe, for promoting the  in due season. That which thou givest them
comfort ana..a;uoiness  "' of every thing that- they gather: Thou openest th) 9land, they are




142                       THE  IHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
filled with good." —" O Lord, thou preservest  procedure in reference to other orders of intelli,
man and beast! How excellent is thy loving-  gences.  We are not, however, altogether ignokindness! Therefore the children of men shall  rant of some prominent. features o!' the physicl
out their trust under-the shadow of thy wings:  and moral economy of other worlds, in conseThey shall be abundantly satisfied with the fat-  quence of the discoveries of modern astronolnicat
ness of thy house,"* (of the table thou hast  science.
spread in thy world for all thine offspring,) " and  With respect to their physical economy, we
thou shall make them drink of the river of thy  behold a striking variety in the divine arrangepleasures."  One excellent practical effect which  ments. We perceive one planetary world sormight flow from such contemplations would be,  rounded by two splendid and magnificent rings,
to inspire us with feelings of humanity towards  one of them 204,000, and the other 184.000 miles.
the inferior order of animals, and to prevent us  in diameter, stretching across its celestial canofrom  wantonly and unnecessarily torturing, or  py from one end of the heavens to another-movrdepriving them of existence. For since the Cre-  ing with majestic grandeur around its inhabitants
ator and Preserver of all has so curiously orga-  every ten hours, and diffusing a light equal to
nized their bodies, and fitted them for the different  several thousands of moons lile ours-which
regions in which they reside, and so carefullly  tnay be considered as a visible and permanent
provided for all their wants, it must be His will  emblem of the majesty and glory of their Crethat they should enjoy happiness according tothe  ator.  We perceive connected with the same
extent of their capacities; and, therefore, they  globe, seven moons, all larger than ours, of difought to be considered as necessary parts of our  ferent nlagnitudes, and placed at different dissublunary system. Another practical lesson we  tances, and revolving in different periods of time
may derive from such surveys, is, to place an un-  around that spacious world. The diversified asshaken dependence upon God for our temporal  pects of these rings, as viewed from the different.
subsistence, while we, at the same time, exert  regions of the planret at different times, and the
all our faculties in the line of active duty.  variety of appearances produced by the alternate
" Blessed is the man who trusteth in him; for  rising and setting, culmination, and frequent
there is no want to them that fear him. The  eclipses, and other aspects of the moons, niust
young lions mnay suffer hunger, but they that fear  present to the inhabitants a very grand and vathe Lord shall not want any good thing."  He  ried and magntificent scene of divine operation.*
who decks the lily of the vale. and spreads out  On the other hand, we behold another planetary
a plentiful table to the fowls of heaven, to the  globe, destitute both of rings and moons, but
beasts of the forests, to the creeping insects, and  which has the starry heavens presented to view
even to the microscopic animalculae, will never  nearly in the same aspect in which we behold
fail to supply the necessary wants of those who  them.  We perceive a third globe much larger'' do His will, and hearken to the voice of his  than them both, capable of containing 200 times
commandments."  And if, at any time, we be  the number of the inhabitants of our world-acfiound destitute of daily food, and pining away in  companied in its course with four moons to difpenury and squalid disease, we have too much  fuse light in the absence of the sun, and to direason to conclude, that in one way or another,  versify the aspect of its sky.  In some of these
either otur deviation from the path of rectitude,  worlds, the succession of day and night is acor ator distrust of divine providence, or our want  conmplished within- the space of ten hours; in
of prudence and economy, has procured for us  others, this revolution is not completed till after
these things.                                  the lapse of twenty-four hours, or of as many
I have said, that it is chiefly in the world in  days.  In some, the days and nights are nearly
which we dwell, that the dispensations of Pro-  equal on every part of their sutrface, and they
vidence can be distinctly traced.  But we must  have little variety of seasons; in others, the vanevertheless admit that the care and superin-  riety in the length of the days, and the vicissitendence of God are as minutely exercised in the  tudes of the seasons, are nearly the same as those
distant regions of the universe as in our terres-  we experience in our terrestrial world. Around
trial sphere: though we are not permitted, at  some there appears a dense atmosphere, while
present, to inspect the particular details of His  others are environed with atmrrospheres more rare
* This, and several other similar passages, may be  and transparent.  Some move in the vicinity of
considered as more especially applicable to the  the sun, and enjoy an abundant efflux of light
bounty of providence which God has provided for  attd heat, while others are removed to the disall his creatures. The practice of spiritualizi'ng                                  
sucih passages, as it is termed, has a tendency to  tance of eighteen hundred millions of miles from
caricature Scripture, and to twist it from its pre-  that central ltiminary.  Some finish the revolucise and sublime references, toaccord with the vague  tion of their year in a few montts; while others
fancies of injudicious minds. The literal meaning
of Scripture is always the most allropriate, em-  reqllite twelve, thirty, or even eighty of our years
phatic, andt sublime: hbut it mnay, in some cases, be  to complete their annual round.  Some appear
used by way of accommodation. in illustrating divine
subjects, when it is applied with judgment and disciminination.                    -' See tl e isate, Fig. 7




RANGE OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE.                                    14.q
Hdorned with majestic mountain scenery, and  ven is preserved and directed. Tn those world.
others seem to have great changes occasionally  where there is no change in the succession of
taking place in their atmosphere, or on their sur-  their inhabitants-or, in othel words, where there
faces.  There are four planetary bodies lately  is no death, or where they are not produced by.
discovered, which, there is every reason to be-  any process analogous to generation, but have a
lieve, once formed the component parts of a large  fixed and permanent residence, there will be no
globe; but by some mighty catastrophe in the  need for moral precepts corresponding to the fifth
dispensations of heaven, it appears to have been  and the seventh commandments of our moral law 
burst asunder into the fragments we now behold,  and in those worlds where property is common,
If the general proposition illustrated in section  and the bounties of the Creator are equally en2. of the preceding chapter be admitted, such a  joyed by all, there will be no necessity for a law
fact would seem to indicate that a moral revolu-  corresponding to the eighth commandment; but
tion has taken place among the intelligent beings  the general principles on which these laws are
who had originally been placed in those regions;  founded, will be applicable to all the other cirand that their fate was involved in the dreadful  cumstances and relations which actually exist.;
shock which burst asunder the globe they inha-  so that the principle, arid spirit, and essence of
bited; just as the fate of the antediluvians was  our religion must be common to all the holy ininvolved in the shock by which the solid crust of  habitants of the universe. Anld, therefore, it
our globe was disrupted, at the period of the uni-  will follow, that every intelligent being that is
versal deluge.                                 animated and directed by such principles and afThese are some outlines in the economy of  fections, will be qualified for holding delightful
Providence which we can trace with regard to  intercourse with all holy beings throughout the
the arrangements of other worlds; but beyond  universe of God, in whatever province of the
such general aspects we are not permitted to pe-  Creator's empire he may hereafter be placed;
netrate, so long as we sojourn in tabernacles of  and, to qualify us for suclh harmonious and afclay.  But even such general views afford some  fectionate intercourse, is one great end of the
scope to the contemplative mind, for forming en.  salvation exhibited in the gospel. So that, allarged conceptions of the grandeur and diversity l though we cannot, in our present state, acquire
of the dispensations of God, in the worlds which  a minute and comprehensive knowledge of the
roll in the distant regions of space.          moral history of other worlds, of the special inWith regard to their moral economy-w-e may  terpositions or manifestations of Deity in relarest assured that the prominent outlines of it are tiotr to them, or of the means by which they are
materially the same as of that economy which re-  carried forward in moral and intellecttual improvelates to the inhabitants of our world. The fun-  ment-yet we can trace the general principles or
damental principles of the moral laws given to  laws which forim the bats of their moral and remen, and which it is the great object of revela-  ligious economy. For as the laws of optics, and
tion to support and illustrate, are, " Thou shalt  the principle of gravitation, pervade the whole
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and un-  material system, as far as the universe is visible
derstanding," and, " Thou shalt love thy neigh-  to our assisted vision, so the principle of subour as thyself."  On these two commandments  preme love to God, and sincere affection to felhang all the law and the prophets.  N.ow, we  low-intelligences, must pervade the intellectual
must'admit, from the nature of the Divine Being,  universe, wherever it extends; and, if any inand from the relations in which rational beings  telligent agents besides men, have violated these
stand to Him and to one another, that the Cre-  laws, they must experience pain, and misery,
ator has enacted these laws, as the great govern-  and disorder, analogous to those which are felt
ing principles by which the actions of all intel-  by the inhabitants of our apostate world.
ligences in heaven, as well as upon earth, are to    Thus I have endeavoured to show, that the
be directed. For the Governor of the world can  combirnation of science with religion would tend
never be supposed to issue a law to any order of  to expand our views of divine providence —
rational creatures, which would permit them to  in the various arrangements of God, in relahate their Creator, or to hate those whom he has  tion to the human race, and to the subordinate
formed after hisownimage.  Suchasupposition  tribes of sensitive beings-and in reference to
would be inconsistent with the eternal rules of  some of the prominent features of his adminis-.
rectitude, and with the perfections of Deity-and  tration in distant worlds. And, therefore, though
the fact supposed, (if it could exist,) would in-  the Christian ought never to overlook the ways
troduce confusion and misery throughout the  of Providence in relation to himself, and to his
whole intelligent universe. And, therefore, we  spiritual and domestic concerns, yet it would
must necessarily admit, that the laws to which I  argue a selfishness and a sottishness altogether
nos advert, are binding u)on all the rational in-  inconsistent with the noble and expansive spirit
habitants which exist throughout Jehovah's do-  of Christianity, to overlook all the other parts
minions; and that it is by these that the moral  of the theatre of divine dispensations, when
oldcr of all the principalities and powers of hea-  a very slight degrre of labour and rerseamr




t134                    THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
mright be instrumental in unfolding them to his  cislons on the moral an/ intellectual qualities of
view                                         others. To these maxims'few exceptions will
generally be found.-In forming an enlightened
IV.-The connexion of science with religion  judgment in regard to any action or object, it is
would have a tendency to induce upon Chris.  essentially requisite, that we contemplate it in
tians A SPIRIT OF LIBERALITY, OF CANDOUR, all its different features and aspects, and in all
and of ACCuRACY IN JUDGING OF THE OPI-  its minute circumstances, bearings, and relaNIONS AND ACTIONS OF MEN, and of THE  tions. We would not hesitate for a moment te
DIVINE PROCEDURE AND OPERATIONS.           determine who is best qualified to give an accurate description of a citv, —he who has only
Who is the most candid and liberal Being in  viewed its spires from a distance, while in rapid
the Universe?  God.-And why is God to be  motion in his chariot-or he who has minuteiy
considered as the most liberal intelligence that  surveyed all its streets', lanes, squares, public
exists?  Because he embraces a minute, a full,  edifices, and surrounding scenery, in every vaand comprehensive view of all the circumstances,  riety of aspect; or, who appears most likely to
connexions, relations, habits, motives, tempta.  form the most accurate and enlightened judgment
tions, modes of thinking, educational biases,  in relation to any particular kingdom —he who
physical affections, and other causes, that may  has just skirted along a few miles on one of its
influence the sentiments or the conduct of any  coasts, or he who has traversed its length and
of his creatures.-Who among created intelli-  breadth in all directions, and mingled with every
gences may be viewed as endowed with these  class of its inhabitants. On the same principle,
qualities in the next degree?  The loftiest se-  it must be admitted, that he who has viewed reraph that God has created, who has winged his  ligion in all its aspects and bearings, who has
way to numerous worlds, and taken the most  taken the most extensive survey of the manifesextensive survey of the dispensations of the  tations of God, and of the habits and relations
Almighty, and of all creatures and events,-   of men, is the best qualified to pronounce a canWho, among the sons of men, is the most illi-  did and accurate decision on all the intellectual
berai and inaccurate in judging of opinions, of  and moral cases that may come before him.
persns, and of things?  The man who has    If the spirit of the above stated sentiments be
lived all his days within the.smoke of his father's  founded on reason and on fact, it will follow, that
chimney, or within the confines of his native  the more we resemble God in the amplitude'of
village-who has never looked beyond the range  our intellectual views and benevolent affections,
of his own religious party-whose thoughts have  the more candid, and liberal, and accurate will
always run in one narrow.track-whose reading  our judgments be'in'reference to all the actions,
has been confined to two f' three musty volumes,  objects, anil relations we contemplate.-On the
which have lain for ages on the same smoky  other hand, the man who is confined to a narrow
sheflf-who cares for nothing either in' the hea.  range of thought and prospect is continually
vens or the earth, but'in so'far as it ministers to  blundering in the'estimates he forms, both in
his convenience, his avarice, or his sensual en-  respect to physical facts, to general principles,
joyment-who'will admit no sentiment to be  and to moral actions.  He forms a premature
true, but what he may have heard broached by  and uncharitable opinion on every slander and
his parson-and whose conversation seldom rises  report against his neighbour. He condenlns,
beyond mere gossipping chit-chat, and the slan.  without hesitation, and throws an unmerited
derous'remarks which are circulated among his  odium on whole bodies of men, because one or
tieighbours.-Such characters are entirely un-' two of their number may have displayed weakqualified:for forming a correct judgment, either of  ness or follvy. He hates and despises  men'and
the' sentiments and the actions of men, or of the  their opinions, because they belong not to his
works' and the'ways of'God;'for they are  political or religious-party. He pronounces his
completely destitute of the requisite data where-  decisions on the motives- of men, with as mucn
on to form a rational decision in relation to  confidence as if he had surveyed their hearts
either of these subjects.                    with the eye of omniscience. He cannot hear
It may be admitted as a kind of axiom, in our  an objection against his favourite opinions witn
estimate of human character, that in proportion  patience, nor an apology for any set of opinions
to the ignorance and the narrow range of view  but his own. He is arrogant and dogmatical in
which characterize any individual, in a similar  his assertions, and will make no concessions to
proportion will be his want of candour and his  the superior wisdom of others. He sets him.
unfitness for sassing a sound judgment on any  self, with violence, against every proposal for
subject that is laid before him,-and that the  reformation in the church, because his forefathers
man who has taken excursions through the widest never thought of it, and because such "innovarange of thought, accompanied with a corres-  tions" do not suit his humour and preconceived
pending improvement of his moral powers, will opinions. He decides, in the most confident
%lways be the most liberal and candid in his de-  tone, on what God can and cannot do, as if he




EXPANSION OF INTELLECTUAL V~IEWS.                                  145
tutl taken.ie gauge of infinite perfection; and  seldom looks beyond the precincts of his own
ne frets at the divine dispensations when they  church or nation, to observe the movements of
do not exactly quadlrate with his own humours  the divine footsteps towards other tribes of his
and selfish views.                            fallen race. He overlooks the traces of divine
With regard to the operations of the Most  operation which are every moment to be seen
High, he also forms the most foolish, and vague,  above and around him-and yet, in the midst
and contradictory conceptions. Tell him of the  of all such partial and contracted views, he will
vast dimensions of the planetary system, of the  sometimes decide on the wisdom and rectitude
men and animals that live on the opposite side  of the ways of God, with as much confidence, as
of the globe, of the annual and diurnal motion  if he had entered into the secret counsels of the
of the earth-that this world and its inhabitants  Eternal, and surveyed the whole plan of his
are moving through the regions of space many  procedure.
thousands of miles every hour-that one of the    Such are a few prominent outlines of the cha.
planets is so large that it would contain 1400  racter of thousands whose names are enrolled as
worlds as spacious as ours-that another is fly-  members of the visible church-whose illiberaling through the tracts of immensity, at the rate  ity and self-conceit are owing to the contracted
of a hundred thousand miles in an hour-and  notions they have formed of God and of religion.
that light is darted from the sun with a velocity  And, surely, it must appear desirable to every
of 195,000 nliles in a moment of time —he will  enlightened'Christian, that all proper means
stare at you with astonishment at such extrava-  should be used to prevent riational immortal begant assertions, and will sooner believe the sto-  ings from remaining enchained in such mental
ries of giants 100 feet high, and of fairies that  thraldom.
can enter in crowds through the key-hole of his    On the other hand, the man who takes an en.
door. Instead of fiankly acknowledging that  lightened view of all the works and dispensations
"  He is ignorant of such subjects, and of the  of God, and of all the circumstances and relagrounds of such conclusions, —that those who  tions of subordinate beings, necessarily acquires
have studied them with intelligence are best ca-  a nobleness and liberality of mind, -and an accu.
pable of judging, —that, if true, they must fill  racy in judging of things human and divine,
us with admiration of the glory of God,-but  which no other person can possess. He does
that. as he has:hitherto had no opportunity of  not hastily take up an evil report against his:xamining such matters, he must suspend his  neighbour; for he considers how unfounded such
assant till he inquire into the reasons vwhich can  reports often are, and how much they are owing to
be givwn for'such amazing dedurctions;" —instead  the insinuations of envy or of malice. And when
of such concessions, which are,the dictates of  he can no longer doubt of an evil action being
modesty and of common sense-he will tell you  substantiated against any one, he does not triat once, without hesitation, and:without a'blush  umph over him in the language of execration;
at his presumptuous decisions, that " it is all  for he, considers all the circumstances, relations,
extravagance, and folly, and idle romance, con-  feelings, and temptations with which he may
trary to Scripture, and reason, and common  have been surrounded; he considers, that he
sense;" and will not hesitate to brand you as a  himself is a frail sinful creature, and might posqeretic, for endeavouring to break loose his in-' sibly have fallen in a similar way, had he been
tellectual t.ramnmels!-thus tacitly declaring, that  placed in the same situation. He does not
he is far better qualified to pronounce a decision  trumpet forth the praises of a man who has peron such topics, than all the philosophers and  formed one brilliant benevolent deed, as if he
divines, and all the brightest geniuses who have  were a character to be admired and eulogizedappeared in the world forages past; thoaugh he- while the general course of his life is marked
will at the-same time admit, that hie never gave  with vice, and an utter forgetfulness of God and
himself the'trouble: to examine into sluch mat — religion; nor does he fix a stigma of immorality
ters.'  upon the person who may have acted foolishly or
His views of the providential dispensations of  sinfully, in one or two instances, while the geneGod are equally partial and: distorted.. If dis-  ral tenor of his conduct has been marked by
ease, or poverty, or misfortune,. happen to his  purity and rectitude: for, in both cases, he con.
neighbour, especially.if'he had withdrawn from  siders, that it is not an insulated action, but genethe religious party to which he belongs, it is con.  rat habits, which determine the character of any
sidered as a penal judgment for his error and  individual.  He esteems the wise and the good,,postacy. If prosperous circumstances attend  and holds friendly intercourse with them, to
his family or his religious. party, it is viewed  whatever political or religious party they belong.
as a sign of divine approbation. He seldom   He can bear, with affability and candour, to'have
views the'hand of God, except in uncommonoc-  his opinions contradicted, and can differ from
-urrences; and then. he imagines that a miracle  his neighbour in many disputed points, while, at
is performed, and that the wheels of nature are  the same time, he values and esteems him. He
stopped ir. order to accomplish the event. He  will not brand a man as a heretic or a Dei.,,
19




146I                     THE  CHRISTIAN  PHIILOSOPHlER.
because he takes a view of some dogmas in  to all the ages of eternity, such a bright display
theology, in a different light from what he himself of the divine glory as in the cross of Christ."
does; for he considers the difference of hlahits,  He admires and adores the condescension and
studies, pursuits, and educational prejudices  the love of God, in the plan of salvation, which
which must have influenced his opinions; and  the gospel exhibits, and feels an interest in it far
makes due allowance for the range of thought to  beyond that of any other special manifestation of
which he may have been accustomed. He is  Deity; but he dares not set limits to the divine
always disposed to attribute the actions of others  attributes and operations. He considers himself
*to good motives, when he has no proof of the  at present, with regard to the grand system of
contrary.  He uses no threats nor physical force  the universe, in a situation similar to that of a
to support his opinions, or to convince gainsay-  small insect on one of the stones of a magnificent
ers; for he knows that no external coercion can  edifice, which sees only a few hair-breadths
illuminate the mind, and that the strength of ar.  around it, and is altogether incapable of surveyguments, and the force of truth, can alone pro-  ing the symmetry, the order, and beauty of the
duce conviction.  He is convinced how  igno-  struclure, and of forming an adequate conception
rant he is, notwithstanding all his study, obser-  of the whole.  He considers that he has never
vations, and researches; and presses forward, as  yet surveyed the millionth part of Jehovah's
long as he lives, to higher degrees of knowledge  empire, and therefore, cannot tell what the eterand of moral improvement.                      nal Sovereign has been pleased to exhibit in its
He is an active promoter of every scheme  numerous provinces; anid, least of all, can he
that tends to enlighten and meliorate mankind,  ever presume to dive into the depths of intermiand to extend the knowledge of salvation to the  nable ages, and boldly declare what the Almighty
ends of the earth; for he considers that it is not  will, or will not do, through eternity to conie.
ay miracles, but by the subordinate agency of in-  He, therefore views it as presumption, while he
telligent beings, that God will effectuate the illu.  has no dictate of revelation for his warrant. to
mination and the moral renovation of our apos-  pronounce decisively, either on the one side or
cate race.  He views the special agency of God  the other, of such a deep and important question.
in all the movements of the scientific, the reli-  which seems above the reach of the loftiest segions, anid the political world, and perceives Him  raph to determine.*  In short, he endeavours to
accolmpnlisliing his purpose in the inventions of  take a view of all the manifestations of Deity
human genius,and in tile eco nomy of the minultest  within his reach, from every source of infolrinsect, as well as in the earthquake, the storm,  mation which lies before him, and as filr as his
and the convulsions of nations; for lie considers  limited faculties will permit. He does not call in
the smallest atom, and the hosts of heaven, as  question the discoveries of science, because they
equally directed by eternal wisdom, and equally  bring to his ears most astonishing reports of the
necessary in the universal chain of creatures and  wisdom and omnipotence of Jehovah, and of the
events. He displays a becoming modesty in  boundless extent of his kingdom; but rejoices to
speaking of the ways and the works of God.  learn, that the grandeur of his dominions is acWhen lie meets with any dark and afflictive dis.  tually found to correspond with the lofty descrip.
pensation in the course of Providence, he rioes  tions of divine majesty and glory recorded  in
not fret and repine, bhut is calm  and resigned,  the volume of inspiration, and is thereby mspiconscius that he perceives only a small portion  red with nobler hopes of the glory and felicity of
of the chain of God's dispensations, and is, there-  that heavenly world where he expects to spend
fore, unable to form  a just comparison of the  an endless existence.
connexion of ainy one part with the whole.    if, then, such be some of the features in the
When he contemplates the depraved and wretch-  character of the enlightened Christian; if libeed condition of tile greater part of the world, at  rality and candour, and accurate investigation,
present, and for thousands of years past, not-  markl the judgments he pronounces on the sentiwithstanding the  salvation which  has been  ments and the actions of men, and on the works
acehieved for sinners of nlankind, he is far from   and the ways of God; and if such views ann
arraigninag the divine goodness and rectitude, in  feelings ought to be considered as more conge-.
leaving so many nations " to walk in their own  nial to the noble and benevolent spirit of our
ways;" for lie knowvs not what relation this dis-  religion, than the narrow and distorted notions
mal scene nmay bear, what influence it may have,  of a contracted mind, it must be an object much:r' what important impressions it may produce,  to be desired, that the mass of the Christian world
on worlds and beings with which we are at pre-  be led into such strains of thought, as might innsent unacquainted.                             bue their minds with a larger proportion of this
He is cautious in pronouncing decisively re-  spirit.  And, if diversified and occasional disspecting the dispensations of God, in regard to  cussions on the topics to which we have adverted
ihe uniuverse at large.  He does not, for example,  would have a tendency to produce this desirable
assert, with the utmost confidence, as some have
done, " that there never was, and never will be,             See Appendix, No. X.




PIETY AND HUMILITY.                                    147
effect, it is obvious, that such branches of know-  show forth thy loving kindness in the inorninig.
edge as are calculated to enlarge the capacity  For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy
of the mind, and to throw a light over the reve-  work," (or thy powerful energy:):' I will triiations and the works of Goa, should no longer  umph in the works of thy hands.  O Lord.
ne overlooked in the range of our religious con-  how great are thy works! and thy thoughts" (or
vemplations.                                 contrivances) " are very deep! A brutish man
knowelh not, neither doth a fool understand
V. —The extensive range of thought whilch    this."
diversified objects in nature present, WOULD    An extensive acquaintance with nature a
HA~VE A TENDENCY TO INSPIRE US WITH          An extensive acquaintance with nature arp
H AVE ATENDENCY TO ANDPIOFE US WITP         science, combined with Christian  principle
HUA PIRITY. OF PIETY, AND 0  PROFOND  would also induceprofound humil'ty. The marn
who has made excursions through the niost diIt is owing, in many instances, to want of  versified regionsof thought, is deeply sensibie of
Attention to the impressive displays of wisdom   the little progress he has attained, and of the
and omnipotence in the material world, that our  vast and unbounded field of divine science which
pious feelings and devotional exercises are so  still remains to be explored. When he consicold and languid. We stalk about on the sur-  ders the immense variety of sublime subjects
face of the earth, and pass from one day to an-  which the volume of inspiration exhibits, and of
other, without reflecting on the grand and corm-  which lie has obtained but a very faint and implicated machinery around us, which is carrying  perfect glimpse-the comprehensive extent, and
us along through the regions of space, and from  the intricate windings of the operations of Proone portion of duration to another, as if the  vidence, and the infinite number of beings over
mighty energies of the Eternal Mind, exerted in  which it extends-the amplitude and magnifiour behalf, were'unworthy of our acknowledge-  cence of that glorious universe over which Jement or regard. How few, for example, reflect,  hovah presides, and how small a portion of it
when they open their eyes in the morning, and  lies open to his minute inspection-he is humperceive the first beams of the rising sun, that  bled in the dust at the view of his own insignisince they lay down to sleep, the divine power  ficance; he sees himself to be a very babe in
has been exerted in carrying them  more than  knowledge; and, as it were, just emerging firom
four thousand miles round to the eastward, in  the-gloom of ignorance into the first dawninge
order that they might again be cheered with the  of light and intelligence. He feels the fill force
morning light; and that, during the same period,  and spirit of the poet's sentimentsthey, along with the earth and its vast popula-  "Much learning shows how little mortals knew."
ion, have been carried forward 476,000 miles
from that portion of space which they occupied  When he considers the comprehensive extent of
seven hours befobre! Or, if they have no idea of. the divine law, and its numerous bearings on
the motion of the earth, and attach no belief to  every part of his conduct, and on all the divelsuch an opinion, how is it they do not re-  sified relations in which he stands to his God,
flect, that after night has thrown its shades  and to his fellow men; and when he reflects on
around them, the sun, and ten thousand other  his multiplied deviations from that eternal rule of
vast globes, must move several hundreds of mil-  rectitude, he is ashamed and confounded in the
ions of miles before their eyes can again behold  presence of the Holy One of Israel, and, on a
Se lightofday? Either the one or the other of  review of his former pride and self-conceit, is
tnese cases must be the fact; and, in either case,  constrained to adopt the language of Agur and
Ihere is presented to our view  a display of the  of Asaph-" Surely I am more brutish than anll
omnipotence and the superintendence of Him in  man, and have not the understanding of a man.'
whom we live and move, which demands our  " So foolish was I, and ignorant, I was as
gratitude, our admiration, and praise. Andcan  beast before thee."  He views the meanest and
it ever be supposed, that such reflections, corm-  the most ignorant of his species, as but a very
hined with all the other excitements to reverence  few degrees below him in the scale of intelliand gratitude, will not tend to elevate our con-  gence, and sees no reason why he should glory
templations, and to raise our pious feelings to a  over his fellows.
higher pitch of devotion? Whether the psalmist    This sentiment might be illustrated from thz
entertained any views of this kind when he corn-  example of sonle of the most eminent men. in
posed the ninety-second Psalm, we cannot cer-  whose minds science and religion were combinea.
tainly determine; but I presume, the pious and  The Honourable Mr. Boyle was the most tincontemplative mind, when awaking from the  wearied and successful explorer of the works o;
slumblers of the night, under such impressions, God, in the age in which he lived, and all nrs
might sing the first part of that song of praise  philosophical pursuits were consecrated to tme
with peculiar emphasis and delight-" It is a  service of refigion.  Among  other excellent
good thing to give thanks to Jehovah, and to  traits in his character, humility was the mos;
sing praise to thy name, 0 thou Most High! to  conspicuous. " He had about him,," says Bishop
42




148                      THE CHRIS-TI.&N PLIlLOSOPIHEI.
[urnet, "'all that unaffected neglect of pomp in  arrangements of God, are represented as also
clothes, lodging, furniture, and equipage, which  the most humble in their deportment, and as
agreed with nis grave and serious course of life,".  displaying the most profound reverence in thell
und was courteous and condescending to the  incessant adoralions. They" FALL DOWN before
meanest of his fellow men. " He.hd," says the  Him who sits upon the throne; and C{.ST THEIR
same author, " the profoundest veneration for the  caowNs BEFORE THE THRONE, saying, " Thou
great God of heaven and earth, that I ever ob-  art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and holnoulr,
served in any person. The very name of God  and power; for thou hast created all thlings, and
was never mentioned by him without a pause,  for thy pleasure they are and were created." Their
and a visible stop in his discourse;" And the  moral conduct evinces the same lowly temper of
tenor of his philosophical and theological.writings  mind. They wait around the throne, in the atis in complete unison with these traits of cha-  titude of motion, with wings outspread ready to
ract.er. Sir Isaac Newton, too, whose genius  fly, on the first signal of their Sovereign's will;
seemed to know no limits but those of the visible  they: "do his commandments, hearkening to the'
universe, was distinguished by his modesty, hu-  voice of his word," and do not disdain to perform
mility, and meekness of temper. He had such  important services, in our wretched world, to
an humble opinion of himself, that he had no re-  the meanest human being who is. numbered
lish of the applause which was so deservedly paid. among " the heirs of salvation.". In like manhim. He would have let others run away with  ner,.were we endued with the grasp of intellect,
the glory of his inventions, if his firiends and  the capacious minds, the extensive knowledge,
countrymen had not been more jealous of his ho-  and the moral powers which they possess, we
nour than he was himself. He said, a little be-  would also display the same. humble anti revefore his death, " I do not know what I may ap-  rential spirit, and feel ashamed of those emotions
pear to the world, but to myself I seem to have  of vanity and pride, which dispose so many of
been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore,  the human family to look down with contempt
and diverting myself in now and then finding a  on their fellow mortals.
pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst
the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me."
The same sentiment might have been illus-    If the leading train of sentiment which pertrated from  the lives of Bacon, Locke, Dr.  vades this volume be admitted, the following geBoerhaave, Hervey, Nieuwentyt, Ray, Derham,  neral conclusions may be adduced:-That, in
the Abbe Pluche, Bonnet, and other eminent  conducting the religious instruction of the young,
characters, who devoted their stores of know-  the works of God in the material world, and the
ledge to the illustration of the Christian system.  most striking discoveries which have been made
For an extensive knowledge of the operations of  as to their magnitude, variety, and mechanism,:God. has a natural tendenmV to produce humility  should be frequently exhibited to their view in
and veneration; and wherever it is combined with  minute detail; as illustrations of the attributes,pride and arrogance, either' among philosophers  of the. Deity, and of those descriptions of his.or divines, it indicates a lamentable deficiency,  nature and operations contained in the volunle
if not a complete destitution of Christian prin-  of inspiration;-that the books put into their
~ciple, and of all those tempers which form the  hands should contain, among other subjects, po.-bond of union among holy intelligences. After  pular and striking descriptions of the facts and
the attention of Job had been directed to the  appearances of nature;-that seminaries should
works of God, and when he had contemplated  be established for the occasional instruc'tion of;the inexplicable phenomena of the divine agency  young persons, from the age of 15 to the age of
in the material world, he was ashamed and con.  20 or 30, or upwards, in all those popular branches
founded at his former presumption i and, in deep  of natural and moral science which have a ten-.humility, exclaimed, " I have heard of thee by  dency to enlarge the capacity of their minds, and
the hearing of the ear; but now mine eye seeth  to expand their conceptlons of the incessant agenlhee; wherefore I abhor nmyself, and repent in  cy of God;-and that the mirdsters of religion, in.dust and ashes."' In accordance with what has  their public instructions, snoua feotentlv blend'been now stated, we find that the most exalted  their discussions of divine toDica  with illustrae.inteUigences, who, of course,, possess. the most  tions derived from the scenes or creation andpro*
ssateusive views of the works and providential  vidence.




APPENDIX,
CONTAINING
NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS.
No I. p. 23 -Illustratiot of the Rate of Motion  ed to be at least 20,000,000,000,000, or twenty
mn the Hea tenly Bodies, on the supposition that billions of miles distant from the earth; conse.
the earth is at rest.                     quently, its daily circuit round our globe would
measure more than 125,000,000,000,000 miles.
THfE distance of the sun is about 95 millions  This sum divided by 86,400, the number of seof milesi; consequently, the diameter of the cir-  conds in a day, would give 1,454,861,111, or
cle he would describe around the earth would be  somewhat more than one thousand four hundred
190 millions, and its circumniference 597,142.857, millions of miles, for.its rate of motion in a
which forms the extent of the circuit through  second oftime-a motion which, were it actually
which he would move in 24 hours, if the earth  existing, would, in all probability, shatter the
were at rest. This number divided by 24, gives universe to atoms.
25,880,952, the number of miles he would move    The unlearned reader may, perhaps, acquire
in an hour; and this last number, divided by 60, a more distinct idea of.this explanation trom the
gives 414,682, the'nuniber of miles he would  following figure:
more in a minute. The nearest star is reckonH
Let the qmall circle A, in the centre, represent round the earth every 24 hours. The line A B
the earth, and the, circle B C D E the orbit will represent the distance of the sun from the
of the sun, on the supposition that he moves  earth, or 95 n:illions of miles; the line B D the




150                     TIIE  CHRISTIAN  PHIILOSOPHER.
diameter of the orbit he would describe: and the  paper in it; and when the paper is burniEg
circle B C D E the circumference along which  press the palm of the hand upoll the mouth of
he would move every day, or 597 millions of  the glass, and it will adhere to the hand with
miles, which is somewhat illore than three times  considerable force. In this case, the pressure
tne diameter.  If the line A F represent the dis-  of the atmosphere will be sensibly felt: for i:
tance of the nearest star, the circle F G H I will  will sometimes require considerable force to derepresent the circuit through which it would  tach the glass from the hand.
move every 24 hours, if the earth were at rest.    The pressure of the atmosphere explains a
It is obvious, from the figure, that since the stars  variety of common phenomena. When we take
are at a greater distance from the earth than the  a draught of water out of a basin, or a running
sun, the circle they would describe around the  stream, we immerse our mouths in the water,
earth would he larger in proportion, and, conse-  and make a vacuum by drawing in the air; the
quently, their velocities would be proportionably  pressure of the atmosphere upon the external
more rapid; since they would move through  surface of the water'then forces it into the
their larger circles in the same time in which the  mouth. The same cause explains the process
sun moved through his narrow sphere. But the  of a child sucking its mother's breasts-the acsupposition that the earth is the centre of all the  tion of a boy's sucker. in lifting large stonescelestial motions, and that the different stars are  the rise of water in pumps-the effects produced
daily moving aroulnd it with different velocities,  by cements-the firm  adhesion of snails and
and the slowest of these motions is so inconceiva-  periwinkles to rocks and stones-the scarcity of
bly rapid-is so wild and extravagant, that it  water in the time of hard frosts-and the fact
appears altogether inconsistent with the harmony  that a cask will not run by the cock, unless a
of the universe, with the wisdom and intelli-  hole be opened in some other part of the cask.
gence of the Deity, and with all the other arrangements he has made in the system of nature.  No. III. p. 118.-On the means by which is
may probably be ascertained whether the Moon
No. II. p. 34.-Experimental illustrations of    be a Habitable World.
the Pressure of the Atmosphere.
About six years ago, the author published, in
The pressure of the atmosphere is most strik-  the Monthly Magazine, a few observations on
ingly,illustrated by means of the air-pump. But  the surface of the moon, in which a few remarks
as few persons, comparatively, possess this in-  were offered on this subject. The following is
strument, the following experiments, which any  an extract from that communication:person may perform at pleasure, are sufficiently,,  " If we be ever to obtain an ocular demonconvincing on this point. Take a common  stration of the habitability of any of the celestial
wine-glass, and fill it with water; apply a piece  orbs, the' moon is the only one, where we can
of paper over the mouth of the glass; press the  expect to trace, by our telescopes, indications
paper to the rim of the glass with the palm of  of the agency of sentient or intelligent beings;
the hand; turn the glass upside down; with-  and I am pretty much convinced, that a long
draw the hand from the paper, and the water  continued series of observations on this planet,
will be supported by the pressure of the atmos-  by a number of individuals in different places,,ohere.  That it is the atmospherical pressure,  might completely set at rest the question,' Wheand not the paper, which supports the water, is  ther the moon be a habitable world?' Were a
evident; for the paper, instead of being pressed  vast number of persons, in different parts of the
down by the weight of the water, is pressed  world, to devote themselves to a particular surupward by the pressure of the atmosphere, and  vey of the moon-were different portions of her
appears concave, or hollow in the middle. If the  surface allotted to different individuals, as the
fame of a candle be applied to the paper, it  object of their particular research-were every
may be held, for an'indefinite length of time,  mountain, hill, cavern, cliff, and plain accurately
close to tile papaer, without setting fire to it.  inspected-and every change and modification
The same fact is proved by the following expe-  in the appearance of particular spots carefully
-iment:-Take a glass tube, of any length, and  marked and represented in' a series of delineaof a narrow bore; put one end of it in a basin  tions, it might lead to some certain conclusions,
of water; apply the mouth to the other end,  both as to her physical constitution, and her
and draw out the air by suctions; the water will  ultimate destination. It can be demonstrated,
immediately rise toward the top of the tube;  that a telescope which magnifies 100 times,
and if the finger or thumb be applied, to the top  will show a spot on the moon's surface, whoso
of the tube, to prevent the admission of air, and  diameter is 1223 yards; and one which magnithe tube removed from the basin of water, the  fies a thousand times, will, of course, enable us
water in the tube will be supported by the pres-  to perceive a portion of her surface, whose size
sure of the atmosphere on thelower end. Again:  is only 122 yards: and, consequently, an object,
-T.ake a wine-glass, and burn a small bit of  whether natural or artificial, of no greater extera




APPENDIX.                                       151
than one of our large edlifices, (for example, St.  exciting, among the bulk of  mankind, a genmrat
Paul's church, London,) may, by such an in-  attention to such investigations.  But were tbha
strument, be easily distinguished. Now, ifevery  object accomplished, and were numerous obserminute point on the lunar surface were accu-  vations made fiom the tops of mountains, and in
rately marked by numerous observers, it might  the serene sky of southern climes, where the
be ascertained whether any changes are taking  powers of the telescope are not counteracted by
place, either from physical causes, or from the  dense vapours, there can be little doubt that direct,operations ol'intelligent agents. If a large forest  proofs would be obtained that the moon is a
were cutting down-if a city were building in  habitable world; or, at least, that the question
an open plain, or extending its forner bounda-  in relation to this point would be completely set
ries-if a barren waste were changing into a  at rest."
scene of veoeta'.on-or, if an immense concourse of animated beings were occasionally  No. IV'.-Remarks on the late pretended, dteco
assembled on a particular spot, or shifting from       very of a L.unar Forti/ cation.'
one place to another-such changes would be
ind;fi   d by certain modifications of shade, co-    The British public was lately amused by the
lour, or motion; and, consequently, would futrnish  announcement of a discovery said to have been
a direct proof of the agency of intelligent beings  made by Professor Frauenhofer, of Munich.
analogous to man, and of the moon being a ha-  This gentleman was said to have discovered a
bitable globe. For although we may never be  fortification in the moon, and to have distinable to distinguish the inhabitants of the moon,  guished several lines of road, supposed to be the
(if any exist,) yet if we can trace those Cfects  work of the lunar inhabitants. It is scarcely
which can flow only from the operations of intel-  necessary to say, that such announcements are
ligent agents, it would form a complete demon-  obviously premature.  To perceive distinctly
stration of their existence, on the samle ground  the shape of an object in the moon, which reon which a navigator concludes an unlknown  sembles a fortification, it is requisite, that that
island to be inhabited. when he perceives nulnan  object be of a much larger size than our terreshabitations, and cultivated fields.           trial ramparts.  Besides, although an object
" That changes occasionally happen on the  resembling one of our fortifications were perlunar hemisphere next the earth, appears from   ceived on the surface of the moon, there would
the observations of Herschel and Schroeter, par-  be no reason to conclude, that it served the same
ticularly from those of the latter.  In the trans-  purpose as fortifications do among us. We are
actions of the'Society of Natural Philosophy,'  so much accustomed to war in our terrestrial
at Berlin, Schroeter relates, that on the 30th  system, and reflect so little on its diabolical naDecember, 1791, at five o'clock, P. M.with aseven, ture, that we are apt to imagine that it must form
feet reflector, magnifying 161 times, he perceived  a necessary employment even in other worlds.
the commencement of a small crater on the  To be assured that a fortification existed in the
south-west declivity of the volcanic mountain  moon for the same purpose as with us, would
in the Mare Crisium, having a shadow  of at  indeed be dismal tidings from another world;
least 2/" 5. On the 11th January, at twenty  for it would be a necessary conclusion, from such
minutes past five, on looking at this place again,  intelligence, that the inhabitants of that globe
he could see neither the new crater nor its sha-  are actuated by the same principles of depravity,
dow.  Again, on the 4th January, 1792, he  ambition, and revenge, which have infected the
perceived, in the eastern crater of Helicon, a  moral atmosphere of our sublunary world. With
central mountain, of a clear gray coiour, 3'" in  regard to the pretended discovery of the lunar
diameter, of which, during many years' obser-  roads, it may not be improper to remark, that
vations, he had perceived no trace.'This ap-  such roads behooved to be at least 400 feet
pearance,' he adds,' is remarkable, as probably  broad, or ten times the breadth of ours, in order
firom the time of Hevelius, the western part of  to be perceived as faint lines through a telescope
Helicon has been forming into its present shape,  which magnifies a thousand times; which is a
and nature seems, in that district, to be parti-  higher power, I presume, than Frauenhofer can
cularly active.'-In making such minute obser-  apply with distinctness to any of his telescopes.
vations as those to which I allude, it would be  It is not at all likely that the lunar inhabitants
proper, alone with an inspection of the moon's  are of such a gigantic size, or employ carriages
luminous disk, to mark the appearances of dif-  of such an enormous bulk, as to require roads of
ferent portions of her dark hemisphere, when it  such dimensions, since the whole surface of the
is partially enlightened by the reflected light  moon is only the thirteenth part of the area of
from the earth, soon after the appearance of new  our globe.
moon.  These researches would require a long.    Schroeter conjectures the existence.of a great
continued series of the most minute observa-  city to the north of AIanrus, (a spot in the'mooal,)
tions, by numerous observers ir. different regions  and of an extensive canal towards H]qgena, (anof the globe, which could be effected -only by  other spot,) and lie represents part of the spot




Li 5                     THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
nalneu 2AMare Imbrium, to be. as fertile as the  the creation; and, by a similar comparison, it
Campanla. See Edin. Phil. Jour. No. 21,for  will be found that the number of cubical miles
July, 1824. Similar remarks to those now stated  within the limits of the planetary system, is
will apply to these conjectures of Schroeter. We  130,000,000,000,000,000, or one hundred and
are too apt to imagine, that the objects we per-  thirty thousand billions of times greater than the
ceive in the moon must bear a certain resem-  number of moments in 58828 years.
blance to those with which we are acquainted on    It has been computed, that the earth, supposthe earth; whereas, there is every reason to be-  ing it a solid globe, contains about St),000,000,
lieve, from the variety we perceive in nature,  000,000,000,000,000,000,O0 000, or thirty sep.
that no one world resembles another, except in  tillions of grains of sand, supposing a hundred
some of its more prominent and general arrange-  grains of sand to be equal in length to an inch,
ments.  The moon bears a general resemblance  and, consequently, a million of such grains fol
to the earth, in its being diversified with moun-  every cubical inch. If we use this number as
tains and valleys; but the positions and arrange-  a standard for estimating the number of cubicat
ment of these objects in the moon, and the scenery  miles contained within the space which interthey exhibit, are materially different from what  venes between us and the nearest stars,   -hall
appears on the surface of the terraqueous globe.  find that the number of cubical miles comprehended within this space, is more than ten thouNo. V.-On the ideas of Magnitude, Motion,  sand millions' of times greater than the number
and Duration, as eaxpressed by numbers. See  of the grains of sand contained in the globe on
pp. 44, 46.                                 which we dwell.
Though the human mind can form no definite
In the pages referred to, and other parts of  conceptions of such numbers and  magnitludes,
this volume, some very large numbers are ex-  yet it may be useful, occasionally, to ruminate
pressed in figures.  Sonime readers have insinu-  on such subjects; as it is the only, or, at least,
ated, that it would have been better to have ex-  the principal mode by which limited minds like
pressed such numbers in words.  The author,  ours can approximate to an idea of the infinity
lowever, is of a different opinion; because to  of the Creator.  And if an smage of infinity is
some readers, not much acquainted with name-  presented to the mind in the spaces comprehendration, a thousand trillions would convey nearly  ed within the limits of our system, how overthe same idea as a thousand nonmliens, though  powering the conception of innumerable systenls,
the one number contains 58 places of figures, and  to which ours beats no more proportion than a
the other only 22. It is chiefly the number of  drop of water to the mighty ocean! How infigures, or ciphers, in such large sums, that leads  effably glorious must be the attributes of that
tts to form a comparative estimate of their value  incomprehensible Being who pervades every part
or extent. Our ideas of magnitude and exten-' of this vast universe, and who continually supersion, conveyed by such numbers, must, of course,  intends all its minute and diversified movements'
be very vague and undefined. If we have been
accustomed to travelling, we have a tolerable    No. VI. p. 91.-On a Plurality of Worlds.
clear conception of a hundred, and even of a
thousand: miles; but we have no clear nor ade-    The doctrine of a plurality of worlds is now
quate conception of a body, or a portion of space,  admitted as highly probable both by philosophers
ten hundred thousand, ten hundred millions, or  and by enlightened divines. But it has been
ten hundred billions of miles in extent. The  admitted by many persons on grounds that are
mind, however, may be assisted in its concep-  too general and vague, and consequently, a full
tions, and in its comnparative:estimate of different  conviction of its truth is seldom produced in the
numbers, by fixing on some particular number as  mitnd. In different parts of the preceding volume,
a standard. If, according to the common reck-  I have all along taken it for granted, because I
oning, we suppose, that 5828 years have elapsed  consider it as susceptible of a moral demonstra-t
since the commencement of time, the numberof  tion.  The following heads of argument, were
seconds, or moments, in this period, will amount  they fully illustrated, would go far to carry deto 183,913,782,212, or one hundred and eighty-  monstration to the mind on thissubject: namely,
three thousand nine hundred and thirteen mil-  That there are numerous bodies in the universe
lions, seven hundred and eighty-two thousand,  of a bulk sufficient to contain myriads of intellitwo hundred and twelve, which is less than the  gent beings, and to afford them enjoyment-that
fifth part of a billion.  If the distance of the  there appears, in the constitution of many of
nearest stars from the earth be at least 20 bil-  these bodies, a variety of arrangements evilions of miles, then this distance may be other-  dently adapted to this end-that, in relation to
wise expressed, by saying, that the numbcr of  the planets of our system, there are many cirmiles which intervene between us and these bho-  curnstances which bear a striking resemblance
dies is more than a hundred times g'eater thtan  to the constitution of our globe and its appenthe number of momnents which have elapsed since  aages'. they have annual.nd diurnal nlotions,




APPENDIX.                    ]                   5,
moons, atmospheres, mountains, and vales-that ~ energy. The psalmist, when ne conternpiatc:d
ight, and heat, and colour, appear to be dis-  the heavens, was so affected with the idea of the
tributted throughout the regions of immensity;  immense population of the universe, that fie
and that these agents can hive a relation only  seems to have been almost afraid lest he should
to the necessities and the happiness of orga-  be overlooked amidst the immensity of beings
nized intelligences-that every part of nature,  that are under the superintendence of Go,d.
so far as our observations on the surface of  " When I consider thy heavens —what is Ian
this globe extend, appears to exist solely for  that thou art mindful of him!"  There would be
the sake of sentient beings-that this doctrine  no propriety nor emphasis in this exclamation,
is more worthy of the Infinite Creator, and gives  if the heavenly orbs were devoid of inhambitants}
a more glorious and magnificent idea of his na-  for if no intelligent beings exist beside man,
ture, than to suppose his benevolent regards  and a colony ol' angels, it would not appear
confined to the globe on which we dwell. When  wonderful that the Creator should exercise a
these and a variety cf other arguments are con-  particular care over the one-half of his intelligent
sidered, in connexion with the wisdom and other  offspring.  But, if we conceive the universe as
attributes of the Deity, they amount not only to  composed of ten thousand times ten thousand
a high degree of probability, but to something  worlds, peopled with myriads of intellectual
approaching to a moral demonstration.  But to  beings of various orders, the serltilnent of admillustrate these arguments in a minute detail, so  ration implied in the passage is extremely natuas to make a conlincing impitnssion on the mind,  ral and emphatic, and conveys to us an imwould require a volume of a considerable size.  pressive idea of the intelligence, the beneficence,
The author flatters himself he has some original  and the condescension of the Founder and Gothcaghts on this subject, which may probably see  vernor of all worlds.
the light should] she present work meet with public
ace'ptance.  There is no work in our language  No. VII. pp. 114, 115.-On the first Inventor oJ
which takma at extensive view of this subject,                 Printing.
in con;lexioni with the attributes of the Deity, and
the intimations contained in divine revelation.   Mr. Ireland, in his "Picturesque Tour through
Fontenelle's " Plurality of Worlds" contains a  Holland, Brabant, and part of France, in 1789,"
number of ingenious reasonings; but he treats  gives the following account of the inventor of
the subject in too light and flippant a manner,  printing, when describing the city of Haerlem.
and without the least reference to a Supreme    "Haerlem  claims the invention of the art of
Intelligence.  The celebrated Huygens, in his  printing. It is attributed toLawretnce Koster,an
" Cosmotheoros," instead of attempting to prove  alderman of this city, in 1440; whose house is yet
the doctrine of a plurality of worlds, takes it fvr  standing in the market-place opposite the church.
granted, and indulges chiefly in conjectures re-  Amusing himself one day in the neighbouring
specting the original structure and faculties qf  wood, with cutting the bark of trees into the lettheir inhabitants.                             ters that formed the initials of his name, he is
That the scriptures are silent on this head,  said to have laid them  on paper, and falling
has been assumed by some as a presumptive ar-  asleep, when he awoke, observed, that from the
gument that this doctrine is without a solid foun-  dew, their form was impressed on the paper.
dation.  I have already endeavoured to show   This accident induced him to make ftirther exthat this assumption is unfounded; (see page  periments: he next cut his letters in wood, and,
90.)  A  plurality of worlds is more than once  dipping them  in a glutinous liquid, impressed
asserted in scripture, and in numerous passages  them on paper, which he found an improvelnent;
is evidently taken for granted. Celestial intel-  and, soon after, substituting leaden and pewter
ligences are represented as ascribing "glory,  letters, erected a press in his house; thus laying
honour, wisdom, and power" to the king of hea-  the foundation of this noble art, which has thence
ven, " because he hath created all things," and  gradually risen to its present excellence.  The
because they perceive his works to be " great  art, it is said, was stolen from himn by his serand marvellous."  But if all the great globes in  vant, John Faustus, who conveyed it to Mentz,
the firmament were only so many frightful de-  and, from the novelty of the discovery, soon ac-,erts, destitute of inhabitants, such a universe  quired the title of doctor and conjuror.  The
could never inspire superior intelligences -with  original specimens are now shown at the library
admiration of the wisdom of the Creator. For  in the Town Hall. The first is on a leaf of
wisdom consists in proportioning means to ends;  parchment, and the second and third on paper,
but, in the case supposed; there would be no pro-  printed only on one side, arid the corners left
portion between the means and the end. The  blank for capitals. At the top are wooden cuts,
means are indeed great and astonishing; but no  representing the creation, and. as it is called,
end appears to justify such a display of creating  Lucifer's Fall."-Pp. 109-1'.




;if4                     THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
No. VIII. p. 118.-On Telescopes; with a brief of crown glass. By this means anl image is
notice of a NEW  REFLECTING TELESCOPE,  formed without being blended with the prismatic
constructed by the author.                  colours; and it will, therefore, bear a niuch
greater magiifyirng power than a common refracIt is doubtful to what particular individual  tor.  An achromatic telescope four feet long
we owe the invention of the telescope. Some  will magnify objects as much as a common renave supposed that Roger Bacon and Batptista  fractor 100 feet long.
Porta invented this instrument. Borelli ascribes    In reflecting telescopes the images of objects
the invention to Zacharias Jansen, a native of are formed by speculums or mirrors, instead of
Middleburgh.  Perhaps the account given in the  lenses.  They are of two kinds, the Gregorian
article to which this note refers, and which is. and the Newtonian.  The Gregorian reflector
stated by a variety of authors, may be as proba-  consists of a tube, in which a concave mirror,
ble as any other.  It iscertain that the telescope  having a hole in its centre, is placed.  The rays
was riot in general use until the beginning of  of light fiom distant objects falling upon this
the 17th century, and that no discoveries in the  mirror, form an image before it, in its centre or
heavens were made with it, till the year 1609.   focus.  This image is intercepted by a smaller
There are two kinds of telescopes, refracting  mirror, which reflects it back through the hole in
and reflecting.  In refracting telescopes, the rays  the large mirror, to an eye-glass, through which
of light pass through convex or concave glasses  the observer views the object. In the Newtonian
or lenses. The object-glass is always convex,  reflector, aplane mirror, placed at an angle of
and forms an image or picture of the object in an  45 degrees, is substituted in place of the small
inverted position in its focus; which image is  mirror in the Gregorian construction, and the
viewed by the eye-glass; and  the magnifying  observer looks down upon the object through the
power is in the proportion of the focal distance of side of the tube. Dr. Brewster has suggested
the object-glass to that of the eye-glass.  The  an interesting improvement in the construction
focal distance of a convex glass may be ascer-  of this instrument, which is described in the
tained by holding it in the rays of the sun, op-  Edinburgh Ency. Art. Optics, p. 644.
posite to a piece of white paper, and measuring
the distance between the glass and the white    New Reflector.-About three years ago, the
spot, or burning point, formed on the paper. An  author commenced a series of experiments on
astronomical telescope for viewing celestial ob-  reflecting telescopes; and has lately constructed
jects may be constructed with only two glasses.  several on a new plan and principle.  In this
If an object-glass, 30 inches focal distance, be  construction, there is no small speculum, either
fixed in the end of a tube, and an eye-glass of plane, convex, or concave; there is no tube, exone inch focus be placed at the other end, at the  cept a short one of two or three inches in length,
distance of 31 inches from  the object-glass, a  for holding the speculum. The observer sits with
telescope will be formed, which will magnify in  his back to the object, and views the image formed
the proportion of one to thirty, or30 times; that  by the speculum through an eye-piece, which reis, objects seen through such a telescope will ap-  quires to be nicely directed and adjusted. Three
pear thirty times larger in diameter, or thirty  or four instruments of this construction have been
times nearer, than to the naked eye.  By such  fitted up, with specula of 5, 8, 16, 2S, 35, and
an instrument, the inequalities on the moon's  49 inches focal distance.  One of them, having
sturface, and some of the satellites of Jupiter,  a speculum of eight inches focus, and two inches
may be perceived; but when directed to land ob-  diameter, with a terrestrial eye-piece, magnifyjecits they will appear inverted, or turned upside  ing about 25 times, forms an excellent parlour
down.  In order to reverse the appearance of  telescope for viewing land objects, and exhibits
the object, two other eye-glasses are required;  them  in a brilliant and novel aspect.  VWhen
or, if a concave eye-glass of a similar focus be  compared with a Gregorian of the same size
placed at 29 inches from  the object-glass, the  and magnifying power, the quantity of light upon
object will appear in its natural position, and the  the object appears nearly doubled, and the image
magnifying power will be the same; but the  isequally distinct.  It represents objects in their
field of view  will be much smaller.  Astro-  natural colours, without that dingy and yellowish
nomical telescopes of this construction were for-  tinge which apuears when looking through a
mr;vy made of 120, and even of 200 feet in  Gregorian.  Another of these instruments, havlength, and were used without a tube; the ob-  ing a speculum of 28 inches focal distance, and
ject-glass being placed on the top of a long pole;  an eye-piece producing a magnifying power of
but these are now entirely superseded by achro-  about 100 times, serves as an excellent astronostatic telescopes.  In the achromatic telescope,  mical telescope. By this instrument the belts
the object-glass is compounded of two, and  and satellites of Jupiter, the ring of Saturn, and
sometimes of three lenses, placed close to each  the mountains and cavities of the moon, may be
other, one of which is a double concave of  contemplated with great ease and distinctness.
white flint glass, and the other a double convex  By placing the pedestal on the flour of the apart



APPENDIX.                                         55
Ment, when the object is at a high elevation, we    No. IX. p. 256.-On Steam Navigation.
can view celestial phenomena with the same ease
as if we were sitting at a writing desk reading a    The application of steam, as a mechanical
book. With a magnifying power of about 40 or  power for impelling vessels along rivers and seas,
o0 times applied to this telescope, terrestrial ob-  is one of the most brilliant and useful achieve-'ects appear extremely oright and well defined.  ments of art which distinguish the present age
A speculuns of 49 inches focal distance, and 61  and seems destined to produce an important and
inches diameter, has lately been fitted up on the  interesting change in the general intercourse of
same principle.  With magnifying powers of  nations. From the "Report of a Commitlee of
from 100 to 160 times, it exhibits distinct and in-  Parliament," published ill 1822, it appears, that
teresting views of the moon's surface, and of the  the first application of steam to the impelling of
ring of Saturn, and with a power of 56 times it  vessels was made by an Englishman, of the
affords a beautiful view of land objects. The  name of Hull, who, in 1736, obtained a patent
specula used in these instruments are far from  for the invention of a steam-boat, to be moved
being good; being of a yellowish colour, and  with a crank and paddles. But it was only in
scarcely half polished, and having large holes in  1807, that the invention was fairly brought into
the centre; as they were originally intended for  practical use, by Mr. Fulton, an American.
Gregorian reflectors; yet the brightness of vision  who had the assistance and advice of Mr. Bell,
approaches nearly to that- of achromatic tele-  a Scots engineer. There are now, according
scopes. The experiments which have been made  to Mr. Perkins' statement, about 300 stealnon this subject demonstrate, that a tube is not  boats on the rivers, bays, and coasts of the
necessary for a reflecting telescope, when view-  United States, varying in their size from 100
ing either celestial or terrestrial objects; and,  to 700 tons.  In Britain, the first successful
therefore, this constructton ofthe instrument may  application of steam  to vessels was made by
be denominated, The Aerial Reflector. The  the above-mentioned Mr. Bell,* who built the
simplicity, of the construction, and the excellence  Comet of 25 tons, and four horses' power, to
of the performance of these instruments, have  ply on the Clyde.  There are now reckoned
been much admired by several scientific gentle-  about 150 steam-boats, from 40 to 500 tons,
men to wheun they have been exhibited.  A   plying on the rivers and coasts of the British
caveat has lately been lodged at the Patent Of-  isles. Glasgow, which had the honour of infice, in the view of taking out a patent for this  troducing steam navigation on this side of the
construction of reflecting telescopes; and a more  Atlantic, is still the seat of its greatest activity.
detailed account of it will probably soon appear  According to a statement given in the " Edinin some of the scientific journals.           burgh Philosophical Journal," published in July,
In the system of Optics, lately published in  1822, there were then no less than 36 steamthe Edinburgh Encyclopmedia, (one of the most  boats, of various sizes, plying on the Clyde.
luminous and comprehensive treatises which has  Some of these, besides performing regular voyyet appeared on this subject,) the writer, in his  ages to Inverary, Campbelton, Belfast, Liverintroduction to the account of Dr. Brewster's  pool, and other places, are also performing
improvement on the Newtonian telescope, re-  tours, during the sunlner months, to the Giant's
marks: —" If we could dispense with the use of  Causeway, Staffa, Skye, and other ports of
the mall specula in telescopes ofmoderate length,  the Western isles, and to Inverness by the
by inclining the great speculum, and using an  Caledonian canal. Steam-boats are also plying
oblique, and, consequently, a distorted reflection,  between Aberdeen and Leith-between Newas proposed first by La Maire, we should consider  haven and Aberdour, Bruntisland, Kinghorn,
the Newtonian telescope as perfect; and on a  Kirkaldy, and Dysart; and to Qtueensferry,
large scale, or when the instrument exceeds 20  Alloa, Granlgemouth, and  Sterling-between
feet, it has undoubtedly this character, as nothing  Leith and London-Dover and Calais.  One
can be more simple than to magnify, by a single  has been plying for several years on Locheyeglass, the image formed by a single speculum.  Lomond, which enables the traveller, at a small
-As the front view is quite impracticable, and,  expense, to take an interesting view of the di-.
indeed, has never been attempted in instruments  veraified scenery of that beautiful lake.  Five
of a small size, it becomes of great practical con-  are just now plying on the Tay; two of which,
sequence to remove as mutch as possible the evils  with engines of 30 and 40 horse powers, and
which arise from the use of a small speculum,"  fitted up with elegant accommodations ply daily
&c.-The instruments noticed above have ef-  between P,'th and Dundee; each of them, dut ing
fectuated the desirable object alluded to by this    * It is mucn to be regretted, and it is certainly not
respectable writer; and the principle of the con-  congenial to the liberal spirit of the age, that this
gentleman, who was among the first inventors of
strletlon is neither that of Dr. Herschel'sfront  steam navigation, and who has done so much to
view, nor does it coincide with that proposed  promote its success in the neighhourhood of Glasby La Maire, wehi:h seems to have been a mere  gow, has never received any ipublic reward for his
exertions, and has heetn left to sink into a state apt
hint; whlich was tlever put inte executior,   proacling to poverty.




15;6                      THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
most of the summer months, transporting nearly  of surface should be immersed in the water fol
a hundred passengers at every trip.           each horse power.  The paddle wheels var,'
Steaml navigation, though less understood on  from 10 to 15 feet in diameter, dip fi-om 12 to 2t0.he Cont-nent than with us, is now beginning  inches in the water, and have about one foot in
to make considerable progress.  There are 8  breadth for each 10 horse power. Mr. Gladstone
steam-boats on the Garonne, and several on  affirms, that so much power is wasted in disthe Seine.  There are two on the Lake of  placing the water by the stroke of the board.
Geneva, and two are about to be established  that the velocity of the ship is only about one-half
on the Lake Constance, and there are, besides,  of that of the outer surface of the paddle-wheel.
one or two on the Danube. It is likely, that    "There are two sources of apprehension in
in the course of a few years such conveyances  steam-boats-fire, and the bursting of the boiler.
will be established on all our friths and rivers,  WVith regard to the latter, when the boiler is of
and the period is, no doubt, hastening on, when  low pressure, it is satisfactorily established that
excursions will be taken, in such vehicles, be-  not the smallest danger exists. And in the bes'
tween Europe and America.  A steam-boat of  constructed vessels, the danger from fire is com700 tons burden, and 100 horse power, has sailed  pletely obviated, by separating the furnace fiom
regularly, summer and winter, for three or four  the sides of the vessels by five inches of water."
years, between New-York and New-Orleans,    The power of steam is now rendered subsera distance of 2000 miles, in an open sea. ex-  vient to the breaking of stones for the construcposed to great storms; and, by many, she is  tion of roads. The stones are put into a kind
preferred to the packets, not only for the cer-  of hopper above, and pushed down with a rake,
tainty of making shorter voyages, but on ac-  and the machine is worked by a rotatory motion
count of greater safety.  In America, steam, of one horse power; and will break a ton of hard
vessels are fitted up with every accommodation  pebbles completely, in from six to eight minutes.
and elegancy which art can devise; so as to  A steam machine has also been invented for the
produce, it possible, as great a variety of en-  dressing ofwoollencloth, which does as much work
joyment to passengers on sea as on land. Mr.  in 50 minutes as two men could do in two days.
Church, the American consul in France, has  Mon. Slag. Aug. 1823, p. 71.-A  steam carinvented a paddle, which revolves on the pad-  riage, for conveying goods and passengers on
die wheel, by very simple mechanism, which  land, was lately constructing by Mr. Griffiths.
is found to save power. In the United States,  Its rate of motion, on common roads, is estimated
a new mode of constructing cabins has been  at five miles an hour, at an average; about three
lately introduced, so as to place them beyond  miles when going up hill, afld above seven when
the reach of injury from explosions of the boiler.  running down. But pecuniary embarrassments,
A steam vessel of a large size has lately been  or other impediments, have, hitherto, prevented
fitted up, which is intended to sail between  the completion of his design.
London and Calcutta.                            Mr. Perkins has lately made improvements on
" Steam vessels have been built in this coun-  the steam engine, which promise to carry its
try of' from 10 to 500 tons, and from 3 or 4 to 110  powers to a high degree of perfection.  The enhorse power. The length of the City of Edin-  gine he has lately constructed is calculated to a
burgh, on the upper deck, is 143 feet; and some  ten horse power, though the cylinder is no more
have lately been constructed of still larger dimen-  than two inches in diameter, and 18 inches long,
sions. The American steam-boats are larger  with a stroke of only 12 inches. Although the
than ours, and are much more used for the con-  space occupied by the engine is not more than
veyance of merchandise. The Frontinac, which  six feet by eight, yet Mr. P. considers the applies on the Canadian side of Lake Ontario, is  paratus (with the exception of the working cy170 feet long on deck, and 32 feet broad; and  linder and piston) as perfectly sufficient for a
the Chancellor Livingston, which plies on the  thirty horse engine.  When the engine performs
Hudson, is of the same size. The velocity aimed  full work, it consumes only two bushels of coal
at is generally 8 or 9 miles an hour. The pro-  in the day. Mr. Perkins has also announced a
portion is, on an average, about one horse power  discovery still more extraordinary, viz. that he
for every four tons of burden, computed in the  has been able " to arrest the heat, after it has
usual way.  Tne velocity is found to be nearly  perfornled its mechanical functions, and actually
as the square root of the power, so that an 80  pump it back to the generator, to unite with a
horse power engine will produce only twice the  fresh portion of water, and renew  its useful lavelocity of one of 20 horse power. Something  bours." A particular account of P rkins's engine
depends also on the make and size of the vessel.  accompanied with an engraving, is given in the
The " Sovereign," of 210 tons, and 80 horse  Edin. Philos. Journal, No. 17, for July 1823.
oouwer, goes 9' miles an hou r in still water; and  The pretensions of Mr. Perkins, Oowever, have
jle'" James Watt," of 448 tons. anld 100 horse  not yet been so fully substantiated by experirnen:
vower, is stated to go 10 miles. For the paddle-  as to satisfy the anxious expec ation of the,mards, the rule is, that 3-10ths of a square foot Publie.




APPENDIX.                                        157
An interesting report has lately been published  presumptuous assumption, which has a tendency
of a series of experiments, made with a new  to limit the perfections of Deity, and to present
steam engine, invented by an American machi-  a partial and distorted view of the economy of
nist, called the capillary steam engine.  Three  human redemption.  For, in the first place, it
great obiects are said to be accomplished by this  has no foundation in Scripture.  There is not a
invention, lightness, safety, and economy offuel.  single passage from which it can be legitimately
In an engine calculated for a four horse power,  deduced.  The onus probandi, on this point,
tue generator is forned of a copper tube ~ inch  rests with those who make the assertion. A
in diameter, and 100 feet long, which weighs  gentleman, when lately conversing on this subaoout 16lbs. It is arranged in coils. one above  ject, brought forward the foillowing interrogation,
another, in the form of a sugar loaf, 30 inches  as a demonstrative argument in proof of the pohigh; the bottom coil being 18 inches in diame-  sition in question: " Is not redemption declared
ter, and the top one considerably less.  The  in Scripture to be the chie.f of all the works oJ
wood is prepared as is usual for a stove, and put  God?"' but he was not a little surprised, when
within the coils.'The steam cylinder is formed  he was informed that the passage, which he had
of sheet copper, three inches in diameter, 27  partly misquoted, is applied to the behemoth or
inches in stroke, and, with all its appendages,  the elephant, as stated in Job xl. 19.-2dly, the
weighs about 25lbsr  It has been ascertained,  assertion is as presumptuous as it is unfounded.
that the generator and main cylinder, with their  It takes for granted, that we know all the events
contents and appendages, exclusive of fuel, need  which have already happened, and which are now
not weigh more than 201bs. to the' horse power.  taking place throughout the whole range of God's
No harm can be done by the bursting of boilers  universal empire.  This empire appears'un-even a safety-valve is considered as useless.  bounded; and that portion of it which we can
In the course of the experiments, the experi-  minutely explore, is but as a point in comparison
menters several times burst the tube; but, so far
menters several times burst the tube  but, so far  to express all the meaning here attributed to it, cain.
fron doing any injury, it could not always be  not be denied. But why may it not have been some.
perceived oy the spectators.  To ascertain what  times used todistinguish the work of mediation from
be- done toadsarilnaiaall the other favours whichl God has conferred on
may be done towards aerial naigation, by steam,  our race? In lis History of Redemption, I. 342, Preexperiments were made on the power of wings  sident Edwards says,  From what has been said, one
in the air, and on the power necessary to work  may argue, that the work of redempttion is the great
est of all God's works, of which we have any notice,
them.  The result is, that, it requires a horse  and it is the end of all his otherworks.' Thisview
power to carry 301bs. in the air; so that a flying  of the subject accords with the scriptures. Though
engine, to be worked by chaicoal, would weigh  it cannot beasserted, that in a single instance they
directly affirm the work of redemption to be the
about I01bs. to the horse power, wings, conden-  greatest of all the works of God, yet they give it
ser and fiel included.  It was also ascertained  such an importance and prominency, as are concedand calcuations that a balloon  ed to no other of His dispensations. In tis light the
by experiments ndclcutionstapostles seem to have regarded it. Paul counted all
could be made to carry a man with an engine,  the distinctions and honours and advantages which
which would push it at the rate of 15 miles an  he had acquired among the Jews, as loss in corn
in the air. A  more parular detail of  parison with the glory of thle gostel. He went even
hour in the air. A  more fparticular detail of  farther. le declared that he counted all thing's but
these experiments may be seen in the " London  loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ
MechanicsX' Magazine," No. -60, for 16th Octo-  Jesus his Lord. In this view of the subject there is
M     ehanics' Magazine   No. 60, for 16th Octo-  no presumption and no limitation of the "divine
ber, 1824.                                     perfections and operations." It has no tendency..::.either to damp the hopes, or obscure the prospects
of immortal beings.
No. X. p. 146.-Strictures on a certain sentiment   On the other hf:n,  who, that is not presumptuous
respecting the work of Human Redemption.    beyond endurance, will suppose, that he now understands the full extent of the love of Christ, and its
bearings on all the other divine operations? Who
The sentiment referred to in this paragraph,  will dare to assert, that this theme will not be suff
" That there never was,.nor ever will be, through  cient for ever to employ the meditations and the
all the ages of eternity so wonderful a   pa    songs of the redeemed? Has any one ascertained,
all the ages of eternity, so wonderful. a display  that it is so limited, as to be soon exhausted? On
of the divine glory, as in the cross of Christ,"  these topics the author is happily silent; or rather
has been reiterated a thousand times, in-sermons  he "pronounces nothing decisively;" but affrms
that were he "to hazard a conjecture," he should
and in systems of divinity, and is still repeat-  say, that.the converse of the proposition" undei
ed by certain preachers, as if it were an in-  consideration "is true." But for ourselves "we
controvertible axiom, which otigh't never to be  feel chained down to an obscure corner of God's
controvertible axiom  which ougt never to b   domains," and possess no light except that which
called in question; and is, no doubt, intended to  he has given us. In our present condition we dare
magnify the divine attributes, and' the work of  not launch with the author into the ocean of con-,                  i          nothing more than     jecture. Guided by the revelation which God has
redemption.:* mBut it is nothing more than a  made, we are compelled to recard the work o)f redemption as the greatest of all the divine woi'ks of
~ It is not important to determine how often the  which we have any knowledge; and we are satisfied,
ser timent here expressed has been " reiterated in  that the development of the relations and bearings
gsel mens and systems r. f divinity." We cannot, how-  and effects of this stupendous work will be sufficient
ever, believe that it has been repeated with the same  to employ all our powers of romprehersion, and
frequflncY as the author's language.seenls to imply.  ever to minister to us new and constanlt'lVlight.l'nat there are instances, in which it was. designed  AJm. Editor




158                        THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.
of the whole.  But before we can, on good  fested than even to the inhabitants of ouw globe
grounds, hazard such an assertion as that under  But whether such an event shall ever take place
consideration, we must have explored all the dis-  it would be presumption in us to determine. For
pensations of God, through every portion of his  the thoughts and the ways of God as far transcend
vast dominions; and be able to form  a compari-  ours, " as the heavens are high above the earth."
son between the different displays of divine glory,  It demands ottr highest tribute of grateful adoramade to all the different classes of intellectual  tion, that the Almighty condescended to " regard
oeings, under the government of the Creator.  us in our low estate," and to deliver us from the
And who, among the sons ofAdam, can lay claim   moral degradation into which we had fallen; but,
to such high qualifications for pronouncing so  surely, it would be unreasonable to conclude,
sweeping a decision on this point?  3dlv, Itsets  from this consideration, that of all the rational
limits to the divine perfections and operations. For  tribes which people the universe, man is the only
although it could be proved, (which it cannot be,)  favourite of the Most High, " when thousand
that no such displays have hitherto been made to  worlds are round."  Though myriads of other
any other beings, yet who can take upon him to  intelligences were to share in sinlilar favours, it
assert, that displays of divine perfection far more would not lessen the happiness conferred on us,
glorious and astonishing will not be exhibited   nor ought it in the least to detract from our adduring the countless ages of eternity which are  miration of " the love of God, which is in Christ
yet to come?  To set limits to the operations of  Jesus our Lord."
almighty power and boundless benevolence, dur-    There are a great many other vague andti ning the lapse of infinite duration, is not the pro-  tenable notions which are entertained and reitevince of any created intelligence, and far less  rated by certain commentators and divines; as
of man, who stands so low in the scale of uni-  indisputable axioms, which it would be of imversal being.  4thly, It tends to damp the hopes  portance to the cause of religion to discard
and prospects of imm.ortal beings, when looking  such as-that angels are pure immaterial subforward to an interminable existence.  For this  stances*-that they were formed on the first day
sentinment leads them to conclude, that they are  of the Mosaic creation-that the wisdom  of
already acquainted with the greatest display of  God  is no where  so  illustriously  displayed
divine glory which can be made; and that what-  throughout the universe as in the schemle of reever scenes of wonder may be exhibited in the  demptiont-that the chief employment of the
future world, they must, of course, be all inferior  future world will be to pry into the mysteries of
to this, itl point of extent and grandeur.       salvation —that sin is an infinite evil~-that the
The redemption of the human race, as displayed in the Christian revelation, is a theme       In the Scriptures angels are called spiits. Anti
till some evidence is offered of tteir materiatlity, we
sufficiently grand, astonishing, and interesting,  shall see no reason to abandon the opitnion, that they
to comlmand the attention of all who are con-  are pure spirits.-Ed.
vinced that they belong to an apostate race of    t To show that it is important to discard this senll
timent, the author ought at least to have stated some
intelligences, and to excite the admiration and   good reason for believing it to be without feusidagratitude of all who have experienced its bene-  tion. Until something more decisive of this point
lts; and it stands in no need of such unfounded  Shall be made to appear, there cannot he the least
fits; and it stands in no need of such unfounded  occasion to abandon the sentiment in question. —Ed.
and extravagant assertions, to display its riches    X Here substantially the same reply may tic maule
and glory.  " Will a man speak deceitfully for  as in tle ireceling instance.'rove that this wif
God? Shall -ot hlis excellency make you afraid,  not be the chief employment of heaven —Show that
od? Shall not his excellency make you afraid,  any thing else will, for the most p;art, occupy the
and his dread fall upon you?"-We pronounce  attention of the spirits of lust men nl;tlae p)crfect in
nothing decisively on this subject. We feel our-  glory, and the sentiment ntler cinsileration will
be reatdily renounced. Till then we shall claim the
selves chained down to an obscure corner of  right to belie",:, ltind maintain, that the cnlltloyment
God's dominions, to be in the very infancy of  of the rsemetl  in glory will consist, to;t reat cxteorp, in beholhling, admiring, and roloring, Him, who
our knowledge, and withal, to be connected with  te   n behotlin,  dmiring, and titfig Hint, wis
ntath lovet them aeni ttied for theni.-tEd.
a race of beings whose " understandings;e    ~ Infinite is once used in tle scrilttures to qlualify
darkened by reason of sin;"i and are therefore  the term iniquity, Job xxii. 5. Is not thyevickedlzess
infall' glegreat and thine iniquities infinite?  But not to inunable to pronounce an infallible decision on  sist on tlerhaps a too literal interpretation of the
what God will or will not do. Were we to ha-  term, it will be sufficient to show what it is ordlinazard a conjecture on this subject, we would say,   ily used to    itenote.
Some authors, regarding only the very limited
that the converse of the proposition under consi-  faculties and powers of human beings, teem it im.
deration is more probable than the proposition   possible, that any of their deeds ctal be an ifinite
itself.  We can conceive of worlds ten thousand  evil.
Others, considering only the infinity of the Being
times more populous than ours, and peopled with  against whom sitn is committedl, find no difficulty in
a higher order of intellectual beings, towards  convincin themsClves, that iis an infiniteevil
There is also a third cl;ss, who, taking the word
whom a similar display of benevolence and mercy,  of God for their guide, and learni g that sill exposes
were it necessary, may be made; and, therefore,  men to everlasting punishsltent, do not hesitate to
in point of the extent of its objects, we can con.  (lenominate that an inrfinite evil, which brings on its
guilty victim sufferings infinite in duration. Underceive the love of God nmore illustriously mani-  stood in this last sense, we can feel no obligation to




APPENDIX.                                        i59,
whole material universe was brought into exist-  eousness.  The scriptures were designed to DO
ence at the same tzrme with our earth-that the  a comment on these works; to explain their na.~
Creatorceased to create any new order of beings  ture, and to show us the agency, purposes, wisin the universe, after arranging the fabric of our  dom, and goodness of God in their formation.
globe-that the whole system of material nature  Thus explained, thus illuminated, they become
in heaven and earth will be destroyed at the  means of knowledge, very extensive and emiperiod of the dissolution or our world-that our  nently useful. He who does not find in the vathoughts and affections should be completely de-  rious, beautiful, sublime, awful, and astonishing
tached from all created things, &c. &c.-Several  objects presented to us in creation and proviague notions of this description are founded on  dence, irresistible and glorious reasons for adthe false assumption, that the globe we inhabit,  miring, adoring, loving, and praising his Creaand the rational beings that have appeared on its  tor, has not a claim to evangelical piety."-Syssurface from age to age, are the chief objects of  tesn of Theology, vol. iii. p. 477.
God's superintendence and care-and that the
Scriptures are the onily medium through which  No. XII.-List of Popular Works on the djifer.
we can view the plans and operations of the    ent Sciences treated of in this volume, with
Deity-assumptions, which are contrary to rea-    occasional remarks.
son, which are unwarranted in revelation, nay,
which are directly contradicted in numerous      SELECT BOOKS ON NATURAL HISTORY.
passages of Scripture, some of which have already been referred to in the course of this vo-    " Goldsmith's History of the Earth, and ani.
lunme. It would be of essential service. to the  mated nature," with notes by T. Brown, Esq.
cause of Christianity, that its doctrines, facts,  published at Manchester, 6 vols. 8vo. The co'
and moral requisitions were uniformly exhibited  pious notes appended to this edition, contain an
in their native simplicity and grandeur, without  account of the latest discoveries, and form  a
being obscured and distorted by the vague and  valuable addition to the original work-" The
extravagant representations with which they are  Gallery of Nature and Art," by Dr. Masof.
too frequently blended by injudicious minds.  Good, and others, 6 vols. 8vo.-" Spectacle de
la Nature," or Nature Displayed, 7 vols. 12mo.
-" Nature Displayed," by Dr. Simeon Shaw, 3
No. XI.                     vols. 8vo. or itl 6 vols. 12mo. This work, though
chiefly a compilation, imnbodies a great variety
As  authority has a considerable degree of  of interesting and popular descriptions of the
weight on some minds, I shall conclude with an  most remarkable facts in the system of nature,
extract on the subject oe this volume, from that  which are illustrated with numerous engravings,
respectable and enlightened divine, Dr. Dwight,  both plain and coloured.-Clarke's " Hundred
late president of Yale college:-" The works  Wonders of the World," one vol. 12mo. and
of God were by him intended to be, and are, in  Platt's I" Book of Curiosities," contain a numfact, manifestations of himself; proofs of his  berof interesting selections on this subject.character, presence, and agency. In this light  Smellie's " Philosophy of Natural History," 2
he requires men continually to regard them:  vils. 4to. and his translation of " Buffon's Naand to refiuse this regard is considered by him as  tural History."-Works entitled, " System" and
grossly wicked, and highly deserving of punish-  " Elements" of " Natural History," are nument, Psalm xxviii. 5. Isa. v. 12-14. I am merous; but the greatest part of them is confiapprehensive, that even good men are prone to  ned to descriptions of the forms, habits, and inpay less attention to the works of creation and  stinct of animals. On this department of natuprovidence than piety demands, and the scrip-  ral science, a work is just now in course of pubtures require. We say and hear so much con-  lication, by the celebrated Cuvier, entitled" The
cerning the insufficiency of these works to un-  Animal Kingdom," with engravings, chiefly
fold the character of God, and the nature of  from the living subjects in the Museum of Nagenuine religion, that we are prone to consider tural History at Paris.-A popular and comprethem as almost uninstructive in moral things,  hensive history of the facts which have been
and, in a great measure, useless to the promo-  ascertained respecting the earth, the atmosphere,
tion of piety. This, however, is a palpable and the meteors, the heavens, &c. calculated for
dangerous error.  The works alone, without the  general readers, and interspersed with appropriaid of the scriptures, would, [ acknowledge, be  ate moral and religious reflections, is still a destfar less instructive than they now are, and ut-  deratum.  The facts ofnatural history, next to
terly insufficient to guide us in the way of right-   the facts recorded in the sacred volume, are the
first subjects to which the minds of thu yourng
reject it. It must, however, be admitted that It is  shold  e directed in tte curse  of a gnersi
not always used in this manner, ani that it is some- should be directed n the course of a genera
times an occasion of amlbiguity.-Ed          education.




tI6)                     THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER,
EI.ECT  00OOKS ON GEOGRAPHY.            Travels in all parts of the tVorld," 17 voli 4to
-" Mavor's Voyages," &c. 28 vols. 8lumo. —
Pinkerton's Modern Geography, 2 vols. 4to.  "The World Displayed," 18 vols. 18mo.tnd the Abridgment, one vol. 8vo.-Guthrie's  "Philips's Collection of Voyages and Travels,"
Gieographical Grammar.-The Glasgow  Geo-  &c.
graplhy, in 5 vols. 8vo. This work comprehends-   The following are among the most respectable
an immense mass of information, on the histori-  modern publications on this, subject, arranged
cal and descriptive parts of geography.  It also  according to the different quarters of the world.
contains comprehensive compends of astrono-  AsIA.-" Valencia's Travels in India, Arabia,';
my, geology, meteorology, &c. —Malte Brun's  &c.-" Porter's Travels in Georgia, Armenia,"
S' ystem of Geography," 8vo.  The English  &c.-" Golownin's Travels in Japan."-'- Staun~
translation of this work, when completed, will  ton's Account of Macartney's Embassy  to
comprise the fullest and most comprehensive  China." —"Raffle's Travels in Java.''-"Ciarke's
view of universal geography that has yet ap-  Travels in Asia Minor, and the Holy Land."peared in our language, including details of the  " Chateaubriand's Travels in Palestine."-" Ali
most recent discoveries. Five volumes of the  Bey's Travels in Arabia."-" Morier's Travels
English translation have already appeared. The  through Persia," &c. AFRICA.-" Lyon'sTrafirst volume contains a luqlinous and compre-  vels in Northern Africa."-Burckhard's Travels
hensive outline of the science of Geology, and  in Nubia.-Bruce's Travels in Abyssinia.Physical  and  Mathematical  Geography.-   Salt's Travels in Abyssinia. —Bowdich, Hutton,
Myer's " System  of Modern Geography," with  and Dupuis's Account of Ashalntee.-Leigh's
Raps, views, engravinlgs representing costumes,  Jour. in Egypt.-Belzoni's Travels in Egypt.&c. 2 large vols. 4to.-Cooke's "System of  Sonini's Travels in Egypt.-Barrow's, BurUniversal Geography," in 2 very large quarto  chell's, and Campbell's Travels in Southern
vols. closely printed, contains a great variety of  Africa,&c.&c. AMERICA.-IHo wison's Sketchinteresting sketches in relation to Descriptive  es of'Upper Canada. Fearon's Sketches of the
Geography, extracted from the writings of mo-  UInited States.-Miss Wright's Views of Sodern voyagers and travellers; the details of  ciety in the United States.-Humholdt's Travels
incidents, &c. being related for the most part,  in South America.-Duncan's Travels in the
in the words of the respective authors from whom   United States.-Luccock's, Vidal's, Kosters's,
the information is collected.-Winterbotham's  and Hall's Travels in  South America, &c.
" Geographical and Historical view  of the  EUROPE.-Henderson's and Mackenzie's Tra.
United States of America, &c." 4 vols. 8vo.  vels in Icelanrd.-Thompson's Travels in Swe-Motrse's American Geography," 8vo.-Gold-  den.-Carr's Travels in Russia, Denmark, &c
smith's " Geography on a popular plan," con-  -Pallas's Travels in Russia. —-Wraxhall's,
tains an interesting account of the manners and  Neale's, Coxe's, and Lemaistre's Tours through
customs of nations, for the entertainment and in-  France, Switzerland, Germany, &c.-Bourstruction of the young, illustrated with above 60  going's and Jacob's Travels in Spain.-Brydon's
engravings.  Of simaller systems, there is a  Tour in Sicily, &c.-Von Buch's Travels in
great abundance in the English language, but  Norway and Lapland.-Cochrane's Travels in
most of them are extremely deficient, particulary  Siberia, &c.-Cook's, Anson's, Byron's. Pe.
in what relates to General Geography. —On Sa-  rouse's, and Bougainville's Voyages round the
credGeography, Wells's Geography, modernized  World, &c.-Prior's Universal Traveller, one
by the editor of Calmet's Dictionlary, is the most  thick vol. 12mo. closely printed, with one hun.
complete work of its kind. —On Physical or Ge-  dred engravings.
neral Geography-Playfair's System of Geography, vol. I. and Varenius's General Geography.        SELECT BOOKS ON GEOLOGY.
A Modern system of Geography, in a separate
forim, on the plan of Varenius, is a desideratum.    Kirwan's " Mineralogy," and his " Geological
-Edin. Ency. Art. Geography.-Sup. to Ency.  Essays."-De Luc's " Geology," and his " Geo.
Brit. Art. Physical Geography, &c. &c. Books  logical Travels."-Parkinson's " Organic Re.
of Voyages and Travels, generally contain the  mains of a former World," 3 vols. 4to.-" The
most circumstantial details of the physical as-  Fossils of the South Downs, or Illustrations of
pects of the different countries, and of the dis-  the Geology of Sussex, by G. Mantel, F. L. S."
positions and customs of their inhabitants; and  The preliminary essay to this splendid work
present to the view of the Christian philanthro-  contains several excellent remarks respecting
pist, those facts and incidents, from which the  the connexion of geology with religion, which
moral state and character of the various tribes of  are calculated to advance the interests of both.
human beings may be inferred. The following  — Cuvier's Il Essay on the Theory of the Earth,'
works contain comprehensive abridgments of  with illustrations by Professor Jameson; 4th
the,most celebrated voyages and travels.-" Pin-  edition.-Playfair's illustrationsof the Huttonian
e.erton's General Collection of Voyages and  Theory of the Earth.-Transactions of the




APPENDIX.                                       16,
Geological and Wernerian Societies. —Jame-  cient in a reference to the wisdom and agency
son's Mineralogy.-Buckland's Account of the  of a Supreme Intelligence. " An undevout asDiscovery of a Den of Hyenas in a cavern in  tronomer is mad."  Baxter's " "Matho," contains
Yorkshire.-Pllilips's " Outlines of Mineralogy  a popular and-interesting view of this subject,
ind Geology," 12lno. This last work forms a  and forms a striking contrast to the apathy of
good introduction to the study of Geology, for  La Place, who carefully keeps out of view the
those who are just commencing their inquiries  agency of the Creator-the main design of this
on this subiect. Tile object of this science, in  author being to connect the phenomena of the
the mean time, should be chiefly to the collecting  heavens anld the earth with the attributes of
of facts in reference to the structure of the earth,  Deity, and the high destination of immortal
and the changes it has undergone.  The exterior  minds. Though this work passed through three
aspect of our globe, and its internal recesses,  editions, it does not seem to have been appremust be still more extensively explored, before  ciated according to its mer'.D,,. As it has now
any theory of the earth can be established on a  become scarce, a new edition, with notes, conbroad and stolid foundation. It should be left to  taining a detail of modern discoveries, might be
future ages to build a system with the materials  an acceptable present to the public. Those
we are now preparing.                        who wish to prosecute this, subject to a greater
extent, may be referred to "Long's Astronomy,"
POPULAR WORKS ON ASTRONOMY.             2 vols. 4to.-Robinson's "Mechanical Philosophy," vol. 1.-Vince's "Complete System of
Brewster's " Ferguson's Astronomy," 2 vols.  Astronomy," 3 vols. 4to. —" La Lande Astrobvo. with a vol. of plates. The notes and sup-  nomie," 3 vols. 4to.-and Biot's " Traite Ele.
plementary chapters of this work, written by  mentaire d'Astronomie Physique."  A compreDr. Brewster, contain a full and comprehensive  hensive work on Descriptive Astronomy, detailing,
detail of all the modern discoveries in this  in a popular manner, all the facts which have
science.-" Bonnycastle's Introduction to Astro-  been ascertained respecting the scenery of the
nomy," 1 vol. 8vo.-La Place's "' System of the  heavens, accompanied with a variety of striking
World," 2 vols. 8vo. Dr. Olinthus Gregory's  delineations, and interspersed with appropriate
Astronomy, 1 vol. 8vo.-Mrs. Bryan's " System   reflections, accommodated to the general reader,
of Astronomy," 8vo.-Dr. Mylne's "Elemen-  is a desideratum.
tary Treatise on Astronomy," 8vo.-Adam's
"' Astronomical and Geographical Essays," 8vo.   SELECT BOOKS ON NATURAL PHILOSOPtlY.
-Philips's " Eight Familiar Lectures on Astronomy," 12mo. —Squire's "Grammar: of Astro-      Hauy's " Elementary treatise on Natural
nomy," 1 thick vol. 18mo. closely printed and  Philosophy," translated by Dr. O. Gregory, 2
illustrated with 35 plates.-The " Wonders of  vols. 8vo. This translation contains a number
the Heavens," 12mno.  This work contains a  of valuable notes by the translator.-Ferguson's
popular view of the principal facts of Astronomy,  " Lectures on Select Subjects in Mechanics,"
and is illustrated with 50 elegant engravings, of  &c. by Dr. Brewster, 2 vols. Svo with a volume
a variety of interesting objects connected with  of plates. The Appeudlix to this work, by Dr.
the scenery of the heavens; but its discussions  Brewster, contains a mass of valuable informnaare too frequently blended with the peculiarities  tion on Mechanics, Hydraulics, Dialling, and
of a modern physical theory.-Martin's " Gen-  the construction of Optical Instruments; besides
tinman and Lady's Philosophy," vol. 1.-Der-  a variety of illustrative notes interspersed through
Ihm's " Astro-Theology," and Whiston's " As-  the body of the work. A  new edition of this
tronomical principles of Religion," 8vo.-Bax-  work, comprising a detailed account of the recent
tei s "Matho," 2 vols. &c.-An elegant and  discoveries in Experimental Philosophy, has
eomprehensive outline of the leading facts of  been lately published.-Nicholson's" IntroducAstronomy, in their relation to revealed Reli-  tion to Natural Philosophy," 2 vols. 8vo.gion, will be round in Dr. Chalmers's " Discourses  Cavallo's" Complete Treatise on Natural and
on the Christian Revelation, viewed in connec-  Experimental Philosophy," 4 vols. Svo.-Martton with the Modern Astronomy," 8vo.-The  tin's " Philosophia Britannica,"3 vols. 8vo.
genera! reader in commencing his stutdv of this  His " Gentleman and Lady's Philosophy," S
2cience, will find Bonnycastle's "lluootLetion""   vols. 8vo. and his "Philosophical Grammar,"
a very interesting work. It is written in an  1 vol. 8vo.-Gregory's " Economy of Nature,"
elegant and animated style, and is agreeably in-  S vols. 8vo. and his " Lectures on Experimer.terspersed with a number of appropriate reflec-  tal Philosophy, Astronomy, and Chymistry," 2
tions; bult it is deficient in the detail of modern  vols. 12mo.-Joyce's " Letters on Experinmental
discoveries. He toight next proceed to the pe-  Philosophy," 2 vols. 12nmo. and his " Scientific
rusai of Ferguson, Gregory, Squire, &c. La  Dialogues," 6 vols. 18no.-Adam's" Lecture.s
Place's work contains a beautiful exposition of  on Natural and Experimental Philosophy " 4
the Newtonian system, butt it is glaringly defi  vols. 8vo. wit', a vo!ulle of plates -Yot.ng's




162                      THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER.' Lectures n Natural Philosophy," 2 vols. 8vo.  tion seems to have been paid to this object than
-Walker's system of " Familiar Philosophy,"  at present. Since the middle of the last cen4to. in 12 lectures, with 47 quarto engravings.  tury, the piety of philosophers appears to have
-Conversations on Natural Philosophy, by the  been greatly on the decline.  It is to be hoped
author of Conversations on Chymistry, 1 thick  that it is now beginning to experience a revival.
vol. 12mo. with 23 engravings.-Blair's " Gram-  But, whatever may be the varying sentiments
mar of Natural and Experimental Philosophy,"  and feelings of mere philosophers, in reference to
especially the late editiros, contains (at a small  the agencies of the material system-" all the
price) a comprehensive view of the principal  works of God invariably speak of their Author,"
departments of Philosophy, including Astrono-  to the humble and enlightened Christian; and if
my, Geology, Chymistry, Meteorology, &c.-  he-be directed to contemplate the order of naEuler's "Letters to a German Princess," 2 vols.  ture, with an eve of intelligence, he will never
8vo. contains a popular view of the most interest-  be at a loss to trace the footsteps and the attriing subjects connected with Natural and Expe-  butes of his Father and his God.
rimental Philosophy, Logic, and Ethics. This
work is distinguished by a vein of dignified and    SELECT BOOKS ON CHYMISTRY
scriptural piety, which runs through every part
of it. Euler was one of the most distinguished    Davy's Elements of Chymical T.ldosophy,
philosophers and mathematicians of his day.  8vo.-Ure's Dictionary of Chymistry, on the
He died in 1783, at the age of 77. A new edi-  basis of Mr. Nicholson's, 1 large vol. 8vo.
tion of this work, with notes by Dr. Brewster,  Henry's Epitome of Chytnistry, 2 vols. 8vo.has been lately published. These notes are ex-  Accum's Chymistry, 2 vols. 8vo.-Thomson's
cellent, so far as they extend; but it is to be  System  of Chymistry, 4 vols. 8vo.-Murray's
regretted that they are so sparingly distributed,  System  of Chymistry, 4 vols. 8vo. and Appenand that the passages suppressed by M. Condor-  dix.-Kerr's translation of Lavoisier's Elements
cet, and De la Croix, which were restored by  of Chymistry, 8vo.-Chaptal's Chymistry, apDr. Hunter, who translated the work, and the  plied to the Arts, 4 vols. Svo.-Fourcroy's
notes of the French and English editors, are, for  Chymistry,4 vols.-Accum's " Chymical Amusethe nlost part, discarded. Notwithstanding the  nents," and Griffin's "Chymical Recreations,"
numerous excellent treatises which are to be  contain a description of a variety of interesting
found on this subject, a comprehensive work on  chymical facts and  amusing  experiments.experimental philosophy, blended with sketches  Gurney's Lectures on the Elements of Chymiof those parts of natural history, which are con-  cal Science, 8vo.-Mackenzie'. One Thousand
nected with it, and enlivened with appropriate  Experiments  in Chymistry, &c.-Mitchell's
reflections on the peculiar agencies of the Deity,  Dictionary of Chymistry.-( onversations on
which appear in the various processes ofnature-   Chymistry, by a Lady, 2 vols. 12mo.-Joyce's
is still wanting to interest the general reader, and  Dialogues on Chymistry, 2 v 1.s. 18mo.-Pa,to attract his attention to this department orknow-  ker's Rudiments of Chymistry, 18mo. and his
ledge. Were philosophers, in their discussions  Chymical Catechism, 8vo. The four works last
of natural science, more frequently to advert to  mentioned may be recommended as popular inthe agency of the Deity, and to point out the  troductions to the study of this science. Parker's
religious arid philanthropic purposes to which  Rudiments and Catechism are distinguished by
modern  discoveries might be applied, they  their constant reference to the agency of the
might be the means of promoting, at the same  Deity, and by the anxiety which the author distime, the interests both of science and of reli-  plays to fix the attention of his readers on the
gion; by alluring general readers to direct their  evidences of benevolent design which appear
attention to such subjects; and by removing  in the constitution of nature. The numerous
those groundless prejudices which a great pro-  notes appended to the Chlyt.;,al Catechism, importion of the Christian world still entertain  body a great variety of interesting facts in reagainst philosophical studies. About the period  ference to the economy of nature, and the prowhen Boy le, Ray, Derham, Nieuwentyt, Whis-  cesses of the arts. To this amiable and intelligent
ton, Addison, the Abbe Pluche, and other  writer I feel indebted for severna of the chvmical
Ch'iscian philosophers flourished, more atten-  facts stated in this volume.