and the kind of beings which were willed into existence thereafter, that, joined to the impression of there being a necessity for the modification in question, it fully convinces us; and we trust, that every one else who reflects on the subject of the divine origin of both conditions of the light, and also of the operations which were performed by its instrumentality in those different states, will feel equally well assured.

Hitherto whatever had been formed was either inert matter, aeriform masses, liquid fluids, or vegetable existences, without any of them possessing the power of volition or locomotion, properly so called. But before the beneficent Creator proceeded to embody those free-moving creatures which were to roam in the ocean, inhabit the land, or to fly in the air, there appears to have been some constraining reason, having its origin in the relation of their movements to the surrounding media, which demanded that the quantity of light should be equable and regulated; and that it should henceforth issue FROM the same point To which the principle of attraction propends.

It is not our intention, at present, to lead our readers into the depths of an enquiry, having for its object an endeavour even to surmise in what that mysterious necessity consists. But a brief and comprehensive review of the leading features which characterize the operations of the three days which we have been engaged in contemplating, will not only go someway towards elucidating this new principle, but will, likewise, show how intimately connected are these works with the introduction of the light into the material universe, and the rotation of the earth around its axis: the main tenets, and fundamental doctrines of the Dynamical Theory.

The first day of the Mosaic week, as we have been informed, was dedicated to the formation of the light itself, that is, the ethereal fluid and its subsequent division from the darkness; while their immediate consequence, as concerns this world, was the rotation of our sphere on its axis, producing in turn those innumerable geological and geographical developments, which everywhere characterize the earth's surface.

A proper degree of attention bestowed upon what is said respecting the operations of the two succeeding days, will en

able us to discover, in the most unequivocal manner, that light, the rotation of the earth, and the consequences arising therefrom, were mainly influential in effecting, under the direction of the Creator, the wonders of the second and third days. For, on looking narrowly into the details of the second day, it will be observed, that it was the principle of expansion, proceeding from the light, which insinuating itself among the waters and combining with their elements or associates, caused them to assume the elasticity and volume requisite to form the atmosphere; while it was to the centrifugal impetus, occasioned by the diurnal motion of the earth, that the elevation of the continents and the depression of the oceanic hollows are due; and which, in turn, threw the body of waters into a favourable condition for being united with the expansive principle of light, and for being in part transformed into the gaseous elements of the atmosphere.

Again, on the third day, it was this newly-formed aerial body which was chiefly instrumental in separating the water from its earthy, saline, and acidulous ingredients; and in raising it off the lands, whereby a separation between the two component parts of the terraqueous surface was effected, and each rendered the fitting habitation of the various kinds of plants and animals, with which they were respectively to be tenanted. While, towards the close of the same day, it was light; and the presence of the atmosphere with its watery vapour and gaseous associates and ingredients, which enabled the earth to obey the mandate of the Omnipotent, and to produce the herbs and trees with which its surface is now so beautifully variegated and adorned.

And thus we are made to perceive, in the most convincing manner, that all the stupendous transactions of these three primary days may be traced to the introduction into the creation of indefinite quantities of the principle of expansion proceeding from light; and to the immediate consequences of its division from the darkness on the first day; while it must appear a self-obvious truth, that these supplies could neither

The expressions here used are designed merely as indefinite, in contradistinction to the measured supplies now received from the sun.

have been of the same nature, nor dispensed in the same quantities in which they are now received from the sun; and, therefore must have anteceded, as we are informed in scripture they did, its final fixation around the central orb of our system. The contemplation of which event, and the results proceeding from it, will form the subject of our next section.

Meanwhile, the general impression left upon the mind, by the perusal of what has been written, necessarily is, that the whole of these operations are linked together in the most intimate manner; and so far, apparently, under the necessity of a fixed order in the mode of their arrangement, as to require that the unfolding of the one part should precede the unfolding of the other, while itself depended upon the unfolding of one still more antecedent, like the unrolling of some vast plan admirably delineated by consummate wisdom and skill, where all the separate parts and detached groups are made to harmonize with each other, and to form one grand whole of the most perfect symmetry! of which the boldest and truest conception we can imagine, is, that they constitute the material results of the decrees of God:-the materializing of that which had been devised from all eternity, and whose execution required the INSTITUTION of an ORDER of CAUSES; every act recorded in the first chapter of Genesis establishing a primary material cause, productive of consequences whose invariable repetition have acquired for them the term of NATURAL EFFECTS. While the causes, themselves, thus emanating directly from the Omnipotent, compose NATURE'S CONSTITUTIONAL CODE, whose contravention cannot, under any circumstances, be attempted with impunity.

SECTION IX.

CONCENTRATION OF THE LIGHT AROUND THE SUN; AND COMPLETION OF THE WORK OF CREATION.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Resumption of the promise given to prove, that during the first three days of the Mosaic week the Light was not concentrated around the Sun. Primitive state of the Light and supposed Centre. Analogical authority, deduced from astronomy, for assuming, that primarily the Light had a different nature from that which it now has. Evidence to this effect, and that it was precisely similar in kind, though differing in degree, with the force which occasioned the orbital motion of the spheres. Assumption that the sun, together with all the planets, were caused to rotate around their respective axis by means of the primary light, and its division from the darkness. Astronomical proof of the sun's rotation. Dynamical law to show, that equal but opposing forces produce equilibrium. Astronomical evidence that equal amounts of heat and light are received by the earth from the sun in passing over equal angles round it. These two bodies of evidence made to show, that the Light, as now constituted, could not have caused either the sun or the earth to rotate. The same conclusion deduced from the direction in which the light is now received from the solar centre.

In a previous part of this work we promised to prove, that wherever the light was, or whatever was its intimate nature during the first three days of the Mosaic week, it was not situated-it had not its centre—in or around the sun as it has at present; on the assumption that had it been so placed it could not, in accordance with laws then existing, have accomplished what it did perform, under supreme direction, during that period. We now purpose, if possible, to redeem the pledge then given, while we solicit every consideration in consequence of the difficulty of the undertaking; and the

abstract nature of the reasoning which, alone, can be employed.

In order to leave the unity of our future argument unaffected it may perhaps be as well, before entering upon it, to come to some definite understanding as to the state in which the light is considered to have been, or the centre or centres from whence the light is supposed to have proceeded, previous to its concentration around the sun, and during the three days when it produced, under Divine direction, those stupendous effects which we have so lately been considering.

Assuming, therefore, as we have all along done, that it did not emanate, as now, from the centre of our system during the first three days of the Mosaic week, we may assign for it during that period any other condition of its existence which may be most consistent with what is made known to us by Revelation, and in accordance with natural phenomena.

In doing this we are neither so wholly beyond the limits of probability, nor so destitute of the means of reasoning as the startling nature of the subject appears, at first sight, to indicate. It is true, it is both abstruse and difficult; but even, with all, the differential method of argument may, with a little industry and dexterity, be made available.

We affirm, therefore, that the sun was not, during the first three days of the Mosaic week, the centre of the light, whose formation and division from the darkness caused the revolution of the spheres around their axes, and the other important consequences resulting therefrom; and this merely because, if so situated, it could not-agreeably to the laws previously established, and which consequently were not to be infringed upon-have produced those effects. While we remit the proofs for this assertion to the sequel of this chapter, we shall, meanwhile, endeavour to come to some satisfactory conclusion as to where it may have been. To effect this, in the absence of all direct philosophical testimony, for who could expect philosophical proof in such a case as this? we must have recourse to the words of Scripture themselves, which treat of a period prior to the investigations of man-they are, "God said, Let there be light, and there was light." In these there is no locality assigned for the light; the mere act of its for