other plants, which absorb them, and with more facility adapt them to the purposes of their own systems. Here they receive a still higher degree of elaboration; and thus the same materials may pass through several successive series of modifications, till they become the food of animals, and are then made to undergo still further changes. New elements (and, in particular, nitrogen) are added to the oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon, which are the chief constituents of vegetable substances; and new properties are acquired, from the varied combinations into which their elements are made to enter, by the more energetic powers of assimilation appertaining to the animal system. The products which result are still more removed from their original state of inorganic matter; and, in this condition, they serve as the appropriate food of carnivorous animals, which generally hold a higher rank in the scale of organization, than those that subsist only on vegetables.

"Thus has each created being been formed, with reference not merely to its own welfare, but also to that of multitudes of others, which are dependant on it for their support, their preservation,-nay, even for their existence. In contemplating this mutual relationship, this successive subordination of the different races to one another, and this continual tendency to increased refinement, we cannot shut our eyes to the magnificent unfolding of the great scheme of Nature, for the progressive attainment of higher objects; until, in the perfect system and exalted endowments of man, we behold the last result which has been manifested to us of Creative Power."*

Roget's Bridgewater Treatise, vol. ii. pp. 13–15.

VOL. II.

98

FOURTH WEEK-SUNDAY.

ON THE DESTRUCTION OF THE WORLD, AND THE RENOVATION OF THE HUMAN FRAME IN A FUTURE STATE.

THE more that is known of the globe on which we dwell, both as to its internal structure, and the natural processes of decay and reproduction which are continually proceeding on its surface, the more must we be struck with the mysterious nature and inconceivable extent of the changes which it has undergone, is now undergoing, and seems yet destined to undergo. Geology has unfolded to us very many unexpected facts, which all unite to prove that the crust of this planet has frequently been broken up by some mighty catastrophe, which has entirely deranged its materials, while it has submerged and destroyed all the organized existences on its surface. It has also proved, that, after these catastrophes, the One great Creative Mind must have exerted His amazing and incomprehensible attributes in restoring the formless chaos to beauty, order, and harmony, and in reanimating the wide waste with life and enjoyment; and that, whereever this work of renovation was carried on, the most indelible traces have been left of consummate wisdom and benevolence.

These discoveries seem to prepare us for the arrival, at some future period, of another similar revolution; and, as it appears that each successive catastrophe has indicated continually progressive improvement in the developments of living forms, so as to exhibit a design infinite in its extent, and boundless in its duration, I cannot but think that we may, in these indications, discover an intimation, by no means obscure, of plans and preparations for the fulfilment of higher destinies, which have for their object the final perfection and happiness

of animated beings, but the precise nature of which can only be sought for in the book of revealed truth.

In looking from these indications, that we may prosecute the subject on surer ground, we find, in that record of Divine inspiration, a series of prophecies, declaring that the world, which, since the creation of man, has already been once destroyed by a universal flood, is destined again to be brought to an end; that the day will come, in which "the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth also, and the works that are therein, shall be burnt up;" but that, after this awful catastrophe, there shall arise " a new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." Some intimations of a very glorious and animated character are afforded us of the nature and gracious intention of this change, as relates to the human race. The dead are to live again. Their immortal souls are, by some mysterious operation, to be re-united to their once mortal bodies; " the sea and the grave are to give up the dead which are in them,” while those that are alive, are, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, to be changed :-And the Son of Man shall sit on the throne of his glory, and all the holy angels with him; and before him shall be gathered all nations, and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth the sheep from the goats, and they shall be judged according to the deeds done in the body;-the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal. Something of the nature of the change upon the body, which, at that great and terrible day of the Lord, is to take place, is also intimated. Like seed sown in the ground, it is buried that it may spring up, from the germ, to a new life. But it is a life, as was noticed in the last Sunday paper, altogether different from, and superior to, that of its former state. "It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they

also that are earthy; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly; and as we have," in this world, "borne the image of the earthy; so shall we,” in the world to come, "bear the image of the heavenly."

Here a most astonishing change is intimated in the material frame of our bodies, as well as in the condition of our souls. Now, even in the circumstances of this amazing revolution, we may, as already observed, behold some analogy to the ordinary operations of Providence in the material world. This analogy is hinted at by Paul, in the passage from which I have just quoted. He compares the renovation which is to take place at the resurrection of our bodies to that which occurs to seed when sown. The change of the seed in the earth,-the germ only springing up, and the rest falling into decay, --and the production of a new plant and new grain by the Creative power of the Eternal, are beautifully and instructively compared to the springing up of a new and spiritual body from the germ of the mouldering human body which has been sown in the grave. The circumstances are different, indeed, because the catastrophe is new and unspeakably glorious; yet, as we have said, there is something satisfactory in the analogy, even though it be not perfect.

a

The reproduction, indeed, of both animal and vegetable life is so mysterious and full of wonders, that whoever contemplates it wisely, will cease to think it “ thing incredible that God should raise the dead." In tracing the development of a plant, with its root striking into the earth, its plume bursting through the ground, its stalk ascending, its leaves and flowers expanding, its fruit forming and ripening; and much more in tracing the development of animal life, from the cicatrice to the full-grown chick in the egg, and thence, again, till it opens the shell and walks abroad, a living creature, fearfully and wonderfully made, we behold a miracle of creative power and wisdom, not less wonderful, though on a minute scale and rendered familiar to us by daily

observation, than the resurrection of the human body, and its re-union with the immortal inhabitant of the once mortal tenement.

But what an amazing scene of "glory, honour, and immortality," does the revelation of this mighty event open to our view. It is delightful to dwell upon it, and to trace the history of the Divine counsels with regard to fallen man. When paradise was lost, man was degraded and alienated, but not abandoned. The second Adam came," holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners;"-the Godhead united to humanity; sin was expiated, and life and immortality brought to light. And now it is proclaimed that this mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruptible incorruption, and death shall be swallowed up in victory. What a new and glorious prospect is thus thrown on the ways of Providence, and the destiny of man! This world is our first and preparatory state; we are here, as it were, in embryo. The seed, which is vegetating under ground, will come forth in beauty, and shed its fragrance and its loveliness on the summer breeze; the bird, which is growing in the egg, will rise into the light of day, and, exulting in its new being, will soar in the liquid air, and fill the sky with its song of gladness; and thus, also, the redeemed among men shall burst from the womb of earth, and, in their new heavens and new earth, shall rejoice in the perfection and happiness of their nature. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

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"Seeing these things are so, what manner of persons ought we to be, in all holy conversation and godliness?" It is at once astonishing and mortifying to think how little mankind in general are affected by the blessed hope thus set before them, and the unspeakably important considerations connected with it; and I know no