THE Publishers take pleasure in presenting the following note from the Rev. Dr. Knox, of the Collegiate Dutch Church, of this city: "Having been favored by a respected friend with a copy of 'THE THEOLOGY OF INVENTIONS,' by the Rev. John Blakely, immediately on its issue from the Glasgow press, I have read the larger portion of it with great interest and delight. It is the work of a master-mind. The subject is original in its conception, and is treated with consummate ability. The Divine superintendence in works of invention is demonstrated, and the illustration which they afford, in their nature, order, and respective dates, of the power, wisdom, and goodness of God, is presented in a form the most compact, lucid, and impressive; exhibiting the Author's large, accurate, and diversified knowledge, in a style terse, vigorous, and graceful. "The work only requires to be known, to obtain the widest circulation. The Messrs. CARTER confer a favor on the reading community by its re-publication. "JOHN KNOX. "NEW YORK, January 21, 1856." THE THEOLOGY OF INVENTIONS; OR, MANIFESTATIONS OF DEITY IN THE WORKS OF ART. BY THE REV. JOHN BLAKELY, KIRKINTILLOCH, SCOTLAND. "This also cometh forth from the LORD of Hosts, ท NEW YORK: ROBERT CARTER & BROTHERS, PREFACE. THE present age is characterized by the unprecedented development of science and art. Discovery eclipses discovery as evolved in rapid succession. Mechanical inventions are struggling for precedence, but the strife is short lived. The transitory interest of each vanishes like a passing meteor before the rising of a brighter luminary. The appearance of nature is changing under the transforming power of art. The modern triumphs of genius are harbingers of an approaching physical Millennium. Were it possible that such could be attained by human effort, the age in which we live bids fair to solve physical problems of ancient prophecy. But the record of those bright visions regarding the state of the world, discloses the fact that an Ecclesiastical and Political Millennium must precede, or at least accompany that which shall be Physical. The fallen race ust be spiritually prepared, in order to the enjoyment of a full disclosure of temporal blessings. The human family may be divided into two classes— those who live for time only, and those who live in prospect of a coming eternity. The former class contem plates every object, natural and artificial, irrespective of their relations to God. Among the latter class there are many who seem interested in the work of personal redemption, but who have little regard to the manifestations of the Divine attributes in creation, and in the providential arrangements of this fallen world. There are others who devoutly recognize God in the works of nature, and in the plan of redemption, but few, if any, are to be found among the majority of professors, who see or acknowledge the attributes of Deity displayed in the works of art. Scientific students frequently interrogate nature without a sense of its relations to the Creator, and overwhelmed by its wonders, insensibly render to nature that homage which is due to God. Theological students are not wanting, who open the pages of inspiration for inquiry regarding the hope of individual salvation, but who overlook the first and pervading principle of operation in the universe-the glory of God. There are mechanical students who investigate the material world in the spirit of selfishness, in order to ascertain how much may be extracted from its vast resources, for their personal aggrandisement. With this class the exposition of the Arts tend to excite the spirit of covetousness, and the homage of their hearts is divided between the worship of Mammon and the adoration of Genius. But opposed to all these views and objects, stands that system of divine religion revealed in the Bible-a system em |