Father is incessantly exerted in producing such a wonderful effect, accompanied by such a variety of beneficent changes, all contributing to our enjoyment!*

What is the reason, then, why we feel so little admiration and reverence at the beneficent operations of divine power? If we should be struck with veneration and wonder at beholding a superior created intelligence tossing a range of mountains into the sea, why do we behold, with so much apathy, effects ten thousand times more energetic and astonishing? One general reason, among others, undoubtedly is, that the moral constitution of man has suffered a melancholy derangement in consequence of which, the train of his thoughts and affections has been turned out of its original channel. The Scriptures are clear and explicit on this point; they declare, in the most positive terms, that "the carnal mind is enmity against God," and that, in consequence of this depraved principle, the wicked "walk in the vanity of their minds, being alienated from the life of God. They say to the Almighty, Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. God is not in all their thoughts, and through the pride of their countenances they will not call upon God."-Another reason is, that the Almighty agent who produces so stupendous effects remains invisible to mortal eyes. Were a celestial intelligence to appear in a splendid and definite form, and to produce such effects as I have supposed, the connexion between the agent and the effects produced, would forcibly strike the senses and the imagination. But, he who sits on the throne of the universe, and conducts all its movements, is a Being "who dwells in light unapproachable, whom no man hath seen, or can see." He can be contemplated only through the sensible manifestations he gives of his perfections; and, were the train of our thoughts properly directed, we would perceive him operating in every object and in every movement. We would hear his

voice in the wind and the thunder, in the earthquake, the storm, and the tempest; we would see him in the beauties and sublimities of sublunary nature, in the splendours of the sun, and the glories of the noctural sky; and, in whatever situation

* In this, and other places of this work, the truth of the annual and diurnal motions of the earth is taken for granted, because I conceive it is susceptible of the clearest demonstration-(See "Christ. Philosopher," 3d edit. pp. 67, 68, 280, 281, 514.) But, should the truth of this position be called in question or denied, it will not materially affect the propriety of such moral reflections as are here stated; for, in this case, a similar, or even a much greater display of omnipotence must be admitted in reference to the motions of the heavenly bodies, in bringing about the suc cession of day and night, and the changes of the seasons.

we might be placed, we would feel ourselves surrounded with the omnipotent energies of an ever-present Deity.

The contemplation of God as an omnipotent being, is calculated to inspire the mind with love and confidence in the prospect of futurity. The promises addressed to us by a wise and benevolent being can excite in us trust and dependance, only in so far as we are convinced of his ability to secure their fulfilment. If almighty power were not an attribute of the Eternal Mind, or were we unable to trace its operations in visible existing facts, then all the promises and delineations of revelation, in reference to unseen and eternal objects, might prove to be nothing more than imaginary scenes, that could never be realized. But the good man, who perceives omnipotent energy in incessant operation throughout all the scenes of the universe which surround him, feels the most perfect security in looking forward to the scene of his future destina tion, and to those changes and revolutions which shall succeed the period of his present existence. He knows that, in a few years at most, that immortal principle which now animates his frame, will take its flight from its earthly mansion to a world unknown. To what regions it will direct its course; what scenes and prospects will be unfolded to its view; what intercourse it may have with the spirits of departed men, or with other intelligences; in what state it shall pass its existence till the consummation of the present plan of Providence-whether it shall remain as a naked spirit entirely disconnected with the visible universe, or be clothed with some ethereal vehicle, to enable it to hold a correspondence with other regions of the material creation-he is at present unable to determine. He knows that his body, too, shall disappear from the living world, and be reduced to corruption and ashes. In what manner the essential particles of this body shall be preserved distinct from those of all other human bodies, after they have been tossed about by the winds, and blended with the other elements of nature; by what means they shall be re-united into a more glorious form; and how the separate spirit shall be enabled to recognize its renovated and long-lost partner at the resurrection of the just--he can form no conception.

He knows, that the globe on which he now resides is doomed to be dissolved amidst devouring flames, when "the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth, and the works that are therein, shall be burnt up"-that the ashes of all the myriads of the race of Adam shall issue from the caverns of the ocean, and from the charnel houses, in every

region of the land-that they shall be moulded into new organical structures, united with their kindred spirits, and be convened in one grand assembly before God, the Judge of all. He knows, that "new heavens and a new earth" will be arranged for the residence of the "redeemed from among men;" but in what region of the universe this abode may be prepared, what scenes it will unfold, and by what means the innumerable company of the righteous shall be transported from amidst the ruins of this globe to that celestial habitation-he is at present at a loss to form even a conjecture. He knows, that after these solemn changes have been effected, ages numerous as the drops of the ocean will roll over him— that worlds numerous as the stars of heaven will still run their destined rounds-that other systems may undergo important changes and revolutions-that new systems of creation may be gradually emerging into existence, and that scenes of magnificence and glory, different from all that ever preceded them, may incessently rise to view, throughout the lapse of unceasing duration. But, in the prospect of all these solemn and important events, he beholds-in that Almighty energy which wheels our globe around from day to day, and impels it in its annual course, and which directs, at the same time, the movements of all the hosts of heaven--the exertion of a benevolent power, 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 pass during an immortal existence. Under this im pression, he can adopt the affectionate and triumphant language of the Psalmist--" whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee! My heart and my flesh shall fail, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."

Thus it appears, that the omnipotence of God is one of those attributes of his nature which is particularly calculated to fill the mind with sentiments of love and confidence, admiration and reverence. And, if such emotions be at all excited in the mind, they must rise to the highest pitch of elevation to which we can carry them; for there is no other object or being that possesses the same perfection, or can claim the same degree of affection and love. If we love God at all, it must be "with all our heart, with all our understanding, and with all our strength."-The considerations to which I have now adverted, have been too seldom taken into view in moral and religious discussions on this topic. The omnipotence of the Deity is seldom exhibited as a ground and an excitement of veneration

and love, and yet it stands, as it were, on the fore-front of the divine character, giving beauty and efficiency to all his other perfections: without which wisdom, benevolence, faithfulness, mercy, and patience, would degenerate into empty names, and form no solid foundation for the exercise of confidence and hope. And, therefore, it is the duty of every Christian to endeavour, by every proper means, to enlarge his conceptions of the operations of omnipotence, and to familiarize his mind to contemplations, of the magnitude, motions, grandeur, and immensity of God's works, in order that his love to God may be elevated and expanded, and his faith and hope strengthened and invigorated. To this attribute of Jehovah the inspired writers uniformly direct our views, as a source of joy and confidence. "Praise ye the Lord,-praise him, ye servants of the Lord; for I know that Jehovah is Great, and that our Lord is above all God's. Whatever the Lord pleased that did he, in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. I will speak of the might of thy terrible acts, and will declare thy greatness; to make known to the sons of men thy mighty operations, and the glorious majesty of thy kingdom. Happy is he who hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them iз, who keepeth truth for ever.

SECTION IV.

On the Wisdom and Goodness of God.

ANOTHER feature in the divine character, which is calculated to excite our most ardent affection, is, the Wisdom and Goodness of God. These two attributes may be considered under one head, since they are always inseparable in their operation. Goodness proposes the end, namely, the happiness of the sensitive and intelligent creation; and Wisdom selects the most proper means for its accomplishment.

Wherever genius appears combined with benevolent intentions and beneficent operations, we cannot withhold a certain portion of affection and regard.

When we behold a man like Howard, devoting his wealth,

his knowledge, his intellectual and active powers, to alleviate the sorrows, and to promote the happiness of his fellow-men -when we behold him in retirement at his native mansion, a universal blessing to his neighbours around him, furnishing employment for the poor, erecting schools for the instruction of their children, watching over the morals of his neighbourhood, visiting the abodes of affliction, acting the part of a physician to their bodies, imparting spiritual instruction to their souls, promoting the knowledge and practice of religion, and extending his benevolent regards to persons of all religious persuasions when we behold him leaving his native country and the friends of his youth, on a tour of benevolence over all Europe and the East; hazarding his health and his life in the service of humanity, diving into the depths of dungeons, plunging into the infected atmospheres of hospitals and jails visiting the lonely and squalid prisoner, entering the wretched hovels of sorrow and affliction, administering consolation. and relief, and surveying the dimensions of misery and distress among men of all nations, for the purpose of devising schemes for the relief of the distresses of suffering humanity, and for promoting the comforts of mankind-when such a character appears on the stage of life, there is no class of the human race, whose powers are not completely vitiated, but must feel towards it strong emotions of esteem and affection ate regard.

But what are all the wise and beneficent designs of a fellow mortal, when compared with the numerous and diversified streams of benevolence which are incessantly flowing from the uncreated source of felicity! They are but as a drop to the ocean, or as an atom when compared with the immensity of the universe. On him all beings depend, from the archangel to the worm; from Him they derive their comforts; to Him they are indebted for all their powers and faculties; and on him their eternal felicity depends. Were we to prosecute this subject to any extent, it would lead us into a field on which volumes might be written, and yet the greater part of the displays of divine beneficence would remain unrecorded. I shall therefore confine myself to the selection of only a few instances of the wisdom and goodness of God.

In

Wherever we turn our eyes in the world around us, we behold innumerable instances of our Creator's beneficence. order that the eye and the imagination may be gratified and charmed, he has spread over the surface of our terrestrial habitation an assemblage of the richest colours, which beautify and adorn the landscape of the earth, and present to our view