Perhaps some whose minds are not accustomed to such bold excursions through the regions of material existence, may be apt to consider the grand idea which has now been suggested, and many of the preceding details as too improbable and extravagant to claim our serious attention. In reply to such an insinuation, let it be considered, in the first place, that nothing has been stated but what corresponds to the whole analogy of nature, and to several sublime intimations contained in the system of Divine Revelation. It is a fact, which, in the present day, cannot be denied by any one acquainted with the subject, that the material universe, as far as our eye and our glasses can carry us, consists of a countless multitude of vast bodies, which completely baffle our feeble powers in attempting to form any adequate conception of them. This amazing fact, placed within the evidence of our senses, shows us, that it is impossible for the human mind to form too extravagant ideas of the universe, or to conceive its structure to be more glorious and magnificent than it really is.* Again, nothing short of such sublime and magnificent conceptions seems at all suitable to the idea of a Being of infinite perfection and of eternal duration. If we admit, that the Divine Being is infinite, pervading the immensity of space with his presence, why should we be reluctant to admit the idea, that his Almighty energy is exerted throughout the boundless regions of space? for it is just such a conclusion as the notion of an infinite intelligence should naturally lead us to deduce. Whether does it appear to * In descending to the minute parts of nature, we obtain occular demonstration of facts which overpower our faculties, and which would be altogether incredible, were they not placed within the evidence of the senses. In a drop of water, in which certain vegetable substances have been infused, millions of living creatures have been seen, and, in some instances, where the animalculæ are transparent, their eyes, and the peristaltic motion of their bowels have been perceived. minuteness of the blood-vessel, and other parts of the structure of such creatures, is as wonderful, and as incomprehensible, on the one hand, as the magnitude and immensity of the universe are on the other,demonstrating, that, in the works of the Creator, there is an infinity on either hand, which limited intellects will never be able fully to comprehend. The correspond more with the notion of an infinite Being, to believe, that his creative power has been confined to this small globe of earth, and a few sparkling studs fixed in the canopy of the sky, or to admit, on the ground of observation and analogy, that he has launched into existence millions of worlds-that all the millions of systems within the reach of our vision, are but as a particle of vapour to the ocean, when compared with the myriads which exist in the unexplored regions of immensity--that the whole of this vast assemblage of suns and worlds revolves around the grand centre of the universe-and that this centre where the throne of God is placed, is superior to all the other provinces of creation in magnitude, beauty, and magnificence? Who would dare to prove that such conceptions are erroneous, or impossible, or unworthy of that Being who sits on the throne of the universe? To attempt such a proof would be nothing less than to set bounds to Omnipotence-to prescribe limits to the operations of him "whose ways are past finding out." "Can man conceive beyond what God can do? He summons into being with like ease A whole creation, and a single grain. Speaks he the word? a thousand worlds are born! A thousand worlds? There's space for millions more; And in what space can his great Fiat fail? Condemn me not, cold critic! but indulge The warm imagination; why condemn? Why not indulge such thoughts as swell our hearts With fuller admiration of that Power Which gives our hearts with such high thoughts to swell? Why not indulge in his augmented praise? Darts not his glory a still brighter ray, The less is left to chaos, and the realms Of hideous night?" These views and reasonings are fully corroborated by the sublime descriptions of Deity contained in the Holy Scriptures." Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection?" "He is the High and Lofty One who inhabiteth eternity"—" He is glorious in Power"-" He dwells in light unapproachable and full of glory"—" Great is our Lord and of great power, 66 his greatness is unsearchable; his understanding is infinite”—“Can any thing be too hard for Jehovah? "The everlasting God the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary, there is no searching of his understanding"-" He doeth great things, past finding out, and wonders without number." "He meteth out the heavens with a span, and comprehendeth the dust of the earth in a measure.' "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the Spirit of his mouth.” "He spake, and it was done ;— He commanded, and it stood fast." “He stretched forth the heavens alone, and bringeth forth their hosts by number." 66 Lo these are parts of his ways, but how little a portion is heard of him; and the thunder of his power who can understand? Behold the heaven, and the heaven of heavens cannot contain him!” "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth forth his handy. work." "Thine, O Lord! is the greatness, and the glory, and the majesty, for all in heaven and earth is thine, and thou art exalted above all." "Behold the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord's." "Jehovah hath prepared his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom ruleth over all." "I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works." "Blessed be thy glorious name who art exalted above all blessing and praise." "Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, thou preservest them all, and the host of heaven worshippeth thee." Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? who can show forth all his praise?" "Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him "He is excellent in power, and his glory is above the earth and heavens." out." Such sublime descriptions of the Divine Being, which are interspersed throughout various parts of Revelation, lead us to form the most august conceptions of his creative energy, and plainly indicate, that it is impossible for the highest created intellect to form a more magnificent idea of his designs and operations than what in reality exists. In short, though some of the preceding views may not precisely correspond to the facts which shall ultimately be found to exist in the universe,-they ought, nevertheless, to be entertained and rendered familiar to the mind, since they open a sublime and interesting train of thinking; and since they cannot go beyond the magnificence of Jehovah's kingdom, nor be very different from what actually exists in the universe. They form a kind of sensible substratum of thought for the mind to fix upon, when it attempts to frame the loftiest conceptions of the object of our adoration.-It may be laid down as a principle which ought never to be over. looked in Theology,-that, our conceptions of the grandeur of God are precisely, or, at least, nearly commensurate with our conceptions of the grandeur and extent of his operations throughout the universe. We all admit, that the Deity is infinite, both in respect of space and of duration. But, an infinity of empty space, and an infinity of duration, abstractly considered, convey no precise or tangible ideas to the mind, to guide it in forming distinct conceptions of the Deity or of any other beings. It is only when the immen. sity of space is considered as diversified with an immense variety and multiplicity of objects, and when eternal duration is contemplated as connected with a constant succession of glorious scenes and transactions, that the soul of man can expand its views and elevate its conceptions of the incomprehensible Jehovah. If these sentiments be admitted, it will follow, that the man whose ideas are confined within the limits of a few hundred mites, or even within the range of the globe we inhabit, must have his views of Deity confined within nearly the same sphere. For we have no sensible measures of the attributes of God, but those which are derived from the number and extent of his actual operations. When we attempt to think of Him, without the assistance of his visible works, our thoughts instantly run into confusion, and sink into inanity. And, since we find, that the material works of God are so 66 great above all measure," so widely extended, and so magnificent in the scale of their operation, it is of the utmost importance, in a religious point of view, that the mind accustom itself to range at large through the wide extent of creation-to trace, by analogy, from what is known, the probable magnitude, arrangement, and grandeur of what is removed beyond the limits of our vision-to add magnitude to magnitude, system to system, and motion to motion, till our thoughts are overwhelmed with the mighty idea. And, though we may occasionally frame some erroneous or inadequate notions, when forming our conceptions of certain subordinate particulars, yet, we need not fear, that, in point of number, magnitude, and variety, our conceptions can ever go beyond the realities which exist within the range of universal nature, unless we suppose, that "man can conceive beyond what God can do." Such trains of thought will tend to expand and elevate the mind, and give it a sublime turn of thinking; and will naturally produce an ardent desire of beholding a brighter display of the magnificence of the Creator in the eternal world. From what has been now detailed respecting the numerous and august objects that may be presented to the contemplation of celestial intelligences, we may conclude, that the chief subjects of study in the heavenly world will be History and Philosophy. Under the department of history, may be comprehended all the details which will be exhibited to them respecting the origin, progress, and consummation of the redemption of man, and the information they may receive respecting the natural and moral scenery, and the prominent providential occurrences and arrangements of other worlds. As it is evident, that matter exists chiefly for the sake of sensitive and intelligent beings, so, it is highly probable, if not demonstratively certain, that the peopling of worlds with rational creatures is intended chiefly to display the moral character of the Creator in his providential dispensations, and in the whole series of his moral administration towards the numerous worlds and orders of creatures which exist throughout his dominions. All his other perfections, particularly his power and intelligence, appear to be exerted in subserviency to this grand object, and to the distribution of happiness throughout the universe. In so far, then, as the facts respecting his moral government, in other worlds, are made known to the redeemed in heaven, in so far will their views of his moral attributes, and of the principles of |