to view, yield information to the geologist, while with a sort of instinctive readiness, he discerns from the aspect of nature on a broader scale, the varieties of the substratum, from the character and outline of surrounding elevations.

into a

It may then be assumed, that our science introduces its disciples new kingdom of nature, and exposes to their view a class of objects, previously concealed from observation. The enlightened Christian may explore this field, in its length and breadth, guided by scientific knowledge, and in the possession of emotions to which the mere votary of science is necessarily a stranger. He will discern in this department of nature, the same proofs of untiring skill, of Omnipotent might, of inexhaustible benevolence, and of subserviency to final causes, which are so strikingly exhibited in the animal and vegetable creation. If less obvious to a superficial observer, than in the former instances, they are yet capable of demonstration. Barren rocks and frightful chasms may feed the sentiment of piety, and the geological construction of the globe awaken the exclamation-" O Lord how manifold are thy works, in wisdom hast thou made them all!" The structure of the earth indicates supreme wisdom, exhibits a subordination in every particular to the end of its formation, and displays a merciful regard to the comfort and well being of man.

The position of the strata illus trates this opinion. These are generally more or less inclined to the horizontal plane, and hence many of them which contain numerous mineral productions emerge in succession on the surface of the earth; whereas, had they been placed strictly horizontally over each

N. s. NO. 139.

other, the greater number would have been for ever inaccessible to the industry of man, and we should have wanted the various minerals so indipensable to the existence of civilized life. The succession of the strata affords opportunity of digging out the treasures which otherwise would have been perpetually hid in the bowels of the earth. Formed as a majority of the strata evidently was under water, and naturally subjected to the law of gravitation, they would have invested in concentive circles the nucleus of the earth, but for the operation of those disturbing forces which have disarranged the crust of the globe, and rendered its materials accessible to human skill. Without the occurrence of faults or fracture, the contents of every deep coal mine would be beyond our reach, while the inclined position of thin coal strata enables them to be worked with greater facility than though they had been horizontal.

Another invaluable arrangement is found in the fact that nearly all the materials on the surface of the earth are of such a nature as to afford by their decomposition a soil fit for the support and nourishment of vegetable life, and that they are calculated to undergo superficial decomposition. The primitive rocks are least adapted to afford a fertile soil, and by a wise distribution these principally constitute the mountain districts, which are otherwise but ill adapted for human habitations; while the lower regions of the earth are usually composed of secondary strata, the compound nature of their ingredients qualifying them to subserve the purposes of luxuriant vegetation.

Important and essential as the machinery of springs and rivers is to the existence and well being of man and the inferior animals, it 3 H

could only be provided by some such arrangements as those which now exist in the materials of the earth and their varied distribution. Some of the strata are porous, and others impervious to water, and hence arises the formation of springs in suitable localities. By the construction of hills and valleys, provision is made for receiving the occasional supplies of rain from the clouds of heaven, and for treasuring it up in immense store-houses, from which it is perpetually dispensed by innumerable and never-failing fountains. "Thou visitest the earth and waterest it; thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water." "He sendeth springs into the valleys, which run among the hills."

An equally striking proof of design is found in the relative quantities of land and sea, and their adjustment in relation to each other, so as to supply the earth by constant evaporation without diminishing unduly the waters of the ocean. The atmosphere is appointed to be the medium of this wonderful circulation, and in its region the waters are separated from their native salt, which, though of great value in preserving the purity of the sea would, unless disunited, render the showers unfit for the support of terrestrial plants and animals. When the process of filtering is accomplished, the clouds pour out their rain, and transmit their contents in genial showers to fertilize and refresh the earth, and maintain the reservoirs of the springs and streams, by which the water returns to mix with its native ocean. This wonderful circulation is perpetual and unceasing. "All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; unto the place from

whence the rivers come, thither they return again." In all these and in other particulars exhibited by geological facts, we find such undeniable proofs of a nicely ba lanced adaptation of means to an end, of a benevolent prescience and Almighty power, that the mind of that man must be fearfully demented who refuses to recognize in them proofs of the most exalted attributes of the Creator.

There is a vain philosophy, a "science falsely so called," which delights in removing the Deity far from us, and resolving every phenomena into secondary causes. It admits God to have been the author of creation, but maintains that the system of the universe is carried on by general laws without the continued intervention of the Creator. There is no department of natural theology which gives such an effectual blow to this specious infidelity as the discoveries of geology., This science teaches us that the present structure of the earth's surface is the result of many violent convulsions, subsequent to its original formation. And when we find that these convulsions have operated at successive periods, not blindly and at random, but with a subserviency to final causes, and a direction to beneficial ends, we have irresistible proof of the continued superintendence of an overruling Intelligence, who continues unceasingly to direct, modify, and controul the world he has brought into being, and the agents which he originally ordained. "In Him we live, and move, and have our being; for of him, and through him, and to him are all things: to whom be glory for ever."

SIGMA-P.

(To the Editor.)

MY DEAR SIR-Some time previous to the appearance, in your review, of the article which has drawn forth some well deserved remonstrances from Mr. Hamilton, I had felt a desire to address you on the subject of the probation of men in general. I was, however, restrained by a strong dislike of appearing to come into conflict with a friend whom I greatly revere and love. I am satisfied, however, that it would be only seeming conflict, and that, if my friend's meaning were more fully developed, and his phraseology somewhat modified, there would not appear even to be a difference of opinion between us. I know, indeed, that the language to which I refer has been by some construed to mean that sinners are in no sense in a state of probation. I am convinced that such is not its meaning; yet, as I cannot think it sufficiently definite and guarded, I will make it the basis of a few remarks which may bear also upon the general question.

In the 174th page of Dr. Wardlaw's volume of admirable sermons will be found the following statement: "The probation of sinners, as candidates for immortality, we utterly reject, as contradictory to the plainest testimonies of Scripture, and of common sense: but the probation of professed disciples of Christ, as candidates for the final acknowledgment, by their Master, of the reality of their faith and love, we maintain as scriptural, consistent, and necessary." first clause of this sentence, "the probation of sinners as candidates for immortality," is surely not happily expressed. Immortality is

The

simply eternal existence. The Doctor cannot intend to deny that sinners are candidates for eternal existence, since this must also be denied of believers. God has destined all men to immortality. The word must be taken, I presume, by my friend in the sense of eternal life or happiness; and then the denial, in that case is, that sinners are in a state of probation for eternal happiness. But is this true in the general sense which these words would seem-though I am sure it is only seeming-to attach to it? Most unquestionably not. The dispensation of mercy which succeeded the fall placed all men in a state of probation,-not indeed in a state of trial, whether they would secure eternal life by obedience, but whether they would attain to it by faith in the promised Messiah. Your somewhat dogmatic reviewer seems to forget that probation may have different objects in view, or be intended to render different things apparent. There may be a probation or trial, whether a man will become a believer, as well as whether he will continue such. The one is the probation of a sinner; the other that of a Christian. There is a difference doubtless between the two; but that difference relates not to the fact of probation, but to its object. Both are in a state of trial, but that trial is intended to ascertain different things: in the case of one, whether he will enter into the way of life; in the case of the other, whether he will persevere in it. Dr. Wardlaw did not, I am persuaded, intend to deny that sinners are in any sense in a state of probation; yet I am not surprised that such has been thought to be his mean

66

(To the Editor.)

DEAR SIR In your Magazine for May, (page 321) you inquire, Could the Irish language, especially with regard to pronunciation, be acquired, in such a manner as to ensure a respectful attention, in a period which would not involve too great a sacrifice of time, considered as a qualification for two or three years of labour?" If no one better able to answer the question has written to you, perhaps you will accept the following from one, who though not an Irish scholar, has considered the subject of your inquiry with much inte

rest.

...I put your question to an Irish scholar and preacher about three weeks ago, and he said " it could not." What he then stated, fully confirmed an opinion which I have long held, that it is of very little use for men who have not learned the language in their infancy, to attempt its acquisition. A grammatical knowledge of the language, an ability to read and translate the Irish Bible, may be acquired in three or four years, but to converse, so as to be well understood, would be the work of many more. To attain its brogue and beauty, one must be "bred and born," among the "wild Irish." I know a gentleman, who has been studying the language for the last eight years; who has been for a great part of that time receiving the daily visits of an Irish teacher, in order to attain a correct pronunciation; I have seen, and others have seen the servants of that gentleman sadly nonplussed, to comprehend their master's orders, when delivered in Irish. Although they found no difficulty in under

standing each other's Irish, they stood and stared, and looked confused, and perfectly ashamed at their own stupidity, or their master's ignorance.

Too much, I was going to say, has been said about preaching to the inhabitants of this land in Irish, and too little about preaching to them in English. There is not the same necessity for Irish, as for English preaching. The observations so frequently made, descriptive of the numbers who are ignorant of the English language, would have possessed more point and pertinance two hundred years ago, than at the present period. There has been much of exaggeration in the statements of many, who have written and spoken on this topic. I do not say of intentional exaggeration, but too much of random talk and rhetorical flourishes. Irishmen are often much amused, and laugh heartily at the tales told of them on your side of the channel, and at the way in which you are gulled by them. I have travelled through the most of. Ireland, through the very wildest parts, through the mountains of Kerry and the wilds of Connamara, where I was told no one could understand my English, but I found no difficulty in being understood. The inhabitants of these wilds, not only fully comprehended and answered inquiries concerning the localities of the place, their mode of living and of farming, their rate of wages, &c. but were able to speak on subjects more abstruse, on politics and religion, with some degree of ease and even volubility. From what I know of Munster and Connaught, the provinces in which the