earth, there would have been clashing between geological discovery and Bible chronology. Had traces of man been found in connection with the coal formations of the carboniferous era; or in the Wealden, along with the remains of the Iguanodon; or in the tertiary strata, where the huge bones of the Mammoth and the Mastodon lie entombed, this would have given a date for the existence of man inconsistent with that given in Scripture. But Geology proves that man had no existence during those periods;-that, so far from this, man was the most recent being introduced on this earthly scene. It is only in the alluvium-the uppermost of all the strata-that evidences of the presence of man can be detected. The alluvium has been formed within the last few thousand years. The date which Geology assigns for the origin of man is thus in harmony with that assigned in the Bible.

What a proof have we here that Moses, who lived between two and three thousand years after the creation of man, wrote by inspiration of God! Why did he not assign a remoter date to man's origin, like the Egyptians, the Chinese, and the Hindoos? How did he happen to fix on the right date, if not by virtue of his inspiration? To our minds, it is one of the most satisfactory confirmations of the inspiration of Moses, that what he has written on these and kindred subjects, instead of clashing with the discoveries that have recently been made in antiquity and science, fits so marvellously into them; and that the farther research and discovery go into the past, they bring up from its depths so much which illustrates and establishes Moses, but nothing which disproves a single iota of what he has written. Thus it will ever be. Christians need not be afraid of investigation into any department, either of antiquity or science. They may have the fullest confidence that all the light that can be brought from the

works of God will add fresh lustre and evidence to his word.

As Geology thus illustrates and confirms Scripture history with reference to the past, so does it illustrate and confirm Scripture prediction with reference to the future.

The first point we shall notice is the predicted close of the history of the human race. The argument of Hume, which we have already adverted to, not only takes for granted, that as things are now, so they have always been; but also that so they shall ever continue to be. It assumes that as there never have been, so there never shall be any miraculous interferences with the present order of things. The career of man on this earth is thus never to cease! It is to be continued through the perpetual ages of the future!

The word of God, however, leads us to expect that it will come to a close. As it had a beginning, so it is to have an end. A period will arrive when man will perish from the earth, and when the noblest monuments of his art and industry will be swept away. This world, according to the Bible, is to be denuded of its present inhabitants. As with man, so also with man's contemporaries. They too-from those mighty masses of living matter which inhabit our tropical forests and swim our oceans, down through all the minuter forms which the microscope enables us to discover-are to perish along with man himself.

But is there anything in Geology to lead us to expect such a crisis? Do the geological records of the past point to such a result as probable in the future? This question the Geologists must answer without hesitation in the affirmative. Our world has been the theatre of several successive creations, which have been successively destroyed. Again and again has the besom of destruction swept over the earth, and death has triumphed in an almost universal reign. This is true both as regards plants and

to have existed, without a single exception, are extinct. The fishes which existed during the first formations are not now found in our seas. The large reptiles of former eras have disappeared, and so have the giant mammalia that succeeded them. As the vegetable races have their wintry seasons, when, with few exceptions, they resign their green and leafy honours, and are stripped of every outward vestige of life; so has our world had its wintry epochs, when a suffocating blast has passed over it, and when its sentient tribes have all but universally yielded themselves to the cold embrace of death. There have been frequent epochs to which the language of the psalmist is applicable: "Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth." Ps. civ. 29, 30.

Our geological researches lead us to think it probable that those periods when death has reigned have not been immediately succeeded by periods when life in new forms has resumed its sway. It is remarkable how distinct are the series of graves in which are entombed the relics of former worlds. It would seem as if one series has been closed for some time before another had been opened. There are, indeed, species which seem to have existed through several successivee pochs. But, speaking generally, it is otherwise. Those of one era pass away before those of the next era appear. We do not find points at which the remains of one series begin to be found mingling with those of the preceding series. Each occupies a position so defined and distinct, as to indicate that it had passed completely away before its successor came forward to occupy the stage.

But however this may be, the analogy of Geology would lead us to expect that an epoch will arrive when the present

their destined course, and be swept from the stage of being. Reasoning from the phenomena of this science, we are led to anticipate, that, like his predecessors, man will eventually pass away. But this is precisely what the Bible predicts. Geology thus unites with Scripture in foretelling the approach of a period when the races which at present people the earth will cease to inhabit it, and when the strange career of man upon it will reach its final close.

So with the predicted destruction of the earth itself. The apostle Peter as sures us that "the day of the Lord will come, in the which the heavens` shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein (thereon) shall be burned up." This does not imply the annihilation of the material of which our world is made, but merely its being subdued by the power of fire. Everything upon the earth and within it will be burned up, and thus resolved into its original elements. The whole of the solid material of the globe will then be "melted by fervent heat."

This might have been deemed a hazardous prediction in the unscientific age when it was first uttered. But Geology teaches us that it foretells merely the re-currence of what has already been. The elements have already been melted by fervent heat. And the means are now in existence and operation by which they may be melted by fervent heat again. In the fires which burn and glow beneath us, and which give such evidence of their tremendous energies in the volcano and the earthquake, and in the composition of the atmosphere which we breathe, the powers are now in readiness which need but the bidding of the great Creator to do again what they have done before, and render our globe a mass of molten fire.

We have a farther prediction of the

then be able to wing his flight with the rapidity of lightning-it may be, with the speed of thought itself—to the very farthest verge of creation; that there, that creature who has passed through such marvellous vicissitudes-who has known what it is to be degraded and ruined by sin, and to be redeemed by the blood of Christ, and regenerated

and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, may tell to other creatures the marvellous story of Divine love in human redemption, and thus aid in attaching them indissolubly to the cause of truth and order, of harmony, and love, and happiness, by attaching them indissolubly to God.

JESUS wept at the tomb of Lazarus, when the mourning family of Bethany came to him with the tale of sorrow, that their beloved brother was no longer an inhabitant of this world. How deeply affecting was the scene which then occurred, in a circle of friends whom Jesus loved! Overwhelmed by a bereavement which deprived them of one long endeared by family ties, and plunged in the deepest distress that he who had shared with them in their joys and their cares, had passed the narrow boundary of time, they felt that their fondest hopes were blighted, and their social happiness rent asunder. Under circumstances so distressing, what other remedy could be resorted to, than to apply at once to that Saviour who had so often cheered them by his presence, and comforted them by the precious words which fell from his lips? Both Martha and Mary came to Jesus, using the same language, and earnestly appealing to his sympathy in their season of deep affliction, knowing that He was able to succour them in the hour of trial which was designed to try their faith. It was not in vain that their earnest supplications were offered to Him who was touched with a feeling of their infirmities. He was ready at once to come to their aid, to deliver them from the depths of sorrow into which they were plunged. We may easily imagine the feelings which predominated in the heart of the adorable Jesus

as he moved onwards to the scene where his power was to be exhibited by the resurrection of Lazarus from the grave. He was about to prove, in the face of many witnesses, that He was the Resurrection and the Life, and that in Him dwelt the power over the invisible world. No sooner did the prayer and entreaties of the weeping sisters meet his ear, than he came to their relief, bearing testimony to the faithfulness of his own promises that He would not fail to answer the cry of his chosen Israel. Behold what tenderness is here exhibited, what kindness, what willingness to relieve the sufferings of those who confide in His mercy! He meets the little family with their friends at the tomb of Lazarus, and after receiving from the two sisters their faith in his Divine commission, their recognition of his being the Christ, proceeds at once to summon the dead Lazarus to life by a voice which penetrated the silent chambers of death. Lazarus obeyed the command of his Divine Master, and came forth from the grave, a spectacle to angels and to men, a living proof of Jesus being God manifest in the flesh, the strongest evidence which could be afforded that to Him belonged the keys of heaven and of hell. How beautiful is the character of the adorable Saviour, unfolded in this touching history of the loving family. who resided at Bethany! It is certain that He had, on many occasions, held

communion with them, and listened with compassion to their varied tales of want. It is said that He loved them; and here is the secret of true happiness, not only to love the Saviour, but to know that we are beloved by Him; and when this holy principle takes full possession of the heart, it implies a full persuasion of the presence of the Divine Comforter with his people, amid all the sorrows of life, however complicated and severe. Hence we read, that if his words abide in us, we may ask what we will, and shall receive it; evidently showing that if our union to Christ is evidenced by our keeping his commands, and obedience to his will, that we may expect a full and complete answer to our prayers in all the intricacies of life, in the depths of trying and fearful dispensations. Union to Jesus is the strength in prayer which opens heaven and brings down a flood of spiritual blessings to satisfy our utmost wants. There is an earthly friendship so pure, so intimate, so endearing, that it cannot fail to excite our admiration, and awaken feelings of deep emotion. To sympathise, to love, to confide in each other, to have one common bond, a union of interests, are the fruits of an earthly friendship, and help to dispel the dark shadows of an everchanging life. How little, in comparison, is this hallowed tie to the intimate fellowship between Christ and his chosen people-a union so full, so complete, so intimate, that, to illustrate it in language, to exhibit its real character, we are reminded of the Vine and the Branches, the Shepherd and the Flock, the Head and the Members, as if to assure us of the constant presence of Jesus and his deep sympathy in all their afflictions. This union is so perfect, that a stream of Divine benevolence is ever flowing from the celestial source, so full and free that the wants of all are supplied. How precious in his sight must the flock be who have been purchased by his own blood, and

VOL. XXX.

how deep his sympathy in all their peculiar trials, cares, and necessities, when He offered Himself a sacrifice to bring them to glory! He cannot, He will not forget his own, for his heart is made of tenderness, and He remembers their prayers, their tears, and complaints, under the darkest cloud which may overwhelm them in the journey of life. He is ever mindful of his covenant, and visits them in the hour of distress, in the season of affliction, in the time of need, pouring into the sorrowful heart the sweet balm of consolation, the whispers of love Divine, the assurance of his faithfulness, his kindness, his readiness to succour and sustain the dejected and broken spirit. He makes Himself known unto them, as He does not unto the world; breaks to them the bread of life, speaks peace to the humbled in spirit, sheds on them the beams of light, directs them to look to Him as acquainted with all their sorrows, and imparts to them the cheering confidence, that they shall reign with him for ever. He warns them of suffering tribulation here, as part of the spiritual life, as interwoven with all their passage through the valley to the better land in prospect, as indispensable to their final glorification, without which they cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. He points them from the scene of trial to the perfected abode, where all tears shall be wiped from their eyes, and the days of their mourning for ever ended. He sheds on them the light of his countenance, quiets their fears, inspires holy confidence, imparts hope, shields them from pressing and imminent dangers, and suffers not their faith to sink under the weight of accumulating trials. He is never weary of doing them good, of exercising the holiest sympathies of his tender heart towards his chosen, his beloved, and suffering people, and of providing them a sure deliverance in the hour of deep perplexity. What a consolation to have a friend who loveth at all times, a bro

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