SIX THOUSAND YEARS AGO.

CHAPTER I.

Introduction-The Formation of Light-Literal and Symbolical-The Firmament-The Division of the Waters-Vegetable Productions

of life. I therefore do not purpose to treat you as children, but as rational creatures, soon to be called upon to play your various parts upon the world's great stage, and to learn from experience that this is not your resting-place. My aim in writing this book, is to render you still more familiar with the contents of the most important Volume ever penned.

B

You need not fear my indulging you with a long wearisome lecture which would put both you and myself to sleep, but I hope deeply to engage your interest, and while we take the Bible for our text-book, to enter into the field of Science, and the depths of History. Can you imagine a period when time was not? When there was no night to succeed the bright cheering light of day?

-When the revolving seasons were unknown?—When this beauteous earth was a mass of dark chaos? And yet such was the case; for we are told in the 2nd verse of the first chapter of Genesis, "That the earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep." It is a curious fact, that amongst the most savage, ignorant nations, there is a very traditionary notion prevalent, that darkness preceded light. In Otaheite, the natives consider that darkness was the origin of all things.* But when Jehovah determined for his own glory to perform the stupendous work of creation, we read "that the Spirit of God moved," or brooded, "upon the face of the waters;" and thus at the very opening of the Bible we are introduced to the Divine Trinity, cach Person equally employed in the extraordinary work. For now the Almighty command went forth, "Let there be light;" the word was sufficient light succeeded the long night of darkness, and rested upon vacuity. Thus Jesus Christ was the Living Word; "He spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast." The Eternal Spirit here also shines forth in the same Heavenly Person, "who is the image of the invisible God."

You are well aware that "No man hath seen God at

* Fairholme's Geology of Scripture, chap. i. p. 59.

LITERAL AND SYMBOLICAL.

3

any time; the only begotten Son, he hath declared him:" and in the hallowed pages of Scripture has revealed him to you as a Being worthy of your deepest love and veneration. As it was said of old to the dark and empty world, "Let there be light," so may it be said to each of you; may "he who caused the light to shine out of darkness, shine in your hearts, to give you the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ;" then we shall be happy together in our projected researches, we shall feel able to look up, and ask a blessing upon our studies, and we shall be led to the true conclusion that all our pursuits are only vanity and vexation of spirit, unless they have the glory of God, and the benefit of our immortal souls, for their ultimate end and aim. No sooner was light obedient to the creative word, than it underwent the scrutiny of Omnipotence; "God saw the light, that it was good." And truly the Divine Wisdom and Providence appear peculiarly remarkable in its formation. Were it not for the extreme subtlety of its particles, it could not pervade the pores of bodies; but now it can render glass, air, water and ice transparent, which otherwise would only have exhibited their surfaces to our view. The luxury derived from the light shining into our rooms, while the cold air is excluded by means of the glass, would never have been known, could it not have penetrated that beautiful substance.

Its effects too, on the vegetable world, whether upon the fruit, leaves, or blossoms of plants, present a most interesting subject for our notice. Have you never observed a plant in your garden slowly expanding its florets as the grey twilight emerged into bright and open day, again to shut them all up closely when

darkness again revisited the land? It is a well remembered circumstance that during an eclipse which occurred at Belfast, in the province of Ulster, in Ireland, on the 15th of May, 1836, that many plants were observed to close, as though they were preparing for their nightly sleep. From your own little experience you must have discovered that light is absolutely necessary to the health and vigour of the vegetable world—indeed, I may say, to the very maintenance of the principle of life; for though it is certain some plants require a much larger portion than others, still a total seclusion from it, would, with few exceptions, produce complete destruction. I recollect seeing its effect strikingly manifested in the long shoots thrown out by a potato, which had fallen in a remote part of the cellar; with feeble but constant exertions it had at last reached the distant window, to enjoy the benefit of that light which possessed such attractions, and owing to the exclusion of which we attribute the whiteness imparted to celery, sea kale, and other plants.

Before we close this subject, will you, my dear young friends, object to my drawing a parallel between you and these lovely productions of nature? It is my wish that each of you may become plants of renown, growing in the garden of your God; and in order that you may be so, remember that you must ever live in the light of his countenance, that the piercing rays of his Spirit must search the dark corners of your hearts, chasing away all ignorance, pride, and self-sufficiency, thus rendering you like the "rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valley." When the light was ready to answer the end of its creation, the order so beautifully observed was to be still more striking in its effects. The different succes