The whole kingdom of nature, in all the multiplicity and variety of its objects, is brought to view in the Perfect Book,' with a clearness of light, which is not elsewhere to be found. The simple yet truly philosophical arrangement, presented in the sublimely beautiful narrative of the Creation,' clearly shows that the pen of the sacred historian was guided by the hand of a master. But there are various other considerations which render this a subject of the deepest interest. In the early ages of the world, so far as we know, Literature, Science, and Poetry, were cultivated solely by the prophets, or servants of the Most High. We have no evidence that other minds were devoted to such pursuits. And the writers of the Bible had no oppor tunity to resort to the writings of idolatrous heathen around them, to illustrate or enforce their own eloquence and song. There was no Classical Literature then, to furnish learned 3 |