H. Davy, 66 appears to have been a fluid mass, with an immense atmosphere revolving in space round the sun. By its cooling, a portion of its atmosphere was probably condensed into water, which occupied a part of its surface. In this state, no forms of life, such as now belong to our system, could have inhabited it."

Here we find much that is hypothetical,much that we might be fairly entitled to question. But, supposing all this to be correct, one conclusion is quite legitimately drawn from the data assumed, namely:-That in this state of the globe no forms of life, such as now belong to our system could have inhabited it. As yet, life was not. Boiling waters and burning ground were quite incompatible with life. Molten granite, from whose surface all the materials which enter into the composition of living bodies would have been thrown off in vapour, had been cooled down, it is supposed, at the exterior parts; but it is also supposed that the heat was still too intense to admit the existence of animal life, in such forms as we now see in the world around us. All the forms of life, therefore, were yet to be originated. They necessarily belong to a subsequent era. This hypothesis, whatever may be its defects, annihilates the atheistic notion of an Eternal Series of living beings. An incandescent world was no place for beings whose corporeal structure must have been instantly dissolved and dissipated by the intense heat that then every where prevailed around them. Creative power must therefore have a place, not only at the commencement, but also during the progress of the mundane system.

Let us continue our examination of Mr Combe's evidence.

"The crystalline rocks, or, as they are called by geologists, the primary rocks, which contain no vestiges of a former order of things, were the result of the first consolidation on its surface. Upon the further cooling, the water which more or less had covered it, contracted; depositions took place, shell fish and coral insects were created, and began their labours." Here creation is admitted, distinctly admitted. How could it be denied? What but creative power and skill could produce the simplest shell fish or coralline? Inanimate matter may assume new forms; changes in temperature may reduce aeriform matter to liquids, and liquids to solids; crystalline rocks may be disintegrated, and their materials may be recomposed, so as to form rocks of a different class. All this may result from the operation of mechanical or chemical causes whose existence is known, and whose influence may be ascertained; but life is neither a mechanical nor a chemical phenomenon. It is an object of a different class, and must be traced to a different origin. Chemical or mechanical causes may occasion the extinction of life. This they often do; but they never produce life. The living being, in its humblest modifications, possesses functions, and performs operations, which no mechanism, no chemistry can explain. In animal structures, we see the most admirable adaptation of mechanical contrivance to the maintenance and exercise of living functions and acts. them we likewise see the harmonious play of the most wonderful chemical agencies. But we

In

see something more; something far superior; something which demands for its production the intervention of the Creator to superinduce it on the mechanism and the chemistry which such structures embody and combine. Living substances have qualities which raise them above that complete subjection to mechanical and chemical forces which we see in the various forms of

inorganic matter. They resist decomposition; they exhibit remarkable diversities in their temperature; when the temperature of surrounding objects sinks, their temperature does not sink to the same extent; they possess, in various degrees, the power of self-restoration, a power that belongs not to inanimate bodies. If to these we add sensation and voluntary motion, which all animals possess, it will clearly appear that life includes what no causes purely mechanical can fairly explain. There is thus a wide interval between the simplest animal and the highest class of inorganic substances. Creative power is necessary for effecting the vast transition. We refer, not to the continuation of the species, but to their original production,-to the formation of the first individuals belonging to the species. We fearlessly maintain, that causes merely mechanical or chemical could not originate their structure or communicate to them living powers. Be it observed, that the animals of the primordial era, though undoubtedly low in the scale of organised being, still were "perfect animals, as perfectly adapted to the condition of things under which they had to live as those now existing."*

*Rudiments of Geology, by David Page. Chambers's Educational Course, p. 84.

They appear to have been chiefly zoophytes mollusca, and crustacea. Take a shell-fish, or' one of the class which would seem to have been among the earliest forms of life. In its structure we have most striking proofs of designing intelligence. If it is of the univalve class, how wisely is its arched or convoluted shell fitted to protect the animal from injury! If it is a bivalve, we have in the mechanism of its hinge and the form of its edges, convincing evidence of the same wise and benevolent design. Then we have the mysterious chemistry by which the animal has the power of abstracting from the waters, appropriating to itself, and secreting from its body, the calcareous matter which forms its shell. In addition, we have its organs and powers of sensation

-its voluntary motions-the apparatus necessary for its nourishment, growth, and reproduction. These comprise a combination of phenomena, so extensive, so varied, so complex, so harmonious, so perfectly adapted to the circumstances of the animal, that nothing but mental imbecility or blind perversity could ascribe their origin to any other cause than creative intelligence, power, and benevolence.

Or take one of the corals. In it, in addition to all that we have noted in the case of the shellfish, we have its labours, which, insignificant as they may appear to the superficial thinker, form part of a stupendous and magnificent plan, which is as yet only developed in part-which includes the eventual formation of new abodes suited to the highest classes of terrestrial beings.

In each animal we have a complete system of creative arrangements. In the combined opera

tion of their united influences, we may see the vestiges of an all-comprising plan, including within its stupendous range numerous successive eras and multiplied concatenated worlds. To such a plan successive evolution is essential. But what is the mode of evolution? Here we would check our presumption, and tread with awe as on holy ground-with awe, and yet with firmness; for the light that guides our steps is clear-the voice that calls us to proceed is distinct. Entering the depository of archaic forms, we see inscribed on all the objects that lie scattered in profusion before us, this legend-" The hand that made us is divine."