the study of the works and plans of God. Infinitely more will remain unknown than we have discovered, and faith will find occasion for stronger exercise at each advancing step of our existence.

How presumptuous, then, for man, yet in the infancy of his being, to find fault with the works of God, or with his Revealed Truth, because it does not coincide with his vain fancies. Should we hear a company of children discussing the political and financial affairs of this nation, gravely advancing opinions respecting this or that measure, debating the expediency of every law, and passing judgment on the conduct of public officers, we should be amused at the absurdity, and laugh at their childish folly. But this would be pre-eminent wisdom, compared with the conduct of those self-conceited men, who gravely debate the propriety of God's conduct, and with look of learned sagacity, pronounce that this and that fact, asserted in Revelation, is inconsistent with the character of God, as taught by their own reason, and is therefore to be rejected. "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall have them in derision." It were easier far to assume the place for which our ignorance and inexperience fits us, and rejoice that we may be taught of God like little children.

In this view of the subject, how ridiculous and presumptuous the conduct of those who refuse to acknowledge the truths of the Bible, till they can

understand the reasons of all its doctrines. The Bible is a record of facts respecting the character and actions of God, the character and destiny of man, and the means employed by God to secure man's ultimate happiness, and the happiness of the universe. The infidel, strutting with consequential air, boasting of his philosophy, scarce deigning to cast a glance at its doctrines, asserts that they are absurd, inconsistent, and incomprehensible. He cannot understand why God has made such a law, and established such a penalty, how Christ can be both God and man, nor how he could make an atonement for sin. And can you, vain man, explain any one of the ten thousand mysteries that surround you ? Can you understand how he stretcheth the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth, upon nothing? Dost thou know how God causeth the light of his cloud to shine? Dost thou know the balancing of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge? Have the gates of death been open to thee, or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? Where is the way where light dwelleth, and as for darkness, where is the place thereof? Can you tell how he binds the firm rock, or holds the waters together? Can you understand how he established the courses of the planets, and by what power he maintains their motion? Can you tell how his rain and light and heat cause the grass to spring forth, and the tender

herb to bud? Do you know how he leads the wild-fowl over its long, trackless journey through the air, or how he gives knowledge to the timid bird to construct its nest and guard its young? Do you understand how the bee is taught to construct its cell according to the abstruse rules of science, or the beaver to erect its curious habitation, or the ant to provide her meat in summer and lay up stores in harvest?

Whither can you turn, on what object in nature can you fix your eye, where you will not find wonders that neither you nor any human intellect can explain?

And can you expect the revelations of the plans of God, which have reference to unnumbered orders of intelligent beings, through eternal ages, will contain no facts whose bearings and reasons you cannot comprehend? Were it thus, you might be sure it could not be the work of God. A system devised by man might be understood by his fellow man, in all its bearings, but a revelation of the plans of God, must contain facts whose connexions will be interwoven with other truths, which demand ages for their full development, and therefore must be incomprehensible to finite intellect.

Come, then, to the study of God's word, not expecting that all will be easy of explanation. Expect that the works and the word of God will alike contain truths too deep for your present capacity to

fathom, and opening fields for boundless investigation and delightful study through all your future being.

In view of this subject, how blessed the condition of those, who have allied their interests to God, and committed their souls to his protection. He knows all their wants, his eye is upon their goings, to direct their steps, and to guard them from every real danger. To all their requests his ear is ever open, and his heart attent. His foreseeing care is preparing for their future residence mansions of light, whither he will conduct them, crowned with glory and honor. The storehouse of his knowledge shall be unlocked to them, and their intellect shall feel the impulse of his almighty mind. The vast fields of his material kingdom shall be spread out before them, with God for their instructor, to develope its hidden wonders, and explain its deepest mysteries. From the book of his remembrance, the history of the past shall be unfolded to their admiration and praise. No more through a glass darkly, but face to face, they shall see as they are seen, and know as they are known. The objects of his peculiar care, his knowledge shall be employed to defend and bless them for ever.

"Then shall they see, and hear, and know

All they desired or wished below,

And every power find sweet employ

In that eternal world of joy."

We also see, in the light of this subject, how terrible the condition of those who are rebels against the government of God. His eye is ever upon them, to mark all their hidden iniquities, and to bring to light their deeds of darkness.

When Bonaparte reigned in France, the police employed spies to watch the conduct of every man in the empire. No man could speak, or write, or act, without being liable to have it all reported to the government. The household servants often were spies upon their employers, and sometimes the wife upon the husband, and the children upon their parents. No rank or condition of life was free from this ever-vigilant inspection. No plot could be devised but the government learned it, and arrested all engaged in it. Men feared to breathe their thoughts to their dearest friends, and stood in constant fear of a government that thus had access to their most secret actions.

But, sinner, you are under a more watchful inspection every moment than any human government ever exercised, an inspection that looks, not only at your external actions, but reads the secret thoughts and purposes of your heart. God knows every sinful desire you cherish, every selfish, revengeful, envious or impure purpose you have formed, every wicked action you have committed, and every word you have spoken. For there is not a word upon your tongue but lo! he knoweth it altogether.