240 TERRIBLE CONDITION OF THE HUMAN RACE.

vation, and strongly actuated by hope and fear, would anxiously retreat before the advancing waters, most probably to the highest point of land: Until at length, being assembled on that narrow spot of earth, which alone remained to them, amid the increasing inundation, they would not have been washed by degrees into the water, and carried away by any reflux, like the poor affrighted animals that crowded together; but absorbed into one fearful vortex, when the last portion of firm land sunk beneath their feet. They would then suddenly be submerged in the depth of the new sea, where their bones must remain for ever beyond the reach of man; and doubtless it is quite consistent with all the dealings of the Lord, that while the remains of a vast proportion of the brute creation were scattered over the surface, that was to constitute the new earth, the human race, whose heavy crimes had brought down from heaven so tremendous a judgment, should perish in the same locality with the ancient earth on which their sins had ratified the primeval curse.

Thus were they "cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood." Job xxii. 16.

Let us not pass lightly away from this important subject, but add to it the reflection, that this catastrophe was designed to act with peculiar force upon the feelings of the condemned race. It was merciful to terminate as speedily as possible, the sufferings of the animal creation; but it would not have been merciful to sweep away as speedily those who were soon to enter upon an enlarged sphere of being. It was therefore necessary that the moral sufferings of mankind should be prolonged. They saw from day to day the gradual fulfilling of that scorned prediction which had long been sounding in their ears, and they were taught most fearfully that the place of their

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habitation was passing away. merciful, they had also time to return to him, with weeping and supplication, and with tears; and how know we that thousands of ransomed spirits, did not find forgiveness, and ascend rejoicing from amid the overwhelming waters? Great, therefore, must have been the purpose, and equally so must have been the terrific prelude of a rain that continued during forty days, and of all its horrible accompaniments, which are thus described by the learned Jew Philo, either by inference, or tradition.

"The vast ocean being raised to an height, which it had never before attained, rushed with a sudden inroad upon the continents and islands. The springs, the cataracts, and rivers, confusedly mingling their streams, contributed to elevate the waters. Neither was the air quiet; dense clouds covered the whole heavens, violent hurricanes, with lightnings, and thunders were blended with unintermitting torrents of rain, so that it seemed as if every portion of the earth was being changed into the single element of water; until the fluid mass, composed of falling rain, and swelling waters, covered not only the low lands, but even the summits of the highest mountains. Till every part of the once dry earth sunk beneath the waters, and the perfect system of the world became deformed."

There is still a phenomenon connected with geology, respecting which, it is necessary to offer a few concluding observations, and that is the discovery of the remains of animals, whose species no longer exist. This phenomenon has given rise to much speculation, and has led to the conclusion that the earth was created, not in six days, but in six periods of uncertain duration; and that innumerable animals existing for ages before man was formed, perished in successive catastrophes.

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But Newton was at no loss upon the subject; he believed the words of inspiration, that in "six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is.” Exodus xx. He believed also, that when the wickedness of man was great, the most High destroyed "them with the earth." Gen. v. 13.

Difficulties undoubtedly there are in accounting for the remains of various non-descript species, for the Mosaic records are brief; they state such important events as it pleased the Most High to reveal to man, but they do not minister to curiosity. Yet, walking by the light of revelation, and merely considering facts as they occur, it may be allowable to offer a few conjectures respecting the extinct species, which seem worthy of attention.

We read that after the lapse of more than ten months, the dove that was sent forth by Noah, returned with an olive-leaf in her bill; and hence he knew that the waters were abated from the earth. It is saying nothing to state, that vegetation quickly succeeded after the deluge. Had the same earth remained, this could not have ensued by virtue of any known law, for the universal lodgment of the sea upon its surface for so long a period, must have extinguished every principle of life, in the roots, or seeds of vegetables. But it was not the same soil on which grass had sprung, and forests lifted their proud heads, on which animals of all descriptions had first walked, and man, sinful man, had forgotten the God who made him. It was a marine surface, on which the seeds of terrestrial vegetation had never yet been sown. The same creative power, must, therefore, have been exercised, as on the third day of creation.

We are told that the summits of the highest mountains only appeared above the waters on the first day of the