iTifC] - < ^ f March 8, 17, 4 April 3, 18715. 



Either tlicn, the universe ha.s lieen siihjectetl to lawm to make waste anil 

 (leeay impossilde, and all thini^a that vimlergo -change are preserved in 

 (juantity and energy to preserve the whole forever in halance ; or there is 

 a I^»wer that ever renews them ; far we see that creation does not wax old, 

 hut that eijual (juanlilies of n)atter and force remain ever operative without 

 detection of a moment's pause through thousands of years ; without the loss 

 of an atom of matter, of force, of heat, or light, without a discord, or 

 tremor in th(> harmony of the Universe. 



Adhering strictly to the Baconian canon of philosbphj', to which all 

 philosophers must he held ; that is, to proceed only on well ascertained 

 facts, and thence making inductions only in accordance with the laws of 

 nature, also ascertained as fads, it is suhmitted that it will not be found 

 tnat creation is ever growing weaker, is not verging to decaj' and annihi- 

 lation. The more we shall know, the more profoundly we shall consider, 

 the more surely shall we he reassured that this earth is not to perish by 

 ice, or water, or tire; that the force that holds the systems of suns and 

 planets in their rotary movements will never abate : that suns will not burn 

 to cinders, nor their heat and light be spent or extinguished. And by the 

 observance of the ssime canon of philosophy, of certain ascertainment of 

 facts and strictness of induction, we must also infer from all creation, and 

 creations laws, that it had an Author to give it law, Avho wills to conserve 

 it for ever ; Ilim of whom we truthfully .say, "Thy law is the Truth:" 

 By, "Thy faithfulness shalt Thou establish the very heavens." 



