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We may hoi^e yet further that such iJiirsuits might have a 

 tendency to raise the mind to the contemplation of that Great 

 Being, whose works laid before us in such profusion and 

 variety, it is our pleasure to look into. It seems hardly 

 possible to know much of the creation without earing to know 

 anything of the Creator. If the study of science has not always 

 been accompanied by devout feelings towards Him in whom all 

 knowledge and wisdom originate, — if, in a few rare instances, it 

 has even been associated with infidelity or atheism, it is surely 

 not science itself that has led to this perversion of the under- 

 standing. The cause is to be sought elsewhere ; — in the natural 

 disposition, — in the pride of intellect, fed no doubt by every 

 accession of human knowledge, but not the knowledge of science 

 more than that of other things, — in passions that have had their 

 sway in biassing the mind towards unbelief, — in wrong training, 

 or entire want of religious education in early life. Infidelity 

 fostered in any of these ways might shew itself under any circum- 

 stances, and science may even here have an influence in 

 ameliorating the heart and affections in other respects. We must 

 judge of things by their general tendencies for good or for evil ; 

 not by occasional deviations from what is right in the effects they 

 produce, or seem to produce, any more than we judge of the normal 

 structure of animals and plants by the accidental monstrosities 

 we sometimes witness. Few, we apprehend, will dispute that the 

 study of Natural History has a tendency in the right direction. 

 It may be carried too far, — it may take up too much of our time 

 and thoughts, and so lead us away from concerns of higher 

 import. But the same is true of every earthly pursuit not 

 immediately connected with tlie subject of religion. We have, 

 moreover, the highest encouragement to enter upon this studj'. 

 We read that " the works of the Lord are great, sought out of all 

 them that have pleasure therein." And when sought out in a 

 right spirit ; — when we are not morally blind to discern the hand 

 of Providence still watching over and sustaining the things that 



