190 OUK DOMESTIC FOWLS. 



possession of intellect, of reason, but aiises 

 also from the total difference as to the end and 

 aim of his creation — his future destiny and 

 condition. He is destined for immortality, 

 ho is gifted with reason — a knowledge of good 

 and evil, and language in W'hich to express his 

 ideas, and worship the Giver of eveiy good and 

 perfect gift. "When we contemplate man in 

 this light, we cannot but see his position in 

 creation ; but he holds another position, — a 

 position before his God who is his Creator, and 

 will be his Judge. Is this position one of 

 perfect innocence and holiness ? No ! Man 

 fell from his first estate and lost that position, 

 and the human race now stands before God, 

 as guilty, as criminal, as condemned by the 

 law, to break one tittle of which is to break the 

 ■whole. Man is amenable to punishment ; and 

 is there means of escape ? Yes, he can escape, 

 for the door of mercy is not closed ; nay, he is 

 invited to flee for refuge from the wrath to 

 come, and so plain is the path, that the wayfar- 

 ing man cannot err therein. It is through the 

 atonement made by our Lord Jesus Christ, 

 who "bore our sins in his own body on the 

 tree," when he in whom the fulness of the 

 Godhead dwelt bodily, was crucified, offering 



