34 THE CHEMISTRY OF CREATION. 



to 'exist be brought prominently into operation ! 

 If, to illustrate more clearly this idea, a great 

 musician can produce charming music out of 

 an instrument of but a few notes' compass, what 

 soul-stirring melodies may we not expect when 

 he is seated at a musical instrument better 

 suited to display his powers ! These and other 

 considerations which we might adduce, show us 

 how partial and imperfect is our highest know- 

 ledge. We only see, we only hear in part. 

 Creation is but a partial display of the power 

 and wisdom of its Author. 



It has been well said not to be a scheme of 

 optimism. Beautiful as creation, so far as our 

 world is concerned, appears, nature as yet only 

 wears what we might call her working dress. 

 When the sabbath of the world dawns, then will 

 she appear all glorious in apparel, all beautiful in 

 form. And if so fair and lovely now, what will 

 she not then be ! 



The thoughts we have here attempted to 

 throw out, not to pursue, are intended to quicken 

 our aspirations after that long-desired and yet 

 future time, for which all creation waits and 

 groans, when in more of their fulness the attri- 

 butes of the Creator will be displayed before our 

 wondering eyes. 



We must consider the almost universally dif- 

 fused element Oxygen, as occupying important 



