THE VERTEBRAL COLUJIN OF FISHES. 191 



hold of the promise of pardon and ever- 

 lasting Hfe, by faith in that Mediator who 

 bore our sins in his own body on the tree, 

 and who, though sinless, became a sacrifice for 

 sin, that the doors of mercy may be opened, 

 while the justice of God is satisfied. 



Some writer has well said, that "The 

 Christian religion is the highest style of 

 man ; " or, in other words, that man is en- 

 nobled and dignified by that faith which 

 elevates him above the things of time and 

 sense, and leads him to place his chief af- 

 fections on heavenly and incorruptible trea- 

 eures— upon the glories of that kingdom 

 which is the believer's inheritance. Surely, 

 then, if the philosopher is permitted to argue 

 from the position of man in the animal 

 creation, that his destiny is as different from 

 that of lower creatures, as he himself, in 

 all his qualities and endowments, differs from 

 them, the Christian, standing upon a still 

 firmer rock of evidence, and filled with the 

 "assurance of faith," may advance a step 

 farther, and invite attention to the great 

 scheme of salvation, in which are seen in 

 glorious display, the wisdom, and mercy, 

 and justice of the God of nature and the 



