PROGRESSIVE SCALE OF BEINGS. 311 



4i 



nourishment too gross for his frame ; he must be born only 

 to be miserable, and the continuation of his existence would 

 be utterly impossible. Even in our present condition, the 

 sameness and insipidity of objects and pursuits, the futility of 

 pleasure, and the infinite sources of excruciating pain, bring 

 constantly to our minds a conviction of the imperfections 

 attendant on our present state of being. Increase our sensi- 

 bilities, continue the same objects and situation, and no man 

 could bear to live. Let man therefore be contented with the 

 powers and the sphere of action assigned him. There is an 

 exact adaptation of his powers, capacities, and desires, both 

 bodily and intellectual, to the scene in which he is destined 

 to move. His station in the scale of nature is fixed by wis- 

 dom. Let him study the works of nature, and find in the 

 contemplation of all that is beautiful, curious, and wonderful 

 in them, proofs of the existence and attributes of his Creator. 

 Let him see in his own structure, and that of all other animals, 

 and in the whole economy of the universe, animate and inan- 

 imate, the evidences of the wisdom, the skill, the benevolence, 

 and the justice of that great and overruling Intelligence, who 

 has made all things, and who upholds all things. Let him 

 find in the contemplation of the final destiny which is prom- 

 ised him, a source of consolation for the imperfections, pains, 

 and trials, of the present state of being. Let him fill up his 

 rank here with dignity, and consider every partial evil as a 

 cause, or an effect, of general ultimate good ; and let him 

 adore and worship that great and good Being, who has, even 

 in this state of discipline and probation, dispensed so many 

 blessings to alleviate its necessary and unavoidable evils. 



