1847.] Progressive Changes of Matter. 89 



here is design, say they ; so there is design stamped upon the 

 very image of the clouds. Even in the minutest and ahuost in- 

 visible particles forming a cloud, is beheld a mechanical structure 

 adapted to its supervision in the atmosphere, and the cloud itself 

 is but a congeries of floating vessel in mid air, drawn out in fan- 

 tastic forms by the winds. There is then a design in the forma- 

 tion of a cloud, adapting it to the element in which it moves, 

 and in which it performs such wonderful labors. 



It is also interesting to contemplate the connexion one system 

 has with another system. The whole phenomena in relation to 

 the rise of winds, the evaporation of water, and its condensation 

 into clouds and rain is a system of changes in the elements in har- 

 mony with the existence of man. They produce results with oth- 

 er elements well calculated to develope and foster the growth of 

 his organic system, to enlarge the compass of his knowledge and 

 to increase the amount of his happiness. Notwithstanding there 

 is at times a conflict among the elements, he is accommodated 

 with light and shade ; a transparent medium in which to di- 

 rect the labors of his hands, or mark the pathway for his foot- 

 steps — he has a pure healthy air constantly moving around him, 

 clear and healthy water ever abounding, " and seed time and 

 harvest while the earth remaineth," 



While his wants are supplied, for the pleasures of vision he 

 has all the variety and change of form he can desire, and all 

 the grandeur his capacity can bear in the workings of this sys- 

 tem, and even from the imperfect knowledge he has of his own 

 organization and the connection of his body with his mind he ex- 

 claims, " I am fearfully and wonderfully made." We can realize 

 in a measure the connection and dependence running through all 

 matter and systems of motion, how^ever small or however remote ; 

 and no influence, and no condition of matter forming this connec- 

 tion can be dispensed with, and still maintain a harmony in the 

 works of nature. The rays of the sun have both light and heat, 

 they have an influence among the elements of our globe. Now 

 deprive these rays of the warmth they impart to this sphere, all 

 can tell the consequences that would follow. Arctic winds would 

 sweep over temperate zones — the cold at the equator would be 

 more intense than that at the poles ; there would be no wind nor 

 cloud ; no rivei nor cataract ; all living things would stand be- 

 numbed with adamantine stiffness. A frozen atmosphere would 

 wind its fleecy sheet over the face of nature wnth the stillness of 

 death. And the sun's rays, in the view of surrounding orbs, would, 

 with funeral pomp, remove the chaotic envelope from the pale vis- 

 age of a lifeless world ! 



With a moment's reflection we can realise the indispensable 

 need we have of the sun's warmth, and the appaling consequences 



