by which this beneficent system has been con- 

 structed. 



It is easy to conceive a world whose appear- 

 ances and various relations would offend our 

 taste, and be altogether discordant with our feel- 

 ings, as well as unsuitable to our powers and 

 faculties ; nor is it possible to doubt that the 

 disgust or apathy arising from this unhappy con- 

 trariety, if it did not lead to utter extermination, 

 would at least deeply affect the character, and 

 entail misery on the lot of humanity. 



It is, therefore, no insignificant proof of an 

 intelligent and bountiful Creator, that there 

 should exist so harmonious an agreement be- 

 tween mind and matter, that the powers of the 

 one should be so wonderfully adapted to the 

 aspect and qualities of the other, and that the 

 happy combinations which are thus effected 

 should be productive of such high and rational 

 enjoyment. 



It must not be forgotten, however, that al- 

 though such suitableness between the mental 

 powers and the phenomena of the external world 

 actually exists, it partakes of the imperfection 

 inherent in all sublunary things. The fall of 

 man, which has so deeply affected the character, 

 the condition and the mutual relations of the 

 moral and physical worlds, has thrown a mystery 

 over them, which mere human philosophy at- 

 tempts in vain to penetrate. 



We can readily form an idea of a state of 

 things corresponding, far nearer, to our notions 



