28? 



tions ; and consequently we may fairly draw the 

 inference, that, they are to them not only of the 

 same utility as to us, hut also sources of enjoy- 

 ment, probably even the more distinct and the 

 more powerful, in proportion as they are less 

 disturbed in their simple and instinctive prin- 

 ciples by other and higher faculties. 



There is another analogy which is generally 

 looked upon as merely imaginative, and yet 

 which certainly deserves some consideration ; 

 I mean the metamorphosis of insects as com- 

 pared with the life arid future destiny of man. 



The earliest bards among the human race, 

 and the inspired writers in God's word, drew 

 the same conclusions from the wonderful trans- 

 formations of insects, doomed to pass through 

 three distinct characters of existence : that of 

 a grovelling and destructive worm, a mummied 

 and a coffined thing, and a bright and brilliant 

 insect, which seems born of a sunbeam a very 

 bodying forth of brightness in a living form arid 

 shape, adding to its exceeding beauty and ele- 

 gance, a purity of habits and a simplicity of 

 taste, which contrast as wonderfully with the 

 instincts of its creeping predecessor, as they ac- 

 cord with the exquisite structure of this aerial 

 spangle. From time immemorial the same im- 

 pression of this analogy has been handed down : 

 and how, I would ask, not in the spirit of 

 hypothetical speculation, but of humble enquiry 

 can the lessons of the Redeemer be illustrated 

 by phenomena more striking and appropriate ? 



