37 



free or gaseous state, possibly in combination with yet 

 more subtle, unknown elements ? If they existed in forms 

 that man could take cognizance of, if he could follow them 

 further, he could analyse, study them, and perhaps under- 

 stand their nature and operations; as it is, he has been 

 able to follow them beyond the range of his pliysical senses, 

 and probably to their gradually increased, and increasing, 

 proportional quantities in the earth's atmosphere, througlv 

 the action of organic agencies, is to be ascribed, together 

 with other causes, the increase of electrical intensity in 

 the atmosphere, and other electrical phenomena, mental 

 activity, and spiritual susceptibility. 



These subtle, gaseous elements are, as it were, the con- 

 necting links between the seen and the unseen, the tangi- 

 ble and intangible, material and immaterial, temporal and 

 eternal things, and they can but be involved in the pro- 

 cession of physical changes proceeding to their legitimate 

 results, in the actual sequence of nature, with the more 

 ponderable elements of matter, putting mankind, it may 

 be, into communion with "those things which are above*' 

 titting him more and more to receive the inspiration of 

 His Spirit, and to learn of, and adore, the Great Creator ot 

 the Universe, who has made all things by the word of His 

 Power. 



The thought of the gradual diminution of water, the 

 most wonderful, glorious, beautifying and gladdening ot 

 all 'terrestrial substances, can but be painful to us, consti- 

 tuted as we are. 



But the same Almighty and Omniscient Power that has 

 continuously controlled and moulded the adaptations of 

 the pliysical universe to the perceptions and welfare of 

 sentient beings, opening to us even in our own short lives 

 new and unconceived sources of pleasure, with the develop- 

 ment of our physical, intellectual and spiritual faculties, 

 will doubtless still continue to preserve, between the living 

 races of His creatures and external physical conditions, 



