oi 1 MAHT. 199 



approach the nearest to us in this respect, and are 

 called quadrumanous, or four-handed ; but their 

 thumbs are exceedingly imperfect, as compared 

 with ours, and their hands altogether fitted for 

 different purposes. 



The noblest gift, however, which has been 

 bestowed upon man by our bountiful Creator, is 

 THE SOUL ; an intelligent and immortal principle, 

 including the mind and affections. It is this 

 which raises us above all other animals, for it 

 enables us to love God, to reason, to think, and to 

 compare. It is this which makes us charitable, 

 generous, and humane ; which gives us taste and 

 ingenuity, a sense of right and wrong, and above 

 all, of religion. Hence we see, on every side, 

 places of public worship, hospitals for the sick 

 poor, manufactories, and courts of justice. It is 

 this also which makes man, though naturally the 

 most defenceless of creatures, the most powerful, 

 and capable of overcoming " every thing that 

 moveth on the face of the earth." 



Most animals are provided with some outward 

 means of defence. Oxen have a thick and tough 

 skin covered with hair, and horns and hoofs ; the 

 tortoise has its armour of shell ; and the lion has 

 teeth and strong claws. 



Man has nothing whatever of this kind, but his 

 reasoning faculty enables him to take measures 

 by which he may protect himself from the fiercest 

 and strongest among other creatures, and to destroy 

 them for his own benefit. 



