PROGRESS OF ORGANIZATION. 397 



adaptation to their conditions. Long ages ago the odd chapter 

 tiilobite swarmed in our oceans, and the large-eyed -^^^vill. 

 ichthyosaur dashed tlirough their waters. These are all Progress 

 gone ; but plastic nature, ever forming with ceaseless me!"^^"""^ 

 activity, has, by the most mysterious of her actions, 

 brought up new forms to play their parts among her 

 vast scenes. Through space, as through time, she is 

 doubtless working ; and with all their joys and sorrows, 

 evolving far mightier results than the formation of in- 

 organic worlds. I see this in the blush of the morning 

 which beams on all these globes, and there, too, awakens 

 the glad creatures from their repose. I see it in the Evidence 

 downfal of evening, that speaks of refreshment from toil, opemiol^f 

 but also of the living-time of activities not fitted for the 

 sun. I see it in the progress of the earth, and in its 

 course, through much conflict, towards perfection : for 

 its rocks and stones tell not only of change, but of the 

 struggles of its creatures to become linked to something 

 higher : — Yes ! ye worlds, wondrous and innumerable, 

 that shine aloft, and shower around us your many mys- 

 tic influences, — ye, too, are the abodes of sentience suited 

 to your conditions, ay, and of intelligence, different, far 

 different from ours, and in states of approach to the 

 Divinity of all possible gradations ; but of which every 

 constituent, where every creature, of whatever kind, is 

 pressing outward like the bud in spring, and stretching, 

 with longings that are unutterable, towards the Infinite 

 and the Eternal!" 



Not the least gratifying idea which these reflections Capacity of 

 suggest, is the endless progression in knowledge, and niind. 

 the clearer understanding of the works of creation, 

 which the mind of man is seen to be capable of. The 

 past and th.e future, the near and the remote, all lie 

 within its grasp ; and while the infinite works of the 

 Creator can never be exhausted by his creature, it is a 

 delightful thought to the intelligent mind, that amid all 

 the ages of that future to which the hopes of the Chris- 

 tian extend, his mind shall be ever expanding amid new 



