4 



612 



CONCLUDIN& EEMAEKS 



With equal justice miglit an astronomer be accused of 

 asserting that the works of creation extended throughout 

 infinite space^ because he refuses to take for granted that the 

 remotest stars now seen in the heavens are on the utmost 

 verge of the material universe. Every improvement of the 

 telescope has brought thousands of new worlds into view ; 

 and it would, therefore, be rash and unphilosophical to 

 imagine that we already survey the whole extent of the vast 

 scheme, or that it will ever be brought within the sphere of 

 human observation. 



But no argument can be drawn from such premises in 

 favour of the infinity of the space that has been filled with 

 worlds ; and if the material universe has any limits, it then 

 follows, that it must occupy a minute and infinitesimal point 

 in infinite space. 



So if, in tracing back the earth's history, we arrive at the 

 monuments of events which may have happened millions of 

 ages before our times, and if we still find no decided evidence 



of 



commencement 



from analogy 



m 



remain 



and if the past duration of the earth be finite, then the 

 aggregate of geological epochs, how^ever numerous, must 



mere 



portion of eternity. 



It has been argued, that, as the different states of the 

 earth's surface, and the different species by which it has been 

 inhabited have all had their origin, and many of them their 

 termination, so the entire series may have commenced at a 

 certain period. It has also been urged, that, as we admit 



to have occurred at a comparatively 



man 



the creation of 

 modern epoch — as we concede the astonishing fact of the 



—so also 



moral and intellectual being 



we may conceive the first creation of the planet itself. 



am 



analogy ; but although it may strengthen our conviction, 

 that the present system of change has not gone on from 

 eternity, it cannot warrant us in presuming that we shall be 

 permitted to behold the signs of the earth's origin, or the 

 evidences of the first introduction into it of organic beingrs. 



