98 



SKETCHES OF CREATION. 



Labrador, and nurture its people to become the "guard- 

 ians of civilization." 



These comprehensive views of continental development 

 have been especially wrought out by that Christian gen- 

 tleman and unrivaled scholar, Professor J. D. Dana, of New 

 Haven. 



It is wonderful to behold one • of Nature's great plots 

 worked out with such undeviating unity of purpose. 

 Though incalculable ages have elapsed since the nucleus 

 of the American continent was lifted above the waves, we 

 find the announcement then made to have been faithfully 

 prosecuted to the end. What convincing proofs of the 

 unity of the Creative Intelligence ! The plastic rocks 

 have always been moulded by the hands of the same all- 

 providing Artificer. How it exalts our apprehension of 

 his infinite attributes to behold him bringing into exist- 

 ence a series of secondary causes, so simple in themselves, 

 but working out a succession of results so complex in their 

 details, and presenting a history stamped with such uni- 

 formity of plan, such harmony of parts, and such wisdom 

 of design ! But these are only his doings in the material 

 world. When we contemplate the manifestation of his 

 attributes presented to us by animated nature, every one 

 imbued with the spirit and love of truth is compelled, with 

 the poet, to exclaim, 



"An undevout philosopher is mad." 



We turn, then, to consider the method which reigns 

 among creatures exalted with the gift of life. 



Who has not been amazed at the endless variety of ani- 

 mal forms existing upon the earth ? There seems to be no 

 conceivable conformation, no possible situation, no circum- 

 stances of element, climate, food, or condition, that have 

 not been made the fitting and essential conditions of some 



