large as birds ; ferocious in aspect, or gorgeous in colour and markings, some banded with pearl or silver ; or with delicate 

 patterns traced on their bodies in gold, crimson, or scarlet on a green or a brown ground. There would be the Mollusca 

 with their glorious shells — painted in all tints of colour — adorned with wonderful surface designs moulded in classic 

 shapes, with many of them strangely spined, such as are some of the MuricidcB, Cardiums, Veneridce, Chamas, or Spondylce ; 

 the cylindric and pupseform clausilias and other genera, the lovely Bui imi and Helices, the rich Volutes, Cones, and Cyprias, 

 the gorgeous Trochee, Haliotidce, and Tellintz, and the numerous Unios with their pearly or silvery interiors ! Then 

 descending lower still to the world of semi-invisible creatures, such as the Radiolaria, Polycsystina, Diatoms, and Rhizopods, 

 to say nothing of others lower down still, so small, yet so complex and beautiful in their silicious homes. and shells, or 

 so simple in their organisation, till we seem to be entering within the portals of the infinitely little, — where species even 

 of the Radiolaria, more astounding in form and complex sculpture than anything among the higher groups of creatures 

 come to our notice in such multitudes of species that Haekel describes in one of ths 48 huge vols, of the Challenger 

 Report between 4,000 and 5,000 of them, not half of those known to exist — with the additional wonder that however 

 complex the sculpturing and pattern of each species is, it is all executed within the space of a minute point that seems 

 to have no dimension at all ! 



We may truly and reverently say that all God's works are fearfully and wonderfully made ! and we may add that 

 God sends out all His creatures well and beautifully dressed, and also efficiently armed for the warfare of its life. This 

 is exemplified through all the Vertebrate and Invertebrate creatures of this globe, from the fearful beauty of the Reptilia, 

 and the graceful beauty of the countless species of Rodents and Birds, till we reach those magnificent members of the 

 great Cat family— the tigers, leopards, and other big beasts of prey. No living mind can sum up all the Creator's works 

 which people and adorn the beautiful world in which we live. Ages of investigation are needed for such a task as this ; 

 and then perchance new creations would be in progress. 



Yes, and then ? and then ? — there is infinity — space with its worlds and suns visible to the telescopic and 

 photographic eyes, to be counted by millions without limit — system beyond system, universe beyond universe, above, 

 below us, and in every direction of space, east, west, north, or south, stretching away on the pathways of infinitude for 

 ever and for ever, without beginning or end ! But is this all ? No ! a thousand times, no ! For then even, we may 

 be sure that while this is only the visible or material universe, there is an unseen— a spiritual universe, which is still 

 more vast, more wonderful, more complex, and more glorious ! Aye, and a boundless universe of Intelligence more won- 

 derful and beautiful than all ; while every being, every mind, every force, and every manifestation is subject for ever and 

 ever to the ineffably holy, wise, lovely,, and awful power and will of the Triune Love— the being whom we call God, who 

 is the author of all, and who reigns over all. 



And here we must rest, with the joy in our adoring hearts expressed by those words of the Psalmist David : 

 " Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast made, and Thy thoughts which are to us-ward ; 

 they cannot be reckoned up in order unto Thee : if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be 

 numbered."* Yet " We will speak of the glorious honour of Thy Majesty, and of Thy wondrous work."f And " All 

 Thy works shall praise Thee, O Lord ; and Thy saints shall bless Thee. "J 



•P^l™ vl « +P^1m cxlv « *Ps cxlv 10 David, or the Author of the 148th, 149th, and 150th Psalms might well call upon everything in creation to praise 



the Lord 1 The sublime Jrds o^I^ncient&iSh Hymns come to us now as the fitting expression of a mind overwhelmed with the contemplate of the radiant glory 

 of the King of Kings in the endless manifestations of His thoughts in Nature, History, and Providence! 



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