46 
LIFE, IN ITS LOWER FORMS. 
sponge ; they have all the same exposure, and are all 
recipients of tho same nutriment, yet does each act upon 
this differently. One extracts from the fluid silica, which 
it causes to assume a solid crystalline form ; another 
selects in the same manner the calcareous particles, which, 
obedient to the laws of life, assume figures novel to them 
in their mineral state; and again, another rejects both 
the lime and the flint as injurious to its constitu- 
tion.” * 
So, when the minister of the Word, “ a Scribe instructed 
unto the kingdom of heaven, bringeth forth out of his 
treasury tilings new and old,” souls of varying powers, cir- 
cumstances, and necessities, receive the same truths ; and 
the Spirit of life in their heart, ministering to every one 
severally as He will, admonishes one, stimulates another, 
guides a third, comforts a fourth ; and thus the Word is 
found “ profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, 
and for instruction in righteousness.’’ 
Ibe manner in which the Sponges increase their race is 
highly curious, and affords a beautiful example of the care 
which the All-wise God has exercised over His lowest 
creatures. According to Professor Grant, t there are found 
at certain seasons of the year, within the channels of a 
living Sponge, innumerable yellow granules, imbedded in 
tho gelatinous flesh. These gradually increase in size, and 
project more and more into tho channels, until at length 
one by one becomes freed, and is immediately hurried along 
to the nearest outlet by the constant ex-current. On 
examination, it is now seen to be a little oval gemmule, 
* Johnston : Brit. Sponges, 16 . 
f Edin. Phil. Journal, xiii. 
