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arrangements, smoother and more simple, than those which 
actually exist. Had the earth's crust presented one unvaried 
mass of crystal, or granite, or limestone, or had they lain over 
each other in regular folds like the coats of an onion, only one 
of these coats could have been within the reach of the inha- 
bitants. And the varied intermixture of sand, and clay, and 
mould, and limestone, which constitute the soil of agriculture, 
and are so necessary to the beauty, fertility, and habitability of 
the field, would have had no place whatever upon its surface. 
Again, there would be no reservoirs of water admitted through 
the pores of the earth, sheltered and purified for the use of 
man. The water that fell being retained under the sun would 
be soon evaporated ; and the rivers not being fed by springs, 
would rush at once into the sea, and leave their channels dry. 
Again, the inestimable treasures of salt, and coal, and iron, 
confined as they are to rocks of unusual thickness, would have 
been wholly inaccessible, and we should have been destitute of 
the essential element of industry and civilization. Yes, it is 
the very disordered condition of its crust which covers the earth 
with food and verdure, that gives us access to its hidden trea- 
sures, and renders it the convenient and delightful habitation 
of man and the multitude of animated beings with which it is 
crowded ; and he must be blind, indeed, who refuses to recog- 
nize the wise foresight and benevolent intention of Him whose 
works are so manifold, and who, it is justly said, in wisdom has 
made them all." So speaks Geology of the crust of the earth on 
which we live. Now, the similar structure of the Bible promotes 
spiritual industry, forces us into contact with every portion of 
its surface, and is one of the sources of that inexhaustible fulness 
and freshness which distinguish it from every other book. If 
the Bible were constructed with epic or dramatic regularity, 
like the poems of Homer or Milton, it would consist of a simple 
moral and a simple set of characters, easily found, and very soon 
exhausted. The parts of striking beauty and interest would be 
known and remembered ; the rest would be neglected and 
forgotten. Here the Truth of God is scattered through the inde- 
pendent productions of men of different ages and countries, 
giving force to their testimony, because it shows the impossi- 
bility of collusion. It is brought into contact with every variety 
of character and condition ; and thus, instead of a simple moral, 
we have lessons of instruction, wide as our nature, and numerous 
as our spiritual wants. Here, as elsewhere, the jewels are em- 
bedded in coarser and less valuable materials ; and as we know 
where we may find the precious stone which is suited to the 
spiritual exigency of the moment, we are, therefore, habitually 
brought into contact with every portion of that Word which the 
