INTRODUCTION. 
Ill 
cured for himself a distinguished place among 
those whose names are immortal. 
But natural history has a relation infinitely 
more important : for it is one material use of the 
&fu3y of nature, to illustrate this greatest of all 
truths That there must be a God • that he 
must be almighty,, omniscient, and infinite in good- 
ness ; and that, although he dwells in a light in- 
accessible to any mortal eye, yet our faculties see 
and distinguish him clearly in his works/*' 
In these we are compelled to observe a degree of 
greatness far beyond our capacities to understand : 
— we see an exact adaption of parts composing one 
stupendous whole ; an uniform perfection and good-* 
ness that are not only entitled to our admiration, but 
that command from us the tribute of reverence, gra- 
titude, and love, to the Parent of the Universe. 
Every step we tread in our observations on nature, 
affords us indubitable proofs of his superintendance. 
From these we learn the vanity of all our boasted 
wisdom, and are taught that useful lesson, humility. 
We are compelled to acknowledge our dcpendance 
on the protecting arm of God, and that, deprived 
of this support, we must that moment dissolve into 
nothing/ 
Every object in the creation is stamped with 
the characters of the perfection and benevolence 
of its author. If we examine with accurate dis- 
crimination the construction of bodies, and remark 
