so blended with the whole moral and civil obligations of life, 
that it enters into every habit, and sanctions almost every action. 
On withdrawing the veil from the sacred volumes of the Hin- 
doos, we see Brahma, or the supreme deity, represented as ab- 
sorbed in the contemplation of his own essence, but from an im- 
pulse of divine love, resolving to create other beings to partake of 
his glory, and to be happy to all eternity. He spake the word, 
and angels rose into existence! He commanded, and the host of 
heaven were formed! they were created free; and were made 
partakers of the divine glory, and beatitude, on the easy condition 
of praising their creator, and acknowledging him for their supreme 
Lord. But not content with this happy state in the celestial re- 
gions, some of the principal spirits rebelled, and drew a number 
after them; who were all doomed to languish in that scene of 
horror, so finely described by our sublime poet: 
“ Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace 
“ And rest can never dwell ■, hope never comes 
“ That comes to all ; but torture without end, 
“ Still urges, and a fiery deluge, fed 
“ With ever burning sulphur, unconsum’d!” Milton. 
In process of time, at the intercession of the faithful angels, 
the fatal doom of these fallen spirits was revoked ; and they were 
released on the conditions of repentance and amendment, in a 
state of probation. For this purpose a new creation of worlds 
took place; and mortal bodies were prepared for the apostate 
angels, which they were to animate for a certain space; there to 
be subject to natural and moral evils; through which they were 
