276 THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
gent liquid, according as oxygen, nitrogen, or 
carbonic acid gas might be more or less domi¬ 
nant. Chemically or optically considered, no 
greater wonder ever comes under observation 
than the atmosphere. Chemistry deals with 
no greater marvel, nor does the eye ever look 
upon sights so transcendently sublime as those 
which blazon the morning and evening clouds. 
“ The atmosphere is as absolutely a substance 
as the rocks on which we tread; and, indeed, 
one essential element of the air, oxygen, makes 
up one half of the material globe. The differ¬ 
ence is simply that in the rocks oxygen is 
chemically combined with other elements, while 
in the air it is only diffused. And how infinite 
wisdom and goodness shine conspicuous in 
these conditions—the Omnipotence that keeps 
them intact! In one state God uses the gas 
to build the rocky foundations of the globe, 
and in the other gives the breath of life to all 
creatures that dwell upon the face of the earth. 
Chemically, nothing is more prompt and fierce 
in action than oxygen; it rushes with fiery im¬ 
petuosity into the embraces of every substance 
for which it has an affinity, but to its antag¬ 
onisms it as stubbornly resists all fellowship, 
