"It is not supposed to have been burned, but to have been dissolved by a flood, which rested upon it, for a long time. I might give you other reasons for this belief, but you could not well understand them

now.

"On this subject, I will add but little more. It is certain that several stars,, which were once seen, and well known, have disappeared. What has become of them? There are many reasons for believing, that they have not been annihilated. It is supposed, therefore, that they had existed in that form, as long as God thought best. The inhabitants belonging to their systems had enjoyed a state of trial—their day of judgment came the systems were dissolved-and from those masses of matter, other worlds, may, when God pleases, be remolded.

"This opinion is strengthened by a fact; viz. that new stars are, from time to time, appearing in the heavens. These are supposed to be systems restored to beauty and regularity of form from other systems, which had answered their purpose and been dissolved.

"In short, my children, there is some reason to believe, as I told you, that in the beginning of time, God

in an instant called the universe of matter into being, and distributed the mighty masses through the immensity of space. He had power to do this, in a single moment, as easily as in years, for as the poet has observed,

He summons into being, with like ease,

A whole creation, and a single grain.

he may

"Since that first great act, have been employed in the the process of forming and destroying worlds, after they have answered his purpose. Each world may have discovered new beauties, and shewn ever varying marks of the infinite power, skill and wisdom of God.

"In the same process, God may continue to employ himself, for millions and millions of years to come. Probably he will. He has the same power and wisdom, that he ever had. He never slumbers, nor sleeps. Action is the great law of intelligent being. Mind never rests. The Infinite mind never grows weary. God may, therefore, continue to create new orders of intelligent beings, and fashion systems for their accommodation, till the wide universe is full."

"Father," said Harriet, "the view you have presented us of God, and of his works, so overwhelms me, that I feel as though, perhaps, he might forget to take care of me."

"Ah! my dear child," said Mr. M. "I have told you, after all, but little of the infinite God-but little of his works. Yet, I am not surprised, that you should feel small, and insignificant before HIM. We are, indeed, worms of the dust,-or, as the Bible says, as the small dust of the balance. Yet, we are in no danger of being forgotten; for the same Bible tells us, that not a sparrow falls to the ground, without his notice, and that even the very hairs of our head are all numbered. God will never neglect any of his works, of his creatures. His power is equal to all

nor any

their wants.

That power, as the poet expresses it,

Warms in the sun, refreshes in the breeze,
Glows in the stars, and blossoms in the trees;
Lives through all life, extends through all extent,
Spreads undivided, operates unspent ;

Breathes in our soul, informs our mortal part,

As full, as perfect, in a hair as heart;

As full, as perfect, in vile man that mourns,
As the rapt seraph that adores and burns.
To God, no high, no low, no great, no small,
He fills, he bounds, connects, and governs all.

"There is another thought, which I would impress upon you," said Mr. M. "If God be so great, so powerful, as his works proclaim him to be, how cautious should you be not to offend him. his power must, indeed, be terrible. represented as a consuming fire.

you,

To his enemies,

To such, he is

Be not afraid,'

said our Savior, of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him which, after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.' When, therefore, you are tempted to sin, my children, remember that God sees and say with Joseph, (Gen. xxxix, 9.) How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?' "In the view which we have taken of the works of God, how desirable it is, my children, to be his friends. Oh! there is something delightful in the thought of having him for our protector—our guide—through this vale of tears to feel assured, that we shall spend an eternity in the contemplation of his works, free from the clogs, which now bear us down to earth; and in the celebration of that rich grace, which redeems from sin and wrath.

. "And, in respect to us, my children, this may be true. A way is revealed for our escape from the wrath, which will come upon all, who do not repent. A Savior is provided-an ark of safety is opened, and we are invited to enter in, and be eternally saved.

"How glorious does God appear, in thus providing a way of salvation! Oh! how could He, who has given birth to such unnumbered worlds, stoop so low. Well did the psalmist say, (Ps. viii, 3, 4.) When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?”

"Yet, great and glorious as God is, he could send his son, his only begotten and well beloved son, into the world, to die for sinners-to die for rebels against him. Such are we, my children. But let us repent of all the wrong, which we have done-let us believe in Christ, and we shall be eternally safe."

"It is quite time," here observed Mr. M. "to retire. Before prayer, it will be appropriate to sing the following lines."