They have, as Dr. Buckland has done in the sixth chapter of his Bridgewater Treatise, very generally passed on from the consideration of a molten globe

dition of the globe, "the elements of the atmosphere and the water could then only have existed as greatly expanded gases surrounding the fluid" (p. 140).

It may help us to realize the idea of a sealess globe to remember that our satellite, the moon, is such at present, and this, too, though she is not in a fluid or molten state. Yet it is certain that there is "no sea" upon her surface,-not on that which is turned towards the earth, at least, whatever there may be on the other side. But it is impossible not to feel persuaded, from what can be observed of her condition, that there is the highest probability, amounting indeed to almost certainty, that what is true of one side is true also of the other. It were absurd or fanciful to suppose the contrary. There may be, and there doubtless is, the same diversity over her entire surface that is observable between her northern and southern limbs, the latter abounding more in volcanic forms than the former; but, with this exception, we are bound by all analogy to suppose that the two sides are exactly similar in character, and that as there is certainly no sea on the one, neither is there on the other.

Every fact of this kind is exceedingly useful to assist us in realizing the truth which we are now considering as apparently revealed to us by Scripture respecting the future condition of our globe. And we undoubtedly need such help, for so much are we the creatures of habit, in thinking as well as acting, that we are slow to admit anything that is contrary to present experience, or to the views which experience and observation have led us to entertain, and more especially when not only our own, but those of our forefathers also, have led to the same. The impression is deepened as the experience widens, and as the universal observation of mankind has made them familiar with a condition in which sea and land alike prevail, it strikes them as not only improbable, but as really unnatural, that the earth should ever be without sea. Yet there is nothing unnatural nor even improbable in the idea. It is one that holds true of the moon at this moment. Very possibly further discoveries as to the other planetary bodies of our system to say nothing of what the universe as a whole may afford-may show that it is true of some of them also; but with regard to the great central body of the system, the Sun, namely, we are perhaps wellnigh already convinced that such is the case. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God" should make a "new earth" in which there shall be "NO MORE SEA"?

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to remark on the action of water, without sufficient notice of the question as to where the water came from. It must be admitted, indeed, that the question is a very obscure and difficult one, but others equally difficult have been discussed; and it seems to me, that in the examination of it in such a treatise as this, we may be pardoned if we regard the predicted events of the future as throwing at least some probable light upon it.

It is but right, however, to observe, that it is only in this particular,—the absence of sea, namely, in the two cases, that a connection can be traced between the ancient earth and the future one. In all other respects they are the very opposite of each other. They form the two extremes of a long series-they are the first and the last of that series; and while one was at the bottom of the scale of life, the other will be at the top. One, indeed, was altogether devoid of life; in the other life will have attained its highest development. (See APPENDIX E.)

SV. THE NEW JERUSALEM.

MOST of my readers will, I am persuaded, hold me readily excused, if I say that it is with considerable reluctance I venture to enter upon the discussion of a question so full of difficulties as the one that stands at the head of this section. I confess to have hesitated long whether I would do so at all, not only because of the acknowledged difficulties of the question, which I can do so little to remove, but also lest what I may have to say might shock or offend the minds of some of my readers, who may be unprepared to receive it; and lest, by others, it should be supposed that the uncertainty connected with this subject must also be extended to those which have been already discussed, in this and the preceding Essay. But such is not the case; and nothing could be more unphilosophic than to reject what has been said on one topic, because what is advanced on another may prove unsatisfactory, or even altogether erroneous. We may be right up to

a given point, but we may be wrong afterwards. The views which will be propounded on the question now before us may not prove really sound, but this will afford no proof that those which were set forth on the previous topics were also indefensible. On the contrary, I shall, I trust, be pardoned if I venture to affirm that the correctness of very many of them at least, was in a great measure demonstrated; and where this was not attainable, the fact has been readily and distinctly acknowledged.

But I desire it may be understood, that I am about to discuss our present subject rather as an Inquirer than as an Expounder; and it should not, therefore, create surprise, if I freely point out difficulties which have to be met and removed, but which I am myself unable to encounter. I have no hypothesis to support, and have, therefore, no other object in view than to elicit truth. Should I succeed in throwing any light, however small, on the subject generally, or on any of its details, I shall be thankful. Those who come after

me will do more than I can.

The knowledge of the

subject will advance, and the time may come when most if not all its mysteries will be unravelled, and the true order and connection of its parts be clearly

seen.

Its difficulties are indeed great and formidable, but we should not despair of seeing them removed, as others have been which, in their nature at least, have been as great.

There is reason to fear, that to many the very fact that the subject is so very difficult forms a serious stumbling-block. But why, it may be asked, should we be shocked or disturbed at finding things in the Bible which, notwithstanding all our efforts, we are unable to explain or understand? Do we not find this the case in Nature also? A host of cases might readily be given in which the facts to be encountered

1

I may specify as a case of the kind, and one which remains still unaccounted for, the fact (for we must now assume it to be a fact, though it seems almost incredible) that two of the satellites of Uranus move in a retrograde direction from that of all the other planetary bodies, whether primary or secondary; that is, they move from east to west, while all the others move from west to east. This is not only anomalous, but is apparently in direct opposition to all that we had previously learned respecting the bodies of our planetary system, and to all that might have been considered fundamental and essential in their motions. Surely, with such a fact before us, we should be careful how we rashly affirm, in reference to any of the apparently anomalous expressions of Scripture or the facts proclaimed in it, that they cannot be true because inconsistent with our present knowledge.

a "These anomalous peculiarities, which seem to occur at the extreme limits of our system, as if to prepare us for further departure from all its analogies, in other systems which may yet be disclosed to us, have hitherto rested on the sole testimony of their discoverer, who alone had ever obtained a view of them. I am happy to be able, from my own observations from 1828 to the present time, to confirm in the amplest manner my father's results." Sir J. F. W. HERSCHEL, Treatise on Astronomy, ch. ix. § 469, note.

The Editor of Arago's "Popular Astronomy" states in a note