For physical science improves the perception of the beauties, whilst it unfolds the wonders, of creation: not only do the great results of nature’s works become, through it, better understood; but the causes and modes of operation, by which those results are accomplished, are discovered: and the student becomes more full of delight and admiration, the further his researches extend; he traces the nice connexion, which every where exists between causes and effects; and surveys, with wonder and praise, the beautiful contrivances, the admirable adaptations, the perfect harmony, which reign throughout the creation of God. His mind thus becomes deeply and powerfully impressed with the uniform perfection visible in the works of the Deity: if he observe with his telescope a planet,—one of those bright bodies which gem the canopy of heaven,—or examine with his microscope an insect,—one of the minutest beings which sport in the summer’s sunshine,—he still sees the same perfection; “those rolling fires on high” perform their appointed revolutions, in their several orbits, directed by unvarying laws; and the tiny insect, equally complete in its organization, exercises, with an instinct as unerring, its allotted functions. The whole material universe supplies the student of nature with a rich field, at once, of investigation and enjoyment: the mineral, the vegetable, and the animal kingdoms, all disclose their treasures to his inquiring mind; which is not, however, limited by the narrow bounds of our terraqueous globe, but ranges through the fields of ether, far as the eye can penetrate into the distant regions of illimitable space. Throughout he is delighted to trace the hand of the Creator; to observe every where design and arrangement; nothing superfluous, nothing in vain, but the mighty machinery of a stupendous system; in the great principles of which there is sublime simplicity, in their operations unvarying accuracy and matchless contrivance, in their details endless variety and infinite combinations, and in their effects utility, beauty, grandeur, and magnificence. The works of the Almighty far exceed the full comprehension of finite intelligence, but much further do they transcend adequate description in uninspired language: man feels all his feebleness of intellect and of expression, when he attempts to penetrate deeply into, or to describe accurately, the mighty works of God; he is then constrained to confess, “such knowledge is too wonderful and excellent for me; I cannot attain unto it.” {167} “Oh Lord, how manifold are Thy works! in wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches; so is the great and wide sea also.” {168a} “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth His handy-work.” {168b} “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together, as