[From several expressions in this chapter, it is obvious that Mr. Wood considered the account given by Moses, in the first chapter of Genesis, to apply to _universal creation_, and not to be restricted to our _Solar System_. It is also plainly inferable, that he considered this the _first exercise of God’s creative energy in any way_. This view is entirely too contracted, is not clearly warranted by the text of the sacred historian, and is unnecessary. There are no passages of Scripture which say distinctly, the Mosaic creation is the first or only acts of creative energy: but there are several which intimate the _previous existence of creatures_, and of course imply a previous exercise of creative power. It is sufficiently clear that there were intelligent beings existing at the creation of this world. Hence it is said, “the morning stars sang together, and the sons of God shouted for joy,” in view of the rising creation. Since, therefore, the previous existence of intelligent beings is established, we must, of course, assign to them some _mode_ of subsistence; and this will compel us to assign at least what must be _necessary_ to every creature, a _place of abode_, suited to his wants and conditions, without which he cannot subsist. Thus we establish even a _material_ creation, _anterior_ to the creation mentioned by Moses. After weighing the account which Moses gives in the first chapter of Genesis, together with the facts and analogies in Nature, the conclusion seems irresistible, _that he describes only our Solar System_; which includes the seven primary planets, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Herschel: the four asteroides, Vesta, Juno, Ceres, and Pallas: and the eighteen moons which attend the primary planets. Because, 1. As this account forms the introduction to a revelation designed for the _human family only_, it is reasonable to conclude it would have reference to those bodies only which operate materially to their benefit or injury. But there are no such bodies except in the Solar System. 2. Moses in describing the formation of the heavenly bodies, mentions only the _sun_ and _moon_ in a conspicuous manner: because, these are the only luminaries which contribute _essentially_ to our comfort: and then, lest a beholder might imagine God did not also make the other suns and stars, says incidentally, “He made the stars also.” 3. The conclusion is clear from the fact, that _the Solar System is complete in itself_: forming a perfect whole, which could exist were all other stars and suns destroyed, and vice versâ, all other systems could exist were the Solar System destroyed.