and, while we acknowledge our inability to do the subject ample justice; yet--hoping we have been made the humble instrument, under the direction of Divine Providence, of opening up to the mind a new field for profitable contemplation--we ask for it a candid perusal, in the spirit of prayer and Christian leniency, commending all to a careful consideration of the words of the _Psalmist_: "By the word of the Lord were the Heavens made, and all the hosts of them by the breath of his mouth. "The Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth His handy work. "Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord." THE AUTHOR. THE THEME. The theme we are now about to contemplate is one of deepest interest to the human mind. If we can fathom and unfold the mystery--as we believe we shall--by analogy, founded in the light of _reason_, Divine revelations, and the lights afforded us by the science of Astronomy, and give tangibility to the--hitherto--chaos of the mind upon the subject, we may lay the foundation for a more comprehensive and intimate knowledge of God, the great Creator of all things, and this knowledge should lead to more speedily Christianizing the world. God has made himself manifest in everything, and to every individual. Nature yields to this manifestation, yet does not comprehend it. Even man, the human family--the only creatures of a high order of intelligence placed by Him upon this earth--seem not to have risen to that comprehension of knowledge to which they should attain from his lessons of the Past, as well as those of the Present, and which lessons are renewed unto us day by day. Our principal theme is that of _the place of our future existence--especially_ HEAVEN. We approach the subject with fear and trembling, asking wisdom and Divine aid of Him who hath said, "Seek and ye shall find," and of whom it is written, "If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God, and it shall be given him." We know that we cannot throw that flood-tide of light upon the subject that the theme demands, yet we may be the humble instrument, under direction of Divine Providence, to mark out a path through the wilderness of doubt, along which may shine, or through which the "eye of faith" may catch, a ray of light from the bright "celestial throne," which may induce others--more able minds and giant intellects--to step forth, wielding mightily "the sword of the spirit," and open out to the mind a plainer path, as the "king's highway," leading up to that celestial world, to glory and to God.