rance.

ambitious eloquence, or an ostentatious display of erudition, against the wisdom of God, from apparent irregularities in the structure of the world, are found, on more mature investigation, to proceed from audacious impiety, or presumptuous ignoHow blinded must that man be, who ascribes the structure to blind chance! It is worthy of remark, that productions which in a rude age seemed useless, have been shewn, in consequence of the progress of science, and the combined observation of ingenious men, to answer purposes highly important. Truly "the works of the Lord are wonderful," (and the result of the minutest investigation corresponds with this general impression)" in wisdom has he made them all.”

Farther, The creation of the world discovers goodness.-Induced by this benevolent principle, the Almighty formed “the heavens and all their hosts, the earth, the

sea, and all that therein is."

Myriads of

beings have blessed him for existence. "The morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy." To his goodness you are also indebted for every comfort which contributes to render exist

ence dear. His goodness supplied the wants of your fathers; it is still making ample provision for your happiness, and will shed blessings on generations unborn. It is not my purpose at present to speak of those astonishing views of the divine goodness which revelation presents; but, let me suggest, that many recent discoveries afford new proofs of benevolent intention: Nature, in her lovely, as well as in her august and awful forms, declaring that there is a God. For, notwithstanding all the additions which are daily making to the stock of human knowledge, no instances of malevolent design in the Creator of the universe can ever be found. In no case is

pain the object of contrivance: the object of it, on the contrary, is to counteract misery. Consequently, there is far more happiness than misery in the world; and the tide of joy is still rolling through the globe. It does not appear, indeed, to have been the intention of our Maker to communicate happiness at all events, but to render us happy in a particular way, and to confer felicity on those who are eminent for laudable exertion. To perceive and acknowledge his goodness, we only need attentive minds and grateful hearts.

Since God is good, it has been asked, how does so much evil exist in the world? It may be stated, in reply, that "God made man upright, but he found out maný inventions." Thus, moral evil originated from the folly of mankind. Hence, the abodes of indigence have been often filled with the votaries of extravagance ; ·

the mansions of disease been peopled with the

victims of intemperance; and a slothful disposition, or a sour temper, has often prevented success in life. But if prodigality produces want, or avarice involves the miser in endless cares; if the sensualist feels disease and debility, and wears gray hairs before his time; if the man of criminal ambition is doomed to experience bitter disappointment; or the slave of indolence sinks into a state of abject degradation ;—let them not presume to charge the consequences of their misconduct on the Author of their being. Persons of a peevish and gloomy cast of mind, may represent him as seated in darkness, surrounded with thunders, and implacable in his resentments; but animated nature proclaims his goodness; inanimate creation declares the same. No malevolence is found in his character, no evil dwells with him. Murmur not, but praise :-" See showers of blessings,-more, far more,

than human virtue can deserve, or hope expect, or gratitude return."

Again, physical evil, in many instances, is a consequence of moral evil; yet, by the goodness of God, the former is rendered subservient to the future welfare of our race. If the one shews the folly of man, the other indicates the wisdom of his Maker. A probationary state, where human virtue is to be tried and improved, implies suffering,-inconveniences to be removed; privations to be borne; hardships to be encountered: but such suffering has frequently proved favourable to the exercise of piety, and highly conducive to the attainment of intellectual and moral excellence. Such suffering has unquestionably the most beneficial effects. How often has it proved a mean, under the benevolent administration of the Creator of the universe, of withdrawing our attention from the vanities of the world, raising the soul