glanced rapidly over the universe,-the sun far sunk behind him, the moon under his feet, the earth spread in prospect before him, and the firmament all glittering with constellations above. He paused a moment, and then, in that tongue wherein at the accomplishment of creation the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy,' he thus brake forth :'Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty! In wisdom hast Thou made them all---Who would not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name, for Thou only art holy?-He ceased, and from that hour there has been harmony in heaven."

MR. EDITOR,

[For the Monitor.]

I TRANSMIT to you this brief sketch,* merely as an imperfect model for the imitation of scholars in Bible Classes. Before they try their skill in composing on religious subjects, they think the task above their ability, and while under this mistake, will make no efforts in this kind of improvement. If urged to the duty, they still consider it a task too great for their attempt: whereas, if they would only commence with some simple narration, the outlines of which are given by the inspired writer, they would soon find the practice very pleasant, and reap a rich reward for their labour.

CREATION.

On this subject our speculations must be guided entirely by the Scriptures. Although reason, assisted “by the things which are made," without Revelation, might come to the conclusion, that "He that built all things is God," yet so great is the blindness of our minds, by reason of sin, that if every trace of divine revelation were obliterated, it is probable that Atheism would be universal.

*It was suggested by a question in the Monitor--" What can be done to promote the interests of Bible Classes?"

The Bible account of creation, is not only perfectly consistent, but unaffectedly simple, and sublime beyond the power of human description. Just so much, as is of use for us to know, is revealed,--nothing to satisfy a vain curiosity, or which has no bearing upon the moral destiny of man. This last fact should be a profitable hint to all who write on this subject,--and likewise the brevity of the Scriptural account of creation.

Whether other worlds, and other orders of beings were created before the system of which our globe is a part, is a question which belongs rather to the inhabitants of such worlds, than to those of ours.

Whether the six days, in which this earth was formed, furnished and peopled, were days of equal length with ours, or days of many hundred years each, is of no great consequence ;--sufficient for us, that "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."

From this chaos the order of creation seems to have been,

First. "And God said let there be light, and there was light."--The light was from obscurity divided from the darkness, and pronounced good, the light and darkness were named,--and the first day was completed.

On the second day, God made the firmament, or atmosphere, which, at his command, divided "the waters from the waters,"- -or the waters in the clouds from those upon the earth. This firmament he called hea

ven.

On the third day, the triune God commands, and the seas take their station, and the continents and islands appear. He gives then their names and pronounces them "good." He clothes the earth with the beauty and variety of spring, and matures the vegetable kingdom to a rich and luxurious harvest. Thus, a store-house of provisions is furnished, (containing provision for continued propagation,) for the numerous tribes which are soon to people the earth. "And God saw that it was good.'

On the fourth day, the sun, moon, and stars are created and beautify the heavens and illuminate the earth ;— they divide the day from the night, and measure out

the seasons. They perform their diurnal and annual revolutions, to complete the "signs, and seasons, and days, and years," for which they were appointed. And these too, are pronounced "good."

On the fifth day, the waters at His command who made them," bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life; and the fowl that fly above the earth, in the open firmament of heaven." The animals now received a command from their Creator, and unlike rebellious man they obey,-accordingly are pronounced "very good." While the waters and atmosphere are teeming with life.

On the sixth day, are formed the beasts and cattle upon the earth.

No trace of created intelligence is yet to be found. The Deity retires,-the persons of the Trinity consult. "Let us make man," is the conclusion-in character holy," in our own image," and commit to them the government of this earth and its inhabitants. Man is created in maturity of bodily powers, and of intellect. "And God saw every thing that he had made, and behold it was very good."

(For the Monitor.)

BIOGRAPHICAL READING.

[Concluded.]

HAVING described some of the advantages of Biographical reading, impartiality compels me to say, on the other hand, that it is attended with danger.

This arises chiefly from our disposition to imitate too closely those whom we venerate and love. To imitate their excellencies as far as circumstances will allow, is commendable and useful. But we stop not here. We are in danger of doing things for no other reason than because others, whom we esteem good men, have done the same.

But servile imitation produces affectation in manners,

and mistakes in conduct. How many expose themselves to ridicule and contempt, and, at the same time, diminish their usefulness, by attempting to imitate great men of whom they have read! Conduct and practices, which may be right and proper for one man, may be altogether unsuitable for another. Time, station, age, office, relations, and a multitude of other circumstances, may justify, and even require a particular course of conduct in one man, which it will be neither safe nor lawful for another in different circumstances to follow. All those circumstances should be accurately weighed, lest, by servile imitation, we assume what is not oursthat, which belongs to some other time, place, rank, or age. Inattention to this subject may lead to mistakes most pernicious in their consequences. In manners, let a man show himself. In conduct, let him do that which is suitable for a man, whose situation resembles his own.

Hitherto, I have supposed that those things, in which we may imitate others, are right and commendable in them; and that the danger consists in a mistaken judgment on our part by making an unsuitable appropriation. It cannot, however be expected that even good men will be faultless. Although the affectionate par tiality of biographers may lead them to mistake faults for excellencies, and so represent them; yet sober reason and faithful experience (as well as the Scriptures) teach that no man is without fault. Still we are in great danger of supposing real faults to be excellencies. As such, in imagination, we may admire and imitate them.

Moreover, we are in danger of being led astray, not only by mistaking faults for virtues; but likewise by making a wrong use of the real and acknowledged defects of good men. If such men have faults, we may be. inclined to excuse or palliate our own. These are good men, and are so esteemed, yet they sometimes err. Such a view, may lead to presumption and self-confi dence. Although this feeling is directly the opposite of that, which I have mentioned, when treating another part of the subject; still these different and opposite feelings may exist in different minds, and even in

the same mind at different times. Therefore I apprehend the representation in both cases is just.

I have endeavoured to give an impartial, though it may be, incomplete description of the effects produced by the reading of Biography. Its utility is unquestionable. Many of the first men in every department of life, in every age and country, have been guided and stimulated by the example of those, who, though dead, have continued to act and speak for the benefit of others. Poets, orators, statesmen, philosophers, and Christians are all ready to acknowledge the benefit which they have derived from this source.

O. P.

(For the Monitor.)

THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM.

SODOм and Gomorrah were situated on a beautiful plain in the land of Canaan. In addition to other local advantages, their situation was rendered more happy and agreeable in consequence of being surrounded by a rich and fertile country. Such was the fertility of the soil and the mildness of the climate, that very little exertion was necessary to supply the exigencies of those times of simplicity. We may suppose, that they not only possessed every facility to acquire a competence, but that wealth and affluence flowing in upon every side, became sources of sensual pleasure. Prosperity, instead of making their hearts glow with gratitude to the giver of all their enjoyments, served but to plunge them deeper and deeper in scenes of dissipation and licentiousness. Confidence in their happy circumstances banished from their minds every idea of an overruling Providence, and rendered them entirely regardless of the injunctions and requisitions of their Maker. Having lost all veneration for the commands of God, the preaching and example of Lot had not the least influence upon their character. They ridiculed his warnings and entreaties as the dreams of an enthusiastic im