Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

SERMON XXI.

CREATION.-THE EARTH.

GENESIS i. 1.—In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth.

IN the four preceding sermons, I have briefly considered the several things, intended in the Jewish use of the word Heaven; and made some observations concerning the character and circumstances of those beings, who either are, or have been, Inhabitants of the Supreme Heaven. The next subject of examination in our progress, is the World, which we inhabit.

In the history, given by Moses of this great work, we are informed,

In the first place, that, together with the rest of the material system, it was made of nothing; or, in other words, the materials were brought into existence, of which the world was afterwards composed. That we might be at no loss concerning this truth, Moses has taught it distinctly in Genesis ii. 3; where he informs us, that God rested from all his works, which he created, and made; or, as in the original, created, to make. Of the energy, by which this mighty effort was accomplished, the Psalmist gives us a most sublime conception, when he says, concerning the Creator, that He spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. These materials, after they were first brought into being, were, originally, a mere mass of confusion, in the language of the Divine Writer, without form, and void; and are styled, successively, the earth, the waters, and the deep.

Secondly. The first element, separated from the Chaos, was light; the most wonderful, and the most useful, of all material objects. At this time, it seems not to have been gathered into any common receptacle; as, according to the received philosophy, it is at the present time; but to have been diffused extensively through the universe. It is possible, that this may now be its real state; and that the sun, and stars, instead of being in themselves luminous, may merely possess the power of originating its motion, and direction. That period of darkness, which intervened between the creation of the Chaos, and the production of light; and that period of light, which preceded the next return of darkness, constituted the first day. In reference to this event, the Israelites were commanded to celebrate their Sabbath from evening to evening: this being the true course of a natural day.

Thirdly. The next event in this great work was the constitution of the Firmament, and a division of the chaotic mass into two great VOL. I.

42

parts, one beneath and one above the Firmament. This was the work of the second day.

Fourthly. This was followed by the separation of the land from the waters; the land being named Earth; and the great collections of water, Seas.

To this, immediately succeeded the creation of grass and herbs, of shrubs and trees. These were all formed with the power of reproduction, and of continuing their respective kinds in this manner to the end of the world. By a wonderful process of vegetation, they were enabled to yield, each its own proper seed: a minute particle, which being committed to the earth, a plant of the same nature and properties regularly springs up, and gradually advances to its perfection. Thus vegetables have existed in every age, of the same kinds, which were formed on the third day of the Creation; and have ever constituted much of the food of both men and animals, and not a little part of the pleasures, enjoyed by both. With the creation of these, terminated the third day.

Fifthly. On the fourth day were created the lights of heaven, particularly the sun and moon.

As I have heretofore considered these, in the discourse on the Heavens; it will be unnecessary to repeat here what I have so lately said. I shall, therefore, confine myself to a few additional observations.

These luminaries were set in the firmament of heaven, to divide the day from the night; and to be for signs and for seasons, for days and for years. Accordingly, they have been the great means of distributing time, from the beginning, into all its important divisions; enabling us to form the chronology of the world, to ascertain the order and connexion of all historical events, and to regulate, by correct dates, our various useful business.

The Sun, at the same time, is the great fountain of light to this world, and to all those, which are united in our system; and thus enables the inhabitants to pursue successfully their necessary employments. It is the Parent, also, of that universal vegetation, with which the earth is so beautifully adorned, and on which, we are so obviously dependent for the existence of health, comfort, and life. Not less absolutely, and still more immediately, is our life, together with our activity, dependent on the presence, warmth, and energy, of this fountain of light. In a word, whatever lives and moves, lives and moves by the influence of the sun; and without his presence, eternal night, and eternal winter, would reign with boundless desolation over this habitable globe.

The moon, also, is inestimably useful to mankind in the beautiful light which she gives by night, in the important changes, which she accomplishes in the ocean, and the atmosphere; and in becoming, in connexion with the other luminaries of heaven, the source of a great part of our skill in Navigation, and our knowledge of Geography, and Astronomy.

Sixthly. When the earth was thus prepared to be a habitation of living beings; God said, on the morning of the fifth day, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life; and fowl, that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. Immediately the ocean, and the air, were filled with their respective inhabitants. The innumerable useful and delightful purposes, which they were destined to accomplish, and which accordingly they have accomplished to the present time, it will be unnecessary to particularize on the present occasion.

Seventhly. On the sixth, and last, day of the creation, the Earth was replenished with the four-footed beasts, and creeping things, by which it has been ever since inhabited. These, also, so useful to man, and so indispensable to his comfortable existence, are so well known, as not to demand any account of their nature or destination, from me.

Eighthly. All these works of the Divine hand were severally pronounced by their great Author to be very good. Such indeed was the original nature of them all. This world was formed to be a delightful residence. Its surface was beautiful; its soil fertile without decay; its seasons vernal; its atmosphere, waters, and productions, pregnant with life; and all its inhabitants, pacific, useful, and happy. In the country of Eden, the Lord God planted also a garden, to become the appropriate residence of the first man, and here he made to grow every tree, that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food. This Paradise, was the beautiful Metropolis of a beautiful world.

REMARKS.

From these observations, we learn,

1st. How mighty and majestic a work was the creation of this world!

The Earth is a vast and solid globe, composed of particles, so small as to be imperceptible to us, united by the energy which called them into being, and holden together by the same energy in a manner wholly incomprehensible. This globe is hung upon nothing; and moved through the fields of Ether with amazing velocity, and yet with infinite ease, by the hand of its Creator. Too great to be moved at all, perhaps, by all created Intelligences, it has yet for many thousand years been rolled on with perfect ease by Him, who fainteth not, neither is weary. It has also moved always in its own place, and in perfect harmony with other worlds. Its motion, at the same time, is so regular and undisturbed, as to be imperceptible to its inhabitants; and yet so rapid, as to outrun every human conception.

In a manner not less wonderful, it turns its face continually to the sun; and derives light, and warmth, and energy, for the comfort of its inhabitants, the production of its fruits, and the accomplishment of the business, allotted to the race of man.

How expressive of infinite Power, were the acts of calling it into being, uniting its parts, preserving its structure, moving it through the boundless void, and regulating with perfect harmony all its various affections!

How expressive of infinite Wisdom is the endless diversity of beings, which it contains; their structure, qualities, and uses; their relations, and dependences; their wants, and supplies; their endlessly various beauty, novelty, and grandeur!

Nor is infinite Goodness less wonderfully manifested by the bounty, every where displayed, in providing for the least as well as the greatest; in making the least, that it might be provided for; and in giving to each its own peculiar happiness. How evidently are all these things the work of a God!

2dly. How wonderful is the Order of things, which was established at the Creation.

This subject may be advantageously divided into two parts: The order of things, which is permanent; and that, which is subject to perpetual revolutions.

Of the former class, are the stable position of the globe at given distances from the heavenly bodies; the position of its poles; its regular motions round its axis, and round the sun, by which the revolutions of the seasons, and the returns of day and night, are accomplished; the steady attractions of gravitation and cohesion, which produce the stability of the earth itself, and all its great affections. All these are indispensable to the existing state of the world and its inhabitants. The order of these things I call permanent, although subject to many changes, and in several instances a mere series of changes; because they are stable, regular, and unvarying in their nature.

The other and more mutable course of things respects the animal, vegetable, and mineral, kingdoms; the state of the atmosphere, the ocean, and the surface of the earth. These all are subjects of unceasing changes; and several of them of continual decay, and continual renovation. Plants and animals are formed to renew and perpetuate their kinds through an indefinite period; and, were the date of the earth to be sufficiently protracted, to continue them for ever. Nor are mineral substances, so far as they are liable to decay, unprovided with the means of re-production. Stones decay, and return to earth; and earth is petrified, or hardened into stone. Ores are supposed to be exhausted and renewed. Gems, and other beautiful substances, are multiplied; and worn out. Soils are furnished anew for the most luxuriant vegetation. The ocean is also, in a sense, emptied, and filled again. From that great storehouse of waters, vapour perpetually ascends, and is discharged on the earth, in rain, snow, and hail, in mists and dews: while the earth, through its various channels, returns again its tribute of waters to the ocean. Thus, in the language of the wisest of men; "Generation goeth, and generation cometh ; But the earth doth ever abide.

The Sun also riseth, the Sun also setteth,

And hasteth to the place where it rose ;

It passeth to the south: again it circleth to the north.
Round and round goeth the wind,

And ever repeateth its circuits.

All the rivers run down into the sea;

Yet the sea doth not overflow:

To the place, whence the rivers go forth,

To the same, to flow again, do they return.

All the things, thus at their task, no man can recount;

The eye would not be able to behold them,

Nor would the ear be competent to hear them."

3dly. How wonderful are the Uses of the various things, which constitute this earthly system!

How important to mankind is the Mineral Kingdom! How indispensable is the soil for vegetation; the stones and clay for building; the peat and coal for fuel; the metals for all the necessary and ornamental arts of life, and for the existence of almost every thing, which we name a convenience, or a comfort. Iron, alone, is indispensable to the employments, and even to the existence, of civilized life. Without it, Agriculture, Commerce, arts, and science, would dwindle speedily into nothing; and, but for its aid, would never have been.

To minerals, also, we are indebted for medicines, of the most valuable nature; indispensable to the restoration of health, and the continuance of life.

What, then, shall be said of the Vegetable Kingdom; of grass, as food for cattle; and herbs, and grains, as the food of men; of the flax, cotton, and hemp, with which we are clothed; of trees, as the materials of fuel, building, and fencing; and as the means of accomplishing a multitude of other purposes, equally demanded by necessity and comfort?

Finally, What shall be said of the Animal Kingdom? of the horse, the ox, the cow, the camel, and the sheep, of the furry tribes, and the silk-worm; all of which so largely contribute either to the husbandry of man, his food, his clothing, or his pleasure?

Nor ought we, in considering the nature of earthly things, to forget them, as the delightful means of Beauty and Grandeur.

Were all the interesting diversities of colour, and form, to disappear; how unsightly, dull, and wearisome, would be the aspect of the world! The pleasures, conveyed to us by the endless varieties, with which these sources of beauty are presented to the eye, are so much things of course, and exist so much without intermission, that we scarcely think either of their nature, their number, or the great proportion, which they constitute in the whole mass of our enjoyment. But were an inhabitant of this country removed from its delightful scenery to the midst of an Arabian desert; a boundless expanse of sand; a waste, spread with uniform desolation, enlivened by the murmur of no stream, and cheered by the beauty of no verdure; although he might live in a palace, and riot in splen

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »