deluge by "mountains of Ararat" is the mountainous region of Armenia, that is, the Armenian Plateau, which extends far south and east of the mountain peak now called Ararat. This Plateau raises its broad and long and rugged back, like an island, from a Sea of Plain, to the various heights of two, three, and even four thousand feet above its general level. It does not anywhere rise to a sharp or well-defined central crest, but expands into plains or steppes separated by a graduated series of subordinate ranges. It is in general far more accessible, both from without and from within, than other districts of similar elevation. The passes, though high, are comparatively easy, and there is no district which is shut out from communication with its neighbors. Thus constituted, this plateau was a natural resting-place for the ark as the deluge subsided, while its geographical position was eminently favorable for the general distribution of the men and animals that should afterward spring from those saved in it. This highland region of country occupied a central position between the Euxine and Caspian Seas on the north, and between the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean on the south. With the first of these it is connected by the Acampis, with the second by the Araxes, with the third by the Tigris and Euphrates, the latter of which also serves as an outlet towards the countries on the Mediterranean coast. These seas were the high roads of primitive civilization, and the plains watered by these rivers were the seats of the most powerful nations of antiquity, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Medes, and the Colchians. Hence Armenia has come to be regarded as the centre from which the earth was overspread with its present population. We have now reviewed the main points in the history of the Noahian Deluge, and trust have made it apparent, that the Sacred Record embodies not a statement, that is not in harmony with the known operations of nature; not a statement indeed, but is sustained and corroborated by the most recent developments of science. Every fact stated in relation to this great cataclysm, and to the ark and its rescued inmates, fairly interpreted, is found to be in entire accordance with all that has been established, whether by geology, physical geography, or natural history. The objections which were wont to be urged against the Bible on this ground have lost what seeming force they once possessed, and the credibility of the Mosaic account was never made so apparent as it is by the light of the present day. And thus the great lesson of this tremendous judgment still stands unclouded in the sight of all the world: "There is a time, and Justice marks the date, For long-forbearing clemency to wait; That hour elapsed, th' incurable revolt Is punished, and down comes the thunderbolt."-CowPER. Let not this fearful lesson be lost upon the present generation. Let not the fact be overlooked, that its prime procuring cause was identical with the spirit, which, in our own day, seeks to sap the foundations of all morality and religion-a denial and disregard of the Presence and Agency and Providence of God in the world. This was the evil seed which ripened into the abounding harvest of iniquity which called forth the catastrophe of the Deluge, and therein revealed the Almighty in the character of an avenging Judge. In the contemplation of this dark cloud of wrath, we should not, however, be unmindful of the beams of mercy that, in the end, broke radiant through its darkest folds. There is something unspeakably gracious in the spirit of the promise made to Noah, as he and his family set foot on the purged and renovated earth, that the waters, which had displayed such a scene of terror to them, "should no more destroy all flesh." And to allay their fears and to restore confidence, he condescends even to confirm his word by a visible token in the clouds. And oh : When, o'er the green, undeluged earth, Heaven's covenant thou didst shine, And, while its yellow lustre smiled As young thy beauties seem, Nor lets the type grow dim with age, That first spoke peace to man.-CAMPBELL. |