term for that part of the universal system of things which comes under our observation? And is it not a far higher idea of law to regard it only as the method of the Divine operation, in the universal system of things? May not a miracle, therefore, though disconnected from the chain of causes and effects usually exhibited to us, fall in harmoniously with the great laws of the universe? Is not that the true philosophy, which, in determining the possibilities of things, takes into account the moral facts of our being? And is not a reason sufficiently strong for the establishment of higher laws, introducing even miracles into the system of nature, to be found in the sin and the redemption of man?

Those whose investigations are confined to mere physical phenomena and the laws which govern them, and whose survey is limited by the sphere of their own experience, will be likely to consider miracles as inconceivable and incredible; but the question of miracles presents no difficulties to one who has a large and comprehensive view of nature; who has

carefully studied the principles of historical criticism and the laws of evidence; who is deeply impressed with the moral and spiritual wants of man, and who believes in the being and government of God.

THE UNITED STATES A NATION.

THE strange phase of national life, through which we are now passing, has brought up for discussion and settlement many questions which pre-eminently demand conscientious and Christian consideration. These questions have attended not only the inauguration and progress of the great struggle in which we are engaged, but they must be reconsidered and acted upon in that reconstruction of the dissevered portions of the Republic which we have reason to hope is not far distant. The most fundamental of these questions is, undoubtedly, that which relates to the nature of that union which was established between the several States at the formation of the Constitution. This is, therefore, the first question which we propose to discuss.

At the earliest period of our history, a tendency toward the union of the American colonies is evident. A New-England confederacy was formed in 1643. In 1697, William Penn proposed an annual congress of all the colonies. In 1754, a congress of commissioners, from colonies north of the Potomac, assembled at Albany, and a plan of union was submitted by Benjamin Franklin. In 1765, James Otis, in the legislature of Massachusetts, proposed an American Congress, and the legislature of South-Carolina has the immortal honor of first responding to the call of her sister State by the choice of deputies. This Congress, in which most of the colonies were represented, met on the 7th of October, 1765, in the city of New-York. In 1774, a Continental Congress for the assertion of the rights of the American people, was proposed by the "Sons of Liberty" of New-York. In 1775, Benjamin Franklin, true to the grand design which, twenty-one years before, he had proclaimed at Albany, advocated a permanent Confederation. Articles of Confederation were adopted in