In addition to all this, contemplate the crimes that are perpetrated continually, in all parts of our world. How the daily press abounds with them! There are thefts, burglaries, forgeries, suicides, and murders, of all description; the recital of which is enough to cause the very blood to chill in our veins. Not a day, or an hour passes, but bears the transcript of some foul deed that has been committed upon earth. The house of refuge-penitentiary-the gallows, multitudes of them, are so many testimonials to the truths we have uttered. Man lives in fear of his fellow man. He bolts and bars his dwelling against him, and carries weapons of defence. Who can doubt that anarchy, confusion, and every evil work are abroad, fruits of the base spirit that has ever ruled over the hearts of men, and rendered them so unlike that perfect work brought forth by the Creator's hand. Well may we exclaim "How art thou fallen," thou noblest workmanship of the Eternal! And wherefore reigns this dark spirit in man? In the pages of Divine inspiration we are informed that Satan, who is also that old deceiver, is "god of this world." He who found entrance into the delightful abode of our first parents, and seduced them to sin, hath assumed the entire sovereignty of earth, not as the rightful sovereign, but by consent of the subjects, and his own infinite arrogance, maintains the throne. It was his ambition to rule that induced his own fall -- from the exalted sphere of an angel of light, to one of darkness. Unwilling to move in the orbit assigned him, he has become a "wandering star, reserved unto blackness of darkness for ever." His spirit and principles, like poisonous seed, have been scattered through the earth, and brought forth the fruits of rebellion, misery, and death. -- It may be objected to the view we have presented that it forms too dark a picture; and the question proposed where are the scenes of beauty that adorn our earth, with all the improvements that have been made in the arts and sciences? We say in reply, that we would cheerfully recognize them all. Were there no lights amid these dense shadows, no redeeming points in the panorama we are contemplating, well might we fear lest all were soon blotted from existence-swept out of the universe, as accursed of God! But here and there are vestiges of original fitness and beauty. Those delightful spots that glow into life as it were, under man's assiduous care, are so many marks of our Creator's noble design respecting our planet. They are glimpses of that Paradisiacal state, which carried joy amid the ranks of glorified intelligences, and by the great Author himself, was pronounced complete. Thanks indeed, for an occasional oasis amid the wilderness! There have been also, as we freely acknowledge, great and rapid improvements in the arts and sciences and these have tended to the con Wonderful things venience and prosperity of inan. have been achieved among the enlightened portions of our world, in almost every department of life. But while we acknowledge this fact, we cannot withhold another which is equally prominent -- That sin and its attendant evils have accumulated in the same ratio. The improvements of which we speak, although on one hand benefiting man, on the other have generally ministered to guilt. Who does not see that luxury, idleness, and a host of other abominations grow out of those very facilities which have been given to thought and action, during especially the last half century? And yet, we would not disparage these things. They serve to show the exalted nature of man those capacities bestowed on him, which, when properly circumstanced and applied, are capable of producing beneficial results to an almost indefinite progression. We see indeed that the nature of man is Godlike; and so much the more lamentable is his tendency to guilt and ruin. In taking a general survey, then, we feel satisfied in making the assertion-That the evil of earth predominates over the good — and that the dark picture we have drawn of our world as it is, is but too true; with here and there a bright ray only to relieve its gloom. This is demonstrated also from the fact, that all in the present state are conscious of evil, and are dissatisfied with their condition. There is a constant restlessness abroad. Each is hurriedly following some pursuit that he imagines will improve his condition, and ensure happiness. And, although there are some who have apparently gained the wished-for treasure -could we see the hidden recesses of the heart, we should discover that there was something still wanting. In the truthful and emphatic words of the poetIf every one's internal care Were written on his brow, Of every aching breast, Would prove that only when conceal'd Not unfrequently, too, when one is beginning to triumph in present enjoyment, Death, that unwelcome messenger, approaches, and dashes the cherished cup from his hand. There is nothing, then, in the present state to satisfy the ardent aspirations of man, for in the language of one of old-all is vanity. But, although dark the scene that is presented, the clouds around us are gilded by the bright bow of promise. Sad and sick at heart in the contemplation of that which is, we turn with joyful hope, inspired with gratitude to Him who hath drawn them with unwavering hand, to visions of the future. THE WORLD AS IT WILL BE. -to IN approaching this part of our subject, we are deeply impressed with a sense of the vast magnitude of the field before us, and the incapacity of finite mortals to explore and present distinctly that which is revealed. The future- who hath penetrated it, save He who can see the end from the beginning. whose searching gaze indeed the past, present and future are all as one, perceived at one glance, even in their fullest extent? Visions of that which is to come have been granted to some of earth's frail inhabitantsand these are recorded for the benefit of all mankind. Yet we are confident of treading upon hallowed ground and come with cautious step; for what aside from faith will receive the divine records of futurity? We are creatures of sense, and it is a hard matter to awaken confidence by the simple presentation of evidence concerning "things which are not seen.' The human mind has been turned away by the great Deceiver from that trust in its Author and His revelations that should ever characterize it. And now, verily, is it "slow to believe" even the testimony of Him who "cannot lie." Yet there is a general expectation concerning the future |