that the sun, along with all this vast assemblage of bodies, is carried through the regions of the universe. towards some distant point of space, or around some wide circumference, at the rate of more than sixty thousand miles an hour; and if so, it is highly probable, if not absolutely certain, that we shall never again occupy that portion of absolute space, through which we are this moment passing, during all the succeeding ages of eternity.

Such a glorious system must have been brought into existence, to subserve purposes worthy of the Infinite Wisdom and Benevolence of the Creator. To suppose that the distant globes of which it is composed, with their magnificent apparatus of Rings and Moons, were created merely for the purpose of affording a few astronomers, in these latter times, a peep of them through their glasses, would be inconsistent with every principle of reason; and would be charging Him who is the source of Wisdom, with conduct which we would pronounce to be folly in the sons of men. Since it appears so far as our observation extends, that matter exists solely for the sake of sensitive and intelligent beings, and that the Creator made nothing in vain; it is a conclusion to which we are necessarily led that the planetary globes are inhabited by various orders of intellectual beings, who participate in the bounty, and celebrate the glory of their Creator.

When this idea is taken into consideration, it gives a striking emphasis to such sublime declarations of the Sacred Volume as these :-" All nations before him are as nothing-He sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers-The nations are as the drop of a bucket-All the inhabitants of the world are reputed as nothing in his sight; and he doth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth-Thou hast made heaven, and the heaven of heavens, with all their host; and thou preservest them all, and the host of heaven worshippeth thee-When I consider thy heavens, what is man, that thou art mindful of him!" If the race of Adam were the principal intelligences in the universe of God, such passages would be stripped of all their

sublimity, would degenerate into mere hyperboles, and be almost without meaning. If man were the only rational being who inhabited the MATERIAL WORLD, as some arrogantly imagine, it would be no wonder at all, that God should be "mindful of him;" nor could “all the inhabitants of this world," with any propriety, be compared to "a drop of a bucket," and be" reputed as nothing in his sight."-Such declarations would be contrary to fact, if this supposition were admitted; for it assumes, that man holds the principal station in the visible universe. The expressions-"The heavens, the heaven of heavens," and " the host of heaven worshipping God," would also, on this supposition, degenerate into something approaching to mere inanity. These expressions, if they signify any thing that is worthy of an Inspired Teacher to communicate, evidently imply, that the universe is vast and extensive, beyond the range of human comprehension-that it is peopled with myriads of inhabitants-that these inhabitants are possessed of intellectual natures, capable of appreciating the perfections of their Creator-and that they pay him a tribute of rational adoration. "The host of heaven worshippeth thee." So that the language of Scripture is not only consistent with the doctrine of a plurality of worlds, but evidently supposes their existence to all the extent to which the discoveries of modern science can carry us. However vast the universe now appears -however numerous the worlds and systems of worlds, which may exist within its boundless range-the language of Scripture is sufficiently comprehensive and sublime, to express all the emotions which naturally arise in the mind, when contemplating its structure-a characteristic which will apply to no other book, or pretended revelation. And this consideration shows, not only the harmony which subsists between the discoveries of Revelation and the discoveries of Science, but also forms, by itself a strong presumptive evidence, that the Records of the Bible are authentic and divine.

Vast as the Solar System, we have now been contemplating, may appear, it is but a mere point in the map of creation. To a spectator placed in one of the stars of the seventh magnitude, not only the glories of

this world, and the more resplendent scenes of the planet Saturn, but even the sun himself would entirely disappear, as if he were blotted out of existence. Were the sun," says Mr. Addison, "which enlightens this part of the creation, with all the host of the planetary worlds that move about him, utterly extinguished and annihilated, they would not be missed by an eye that could take in the whole compass of nature, more than a grain of sand upon the sea shore. The space they possess is so exceedingly little, in comparison of the whole, that it would scarce make a blank in creation."

HISTORICAL AND PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE HOLY LAND-No. VI

MOUNTAINS.

Palestine is a mountainous country, especially that part of it which is situated between the Mediterranean or Great Sea and the river Jordan. The principal MOUNTAINS, not already mentioned, are those of Lebanon, Carmel, Tabor, the mountains of Israel and of Gilead.

1. Lebanon, by the Greeks and Latins termed Libanus, is a long chain of lime-stone mountains, extending from the neighbourhood of Sidon on the west to the vicinity of Damascus eastward, and forming the extreme northern boundary of the Holy Land. It is divided into two principal ridges or ranges parallel to each other, the most westerly of which is known by the name of Libanus, and the opposite or eastern ridge by the appellation of Anti-Libanus. These mountains may be seen from a very considerable distance; and it rarely happens that some part or other of them is not covered with snow throughout the year. They are by no means barren, but are almost all well cultivated and well peopled their summits are, in many parts, level, and form extensive plains, in which are sown corn and all kinds of pulse. They are watered by numerous springs, rivulets, and streams of excellent water, which diffuse on all sides freshness and fertility, even in the most elevated regions. To these Solomon has a beau

tiful allusion. (Song iv. 15.) Lebanon was anciently celebrated for its stately cedars, which are now less numerous than in former times: they grow among the snow near the highest part of the mountain, and are remarkable, as well for their age and size, as for the frequent allusions made to them in the Scriptures. (See 1 Kings iv. 33. Psal. lxxx. 10. and xcii. 12, &c. &c.)

Anti-Libanus or Anti-Lebanon is the more lofty ridge of the two, and its summit is clad with almost perpetual snow, which was carried to the neigbouring towns for the purpose of cooling liquors (Prov. xxv. 13. and perhaps Jer. xviii. 14.); a practice which has obtained in the east to the present day.

2. MOUNT CARMEL is a range of hills, about 1500 feet in height, and extending six or eight miles, nearly north and south. It is situated about ten miles to the south of Acre or Ptolemais, on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Its summits abound with oaks and other trees; and, among brambles, wild vines and olive trees are still to be found. On the side next the sea is a cave, to which some commentators have supposed that the prophet Elijah desired Ahab to bring Baal's prophets, when celestial fire descended on his sacrifice. (1 Kings xviii. 19-40.) There was another mount Carmel, with a city of the same name, situated in the tribe of Judah, and mentioned in Joshua xv. 55. 1 Sam. XXV. 2. and 2 Sam. iii. 3.

3. TABOR or THABOR is a mountain of á conical form, entirely detached from any neighbouring moun-. tain, and stands on one side of the great plain of Esdraelon it is entirely covered with green oaks, and other trees, shrubs, and odoriferous plants. The prospects from this mountain are singularly delightful and extensive; and on its eastern side there is a small height, which by ancient tradition is supposed to have been the scene of our Lord's transfiguration. (Matt. xvii. 1-8. Mark ix. 2-9.)

4. The MOUNTAINS OF ISRAEL, also called the mountains of Ephraim, were situated in the very centre of the Holy Land, and opposite to the MOUNTAINS Or JuPAH. The soil of both is fertile, excepting those ridges

of the mountains of Israel which look towards the region of the Jordan, and which are both rugged and difficult of ascent, and also with the exception. of the chain extending from the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem to the plain of Jericho, which has always afforded lurking places to robbers. (Luke x. 30.) The most elevated summit of this ridge, which appears to be the same that was anciently called the rock of Rimmon (Judg. xx. 45. 47.), is at present known by the name of Quarantania, and is supposed to have been the scene of our Saviour's temptation. (Matt. iv. 8.) It is described by Maundrel as situated in a mountainous desert, and being a most miserably dry and barren place, consisting of high rocky mountains, torn and disordered as if the earth had here suffered some great convul sion. The MOUNTAINS OF EBAL (sometimes written Gebal) and GERIZIM (Deut. xi. 29. xxvii. 4. 12. Josh. viii. 30-35.) are situated, the former to the north, and the latter to the south of Sichem or Napolose, whose streets run parallel to the latter mountain, which overlooks the town. In the mountains of Judah there are numerous caves, some of a considerable size: the most remarkable of these is the cave of Adullam, mentioned in 1 Sam. xxii. 1, 2.

5. The MOUNTAINS OF GILEAD are situated beyond the Jordan, and extend from Hermon southward to Arabia Petræa. The nor.hern part of them, known by the name of Bashan, was celebrated for its stately oaks and numerous herds of cattle pastured there, to which there are many allusions, in the Scriptures. (See among other passages, Deut. xxxii. 14. Psal. xxii. 12. and Ixviii. 15. Isa. ii. 13. Ezek. xxxix. 18. Amos iv. 1.) The middle part, in a stricter sense, was termed Gilead; and in the southern part, beyond Jordan, were the Mountains of Abarim, the northern limits of the territory of Moab, which are conjectured to have derived their name from the passes between the hills of which they were formed. The most eminent among these àre Pisgah and Nebo, which form a continued chain, and command a view of the whole land of Canaan (Deut. iii. 27. xxxii. 49-50. xxxiv. 1, 2, 3.) From Mount Nebo, Moses surveyed the promised land, before he was gathered to his people. Numb. xxvii. 12,