it is susceptible of certain motions; it stands in certain relations to surrounding bodies, and it is destined to accomplish some wise designs corresponding to the eternal plan of the infinite Creator. There is no portion of organized matter now existing, or which may hereafter exist, but which must be considered in these and similar points of view. Now, the object of every rational intelligence, whether designated by the appellations of philosopher, astronomer, or chemist, when contemplating any material system, is, or ought to be, to trace the various properties and arrangements which exist in that system, in order to perceive the intelligence, wisdom, and benevolence that appear in its construction, and thus to acquire a more correct and comprehensive view of the plans and perfections of his Creator. But such contemplations necessarily suppose, the cultivation of those sciences which will enable him to make such investigations with spirit and effect, without which he would be unable to trace either the qualities and relations of material objects, or to perceive the admirable designs of the all-wise Creator in the works which his Almighty power has produced.

SCIENCES WHICH WILL BE CULTIVATED IN A FUTURE STATE.

In order to illustrate this subject a little farther, I shail offer a few brief remarks on some of those sciences which will be recognised and prosecuted in a future world.

ARITHMETIC.

Arithmetic, or the knowledge of numbers, and their various powers and combinations, is a science which must be understood in a greater or less degree by all intelligent beings wherever existing, without some knowledge of which, no extensive progress could be made in the study of the works of God, and in forming just conceptions of the immense number and variety of beings which exist within the limits of his empire. By the application of the science of numbers the bulk of the earth has been ascertained; the distances and magnitudes of many of the heavenly bodies have been computed; the proportion which one part of the universe bears to another has been determined; the inconceivable minuteness of the particles of effluvia, of animalculæ, and of the atoms of light, has been brought within the limits of our contemplation; and we have been enabled

to form some faint conceptions of the amazing velocities Iwith which the celestial orbs are carried forward in their courses. The universe presents to our view an assemblage of objects, relations, and movements calculated to draw forth into exercise all the knowledge of numbers we can possibly acquire. We are presented with magnitudes so stupendous, and with spaces and distances so vast, that the mind is obliged to summon up all its powers of calculation, and all its knowledge of proportions, progressions, and equations, and to add one known magnitude to another, in a long mental process, before it can approximate to any thing like a well-defined idea of such sublime and expansive objects; and, after all its mental efforts, computations and comparisons, it is frequently under the necessity of resting satisfied with ideas which are vague, inaccurate, and obscure. With regard to the multiplicity and variety of the objects which creation contains, our present knowledge of the powers of numbers is altogether inadequate to convey to the mind any thing approaching to a distinct and comprehensive conception. The number of systems in the heavens which lie within the range of our telescopes, is reckoned to be at least a hundred millions (100,000,000.) In the regions of infinite. space, beyond the boundaries of all these, it is not improbable, that ten thousand times ten thousand millions of other systems are running their ample rounds. With each of these systems, it is probable, that at least a hundred worlds are connected.* Every one of these worlds and systems, we have reason to believe, differs from another, in its size, splendour, and internal arrangements, in the peculiar beauties and sublimities with which it is adorned, and in the organization and capacities of the beings with which it is furnished. The immense multitude of rational beings and other existences with which creation is replenished, is an idea which completely overpowers the human faculties, and is beyond the power of our arithmetical notation to express. Even the multiplicity of objects in one world or system is beyond our distinct conception. How very feeble and imperfect conceptions have we attained of the immensity of radiations of light incessantly emitted from the sun and falling upon our globe, and of the innumerable crossings

* With the solar system to which we belong, there are connected more than a hundred globes of different sizes, if we take into account the planets both primary and second. y, and likewise the comets.

and re-crossings of these rays from every object around, in order to produce vision to every beholder! of the incalcu lable myriads of invisible animalcula which swim in the waters, and fly the air, and pervade every department of nature; of the particles of vapour which float in the atmosphere, and of the drops of water contained in the caverns of the ocean! of the many millions of individuals belonging to every species of vegetables, of which 50,000 different species have already been discovered, and of the number of trees, shrubs, flowers, and plants of every description which have flourished since the creation! of the countless myriads of the lower animals, and of the human species, which have been brought into existence since the commencement of time, and of those which are yet to appear in regular succession till time shall be no more! of the immense variety of movements, adjustments, and adaptations connected with the structure of an animal body, of which fourteen thousand may be reckoned as belonging to the system of bones and muscles comprised in the human frame, besides a distinct variety of as numerous adaptations in each of the 60,000 different species of animals which are already known to exist! of the countless globules contained in the eyes of the numerous tribes of beetles, flies, butterflies, and other insects, of which 27,000 have been counted in a single eye! And, if the multiplicity of objects in one world overwhelms our powers of conception and computation, how much more the number and variety of beings and operations connected with the economy of millions of worlds! No finite intelligence, without a profound knowledge of numbers in ell their various combinations, can form even a rude conception of the diversified scenes of the universe; and yet, without some faint conception at least, of such objects, the perfections of the Creator and the glories of his kingdom cannot be appreciated.

It is evident, therefore, that superior intelligences, such as angels, and redeemed men in a future state, must have their attention directed to the science of numbers, unless we suppose, what is contrary to Scripture, that their know ledge and capacities of intellect will be more limited than ours are it the present state. They may not stand in need of the aids of any thing similar to slates, pencils, or numerical characters, to direct them in their computations, or to give permanency to the results of their arithmetical processes. The various steps of their calculations may be carried for

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ward with inconceivable rapidity, by a mental process which will lead to unerring certainty; but the same general principles on which we proceed in our notations and calculations, must, from the nature of things, be recognised in all their numerical processes and sublime investigations.

The Scriptures occasionally give us some intimations of objects and scenes calculated to exercise the numerical powers of the heavenly inhabitants. When Daniel beheld the vision of the " Ancient of Days" sitting on his throne, a numerous retinue of glorious beings appeared in his train to augment the grandeur of the scene. "Thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him." We are told in the sixty-eighth Psalm, that "the chariots of God are twenty thousand, even many thousands of angels ;" and in the Epistle to the Hebrews, we read of "an innumerable company of angels." The Apostle John, when narrating his visions of the celestial world, tells us, that he "beheld and heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands." And again, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations and kindreds, and people, and tongues-and all the angels stood round about the throne, and fell on their faces and worshipped God." These expressions are the strongest which the inspired writers make use of in order to express a countless multitude of objects; and they lead us to conclude, that, in the heavenly world, vast assemblages of intelligent beings will be occasionally presented to the view; and consequently, a countless variety of scenes, objects, and circumstances connected with their persons, stations, and employments. And, therefore, if celestial beings were not familiarized with numerical calculations and proportions, such scenes, instead of being contemplated with intelligence and rational admiration, would confound the intellect, and produce an effect similar to that which is felt by a savage when he beholds, for the first time, some of the splendid scenes of civilized life.

It is owing, in a great measure, to ignorance of the powers of numbers, and the mode of applying them, that we find it impossible to convey any distinct ideas of the veloci ties, distances, and magnitudes of the heavenly bodies to the illiterate ranks of mankind. We are told by travellers, that there are some untutored tribes whose knowledge of numbers is so limited, that they cannot count beyond a

hundred, and that there are others whose notation is limited to twenty, or the number of fingers and toes on their hands and feet. While such ignorance of numbers exists, it is quite evident, that such persons are entirely unqualified for surveying with an eye of intelligence, the grand and diversified operations of the Creator, and for appreciating their number and magnificence. Even the most cultivated minds, from an imperfect knowledge of this subject, find it difficult to form distinct conceptions of the plans of the Creator, and of the various relations which subsist in the universe. After familiarizing our minds to the classification and arrangement of numbers, we can form a tolerable notion of a thousand, or even of a hundred thousand; but it is questionable, whether we have any distinct and well-defined idea of a million, or ten hundred thousand. And if our conceptions of such a number be imperfect, how exceedingly vague must be our ideas of a thousand millions, of billions, trillions, and quartrillions, when used to express the number or distances of the heavenly bodies? It is evident, then, that beings of a superior order, or in a higher state of existence, must have a more profound and comprehensive knowledge of numbers than man: in consequence of which they are enabled to survey the universe with more intelligence, and to form more distinct and ample conceptions of the designs and operations of infinite wisdom and omnipotence.

MATHEMATICS.

Mathematics, including geometry, trigonometry, conic sections, and other branches, is another department of science which will be recognised by superior beings in a future state. It is the science of Quantity, and treats of magnitude, or local extension, as lines, surfaces, solids, &c. The demonstrated truths of this science are eternal and unchangeable, and are applicable to the circumstances of all worlds, wherever they may exist, and in every period of duration, so long as the material fabric of the universe reInains. Guided by the truths which this science unfolds and demonstrates, we have been enabled to determine the figure and dimensions of the earth, to direct our course from one continent to another across the pathless deep, to ascertain the distance and magnitude of the sun and planets, and the laws which the Almighty has ordained for preserving their order and directing them in their movements; and have been led to form more correct ideas of the immense distan