101. MAN.-George Combe. 1. Man obviously stands preeminent among sublunary objects, and is distinguished by remarkable endowments, above all other terrestrial beings. Nevertheless, no creature presents such anomalous appearances as man. Viewed in one aspect, he almost resembles a demon; in another, he still bears the impress of the image of God. Seen in his crimes, his wars, and his devastations, he might be mistaken for an incarnation of an evil spirit; contemplated in his schemes of charity, his discoveries in science, and his vast combinations for the benefit of his race, he seems a bright intelligence from heaven. 2. Man is introduced on earth, apparently helpless and unprovided for, as a homeless stranger; but the soil on which he treads is endowed with a thousand capabilities of production, which require only to be excited by his intelligence, to yield him the most ample returns. The impetuous torrent Tolls its waters to the main; but, as it dashes over the mountain cliff, the human hand is capable of withdrawing it from its course, and rendering its powers subservient to his will. 3. Ócean extends over half the globe her liquid plain, in which no path appears, and the rude winds oft lift her waters to the sky; but there the skill of man may launch the strong kuit bark, spread forth the canvass to the gale, and make the trackless deep, a highway through the world. 4. In such a state of things, knowledge is truly power; it is highly important to human beings, to become acquainted with the constitution and relations of every object around them, that they may discover its capabilities of ministering to their own advantage. Farther, where these physical energies are too great to be controlled, man has received intelligence, by which he may observe their course, and accommodate his conduct to their influence. 5. This capacity of adaptation is a valuable substitute, for the power of regulating them by his will. He cannot arrest the sun in its course, so as to avert the wintry storms, and cause perpetual spring to bloom around him; but, by the proper exercise of his intelligence and corporeal energies, he is able to foresee the approach of bleak skies, and rude winds and to place himself in safety from their injurious effects. These powers of controlling nature, and of accommodating his conduct to its course, are the direct results of his rational faculties; and, in proportion to their cultivation, is his sway extended. 6. Man, while ignorant, is in a helpless condition. But when illuminated by knowledge, he discovers in the objects and occurrences around him, a scheme beautifully arranged for the gratification of his whole powers, animal, moral, and intellectual; he recognizes in himself, the intelligent and accountable subject of an all-bountiful Creator, and in joy and gladness desires to study the Creator's works, to ascertain his laws, and to yield to them a steady and a willing obedience. 7. Without undervaluing the pleasures of his animal nature, he tastes the higher, more refined, and more enduring delights of his moral and intellectual capacities; and he then calls aloud for education, as indispensable to the full enjoyment of his rational powers. Our constitution and our position equally imply, that the grand object of our existence is, not that we should remain contented with the pleasures of mere animal life, but that we should take the dignified and far more delightful station of moral and rational occupants of this lower world. 8. Man is evidently a progressive being; and the Creator, having designed a higher path for him than for the lower creatures, has given him intellect to discover his own nature, and that of external objects, and left him, by the exercise of that intellect, to find out for himself the method of placing his faculties in harmony among themselves, and in accordance with the external world. Time and experience are necessar to accomplish these ends; and history exhibits the human race only in a state of progress towards the full development of their powers, and the attainment of rational enjoyment. The above is an extract from "The Constitution of Man, considered in relation to External Objects," by Mr. Combe, of Edinburgh. The doctrine of human progress is demonstrated, by the philosophy of the mind, the history of the world, and the scriptures. Our intellectual natures are framed for progress and for higher modes of existence. Every rational being possesses the glorious capacity, to increase in knowledge, virtue, and happiness, not only while on earth, but, by the favor of God, through the mighty roll of endless ages. The time never will come, even in the remotest period of eternity, when we shall possess perfect know ledge. He who built the heavens and the earth, is the only Being in the vast universe, whose knowledge is perfect. He alone possesses an infinite capacity. Ours is finite; and that, too, in the very manhood or full maturity of our being. Nevertheless we are under the highest inducements, to acquire all the knowledge we possibly can; for, assuredly we shall carry it with us into a future state; where, we shall doubtless continue to add to it, in the presence of Him" who sitteth upon the throne, for ever and ever." Professor Nichol, of Glasgow, in his excellent treatise on the sublime science of astronomy, entitled, "Views of the Architecture of the Heavens, in a series of Letters to a Lady," most eloquently observes: "In the vast heavens, as well as among phenomena around us, all things are in a state of change and progress,-there too-on the sky-in splendid hieroglyphics, the truth is inscribed, that the grandest forms of present being are only germs, swelling and bursting with a life to come. To come!-To every creature, these are words of hope, spoken in organ tone; our hearts suggest them, and the stars repeat them, and through the Infinite, aspiration wings its way, rejoicingly as an eagle following the sun." 102. TO MARY IN HEAVEN.-Robert Burns. 1. Thou lingering star, with less'ning ray, My Mary from my soul was torn. Where is thy place of blissful rest? Hear'st thou the groans that rend his breast? 2. That sacred hour can I forget, Can I forget the hallow'd grove, Those records dear of transports past; Ah! little thought we 'twas our last! 3. Ayr, gurgling, kissed his pebbled shore, 4. Still o'er these scenes my mem'ry wakes, Where is thy place of blissful rest? Hear'st thou the groans that rend his breast? Burns, the great but ill-fated Scottish poet, was born in 1759, near Ayre. He and Mary were engaged to be married, but before the time arrived, fixed upon, for the ceremony, she died. He married a lady whom, in the sentimental language of Lord Byron, he He supposed that he could drown the recollection of his disappointment in the intoxicating bowl; but he found, by sad experience, that it served only to increase his sorrows. Human suffering is unavoidable. It is one of the most solemn themes of history, of the tragic drama, and of much of our poetry. "True, many a rose-bud blooming gay, Yet all who tread that path, will say, That midst the flowers that strew the way, Are cares, corroding thorns." He who adds the woes of intemperance to what God intends we shall suffer, is his own worst enemy. The deservedly celebrated poet is said to have stimulated pretty highly in the evening, and to have sat on Mary's grave the latter part of the night, anterior to one of the anniversaries of the day on which she died; and, when morning light appeared, to have written this apostrophe with a pencil. Be that as it may, its poetic merit and truthfulness entwine an unfading wreath upon the brow of Burns, and over the tomb of his "lost and ever dear Mary." Their graves need no other gem. It should be read in the most plaintive manner. Mrs. Hemans, in one of her poems, from a heart of sensibility and piety, kindly and sweetly exclaims: "O! bear your softest balm to those To them that world of peace disclose, Shall fear no pang from fate, no blight from time." 103. THE CHRISTIAN'S HOPE.-Rev. A. Sutton. 1. Hail! sweetest, dearest tie, that binds Hail! sacred hope that tunes our minds CHORUS. It is the hope, the blissful hope, 2. What though the northern wintry blast What though beneath an eastern sun CHORUS. Yet still we share the blissful hope 3. From Burmah's shores, from Afric's strand, CHORUS. It is the hope, the blissful hope 4. No lingering look, no parting sigh, There friendship beams from every eye |