his own constitution. And the only method by which he can arrive at a truly profound appreciation of the sublime principies which are herein involved, is to study, calmly, deeply, and philosophically, the laws which govern his own being in the reproduction of kindred natures. When these laws are understood and appreciated-being disrobed of the mantle of mystery in which they have been clothed for ages-which can only be done by a careful study of physiological science, then will the mind have formed a basis for the comprehension of corresponding realities that relate to the creative movements of the Divine Soul. There is, strictly speaking, but one principle extending through all created things, by which the course of generation and reproduction is carried on, and there exists therefore a perfect analogy between the birth of the Universe, aud the birth of a vegetable, an animal, or a human being,-this exception being observed, that the former, in its comparative infinity, must occupy a far more extended period of time than the latter, and that, being the result of forces eternally in exercise, it must represent rather a continued process of development, or an uninterrupted succession of births, than any special or instantaneous creation.

The movements of the germinal Soul were the constant and inherent tendencies of its own component substance; and these movements extended in circular form to the outer surface of space, thus producing an association of the positive and negative forces. In this manner the Divinity breathed out from the most interior portions of his organism, that refined essence on which the existence of all spirit, vitality, and matter must essentially depend,-which essence was the emanation or atmosphere thrown off in every direction by the force of the intense

motion that existed in the primitive and central Source of being. Passing in its outward flow through various intermediate stages of refinement, this essence blends at last with the matter of universal space, and so causes a union of the positive and negative forms of the original substance. The result of this union is the formation of an element exterior to space itself, which is the most refined and sublimated magnetism—a substance which, though invisible to the human eye, expands through all the flooding glory of Nature, and shiues in every ray that emanates from sun or star. In this substance was manifested the first outflowing creation of Deity; it was the primary external embodiment of that interior Life which dwells in the bosom of the Supreme Intelligence.

Magnetism, as a created and compound element, is negative in its relation to the primitive Essence; and hence, by a natural assimilation of these two forms of matter, there occurred another union of the male and female principles, resulting in the production of a more dense and material formation, which may be denominated electricity. The inherent nature of this substance was the same as that which belonged to its parent-elements, but, its particles being brought together in a state of increased density, it presents a less luminous appearance, reflecting but a pale and feeble luster in contrast with the sparkling atoms of that more interior and spiritual essence which is the life of God. This, consequently, represented the clothing of the more refined magnetism, which was in its turn the atmosphere of the Divine Brain. Thus in the birth of the substance here referred to, may be viewed the second creation; and this, it will be observed, is an important advance toward the unfolding of yet more external formations.

From the positive and negative relations that subsisted between magnetism and electricity, there occurred a spontaneous union and assimilation of these elements, from which was produced a still more material substance, differing in its appearance from both of these in their primitive condition. This substance is known in Chemistry as Oxygen. It is now recognized as that form of matter which supports combustion, and which, being essential to respiration, is the basis of vitality for vegetable and animal bodies. This element occupies about onefourth of the bulk of the earth's atmosphere, and may be viewed as a third unfolding from the uncreated Essence,—which is another step in the direction of tangible matter.

Again the process of chemical union, condensation, and reproduction, went forward. The elements heretofore evolved, being drawn together by a mutual affinity, entered into a new combination, and generated the element which is called nitrogen. This is a gas which constitutes the greater proportion of the common atmosphere, and is known as its unrespirable constituent. The elements of which it is composed are so perfectly and harmoniously blended as to form apparently one simple element, though existing in a compound state; and in this is represented the fourth development of primitive matter, which forms a still nearer approach to the realm of the visible creation.

From this point in the process of unfolding, we may now turn to another and still more material substance, which has been designated by the term hydrogen. This element was an outbirth from the fourth creation as this was the offspring of the third, the third from the second, and the second from the first. It results from a union and combination of all the inherent ele

ments which had an existence in previous unfoldings. By chemical analysis and experiment, it has been discovered that this - gas forms the base of water in a certain combination with oxygen; and yet it is found that, "when mixed with three or four times its volume of air, or with half its volume of pure oxygen, it burns rapidly, and in the latter case with violent explosion." Hence from the very nature and effects of this element, its unfolding will be recognized as another essential gradation in the development of external nature.

We have now before us, according to the discoveries of modern Science, the constituent elements of the air, water, and fire; and it will be seen by the candid mind, that it is only necessary that these primitive elements should be properly arranged, and combined, in order to produce the substances here mentioned in their tangible form. Furthermore, the conviction is forced upon us by all the apparent results of nature, that the original elements have an innate tendency to unite and blend together, so as to form the dense and chaotic masses of matter to which reference is above made. Hence it will be wise to assert what may be rationally supposed to have occurred, in the primary unfoldings of Creation., At that period, then, which can be conceived as the first stage of progress in which external substances were produced, there occurred a combination and blending of certain essences and gases which have been previously mentioned, by which process a material atmosphere was formed. Then by a different combination and blending of the same essences and gases, there was produced a substance which corresponds to water in its rarefied and diffused state, this being extended through the immeasurable immensity, as one unimaginable ocean of etherealized vapor. And then still far

ther, by a certain arrangement and combination of the primitive elements in another form, there was created as the necessary result of existing causes, a vast and mighty expansion of liquid flame, whose hight, and breadth, and depth, no earthly mind can comprehend.

The original condition of matter, therefore, was the natural condition of the inherent elements of which matter is composed; in other words, matter primarily existed in its most simple and uncompounded form, as a representative of elementary substance. Hence matter did not exist in its primitive developments, as a substance which would be tangible to the external sense ; but the essential principles, essences and elements of all matter were here embodied, having their eternal seat in the deepest heart of space. These principles, essences, and elements, formed the basis of all subsequent creations, for in these were contained the intrinsic powers and resources from which all existing forms of matter in the whole Universe were gradually and naturally created; and this truth will make its silent but irresistible appeal to the reasoning mind. It is known by chemists and philosophers that all the visible forms of Nature are but the compounds of elementary substances; it is known that all these forms may be separated, analyzed and resolved into their more simple elements, and that this process may be carried on to an extent which reaches beyond the perceptions of the human eye. For example, it is known that, by a simple process in the chemistry of Nature, the watery element which in its compound state is visible to the eye, is caused to arise by insensible exhalation from the bosom of the ocean, and that, in this rarefied state, it is susceptible of being still farther decomposed into its elementary and constituent gases. And this is