cupancy. It would thus seem then, that HE who created both preserves both for purposes known only to HIMSELF! This wonderful separation between the region of light and that of darkness may be said to determine the bounds of creation; for of what use would be worlds, houses, animals, and human beings, if destitute of a single glimmering of light, and placed in a region where nothing could either see or be

seen?

As it is not to be supposed that the material or colour of a garment, in the sense of wearingapparel, would have any influence in determining the condemnation pronounced against the intruder at the marriage feast, we are led to conclude that the SAVIOUR KING perceived in him a lack of righteousness and faith-of that spiritual garment which alone constitutes a passport to the Kingdom of Heaven. Those who believe in the divinity of Christ will not readily adopt the conclusion that He was ignorant of the constitution of the entire system of the Universe; and to such I humbly submit that his declara

tion in regard to the region of outer darkness ought for ever to set at rest all speculative discussions with respect to an endless succession of solar systems in illimitable space!

Although much more might be said upon the tenour of that chapter of St. Matthew which I have just quoted, yet I must at present refrain from trespassing any further upon your valuable time than by returning you my thanks for the opportunity which your favour of the 28th of December last has afforded me that of adding one more to the number of those who receive the present Biblical Hebrew as authentic.

I am, Sir,

With great respect,

Your obliged and most obedient servant,

JULY, 1839.

CATHERINE HOUSMAN.

POSTSCRIPT.

THE receipt of a letter from an esteemed friend with whom I have been in the habit of exchanging, in a pleasant way, opinions on various subjects, but chiefly on scriptural points, induces me to make a few additional remarks, and to transcribe the following question, contained in her last communication: "What is your opinion

of that declaration of St. Paul in which he says,

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God?'" &c. She then adds, "I ask your opinion of that verse because it seems to favour the Newtonian hypothesis of a multitude of worlds, which I know you condemn."

This brings to my recollection a similar question put to me by a reverend and learned

gentleman, in a letter dated the 26th of January, 1838, in consequence of my having some time before presented to him a copy of "Letters to a Friend," and of which he did me the honour to speak with a degree of liberality, and even approbation, far exceeding my expectations, well knowing my learned correspondent to be a Newtonian. In this letter he asks, "What is the declaration of St. Paul? Through FAITH We understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God,'" &c., and then observes-" faith that is not in the testimony of man, but of God."

These questions with reference to Newton's hypothesis, received through the medium of letters, urge me to undertake this Postscript, for the purpose of testing the passage in which St. Paul speaks of "worlds ;" and I hesitate not to promise a recantation of my former opinions with regard to a plurality of worlds, should the references I am about to consult lead to such a conviction.

First, then, I take the 3rd verse of the 11th chapter of St. Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews, the

subject of the present discussion,—“ Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed

by the word of God," &c.

The first reference is to Gen. i. 1. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Why should it be said heavens and earth, if the earth on which we live were a roller in the ethereal region? Had it been so, may we not suppose that Moses would have been instructed to say-" In the beginning God created the heavens, in which the earth rolls?"

Thus, then, the first reference establishes the truth of the Mosaic history of the creation, viz., of one earth, one sun, one moon, together with the stars for signs and for seasons, and for no other purpose. It also shows that St. Paul meant no others than this world and that which is to come, agreeably to the interpretation of the Hebrews, who best understood their own language, and to whom the Apostle was directing his discourse. It must also be remembered that St. John conIcludes his Revelation with a reference to Genesis