"Very well," said Mr. M. "The earth was 'void;' that is, destitute of plants, trees and animals. And besides this, darkness-deep darkness-reigned over the whole.

"In this confused, vacant, and darkened state, lay the materials, when God began to fashion them into the present world."

"Sophia, how long was God in performing the work ?"

"Six days."

"But, why, father," asked James, "did he take six days?—could he not have fashioned the earth, in a moment, as easily, as he could create the materials of it, in that time?"

"Doubtless he could," said Mr. M. "But, for wise reasons, he chose to accomplish it gradually." "Do you know these reasons?—I cannot imagine," said James.

"All the reasons, we may not know, perhaps none -yet some we probably do know. One reason probably was, that angels might better understand the power and wisdom of God. Angels were created before the earth was fashioned. This we know, be

cause Job tells us, (xxxviii, 7.) that when the whole was completed, the morning stars, (by which are meant the angels,) sung over it, and all the sons of God shouted for joy. They saw in it, so much of the power and wisdom of God, as to call forth their admiration and praise.

"We, also, my children, have a better idea of the power and wisdom of God, from the gradual manner, in which the work was accomplished.

"And, another reason may be this. God intended that men should observe a sabbath, or day of holy rest. This was to be an important day. He was willing to show how important it was, by himself setting them the example of resting on the day, which he wished them to keep. He, therefore, performed the work in six days, and rested the seventh day. He could then say to them, with double force, (Exod. xx, 8—11.) 'Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work:For, in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day, wherefore, the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.'

"The earth, as I told you, was without form, and void, and darkness dwelt upon it. In this state it lay, when the Spirit of God moved upon it.

་

"This language is remarkable. By the Spirit of God, Dr. Scott and other pious men, think is meant the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost, the third Person in the Trinity. You recollect what your catechism tells you, 'There are three Persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one God.'

"I have not time, at present, to tell you more about this wonderful subject, of three persons or distinctions in the Godhead. I shall only say, therefore, that it was this third Person, the Holy Spirit, that moved upon the face of the deep, or the confused mass."

Why was this?" asked Harriet.

"For the purpose, it is thought," answered Mr. M. "of imparting to the earth, the power of producing plants, trees, &c.

"This being done, the way was prepared to proceed in the six days' work. Let us see what was done on the

FIRST DAY."

"Here is a picture of that day's work.

"The picture is not a perfect representation," said Mr. M., "nor do I suppose that one could be made. But this will assist you to remember what was done." "Things being prepared, as I told you, God said, 'Let there be light, and there was light.' "Are we to understand by this, that light was now created?" James inquired.

No, my son, but that the light, which was mingled in with the other materials, was now separated and diffused, or spread around the earth."

"But, father," said Harriet, "how could it cause day and night, unless the earth turned round, as it does now ?"

"It could not-hence, it is supposed, that as the light was separated, God caused the earth to begin its daily revolution upon its axis."

"Was it then as long in going round, as now?" "Probably it was-twenty four hours."

"You said, father," observed James, "that light was diffused or spread round the earth. Pray, is light matter?"

"This is not settled, my child; by some it is believed to be matter,-by others, a subtle fluid, which we cannot describe."

"Does light now exist all around our globe?" "There are different opinions on this subject, my

son.

Some suppose that light comes from the sun,— others, that it is diffused and constantly exists around the globe."

"But, if it constantly exists, as some say, why does it not shine in the night, as well as the day?"

"Because," said Mr. M., "it is necessary if it exists around the globe, that something should excite it, or give it motion.