The Intellectual And Moral Culture Of Mankind.

experts really themselves had faith in their charms , or if they believed merely in the profits which accrued to them through the credulity of an illiterate and childish population ; we are not alluding now to the belief in the appearance of supernatural visitants , but to that faith which

existed in charms and talismans as safeguards in time of danger and temptation , and in the elixir vitce ancl quintesceuce of light condensed in dew . L O drops , and herbs gathered under certain phases of the moon . These exercises maybe regarded as the lowest of all enchantments . Passing on to

the question of immaterial appearances , we are struck by a remarkable difference between the views of different sects and nations in regard to them , - some attributing their existence to divine , others to Satanic influence .

We are taught by Holy Writ , both in the Old and New Testaments , that many things have been signified by dreams , and the ancients , doubtless , had a general belief in them until materialism had its birth , arising from a perverted philosophy ¦ which has vainly attempted to account for the

construction of the Universe by spontaneous generation , without an architect or the creative power of any spirit of life . Joseph dreamed dreams which were verified , and one of the chief Apostles of our Saviour was rebuked in a dream for his Pharisaical pride of caste . Some care

must be taken in admitting the visions of the Prophets , as it is possible that many communications were made by the inspired "men of God , " described in such a form , rather in accordance with an allegorical mode of teaching , than to induce the idea that those visions were actual

dreams . The difference between a dream and a vision or supernatural visit , appears to be merely that the former is an impression made upon the mental faculties while the physical senses are suspended , whereas the latter is an impression produced upon the mind while the physical senses

are in full action , and so vividly impressed is the ¦ vision upon the mind that it seems perceptible to the physical eye , its unreal nature being in a material sense determined by its intangibility . Of such visions statements are abundant enough , but in the earlier ages so universal was the belief

in supernatural appearances , that the ancient chroniclers have as a rule merely thought it necessary to record them , giving no further proof of their veracity than might be drawn from their reputations , not imagining , we presume , that it would ever be called into question . Hence it is not until we reach modern times that we find

any data wherefrom we can form an opinion with satisfaction . We will now leave the realms of the ideal and return to the more substantial portion of our subject . We come rather rapidly from the Egyptian era to the Grecian , and at once the information available increases not only in bulk but in perspicacity .

The Intellectual And Moral Culture Of Mankind.

We get histories which are toierably reliable , and systems of philosophy which are sensible aud practical , in fact , modern civilisation is created , the arts and sciences put forth new branches and gather vigour in the old ones , the world is explored for its hidden treasures , the necessities of

life abound , and its luxuries are not wanting . The value of correct histories in promoting the social and p olitical welfare of mankind is enormous ; from a careful analysis of past occurrences , and of the causes to which they were due , together with a knowledge of the economic changes which

have in the mean time arisen , can we alone form a sound basis for theories of government ; without such guides all is speculation and experiment . Moreover , the improvements in education

introduced by the Grecians tended greatly to the development of philosophy , for as new views were propounded and new facts discovered they were more widely spread , and consequently examined and extended , or refuted , or modified , by a greater number of enquirers into the mysteries of nature

and the wonderful phenomena of the universe . The fine arts , too , at that period , emerged from the gloom of a magnificent but barbarous age , and in architecture there were introduced in place of quaint conceptions , systems unrivalled in symmetry and gracesystems which have never been

, surpassed , and which in more modern times have only suffered by the encroachments and improvements (?) introduced by those who are too apt to think that something different from the received rule must needs be something better .

Genesis And Geology Hand In Hand.

GENESIS AND GEOLOGY HAND IN HAND .

THE FIRST SIX DAYS . The Werd of God teaches correctly . The World of God evidences correctly . The Word of God says that " In six days the Lord made heaven and earth , the sea , and all that in them is . " The World of God shows that time immeasurable was

required to frame the crust of the earth , after the world was called into existence . Very excellent pious people think they should learn from the Bible that God created the earth and all belonging to it in six days . Very clever , scientific people , know they should learn from the earth that it may

have taken far more than six times six thousand years to frame it as it is . What could appear more diametrically opposed ? Such , opposing opinions suggest a simile of two persons standing back to back at any point , on

an apparently straight line ; one asserts that the line points before him , the other as confidently affirms that the line they both stand on directs away from him . The first says he will follow the line he sees , the second expresses his resolution to be guided by the fine which lies straight before him : they both start and part company , resolving