CONCLUSION.
An acquaintance with the facts which it has been the object of the foregoing pages to assemble, and to render into philosophy, suggests one or two serious reflections.
We have seen the different results which have ensued when these facts have emerged into day in times of ignorance and in times of enlightenment. On the first occasion they were viewed with terror—became instruments of superstition—were used for bad designs—and even originated new forms of crime, before which common sense fled, and justice became blind and iniquitous. On the latter—I speak of the reception of these facts towards and in the present century—they were recognised by one after another of the most sagacious observers of nature; by Jussieu, for instance, and by Cuvier, to begin with; and gradually by an increasing host of candid, well-informed, and able followers, as forming a part of natural science, and as susceptible of important applications.
He is ranked among the wisest of mankind, who announced that “knowledge is power.” Divine Wisdom goes further, and reveals to us that knowledge is a good and virtuous thing, while ignorance is stamped by the same seal as sinful; or how otherwise can we interpret the course of history and human experience, which proves that, by the very constitution of our being, and the laws impressed upon the moral and physical world, increase of knowledge contributes to promote general and individual well-doing and happiness, while ignorance never fails to be followed by the contrary penal consequences? Therefore it is that those who unite good intentions and good principles, with sound and well-cultivated abilities—in other words the truly wise—humbly deem, that among the most acceptable offerings to our common Maker must be diligence in exploring all the sources of knowledge which he has placed within our reach, (which were hidden only that we might seek for them,) so as to unveil more and more of the forces and powers of nature, in publishing the same abroad, that all may profit by them, and in striving to bend their agencies towards good, and high, and useful purposes.
THE END.