Course 1, Chapter 9: Knowledge of God — God considered in Ms works. Fifth day of the Creation

1. What did God do on the fifth day?

On the fifth day God made the fishes and the birds. This new species of creatures, more perfect than those which preceded them, affords us a new subject of admiration. 1st. It is a wonder that the fishes can live in the sea, which is salty and produces no thing. 2d. It is also a wonder that their race has not long since been destroyed. For the larger ones continually pursue the smaller, whilst there is nothing to defend them. To protect themselves, they fly towards the shore, whither the larger fish cannot follow them. But in thus giving shelter to the smaller, the larger, it would seem, are left to perish by being" deprived of their prey. Such indeed would be the case if God had not provided for their wants by sending them shoals of little creatures which they swallow by thousands. All these fishes of the sea would perish with cold, if they were not warmly protected by their scales and their oil.

2. What advantages do we derive from the fishes?

. We derive many advantages from the fishes; their flesh feeds us, and their bones serve for many purposes; there are some which every year visit our coasts and are taken, others ascend our streams to their very sources in order to carry to all men the blessings of the Creator.

3. What else did God do on the fifth day?

On the fifth day God also created the birds. Lik« the fishes they also sprang from the sea, and this is a great miracle that the sea should in the twinkling oi an eye have produced two species of creatures so different. The birds are a new proof of the infinite wisdom of the Lord.

4. How so?

1 st. By the structure of their bodies, which ar« wonderfully adapted for flying through the air. 2d. By their preservation, for they are provided with every thing necessary to protect them from the air and rain, and also the means to procure their subsistence. 3d. By their nests, for they know that they need nests, and when they should make them, as well as the fortn and tdze they ought to give them. It is not man, but God who taught them all this. 4th. Finally, by their instinct, for they change their character and habits as soon as they have eggs to hatch or young to feed. These little creatures, previously such ramblers, so constantly flying about, so avaricious and such gluttons, now become sedentary, courageous, and moderate in their appetites.