Antediluvian signifies before the flood, and the period under this name embraces 1656 years.

Emportant Events in Period X.

This period includes four principal events.
First, the Creation :

Second, the Transgression of Adam and Eve.
Third, the Murder of Abel by his brother
Cain:

Fourth, the Prediction of the Deluge to Noah.

The only account we have of these events is contained in the Bible, which is extremely brief, though interesting, and in the highest degree authentic.

1 The Creation of this globe, including the crea ures that inhabit it, occupied six days. God rested on the seventh day, and set it apart, ever after, as a day on which man is to worship him. This event transpired 4004 years B. C according to the Hebrew computation.

The particular manner in which the work of Creation proceeded, is left almost wholly to conjecture.The Scriptural narrative is very concise, and moreover t does not ain at philosophical accuracy in the description of events. It speaks according to appearances, and in the language of common men.

It is generally supposed, that the successive parts of the Creation were instantaneously brought into being, on the different days assigned to them. Some learned men, however, have conjectured, and endeavoured to show, that the work occupied some thousands of years, and that the days of which Moses speaks, as in some other parts of Scripture, mean not days literally, but periods of indefinite length.

This interpretation is supposed to correspond better with certain appearances on the earth's surface indicating a vast series of ages in its formation. But it may be remarked, that the fact itself on which this interpretation is founded, is extremely doubtful and that it is taking unwarrantable liberty with the sacred narrative, to construe it in such a manner.

2. The Transgression of Adam and Eve, commonly called the Fall of man, is described in the third chapter of Genesis. It took place probably a few days after the Creation, and has been most awful in its consequences.

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The sum of the information conveyed to us in this account, taken in connexion with a statement in the preceding chapter, is, that man, being created innocent, with a disposition to do right, and in all cases to omply with the holy will of God, was placed in a state of trial.

In this situation he was at length beset by the Devil, m the form of a serpent, who persuaded him to depart from the path of rectitude, and to violate an express command of his Maker.

In consequence of this departure from duty he lost the favour of God, his disposition became sinful, and his whole posterity, partaking of his altered, depraved nature, became involved in all evil.

The Garden of Eden, in which man was originally placed, and in which this transaction occurred, is by some supposed to have been situated in Mesopota'mia, now Diarbec, between the rivers Ti'gris and Euphra'tes. There is, however, a variety of opinion on the subject, and every quarter of the globe has, in its turn, been conjectured to include this delightful place. It is im possible at the present time to determine its locality with certainty, any farther than that it must have been somewhere in Asia.

2. The Murder of Abel was one of the first fruits of man's apostacy, and is supposed to have occurred about 130 years from the Creation Cain was a husbandman: Abel was a shepherd. Abel had favour shown him by God or account of his piety. This circumstance ex cited the envy and jealousy of Cain, who accordingly slew his brother.

The particulars of this story may be found in Genesis, chap. iv. They are briefly these. Cain and Abel, at a certain time, both brought an offering to the Lord. Cain's offering consisted of the fruit of the ground. Abel's, of the firstlings of his flock. Abel's offering, being an animal sacrifice, had respect to the atonement of the promised seed. Cain's had no such respect; and this difference, originating doubtless from different moral feelings, was the reason why Abel was accepted, and Cain rejected.

In consequence of the distinction which God thus made between them, Cain was exasperated, and he wickedly wreaked his resentment on his unoffending

brother. Taking an opportunity when they were in the field together, he rose against Abel, and slew him. The consequence to Cain was the awful curse of God.

4. The Prediction of the Deluge to Noah, was of the nature of a divine warning to him, in order that he might prepare for that event. It was communicated to him 120 years before the deluge took place, and 1536 years from the Creation. This judgment from God was to be sent on the world with a view to cut off the inhabitants, who had become exceedingly. wicked.

The scriptural narrative informs us, that such was he warning given to Noah, and that such was the procuring cause of the deluge, and details the manner in which Noah was commanded to provide for the safety of himself and family. Gen. chap. vi. 11—21, which consult.

Distinguished Characters in Period X. 1. Adam, the first of the human race. 2. Eve, the first woman.

3. Enoch, translated to heaven on account of his piety.

4. Methu'selah, the oldest man that has ever lived, being 969 years old when he died.

1. Adam was expelled from Paradise on account of sin, and lived 930 years, it is supposed, after that event. His history is given in the Bible, Genesis 1 to 6 chap.

2. Eve was the wife of Adam, and tempted him to sin-she was also joined with him in punishment. See Genesis 1 to 5 chap.

3. Enoch was the 7th from Adam, and one of the

only two of mankind who ever entered heaven without tasting death. See Genesis 5th chap.

4. The age of Methuselah exceeded by 7 years that of any other person-Jared, the next oldest, was 962 years. See Genesis 5th chap.

Miscellaneous Observations on Period X.

1. This period embraces the extended space of 1656 years, and includes the whole history of the antedilu vian world.

It would be very interesting to know more particularly the state of society, the extent of population, the progress in arts and sciences, the condition of politi cal institutions, &c. during this period. But the scriptures give us very little information on these subjects.

2. We are told that "Jabal was the father of such as dwell in tents," which shows that a rude knowledge of architecture was possessed; and that “Jubal was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ," which shows that, in addition to the mechanic arts, the science of music was not unknown.

We are informed that the posterity of Seth made discoveries in astronomy, which they engraved on two pillars, the one of brick, and the other of stone. The latter, it is affirmed, existed after the deluge, and remained entire in the time of Josephus; that is, nearly a century after Christ.

3. It is highly probable, from the long life of man during this period-the average age being 6 or 7 hundred years-that very considerable progress was made in most branches of human pursuit.

Some suppose that man was aided by inspiration; but even if left to the ordinary operation of his faculties, the accumulation of individual knowledge and experience, during a life of 6 or 700 years, must have resulted in a successful cultivation of the arts and sciences.

4. Nothing definite can be settled as to he extent ef population. Some imagine that it was very great,