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DIVERSITY OF FEATURES.-It is a very evident proof of the adorable wisdom of God that, although the bodies of men are so conformed to each other in their essential parts, yet there is so great a difference in their external appearance that they may be easily and infallibly distinguished. Among so many millions of men there are no two perfectly alike. Each has something peculiar which distinguishes him from all others, either in face, voice, or manner of speaking. The variety in face is the more astonishing because the parts which compose the human face are few in number, and are disposed in every person according to the same plan. If all things had been produced by blind chance, the face of men must as nearly resemble each other as eggs laid by the same bird, balls cast in the same mould, or drops of water from the same bucket. But this is not the case; we must admire the infinite wisdom of the Creator, which in diversifying the features of the face in so admirable a manner, has evidently the happiness of man in view. For, if they resembled each other perfectly, so that they could not be distinguished each from each, it would occasion an infinity of inconveniences, mistakes, and deceptions in society. No man could ever be sure of his life, nor of the peaceable possession of his property. Thieves and cut-throats would run no risk of being discovered, if they could not be known again by the features of their face or the sound of their voice. Adultery, and other crimes would go unpunished, because the guilty could scarcely ever be discerned. We should be every moment exposed to the malice of wicked and envious men; and we could not guard against an infinity of mistakes, frauds, and misdemeanors. And what uncertainty would there be in judiciary proceedings, in sales, transfers, bargains, and commerce. What confusion in commerce! What frauds and bribery in respect to witnesses? Finally, the uniformity and perfect similitude of face would deprive human society of a great part of its charms, considerably diminish the pleasures which men find in conversing with each other. The variety of features constitute a part of the plan of Divine government, and is a striking proof of the tender care of God towards us; for it is manifest that not only the general structure of the body, but also the disposition of its particular parts, have been executed with the greatest wisdom. Everywhere we behold variety connected with uniformity, whence result the order, proportion, and beauty of the human body.
Let all who consider this curious and the wise arrangement.