When comprehended, this planet, with all its creations, was designed for man, and to perfect him for the use of God’s design.  These are for consummation in eternity—­all that relates to him in time, but subserves the great end.  The relationship to him is apparent in all that surrounds him on earth.  Step by step it comes up to him, and all is for his use.  At this point, all stops except himself.  What was his design as manifested in his nature?  Surely, not solely to control and appropriate all created matter surrounding him—­not simply to probate for a period, and pass away.  It must be, that he is the link perfected in this probation for a higher creation, as a part of a more consummate perfection revealed through death.  It cannot be, that the mind given to him, alone, was only given to learn in this combination of elements—­earth, air, fire, and water—­the startling and omnipotent wisdom of the all-wise Creator, and then to perish with knowing no more of that God, which this knowledge has created so consummate a desire to know.

The cycle of man’s destiny is not in time, that of all else is; and that destiny centres in his use, and is complete.  If for him there is not a future, why were the instincts of his nature given?  Why the power to learn so much?  To trace in the planetary system divine wisdom, and divine power; to see and know the same in the mite which floats in the sunbeam?  If this is all he is ever to know, does this complete a destiny for use? if so, for what?  Can it be, simply to propagate his species, and perish? and was all this grand creation of the earth, and all things therein, made to subserve him for so mean a purpose?  It cannot be.  Life is a probation, death the key which unlocks the portal through which we pass to the perfection of the design of God.

In these views and opinions Dr. Clapp lived and died.  When worn out with labor and the ravages of time, he sought to renovate his exhausted energies, by removing to a higher latitude, and selected Louisville, Kentucky, for his future home.  He had seen most of his early friends pass into eternity, in the fruition of time, and felt and knew it was only a day that his departure for eternity was delayed; yet how calmly and contentedly he awaited the mandate which should bid him home!

His belief in the universal destiny of man made him universally tolerant.  His intimates were of every creed, and the harmony existing with these and himself made his life beautiful as exemplary.  With the ministers of every creed he was affectionately social:  he had no prejudices, cultivated no animosities, and was universally charitable.  He inculcated his principles by example, encouraged social communion with all sects, teaching that he whose life is in the right cannot be in the wrong.  To a very great extent he infused his spirit into the people of his adopted city.  His most intimate associate was that very remarkable Israelite, Judah Luro.  This