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ON PRAYER FOR DIVINE ILLUMINATION.
BY THE REV. THOMAS BISSLAND, M.A.
Rector of Hartley Maudytt, Hants.

THE human mind, as it is now constituted, is naturally enveloped in spiritual darknessin other words, man is naturally ignorant of those saving truths which refer to his everlasting happiness, and an acquaintance with which is essential for his present peace. This is powerfully illustrated by the deplorable state of heathen nations, even when advanced to a high degree of civilisation. The most enlightened of their philosophers were lamentably ignorant of the true character of the divine Being; and we cannot wonder, therefore, at the spirit of the apostle being stirred within him when he saw the whole city of Athens given to idolatry, and beheld an altar erected to "the unknown God." The fact is, that until enlightened from on high, man is utterly incapable of arriving at any correct, definite notion of the divine character, or any acquaintance with his own, as a rational and accountable being; and in nothing has the divine beneficence been more fully manifested than in the gracious revelation set forth in the Bible.

And yet, even where the Bible is possessed, and even under circumstances where it is habitually read, it remains to many a sealed book-to the learned as well as to the unlearned, to the man of high attainments in the ranks of literature as to the untutored peasant; and this is in no small degree to be referred to a neglect of prayer for divine illumination, to an unwarrantable leaning to the strength of the natural understanding, and arising in many instances from that root of

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incalculable evil, pride of heart. Elihu felt the need of being instructed by God, when he gave utterance to the prayer, "that which I see not, teach thou me" (Job, xxxiv. 32). The psalmist knew by what instrumentality divine knowledge is to be obtained: "the entrance of thy word giveth light" (Ps. cxix. 130).

There are many subjects of a spiritual nature, referring to the eternal purposes of Jehovah, which it has not been his good pleasure to reveal, for they are the secret things which belong to him. When our Lord was asked, "Are there few that be saved?" his answer clearly proved that the question was unsuitable and when Peter inquired concerning John, "Lord, what shall this man do?" the dignified rebuke of Jesus must have convinced the apostle that this was no business of his. There is to be a limit to human investigation into spiritual things, when it would overstep the bounds which have been set by the Almighty, and when it cannot in any way minister to edification, and further the salvation of the soul.

But there are other truths of an essentially different character-truths, the knowledge of which cannot be prized too highly, and which it is of incalculable importance that they should be clearly comprehended, and practically brought home to the heart. Such are those of the sinner's justification in the sight of God, of the nature of that momentous change wrought upon the heart by the power of the Holy Spirit, of the means graciously devised for the restoration of fallen man to the inheritance he has forfeited. When the jailor of Philippi earnestly inquired how he might be saved, the question was legitimate, and it immediately obtained a ready and

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simple and comprehensive answer. And yet how extensive is ignorance on these vital points of Christian doctrine, even in a Christian country! How many, with the Bible in their hands, and by no means unread in its pages, are yet lamentably ignorant of the simplest truths of the Gospel, and stumble at its plainest declarations, and ask, with the astonishment of the master in Israel, "How can these things be?" We must not limit spiritual blindness to the regions which the sun of mercy has not as yet enlightened, or suppose that this blindness presents itself amongst the untaught, licentious dregs of the community. It pervades all classes. It envelopes almost all characters-all, in fact, who have not been led to a sense of the insufficiency of man, by his own powers, to fathom the depths of infinite wisdom, and to investigate those high and holy mysteries into which the angels themselves desire to look. How inexpressibly striking is the prophet's exclamation with respect to this very subject! "Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed. And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee and he saith, I am not learned" (Is. xxix. 9-12).

Notwithstanding the prevalence of this ignorance on spiritual subjects, however, it is delightful to reflect that the most gracious and animating encouragement is held forth in the Bible to induce us to pray for that "unction from the Holy One" which "teacheth all things." Not a few, indeed, are seriously depressed with a sense of their ignorance of scriptural truth. They anxiously desire to be more enlightened, more fully instructed, more intimately acquainted with the things which belong to their everlasting peace. Such persons need not be dispirited, if they go as humble suppliants to the throne of grace. For what says the apostle? "If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given." This declaration of St. James fully coincides with that of the Almighty himself by the mouth of the prophet Jeremiah: "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Leaning on this immutable promise, the dili

gent and earnest inquirer after divine truth need not doubt but that he shall be taught of God; that he shall become gradually more and more enlightened; that the mists in which he is enveloped will be dispersed; and that he shall attain to a clearer apprehension of the truth as it is in Jesus. No language can be more explicit than that in which the aid of the Spirit to guide into all truth is vouchsafed.

The man, therefore, who remains in ignorance of God's will, and the plan of saving mercy set forth in the Gospel, has himself alone to blame. He must have neglected to pray for heavenly teaching. He must either have had no desire for the acquisition of spiritual knowledge, or have set about the investigation of divine truth in a self-confident spirit. He cannot have been willing to sit at the Saviour's feet as a humble and a ready learner. It is this which renders spiritual blindness more a fault than a misfortune, which renders the ignorant without excuse. Whatever may be God's purpose concerning the heathen, who have never heard of the Saviour's name-a purpose into which it were as vain as it is presumptuous to inquire, but whose ignorance we are to seek to remove-we are expressly assured that he cannot but expose himself to the Almighty displeasure, who, while the light is shining around him, continues to walk on in darkness, and who, as far as any saving acquaintance with the truths of the Gospel is concerned, might as well have had his lot cast amidst the ignorance of pagan superstition.

DUTY OF PRAYER FOR RULERS,* ALL other disadvantages, and difficulties, and cares, are of little moment, compared with the dangers which surround the wearer of a crown, considered as a ser

vant of God, a steward of his household, a member of Christ's Church, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven. How difficult to them, above all persons, must it be to realise the precept, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world” (1 John, ii. 15), when the world so assiduously spreads all its most seductive temptations before them, and courts their enjoyment of its pleasures! With every wish anticipated, or gratified as soon as expressed; with an unrestricted command of all the resources of luxury and art; living within a fence of ceremony and observance, which the voice of truth can hardly penetrate, and, even when heard at distant intervals, per

haps may shock by its unwonted and unwelcome sound;-how is it possible for them not to become "lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God?" (2 Tim. .4.) How can they be brought to learn the peculiar lessons which must be learned by all the disciples

From "A Sermon preached in the Parish Church of St. James's, Westminster, on Sunday, the 1st of July, 1838. By Charles James Lord Bishop of London." London: Fellowes, Rivington, Hatchard.—A faithful and eloquent appeal.

of that Master who said, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart?" (Matt. xi. 29.) What shall make them remember, that the noblest exercise of their high prerogatives will be, to bring their earthly crown and lay it at the foot of the cross; and to use the influence with which it invests them to the advancement of their Saviour's kingdom and the eternal good of mankind? Who shall continually remind them, that the glories of their state will one day fade and perish; that the gorgeous robe, the sceptre, and the throne, must be exchanged for the shroud and the sepulchre? Who, in a word, can persuade them, in the midst of their power, and affluence, and splendour, habitually to retire within themselves, and to contemplate their state and prospects a3 sinners, and to "work out their salvation with fear and trembling," and to be earnest and diligent in seeking for a richer inheritance, "a kingdom which cannot be moved" (Heb. xii. 28), and "a crown of glory that fadeth not away?" (1 Pet. v. 4.)

Who, we ask, can do all this? Our Saviour's answer to his disciples, when they inquired how any rich man could be saved, must be ours: "With men it is impossible; but not with God: for with God all things are possible" (Mark, x. 27). It is possible for his Holy Spirit to counteract every opposing influence, and to overcome all the obstacles, which make it so difficult for those who abound in the honours and treasures of this world to be "rich towards God" (Luke, x. 27). He can cause the light of pure religion to burn as brightly on the highest worldly eminence, as it is wont to do in the more secluded vale of life, and can endow the mightiest monarch with the graces of the lowliest saint. This is indeed one of the noblest triumphs of his almighty power, as the sanctifier and enlightener of those whom the eternal Son has redeemed by his precious blood; less splendid indeed in degree, but the same in kind, as that which he achieved, when the holy Jesus rejected the price which was offered to him for a dereliction of his great design, even the "kingdoms of this world, and the glory of them" (Matt. iv. 8). But if this be a work, for the accomplishment of which the energies of that Holy Spirit, who "helpeth our infirmities" (Rom. viii. 26), seem to be especially required, we may perceive a good reason why the apostle should exhort us to make prayers and intercessions for kings, and for all that are in authority; and it is the performance of this duty which I now more especially urge upon all those who hear me.

Let not the feelings of fervent and loyal attachment to the sovereign, who has just been solemnly installed into the seat of imperial dignity, fade away with the impression produced upon the senses by the splendid pageant of a day. Remember what sacred vows and solemn pledges were given by our queen; what devout prayers and earnest supplications were then offered in her behalf by the ministers of God's Church; in how great degree the welfare of this nation, and the stability of its dearest institutions, depend upon the observance of those pledges, and the answer given to those prayers and surely you will feel, that in rendering to God's anointed servant the tribute of your homage and the assurance of your fealty; in hailing, with acclamations of joy, her accession to the throne of this realm, you have not fulfilled all your duty; but

that you still owe to her the silent, but not unsubstantial, service of your prayers; to be paid, not only on this great emergency, under the pressure of excited feeling, but as a part of your daily sacrifice before the mercy-seat of God in the public service of the sanctuary, and in the calm and secret devotions of the chamber.

It may well be a subject of satisfaction to the humblest Christian, who has had no opportunity, perhaps, of giving utterance as he wished to his feelings of loyal exultation, to reflect, that he has it in his power to render to his queen a more valuable service than the loudest expression of joy,-even the service of his "fervent effectual prayer" (James, v. 16). While the noble, and the wealthy, and the powerful of the land, are vying with each other in doing honour to their lawful sovereign, by the varied display of riches and magnificence, let us hope and believe that incense of a less costly, yet more precious kind, has been kindled upon the lowly altar of many a believing heart, breathing its earnest aspirations to the throne of grace, for blessings upon the head which has just been encircled with the royal diadem.

Sacred Philosophy.

ASTRONOMY.

BY THE REV. H. MOSELEY, M.A. Professor of Natural Philosophy and Astronomy in King's College, and Curate of Wandsworth. No. X.

THE COLD OF ELEVATED REGIONS ON THE ARTIFICIAL GLOBE.

THOSE variations of temperature which arise from the motion of the atmosphere, although they may have a prevailing character, are nevertheless modified by so many occasional and local causes, that we know not their cycle, and are accustomed to consider them among the most uncertain elements of climate.* And although, no doubt, every wind that bloweth doeth the bidding of Him "who gathereth the wind in his fists" (Prov. xxx. 4), and "bringeth it out of his treasuries" (Ps. cxxxv. 7), and hath its especial ministration in the economy of nature; yet is it an agency which we find a difficulty in connecting with any of its greater characteristics or more general laws.

There are other properties of the air in the modification of climate, whose effects are still more striking. The better to comprehend the operation of these, let the imagination of the reader again summon into its presence the artificer and his globe. Suppose him to be desirous of introducing yet further modifications of temperature, independent of any of the causes before enumerated; and, with this view, let him have succeeded in mingling a substance such that, being translucent, and capable of being spread to a certain thickness over the whole globe, like a coat of varnish, it shall possess these propertiesfirst, that (except under certain circumstances, hereafter to be explained) it shall give free passage to rays of heat as well as light, not at all, or but very slightly, absorbing them during their transmission ; secondly, that it shall be capable, in common with all other substances, of having its temperature raised by contact with any heated substance. Suppose, moreover, this transparent coating to be of a thickness

The effect of changes in the wind on the temperature is sometimes very sudden and remarkable. Captain Scoresby mentions an instance in the Arctic Seas, when, by a sudden veering of the wind, the thermometer was made to fall from +32° to -2°. Within the tropics the thermometer is rarely made to rise or fall more than 2° or 3° by a change in the wind.

greatly more than the height of the highest eminence modelled on the surface of the sphere; and, that its resemblance to the atmosphere may be complete, let it have been laid on in a series of different coats one above another, each of a less density than the one put on before it.

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The effect of the properties just described will be to cause the inner portions of this coating-that is, those more nearly in contact with the surface of the sphere to be of a higher temperature than the outer portions of it. For the rays of heat pass through the transparent coating without heating it, but are absorbed by, and heat the actual surface of, the sphere; and this heated surface of the sphere, in return, heats by contact the lower strata of the coating, at the same time radiating off some of its heat into space. These lower strata, in like manner, radiate some of their heat, and communicate a portion of the remainder by contact to the strata above them, which, in like manner, radiate some, and communicate a portion of the remainder to their incumbent strata. Now, let it be borne in mind, that few or none of the rays of heat are supposed to be absorbed in the act of radiation through the medium, and that the medium is supposed to be heated by propagation only, from the surface of the sphere upwards, and from stratum to stratum, It will then be apparent that each stratum must of necessity be less heated than that beneath it; and that any portion of the moulded surface of the sphere which projects above its general surface, existing in a colder stratum of the surrounding medium, must itself be of a lower temperature than the general surface.

THE DEPOSITION OF MOISTURE ON THE ARTIFICIAL GLOBE.

Let

A new element is now to be introduced in our hypothesis. Let it be required to the perfection of the work, that humidity, in various forms and various proportions, should be brought in actual contact with its surface. Suppose this humidity, under the form of a transparent vapour, to enter as an element into the constitution of the medium which covers it. it, however, retain its properties as a vapour notwithstanding this union; so that, being subjected, in common with the medium itself, to a certain diminution of temperature, by which both are made to contract their bulk, beyond a certain limit, the vapour shall in that state of condensation separate itself from the medium, lose its transparency, and deposit moisture; and that, by an opposite process, when subjected to an increase of temperature, this moisture shall again pass into that form of transparent vapour from which it before condensed, and be taken up by the medium. Here, then, evidently our artificer will have contrived, by a scheme of marvellous ingenuity, to minister to every state of temperature of every part a corresponding variety of moisture.

Let the coating of the sphere now be imagined to pass from the state in which we have described it, of a transparent but solid medium, having some resemblance to a thick coat of varnish, into the form of an elastic fluid medium-a gas, or an air, held to its surface by some attraction which it exerts upon it, an attraction which does not, however, prevent it from moving about freely upon the surface of the sphere,—in short, let it pass into the state of a medium having all the properties of the atmosphere, held by a like attraction to the earth's surface. And, in order to try the effect of his contrivance, suppose the artificer, looking through this transparent atmosphere upon any part of his work, to produce by some means artificial cold there. When this cold has passed a certain limit, the

It is only when it is in the act of condensing that the vapour of water presents that cloudy appearance which we associate with our idea of it. As long as it is in the water, which is of the same temperature as itself, we see by the bubbles which contain it that it is perfectly transparent.

vapour which forms part of the atmosphere immediately about that spot will condense, a cloud will appear above it, and, stretched like a veil, will hide it from his eye. The immediate effect of this cloud will be to return a large portion of the heat which is in the act of radiating from the spot which it covers, and to check the farther depression of its temperature. If the state of artificial cold be continued, the temperature of this cloud will be yet farther depressed by its radiation into space, and it will begin to deposit moisture in drops. This formation of cloud, and ultimate deposition of moisture, will be effected by the least depression of temperature, and be most apparent over those portions of the sphere which, representing the pointed summits and ridges of mountains, are worked into elevated points and angles; these presenting a much larger surface of radiation in proportion to their mass than the general surface of the sphere does so that from a given mass a much greater quantity of heat is there radiated away.*

Yet more remarkable will be the effect of those portions of the covering which are intended to represent vegetation in producing a deposition of moisture. The leaves of a tree offer an immense surface of radiation in proportion to its bulk. The modelled resemblance of a forest would therefore have its temperature and that of its surrounding atmosphere far more reduced under the same circumstances of cold than even the pointed summit or the broken ridge of a mountain. Over these mountains and forests of the globe clouds will first form themselves; and when by its rotation any portion of it has been subjected to a long-continued radiation in passing through its darkened side, moisture will on these first be deposited. At certain elevations it will collect itself on the summits of the hills, congealed into snow; at others it will accumulate in drops, descend in rain, and, trickling down their sides, collect into streams, and irrigate the valleys and plains.

The refrigerating influence of elevated portions of the surface of our mimic globe is not, however, the only cause active in the formation of clouds; nor is it only on those portions of it which are turned from the heat, that this process of formation is going on. Under the immediate influence of the rays of heat which fall upon it from the fire, the moisture is continually passing from its surface into the lower strata of its atmosphere, under the form of a transparent vapour; whilst these lower strata, heated and rarefied by contact with it, and loaded with its moisture, are continually ascending into higher and colder regions, where, in the act of condensing (if the condensation exceed a certain limit, dependent upon the degree of the previous saturation with moisture), their vapour becomes snow, or assumes the form of a cloud hung in mid air, and stretched, like a veil, over it— a veil which the surface of the globe thus itself gives out, and spreads wide, and which shelters it from the

heat.

Under a different state of saturation of the air with water, and a different rarefaction of it, its vapour may ascend into such a region, and be so condensed by its ascent, as to pass from the state of cloud to that of rain or hail. Moreover, this greater saturation and rarefaction will be especially likely to obtain under the point of direct heat. The temperature being there the highest, and the evaporation the greatest; we may indeed expect a cloud to be continually stretched over that point, and a perpetual rain to descend there.

* This effect of a broken surface in increasing the radiation in proportion to the mass, and therefore depressing the temperature, may be seen in the deposition of hoar frost upon a high road after a cold night. Whilst little or none is seen on the general surface of the road, the edges of the traces left by the carriage-wheels, and the surfaces of loose lumps of earth, will be found to be covered with it; and if tufts of grass are here and there seen, these, presenting a yet larger surface of radiation in proportion to their bulk, will be covered with a yet more abundant deposition.

THE COLD OF ELEVATED REGIONS OF THE EARTH'S

SURFACE.

This artificial globe now presents a complete epitome of the surface of the earth, its atmosphere, and all the astronomical and meteorological varieties of its climate. We have its zones of temperature; its cold and heat, dependent upon elevation and aspect; its winds and storms; its clouds and sunshine; the vapours collecting around the summits of miniature mountains snow-capped; the rains descending on forest-tracks and hilly districts, and thence irrigating its plains and valleys, accompanying with a perpetual deluge the point of direct sunlight through the tropics, tempering the vertical heat, and ministering, there, to the boundless energies of vegetation.

The atmosphere has this quality, that, when pure and free from vapour, it is wonderfully pervious to the rays of light and heat. Very little indeed of the heat is, in a perfectly clear sky, absorbed in its transit through it. Thus readily allowing the radiation of rays to the earth's surface from the sun, the air lends itself with equal facility to the radiation of heat in the opposite direction from the earth's surface into space. That heat which the air actually receives appears principally to be derived from its contact with the earth, and propagated by conduction from one part in it to the other. If it be asked, Why does not this heated air immediately desert the surface of the earth, and ascend and heat its higher regions, and, continually accumulating heat there, render them yet warmer than the lower air, which is notoriously contrary to the fact? the answer at once meets us in the elasticity of the atmosphere; and therefore in its decreasing density at higher elevations, by which, as in the case of the artificial globe, it is made to contain, as in a rase, a stratum of warm air in close contact with the earth's surface, and to confine the heat around it.

The air of the higher regions, when freed from cloud, absorbs little or none of the heat radiated through it, either from the sun, or back from the earth, or from the subjacent atmosphere. Moreover, the air heated by contact with the earth, and ascending to these higher regions, looses its heat rapidly as it ascends by radiation and contact, and ascends but to that limited height assigned to it by the diminishing density of the surrounding air. All that remains to warm the higher regions of the air is the heat propagated to it by the contact of parts, as it is through solid bodies; and each stratum in succession, as it receives this heat, radiates a portion of it off into space, propagating only the remainder to the next stratum. Thus each successive stratum above us receives a diminished amount of heat, and the air grows colder and colder.t Here there is that marvellous provision for the assembling of a variety of climates nearly upon the same spot of the earth's surface, by which it comes to pass, that within the compass of a few miles may sometimes be seen congregated every characteristic form of vegetation, from the giant plants of the tropics to the lichens of the Arctic zone. In the valleys of the Andes, for instance, are growing palmtrees, and the banana, and the coffee-tree, and the

Bouguer has calculated that of 10,000 rays falling upon the atmosphere perpendicularly, 8,123 reach the earth's surface. There is, however, reason to believe that this is much below the true estimate.

+ Gay Lussac ascended in a balloon to a height of 7,634 yards above the level of the sea, and found the temperature diminished by 72% of Fahrenheit's thermometer; or at the rate of about 105 yards for each degree. The depression of temperature at the same elevation is, however, different in different latitudes. Thus the height at which a perpetual frost commences its reign, and at which snow is found all the year round on the tops of mountains, is different in different latitudes. Throughout a zone of the earth, extending 20° on either side of the equator, it may be considered to vary from 16,000 to 17,000 feet, having the less elevation immediately beneath the equator, and the greatest at 20° from it. From this greatest elevation it appears to sink almost uniformly as the latitude increases, until under a latitude of 80° it touches the earth's surface.

sugar-cane, and the cow-tree, whose trunk being pierced yields a vegetable milk-the majestic forests, the juicy fruits, the gorgeous flowers of the tropics. You ascend them 4,000 or 5,000 feet, and you find yourself in the temperate zone; fields of European grain wave around you, and there are forests of oak and pine. Climb those lofty mountains yet higher, and beyond the limit of 11,000 feet you are in a region where grow none but the Arctic lichens. In like manner, on the sides of the Alps, the forms of vegetation may be traced from the temperate zone to the region of perpetual snow, in the succession of forests of chestnuts, beeches, oaks, and pines, gradually becoming stunted and more scattered, until they disappear on the borders of the line of perpetual congelation. By reason of the diminished temperature of mountaintrack, and the fertilising influences of clouds, and dew, and rain, which the atmosphere accumulates upon them, they become, in sultry regions of the earth, the refuge of vegetation. It is with this allusion, that God, speaking by the mouth of Ezekiel, as the shepherd of his people, says, in the language of prophecy," I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel" (Ezek. xxxiv. 14).

SUNDAY REFLECTIONS. BY MRS. RILEY. No. X. On the Lilany.

ONE of the many blessings for which, under Providence, we are indebted to that noble army of martyrs who rescued our British Church from the thraldom of popery, is that excellent liturgy which forms at once its ornament and its safeguard.

Feeling that they warred not with the religion, but with the corruptions of the Romish Church, our Reformers were not too proud to be indebted to her for whatever was excellent in her ritual, rejecting only what was worthless or unscriptural. Had worldly fame been the object of Cranmer and his colleagues, they would have framed offices of devotion for the renovated Church, which, bearing their own names, would have transmitted them, in its constitution, to the reverence of posterity; but, actuated by purer motives, they sought only to assist their fellow-sinners in offering to their God a spiritual sacrifice, which might be well-pleasing in his sight, and in which " repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ," were conjoined with a total renunciation of self-righteousness, and earnest prayers for the aid of the Holy Spirit. These being the elements contained in that fountain of truth, the word of God, our Reformers traced the current of devotion to its very source; and from the writings of the apostolic era, and those of the fathers who were imbued with the same principles, they gleaned many valuable gems wherewith to adorn our form of prayer; and while each portion of the ancient ritual passed through their crucible, and was tested by the word of God, it frequently gained fresh lustre, while it lost nothing of its worth, in enduring the ordeal of translation.

It has been well remarked,* that "whoever will be at the pains of taking a prayer to pieces, will find occasion to wonder at the masterly knowledge of the

Blunt on the Reformation.

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