The theory very generally prevails that the center of this earth is a mass of liquid fire. The light that we get from Spiritual Gifts, does not confirm this idea, but brings to view vast deposits of combustible material such as coal and oil, which when the time comes for the earth and the elements to melt with fervent heat, will be ignited by the power of God, and be the agents used to accomplish this great change. Concerning other materials hid in the bowels of the earth, we read in Spiritual Gifts, Vol. iii, p. 78, as follows: “The precious wood, stone, silver, and gold, that had made rich and adorned the world before the flood, which the inhabitants had idolized, were sunk beneath the surface of the earth. The waters which had broken forth with such great power, had moved earth and rocks and heaped them upon earth’s treasures, and in many instances formed mountains above them to hide them from the sight and search of men.” In regard to what is said in Spiritual Gifts about the origin of coal beds, namely that they are the petrified remains of antediluvian vegetation, sister W. was entirely ignorant, previous to the view given her concerning them. She did not know that any attempt had ever been made to account for them on that ground. But scientific minds have been led in their investigations to come to the same conclusions, and hence greatly to confirm her testimony, as appears from evidence which has come out since the publication of the book above referred to. So also it appears that persons are being led to the same conclusions given in that work, concerning the deposit of gold and the precious metals in the interior of the earth. In the Ladies’ Repository of August 1866, we find the following on this point: “IS THE EARTH’S CENTER A MASS OF FIRE?—Mr. John Calvin Moss, of England, contests the much-vexed theory that the center of the earth is a mass of fire and molten rock, over which a crust has formed, proportionally a mere shell, on which we live. “‘The idea that the interior of our globe is a vast fiery ocean, doubtless arose,’ says Mr. Moss, ‘from the idea that heat was a material substance, and would have to pass off into space before the earth could cool; whereas the more modern researches of science show that heat is no more a material substance than motion, gravitation, or magnetism, but that it is merely a condition of matter; and that, in the case in question, instead of passing off from the earth, it would only become, by a gradual chemical action, fixed or latent.’” “‘But even supposing that cooling would or did take place, it is a well-known fact that all substances—water in the state of ice alone excepted—increase in density and weight as their heat is diminished, so that the cooler portions would be the first to sink from the surface toward the center. Is it not quite evident that those substances most difficult of fusion and possessing the greatest specific gravity, would therefore be the first to find their way to the center? Now gold, platinum, and a few of the precious metals possess these qualities in a high degree above all other known substances, and though we know them to be scarce on the surface of the earth, we have no assurance that they are not abundant in nature. I believe that the interior of the earth is abundantly supplied with, if not composed of them.’” “‘The specific gravity of the earth has been variously calculated at 4.95, 5.44, 5.48, and 6.56, while that of platinum is 31.5, and gold 19.3. The specific gravity of the rocks which mainly compose the crust which is under our observation does not exceed 2.5; and supposing that the average density of all the constituents of the earth, except the metals named, is no higher, about one-fifth of the earth may be composed of gold and platinum—a globe four or five thousand miles thick. The value of such a deposit may be dimly imagined, when it is remembered that five million dollars will go in a box two and a half feet cube. Certainly no safer place for such a deposit could be found than the heart of the earth.’” These precious metals which once enriched and beautified the surface of the earth, but which are now sunk into its lowest depths for the sins of its inhabitants, will of course be restored again to its surface in its renewed state.