Grandeur and Distance of the Sun.

141

lity of doubt. From them it appears that the diameter of the sun is about 100 times greater than that of the earth, and consequently he is a million times larger than the whole earth.

Astronomers have differed respecting his distance; the truest calculation makes it about 82 millions of miles. Some planets move in their orbits much nearer to the sun, and others at a greater distance, than does our earth; but though, if formed like our globe, in the one case they perhaps might be consumed by the heat, in the other wrapped in cold and darkness, we have reason to believe that those spheres which move round the sun, whether nearer to him or more remote than our earth, are so constituted, that neither the globe itself, nor its inhabitants, suffer from their situation.

Perhaps it will be urged, that what we have stated respecting the magnitude and distance of the sun is exaggerated; for we can discover nothing so great as the earth which we inhabit, and with which we compare the sun, which is a million times greater. This Juminary from its prodigious distance appearing so small, ignorant people are disposed rather to believe that which they can see with their own eyes, than give credit to calculations which their reason cannot comprehend. But had we been placed on a planet whose magnitude bore the same proportion to the earth as the earth now does to the sun, we should have been equally incredulous as to the dimensions of this earth, com. pared with that we then inhabited. It is far from being strange then, that we should be astonished when we are told of the distance and vast magnitude of the

sun.

This admiration ought to make us ascend to that Being which is its Creator, Director, and Conserva tor; compared with which, the grandeur and brilliancy of the sun are as nothing; consider the glory of him

who created it, and you will find infinitely more incomprehensibilities than when you only reflect upon the grandeur of the sun. If the earth, compared with the sun, is so small, what must be the littleness of man compared with his Creator! If the space between the earth and the sun is found to be so immense, what an inconceivable distance is there between man and the infinite God!

"Who is like unto thee, O Lord? What can be compared unto thee? Thy glory is exalted beyond the reach of praise, and thy grandeur above the comprehension of man. Glory, splendour, and majesty surround thee, the principle and source of life; and light encircles thee as a garment." But whilst we admire the sun as he shines above the horizon, let us not forget our Divine Redeemer, that sun of righte ousness which visited us in our afflictions, and whose rays impart life, health, and eternal salvation; and without which, deprived of light, virtue, and consolation, we should still wander in darkness, ignorance, and the grossest sin!

MARCH XVII.

of

Upon the imperfect Knowledge we have of Nature. WAY has not the Creator given us the power investigating and explaining all the phenomena of nature, for which purpose the limits of our understand. ing are too confined? He wills that we should become acquainted with his perfections, that we might magnify his name. Would not then the most certain means of knowing and appreciating his attributes be, to have a more intimate acquaintance with the works of the creation? It seems to me as if I could much more admire the grandeur of the Supreme Being, and

Our imperfect Knowledge of Nature.

143 contribute much more to the exaltation of his holy name, if I was enabled to comprehend the whole, to know the perfections of each part, and to discover all the laws and springs of nature. If I now can admire the infinite greatness of God, when I only know a small part of his works, what would my sentiments be, how absorbed in the meditation of his glorious attributes, with what awe and veneration should I adore him, if I could fully penetrate into the wonders of nature, and explain with certainty the phenomena she brings forth!

But perhaps this mode of judging is erroneous; for since God has not thought fit to give us a more profound knowledge of nature, we are to suppose he prefers the degree o adoration and glorification he now receives from our limited faculties, to that he would have, were we to enjoy a more perfect state. Have we any reason to be surprised that in our pre sent condition we are ignorant of the first principles of nature? Our senses are unable to penetrate into the essence of things, and we cannot form an idea of ob jects which our senses are incapable of observing. And there is an abundance of things which our senses cannot discern. If we wish to represent to our ima gination any thing infinitely great, or infinitely small, they elude our grasp. If we reflect upon the rapidity with which the rays of light pass, we are incapable of following the velocity; and when we wish to conceive an idea of the vessels and circulation of blood in a creature a million times less than a grain of sand, we feel the inadequacy of our mental powers. Hence, as nature ascends from what is infinitely small to what is infinitely great, we shall not be surprised that we can. not penetrate its real principles.

Notwithstanding this imperfection in our abilities, we have no reason to complain that our knowledge of nature is so slight; we have always before us a vast

field of improvement, in which we are incited to labour by every thing that can arouse and interest. Our faculties are so formed, that by cultivation they improve, and are capable of expanding to a greater degree than is generally supposed; we are continually adding new truths to former experience, and as we proceed we discover more to encourage our researches ; and the more enlightened we become, the further we penetrate into the mysteries of nature, the more we find to raise our ideas of the glory, the power, and the goodness of the Almighty Creator. May we always, O God! be favoured with the light of thy holy spirit, to guide us on our way; to enable us rightly to direct that knowledge we are enabled to acquire, and never to mistake or pervert those abilities with which we have been blessed, on the proper or improper use of which depends our future misery or felicity!

MARCH XVIII.

The Utility of Vegetables.

If we consider the great number and diversified appearance of vegetables, we shall perceive, as in every thing else, the beneficent designs of the Creator. What other end could he have in view in covering the earth with so many different herbs, plants, and fruits, than the advantage and felicity of his creatures? Such is the number and variety of plants, that upwards of 30,000 species have already been enume rated; and every day more are added to the list. Their increase seems infinite: who, for example, is not astonished when he is told that one single grain of maize (Indian wheat) produces 2000 more; that one poppy-seed multiplies itself so, that, in two or three

The Utility of the Vegetables.

145 years it produces sufficient to sow a large field? Hence, no one can doubt the care of Providence, particularly when they consider the use that has been made of vegetables from the earliest ages.

Do not fruits and vegetables daily furnish us with the most salubrious and nourishing aliment? And are we not indebted to the vegetable kingdom for the greater part of our clothing, furniture, and habita tions? Every part of a plant is of some utility. The roots afford us food, medicines, pitch, dyes, and various utensils. With the wood we construct our buildings, furniture, and different instruments, ma. chines, &c.; it likewise serves us for fuel, and from it we procure charcoal and medicines. The bark is of particular use in tanning, as well as in the cure of some diseases. The ashes are useful in fertilising and ameliorating the soil, bleaching cloth, and making salt-petre. The resin is used in painting, and enters into the composition of pitch, tar, and balsams. Tur pentine is used as a medicament, and colophonia (hard resin) to varnish, to solder, and to rub the strings of musical instruments; and mastic is used in perfumes. Flowers, delightful both for their beauty and fra. grance, are very ufeful in medicines, and supply the bees with their wax and honey. Fruits are singularly beneficial and grateful, whether fresh from the trees, boiled, dried, or preserved. But it is not man alone which receives advantage from the vegetable kingdom; the greater part of animals derive their nourishment from that source. For this purpose we find fields and meadows innumerable, covered with every variety of plants and vegetables. The wants of every individual are provided for; each knows the kind of vegetables most suited to its nature; and no one can number the blessings afforded by this kingdom, nor find expres. sions to celebrate the goodness of God.

VOL. I.

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