Εικόνες σελίδας
PDF
Ηλεκτρ. έκδοση

received from them, were looked on as the corrected the various refrangibility of the first-fruits which they were to offer to the rays. It was now observed, that this Lord, Num. xviii. 21-24. God assigned | truth also must have been known to them for their habitations, forty-eight cities, the Maker of the eye; for upon its basis with fields, pastures, and gardens, Num. | is that instrument, far more perfect than XXXV. Of these, thirteen were given to the the achromatic glass of Dollond, framed. priests; six of which were cities of refuge, These things are truths in both physics and Josh. xx. 7-9; xxi. 19, 20, &c. While the theology; they are truths taught us by the Levites were actually employed in the self-same process of investigation, and resttemple, they were subsisted out of the pro- | ing upon the self-same kind of evidence. visions in store there, and out of the daily offerings there made; and if any Levite quitted the place of his abode, to serve the temple, even out of the time of his halfyearly or weekly waiting, he was received there, kept and provided for, in like manner as his other brethren, who were regularly in waiting, Deut. xviii. 6-8.

VISION.

Ir is a truth of physics, in the strictest sense of the word, that vision is performed by the eye refracting light, and making it converge to a focus upon the retina; and that the peculiar combination of its lenses, and the different materials they are composed of, correct the indistinctness which would otherwise arise from the different refrangibility of light; in other words, make the eye an achromatic instrument. But if this is not also a truth in natural theology, it is a position from which, by the shortest possible process of reasoning, we arrive at a theological truth; namely, that the instrument so successfully performing a given | service by means of this curious structure, must have been formed with a knowledge of the properties of light. The position from which so easy a step brings us to this doctrine of natural theology was gained by strict induction. Upon the same evidence which all natural science rests on, reposes the knowledge that the eye is an optical instrument: this is a truth common to both physics and theology. Before the days of Sir Isaac Newton, men knew that they saw by means of the eye, and that the eye was constructed upon optical principles; but the reason of its peculiar conformation they knew not, because they were ignorant of the different refrangibility of light. When his discoveries taught this truth, it was found to have been acted upon, and consequently known, by the Being who created the eye. Still, our knowledge was imperfect; and it was reserved for Mr. Dollond to discover another law of nature, the different dispersive powers of different substances, which enabled him to compound an object-glass that more effectually

When we extend our inquiries, and observe the varieties of this perfect instrument, we mark the adaptation of changes to the diversity of circumstances; and the truths thus learned are in like manner common to physical and theological science; that is, to natural history, or comparative anatomy, and natural theology.

That beautiful instrument, so artistly contrived, that the most ingenious workman could not imagine an improvement of it, becomes still more interesting and more wonderful, when we find that its conformation is varied with the different necessities of each animal. If the animal prowls by night, we see the opening of the pupil and the power of concentration in the eye increased. If an amphibious animal has occasionally to dive into the water, with the change of the medium through which the rays pass, there is an accommodation in the condition of the humours, and the eye partakes of the eye both of the quadruped and the fish.

So, having contemplated the apparatus for protection in the human eye, we find that in the lower animals, who want both the accessory means of cleaning the eye, and the ingenuity to accomplish it by other modes than the eye-lids, an additional eyelid, a new apparatus, is provided for this purpose.

Again, in fishes, whose eye is washed by the element in which they move, all the exterior apparatus is unnecessary, and is dismissed; but in the crab, and especially in that species which lies in mud, the very peculiar and horny prominent eye which every body must have observed, would be quite obscured were it not for a particular provision. There is a little brush of hair above the eye, against which the eye is occasionally raised to wipe off what may ad| here to it. The form of the eye, the particular mode in which it is moved, and, we may say, the coarseness of the instrument compared with the parts of the same organ in the higher class of animals, make the mechanism of eyelids and of lachrymal glands unsuitable. The mechanism used for this purpose is discovered by observa

common in ours, and I was interested in a new course of observation.

It might be expected in this case, as in every similar one, that many fruitful causes of evil would come into action; but it was pleasing to find a corrective and antagonist power brought universally and successfully to act against them. Especially there is one feature in the state of this community that is peculiar and hazardous. There are not less than 4,000 young women attached to the mills, who have been drawn here by the hope of reward, abstracted from all the safeguards of their families, and transferred suddenly from the utmost retirement to promiscuous society. They are mostly the daughters of farmers, and have laudable intentions in coming. The family has every thing but ready money, and this is a method of getting it. Many of them are well educated: they might teach at schools; but they prefer this employ, as

tion and reasoning; that it is contrived for this purpose is equally a discovery of observation and reasoning. Both propositions are strictly propositions of physical science. The same remarks apply to every part of the animal body. The use to which each member is subservient, and the manner in which it is enabled so to perform its functions as to serve that appointed use, is learned by an induction of the strictest kind. But it is impossible to deny, that what induction thus teaches forms the great bulk of all natural theology. The question which the theologian always puts upon each discovery of a purpose manifestly accomplished is this: "Suppose I had this operation to perform by mechanical means, and were acquainted with the laws regulating the action of matter, should I attempt it in any other way than I here see practised?" If the answer is in the negative, the consequence is irresistible that some Power, capable of acting with design, and possessing the supposed know-it gives them better remuneration. Others ledge, employed the means which we see used. But this negative answer is the result of reasoning founded upon induction, and rests upon the same evidence whereon the doctrines of all physical science are discovered and believed. And the inference to which that negative answer so inevitably leads, is a truth in natural theology; for it is only another way of asserting that design and knowledge are evinced in the works and functions of nature.-Lord Brougham.

AN AMERICAN MANUFACTURING TOWN.

LOWELL is situated at the confluence of the Concord and Merrimack rivers. It is one of the largest manufacturing towns in the whole Union, and supplies one of the most remarkable instances of rapidity in growth. Twenty years ago this spot was a wilderness. Then a small factory was built, which cost only 3,000 dollars. There are now more than twenty large mills, five stories high, with 3,000 looms and 8,500 spindles, upwards of 5,000 operatives, and a capital exceeding six millions and a half of dollars. The total population is 13,000. The water-power is very fine, and skilfully applied by means of reservoirs and canals; it is capable of working fifty more mills. The advantage to the comfort and appearance of the town in the possession of this power is very great, as it allows a vast business to go forward without the nuisance of universal smoke. This class of objects is rare in this country, though

thirst for education; they come for six months, and then disappear; and again they come, and again they disappear. In the one instance they are procuring the costs of education, and in the other education itself. They bring with them a sense of independence and rectitude, and this disposes them to adopt means which contribute greatly to their preservation. Instances of sad defection and vice will of course occur, but they are remarkably "few and far between." The steady girls who work in a mill, band together as a sort of a club, and keep up a sense of honour through the establishment. If any one is suspected of bad conduct, she is reprimanded and suspended; and if bad conduct is proved against her, she is reported to the managing party, and a petition is presented for her removal. In an unquestionable case, they would leave the mill if the prayer of the petition was refused.

In many cases, where the evils are thus escaped, great good arises to the individual. Placed in new circumstances, where they are called to act for themselves for the first time, great energy and sometimes great elevation of moral character, is elicited. The means of religion, too, are supplied to them witn greater advantage. Many are brought under its influence, and those who are, are furnished with opportunities for benevolent and religious services, which they could not have had in their original and isolated circumstances. There are of

[graphic]
[ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small]

copied, that the most ingenious workman

could not imagine an improvement of it, becomes still more interesting and more wonderful, when we find that its conforma

It is a truth of physics, in the strictest sense of the ward, that vision is performed by the eye refracting light, and making it toon is waned with the different necessities verge to a focus upon the retina; and of each animal. If the animal prowls by that the peculiar combination of its lenses, night, we see the opening of the pupil and and the different materials they are com- the power of concentration in the eye inposed of, correct the indistinctress which creased. If an amphibious animal has would otherwise arise from the different re-occasionally to dive into the water, with frangibility of light; in other words, make the change of the medium through which the eye an achromatic instrument. But if the rays pass, there is an accommodation this is not also a truth in natural theology, it in the condition of the humours, and the is a position from which, by the shortest eye partakes of the eye both of the quadpossible process of reasoning, we arrive at ruped and the fish. So, having contemplated the apparatus a theological truth; namely, that the instrument so successfully performing a given for protection in the human eye, we find service by means of this curious structure, that in the lower animals, who want both must have been formed with a knowledge the accessory means of cleaning the eye, of the properties of light. The position and the ingenuity to accomplish it by other from which so easy a step brings us to this modes than the eye-lids, an additional eyedoctrine of natural theology was gained by lid, a new apparatus, is provided for this strict induction. Upon the same evidence purpose. Again, in fishes, whose eye is washed by which all natural science rests on, reposes the knowledge that the eye is an optical the element in which they move, all the instrument: this is a truth common to both exterior apparatus is unnecessary, and is physics and theology. Before the days of dismissed; but in the crab, and especially Sir Isaac Newton, men knew that they saw in that species which lies in mud, the very by means of the eye, and that the eye was peculiar and horny prominent eye which constructed upon optical principles; but every body must have observed, would be the reason of its peculiar conformation quite obscured were it not for a particular they knew not, because they were ignor-provision. There is a little brush of hair ant of the different refrangibility of light. above the eye, against which the eye is ocWhen his discoveries taught this truth, it casionally raised to wipe off what was found to have been acted upon, and here to it. The form of the eye, the particonsequently known, by the Being who cular mode in which it is moved, and, we was may say, the coarseness of the instrument ed the gre. Still, our knowledge perket; and it was reserved for Mr. compared with the parts the same organ Delood to discover another law of nature, in the higher class the different dispersive powers of different mechanism of ey bos which enabled him to com- glands unsuitabl

pod object-glass that more effectually for this purpos

[graphic]

common in ours, and I was interested a new course of observation.

1 and reasoning; that it is contrived for 3 purpose is equally a discovery of obvation and reasoning. Both propositions It might be expected in this case, a strictly propositions of physical science. in every similar one, that many frustful The same remarks apply to every part causes of evil would come into action; but the animal body. The use to which it was pleasing to find a corrective and ch member is subservient, and the man-antagonist power brought universally and r in which it is enabled so to perform its successfully to act against them. Espeictions as to serve that appointed use, is cially there is one feature in the state of rned by an induction of the strictest this community that is peculiar and had. But it is impossible to deny, that zardous. There are not less than 4,000 at induction thus teaches forms the young women attached to the mills, who eat bulk of all natural theology. The have been drawn here by the hope of estion which the theologian always puts reward, abstracted from all the safeguards on each discovery of a purpose mani- of their families, and transferred sudstly accomplished is this: "Suppose I denly from the utmost retirement to prod this operation to perform by mecha- miscuous society. They are mostly the cal means, and were acquainted with the daughters of farmers, and have laudable ws regulating the action of matter, should intentions in coming. The family has attempt it in any other way than I here every thing but ready money, and this is e practised?" If the answer is in the a method of getting it. Many of them gative, the consequence is irresistible are well educated: they might teach at at some Power, capable of acting with schools; but they prefer this employ, as sign, and possessing the supposed know-it gives them better remuneration. Others lge, employed the means which we see thirst for education; they come for six ed. But this negative answer is the re- months, and then disappear; and again lt of reasoning founded upon induction, they come, and again they disappear. In id rests upon the same evidence whereon the one instance they are procuring the e doctrines of all physical science are dis- costs of education, and in the other edu>vered and believed. And the inference cation itself. They bring with them a › which that negative answer so inevitably sense of independence and rectitude, and ads, is a truth in natural theology; for it this disposes them to adopt means which ; only another way of asserting that design contribute greatly to their preservation. nd knowledge are evinced in the works Instances of sad defection and vice will nd functions of nature.-Lord Brougham. of course occur, but they are remarkably "few and far between." The steady girls who work in a mill, band together as a sort of a club, and keep up a sense of honour through the establishment. If any one is suspected of bad conduct, she is reprimanded and suspended; and if bad conduct is proved against her, she is reported to the managing party, and a petition is presented for her removal. In an unquestionable case, they would leave the mill if the prayer of the petition was refused.

AN AMERICAN MANUFACTURING TOWN. LOWELL is situated at the confluence of the Concord and Merrimack rivers. It is one of the largest manufacturing towns in the whole Union, and supplies one of the most remarkable instances of rapidity in growth. Twenty years ago this spot was a wilderness. Then a small factory was built, which cost only 3,000 dollars. There are now more than twenty large mills, five stories high, with

first time, great energy,

at elevation of moral

3,000 looms and 8,500 spindles, upwards escaped, great good arises to the indiIn many cases, where the evils are thus of 5,000 operatives, and a capital exceed-vidual. Placed in new circumstances, ing six millions and a half of dollars. where they are called to act for themThe total population is 13,000. The selves water-power is very fine, and skilfully a applied by means of reservoirs and canals; it is capable of working fifty more mills. The advantage to the comfort and ap pearance of the town in this power is very gre vast business to go fo nnisance of universal of objects is rare in the

sion lows

ut t

cla

The means of ied to them wita any are brought those who are, unities for benees, which they original and There are of

this number of young women, for in- | stance, about 1,000 who are united to christian churches, and about the same number who are in regular attendance on religious means.

It is, however, generally admitted, that whatever may be the advantages, these occupations mostly disqualify them for the quiet duties and cares of domestic life. In fact, this must, in a measure, be the effect, for there is nothing to exercise the domestic virtues; and it is likely that many may gain a taste for society, and appearance, and independent action, which they may not afterwards overeome. The dress, indeed, of the whole body, when not employed in the mill, was remarkable. It was not amiss, usually, in itself; but it was above their state and occupation. One was surprised to see tnem appear in silks, with scarfs, veils, and parasols.

The care which is shown to their welfare and safety by the heads of the factories, is also very worthy of praise. | Boarding-houses are built for them by the corporations, or companies. Persons of good character are put into them, and the rate of payment is determined for them. These housekeepers are tenants at-will; rules are laid down for their conduct, and transgression is followed by expulsion. They give and receive certificates of character with the young

women.

breaking, gaming, and lewdness. They visit, examine, and confer confidentially for this purpose, and adopt such means as their discretion may suggest. The ler tures are made to assist this object.

They labour with much advantage in the sabbath schools, as they have thus many of the younger girls under their care. In all these schools there are no less than 2,500 children, and 1,500 of them are factory girls. Reed and Matheson.

SABBATH DAYS SHOULD BE PRAYER

DAYS.

THAT sabbath is misemployed, which is not a day of prayer; and by prayer I do not mean the mere formality and semblance of prayer, but the breathing forth of the heart in supplications to God, in the name of our Mediator and Advocate Jesus Christ. Oh, if you would sanctify your sabbaths, you must make them days of serious, earnest prayer. Itis the Spirit's work to sanctify: but the Spirit, though given freely, is yet to be sought and cherished by fervent prayer in the name of Christ. Behold here the secret of many a sabbath profanation! Prayer was neglected: hence, the | Holy Spirit was withheld; hence, conscience became callous; the soul's enemy found access to the heart; pleasure tempted; gain allured; sin solicited; you had no strength to resist; you yielded; God was forgotten, The community at large are alive to his house neglected, his day dishonoured, the possible evils of their situation, and and sin committed. Behold also here the watch and labour to counteract them. secret of sabbath sanctification! Why Because temperance here has to encoun- do some steadily yet cheerfully resist temptter strong temptation, it has taken a most | ations to sabbath-breaking Are they decided form. There is not only the not "men of like passions with others?" usual Temperance Society; in addition | Why do they find, in the holy day, a de to it is “The Total Abstinence Society," | light which grows with their growth, and whose pledge extends to wine, cordials, strengthens with their strength? The secret and strong beer. This, too, is the fa- | uniformly is, that they are men of prayer : vourite society; it has 1,900 members. | they pray in their closets, in their families, and I do not now judge the principle on in the house of God: they will go home which it acts; of course its influence must presently to pray over what they have heard: be great in promoting the sobriety of the they find much to supplicate for themselves, town. There is also a considerable con- their relatives, their ministers, their country, federation here, under the denomination the whole church of Christ on earth. They of "The Lyceum." It is a society | often, on the sabbath, remember the be for moral and literary purposes. There are reading-rooms, books, and weekly | lectures, to meet the one branch; and for the preservation of the public morals, there are five committees appointed, each composed of not less than five members. Their duty is to take cognizance of five vices,intemperance, profanity, sabbath

|

nighted heathen and the unbelieving Jew, and pray God to bring them also into the fold of Christ. In prayer they confess sin ; in prayer they implore mercy; in prayer they exercise faith; in prayer they commune with God, as children with their father; in prayer they fight against Satan; in prayer they gather strength to live to Christ's glory ;

« ΠροηγούμενηΣυνέχεια »