*

rious-a mere optical illusion. Their light, therefore, must be our only guide. Now Dr. Wollaston, by direct photometrical experiments, open as it would seem to no objections, has ascertained the light of Sirius, as received by us, to be to that of the Sun as 1 to 20,000,000,000. The Sun, therefore, in order that it should appear to us no brighter than Sirius, would require to be removed to 141,400 times its actual distance. We have seen, however, that the distance of Sirius cannot be so small as 200,000 times that of the Sun. Hence it follows, that, upon the lowest possible computation, the light really thrown out by Sirius cannot be so little as double that emitted by the Sun; or that Sirius must, in point of intrinsic splendour, be at least equal to two Suns, and is in all probability vastly greater."

Surely there is a manifest propriety in the following query of HERSCHEL: "Now, for what purpose are we to suppose such magnificent bodies scattered through the abyss of space? Surely not to illuminate our nights, which an additional moon of the thousandth part of the

"See Cab. Cyc. Optics." And on the subject of optical illusions, HERSCHEL remarks, when speaking of groups of stars, viz: the Pleiades, as follows: "It is a remarkable fact, that the centre of the visual area is by far less sensible to feeble impressions of light, than the exterior portions of the retina. Few persons are aware of the extent to which this comparative insensibility extends, previous to trial. To appreciate it let the reader look alternately full at a star of the fifth magnitude, and beside it; or choose two equally bright, and about 3° or 4° apart, and look full at one of them, the probability is, he will see only the other: such, at least, is my own case. The fact accounts for the multitude of stars with which we are impressed by a general view of the heavens; their paucity when we come to count them."

HASLER, on the subject of the relative size of the stars, says, "It is a general optical phenomenon, that the visibility of all objects whatever, depends not on their magnitude, but on the contrast of colour, or light and shade, which they present in relation to the surrounding objects."

"Dr. Wollaston, assuming, as we think he is perfectly justified in doing, a much lower limit of possible parallax in Sirius than we have adopted in the text, has concluded the intrinsic light of Sirius to be nearly that of fourteen Suns."

We obtain a correct impression of the immense magnitude of our Sun, by the following comparison: The distance of the Moon from the earth, is 240,000 miles-consider the Moon's orbit to be a perfect circle, and add the earth's diameter, 8,000 miles, say 488,000 miles for the diameter of the Moon's orbit, and such is the magnitude of our Sun, that, on the supposition of its being a hollow globe, of a far greater thickness than the whole diameter of the Earth and the Moon united, there would be sufficient space within the hollow cavity of the Sun's magnitude, for the Earth to be placed in the centre at rest, and the Moon to revolve, as at present, around it.

size of our own would do much better, nor to sparkle as a pageant void of meaning and reality, and bewilder us among vain conjectures. Useful, it is true, they are to man as points of exact and permanent reference; but he must have studied astronomy to little purpose, who can suppose man to be the only object of the Creator's care, or who does not see in the vast and wonderful apparatus around us provision for other races of animated beings. The planets, as we have seen, derive their light from the Sun; but that cannot be the case with the stars. These, doubtless, then, are themselves Suns, and may, perhaps, each in its sphere, be the presiding centre round which other planets, or bodies of which we can form no conception from any analogy offered by our own System, may be circulating."*

It is impossible to form correct, enlarged conceptions of the glory of the heavens, without the aid and instrumentality of powerful Telescopes. Consider the double stars, or those immense Suns, placed at so great a distance from our earth, that, notwithstanding their inconceivable distances from each other, are seen in ranges, that bring them into an almost absolute contact. "SIR WM. HERSCHEL has enumerated upwards of 500 double stars, in which the individuals are within half a minute of each other; and to this list Professor STRUVE of Dorpat, prosecuting the inquiry, by the aid of instruments. more conveniently mounted for the purpose, has recently added nearly five times that number." And in a number of instances, there are three, instead of two stars, that appear to the naked eye as one, and can only be seen in their individuality, by the aid of powerful telescopes.

The most magnificent and stupendously grand exhibition of the remote heavens, is that of the Nebula in the constellation Orion. A powerful telescope shows this opening, which is larger than our Solar System; where, it would seem, an endless, or a perpetual day of glorious light exists; of a splendour that must surpass all mortal conceptions of gorgeous magnificence, and transcendent brightness a glory, whose refulgence is beyond human

* When the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, (Job xxxviii. 31,) he interrogated Job, saying-"Canst thou bind the sweet influences of the Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?" I understand this passage as follows: Canst thou confine to thyself, the sweet influences of the Pleiades, or interpret the secrets of Orion? See remarks on the constella tion Orion in this sermon.

conception to estimate, or a mortal's imagination to conceive.

Reader, look around you, on this little spot called the earth, for we have returned to our dirty home-Behold yonder biped, that animal called a man-see how he struts about, aping his fellow-worm of dust, the turkeycock; in an exhibition of his worm-like consequence. Why, the little, insignificant animal, really fancies that he is great! O such greatness as the worldling aims at! And his possessions, too, are immense in his estimationand it is this idea, that has entered his cranium, and inflated it for vanity is lighter than Hydrogen gas; and will inflate a visionary man's head to bursting.

Behold the worm of the dust, who has fortuitously accumulated a quantity, perhaps a bushel, by admeasurement, of little round pieces of yellow metal, a peculiar kind of dirt, called gold; each one stamped with a device, and he feels so big! that his skin has much ado to hold him. And such, or similar pursuits and vain imaginations, constitute human greatness!*

It was a very sober moral that lay concealed in the remark made on the village maiden, whose head was elevated unusually high, the first time she wore her new garters. Human pride is all of a piece, whether it is elicited by a new ribbon, or any other acquisition that belongs to the worm of the dust.

Pray, what positive evidence has man, of the imagined vast mental, or intellectual inferiority, of the powers granted to creatures of a supposed inferior grade? Who can estimate the amount of capacity for contemplation, etc., of all other created beings, less than man! The microscopic eye, as well also, the multiplication of the lens in the eyes of certain of the insect tribe, furnish a strong presumption of their possessing a source for originating ideas, foreign to man's means, with all his boasted powers. Who can tell what ingenious postulates are contemplated and discussed, by these little, winged-philosophers, in their petite colloquies! What scintillations of thought-splendid, imaginings-glorious conceptions-intellectual reveries! Or, what profound conclusions result

from the convocation or intercourse of these minute creatures-whose nice arrangements, fine manoeuvres, and minute and complicated instruments for philosophical investigations, are seldom seen, or even imagined by the coarse and clumsy machinery of human perception!

What has man, boaster as he is, among all his philosophical apparatus, his machinery to aid thought, and push intellect; his contrivances to explore, measure, assort, arrange, define, and designate; yea, all combined, to form one grand result, or splendid total of human pride, and self-sufficiency, that can compare with the mechanism of the eye of the Dragonfly? Or, in the imperial arcanum of human pride and fashion, where can gorgeous beauty be found, to match the wing of the Butterfly? or to compare with the neck of that beautiful miniature of perfection, the Hummingbird?

Reader, I will so far gratify my vanity, for I, too, am vain; (the Lord have mercy on us all; for we all need it ;) as to imagine that some reasonable beings will condescend to read these pages; and read them, too, with a willing mind, to receive, and treasure up whatever is really valuable. Therefore, I now invite you, again, to look at my text: "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handiwork." What, I ask, declares the glory of man? What sheweth his handi work? What is the amount of his pretensions, when they are seen in contrast with the Heavens, the firmament, the glory, and the handiwork of JEHOVAH? How will true knowledge decide, of the comparative magnitudes? How will true wisdom choose, between man's glory, and the glory of our Great Creator?

Reader, I have, very briefly I admit, expatiated on the wonders that are seen in the heavens, the wonderful works of the Creator, and I ask you, What ought to be the influence of these sublime truths on our hearts, our lives and conduct? Shall not we improve ourselves, by the knowledge of things as they are? Shall not we, see ourselves in the mirror of Truth; and beholding our own littleness, and the greatness and goodness, wisdom and knowledge of God, as He is manifested in the immensity of His works, and exhibited in the glory of His heavens, in the splendour of the firmament, where we behold His handiwork, humble ourselves into the dust? What is there of earth, that earth can give or bestow, that can present so powerful inducements, as are presented in the works of God, to influence man in his choice of things while here below? Do men strive by every means in their power, to acquire the confidence, and win the good graces of their fellow-men, for the value of the boon which pride, ambition, pleasure, and fleeting riches can bestow? Where then should bounds be set to our exertions, to constantly conduct in that way and manner that shall be acceptable to the dread SOVEREIGN OF THE UNIVERSE!

What is it that stimulates the busy throng, who move about, and assume airs of importance, as though their minds were pregnant with the fate of kingdoms? What conventional forms and phrases, have been adopted, and adhered to, with a devotion, if sincerity be any evidence of sacredness in the object prized, greater than ever the gods received from the humblest and most superstitious worshippers-pursued with an ardour greater than ever

inspired the sons of science, when the soul has been wrapped in the sublimest contemplation! The world, the world, the world! One word solves all the difficulty! Let us turn from the contemplation of this picture of sordid life, mad ambition, and puerile greatness, and search for something better.

Behold the crowded Sanctuary-'tis the Sabbath. Surely these long faces, demure looks, reverential gestures, long prayers, and superabundant formulas, creeds, confessions, and multitudinous professions, are significant of great faith; firmness of purpose; a joyful hope; a glorious expectation; an abundant confidence; and treasures of mountainous magnitudes laid up in the heavens.

O consistency! consistency! if you should come forward at this juncture, and urge your claim to be heard, and demand your place in the catalogue of the sincere virtues, what will the people do? They talk about Heaven and Hell, and Hell and Heaven, one day in the week; and every day in the week are at their wits'-end to devise ways and means to secure the world; also secure themselves from all danger of leaving the world, and being compelled to go to either, Hell or Heaven. It is true, to do them justice, the vast majority, that, of the two places they talk about one day in every week, they all give a preference to Heaven over the Hell; and, if they must go to one or the other of these two places, they agree, unanimously, that it is most advisable to go to Heavenbut they are equally agreed, that it is advisable, by all means, to shun both, as they would avoid the pestilence!

It don't sound well-I know it will grate harshly upon the ear, but the truth must come, sooner or later, and "there is no time like the present," says the proverbAlas! that men should "play such pranks before High Heaven," and call it religion-to be willing to go to Heaven because they are anxious to escape Hell; not because they desire it; but as a dernier resort; as a man loses a limb when it has become gangrenous-he does not part with it willingly, but makes a virtue of necessity; and gives a negative evidence of his courage, by enduring the torture of an amputation, because he is afraid to brave the consequences!

But glory, honour, immortality, eternal life-where are these to be found? "Do men gather grapes of thorns? or figs of thistles ?" (Matt. vii. 16.) Would you seek glory--you must look for it in the Heavens: And honour