On departing from the orbit of Uranus, the remotest of the planets, so far as we at present know, we must traverse, in all probability, between two and three hundred thousand times the distance of the earth from the sun, a space which we may compute in numbers, but which imagination can scarcely conceive, before we reach the nearest of the fixed stars.* From that point, sound would take millions of years to travel to our earth. Notwithstanding this immense distance, some of the fixed stars, probably the least remote, such as Sirius and Arcturus, shine with great brilliancy. In a clear night, by reason of their twinkling, they seem to be innumerable. But, in reality, the number discernible by the naked eye is not very great, being only about three thousand; and it is but seldom that one-third of that number can be seen, even by a good eye, at the same time. On using a powerful telescope, however, their numbers exceed calculation. They are clustered throughout the immensity of space in such multitudes as to bewilder the imagination in their countless number, and in the inconceivable extent of the universe.t

They shine by their own light. The delicate discovery of the aberration of the fixed stars shows that the velocity of their light is the same as that which comes from the sun. It is also capable of the same modifications as the solar light, being reflected and refracted according to the same laws. Hence it appears that the sun and the fixed stars are bodies of the same nature: and, according to the opinion of the most enlightened philosophers, these stars are so many suns, each surrounded with its own planetary system; although, on account of their immeasurable distance, these planets are altogether invisible to us.

We speak of these stars as fixed, because they preserve the same relative position with respect to one another. But there is no clear evidence of their absolute immobility. Sirius, Arcturus, and Aldebaran, have been observed to make a small

* The annual parallax of the fixed stars has not yet been ascertained. But if we suppose it not to exceed 1", the distance of the fixed stars cannot be less than 206265 times the radius of the earth's orbit. As light traverses the latter in 8′ 13′′, it will require 3 years and 79 days to come from a fixed star to the earth. See PLAYFAIR'S Outlines, vol. ii. p. 217.

†The more powerful the telescope, the greater is the number of stars seen. La Lande computed, that, with a forty foot telescope, a hundred millions were visible.-MONTUCLA, vol. iv. p. 29.

change in their places; and, according to some, the solar system is not confined to a certain region in absolute space, but has a progressive motion. Perhaps all the great bodies of the universe are grouped together in systems mutually supporting each other, and moving in orbits round a central point in the immensity of space; or they may be supported in their stations in a way of which we have no conception. For although we see processes of vast extent going on, and principles of wide operation established, yet we are not to confine the Supreme Architect to these principles and processes only, because we know of no other. We see enough to convince us that He can vary his means as circumstances require, and that no end is beyond his powers of execution.

What a great and glorious scene, then, do the heavens exhibit to our view! Millions, and tens of millions of suns are stationed at convenient distances throughout the immensity of space, enlightening, and warming, and fertilizing hundreds of millions of worlds, all wheeling in busy and silent revolution round their several points of attraction; or bound together in systems of mutual gravitation. Judging from analogy, and from all that we can perceive of the operations of HIM who never works in vain, we are constrained to conclude that all these worlds, formed, and projected, and guided by the potent arm, and under the immediate inspection of the Almighty Sovereign, are inhabited by different orders of beings, with organs accommodated to the different circumstances in which they are placed, and endued with different degrees of intellectual capacity. What a noble scene! How ambitious ought we to be to extend our acquaintance with it in the progress of our existence! If creation be so great, O how great must the Creator be! He not only made, but he upholds and governs the mighty system of the universe. Not a movement of any orb but is guided by his hand; and not an action of a rational creature that escapes his eye. How well is he entitled to our homage and obedience!

Our earth, in all its beauty, variety, and magnificence; oceans, lakes, and rivers, mountains, valleys, and plains, clothed with verdure and enriched with plenty, diversified and enlivened with numerous inhabitants, presents a rich and charming scene to the imagination. But when we contemplate the number and magnitude of the heavenly orbs, the myriads of worlds profusely spread throughout the immeasurable regions of space, upheld by Almighty power, arranged and directed by consummate wisdom, replenished with inhabitants, many of whom, no doubt, occupy a higher station, are endued with

nobler powers, and clothed with a brighter glory than man, then the magnificence of our earth dwindles away, and the dignity of our nature and race seems absorbed in the brilliancy of the mighty constellation of intellectual being. Instead of overpowering our faculties, or damping our energy, let the view elevate the soul, awaken the ambition, and invigorate the exertions of rational and immortal man. Let him rejoice that he forms a part in such a mighty scheme; that he stands so high on the scale of existence. Other beings may be endued with more vigorous and enlarged faculties; but he is not doomed to remain stationary in the place which he now occupies. His powers are capable of high improvement; and who shall set limits to his progress in the pursuit of excellence? What attainments are within his reach, how far his faculties may yet expand, what noble rewards may yet crown his diligence and activity, and with what dignity he may yet appear among the chosen of the universe, no language can express, nor imagination conceive!

The wise and benevolent Sovereign of Nature, reigning with vigilant affection over innumerable worlds, peopled with inhabitants whose organs are suited to their respective situations, all rejoicing in the existence, adoring the perfections, and grateful for the goodness of the bountiful Creator; what a magnificent and ennobling scene! While the melody of praise and the incense of thanksgiving ascend from all quarters of the universe towards the throne of the Almighty, what shall we think of those few beings, perhaps of our race chiefly, who refuse to join in the general symphony, and who not only withhold the tribute of adoration and gratitude, but audaciously deny the existence of the Creator? Guilty and miserable creatures! they cast themselves out from the great society of blessed intelligences, and forfeit the felicity prepared for the grateful and obedient subjects of the Universal Sovereign.

In our cursory glance at Nature, we have seen a wonderful scene minute precision, and splendid magnificence; striking uniformity, and endless variety; apparent carelessness and irregularity, and the most perfect order and exquisite arrangements, all united. In examining the parts, we meet with skilful contrivance, admirable workmanship, and exact adjustment. As there is an accurate adaptation and reciprocal dependance of the parts, so those parts are combined in one harmonious and magnificent whole. Obvious traces of design everywhere occur; and as certainly as design proves a designing cause, so certainly do we prove the existence of an intelligent Creator. We do not, indeed, see or feel the Deity,

in the same manner as we see or feel a material object. But although he himself is invisible, his operations are manifest. Creation proclaims the being of the Creator. The attributes of mind are evidently displayed, and the existence of God is as fully ascertained, as if we saw him with his right hand upholding the sun, with his left directing the stars in their courses; and heard his voice proclaiming, "I form the light, and create darkness; I the Lord do all these things."

BOOK III.

OF THE PERFECTIONS OF DEITY.

CHAPTER I.

OF THE UNITY OF DEITY.

DESIGN and contrivance are fully established by the facts and arguments stated in the preceding part of this treatise. But design and contrivance are acts of mind, and their existence in the universe plainly proves it to be the production of an Intelligent Cause. We now, therefore, proceed to inquire into the character of the Supreme Intelligence, in so far as it is discoverable in the works of his hand. We, indeed, know, and perhaps at present we can know but little about the Divine Essence, and the manner in which the Deity exists and acts; but our ignorance or imperfect knowledge of those things is not even a shadow of argument against the existence of the Supreme Being. It is nothing more than a proof of our limited capacity. In investigating the character of the Deity, as discoverable from his works, we may assume it as a principle, that whatever qualities appear in the design and contrivance, may justly be ascribed to the designing and contriving Mind, in the degree, at least, in which they are manifested in the design and execution. For instance, the planets, bodies of vast magnitude, have been projected with prodigious velocity; and that velocity and the direction have been so nicely adjusted to the quantity of matter in each of the planets, and to their respective distances from the sun, as to make them describe such orbits as shall ensure the stability and permanency of the system. We cannot err in ascribing to the Author of the system a power equal to the projection of the planets in their orbits with the requisite velocity, and a wisdom equal to what was necessary in order to the establishment of such conditions as are sufficient for the security of the system. And in so far as the constitution of things promotes the happiness of sentient beings, the attribute of goodness must also be admitted.