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ASTRONOMY

MONG the many sciences which show the goodness and wisdom of God as manifest in His creations, relations, adaptations and purpose, the outstanding in prominence is Astronomy.

In the study of the heavenly bodies, the sun, moon, stars, and the functioning of these systems, even with the unaided eye, these marvelous creations amaze us beyond measure. But when we add to the eye the telescope, photography, spectroscope and selenium-cell with their wonderful magnifying power, penetrating into heretofore unknown areas, our admiration is quickened to the point of reverence and awe.

As we view the vast fields of the heavenly bodies, their spheres of action, their power of radiation and the benign purpose served in their movements, we would say with the Hebrew writer: "The heavens declare the glory (goodness) of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork-Day unto day uttereth speech and night unto night showeth knowledge-There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard."

The outstanding laws operating in the field of Astronomy are the laws of force known as centrifugal and centripetal forces, together with gravitation. These forces hold the earth in its orbit, the planetary systems in their spheres, the sun, moon and stars in elegantly adjusted leash performing their functions in their rela

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tions to one another. These laws, so manifest, are operating with beautiful precision and challenge the wonder and admiration of mankind. By the operation of these laws of gravitation so finely adjusted our bodies, houses and barns are held in place on the earth, yet, at the same time, animal life is free to move and roam according as instinct or volition may direct. This law of mobility operating within the law of force appears to be one of the mysteries of life.

We see here also the fine checks and balances of the celestial sphere operating in such perfect harmony as to keep the world in its revolutions, to bring the seasons in their times, that the copious gift of life (every day a new gift) might continue.

The rising sun every day in its majesty reflects unending beauty and delight. Our emotions are intensified as we watch the light throw back the robe of night, revealing creation in a new garb, every morning exquisitely beautiful.

From the fine laws of gravitation manifested throughout all the celestial creation, we have certain laws of dynamics which are applied and operating under the hand of man. From these laws of force come our pulley and lever from which we have our means of locomotion and transportation in the form of railroad systems, our locomotives, automobile and motor vehicles, our oceangoing vessels, our water systems of travel and our aircraft guided by the hand of man with its great possibilities.

As our planet is an integral part of the solar system, and, according to Newton's theory: "Every body in the universe attracts and is attracted by every other body with a force depending upon their mass, and growing less in exact proportion as the square of the distance be

tween the bodies grows greater," we must necessarily come under the influence of the other celestial bodies.

So, when we consider the wonderful laws and adjustments by which the earth is held in its orbit and made to revolve on its axis, and the sun held at a distance designed to bring about the seasons suitable for planting, cultivating, harvesting, and a season of rest for recuperation and distribution of crops, we marvel. We wonder also at the benign purpose wrought out and the provision thus made for man's welfare.

We have also the lighting effects of the sun and moon, giving to man the necessary glow of light adapted to his organs of sight, the eyes, all so finely shaded to meet the exigencies of man's needs. The morning sun comes up gradually and kindly lights the world with a glow adapted to the waking eye; then, as all creation responds to the call of light, the glow reaches an intensity of brightness and is prolonged to enable man to plan, calculate, work, and enjoy the fruits of his labour, while the sun still shines. When man with a tired body is ready to lie down for recuperation, and rest seems sweet, the evening glow appears, and the weary body again

rests.

But the solar system, and particularly the sun in its majesty, performs another function without which man could not exist. With the coming glow of the morning, borne on the shafts of light, come the heat waves to minister to man's physical needs, and with benign and soft penetration enter into the remotest crevice of the world creation. It causes vegetation to flourish, fruits to ripen, and stimulates man's power of assimilation, propagation and endurance. By the heat thus produced we have not only their direct effects upon the body, but reflections in the great storehouse of coals, oils and heat

ing processes providing and assisting chemical action to produce the things necessary for man's welfare.

The light carried upon the wings of ether as it travels at the rate of approximately 186,000 miles per second, finds a congenial companion in ether adapted as a vehicle for the conveyance of this wonderful power. In all these relations, adaptations, assimilations, we can see the goodness and wisdom of God in the fine adjustments of all the solar creations to the needs and even anticipated requirements of man.

We might mention innumerable disasters which would certainly happen in case the sun and various planets would fail to function for a day or even an instant. But suffice to say they have never failed.

When the designers of the American flag and the poet verging upon inspiration desired to paint a word picture of the flag, they reached up to the heavens for the beautiful emblems of light, purity and love. They placed the starry cluster, shining amid the broad shield of blue; then, taking the white girdle of the Milky Way, they "striped its pure celestial white with streakings of the morning light." Then, as if possible to add to the beauty of the wonderful concept, they placed the flag in the talons of the king of birds which flies highest and nearest to the heavens, "and gave into his mighty hands the symbol of our chosen land."

One of the practical uses made of Astronomy in the movements and observations of the heavenly bodies is that made by seamen as they steer or pilot their ships from port to port. By compass and nautical instruments these navigators are entitled to tell the time and direction of their ships from any given port; "without chart or compass," as is commonly quoted, depicts one as drifting without power of observation or bearings,