moon, when it rises, is nearer the earth by as much as it appears larger, than it is when risen to its meridian; for when rising, it appears nearly twice as large as it does at the meridian. It is allowed by all, that the atmosphere is more dense near the surface of the earth, and gradually thinning upwards. It is evident, then, that viewing the moon through a dense medium, magnifies it, and is the cause of its appearing larger. Now if we apply it to the sun, do we not see it under the same circumstances in winter? In consequence of the sun being lower in this season of the year than in summer, there is a much greater quantity of dense air between it and us, which sufficiently accounts for its appearing larger, notwithstanding its greater distance. In this case it appears just as letters appear through a magnifying glass, which being thicker in the middle, makes them appear larger; but when the glass is of an even substance, the letters appear of their proper size; and if the glass be thinner in the middle, than at the edge, they will appear smaller.

Those who say the sun is nearer to us in winter, than in summer, because it appears larger, do not seem to be aware, that it is as much as to say, there is no heat in it, for it is certain, the nearer we are to a body of heat, the more we must feel its effects; and if so, it would be warmer in winter, than in summer; which is contrary to reason and experience. But if, (as I shall endeavour to prove,) the sun goes round the earth, and by a gradual spiral mo

tion approaches toward us from the south; by that means a greater part of its orbit passes over us, conveying light, and heat, by its longer stay, its rays falling more perpendicularly upon us than in winter, and the coldness of the night being of shorter duration, causes summer, naturally and rationally. (See Plate 2, Fig. 1.) Again, when the sun recedes from us, toward the south, and its rays take an inclined direction to us, compassing the earth at a greater distance from us, there is a much shorter part of its passage through its orbit exposed to us: this, with the absence of the heat, and, as a matter of course, the increased length of the nights, their coldness increasing with their length, produces winter; the sun, not only shining a shorter time, but its rays falling more obliquely. I shall here merely remark, that as the sun approaches toward us, from the south, it passes over the equinoctial line, and produces a summer to that part of the earth; and as it recedes from us, another: so that those at the equinox, have two summers in one year, and we only one.

If the reader finds any difficulty in comprehending what I mean by the winding motion of the sun, let him make a circular motion before him with one of his hands, and continue it while he walks backward and forward a few times, and he will make exactly the motion with his hand that I mean. *

To represent the motion of the sun, let the walking be from north to south, and from south to north, and the motion of the hand from east to west.

CHAPTER IV.

What! not one world content thee, atom,

But thou must create more; yes, world on world,
In thy imagination? Where's thy warrant?

And canst thou prove it from the word of truth?
Must we believe because thou sayest it,

Without a greater proof?

Make good thy other sayings; then we may
Afford thee credit, such as thou deserv'st:

But know, the word of God says no such thing;
And this we credit far beyond thy word.
Consider this one well, and thou wilt want
No other earthly world; but only heaven.

An endeavour to prove the futility of many worlds; and, also, that the whole planetary system was designed for

this earth alone.

fond of the idea of many

Some persons seem very worlds, enlightened by many suns; and system upon system, in the immensity of space. This is certainly a very exalted idea, but as we have no authority from scripture, to assert this, it can be no more than conjecture. But even this supposition can add nothing to the glory of the Almighty; for that power which could speak such a system as we behold, into existence, could certainly create more if he pleased. It as much requires an Almighty power to create an

insect, as it does to create an elephant. But when we give way to conjecture, where may not our fancy lead us.

If we examine this opinion of various worlds and systems by the scriptures, and their general tendency, we can find but little reason to entertain such an idea; neither should we regard what men say, when they tell us that the planetary system is so very great, that if this earth was annihilated, it would not be observed, by an eye, that could with one view survey the whole. Suppose this was true, yet is not the earth of more real value than all the rest. They are not intelligent, however glorious they may be, in appearance to us. We believe them to be nothing more than inanimate matter, or substance, of a wonderful form and quality, incomprehensible to us, and evidently shewing a most glorious display of the inconceivable power and goodness of God. But with all their extraordinary qualities, they fall infinitely short of the souls of men, in point of value, one of which, out-weighs them all.

When we consider for what this world was made; that it was to be the habitation of men-intelligent beings, endued with contemplative minds-capable of admiring these astonishing proofs of almighty power and benignity, and adoring their maker and preserver, the whole planetary system sinks into comparative insignificance. Not only this, but the

souls of men are of eternal duration; whereas, the planetary system is not; for we read, that it shall have an end.

When these orbs were created, God said, "let them be; and it was so:" but when man was created, it is said, "let us make man ;"-" and God breathed man;" into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul." There was, then, a remarkable difference in the manner of their creation; but much more in the design for which they were made. Admitting this, it will follow, that all these things were designed for man, as he could not possibly exist without them; neither, indeed, did man begin to exist, until all these were created for him.

We all well know what the consequences would be, if the sun or moon were to be extinguished, or annihilated. There would be no light, heat, or vegetation. The water would become ice-our blood freeze in our veins-the sea stagnate-its inhabitants die-and in fine, the world would be at an end, as it regards man. Therefore, it is very evident, that these things were all created for the good of mankind, and are to continue until the race of man shall end.

We read, that at the last day, when all temporal things shall be brought to an end, having finished the design of their almighty and all-wise creator, "the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood," (that is, its light shall be extinguished,)