ASTRONOMY. 



73 



ehe solar system, or other systems which exist in 

 the universe the form of their orbits, their pro 

 portional distances and periods of revolution 

 their magnitudes, rotations, velocities, and the 

 various phenomena which are observed on their 

 surfaces the arrangement and positions of the 

 different clusters of stars of the stellar and plan 

 etary nebula, of double, triple, and variable stars, 

 and many other general factSj require to be known 

 before the mind can receive farther information 

 respecting the structure of the universe. It 

 may be* also necessary, even in a higher state 

 of existence, to be acquainted with those contri 

 vances or artificial helps by which very distant 

 objects may be brought near to view. We know 

 by experience, in our present state, that by 

 means of telecsopes, millions of stars, which 

 the unassisted eye cannot discern, are brought 

 within the sphere of our observation, and 

 numerous other splendid objects, which, with 

 out the aid of these instruments, would have 

 been altogether concealed from our view. The 

 organs of vision, indeed, of the redeemed in 

 habitants of our globe, after the resurrection, 

 there is every reason to believe, will be capable 

 of taking in a much more extensive range of 

 view than at present. They may be endowed 

 with qualities which will enable them to pene 

 trate into the depths of space far beyond the 

 reach of our most powerful telescopes, and to 

 perceive with distinctness, objects at the dis 

 tance of many billions of miles. Still, however, 

 they may require artificial aids to their natural 

 organs, in order to enable them to contemplate 

 objects at still greater distances. And although 

 Buci&quot; helps, to natural vision, analogous to our 

 telescopes, may be conceived as incomparably 

 superior to ours, yet the same general principles 

 must be recognised in their construction. For, 

 as has been already noticed, the light which 

 emanates from the most distant stars consists of 

 the same colours, and is refracted and reflected 

 by the same laws, as the light which is emitted 

 from the sun, and which illuminates our terres 

 trial abode ; and, consequently, must operate on 

 the organs of sentient beings, in those remote 

 regions, in a manner similar to its effects on the 

 eyes of man. 



It is highly probable, that, in the future world, 

 a considerable portion of our knowledge respect 

 ing the distant provinces of the divine empire, 

 will be communicated by superior beings who 

 have visited the different systems dispersed 

 through the universe, and have acquired infor- 

 tion respecting their history, and their physical 

 and moral scenery. We learn from Scripture, 

 that there are intelligences who can wing their 

 way, in a short period of time, from one world to 

 another. Such beings, in the course of a thou 

 sand centuries, must have made many extensive 

 tours through the regions of creation, and ac 

 quired a comprehensive knowledge of the most 



striking scenes which the universe displays. 

 And, since they have occasionally ming.ed in 

 the society of men, and communicated intelli 

 gence from heaven to earth, it is reasonable to 

 believe, that they will have more frequent inter 

 course with redeemed men in a future state, and 

 communicate the discoveries they have made 

 respecting the economy and grandeur of God s 

 universal empire. But, at the same time, it 

 ought carefully to be observed, that such com 

 munications would neither be fully understood 

 nor appreciated, unless the mind had a previous 

 acquaintance with the leading facts, and the 

 grand outlines of astronomical science. To en 

 ter into the spirit of those sublime details which 

 angels or archangels might communicate respect 

 ing other systems and worlds, the mind must be 

 prepared by a knowledge of those principles 

 which have already been ascertained, and of 

 those discoveries which have already been made 

 in relation to the system of the universe. Sup 

 pose a group of the native tribes of New Hol 

 land or Van Diemen s Land, were assembled 

 for the purpose of listening to a detail of the 

 principal discoveries which modern astronomers 

 have made in the heavens it would be impossi 

 ble to convey to their minds a clear conception 

 even of the prominent and leading facts of this 

 science, from the want of those general ideas 

 which are previously necessary in order to the 

 right understanding of such communications. 

 Such would be the case of men in a future state, 

 in regard to the communications of angelic mes 

 sengers from distant worlds, were their minds not 

 imbued with a certain portion of astronomical 

 knowledge. They might stare, and wonder at 

 some of the facts detailed ; but their ideas would 

 be vague and confused, and they would be unable 

 to form clear and comprehensive conceptions of 

 the various circumstances connected with the 

 scenes described, in all their bearings, aspects, 

 and relations, and of the indications they afford 

 of exquisite skill and intelligent design. 



As the objects which astronomy explores are 

 unlimited in their range, they will afford an inex 

 haustible subject of study and contemplation to 

 superior beings, and to mankind when placed in 

 a higher sphere of existence. Astronomical sci 

 ence, as having for its object to investigate and 

 explore the facts and relations peculiar to all the 

 great bodies in the universe, can never be ex 

 hausted; unless we suppose that finite minds 

 will be able, at some future period in duration, 

 to survey and to comprehend all the plans and 

 operations of the infinite Creator. But this is 

 evidently impossible ; for &quot; who can by searching 

 find out God ? Who can find out the Almighty 

 to perfection ?&quot; After millions of centuries have 

 run their rounds, new scenes of grandeur will be 

 still bursting on the astonished mind, new regions 

 of creation, and new displays of divine power 

 and wisdom will still remain to be explored , 



