8 



one-third of a second. Its distance, consequently, could not be less than sixty-two 

 billions, four hundred and eightly one thousand, five hundred millions of miles ; a 

 space which light, that flies to us in eight minutes- from the sun, would require more 

 than ten years to traverse. 



In a number of instances, stars, whose places have been registered in the cata- 

 logues, have subsequently disappeared. Some stars, on the other hand, appear to 

 be new, as no entry of them is found in the catalogues of former observers. There 

 are also temporary stars, which appear, and after shining with more or less lustre 

 for a time, vanish. Lost, new, and temporary stars, are among the mysteries of 

 nature. Some astronomers suppose that these stars are subject to a periodical trans- 

 lation from the depths of space, moving in vast elliptical orbits, at one extremity of 

 which they become visible to us, and then retire from view. 



Versatile stars are such as undergo periodical mutations, regularly waxing and 

 waning. These singular appearances are accounted for by supposing a rotating 

 body to have one of its hemispheres less luminous than the other, and which, being 

 presented to us in the course of rotation, produces the periodical changes observed. 



Multiple stars are also observed ; that is, stars which appear to the naked eye to 

 be single objects, are found by the telescope to be compound, consisting of two or 

 more individuals. They appear to be suns revolving round a common centre, each 

 having probably its system of planets and satellites ; but which, owing to their 

 enormous distance from us, are crowded into a space which a grain of sand would 

 cover. 



NEBULAE. Under tnis term are comprised a class of objects which seem to the 

 naked eye patches of luminous matter, but which are resolved by powerful telescopes 

 into clusters of stars, the individuals of which may be reckoned by thousands. Of 

 such clusters of stars, there are hundreds of various shapes, each constituting as 

 rich a firmament as that immediately around us. 



The Milky Way, which stretches across the heavens, is a wonderful system of 

 nebulae, or stars, of which our sun is considered to form an individual member. Of 

 this remarkable belt, Sir William Hershel says, " when examined through powerful 

 telescopes, it is found to consist entirely of stars, scattered by millions, like glitter- 

 ing dust, on the black ground of the general heavens." 



In concluding our rapid sketch of popular Astronomy we would strongly recom- 

 mend to all the study of this great science, tending as it does to elevate the mind 

 and impress it with more exalted ideas of the glorious Creator of all things. In the 

 sacred writings we find frequent allusions to this sublime subject. " The heavens," 

 says the Psalmist, " declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handy- 

 work." " Lift up your eyes on high, and behold, who hath created all these things 

 the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, who fainteth not, neither 

 is weary ; there is no searching of His understanding. He bringeth out their host 

 by number, and calleth them all by names, by the greatness of His might, for He is 

 strong in power. It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabi- 

 tants thereof are as grasshoppers j all nations before Him are as nothing ; and they 

 are counted unto Him less than nothing and vanity." 



We should not only study God in the revelation he has made of himself in the 

 Scriptures ; but we should also study him as he unfolds his glorious attributes in 

 the works of creation. They are both revelations of the same almighty and benevo- 

 lent being ; both are in perfect harmony with each other ; both display His power, 

 His wisdom, and His love. 



