THE SOLAR SYSTEM 321 



we have a total eclipse of the moon. Those ancient 

 people who used to be so alarmed had never thought 

 of a shadow for the earth, it seems. 



An eclipse of the sun happens when the moon, in 

 revolving about the earth, goes directly between the 

 sun and the earth, and when the sun is entirely 

 covered by the moon it is called a total eclipse. 



A total eclipse of the sun is an awesome event, and 

 one that would alarm those earlier peoples who 

 could not think what would cause it; but no one is 

 alarmed now, because the reason of the eclipse is 

 known. The men who study about the laws of God's 

 universe can tell, long before it happens, just when an 

 eclipse will come, even to the exact second; and they 

 print all this in almanacs so we can know about it 

 each year. 



No one fears a thing when he knows that it is pro- 

 duced by a natural cause. We no longer dread the 

 magnificent comets. Though they fill us with awe, 

 as the marvelous works of God always must do, they 

 fill us with no dread. Knowing about them takes 

 away our fear. That is what Jesus meant when he 

 said, ''Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall 

 make ye free.'' 



