37 



What then do we mean when we speak of the laws 

 of the Universe? What are these laws? 



The answer to this question we can only find in na- 

 ture. Astronomy, the science of cosmic phenomena tells 

 us that all the starry worlds are governed by the law 

 of gravitation ; space, as far as the telescope can pierce, 

 is full of stars of different sizes and different sorts - 

 some of them throwing out light-rays of their own, some 

 reflecting the light of others. The former are called 

 suns, and the latter planets. Besides these there exist 

 iilso comets and cloud-spots. 



As all these worlds move in space by general laws, 

 called the scientific laws of cosmic gravitation, I shall 

 confine myself at present to our own solar system, and 

 afterwards we shall pass to a general conclusion regard- 

 ing the Universe at large. 



Our sun is the source of heat and light for the pla- 

 nets surrounding it, of which astronomers have observed 

 tight large viz. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Ju- 

 piter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune - - and as many as 

 300 small ones,- the last-named circulating in the space 

 between Mars and Jupiter and being known as asteroids. 



A very superficial glance at life is enough to shew 

 us what enormous significance the sun possesses for our 

 earth. It is the source of light and warmth ; where it 

 -shines nature revives, where there is no sun nature 

 perishes. The sun is earth's benefactor; without it we 

 could not enjoy the blessing of our own lives, nor the 

 green landscapes of earth's surface, which sweeten our 

 human existence with their aroma, their freshness, their 

 -coolness, their beauty. 



But as amongst men so also in nature generally, there 

 is no consequence without a cause, not one phenomenon 

 "without a reason for its appearance. 



The sun, as I have already said, is a source of light 

 and heat, and all heat, by chemical analysis, is shown 

 to be the result of concealed or open combustion. The 

 burning power of the sun's rays at such an enormous 



