GfilSERAL flEWOP NATtRE. 237 



By the word Nature, derived from a term signifying born or pro- 

 duced, in a general sense we mean all the works of God. Using a 

 figure of speech called Metononiy, we often put the effect for the 

 cause ; as when we speak of the " works of nature," meaning what 

 the Almighty has brought forth : or we often mean by nature the 

 Deity himself; as when we say that "nature produces plants and 

 animals." 



With respect to the heavenly bodies, Avhich manifest themselves to 

 us with so much magnificence, we know them to be matter, because 

 we observe them to be subject to the laws which govern mutter; 

 and we have been able, by the discoveries of astronomers, to un- 

 derstand their various revolutions ; we have, in general, clearer ideas 

 of their motions than even of our own planet; it is more easy for 

 us to imagine them as moving, than that our firm earth is whirling 

 with inconceivable velocity. Were it possible for us to conceive 

 the quantity of matter which even one world as large as our sun con- 

 tains, the thought would be overwhelming; and of all the worlds 

 which we behold at one view in a serene night, what finite being 

 could imagine their united extent? They are suspended over our 

 heads, each one pursuing its destined course; why do we not fear 

 that some one may be precipitated upon our little world, and crush 

 it to atoms'? It is because we know that they are all uphek: by that 

 Power which " created the heavens and the earth," and who governs 

 the universe by regular laws. This universe is as infinite as the God 

 Who formed it; our sun, with all its systems, is but a point lost in 

 Immensity. Astronomers have proved that the fixed stars are at 

 such an immense distance from us, that moving at the rate of 500 

 miles an hour, we should not reach the nearest of them in 700,000 

 years, a distance more than 200,000 times greater than that of the 

 sUn from the earth. The same space probably separates all the 

 fixed stars. Around those stars revolve millions of opaque globes, 

 as our earth revolves around the sun, which is also one of the fixed 

 stars. The satellites describe around the primary planets almost 

 circular orbits ; they are carried with their primaries around the 

 sun in their annual motion ; the sun himself, with all his numerous 

 train of primary planets, each with its satellites, revolves around the 

 common centre of gravity of the fixed stars, of which himself con- 

 stitutes a part; and these are supposed to revolve around the centre 

 of the universe. Here may be the throne of the Almighty Creator 

 and Director of all these stupendous objects. 



Yet we need not fear that we shall be forgotten in the immensity 

 of creation ; the same Being who created and rules the host of 

 heaven, made the little moss and the lilies of the field, which are so 

 beautifully arrayed. If God condescends to care for them, he will 

 not neglect us, who are made in his own image, and destined to an 

 immortal existence. 



Turnin* our thoughts from the heavenly host to our own little 

 globe, and considering the matter which exists upon it, we find two 

 great classes' of substances ; 1st, inorganized, and 2d, organized. 



The 1st class of substances, viz., such as are inorganized, com- 

 prehends all matter destitute of a living principle ; such as fluids, 

 gases, and minerals. The particles which compose them are en- 

 tirely subject to chemical and mechanical laws. 



The 2d class, viz., organized substances, includes animals and 

 vegetables ; the particles constituting them are in a perpetual state 



Definition of nature— The heavenly bodies— Substances divided into two classes — 

 1st class of substances— 24 class of substances. 



