118 THE HEAVENS 



zenith, to infinite height, it would soar unfettered. 

 And right round to any distance in any direction it 

 would pierce its way. The height and distance of 

 the highest and farthest stars I knew had been 

 measured. I knew that the resulting number of 

 miles is something so immense as to be altogether 

 beyond human conception. I knew also that the 

 number of stars, besides those few thousands 

 which I saw, had to be numbered in hundreds 

 of millions. All this was astonishing, and the 

 knowledge of it filled me with wonder at the im- 

 mensity of the Starry Universe. But it was not 

 the mere magnitude of this world that impressed 

 me. What stirred me was the Presence, subtly 

 felt, of some mighty all-pervading Influence which 

 ordered the courses of the heavenly hosts and per- 

 meated every particle. 



We cannot watch the sun go down day after 

 day, and after it has set see the stars appear, rise to 

 the meridian and disappear below the opposite 

 horizon in regular procession, without being im- 

 pressed by the order which prevails. We feel that 

 the whole is kept together in punctual fashion, and 

 is not mere chaos and chance. The presence of * 

 some Power upholding, sustaining, and directing 

 the whole is deeply impressed upon us. And in 

 this Presence so steadfast, so calm, so constant, 

 we feel soothed and steadied. The frets and pains 

 of ordinary life are stilled. Deep peace and satis- 

 faction fill our souls. 



Sandstorms so terrific that we cannot stand 

 before them or see a thing a foot or two distant 

 come whirling across the desert, and all for the time 



