298 
VIEW OF NATURE. 
even one world as large as our sun contains, 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 upheld by that 
Power which “ created the heavens and the earth,” and who 
governs the universe by regular laws. This universe is 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 near- 
est 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 their satellites, revolves around the common 
centre of gravity of the fixed stars, of which himself constit- 
tutes a part ; and these are supposed to revolve around the cen- 
tre 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 immen- 
sity 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 des- 
tined to an immortal existence. 
Turning our thoughts from the heavenly host to our own lit- 
tle 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 ar e inorganized, 
comprehends all matter destitute of a living principle ; such as 
fluids , gases, and minerals. The particles which compose them 
are entirely subject to chemical and mechanical laws. 
The 2d class, viz : organized substances, includes animals 
and vegetables ; the particles constituting them are in a perpet- 
ual state of motion ; they are supported by air and food, endow- 
ed with life, and subject to death ; the active power or life which 
The heavenly bodies — All substances on the earth divided into two classes. 
