several illustrative engravings. In its present form, the Author trusts, that independently of the moral reflections it contains, it will be found to comprise popular descriptions of a greater number of scientific facts than is to be found in any other volume of the same size. Various topics, originally intended to be illustrated, have been unavoidably omitted. Some of these are stated in the last paragraph of Chapter IV. the illustration of which, in combination with other kindred topics, would fill a volume of nearly the same size as the present. This subject (for which the author has abundance of materials) will be prosecuted in another volume, under the title of THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION; and will comprise, among many other objects of discussion, illustrations of the moral relation of intelligent beings to their Creator, and to one another-the physical and rational grounds of those moral laws which the Deity has promulgated-the views which science affords of the incessant energies of Creating Power, and of the grand and multifarious objects over which Divine Providence presides-the relation of science to a future state, and of the aids which the discoveries of science afford, for enabling us to form a conception of the perpetual improvement of the celestial inhabitants in knowledge and felicity. These subjects will be illustrated by a variety of interesting details of facts, in relation to the system of nature, the history of nations, and the moral state of Christian and general society CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION Necessity of Revelation. Folly of discarding the Science of Nature from Religion. Beneficial Effects which flow from the study of the Works of God. CHAPTER I. OF THE NATURAL ATTRIBUTES OF THE DEITY. SECTION I. ON THE RELATION OF THE NATURAL ATTRIBUTES OF THE DEITY TO RELI GION The Christian Religion founded on the Natural Attributes of God. His Power as interesting a subject as his Mercy-Illustrated in two instances. Evils which arise from imperfect conceptions of Divine Power. Defects in Religious Instruction on this subject. Sources of Illustration. SECTION II. ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE OMNIPOTENCE OF THE DEITY The material world exhibits a more striking display of this Perfection than the supernatural facts recorded in Scripture. Immense quantity of Matter in the universe. Mode of acquiring the most comprehensive conception of the bulk of the Earthits variety of scenery-its mass of solid matter. Magnitude of the bodies which compose the Solar System. Magnitude and number of the Stars. Procedure of the mind in acquiring the most impressive conceptions of such august objects. Reflections. Rapid Motions of the Celestial Bodies. How we acquire the ideas of relative velocities-weight of the Earth-immense physical forces-Grandeur of the motion of Saturn-immense number of bodies impelled through the heavensReflections. Immense Spaces which surround the Heavenly Bodies-Reflections. Popular illustration of the Motions of the Earth and Heavens. Extract from Dr. Ridgeley, with remarks. Universe intended to adumbrate the Attributes of God, and to make a sublime impression on created beings. Similar trains of thought suggested in the Scriptures. Moral Effects of such contemplations. Humility. Folly of pride-low rank of man in the scale of being. Reverence and Veneration-Reason why mankind feel so little veneration of God-how it may be increased. The Deity unsearchable. Hope and Confidence in the prospect of futurity-Resurrection-Scenes of Eternity. SECTION III. ON THE WISDOM AND INTELLIGENCE OF THE DEITY Wisdom defined-Displayed in the Structure of the Solar System. Distance of the Sun. Rotation of the Planets-Principal reason why such a motion exists. Wisdom displayed in other Systems. Minute displays of this attribute cannot be traced in the heavens. Wisdom, as displayed in the constitution of our globe-adjustinent of its solid parts to the necessities of the beings which inhabit it. Mountains, their uses-exist in other worlds. Diversity of colour-ar ument for a plurality of worlds-general colour which prevails in the scene of nature-Water, its use in the system of nature-its composition, evaporation-motion of the liquid element-its beneficial effects. The Atmosphere-its weight and pressure-its component parts-its various properties→→ necessary to animal life, flame, sound, twilight-wisdom displayed in its constitution, Expansion of water in the act of freezing. VARIETY OF NATURE Vegetables-their number and variety. Animals-variety in their organization. Eyes Mechanism of Animated Beings SECTION IV. 73 88 ON THE GOODNESS OR BENEVOLENCE OF THE Deity CHAPTER II. A CURSORY VIEW OF SOME OF THE SCIENCES WHICH ARE RELATED INTRODUCTION. Extensive range of Theology. Bad effects of setting Religion in opposition to Science. Harmony of the operations of God in Nature and Revelation NATURAL HISTORY Its extensive range. Outline of its principal objects-on the surface, and in the interior recesses of the earth-in the atmosphere-the vegetable, mineral, and animal kingdoms-and in the region of the heavens. Description of the Banian Tree. Reflections. Monkey Bread Tree. Splendour and felicity of insect life. Invisible worlds -infinity of the universe. Religious tendency of this Science. It affords a manifestation of the Deity, and expands our conceptions of his operations-ennobles the human mind.-Recommended by the Sacred writers. GEOGRAPHY 117 - 110 - 134 Its object-Figure of the Earth-Proofs of its spherical form. Relation which the discovery of the figure of the earth bears to the plan of Providence. Magnitude and natural divisions of the earth General features of its surface. Mountains-their general ranges, and the sublime scenes they exhibit. The Ocean-its extent, depth, bottom, and motions. Rivers--their number, size, and the quantity of water they pour into the ocean. How they are supplied--their use in the system of nature. Artificial division of the earth. Number and variety of its inhabitants. Number which have existed since the Creation-number at the resurrection, and the space they would occupy. Number which the earth would contain-strictures on Malthus. Utility of the study of Geography to Religion-to Directors of Missionary Societies -to Private Christians. Grandeur of its physical objects-utility of its moral facts. GEOLOGY Its object and connexion with religion—an interesting subject of inquiry. Materials which compose the crust of our globe. Various geological phenomena. Organic remainsMammoth, Tapir, Elk, Megatherium, &c. Geological deductions not inconsistent with the Mosaic History--Genesis i. 1, 2, explained. Short duration of the earth 157 CONTENTS. in its present form. The Deluge, and its effects on the earth's strata. Marine shells, &c. Grand and terrific objects which this science exhibits-illustrate the sublime descriptions of the Deity recorded in the Scriptures. ASTRONOMY Its sublime objects. Apparent motions of the Sun-of the Moon. Eclipses of the Sun and Moon. Apparent motion of the starry heavens. Stars and planets seen in the day-time, and with what powers of the telescope they may be distinguished. Apparent revolution of the celestial vault indicates Almighty power. Stars never shift their relative positions. Solar System. The Sun-his size and probable destination illustrated--his spots and atmosphere-different kind of rays emitted from his body--his distance illustrated. Mercury-his size, rotation, quantity of light and heat, &c. Proportions of caloric on the different planets. Venus-her size, phases, mountains, transits, and general phenomena. Original observations on, and mode by which her diurnal rotation may be determined. Earth-proofs of its annual and diurnal motions. The moon-description of her majestic mountain scenery, luminous spots, celestial Mars-his distance, appearances, illuminating power, superficial contents, &c. atmosphere, luminous zone, &c. New Planets-Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vestatheir anomalies, singularities, and probable origin. Meteoric Stones. Jupiter-his Saturn-his figure, belts, bulk, rotation, belts, and the appearances of his moons. mocns, and quantity of light. His Rings, their dimensions, motion, and phenomena -illustrated by a figure. Splendour of the firmament, as viewed from this planet (see the engraving.) Herschel-his distance, size, and quantity of light. Comets-their tails, velocity, orbits, size, and number. New Comet. Motion of the solar system in absolute space-its destination-plurality of worlds intimated in Scripture. The Fixed Stars-their distance illustrated--their arrangement, changes-moral reflections. Relation of Astronomy to Religion-moral effects which its objects have a tendency to produce-criminality of overlooking the works of God, &c. NATURAL PHILOSOPHY Its objects and different departments. Mechanics--subjects it embraces, and its importance to the improvement of mankind. Hydrostatics-its leading principles and uses, illustrated by figures. Pneumatics--its principles, and the experiments by which they are illustrated. Acoustics. Optics-leading facts and principles of this science, Burning-glasses, &c. Electricity-its nature, phenomena, effects, and agency in the system of nature. Galvanism-its singular effects on metals, &c. and on the animal system-various facts which it explains. Magnetism-its various phenomena and effects. Relation of Natural Philosophy to Religion-its inventions meliorate the condition of mankind-illustrated in the case of the electric fluid-it undermines the influence of superstition-unfolds the incessant agency of God-indifference to this subject unreasaonble. CHYMISTRY Its objects, and present dignified station. General forms of matter-simple and compound substances. Caloric-its sources and properties. Oxygen, its properties and combinations-nitrous oxide, its singular effects. Nitrogen, its effects on flame and animal life. Hydrogen, its properties and uses. Carbon, its nature, combinations, and antiseptic properties. Sulphur, its origin, combinations, and properties. Phosphorus, history of its discovery-how prepared-curious experiments with this subConnexion of this science stance-Phosphoric phenomena in the system of nature. with Religion-it displays the wisdom and benevolence of God, and the mode of his present and future operations-improves the condition of man-and carries forward our views to a more glorious and auspicious era. ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY Their general object-human body, its different parts and divisions. Bones, their number, form, and positions. Muscles, their nature, use, and extraordinary strength. Heart and blood-vessels, and the circulation of the blood. Respiration-curious structure of the lungs. Digestion. Perspiration. Sensation, and the system of nerves. Summary. Moral reflections-this branch of study teaches us our dependence on a Superior Power-and excites to gratitude. HISTORY Its objects, advantages, and connexion with Religion. Connexion of the sciences and of the Divine dispensations with each other. Concluding remarks. 163 201 219 - 231 241 CHAPTER III. THE RELATION WHICH THE INVENTIONS OF ART BEAR TO THE OBJECTS OF RELIGION. Art of Printing, its origin, and beneficial effects-Dr. Church's Improvements in. Art of Navigation. Mariner's Compass, its discovery and use. The Telescope, its invention, and the discoveries made by it-serves instead of a celestial vehicle. Magnifying pow ers of Dr. Herschel's Telescopes. The Microscope, and the views it exhibits of the wisdom of God. Steam Navigation, its utility in promoting the intercourse of mankind, and its relation to the objects of religion. Air Balloons, utility of, when arrived at perfection-proposed improvement in. History of their invention-Lunardi's ascentthe Parachute. Acoustic Tunnels. Experiments on the Conveyance of Sound. M. Biot's remarkable experiment. Don Gautier's experiment and suggestion. Conclusions in reference to the extensive conveyance of sound. Practical remarks-utility of the arts in relation to the Millennial Era 114 CHAPTER IV. SCRIPTURAL FACTS ILLUSTRATED FROM THE SYSTEM I. Science may frequently serve as a guide to the true interpretation of Scripture. Caron or rule for Scripture interpretation-illustrated. II. The Depravity of Man illustrated, from a consideration of the state of the interior strata of the earth. Volcanoes, and the terrible ravages they produce. Earthquakes, and their dreadful effects. Thunderstorms, tempests, and hurricanes. General Reflections on this subject. III. The Resurrection illustrated. Transformations of Insects. Indestructibility of matter-conclusions from this fact. IV. General Conflagration. Concluding reflections. Topics omitted in this volume 125 CHAPTER V. BENEFICIAL EFFECTS WHICH WOULD RESULT FROM CONNECTING SCIENCE WITH RELIGION. I. The variety of topics wou d allure the attention of intelligent minds to religious subjects. Principle of novelty intended by the Creator to be gratified--illustrated in the variety which appears in the earth, the heavens, and the volume of Revelation. II. Science enables us to take an extensive survey of the empires of God-illustrates many sublime passa. ges of the Bible-qualifies us for complying with several Divine Injunctions-danger of selfishness and indifference in this respect. Our conceptions of God depend on our views of the extent of his dominions. III. Science enlarges our views of the operations of Providence, in relation to the past and present scenes of the world. The economy of the inferior animals. The physical and moral economy of the celestial worlds. IV. Science, blended with Religion, would produce a general expansion of mind, and liberality of views, in reference to the opinions and actions of men, and to the works and the ways of God, illustrated at large. V. It would induce a spirit of piety, and profound humility. Sources of piety-illustrated by an example. Humility-illustrated by the examples of Mr. Bovle, of Sir Isaac Newton, and of superior intelligences. General conclusions 134 |