4 ON THE USE AND ADVANTAGE

And, in like manner, the wisest and greatestof men, both amongst the ancients and moderns,have confefl'ed themselves charmed with thebeauties of this science. To contemplate thegrand spectacle of the heavens, has ever beenconsidered as the noblest privilege of our nature.For it is here that we discover the wonders ofthe Almighty, and see the wisdom of God inthe works of the creation. Nor is there anyknowledge, attained by the light of nature,that gives us juster ideas of this great Being,or furnilhes us with stronger arguments bywhich to demonstrate his existence and attri-butes. " The heavens, fays the Psalmist, de-clare the glory of God, and the firmamentIheweth his handy work; day unto day utterethspeech, and night unto night sheweth know-ledge ; and there is no speech or language wheretheir voice is not heard.”

Thus Astronomy is not only valuable, as itaffords us such exalted ideas of God and hisworks ; but it also improves the mind, and in -creases the force and penetration of the humanunderstanding. For, by means of this science,we are taught to discover the spring and foun-tain of all the celestial motions ; to follow thefootsteps of the Creator through the immenseregions of his empire ; and to trace the secretcauses by which he regulates the great machineof the universe.

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