Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-09-27

nothing Of the wonders whicn Cn'oho'o-
gv exhibits, showing that the insect Is
the care of Providence, as well as man;
of the mysteries Of Vegetation, Of the
beauties Of Botany, in a word, Of the o.
yerpowering proofs Of divine agency in
creation, which meet US in every depart
mept of Natural Science. We scarcely
20 too far when we assert that every art
IS but an imperfect imitation of nature
Still, the discoveries Of Science often fail
Of exerting their proper influence on our
minds. We are too apt to look on what
is developed by scientific research asthe
original expedients Of the mind to which
they were first made apparent. True no
one avows such sentiment, no one would
attempt its vindication; perhaps all who
feel it are scarcely conscious Of il. But
consciously or not, most men cherish II.
They forget, in the pride of discovery,
that they are but discoverers; that inven-
ton is not creation that what they now re-
joice so clearly to discover, was seem
ingly hidden, perhaps, only because Of
their slowness to perceive it. Franklin,
indeed, caused the electric fluid to come
down to him; but;the Ruler of the storms,
gave TO his metallic points the power of
attraction. The steam-engine, "queen-
sconder" Of the world, is admirable; but
the prime cause of its resistless force, Is
often more darkly veiled from mans dull
eye,. than the ore which forms its ponder
Gus machinery lies concealed in the ca
verns Of the earth. Did man establish
that principle of expansion which gives to
a rain-drOp the power Of an ocean?--No.
Still in the face Of all these proofs Of the
existence Of God, we find that many
who are learned in natural science, whom
in common parance We call good philos-
ophers, are not unwavering Theists, and :,
even when they do see Deity in nature,
are not grateful adorers of a wise and
good Providence. Some foolishly imag-
inc that all things are self-created because
all a;c the result of certain fixed laws,
but they cannot account for the establish
ment Of these laws, nor is it possible to
account for them but by acknowledging
a Supreme Ruler of the Universally
belicfin God. Ii all things were in con-
fusion, il would be far more reasonable
40 suppose them the effect of chance than
when we see them in the most beautiful
order. These attempt to ascrbe to the
want, the supply which they find ready
to meet the exigency. But can anything
be more absurd? Gould the tender eye
form for itself lid, because, forsooth, it
was pain to be without one? There are
others, who are Theists, bat not adorers
of the Deity, who is every where visible.
In the midst Of his works they forget the
Author. In the study Of philosophy, in
the investigation of Natures arcana, in
their admiration Of all, they see, and in
their eagerness to learn all things, they
forget Him who has opened these sour
ces Of delight, these fountains of instruc-
tion. But shall we attribute the scepti-
cism and irreligion of philosophers to
philosophy : Shall we say, that to
know what great things the Creator
hath wrought, inspires irreverence for
him;--or that the means of developing
proofs of design shall lead one to ascribe
the beautiful order Of all things to the
blind effects Of chance? Let any one
ask himself candidly, if his own doubts
sprang from his knowledge ofthe works of
nature. If the testimony Of his own
heart is insufficient, let him listen 10 New
ton, exclaiming with all the humility Of
an ignorant man-"I am child, gather.
'ng pebbles on the shore Of the great ocear
Of truth" Let him hear Sir Humphre,
Davy declaring that he "envied no maj
his possessions, his power, or fame"-bu
humbly craved for himself "a part in tn,
Christians hope Let him look al Lock-
in the midst Of his philosophical research
es, anxiously and patiently engaged il
rol;r;ouc ;nc,,;ry Coryo nil, y,euc ond n M
inently good too. Let him see Paley
well skilled in natural science, devotin,
his knowledge Of this kind to the science
Of religion. Then let them infer, that i
minds like theirs rested in the Christian
faith, men Of ordinary intellect should no
neglect its supports; that if such men wer,
believers in Deity, then they, who from
their knowledge of Nature pretend to de
ny Natures God, do not declare the tru
cause Of their uabelief, or rather violato
OF their faith; for it must not be admitte
that man shall be a profound natura
philosopher, and not perceive Deity il
nature, whether he acknowledge him o
not. ,.,
To contemplations Of this sort ther
may be an objection in the minds of some
on the ground that the value ofrevela
tion seems to be weakened by the admis
sion that we had some glimoses of tn
light before it was fully unveiled.
seems to me, however, that this very ad
mission places the value Of revelation in
most striking light.
Making due allowance for the imper
feet knowledge q Natural Philosoph
which the ancient Pagans poss W