Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-04-30

Fa6' - octS Az Glt LIE IaiTJ-taieS that
We're ever fancied. any thing better calculated
% arrest the attention than this most unexpec-
yea resemblance between things SO unlike in
y! NE estimatlnn Of ordinary beholders? Then
- we raise our views to the structure Of the
heavens, we are again gratified with tracing
accurate but most unexpected resemblances.-
Is Is Il not in the highest degree interesting to
nho, .hat the same power which Keeps the
EARN IN It's orbit wheeling round the sun. OK
tends TO all other worlds composing the mi
verse; and gives to each its proper place and
mo!lon; that the same power keeps the moon
- ner PAIN round the earth; that the same
power causes the tides to swell upon the earth:
-. .aa' me same power causes any body total to
'he earth; and after all, il is the same power
which gave this peculiar form to the earth t.
self 70 learn these things, citizens.
and 10 reflect upon them, fills the mind. and
produces continual as well as pure graiifca-
!Ien; But the highest of all our Qualifications
III the study OF science yet remains. We are
raised by science to an understanding of the in
mile wisdom and goodness Of the Creator; and
''e skhi conspicuous every where being calcu-
ia'ea to promote the happiness Of living crea-
lures and especially yourselves, we feel no
hesitation In concluding that if we knew the
whoie plan OF providence, every part would be
In perfect harmony with plan OF absolute be-
neSolence independently. however, of this
most consoling inference, the delight is mex
presslbe. OF being able TO follow as it were
win our eyes to the marvellous works of the
great Architect of nature, and to trace the
uhooSi9ed power and exquisite skill, which he
mas exhibited il the most minute as well as in
the mlghtiest parts of his creation. And, fell
iow-citl1ens, greater source Of delight is that
by science we are brought to consider the ad-
van'ages that we enjoy over other nations
towards no country has nature been SO prodi-
galiy munlficent as America. Her mighty
iaAes In liquid silver. her valleys yielding spon-
tdheess verdure, her mountains rising with
their aerial tints. her tremendous cataract..
Numbering In their Solitude" her forests OPP
enlng III solemn magnificence. No, never
need an American look beyond his own country
Tor noble advantages and picturesque scenery.
Aad has she not been blessed with liberty, and
her thirst tor war quenched SO long. for this
noble purpose, that her citizens should direct
their attention to science. that noble and only
true incentive to virtue and happiness? Yes,
So sure as the Creator has raised man from the
dust, and exalted him above tho beasts of the
field and forest, endowed him with reason and
understanding. lie has also given these to be
cultivated But how often do we find them
neglected, as the poet pertinently remarks,
THAT fields are titled with annual care.
While minds lie fallow every year"
But the greatest source of pleasure to a re-
fleeing mind is, that by science he is brought
to consider that earth is not the abiding place of
man; that his lite is not bubble cast up bv the
ocean of eternity to float awhile upon its waves
and then sink into nothingness He is con-
strained to lntcrroga!e himself, why is it that
the glorious aspirations which leap like angels
from the temple of the heart, are forever wan
dering unsatisfed2 Why is it that the cloud
and the rainbow come over US with glory
that is not of earth, and then pass off leaving
us to muse upon its fading loneliness? Why
IS 1t that the stars which hold their festival a.
round the midnight throne are placed above
our limited grasp. forever mocking us with
their unapproachable glory? and finally, why
Is 1t that bright forms Of human greatness are
presented to our view, and then taken away,
leaving the thousand trains of reflection to
flow back In alpine torrents upon our heart.?-
There is pure realm where the rainbow will
never fade where the stars which now appear
as small lumnaries will spread out before us,
like SO many islands slumbering upon the
great ocean. Where the bright forms, which
now pass before us like shadows, will stay in
our presence forever.
Market, April 4. 1876.