The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-04-21
Christian Appearance of a Wonderful
Discovery.

NASSoVCAJ.
Sir JOHN HERsCHELL, the astronomer r
has been making some astonishing lunar
discoveries. The accounts of them,
published in the supplement to the Ed.
inburg Journsl of Science, are intensely
interesting and wonderful. The astro.
nomical operations were conducted at
the Cape of Good Hope, and the state.
ment of their surprising results is certi.
fed to by the civil and military authori
ties of the colony, and of several Episco-
pal. Wesleyan, and other ministers, who
were present in March 1857 and wit.
messed several observations.
One of these observations dire:ted on
the moon. revealed scenes of pictures
que loveliness. Refulgent mou.tains.
crystal lakes. and emerald covered val
leys we're disclosed. Three temples oil
wondrous beauty were also seen, and
flocks of wild doves lowering around
them.
Near a wood which at the distance of
about halfa mile surrounded the temples
were detached assemblies of beings en-
gagged in eating large yellow fruit like
a gourd, sections Of which they dexter.
ously divided with their fingers, and
with rather uncouth volacity. throwing
away the rind. They seemed to be
eminentiy happy, and even polite, for
individuals sitting nearest piles of this
fruit selected the largest and brightest
specimens and threw them archwise
across the circle to some opposite friend.
Surprising details are given of these in.
babitants of the moon.
Dr.. Herschel also examined the planet
Saturn. and his reported discoveries are
thrilling and impressive.
In reading these accounts, which are
derived from the inves cations made by
modem astronomer of veraciiy and a
worldwide celebrity, we are led to in
dulge in fanciful and hopeful thoughts.
The bright moon which for some even
ings past has been visable, rising in
mellow lustre over the blue waters Of
the third Lake, is now invested with a
reliable interest. Those dark shades
which checker its face, are grand noun
tains, and its quiet etfulgence is sug-
gestive ola peaceful and happy abode
of contented beings.
True 1t beams upon world of beau
ty. Possessing oceans, lakes and church,
eS; but how many Of its inmates are
employed in those acts Of generous cou,.
tesy which the inhabitants of the moon
are described as being engaged in {?
How many on this earth, who having it's
choicest treasurers piled up arolnd them
are employed in tossing portion arch
wise to their less fortunate neighbors {?
We are afraid that such unselishness as
DR.. Herschell saw in the moon could
not be seen on our earth. There are re.
deeming cases, but looking at the world
ly circle there are very few in compari-
son attending to the wants of the unfor-
tunaie and throwing comforts to them
archwise, The kind hearted beings in
the moon were not practising their acts
Of brotherl y love in any of three temples
described but they were unostentati-
ously behaving like Christians without
any mouthiny professions. The exam
pie which they afford can be benefc
ly studied in this time of religious
excitement. Let those who find them
selves in need of a conversion, 90 off
little from the public and osten,atious
places of worship, and practice a few
archwise throws Of love, of charity, and
acts OF alienation 10 the suffering, and
then they will probably find that the
public profession OF a Religions. is only
a needless shadow in comparison with
the closet virtues Of Christian.-Mad.
PUkri,f