The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1873-05-01

! says "they would form square plateau
| 100 miles wide at the base and more
than 500 feet in height" Doubtless there
are coalfelds yet undiscovered. Some
anxious minds have busted themselves
with looking forward to dav when the
coal-pits may be exhausted; but we be-
! lieve the stock of coal on hand will last
I for at least thousand years, and after
that some other fuel will have been dis
covered 1t is not five hundred wears
since it was the fashion to petition against
it as a nuisance. and it was considered so
preiudicial to health that the coal fires
were not tolerated in London, and
blacksmith who used coal in his forge
was threatened with imprisonment.
We owe countless comforts to these
black masses of rocks. Millions of
hearths are cheered by their glow count
less numbers of things of use and beauty
are manufactured by their assistance;
millions of mouths are fed by their aid;
and our houses are brilliantly lighted by
theireperfect flame.
The thoughtful mind loves to trace the
hand of Providence in its devious wind
ings, and to wonder at the wise economy
with which the treasure-houses of the
earth have been by degrees opened to our
use. The whales of the sea, from whence
the oil which filled our lamps was deriv-
covery was made that brilliant light
could be produced from the black Jumps
styled coal. Now it affords light and
heat to many dwellers in towns and cities
Villagers could not enjoy its privileges;
oil became scarce; lard oil was substitu-
ted; and the unfathomable oil wells Of
Pennsylvania and other countries were
discovered. In 1868, forty millions of
gallons were pumped from Pennsylvania
springs. Countless ages ago, the Almigh
ty anticipated our needs, and provided
for their relief. AS we sit by our blazing
coal fire, and enjoy the comfort it diffuses.
as we read or sew by the gas-light which
is as bright as day, how rarely do we re-
fleet upon the extraordinary nature of
these blessings. They are matters of
course to us; without them we should
perish of cold and hunger, and shiver in
darkness. Deep down in the laboratories
of the earth, for centuries the chemical
processes were at work which wrought
for us these blessings The MOSES and
other plants by slow accumulation be-
came masses of peat; they were COM
pressed, solidifed, and, after thousands
of years have passed, we are warmed and
fed by their aid.
There is probability that some of our
metals may be made available for illumi-
nation, and before long an electric light
may be discovered which will supersede
all others. We have not yet arrived at
the end of natures long list of resources;
when the last coal-pit is exhausted. and
the last offspring has failed, we shall not
be deprived of the comforts of Fire and
Light Carbon and hydrogen are the es-
sential elements of fire; they are every
where.
Carbon is the staple out of which ami
mails and vegetables are manufactured.
1t is a constituent of rocks and of soils,
and pervades the air.
Hydrogen is still more abundant. 1t
forms one-ninth part of every drop of
water; therefore, the ocean, rivers and
lakes may yet be made available for fire
and light. Water consists of oxygen and
hydrogen by some chemical force these
two gases may be made to unite in pure
white fame. Then our water pipes will
also supply our furnaces, ranges and
stoves with their needful fuel, and our
gas-ights with their fame. The most
far-reaching intellect need not spend its
forces in vain coniectures how the world
shall be warmed and lighted. Truly, |
Goods ways are past finding out and it
is not in man that walketh to direct his |
steps" Natures resources are bound |
less, and when wider knowledge of
them is needed, it is granted to man.
Our country's wealth is yet undeveloped, |
and the greatest intellect is unable to
understand its immensity.- Young Amer
ic0