The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1875-01-30
From the New York HeraIdl
The Great Transit and the Sermon Of Sci
ence.

The great Astronomical event Of the past century
has transpired, and the expectation Of all civilized
nations is on tiptOe to learn the full results OF obser-
VStion. The inspiring motive which has aetaated
universal interest and cooperation IN the transit OBJ
s~ervatiOns is not alone the desire TO crafty science IN
her cherished researches nor TO secure the great prac-
teal ends which q successful solution Of the solar
paraIlax has 80 long promised the world These I'M
portant as they are TO the cause Of navigation, COM
merce and astronomical Investigations OF every kind,
are lost sight Of in the sublime aspiration TO gauge
the depths Of the stellar universe. The notions OF
mankind regarding the solar system can be rightly
shaped only as we determine the distance Of the sun
from the earth This distance IS the basis Of meas
urement for the HlimitAble celestial expanse, or at
least the best meteorological unit for surveying the
heavens which astronomy has yet proposed. The
grand aim, therefore, in the observations Of the tran
sit Of Venus has been 10 construct a true map OF the
universe and to determine the eartb's relations TO Its
most remote frontiers. In q word, we may regard
the worldwide enthusiasm in this great astronomical
investigation in which scientists have been only the
leaders and directors Of the popular Wlshes-as mans
eager effort to locate himself in the geography oil the
heavens, and, as it were, to feel his way through
their undiscovered territory.
such an ambition, whether uttered or unexpressed,
has lain dormant in the human mind IN all ages, but
ever and anon wakened into intense activity with
eyery announcement that there was q possibility Of
its qualification. II evidence were needed we have
il in the enormous expenditure OF time, money and
labor, which, from immemOrial ages, has been IaS-
isbed in such researches as We are now recordlng.
The sciences, upon the development Of which human
wealth and material prosperity nanny oePenuS hA'e
been left far behind By that which gTatihes the human
mind in its cravings for the infinite and ITS outreaen-
ings after the mysteries Of the celestial world n
great writer on the science Of agriculture adverts 10
Inc strange fact that, though national Development
and opulence are chiefly conditional upon the accu-
mutation Of agricultural knowledge, II lags behind
mauy branches which concern Us but little IL rs the
consciousness, however, Of q need deeper than any
that material abundance can supply that has con
stantIy inpelled nan 20 grope after higher things
though they lie beyond the sphere OF the visible. Ii
"a the restless spirit Of intellectual labor. which, IN
satisfied with the seen, as Humboldt says, - ever
s'ssriving toward the Infinite and grasping all mat
revealed 20 US amid the boundless and ineIhausiible
fulness Of creation"
The benefits. direct and incidental. towing from
this gigantic undertaking. and the processes ny
which success has been achieved have been 50 fully
and freaueutIy elaborated that we need not repeat
them here. The history Of the transit observations
Of 1874 will leave its lessons upon the age and guide
IL on the path Of actual as eontrasted with sPeeuia-
tive science. The splendid harvest OF real knoWledge
9arnered 10 by the patient labOrers who have goneto
everv cline Of both hemispheres will strongly contrast
with the chat Of the theoriIng which seemed but
yesterday to be Turing scientific men from the true
path Of research. The wondering secrets OF creation
are more than ever replete with interest to the race,
because with increased facilities Of discovery their
real value Is made more manifest 70 the most i!IiteI-
ate. The order and beauty Of the DIVINE handi"ofK
revealed by asfrOuomic inq1iry-so nice that the
MASSAGE OF the star Venus across the suns disk, Oc-
euuvfn9 bat a few hours OF time, Is correctly pre-
dicted centuries beforehsnd-is the sermon when
science Is, consciously OF uneonsciousiy' preaching
TO-DAY 10 the whole civilized world. The records 50
aeon 10 be made known, viii tell out TO the present
century the RrAndest tale IL has yet heard Of the
eternal power and Godhead." and hush the vain
and noisy tongue Of sceptcal speculation now me
II the intellectual effort which has availed 10 give Us
this boon excites admiration and applause human
e~xaltation 10 checked and chastened BY the marvel
,lous revelations OF the phenomenon itself