New-York tribune., 1875-11-15
TILE LECTURE.

TIE LECTURE.
| I'm one sense the subject of life in other
never have, positive knowledge whether the other
planets of the solar system are Inhabited still less
whether inhabited worlds circle around other than
| ours The astronomer can determine the bulk and
density of planet the length Of its day ana year INC
ghtreecting quality Of ts surface even the nature or
the atmosphere surrounding 1t; the geo0glst can trace
the past history OF our own earth ana mus give US .nd
through by other earhs in the uniyerse the physicist
besides helping both the astronomer aud The geol0gs
in researches belonging 10 their special departments
ascertain the physical requirements OF living crea
lures; while the biologist can snow now the races
inbabitimg the earth have gradually changed in
accordance with the varying conditions surrounding
them. But neither astronomer, nor geoogist, nor
ulysicis nor biologist tell III anything certain about
lie in other worlds, would man who nad mastered
all the leading branches OF scientific research our lucas
about other worlds must always be speculative And yet
apart from dOr suchH II isl that the study Of this
ycnirnt form the various results Of astronomical re-
think that il we look closely into the matter we
snl find that respects the great purposes for winch
science should be studied ii AT least an instructive 10
think this subject of life in other worlds as 10 reason
about purely scientific matters sclentc 1acis are 1ol
imprpSsiye in themselves. but only when we consider
them in connection with what We know about ourselves
n i then alone that recognize their bearing on the
great problem underlying all science the question what
may bc the meaning of the wonderful processes at WORK
around us-of that mighty machine Wheieoi We are our
selves portion. . -, =, "a, :,
other worlds Ii III Tue hIsi pIce eear ofton m VI
the position ought to take with respect 10 the theory
purpose plan in nature and next careful atien-
on 10 all evidence whether direct or indirect. ON
the first point would remark that modern science does
not object many suppose 10 the idea OF scheme III
The universe but the theory that that scheme Is one
which men can understand. Formerly this theory was
regarded almost a. first principle IN books OF science
II choice lay between two INTERPRETATIONS OK observer
facts, and one seemed to accord Well the Other H. win
coDcepons entertained respecting the ways OF God the
former was accepted unhestatngly, even though the
balance OF evidence ngnl oe III iaE"I vi IN ib h5
been all created either TO support life as the sun does or
10 suborye the wants Of living creatures as the moon
does or like our EARTH TO be actually the abode OF
living creatures lbs wa Tue chI ba1,s oi n, the
ana others, men exceedingly weiimeanlng, and
some OF them very able but VINO IN
very doctrine which was the subject of discussion When
Whewrl suddenly rejected that doctrine thus freeing
ONLY inhabited world in the whole universe many were
much startled as though in some way tner feLeons %
faith had been shaken. The very theory Tor which Gor
dano Bruno condemned to the stake Dut iew cen,
turcs ago was described by Brewster the creed
Of the philosopher aud the hope OF the Christian Brews
ster adopted too in his argument WITH NheWeli some
thing of the angry tone which we have learned unhappy
associate with discussions about relglon p9uptess
il j. an excellent view OF the wonders Whch the
rceard them all as symbols of the weight and
wisdom OF supreme being Nor can there be any OIL
It m idcosIv selected and The evidence of its pur-
nose clear and unmstazihc. But when men pretend
otirr nianets aud other suns much mischief may be
done The special Indications OF divine economy thus
brought before the student may come 10 be regarded as
forming necessary part Of the evidence on which he Is
Ia asc his belief III The wisdom and beneyocnco OF God,
so that faith lie learns that the special purpose
supposed be fulfilled is not in reality fn!hed that the
seeming iii spay of for the wants OF living creatures
must De otherwise interpreted And here We are brought
nto presence OF one OF those my slellcs OF he M
verse wch have baflied, and promise ever 10 battle,
mankind. We find that conceptions OF what eonsti
iutcs and management 80 10 speak 40 not accord
with natures operations, which seem 10 be characterized
by avshncss resembling waste and productivity. True,
if could understand the Whole scheme OF nature, We
be able TO perceive perfect adaptation OF all parts
TO the schemes of wise aud benevolent God But am
concerned here o speak OF that which is bu OF what
appears and assuredy an apparent waste OF power aud
instance the mgntics exponent OF the forces OF nature
which are able TO study with adyantage-
a. pt
taintyl. What can seem clearer al first
view than that the sun Is SET at the center
constituting that system 80 viewing him. and remem-
berng the wonIeIlnl processes utAs taIe WI'an hls
great central furnace are sustained we justly regard him
fitting object for adulring contemplation Nay, he
thought To De no inapt emblem OF Deity
itself But We Inquire into the adaptation OF
the suns powers To The work We thus regard specially
HIS, recognize mystery OF mysteries IN the seeming
waste Of his gigantic energies All the planets together
receive less than the 23Omonh part OF the neat ana
hght which he is constantly emitting In each
second lie emits much heat az would re-
of Of millions Of tons Of coal and OF all
this amazing amount OF energy bnt one part in $50
millions fails on the members OF The suns planetary
family. What is true OF the sun Is Doubtless true OF his
all the millions revealed by TIE telescope anu millions OF
times many which no telescope yet made by man can
reveal suns similarly p0ning heat and Ight INTO
space and similarly wasting, according To our cOhccp,
,ous the energy which they possess The energy wasted
seems. in fact nearly he Whole OF the inconccyabie
amount expended Buj is not necessary to leave Inc
study of our earth TO find evidences Of seeming waste
to visible purpose, for each one that grows 10
perfection! How many creatures are brought TOME that
a. other True OF dy,dual men, it IL true "
nations Of races Looking back AZ tie past history Of
earth, find even more abundant evidences of seem
ing waste until We reach time when the whole mass OF
the earth appears mere waste For mil lions Of years
the whole terrestrial globe the OF proc OF
tremendous activity, yet utterly unt 10 be TIE abode Of
hfe. So also II we look forward. IN period lncOm
paiaby exceeding In duration the life period OF her
history. she Will circle around the central sun. bearing
only the records and memories of former ie but to our
conceptions a useless, desert scene
Arc God md nature then at strife,
That nature lends sIch Evil drcamsi
Must regard the work Of God az vain in truth as in
appearance or must We on the other hand reject the
evidence of science We need do neither We nave be-
fore great my stcry but only Of many nseuiaDe
ms stcTics faith need not be shaken unless we as
that science teaches ali things-that already we
have , ,
The deep pdlsaors OF he world
tonan music, ncasuiing out
But ill then We may well believe that the seeming
If we could the whole plan instead Of the ninues
portion; II We coulu sean the Nhoi' ~ spaee iscad o
space we might indeed pronounce Judgment But
knowing do how little we rcaly can perceive WIN
any clcaruess we NAV admit truth Of all that science
teaches believing s that The scheme Of nature appears
imperfect only because II Is seen but IN part Al.
Mith considerations 10 give us confidence 80 tha
whatever evidence may hnd we may accent without
fear let MS proceed 10 colsder the subject OF ie IN o.ne
able. We must De guided by the anhlogies already @
Wheweilite or the BrewsterHn theory, or REJECTING
both adopt another let II be not IN ODedence 10 mere
prejudice but because On eartH, dir.c,o h a
evidence. The lecturer then proceeded to con
sider the relations presented by the ar, M
latest evidence given by science respecting those orbs
series Of colored views OF the planets Illuminated BY
ubiect Jupiter and saturn presented types OF
worlds not az yet the abodes OF life the moon ar
forms OF living creatures such are acquainted Win
In considering Mercury Mare and venus ar occupying