The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-04-27
New Views In Astronomy.

Within the last two weeks we have had
exciting news from the ancient city OF Rich
mond, the capital OF Virginia. Brother
Jasper-we call him Brother Jasper, for OF
course we acknowledge him as relative
after the DEGREES in Washington during the
last few years in regard to distinctions Of
color-Brother Jasper has been preaching to
his flock several sermons, in which he de-
.monstrates his own peculiar astronomical
opinions, and shows conclusively from bibli-
cal texts that the Copernican system Of a
central and governing sun is only fable OF
science. Brother Draper, who is also dis
tipguished by the deep olive tint as well as
by his spiritual grace, and who is the head
OF a prominent Methodist church in the city
Of Honeydew and tine-cut tobaccos, disat
grees with lis reverend co-worker, aud has
uttered warnings to bis congregation against
the teachings Of pulpit which, in his view,
has no regard to the progress OF human
knowledge. But, nevertheless, there is a
lively controversy, and at the last accounts
Brother Jasper seemed to be ahead in the
great dispute. His texts, quoted from the
Bible, satisfied his hearers, and bis positions
were strengthened by voices from the assem-
bly, around his altar exclaimng, in response
to his sermon, "Dat's so; give it to dem,
bI 0O IucfGs IGb,
Lord, she be amovin'!"
What is to be the end of this controversy
it is impossible to foretell. Brother Jasper
is a strong reasoner in his way, and has a
large following in his stated services. He
cares little for the superior knowledge of
Brother Draper, because he rests his opin-
ions on scriptural grounds. Science is one
thing and the Bible is another, and Brother
Jasper reposes on Genesis and Joshua's COM
mand, and demonstrates in an enthusiastic
manner that all who oppose bis conclusions
are no better than heretics. Brother Ora.
per's arguments may be supported bv the
general knowledge of the world. but they
are apparently of small account in the
great discussion. It looks now rs il it
would be decided in Richmond that the
sun is n satellite rising in the east, setting in
the west, and in q regular way making q
daily circuit around the earth.
We should regret this decision because it
would be bad for astronomy, and might
open questions in regard to the heavenly
bodies which for years have been consid-
cred as settled. Yetit is the way OF philoso-
piers to bring things to a practical test.
and Brother Jasper, who has followed
the uprisings Of the sun and its down.
settings according to the sacred records,
is bound to believe the testimony Of his
own eyes. Whatever may be the final con-
clusion OF the great controversy, we trust
that it will make no marked difference in
the usual order OF things, or in the success
sion of the seasons. We feel great respect
for what seems orthodoxy to every be-
lever, even if it disagrees with our pre-
conceived notions, but it is unpleasant to
feel that system OF astronomy under
which we have been brought up in
our early education is after all only
a cunnIngy-constructed fable. Every
thing, however, in republic, depends on
the will Of the majority, and at the last
accounts the sermons of Brother Jasper
seemed to govern the minds of his congre-
cations with powerful sway. What are
we to think when the words of the preacher
upturning the foundations of philosophy
and science are corroborated by a multitude
OF excited voices eXelaiming, "Dat's SO !;
give it to dem, Brudder Jasper. Vas, de
sun do move; vas, Lord, she be amovin'."
Providence Journal.