Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-16

speculating on the size of Jupiter's inhab-
itants, will give that instead of specula-
tions. The reason is that in all probability
it is not yet inhabited by human beings.
1t has in reality not arrived at the habita-
BILE stage of its existence. Its meteoro-
logical condition. as we observe it, shows
us conclusively that its atmosphere under
goes changes that are much too great to de-
pend for their origin upon the heat of the
sun alone. 1t appears, in fact, to be much
warmer there than on earth; in fact. so
hot that it is always shrouded in vapor,
and hence must itself be a source of great
heat, and is doubtless in the condition
that the earth was before the fiat of crea-
ton of plant and animal life went forth.
1t is even strongly suspected that it is
sufficiently hot to emit some light, as it
certainly does heat.
Through the telescope Jupiter is an
interesting object. Numerous cloud belts
are seen upon its surface, and they often
change. 1t is probable that we never see
the surface of the planet, yet some suppose
they now and then DO in the polar regions,
but there is so much vapor on its surface
and it assumes such peculiar forms, that
this planet sometimes looks to be nearly
square. Though it is probable that Jupiter
was created before the earth, its immense
size has preserved its pristine heat much
longer, and by reason of this size it must
have originally appeared rs quite sun in
the heavens. But by and by life will
doubtless begin to show itself under
strange forms. and rs the globe is so
large, probably with astonishing vitality.
But whether Jupiter be inhabited now,
whether it was yesterday, or whether it
will be tomorrow is of little consequence
to the grand, eternal Keeper and Maker of
all things. Life is doubtless the ultimate
object of its formation, as it was in the
formation of earth, but the moment, the
hour or the day in which it shall be de-
veloped is of no account. 1t is the pre-
ponderant globe of the whole solar family,
larger than all the others together, and
while it is most important in mass, it is
also most favored through the position of
its axis, the most uniform in its course,
rich in the possession of four moons-in
fact, chief among the planetary family.
What marvellous conditions are here being
prepared for the development of life we
can only guess, but we trust that the
development of humanity there may be
more perfect than here. May not there
be happy shores in Jupiter? and we may
presume they may not there know the
dstresses, and sorrows, and famines, of
earth. If not, then the soil will not be
meistened with the blood of martyrs, the
country despoiled with armies which
slaughter each other, or the cup of human
sorrow there be known. 1t is large
enough for heaven, if blessed by the
Creator, where all the souls of minor
planets could find space to dwell. 1t is
impossible for us to suppose that it can
have other objects than to receive and
give life, as such is the grand object of all
created things, as we, from the light of
nature, and divine inspiration, believe. If
this speck of earth on which we dwell is
of 50 much consequence in Gods sight,
how must it be with this immense planet?
Let us reflect upon the wonderful and
unscarchabe plans of II Creator like God.