Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-02-21

BENEFITS OF ASTRONOMY. There is
probably no branch in the course of
study of our School which, from a
merely pecuniary standpoint, would less
deserve the epithet practical than
Astronomy (Elements). Nevertheless.
its utility ought not to be denied because
of that narrow consideration. 1t is i'm
portant for an intelligent understanding
of the seasons, length of day and night.
tides, eclipses, and many other natural
phenomena; but it is still more valuable
for its reflex influence on mind and
character. The person who passes
through life without admiring, study
ing, and meditating on the starry vault
of heaven and the immensely and Won
derful system of the universe, has GER
tainly not attained the highest fruitions
of existence. He who has made no ac-
quaintance with the stars has missed
much of the inspiring companionship of
life, and has failed to enter fully into
the spirit and happiness of our being.
Astronomy earns but little money; but
it does what is far better. it expands
and elevates mind and soul. 1t lifts
ones nature up from the base and
.groyeling to realm of immensities, of
grandeur, of sublimity, of exalted con-
captions. Nothing sordid or vile can
| find abode in the mind while it is de-
voted to the marvels and harmonies of
the celestial creation. We feel safe to
say that no member of the Astronomy
class in our High School will have rea-
son to regret the time spent on this SUBJ
ject. 1t may be of interest to subjoin
some of their answers to question in
the last examination as to the benefits
of the study. One says:
1.-The study of Astronomy. treating as
it does of the heavenly bodies, must
needs tend to draw the mind from the
more common things of life and raise
it to higher level. We necessarily
think of the Creator of these, and they
seem enough proof of his power and
grandeur. 1t is certainly interesting as
well as beneficial to find out the move
ments of these bodies, and how they all
move in uniform motion. Also we find
out more about the earth than we can
| from geographical standpoint"
Another says:
at gives us loftier and higher ideas,
and makes us think of the Creator who
controls all the wonderful phenomena
which we see in the heavens. 1t also
teaches us of other worlds than our
own, and to wonder if they are in
habited or not. We learn. too, of the
movements of the planets, their size.
| distance, satellites, etc"
Another:
Astronomy must elevate the mind,
as none can think of degrading things
while observing the heavens. We ought
to know about the things which are
around us always. 1t is study con-
stantly before us; so cannot be forgotten.
1t leads us to appreciate more highly the
Creators wisdom and goodness, and
the perfection of his work, even in the
smallest details. The great superiority
of the Creators mind is brought out
more clearly by knowing the ways in
which men supposed the worlds were
arranged"
Another:
''Itis a science which ennobles and cul-
lures anyone perhaps more than any
other. 1t tells the size, distance, etc,
Of all the planets. BY studying astron-
omy, we may become familiar with all
these. and also with our earth, and learn
the cause of the seemingly strange phe-
nomena which attend the EARTH
Another:
Astronomy teaches us to look at
many things in different light and to
realize the wonderful power which con-
trolls the planets and the stars. It ele-
Yates and develops the mind by giving
us material for thoughts which are ele-
waiting in themselves