Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-16
Astronomy.
observations Of Philosophical Friend
of Oursl

observations Of a Philosophical Friend
Of Ours.)
The science of astronomy is said to
have had It's beginning with shepherds out
in the open air, watching their hocks by
night. These beguiled their loneliness and
improved their opportunities and pleased
themselves by noticing. contemplating.
studying the heavenly bodles-the moon
and stars-untll the sun would arise and
overwhelm them with its light and glory.
and swallow up the stars with its bright
ness. and be all in all to creation.
The wise man says: "a man Of under
standing separateth himself and seeketh
after all wisdom" A great, noisy. shout
ing. staring, rushing crowd does not ac-
ccmplsh much for itself or for anything
else, except to trample over things and
spread its craZlnes., and draw into its
vortex all within its reach and influence.
and vote fools into Office. To the lonely,
thoughtful. and devout man Nature opens
her bosom. displays her mysteries and
wonders, declares her glories. and shows
her handiwork; and tells Of tho wisdom
and power and goodness Of God.
Those old shepherds first admired the
divine beauty Of the heavens and the won-
derful armament in which they were set.
Presently they noticed them, some hold
ing their positions. some changing their
places. and some moving around. And so
they recognized and marked the fixed
stars. the conste. lations. and the planets
the wanderers. They knew what they did
know. held 10 their observations and
feared and wondered. and their hearts and
minds were enlarged. They were not
mere star-gazers or bewlldered starers.
They read and pondered the heavens; they
valued their observations. recorded them
and added to them. Their knowledge was
progresslve-seeing. crawling, standing
up, advancing, comprehending. And the
results OF their observations were first the
blade then the ear, after that the full
corn in the ear of knowledge And astro-
nomy has grown into great, positive,
and infinitely expansive science. And our
earth, enclosed in its brilliantly illumina-
ted canopy. is TO US but as an egg Of un-
limited promise, or as a bark on the ocean
of Infinite space and eternity. And birth
embarks us as mariners for reverend
Ing voyage.
No doubt astronomy Is the oldest OF
sciences. Light and the establishment Of
lights I'm the armament, to fulfil their Of
fees for man, constituted the first work OF
creation; and they properly made the first
study OF our progenitors and fathers.
They were the gates and everlasting
doors TO the temple Of the Supreme. The
heavens, even the heavens. are the Lords >;
but the earth hath He given 70 the chill
dren of men.
Practically the common crowd disregard
astronomy, and set down It's students as
star-gazers and Missionaries, and estimate
that It's devotees
Have no more profit from its shining
lights
Than those that walk and wot not what
they are.
And yet, how practical Is astronomy, 1t
Is the first lesson OF the knowledge OF
God. Its sphere Is infinite space. It's bu-
siness is the swaddling Of our baby world
as a new arrival In the family OF the
universe. II orders ard measures for us
times and seasons. and shows us how the
earth Is controlled and how we are 10 cul-
tivate II and get the fruits OF IL. 1t un-
folds to US permanency and order and
wisdom and power and beauty. "Of old
hast Thou laid the foundations OF the
earth. and the heavens are the work OF
Thy hands. They shall perish. but Thou
shalt endure. They all shall wax old as
garment. and as vesture shall Thou
change them and they shall be changed.
But Thou art the same. and Thy years
shall not fail" The heavens declare the