The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-10-07

( CT forward 20 the unimaginabIe extent and
unfathomableness Of eternity, when #
takes in the spaces Of the universe, the
/ innumeFable worlds which are dispersed
( in every direction through the immeas-
durable tracts Of creation and consider
that our existence may run parallel with
iinterminable ages" and that in the revO-
Iuti0ns Of eternity We may exist in re-
EI0ns Of space inconceivably distant from
our present habitauCn, associate with or
ders Of ineligible beings, and pass
through new scenes and changes in dis
tant worlds, should We believe these men
tai conceptions are but products OF our
limited faculties, or that they come to Us
as unfoldings of Omnipotence, through
the comprehension Of and harmony with
some Of His laws? The beginning of time
is beyond the power OF our imagination
TO conceive OF, though we can project our
thoughts from earth 10 the sun, and com
pIehend that it is equal 10 thirteen hum
bred thousands Of the size Of the earth.
We can look at the planet Jupiter, 49,
100000 miles distant; then to Saturn, $780,
o10.0o0 miles away, and yet have but a
faint conception Of the extent Of creation
va 4ANW lAtili'A jus kttF hf- 49, tAAN4A NAtH
within the limitless range; still less can
We conceive Of the power and intelligence
of that Being who called all these things
from nothing into existence.
The contemplation of these mighty
works Of Omnipoteuce convinces US Of the
infinite source of varied felicity which He
has in His power 10 communicate TO
Observation-Disclosures. 10 enliven our hopes
of splcndors of that exceeding great and
eternal weight of glory which viii burst
upon spirits Of good men when they pass
from regions of Immortality; and induce
as 10 aspire, with a more lively ardor
after that heavenly world where gloTies
Of the Deity and the magnifCenCe Of His
works will be more clearly unf0lded
Astronomy tells Us that the space which
surrounds the utmost limit Of our sys-
TEN, extending in every direction TO the
nearest fixed star, is at least 40,0o0 600 600, =
600 miles i'm diameter; and It is highly
probable that every star is surrounded
by space of equal extent; that bodies of
such prodigious distances exert a mutual
influence on one another; the moon, at a
distance of 240.G00 miles, raises tides in
the oceans OF the earth and air currents
in the atmosphere; the sun, at a distance
of 81, G00G00 miles, raises the vapOrs, moves
the oceans, directs the course of the
winds, fructides the earth, distributes
light, heat. and color through every re-
gion of the globe. Is it thinkdble that
such manifestations Of the Deity are ir-
relevant to the eternal welfare Of man?
Reason, conscience, will. the powers Of
the soul. constitute the spiritual nature Of
man, enabling him TO choose and resolve
and make Of him a responsible being.
amcnable 70 the immutable laws.
Matter IS made up Of parts; it is capa-
bic, from its nature Of being decom-
posed and dissolved. But decomposition
and dissolution are not destruction. If
destTuctibility does not follow dlvisibility
IN matter, can we assume destructibnity
in tho case of mind?
Self-action and self-government of mind
exalt it UNNECESSARILY above unconscious
matter. It's intellectual. and especially
its moral powers, its almost unlimited ca
pacities, and its lofty aspirations, create
a strong presumption that 1t is formed for
p higher destiny than unconscious matter
J. B. n. BERRY.