several illustrative engravings. In its present form, the Author trusts, that independently of the moral reflections it contains, it will be found to comprise popular descriptions of a greater number of scientific facts than is to be found in any other volume of the same size.
Various topics, originally intended to be illustrated, have been unavoidably omitted. Some of these are stated in the last paragraph of Chapter IV. the illustration of which, in combination with other kindred topics, would fill a volume of nearly the same size as the present. This subject (for which the author has abundance of materials) will be prosecuted in another volume, under the title of THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION; and will comprise, among many other objects of discussion, illustrations of the moral relation of intelligent beings to their Creator, and to one another-the physical and rational grounds of those moral laws which the Deity has promulgated-the views which science affords of the incessant energies of Creating Power, and of the grand and multifarious objects over which Divine Providence presides-the relation of science to a future state, and of the aids which the discoveries of science afford, for enabling us to form a conception of the perpetual improvement of the celestial inhabitants in knowledge and felicity. These subjects will be illustrated by a variety of interesting details of facts, in relation to the system of nature, the history of nations, and the moral state of Christian and general society
ILLUSTRATION TIONS OF THE OMNIPOTENCE OF THE DEITY
The material world exhibits a more striking display of this Perfection than the super- natural facts recorded in Scripture. Immense quantity of Matter in the universe. Mode of acquiring the most comprehensive conception of the bulk of the Earth- its variety of scenery-its mass of solid matter. Magnitude of the bodies which compose the Solar System. Magnitude and number of the Stars. Procedure of the mind in acquiring the most impressive conceptions of such august objects. Re- flections. Rapid Motions of the Celestial Bodies. How we acquire the ideas of relative velocities-weight of the Earth-immense physical forces-Grandeur of the motion of Saturn-immense number of bodies impelled through the heavens Reflections. Immense Spaces which surround the Heavenly Bodies- Popular illustration of the Motions of the Earth and Heavens. Extract from Dr. Ridgeley, with remarks. Universe intended to adumbrate the Attributes of God, and to make a sublime impression on created beings. Similar trains of thought sug- gested in the Scriptures. Moral Effects of such contemplations. Humility. Folly of pride-low rank of man in the scale of being. Reverence and Veneration-Rea- son why mankind feel so little veneration of God-how it may be increased. The Deity unsearchable. Hope and Confidence in the prospect of futurity-Resurrec- tion-Scenes of Eternity.
Vegetables--their number and variety. Animals-variety in their organization. Eyes
of insects-their exquisite mechanism. Subterraneous Regions. Atmosphere. The
Variety of Nature affords a faint idea of the infinity of the Creator. Illustrated
in the number of animal parts and functions. Reflection. Variety the foundation of
our judgments. Beauty and sublimity of Nature. Primeval state of our globe-
other worlds.
Mechanism of Animated Beings
STRUCTURE OF THE HUMAN EYE-Its coats, humours, muscles, orbit, and motions.
Wisdom displayed in its construction. Light-its velocity, minuteness, colours, and
adaptation to the eye. MANNER IN WHICH VISION IS PERFORMED-explained
by a figure, and an experiment-illustrated by the view from Salisbury Craigs. Mul
titude of rays which flow from every object-smallness of the image on the retina,
iliustrated by calculation-what proportion of the solar light falls on our globe-Re-
flections. Mechanism for viewing near and distant objects-contraction and dilata-
tion of the pupil-distance at which we see distinctly. Summary view of adaptations
in the structure of the eye. Eyes of superior intelligences. Visual organs of the
inferior animals. Mechanism of the Bones illustrated-exemplified in the joints of the
fingers, the wrist, and the movements of which the head is susceptible. Moral Reflec-
tions on the impropriety of overlooking the Divine Wisdom in the system of nature.
ON THE GOODNESS OR BENEVOLENCE OF THE DEITY
. 111
Benevolence of God in relation to Man-considered as a depraved intelligence. Mercy displayed in the system of nature. Benevolence as displayed towards the lower animals. Extract from Dr. Paley. General Reflections.
INTRODUCTION. Extensive range of Theology. Bad effects of setting Religion in oppo- sition to Science. Harmony of the operations of God in Nature and Revelation
NATURAL HISTORY
Its extensive range. Outline of its principal objects-on the surface, and in the interior recesses of the earth-in the atmosphere-the vegetable, mineral, and animal king- doms-and in the region of the heavens. Description of the Banian Tree. Reflec- tions. Monkey Bread Tree. Splendour and felicity of insect life. Invisible worlds -infinity of the universe. Religious tendency of this Science. It affords a manifest- ation of the Deity, and expands our conceptions of his operations-ennobles the human mind. Recommended by the Sacred writers.
GEOGRAPHY
Its object-Figure of the Earth-Proofs of its spherical form. Relation which the dis- covery of the figure of the earth bears to the plan of Providence. Magnitude and natural divisions of the earth General features of its surface. Mountains--their general ranges, and the sublime scenes they exhibit. The Ocean-its extent, depth, bottom, and motions. Rivers--their number, size, and the quantity of water they pour into the ocean. How they are supplied--their use in the system of nature. Artificial division of the earth. Number and variety of its inhabitants. Number which have existed since the Creation-number at the resurrection, and the space they would occupy. Number which the earth would contain-strictures on Malthus. Utility of the study of Geography to Religion-to Directors of Missionary Societies -to Private Christians. Grandeur of its physical objects-utility of its moral facts.
GEOLOGY
in its present form. The Deluge, and its effects on the earth's strata. Marine shells, &c. Grand and terrific objects which this science exhibits-illustrate the sublime descriptions of the Deity recorded in the Scriptures.
ASTRONOMY
Its sublime objects. Apparent motions of the Sun-of the Moon. Eclipses of the Sun
and Moon. Apparent motion of the starry heavens. Stars and planets seen in the
day-time, and with what powers of the telescope they may be distinguished. Appar
ent revolution of the celestial vault indicates Almighty power. Stars never shift their
relative positions. Solar System. The Sun-his size and probable destination illus-
trated-his spots and atmosphere-different kind of rays emitted from his body-his
distance illustrated. Mercury-his size, rotation, quantity of light and heat, &c.
Proportions of caloric on the different planets. Venus-her size, phases, mountains,
transits, and general phenomena. Original observations on, and mode by which her
diurnal rotation may be determined. Earth--proofs of its annual and diurnal motions.
The moon-description of her majestic mountain scenery, luminous spots, celestial
appearances, illuminating power, superficial contents, &c. Mars-his distance,
atmosphere, luminous zone, &c. New Planets-Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta-
their anomalies, singularities, and probable origin. Meteoric Stones. Jupiter-his
bulk, rotation, belts, and the appearances of his moons. Saturn his figure, belts,
moons, and quantity of light. His Rings, their dimensions, motion, and phenomena
-illustrated by a figure. Splendour of the firmament, as viewed from this planet (see
the engraving.) Herschel-his distance, size, and quantity of light. Comets-their
tails, velocity, orbits, size, and number. New Comet. Motion of the solar system
in absolute space-its destination-plurality of worlds intimated in Scripture. The
Fixed Stars-their distance illustrated--their arrangement, changes-moral reflections.
Relation of Astronomy to Religion-moral effects which its objects have a tendency
to produce-criminality of overlooking the works of God, &c.
NATURAL PHILOSOPHY
Its objects and different departments. Mechanics--subjects it embraces, and its impor-
tance to the improvement of mankind. Hydrostatics-its leading principles and uses,
illustrated by figures. Pneumatics-its principles, and the experiments by which they
are illustrated. Acoustics. Optics-leading facts and principles of this science.
Burning-glasses, &c. Electricity-its nature, phenomena, effects, and agency in the
system of nature. Galvanism-its singular effects on metals, &c. and on the animal
system-various facts which it explains. Magnetism-its various phenomena and
effects. Relation of Natural Philosophy to Religion-its inventions meliorate the con-
dition of mankind-illustrated in the case of the electric fluid-it undermines the influ-
ence of superstition-unfolds the incessant agency of God-indifference to this subject
unreasaonble.
Its objects, and present dignified station. General forms of matter-simple and com-
pound substances. Caloric-its sources and properties. Oxygen, its properties and
combinations-nitrous oxide, its singular effects. Nitrogen, its effects on flame and
animal life. Hydrogen, its properties and uses. Carbon, its nature, combinations,
and antiseptic properties. Sulphur, its origin, combinations, and properties. Phos-
phorus, history of its discovery-how prepared-curious experiments with this sub-
stance-Phosphoric phenomena in the system of nature. Connexion of this science
with Religion-it displays the wisdom and benevolence of God, and the mode of his
present and future operations-improves the condition of man-and carries forward
our views to a more glorious and auspicious era.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Their general object-human body, its different parts and divisions. Bones, their num-
ber, form, and positions. Muscles, their nature, use, and extraordinary strength.
Heart and blood-vessels, and the circulation of the blood. Respiration-curious struc
ture of the lungs. Digestion. Perspiration. Sensation, and the system of nerves.
Summary. Moral reflections-this branch of study teaches us our dependence on a
Superior Power-and excites to gratitude.
1. The variety of topics wou d allure the attention of intelligent minds to religious subjects.
Principle of novelty intended by the Creator to be gratified--illustrated in the variety
which appears in the earth, the heavens, and the volume of Revelation. II. Science en-
ables us to take an extensive survey of the empires of God-illustrates many sublime passa-
ges of the Bible-qualifies us for complying with several Divine Injunctions-danger of
selfishness and indifference in this respect. Our conceptions of God depend on our views
of the extent of his dominions. III. Science enlarges our views of the operations of Provi-
dence, in relation to the past and present scenes of the world. The economy of the in-
ferior animals. The physical and moral economy of the celestial worlds. IV. Science,
blended with Religion, would produce a general expansion of mind, and liberality of
views, in reference to the opinions and actions of men, and to the works and the ways of
God, illustrated at large. V. It would induce a spirit of piety, and profound humility.
Sources of piety-illustrated by an example. Humility-illustrated by the examples of
Mr. Bovle, of Sir Isaac Newton, and of superior intelligences. General conclusions
« ZurückWeiter » |