CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION,

Necessity of Revelation. Folly of discarding the science

of Nature from Religion. Beneficial effects which flow

from the study of the Works of God.

CHAP. I.

Of the Natural Attributes of the Deity.

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SECT. 1. On the REVELATION of the NATURAL ATTRIBUTES of

the DEITY to RELIGION,

The Christian religion founded on the Natural Attributes of
God. His Power as interesting a subject as his Mercy-II-
lustrated in two instances. Evils which arise from imper-
fect conceptions of Divine Power. Defects in Religious In-
struction on this subject. Sources of Illustration.

SECT. 2. Illustrations of the OMNIPOTENCE of the DEITY,

The material world exhibits a more striking display of this

Perfection than the supernatural facts recorded in Scrip-

ture. 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 so-

lid matter. Magnitude of the bodies which compose the

Solar System. Magnitude and number of the Stars. Pro-

cedure of the mind in acquiring the most impressive con-

ceptions of such august objects-Reflections. Rapid Mo-

tions of the Celestial Bodies. How we acquire the ideas

of relative velocities-weight of the Earth-immense phy-

sical forces-Grandeur of the motion of Saturn-immense

number of Bodies impelled through the heavens-Reflec-

tions. Immense Spaces which surround the Heavenly Bodies

-Reflections. Popular illustration of the Motions of the

Earth and Heavens. Extract from Dr. Ridgely, with Re-

marks. Universe intended to adumbrate the Attributes of

God, and to make a sublime impression on created beings.

Similar trains of thought suggested in the Scriptures. Mo-

ral Effects of such contemplations. Humility. Folly of

pride-low rank of man in the scale of being. Reverence

and Veneration-Reason why mankind feel so little vene-

ration of God-how it may be increased. The Deity un-

searchable. Hope and Confidence in the prospect of futu-

rity-Resurrection-Scenes of Eternity.

SECT. 3. On the WISDOM and INTELLIGENCE of the DEITY,
Wisdom defined-Displayed in the Structure of the Solar
System. Distance of the Sun. Rotation of the Planets
-Principal reason why such a motion exists. Wis-
dom displayed in other Systems. Minute displays of
this attribute cannot be traced in the heavens. Wis-
dom, as displayed in the constitution of our globe-ad-
justment of its solid parts to the necessities of the beings
which inhabit it. Mountains, their uses-exist in other
worlds. Diversity of color-argument for a plurality of
worlds-general color which prevails in the scene of na-
ture. Water, its use in the system of nature-its composi-
tion, evaporation-motion of the liquid element-its bene-
ficial effects. The Atmosphere-its weight and pressure-
its component parts-its various properties-necessary to
animal life, flame, sound, twilight-wisdom displayed in its
constitution. Expansion of water in the act of freezing.
VARIETY OF Nature,

Vegetables-their number and variety. Animals-variety
in their organization. Eyes of Insects-their exquisite me-
chanism. 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 judg-
ments. Beauty and sublimity of Nature. Primeval state
of our globe-other worlds.

Mechanism of Animated Beings,

STRUCTURE OF THE HUMAN EYE-its coats, humors, muscles, orbit, and motions. Wisdom displayed in its construction. Light-its velocity, minuteness, colors, and adaptation to the eye. MANner in which VISION IS PERFORMED-explained by a figure, and an experiment-illustrated by the view from Salisbury Crags. Multitude of rays which flow from every object-smallness of the image on the retina, illustrated by calculation-what proportion of the solar light falls on our globe-Reflections. Mechanism for viewing near and distant objects-contraction and dilatation 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 Reflections on the impropriety of overlooking the Divine Wisdom in the system of nature.

SECT. 4. On the GOODNESS or BENEVOLENCE of the DEITY, Benevolence of God in relation to Man-considered as a de. praved intelligence. Mercy displayed in the system of nature. Benevolence as displayed towards the lower animais. Extract from Dr. Paley. General Reflections.

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CHAP. II.

A cursory view of some of the Sciences which are related to Religion and Christian Theology.

Introduction. Extensive range of Theology. Bad effects of setting Religion in opposition 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 kingdomsand in the region of the heavens. Description of the Banian Tree. Reflections. Monkey Bread Tree. Splendor and felicity of insect life. Invisible worlds-infinity of the universe. Religious tendency of this Science. It affords a manifestation of the Deity, and expands our conceptions of his operations-ennobles the human mind. commended by the Sacred writers.

GEOGRAPHY,

Re

Its object-Figure of the Earth-Proofs of its spherical form.
Relation which the discovery 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 has existed since the creation-number at the resur-
rection, 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,
Its object and connexion with religion-an interesting subject
of inquiry. Materials which compose the crust of our
globe. Various geological phenomena. Organic remains
-Mammoth, Tapir, Elk, Megatherium, &c. Geological
deductions not inconsistent with the Mosaic History-Ge-
nesis i. 1, 2. explained. Short duration of the earth 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 descrip-
tions 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 mo-

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tion of the starry heavens. Stars and planets seen in the
day-time, and with what powers of the telescope they may
be distinguished. Apparent revolution of the celestial
vault indicates Almighty power. Stars never shift their
relative positions. Solar System. The Sun-his size and
probable destination illustrated-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 pla-
nets. Venus-her size, phases, mountains, transits, and ge-
neral phenomena. Original observations on, and mode by
which, her diurnal rotation may be determined. Earth-
proofs of its annual and diurnal motions. The Moon-de-
scription of her majestic mountain scenery, luminous spots,
celestial appearances, illuminating power, superficial con-
tents, &c.
Mars-his distance, atmosphere, luminous zone,
&c. New Planets-Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta—
their anomalies, singularities, and probable origin. Me-
teoric 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, mo-
tion, and phenomena-illustrated by a figure. Splendor
of the firmament, as viewed from this planet (see the en-
graving). Herschel-his distance, size, and quantity of
light. Comets-their tails, velocity, orbits, size, aud num-
ber. 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,

228 Its objects and different departments. Mechanics-subjects it embraces, and its importance 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; Burningglasses, &c. Electricity-its nature, phenomena, effects, and agency in the system of nature. Galvanism-its singular effects on metals, &c. and on the animal systemvarious facts which it explains. Magnetism-its various phenomena and effects. Relation of Natural Philosophy to Religion-its inventions meliorate the condition of mankind-illustrated in the case of the electric fluid-it undermines the influence of superstition-unfolds the incessant agency of God-indifference to this subject unreasonable.

CHEMISTRY,

Its objects, and present dignified station. General forms of

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matter-simple and compound substances.

and uses.

Caloric-it sources and properties. Oxygen, its properties and combinations-nitrous oxide, its singular effects. Nitrogen, its effects on flame and animal life. Hydrogen, its properties Carbon, its nature, combinations, and antisceptic properties. Sulphur, its origin, combinations, and properties. Phosphorus, history of its discovery-how prepared-curious experiments with this substance-Phosphoric phenomena in the system of nature. Connection 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 number, form, and positions. Muscles, their nature, use, and extraordinary strength. Heart and blood vessels, and the circulation of the blood. Respiration-curious structure of the lungs. Digestion. Perspiration. Sensation, and the system of nerves. Summary. Moral reflections-this branch of study teaches us our dependance on a superior power-and excites to gratitude. HISTORY,

Its objects, advantages, and connection with Religion. Connection of the sciences and of the Divine dispensations with each other. Concluding remarks.

CHAP. III.

The relation which the Inventions of Art bear to the objects of Religion.

Art of Printing, its origin, and beneficial effects-Dr. Church's improvements in,

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Art of Navigation-Mariner's Compass, its discovery and

use,

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The Microscope, and the views it exhibits of the wisdom of God,

The Telescope, its invention, and the discoveries made by itserves instead of a celestial vehicle-Magnifying powers of Dr. Herschel's telescopes,

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Steam Navigation, its utility in promoting the intercourse of
mankind, and its relation to the objects of religion,
Air Balloons, utility of, when arrived at perfection-proposed
improvement in. History of their invention-Lunardi's
ascent-the Parachute,
Acoustic Tunnels. Experiments on the Conveyance of sound.
M. Biot's remarkable experiment-Don Gautier's experi-
ment and suggestion. Conclusions in reference to the ex-
tensive conveyance of sound,

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