PART I.-THE STARS.
CHAPTER I.-THE BIBLE ADMITTED AS A WITNESS.
The Bible and science both reveal man's history and prospects, but
in different ways-Both, if true, must be consistent-If consistent,
they must be mutually supplementary-Scripture purposely avoids
scientific revelation-Unlike all pretended revelations-Yet always
consistent with true science-The human mind of Jesus uncom.
municative on scientific subjects-It is the phenomena of Scripture
history that have a scientific value,
CHAPTER II.-THE BIBLE'S CONTRIBUTION TO ASTRO-
The Ascension of Christ the link between astronomy and a future
state-A material heaven needed for His material body-The ma-
terial universe Christ's visible kingdom-The saints' future king-
dom and residence-Dwelling-place of angels,
CHAPTER III.—THE INFIDEL ASTRONOMER'S OBJECTION.
Christ's incarnation and death could not be repeated on any other
world-Our earth supposed to be astronomically unworthy of this
distinction-Objections answered-No relation between physical
and moral greatness-Choice of despised instruments a favourite
method with God-Doctrine of chances not applicable to a past
event,
28-35
CHAPTER IV.-THE MOON.
Is our earth alone inhabited ?-Extreme views-Distance and size
of moon-Size of British islands on the moon's surface-Imaginary
flight to the moon-Scenery midway-View from a lunar moun-
tain-Lunar sky-No life, no water-Lunar eclipse of the sun-
gravitation weak-Its effects,
CHAPTER V.-TELESCOPIC VIEWS OF THE SUN.
Size compared with the moon-Distance from the earth-Would
contain more than the moon's orbit-Its great light and heat—
Spots on the sun- ―Their locality circumscribed-Mottled edges-
Eclipse of the sun-Corona-Exterior atmosphere-Rose-coloured
flames-Opinions regarding the sun,
CHAPTER VI.-CELESTIAL CHEMISTRY.
The earth composed of products of combustion-Two kinds of sub-
stances in nature-The combustibles, chiefly metals-Metals,
solid, liquid, or gaseous, according to temperature-The earth
originally metallic-In an atmosphere of nearly pure oxygen-The
materials originally far apart The oxygen originally far ex-
50-55
CHAPTER VII. -METEORIC STONES AND SHOOTING
The two different in character-Meteoric stones described by Dr
Dick-Shooting stars-Periodic showers-Great shower of 1833
described by Dr Olmstead-Both classes combustible-Spon-
taneous combustion on entering atmosphere-Causes-Friction-
Attraction of motion illustrated-Zodiacal light probably reflected
from combustible matter,
56-63
CHAPTER VIII.-GEOLOGY OF THE SUN.
(1) The corona indicates an atmosphere probably of oxygen-(2)
Light and heat produced by the fall and combustion of meteoric
matter (3) Gradual supply—(4) Actinic rays prevent oxidation
outside (5) Conversion into metallic inflammable gas-(6) Sub-
limation delayed-(7) Heat produced by fall greater than by
combustion-(8) Converted into light by earthy products of com-
bustion (9) Interior atmosphere of gas not less than 175,000
miles deep-(10) No smoke-Exterior cloud-(11) Its descent by
the spots-(12) Rose-coloured flames accounted for-(13) How to
calculate the sun's age,
64-79
CHAPTER IX.-How STARS MAY BE KINDLED.
Our knowledge is of matter only in its most condensed state-Ether
of the universe compact, but yet imponderable-Specific gravity
of the atmosphere of the solar system-Our atmosphere highly
condensed-The universal atmosphere probably pure oxygen-
Gaseous substances self-repulsive, solids attractive-Spontaneous
combustion-The whole of space perhaps charged with matter-
The nebulæ, perhaps conflagrations commenced and extending
Possibility of knowing the chemical substances of stars by their
spectra-Perhaps extinct suns, systems, and nebulæ, 80-84
CHAPTER X.-THE PLANETS.
Comparative sizes of planets-Orbits of inferior and superior planets
-MERCURY-VENUS-EARTH-Conditions favourable to life-
Appearance from a distance-A lunar eclipse of the sun-MARS
probably the coldest planet of the system-MINOR PLANETS, an
unformed planet-Probably the source of our meteoric stones-
JUPITER-Little specific gravity-Its great atmosphere-Effect on
its surface-Its great heat-Its vegetation and biology-Rapid
rotation accounted for-SATURN-Atmosphere probably 20,000
miles deep-Saturn younger than Jupiter-Our moon probably
once a ring-URANUS and NEPTUNE-Their probably great atmo-
spheres-Polarity changed-Probably still growing, . 85-100
CHAPTER XI. THE STARS AND NEBULÆ.
Universe composed of nebula-Their forms-Visit to one of them—
Its resolution-Milky Way-Distance of the fixed stars-Each a
sun-Double and triple stars-Coloured stars-Periodic stars-
Explanations-Vacuities in the ether possible-Lost stars-Extinct
101-107
CHAPTER XII.-ARE THE PLANETS INHABITED?
Their extreme diversity-If life can flourish under any circumstances,
the earth provides no advantages-Meteoric stones, comets, rings,
and moons probably not inhabited-A priori argument, therefore,
destroyed-Economy of matter only in the organic world-Uses
of planets-Many parts of earth uninhabited-Man a recent tenant
-His coming miraculous-Other worlds not likely to have such in-
habitants-Christianity has nothing to fear from science, 108-120
CHAPTER XIII.—THE RETROSPECTIVE APOCALYPSE OF
Geology and Scripture apparently opposed-Attempted reconcilia-
tions-Day an indefinite period-Previous creations-Neither
satisfactory-Geology not to be expected in Genesis—Nor history
in the Apocalypse-Dramatic style-Moses and John, their re-
semblance-Double signification of prophetic language—John's
symbolism applied to Genesis-Redemption symbolised in the seven
days-So understood by Paul-Yet not an allegory, 121-134
CHAPTER XIV. THE NEBULAR THEORY IN GENESIS.
General features of the Nebular theory-Chaos an indefinite exten-
sion-Without form and void-Separation of the waters, the
condensation of the chaos into stars-Third day's work-Fourth
day-Earth then like Jupiter now-Fifth and sixth days-Pro-
gression of types-Creation of lower animals perhaps not miraculous
-Criticism on the word day-Apocalyptic days,
PART II-THE ANGELS.
CHAPTER XV.-HUMAN NATURE, THE HIGHEST TYPE
IN CREATION.
Things unseen to be explained by things seen, so far as may be—
Unity of type and diversity of development - Scripture views,
though grand, are sober-Extravagant ideas of celestial inhabi-
tants- -Such speculations hurtful-Scripture represents angels
like men-Man, angels, and devils probably all the same species
-Man made after God's image-What this implies-Symbolic
creatures - The man Gabriel-Christ's incarnation-Objection
answered,
CHAPTER XVI.-THE ANGELS OF GOD EMBODIED
Angels and devils originally alike-Not alike now-The devils
changed-Devils never seen-Angels never possess other bodies
than their own-Angels mistaken for men at Mamre-Sodom-
Manoah's angel-Gideon's angel-Gabriel's visits to Daniel, to
Zacharias, to Mary-His style recognised-Evidence of the senses
-Christ's resurrection body proved material by his eating-Same
argument applied to the bodies of angels-Objection answered-
Angels ministering spirits-Christ a quickening spirit, 159-172
CHAPTER XVII.-THE SPIRITUAL BODY.
The natural and spiritual body--Our body to be like Christ's-Also
like the angels—The spiritual body material—Capable of rising
from the ground - Passing through solid substances-Christ's
actions after his resurrection not miraculous, but normal and
illustrative,
173-179
CHAPTER XVIII.-NATURAL HISTORY OF THE DEVILS.
The devils once possessed natural bodies-The wages of sin death-
Demons many-The devil one-Passages in which "demon"
occurs-in which "devil" occurs-Satan,
CHAPTER XIX.-THE UNFALLEN SONS OF GOD IN
OTHER WORLDS.
Inhabitants of the stars-Subject to Christ-Interested in the
atonement-Adam a specimen of unfallen races-Immortal-
Physiology provides for immortality-Sin not natural-Suffering
not entirely absent - Necessary for the highest enjoyments—
Marriage does not imply death-The natural body changed into
the spiritual body without death-A constitutional change-The
Fall prevented this development-The resurrection of Christ re-
stores it,
184-193
CHAPTER XX.-DEATH AND CARNIVOROUS ANIMALS
IN THE STARS.
Death before the Fall-Fossil carnivorous animals-Carnivorous
animals created-Not changed by the Fall-Structure of their
bodies-The spider - Objection answered-Mankind lived on
vegetables before the Flood-Second objection answered-Incon-
venience of immortality among the lower animals,
CHAPTER XXI.-THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.
The human spirit-Immortal-Cerebro-spinal system, its
bable residence Sensory column-Motor column-Experi-
ments,
CHAPTER XXII.-PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SPIRIT.
God works according to law-Even miracles according to law—
Science of force-Its convertibility-Indestructibility-Latency —
Ascent into organic life-Vegetation-Further ascent into animal
life-What is force ?-Third ascent into spirit life,
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