into general laws, which restore the equilibrium; and thus the eccentricities, or incidental aberrations of a plan of many parts are controlled into provisions for its perpetuity. Such a coincidence of adjustments has been demonstrated by Laplace to be the result of design and not of accident; and he has proved, to use his own language, that "the secular inequalities in the motions of the planets are periodical, and included within narrow limits; so that the planetary system will only oscillate about a mean state, and will never deviate from it except by a very small quantity."* Now the occurrence of eclipses affords frequent opportunities of testing the mechanism of the heavens. Like the clockmaker, who looks at his clocks from time to time, and hears them strike the hour, and thus determines their accuracy, so the astronomer, observing the dial plate of the firmament, finds every motion and every shadow correct, and thus verifies from time to time, and from age to age, the regularity and stability of the movements of the heavenly bodies. It is clear that eclipses could not be predicted, if there were no order and permanence in the system.

"Upholding all things by the word of His power," is the secret of the harmony of the universe. Why do shadows only come in contact with the heavenly bodies, whilst the bodies themselves maintain the distances prescribed by original laws? The complicated elements of eclipses have been axioms from eternity in the mind of the Divine Architect. Every thing testifies to order and stability-to the never slumbering activities of an Omnipotent Providence. He who numbers the hairs of our heads, numbers to a hair's breadth the lines of obscuration in every eclipse, and threads out in infinite space the pathway of every world.

III. Another suggestion of an eclipse is THE POWER AND THE CREDIBILITY OF SCIENCE. The achievements of physical force, though sometimes stupendous, yield in grandeur and effect to the achievements of mind. The telescope as far excels the spade as a predicted eclipse is a work above a canal. Science gains a wonderful triumph when it can reach forth into empty space, and trace the sun, moon, and stars in their courses. That eclipse was foretold with mathemetical accuracy years before its time; and all that ever have been in centuries past, or will be in centuries to come, can be wrought out with the same unerring certainty. Not only can the time be determined, but the quantity of the eclipse at any given place, and the whole characteristics of its course in relation to the earth. Diagrams can be made in advance with a precision border

The laws of motion alone will not produce the regularity which we admire in the motions of the heavenly bodies. There must be an original adjustment of the system on which these laws are to act; a selection of the arbitrary quantities which they are to involve; a primitive cause, which shall dispose the elements in due relation to each other, in order that regular recurrence may accompany constant change; that perpetual motion may be combined with perpetual stability; that derangements which go on increasing for thousands or for millions of years may finally cure themselves; and that the same laws which lead the planets slightly aside from their paths, may narrowly limit their deviations, and bring them back from their almost imperceptible wanderings.Whewell.

ing on that of the daguerreotype. Astronomy has a scroll of knowledge almost prophetic, and its monuments of glory shine in the firmament from moon to sun, and from star to star.

Eclipses render important aid to science in proving to the popular mind that astromomy with all its revelations can be relied upon. When the announcement is made that the distance of the sun from the earth is 95,000,000 miles, and that of the moon 240,000, &c. &c., mankind would be incredulous, were there not some positive and ocular proof that such statements can be believed. But the astronomer takes these distances in connection with the magnitudes, velocities, courses, &c., of the heavenly bodies, and going through a long process of calculation, says: "Observe your watch on the 6th day of January, 1852, at twenty minutes after 11 o'clock at night, and at that time precisely a total eclipse of the moon will commence; the total darkness will extend from 20 minutes after 12 to 58 minutes after 1 o'clock on the 7th; and the eclipse will end at 58 minutes after 2 o'clock." The public find every declaration verified, and are then ready to believe all the teachings of this wonderful science. Positively we know of no other way by which astronomical skepticism could have been so thoroughly removed from the popular mind. The mass of mankind could not have been brought, without such demonstrations, to believe in these enormous distances, velocities, and magnitudes. But now all intelligent people, capable of yielding to proof, readily acquiesce; and no principles are more universally admitted than the principles of astronomy. IV. Eclipses answer IMPORTANT SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES. For example, they may be used in determining longitude. The exact instant of immersion or emersion, seen by two distant observers, enables them to compare their difference of time, and, of course, to determine their difference of longitude. If an eclipse occurs according to the almanac at London, at 12 o'clock, and it is seen by a mariner at 11 o'clock, then he is 15 degrees west of London. Eclipses are of great use in determining lunar irregularities—a problem among the most troublesome in physical astronomy; and the solution of it has other interesting bearings with reference to the mutual action of the planets upon the earth and moon. One of the most ancient Babylonian observations of a lunar eclipse enabled Dr. Halley to detect the lunar irregularity termed the acceleration. Various interesting speculations respecting the atmosphere of the sun and of the earth, the composition of the moon, the velocity and refraction of light, &c., are aided by the observation of eclipses. An eclipse of the moon presents to the eye a beautiful confirmation of the earth's rotundity. Eclipses also prove that the sun is larger and the moon smaller than the earth. We have before referred to the general demonstration of the truth of astronomical calculations which eclipses afford.

Astronomers have always taken a great interest in making observations on these celestial phenomena. Hence expeditions were recently fitted out to take positions within the penumbra of the late

eclipse of the sun.

The accompanying diagrams give some of the results of the observations, which are interesting and useful.

Fig. 1. Appearance of rays of light shooting off as tangents to the moon's limb at the cusps.

Fig. 2. Shows the luminous beads, just before total eclipse, supposed to be the effect of sunshine between peaks and along valleys in the moon.

Fig. 3. Rose coloured prominences, 30 seconds before re-appearance of the sun. Also, the corona, or ring of light, like tarnished silver.

Fig. 4. Shows the beads at the end of the total eclipse. [The above as seen in Sweden.]

V. The calculation of eclipses has contributed to THE ADVANCEMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND RELIGION AMONG MEN. Astrology has ceased to exercise its potent spell since science has broken its wand. Even as late as 1652, Evelyn observes in his diary, "April 29. To-day was that celebrated eclipse of the sun, so much threatened by the astrologers, and which had so exceedingly alarmed the whole nation, that hardly any one would work, nor stir out of their houses. So ridiculously were they abused by ignorant and knavish star-gazers." In preceding periods, eclipses were associated with all sorts of superstitions and terrors; such as that the gods were making mysterious demonstrations, that a serpent was swallowing the sun or moon, &c. We can hardly estimate the panic occasioned

by an eclipse at some particular juncture, as on a day of battle. Astronomy has, to a great extent, delivered the world from these superstitious absurdities, and by enlarging the boundaries of knowledge, has promoted both social progress and the cause of religion. And here we may remark that Astronomy has particularly subserved the cause of Christianity in India, by showing the falsehood of the speculations of the Brahmins in regard to the heavenly bodies and eclipses. Science has shaken the confidence of the people in a religious system, whose sacred books and teachers had so long inculcated erroneous views.

Eclipses have been of great use in determining questions of chronology. Thus, on the night of the battle of Cremona, between the armies of Vespasian and Vitellius, there was an almost total eclipse of the moon; and as this happened the year before the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, it fixes that event in A. D. 70. So we owe to an eclipse of the moon, incidentally noticed by Josephus, shortly before the death of Herod, the determination of the true year of our Saviour's nativity.* The darkness at the crucifixion, from twelve to three o'clock, was miraculous, and not owing to a total eclipse of the sun, as some have imagined; for the longest possible duration of a total eclipse of the sun is only four minutes, and such an eclipse cannot occur at full moon, or the time of the passover, at which time the crucifixion took place. The general aid which science renders to the cause of learning and religion is exhibited forth in eclipses.

VI. An eclipse has SPIRITUAL SUGGESTIONS RELATING TO MAN'S CONDITION AND DESTINY. 1. Its shadows bring to mind his depravity. Having the understanding darkened," is one of the results of sin-a result as infallibly secured by disobedience as the hiding of the sun by the intervention of the moon. The midnight of the unregenerate is brought on through the workings of a depraved nature under the dominion of the ruler of the darkness of this world. Have you marked the gradual motions of an eclipse, the sure and steady progress of its obscuration? Thus did temptation slowly but fatally encroach upon the mental and moral purity of our first parents; thus does temptation steal over the sphere of our own spiritual life and shut it out from the glory of the heavenly day. 2. An eclipse prefigures hope amidst prevailing gloom. Ă total eclipse rarely occurs on any one point of the earth's surface. The vast majority of eclipses are partial; and the darkness, which causes terror and gloom, soon disappears in the restored light and beauty of an inviting sky. Nature, providence, and redemption bring hope to mankind. There is hope for the sinner in all the desolation of his wo. The Sun of Righteousness shines behind the cloud of intervening judgment: and in the midst of indications of "wrath against the day of wrath," there are also invitations of pardon divinely illuminating our day of probation. 3. An eclipse

* Hales.

has a word of comfort to the children of light. Behold, brethren, the hiding of God's favour is only temporary; it soon returns to the eye of faith. Or has bereavement brought gloom into your dwellings, or adversity of any kind obscured your prospects? Then remember that sorrow may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. As the shadow passes away from the sun, so will disciplinary providences disappear after the fulfilment of their time, and there shall be light and peace at eventide. 4. An eclipse is suited to recall to the mind the end of the world. It not only does this by the apprehension of judgment which conscience associates with unwonted displays of divine power, but by the language and imagery which Scripture employs, with at least a remote reference to the final consummation of all things. "The sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light and the angels shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." In that great and terrible day of the Lord, the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and "Time shall be no longer." 5. Finally. An eclipse suggests the glory of the heavenly state, which needs not the light of the sun or of the moon. No obscuration of divine radiance will visit the habitations of the saints. No shadow of sin, or sorrow, or death, shall intervene. There shall be no night there. The glory of God shall lighten the heavenly Jerusalem, and the Lamb shall be the light thereof. Then shall "the righteous shine forth as the sun," and rejoice for ever amidst the higher glories of the Universe and the rewards of finished Redemption.

A MAN, A WOMAN, AND A CHILD.

A FEW Christian friends were recently admiring the character of one of their acquaintances, and descanting upon his virtues and graces. One of them remarked, "I admire him for his manly firmness and independence in sustaining the cause of truth and righteousness in the community." A second friend, who acquiesced in the correctness of this estimate, added, "And I particularly admire him for his gentle courtesy of demeanor. He puts me in mind of a true, kind-hearted woman.' "Yes," immediately replied a third friend, "And I admire him, because he is guileless as a child.” "Well," exclaimed a lady, who overheard the conversation, "you have made him out a remarkable character. He is a man, a woman, and a child!" And so he was in each of the characteristics named. This conversation led me to the following thoughts:

1. The best form of Christianity is that which presents the loveliest combination of its graces. Every true Christian is believed to possess the substance of every grace. Love, which is the general attribute, includes every form of virtue and goodness. But observa