Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

After enlarging a little on the radical cause of this decay, as hinted in the quotation_just given-namely, the rise of the Saracenic empire in the East-he continues:

But there were also many more remote or collateral causes contributing to the same event, some of which preceded, and others were contemporary with that alluded to in the preceding paragraph. Such were the disorganized state of society, and general corruption of manners, in the latter periods of Roman history-the prejudices entertained by many of the fathers of the Christian church against Heathen literature-the progress of superstition-the rise of monastic institutions-the ambition, ignorance, and vices of the clergy—the imprisonment of the works of the ancients in monastic libraries, whence they were seldom permitted to emerge, and where they were disregarded and forgotten the exclusion of the laity, however exalted their rank and station in society, from the advantages of education, and all other means of intellectual improvement-the disuse of the Latin and Greek languages, as the medium of communication between men of letters-the despotism of a few names, such as those of Aristotle and Augustine, whose works alone were sanctioned by the ecclesiastical rulers. These, with many other co-operating circumstances of a similar kind, are more than sufficient to account for the intellectual darkness that overspread the world, at the period under review. Morell, pp. 244, 245.

The last extract we shall give from this excellent work, is that which contains the closing remarks of our author; and we do this for the two grand purposes which seem to have been anticipated by him,-to check that spirit of speculation which is too much abroad in the world, and to recommend that humility of mind in physical and metaphysical inquiries which ought ever to characterize frail, imperfect creatures like ourselves.

The retrospect which has been taken of the progress of human knowledge, in the two great departments of physical and intellectual science, might naturally suggest to the mind a great variety of important reflections. The writer will not, however, prolong a work, already far too extended for an elementary treatise, by any lengthened train of observations; and the rather as he is persuaded, that an attentive perusal of the preceding pages can scarcely fail to have produced a conviction of those great moral truths, which he is most anxious to impress on the minds of youth-a conviction founded not on human opinion merely, but on the evidence of facts-that the causes which have operated, in all preceding ages, to perpetuate ignorance or to impede the progress of knowledge, were, either an undue deference to human authorities, or a disposition to speculate without evidence-that every solid and valuable attainment, and even the most stupendous discoveries, are to be attributed to the rigid adherence of those by whom they were made to the processes of induction and experiment-that, great as have been the attainments and discoveries of past ages, and mighty the powers of genius by which they were achieved, there is no reason to imagine that nothing further is to be expected; for whoever pursues the track of inquiry marked out in the present volume, and takes a survey of the history of science, subsequently to the period at which this review terminates, will perceive, that there are vast regions yet unexplored, and still greater developements to be anticipated, as the reward of diligent investigation in future ages; and finally, that on account of the present limi

tation of our faculties, and the necessary imperfection of our knowledge, it becomes us to pursue our investigation into the hidden processes of nature, and still more, into the profound mysteries of Revelation with a humble and devout mind, earnestly imploring Divine instruction; and joyfully anticipating the period, when" that which is perfect shall come, and that which is in part shall be done away." Morell, pp. 543-545.

We hasten now to the consideration of Mr. Taylor's little book. And as some may think it strange that we should notice a publication so long after its first appearance, we beg to state, that its great merit must plead our apology. We have no hesitation in saying, that, as an introductory book to the science of the mind, it is invaluable. The perspicuity of its style, the lucidness of its statements, and the comprehensiveness of its matter, render it quite a treasure to the youthful student. We regret that it is out of our power to give a more detailed description of this work, or to extract some few particulars from it, tending to shew the author's manner of treating his subject. Though we cannot do this, we sincerely hope Mr. Taylor's efforts will be amply rewarded by an extensive sale of his work.

It is with great pleasure that we now turn to the "Christian Astronomer," by Mr. Dawson. Although this book makes its appearance in the world with little pomp and noise, yet we believe it to be a desideratum in our cabinet of school-books. True, there are many excellent introductory works to the sublime and elevated study of which it treats, but the present is the first in which we find the combination of plain scientific instruction with Christian and practical improvement. Paley, in his admirable volume on Natural Theology, has the following observation: "In astronomy, the great thing is to raise the imagination to the subject, and that oftentimes in opposition to the impression made upon the senses." Now, we shall take the liberty of attaching to this remark a totally different meaning to that which its author intended it to have; and by the word subject shall understand that matter of contemplation which the mind may indulge, while viewing with the bodily eye the planetary arch above. The most heedless observer of the heavens, when he sees the sun rising in his strength, or setting in his majesty; or the moon changing her visible disk from the two-horned crescent to the full-faced circle; or the firmament sparkling with its thousand gems, till it seems pregnant with life; can scarcely fail to recognise the hand of a Divine Original, first creating and now upholding such a wondrous plan. The human mind naturally connects the two ideas; but to rise any higher than thisto read in each of these objects, as in a species of hieroglyphic, lessons of Christian piety, and illustrations of Redeeming love,

is what very few have ever thought of. The imposing splendour thrown over the whole planetary system, leads the beholder to cry out, in an ecstasy, "Lord, what is man!" but when imagined he that the sun represents Christ, who is emphatically styled "the Sun of righteousness;" the moon, the church, shining only with borrowed lustre? Never. And, yet, how do such associations heighten the beauty and utility of astronomy! We know that it is objected by some to such associations, that they are fanciful, strained, and foreign to the subject; that they are calculated to drag down science to the whims and superstitious imaginations of deluded religionists: but we deny this. It is allowed, however, that great judgment and caution are necessary on the part of those who, like Mr. Dawson, would lay the foundation for such an improvement of natural knowledge: and we cannot but think, that herein our author has in a measure laid himself open to attack. But, notwithstanding this, we declare ourselves highly gratified with his performance. It is gone through in a truly Christian spirit, and reflects honour upon his character as a missionary to the heathen. The same feelings, we doubt not, which led him to quit the scene of his youth" for the furtherance of the Gospel in distant lands, led him to publish this treatise on astronomy.

We subjoin an extract or two. The first contains, in a few lines, all that need be said on the real source of light and heat.

The sun was, for a long period, thought to be a globe of fire. He is now, however, supposed to be a dark and habitable orb, like our earth; surrounded by two atmospheres: the one next his body similar to ours, and suited to the convenience of his inhabitants, but the outward one is phosphoric or luminous, by which he diffuses light and heat to all the planets. Dawson, pp. 1, 2.

Our author's corroboration of this from Scripture, though not original, is clear and perspicuous.

We may derive some confirmations of this view of the sun from the Sacred Scriptures. In Genesis i. 3, we see that light was created before the sun; and that it is, therefore, quite distinct there from the body of the sun, which was not created until three days after. Infidels have cavilled at this, and at the moon being called a great light in verse 16, as well as the sun, when the former is well known to be a solid dark body, possessing no light of its own: but the word there used is of a different form from that translated "light" in verse 3; and which properly signifies light; but the one used in verse 16 denotes, in its strict sense, receptacles of light, light-bearers, that is, the means or instruments (see the late edition of Stackhouse's History of the Bible, edited by Bishop Gleig, Vol. i. p. 21) by which light is held and transmitted to the whole solar system, and not the light itself. The moon, then, by reflecting the light of the sun, is truly such an instrument of light to the earth..... It appears, then, from the above, that the light was first created and afterwards caused to take its place round the sun, which shews that the sun bears just so much rela

tion only to the light he has around him, as a candlestick does to that which it holds, and which like the sun's is diffused to all within its reach. The Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament), uses a word in this place, verse 16, very expressive of the signification of the Hebrew one, and that word alludes to the light-houses, raised on different parts of the sea coast to warn navigators, by their light, of danger, and to enable them to steer their course in the night near the land. Now light-houses, and the lights they hold, are very different things. The sun is as a light-house, holding a light to the whole solar system. Dawson, p. 3.

In pages 21-26 there are some excellent observations on that astronomical objection thrown out by infidelity against the truth of the Christian revelation, that God would never have lavished upon so minute a planet as our earth so much of his attention and regard as the Scriptures declare him to have done an objection founded upon the most gratuitous and unjustifiable assumptions that were ever espoused. But these observations we cannot quote. Most of our readers are aware that the subject has been ably discussed in the interesting "Discourses on the Christian Revelation viewed in Connection with the Modern Astronomy:" the celebrated author of which, while he has handled the subject with all the force and persuasiveness of a moral philosopher, has infused into it so much of sweetness and sublimity, that we doubt not every one who peruses it will say, with Lucretius,

"Juvat integros accedere fontes Atque haurire."

It would have afforded us pleasure to give another extract or two from Mr. Dawson's little book, shewing the improvement which he connects with the several chapters of his work. But our limits forbid.

On the Respect due to Antiquity: a Sermon preached on Friday, May 11th, 1827, at the Opening of the Scotch National Church, London. By THOMAS CHALMERS, D. D., Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of St. Andrews. London Nisbet. 1827.

THE Professor of Divinity (for we rejoice to find that the learned Doctor has been promoted to the theological chair of Edinburgh) has long been an able champion for the truth as it is in Jesus. With a clear head he unites a devoted heart. The grand mysterious truths of our holy religion have long been defended by him with logical accuracy, and with a point and power which have not unfrequently put infidelity to

Dr. Chalmers is no

the blush, and occasionally to the rout. every-day writer: he may justly be regarded as ranking among the first of the moral reasoners of his day. Whatever be his subject, he handles it like a master. We cannot but think that his removal to the metropolis of Scotland will be productive of the most beneficial results, especially to the Divinity students of that University, who in a few years will form no inconsiderable part of the clergy of the sister establishment. Let them not be alarmed, as though their professor were a setterforth of new and strange doctrines. The sermon before us may discover to them, that far otherwise are his intentions. The text is taken from Jeremiah vi. 16: "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein; and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein."

The title given by our author to his sermon is, "On the Respect due to Antiquity." The manner in which he treats this subject will be seen by the following remarks, which occur very early in the sermon.

When

There must be a delusion, then, in that homage which is given to the wisdom of antiquity, as if it bore the same superiority over the wisdom of the present times, which the wisdom of an old does over that of a young man. we speak of the wisdom of any age, we mean the wisdom which at that period belongs to the collective mind of the species. But it is an older species at present than it was in those days, called by us, the days of antiquity. It is now both more venerable in years, and carries a greater weight of experience. It was a child before the Flood; and if it have not yet become a man, it is nearer to manhood now than it was then. Therefore, when reviewing the notions and the usages of our forefathers we, instead of casting off the instructions of a greater wisdom than our own, may, in fact, be putting away from us childish things. It is in vain to talk of Socrates, and Plato, and Aristotle. Only grant that there may still be as many good individual specimens of humanity as before; and a Socrates now, with all the additional lights which have sprung up in the course of intervening centuries to shine upon his understanding, would be a greatly wiser man than the Socrates of two thousand years ago. It is therefore well, in the great master of the New Philosophy [Lord Bacon], to have asserted the prerogative, and in fact the priority, of our present age-that to it belongs a more patriarchal glory than to all the ages of all the patriarchs-that our generation is a more hoary-headed chronicler, and is more richly laden with the truths and the treasuses of wisdom, than any generation which has gone before it the olden time, wherewith we blindly associate so much of reverence, being indeed the season of the world's youth, and the world's inexperience"; and this our modern day being the true antiquity of the world. pp. 3-5.

Let it not, however, be supposed that our author has advanced such sentiments as the foregoing without that wise and judicious hesitation which may prevent their being misunderstood and misapplied. He proposes two modifications. The first he thus states: "As we are only wiser because of the

[blocks in formation]
« AnteriorContinuar »