moderate ability and an earnest purpose. To be interested in the heavens we need not be Galileos, Newtons, or Proctors: enough if there be ordinary ability and some power of observation. The Chaldeans of old were intelligent star-gazers; the astrologers who professed to be able to penetrate the future and foretell events, although self-deceived and deceivers, knew something about the stars, and their tentative efforts were the introduction to, and the harbingers of, the grand science which has engaged and still engages the attention of the noblest minds. As an instance of how much may be done by ordinary observation, we give the well known anecdote of the coastguardsman (we think of the Isle of Wight) who a few years ago was the first to see a comet that appeared unexpectedly, and made it known to an astronomer of one of the Observatories, who acknowledged his communication, and made him a present of some valuable books that he might pursue his studies in a systematic manner.

Much may be learned without a telescope. Indeed, unless observations be made without, it will not be of much service. The student should become familiar with the constellations, with those first which do not rise and set, such as the Great Bear and Cassiopeia; then with others which do rise and set, such as Pegasus, Cygnus, Gemini, and Orion. Each group can be traced easily by the large, conspicuous stars, forming a configuration easily recognised, after being pointed out, either by diagram or by a person acquainted therewith. After this, the names may be learned of the brightest single ones, which should be known at a glance. Maps of the heavens, or a celestial globe, by means of which can be ascertained the groups which are visible as the months roll on, are of great assistance; and also an almanac, to learn the times of the rising of these groups, and when a planet is to be seen.

The amateur need not have a large telescope, for with a small one he can see some of the wonders of the heavens. One, with two inches and a quarter aperture, with proper stand, is sufficient, and will not cost more than a few pounds.* With this the spots

These spots

on the sun can be seen, and their changes observed. are not fixed, but vary continually, and at times disappear. There are groups of various shapes, and single ones having a black centre and light shading around. A good view of the moon-the nearest planet to our earth-can be obtained. The wide depressions on its surface, which were once thought to be seas, and still called so, but which are now known to be large plains, appear distinctly as * This refers to achromatic lenses, which are expensive; others are not worth having.

dark patches; while the mountains, singly or in ranges, are very beautiful. Singular spots appear as the moon is progressing towards full on the unilluminated part, which seem like specks and streaks of gold, produced by sunlight on the summits of the mountains before light reaches to the valleys. There are also strong shadows of the mountains on the illuminated part, from the side light proceeding from the sun.

When the planet Jupiter is above the horizon at night, its four moons are observable; which, as they are always revolving around it at different distances, are objects of interest, while the cloud bands of the immense globe are distinctly to be seen. The rings of Saturn, with two or more of its moons are interesting objects with the planet itself. All are of wondrous beauty. Mars will not give equal satisfaction.

Proctor tells us that " even in a large telescope one can see very little except under very favourable conditions. It has only been by long and careful study and piecing together the information obtained at various times, that astronomers have obtained a knowledge of the facts which appear in our text books of astronomy. The possessor of a telescope who should expect on turning the instrument towards Mars to perceive what he has read in descriptions of the planet, would be considerably disappointed."*

Venus may be seen at certain seasons flashing with its moon-like phases from a thin crescent to a circle, and, when a crescent, is a very interesting object. Let it be remembered that the heavenly bodies we have mentioned, though at great distances from us, are very much nearer than the fixed stars. Our solar system is like a little family, or community, in a vast solitude of space, the sun attracting all, and each attracting the others, the balance of power being always preserved; and while revolving round the sun, which is larger than all the rest would be if made into one, the wholesun and all-take a wide circuit in the heavens, within the concave of the fixed stars, but at such an immense distance, even when the approach is nearest, that the attraction does not reach to our system of worlds. Such are the distances indeed of those stars that though they are large suns, only a few appear of the first magnitude, while the greater number are invisible except by the aid of large telescopes. We do not see the globes, only their light, the largest object glasses or reflectors showing them as luminous points of varied brilliancy, and of inconceivable beauty, each star having a different colour. Of what use, then, it will be asked, is the telescope with regard to them? More than we can explain in this brief article, but we may say that masses of stars, invisible

*Flowers of the Sky," art. Mars.

to the unassisted eye, are revealed.

Take as an instance the seven

stars called "Pleiades; " with the naked eye alone only six, at most seven, can be seen, but with an instrument of forty-magnifying power, forty, presenting quite a blaze of light. Then, some stars, which we think are single, prove to be double-two nestling together, each one a different colour! The middle star of the "Great Bear," called "Algol," and the bright one called "Castor" in " Gemini," and another in "Triangula," are of this kind. "Castor" consists of two suns, which revolve around each other, each, perhaps, having worlds of its own. Then, there are variable stars, which at stated times shine with much greater brilliancy than at others. There are also the "Nebula," or luminous clouds. There is a very large one in "Orion," and apparently mixed with it are several stars, one of which, appearing to the naked eye as single, consists of a group of four, close together, and large instruments will show six.

Such, then, are some of the wonders of the universe made visible by the art of man. There is enough here for study, wonder, speculation, and adoration. While distances so vast are opened up that it is impossible for the human mind to grasp them, globes so great that any flight of imagination cannot conceive their bulk, yet, even with the aid of the gigantic reflector of Lord Rosse we can only look a little way into the star depths. The extent of the universe is unfathomable and immeasurable. But the whole is the work of the mighty God Who rules over all. The great law of gravitation, as far as men have been able to make observations, rules everywhere, binding all in one harmonious whole, and this would not be so if all were not made by the One Being, Who is great in power and Who is the Lord of all things and beings.

We close with a poem which was suggested to the Author while contemplating the starry firmament one clear night.

THE MIDNIGHT SKY.

The sky so high, so wondrous fair,
Bedeck'd with jewels rich, and gold,
And blazing signs-the comets rare,
With many wonders yet untold.
The calm and beauteous eyes above
In th' ethereal vault of heaven,
All look on us with beams of love-

Sweet influence of the "Seven."
The day is bright with garish light,

The time of toil it needs must be,
But I will sing in praise of night—
The starlit sky for me.

We to a better world are led,

Of which the glories shine afar;
Its rays of beauty freely spread,
And scintillate in every star.
The thoughts arise to things unseen,
Beyond the orbs-unknown as yet-
Of spirits clothed in dazzling sheen,
Whose love on God is set.

We lift our hearts in praise to Him
Who rules o'er all with gentle sway,
Who is the great eternal King,

Whose laws the stars obey.

How small is man upon the earth,
An atom in the vast expanse ;
Yet is he of celestial birth,

And may beyond the sky advance.
The planets bright are not so great
Which shine in the ethereal blue,
As he whose soul is in a state

Of union with the true.

The stars may fail and come to nought,
But he that's clothed in robe Divine,
Because by love eternal bought,

In heav'n shall ever shine.

There is a Star more bright and pure
Than any one in yon clear sky,
Star of the morning, ever sure,

Who always shines in bliss on high.
That Star is there to cheer and guide
(As kingly men were led of old)
Those who are on Jehovah's side,
And wish to reach that fold-

So far away and yet so clear,

For through the glass of faith I see

Which brings the distant glory near

The midnight sky for me.

T. J. PATTENDEN.

This poem, with music by the Author, may be had post free for Is., by sending to "The Manse," Cavendish, Suffolk.

DEVOTIONAL PAPERS FOR THE LORD'S DAY.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6TH.

"That I may know Him," &c.—PHILLIPIANS iii. 10.

HAT a marvellous change had come over Paul, from the time when he was a persecutor, a blasphemer, and injurious, boiling with fury towards this Christ of Nazareth, and breathing out slaughter against His saints; and now as in Nero's squalid dungeon he is exulting in the Christ, and boasting of His righteousness. In his persecuting days he had a

theoretical knowledge of Christ; he was conversant with His history, His doings, His fame, His teachings, His tragic death, and reported resurrection. And the knowledge of these facts goaded him to the frenzy of a madman, and to the actions of a demon, in his efforts to stamp the "vile impostor's" name out of memory and the world, and to crush His hated system of truth into oblivion. Yes, yes, he knew more about this Christ then than he cared to know. Fancy, if you can, that supreme moment, that mighty crisis in his and the world's history, when, mounted on furious steed, in possession of authoritative letters, spurring on the animal towards the gates of Damascus, intent on cruelty and death, the glory of this Christ flashed and flamed around him! Reader, the power of God was in the vivid glare which smote him prostrate to the ground. A voice, tender as music, spake to him from out of the fiery cloud, saying, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?" "Who art Thou, Lord?" wailed out the conquered rebel from the depths of his abasement. "I am Jesus," the voice most tenderly replied, "whom thou persecutest." Such a volcanic man could only be converted by such a volcanic arrest and disruption. Gentle Lydia may sit quietly by the river-side and receive the Christ; but Saul must be blinded and struck to the ground, and convulsed even to the foundations of his being for the same purpose. Violent men require violent measures.

This was Paul's introduction to Christ, his first interview, the dawn of his spiritual morning, the beginning of the new life, the first step towards knowing "Him in the power of His resurrection;" and there and then was implanted the germ of that holy ambition, which in after years grew to a sublime and all-absorbing passion, viz., to be filled with "all the fulness of God," and to scale the infinite heights of the knowledge of Jesus, his Saviour. "That I may know Him," in the glories of His person, in the excellence of His character, in the depth and height and breadth of His love, in the exceeding riches of His grace; "That I may know Him" in the completeness and efficacy of His work, in the beauty of His righteousness, in the fellowship of His Spirit, in the fulness of His gifts, in the precious relationship He sustains to me, as Prophet, Priest, and King. Talk about knowledge! Go, scamper over all its widest and most radiant fields, and gather up all its choicest flowers, and rarest treasures, and ripest productions; sing in its poetry, discourse in its philosophy, experiment in its science, paint in its art, harangue in its literature, and soar in its oratory and culture, but, ye leave the climax for the wings of faith to reach in the "excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord." Reason must hand the palm to faith, and she exultingly sings,—