Astronomy and the Bible;

THEIMPRESSOFLIGHT^97

of theatmosphere,and plant foods of thesoil, and
buildsupthehydrocarbonsandotherfuelsofanimal
andvegetabletissue,wefinditalwaysmainlyinthe
solarrays. Isaymainly,because,ofcourse,thelight
andheatofthestars,theimpactofmeteors, andthe
probable slow contraction of the earth, are all real
sources of energy,and contribute theirquota. But,
as compared withtheenergy derived fromthe sun,
theirtotalamountisprobablysomethingliketheratio
ofstarlighttosunlight;sosmallthatitisquiteclear,
aswesaidbefore,thatamonth'sdeprivation ofthe
solarrays wouldinvolvetheutterdestruction of all
activityupontheearth."

—

"TheSun/' Young,

Allthisistrueenough. Butwhilewekeepinmind

theinfluence ofthe sun,letus notforgetthe other

side of the subject. The sun, itis true, acts with

marvelous power upon the earth; but suppose the

earth,likethemoon,perhaps,didnotrespondtothat

influence—whatthen? While we get atrue value

ofthepositionandpowerofthesun,letusnotforget

thattotheearthhasbeenimpartedthepowertore-

spondto the sun'sinfluence. If this power of re-

spondinghadnotbeenimpartedtotheearth,thesun

might shinehere forever,withouteffect. Butwhile

the sun, like the seal, can give its impression, the

earth,liketheclay,hasthepowertorespond.

If I shouldpress a sealupon thehardsurfaceof

agraniterock,therewouldbenoimpress. Thegranite

cannotrespondtotheseal. ButwhenIplacetheseal

uponthesoftened,yielding,responsive clay,orwax,

Igetanexactimpressionoftheseal.