Astronomy and the Bible;

THEFIXEDSTARS. 151

hishighbehests,followwhithersoeverheleadsthrough
space!"
"Look outto-night on the brilliant constellations
which crowd theheavens. Markthe configurations
ofthesestars. FivethousandyearsagotheChaldean
shepherdgazedonthesamebrightgroups. Twothou-
sandyearshaverolledawaysincetheGreekphiloso-
pher pronounced the eternity of the heavens, and
pointedtothe ever-duringconfigurationofthestars
as proofpositive of hisassertion. Butatime will
come when not a constellation now blazing in the
bright conclave above us shall remain. Slowly, in-
deed,dothesefiguresonthedialofheavenmarkthe
progress oftime. Athousand yearsmay roll away
withscarceaperceptiblechange;evenamillionyears
maypasswithouteffacingalltracesofthegroupings
whichnowexist;butthateyewhichshallbeholdthe
universeofthefixedstarswhentenmillionsofyears
shallhavesilentlyrolledaway,willsearchinvainfor
theconstellationswhichnowbeautifyandadorn our
nocturnalheavens. ShouldGodpermit,thestarsmay
bethere,butnotraceoftheirformerrelativepositions
willbefound."
"GobackwardinimaginationtotheplainsofShinar,
andstandbesidetheshepherdastronomerashevainly
attempts to grasp the mysteries of the waxing and
waningmoon,andthen enterthesacred precinctsof
yonder temple devoted to the science of the stars.
Look over its magnificent machinery; examine its
space-annihilating instruments, and ask the sentinel
whonow keepshisunbrokenvigil,thenatureofhis