214 ASTRONOMYANDTHEBIBLEman is differently constituted. Heis a free moral
agent. Heis to act as arbiter of his own destiny.
YetGod'sprovidencesareas fullypreparedforman
as forthestars. As thepoet declares, "Thineeyes
did seemy substance, yet being unperfect; and in
Thy book all my members were written, which in
continuance were fashioned, when as yetthere was
noneofthem." Ps. 139:16.
Asweviewallthis displayofpower andwisdom,
weseethatitisdirectedtonobleandbeneficentends.
God isgood, andHis tendermerciesareseentobe
overallHisworks.
Opygmysoulamidstthevastimmensity, losenot
heart! If allthis grandeur oppresses you withthe
thoughtofyoursmallness,turn awayfromthepro-
digious sweeps of space, and centeryour trembling
faithuponthe cross of Calvary. There behold the
sacrifice of theSon of God, and in it the pledged
love and care of Him who observes even the spar-
row'sfall.
Thestarsmarkthemightypowerandinfinitewis-
domofGod;butthecrossofthedyingChristmarks
thelove of God, His so greatlove thatpaid for a
sinner's redemption. It sets the price of a human
soul.
Wemaysay,then,withthepoet:
"Beholdthismidnightsplendor—worldsonworlds—
Tenthousandadd,andtwicetenthousandmore;
Onesouloutweighsthemall,andholdstheseemingvast
magnificence
Ofunintelligent creation—poor!"