Page:Gods Glory in the Heavens.djvu/269

Rh The heavens are rich in colours; some clusters of stars glitter like a rich piece of jewellery, with gems of various colours. The nebulæ shine with similar colours. Sir John Herschel observed some in the southern hemisphere of a deep blue colour, without having any red associated with it. This seems to settle the disputed point, whether blue stars are blue in virtue of an inherent colour, or merely as complementary to the red stars, with which they are associated. It is now clearly established that there may be a whole galaxy of blue stars, tinging myriads of subordinate worlds with their sombre hue.

Though the study of stellar aggregation does not present such striking evidence of design as "we find in the system with which we are now immediately connected, still we cannot contemplate these strange forms, in connexion with the overwhelming magnitude of the scale in which they are presented to us, without feeling as if summoned into the presence-chamber of the Almighty. These firmaments, stretching indefinitely into the depths of space, afford a footing on which the inquiring spirit may tread, when yearning to realise the ideas of the Infinite and Eternal. It is wrong to despise such views of God as are perfectly familiar and palpable. Still, it is good to be brought face to face with parts of God's works whose design to us is unfathomable.

"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honour of kings is to search out a matter." The mind