Page:Gods Glory in the Heavens.djvu/89

Rh is an ever-present power. When the Red Indian speaks of moons, as measures of time, he speaks in the tone of affection and reverence for the benign luminary that guides his steps through the trackless forest. The Oriental bows to the sun, but the Red Indian nurtures his grand and impassive nature in the mild beams of the moon. In hunting and trapping, the moon is his ever- faithful ally, and he would as soon think of doubting its use, as he would the use of his spear or his traps.

But the use of the moon is not confined to lightgiving. As a mechanical power, the moon is of, much service. The sun is the grand source of power on the face of the earth, but still, some little work is left to the moon. To her chiefly is assigned the task of raising the tides of the ocean. The tides are of incalculable benefit to man. In a sanitary point of view, the moon may be regarded as the great scavenger of our globe. Twice every day she flushes, with sea water in abundance, the rivers on which our towns are situated, and keeps them comparatively pure. Again, by her mechanical power, she bears ships on the crest of the tidal wave, deep into the heart of the country, where the centres of commerce are often found. Insignificant streams are thus rendered navigable, and cities brought into immediate connexion with the ocean—the highway of commerce. By the convenience afforded by the moon, London is, at the same time, connected