Page:The Last Judgement and Second Coming of the Lord Illustrated.djvu/201

 the accumulation of its ice and snows. They have seen them gradually depart from the north as that pole advanced into summer by plunging into light; while the opposite pole became subject to similar phenomena as it passed into obscurity. These observations prove most decidedly that the geographical regions of Mars are fac-similes of those of our own planet. And who can doubt that something similar distinguishes every other planet in the universe? They all rotate upon their own axes, and thus experience the vicissitudes of day and night: some of them have satellites which revolve around them in stated times, as the moon circulates round the earth. These facts are as clearly known to science as any subject connected with the physical condition of our own world. Who, then, being acquainted with these things, and rationally reflecting upon their teachings, can suppose that all these bodies, so vast and numerous, are without inhabitants? Such an immense provision of means must be with the view of promoting some adequate end: that end cannot be merely the use of the inhabitants of this earth; and how reasonable is the conclusion that the other worlds must be for the residence of other races of humanity, as responsible to God for their existence and conduct as ourselves. The Lord said of this earth, that "He created it not it vain, He formed it to be inhabited." Thus we have Divine authority for stating that this earth would have been a vain thing without inhabitants. That, then, which would have been true of this earth, if it had not been inhabited, would be equally true of every other earth, if it were without inhabitants. Hence it may be evident that all other earths have been brought into existence for a purpose similar to this. With this idea before us, how untenable is the thought which supposes that the human race will have an end!