pared with the velocity of these heavenly bodies. Their volume, their velocities, their orbits, all differ; they intersect each other in their rapid flights, but never vary from their appointed courses. 25. In these they run with such undeviating precision, that the periods of their transits are foretold to an instant of time, at the distance of many centuries! 26. What a sublime manifestation of the power of the Divinity! Millions of worlds! But we avail ourselves of optical means, and beyond these millions of worlds, other millions undistinguishable by the natural sight are successively discovered. Further advances in science disclose other millions still more distant, until the aching sight can follow them no further. 27. Grand and stupendous is this heavenly scene, even to vulgar eyes; but how sublime the contemplation to minds enlightened. No strain of intellect can scan the heavenly vault! No power of numbers count the orbs within it !-No power of words, no songs of praise, no human sacrifice, can raise an incense of Adoration worthy of its Divine Author! 28. By patient meditations, and thoughts intense alone, can man conceive the wondrous beauty and perfection of the Almighty's works, and duly learn to venerate the infinite power and goodness, which extending its protection to all created things, at the same instant assigns to worlds innumerable their appointed courses, and furnishes every invisible living atom with organs and means for the support and enjoyment of existence. HYMNS. HYMN I. Worship at Sun-rise. BOWRING. EXTINGUISHED now is the last, lone star, And hark! for a thousand voices call,— 'Tis He who opens the eastern gates, His spirit all nature animates, And the darkness and the day: The light of hope, and the smile of bliss, His temple is yonder arch sublime; His worshippers are the countless train He rides unseen on the hurrying storm, He wraps And travels from star to star: in the clouds his awful form, A thousand messengers wait his will, And their Sovereign's high behests fulfil, He smiles—and new worlds spring forth to birth, He frowns-and darkness covers the earth, He speaks in the thunder's dreadful roar ; HYMN II. Commencement of Worship. HAPPY hours! all hours excelling, Which the smiles of Heav'n adorn. And, from earthly cares refining, HYMN III. (Ps. 100,) God's Sovereignty. BEFORE Jehovah's awful throne, WATTS. His sov'reign pow'r, without our aid, We are His people, we His care, We'll crowd thy gates with thankful songs, Wide as the world is thy command ; Firm as a rock thy truth must stand, HYMN IV. The Acceptable Sacrifice. WHEREWITH shall I approach the Lord, And bow before His throne? Or how procure His kind regard, And for my guilt atone? Shall altars flame and victims bleed, Will these my earnest wish succeed, O! no, my soul, 'twere fruitless all, BROWNE. To men their rights I must allow, Hands that are clean and hearts sincere He never will despise : BEGIN, my soul, th' exalted lay, To swell th' inspiring theme. Thou heav'n of heav'ns, his vast abode ; Ye deeps, with roaring billows rise, Praise Him who bids you roll: |