The Christian Philosopher, Or, The Connection of Science and Philosophy with Religion, Illustrated with Engravings

Outline of its principal subjects. Banian Tree. Reflections.

Splendour and felicity of insect life. Invisible worlds.
Religious tendency of this science-affords a manifestation
of Deity-expands our conceptions-recommended by the

sacred writers. GEOGRAPHY,

.... 156 Figure of the Earth-Proofs of its spherical form. Relation

which the discovery of the figure of the earth bears to the
plan of Providence. Its magnitude and natural divisions.
General features of its surface. Mountains—their general
ranges, and the sublime scenes they exhibit. The Ocean-
its extent, depth, bottom, and motions. Rivers-their
number, size, and the quantity of water they pour into
the ocean. How they are supplied—their uses. Artificial
divisions of the earth. Number and variety of its inhabi.
tants. Number which has existed since the creation-num-
her at the resurrection, and the space they would occupy.
Number which the earth would contain-strictures on Mal-
thus. Utility of the Study of Geography to Religion—to
Directors of Missionary Societies (Douglas' “ Hints on Mis-
sions,”)—to Private Christians-grandeur of its physical

objects utility of its moral facts. GEOLOGY,.

182 Its object and connection with religion an interesting subject

of inquiry. Materials which compose the crust of the
globe. Various geological phenomena. Organic remains

-Mammoth, Tapir, Eīk, &c. Geological deductions not
inconsistent with the Mosaic history-Genesis i. 1, 2. ex-
plained. The Deluge, and its effects on the earth's strata.

Grand and terrific objects which this science unfolds. ASTRONOMY,

195 Its sublime objects-general appearance of the heavens-stars

seen in the day-time-their apparent revolution indicates
Almighty Power-never shift their relative positions. So-
lar System. The Sun-his size and probable destination
illustrated-his spots and atmosphere-different kinds of
rays emitted from his body--his distance illustrated. Mer-
cury-his size, heat, rotation, &c. Venus-her size, phases,
mountains, and appearances. Earth-proofs and illustra-
tions of its annual and diurnal motions. The Moon-de-
soription of her majestic mountain scenery-luminous spots,
and celestial appearances her superficial contents, &c.
Mars—his distance, atmosphere, luminous zone, &c. New
Planets-CeresPallas_Juno-Vesta-their anomalies,
singularities, and probable origin. Jupiter-his bulk, rota-
tion, belts, and the appearances of his moons. Saturn-
his figure, belts, moons, and quantity of light. His Rings,

their dimensions, motion and phenomena. Splendour of
the firmament as viewed from this planet, (see the engrav-
ing.) Herschel_his distance, size, and quantity of light.
Comets--their tails, velocity, orbits, size, and number. Mo-
tion of the solar system in absolute space--its destination
plurality of worlds intimated in Scripture. The Fixed
Stars--their distance illustrated--their arrangement, changes
--moral reflections. Relation of Astronomy to Religion
moral effects which its objects have a tendency to produce

--criminality of overlooking the works of God, &c. NATURAL PAILOSOPHY,

233 Its objects and divisions. Mechanics. Hydrostatics—its prin

ciples and uses. Pneumatics. Acoustics. Optics. Elec-
tricity its nature, effects, and agency in the system of
nature. Galvanism--its singular effects on metals, ani-
mals, &c, Magnetism—its various phenomena and effects.
Relation of Natural Philosophy to Religion--its inventions
meliorate the condition of mankind-illustrated in the case
of the electric fluid—it undermines the influence of super-
stition—unfolds the incessant agency of God--indifference to

this subject unreasonable. CAEMISTRY,

256 Its objects, and present dignified station. General forms of

matter~simple and compound substances. Caloric, its
sources and properties. Oxygen, its properties and combi-
nations--nitrous oxide, its singular effects. Nitrogen, its
effects on flame and animal life-Hydrogen, its properties
and uses. Carbon, its nature, combinations, and antiseptic
properties. Connection of this science with Religion—it
displays the wisdom and benevolence of God and the
mode of his present and future operations--Improves the
condition of man--and carries forward our views to a more

glorious and auspicious era. ANATOMY and PAYSIOLOGY,

268 Their general object-Human body, its different parts and

divisions.. Bones, their number, form, and positions. Mus-
cles, their nature, use, and extraordinary strength. Heart
and blood vessels, and the circulation of the blood. Respi-
ration. Perspiration. Sensation, and the system of nerves
--Summary. Moral reflections--this branch of study
teaches us our dependence on a Superior Power--and ex-

cites to gratitude. HISTORY,........

280 Its objects, advantages, and connection with Religion. Con

nection of the sciences and of the Divine dispensations
with each other. Concluding remarks.

CHAP. III.

THE RELATION WHICH THE INVENTIONS OF ART BEAR TO

THE OBJECTS OF RELIGION.
ART OF PRINTING, its origin, and beneficial effects-Dr.

Church's improvements in. Artof Navigation. Mariner's
Compass, its discovery and use. The Telescope, its inven-
tion, and the discoveries made by it-serves instead of a
celestial vehicle. The

Microscope, and the views it exhi-
bits of the wisdom of God. Steam Navigation, its utility
in promoting the intercourse of mankind, and its relation
to the objects of religion. Air Balloons, utility of, when
arrived at perfection-proposed improvement in. History
of their invention-Lunardi's ascent-the Parachute. A-
coustic Tunnels. Experiments on the conveyance of sound.
M. Biot's remarkable experiment. Don Gautier's experi-
ment and suggestion-conclusions in reference to the exten-
sive conveyance of sound. Practical Remarks--utility of
the arts in relation to the Millennial era.

CHAP. IV.

SCRIPTURAL FACTS ILLUSTRATED FROM THE SYSTEM OF

NATURE. 1. Science may frequently serve as a guide to the true interpretation of Scripture,

314 Canon or rule for Scripture interpretation-illustrated. II. The depravity of man illustrated, from a consideration of the state of the interior strata of the earth. Volcanoes, and the terrible ravages they produce. Earthquakes and their dreadful effects. Thunder-storms, tempests, and hurricanes General reflections on this subject. III. The Resurrection illustrated. Transformations of insects. Indestructibility of matter-conclusions from this fact. IV. General Conflagration--concluding reflections. Topics: omitted in this Volume.

CHAP. V.

BENEFICIAL EFFECTS WHICH WOULD RESULT FROM con

NECTING SCIENCE WITH RELIGION. 1. The variety of topics would allure the attention of intelligent minds to religious subjects, .

335 Principle of novelty intended by the Creator to be gratified -illustrated in the variety which appears in the earth, the heavens, and the Volume of Revelation. H. Science enables us to take an extensive survey of the empire of God illustrates many sublime passages of the Bible, qualifies us

for complying with several Divine injunctions-Danger of
selfishness and indifference in this respect. Our conceptions
of God depend on our views of the extent of his dominions.
III. Science enlarges our views of the operations of Provi-
dence in relation to the past and present scenes of the
world. The economy of the inferior animals. The physical
and moral economy of the celestial worlds. IV. Science,
blended with Religion, would produce a general expansion
of mind, and liberality of views-in reference to the opi-
nions and actions of men, and to the works and the ways
of God-illustrated at large. V. It would induce a spirit
of piety, and profound humility.--Sources of piety---
illustrated by an example. Humility---illustrated by the
examples of Mr. Boyle, of Şir Isaac Newton, and of supe-
rior intelligences. General conclusions.

APPENDIX.
No. I. Illustration the rate of motion in the heavenly bodies,
on the supposition that the earth is at rest,

373 No. II. Experimental illustrations of the pressure of the Atmosphere,

375 Vo. III. On the means by which it may probably be ascertained, whether the Moon be a habitable world,

376 No. IV. On the ideas we form of magnitude and extension, as expressed by large numbers,

380 No. V. On a Plurality of worlds,

392 No. VI. On the first inventor of Printing,

384 No. VII. On Telescopes; with a brief notice of a New Reflecting Telescope constructed by the Author.........

385 Vo. VIII. On Steam Navigation, .

389 No. IX. On a certain sentiment respecting human redemption, 393 No. X. Extract from Dr. Dwight,

397

« Anterior Continuar »

Libros

The Christian Philosopher, Or, The Connection of Science and Philosophy with ...