the constellation Taurus), as the probable actual central mass round which he moved. Mædler's theory, however, notwithstanding the credit which justly attaches to him for the magnificent conception implied in it, as well as the incalculable labour attending such a work, has not been altogether confirmed by other astronomers, some of whom assign a somewhat different direction of movement and plane, and consequently different direction wherein to look for the centre. But here it must be remembered that, after all, little more than the mere direction of the central mass could, with the imperfect data possessed, be pointed out. The vast length of radius or distance which lay between the sun and its centre could never be approximated without far more perfect data than we possess, or are likely ever to possess. The fixing, therefore, by Mædler, on one particular star as that distant central point or mass, has not been confirmed, notwithstanding other testimony seemingly corroborative of this theory which he has adduced from the "proper motion" of the other stars in the group to which Alcyone belongs. There is no limit, indeed, to what might be the length of that invisible radius or chord of gravity which binds our primary and his family of worlds to the distant centre round which he is travelling. Supposing the direction of that centre to be as Mædler has described, and to lie towards Alcyone; yet Alcyone, distant as it is from our sun, might be but the first step or round in the celestial ladder, the first inch in the celestial mileage,—the first huge mile in the celestial millions or billions of such measurements, by which infinite space is portioned; while inconceivably beyond all may still lie the outskirts

or suburbs of the central mass of glory of the celestial city or world to which we are bound fast. What the power of gravity may be, or how far it may extend its influence in space, is only to be limited by its size and density; and measuring it according to the Newtonian law, and having infinity to deal with, there is no limit that we can assign to its distance any more than to its magnitude. If the magnitude and density of the body be sufficient, enough power of gravity may be put forth to hold not our solar system only in its grasp, but innumerable suns and systems. One thing is certain,—the magnitude of the centre which, while out of the sight of the human eye, even when armed with the most powerful telescope, still continues to hold our own sun and his family of worlds fast by its invisible chain, must be something vast, and inconceivable by us.

Thus then, though the precise direction and the distance of our sun from his invisible centre is still unknown, there is little doubt of the existence of such a centre. This granted, then the physical connection of the earth is established by the same argument that connects the planet with its primary: whatever distant point the sun may be attached to, the earth is likewise attached to that point; just as our satellite, the Moon, is doubly connected with the earth and Sun, so are we with the sun and the central mass to which he belongs.

One thing, then, appears evident here, which astronomy unfolds to us. We are not as a severed link in the great world of creation, we are not a mere isolated globe of matter floating, as a ship and her crew, hopelessly and helplessly in a boundless sea of space unconnected with other lands. We belong to, and are actually

attached, as by an iron chain, to some other world in a distant part of the universe, far beyond our own Sun, and which unglorified mortal eye has not yet seen; but the chain is there nevertheless, as well as the country it belongs to, and the existence of both are as much a matter of fact as the existence of America and the Atlantic cable, though both are alike invisible to us here. That wondrous wire connects the Old and the New World so as to enable the inhabitants of earth, though invisible to each other, to converse in words of lightning. The Newtonian chain of gravity in like manner connects the heavenly with the earthly: how far, notwithstanding the vast distance, a conversation and intercourse is possible to be carried on between the two countries, past experience has shown; how far, and in what manner it may be, and is still maintained, and how long it shall continue, are questions for further consideration. In the meantime something has been done by astronomy, if it has only suggested the magnificent and cheering thought, that we are not only connected relatively with the millions of suns and systems that we behold around us, but positively and physically with some vast centre out of sight, and to which all worlds and systems alike belong and render homage. What, if this should be the heaven of heavens, the very throne and habitation of God, the highest and best of all worlds, the present abode of the Man Christ Jesus; and round which, turning as on a mighty pivot, the universe of creation. and its gigantic frame-work rolls its starry face successively towards its Creator! Is there anything irrational in such a supposition? On the contrary, are there not many reasons derived from other sources for thinking it

in the highest degree probable? It must be allowed, however, whatever may be thought of it, that astronomy, without positively asserting it, suggests here a grand and sublime idea. But here science bids us farewell: having conducted us thus in imagination, as it were, to the very portals of the unknown regions-the celestial city above, -she modestly retires; leaving us, however, not in the dark, but in the hands and under the guidance of another and "more sure and powerful" witness, and that is, the inspired volume of the Scriptures. That assures us not only of the reality and certainty of the existence of such a place as heaven, though it tells not its celestial longitude or latitude, but of the actual physical, moral, and intelligent connection between the two worlds-heaven and earth; established, not by gravity, but by actual intercourse of the inhabitants,by the communication which has subsisted between the two worlds, through the medium of intelligent Beings (who have visited us) of a race far superior to man, and who have passed and repassed from one world to the other, crossing the vast gulf of space that lies between with far more ease than we can now, with all the aids of science we possess, pass from one country or city on our own globe to another, their flight resembling, indeed, in its speed more the flashing of the electric spark along the wire, that now sounds and spans the solitary depths of our Atlantic, than any mortal flight, but thus establishing beyond all question the intimate relation of this terrestrial ball and kingdom of earth with another and a grander and a brighter world and kingdom. But here we pass from the testimony of science to the domain of ancient and inspired history.

CHAPTER II.

SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCE.

"Alexander, dead is not, but lives above the stars."-Inscription on a Christian Martyr's tomb in the catacombs of Rome, A.D. 168.

"Far above all heavens."--EPHES. iv. 10.

W

E will now inquire, What is the testimony which the Scriptures afford to this deeply interesting question? The proofs contained in the Bible are (as I take it) neither few nor slight, to the great fact suggested by science; so much so, indeed, that, valuable as the testimony of astronomy is as a confirmation of, or contribution to, inspired truth, yet, had the knowledge we have obtained of the universe done nothing in that direction, the great doctrine of heaven as a place or locality in the heavens would remain the same. Stereotyped as it is in the Book that records it, it has been equally stereotyped on the mind of every person that has read that book and believed in it. It could not indeed be discredited without discrediting the entire volume that reveals it, in which it is the central picture, next to Christ Himself; the great object towards which all our hopes and fears are directed; our final home, the reality of which is indelibly imprinted on our mind from our earliest years, as being also the home of God and the holy angels, and the "spirits of the just made perfect."