Written in the Skies
Though some other sciences may seem to destroy it, astronomy restores a sense of religious awe.
1750
King George II 1727-1760
Though some other sciences may seem to destroy it, astronomy restores a sense of religious awe.
1750
King George II 1727-1760
Astronomer Thomas Wright approached his subject not only with passion but also with reverence. In a preface to his collection of nine ‘Letters’, in which he discussed fifteen years of observations, he told his unnamed correspondent that in common with many heroes of science and literature, he had found his religious belief deepened by studying the stars.
I REMEMBER you have often told me, that to apply ourselves to the Study of Nature, was the surest and readiest Way to come at any tolerable Knowledge of ourselves, however difficult the Task might prove either in the Attempt, or the attaining it, and the less to be neglected, as it never fails to introduce a proper Knowledge of the Divine Being, as a certain Consequence along with it, and such a Knowledge, as will naturally make every Man, who has but a tolerable Share of common Sense, and is not a Slave to another’s Reason, without any other Evidence or Motive, in all Stations, and under all Circumstances, Act justly, Live cheerfully, and die full of Hope in the Expectation of a happy Sequel, in Futurity.
Eternity is written in the Skies:
Mankind’s Eternity, nor Faith alone;
Virtue grows there.*
* Adapted from The Complaint: or Night-thoughts on Life, Death, and Immortality (1742) by Edward Young (1683-1765):
Eternity is written in the skies.
And whose eternity? — Lorenzo! thine;
Mankind's eternity. Nor faith alone,
Virtue grows here; here springs the sovereign cure
Of almost every vice, but chiefly thine.
Wrath, pride, ambition, and impure desire.
1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?
2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?
3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?
Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.