his attention was arrested by the falling of an apple to the ground, and that this started a class of inquiries in his mind, which led to the great discovery of the law which governs the material universe. What made the apple fall? Some hidden force called the attraction of gravitation. Did not the same law extend to all other bodies? Was there not the same law in the moon, causing it to be attracted towards the earth? Was there not also the same law in the earth itself, causing it to be attracted towards the sun? And was there not the same law affecting all the planets and their satellites? If so, what kept the moon from falling to the earth? And what kept the earth itself, and all the planets with their satellites, from falling into the sun? The apple fell to the ground because the earth attracted it, and why did they not fall to that great body which attracted them all? A philosopher named Copernicus had previously taught that the sun was the central body in the solar system, and that our earth and the planets revolved round the sun. If this were so, would not the motions of those bodies have the effect of counteracting their attractive force, and thus keep them in their orbits? Yes, if the swiftness of the motions of the heavenly bodies and the force of gravitation were exactly balanced. But how was this to be known? By ascertaining the bulk of the earth, and comparing this with its distance from the moon; and then, again, comparing this with the moon's motion round the earth. He began with the earth and the moon because they were the nearest to each other. So he set to his calculations. But at first the result of his reckonings did not harmonize with his theory. This, however, was owing, not to any error either in his theory or his calculations, but was caused by his relying on a wrong measurement which others had laid down in respect to the extent of a degree in a given latitude of the earth. However, as there was then no other measurement, he could not succeed in his demonstration. So he laid aside his calculations for a time, and waited for further light. By-and-by a more accurate measurement was made from actual observation, and on this being published, he recommenced his calculations; and as he proceeded in the mighty problem, he found he was getting towards the right result. His figures shaped themselves nearer and nearer, and now it became evident to his sagacious mind that the truth was coming out, the grand idea was about to receive a mathematical demonstration. He became so excited by the splendour of the discovery that he could not proceed; and he had to call in the help of a friend to complete the laborious calculations. It was done; and now the mystery which had been hid from the foundation of the world was resolved; the structure, the economy, the harmony, and the grandeur of the heavens stood revealed for the first time to the human view. The world was filled with amazement, and all the honours which science could bestow were lavished upon Newton. One of our poets represents the angels themselves as wondering at Newton's knowledge; but he uses a comparison which we do not approve "Superior beings, when they saw A mortal man explain all nature's law, And showed our Newton as we show an ape." Angels would doubtless admire the wisdom, and glorify God for its bestowment upon man, but they would not show him as we show an ape. The tricks of a monkey are no fit simile to represent the sagacity of the greatest genius that God had created of the human race. Rather would they look upon him with the endearing interest of a brother, a companion in wisdom, and an heir of their eternal joys. The superiority of Newton to other men appeared in most things that he did. In 1697 a philosopher, named Bernouilli, issued a letter to the most distinguished mathematicians in all Europe, challenging them to solve two deep problems, and he gave them six months for the mighty task; but, at the request of Leibnitz, he agreed to extend the time to twelve months. Yet the very day after their reception Newton resolved them both. After this the famous Leibnitz himself issued a celebrated mathematical problem as a defiance to all England, supposing no one was equal to its solution. Newton received it about four o'clock in the afternoon, when returning home fatigued by his duties at the Mint, of which he was then the Warden; but so far from regarding the problem as a difficulty, he applied himself to it as an amusement, and solved it before going to bed. There were many great philosophers in his day, but they were like children compared to the mighty mind of Newton. He was the wonder of the age, and has been the wonder of all ages since—the gigantic intellect of his race. Many racy anecdotes are narrated of his mental abstraction. One day he was very late in leaving his bed-room-so late that his man-servant could not imagine what was wrong. After a long period, fearing he might be ill, he ventured into the philosopher's apartment, and found him sitting like a statue on the side of his bed, half dressed, but still as death, and so lost in deep thought on some great philosophical problem that he had become oblivious to time, to food, and all other things of common life. Another time, while sitting near the fire in his parlour alone, he became lost again in thought, until the glowing heat of the fire made him very uncomfortable, when he rang the bell and asked the servant man to remove the fire or he would be roasted. The servant said, "Excuse me, sir, but would you not be relieved as soon by withdrawing your chair a little way ?" "Oh, yes, oh, yes; but I never thought of that." He could measure the distance of the sun, and trace the paths of comets through boundless space, but he did not think of removing his chair from the glowing fire. Newton was a man of patience and great self-control, as most great men are. It is related that once, when he had gone far into deep and elaborate calculations on a great scientific question, he left his papers on the table of his study, and while absent at worship a little dog overturned a candle, which consumed his valuable papers. The calamity was immense, but instead of being frantic with passion, he simply remarked, "O Diamond, Diamond, you little know the mischief you have done." His extreme modesty was equal to his self-control. He seemed unconscious of his own greatness, and said, if he differed from other men at all it was in the faculty of taking hold of a subject and perseveringly thinking it out. No doubt this was one point of difference; but the main one was his piercing and comprehensive intellect, enabling him to generalize and resolve all things into their first principles. He is reported to have said at the time of his most splendid achievements-"I know not what other men may think of me, but I seem to myself after all only like a little child playing on the sea-shore; and if I have found a few prettier shells than others, they are as nothing compared with the great ocean of truth that still lies undiscovered before us." Newton was a profound believer in the existence of God and the truth of the Christian revelation. He mentioned the very name of God with reverence and awe, and could not bear any one to deny or doubt his being. It is said that one day Dr. Halley, who was atheistical, came to see him, and observing in his room a pair of globes of great beauty and finish, said, “Newton, what beautiful globes you have here. They are admirable, admirable: who made them ?" 66 Oh, nobody made them." "What do you mean, Newton? I ask who made them ?" 66 'Well, I tell you, nobody." "Nonsense! how then could they be here? How could they exist without a maker ?" "Well, I answer you on your own principles. You study astronomy; you are enraptured with the structure, the economy, the harmony and grandeur of the heavens, and you say there is no God; that those mighty globes have no Creator; and yet you affect surprise when I say those little globes have no maker! Reflect on your inconsistency." At another time, when a philosopher was speaking against the Bible, Newton said, "Sir, when you speak on science I like to hear you, because you have studied that and you understand it; but when you speak against the Bible you speak of what you have not studied, and therefore do not understand. I have studied the Bible, sir, and I am persuaded it is the Word of God, and full of Divine wisdom." Newton, in his fifty-third year, was made Warden of the Mint at a salary of £500 a year; and in 1699 he was elevated to the office of Master of the Mint, with an increase of twelve or fifteen hundred per year. He now resided in London, and by his accurate and extensive knowledge of chemistry and mathematics, he rendered important service in the renewal of the national coinage. Having now ample means, he dispensed much in charity. He was also a member of Parliament for the University of Cambridge during a number of years; but we imagine he was more distinguished for his profound VOLNEY THE INFIDEL. 39 liscoveries in science than for his Parliamentary speeches and debates on political matters. Newton made many other great discoveries in nature, and amid these sublime studies he devoted much time to the study of the sacred Scriptures. He was religiously devout as well as intellectually great. He had no vices; his character was unstained. He cherished no envy, no vanity, and indulged in no sensuality. He lived a beautifully simple, modest, pure, unostentatious, and religious life. In old age he suffered much pain, at times the sweat poured from him in agony; but he bore all with meekness and patience; and as he lived so he died, at the good old age of eightythree. We expect to meet Newton in heaven. VOLNEY THE INFIDEL. W. C. VOLNEY was a French philosopher, born in 1757, and died in 1826. He was a learned man, and a fine writer, but of infidel sentiments; and in him we see a melancholy contrast to the dignity and noble bearing of Sir Isaac Newton. The latter sanctified philosophy by religion; the former degraded it by his bad principles. The latter laboured to prove and illustrate Christianity; the former laboured to undermine its foundations. The latter was supported by the consolations of true religion; the former was filled with terror when he thought of God and eternity. We have a remarkable instance of the alarm of Volney, and the utter failure of infidelity to support him in the moment of danger, presented to us by his conduct in a storm. When Mr. Samuel Forester Bancroft and Mr. Isaac Wild were travelling together through North America, they sailed on Lake Erie, and it so happened that Volney was on board the same vessel. He was very communicative, allowing no opportunity to escape of ridiculing Christianity, and behaved altogether in a very profane manner. In the course of the voyage a very heavy storm came on, insomuch that the vessel, which had struck repeatedly with great force, was expected to go down every instant. The masts went overboard, the rudder was unshipped, and the whole scene exhibited confusion and horror. There were many female passengers and others on board; but no one exhibited such strong marks of fearful despair as Volney-throwing himself on deck; now imploring, then imprecating the captain, and reminding him that he had engaged to carry him safely to his port of destination, and vainly threatening him in case anything should happen. At one moment he was quite frantic, and raged like a madman; at another, in wild consternation, he looked into some of Voltaire's works, which he generally carried in his bosom; then despair seized him, and he uttered the most incoherent expressions, and offered a large sum of money to the captain, to prevail on |