For example, it is estimated that the sun's heat at its surface is 300,000 times greater than at the surface of the earth. An exceedingly few rays of the sun, concentrated by a burning mirror, will convert gold and platina into vapor. At this rate, it is calculated that "if a cataract of icebergs, a mile high and as broad as the Atlantic ocean, was launched into the sun, with the velocity of a cannon ball, it would be converted into steam as fast as it entered his atmosphere, without cooling his surface in the least degree. But how is such an enormous heat kept up? Hitherto, every discovery, so far from giving us an explanation, seems rather to remove farther the prospect of probable explanation." (_Outlines of Astronomy, Vol. vi., p_. 400.) Yet the sun is the nearest of the fixed stars, by far the best known, and most nearly related to us. In fact, we are dependent on his influence for life and health. But if the infidel cannot tell the sun's substance, or the nature and cause of the light and heat he sends us, how can he presume to {153} tell us how this same sun was formed, or declare that the Biblical account is false? [ILLUSTRATION: VIEW OF SATURN, SHOWING RINGS.] Concerning the nearest planets, how little do we know! Are they built of the same materials as our planet? Are Saturn's rings solid or liquid? The planet, Saturn, is surrounded with a revolving belt consisting of several distinct rings, containing an estimated area a hundred and forty-six times greater than the surface of our globe, with a thickness of a hundred miles. From mechanical considerations, it has been proved that these rings could not be of uniform thickness all around, else when a majority of her seven moons were on the same side, the attraction would draw them in upon her on the opposite side; and once attracted to her surface, they could never get loose again, if they were solid. It was next ascertained that the motion of the moons of Saturn and her rings was such that the rings must be capable of changing their thickness according to circumstances. Finally, it was demonstrated that these rings were fluid and that their density is nearly that of water, and that the inner portion, at least, is so transparent {154} that the planet has been seen through it. The rings of Saturn are, then, a stream or streams of fluid, rather denser than water, flowing about the planet. This extraordinary fact, which shows how God can deluge a planet when He pleases, is given in the language of a philosopher whose thoughtless illustration of revelation is all the more valuable that it is unintentional: