The New-York Weekly Magazine, or Miscellaneous Repository: Forming an Interesting Collection of Original and Select Literary Productions in Prose and Verse
General
The New-York Weekly Magazine, or Miscellaneous Repository: Forming an Interesting Collection of Original and Select Literary Productions in Prose and Verse
American periodicals
In the mean time, all these observations, however surprising they are,
lead us, at the utmost, but to the first limits of the creation. If we
could transport ourselves above the moon; if we could reach the highest
star over our heads, we should discover new skies, new suns, new stars,
new systems of worlds, and perhaps still more magnificent. Even there,
however, the dominions of our great Creator would not end; and we should
find, with the greatest surprize, that we had only arrived at the
frontiers of the worldly space. But the little we do know of his works,
is sufficient to make us admire the infinite wisdom, power, and goodness
of our adorable Creator. Let us stop here, then, and reflect, how great
must be that Being who has created those immense globes! who has
regulated their course, and whose right hand directs and supports them!
And what is the clod of earth we inhabit, with the magnificent scene it
presents us, in comparison of the beauty of the firmament? If this earth
was annihilated, its absence would be no more observed than that of a
grain of sand from the sea-shore. What are provinces and kingdoms in
comparison of those worlds? Nothing but atoms which play in the air, and
are seen in the sun-beams. And what am I, when I reckon myself amongst
this infinite number of God’s creatures? How I am lost in my own
nothingness! But however little I appear in this, how great do I find
myself in other respects! “How beautiful this starry firmament, which
God has chosen for his throne! What is more admirable than the celestial
bodies! Their splendor dazzles me; their beauty enchants me. However,
all beautiful as it is, and richly adorned, yet is this sky void of
intelligence. It knows not its own beauty; whilst I, mere clay, whom God
has moulded with his hands, am endowed with sense and reason.” I can
contemplate the beauty of those shining orbs. Still more, I am already,
to a certain degree, acquainted with their sublime Author; and I partly
see some rays of his glory. I will endeavour to be more and more
acquainted with his works, and make it my employment, till by a glorious
change I rise above the starry regions, and enter the world of spirits.
* * * * *
MAXIM.
If we would be truly great, we must think nothing below our notice, nor
any thing too high for our attainment.
* * * * *
* * * *
EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE OF A SPANISH NOBLEMAN
_From the Chevalier De Rabilier’s remarkable
Events of the present Century._
(Concluded from page 27)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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