MARCH 17

MAGNITUDE AND DISTANCE OF THE SUN. 

 

If we have never properly considered the extreme littleness of our

globe, and our own meanness, perhaps we may be deeply affected

both with the one and the other, when we consider the immense body

which communicates light and heat, not only to our earth, but to a

multitude of other worlds. The sun is almost in the center of the

planetary system, and is, in certain respects, the monarch of more

than twenty worlds; for the primary and secondary planets are only

worlds, which receive their light, heat, and motion from the sun.

This alone would be sufficient to prove, that this body must be of a

prodigious size ; and what confirms this is, his visible magnitude, not-

withstanding his immense distance from us. But, on this subject, no

doubt can remain, if we admit the calculations of astronomers. From

these it appears, that the diameter of the sun is more than one hun-

dred times greater than that of our earth, and, consequently, that it

is more than one million of times larger than our globe. Probably

it would be easier to ascertain its exact size, if it were not at such

a prodigious distance from the earth.

Astronomers differ concerning this distance; but, taking the medi-

um of their calculations, we may safely assert, that it is not less than

95 millions of miles from us. This distance is perfectly suited to the

effects of the sun, and its influence upon our earth. Some planets

are nearer to him ; but, were ours in their place, it would be reduced

to ashes : others are farther off; were the earth at the same distance,

it would be enveloped in frightful and perpetual darkness, and be ab-

solutely uninhabitable. Nevertheless, we are authorized to believe,

of their productions and inhabitants, to the places they occupy : whe-

ther this suitableness comes from the peculiar constitution of their at-

mosphere ; or whether their substance, and the bodies of their inha-

bitants, be formed so as to be able to. bear a greater degree of heat or

cold.

Probably, what has been said concerning the magnitude and dis-

tance of the sun may appear exaggerated ; for our eyes can discover

nothing so large as the earth which we inhabit: and to this alone we

compare that sun which is a million of times greater, ‘That luminary,

_at such a distance, appears small to us: and on this account we are

tempted to believe our eyes, rather than our reason. If God had

placed us on a planet, which, compared with the earth, were as small

as our earth is in comparison of the sun, the magnitude of the earth

would have appeared to us as improbable as that of the sun now does.

It is not strange then, if we are struck with astonishment at the im-

mense magnitude and distance of that luminary. If now, in contem-

plating a mite, or a spire of grass, we discover so many wonders, what

must there be in so large and glorious a body as the sun!

But it was not merely to excite our admiration that God placed this

beautiful luminary in the heavens. Our admiration should cause us

to ascend to that Supreme Being, who is the Creator, Guide, and Pre-

server of the sun. In comparison of his infinity, the magnitude of

the sun is but a point; and his splendour is but a shadow in comparison

of the glory of the majesty of the Lord. How great must His power

and glory be who has created the sun! Let us endeavour to pursue

this idea; let us dwell upon it, and we shall find it infinitely more in-

comprehensible than the distance and magnitude of the sun. If the

earth be so small in comparison of this globe of fire, how inexpressi-

bly little must it be in comparison of the Lord! If between the earth

and the sun there be such an immense space, how inconceivable must

the distance be between us and the Infinite !

“ Who is like unto thee, O Jehovah! What can be compared to

thee? Thy glory is exalted beyond all praise ! the most sublime spirit

cannot comprehend thy grandeur! Splendour, glory, and majesty sur-

round thee, O thou, who art the principle and life of all creatures:

and thou clothest thyself with lizht as with a garment!” Let it be

our constant employment to praise the Lord, as often as we feel the

salutary effects of the sun, which is the masterpiece of his hands.

Let this witness, who attests the grandeur of God, whose testimony

we may every moment receive and feel, teach us how worthy our

Creator is to be adored, with what tender solicitude he watches over

us, and how much he deserves our confidence and love.

But while we admire the sun that shines above our heads, let us

not forget the Divine Redeemer, that Sun of Righteousness, who has

shone upon us in our misery, and whose rays dispense comfort, health,

and salvation. ‘The influence of his grace is as necessary to our sal-

vation, as that of the sun to our natural life. We should have been

buried in a night of the deepest obscurity, in a night of sin and despair,

if, by his doctrine and redemption, he had not brought light, consola-

tion, and righteousness into the world.

 

(from Reflections on the Works of God ,translated by the 

Rev. Adam Clarke, 1833)