Page:Gods Glory in the Heavens.djvu/82

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64
LUNAR LANDSCAPE.

of the earth, we find that the precipitous sides of all great mountain-ranges face the sea. The terrestrial Alps, for example, have their steep side towards the Mediterranean. Those who have crossed the Alps by the pass of the St Gothard, will remember the long, gradual ascent from Fluelen, through the Canton of Uri, and the sudden descent and terrific zig-zags down the Val Tremola to the plains of Italy. All the ranges in the moon have their steep sides, in like manner, towards the so-called seas. If we cannot admit that they are seas now, is it not probable that they may have once been seas? If all our seas and oceans were drained, the surface of the earth would present precisely the same spectacle that the moon does. But do we know of any draining cause? We have seen that science has clearly established the fact, that if any water existed on the nearest side of the moon, it would necessarily flow to the other side. Let us only suppose that the centres of figure and gravity were at one time coincident, that it was internal convulsions, of which we have such numerous proofs, that, at a subsequent epoch, changed the centre of gravity, and we have at once a cause adequate to the effect.

Short as our survey has been, we have seen enough to reveal the "silent Geometer within"—the supreme Intelligence, who manifests His presence in symmetry and type, as well as in the special adaptation of means to ends.