The acquired results of science appear simple through the effect of habit.  The sun rises every day; who is still surprised at its rising?  The solar system has been known a long while; it is taught in the humblest schools, and no longer surprises any one.  But those who found out, after long efforts, what we learn without trouble, the discoverers, reckoned their discoveries very surprising.  Kepler, one of the founders of modern astronomy, in the book to which he consigned his immortal discoveries, exclaims:[97] “The wisdom of the Lord is infinite, as are also His glory and His power.  Ye heavens! sing His praises.  Sun, moon, and planets, glorify Him in your ineffable language!  Praise Him, celestial harmonies, and all ye who can comprehend them!  And thou, my soul, praise thy Creator!  It is by Him, and in Him, that all exists.  What we know not is contained in Him as well as our vain science.  To Him be praise, honor, and glory for ever and ever!” These words, Gentlemen, have not been copied from a book of the Church; they are read in a work which, as all allow, is one of the foundations of modern science.

I pass on to another example, and I continue to keep you in good and high company.  Newton set forth his discoveries in a large volume all bristling with figures and calculations.[98] The work of the mathematician ended, the author rises, by the consideration of the mutual interchange of the light of all the stars, to the idea of the unity of the creation; then he adds, and it is the conclusion of his entire work:  “The Master of the heavens governs all things, not as being the soul of the world, but as being the Sovereign of the universe.  It is on account of His sovereignty that we call Him the Sovereign God.  He governs all things, those which are, and those which may be.  He is the one God, and the same God, everywhere and always.  We admire Him because of His perfections, we reverence and adore Him because of His sovereignty.  A God without sovereignty, without providence, and without object in His works, would be only destiny or nature.  Now, from a blind metaphysical necessity, everywhere and always the same, could arise no variety; all that diversity of created things according to places and times (which constitutes the order and life of the universe) could only have been produced by the thought and will of a Being who is the Being, existing by Himself, and necessarily.”

Here, Sirs, are noble thoughts, expressed in noble style.  I recommend you to read throughout the pages from which I have quoted a few fragments.  Let us now analyze the ideas of this great astronomer as thus expounded.  We may note these three affirmations: 

1.  The universe displays an admirable order which reveals the wisdom of the Power which governs it.

2.  The universe lives; it is not fixed, and its variations suppose an intelligent Power which directs it.

3.  The variable existence of the universe shows that it is not necessary; it must have its cause in a Being who is the Being, necessarily, by His proper nature.