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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
February, 1937
Mount Wilson Observatory
In the Hollow
and
God's H
In these two views of the great galaxy in Andromeda, the lower picture shows the entire galaxy as seen on its edge, and the picture above reveals the central portion of the galaxy. Although it appears in the heavens as but a speck of light, it is in reality composed of thousands of millions of suns. This is but one of millions of galaxies, all of which are held as in the hollow of God's hand. Although God is concerned with these big things, yet He is evidently far more in terested in the spiritual condition of comparatively infinitesimal hu man beings, for He explicitly states that there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repents (Lk. 15:7).
By S. H. SUTHERLAND
(J
Los Angeles, California T HERE are few subjects more fascinating than the study of the stars. The man of the world observes the stars from one point of view ; the Christian views them from an entirely different standpoint. A very wholesome effect comes upon one as he forgets compara tively little things— such as the economic condition of the country or the unrest that is prevalent throughout the world— for indeed the world itself seems relatively very small and unimportant when one lets his mind roam throughout the vastness of God’s universe. The psalmist gives expression to the feelings of the aver age person when he says: “ When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psa. 8:3, 4 ). Volumes have been written in speculation concerning the origin of things as they are; but nothing in all the realm of literature can compare with the simple majesty of God’s own revelation as to the ultimate origin of the universe. W e read in Colossians 1:16, 17: “ For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, [The writer of this article, who is the Secretary of the Extension Department of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, wishes to express appreciation to E. C. Bower, Ph.D., lecturer in the Griffith Observa tory and a member of the American Astronomical Society, for his valuable help in providing much of the scientific data contained in this article. A t the request of Mr. Sutherland, Dr. Bower read the complete manuscript, and has stated that the facts and theories contained therein are in accord with the latest discoveries in the science of astronomy .— E ditor .]
and by him all things consist.” M o s t C h ris tians have real ized that Jesus Christ is infinite in H is person; but the majesty, grandeur, lim it less power, and wonderful l o v e of this One with
whom we have to do are comprehended more and more fully as the child of God contemplates God’s handiwork in creation. “ The heavens declare the glory of G od ; And the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, And night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language; Their voice is not heard” (Psa. 19:1- 3, R. V .) . “ All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1 :3 ). It is one thing to know the stars by name, to know the constellations, the galaxies, and all of the “ big things” of the universe, but it is a far more wonderful thing to know the One who holds all these as in the hollow of His hand. D e a lin g w it h F igures of S taggering I m m e n s it y One is lost in the effort to grasp the meaning of the stupendous numbers that are presented by men of science who endeavor to describe the distance in intergalactic space. If it seems that the moon is a great distance away from our earth, 238,000 miles, it must be realized that it takes light less than one and a half seconds to reach the
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