Natures Wonders
December 6, 2007 Antiquarian No Comments
Nature’s Wonders.
By The
Rev. Richard Newton,D.D.
Published by
William P. Nimmo:
London and Edinburgh.
1879
Printed by Murray And Gibb,Edinburgh,
Printers To Her Majesty’s Stationery Office
School Board Of Glasgow Price Label Affixed To The Front Pastedown
Prize Awarded to Maggie Caldwell
T.W. Grant Head Teacher
(?)A. Reuuedy Clerk To School Board
As Is Exactly Stated On The Preface Page :
Several years ago I met a gentleman of my acquaintance in the street,who has long been connected with the book business. He is a worthy and honoured member of the Society of Friends. He stopped me,and said, Friend Newton,does thee know of any book for the use of children designed to show the wisdom and goodness of God as they appear in the works of nature? A customer of mine has asked me to get him such a book.I have looked everywhere for one, but I have not found it. ON EBAY
My reply was,I do not know that there is a book of this kind in existence. There are many such books for the use of grown persons,but none, I think, for children.
Well, then,said he, why can’t thee make one? It is in thy line.
I thanked him for the suggestion,and said I would think about it.
The idea had never occurred to me before. It interested me greatly. I began to read up on the subject,with the intention of taking it in hand at once. But the greatness of the theme,and the difficulty of properly handling it,caused me to pause. I felt afraid to begin it. I knew how abundant the material was, but my fear was that it would be found very difficult to weave into such a course of sermons as much of directly religious element as ought to be mingled with them. This fear kept me back for some time from entering on the work. But finally I resolved to try. The result of this trial appears in the present volume.I trust it will not be found wanting in the element referred to.
This volume is sent forth as an experiment. It goes but a little way into the great department to which it refers. It only presents a few flowers, gathered as specimens from God’s great garden. Theses sermons have cost me more labour than any I have yet published for the young. Two whole weeks of hard work were spent on one of them. I trust,however,they may be of service in helping the young to look through nature up to nature’s God; and in showing them that the God who speaks so lovingly to us in the Bible is the same God whose wisdom,power, and goodness are so wonderfully displayed in the glorious works around us.
I hope, too, that this feeble effort may lead others to go farther in this same direction than I have gone. There ramaineth yet very much land to be possessed in this department. And it is land that is well worth possessing. May God add His blessing to this volume, and make it a help to the young in trying by searching to find out God!
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