Abstract
"Of all the celestial objects with which we are acquainted, none makeso strong and universal an impression upon our globe as does the Sun. He is thatvery light, 'the greater light to rule the day,' as stated in the first chapterof the book of Genesis; a vast and fiery orb, kindled by the Almighty on themorn of creation, to cheer the dark abyss, and to pour his radiance uponsurrounding worlds. Compared with him, all the other solar bodies are ofinconsiderable dimensions; and without him, they would be wrapped in the gloomof interminable night." So wrote Hiram Mattison in his 1864 text book for high-school students.