SIR ISAAC NEWTON

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume 4, Issue 58, 13 March 1851, Page 3

SIR ISAAC NEWTON

Is universally acknowledged to have been the most profound philosopher that this, or perhaps any other nation has produced; the vastness of his mental powers has excited the admiration 6( the greatest men in Europe. He was born in Lincolnshire, in the year 1612; and, besides his great philosophical character, hj"; was remarkable for being of a very meek disposition, and a great lover of peace. 110 would rather have chosen to remain in obscurity, than to have the calm of life milled by those storms and disputes, which genius and learning often draw upon those who arc eminent for them. We find him reflecting on the controversy respecting his optic lectures, (into which he was almost unavoidably engaged) in the following terms; —" I blame my own imprudence, for parting with so real a blessing as my quiet, to run afcer a shadow." This excellent person is well known to have been a firm believer, and a serious Christian. His discoveries concerning the frame and system of the universe, were applied by him to demonstrate the being of a Clod, and to illustrate his power and wisdom in the creation. He applied himself also, with great atten. tion, to the study of the Holy Scriptures, considering the several parts of them with uncommon exactness; particularly as to the order of the lime, and the series of prophecies and e«enls relating to the Messiah. Upon this head, he has left behind him an excellent discourse, to prove that the famous prophecy of Daniel's weeks, was an express prediction of the coming of the Messiah, and that it was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The testimony of tho pious Dr. Doddridge to the most interesting part of this great man's character, cannot be omitted on this occasion—" According to the best information," says he" whether public or private, 1 could ever obtain, his firm faith in the Divine Hevelation discovered itself in the most genuine fruits of substantial virtue and piety ; and consequently gives us the justest reason to conclude, that he is now rejoicing' in the happy efll'cts of il, infinitely more than in nil the applause, which his philosophical works have procured him, though they have commanded a fame lasting as the world." Tho disorder of which he died, was supposed to be the stone in the bladder ; which was, at times, attended with such eevurc paroxysms, as forced out large drops of sweat that run down his face. In these trying circumstances, be was never observed to utter trie least complaint, nor to express the least impatience. He departed this life in the eighty-fifth year of his age ; and, in bis principles and conduct through life, has left a strong and comlortuble evidence, th.it the heighest intellectual powers harmonize with religion and virtue j and that there is nothing in Christianity but what will ajbidc the scrutiny of the soundest and most enlarged understanding. How great and satisfactory a confirmation is it to the sincere, humble Christian, and what an insurmountable barrier does it present to the infidel mind, to perceive, in the list of Christian believers, the exalted and venerable names of Oacon, Newton, Boyle, Lonke, Addison, and I.yttelton ; men who must be acknowledged to be ornaments of human nature, when we consider the wide compass of their abilities, the great extent of their learn-

ing and the piety, intearity, and beneficence of their lives. These eminent diameters firmly udhercd to the belief of Christianity, after the most diligent and exact researches into the lite ot its Founder, the authenticity of its records, (lie completion of the prophecies, the sublimity of its doctrines, the purity of its precepts, and the arguments of its adversaries.