“When the great German astronomer, Kepler, whose name (not perhaps so familiar to us as the English names of Newton and Herschel) is known wherever the red light of Mars shines, first made those grand discoveries that have linked his name with the stars, was asked by his sovereign what honorary award should be given for his distinguished services to the cause of science, he answered, ‘I need no princely gift; my reward is in my work; whoever studies the stars will read my name, and my glory is written in their light.’ When remonstrated with because of his devotion to the science, he replied, ‘Ye know not how dear those twinkling orbs are to me. I love them. The stars are the handwriting of God; I love to read what he has written. Who can behold them without devout admiration of him who made them? and what a language they speak to us of majesty, of glory, of unceasing service, of undying duty and undying fame!’

Surely the renowned philosopher is right. Who can behold the starry heavens on some night in midwinter without a thrill of adoring wonder. Beauty sparkles in the blue depths; infinitude oppresses the soul; the noiseless and majestic march of that host whom no man can number, officered and led by the unseen King of glory, across the measureless field of space, fills the reflecting mind with an unutterable, yet delightful awe.” — William Sterling Lacy, “Reward of the Useful Teacher: An Ordination Sermon” in William Sterling Lacy: Memorial, Addresses, Sermons (1900), pp. 62-63