When Jonathan Edwards (1703-58) was just twenty years old, he submitted a letter to the Royal Society of London about the common spider. It was a brief summary of scientific observations which he hoped would be published in the prestigious journal, Philosophical Transactions. It was not. However, the letter was preserved and has come to be known as “The Spider Letter.” Edwards’ scientific observations are not very impressive, but his ability to see the glory of God in such a common insect and to articulate that glory with vividness and joy is impressive indeed. It is inspiring. It is instructive. For example, after cataloguing some of the particular movements of the spider, Edwards notes, “Hence [we see] the exuberant goodness of the Creator, who hath not only provided for all the necessities, but also for the pleasure and recreation of all sorts of creatures, even insects” (John E. Smith, et al., eds., A Jonathan Edwards reader, New Haven: Yale University Press, 1995, pag...
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