We live by the light and heat of the central fire of the sun. Electricity, which we may call a fire, is now taken to be the essential basis of all matter. All the bright and delicious things of life come of fire. Without fire, no civilisation, no humanity, no joy on earth. If then the saying holds that "in the things wherein a man has sinned, in the same shall he be punished," fire forms not an unfit punishment for one who has abused the good things of our present existence.

Of God and His Creatures: 3.146