THE SCRIPTURAL OBJECTION TO THE SCIENCE OF GEOLOGY, CONSIDERED.

Ir may be asserted, without the slightest fear of contradiction, that the evidence in support of the Bible being the word of God is complete. The question has been fairly and manfully put by some of the noblest minds-Is this Book from God? and after lengthened and severe investigation, they have answered, "Yes." The external evidence they found to be so varied, disinterested, and full, and the internal evidence so clear, powerful, and irresistible, that hesitation would have been treason to the principles of honest inquiry and the claims of an enlightened judgment. Their decision was given accordingly; and hence the confidence with which it inspires those who honestly, though with limited facilities for personal investigation, study their reasonings and deductions. A book thus proved to be from God will stand many assaults. It has stood many in times gone by, and is nothing the worse for them. Those who oppose the inspiration of the Bible have, in times past, attacked the mere outworks of Christianity. Some garbled or spurious passage has been singled out, and argued against with all the zeal which a better cause might have inspired. Certain portions of the book, susceptible of ludicrous representation, have been placed as marks for the arrows of wit and sarcasm; and dexterously have these weapons been used. The faults

of those who have professed to be the friends of Christianity have been paraded as proof conclusive that the sublime truths which the Bible announces are a deception and a lie. All men may be cheats and hypocrites: but reason tells us, that should Christianity be based on an independent foundation, there it ought to stand, and there it shall stand, safe from those puny efforts put forth for its confutation and annihilation. In the present time, the weapons used are not of a much more dangerous character, and the warfare not much more honourable. The opponent generally calls or fancies himself a philosopher, and he fights from what he considers a scientific stronghold, but the damage done is equally trifling. A scientific fact, or deduction, is discovered to be at variance with some long-believed and deeply-cherished notions, assumed to have their origin in the Word of God. It does not occur to the man of science that his fact" may not be so certain as it appears to be; but even though it did, does he use means to ascertain whether the religious notions are really Bible truths, or held by the most intelligent of the friends of the Bible? He does not. With him the matter stands thus: here is a fact in nature; there are certain notions believed by Christians; this fact clashes with these notions; therefore, the Bible, from which Christians draw their notions, is an imposture. Now, we submit, that the fair and honourable way-the way in which the sincere searcher for truth would act—is to take the fact and

the statement, and compare them. He goes to the volume of nature and gathers his facts; why should he not come to the Bible, and for himself ascertain what is the import of its statements? We are far from denying that many Christians hold notions, and believe them to be scriptural, which cannot be shown to be even countenanced by that book; but it should never be forgot that the question is not, Does scientific fact agree with this or that man's view of the Bible, but with the book itself? In our understanding of the Bible—we speak of course now of those portions of it that have reference to science-we call no man master. No man who had weighed the evidence would deny the inspiration of the book; but if he possessed an independent mind, that is, if he were a true man, he would draw a broad line between its inspiration and interpretation. The question, then, is simply this, Do the established facts of science oppose the truth which the Bible, honestly and intelligently interpreted, conveys to man? We take up this question, in all sincerity and honesty, narrowing it only to one science-geology; and shall endeavour to show that it does not.

The first thing demanded of us, is to give a fair statement of the facts of the case. The simple geological facts are these: 1. The character and position of the various formations that compose the crust of the earth, prove that the origin of this globe is much more remote than six thousand years. 2. The existence of vast quantities of ve

getable and animal remains in these formations, proves that this world was the theatre of life previous to the appearance of our first parents, and the plants and creatures by which they were surrounded. 3. The existence of the same remains, proves that death reigned in all the departments of life long before Adam was called into being. These points may be, and are disputed by many who believe, that were they to be admitted, this science would thenceforth assume a hostile aspect to the Bible. But, at once, and honestly, we assert our entire and firm belief in each and all of them. We will have a more suitable opportunity of dwelling upon some parts of the evidence on which they rest; but it may be proper at this stage to ask the reader who demurs to this conclusion, to go back upon our previous remarks on some of the popular objections to the science. On the other hand, the popular belief relative to the Bible, especially the first chapter of the book of Genesis, is, that it announces, first, that the universe-the heavens as well as this globe-was brought into existence only about six thousand years ago: secondly, that, consequently, no life, vegetable or animal, graced the surface of the globe previous to the existence of that which flushed in youth and beauty when the Lord God said, "Let us make man after our image:" thirdly, that, consequently, death was a thing unknown to this earth, till the gloomy day of the fatal fall. Beyond all question these three particulars comprise the popular belief. With the same decision, open

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ness, and good faith with which we have proclaimed our adhesion to the leading principles of geology, do we now assert, that our unwavering conviction is, that the Bible is from God, in the ordinary sense of these words; but we do not, because in our judgment it is unscriptural, as well as opposed to facts in nature, support the popular opinion of the first chapter of Genesis.

These are the facts of the case, and it is not possible to conceive of two sets of opinions being more distinctly opposed to each other, and entering into more thorough antagonism. The opposition is not apparent, it is real; and provided both can be established on irrefragable grounds, the thorough and everlasting opposition of science to the Bible may be immediately proclaimed. But we are by no means driven to this extremity; harmony on a sublime scale pervades all the works and ways of Deity, though the feeble vision of mortals may in this respect confound vastness with disorder. The reader will be pleased to remember, that the object here is to reconcile geology with the Bible-not with what men may have hitherto thought the Bible taught. It is absolutely necessary to keep up this distinction. Geology, in its most advanced positions, is in perfect harmony with the first chapter of Genesis; but it is in distinct opposition to the popular notions of that portion of the word of God. The plan which we have laid down for the discussion of this subject, which is admitted on all hands to be one of great import